BROSSARD, Que. -- Balancing the defence and making room for younger leaders marked the opening day of NHL free agency for the Montreal Canadiens. General manager Marc Bergevin acquired defenceman Tom Gilbert and re-signed rearguard Mike Weaver on Tuesday to fix the right-hand-left-hand balance at the blue-line, along with inking centre Manny Malhotra to add a veteran faceoff ace and penalty killer for the fourth line. He also shocked many fans by trading defenceman Josh Gorges, an alternate captain, to Buffalo and then letting captain Brian Gionta go to the Sabres as a free agent. Bergevin had said after the Canadiens were eliminated in the Eastern Conference final that the teams leadership had shifted to younger players like P.K. Subban, Max Pacioretty, Carey Price and Brandan Gallagher. Seeing off Gorges and Gionta made it official. "We felt that with our performance during the playoffs, our young core was ready to take a bigger role when it comes to leadership," said Bergevin, who refused to speculate on who the next captain may be. "Eventually you need to give your young players a chance to take over that role." Bergevin may have other moves planned, but his next task will be signing Subban, the 2013 Norris Trophy winner as the leagues top defenceman who is now a restricted free agent. Subban is expected to ink a long-term deal for top dollars. But the clubs main goal was to rearrange the defence. The addition of Gilbert will allow left-shooting Alexei Emelin to move to the left side where he will likely be more effective, while Weaver will probably play right defence in a pairing with one of the teams young prospects like Nathan Beaulieu, Jarred Tinordi or Greg Pateryn. That would allow coach Michel Therrien to pair his two top rearguards, Subban and Andrei Markov. "Were more balanced now," said Bergevin. The parting with Gorges was awkward. News leaked out last week that the veteran was not only on the block, but had refused to waive his no-trade clause to complete a deal with the rival Toronto Maple Leafs. Gorges added a couple of teams to the list of acceptable destinations, and was sent just before free agency opened to Buffalo for a 2016 second round draft pick. Bergevin was not pleased with how it unfolded. "It was difficult, hes a very good person," he said. "The fact the information got out was disappointing for us and for him. "No player should have to go through that. It was stressful for him and his family. Thats why I dont talk about trades in public. You see what happened. I have no idea where it came out from, but I can guarantee it did not come from the Montreal Canadiens organization." Gorges said he was shocked by the deal. A Canadien since 2006, he was seen as a heart and soul defenceman and a leader who was always willing to sacrifice his body to help the team. The Kelowna, B.C. native said he couldnt bring himself to play against Montreal in a Toronto (or Boston) jersey, and was relieved to go to a young, rebuilding squad in Buffalo. "Its been a tough couple of days and now things are looking bright again," Gorges said on a conference call. "You know where youre going and thats a good feeling." Bergevin was looking to move Gorges contract, which had been signed with the previous management and has another four seasons at US$3.9 million per year. He reportedly made a bid to keep Gionta, but at a much reduced salary from the $5 million the right winger earned in each of the least seasons. The Rochester, N.Y. native ended up signing with Buffalo for three years at $4.2 million per season. "Youre losing great people," said Bergevin. "Sometimes you make decisions that are not popular. But Im not here to be popular, Im here to make decisions." On Monday, he also traded veteran centre Daniel Briere to Colorado for right winger P.A. Parenteau. It still left Montreal short a right winger, but Bergevin said the spot on the second or third line will likely be taken a by a young player, possibly a newcomer like Jakob de la Rose, Sven Andrighetto or Jiri Sekac. The much-sought after Sekac, a six-foot 175 pound Czech, inked a two-year, two-way deal with Montreal after reportedly talking to more than 15 NHL teams. "Hes a kid that has top-three line skill that can help at some point in the future," said Bergevin. "I wont be able to tell you until hes here at camp and he shows us what he can do. We felt it was a calculated risk to bring him to Montreal." Gilbert, an unrestricted free agent, signed a two-year deal worth $2.8 million. The 31-year-old, who was bought out of the final two years of a contract with Minnesota in 2012, played for Florida on a one-year deal last season. He had three goals and 25 assists in 73 games. "For me, a lot of it has to do with skating and getting the puck and making that first pass," said Gilbert, who had hoped to sign with Montreal last year but couldnt get a deal. Instead, he saw his Panthers teammate Weaver get traded to the Canadiens on March 4 and earn a new one-year $1.75 million contract by helping them to reach the conference final. Now the two are together again. "He sent me a text asking me why Im chasing him around," Gilbert joked. "Hes going to fit in great with the team," Weaver said of Gilbert. "Hopefully he cuts his hair a bit shorter, but the way he plays, I notice, is almost similar to what we do. Short little passes into the zone to break out. "Hes going to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience." Malhotra signed a one-year deal worth $850,000. The 34-year-old centre, who has come back from a career-threatening eye injury suffered in 2011, had seven goals and six assists in 69 games with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. While he still has reduced vision in his left eye, Malhotra was praised for his leadership and his ability to win faceoffs. He probably could have got more money on the open market, but wanted to play for a contender. "At this stage of my career, the most important thing for me is winning," he said. "You look at the season the Canadiens had last year and the way theyve been growing as a team and the pieces they have in place, to be able to be part of something like that means a lot to me, rather than trying to chase a few extra dollars in a place where I probably wouldnt be as happy hockey-wise. "To say its a great hockey market is a gross understatement. Im really looking forward to being a part of it." . -- LeBron James warned the Orlando Magic to stop double-teaming him and ignoring James Jones. . -- Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe was alert and recovering at a Denver hospital Saturday after suffering seizure-like symptoms when the teams bus pulled into the airport Friday afternoon for the flight to Kansas City.
http://www.cheapjetsjerseyssale.com/?ta ... ersey-sale. This weeks Raptors Report puts a bow on Gays brief, 10-month tenure in Toronto and ponders how his absence will affect the teams offence. Are they a better team without him? In addition to acquiring some valuable cap flexibility, what impact will the four incoming players have this season and beyond? Click here for the Dec. . Notes on P.K. Subban, Dale Weise, Erik Haula, Mikael Granlund, Ilya Bryzgalov and more. . Detroits powerful offence made that unnecessary. Scherzer allowed two hits and struck out seven, and the Tigers backed their star right-hander with three early homers in an 8-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night.LONDON - Milos Raonic says it was the quality of his opponent that contributed to his opening loss at the ATP Finals, and not the nerves from making his debut at the prestigious year-ending tournament.Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., could not duplicate his upset win of just over a week ago against Roger Federer as he lost his opening match to the Swiss star 6-1, 7-6 (0).Raonic denied that he might have been spooked by the unrelenting and overwhelming crowd support for his iconic Swiss opponent and the pressure of the big moment. He said he was simply outplayed by the man he beat nine days ago in a Paris quarter-final, his first win over Federer in seven meetings.Its obviously disappointing, very disappointing actually, the way I finished that second set off, said Raonic, who plays Tuesday against Andy Murray.It took me more a set to find my way into the match because of playing Roger, not because of being here for the first time.Every time you play Roger, the crowds on his side, even if hes playing a local favourite. Its hard for people to cheer against Roger.Federer, a 17-time Grand Slam champion chasing a seventh title at the year-end tournament, saved all four break points he faced to avenge his loss to the big-serving Raonic in Paris.Thankfully he didnt play quite so well, like he did in Paris maybe, the second-seeded Federer said. He gave me a few shots here and there, especially at the beginning of the breaker. I think those were crucial. I was happy to bring it home because it was very close at the end of the second.Earlier, Japans Kei Nishikori beat home favourite Murray 6-4, 6-4, and in doubles action Torontos Daniel Nestor and partner Nenad Zimonjic lost their first match 6-3, 7-5 to Croatias Ivan Dodig and Brazils Marcelo Melo. Raonic went down to Federer in just under 90 minutes.Federer dominated the first set, then had to fight off Raonic as he saved a set point in the second set before wrapping up the win with a love tiebreak.Raonic, who finished with 10 aces, took his total for 2014 past the 1,100 mark. Raonic remains one victory short of his 50th win of the season.He ended with 20 winners, 17 unforced errors and went 0-4 on break point chances.There is always the difficulty of a different atmosphere, different everything in the first round, said Raonic, who served as a London alternate in 2013 but never got onto court.You have to play against one of the best players of all time in that situation. That was the biggest difference, trying to demand a high level right from the get-go.But other than that, it really didnt feel too different than other situations Ive been in.Raonic said it was a different Federer on Sunday than the one he upset in Paris.He was a lot more consistent on his return games, Raonic said. In Paris, Id get free points when I hit aces, but today, when he got his racquet on the ball, he would make me play all the time.I believe he played better today. I believe I started off not playing nearly as well, but I think I sort of found that Paris level in the second set. Thats why I was able to create some opportunities for myself.Meanwhile, Murray is now facing an uphill task to reach the elite tournaments semifinals.The fourth-seeded Nishikori — the first Asian player to qualify for the year-end championship — was in complete control and secured important points in a tough Group B that also includes Federer and Raonic.After the round-robin stage, the top two finishers in each group advance too the semifinals of the indoor tournament at the O2.ddddddddddddObviously now I need to win my next two matches more than likely, and win them well if I want to go through, said Murray, who missed last years tournament after undergoing surgery on his back. Thats going to be tricky because Milos obviously played fantastic last week in Paris, and Roger always plays well at this event. So Im definitely going to have to play better if I want to get through.Murray, who had never lost a set to Nishikori in their three previous matches, only sealed his spot at the season finale last week in Paris following an impressive run that saw him win 20 of his previous 23 matches.But the former Wimbledon champion never looked capable of turning the match around. He dismissed the idea that fatigue finally took its toll on him.I felt OK on the court today, he said. I dont think that was the reason why I lost the match.Murray, who had expressed worries that he could be rejected by local fans after coming out in favour of Scottish independence in September, received a warm welcome as he entered the court.The Scot secured the first break in the fifth game after taking advantage of his opponents unforced errors but could not hold his next serve after hitting two double-faults.Nishikori did not serve well either, hitting eight double-faults and averaging a low first-serve percentage of 46. But Murrays struggles were even worse, winning only seven points on his second serve.I didnt serve well enough. He was able to dictate a lot of points, especially behind my second serve, said Murray. That was the difference.After a cautious start, Nishikori pushed Murray into long rallies before overwhelming him with powerful groundstrokes. Pegged back well behind his baseline, Murray saved one set point with a crosscourt forehand that Nishikori could not return but fluffed a backhand drop shot on the next one.The Japanese player continued at the same pace in the second set and broke for a 2-0 lead after leaving Murray stranded on the baseline with a fine drop shot. The two-time Grand Slam winner fought hard to save three break points in the fourth game to stay in the match and a series of errors from Nishikori in the seventh game helped him to break back.Murray levelled at 4-4 but could not build on the momentum as Nishikori converted his first match point in the 10th game when Murray dropped his serve for the fourth time following three consecutive backhand errors.The second set was almost perfect, said Nishikori. I knew he is very consistent from the baseline so I knew I had to be more aggressive than usual and thats how I won today.Nestor, playing his last event with longtime partner Zimonjic, sealed his sides fate as he double-faulted to put his team into a 5-6 hole in the second set.The second seeds could not recover, with Dodig and Melo winning a game later on the first of three match points.We had too many mistakes, too many double-faults, Nestor said. We gave them some points, they played well, but we shot ourselves in the foot today.Im trying to win, no matter who I play with, obviously it would be nice to win our last tournament together. Nestor and Zimonjic, who won the year-end title in 2008 and 2010, finished with seven aces but were able to convert on only one of four break point chances against Dodig and Melo.The pair have split up for 2015, with Nestor teaming with Indian Rohan Bopanna.— With files from The Associated Press ' ' '
