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12-23-2016, 09:20 AM | #1 |
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Despite just one regulation win in their last 15 games, Dave Nonis re-iterated that he is committed to both Randy Carlyles coaching staff and to supporting the teams young players, particularly Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner. Frank Clark Seahawks Jersey . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. Randy didnt get stupid overnight, hes a heck of a coach,” Nonis said, pointing out that he felt the Carlyle-led staff was the biggest reason the team broke its nearly decade-long post-season drought last year, adding that rumblings about his job security are “completely unfounded.” The GM, still in his first year on the job after taking over on January 9 from Brian Burke, named “consistency” as the teams biggest concern 36 games into the season. “Its not that we havent seen high-level play from them, its that it hasnt happened on a 60-minute basis very often, and it hasnt happened on a nightly basis and that has to change if we want to turn this around. Despite the ongoing struggles, Nonis has been encouraged by the play of the Leafs youngsters, particularly on the back-end. “One of the bright spot of our slide has been the play of our young players,” Nonis said, noting that Gardiner and Rielly “are the future of our team.” The decision to keep Rielly was one the Leafs brass had battled with all season, but with the 19-year-old demonstrating that he was one of the teams “top two or three defenceman over the last five games,” the choice was made to allow him to develop his game in the NHL. “His play dictated that he was going to be (with the Leafs moving forward),” Nonis said, while also mentioning that he expects both Rielly and Gardiner to keep playing on a regular basis. Furthering his commitment to the teams youth, Nonis made it known that the Leafs are going to have to live with the mistakes made by players like Rielly and Gardiner if the team wants them to develop properly. “Theres very few young defencemen in this league that dont make mistakes, particularly ones that are offensive minded like Jake,” Nonis explained. “Jake has a bit of a gamblers mentality and thats what makes him special and what makes him dangerous and it also causes some turnovers.” Asked about whether he has explored trade possibilities, Nonis said he is having discussions but is not willing to pull the trigger on deals which would negatively impact his teams future. “If the moves available are going to hurt your team long-term, then theres absolutely no reason to make any of those moves.” Regarding questions about the teams leadership, Nonis gave his captain a strong vote of confidence, while also saying the loss of veteran centre Dave Bolland may have had a bigger impact than many thought. “Dion has probably played the best hockey he has as a Leaf, this year,” Nonis said. “The one guy that I think weve really missed in terms of how he plays the game in terms of what he brought to us early on is Dave Bolland. He was a catalyst early on for our team and I think a lot of the players were following him.” Touching on his big free-agent acquisition David Clarkson, Nonis explained he isnt expecting the $5.2-million-a-year winger to replicate the 30-goal season he had with the Devils in 2011-12, but does need him to provide something more than what he has demonstrated thus far. “We need David Clarkson to be David Clarkson. I dont think hes a 30-goal scorer, we said that when we signed him. We need him to be hard to play against...he needs to be himself, he cant do more than hes capable of.” Braylon Edwards Seahawks Jersey . Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points, Shawn Marion had 22 and the Mavericks beat undermanned Philadelphia 124-112 Friday night, handing the 76ers their 10th straight loss. Luke Willson Seahawks Jersey .m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE — Falcons by 3 1/2RECORD VS. 403 Forbidden . No, the San Antonio star didnt announce retirement plans during an off day at the NBA Finals on Wednesday.MONTREAL - It wasnt the game-winner he hoped for to end a 20-career in professional soccer, but Marco Di Vaio still left the Montreal Impact with a goal to remember him by.The 38-year-old Italian, who finished off a stellar career with three Major League Soccer seasons in Montreal, scored in the 27th minute only to see Fabian Espindola get the equalizer in the 86th as the Impact played to a 1-1 draw with D.C. United on Saturday.To finish my career is a little bit sad, but this has been a big day for me and my family, so Im happy, said Di Vaio. Scoring goals was my life, and this was the last time I will feel that emotion.But I received a lot of emotion from everyone in Montreal, inside and outside the stadium. I feel like a lucky guy.The game meant nothing in the standings to either side.Montreal (6-10-18) finished last in the 19-team MLS after a difficult season, although they took heart from going undefeated — three wins and three ties — in the last six home games.D.C. United (17-8-9), which finished on a six-game unbeaten string, came first in the Eastern Conference and will face the winner of the fourth versus fifth place knockout game in the playoffs.It poured cold rain throughout the match, but the crowd of 15,242 were there mostly to celebrate the career of perhaps the best player ever to put on the Impacts blue, white and black uniform.The goal, scored on a solo run up the left side with a low shot slotted past goalkeeper Bill Hamid, was like many of the 34 he scored in 76 games for Montreal.When he went in, Di Vaio performed his signature goal celebration — he kissed the ring on his left hand and lifted his arm to the sky.What I said to the group before the game is that Im honoured to be part of this group and to finish my career here in Montreal, he said. Every victory, every goal with this team is part of my memories. It was an incredible experience.He was feted in a pre-game ceremony in which he brought his daughters Sofia, 8, and Sara, 6, onto the field, where he was presented with a painting of himself kissing his ring that was done by teammate Issey Nakajima-Farran, a professional artist when not playing soccer.This painting will come with me to Italy in my house, said Di Vaio, who is expected to take a job with hiis former team, Bologna FC, which was recently bought by a group that includes Impact president Joey Saputo. Anthony McCoy Seahawks Jersey. Nakajima-Farran said the painting, which took 27 hours to complete, was called Taking Off The tape, a reference to the tape Di Vaio put over the ring during games.Hes never going to take that tape off again, said Nakajima-Farran. We had all the guys sign the back, so it was a collective thing.All the players wanted to be part of it, so I think its a very personal present for him. He looked pretty happy. I was hoping he would cry, but he didnt.Di Vaio joined Montreal three months into its MLS expansion season in 2012 after a long career in Italy as the teams first designated player. He quickly became its most popular and productive player.His 20 goals in 2013, none of them from the penalty spot, helped the Impact reach the playoffs in only its second MLS campaign.A three-game suspension and some early injury trouble limited him to nine goals this season.Nakajima-Farran said the Impact players were looking to set up Di Vaio in his last game.It worked when Dilly Duka sent him in alone to score. Another chance in the 52nd minute was foiled by Sean Franklins sliding clearance. Di Vaio had one last chance in added time, but chipped a shot just wide before he was substituted off to a standing ovation.It was a special moment, said Nakajima-Farran. We were fighting to get possession of the ball, but we were always looking across to Marco.It was an emotional time for him.Espindola got the equalizer when he cut across the edge of the penalty area from the right side and made a sharp turn and fired a low shot to catch Evan Bush leaning the wrong way.Former Impact and Italy defender Alessandro Nesta, who had his own retirement game a year ago, was in attendance and was among a group of former teammates who saluted Di Vaio in Italian in scoreboard messages played at the intermission. NOTES: Montreal used a makeshift back-line with Matteo Ferrari, Hassoun Camara and Heath Pearce all serving one-game suspensions. Academy products Karl Ouimette, Wandrille Lefevre and Maxim Tissot all started on defence. Midfielder Felipe Martins sat out with an injury. . . Former Impact captain Davy Arnaud did not dress for D.C. NFL Jerseys China cheap jerseys ' ' '
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