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Jays’ GM willing to give teams time to talk contract with Halladay before making trade
In an apparent departure from his predecessor, Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos will give teams interested in trading for ace right-hander Roy Halladay a window to discuss a contract extension with the pitcher.
The Blue Jays’ Web site reports Anthopoulos would allow teams to talk to Halladay about an extension if it means the interested team will improve its trade offer. Halladay is signed through next season.
Former GM J.P. Ricciardi opposed the idea of a contract window when he was shopping Halladay last summer.
Click here to read the full article – By of sportingnews.com
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Forsberg staying in Sweden
Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis was looking into signing former Colorado Avalanche star Peter Forsberg, but said he learned Monday that Forsberg wanted to stay in his home country.
On Tuesday, Forsberg’s agent, Don Baizley, confirmed to ESPN.com that Forsberg has decided to continue playing with Swedish league club Modo, rather than attempt another return to the NHL.
“He just wasn’t confident enough about his foot at this stage to tackle the NHL season, so he’s going to play in Sweden this season to see what happens after that,” Baizley said.
Forsberg, who spent most of his 12 NHL seasons with the Avalanche, has dealt with nagging ankle and foot problems for several years.
Click here to read the full article – By of ESPN.com
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Luongo gets back in net
Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo was back in the net after missing two weeks because of a broken rib.
Luongo, who hadn’t played since he was injured on Oct. 27, replaced Andrew Raycroft at the start of the second period Tuesday night against the St. Louis Blues. The Blues led the game 4-0 after one period.
“That’s the only positive thing,” Luongo said after the Canucks’ 6-1 loss. “I got some minutes, but it’s tough. You don’t want to come in situations like that.”
Luongo took part in the Canucks’ morning skate Tuesday but wasn’t expected to play until Thursday in Detroit. Canucks coach Alain Vigneault removed Raycroft after the goalie allowed four goals on 13 shots.
Click here to read the full article – By of ESPN.com
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Iginla’s goal-scoring streak at 4 games as Kiprusoff blanks Habs
When Miikka Kiprusoff and Jarome Iginla both produce, the Calgary Flames can get away with scoring only once.
Kiprusoff earned his first shutout of the season and Iginla extended his goal-scoring streak to four games, leading Calgary to a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.
Kiprusoff made 25 saves and improved to 10-3-1 this season as Calgary won its fourth straight to begin a three-game trip. It was his 31st NHL shutout, his first since Feb. 12, when he turned aside 36 shots in a 2-0 win over Los Angeles.
“It’s always nice. It says a lot about how your team plays in front of you, too,” Kiprusoff said.
Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com
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Raptors take one on the chin
It’s simple, really. See the ball, go get the ball. Basic basketball learned in grade school.
But it was a practice that eluded the Raptors here Monday night like it’s eluded them so many times in the past, and it cost them another game.
Outhustled, outworked and out-thought by the short-staffed San Antonio Spurs, the Raptors suffered a 131-124 loss underscored by a frightful lack of effort on the glass.
The Spurs, minus Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, turned 16 offensive rebounds into an astonishing 32 second-chance points to wipe out any hopes Toronto had of stealing a win over a weakened opponent.
Click here to read the full article – By Doug Smith of thestar.com
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Paint the Town Red, Canada!
In support of team Canada for the 2010 Winter Oylmpics in Vancouver, the Canadian Oylimpic Committee would like all Canadians to show their support. “Paint the Town Red is a simple concept designed to encourage Canadians to show our athletes that we support their efforts and preparations for the Vancouver 2010 Games,” said Canada’s Chief de Mission in 2010, Nathalie Lambert.
Over 200 atheletes will represent Canada in the Oylmpic games and we need your support to help cheer on team Canada. The games will offically begin February 12, 2010. So come on Canada, show your spirit, enthusiasm and help create a wonderful atomosphere for our fellow Canadians to be proud of to call it their home. For news and updates on Winter Olympics head to the website www.olympic.ca
Bosh and Turkoglu meshing quickly
It came seemingly out of nowhere, a quick, little over-the-shoulder touch pass in traffic in the paint and it would have surprised no one had it smacked an unaware teammate in the face and bounced out of bounds.
But Chris Bosh seemed to know it was coming, he took the 5-foot dish from Hedo Turkoglu and completed an uncontested layup, one of the best signs so far in the pre-season for the Raptors.
While all questions cannot be answered after one half of one pre-season game, the meshing of Turkoglu and Bosh seems to be coming along quite nicely.
Click here to read the full article – By Doug Smith of thestar.com
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Sonny side up for Raps
Sonny Weems is beginning to assert himself, in part because he has been given an opportunity to start.
How long the new-found role lasts is up in the air, but there’s no denying the fact Weems has become a revelation in Raptorland.
The Raptors knew they had a super-athletic wing when they acquired Weems and Amir Johnson in an off-season deal with Milwaukee involving Roko Ukic and Carlos Delfino.
The Raptors knew Weems could run the floor, defend the perimeter and finish when an alley-oop pass was heaved toward the rim.
They also knew that Weems had to work on his jump shot, but little did the Raptors know just how explosive he could be on the team’s deep roster.
In Friday’s pre-season game against at Minnesota, Weems was given his first chance to start at the NBA level.
‘REALLY, REALLY EXCITED’
Even under the backdrop of exhibition play, the night’s significance wasn’t lost on Weems, who scored 11 points in Toronto’s 112-97 win.
“I was really, really excited,” Weems beamed following yesterday’s workout.
Click here to read the full article – By FRANK ZICARELLI of Ottawasun.com
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Evans wows crowd but Raptors drop 107-98 pre-season decision to 76ers
He’s expected to be a favourite with Toronto Raptors fans this year, but it took just a couple of early hustle plays for Reggie Evans to endear himself to the crowd at the John Labatt Centre.
The bruising forward grabbed a couple of steals in the opening two minutes against his former team in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 107-98 victory over Toronto on Tuesday, the pre-season opener for both squads.
Andrea Bargnani scored to 22 points to lead the Raptors, who trailed by as much as 23 points but made a spirited run late in the fourth quarter to cut Philly’s lead to five points. Sonnie Weems had 10 points, while rookie DeMar DeRozan, Marco Belinelli and Marcus Banks had nine apiece.
Louis Williams had 17 points to top the Sixers, while Andre Iguodala had 15 points and eight assists. Montreal’s Samuel Dalembert added 10 points and six boards.
Click here to read the full article – By Lori Ewing of Winnipeg Free Press
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Leclaire stops Leafs cold
While it lacked the fireworks of many previous skirmishes fought on the battleground, the Senators were just happy to get their first win of the young season.
Led by 26 saves from goalie Pascal Leclaire, the Senators beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 — the first win for Leclaire in a Senators uniform.
“The first one is one I’ve been looking forward to for a long time,” said Leclaire, who hadn’t won a game since Nov. 14, 2008. “You don’t feel part of a team until you have a win when you’re a goalie. It’s been a while and it’s a pretty fun night for me.”
There was plenty of hype around the decision by Toronto coach Ron Wilson to start goalie Jonas “The Monster” Gustavasson, but Daniel Alfredsson, on a penalty shot, and Shean Donovan scored for the Senators.
Click here to read the full article – By Bruce Garrioch of Ottawa Sun
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