THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017 SPORTS NHL teams expected to pick up trading pace over next week

DETROIT: Brendan Smith was planning to spend his manager Ken Holland is expected to explore joining MATT DUCHENE gled this season. Instead of losing games and assets, bye week in Florida, trying to relax. It might be tough the minority, trying to deal at least one of his play- Colorado, easily the team with the fewest points the Lightning are listening to offers for their 30-year- for him to truly get away. The Detroit Red Wings ers with expiring contracts for draft picks because in the league, is looking to rebuild and hopes to shed old goaltender and 32-year-old center Brian Boyle defenseman, potentially an unrestricted free agent the franchise’s postseason streak seems to be des- two players and their contracts along with one that with expiring contracts. Here are some other things this summer, acknowledged he planned to keep an tined to stop at 25. will be a free agent this summer. Duchene, a 26-year- of note around the NHL: eye on social media because he may be a player the The 28-year-old Smith, a feisty player, might be old center, and Gabriel Landeskog, a 24-year-old franchise moves this week ahead of the March 1 NHL available if a team is willing to give up a third round wing, each have at least two-plus years remaining on BYE BLUES trade deadline. pick as Calgary did to acquire a comparable player, their deals and that might make them difficult to Teams are 4-12-4 in their first game coming off a “If something happens, my agent will let me know defenseman Mike Stone, from Arizona on Monday. trade. Jarome Iginla, a 39-year-old wing, is easier to five-day bye “week,” and there is talk around the or I’ll see it on social media,” Smith said Tuesday. “You Thomas Vanek, a 33-year-old winger, has 15 goals trade because teams will basically be renting him for league that there may be changes to the format next guys are pretty quick on it.” Trades have been made and 23 assists this season and is 5 for 5 on the rest of the regular season. season. The league may have teams coming off the at a slow trickle in recent days and weeks because a shootouts, possibly making him attractive to a team bye play each other, cutting down on the advantage vast majority of teams in the league are at least in that hasn’t fared well after overtimes, like PATRICK EAVES a team in a rhythm has against a rusty one. contention for a spot in the playoffs and they don’t Washington. The Red Wings, though, may want to The 32-year-old wing is in demand. He’s having want to give up too soon. Clearly, buyers outnumber re-sign him and would likely balk at late-round the best year of his career, making just $1 million this GAME OF THE WEEK sellers, and salary-cap constraints make it tough for offers for a player who has been a pleasant surprise. season. And, he’s available because Dallas likely won’t The defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh many teams to make moves. Here’s a look at some other players, and teams, to make the playoffs. The Stars are also willing to deal Penguins will host the rival Philadelphia Flyers on “These next seven days are going to be crucial watch over the next week: 35-year-old winger Patrick Sharp, 35-year-old Saturday night at Heinz Field as part of the NHL with what you’re looking at,” inter- defenseman Johnny Oduya and 30-year-old Lauri Stadium Series. im coach Doug Weight said. KEVIN SHATTENKIRK Korpikoski. Pittsburgh is trying to keep pace with the “And I think a lot of teams are going to sway one The St. Louis Blues are in a solid position to make Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals while the Flyers way or another with the next six or seven points the playoffs, but they seem to be willing to trade the BEN BISHOP are in a logjam of teams trying to earn one of the two that are available. I think it’ll be a late, active trade high-scoring 28-year-old defenseman instead of risk- After losing in the Eastern Conference and Stanley wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference with 20-plus deadline because of the situation.” Detroit general ing losing him in free agency. Cup finals the last two years, Tampa Bay has strug- games remaining in the regular season. — AP

GYMNASTICS Raisman keeps eye on Tokyo during ‘crazy’ downtime

MELBOURNE: American gymnast Aly the Olympic team title and Simone Biles’s four Raisman has been caught up in a whirlwind gold medals at Rio opened the insular world since helping the United States to its golden of international gymnastics to mainstream haul in Rio and the triple Olympic champion is America. Raisman, Biles, Gabby Douglas, waiting for her world to stop spinning before Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian have setting her sights on the 2020 Tokyo Games. all enjoyed a prolonged victory lap, touring Raisman, who captained the ‘Final Five’ US dozens of cities and making red carpet women to the most dominant Olympic victory appearances at Hollywood awards nights. in the team event six months ago, will be 26 Raisman, second to Biles in the all-around when she bids for her third Olympics, hoping and floor exercise at Rio, has kept in regular to defy gymnastics’ stereotype as a sport built touch with her team mates. for petite teenagers. She joined Biles recently for a photo shoot for magazine’s swimwear edition and also competed in the popular ‘Dancing with the Stars’ television show. “It’s actually been pretty crazy, I’ve only been home maybe one month in the past eight or nine,” said Raisman, who won her first Olympic team gold as a member of the United States’ ‘Fierce Five’ at London where she also NEWARK: Travis Zajac #19 of the New Jersey Devils lands on top of Tom Pyatt #10 of the Ottawa Senators on a check in the third period of an took the floor exercise title. NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators at Prudential Center on Tuesday in Newark, New Jersey. The Senators won 2-1. — AFP “But it’s been incredible. I’ve had so many amazing opportunities. In 2012 I got to do a NHL lot of fun stuff but it’s really surpassed my expectations this time.” Although the ‘Final Five’ have bathed in Toews gets a hat trick for acclaim, USA Gymnastics has been rocked by allegations from former athletes of sexual abuse by coaches and a long-serving team doctor in media reports last year, prompting Hawks in 5-3 win over Wild Aly Raisman the governing body to review its sexual mis- conduct policy. ST PAUL: All three forwards on the Blackhawks’ top line The Boston-born Raisman is in no great “It’s obviously terrible and it should never scored on Tuesday as Chicago sent a message that the NHL results/standings hurry to plunge back into competition, how- have happened, but there is an investigation,” Central Division race might not be over yet. By beating ever, knowing a year off to freshen up could said Raisman. “So I can’t comment because we the Wild 5-3, Chicago pulled within five points of be her best chance of building motivation for have to respect their investigation.” Minnesota, which still sits atop the division. Jonathan Calgary 6, Nashville 5 (OT); Chicago 5, Minnesota 3; Toronto 5, Winnipeg 4 (Ot); NY Islanders 3, another tilt at surviving the cut-throat compe- At the age of 22, Raisman had to defy Toews recorded a hat trick, Richard Panik scored in the Detroit 1; Tampa Bay 4, Edmonton 1; Ottawa 2, New Jersey 1; Montreal 3, NY Rangers 2 (SO); tition to make the US team. doubters who said she was too old to com- second period, and Nick Schmaltz got in on the fun in Pittsburgh 3, Carolina 1. To that end, she will appear at her first pete at Rio and she wept freely with the emo- the third as the Blackhawks improved to 7-1-0 in their Western Conference Eastern Conference gymnastics event since Rio as an ambassador tional release of qualifying at national trials in last eight. The Wild got two goals from Mikael Granlund Atlantic Division rather than a competitor this week at the San Jose last year. and one from Zach Parise, but lost to Chicago in regula- Central Division WL OTLGFGAPTS Montreal 32 20 8 169 155 72 Melbourne stop of the individual apparatus She is likely to be put through the emo- tion for the first time in their past 10 meetings. Ottawa 32 20 6 158 153 70 World Cup series. tional wringer again when she launches her Minnesota 39 14 6 198 138 84 Toronto 28 20 11 186 177 67 “It would be ridiculous if I were to try to bid for Tokyo but the American draws inspira- SENATORS 2, DEVILS 1 Chicago 37 18 5 177 154 79 Florida 28 20 10 149 162 66 compete now,” Raisman told Reuters in an tion from the likes of Romanian Catalina For the second time in less than a week, Ottawa St. Louis 31 24 5 170 173 67 Boston 30 23 6 159 156 66 interview yesterday after a bit of sightseeing Ponor, who won three golds at the 2004 skated out of the Prudential Center with two crucial Nashville 28 22 9 169 165 65 Tampa Bay 27 24 8 164 167 62 road points after beating New Jersey. Missing three of Buffalo 26 24 10 147 168 62 in the sports-mad city. “I’ve been working out, Athens Games and competed as a 28-year-old Winnipeg 28 29 6 184 199 62 staying healthy but I’m not even close to at Rio. Oksana Chusovitina, who won a team their top forwards-the injured Mark Stone, Mike Detroit 24 26 10 150 178 58 Hoffman, and Bobby Ryan-the undermanned Dallas 23 27 10 165 193 56 Metropolitan Division being in the shape of competing. gold with the former Soviet Union’s ‘Unified Senators received a stellar goaltending performance Colorado 16 39 3 114 192 35 Washington 39 12 7 195 126 85 “It wouldn’t feel weird because there’s Team’ at the 1992 Barcelona Games, repre- from Craig Anderson, and goals from Kyle Turris and Pacific Division Pittsburgh 37 14 8 207 166 82 muscle memory but my body would hurt sented Uzbekistan at Rio at the age of 41 and Erik Karlsson, to win for the fifth time in their last sev- San Jose 35 18 7 166 144 77 Columbus 37 16 5 187 143 79 because I haven’t been doing any pounding has competed in seven Olympics with three NY Rangers 38 19 2 198 155 78 en games. The loss was the second straight for the Edmonton 32 20 8 172 156 72 since Rio, basically.” different national delegations. Devils, who received a power-play from Travis NY Islanders 28 21 10 177 175 66 “It’s just amazing how incredible Zajac and 21 saves from Cory Schneider. Anaheim 31 20 10 156 154 72 Philadelphia 28 24 7 154 179 63 THE GOOD LIFE (Chusovitina) is,” said Raisman. “I think every- Calgary 30 26 4 159 172 64 New Jersey 25 25 10 139 172 60 Life has never been better for a US Olympic one is still in awe of her, of what she is still Los Angeles 29 26 4 145 146 62 Carolina 24 24 8 142 165 56 MAPLE LEAFS 5, JETS 4 (OT) Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point gymnast. The Final Five’s successful defence of doing in gymnastics.” — Reuters Jake Gardiner scored 2:29 into overtime to give Vancouver 26 28 6 142 172 58 in the standings and are not included in the loss Toronto a victory over Winnipeg. Leo Komarov scored Arizona 21 30 7 140 183 49 column (L). BASKETBALL twice for the Maple Leafs while Nazem Kadri and William Nylander also scored. Patrik Laine scored twice for the Jets and Bryan Little and Nikolaj Ehlers Lakers shake-up: Magic is in added a goal apiece. for an overtime win over Nashville on Mark Giordano’s in regulation. Filip Forsberg had a hat trick and P.K. goal. Mikael Backlund and Micheal Ferland scored Subban and Colin Wilson scored single goals in regu- charge after GM Kupchak fired LIGHTNING 4, OILERS 1 twice each, and Dougie Hamilton once for the Flames lation for the Predators. — Reuters Ben Bishop won his fifth consecutive start and WASHINGTON: With the Los Angeles Pelinka has begun informing his clients Tampa Bay’s “Triplets” line scored the first three goals in Lakers mired in the worst years in franchise that he plans to leave Landmark Sports a win over Edmonton at Amalie Arena. Ondrej Palat had MOTOR RACING history, owner has turned to Agency to become the Lakers GM. The per- two goals to lead the Lightning, who also got a goal to lead them back to cham- son spoke on condition of anonymity and three assists from Nikita Kucherov and two assists pionship contention. because the Lakers have not commented from Tyler Johnson, all on the same line. The Oilers, who Mallya’s Force India aim And she removed her own brother from on the front office search. saw their three-game winning streak end, got a goal his job to do it. Jeanie Buss fired general “The status quo wasn’t acceptable,” from Iiro Pakarinen, his first goal of the season. manager on Tuesday and Jeanie Buss said. “It wasn’t Lakers basketball. to be a top three team put Johnson in charge of basketball opera- It wasn’t what this organization stands for.” ISLANDERS 3, RED WINGS 1 tions. Jim Buss also was dismissed as the Johnson said he will put aside his numerous Josh Bailey collected a goal and an assist as New SILVERSTONE: Force India set their sights on Lakers’ executive vice president of basket- business obligations and his role with the York opened a season-long nine-game road trip with a breaking into Formula One’s top three at the ball operations in a major shake-up of the Los Angeles Dodgers, in which he holds an solid victory over Detroit. Bailey opened the scoring launch of their new car yesterday and hit back struggling team’s front office. ownership stake, to concentrate on his work and set up a third-period insurance goal. Leaping to at suggestions that they lack the budget to Jim Buss retains his ownership stake in with the Lakers. The charismatic former keep a Detroit clearing attempt in the zone with his match the manufacturers in a spending ‘arms the team, but Jeanie Buss has final say superstar spent the morning fielding calls outstretched glove, Bailey carried the puck into the race’. “If we did not dream big, we would not under the structure set up by their late from general managers and preparing for zone before feeding , who snapped the have finished fourth in the world champi- father, . She used it to chart a new the trade deadline in two days. puck top shelf from the slot for his 22nd goal of the sea- onship last year,” said co-owner and principal course for the 16-time NBA champion fran- “I’m coming back to an organization son. Calvin De Haan also scored for the Islanders. Henrik Vijay Mallya, the embattled former billionaire chise, which has the NBA’s third-worst that I love,” Johnson said. “The timing is Zetterberg scored for the Red Wings. whose extradition is sought by India. record at 19-39. right. It was time to put aside my business- “We will always dream big,” added the CANADIENS 3, RANGERS 2 (SO) The Lakers are almost certain to miss the es and focus on the Lakers’ business.” liquor tycoon who was charged in absentia Paul Byron scored the deciding goal in the playoffs for a team-record fourth straight Johnson has no time to waste. The Lakers last month by India’s Central Bureau of shootout and Montreal defeated New York at Madison Investigation with conspiracy and fraud over a season, and they posted the worst record are expected to be sellers at today’s trade Square Garden. Shea Weber and Andrew Shaw had the in team history during each of the previous deadline, and Johnson acknowledged loan to his defunct Kingfisher Airlines. He has Canadiens’ goals in regulation and Carey Price stopped dismissed the charges against him. three years. “It was such a hard to decision teams are very interested in high-scoring Vijay Mallya 28 shots. Rick Nash and Oscar Lindberg scored for the “We have never had conversations, even in to make, that I probably waited too long,” guard Lou Williams, who could fetch at Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves. India will be gone by now, just to cope with Jeanie Buss said in an interview on least a first-round draft pick - something private, that we cannot break into the top three. That is certainly going to be our objec- the new regulations.” Spectrum , the Lakers’ television the Lakers might not have this year, thanks PENGUINS 3, HURRICANES 1 tive. We are going to give it our best shot.” Mallya laughed at the suggestion during a network. “For that, I apologize to Laker fans. to years of win-now trades by Kupchak and Sidney Crosby scored his NHL-leading 33rd goal, stage presentation. “Good luck to him. He Now, with clarity and direction, and Jim Buss during the era. and Matt Murray stopped 29 shots as Pittsburgh Force India enjoyed their best ever season last year, finishing behind Mercedes, Red Bull might have to eat his words. It’s not the after talking with Earvin, a change was Johnson also acknowledged the Lakers defeated Carolina. Evgeni Malkin and Scott Wilson amount of arms you have, it’s the quality of needed.” Just 19 days after Johnson were involved in trade discussions for All- also scored for the Penguins. Jeff Skinner registered and Ferrari. Force India’s annual budget is esti- mated at less than half that of the teams your weaponry,” said the Indian. Mallya said the returned to the Lakers in an executive role, Star center DeMarcus Cousins, who went his fifth 20-goal season in his first seven NHL seasons team planned to develop the new Mercedes- with a goal for the Hurricanes. above them and also some of those below, Jeanie Buss decided the Hall of Fame point from Sacramento to New Orleans. Los powered VJM10 throughout the season but guard will be the Lakers’ decision-maker in Angeles has plummeted out of contention such as McLaren. KINGS 2, AVALANCHE 1 Renault Sport F1 managing director Cyril would not a target for podium finishes or basketball operations despite no experi- after an encouraging 10-10 start under points he wanted Mexican Sergio Perez and ence as a personnel executive. , but the rookie coach got a Tyler Toffoli and Trevor Lewis had goals, Peter Abiteboul told reporters at the launch of his Budaj stopped 24 shots, and Los Angeles beat team’s car on Tuesday, when he set a target of French newcomer Esteban Ocon to achieve. Johnson is the Lakers’ new president of strong vote of confidence from Jeanie Buss “I’ve always said ‘under promise and over deliv- basketball operations, reporting directly to and Johnson, who said he “loves” Walton as Colorado. The Kings snapped a three-game losing fifth overall, that he doubted Force India had streak with the win. Mikko Rantanen scored an unas- the resources to compete at the very top. er’,” said Mallya of his approach to Formula One. Jeanie Buss, and it appears that Johnson is a coach and an example of the Lakers’ “And I’m going to stick to that philosophy. moving quickly to surround himself with a championship culture. Kupchak is a former sisted goal, his 14th of the season, and Calvin Pickard “I think this season will be an arms race, had 30 saves for the Avalanche. and I really feel for the teams who are under- “As much as people may say there is this team to help his transition. Lakers center who had been employed by huge barrier to breaking into the top three, I According to a person with knowledge the franchise in some capacity since resourced,” the Frenchman had said. “I believe FLAMES 6, PREDATORS 5 (OT) see no reason why we can’t.” — Reuters of the situation, prominent agent Rob August 1981. — AP that most of the car build budget of a Force After blowing a second-period lead, Calgary rallied