lingzi
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TORONTO —Nail Yakupov is heading to Edmonton. Donald Brown Jersey . For now, it will just
be for a quick visit. But the top-rated prospect in the upcoming NHL draft is
hoping that his meeting with Oilers brass this weekend will help convince them
to call his name with the No. 1 pick on June 22 in Pittsburgh. “For me it was
great news,” Yakupov said Thursday night. “Ill probably meet the guys and the
president and the GM —just talking with the guys and see the dressing room and
see the town.” It will mark the first ever visit to the Alberta capital for the
18-year-old Russian. Hes due to arrive Sunday after a whirlwind stretch that
includes this weeks NHL draft combine in suburban Toronto and a visit to the
Stanley Cup final for Saturdays Game 2 in Newark, N.J., with other prospects. A
source confirmed that Yakupov wont be the only player brought to Edmonton before
the draft for follow-up interviews. However, unlike in previous years, the
Oilers are hoping to keep the meetings as private as possible. Two years ago,
both Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin visited the city ahead of the draft and were
subjected to large media scrums with local reporters. The Oilers hold the No. 1
pick for a third consecutive draft and the organization has learned from the
previous experiences. Yakupov, a skilled winger from the Ontario Hockey Leagues
Sarnia Sting, would love to follow Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins by getting the
chance to call Edmonton home. “Well see what happens,” he said. “Whoever drafts
me, Ill be excited to put this jersey on. I want to work hard for this team and
give everything. Its the NHL.” The individual visits highlight how important the
decision facing the Oilers organization is. Team personnel sat down with Yakupov
and all of the other potential top picks during the scouting combine, but still
feel the need to spend more time with them before making a final decision.
Another factor in the process is the possibility of a trade. Edmonton general
manager Steve Tambellini might be enticed to move down a few spots on the draft
board, which means hell want to be familiar with a number of players. In the
final rankings released by NHL central scouting in April, Yakupov was the
top-rated North American-based skater ahead of Everett Silvertips defenceman
Ryan Murray, Quebec Remparts centre Mikhail Grigorenko and Sarnia centre
Alex Galchenyuk. Murray ended up getting some extra time to audition after a
series of injuries allowed him to play for Canada at the recent IIHF World
Hockey Championship. Oilers president Kevin Lowe ran that team and raved about
the play of the teenager, who didnt look at all out of place against men. It was
only after that tournament wrapped up that Murray started to ponder how it might
affect his draft position. “I wasnt really thinking about that when I was there,
I was just thinking about what I can do to help the team win,” he said. “I guess
hopefully I impressed somebody.” Murray acknowledged hearing some rumblings that
he might be in the running to be selected with the No. 1 pick, but noted that
“its not really up to me to decide.” Even Grigorenko still harbours dreams of
being the first player called to the stage at Consol Energy Center. His QMJHL
season was marred by a case of mononucleosis and a disappointing performance in
the playoffs, but the six-foot-three Russian felt like he put his best foot
forward this week in interviews with NHL teams at the combine. “I still have
it,” Grigorenko said, referring to hopes of being selected with the top pick.
“For sure, why not? If the team wants to draft me and they need a centre, theyll
take me.” For now, Yakupov appears to have the inside track. The affable Russian
should certainly have no trouble making a strong impression when he gets a
chance to tour Edmonton this weekend. He needed only a few minutes to charm
reporters on Thursday, delivering a nice soliloquy that started with him
proclaiming that “hockey is my life.” “Youve got to smile every day because life
you just live once,” said Yakupov. “Youve got to push everything you can every
day and be nice with the people and keep your family in your heart. “If you can
play hockey, just play hockey and do your thing.” Andrew Luck Jersey . Theres nothing kid-like
about the way the 22-year-old left-hander is pitching. Ross worked 2 2-3 perfect
innings in relief for his AL-best fourth victory and the Rangers beat the New
York Yankees 7-3 on Wednesday night, winning their sixth consecutive series to
start a season for the first time in franchise history. Pat McAfee Jersey . Even if you win the
championship in your league, the roster that hoists the Cup will not be the same
roster that starts camp the next year. http://www.shoptheindianapoliscolts.com/anthony-castonzo-jerseys
. Police spokeswoman Jodi Silva says Miguel Aceval, Nick Soolsma and Luis Silva
were jailed after the incident early Monday in the parking lot of the Club
Escobar. The Major League Soccer club issued a brief statement on Monday
afternoon. Donnie Avery Womens Jersey . Nicasio was
injured in the second inning of his start Saturday against the Los Angeles
Dodgers when put his foot down after turning his body to the right to try to
field a ball hit through the middle. Manager Jim Tracy said Nicasios injury is
not believed to be serious, but Nicasio will have a precautionary MRI on Monday.
Dwight Freeney Jersey . Elton Brand, who the
Mavs got on a waiver claim from Philadelphia, and free agent signees O.J. Mayo
and Chris Kaman were among the five additions making their first Dallas
appearances Monday with owner Mark Cuban.U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann is
encouraging Clint Dempsey to leave Fulham and sign with a bigger club. The
29-year-old Texan scored 17 Premier League goals and 23 overall this season, the
best season by an American attacking player in England. Dempseys contract with
Fulham has one year remaining. “His goal is the right goal,” Klinsmann said
during a conference call Friday, a day before the Americans play an exhibition
against Scotland. “If he has the opportunity to go a Champions League team,
thats the creme de la creme in the world of club soccer, then youve got to do
that. With all respect obviously to Fulham, as he often mentions, but you want
to play in the biggest club competition in the world and thats the European
Champions League. So hopefully something will happen over the next couple weeks.
But if it doesnt happen, then he just has to keep kind of pounding away and
knocking at the door.” Dempsey was tied for fourth in the EPL in scoring,
trailing only Arsenals Robin van Persie (31), Manchester Uniteds Wayne Rooney
(27) and Manchester Citys Sergio Aguero (23). “The sky is the limit if you want
to work for it, if you want to do it every day and if you want to be hungrier
and nastier and stronger than your competitors. He embraced that approach, and
thats why when hes now coming into the national team environment, hes one of the
leaders,” Klinsmann said. “Players look up to him, especially the young players.
Now they look at Clint, they want to play where hes playing or they want to hear
from him what it takes to become one of the best players in the English Premier
League.” Dempsey and Jozy Altidore will miss the Scotland game on Saturday night
in Jacksonville, Fla. Dempsey is still recovering from a groin strain that
caused him to miss the ninth-place Cottagers season finale at Tottenham on May
19 and he might not be ready for Wednesday nights exhibition against Brazil in
Landover, Md. Dempsey and Landon Donovan have not played together since
Klinsmann replaced Bob Bradley as coach last July. Altidore had been blocked
from reporting until Monday by AZ Alkmaar. Even though the Dutch clubs season
ended May 6, AZ stuck to the last day to release him under FIFA regulations.
“They were not open to change their opinion,” Klinsmann said, “which is not very
nice for us.” Defenders Clarence Goodson and Michael Parkhurst also wont play
against the Scots after arriving at training camp in Kissimmee, Fla., late
Thursday following the end of their Danish clubs season the previous day. The
U.S. will have five games in 18 games, including a June 3 exhibition against
Canada in Toronto, followed by the Americans opening qualifiers for the 2014
World Cup, against Antigua andd Barbuda in Tampa, Fla. Donnie Avery Youth Jersey. , then play at
Guatemala on June 12. Klinsmann picked only seven defenders for his 23-man
roster to go along with seven midfielders, six forwards and three goalkeepers.
After Timmy Chandlers refusal to commit to the U.S. —he also is eligible for
Germany—and Klinsmanns decision not to select Eric Lichaj—the Americans
appear thin at outside back, where Steve Cherundolo appears set to start on the
right and either Hoffenheims Fabian Johnson or Tijuanas Edgar Castillo on the
left. Johnson started his clubs final six-to-eight games on defence and
Klinsmann said he “actually became one of the best left backs in the
Bundesliga.” Parkhurst can provide coverage at right back after playing the
position over several months for Nordsjaelland, which won its first Danish
league title and qualified for next seasons Champions League. Klinsmann trimmed
forward Juan Agudelo, defender Alfredo Morales and midfielders Danny Williams
and Graham Zusi from his roster Friday. Midfielder Joe Corona is the only player
on the roster for the first time. He scored four goals in qualifying as the U.S.
under-23 team failed to make the London Olympics. Agudelo was traded to Chivas
USA on May 17 from the New York Red Bulls, where he was stuck behind Thierry
Henry and Kenny Cooper. The 19-year-old Agudelo requested the deal. “Now hes got
to prove it. Hes got to score goals. Hes got to play every game,” Klinsmann
said. “Its now down to him to show everybody that he belongs.” Williams was
dropped after reporting to camp with a shoulder injury. Klinsmann said
21-year-old forward Terrence Boyd, whose 20 goals helped Borussia Dortmunds
second team earn promotion to Germanys third tier, will likely be with another
club next season. “They see hes ready for the next big step,” Klinsmann said.
———The roster: Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Tim Howard
(Everton, England), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake); Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra
(Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Geoff Cameron (Houston), Edgar Castillo (Tijuana,
Mexico), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Clarence Goodson (Brondby,
Denmark), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Michael Parkhurst
(Nordsjaelland, Denmark) Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Salt Lake), Michael
Bradley (Chievo Verona, Italy), Joe Corona (Tijuana, Mexico), Maurice Edu
(Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim, Germany), Jermaine
Jones (Schalke, Germany), Jose Torres (Pachuca, Mexico), Forwards: Jozy Altidore
(AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Clint
Dempsey (Fulham, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Herculez Gomez (Santos
Laguna, Mexico), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose) ’ ’ ’
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