Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Eleven shots separated Phil and Tiger Sunday at Pebble Beach as Lefty secured his 40th Tour win. Jason Sobel had hole-by-hole reports.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
 | Slideshow |
 |
more photos |
Just a week ago, there were complaints that the New York Rangers were too vanilla. They had a classy, and well-spoken coach in Tom Renney and were led by everybody's All-American Chris Drury.
Things have changed in a hurry.
Firey John Tortorella was hired to replace the fired Renney this week, and an NHL source tells SportingNews.com that he expects Sean Avery to be placed on re-entry waivers by the Dallas Stars on Monday.
Since Avery is playing for the Rangers' AHL affiliate, a reunion in New York between the Rangers and Avery appears to be the natural progression. It would also mean the combination of two of hockey's biggest personalities: Tortorella and Avery.
In New York City.
When the NHL suspended Avery for his off-color remarks in Calgary, Tortorella ripped the player widely considered the most hated guy in hockey.
"Enough is enough," Tortorella said on Canada's all-sports outlet TSN, where he was an analyst. "He's embarrassed himself, he's embarrassed the (Dallas) organization, he's embarrassed the league and he's embarrassed his teammates, who have to look out for him. Send him home. He doesn't belong in the league."
Doesn't exactly sound like a guy who is too eager to plug Avery into the Rangers power play.
During a conference call with reporters this week, Rangers GM Glen Sather sounded optimistic that Avery and Tortorella could co-exist in New York.
"I think you always have to be cognizant of the fact that coaches have opinions of players," Sather said. "[Tortorella] doesn't have the history with Sean that we do. Over time you learn to love him."
If the Rangers do claim Avery, they will split the remainder of his four-year, $15.5 million salary with the Dallas Stars, who signed Avery this summer as their big free-agent addition.
Avery has been on his best behavior in the AHL. In his first six games with the Hartford Wolf Pack, Avery had one goal and one assist. He also had two penalty minutes.
His lack of time in the penalty box raises the question: Is a rehabbed, squeaky-clean Avery an effective Avery? Part of his value is driving opponents crazy and drawing penalties. In 57 games with the Rangers last season, Avery had 154 penalty minutes and the Rangers won a lot of those games.
He'll need to be that kind of player if and when he returns to the NHL next week. Especially if it's with the Rangers, the once-vanilla Rangers.
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Check out highlights from the Rangers 3-2 win over the Capitals.
ProHockeyTalk headlines |
 | Video: NHL from NBC Sports |
 NHLI via Getty Images |
| Slideshow |
 | NHL All-Stars Take a look at the players who competed in Team Chara's 12-9 victory over Team Alfredsson. more photos |
| Slideshow |
 | more photos |
| Slideshow |
 | more photos |
| Slideshow |
 |
| Slideshow |
 | more photos |
 | Slideshow |
 |
The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
After leading by 18 points in the first half, the Los Angeles Lakers were staring at a four-point deficit with less than two minutes to play.
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
