Friday Sharks Links: Niemi hopes to return next season
Your daily assortment of links to news and analysis from around the hockey world.
- One storyline from locker cleanout day that flew a bit under the radar was goalie Antti Niemi confirming he'd like to return with the Sharks next season. The 31-year-old is a pending unrestricted free agent. [Mercury News]
- A more complete review of Doug Wilson's comments from that day, including that missing the playoffs was the price the team needed to pay for their "transition season." [Working the Corners]
- Good breakdown of how the Sharks' possession numbers cratered from December through March, largely causing their struggles over that span, before rebounding in a big way too late to salvage the season. [HockeyBuzz]
- Destiny looms for the fourteen teams who failed to make the playoffs as they look ahead to Saturday's draft lottery, each carrying at least minimal odds of winning Connor McDavid. [The Globe & Mail]
- Everything you need to know from Night 2 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. [Eye On Hockey]
- Developing a basic shot attempts-based model for predicting playoff series. The model thinks the Blues will go all the way though so screw that. [NHL Numbers]
- Dallas signed rookie defenseman John Klingberg to a seven-year, $29.75 million contract extension. [Defending Big D]
- We know in-game score effects are a thing but there's also evidence that teams leading in a playoff series tend to play more conservative hockey as well. [Hockey Prospectus]/