Penguins: No fracture for Sidney Crosby, but neck injury possible source of symptoms

One hour before the NHL All-Star Game on Sunday, news broke that Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby had an "abnormality" of the C1 and C2 vertebrae in his neck, discovered via an MRI while visiting a specialist in Utah.

One hour after the NHL All-Star Game, Crosby's agent Pat Brisson told the media that a neck injury discovered by Dr. Robert Bray in Los Angeles had "healed," but couldn't confirm if the vertebrae had indeed been fractured.

On Tuesday, another twist: The Penguins released a statement saying there was no fracture but that the root of Crosby's concussion-like symptoms might be traced to a neck injury.

From the Penguins:

An independent specialist contacted to review recent medical tests taken on Sidney Crosby found no evidence of a past or present neck fracture but verified that Crosby is suffering from a soft-tissue injury of the neck, that could be causing neurological symptoms.

Dr. Alexander Vaccaro is a spinal trauma expert at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and co-director of the Spinal Cord Center at Thomas Jefferson University. He is past president of the American Spinal Injury Association. Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, along with Penguins owner Mario Lemieux and CEO David Morehouse traveled Monday morning to Philadelphia, where Vaccaro reviewed a CAT Scan and MRI taken last week by Dr. Robert S. Bray in Los Angeles. Bray diagnosed a neck injury.

Bray has treated Crosby with an injection to alleviate swelling in the C1-2 joint of the neck and will be overseeing his progression with therapists. Doctors say the symptoms of a soft-tissue neck injury are similar to concussion symptoms.

Vaccaro, Bray and UPMC doctors all agree that Crosby is safe, the injury is treatable, and he will return to action when he is symptom-free.

Crosby and GM Ray Shero spoke on the issue Tuesday afternoon. Crosby disclosed that he's been diagnosed with a soft-tissue injury in his neck that carries many of the same the symptoms as a concussion but is a great deal more treatable.

"There's a pretty big possibility that it could be causing some of the issues and I hope that's the case," Crosby said. "I hope that it'll improve and that's hopefully the end of it."

General Manager Ray Shero also weighed in on when, exactly, Crosby suffered the neck injury:

"It's hard to pinpoint when this could have happened, whether this was an existing injury or it happened in one of the games in which he came back," he said.

And, best of all, Shero also put an end to the doomsday punditry:

"There has never been any indication from any doctor over the last year that he'd have to shut it down for the season, that he'd have to retire," Shero said. "We're going to find a way to get a handle on this and get him back on the ice as safely and quickly as possible."

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Eighth place in the Western Conference is up for grabs; Who takes it?

With the All-Star break now behind us, it's time to look ahead to the next two major dates of the year: February 27 and April 7 -- the trade deadline and the last day of the regular season, respectively. (Also, I think my wedding anniversary is in there somewhere.)

The two dates are connected, as every GM now has until the first date to project, to the best of their knowledge, where their team will be on the second. Outside of the playoff picture? Then it's time to start preparing for next year. Inside? Time to patch holes where possible and steel up, Shaq-style.

So who's where in the Western Conference?

Barring some kind of zany miracle or Rookie of the Year-style turnaround, three teams (the Edmonton Oilers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Anaheim Ducks) can all safely begin planning for next year. On the flipside, six teams (the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, and Nashville Predators) are all nine or more points clear of 8th place, and can probably begin screening their logos onto cheap towels.

That leaves two spots up for grabs, and if you think, as I do, that the 7th place Los Angeles Kings are trending up rather than down, despite being only four points ahead on 8th, you could argue there's only one spot available.

And that last spot could go to anybody at this point.

From 8th to 12th place, there are five teams (the Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, and Minnesota Wild) within three points of each other, and none have looked particularly strong of late. Only Calgary has 5 wins in their last 10 games. Dallas and Colorado have 4, Phoenix and Minnesota only have 3.

But one of these teams is going to get hot, or at least hotter than the others. Which team is the Alec in this pack of Baldwins?

I'm putting my money on the Colorado Avalanche.

They have the 7th-ranked powerplay, they win a lot of faceoffs, Matt Duchene is returning from injury, and they're a youthful team that could catch fire down the stretch.

Of the five bubble teams, they're not just the only team in the top 10 both in shots for and shots against, but the only of the group that averages more shots per game than they allow. In short, they're the only of the Western Conference bubble teams that has shown the ability to control the play on a semi-regular basis.

Goaltending has been their struggle thus far. Offseason acquisition Semyon Varlamov has been downright poor of late, recently having surrendered 10 goals in his last 2 starts. He's carrying a 3.00 GAA and an .899 save percentage and has lost the starting job to J.S. Giguere.

But I'm of the mind that they can get this sorted out. They're my pick for the Western Conference's final playoff spot.

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Tyler Seguin will have chance to say ?Thank you Kessel? as NHL All-Star linemates

OTTAWA ? Tyler Seguin had an idea: That he should play on a line with Phil Kessel in the NHL All-Star Game, skating alongside the player whose trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs enabled Seguin to play for the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins.

"Just put us together. Let everyone have a story," Seguin said prior to the NHL All-Star Skills Competition.

Trouble was that his All-Star coach is his everyday coach: Claude Julien of the Bruins, who Seguin said isn't exactly receptive to line combination suggestions from his players.

"Maybe I'll just go over, whisper in his ear and walk away slowly," said Seguin.

The lobbying, subtle or otherwise, worked.

Joe Haggerty of CSN New England reports that Seguin will skate with Kessel and Joffrey Lupul on Team Chara in the All-Star Game. From Haggerty:

"I don't know if we're going to get booed every time we take the ice because of the Ottawa/Leafs thing, but I saw that before the game and thought it was pretty funny," said Seguin, who was fed passes from Kessel during the shooting accuracy competition that he failed spectacularly at on Saturday night.

"They've got me at center. It's a little surprising. I was going to ask coach about playing center, but I'm looking forward to it. I'll probably just throw the puck at them and watch them go."

In which Seguin becomes yet another Bostonian who's wanted to throw a puck at Phil Kessel ?

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North Carolina vs. Wake Forest: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The 11-10 Wake Forest Demon Deacons will host the in-state rival No. 6 North Carolina Tar Heels on Tuesday night in a seemingly one-sided matchup. When it comes to conference games, however, nothing is ever a sure thing.

North Carolina entered the season as the heavy favorite to win the national championship. The Tar Heels are still among the top contenders, but they haven't run away with things like many expected they would. North Carolina leads the nation in scoring with nearly 85 points per game, but defense has been a challenge at times.

Not much was expected of the Demon Deacons entering the season, so their 11-10 record isn't a huge surprise. They have struggled in ACC play thus far with a 2-5 mark, and North Carolina may be their toughest test to date.

Nothing is impossible in college basketball, but a win by Wake Forest might be considered the upset of the year.

North Carolina desperately needs to win this game in order to keep pace with Duke and Florida State in the conference. Because of that, I expect the Tar Heels to come out with a purpose, but Wake Forest won't go down without a fight. 

Where: Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 9 p.m. EST

Watch: ESPNU

Live Stream: ESPN3

Listen: WRAL 99.9 FM (North Carolina) and WBRF 98.1 FM (Wake Forest)

Betting Line: North Carolina (-16.5)

 

North Carolina Key Injuries (According to CBS Sports)

Out: G Leslie McDonald (knee)

Wake Forest Key Injuries (According to CBS Sports)

No injuries to report

 

What's at Stake?

On the surface, this looks like a David vs. Goliath ACC game, and it is, but the result could have a major effect on either side. If the game plays out as expected with North Carolina winning comfortably, then not much will have changed.

In the event of an unforeseen upset, however, there would be a seismic shift in the college hoops pecking order.

The Demon Deacons have nothing to lose in this game as they won't be making the NCAA Tournament, barring an improbable late-season run. With that in mind, they can afford to play loose and go for the upset.

All the pressure rests on North Carolina as a heavy favorite on the road. I think the Tar Heels will pick up a tidy win, but a loss would be absolutely catastrophic.

 

What They're Saying

Many expected the Tar Heels to destroy the competition en route to a national championship this season. That may ultimately happen, but North Carolina has three losses and people are looking for answers.

Center Tyler Zeller has been criticized for being "soft," but Zeller doesn't let the label bother him, according to Andrew Jones of FOX Sports Carolinas.

"You can think whatever you want, but no matter what, those guys still have to go out and play me every night," Zeller said. 

"I don’t even know what awards I’m up for, I don’t read anything," he said. “I just stay away from it."

"Every once in a while I’ll hear something, but being soft is something people have told me all the time, for the most part," he said. "I don’t believe that, myself, but at the same time they can believe what they want."

 

North Carolina Player to Watch: F Harrison Barnes

The Tar Heels have a host of players who contribute in a big way, but there is no question that their biggest offensive threat is forward Harrison Barnes. He is only fourth on the team in minutes, but he leads North Carolina in scoring with 17.5 points per game while shooting a tidy 49.1 percent from the field and a sparkling 45 percent from beyond the arc.

Barnes truly is the spark that ignites North Carolina's fast-paced offense. He shines brightest in games where the Tar Heels have an obvious talent advantage as the opposition doesn't have an answer to slow him down.

North Carolina will want to run the floor and overwhelm Wake Forest in this game, and Barnes will be a major part of that.

 

Wake Forest Player to Watch: F Travis McKie

Wake Forest has three players that carry the load for the most part, but the most integral is likely forward Travis McKie. The athletic forward does a little bit of everything for the Demon Deacons. Not only is he second on the team in scoring with 16.3 points per game, but he is the leading rebounder with 7.1 per contest.

The best way to beat the Tar Heels is to challenge their interior players, who tend to favor finesse more than doing the dirty work. McKie has no issue operating in the tough areas, so he will be a big reason for Wake Forest's success or failure in the game.

The Demon Deacons don't stand much of a chance of pulling an upset unless McKie turns in an out-of-this-world performance.

 

Key Matchup: Tyler Zeller and John Henson vs. Wake Forest Interior Defense

What North Carolina's bigs lack in terms being defensive presences, they more than make up for with their athleticism and ability to run the floor. Both Tyler Zeller and John Henson average over 14 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game, so there is no denying their importance.

If they are both on their game Tuesday night, then they should be able to overwhelm Wake Forest.

The Deacons do the best they can in terms of defending strong post players, but they are clearly overmatched in terms of talent. Center Ty Walker is a good defensive presence as he averages three blocks per game, but the Tar Heels aren't going to run set offenses, so Wake Forest won't be able to have a set defense.

That means that the Demon Deacon bigs will have to find a way to scramble and stop Zeller and Henson, or else they risk a blowout.

 

Prediction

North Carolina 85, Wake Forest 70

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Chicago plays D.C. to scoreless draw in preseason opener

Photo by Jose L. Argueta/ISIphotos.com By THOMAS FLOYD After D.C. United and the Chicago Fire had their fair share of defensive struggles throughout the 2011 MLS campaign, the two teams both had a notable silver lining to take away from their friendly Sunday: no goals allowed. United and the Fire kicked off their respective preseason match slates with a scoreless draw in Fort Myers, Fla. Both clubs opened the contest with largely first-choice lineups before mixing in a heavy dose of reserves and trialists as the game wore on. Despite the experimental nature of the friendly, United coach Ben Olsen...

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NBA Trade Rumors: One More Move the Hornets Should Consider.

Ever since the New Orleans Hornets failed to sign oft-injured guard Eric Gordon to a contract extension, several people (including myself) have wondered silently if he will be traded before the March 15th trade deadline.

While I am not so certain about Eric Gordon, there is one player on the Hornets' current roster that some teams should inquire about—Trevor Ariza.

The seven-year small forward out of UCLA benefited greatly from the champion run by the LA Lakers a few of seasons ago in 2008-09. He is a decent defender and can shoot from three-point range when he is open. He also comes with a cap-friendly contract, that despite its two years remaining after this season—the cap hit of approximately $6.8 million would not hurt a team that is looking for championship experience.

For a team such as the Indiana Pacers, that believe they can get past the Chicago Bulls to win the NBA Central, could use a player of Ariza’s ability off of their bench. Perhaps, a draft pick could help the Pacers pry Ariza from New Orleans.

Another team that could use Trevor Ariza is the New Jersey Nets. One of their biggest weaknesses is a solid player on the wing. Damion James when healthy has shown a few flashes here and there, but not much to warrant a long-term look.

This is not to suggest that Ariza would become a better long-term option, but he might be able to develop some chemistry with point guard Deron Williams. In return, again maybe just a draft pick will do.

This would be wise for New Orleans to do because with the rebuilding project underway—the more assets that they can obtain the better. Not to mention that trading Ariza is a little more realistic than trading away Eric Gordon or Chris Kaman.

Gordon can only be swapped in a deal by himself, while Kaman makes too much money for teams to match up salaries.

In the end, New Orleans trading Ariza can possibly bring back another draft pick that can be used in a trade on draft night for a veteran who can contribute, or more young talent that the Hornets can build around.

For Hornets' fans it may bring more reasons for hope.

At this time, hope is what’s needed.

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Eighth place in the Western Conference is up for grabs; Who takes it?

With the All-Star break now behind us, it's time to look ahead to the next two major dates of the year: February 27 and April 7 -- the trade deadline and the last day of the regular season, respectively. (Also, I think my wedding anniversary is in there somewhere.)

The two dates are connected, as every GM now has until the first date to project, to the best of their knowledge, where their team will be on the second. Outside of the playoff picture? Then it's time to start preparing for next year. Inside? Time to patch holes where possible and steel up, Shaq-style.

So who's where in the Western Conference?

Barring some kind of zany miracle or Rookie of the Year-style turnaround, three teams (the Edmonton Oilers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Anaheim Ducks) can all safely begin planning for next year. On the flipside, six teams (the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, and Nashville Predators) are all nine or more points clear of 8th place, and can probably begin screening their logos onto cheap towels.

That leaves two spots up for grabs, and if you think, as I do, that the 7th place Los Angeles Kings are trending up rather than down, despite being only four points ahead on 8th, you could argue there's only one spot available.

And that last spot could go to anybody at this point.

From 8th to 12th place, there are five teams (the Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, and Minnesota Wild) within three points of each other, and none have looked particularly strong of late. Only Calgary has 5 wins in their last 10 games. Dallas and Colorado have 4, Phoenix and Minnesota only have 3.

But one of these teams is going to get hot, or at least hotter than the others. Which team is the Alec in this pack of Baldwins?

I'm putting my money on the Colorado Avalanche.

They have the 7th-ranked powerplay, they win a lot of faceoffs, Matt Duchene is returning from injury, and they're a youthful team that could catch fire down the stretch.

Of the five bubble teams, they're not just the only team in the top 10 both in shots for and shots against, but the only of the group that averages more shots per game than they allow. In short, they're the only of the Western Conference bubble teams that has shown the ability to control the play on a semi-regular basis.

Goaltending has been their struggle thus far. Offseason acquisition Semyon Varlamov has been downright poor of late, recently having surrendered 10 goals in his last 2 starts. He's carrying a 3.00 GAA and an .899 save percentage and has lost the starting job to J.S. Giguere.

But I'm of the mind that they can get this sorted out. They're my pick for the Western Conference's final playoff spot.

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All-Star experience something Brian Elliott ?wouldn?t trade for the world?

OTTAWA -- St. Louis Blues goaltender Brian Elliott joked that he would have loved for his first All-Star Game to happen in a warmer climate.

Other than wishing he was away from the snow in Ottawa and somewhere with sunny skies and warm temperatures, Elliott has been soaking in the experience of All-Star Weekend, enjoying a well-deserved honor for his superb first half.

Jaroslav Halak started the season as the Blues' No. 1 netminder, but when he struggled, Elliott, who signed a two-way deal over the summer, took advantage of his opportunity to start and reeled off 13 wins in his first 15 starts and. Along with Ken Hitchcock's arrival on Nov. 7, Elliott has helped propel St. Louis into the mix atop the Western Conference.

So what's been the difference for the Blues post-Davis Payne's firing? Elliott credits Hitchcock's presence with keeping a young team from falling apart.

"Having Hitch and his experience is a little bit of a calming effect for all the guys, including myself," said Elliott. "To know that when he comes in the locker room, he's not going to yell and scream, he's going to give it to you straight and tell you what you need to do to win. If you go out there and do what he thinks needs done, you'll probably get the win. We've had good success this year. When you have good success early with a coach, you kind of just get on a roll and guys are believing in what we're doing and that's half the battle."

Elliott's early success was the catalyst for his new, two-year, $3.6 million deal, announced last week. He's struggled in his past seven starts, winning just twice, but Halak bounced back, posting a seven-game winning streak to keep the Blues from falling down the standings.

The typical case in 1a and 1b goaltending tandems is that the competition between the two creates success for both. In Elliott's case, he credits Halak's presence for helping him this season.

"We kind of go back and forth," said Elliott. "Even in practice, it's a healthy competition. You're trying to stop pucks, he's trying to stop pucks. It's good to have something like that. You always have to be on your toes. You have to want to get back in net and help the guys win."

The Blues are 20th in NHL in scoring, averaging 2.51 goals per game, so -- as the Los Angeles Kings have also learned -- strong goaltending is needed. But the lack of dominant scoring also creates an environment requiring production from more guys, not just the stars on the team.

"We don't score a lot of goals compared to a lot of teams, but we don't let in a lot either," said Elliott. "Our scoring is spread out so much throughout all the guys, everybody contributes on any night. It doesn't add up to individual stats for the guys, but when you have everybody doing well and everybody pulling for each other we're going to have a different hero every night. It's not going to be one or two guys. That's what makes our team good and that's what we're stressing right now, that everybody can step up and take that role."

Last year wasn't too kind to Elliott. He struggled in Ottawa before being dealt to the Colorado Avalanche in February, where he finished the season 2-8-1 in his final 12 starts. Almost a year after being traded away from the Senators, Elliott returns to Ottawa an All-Star, an honor he credits to perseverance.

"You just have to trust in yourself, trust in your abilities," said Elliott. "You can go through some struggles, but you gotta keep that level head. You have something like this where you get picked in an All-Star Game and you have to keep your feet on the ground and not get too high on yourself."

"This is pretty special for me. I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy

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Editor?s note: Stand-up comedian, dedicated D.C. United supporter and former Box Seats blogger Jeff Maurer will be joining the Soccer Insider as an occasional contributor. He?ll offer a fan?s perspective to accompany Steven Goff?s reporting on MLS and international soccer. Read Jeff?s full bio here.

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WPS suspends 2012 season

Another milestone was achieved this past weekend for women's professional soccer in the United States, as the U.S. women's national team qualified for the Olympics. Unfortunately for the players, they might not have a domestic season in which to prepare for the Summer Games. The owners of the five Women's Professional Soccer teams decided to suspend the 2012 season on Monday morning. The decision appears to have been made in part because of the legal preceedings with former MagicJack owner Dan Borislow. "We are proud of what the League has accomplished in the first three seasons, but we do recognize...

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Expansion and the MLS Meta

- Jason Davis

In 2011, after Seattle and Philly and Portland and Vancouver and Montreal and the wave that came before them (yes, San Jose counts) and all of the talk of candidates and fees and ownership groups and stadium plans and color schemes and whether names should be "historical" (since 1975!) or "euro" or plain old American city-and-nickname, I'm tired of expansion. Or, rather, I'm not tired of expansion, I'm over it as a major part of Major League Soccer's future, which means I'm over writing about it. Actually, I'm almost certain that my attention has shifted because there are now enough teams and enough stability that MLS has hardened around the edges and has the consistency of a "real" league.

But the expansion talk continues, whether I remain actively engaged or not (my interest, surprisingly, has no bearing on the rolling expansion train or the discussion surrounding it...who knew). The country is big, MLS will continue to be in the growth phase - in one area or fifty - forever, and there is STILL no team in the Southeast. Oh, and MLSHQ continues to publicly covet another franchise in New York, either because they themselves are sick of having to trek over to Jersey to see a game, or...no, that's probably it. I hear the PATH trains are a disaster.

The latest development in the expansion story is that MLS has no immediate plans to grow beyond the 20 clubs the league will have once Montreal joins in 2012 and someone in New York who was lucky enough to have never met Bernie Madoff finds $100 million to invest. This has come as a shock to some because stopping at 20 only makes sense if MLS is A. retaining the balanced schedule (they're not) B. tired of expansion fees (doubtful) or C. convinced that there are no more cities ready for professional soccer (maybe, but unlikely). Suddenly everything we know about MLS 2.0 is threatened by public statements of conservatism. If MLS isn't expanding, what does that mean exactly?

Richard Whittall, the newly minted editor at The Score's Footy Blog and a top bloke, lays it out pretty simply in a manner I might have had I thought to tackle the story first and wasn't tied up doing other things:

First, no more rotating conversation about viable American (or Canadian) soccer markets, so that MLS can deal with working with its existing markets, and shoring up some of the weaker ones. It gives a sense of fixed identity to the league?this is it, for better or for worse. A little familiarity goes a long way, and as Lorne Michaels apparently said once: ?the longer you?re here, the longer you?re here.? Halting expansion seals off MLS and gives the league a sense of permanence.

Richard's point about too much of the coverage of MLS being "meta" is a good one, and although it cuts me personally as this blog was launched to tackle many of the very meta issues he identifies, pushing topics like "who's next" to the periphery is crucial to the graduation of MLS from novelty level to full and tenured member of major professional sports leagues. The sooner MLS can be just about the games, the players, and the coaches (with the occasional distraction of the latest best-small-soccer-stadium-in-the-world opening), the better. Permanence isn't awarded after a certain number of years or teams or even fans is reached; it's an entirely subjective characteristic that only takes hold as a widespread feeling at some indeterminable point when the greater culture finally takes the league's existence for granted. That might require an older generation of sportswriters/editors/talking heads to recede into their retirements where they can't influence an easily manipulated public, or it might just be something that comes when MLS pauses to tidy up the house already built instead of worrying about the next new addition.

Which, judging by the attendance issues in Columbus and Dallas and the (still) unresolved stadium situation in DC (among other things), MLS should do. The NBC TV contract represents an opportunity to buckle down and generate genuine interest in the sport beyond the hardcore locals it has already attracted. Expansion should and must be commensurate with the ability of teams to find and pay for decent talent. That probably means stopping at 20 teams, at least for now.

One less meta issue to bat around and speculate on means less fodder American soccer blogs that can't help themselves. And that's a good thing. MLS still, and probably will for the foreseeable future, feels like more of a counterculture movement than a actual part of the fabric of sport in the United States and Canada. That might give us a greater feeling of solidarity and uniqueness as fans, but it remains a barrier to MLS becoming the legitimate and accepted league it hopes to be.

As long as we're talking about the way the league is run, where it might pop up next, how to pay expensive names to play here, etc., etc. more than we talk about the narratives playing out on the field, MLS won't just be niche, it will feel ephemeral.

--

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Sidney Crosby diagnosed with injured vertebrae; could be ready for playoffs

OTTAWA ? Sidney Crosby has an injury to the C1 and C2 vertebrae, according to Sportsnet's Bob McCown and Elliotte Friedman of CBC.

Friedman, quoting Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson: "Sid did suffer a concussion, but last week, the possibility of two fractured vertebrae (C1 and C2) was discovered. A third doctor is being consulted to determine the exact diagnosis."

McCown said doctors expect Crosby to "heal and be ready for the playoffs," and that the injury was "apparently missed by Pittsburgh doctors." Also from McCown: "Crosby went to the Utah doctor on the recommendation of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who is Crosby's friend."

Here's the McCown report:

Crosby's concussion, stemming from a collision with Dave Steckel in the 2011 Winter Classic and a hit from behind by Victor Hedman, kept him out of action for 11 months. He returned on Nov. 21, 2011, scoring four points against the New York Islanders. He played eight games and tallied 12 points before leaving the Penguins' lineup with concussion symptoms.

Crosby visited chiropractic neurology specialist Ted Carrick, who assisted in his previous recovery, and then traveled to California to visit Dr. Robert S. Bray, a neurological spine specialist. That visit with Bray was out of the ordinary in Crosby's rehab, as he's an renowned expert in "neurological spine surgery" rather than concussion rehab.

Penguins GM Ray Shero said today in Ottawa that the Penguins were waiting to see the results from Crosby's visit with doctors in California to his chat with doctors in Pittsburgh:

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the year in photos

in 2010, photos change, words not so much.
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the cosmos interviews pt.2

Cosmos Executive Director Joe Fraga talks exclusively with TIAS about relaunching his childhood club
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Three Brits, three famous men swoop in and buy the rights to the Cosmos. Now they just have to figure out what to do with what is probably still the most famous American soccer club in history. Some of today’s most famous [...]

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MLS Talk Podcast : This Week in US Soccer, January 16, 2012

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Tim Thomas would really appreciate you leaving his teammates, family out of this

OTTAWA ? Try as he might, Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas can't get the focus back on hockey.

After the NHL All-Star Game Fantasy Draft on Thursday, Thomas fielded questions about declining to take part in the Bruins' celebratory visit to the White House last Monday. He declined further comment beyond his Facebook statement on the matter, thanking "teammates, fans and friends" for their support.

On Friday, during NHL All-Star Game Media Day, Thomas again was asked about the aftermath of his decision to put personal beliefs ahead of his team's visit with the President.

The Conn Smythe winner made it clear ? he's not a fan of the media's coverage of the controversy.

Q. Do you expect it to go away?

THOMAS: "Ah ? I think it should. I think it should. Why? Because it's all media driven right now. It has been from the start."

"And everything I said and did was as an individual, not as a representative of the Boston Bruins. All it has to do is with me, but it's separate from hockey. That's my personal life. Those are my personal views. Those are my personal beliefs. It has nothing to do with hockey. It has nothing to do with this All-Star Game. And it has nothing to do with the Boston Bruins.

[His handler says it's the last two questions for Thomas]

Q. Would your teammates say you're a great team guy but that you're being portrayed a different way?

THOMAS: "Yeah, but I don't think I should address stuff out of thin air. I would really appreciate it if people would leave my teammates and my family out of it."

Q. Is this going to be a fun weekend?

THOMAS: "Yes, I am actually looking forward to it. And I'm looking forward to getting back on the ice because that's what I do. And that's what I love. And so I'm looking forward to it and I'm still gonna have a lot of fun with it."

Was the line about family in reference to Dave Hodge?

Thomas also appeared on NHL Network, which apparently hadn't heard about that whole matter with the White House. Or Thomas being a Free Citizen. Or really anything beyond strategy for an exhibition game.

For those scoring at home, Thomas hopes to be the winning goalie for the fourth All-Star Game in a row; he expects to play the third period; and he wouldn't snub the All-Star Game to get some extra rest.

"I don't think it'll happen to me because I had this type of honor so late in my career," he said.

In fairness, there's probably a lot Tim Thomas didn't think would happen to him that's happening now ?

As I said on the radio show today: Thomas is probably going to stop giving interviews soon. Then he'll do the smart thing, which is to explain his views and this ordeal to some favorable media outlet. He'll talk about the pain his family's gone through. Maybe he'll express some regret. And then, perhaps, everyone moves on.

Asking fans and media to do so less than a week after his decision is asking the improbable ? especially at an event like the All-Star Game where coverage is so concentrated. Dodging those questions, after putting his stones on the line for his beliefs, is disappointing and distracting.

Why is the media asking Thomas's teammates these questions? Because Thomas gave them the story. It's the risk he took.

s/t TSN for the audio.

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Detroit Pistons: Can Joe Dumars Build Another Championship-Caliber Team?

The Detroit Pistons currently dwell in the NBA's basement, owning an unpleasant 4-17 record.

And as a result, there have been plenty of empty seats this season in the team's home arena, the Palace of Auburn Hills.

But the picture hasn't always been so dark and gloomy.

Just a few years ago, the Pistons were perennial title contenders. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals six consecutive seasons and won a title in 2004, defeating the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.  

Pistons president and Hall of Fame guard Joe Dumars played a huge role in the team's success.

Hired in June 2000, Dumars made his first major move two months later, sending Grant Hill to Orlando in a sign-and-trade deal for Ben Wallace. At the time, the trade appeared awful for the Pistons. Hill was one of the top players in the game, while Wallace wasn't exactly a well-known superstar.   

However, Dumars would eventually look like a genius. Hill would be sidelined by injury for a great deal of his time down in Florida, while Wallace emerged as a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and the heart and soul of the Pistons.   

Dumars would enjoy an outstanding 2002 offseason as well, drafting Tayshaun Prince late in the first round, signing future Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, and trading Jerry Stackhouse to Washington for Rip Hamilton.    

Dumars hired legendary coach Larry Brown in 2003 and then acquired the missing piece of the championship puzzle, Rasheed Wallace, at the '04 trade deadline.

Joe D did a great job at building an elite ball club in the Motor City, but can he do it again?

There's a lot of people out there who wouldn't hesitate to say no, looking at some of the bad moves that he's made over the years. Examples include passing up Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in favor of Darko Milicic in the 2003 draft, trading Billups for Allen Iverson, and overpaying Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.

Okay, so Dumars has made some mistakes—nobody's perfect—but he does have the ability to turn this current rebuilding team into something special. 

Superstar free agents like Dwight Howard and Deron Williams aren't going to go to Detroit anytime soon, so it's imperative that Dumars builds through the draft. His last two lottery picks, Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe, appear to be future stars, and 2009 second-rounder Jonas Jerebko is a solid ball player as well.

The Pistons will more than likely land a top five pick in this June's draft, which is expected to be the best since 2003.

There will be a plethora of talented youngsters available such as Andre Drummond, Anthony Davis, Harrison Barnes, Jared Sullinger and Thomas Robinson. With that said, Dumars will have a great chance to draft someone who can form a terrific trio with Monroe and Knight for years to come.

Many fans in Detroit believe Dumars has lost his touch and should be fired. No one can deny that his rebuilding project hasn't looked pretty. But he can get the Palace packed out like it used to be. Just be patient.

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Jeopardy tip: ?Lemieux? is never the answer to a soccer question (Video)

When it comes to trivia, sports questions are my jam. That said, I'll acknowledge that they're not everyone's jam and every question that jams me up is likely someone else's jam.

But man, even for those that don't know sports, this was an easy Final Jeopardy question. You don't need to know much about soccer to know that the answer is pretty much always Pele. And it's never "Lemieux". Never ever.

Here's the question: "In 2002, his no. 10 jersey from the 1970 World Cup Finals sold at auction for a record $220,850." And here's how it went down for poor Christen Lee, who may have misread 'World Cup' as 'Stanley Cup' and guessed the only hockey name that came to mind. Via Guyism:

Again (and for the video impaired), she answered: "Lemieux."

But here's the real question: did she mean Mario or Claude? I mean, neither ever wore no. 10, and neither played in the World Cup Finals in 1970, but still. I must know. I mean, reason would dictate that she meant Mario, but the correct answer was Pele, so reason doesn't quite apply here.

s/t to Wayne for the tip.

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Milwaukee Bucks: With Andrew Bogut Out, Is Chris Kaman a Good Fit?

With a recent ESPN report claiming the NBA-owned New Orleans Hornets are shopping center Chris Kaman, it's only logical to connect the dots to this Milwaukee Bucks team that just lost Andrew Bogut for eight to 12 weeks.

This quick read takes a look at pros and cons of the possibility of creating a deal to bring in Kaman to the deer herd.

 

Pros

1. This current Bucks squad had no legitimate backup center even before Bogut went down. 

Expecting Drew Gooden to play center can yield its benefits here and there but it's not his natural position. 

Furthermore, looking across the depth chart, Larry Sanders, Ersan Ilyasova and the impressive second-round rookie Jon Leuer are also more effective at the power forward position. 

Kaman would immediately bring a valid center option to the squad with his career averages of 11.7 points, 8.3. rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. 

I'm not even going to entertain the thought of Jon Brockman manning the 5 for significant time.

2. Kaman's current contract would expire after this season, making him a one-year loan only, with no major long-term financial obligations on the hook for the Bucks.

3. The Hornets are saying they just want to go with youth this season and the Bucks have a few young players at multiple positions, including Darington Hobson, Sanders and even first-round pick Tobias Harris as possible chips (along with picks) to sweeten any deal if necessary.

4. On the court, Kaman brings personality but also a style of performance that would fit the Bucks. 

I'm not going to say Kaman is just like Bogut, but the two have some interesting similarities in their baby hook game (Kaman can score with this with either hand regularly), fairly reliable mid-range jumper and an advanced understanding of fitting into the team game Skiles demands. 

Kaman's offensive game would maintain the capability of an inside-outside complimentary aspect to PG Brandon Jennings' great start this year.

 

5. This falls under the category of "we'll cross that bridge when we get there" but, assuming Bogut heals in the eight-week time frame, is there a timeshare problem at center? 

As far as I can tell, that's a great luxury to have that the Bucks may not have had in many, many years should this scenario play out.

 

Cons

1. Related to salary, the Bucks would be committing to a hefty portion of Kaman's final year, $12.2 million salary (unless the trade partners agreed to foot some of his salary). 

That's a lot in change for a franchise struggling to put people in the stands in a strike year.  The current squad is at just under $60 million with the luxury tax said to kick in at $70.3 million.

2. Do the Bucks have enough in the stable to entice a deal with the Hornets while improving their overall team? 

It takes two to tango and as fans we often jump the gun, desperate to add talent while dropping our dead weight. 

Stephen Jackson hasn't impressed, and his salary takes up over $9 million of the Bucks' payroll; would he have any value in New Orleans?  Can the Bucks afford to lose other pieces without getting worse? 

Other options, such as the young Sanders and Hobson may not have shown enough in an NBA uniform to be valuable in trades. 

Losing Tobias Harris via trade so early in his career could also prove to be another Bucks blunder.

 

My Prediction

General manager John Hammond was quick to learn from his mistake with the John Salmons contract but forced to take on another questionable scorer in Stephen Jackson. 

That said he's not afraid to shake things up and the NBA is a world of constant trades compared to many other pro sports. 

My gut tells me this trade would never happen but I'd like to think Hammond could get it done by throwing in a young player (or two) with a lighter contract and a second-rounder to get Kaman. 

The Clippers have shown their cards, which typically is a sign of a team without much leverage just hoping to clear a deal to play their young bigs.

The Bucks should take advantage.

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Carey Price?s near spit-take in NHL All-Star Draft after Lupul pick (Video)

With their seventh pick of the 2012 NHL All-Star Game Fantasy Draft, captain Zdeno Chara and assistant Joffrey Lupul wanted to take a goaltender. Lupul, a Toronto Maple Leafs forward, decided to reach across enemy lines and select Carey Price from the arch rival Montreal Canadiens.

Needless to say, Price may not have anticipated the selection:

Nothing like getting your name pulled with a mouth full of, ahem, beverage. Alas, the greatest spit-take in recent sports history did not come to pass.

Now where's the handshake for Captain Chara, Mr. Price? We'll just chalk it up to the confusion in the moment, not the bitter and deep animosity between the Bruins and Habs. Right?

UPDATE: Price said he didn't see Chara, and that he gave Chara a "point" and told him that he felt bad about not shaking his hand. Chara took the blame, saying he was looking down at the computer. So there you go.

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Nadal vs Djokovic: Australian Open Men's Final Signals End of Roger Federer Era

With Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic meeting in their third straight Grand Slam final, the Roger Federer era has officially come to an end.

The 30-year-old still has some good tennis left in him, but his days as a dominant force are over.

For nearly a decade, Federer was the most feared man in his sport. He racked up 16 Grand Slam titles and appeared in 18 of 19 Grand Slam finals from Wimbledon in 2005 to the Australian Open in 2010.

He is one of the most dominant athletes in history, and he gets my vote for best tennis player of all time.

Unfortunately, not even the legendary are immune to Father Time. Federer has lost his aura of immortality, and with Nadal and Djokovic fighting over the throne, there's no more room at the top.

Nadal disposed of Federer 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-7 (5-7), 4-6 to advance to the 2012 Aussie Open final.

Federer's record against Nadal dropped to 9-18. He's only beaten Nadal once in their last four matches, and he hasn't defeated the Spaniard in a Grand Slam since the 2007 Wimbledon final.

Against Djokovic, Federer hasn't fared much better. He holds a 14-10 career edge, but he's lost four of their last five meetings.

Federer is still capable of beating each of them, but as the third-ranked player in the world, he's at a major disadvantage. He's always going to be on the same side of the bracket as one of them, meaning he'll likely have to slay both in order to win any more major tournaments.

As the 2011 French Open proved, that's a nearly impossible task. After Federer dropped Djokovic in a dramatic semifinal match, he was completely dominated by Nadal in the finals.

Federer has had a dream career, but with Nadal and Djokovic on the rise, we have to face up to reality.

Once upon a time, Federer owned men's tennis. Sadly, that era has ended.

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UFC on Fox 2 Results: Cub Swanson Has Become Force to Be Reckoned with

After his victory over George Roop, Cub Swanson is now a force to be reckoned with in UFC.

In the second UFC fight of his career, Swanson delivered some incredible punches to knock out Roop. At the 2:22 mark of the second round, the fight was stopped.

He landed a devastating right, before jumping on top of Roop to finish off the fight.

This knockout demonstrates how dangerous Swanson is.

An injury forced him to take a year off, and Swanson lost his first fight back. Now, however, it looks like he's ready to become a force in the featherweight division.

Swanson has incredible power. His strikes are incredibly vicious, and he can be compared to the top fighters in the featherweight division.

Obviously, a title is a long way away. However, with such power behind his punches, Swanson is not someone people will want to fight.

At 1-1, he will be looking to bolster his UFC record. Once he does that, he could have a shot at the title.

Even without a title shot, Swanson is a very good fighter. He has a lot of experience from his time in the WEC, which will translate to UFC.

Obviously, it isn't the same level of fighting, but it will definitely help Swanson moving forward. For other featherweights in UFC, they will definitely want to avoid Swanson for as long as possible.

As evident by his KO over Roop, he is a force to be reckoned with.

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Be afraid: NHLPA has Scott Hartnell, Joffrey Lupul and others filming their lives

Remember that scene in Season 2 of "HBO 24/7", when Scott Hartnell of the Philadelphia Flyers took one of their cameras and began filming his own mini-documentary in his condo?

Well, look at what Uncle Scott's gonna eat, courtesy of the NHLPA's new deal with BlackBerry.

That's the just-released "Sizzle Reel" for the NHLPA's "Players' Playbook" series, in which players will be taking "home movies" with their BlackBerry Playbooks and the Players' Association will be posting them.

From the PA:

"Move over Hollywood?5 players are moving behind the camera for an all-access look at their lives off the ice. From the dressing room to their living room and beyond, The NHLPA Players' Playbook delivers exclusive videos shot by the NHL players themselves."

The players participating are Hartnell, his buddy Joffrey Lupul of the Toronto Maple Leafs; Marty Biron of the New York Rangers; Michael Grabner of the New York Islanders; and amateur film critic Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks.

So, basically, five personable goofballs we can vicariously live through. Awesome.

Besides having the potential for hijinks, this is also a big money deal between RIM and the NHLPA ? yes, the timing is impeccable.

Slowly, through stuff like this and social media, the players are starting to put themselves out there more ... just in time for the next CBA revenue sharing war.

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Will Bolton move turn promising Ream into pivotal player for USA?

The first few months of the Jurgen Klinsmann era certainly had its ups and downs, but that should be expected. When a new coach is brought in, he needs time to see what he has to work with, to implement his philosophies, and to see what works and what doesn?t, and as impatient as some are to see instant results, that process is still very much in its infancy for Klinsmann.

But after ending 2011 with an away win against 2010 World Cup foe Slovenia, there is positive momentum, and with 2014 World Cup qualifying and a slate of friendlies that?s already set to include matches against Brazil and Italy, two ties that are sure to attract a lot of football betting, we?re going to learn a lot this year about where things are headed and who?s in Klinsmann?s plans for now and for the future.

The likes of Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, and Tim Howard will remain automatic selections for the foreseeable future, and for good reason. But there are several places that aren?t as solidified, which means there is an opportunity for a number of players to step up and state their case.

There are some who haven?t yet had an opportunity to establish themselves but have the talent and potential to, and there are others who?ve been in and out of the national team picture but still have time on their side to get back in the fold and stay there.

Among that bunch is New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream, who picked up six caps in 2011, the last of which came in the 1-0 defeat to Ecuador in October. The 24-year-old had his struggles in national team action, but he still has the potential to be a key player for the U.S. sooner rather than later. Ream is expected to sign for English Premier League side Bolton sometime before the end of the January transfer window, and such a move will prove massive for his national team prospects for the short and long-term future.

It?s a giant leap to go from MLS to the Premier League, but the move itself should be a significant boost for Ream?s confidence, and if he takes full advantage of this opportunity of a lifetime, he could soon cement his place as a key player for his country. And there?s a real chance he could make an immediate impact for Bolton, who currently sit in the relegation places. Bolton have the worst defensive record in the Premier League, having allowed 46 goals in 21 games, and they just sold their star defender, Gary Cahill, to Chelsea, so Owen Coyle could throw Ream right into the fire.

Ream may have only two MLS seasons under his belt, and he?s far from the finished product, so there may be concerns that it?s too early for him to move to a top European league. But at 24, the time is right, and he will become better, tougher, and more polished, and if he can hold his own in England, especially in a tense relegation scrap, it certainly bodes well for his prospects to hold his own with the national team as well.

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Pair of Donovan assists leads Everton past Fulham in FA Cup

The All-American showdown went to Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Everton. Donovan came up with two assists to guide the Toffees to a 2-1, come-from-behind victory over Clint Dempsey's Fulham at Goodison Park in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday. Donovan hit summer acquisition Denis Stracqualursi with a pinpoint left-footed cross from the right in the 27th minute, and the Argentine headed it past Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale to pull Everton level at 1-1. The on-loan American was at it again in the 73rd minute, this time finding Marouane Fellaini with a right-footed cross from the right....

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Marty Turco signs with EC Salzburg; has NHL out-clause

When we last left former NHL goaltender and frequent NHL Network analyst Marty Turco, he had signed a short-term contract with EC Salzburg to play in the European Trophy Finals in December. Turco suited up for three games with Salzburg and later was a member of Team Canada in the Spengler Cup.

After a month off, Turco is back in the game after signing a deal with Salzburg for the remainder of the Erste Bank Hockey League (Austria) season.

From Salzburg's website (via a Google translation):

The EC Red Bull Salzburg is pleased to announce the signing of Marty Turco for the remainder of the season known. The 36-year-old former NHL goalie - even in the 2010/2011 season he started 29 times for the Chicago Blackhawks (for details see Statistics ) - had until mid-December 2011 caused a furor when he was with the Red Bulls, the Red Bulls Salute 2011 in Salzburg and Vienna and won it excelled in all three games with a great performance. After that, the Canadians have participated with Team Canada at the Spengler Cup in Davos (SUI) and was subsequently returned to America. Now, Marty Turco has decided to play with the Salzburg also the season in the Erste Bank Hockey League to an end. Marty Turco will arrive tomorrow afternoon in Salzburg and to complete Saturday, his first training session with the Red Bulls. His first assignment at the reigning champion in the Erste Bank Hockey League still depends on a number of formalities and is not expected next week. The Red Bulls have completed the third and final exchange transaction completed, what player in his place from the current squad is logged off, is still open.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Turco has an NHL out-clause in the deal that lasts until the trade deadline on Feb. 27.

If he posts decent numbers in Austria, would any NHL team decide to inquire about his services?

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy

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Maurer?s Minute: Write your own ?D.C. United signed a striker? story

Editor?s note: Stand-up comedian, dedicated D.C. United supporter and former Box Seats blogger Jeff Maurer will be joining the Soccer Insider as an occasional contributor. He?ll offer a fan?s perspective to accompany Steven Goff?s reporting on MLS and international soccer. Read Jeff?s full bio here.

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Knicks Rumors: New York Must Do Everything Possible to Bring in Phil Jackson

The New York Knicks will play the Miami Heat on the road Friday night without star forward Carmelo Anthony, and another loss for the team might force management to think harder about making a coaching change this season or in the summer.

Head coach Mike D'Antoni is an overrated coach, always has been. Before arriving in New York, his Phoenix Suns teams played very well but always were eliminated in the playoffs because they could not play the defense necessary to beat great opponents deep in the postseason.

D'Antoni has never been a good defensive coach, and he certainly hasn't been one in New York. The Knicks are 19th in rebounding, 20th in opponents' field-goal percentage and, despite all their offensive talent, they rank just 15th in points per game.

The Knicks won't win an NBA title with D'Antoni at the helm, and there is one person who would be perfect for the job, former Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson.

Per CBS Sports:

Whether Dolan makes an in-season coaching change—something he historically has opposed—or waits until after the shortened season, it is clear who the logical candidate would be to take over at MSG. Some telling comments from former Lakers coach Phil Jackson to the New York Times recently caught the eyes of several rival executives and coaching industry sources who are convinced of two things: Jackson, 66, has the itch to return, and the Knicks might be the only job that would lure him back.

Later in the article:

"The feeling is, all Dolan would have to do is ask, and Phil would say yes," a person connected to the former Lakers coach told me this week.

If Dolan wants Jackson to come back, and he's willing to coach again, you have to believe D'Antoni would be immediately let go. The opportunity to bring in a head coach with unbelievable experience and knowledge is not something that can be passed on.

Jackson has dealt with many stars in his coaching career, some with massive egos like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. He can handle the intense pressure of winning in a large market and enjoyed great success with the Knicks as a player back in the 1970s.

It's no secret Jackson was fond of his time in New York.

While insisting, "I have no desire to coach," Jackson said in the next breath, "You never say never, right?" He acknowledged, "Without a doubt, New York is special. Why wouldn't it be? When I was there, it was one of the greatest times to be in New York. I mean, the Mets, Jets and Knicks won championships all in one year."

Jackson would improve the Knicks at both ends of the floor. His triangle offense is complicated, but with an elite scorer in Carmelo Anthony and two quality big men in Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler, running the triangle would work in New York.

The tiring schedule the NBA is playing through this year thanks to the shortened season would not be good for Jackson's health, but when the league is back to normal next season, Jackson might think about returning to basketball.

Jackson is a voice that the players will listen to and respect, and his ability to win with star players in large markets is a skill few coaches have.

The Knicks are in a win-now scenario and cannot afford to have their championship window close too soon because the coach is unable to get the most out of his players.

D'Antoni is a good coach, but he isn't a championship-caliber coach. If Phil Jackson is willing to come back to New York and coach next season, Dolan would be incredibly foolish not to offer him the job.

 

Nicholas Goss is an NBA Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report, follow him on Twitter.

Follow @NicholasGoss35

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From Pavel Datsyuk first to Logan Couture last, comparing the 2012 All-Star rosters

GATINEAU, QUE. -- The dust has settled and the 2012 NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft is complete. No big snubs or dramatic teammate double-crosses. No trade between the two sides, the Sedins stick together and Logan Couture goes home with a new car.

But we did get lots of booing of Joffrey Lupul and his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates from the Ottawa crowd, so that was fun.

Here's the final breakdown of the 38 selections, including the group of rookies placed on each squad.

Team Zdeno Chara (alternate captain Joffrey Lupul)

1. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings (No. 1 overall)
2. Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins
3. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
4. Marian Hossa, Chicago Blackhawks
5. Kimmo Timonen, Philadelphia Flyers
6. Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks
7. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
8. Phil Kessel, Toronto Maple Leafs
9. Ryan Suter, Nashville Predators
10. Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings
11. Brian Campbell, Florida Panthers
12. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
13. Dion Phaneuf, Toronto Maple Leafs
14. Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
15. Dennis Wideman, Washington Capitals
16. Marian Gaborik, New York Rangers
17. Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers
18. Tyler Seguin, Boston Bruins
19. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars

Rookies: Colin Greening, Gabriel Landeskog, Ryan Johansen, Cody Hodgson, Luke Adam, Raphael Diaz

Team Daniel Alfredsson (alternate captain Henrik Lundqvist)

1. Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
2. Jason Spezza, Ottawa Senators
3. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
4. Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
5. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins
6. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
7. Brian Elliott, St. Louis Blues
8. Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
9. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
10. Dan Girardi, New York Rangers
11. Keith Yandle, Phoenix Coyotes
12. Milan Michalek, Ottawa Senators
13. Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
14. James Neal, Pittsburgh Penguins
15. Alex Edler, Vancouver Canucks
16. John Tavares, New York Islanders
17. Scott Hartnell, Philadelphia Flyers
18. Jason Pominville, Buffalo Sabres
19. Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks (final selection)

Rookies: Sean Couturier, Carl Hagelin, Nick Johnson, Matt Read, Craig Smith, Justin Faulk

So how do these rosters stack up as we look ahead to some of the more anticipated Skills Competition events on Saturday night?

Hardest Shot - Team Alfie has to have the slight edge this year with two of the top three finishers in last year's competition on their side in Steven Stamkos and Shea Weber. Of course, both lost to Chara's record-breaking 105.9 mph attempt. Dustin Byfuglien's absence, as the only other All-Star in 2011 to break 100 mph will be sorely missed, so we'll just have to settled for a three-way dance.

Advantage: Team Chara

Accuracy Shootout - Steven Stamkos, Scott Hartnell and Milan Michalek are the top three All-Stars in the shooting percentage category and Daniel Sedin, last year's champion, give Team Alfie the edge here. While it's a bit different trying to hit four round targets in each corner of a goal, it has to be some sort of advantage, yeah?

Advantage: Team Alfredsson

Fastest Skater - We'll have a new champion this year with Michael Grabner's absence, and Stamkos is the only All-Star back from last year who posted a sub-15 second time. Gritty veteran Martin St. Louis is also missing, so young legs will likely once again dominate in this category as both teams are flush with that kind of talent.

Advantage: Even

Fastest Goalie - Alfredsson and Chara still have to choose which All-Stars will perform in what events, but if we had our way, we'd like to see Tim Thomas defend his honor -- no, not from this past week's events -- after his stumble while racing Cam Ward a year ago.

Advantage: N/A

Trick Shot Competition - No Alex Ovechkin means someone else is going to have to break out the fishing hat and Canadian flags this year. Between Stamkos, Claude Giroux, John Tavares, the Sedins, you might as well call them the "All-Hands Team". Chara's squad, with the likes of Eberle, Seguin and Malkin, should give them a good push, but this one is a landslide.

(Ed. Note: How could we forget Pavel "Dangle Dangle" Datysuk?)

Advantage: Team Alfredsson

Who do you like for each of the top Skills events on Saturday?

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy

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Be afraid: NHLPA has Scott Hartnell, Joffrey Lupul and others filming their lives

Remember that scene in Season 2 of "HBO 24/7", when Scott Hartnell of the Philadelphia Flyers took one of their cameras and began filming his own mini-documentary in his condo?

Well, look at what Uncle Scott's gonna eat, courtesy of the NHLPA's new deal with BlackBerry.

That's the just-released "Sizzle Reel" for the NHLPA's "Players' Playbook" series, in which players will be taking "home movies" with their BlackBerry Playbooks and the Players' Association will be posting them.

From the PA:

"Move over Hollywood?5 players are moving behind the camera for an all-access look at their lives off the ice. From the dressing room to their living room and beyond, The NHLPA Players' Playbook delivers exclusive videos shot by the NHL players themselves."

The players participating are Hartnell, his buddy Joffrey Lupul of the Toronto Maple Leafs; Marty Biron of the New York Rangers; Michael Grabner of the New York Islanders; and amateur film critic Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks.

So, basically, five personable goofballs we can vicariously live through. Awesome.

Besides having the potential for hijinks, this is also a big money deal between RIM and the NHLPA ? yes, the timing is impeccable.

Slowly, through stuff like this and social media, the players are starting to put themselves out there more ... just in time for the next CBA revenue sharing war.

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Dwight Howard Free Agency: His Flirtation with the Boston Celtics Is Digusting

I have been one of the biggest backers of Dwight Howard and him staying in Orlando. My enthusiasm for the future of the Magic with Dwight came to a screeching halt when I read that Dwight may be willing to listen to the Celtics regarding a possible move there.

I still believe that he could become a legend in Orlando, but I am now growing tired of his flip-flopping. I, as a writer, am confused by his intentions. As a fan, I am frustrated with how he has treated the organization that has done everything within their power to make him successful.

Obviously there is a disconnect between Otis Smith and Dwight which may never be fixed. At this point, as an Orlando Magic writer, I cannot wait until the day that I can write about something besides Dwight Howard.

Fans in other markets love the potential of having the best center in the league come to their home town. In Orlando, the fans adore him, but quite frankly I'm disgusted with the way he flirts with other cities while playing in Orlando.

I hate to say this, but I respect LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony more for the choices they made. At least LeBron James waited until after his final season with Cleveland to entertain other teams’ offers. Carmelo played hard for Denver, but he made it loud and clear that he wanted to play for the New York Knicks.

Dwight Howard is doing the City of Orlando wrong. He tells the Magic fans that he loves them, and then tells the Boston Herald, regarding him coming there as a free agent, that he will “always listen to a team like that [Boston Celtics].” He’s essentially spitting in the face of all Magic fans and the organization who gave him every tool to grow as a player.

They brought in Patrick Ewing to essentially be Dwight’s own personal coach. They hired Mark Price to teach him how to shoot free throws (which is obviously not working).

Dwight Howard is like the boyfriend who still lives in his girlfriend's house and is using their home phone to meet new girls.

Magic fans, it’s time to stop letting him live in your house and use your phone. Boo him every chance you get until he is out of town. He doesn’t love you, let him go.

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Senior Bowl 2012: Janoris Jenkins and Studs Trying to Become First Rounders

While it's fair to say that most of the NFL Draft's top prospects tend to be underclassmen, the Senior Bowl has a profound effect on the draft process. A good game and solid practices can elevate players to first-round status while a poor performance can do just the opposite.

There are several seniors who are seemingly on the borderline between the first and second rounds, so there is a ton at stake in Saturday's game. The Senior Bowl obviously isn't the only thing that will be taken into account, but in-game performance is always a great evaluating tool.

Here are three studs who are looking to earn first-round billing with a strong Senior Bowl showing.

 

OL Mike Adams, Ohio State

Right now, massive Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams is probably considered a second-round pick by most, but there is nothing stopping him from propelling into round No. 1.

At 6'7" and 323 pounds, Adams has the prototypical size that scouts look for in a mauling lineman. The general consensus is that he is the fourth- or fifth-best tackle in the draft, so getting into the first isn't a stretch depending on team needs.

Senior Bowl practices tend to say a lot about linemen in particular since there are plenty of one-on-one drills. Because of Adams' impressive size, you would think that he has caught the eye of plenty of scouts already. Most teams in the league could use another offensive tackle, so I expect there to be a strong market for Adams. If he imposes his will at the Senior Bowl then it is very likely he goes in the first round.

RB Chris Polk, Washington

There is no question that Alabama's Trent Richardson and Miami's Lamar Miller are the two top running backs in the draft and both are basically locks to go in the first round. After that it's a bit questionable, but Washington tailback Chris Polk seems to be the next in line. Polk has a great blend of size and speed, so he could be a very intriguing prospect late in the first round.

Polk is likely to be showcased plenty in the Senior Bowl itself, so he'll have every opportunity to improve his draft stock. Polk ran for nearly 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, so he produced at a high level against quality competition in the Pac 12. The value of running backs in the draft has gone down in recent years, but Polk could still sneak into the bottom of round No. 1.

DB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

It wasn't long ago that North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins was considered a top-10 prospect. After being removed from the team at the University of Florida for marijuana arrests, however, Jenkins' value took a tumble.

Jenkins was a starter as a freshman on the Gators' National Championship team, but that seems like a long time ago at this point. Now, Jenkins has to battle into the first round after playing at a lower level with North Alabama.

Jenkins predictably dominated his competition both as a corner and a return man this past season. Because of his dual-threat capability and track record of excelling against great competition, Jenkins is certainly on the first-round radar. The Senior Bowl will tell evaluators a lot about whether he can still play at the highest level.

If he proves that and teams can look past his character issues, he should go in the first round.

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