TORONTO -- The Maple Leafs boast a predominantly Canadian ro

Preminiem Geregistreerd op: 22 Mei 2019 Berichten: 285

TORONTO -- The Maple Leafs boast a predominantly Canadian roster with 20 players holding Canadian passports; however, many are struggling when it comes to deciding who to cheer for come Fridays semifinal of mens hockey at the Olympics, which features Leafs teammates Phil Kessel and James van Reimsdyk against the Canadians. Cheap NBA Jerseys . The Leafs were back on the ice Wednesday following an 10-day break. It apparently wasnt long enough, as Team Canadas 2-1 win over Latvia didnt conclude before the Leafs began practice. "I was thinking we might get a little delay, but it was nice to get out there," said Tyler Bozak of watching Wednesdays game." Bozak, a native of Regina, Sask., centres a line of Kessel and van Riemsdyk. He also shares an apartment with Kessel in Toronto. He has been in touch with his linemates during the break. "Theyre enjoying it, they said everythings great," said Bozak. "The village is nice, theyre meeting lots of new people and having fun. Theyre winning lots of games and playing really well." When asked who hed be cheering for in Fridays rematch of the 2010 gold medal game, Bozak appeared on the fence. "Its going to be an exciting game to watch for sure. I really cant make any predictions," he said. "I dont knowa the U.S. has been playing great. Canadas kind of snuck by with a few wins, but every games different and it should be a fun one to watch. "I just hope Phil and JVR play really well and maybe Canada wins, I dont know." Nazem Kadri, who spent his break along with Bozak and Frazer McLaren in the Caribbean, isnt sure of Canadas chances. "I want to say Canada, but to be honest, I think the U.S. looks a little bit better," said the London, Ont. native. "In tournaments like these, its all about one game, one period swing where that could be the difference." Sudbury, Ont. native, Randy Carlyle admitted cheering for Canada isnt as easy as it may appear. "I wish our players all the success in the world and I think its important for us to never lose sight of the fact that youre part of a team, but again, I am Canadian," said Carlyle, who spent his break in California. "There is things pulling at your heart strings in different directions thats for sure." Kessel has been the talk of the tournament leading the way with five goals and eight points heading in to Fridays game. He was also the topic de jour at the Leafs practice facility in Etobicoke Wednesday. When asked if Kessel, who is second behind just Alexander Ovechkin in regular season scoring with 31 goals, has put himself amongst the best players in the NHL, Carlyle was quick to pump the breaks. "Thats a big statement for anybody to come out and proclaim on any player. It takes a longer period of time than just five years (or) six years," Carlyle said. "Hes not a one-dimensional player as people described him previously. Hes a guy who still has some things that wed like him to stop doing, but hes become more of a two-way player." Kadri, who according to Carlyle returned with the best-looking tan on the team, isnt surprised at Kessels success in Sochi. "I think we all knew Phil was going to achieve more especially on that big ice," he said. "Not too many players in the league can skate with him so. Phil does a great job finding areas to get open." Carlyle admitted one player he is concerned about is Nikolai Kulemin. Kulemin was part of the Russian team, which fell 3-1 to Finland in the quarter-finals. "Nobody asks questions about how youre going to feel about Nikolai Kulemin coming back and thats a tough one," said Carlyle. "Host country and the way their tournament unravelled. "Hes part of our hockey club and weve got to find a way to build him back up and get him going again." Notes: Injured forwards David Bolland (foot), Peter Holland (lace bite), Carter Ashton (hand) and Trevor Smith (undisclosed) were all participants in Wednesdays 50 minute skate at the MasterCard Centre. Once Bolland, Smith and Ashton return from injured reserved, the Leafs will have 25 players on their active roster and will require some moves. Cheap Dallas Mavericks Jerseys . Yet heading to New York, the Habs remain positive as it all comes down to the one main ingredient that the organization has built its team on - character. Cheap Mavericks Jerseys China . Hes coming back to fulfil them. One of Europes top coaches, Blatt was hired Friday by the Cavaliers, who ended a sweeping, 39-day search with an out-of-the-box selection they hope changes their fortunes. http://www.cheapmavericksjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-dirk-nowitzki-jersey .com) - A chant of Zeke reverberated around AT&T Stadium before Ezekiel Elliott powered into the end zone for his fourth and final touchdown.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Eric Decker went from playing in the Super Bowl a year ago to simply playing for pride during the final weeks of this season.Through it all, the New York Jets wide receiver has no regrets.Decker refuses to look back at what might have been if the Denver Broncos wanted to re-sign him.The fact is, they didnt, and he came to New York with big hopes for the Big Apple.Instead, he has endured a 2-11 season with the futures of his coach, general manager and many of his teammates uncertain.I mean, honestly, going from a good team or an average team or the record were at now, its very small, Decker said Thursday. The details, honestly, separate the great from the good, and the great from the average. Its about your preparation, details of how you practice, details of how you watch film, the details of doing things the right way.Were very close.It might sound perhaps delusional to some, but several players other than Decker have insisted over the past few weeks that the Jets arent as bad as the record indicates. They see signs of hope, that things can be turned around with some major off-season tweaks.Many fans and media believe wholesale changes are in store for the Jets, who will miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season under Rex Ryan.Owner Woody Johnson will have major decisions to make as far as Ryan and GM John Idzik, and he told the New York Daily News at the NFL meetings in Dallas that this has been the hardest year Ive had in terms of losses.Hes invested a lot of stuff into this organization and this team, and our job as players is performance, said Decker, who leads the Jets with 55 catches. He cant control performance. He can control what he provides us and what he does to help us as far as athletes.Its one of the best organizations in the NFL, so for us, weve got to find a way to get some more wins. Its frustrating the locker room and were the ones grinding on the field every day, and its got to be frustrated for himm as well because this is really his organization and he wants to see success. Kostas Antetokounmpo Jersey. But that could mean a new GM, a new coach and several new players, a massive amount of turnover for a team that has lost by 20 or more points three times — but by 14 or fewer eight times this season.Obviously, theres certain pieces throughout a team or certain bounces throughout a year that help you along the way, Decker said, but for us, weve got to find our identity, do the little things right and just keep chipping away because it will turn.I dont think its far off at all from being a playoff kind of team.Decker is also realist, though, and he knows changes are coming to some extent.Theres pieces, obviously, that well need to help us be a better football team, Decker said. Thats a question for the personnel department, for management, to make. As far as the core of this team, the guys that we have in this locker room, theres a reason why were all here. Were not performing well enough to get victories and theres questions and answers behind that, but I feel that the core of this team is definitely championship-minded and championship athletes.Moving forward, though, that core could be led by someone other than Ryan on the field. The coach understands — and shares — Johnsons disappointment over how this season has unfolded.Ryan insisted he is focused only on the teams next game at Tennessee on Sunday, and Johnson is justified in whatever he decides at the end of the season.That includes the fate of the coach.I mean, I love Rex, Decker said. Thats one of the reasons why I came here. ... Hes been a great players coach as far as taking care of you, doing things and providing you with things, and being real with you when you ask questions. I have the utmost respect for him. 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