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TORONTO a€“ Randy Carlyle preferred to keep his thoughts on 21-year-old winger Josh Leivo to a minimum in this particular instance. I temper all of my enthusiasm, Carlyle said, because this place gets a little crazy if the coach says this or the coach says that. The Maple Leafs head coach would say that Leivo, who had three points in an exhibition win over Buffalo on Friday, has been noticeable through the first 10 days of training camp, adding that hes one young guy thats made an impression. Dave Nonis, Torontos GM, declared on the opening day of camp that there was no reason that a player should have his spot on the team determined by a one-way contract or the size of his salary. Will the organization follow through on that pronouncement if the likes of Leivo, Stuart Percy, Brandon Kozun, Sam Carrick and perhaps Petter Granberg, continue to perform and maybe even outperform their more senior counterparts? Right from the first day theres been an understanding that there [are] jobs here for the taking, Carlyle said Friday, because we have taken on the mantra [that] what we were doing wasnt going to be good enough. And if youre not prepared to step out of your comfort zone and change some of those things that we were prepared to change you. Were not afraid to put people into situations if we believe that theyve earned it. Thats a fair way to deal with people. Leivo potted a goal and offered a couple assists in tandem with Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul against the Sabres, this after a standout rookie season that saw him score 23 goals in 59 AHL games. A return trip to the Marlies was the likeliest scenario at the outset of camp, but thats shifted with his preseason performance so far. He did a lot of good things, Carlyle said, noting his strength in the corners and along the walls. And if he can continue to do that then hes going to make our decisions that much more difficult. But would they keep him ahead of someone on a one-way contract, someone with more experience, someone with more career goals or points? Does the preseason performance of a youngster outweigh the track record of a vet? The challenging balance, it seems, is measuring that veterans performance in a brief camp versus his accomplishments over a number of years. How much, for instance, does David Booth, a veteran of 443 games but one who struggled through a disappointing Vancouver stint, have to prove in exhibition games this fall? I think you always give people the benefit of the doubt, said Carlyle, not referring specifically to Booth, who had nine goals in 66 games with the Canucks. I dont think that you cast people aside. Theres peaks and valleys that take place through the start of training camp. But, he added, [w]e expect our young players to continue to grow into competitive roles here and make sure that our veteran players are not putting themselves in a position where somebody is working to take their opportunity or pushing them aside. I dont think it matters [what you did] in the past at all, Matt Frattin said, the 26-year-old coming off a bumpy campaign split between Los Angeles and Columbus. [Maybe] for a little bit if you played for eight, nine years, like a Robidas or Polak, but as a young guy youre just trying to fight for your job every day. It seems unlikely, however, that the Leafs would risk losing an asset (like Frattin) for nothing if he underperformed at camp. Though 22 forwards remain after the latest round of cuts on Saturday, only one job (maybe two) figures to be there for the taking a€“ barring an unexpected demotion. Leivo probably leads that field which includes the familiar Troy Bodie, the teenage William Nylander, NHL tweener Carter Ashton, and not to mention longer shots like Carrick, Kozun and Petri Kontiola. Im just coming out each game and trying to show what Ive got and hopefully I can crack this squad, Leivo said. Another gig could emerge if the facial injury to David Clarkson keeps him out for any extended period of time. Clarkson was due to visit a specialist for his swollen right cheekbone on Saturday afternoon following a fight with Cody McCormick in Buffalo. Colton Orr, controversial as it may be under the Leafs changing landscape, stands a good chance of remaining as the teams 14th forward, his place in Carlyles good books unchanged. Defence is where Torontos job competition has suddenly become a little more interesting. A steady veteran type, Henrik Tallinder appeared the logical leader for what is ultimately the seventh gig on the back-end. But he suffered a dislocated left shoulder on Friday, dampening his chances considerably. That leaves Percy, Granberg and 26-year-old Korbinian Holzer as the final contenders. The youngest of the group and a first round pick in 2011, Percy has nudged his way further into the mix with a heady all-around game, though his size, foot-speed and overall readiness remain in question. Partnering mostly with Roman Polak in the most recent exhibition match, Percy played nearly 23 minutes and added an assist on Leivos power-play goal. Different player, Carlyle said of Percy, remarking on the change from last fall to here in 2014. I still think the speed of the game and his foot speed is going to be something hes going to have to continue to improve on, but you cant take away his puck-moving ability and his hockey sense. Its worth noting that of the trio, only Holzer, in the final year of a two-year deal, requires waivers and thus could be lost to an opposing club if not kept on the roster. We think that our young players have done a great job of competing for positions, Carlyle said. Scratched up after a pair of dustups with the Sabres a€“ including a showdown with 6-foot-8 Tyler Myers a€“ Carrick, like Leivo, made himself noticed over the weekend. Im just trying to make an impression, he said, a good impression that is. Whatever I can do to make myself noticed. Air Jordan 31 Sale . Five years ago, Nestor and Zimonjic beat the American twins to win the title. But the Bryans, the worlds top-ranked team, needed 74 minutes to earn the victory Saturday as both Nestor and Zimonjic lost serve in the second set. Air Max 2020 Sale . Although taking two of three from the Baltimore Orioles wasnt nearly as uplifting as winning the World Series, it still felt pretty darn good. Felix Doubront and four relievers combined kept Baltimores potent lineup in check, and David Ortiz had three of Bostons 12 hits off Wei-Yin Chen in a 4-3 victory Thursday night. https://www.wholesaleshoesforcheap.com/air-max-200-sale/. This weeks Raptors Report puts a bow on Gays brief, 10-month tenure in Toronto and ponders how his absence will affect the teams offence. Are they a better team without him? In addition to acquiring some valuable cap flexibility, what impact will the four incoming players have this season and beyond? Click here for the Dec. Ultra Boost Sale .com) - Tonight will go a long way in determining the two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference. Nike Zoom Sale . Salah, who scored against Chelsea in two Champions League group matches this season, is Jose Mourinhos third significant recruit in the January transfer window after Nemanja Matic and Bertrand Traore.Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith says the team dont feel any extra pressure as they prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts at Wembley, the first of three London-based, regular season fixtures. The Jaguars go into their home game bottom of the AFC South after losses to Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens, but Smith believes their first win is close.As a team and as players on the field, were growing. There have been so many situations that weve lost out on, and where we now need to capitalise, he said. Weve had two games where weve been one play away from winning, so we need to tighten up and come out with the win.Before the season started, franchise owner Shad Khan, who also owns Fulham Football Club, stated that only a winning record was good enough for the team. After spending over $227m in free agency, the most in the NFL, optimism was high that Jacksonville could qualify for the post season, for the first time since 2007. General manager David Caldwell (left) and owner Shahid Khan, who stated that he wants to see obvious improvement this year However an 0-3 start, albeit two of them close losses, have left head coach Gus Bradley with a mountain to climb to reach the play-offs. Smith said that pressure comes with being part of an NFL organisation. Theres always pressure in the NFL, thats part of the game. What we need to do as a team is use that pressure to our advantage. The whole team has watched last weeks film but then we move on. If youre caught dwelling on the past week, youre not ready for the next game and thats when you get lose focus. Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley has started the season 0-3 and finds himself under pressuree Since coming into the league in 2014, Smith has become one of Jacksonvilles most reliable defenders, with over 250 tackles so far.ddddddddddddAs an important and vocal member of the team, Smith has transitioned into being one of the clubs leaders on the field, but he says it is a role that comes naturally.At the end of the day, a zebra is going to be a zebra. If my team mates respond to me in that way, then they do. If they dont, they dont. Either way, you earn the respect on the field. As long as I continue to play hard for my team, I can grow that level of respect. Theres been stuff left out there, and thats what Ive got to clean up. Its the small things, but I want to lead the league in tackles and good is never good enough. Week four: what to watch Who will stay undefeated, and can the Texans cope without Watt? As for playing at Wembley, Smith is looking forward to taking on the Colts in front of the Jaguars fans in London.Its great that were at home, because it really feels like everyone in London has accepted us. But most importantly its about getting our business done and then on to week five.First and foremost we have to stop the run. If you let Frank Gore get going, its going to be a long day. Andrew Luck has an arm and the ability to get it done, so we need to be as disruptive as possible. Whatever our offence puts up is fine, it is on us as a defence to hold the Colts to field goals or no points, and then we can let them go to work.Watch every minute of the Ryder Cup, plus Premier League football and the Malaysia Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: NFL Report: Week Three Fan Predictions: Graves v the Raiders WATCH: Sunday Blitz NFL Fantasy Week Four ' ' '
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