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.
Getty ImagesFree agency isn't necessarily the best way for an NHL general manager to rebuild a roster. It's expensive, for one. And it doesn't come with any guarantees, as any fan of the Lightning can attest after Tampa Bay made a huge splash last summer, only to flop during the regular season.
But so far this season, the payoff from a few free-agent additions has been immediate. It's still early, but this group of newcomers has are making their GMs look pretty smart.
Marian Gaborik, Rangers
The summer deal: Five years, $37.5 million
The fall fit: It's been a perfect match between the Rangers and Gaborik early in the season, and that's no surprise to those who know Gaborik well. Close friend Marian Hossa said Gaborik loves the city and the Rangers' style of play under John Tortorella.
"He's having fun," Hossa told Sporting News. "I'm not surprised. They plan an offensive game right now and he's an offensive player with a great ability to score. If he's healthy, he can score 40-50 goals. It's possible for him, he's that type of player as long as he's healthy."
Craig Anderson, Colorado Avalanche
The summer deal: Two years, $3.6 million
The fall fit: He has elevated the Avalanche to the top of the Northwest Division standings, so it's safe to say this signing is working out just fine. Anderson entered Friday's game against Carolina with a 6-1-2 record to go with a 2.06 goals-against average and .934 save percentage. He's been waiting for an opportunity to seize a No. 1 job for a long time.
"All my career," he told SN. "You see a lot of goalies bloom as they get older. It's just an opportunity that came knocking on my door and I'm making the most of it."
At 28 years old and with his third franchise, Anderson looks like he's found a home in Denver.
"Colorado called first and was No. 1 on my list, so it was the best of both worlds," Anderson said. "It was just a great opportunity to come in and battle for a No. 1 spot."
Nik Antropov, Atlanta Thrashers
The summer deal: Four years, $16 million
The fall fit: Even though he's still looking for his first goal as a member of the Thrashers, Antropov is making an impact. Finding a center who meshes well with Ilya Kovalchuk has been a nonstop search, and Antropov is looking like he's the answer. The all-Russian line of Kovalchuk, Antropov and Max Afinogenov is clicking, with Antropov averaging nearly a point per game while helping the Thrashers get off to a surprising 4-2-1 start.
"We added some pieces to the puzzle," Thrashers goalie Johan Hedberg told SN. "We're having a lot of fun and we've had a lot of energy."
If Kovalchuk signs a long-term extension in Atlanta, the Antropov signing will be one of the reasons.
Mikael Samuelsson, Vancouver Canucks
The summer deal: Three years, $7.5 million
The fall fit: Samuelsson has been a key part of the Canucks' survival without Daniel Sedin, who is out with a foot injury. Of the summer departures from Detroit, Hossa was the biggest name and Jiri Hudler got more attention because of the controversy regarding his deal in Russia, but Samuelsson's secondary scoring is missed by the Red Wings. Samuelsson has five goals and four assists in Vancouver's first nine games and scored the game-winner against Chicago.
"I'm happy to play with good players. I feel that coach believes in me and that's huge for everybody," Samuelsson told SN. "I just want to take advantage of it."
Adrian Aucoin, Phoenix Coyotes
The summer deal: One year, $2.25 million
The fall fit: Aucoin's veteran presence on the defense corps and power play is one reason the Coyotes have been one of the NHL's best stories. It couldn't have been an easy decision to sign with Phoenix in the midst of its summer legal battles, but so far his choice is paying off. He's on pace for a 20-goal season, and while that probably won't happen, he did score 23 goals for Vancouver in 1998-99. Aucoin had the game-winner in overtime in the Coyotes' win over Detroit.
"Historically, Adrian has been a player who can play big minutes and help run a power play. He is doing both well for us," Coyotes GM Don Maloney wrote in an e-mail to SN. "He brings calm, upbeat leadership to our locker room."
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 |
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.
