Allgemeines » over Japanese lightweight Naoyuki Kot

After winning five straight Northwest Division titles, the Vancouver Canucks crash-landed last season and missed the playoffs altogether. Change came quickly. Mike Gillis was fired as president and general manager the day after the regular season ended. Franchise icon Trevor Linden was installed as president with Jim Benning as GM. John Tortorella was soon dismissed as head coach with Willie Desjardins named to replace him. The team parted with or did not bring back veterans Ryan Kesler, David Booth, Jason Garrison and Mike Santorelli in favour of newcomers Ryan Miller, Radim Vrbata, Nick Bonino and Luca Sbisa. As training camp begins after a spring and summer that saw organizational turnover almost from top to bottom, it falls to Benning and his staff to push the Canucks back to their former success and help promote a new identity for the club. "Well have six new players, thats (one) third of our team," Benning explained in conversation with TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie. "I think when you bring young players into your organization they add enthusiasm and energy. What we tried to do is with the support of our core players, we tried to add depth so we want to be a four-line team. "If you look at L.A. and Anaheim and San Jose, theyre four-line teams. In adding some younger players to our line-up, I think it will be good for our group." With the players now in place, its up to new head coach Desjardins to set the tone for the new season. "Willie is a tireless worker, first of all. His teams have always bought in and worked hard for him, whether it be at the junior level, at the American Hockey League level, he has a way with his players that they work for him and they give him everything theyve got," said Benning. "So I expect us to be a hard-working that uses our skill. Instead of playing a dump-and-chase game, were going to come across the blue line with the puck and were going to take it to the net and use our speed and skill to create scoring chances. Those opportunities to put the puck in the net will be spearheaded, as usual, by Henrik and Daniel Sedin. The pair are turning 34 in two weeks and are coming off a season where both had vastly reduced offensive output. Still, Benning knows that a bounce-back season is squarely in their sights. "They have worked hard the whole summer and they still want to prove to people that theyre elite players in this league - and they are elite players in this league. They had a lot of chances to score last year and their numbers didnt reflect it. But I expect them to come back in this year and be real good players like theyve always been. Vancouver is hoping to reignite the duo with the addition of veteran free agent Radim Vrbata. Hell begin the season as the right-winger on Henrik and Daniels line. "When we talked about how to support (the Sedins), Radims like a give-and-go player," said Benning. "He jumps into the holes and hes a finisher and has a good shot. We think it will be a good fit. Willie is going to try it out and its like anything - until you try it out and see where it goes you dont really know. But we think its going to be a good fit and so I hope it works. The other significant newcomer to the team is Ryan Miller, who ended last season with the St. Louis Blues. Benning was a scout in Buffalo when the Sabres drafted Miller in 1999 and is more than familiar with what the 34-year-old netminder can bring to the Canucks. "I know what kind of personality he is. Hes an intense guy, a focused guy, he wants to win. This year we have a lot of players on our team that have something to prove, whether its to themselves or to each other. Our team from last year still wants to prove to people that theyre still a playoff team, and adding Vrbata and Miller, these guys want to prove that they can be part of a winning team. The other audition figures to come at second-line centre, where the departed Kesler leaves an opportunity for a younger player. McKenzie asked about Nick Bonino, Brad Richardson, Shawn Matthias, and Linden Vey as possible candidates for the role. "Training camp will bear that out," explained Benning. "Bonino had a very good year in Anaheim last year. Hes a solid 200-foot player, but he has good hands around the net and sets his teammates up for scoring chances. Over the course of training camp and exhibition games that will sort itself out." Benning has full confidence that these changes can put his team back in the post-season after a one-year absence. "We want to get back to where were a competitive team and we can compete for the Cup. So, well get there." Ron Jaworski Jersey . The Twins announced Thursday the 28-year-old Albers cleared waivers. He will join the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization. Tyreek Burwell Jersey . Cleveland released the troubled wide receiver on Wednesday, an expected ending after Bess was arrested in January for assaulting a law enforcement officer at an airport and other bizarre behaviour. http://www.cheapeaglesjerseysauthentic.c...f-miller-jersey. Hes the same player he always was, only now his efforts are being rewarded. The rookie manager has made a habit of heaping praise on others when things are going well, and accepting criticism when they arent. But in the case of Hurtado, its what the coach is NOT saying that may be the secret to a superb run of form. Donnel Pumphrey Jersey . Week 2s biggest games include Florida facing Miami and Notre Dame travelling to the Big House to conclude their rivalry against Michigan in primetime on TSN2 and TSN 1050. Jason Kelce Jersey . While he was away, it was the division-rival Baltimore Orioles conducting a little business of their own, scooping up Ubaldo Jimenez on Monday evening to a reported four-year, $50-million contract. DUBLIN, Ireland -- Irishman Conor McGregor promised his countrymen a first-round finish of fellow featherweight Diego Brandao, and he made good on that commitment. McGregor outclassed the Brazilian slugger and scored a TKO win at the 4:05 mark of the headlining matchup of "UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Brandao" on Saturday. McGregor was the quicker fighter from the start, using flashy kicks to the head and body to stifle his opponents advances, but it was hands that ultimately sealed the deal. After Brandao tried unsuccessfully to bring the action to the canvas, McGregor unleashed a left hand that sent his opponent to the floor, and he followed to the ground with more strikes with 55 seconds left in the first round. Afterward, McGregor said he would sip fine whiskey with UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta and convince him to return to Dublin with a soccer stadium as the venue. "I said I was going to put him away in the first round, and I put him away in the first round," McGregor said. "Theres not a man alive who can come on this soil and beat me. "Im going to go backstage with Mr. Lorenzo Fertitta, have a little whiskey, and talk about being in a stadium." In the nights co-feature, Icelandic welterweight Gunnar Nelson (13-0-1) kept his undefeated professional record intact with an impressive second-round finish of Zak Cummings (17-4). A crisp right hand landed flush several times on the feet before he grabbed Cummings head and drug him to the floor in the second round. Once there, Nelson showed off his vaunted grappling skills, spinning perfectly to his opponents back and using punches to soften up Cummings defence before locking in a rear-naked choke. Nelson didnt take long once he got the hold, and Cummings was forced to tap with 12 seconds left in the round. "This was a tough fight," Nelson admitted after the win. "Zak is a very tough opponent. He is strong everywhere and he knows what he is doing. The atmosphere out there was something else. "I have never felt like that in the octagon. The crowd was so loud andd so intense.dddddddddddd" McGregor and Nelson were awarded $50,000 each for the evenings two "Performance of the. Night" bonuses. In a key flyweight matchup, Ian McCalls speed and game-planning proved superior to Brad Pickett, as "Uncle Creepy" picked up a clearcut decision win over "One Punch." McCall was the quicker fighter from the start, and he darted in and out of range to avoid Picketts preferred brawling style. While Pickett did land the occasional big right hand, it was McCall who was generally quicker on the trigger, using a pinpoint jab and quick kicks to the body to rack up points. At the end of 15 minutes, McCall was awarded a decision win with scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28. McCall admitted he was a little disappointed in his performance but happy with the result and now hopes for a third fight with current UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. "I was a little off -- I wasnt aggressive enough," McCall said. "But it was an intelligent fight, I think. I know Brad thinks I dont respect him as a fighter, but I really do. Hes a strong guy -- hes fought a lot of people. Now, there is unfinished business with Demetrious Johnson. He has something that is mine." In the nights first main-card matchup, Northern Irelands Norman Parke (20-2-1) earned a one-sided TKO victory over Japanese lightweight Naoyuki Kotani (33-11-7). Parke shut down his opponents takedown attempts and punished him with strikes on the feet from the start. In the second, Parke threw his opponent to the floor and looked to take the back and lock in a rear-naked choke. When Kotani defended the move, Parke simply settled for blasting away with big punches and elbows until referee Marc Goddard put a stop to the drubbing at the 3:41 mark of the frame. "I feel great," Parke said after the win. "Fighting in front of a home crowd is so special. It was just unbelievable. Even the weigh-ins last night were unbelievable with thousands of people making so much noise. It was great for me to be a part of it." Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '