Kathrynpires2015
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| ing to trade me so I was kind |
| TORONTO - The backwards Toronto Marlies hat on Brandon Kozuns head told a story of where he came from and where he seemed likely to go at some point during training camp.But this was the morning of the final pre-season game and Kozun was sitting at his locker at Air Canada Centre, not Ricoh Coliseum down the street. He was squished in next to the goaltenders, but most importantly he was still in camp with the Maple Leafs.I must be doing something right to still be here, the unassuming five-foot-eight winger said Saturday.Even after capping his standout pre-season with a three-point effort a night earlier, Kozun said he didnt wasnt going to celebrate yet. After all, the opening-night roster doesnt have to be finalized until Tuesday afternoon, but all indications are the 24-year-old hasnt just made the Leafs but could have a prominent role to start the season.Kozun practised on the second line Saturday alongside Joffrey Lupul and Nazem Kadri, and even if hes not there when the NHL regular season begins Wednesday night against the Montreal Canadiens, he can be expected to kill penalties and play some decent minutes.Hes a young player just trying to earn an opportunity to play in the NHL every day, start in the NHL, coach Randy Carlyle said. Hes never done this before.Three weeks ago, Kozun looked like an afterthought, a potential top-six forward in the minors and maybe a call-up down the line. It didnt appear that he had a legitimate chance to make the 23-man roster, but the mind of a pro athlete cant function like that.If you come into a camp with the thought that you have no chance, youre not going to make it, Kozun said. Theres something to be said about positive thinking. It wasnt really about making the roster as it was to try and just improve every day.Kozun did have a leg up because Carlyle remembered watching him last season with the Marlies.He was the player that stood out the most, Carlyle said. It was easy to see his skill-set and his speed because he was a guy that was on the puck and hes transferred that to pre-season and our training camp here.At times in exhibition games it has looked like the puck is magnetically attracted to Kozun. Part of that is the instinct to be in the right place at the right time and another is his speed a€” a quick first step and a burst beyond.He flies up and down the ice, said James van Riemsdyk, who played with Kozun on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings. He makes a lot happen with his speed out there. You see him a couple times, especially on the penalty kill and hes disrupting their breakout and drawing things and making things happen.Kozun acknowledges he has had a longer road than some other guys to get to the NHL. Born in Los Angeles, Kozun began playing hockey when he was three and moved to Calgary with his family when he was 10.Born to a Canadian mother and American father, Kozun chose to play internationally for Canada and won a silver medal at the 2010 world junior championship.I felt like the bulk of my developing came in Canada, Kozun said. I moved to Canada when I was 10 years old, its a pretty young age. When you grow up from 10 on, thats a bulk of your years. I think my mom kind of raised us a bit more Canadian than American.Kozun played for the WHLs Calgary Hitmen and was a sixth-round pick of the Kings in 2009. He played three full seasons in the AHL with the Manchester Monarchs before a trade to the Leafs in January.Its not the easiest thing when youre in the minors for four years and maybe you start to doubt it a little bit when you see other guys that are younger than you getting called up and all that, Kozun said. I think when I first came out of junior I was pretty offensive-heavy. Maybe at that point I thought I was ready, but youre naive. As you get older I think you mature as a person and as a player.That was the big thing for me: Just learning to be a complete player and learning to be a pro.Kozun thinks the time in the minors and the adversity made him a better player.If it werent for that, I wouldnt be who I am today, he said.What Kozun is today is an NHL player. But the rest of the roster remains in flux because of an uncertain injury picture.Centre Tyler Bozak (lower-body injury), winger Josh Leivo (bruised foot) and defenceman Cody Franson (bruised knee) missed Saturdays practice, and star winger Phil Kessel (lower-body injury) left after roughly 15 minutes. Franson skated for a bit at the end and voiced optimism about being ready for Wednesday, but Carlyle didnt finalize anything regarding the status of any of the injured players.I still think we have a couple days before we make that final assessment on everybody, Carlyle said.A handful of jobs could be determined by those injuries, as bubble players like forwards Matt Frattin, Carter Ashton, Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren and defencemen Stuart Percy and Korbinian Holzer await news. Percy looks like a good bet to make it no matter what.Leivos health could factor into where Kozun plays, but just being in the picture has made it a successful camp for him.Hes been noticeable, Carlyle said of Kozun. Weve got lots of decisions to make and theres bodies to fill in and Kozys made it a lot easier to make some decisions.---Follow @SWhyno on Twitter Nike Roshe Run Women Black Sale . -- Zach Johnson asked his short-iron approach on the par-4 18th to "Do something right, baby. Nike Roshe Run On Sale . — Sarah Lyall (@sarahlyall) August 7, 2014 If you dont know anybody at an event, talk to the person standing alone. http://www.buyairmax90uk.com/nike-air-max-90-white-ai-12/. The Norwegian star closed with a 3-under 69 for a five-stroke victory over Solheim Cup teammate Azahara Munoz. Pettersen finished at 9-under 279 and earned $300,000 for her 14th LPGA Tour title. Cheap Nike Air Max 90 Shoes . -- Salvador Perez homered early, then drove in the tiebreaking run in the eighth and the Kansas City Royals ended their seven-game losing streak on Sunday, rebounding for a 6-4 victory after blowing a 4-0 lead against Washington. Nike Air Max 90 Floral . The word is out: theyre not to be taken lightly. Now, its not just that theyre winning, but its how theyre winning and who theyre beating that has put Toronto back on the NBA radar.With less than a week until the NHL Trade Deadline, check out the latest trade-related reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. Waiting Last Minute As per Arthur Staple of Newsday, barring a cant refuse offer from anyone in the next few days, New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow will go as close to the 3pm et deadline on Wednesday as possible to entice better offers for both Thomas Vanek and Andrew MacDonald. He adds that as games go on through the weekend, the number of suitors for MacDonald could go up. Staple also writes that the Islanders have no intention of trading goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. High Asking Price Chris Botta of The New York Times adds that the Islanders are asking for a first-round pick for MacDonald. He adds that theres a lot of interest in MacDonald, but CSNNE.com adds that such a demand is too much for the Boston Bruins, who are reportedly looking for a blueliner. Interest In Stewart? According to Bruce Garrioch of The Ottawa Sun, the Senators have an interest in St. Louis Blues winger Chris Stewart. Garrioch adds that Stewart could be part of a deal with the New York Rangers if the Blues are interested in Ryan Callahan. Staying The Course Larry Brooks of The New York Post writes that Rangers general manager Glen Sather and his front office are devoting their attention to evaluating personnel who might become available in trades for Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi, with no progress made toward signing them to contract extensions. No Ones Business As Rich Chere of The Star-Ledger writes, no one should expect New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur to announce publicly that he wants to be traded. Brodeur explained to Chere that he wont even wont say so unless a deal actually happens - and he hasnt even discussed the situation with general manager Lou Lamoriello.dddddddddddd "Oh, no. Its not going to be like that. I dont think so, anyway," Brodeur told the paper. "Its nobody elses business but mine as for the direction I want to go. "Its been tough because you go through ups and downs. The more questions Im asked, sometimes my answers change. Thats why in the last few weeks Ive been more quiet about it. Its on purpose, because I want to make sure my decision is an educated decision and there are no influences from the outside. Show up Thursday and youll know if Im on the plane to Detroit (where the Devils play Friday)." Chere also writes that Jaromir Jagr, who doesnt have a no-trade clause, hasnt spoken to Lamoriello about a trade option. "The one thing that is good about this team is we dont have much media coverage," Jagr told Chere. "Less media, less rumors and less trade rumors. I havent even heard any rumors. "Hey, Ive been traded twice during the season. From Dallas to Boston and to New York from Washington. Going to the Rangers from Washington, they told me they were tryof expecting it. The last one, Dallas to Boston, I was surprised. For me its easier than somebody with a big family. I pack my stuff and go, if something happens. Or not go." No Change Of Heart Katie Carrera of The Washington Post reports that, to little surprise, Capitals forward Martin Erat is still looking to get out. Erat, back from representing the Czech Republic in the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, said Wednesday he still wants the Capitals to trade him but declined to elaborate further. Capitals GM George McPhee said earlier this week that he planned to approach Erat again but didnt expect him to change of mind. Cheap Jerseys nfl jerseys cheap authentic wholesale jerseys jerseys from china authentic Cheap Jerseys wholesale stitched jerseys ' ' ' |
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posted on: 11/20/2015 05:58:17 AM
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