Former Vancouver Canucks forward Manny Malhotra will continue his hockey career in the American Hockey League with the Charlotte Checkers. Saints #73 Jersey . The club announced on Wednesday that Malhotra signed a 25-game professional tryout contract. The 33-year-old suffered a serious eye injury when struck by a puck during a game versus Colorado in March of 2011. He returned to the Canucks lineup last season, but was placed on season-ending injured reserve by the club after going pointless in nine games. At that time, Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said that he believed that Malhotra was at times “extremely vulnerable” on the ice because he couldnt see well enough. Khiry Robinson Saints Jersey . The reigning world player of the year took part in some light workouts with the first team, followed by stretching. He was smiling and appeared at ease at practice at the team base in Campinas, northwest of Sao Paulo, as he took part in a playful game of keep away from teammates.Saints #28 Jersey . Diaz. LAS VEGAS -- Nick Diaz didnt want to talk about pulling off the biggest win of his UFC career Saturday night.AVONDALE, La. - The New Orleans Saints have not decided whether to exercise a 2015 team option on running back Mark Ingrams contract, coach Sean Payton said Wednesday. New Orleans already has exercised a similar option on defensive end Cameron Jordan worth $6.97 million in base salary. The club has until May 3 to do so for Ingram, who like Jordan was a 2011 first-round draft choice. The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner said this week he isnt sure what New Orleans will do. "Weve got time to do all of that. So theres nothing weve decided permanently," Payton said before teeing off at the pro-am for the PGA Tours Zurich Classic. "I know we made the transaction with Cam. But its pretty common with the new CBA at least to have that flexibility." Hampered by a toe injury that caused him to sit out five games, Ingram rushed for 386 yards and one touchdown last season, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. His best performance came against Dallas, which he rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 97 yards and a score in a playoff victory at Philadelphia. Ingram also participated in several events surrounding the Zurich Classic. He was in town for the start of ooff-season workouts at Saints headquarters. John Jenkins Saints Jersey. . So far, star tight end Jimmy Graham has skipped those workouts while his agent, Jimmy Sexton, and the Saints continue protracted negotiations over a long-term extension. "I think its pretty normal," Payton said. The Saints have virtually locked Graham in for 2014 by placing a franchise tag worth $7.04 million on the 6-foot-7 tight end. However, Graham is seeking a long-term extension with pay commensurate to that of a top-tier receiver. Last season, Graham led New Orleans in yards receiving with 1,215 and in touchdown catches with 16. In 2012, quarterback Drew Brees held out until reaching a five-year, $100 million deal in early July, just weeks before training camp. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said during LSUs pro day this month that it would not be unreasonable to expect negotiations with Graham to follow a similar timeline, and that there is no immediate deadline. "All of us would rather have things done sooner than later, but it doesnt always happen that way," Loomis said then. "Obviously we want to have Jimmy Graham on our team when training camp begins." ' ' ' |