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.
Golf's dream pairing - Woods and Mickelson - is on the course in the final round at Pebble Beach. Jason Sobel has 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.
APQ: Does acquiring Olli Jokinen put Calgary on a level playing field with Detroit and San Jose in the Western Conference playoffs?
— Mark Thompson from Colorado Springs, Col.
A: Jokinen is a big player, skilled, and finally, for the first time since entering the league in 1997-'98, he'll be appearing in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Coyotes dished him to the Flames on the March 4 trading deadline, giving Mike Keenan (one of Jokinen's former coaches in Florida), the towering, slick pivot he always likes in his lineup.
Now, Mark, did the upgrade at pivot close the gap — or level the playing field — with the likes of the Wings and Sharks? I'm not so sure. Prior to Jokinen's arrival, the Flames had 207 goals to San Jose's 206. The biggest difference was in goals allowed, 152 for San Jose and 186 for the Flames. Calgary added Jokinen for offense. I'm not so sure he's going to do much about preventing goals.
The Red Wings, as of deadline day, had scored more than anyone (239). I don't see Jokinen making up that kind of an impact alone that he'll turn the Flames into an offensive powerhouse. But he is good, and maybe his size will take some of the physical burden off of Jarome Iginla's wide shoulders. Overall, I like the Flames now better than before their deals, but still not as much as the Sharks and Wings, the latter of whom remain my favorite to win the Cup.
Q: Did the Red Wings simply not have any cap space/options to make a move before the deadline?
— Chris from Menlo Park, Calif.
A: Money was tight for the Wings, Chris, no question. But I think that was only part of their keeping a pat hand. The Wings like their team, and why not, given that the defending Cup champs added elite scorer Marian Hossa over the summer.
However, I was slightly surprised they didn't find some goaltending help at the deadline. They've shown great faith in Chris Osgood this season, but he has been almost ECHL material. Awful. Ty Conklin has performed admirably, if not sensationally, but he has but one game of playoff experience. Too risky for my liking, and I have to bet it's too risky for GM Ken Holland's liking. I know they like prospect Jimmy Howard, but he seems an even riskier proposition right now.
We'll soon see how it plays out. Holland and coach Mike Babcock either figure Conklin can carry the day, or that they have enough offense to keep the puck at the far end of the ice all night. Based on what we saw last spring, they could be right, again.
Q: I’m thrilled that Anaheim kept Chris Pronger. The Ducks could surprise some teams in the playoffs. Which team made the best ‘non-move’ at the trade deadline?
— Scott Cooper from N.Y.
A: Well, Scott, it has to be either the Ducks, holding on to Pronger, or the Panthers, not letting go of Jay Bouwmeester, another elite backliner who must have been even harder for the Panthers not to deal, simply because he can walk as a free agent July 1. At least in the Ducks' case, they know they can have Pronger back next season, if they so choose, because he has that year left on his contract.
All that said, they're both only good ''keeps'' if their respective clubs make the playoffs, right? The morning of the trade deadline, the Ducks were out of the running in the West, while the Panthers were tucked into the sixth slot in the East. Not very comfortable for either side. It wouldn't surprise me if they both missed out, and then they'll both likely regret not getting something for their big defensemen.
Honorable mention in the ''hold 'em'' brotherhood: the Vancouver Canucks. They actively shopped rugged defenseman Kevin Bieksa, but didn't let him go. I think they'll be happy. Come playoff time, his kind of grit is invaluable.
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.
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The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |
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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.