LONDON, ONT – Paul Ranger hadnt played in an NHL setting of any kind in nearly four years until the Leafs opened their exhibition schedule in London on Sunday night. Vans Sk8 Hi Sale . "It was my first game back really at this level and it went pretty well," said Ranger, who scored the fourth and final goal as his team topped the Flyers 4-3 at Budweiser Gardens. It was a night of firsts in many respects for the Leafs, first in the sense of impressions and opportunity at a training camp that promises its fair share of battles. There was Morgan Rielly in his first audition for a job on the crowded Toronto defence. There was Mason Raymond vying for an NHL gig with waves of speed, bursting past a Philly defender for a shorthanded goal. And there was of course, Ranger playing in his first NHL game (albeit exhibition) since October 2009, the 29-year-old inked to a one-year deal with the club this past summer. "As the game went on I felt more and more comfortable," said Ranger, who admitted the presence of a few nerves before the game. "Mentally you settle down and get more in tune with everything." With a sturdy defensive game, surprising mobility and a high-caliber first pass, Ranger looked the part of an NHL defender, one the Leafs are hopeful will contribute in a significant way this season. The opener marked a good first step. Ten years his junior sits Rielly, the fifth overall selection in 2012 getting his first opportunity to build a case for entry on the NHL roster this fall, a decision that will likely linger until final cuts are made. "I think after I had a chance to get used to the pace and what not I was pretty happy with how it went," said Rielly, paired with Korbinian Holzer initially before shifting alongside Ranger in the third. "Rielly who?" Leafs coach Randy Carlyle quipped, already tired of the daily questions regarding the organizations top prospect. "Obviously he skates, (but) can he continue to do what hes done in Junior at the NHL and I dont know how plainer I can say that." Rielly was joined in his first bit of NHL action by fellow first round pick Frederik Gauthier (2013) as well as the 188th overall selection in 2008 and a dark horse to contribute to the Leafs at some point this season, 23-year-old Andrew MacWilliam. Pegged to start the year with the Marlies, MacWilliam performed with the edge hed become known for at the University of North Dakota, where he served as captain last season. "Its the next level," said MacWilliam of his first professional game, "guys are bigger, guys are faster, but after the first period I felt I got my legs underneath me a little bit and thought I got my skating going and thought I was okay." "Its good to see the young kids get their first taste and thats the most important thing is they understand that this wasnt an NHL game, but it was an exhibition game and theres another level that the league plays to," Carlyle observed. Five Points 1. Reimers first look Also getting a first look on Sunday was James Reimer, who received opening duties against the Flyers, the 26-year-old stopping 14 of 17 shots in 28 minutes of action. "Its getting used to the game situation," said Reimer of expectations for the early portion of the exhibition schedule. "Its getting used to plays in traffic, trying to see the puck, fighting bodies, stuff like that that you cant really replicate anywhere else." Reimer yielded three pucks, the first a point shot that was deflected through traffic, the second a rebound plucked home off another point shot, the third a final point drive that caromed off the end boards and was quickly tapped in. "You dont want to let three goals in a game," said Reimer. "But I felt that I wasnt beat clean and they were all some tough bounces. I was happy with the way I played and felt that I built a lot and accomplished a lot of things I wanted to." Earlier in the day, the Leafs incumbent starter – now challenged for the job – noted the need to readjust to the speed of game action following an offseason of training. "Summer hockey is so slow and guys dont shoot the puck, they hold onto it, pass, pass, pass," explained Reimer. "So even (Saturday) in the scrimmage there was a couple plays where its just quicker than what youre used to. In exhibition its just getting that timing back and being in the right place at the right time." 2. Case for Raymond The first impression for Mason Raymond was generally positive, the Calgary speedster surging for a shorthanded breakaway goal. "Obviously with the type of speed that he has its going to be hard for somebody to catch him and they didnt catch him and he found a way," said Carlyle. Formerly a 25-goal man with the Canucks, Raymond was inked to a professional tryout on the eve of training camp. The 27-year-old could prove an intriguing add if he and the club find a fit. The Leafs lost speed, skill and depth with the offseason departures of Mikhail Grabovski, Clarke MacArthur and Matt Frattin and would be dinged further with any significant injury to their top-six complement (Joffrey Lupul notably has yet to take the ice in training camp, suffering from back spasms). Raymond could help to address that potential weakness. A water-bug who seems to dart from space to space on the ice, Raymond would offer added ability, experience and hints of offence on the wing. 3. Sophomore shot The first extended stint of NHL action had its share of turmoil for Korbinian Holzer, the now 25-year-old defender playing 22 games in 2013, mostly under siege alongside Dion Phaneuf on the Leafs top pair. "It was a good way to learn what it takes to be an everyday player in the NHL," said Holzer of the experience. "I had the opportunity to play (against) the best players in the league for a lot of games and played a lot of minutes. It was a good experience and a good learning curve. I think overall I learned what it takes to be an everyday player." Thrust into duty that was probably beyond his means as a rookie – playing nightly opposite top lines – Holzer learned his fair share and believes the experience will ultimately prove beneficial. "Youve got to be aware every second youre out there," said Holzer of the most prominent lesson from the shortened season. "You cant take one second off. As soon as you step on the ice youve got to be ready and expect the unexpected." Holzer will face an uphill battle to make the roster, competing with the likes of Ranger, Rielly, John-Michael Liles, Mark Fraser, and Petter Granberg. "He should take the experience and look at the positives that he was able to come in and play for our hockey club and he got his feet wet in the NHL," said Carlyle of Holzer. "Now its take the next step." 4. More MacWilliam Carlyle had the inside track on MacWilliam heading into camp because of an old connection from his playing days. Brad Berry, now an assistant coach who runs the defence at North Dakota, played with Carlyle in Winnipeg. "He acquitted very well in his first pro game," said Carlyle. MacWilliam was whistled for a pair of penalties in Sundays action, but proved mobile and a nasty physical presence. 5. Veterans in exhibition While he offers some leniency, Carlyle does have certain expectations of the veterans in his dressing room during the exhibition season. "Its important that they get themselves ready," said Carlyle. "(But) I think the veteran guys get a little bit more room and a little bit of slack from the coaching staff in that perspective." Quote of the Night "As we all know the salary cap world changes things, its a different way of evaluating sometimes when youre forced to make decisions based upon contract amount. Its a new animal in the league and thats the reality of it." -Randy Carlyle on the training camp evaluation process. Up Next The Leafs host the Flyers at the Air Canada Centre on Monday night. Vans Old Skool Discount . FIFA said in a statement Friday that "several racist and discriminatory incidents were apparently perpetrated by local supporters during the match, in particular by displaying neo-Nazi banners and by making monkey noises and gestures as well as Nazi salutes. Cheap Vans Shoes .Simon will work with head coach Gord Dineen and associate coach Derek King behind the bench of the Toronto Maple Leafs American Hockey League affiliate for the 2014-15 season.LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears safety Chris Conte had shoulder surgery in late March and will likely be out at least until the start of training camp, the team said Thursday. The expected recovery period is four to five months. Conte started all 16 games for the first time in his career last season, but struggled along with just about everyone else on defence. His worst moment was when he failed to lock onto Green Bays Randall Cobb in the closing minute of the final game. That led to a wide-open 47-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers on fourth down that gave the Packers a 33-28 victory and kept Chicago out of the playoffs. The Bears have been overhauling their defence, releasing defensive end Julius Peppers and signing Jared Allen to replace him. Vans Shoes Clearance. Theyve also made several moves at safety, re-signing Craig Steltz and bringing in Ryan Mundy from the New York Giants, M.D. Jennings from Green Bay, and Danny McCray from Dallas. "I know Im going to have to compete for my position on this team," Conte told the teams website. "I am prepared to do that and felt having this surgery was the best way to be 100 per cent healthy and be the best player I can possibly be." The Bears also re-signed offensive tackle Eben Britton to a one-year contract on Thursday. ' ' '
LONDON, ONT – Paul Ranger hadnt played in an NHL setting of any kind in nearly four years until the Leafs opened their exhibition schedule in London on Sunday night. Vans Sk8 Hi Sale . "It was my first game back really at this level and it went pretty well," said Ranger, who scored the fourth and final goal as his team topped the Flyers 4-3 at Budweiser Gardens. It was a night of firsts in many respects for the Leafs, first in the sense of impressions and opportunity at a training camp that promises its fair share of battles. There was Morgan Rielly in his first audition for a job on the crowded Toronto defence. There was Mason Raymond vying for an NHL gig with waves of speed, bursting past a Philly defender for a shorthanded goal. And there was of course, Ranger playing in his first NHL game (albeit exhibition) since October 2009, the 29-year-old inked to a one-year deal with the club this past summer. "As the game went on I felt more and more comfortable," said Ranger, who admitted the presence of a few nerves before the game. "Mentally you settle down and get more in tune with everything." With a sturdy defensive game, surprising mobility and a high-caliber first pass, Ranger looked the part of an NHL defender, one the Leafs are hopeful will contribute in a significant way this season. The opener marked a good first step. Ten years his junior sits Rielly, the fifth overall selection in 2012 getting his first opportunity to build a case for entry on the NHL roster this fall, a decision that will likely linger until final cuts are made. "I think after I had a chance to get used to the pace and what not I was pretty happy with how it went," said Rielly, paired with Korbinian Holzer initially before shifting alongside Ranger in the third. "Rielly who?" Leafs coach Randy Carlyle quipped, already tired of the daily questions regarding the organizations top prospect. "Obviously he skates, (but) can he continue to do what hes done in Junior at the NHL and I dont know how plainer I can say that." Rielly was joined in his first bit of NHL action by fellow first round pick Frederik Gauthier (2013) as well as the 188th overall selection in 2008 and a dark horse to contribute to the Leafs at some point this season, 23-year-old Andrew MacWilliam. Pegged to start the year with the Marlies, MacWilliam performed with the edge hed become known for at the University of North Dakota, where he served as captain last season. "Its the next level," said MacWilliam of his first professional game, "guys are bigger, guys are faster, but after the first period I felt I got my legs underneath me a little bit and thought I got my skating going and thought I was okay." "Its good to see the young kids get their first taste and thats the most important thing is they understand that this wasnt an NHL game, but it was an exhibition game and theres another level that the league plays to," Carlyle observed. Five Points 1. Reimers first look Also getting a first look on Sunday was James Reimer, who received opening duties against the Flyers, the 26-year-old stopping 14 of 17 shots in 28 minutes of action. "Its getting used to the game situation," said Reimer of expectations for the early portion of the exhibition schedule. "Its getting used to plays in traffic, trying to see the puck, fighting bodies, stuff like that that you cant really replicate anywhere else." Reimer yielded three pucks, the first a point shot that was deflected through traffic, the second a rebound plucked home off another point shot, the third a final point drive that caromed off the end boards and was quickly tapped in. "You dont want to let three goals in a game," said Reimer. "But I felt that I wasnt beat clean and they were all some tough bounces. I was happy with the way I played and felt that I built a lot and accomplished a lot of things I wanted to." Earlier in the day, the Leafs incumbent starter – now challenged for the job – noted the need to readjust to the speed of game action following an offseason of training. "Summer hockey is so slow and guys dont shoot the puck, they hold onto it, pass, pass, pass," explained Reimer. "So even (Saturday) in the scrimmage there was a couple plays where its just quicker than what youre used to. In exhibition its just getting that timing back and being in the right place at the right time." 2. Case for Raymond The first impression for Mason Raymond was generally positive, the Calgary speedster surging for a shorthanded breakaway goal. "Obviously with the type of speed that he has its going to be hard for somebody to catch him and they didnt catch him and he found a way," said Carlyle. Formerly a 25-goal man with the Canucks, Raymond was inked to a professional tryout on the eve of training camp. The 27-year-old could prove an intriguing add if he and the club find a fit. The Leafs lost speed, skill and depth with the offseason departures of Mikhail Grabovski, Clarke MacArthur and Matt Frattin and would be dinged further with any significant injury to their top-six complement (Joffrey Lupul notably has yet to take the ice in training camp, suffering from back spasms). Raymond could help to address that potential weakness. A water-bug who seems to dart from space to space on the ice, Raymond would offer added ability, experience and hints of offence on the wing. 3. Sophomore shot The first extended stint of NHL action had its share of turmoil for Korbinian Holzer, the now 25-year-old defender playing 22 games in 2013, mostly under siege alongside Dion Phaneuf on the Leafs top pair. "It was a good way to learn what it takes to be an everyday player in the NHL," said Holzer of the experience. "I had the opportunity to play (against) the best players in the league for a lot of games and played a lot of minutes. It was a good experience and a good learning curve. I think overall I learned what it takes to be an everyday player." Thrust into duty that was probably beyond his means as a rookie – playing nightly opposite top lines – Holzer learned his fair share and believes the experience will ultimately prove beneficial. "Youve got to be aware every second youre out there," said Holzer of the most prominent lesson from the shortened season. "You cant take one second off. As soon as you step on the ice youve got to be ready and expect the unexpected." Holzer will face an uphill battle to make the roster, competing with the likes of Ranger, Rielly, John-Michael Liles, Mark Fraser, and Petter Granberg. "He should take the experience and look at the positives that he was able to come in and play for our hockey club and he got his feet wet in the NHL," said Carlyle of Holzer. "Now its take the next step." 4. More MacWilliam Carlyle had the inside track on MacWilliam heading into camp because of an old connection from his playing days. Brad Berry, now an assistant coach who runs the defence at North Dakota, played with Carlyle in Winnipeg. "He acquitted very well in his first pro game," said Carlyle. MacWilliam was whistled for a pair of penalties in Sundays action, but proved mobile and a nasty physical presence. 5. Veterans in exhibition While he offers some leniency, Carlyle does have certain expectations of the veterans in his dressing room during the exhibition season. "Its important that they get themselves ready," said Carlyle. "(But) I think the veteran guys get a little bit more room and a little bit of slack from the coaching staff in that perspective." Quote of the Night "As we all know the salary cap world changes things, its a different way of evaluating sometimes when youre forced to make decisions based upon contract amount. Its a new animal in the league and thats the reality of it." -Randy Carlyle on the training camp evaluation process. Up Next The Leafs host the Flyers at the Air Canada Centre on Monday night. Vans Old Skool Discount . FIFA said in a statement Friday that "several racist and discriminatory incidents were apparently perpetrated by local supporters during the match, in particular by displaying neo-Nazi banners and by making monkey noises and gestures as well as Nazi salutes. Cheap Vans Shoes .Simon will work with head coach Gord Dineen and associate coach Derek King behind the bench of the Toronto Maple Leafs American Hockey League affiliate for the 2014-15 season.LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears safety Chris Conte had shoulder surgery in late March and will likely be out at least until the start of training camp, the team said Thursday. The expected recovery period is four to five months. Conte started all 16 games for the first time in his career last season, but struggled along with just about everyone else on defence. His worst moment was when he failed to lock onto Green Bays Randall Cobb in the closing minute of the final game. That led to a wide-open 47-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers on fourth down that gave the Packers a 33-28 victory and kept Chicago out of the playoffs. The Bears have been overhauling their defence, releasing defensive end Julius Peppers and signing Jared Allen to replace him. Vans Shoes Clearance. Theyve also made several moves at safety, re-signing Craig Steltz and bringing in Ryan Mundy from the New York Giants, M.D. Jennings from Green Bay, and Danny McCray from Dallas. "I know Im going to have to compete for my position on this team," Conte told the teams website. "I am prepared to do that and felt having this surgery was the best way to be 100 per cent healthy and be the best player I can possibly be." The Bears also re-signed offensive tackle Eben Britton to a one-year contract on Thursday. ' ' '
