Rotoworld: Oregon RB LaMichael James and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon among top 10 players who are being overhyped for the 2012 draft.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
The Detroit Red Wings equaled an NHL record with their 20th straight win at home, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Sunday night on the strength of Johan Franzen's tiebreaking goal early in the third period.
PBT: Boston's Rajon Rondo continues to be named in trade talks, which is madness. The Celtics guard creates offense and makes everyone around him better, which was evident in Sunday's win over the Bulls.
Arc: Syracuse is among a solid group of No. 1 seeds in our latest tournament projections, but the middle of the pack is much more murky.
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.
Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods greeted their Sunday pairing at Pebble Beach with optimism. But the day would end happily only for one.
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.
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Stanley Cups: 2
2008-'09 record: 32-45-5, 69 points (5th in Northwest, 15th in West)
2008-'09 playoffs: Did not qualify
General manager: Greg Sherman (1st NHL year, 1st team)
Coach: Joe Sacco (1st year, 1st team)
Captain: Adam Foote
Top returning scorer: RW Milan Hejduk (27 goals, 32 assists, 59 points)
Top returning goalie: Craig Anderson (15-7-5, 2.71, .924)
Key additions: G Craig Anderson; LW David Koci; D Kyle Quincey; D Tom Preissing.
Key subtractions: C Joe Sakic; G Andrew Raycroft; RW Ian Laperriere; C Tyler Arnason; LW Ryan Smyth; D Lawrence Nycholat; C Ben Guite; C Nathan Smith; C Cody McCormick; D Daniel Tjarnqvist.
Top line: LW T.J. Hensick, C Paul Stastny, RW Milan Hejduk
Top defensive pairing: Kyle Quincey, Adam Foote
Goaltending: Strong play as Tomas Vokoun’s understudy in Florida the past two seasons paid off in free agency for Anderson, who gets his first chance to be the go-to goalie with the Avs. Very poised butterfly netminder is athletic and about as technically sound as they come. Aggressive netminder who tends to over commit at times has improved that aspect of his game.
Player to watch: C Matt Duchene. He grew up idolizing the Avs and now gets the chance to wear the jersey. Third overall pick in 2009 entry draft will be expected to have immediate impact on rebuilding club. Helped Brampton reach OHL final last season, with 31-48-79 totals in 57 games and 14 more tallies in playoffs. Undersized (5-foot-10, 200 pounds), but is a dynamic playmaker and exceptionally quick on his skates.
Icing: The Avalanche missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 1994 when the team was still the Quebec Nordiques.
Outlook: The Sakic era is over and the Sacco era has begun. The departure of the Avs’ longtime captain and the insertion of NHL newcomer Sacco behind the bench and Sherman in the front office isn’t merely a sign of change, it’s the start of a long winter in Denver.
Prediction: 63 points (5th in Northwest, 15th seed in West)
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The Detroit Red Wings equaled an NHL record with their 20th straight win at home, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Sunday night on the strength of Johan Franzen's tiebreaking goal early in the third period.
 | Video: NHL from NBC Sports |
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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.
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