TSN Hockey Insiders Bob McKenzie, Darren Dreger, and Pierre LeBrun have the latest on available players on the New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres, if
moving Dave Bolland is a possibility for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and
Steven Stamkos Olympics situation.
Mackensie
Alexander Vikings Jersey . From the moment Thomas Vanek turned down a
reported $50 million contract offer from the New York Islanders, the thought was
he has to be moved. Is a deal imminent? Pierre LeBrun: Its not imminent but it
could happen before the end of the week, of course we have an Olympic trade
freeze Friday at 3pm et. In a perfect world the Islanders would look to divest
themselves of that big salary of Vaneks so they dont carry it through the
Olympics. But that same big cap number is why some of the contenders – and we
know that Los Angeles and Pittsburgh have some interest in Vanek – cant deal yet
as they are right at the cap. So it makes this deal difficult before the Olympic
freeze. To get Vanek, the asking price is three assets: any combination of a
first-round pick, a young player, and a prospect. Whatever the combination,
Islanders GM Garth Snow is trying to get his big haul here because we know how
much he gave up to get Vanek at the start of the season. Bob McKenzie: The
Islanders also have another asset in play in defenceman Andrew MacDonald. Heres
a guy that is going to unrestricted free agency at the end of the season, hes
only making $550,000 right now, but he leads the NHL in blocked shots. And for
the last two seasons hes been the minutes leader for the Islanders. There has
been a lot of interest in this player. The Islanders could do a deal with him,
maybe between $4 million and $5 million a year, which would be a huge increase
on what hes currently making, but the Islanders have lots of young defencemen
coming and lots of teams are calling. MacDonalds name is definitely in play. And
is one of Thomas Vaneks ex-teammates also drawing interest? McKenzie: That would
be Steve Ott of the Buffalo Sabres. We all know that Matt Moulson has been
drawing interest, with upwards of a double digit number of teams inquiring about
Moulsons availability by the deadline. But Ott is attracting that much, if not
more attention than Moulson. Obviously keep an eye on the Sabres, theyre at the
bottom of the league and ready to offload people. In addition to Ott and Moulson
there is the Ryan Miller scenario playing out but also Henrik Tallinder is
another guy who could be moved as well as Drew Stafford and Cody McCormick.
Dave Bolland hasnt played since November 2. Is he still in play? Darren Dreger:
Hes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, so Dave Nonis and the
Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have to figure out what option they want to
pursue with Bolland. There are three of them: No. 1 is theyll negotiate
relatively soon and find out what his number would be to avoid free agency. No.
2 is if they dont like the number at this stage in the season, they wait and use
him as their own rental to push for the playoffs. No. 3, which isnt anywhere
near as likely as No.1 but is certainly an option, is to trade Bolland if you
know that a deal isnt likely to be made. By all accounts, everything is going to
plan for Steven Stamkos. His plan is to play Saturday and then make a decision
with Team Canada at that point. What is Team Canada doing to manage the
situation if Stamkos cant go? Dreger: First of all, there are a couple hurdles
Canada has to get by. No. 1: they want to find out what Wednesdays test results
are medically speaking on Stamkos. Either way, expect Team Canada GM
Steve Yzerman to reach out to at least a couple, as many as four or five, of the
replacement players – Claude Giroux, James Neal, Eric Staal, Martin St. Louis –
to put them on standby. Then you look to Saturday and if Stamkos is able to play
against the Detroit Red Wings, then thats a great sign. Obviously theyll monitor
how he feels post-game, then theyll make the decision as to whether he or
somebody else gets on the Sunday charter flight. LeBrun: And theres a
Stamkos-like situation playing out in Minnesota, obviously not getting as much
attention. Mikko Koivu, the best player on the Finnish Olympic team, may not be
able to play. This thing is going down to the wire. We know one thing, hes not
going to play for the Wild this week. He hasnt played in a month after ankle
surgery. Hes still recovering and skated on Tuesday, having felt better than he
has in a couple days. But at the end of the day, be it Friday or Saturday, Koivu
has to get together with Minnesota team doctors and the Finnish Olympic team to
make a call on whether or not hes fit to play in the Olympics. That would be a
gigantic loss for Finland.
Michael
Griffin Vikings Jersey . Arsene Wenger reportedly wants to convert the
player into an attacking force, much like he did with Robin Van Persie.
Emmanuel
Lamur Vikings Jersey .J. Ellis have avoided arbitration, agreeing to a
one-year contract.
http://www.vikingsauthenticshoponline.com/Youth-Brett-Favre-Elite-Jersey/ . Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers were left fretting over an MRI on the
stars left knee. Paul George scored 21 points, Roy Hibbert added 19 and the
Pacers used a dominant fourth quarter to blow out the Cavaliers 91-76 on Tuesday
The Pacers (25-5) have won eight in a row over Cleveland, their longest active
streak against any opponent.A look at the respective runners of Willie Mullins
and Paul Nicholls on Saturday as the pair battle for the National Hunt trainers
title. With the jumps trainers championship reaching a thrilling climax at
Sandown on Saturday, Ashley Iveson runs the rule over seven races that will
define a season.Paul Nicholls has a lead of £53,592 heading into Saturday, but
with £150,000 up for grabs in the bet365 Gold Cup alone, its all to play for.
Click here for the latest betting in the trainers championshipWillie Mullins -
£2,275,659 (before racing Saturday)Paul Nicholls - £2,329,251 (before racing
Saturday)2.20 - bet365 Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Prize-money £50,000)PAUL
NICHOLLS: Tommy SilverWILLIE MULLINS: Voix Du ReveVOIX DU REVE looked sure to go
close when coming to grief at the final flight in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham.
He is 5lb higher now, though, and might have to make do with minor honours
behind Wolf Of Windlesham. Paul Nicholls relies upon TOMMY SILVER, but he
perhaps needs softer ground.OUTCOME: 1 Wolf Of Windlesham, 2 Voix Du Reve 3 Duke
Street3.00 - bet365 Oaksey Chase (Prize-money £50,000)PAUL NICHOLLS: Saphir Du
Rheu, Rocky Creek, Wonderful CharmWILLIE MULLINS: Valseur Lido,
BallycaseyVALSEUR LIDO has an excellent opportunity to secure an important
victory for Mullins. The testing nature of Sandown will play to his strengths
and he is well treated by the conditions of the race. Nicholls saddles SAPHIR DU
RHEU, ROCKY CREEK and WONDERFUL CHARM, with the former taken to finish
third.OUTCOME: 1 Valseur Lido, 2 Menorah, 3 Saphir Du Rheu3.35 - bet365
Celebration Chase (Prize-money £125,000)PAUL NICHOLLS: Dodging Bullets, Solar
Impulse, Ulck Du LinWILLIE MULLINS: Un De SceauxA key contest in many respects
and Sprinter Sacre can confirm Cheltenham authority over the Mullins-trained UN
DE SCEAUX, who is expected to pick up the second prize of almost £27,000. Former
champion chaser DODGING BULLETS can make a slight return to form by finishing in
the money for Nicholls.OUTCOME: 1 Sprinter Sacre, 2 Un De Sceaux, 3 Dodging
Bullets4.10 - bet365 Gold Cup (Prize-money £150,000)PAUL NICHOLLS: Southfield
Theatre, Just A ParWILLIE MULLINS: Sir Des Champs, MeasureofmydreamsHuge amounts
of money at stake, but it could be that the two title-chasing trainers are out
of luck in what is always a terrifically difficult race to win.OUTCOME: 1
Sausalito Sunrise, 2 Henri Parry Morgan, 3 Bishops Road, 4 Le Reve4.45 - bet365
Select Hurdle (Prize-money £50,000)PAUL NICHOLLS: Ptit Zig, San Benedeto,
SilsolWILLIE MULLINS: Vroum Vroum MagThe Mullins-trained VROUM VROUM MAG is the
banker of the afternoon and should win cosily. PTIT ZIG is an interesting
contender for Nicholls, though, and can chase him home.OUTCOME: 1 Vroum Vroum
Mag, 2 Ptit Zig, 3 Ubak5.20 - bet365 Josh Gifford Novices Handicap Chase
(Prize-money £30,000)PAUL NICHOLLS: 5.20 As De Mee, Some Buckle, CaliptoWILLIE
MULLINS: No runnersNicholls can cash in with SOME BUCKLE, who opened his account
over fences in good style at Haydock last month, appearing to relish the sound
surface. Stablemate Calipto is a good horse and must also have sound place
claims.OUTCOME: 1 Some Buckle, 2 Thomas Crapper, 3 Calipto5.55 - bet365 Handicap
Hurdle (Prize-money £30,000)PAUL NICHOLLS: Qualando, Red Hanrahan, Alcala,
ChartbreakerWILLIE MULLINS: McKinley, Burgas, Bellow MomeThe progressive BELLOW
MOME looks the pick for Mullins, but staying-on Taunton runner-up QUALANDO is
also respected for Nicholls. Both trainers might find it tough if Ma Du Fou
makes amends from a rather puzzling run at Aintree.OUTCOME: 1 Ma Du Fou, 2
Qualando, 3 Bellow Mome, 4 MatoricoCONCLUSION: Willie Mullins to claim two
victories on the card, but Some Buckle and a raft of placed horses can haul Paul
Nicholls over the line.Mullins following trail blazed by the great Vincent
OBrienWillie Mullins will join exalted company should he defeat Paul Nicholls to
claim what has been an enthralling race for Britains trainers title.The
Closutton handler would emulate the great Vincent OBrien, who broke new ground
when crowned champion in two successive campaigns in 1952-53 and
1953-54.Considering what OBrien went on to do on the Flat, no one ever imagined
his feat would be repeated on UK shores.OBrien was a trainer without parallel
and was very much a pioneer and an innovator. For example, he was the first
trainer to use flying as a means of transporting horses across sea.He saw the
advantage of horses going on an away day rather than be absent from their usual
surroundings overnight or longer.Times may have changed enormously in those 62
years, but like OBrien in his day, Mullins is a supreme master of his
trade.Totally dedicated to the sport and always willing to learn and try new
techniques, both quickly realised you have to be a step ahead of your
contemporaries if you are to be number one. Once there, you must continue with
that philosophy and double your efforts.OBriens success was remarkable. He is
the only man to have trained three consecutive Grand National winners and with
three different horses - Early Mist (1953), Royal Tan (1954) and Quare Times
(1955).He did the same in the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Cottage Rake who was the
first to win the blue riband three years in a row, between 1948-50.Hattons Grace
won three successive Champion Hurdles (1949-51) for OBrien and was also
successful on the Flat, winning the Irish Lincolnshire in 1949 and the Irish
Cesarewitch.Mullins has made his mark in the Grand National and the three top
Cheltenham races and he does not too badly with his little forays to the big
Flat meetings. He has had four winners at Royal Ascot, though not yet anywhere
near the level of OBrien because he concentrates chiefly on the
jumps.Amazinglyy, OBrien had never been to Cheltenham before 1948 when he had
the first of 23 Festival winners that spanned up until 1959 and he never drew a
blank there.
Audie
Cole Vikings Jersey. .In that time he won the Gloucestershire Hurdle, the
forerunner of the Supreme Novices Hurdle, 10 times.Strangely, after beginning
the 1950s as champion jumps trainer in Ireland, he was beaten first Tom Dreaper
and then Paddy Sleator as his focus turned to Britain.That has not happened to
Mullins. His dominance in Ireland is stronger than ever, despite the emergence
of young trainers such as Gordon Elliott. His first title came in 2000/1 when he
split Noel Meades total of eight in nine years and it has been his alone since
2007-08.This is the first season Mullins has really had a go at winning the
British title, starting by tackling the big Saturday races, which the UKs top
two, Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson, have usually farmed in recent
times.Cheltenham was the only meeting he really targeted until this year, when
he sent a big team to Aintree without compromising his chances at the big Easter
Festival at Fairyhouse and the end-of-season meeting at Punchestown in late
April.Not only do you need the right ammunition, but even the best horses have
to be primed to be at their best for the big races, wherever and whenever they
may be.Mullins has proved a dab-hand at that and whatever happens on Saturday,
he has set the bar staggeringly high, just as OBrien did before him.Nicholls:
Weve given it our best shotPaul Nicholls intends to be gracious in victory or
defeat as his enthralling title battle with Willie Mullins comes to what
promises to be a thrilling conclusion at Sandown on Saturday.By his own
admission this season has been a relatively low-key one for the master of
Ditcheat, and yet he is tantalisingly close to being crowned Britains champion
National Hunt trainer for the 10th time.Mullins - aiming to become the first
Irish-based trainer to be claim the British crown since Vincent OBrien in the
1950s - has remarkably trained less than 30 winners this side of the Irish Sea
this term, but his dominance of the top-class events at Cheltenham and Aintree
this spring - where he saddled seven and six winners respectively - looked to
have put him in a commanding position.However, Nicholls came roaring back last
weekend, with Vicentes Scottish Grand National triumph the highlight of an Ayr
four-timer and he has continued in similarly spectacular form since to ensure he
now holds the aces ahead of the final day.Weve had a great season and being
competitive you want to win the championship. We want to keep it in the UK
rather than it go to Ireland, said Nicholls.ts been quite tough this year. We
only had five winners by October 1 and we didnt have the Grade One horses weve
had in the past.Arguably we only have one Grade One horse in training,
Silviniaco Conti, and he has had more than his share of problems this season.You
cant just go out and buy horses like Kauto Star and Master Minded any more.
Those days are gone.We have concentrated on recruiting and bringing on promising
young horses for the future such as our juveniles and the group of bumper horses
that have been so successful lately.Nicholls insists he is proud of the yards
achievements this season, no matter what the result this weekend, and if he does
come up short, he will be happy to congratulate the new champion.He told
Betfair: Im thrilled that we have won over 120 races, earning over #2.3million
in prize-money for their owners and we have had more winners than any other yard
this season, which is, I think, a first for us.I do tend to feel the pressure on
these big days because I hate the idea of letting people down when things dont
work out.But ours has always been a team effort and I am encouraged by all the
messages of support that we have had in the past few days.Weve fought back and
kept chipping away and last Saturday was a big day for us.Me and Willie Mullins
get on great. We always shake hands and we text from time to time if we want to
help each other.Hes a gentleman, hes a brilliant trainer and we have huge
respect for each other. Weve always got on great and always will do.Win or lose
we have given it our best shot and if Willie Mullins is crowned champion trainer
on Saturday I will be the first to shake his hand and say well done.With
significant ground to make up, for most trainers the battle would be as good as
over with only one day remaining, but the Mullins army is out in force in
Esher.The likes of Un De Sceaux, Valseur Lido and Vroum Vroum Mag are all major
contenders on a fantastic card, but the trainers son and assistant Patrick is
hopeful rather than confident that the Closutton team can wrestle back the
advantage.He said: Its a big day and I think the general feeling in the yard at
the moment is were up against it.We might have to have four or five winners on
the day, which is not impossible but its a tough ask as when you need things
like that to happen theres normally one that either gets beat or falls.Paul has
two or three in a few of the races, so even if we win them, hes chipping away at
us all the time picking up prize-money.You never know, though, and I think well
all be heading over there and well see what happens.Its great to be in this
position and you never know when it might happen again.It would be fantastic to
win it but its the end of the world.Whats interesting is when Vincent OBrien won
the English title in the 1950s he wasnt actually champion trainer in Ireland
which is a strange piece of information.If it can be done, great, but if Paul
manages to retain his title fair play to him. Also See: Live results service
Full racecards Get Sky Sports
NFL Jerseys
China cheap jerseys ' ' '
