Wednesday Sharks Links: Niemi, Sharks yet to discuss contract extension
Your daily assortment of links to news and analysis from around the hockey world.
- Pierre LeBrun reports that, as confirmed by Antti Niemi's agent, the Sharks have yet to have any serious contract extension negotiations with their pending unrestricted free agent goalie. LeBrun suggests Doug Wilson could deal Niemi at the trade deadline for the right price but with Devan Dubnyk starring in Minnesota, it's hard to see who would be interested. [ESPN]
- More on the Sharks' 13-round shootout against Edmonton, including how John Scott was dreading getting tapped on the shoulder to try his hand at an attempt. [Working the Corners]
- Speaking of that game, James Sheppard still wasn't thrilled a day later with the Sharks' disallowed goal from the first period. [Gackle Report]
- Daniil Tarasov skated on a line with Tomas Hertl and James Sheppard yesterday and could make his NHL debut on the Sharks' two-game Western Canadian road trip that begins tonight in Calgary. [CSN Bay Area]
- If he gets a chance to draw into the lineup, Tarasov will be able to display the strides he's made in his two-way game since being demoted to the ECHL back in 2012 for poor defensive play. [Gackle Report]
- It's obviously a fairly important trip as the Sharks will face the two teams directly behind them in the Pacific Division standings. Losing both contests would mean waking up on Friday morning in 4th place in the division. [Mercury News]
- The Kings' chances of making the playoffs dropped to 31%. [Sports Club Stats]
- Todd McLellan emphasized the importance of this stretch of the road trip given that the Sharks will eventually close the season with a stretch of 10 of 13 on the road. [CSN Bay Area]/