Sharks GM Doug Wilson: 'We Like Our Goaltending Now'

Filed under: SharksWatching Antti Niemi stymie his team again and again during the Western Conference finals wasn't fun for San Jose general manager Doug Wilson, who still has the image seared in his mind.

Now, though, Wilson doesn't have to worry about Niemi -- the Stanley Cup-winning goaltender is now a member of the Sharks after signing a one-year, $2 million deal on Thursday morning. Niemi, a victim of salary cap limitations in Chicago, is expected to be the primary man in net in San Jose, taking over from longtime goalie Evgeni Nabokov, a free agent who was not re-signed.

"We like our goaltending now," Wilson said on a conference call. "We feel going into camp our goaltending is very strong. If you'd told me in July we'd end up at this point, I'd be very pleased."

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Brett McMurphy's Weekly Picks: SMU Will Cover at Texas Tech

Filed under: Gambling, General CFB InsanityThere's probably not a more popular pastime among sports writers than predicting football games. Well, other than discovering there's free Fiddle Faddle in the press box.

In an exercise to determine exactly how smart (or clueless) I am, I will make my college football predictions right here each Friday. And, no 1-900 numbers to call. They're absolutely free!

In a tremendous show of confidence in my prognosticating ability, FanHouse executives decided to spot me with an imaginary $5,000 bankroll for the season. So each Friday, I'll pick a few games using my Monopoly money bankroll and at the end of the season we'll see if I'm either (a) a football-picking savant or (b) asking my imaginary friends for an imaginary loan.

Legal disclaimer: this is for entertainment -- or a poor attempt at entertainment -- purposes only. Please consult with a physician before taking Lexapro.

On to the games. Point spreads are from Wednesday's USA Today. Each pick is for $50, except for (let's hope it's) a $100 best bet.

SMU at Texas Tech. The Craig James Bowl kicks off on Sunday from Lubbock, Texas. James understandably will have mixed emotions in this one. James is a former SMU running back whose son Adam plays for Texas Tech. What? You haven't heard of Adam James, the Red Raiders' 10th-leading wide receiver last season? Where have you been living? In a shed? Tommy Tuberville wins his debut, but take the Mustangs +14.

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After loss to US, Slovenia tops Croatia (AP)

ISTANBUL (AP)?Uros Slokar and Jaka Lakovic scored 15 points each, and
Slovenia beat Croatia 91-84 on Monday in the group stage of the World
Championships.
Slovenia (2-1) took the lead for good on Miha Zupan?s 3-pointer with 6:33
remaining. Samo Udrih followed with a layup and Lakovic made a 3-pointer, making
it 77-71 with 5:04 remaining.


The Slovenians never let Croatia (1-2) get closer than four from there,
delighting their green-clad fans who chanted and danced throughout much of the
second half.
Every game in the first two days of Group B action had been decided by
double digits.
Phoenix guard Goran Dragic(notes) had 14 points and Bostjan Nachbar(notes) 11 for
Slovenia, which bounced back from its loss to the United States on Sunday.
Roko Ukic(notes) scored 20 points, and Marko Popovic and Marko Tomas added 17
apiece for Croatia, which shot 55 percent from 3-point range but only 15 of 26
from the foul line.










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Rob Dibble Fired by Nationals in Wake of Stephen Strasburg Comments

Filed under: Nationals, Sports Business and MediaFormer "Nasty Boy" Rob Dibble's comments about Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg were apparently too nasty for the club to handle, as it announced Wednesday that it had severed ties with the former Cincinnati Reds reliever.

Dibble, a color analyst on Nationals games, criticized Strasburg during his Sirius XM Radio show last month for not pitching while hurt, as the Washington rookie had two stints on the disabled list with arm ailments.

"So for me, a little bit has to be put back on Strasburg here," Dibble said. "OK, you throw a pitch, it bothers your arm, and you immediately call out the manager and the trainer? Suck it up, kid. This is your profession. You chose to be a baseball player. You can't have the cavalry come in and save your butt every time you feel a little stiff shoulder, sore elbow. ... Stop crying, go out there and pitch. Period."

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Rams don't expect to acquire Chargers holdout Jackson

The St. Louis Rams aren't pursuing San Diego Chargers holdout wide receiver Vincent Jackson, a league source said Thursday. The Rams had some contact with the Chargers regarding a possible trade for Jackson, but they aren't attempting to land him at this point and don't expect to acquire him, according to the source.

"There are too many moving parts," a Rams source said. "That's not something we're pursuing right now." A deal for Jackson would be complex because the Chargers are seeking a second-round draft pick, plus another selection, in return, according to the team source. Working out a new contract with Jackson also would be tricky. The Rams are in the market for a receiver after starter Donnie Avery tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last week during the team's third preseason game, ending his season. The source said he didn't expect the Chargers to trade Jackson anytime soon. He added that although the Rams hadn't been granted permission to speak with Jackson, had the team been of the mind a deal was close and it pushed for permission, St. Louis believes it would have been granted. The source said his impression was the Chargers would let certain teams negotiate with Jackson as long as San Diego approved of the destination. To this point, only the Seattle Seahawks have been granted permission to speak to Jackson. The Seahawks had only one preliminary talk with Jackson's agents a few weeks back and have not moved closer than that to a trade, according to league sources. The Chargers placed Jackson on the roster-exempt list, a designation that carries a three-game suspension. Jackson also has a league-mandated three-game suspension for violating the substance-abuse policy, which will be served beginning Week 1 regardless of his team or roster status. If Jackson has another alcohol-related offense, he could be suspended for an entire season. Jackson, who made the Pro Bowl last season after catching 68 passes for 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns, has been resolute all summer, saying last week that he is prepared to sit out the entire 2010 season if he doesn't receive a new deal.

Chicago Blackhawks Phil Jackson Charles Woodson Shaq

Aroldis Chapman Gets First Win, Lights Up Radar Gun Again

Filed under: RedsReds reliever Aroldis Chapman kicked things up a notch in his second major league appearance. The fireballing Cuban defector, who wowed fans in Cincinnati during his major league debut Tuesday by hitting 103 mph, picked up the first win of his career Wednesday.

He also pushed his velocity up to 104 mph twice, according to MLB.com's Pitch F/X readings.

Chapman entered the game in the seventh inning with the Reds down 1-0 to Milwaukee, and he dazzled again, throwing nine strikes in 11 pitches and fanning a pair of Brewers in a 1-2-3 frame.

Of those 11 offerings, seven were fastballs. Two came in at 104 mph, four at 102 and one at 99.

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After loss to US, Slovenia tops Croatia (AP)

ISTANBUL (AP)?Uros Slokar and Jaka Lakovic scored 15 points each, and
Slovenia beat Croatia 91-84 on Monday in the group stage of the World
Championships.
Slovenia (2-1) took the lead for good on Miha Zupan?s 3-pointer with 6:33
remaining. Samo Udrih followed with a layup and Lakovic made a 3-pointer, making
it 77-71 with 5:04 remaining.


The Slovenians never let Croatia (1-2) get closer than four from there,
delighting their green-clad fans who chanted and danced throughout much of the
second half.
Every game in the first two days of Group B action had been decided by
double digits.
Phoenix guard Goran Dragic(notes) had 14 points and Bostjan Nachbar(notes) 11 for
Slovenia, which bounced back from its loss to the United States on Sunday.
Roko Ukic(notes) scored 20 points, and Marko Popovic and Marko Tomas added 17
apiece for Croatia, which shot 55 percent from 3-point range but only 15 of 26
from the foul line.










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