Dein erstes Forum » happy that hell be on the floo

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings rallied to extend their post-season streak to 22, the longest in North American professional sports. Then, they got within a win of making an improbable appearance in the Western Conference finals. Detroit, though, failed to finish off Chicago after taking a 3-1 series lead, losing three straight, including a 2-1 overtime loss in Game 7 against the Blackhawks on Wednesday night. "It stings," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said Thursday. "Everybody in our organization is down because we had a great chance to get to the final four. But give Chicago credit because they got it done and we didnt." Holland said he has mixed emotions about the year. He is disappointed Detroit couldnt win one more game, perhaps in Game 6 when it had a third-period lead at home, to advance for a second time this post-season. Holland is encouraged, though, by how well the teams veterans led, and the ways its inexperienced players improved during a rebuilding season. "We have a lot of pieces in place, enough to beat the second-seeded Anaheim Ducks and to be up 3-1 on the top team in the league," he said. "There are a lot of good things going on, but we want to get further than Game 7 in the second round." The Red Wings hope to get past the second round next year for the first time since 2009 -- when they were a win away from repeating as Stanley Cup champions -- by agreeing to win-win deals with Damien Brunner, Valtteri Filppula, Daniel Cleary and Drew Miller before they hit the market as unrestricted free agents. "We had teams inquiring about some of them at the trade deadline, but we made the decision to keep them and see how far they could go," Holland said. "Now, wed like to re-sign them if their finances fit in with our finances." As soon as July 5, Holland hopes he can sign Pavel Datsyuk to a new contract so that next season isnt the final one on the superstars deal. "Were going to talk to Pavs agent in a while because we would like to get an extension done," Holland said "But well see because were in a cap world." It wont cost the franchise as much to re-sign restricted free agents Gustav Nyquist, Joakim Andersson, Brendan Smith and Jakub Kindl. "We want them back, without a doubt," Holland said A year after swinging and missing in attempts to sign Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, Holland doesnt plan to even attempt to make a splash this summer in free agency. "There are no quick fixes and free agency isnt the answer," Holland said. "It is just a tool to get finishing touches, but well explore trades and well keep an eye on players that are bought out of their contracts." The Red Wings are counting on the return of three key forwards -- Darren Helm, Mikael Samuelsson and Todd Bertuzzi --- after they combined to play just 12 games during the regular season because of injuries. They also lost rookie defenceman Danny DeKeyser, who coach Mike Babcock credited with helping them make the playoffs, because of a broken thumb in the first round. In all, Detroits injured players combined to miss 243 games during the regular season and 34 in the playoffs. "We were No. 1 in the league in man-games lost due to injury and the depth of our organization allowed us to stay afloat," Holland said. "If we only add Helm and DeKeyser, were a little better, but we want to do more than that if we can to get a lot better." Goaltender Jimmy Howard was healthy enough to play 42 of 48 games in the lockout-shortened season. He started all 14 playoff games, and did enough to earn a six-year, $31.8 million contract signed in April to stay with the franchise that drafted him a decade ago. Howard has high hopes for the future. "Theres a lot of great things you can take out of this season," Howard told reporters in Chicago. "A lot of guys stepped up for us. The guys have a lot of good experience here moving forward and were moving in the right direction."Stitched Soccer Jerseys . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. Soccer Jerseys China . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". https://www.fakesoccerjerseys.com/ . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Authentic Soccer Jerseys . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. Soccer Jerseys Black Friday .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach.RALEIGH, N.C. -- Omer Yurtsevens wait to play for North Carolina State is finally over.The NCAA required the Turkish 7-footer and five-star freshman to sit the Wolfpacks first nine games after examining his amateur status following an overseas career. But the 18-year-old is set to play Thursday against Appalachian State, a big addition for a young team still taking shape.Im looking forward to playing, just stepping out on the court for real, Yurtseven said. Its not seen as a big game, but its a big game for me.Yurtsevens arrival, along with that of touted freshman point guard Dennis Smith Jr., created a buzz for a team picked to finish in the upper half of the Atlantic Coast Conference. But while Smith has started every game as a potential one-and-done NBA talent, Yurtseven -- also mentioned as a one-and-done possibility -- has been limited to playing in two exhibition games, working through practices and watching from the bench during regular-season games for the Wolfpack (7-2).Sitting on the bench, like, how can I say it: its like you always smell the food but you never get to eat it, Yurtseven said.Coach Mark Gottfried wouldnt commit to a specific role or minutes for the Istanbul, Turkey native Thursday.It wouldve been great for him to only sit out a couple of games ... but it is what it is, Gottfried said. I keep telling myself and my staff: Ive got to be patient too because I kind of want him to be a finished product on Day One. And thats not going to happen. Its going to take a little bit of time.The school announced the NCAA ruling Oct. 31. It required Yurtseven to sit the first 30 percent of the regular season and pay $1,000 to a charity of his choice before becoming eligible to play.Yurtseven had played the past three years for the Fenerbahce club team in Turkey, the same team as another prominent international prospect: Kentucky recruit Enes Kanter. Kanter was ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA in 2010 for receiving more than $33,000 in improper benefits, never played for the Wildcats and now plays for the NBAs Oklahoma City Thunder.ddddddddddddNCAA rules enacted in 2013 permit college prospects playing overseas to receive compensation for actual and necessary expenses tied to games and practices, such as lodging, equipment, travel, meals and medical treatment.Don Jackson, Yurtsevens Alabama-based attorney who has worked on numerous college eligibility cases, said Yurtseven didnt sign a professional contract nor with an agent as he made every effort not to professionalize himself. Jackson also criticized the way the NCAA measures allowable expenses during its case reviews, saying the process doesnt fairly evaluate higher cost-of-living demands in pricier regions.As you can probably tell, Im not happy with the outcome, Jackson said. Im happy that hell be on the floor this week. Im happy that this part, that hes moved on from that. . But the reality of his matter is he should not have missed one game. There was no justification for him missing any time whatsoever.NCAA spokeswoman Emily James declined to comment on Yurtsevens case Wednesday.Yurtseven is a skilled big man who had a 91-point, 28-rebound performance in a Turkish Under-18 game in the spring. But it was clear hed need time to adjust to college basketball when he fouled out in 11 minutes during an exhibition game against Division II Barton.I think the most important thing is to get him to feel comfortable, to play, Gottfried said. Hes learning American basketball. . Its not going to happen overnight, but Im certainly going to play him and get him in and see if we can get him comfortable pretty quick.---Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap---More AP college basketball at http://collegebasketball.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '