Dan’s Daily Links: Trade Winners, Contracts and Ray Emery

Officially, we are to the point of the offseason when news stops. A few more contracts will be dished out, arbitration hearings don’t begin for two more weeks and the entire hockey world seemingly owns a cabin on a lake. However, this week the hockey world is paying respects to goaltender Ray Emery, who passed well before his time. The 35-year-old former NHL goaltender died in a drowning accident last weekend.

Police say the accident does not appear suspicious. Emery’s former teammates and the NHL are paying tribute (Sportsnet).

Also on Sportsnet–Down Goes Brown looks at the times when teams actually won the trade when they deal a star (Sportsnet)

Illya Kovalchuk spoke with reporters–he told them why he signed with the L.A. Kings. (NHL.com)

You know my love-hate-more hate relationship with advanced statistics. In short, my opinion is too often they’re mangled to prove a point or shock, rather than actually explain what is happening on the ice. However, Travis Yost of TSN has an interesting read today on defensemen scoring rates–why the totals are only part of the story (TSN).

The Calgary Flames signed recently-acquired Elias Lindholm to a pretty nice extension (Calgary Sun).

The Canadiens signed Philip Danault. The Montreal fanbase agrees with the move (Eyes on the Prize).

And, there is absolutely nothing new on the Erik Karlsson or Max Pacioretty front. Both Canadien GMs are holding the hockey trade market hostage, and figure to do so for the foreseeable future…

So, check out today’s PHN Extra feature: What Is Matt Cullen’s Role With the Penguins?