Executive Ian Penny will leave NHLPA

On Friday there is a statement made by the National Hockey League Players' Association(NHLPA):
"Interim Executive Director Ian Penny informed the NHLPA staff and the NHLPA Executive Board earlier today that it is his position he has been constructively dismissed as Interim Executive Director of the NHLPA and can no longer work in the present circumstances. Effective today, Ian Penny is no longer employed by the NHLPA.

There have been inaccurate media reports circulating today that the NHLPA has suspended operations. The NHLPA staff continues to work very hard on behalf of the players in all areas of the Association's business and will continue to do so going forward. The NHLPA will make no further comment today on this internal matter." It is regrettable that Penny leave the Association.

Giguere broke his groin again

Ducks goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere indicated on Sunday afternoon that he injured his groin during last night's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Honda Center. Giguere, who had been hampered by a groin strain in these days, got the start and gave up five goals in the game. Finally Giguere went down in pain after the goal and left the game, and he was replaced by Jonas Hiller. "I didn't see the puck until the last second, and when I saw it, I threw my leg out and my groin let go," Giguere said of the goal. "That's what happened when I hurt it before, and that made it worse."

Giguere said he was not sure if he would be available to play in tomorrow night's game against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs at Honda Center. "I think I need to give it a couple of days of rest and see what's going to happen," he said. "We're not too concerned about it, but I think yesterday was a bit of a lesson that you've got to give it time and make sure it's ready. We have great trainers who know what they're doing and right now I don't foresee this being a problem.” Hope he will come back to the team in ducks jerseys soon.

Canucks' Demitra may be out for several weeks

Pavol Demitra, who was initially projected to be out for six weeks after recovering from the shoulder surgery in the offseason, is now out indefinitely after a shoulder scope earlier this week revealed some complications in his range of motion. “He was going fine and in the last three weeks he hit a wall and the range of motion wasn’t there," said Alain Vigneault. "He tried different shots and that wasn’t helping him. Finally, the doctors and Demitra decided to go in there and find out what was wrong.”

Demitra collected 20 goals and 33 assists in 69 games with the Canucks last season but missed the first nine contests. Will he come back to the ice in the canucks jersey on time?

Union and MLB decide to push back collusion deadline

Players and owners have agreed to push back the deadline over last winter's free agents until the end of this offseason. The deal allows both sides to view how this offseason's free-agent market develops. There are few stars in this winter's class, and agents expressed concern last summer that no major players eligible for free agency agreed to contract extensions. Commissioner Bud Selig said there was no conspiracy against free agents. Major League Baseball's executive vice president for labor relations Rob Manfred, confirmed the agreement or else declined comment.

In addition, the sides in 2006 settled potential claims that management may have conspired against free agents following the 2002 and 2003 seasons. That deal called for a $12 million payment to settle unfiled collusion claims along with other pending grievances. Separately, players and owners have had an agreement since last year extending the deadline to file a collusion grievance after the 2007 season. That deal says after the end of Bonds' criminal trial , the union has to file a grievance.

High school pitcher Kikuchi will remain in Japan

Japanese high school pitcher Yusei Kikuchi announced at a press conference on Sunday in Japan that he will choose his country's pro leagues for now. He is expected to be the No. 1 pick in Japan's Oct. 29 amateur draft. "I don't think I have what it takes to compete at the world level yet." Said Kikuchi.

If a player joins a Japanese team, he must play nine seasons before becoming a free agent. Some players, such as Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka (in red sox jersey) , can leave earlier through a posting system that allows Major League Baseball teams to bid for negotiating rights.

Blue Jackets sign Russell to a 3-year deal

General Manager Scott Howson announced that the Columbus Blue Jackets have signed 22-year-old defenseman Kris Russell (in blue jackets jersey) to a three-year contract extension. Russell, who was taken by Columbus in the third round in the 2005 Entry Draft, has 4 goals and 28 assists for 32 points and 42 penalty minutes in 137 career games with the Blue Jackets. He got 28 penalty minutes in 66 games with Columbus Blue Jackets last season. His point total ranked third among club defensemen.

"Kris is an important player for us, not only in the present, but in the future," Howson said in a statement. "We believe he has just scratched the surface of his potential." He was a winner of the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s defenseman of the year in 2005-06 and 2006-07 and won the Four Broncos Trophy as the WHL Player of the Year while leading the Tigers to the WHL championship in 2006-07.

Bernie Parent will join Gary Bettman's program

Hall of Fame goaltender Bernie Parent will join Commissioner Gary Bettman on the NHL Hour from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday. Parent led the Philadelphia Flyers to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in both years. "NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman" broadcasts live on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on NHL Home Ice and NHL.com.

Another Hall of Famer, Bobby Hull, will join hosts Rob Simpson on NHL Live on Thursday which marks the 52nd anniversary of Hull's first NHL goal. There are also Florida Panthers coach Peter DeBoer, CBC's Elliotte Friedman, Anaheim Ducks center Saku Koivu and Hall of Famer Cam Neely.

Red Wings' Franzen undergoes surgery successfully

Johan Franzen had successful ligament surgery to repair a tear in his left knee in Birmingham, the surgery was performed by orthopaedic surgeon Dr. William G. Clancy, who is one of the foremost authorities on knee ligament injuries and surgery.

Franzen was injured in the Red Wings home-opening game on Oct. 8. He scored the game-winning goal during the second period, after he had already suffered the injuring in the same period. He had been matched on a line with Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom. It's believed that Franzen will be out for at least four months, which means he will also miss the Olympic Game which will be held in Vancouver in February with his native country, Sweden. Regrettablely Franzen's absence creates a huge hole in the Red Wings' line-up.

Wakefield will undergo surgery this week

Red Sox( red sox jerseys )general manager Theo Epstein.Veteran Tim Wakefield, whose troublesome back prevented him from building on an All-Star first half, will undergo surgery later this week. He would like to come back in 2010 for what would be his 16th season in Boston.

The surgery is expected to require a minimal amount of recovery time, meaning that Wakefield should be ready for the start of Spring Training. "Wake is someone that is in our plans and we hope he makes starts for us next year and is a member of the rotation," said Epstein. "We haven't sat down and finalized anything. Obviously, we want to see how the surgery goes and then both sides will sit down and talk."

Blue Jackets' Hejda will be out for several weeks

According to a report Aaron Portzline in the Columbus Dispatch, Blue Jackets( Blue Jackets jerseys" )defenseman Jan Hejda has a sprained left knee and will miss 4 to 6 weeks. Hejda was injured in the game aganist Calgary Flames( Flames jerseys )when collided with Flames winger Curtis Glencross. Hejda was limping badly on his way to the dressing room after the game.

The Blue Jackets are already without defenseman Mike Commodore because of a groin injury. Hejda and Commodore has formed the Blue Jackets No. 1 defensive pair last season. Hejda has a plus-8 rating in five games this season, tied with Dallas Nicklas Grossman at the top in the NHL.

Hall of Fame wants Kouzmanoff's glove

A day after the Padres' third baseman set a single-season record for National League third basemen with a .990 fielding percentage, the National Baseball Hall of Fame asked Kouzmanoff if he would donate a glove that he used during the season. "I have to pick the glove. They aren't getting my gamer!"Kouzmanoff replied.

Kouzmanoff committed only three errors in 311 total chances at third base this year, breaking the old record which was set by Rockies third baseman Vinny Castilla in 2004.

Penguins sign first-round pick Despres

Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero announced that The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed their 2009 first-round draft pick Simon Despres to a three-year entry level contract.
Despres will continue to play this season with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. This defenseman, who was selected by Pittsburgh in the June NHL Entry Draft, has three points in five games with Saint John this season.

Despres posted 32 points in 66 games with Saint John last season, adding four assists in four playoff games. He recorded 14 points in 64 games as a only 16-year-old rookie.

Duensing will be in the bullpen

The Twins have now officially gone to a three-man starting rotation, as manager Ron Gardenhire said on Saturday that left-hander Brian Duensing will be in the bullpen for Game 3 of the American League Division Series. Duensing started Game 1 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium, having five runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings, but Minnesota will turn to Scott Baker for Game 4 and Nick Blackburn for Game 5.

The Twins originally wanted to go with a three-man starting staff for the ALDS, but Baker has to start game No. 163 on Tuesday night against the Tigers. Duensing would likely be the first arm that Minnesota turns to in Sunday's Game 3, if starter Carl Pavano has any trouble.

Blake is named captain of Sharks

The San Jose Sharks have named Rob Blake as their captain for the coming season. Blake, who joined the Sharks last year was twice captain for the Los Angeles Kings. He has been selected to three Canadian Olympic teams, Blake has also taken home the NHL’s Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman.

Sharks Head Coach Todd McLellan made the choice and conferred with Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson. "We have named Rob Blake captain and Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton A's," said McLellan.

Lenny Dykstra's championship ring was sold

The Associated Press reported that Lenny Dykstra's championship ring from the 1986 World Series was sold at an auction for more than $56,000. Dykstra, who is said to have serious financial troubles, had 11 items at the auction.

A collector from Queens, where Dykstra and the rest of his Mets wrapped up the Series win over the Red Sox, won the ring with a bid of $56,762.50. Dykstra is a three-time All-Star player, whose last season was with the Phillies in 1996, said he owed more than $31 million and had only about $50,000 possession.

Panthers term with Dominic Moore

Florida Panthers General Manager Randy Sexton announced that the club has termed on a one-year deal with Dominic Moore. Moore has played in 305 career National Hockey League games for the Rangers, Penguins, wilds, Maple Leafs and Sabres, scoring 35 goals with 65 assists and 200 PIM.

Moore was traded from Maple Leafs to Sabres at the deadline last season. Prior to playing in the NHL, he played four years at Harvard, recording a best 51 points during his senior season. Moore was drafted by the Rangers in the third round in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Johnny Cueto's winter ball depends on Reds

If pitcher Johnny Cueto wants to pitch in winter ball this offseason, he'll have to check with the Reds first. The threshold for extreme fatigue is set at 170 innings during a regular season. Cueto pitched 171 innings in 2009. When asked about whether pitching in winter ball or not during the offseason on Saturday night, "I don't know, maybe in December," Cueto said, "I'm going to get rest, but I'm happy with how I'm feeling strong. My arm is 100 percent now."

Cueto spent two weeks in August with right shoulder inflammation, which was created by arm fatigue. It seems the Reds may not let Cueto pitch this winter.

San Jose Sharks sign center Manny Malhotra

San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced that the team has signed center Manny Malhotra to a one-year contract. Malhotra recently finished his 12th NHL season, posting a career-high 35 points.

Malhotra finished second in the NHL face-offs in 2007-08 and 12th in 2006-07. In 634 NHL games with the New York Rangers, Dallas and Columbus, he has collected 197 points and 344 penalty minutes.