ST. PAUL, Minn. - Thomas Vanek had Minnesota high on his list from the start. Hes not the first NHL free agent to do so, and the way the Wild have been progressing he probably wont be the last. Vanek agreed Tuesday to a three-year, $19.5 million contract, giving an improving lineup a potentially prolific scorer and allowing the Austrian-born left wing to settle in an area he has made his home since college. Two summers ago, the Wild turned heads by landing left wing Zach Parise and defenceman Ryan Suter. Now theyve added another top-market free agent in Vanek, whose 277 goals are the eighth-most in the NHL since his debut nine years ago. "What intrigued me the most was obviously with Zach signing here and Suter signing here, this team is getting really good and is very good," Vanek said, adding: "Im extremely thrilled to be a part of the Wild and of a group like this." According to a person with knowledge of the contract who spoke to on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce the value, Vanek will make $5.5 million this season, $6.5 million in 2014-15 and $7.5 million in 2015-16. Vanek lives with his family in Stillwater, an idyllic riverfront suburb a few miles from Xcel Energy Center. He played two seasons at the University of Minnesota before turning pro with Buffalo and called winning the national championship with the Gophers the "best thing" hes done in his hockey career. "To be a part of the Wild now and go after the big prize and having a chance to do it in Minnesota is beyond my wildest dreams," Vanek said. Vanek was the fifth overall pick by the Sabres in 2003. He had two 40-goal seasons for them, but last fall he was traded to the New York Islanders, who later dealt him to Montreal. He totalled 27 goals over 78 games with the three teams. In the playoffs with the Canadiens, he had five goals and five assists in 17 games. Vaneks production slipped at times this season, and he was even benched briefly during the post-season, but the Wild werent deterred. "It certainly wasnt my best one I can tell you that. But Ill take the blame for that," Vanek said. "Its not always easy moving around and being away from my family." Vanek will play on either the first or second line, with some combination of Parise, Jason Pominville, Charlie Coyle, Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund likely filling the other top five forward spots. Vaneks 113 power-play goals since his 2005-06 rookie season are the third-most in the NHL in that span. The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Vanek has the type of finishing ability around the net the Wild have lacked. "Theres no question that we do have some skill, but we dont score goals easily," coach Mike Yeo said. Vanek turned down seven-year offers, including from the Islanders. When Pominville was traded to the Wild last year, Vanek was the one who encouraged his long-time Sabres teammate. "He loved Buffalo a lot, which I did too," Vanek said. "But I told him, Youll like it there. Theres a lot of good fans. And after a week or so, he called me and said, You know what? Youre right. I do like it here a lot." Unlike in the other major pro sports, Minnesota can be a destination market in the NHL because of its hockey roots. The addition of Parise and Suter and the Wilds advancement to the Western Conference semifinals this spring were further steps toward NHL prominence. "People recognize the talent that you have. So were getting better. Were in a good place," general manager Chuck Fletcher said. Defenceman Clayton Stoner (Anaheim), left wing Matt Moulson (Buffalo) and centre Cody McCormick (Buffalo) departed the Wild as unrestricted free agents. Others in that category not expected back are left wing Dany Heatley and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov. Defenceman Nate Prosser could return for the right price. The Wild also signed defenceman Stu Bickel (one year) and centre Brett Sutter (two years) to two-way contracts, adding depth with players wholl likely bounce between AHL affiliate Iowa and the parent club. The 27-year-old Sutter, the son of Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter, has played in 54 career NHL games with Calgary and Carolina. Bickel, a native of Chanhassen who played one season for the Gophers, played in 67 games for the New York Rangers over a two-year span. He spent last season in the AHL. ___ AP Sports Writer John Wawrow in Buffalo, New York, contributed to this report.
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http://www.steelerspronfl.com/Youth-Art ... te-Jersey/. New York secured second place in the Metropolitan Division when the Philadelphia Flyers lost at Tampa Bay later Thursday. The Rangers will face either the Flyers or Columbus in the opening round of the post-season. The Rangers struggled throughout against the lowly Sabres and goalie Matt Hackett, who played in just his seventh NHL game of the season.
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Carnell Lake Jersey .A. Dickey, even though he was coming off a Cy Young Award in 2012. Many felt the Jays would regret giving up righthanded pitcher prospect Noah Syndergaard and catcher Travis DArnaud over the long haul.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Rashad Jennings recognized Friday how easy it would be for him to beg out of Sundays game against the 2-10 Titans.The ankle sprain he incurred last week in Jacksonville has already rendered him questionable and a game-time decision.Instead, he said he plans to lobby the coaching staff to allow him to resume his starting running back duties, not because the Giants season has any tangible meaning left, but because there are lessons to teach. To Jennings, finishing a season the right way is important, even one so devoid of hope as the current 3-9 debacle.Were still playing for so much, said Jennings, who took part in limited practice with his right ankle taped after sitting out the first two days. Everybodys playing for so much. Critiquing ourselves, getting better, creating building blocks, showing the younger guys how to finish.I always say nobodys forcing me to do this. I could walk right out of here, get in my car and go home. But I love this sport. I love this game.Jennings, the Giants rushing leader with 598 yards and four touchdowns on 154 carries, owns a 3.9-yard average. That represents a full yard more than the 2.9 his backup Andre Williams has in 134 carries, including during five starting assignments while Jennings recovered from a midseason MCL strain.The Giants rank 22nd in the league in rushing offence.Between that and his injuries, 2014 has not been the kind of season the 6-foot-1, 234-pound Jennings expected. The former Jaguar and Raider signed a four-year, $10 million free agent deal this off-season.But he said he has a chance to finish strong, providing the medical staff clears him.It matters how you finish, Jennings said. It matters because it sets a precedent for next year.We knew last week we werent going into the playoffs. Were playing for pride, playing for the man beside you, playing because its a privilege. This is our resume.The act of finishing has not been one of the Giants strong points this year. In fact, the last four games of November saw fourth-quarter collapses that stretched a losing streak to seven games and put Tom Coughlin squarely on the coaching hot seat.All Jennings can do now is improve his statistics and help his rookie backup, Williams, become a better player.Me and Shad talk every day and we watch the film and he shares his wisdom with me, said Williams. Thats the goal from the beginning, to finish, because thats the point. I certainly believe in that.dddddddddddd I feel like, even though the record doesnt show it, I grew from the season and learned things about the game.Williams might have another chance to grow. If Jennings cant make it, Williams will start and Tulane rookie Orleans Darkwa, picked up from the Dolphins practice squad Nov. 12, will become the primary backup. Darkwa could come in for third-down pass blocking.Hes doing well. Hes had a full week of practice in that role, Coughlin said.Regardless if it is Jennings, Williams or Darkwa running the ball, Jennings wants to see an end to the current cycle. Hed like to be part of some improvement, pain or not.It matters how you finish, Jennings said. Andre and all the other running backs, just teach them how to finish. We watch the film, theres a lot of self-inflicted wounds. So my mindset is to be able to change the culture for next year.Finish strong.NOTES: LB Jacquian Williams (concussion) and T James Brewer were ruled out. Brewer missed the entire week of practice, and Jennings missed two of the three days. . Coughlin was noncommittal when asked about shutting down Williams for the season because of repeated concussion symptoms. I dont know, he said. But hes a long way into (the protocol). Hes in his third week. Williams returned to practice Wednesday, only to miss Thursday and Friday when headaches forced him back into the concussion protocol. The symptoms have to be cleared up before theres any opportunity there, Coughlin said. If hes in a position where he feels good and then he doesnt feel good, the clock begins again there.. LB Mark Herzlich (concussion) is questionable after returning to limited practice Friday. LB Jameel McClain (knee), WR Preston Parker (knee), DT Cullen Jenkins (calf), CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (back/shoulder), and T Justin Pugh (quad) are probable. . McClain said rattling Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger will not be easy because of the rookies innate poise. Hes pretty good in the pocket against pressure for a rookie, McClain said. Hes pretty accurate, and thats impressive to me. You dont see too many rookies going out there and doing the things hes doing. Since making his first start Oct. 26 in place of Charlie Whitehurst, Mettenberger has gone 93 of 155 for 1,287 yards with eight touchdowns and six interceptions. He ranks as the top rookie quarterback with an 87.8 passer rating.___AP NFL website:
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