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With less than one week to go until the March 5 NHL trade deadline, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger has the latest on Vancouvers Ryan Kesler, Buffalos Tyler Myers, and Ottawas Chris Phillips and offers some insight on their situations and potential trade status. Fergie Jenkins Jersey . We heard Ryan Kesler say on Thursday that theres nothing to the latest rumours that he has asked for a trade. So are we done with it, or is this a case where its "where theres smoke, theres fire?" Darren Dreger: There has to have been some level of dialogue between Ryan Kesler and the Vancouver Canucks, or the Canucks telling Kesler that they need to improve, they need to get younger, they need to add a bit more offensive punch. Theyre going to start sifting some names out there to rival teams and his name is going to be among them. Because heres what I know. I know that teams were contacted as far back as a month ago to say have a look at our roster. If there is a member of this organization that you want to take a run at then were listening, were open for business. And that includes Ryan Kesler. How realistic is it that he could be dealt by next Wednesdays deadline? Dreger: Its a complicated deal because Kesler is a valuable asset of the Vancouver Canucks. Hes got a contract that makes a lot of sense. Financially, he is sound. He is a bargain, frankly, as long as he plays up to his level of potential. But is it realistic? Yes, because of the interest that will be out there. There will be interest from so many different teams, and we know as I said earlier that the Canucks have reached out. But the Canucks need premium return to make this deal a reality and six days away from the trade deadline is not a lot of time to close on such a big deal. What are you hearing about two defencemen at opposite ends of their careers, 35-year-old Chris Phillips and 24-year-old Tyler Myers? Dreger: In terms of Phillips, theres a negotiation thats ongoing between the Ottawa Senators and Phillips to keep him a lifer in Ottawa. If that doesnt go well, if Phillips doesnt like the offer that has been presented, then Bryan Murray may have to make a very difficult decision. There would be interest in Chris Phillips, a veteran player, very sound defensively, maybe hes a good fit with the Boston Bruins. In terms of Myers, there is considerable interest according to sources close to the Buffalo Sabres. But GM Tim Murray isnt trying to push this guy out the door. Is he available? Is he interested in moving him? Yes he is. Were looking at Toronto as potentially a fit, as would be the Anaheim Ducks. And the Colorado Avalanche are definitely looking for a defenceman. So there will be options, but come ready to pay a premium. Darwin Barney Authentic Jersey . Louis Blues just continue to roll -- especially against the Nashville Predators. Authentic Chicago Cubs Jersey . Play hard, play tough and play rough. The philosophy has been a lesson in frustration for opponents. WINNIPEG -- Buck Pierce wasnt out of football long. On Tuesday, the former quarterback retired following nine CFL campaigns. Three days later, he returned to Winnipeg -- where he spent three-plus seasons -- as the Blue Bombers running backs coach. Rookie head coach Mike OShea said Friday adding Pierce to his staff was a no-brainer. "When Buck retired, it came up as part of my multiple conversations per day with Kyle (Bombers GM Kyle Walters)," OShea said. "Then it went to how good a guy Buck is, his experience and the value of adding a CFL quarterback to our staff. "The running backs position hadnt been filled and its an entry-level position for guys who want to get into coaching and learn the daily rigours of becoming a professional football coach. Kyle and I got on the phone with Buck and he was very receptive. He wants to coach, he loves the CFL game and it just made sense on all levels to have Buck Pierce on our staff." The six-foot-two, 195-pound Pierce began his CFL career with the B.C. Lions, spending five seasons in Vancouver before signing with Winnipeg as a free agent following the 09 season. Pierce, 32, remained with the Bombers until last September when he was traded back to B.C. Injuries limited Pierce to 67 starts in 125 career CFL games although he did post a solid 64.2 completion percentage, with 76 TDs and 63 interceptions. He also averaged 7.2 yards per rushing attempt with 14 touchdowns while also committing 18 fumbles. Despite being plagued by an assortment of injuries, there was never any question about Pierces heart, toughness or character. Regardless of the ailment, he always returned to the field for his teammates. And embarking on a coaching career in Winnipeg makes perfect sense. Not only did Pierce play for the Bombers, his fiancee is also from the Manitoba capiital. Kerry Wood Authentic Jersey. But OShea, a former standout linebacker who became Torontos special-teams co-ordinator following his stellar career with the Argonauts, said becoming a coach can present challenges for some former players. "Im sure Buck recognized early in his career the coaches were there before he was and were there after he left," OShea said. "Its always an eye-opener in terms of the planning and the number of tasks that are involved. "But as the staff comes together in the off-season and gets going through the daily routine and has the specific tasks theyre charged with Im sure hell get it all figured out quickly." OShea believes adding a former CFL quarterback to his coaching staff will provide added benefits as well. "These guys play quarterback for a reason, they have the ability to take in all that information, process it and then put it all back out there," OShea said. "Hell obviously do some work figuring out drills and finding out what his position group needs on a daily basis but hell also give that group a different perspective and understanding about how other positions are looking at the game and not just through the running backs eyes. "Any time a player can gain a better understanding of what the other positions are thinking out there is a good thing. That kind of knowledge only helps players produce." Notes: The Bombers signed quarterback Robert Marve and receiver Mario Urrutia on Friday. The six-foot-one, 212-pound Marve played collegiately at Miami (2007-08) and Purdue (2010-2012). The six-foot-six, 238-pound Urrutia was a 2008 seventh-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals out of the University of Louisville. He also spent time with the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the Arena Football Leagues Utah Blaze.cheap jerseys cheap jerseys from china ' ' ' |
