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.
APGuy Carbonneau, struggling to keep his Canadiens on track for a playoff berth, became the seventh NHL coach to get fired in the 2008-09 season. Like the six earlier firings, this is a quick fix, easier than trying to rebuild a roster during the season. But does this strategy work? If the other six firings are any indication, expect improvement in Montreal with general manager Bob Gainey behind the bench.
Chicago Blackhawks
The firing: G.M. Dale Tallon fired coach Denis Savard after just four games. The Blackhawks entered the season with lots of media hype and started 1-2-1.
The result: Joel Quenneville is 35-17-8 since taking over for Savard — a move that has paid off big for Tallon and the Blackhawks. The veteran coach has been a perfect fit for a young team and Chicago is poised to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The firing: In the first year of a three-year contract, ESPN personality and hockey analyst Barry Melrose was canned after starting the season 5-7-4.
The result: Associate coach Rick Tocchet has gone 16-25-9 since replacing Melrose. The Lightning aren't significantly better, but word out of Tampa is that Tocchet is negotiating an extension and removal of his interim tag.
Ottawa Senators
The firing: Craig Hartsburg was hired and fired in the same season after a team loaded with offensive talent dropped to the bottom of the league in scoring.
The result: Ottawa won't make the playoffs, but the Senators have shown more life under former AHL coach Cory Clouston (8-5-3). It's possible Ottawa will target a more experienced coach this summer.
New York Rangers
The firing: Looking for more fire and leadership, G.M. Glen Sather fired Tom Renney, who had guided the Rangers into the second round of the past two postseasons.
The result: It's early, but things have looked good under John Tortorella. The Rangers earned points in four of his first five games. New York, though, lost to the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday to end a three-game winning streak.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The firing: Just last spring, Michel Therrien was being lauded for guiding the Penguins to the Stanley Cup finals. He was rewarded with a three-year contract extension over the summer but was fired when the lifeless Penguins dropped to 10th in the Eastern Conference.
The result: The Penguins, one of the hottest teams in the NHL under former AHL coach Dan Bylsma, just completed a five-game road sweep. Bylsma is 8-1-1 as interim coach.
Carolina Hurricanes
The firing: Less than three years after guiding the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup championship, coach Peter Laviolette was fired and replaced by former Carolina and Toronto coach Paul Maurice.
The result: Under Maurice (23-16-3), the Hurricanes have fought through inconsistencies and are playing better. They added Erik Cole at the trade deadline and have a four-game winning streak after beating the Rangers on Monday. They appear poised to return to the playoffs for the first time since winning the Cup.
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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Do coaching changes usually work? Feb. 22: Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuire discuss why moves behind the bench are made. |
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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 |
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.
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.
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