Chatecke » There will be a strong Toronto connection

With less than one week to go until the March 5 NHL trade deadline, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger has the latest on Vancouvers Ryan Kesler, Buffalos Tyler Myers, and Ottawas Chris Phillips and offers some insight on their situations and potential trade status. We heard Ryan Kesler say on Thursday that theres nothing to the latest rumours that he has asked for a trade. So are we done with it, or is this a case where its "where theres smoke, theres fire?" Darren Dreger: There has to have been some level of dialogue between Ryan Kesler and the Vancouver Canucks, or the Canucks telling Kesler that they need to improve, they need to get younger, they need to add a bit more offensive punch. Theyre going to start sifting some names out there to rival teams and his name is going to be among them. Because heres what I know. I know that teams were contacted as far back as a month ago to say have a look at our roster. If there is a member of this organization that you want to take a run at then were listening, were open for business. And that includes Ryan Kesler. How realistic is it that he could be dealt by next Wednesdays deadline? Dreger: Its a complicated deal because Kesler is a valuable asset of the Vancouver Canucks. Hes got a contract that makes a lot of sense. Financially, he is sound. He is a bargain, frankly, as long as he plays up to his level of potential. But is it realistic? Yes, because of the interest that will be out there. There will be interest from so many different teams, and we know as I said earlier that the Canucks have reached out. But the Canucks need premium return to make this deal a reality and six days away from the trade deadline is not a lot of time to close on such a big deal. What are you hearing about two defencemen at opposite ends of their careers, 35-year-old Chris Phillips and 24-year-old Tyler Myers? Dreger: In terms of Phillips, theres a negotiation thats ongoing between the Ottawa Senators and Phillips to keep him a lifer in Ottawa. If that doesnt go well, if Phillips doesnt like the offer that has been presented, then Bryan Murray may have to make a very difficult decision. There would be interest in Chris Phillips, a veteran player, very sound defensively, maybe hes a good fit with the Boston Bruins. In terms of Myers, there is considerable interest according to sources close to the Buffalo Sabres. But GM Tim Murray isnt trying to push this guy out the door. Is he available? Is he interested in moving him? Yes he is. Were looking at Toronto as potentially a fit, as would be the Anaheim Ducks. And the Colorado Avalanche are definitely looking for a defenceman. So there will be options, but come ready to pay a premium. Victor Caratini Cubs Jersey . - Diego Fagundez scored his team-leading 13th goal of the season in the 76th minute to lift the Revolution to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Crew on Saturday night that kept New Englands playoff hopes alive. Jason Heyward Cubs Jersey . -- The Windsor Spitfires were left with just one goaltender Tuesday after having their starter walk out on them midway through Game 3 of their Ontario Hockey League playoff matchup with the London Knights. https://www.cheapcubs.com/760t-dave-kingman-jersey-cubs.html. TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted that its believed the Flames are working towards a new contract with the defenceman. Mark Grace Cubs Jersey . But qualifying for her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts after years of falling short in tough Manitoba provincial championships is as good as consolation prizes get for the 29-year-old from Winnipegs Fort Rouge Curling Club. Greg Maddux Cubs Jersey . Kelli Stack and Alex Carpenter also scored for the Americans, who avoided a repeat of Finlands upset at the Four Nations Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y., in November. Finnish goalie Noora Raty made 58 saves in that one, but the three-time Olympian could stop just 40 of 43 U.In 2013, it took Toronto FC 21 matches to earn just three wins. A year later and it is a very different story. Instead of starving the fans of success and making them wait until the end of July to reach that three victory mark, the Reds have managed to achieve it just four matches into the season. Heading into the year, expectations were high, driven by the star power that had been added in the offseason, but as Toronto sits second in the Eastern Conference heading into Saturdays home match against Colorado Rapids (live on TSN at 4pm ET) the story developing is showcasing the supporting cast as well as he big names. One of the big question marks around this team is whether there is enough depth to rely on within the squad when they lose their top players. Last Saturday in Columbus, there were plenty of players eager to prove that depth is there as the team had to face the Crew missing some key pieces including leading scorer Jermain Defoe and first choice central defensive pairing: Steven Caldwell and Doneil Henry. The win in Columbus probably told us more about the reality of Torontos playoff hopes than the previous wins against Seattle Sounders and DC United. Players such as Bradley Orr and Nick Hagglund made significant contributions, as did young Canadian midfielder Kyle Bekker. While Torontos post season ambitions will rest on the consistently high level performances of their big wage earners, having reliable options to call upon within the rest of the squad will also be extremely significant. So in Columbus, it was three points that certainly werent expected. It was a win that proved the new look TFC has the potential to be about more than just the stars. Defoe remains a major doubt for the match against Colorado with the hamstring injury that forced him off in the second half of the 3-0 loss at Real Salt Lake, but Ryan Nelsens men have already shown they can win without the England international. They will however be desperate to have Michael Bradley available. The United States international has been magnificent through his first four games with the team. He has missed training this week but is expected to be ready to face the Rapids.dddddddddddd Bradley is the heartbeat of Nelsens team. He scored the opening goal in Columbus a week ago, but his performances so far have been of a consistently high standard, driving the team forward from midfield. While everyone has played a part in the excellent start to the season, Bradley has been the key to success. Rapid Response Toronto FC certainly have history on their side heading into Saturdays match. Colorado have visited BMO Field on seven occasions and only won once. However, that match was the most important of them all, beating FC Dallas in extra time to win MLS Cup in 2010. When playing Toronto FC, the Rapids have lost all six. This is the second of back-to-back games for Colorado in Canada and they arrive in Toronto in a confident mood off the back of a 2-1 win against the Whitecaps in Vancouver a week ago. The Rapids were fortunate to see the sending off of Whitecaps midfielder Matias Laba turn the game in their favour, but they took full advantage to gain all three points at BC Place. The Rapids were undermanned in Vancouver with four-goal Vincente Sanchez and Edson Buddle missing the trip because they didnt want to play on turf, plus defender Marvell Wynne who was suspended. Despite the absences of key players, they were well organized against the Caps, led by their Spanish midfielder Jose Mari. He scored both goals, but his play throughout was very good, and his passing was exceptional with a 95% success rate. Colorado are yet to lose away from home this season, with a tie at New York to open the season and last weeks win in the Pacific Northwest. There will be a strong Toronto connection within the Rapids squad with four players having previously pulled on the Reds jersey, Wynne, Buddle, Nathan Sturgis and Nick LaBrocca. As they return, they will find a club far different from the one they experienced during their time in Toronto. Ryan Nelsens squad has proved it has the ability to grind out results at home or on the road, something we havent seen from a TFC team for a very long time. ' ' '