Clearly, Ilya Kovalchuk and this season’s Los Angeles Kings are a bad fit. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the 36-year-old winder has been told he’ll be out the of lineup “for the foreseeable future.” He has one goal and two assists in his last 13 games. His 26.32 goals-for percentage at 5-on-5 is the worst on the Kings. He had a full no-move clause thanks to GM Rob Blake, but this is the kind of move that no doubt entices a player to waive it.
The NHL tells ESPN that it’s investigating an apparent change in the way shot distance is being measured in its game summaries. This week, the hockey analytics community noted a dramatic shift in shot distance, including video evidence that shots in the crease were being measured as having been several feet away. This could corrupt advanced stats like expected goals, and goalie analytics like high-danger saves. After observing the videos, the NHL is looking at potential catalysts.
Comedy at San Jose Sharks practice on Saturday. Tomas Hertl tossed his stick in frustration after missing a shot. It hit the protective netting, and was tangled in the air above the ice. Sharks players used pucks and sticks to dislodge it, until Hertl himself knocked it free with a second stick. "If we hadn't scored last game, I'd say that's been our luck [this season]. But we're past that," said coach Pete DeBoer.