TORONTO – It was competitive enough in Anaheim – the top team in the West mind you – that Teemu Selanne would see his ice and op

TORONTO – It was competitive enough in Anaheim – the top team in the West mind you – that Teemu Selanne would see his ice and opportunity in Orange County decline to levels that would sour the end of his Hall of Fame career. Brian Dumoulin Jersey . While now fighting simply to make the playoffs in Toronto, former Duck and new Leaf Daniel Winnik envisions similar competition for minutes amongst a revamped Maple Leafs forward collection. Competition amongst that group stands as the most curious roster battle to watch as training camp unfolds. "There are people that are expecting to be here that are probably on one-way contracts that arent gonna make our team," said Maple Leafs general manager, Dave Nonis, recalling training camp in 2013 when Tim Connolly and Matthew Lombardi failed to make the cut. "We did that by design. This wasnt [a situation] where we wanted to leave two spots open and say lets have two guys fight for it, we wanted to approach this a different way. There are no spots open and someones gonna lose their job." The potential for improved depth and competition at the position stands to offer returning head coach Randy Carlyle increased flexibility, backup in the case of injuries, and better balance to a lineup that was all too imbalanced at points last season. Not only do jobs figure to be on the line, but simple positioning within the forward ranks figures to be competitive. Theres versatility with this group too – players who have the skill-set move up and down the lineup – meaning Carlyle can move pieces around more freely if they dont fit, an opportunity to get creative if the need arises. David Clarkson, for instance, will have competition from the likes of David Booth, Mike Santorelli, Petri Kontiola and Matt Frattin for a spot on the second line, not to mention time with the second power-play unit. Peter Holland, who landed in Toronto when depth proved ill amid injuries to Dave Bolland and Tyler Bozak, will have to fight for minutes and an opportunity to play regularly. "We think that thats a healthy environment that we can create, competition for the position," Carlyle said, even toying with an idea of returning Joffrey Lupul to a first line with Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak. Toronto didnt have much in the way of depth last season, punctuated by the sparing use of a fourth line that offered almost nothing in the way of value. Lacking balance amongst his forward combinations, Carlyle leaned heavily on his top assets, often overburdening that top line of Kessel, Bozak and James van Riemsdyk. With new assets in the fold, he is afforded the opportunity to balance out the minutes and contributions of his forward group, even employing a defensive fourth line to slug it out with the oppositions best (he appears intent on using three lines for offence). "If youve got good third and fourth lines you can take away some of the tough minutes from your top guys," Winnik said, "try to give some rest for Phil and Tyler and James, when were up by a goal or two goals, that they dont have to be playing as much as they used to be." "I think the coaching staff, they have more in their bag and players are going to have to perform or theyre not going to get the ice-time they expect," Nonis said. Added depth is also a benefit in case of injuries (or suspension). By October 10 last fall – with David Clarkson suspended and others out with injury – the Leafs were forced to recall two prospects, Josh Leivo and David Broll, who had never played an NHL game before. That isnt likely to occur this time around with Leivo, Broll, Trevor Smith and Carter Ashton staring at positions with the Marlies, and those like Frattin, Holland and Troy Bodie, simply competing for jobs. "You look up and down the roster that we have at training camp here and theres tons of good guys that definitely its going to be tough to find ice-time," Frattin said. "Youve got to try and get your job and hold onto it." Frattin is among the forwards with something to prove this season, having faltered in stops with the Kings and Blue Jackets. Clarkson, too, would surely like to prove last season was a one-year nightmare while Kontiola aims to resurrect an NHL career he long ago left behind. All of which should make for an intriguing competition, one that begins in training camp and continues anew throughout the regular season. "It kind of pushes everyone to be better," Winnik said of the battle. "When you have two bad games you know youve got to step it up for the next two or else youre going to be sitting and watching in the press box." Michel Briere Jersey . The Bruins forward has been fined $5,000 by the National Hockey League for spearing Red Wings defenceman Danny DeKeyser in the groin. Ron Francis Jersey .com) - The Golden State Warriors have started another winning streak and theyll try to pad it Tuesday night when they head to Staples Center to face the Los Angeles Lakers. http://www.hockeypenguins.com/authentic-jaromir-jagr-penguins-jersey/ . For Bergevin, the best pick is the 30th — which traditionally goes to the Stanley Cup winner. "Thats our goal.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Darrelle Revis looked straight ahead and spotted the reporter standing behind his right shoulder.I can see him right now without looking at him, New Englands star cornerback said, smiling at writers and cameras at his locker. Its a God-given talent.Baltimore wide receiver Steve Smith will try to evade that amazing vision — forward, backward or sideways — when the Ravens visit the Patriots in a divisional playoff game Saturday.But if Revis sees receivers, hes among the best at keeping them from catching passes.Hes a great corner, Smith said. I dont think you get a one-year deal for, I think, $10 million for being a slouch.Revis actually is making $12 million this season, a wise investment after he was released by Tampa Bay in March. Hes due another $20 million next season, an amount the Patriots almost certainly wont pay, paving the way for possible free agency.But Revis is setting his sights on the Ravens, hoping to reach his third AFC championship game after making back-to-back appearances with the New York Jets in the 2009 and 2010 seasons.Top-seeded New England (12-4) had a first-round bye while sixth-seeded Baltimore (11-6) beat Pittsburgh 30-17 in a wild-card game last Saturday.Revis has made a career of shutting down top receivers by devoting himself to perfecting his technique, studying film, learning from experience and using trickery.Its a chess game out there, said Revis, a Pro Bowler in six of his eight seasons. Youve got to bait the receiver. Sometimes youve got to bait the quarterback.Make them think youre doing one thing, then do something else.Most importantly, Revis has exceptional ability to blanket receivers, seeming to know the route and mirroring it.I think that has something to do with him being a really good basketball player in high school, said Brandon Browner, another outstanding cornerback in his first season with the Patriots. What we do at cornerback is the same thing a point guards doing. He shadows them step by step.So closely, in fact, that some players are reluctant to throw to the receiver Revis is guarding.Not Joe Flacco.The playoff-tested quarterback — 13 touchdown passes and no iinterceptions in the Ravens current five-game playoff winning streak — doesnt plan to ignore whomever Revis covers. Patric Hornqvist Jersey. ou allow them to dictate something by who they match him on, Flacco said. When weve played against some guys and ... tried to avoid him or done things game plan-wise to get matchups in other places, it usually just takes your attention away from what you should be doing.Besides, the Ravens are the best at picking up big chunks of yardage through the air even when a receiver doesnt make a catch.They led the NFL by drawing 14 defensive pass interference penalties that were enforced this season with six of those drives ending in touchdowns and four in field goals, according to STATS. Torrey Smith led the league with 10 of those calls.Weve got techniques that weve been working on to avoid those, said Revis, who hasnt been penalized for pass interference this season. We recognize these things and we see them on film.A completion and pass interference require the receiver to do the same thing: Get in position to make the catch.You cant really go in there and say, Hey, were going to try to get the pass interference call, Flacco said. Those usually happen by our receivers going out there and playing well and getting themselves in positions to make big plays.Revis probably will be matched up against Steve Smith, a 14-year veteran.Does he age? an amused Revis said. His age is what it is on paper, but hes still electrifying.Is Revis still Revis? Steve Smith said to laughter. I think his ID and his Social Security number would say hes still Revis.He led the Ravens with 79 catches and 1,065 yards receiving then added five for 101 yards in the wild-card win over the Steelers.Revis leads the NFL with 123 passes defenced since his rookie year with the Jets in 2007 and led the Patriots with 14 this season.Hes looking to add to that on Saturday.You have to stay focused. You have to continue to stay patient, Revis said. I just work on technique and thats whats been keeping me around.___AP Sports Writer David Ginsburg contributed to this story.___Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL White NFL Jerseys Cheap Youth NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys 2020 Stitched NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Autographed Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Discount Jerseys ' ' '