DETROIT Randy Carlyle needed very few words to get his message across. The Leafs head coach was asked directly if Jake Gardiner was back to resembling the player who performed so prominently in the playoffs. He responded firmly in the negative. "No," he said, before repeating himself with some emphasis. "No, hes not." Gardiner is looking to right himself after a generally lost 2013 regular season, one that saw him re-emerge with five points in six games during a thrilling opening round series with Boston. And yet, with training camp nearly at its end and the regular season opener in Montreal drawing near, its clear he has yet to make a positive impression. "We havent got too many more days [left]," Carlyle sniped. Though his hold on a job in the Leafs top-6 would seem secure at the outset of the regular season, Gardiner does face internal competition for opportunity, notably in 19-year-old Morgan Rielly, who could fill a similar role, in theory, to his more experienced 23-year-old counterpart. "Feeling pretty good," said Gardiner of his training camp performance, unaware of his Carlyles assessment. "I think Ive been limiting my turnovers and trying to still play offensive and join the play as much as I can." Gardiners presence at an optimal level is vastly important to the structure of the Toronto defence, one that had its share of instabilities last season. With no major upgrades to the back-end in the offseason save for added stability from Paul Ranger and some uncertainty as to expectations for Cody Franson, Mark Fraser and the aforementioned Ranger, it was thought that Gardiner could be the difference-maker. Stunted by the after-effects of a December concussion last year, Gardiner got off on the wrong foot with Carlyle in 2013. His performance was generally off the mark in trips between the Leafs, Marlies and press-box. Previously lacking the assertiveness defensively that his coach required, the former Ducks prospect re-emerged in the playoffs, once again resembling the confident, aggressive asset that gave the organization so much optimism during a banner rookie season under Ron Wilson. Of his playoff play, Gardiner explained that he was, "still skating a lot, still being offensive, but at the same time responsible defensively. I wasnt a liability at all. Thats what Im going to try to do this year." So far, at least according to Carlyle, that hasnt happened. Early in the first period at Joe Louis Arena on Friday evening, Gardiner was unable to push the heftier Todd Bertuzzi off the puck in the defensive zone and moments later it was in the back of the net, redirected from the point past Jonathan Bernier. It was the first of two goals against that Gardiner was on the ice for, the Minnesota native also adding two assists in 18 minutes. Displeased with what he has seen so far, Carlyle could just be looking to rattle the cage of his promising young defender, an early attempt to prevent complacency before the puck drops at the Bell Centre on October 1. Whatever the motive, Gardiner had better take notice. Five Points 1. Final exhibition for Bernier Jonathan Bernier yielded five goals on 37 shots in what figures to be his final exhibition start. Friday proved his first full start of the preseason, the 25-year-old compiling an .891 save percentage in four games. "In my game Ive got to be patient and I felt like tonight I made some stand-up saves which for me its the way I play," said Bernier of the effort. "I was seeing the puck a lot better than the past few games so its just got to get better." Bernier was still smarting afterward about the fifth and final Detroit goal, one that snuck five-hole off the tape of Johan Franzen. "For me, that fifth one, thats just a basic save," he said. "Thats definitely a save that Ive got to have." Randy Carlyle has yet to make clear whether Bernier or his counterpart, James Reimer, will start in the regular season opener against Montreal, but did note that both goaltenders would play in the back-to-back set that also includes a Wednesday date in Philadelphia. 2. Franson debut After he and the Leafs finally agreed to a one-year deal on Thursday, Cody Franson stepped into his first exhibition tilt against the Red Wings. "I felt pretty good all in all," said Franson, who logged 21 minutes alongside Gardiner. "Theyre a quick and skilled team so coming in against that you have to be sure of what youre doing and make sure youre in a good position." Franson spent most of the exhibition schedule training with the Ryerson Rams and thus was expected to suit up in both remaining exhibition games, including the finale on Saturday with Detroit visiting Toronto. "Just get my confidence up and get used to the pace of the game and the skill-set and your reads," he said of getting on track before the season officially opened. 3. Red Wings Now an Atlantic division rival, the Red Wings sure made an impression in their first meeting with the Leafs, controlling Fridays affair from the second period onward. With Daniel Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss added to a group that already features the likes of Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, skill and puck possession was not in short supply. "Its like the Swedish national team over there," Franson chimed of the Wings, the pace furious throughout the Wings 5-2 win. "They hold onto the puck, they move it around really well, they pick their spots to dump it in well, and theyre effective in what they do." 4. Barometer? Icing nearly a full lineup opposite an equally full Wings group the Leafs were notably short the suspended Phil Kessel Carlyle conceded that Fridays game was viewed as a barometer to "some degree", the results not particularly appealing. "Were trying to do some evaluations," he said. "We had some kids in the lineup. Thats what exhibition games are for." Of particular concern for the Leafs coach was the effort defensively and in particular the three power-play goals Detroit scored. "Some of the goals that we allowed them to score were in the critical areas," he stated. "We didnt have stiff enough protection in those areas." The Leafs had the second-ranked penalty kill last season, but were ineffective at even-strength defensively, yielding the fourth-most goals league-wide. Considering the weak performance in such areas against the Wings on Friday with a group of mostly regulars including the projected top-6 on defence Carlyle had reason to be concerned. 5. Waiting game for Ashton Carter Ashton dressed alongside Colton Orr and Jay McClement against Detroit, the 22-year-old looking to secure his first full-time job in the NHL. With energy and a physical presence, Ashton made himself noticeable at times throughout the preseason, but whether itll be enough to claim a roster spot remains unclear. "Mentally you have to realize that there are decisions to be made," said the Lightning draft pick. "To ease your mind you just have to do everything you can in your power so you obviously dont second-guess yourself." With an injury sidelining Frazer McLaren at the outset of the season, a roster spot (perhaps two) would appear to be open in the Leafs bottom-6, one that Ashton looks primed to snatch. "Training camps a stressful time," he said. "You have to come in and prove yourself every day." Up Next The Leafs host the Red Wings in their final exhibition game on Saturday. Joe Hart Jersey . Danny Green, a relative newcomer, is fitting in just fine in just his fourth season with the San Antonio Spurs. Green didnt miss a shot in a 22-point performance that helped the Spurs defeat the Dallas Mavericks 116-107 Thursday night. Martin Demichelis Jersey . The Scotsman was dismissed only five days after being told by the club he would remain in charge for the "foreseeable future. http://www.manchestercitysoccerpro.com/Authentic-Wilfried-Bony-Manchester-City-Jersey/ . But even after all that time, the sting still lingers. "Im still pretty angry about it," Raonic said of the straight-sets loss to the Swiss star. Jason Denayer Manchester City Jersey . Azarenka, the former No. 1 recovered from a left foot injury, lost 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 to Camila Giorgi of Italy after 2 hours, 46 minutes. "Thats exactly what I wanted," Azarenka said. "I wanted to have a competitive match. Pablo Zabaleta Manchester City Jersey . -- Terrelle Pryor will start at quarterback for the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, replacing Matt McGloin for the final regular-season game against the Denver Broncos.NEW YORK -- NFL employees have had their salaries trimmed by 12 per cent since April, and seven teams have instituted pay cuts or furloughs of workers outside the huddle since the owners lockout of players began March 12, The Associated Press has found in interviews around the league. Miami, Buffalo, the New York Jets, Kansas City, Detroit, Tampa Bay and Arizona are the teams known to have slashed payroll. In all, the number of affected employees who work for either the clubs or the league is likely more than 100. Count Commissioner Roger Goodell and Jeff Pash, the NFLs lead labour negotiator, among them. Their salaries have been reduced to US$1 each while the leagues labour impasse is unresolved. Two teams, the Falcons and 49ers, would not comment when asked if they made any cuts, citing privacy issues. Information about several other clubs came from people with knowledge of the cuts or furloughs who spoke on condition of anonymity because the moves had not been announced by the team. Several team owners, particularly John Mara of the Giants, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf, and Jim Irsay of the Colts, have been adamant about avoiding such reductions. "I try to stay focused in the now. I just dont anticipate that sort of thing," Irsay said. "My feeling is Im interested in good morale around here. I look at someone whos making $40,000, $50,000 a year, who has rent to pay, and I dont see it for me as an owner to be asking them for anything." Buffalo has asked for a lot. The Bills made across-the-board cuts to all salaried employees in March ranging between 20 and 25 per cent. "We have made prudent preparations for the possibilities of a work stoppage," Bills CEO Russ Brandon said then. "We have, for some time, been very upfront and transparent with our staff so that they, too, could make prudent preparations. We have built a program that focuses on shared sacrifice. Every employee in the organization will be affected. As you move up the organization chart, the sacrifice increases in absolute and percentage terms, as it should. "We plan no layoffs as a result of the situation at this time. Our hope is that our advanced planning will allow us to avoid them in the future as well." But in May the team also suspended payments into the employees pension and 401K plans for the duration of the lockout. Lions employees have taken two-week furloughs, a person familiar with the moves told the AP. "Any decisions we make, the impact will start with me," said team president Tom Lewand, adding the names of coach Jim Schwartz and general manager Martin Mayhew. "Unfortunately, it is affecting the entire organization, starting with us." The Cardinals had a company-wide week-long furlough during the last week of May. All the coaches have in their contracts pay reductions in the event of a work stoppage. The Jets have been requiring their dozens of non-contracted employees to take a one-week unpaid furlough every month since the lockout began. Contracted employees in football operations, including general manager Mike Tannenbaum, coach Rex Ryan and assistant coaches, took 25 per cent pay cuts. And the Jets implemented other cost-cutting measures, such as scaling back team events -- they cancelled their "Taste of the NFL" benefit and their annual golf outing.dddddddddddd Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland, coach Tony Sparano and his assistant coaches received a pay cut on June 1. In May, the Dolphins cut salaries of support staff 10 to 20 per cent. The percentage was larger for higher-paid employees, and all employees were told theyll return to full pay when the lockout ends. CEO Mike Dee blamed lagging ticket sales resulting from the lockout. Owner Stephen Ross said employees will either receive back pay when the lockout ends or get time off to compensate for the reduced pay. Across the state, the Buccaneers closed their offices during Memorial Day week, saying employees would be reimbursed in full for lost wages from the one-week furlough if the labour situation is resolved and no regular-season games are lost. All Chiefs employees, including GM Scott Pioli and coach Todd Haley, have taken a pay reduction during the lockout. The extent of the reduction depends on the level of job, with top executives taking the biggest hit. The cuts will be phased in over eight months and will average about 10 per cent, with nobody reduced more than 20 per cent. If the NFL plays a full season, everybody will be fully reimbursed for lost wages. The Packers have a plan to hold back salaries for management level and higher employees, but it hasnt been applied. It would only go into effect if a game or games are missed. The Saints have avoided any cuts or furloughs in part because their revenue stream from ticket sales never has been better. They recently billed season ticket holders for the second half of their amount due, perhaps to maintain enough cash flow to delay resorting to salary reductions. The Louisiana Superdome is sold out again for next season, and because of redesigned and upgraded field level seating, capacity has increased from 70,000 to 73,000. Prices for many of those new seats went up, creating more income for the team. Oakland has come up with its own way of potentially avoiding cuts: The Raiders implemented a plan that allows employees to keep their full pay if they sell a certain number of season tickets. "Certainly some teams are taking one approach: How do we decrease expenses during a work stoppage?" Raiders CEO Amy Trask said. "We looked at this from the opposite approach. Lets all work together as an organization, every single department, to increase our ticket revenues." The Raiders were last in the NFL last year in attendance, averaging just over 46,400 fans per home game. So, to avoid a pay cut, employees must sell season tickets worth 10 per cent of their salary during the lockout. The cheapest Raiders season tickets go for $260 per year, with the most expensive non-club seats at $960 annually. "This is a program thats constructive and productive," Trask said. "Were working as a staff to build something together, so when we come out on the other side of this work stoppage were going to be bigger and better and stronger for it because we have sold more season tickets." Now will there be games at which to use them? cheap nfl jerseys authentic jerseys nfl wholesale wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '
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