Dein erstes Forum » "Its really nice to be

BOCA RATON, Florida - It will be minor tweaks, not major overhauls, to come from this weeks general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Florida. While a number of more radical ideas, including the implementation of three-on-three play in overtime were discussed, none gained much traction. Instead, the GMs intend to put forth recommendations that they believe will enhance the product without dramatically overhauling it. "The big take away from this meeting is the managers are really happy with where the game is right now,"said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. Throughout the week, GMs have expressed an interest to lessen the number of games decided in a shootout. To that end, a recommendation is expected to be put forth to have teams switch sides to begin overtime (the same as in the second period), hoping that a teams bench being further from their defensive zone will lead to more goals. "I would say thats going to be recommended for sure," St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong confirmed. So far, 18 of 30 teams have scored their largest number of goals under these conditions in the second period. Also given consideration was doing the dry scrape of the ice prior to the overtime period to provide for better ice conditions instead of waiting until before the shootout; however, due to the potential of lengthening games, that item will continue to be discussed. "Do we dry scrape the ice after the sixty minutes or can the ice crew (with shovels) accomplish the same thing, saving two or three minutes? One of the concerns of the dry scrape is the continuity in the game," said Armstrong. "We want to keep the fans attached to it and were not sure if we want to slow the game down four or five minutes to get that dry scrape in." Armstrong indicated that the NHL will consult with Senior Director of Facilities Operations, Dan Craig, regarding the most optimal course of action to enhance the ice for overtime while mitigating the amount of time spent on the task. The GMs also intend to table a recommendation to widen the hash marks on faceoff circles to IIHF standards in an effort to separate opposing wingers, preventing immediate scrums along the boards after draws. "Everyone thought that was a good idea," said Armstrong. "It eliminates the scrums along the boards and it allows the quicker player to get to loose pucks to generate scoring opportunities." Additionally, it is expected that a recommendation to alter the face-off procedure somewhat will be put forward. As it stands currently, if a player is removed from a face-off, another teammate will come in to take the draw. If a second infraction is committed, a team will be assessed a two-minute minor penalty. The intended recommendation provides tha,t instead of replacing the offending player, he would simply be forced to move back 12-18 inches (exact distance still being considered), lessening his ability to win the draw. "By doing that, the player loses leverage," explained Armstrong. "We think the referees will be more comfortable calling a (two-minute) penalty on the same guy (who has now cheated twice)." The NHL will also table a recommendation to redefine what a "distinct kicking motion is" allowing for pucks to be directed in by skates where the blade remains on the ice. Daly indicated, though, that the interpretation wont be implemented until next season so that the relevant people can be educated as to the change to avoid confusion. A lot of discussion regarding expanding video review took place, as well, largely focused on whether to allow for the review of plays where goals were scored that may have been affected by goaltender interference. Adding video monitors in the penalty box to allow for officials to review calls impacted by goaltender interference, an item that Calgary Flames President and GM Brian Burke expressed on Monday he would be in favour of, will not be recommended at this point, though Daly suggested it is something the league will further consider. "One specific thing that was talked about, not necessarily recommended but certainly studied further, is adding monitors to penalty benches to allow on-ice officials to review potential interference calls for good goals versus not good goals," Daly confirmed. He also explained that there was an appetite among general managers for the Toronto hockey operations situation room to be given expanded latitude in ruling on situations like the one that occurred on January 18 in a game between the Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings. In that example, a puck clearly went into the netting and out of play but was missed, leading directly to a Red Wings goal and, subsequently, a Red Wings win after the game was being led by the Kings in regulation prior to the missed call with less than thirty seconds left in the third period. "I think the managers feel something thats egregious and obvious like that, there should be some latitude to make those calls and get the calls right," said Daly. Air Max 720 Cheap Wholesale . The 23-year-old Neustaedter will move at the end of the season when his contract with Moenchengladbach expires. He signed a four-year deal with Schalke. Air Max 720 Outlet Sale . But Paul Osbaldiston, Hamiltons assistant special teams and kicking coach, said the team still relished the championship game workout. http://www.airmax720outletcheap.com/ . The team said Saturday that the 36-year-old Robidas is expected to miss four to six months, jeopardizing his return this season. He was injured when he slid hard into the boards in the second period of a 2-1 shootout loss to Chicago on Friday. Air Max 720 Outlet Cheap . -- Challenged for the first time under Major League Baseballs expanded replay system, umpires got it right. Air Max 720 Wholesale Free Shipping . The rookie is rewarding their faith with a stellar first season. MacKinnon had a goal and two assists, Jamie McGinn had two goals and an assist, and Colorado beat the Buffalo Sabres 7-1 on Saturday.BALTIMORE – The pattern suggests Aaron Sanchez will be a high-walk pitcher over the course of his career but as the 21-year-old takes his next and perhaps final minor league step, the man who hopes to manage Sanchez in the big leagues isnt concerned. "Hes got that big-time arm and his big pitch is his sinking fastball," said Gibbons. "Theres a lot of life to that. Thats a tough pitch to command and keep in the zone a lot. He may be one of those guys his whole career who walks guys. That doesnt mean he cant pitch at this level and be very good because those ground balls, you can erase some of those walks and those hits with one pitch." Sanchez joins the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons after making 14 starts for Double-A New Hampshire. He posted a 3.82 ERA and a 1.394 WHIP but talk centered on Sanchezs walk rate, which sat five-and-a-half per nine innings. "Hes still a baby. Hes still learning. He hasnt logged a lot of innings in the minor leagues yet," said Gibbons. "He may be one of those guys who walks some guys. I dont think thats necessarily, I mean youd rather not but I dont think thats a bad thing. I dont think thats a killer. Lets put it that way." This is nothing new. At any of Sanchezs seven stops in the Blue Jays chain so far, hes never had a better walk rate than 3.8 per nine innings. That came in 2011 with Bluefield of the Single-A Appalachian League. He was 18 years old at the time. Sanchez threw 109 2/3 innings last season, New Hampshire and the Arizona Fall League combined, and has already tossed 66 innings this season. A 20 per cent year-over-year increase would cap Sanchez at about 130 innings. A 30 per cent spike would see Sanchez stop at a little more than 140 innings. The Blue Jays have a plan. Whatever it is, Gibbons is being mum. "Thats none of your business," he said, before adding, "Hes still learning. Hes still developing. Hes in the minor leagues for a reason. Hes making his start every five days. Hes working through his career. When that career begins, who knows? Every pitcher in baseball in the minor leagues, I mean teams are conscious of the workload because there are so many injuries." MASTROIANNI BACK WHERE IT BEGAN Darin Mastroianni met the Blue Jays in Baltimore, his contract selected to serve as the fourth outfielder when Bobby Korecky was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. A 16th round pick of Toronto in the 2007 amateur draft, Mastroianni made his major league debut with the Blue Jays – his only game with Toronto – on August 24, 2011. He moved on to Minnesota, appearing in 114 games for the Twins in two-plus seasons. "Its really nice to be back with Toronto," said Mastroianni. "Obviously, whenever you get a chance to come back to a team that gave you your start and I made my big league debut with them, its always exciting to come back and play with an organization like that." Its been a trying year and a half for Mastroianni since he fouled a Joe Kelly pitch off his left shin in a spring training game in 2013..ddddddddddddHe suffered an avulsion fracture but tried to play through it. He was shut down in April and underwent surgery in May. Even though he returned late in the season the procedure didnt take and Mastroianni underwent a second surgery last November. He cleared waivers in December but appeared in seven April games with the Twins before being designated for assignment. Thats when the Blue Jays claimed him off waivers. "I didnt really know what was going to happen," said Mastroianni. "Obviously you hope you get a chance; that someone would want you and it was exciting to know that the Blue Jays felt that they wanted me to come over here and I was even more excited to get that call (Wednesday) that I was going to join them here." Mastroianni is a base stealer. He swiped 21 bases in 24 attempts for the Twins in 2012. His performance in Buffalo since his acquisition has allayed any fears his foot surgeries have affected his speed. Mastroianni has 14 stolen bases in 16 tries. The Blue Jays arent scheduled to face any starting left-handed pitching on the road trip or when the club returns home to face the Yankees on June 23 and so a strict bench role appears to be in Mastroiannis future. Regardless, hes excited. "This is kind of new territory for me," said Mastroianni. "Ive never been on a team thats in first place. Its kind of new. Its exciting for me. I always felt that my role on a team was to help teams win late in the game, whether its pinch-run, defence, whatever and its exciting if that is the role to be on a team when you can actually impact and really help a team win baseball games." GIBBONS PRAISES BAUTISTA Whether the club is running hot or cold and regardless of whether Jose Bautista is streaking or slumping at the plate, manager John Gibbons said his star player sets the right example. "When your top dog or one of your top guys, their mindset is they show up everyday, man, they lay it out there, thats important because its not always the case," said Gibbons. "Not just in this sport, any sport, if your top guy does things the right way, everybody falls behind that. When they do it the wrong way, everybody falls that way too and that can work against you." Bautista, as he has for most of the season, continues to lead baseball in on-base percentage (.434 entering Thursdays action). His seven outfield assists are second only to Oaklands Yoenis Cespedes. "He does everything right," said Gibbons. "He prepares himself. Hes into it. He doesnt take an inning off." RASMUS BEGINS REHAB ASSIGNMENT Colby Rasmus served as the designated hitter in Triple-A Buffalos 11-0 win at Toledo on Thursday night. In four plate appearances, he went 1-for-3 with a single, a walk and a strikeout. The plan is for Rasmus to play five innings in centerfield on Friday and play another full game at designated hitter on Saturday. At that point Rasmus right hamstring will be evaluated, possibly paving the way for his return to the Blue Jays early next week. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '