Canucks brass announced the Roberto Luongo signing early Wednesday morning, that would see the 30 year-old earning $64 million over 12 years. Which would have if all goes to “paper”, Luongo, play through the 2021-22 season carrying an annual cap hit of $5.33 million to Vancouver.

Even though Luongo would be the starting goalie for the Canucks into his 40′s, General Manager Mike Gillis is confident that his play will not slip with age. “We didn’t have any of the discomfort that we would have had with a skating defencemen or forward.”

“We saw two 40-year-old goalies playing in the league this past year,” said Gillis. “Dominik Hasek was a dominant goalie into his late 30s and early 40s. Johnny Bower a long time ago, there’s lots of precedent at this position.”

Luongo had originally set a deadline of Sept. 13 to complete the deal, so that at the start of training camp he could set aside the distractions of negotiations, and focus on the team. However it didn’t take too long for two sides to come to an agreement, and the feeling for both parties couldn’t be more mutual.

Gillis spoke on behalf of the orginization and the city when he said, “Today is a very exciting day for the Canucks organization. Roberto Luongo is the leader of our hockey team; he is in the prime of his playing career and has a tremendous desire to make the Canucks a championship team. His leadership, competitiveness and character are what this team will represent for many years to come.” And Luongo, he of a new $64 million price-tag said, ”I’m very excited. We love Vancouver and I think the organization has handled us really well and this gives us a chance to win, so we’re really ecstatic.”

When his contract with the Canucks comes to a close, Roberto Luongo will be 43 and stopping–pucks that is, unless he decides to retire before that. Luongo joked, “Chelly’s doing it, I don’t see why I can’t,” alluding to the 47 year old Chris Chelios who played in Detroit last year with the Red Wings. He did however, answer seriously and said “As long as my body keeps telling me I can play, I’ll be in the pipes.”

This past season, Luongo was held to only 54 appearences due to injury, but still went 33-13-7, with 9 shutouts and a 2.34 goals against average. He is expected to be competing with Martin Brodeur, the most winningest goaltender in NHL history, for the starting position on team Canada’s Men’s Olympic Hockey Team.

“He’s the face of the organization, he’s our captain and we think he’s the most dominant player in his position in the league right now” said Mike Gillis, when speaking of Roberto Luongo.

Head Coach Todd McLellan said Teusday that “As of now, nobody is our captain.”

Patrick Marleau was last year’s captain in San Jose, coming off his fifth year and fourth season as the Shark’s leader. Over the last few seasons, he has been repeatedly criticized for his team’s early exits in the post-season and his leadership on and off the ice, something that McLellan does not put entirely on Marleau’s shoulders. “It’s a collective thing,” said McLellan, “and it starts with me.”

As for the assistant captains for the 2008-9 season, Joe Thorton led the team with 86 points, 25 of them goals last year, but didn’t continue his play in the playoffs. And Mike Grier, who also served as an assistant, landed a one-year contract in Buffalo via free agency.

With training camp scheduled just weeks away, McLellan wants to head into September to see which players step up and be the team’s leaders as the season starts to get underway. McLellan also left the door open for his former captain Malreau to earn back his title.

McLellan, after  deciding that the Sharks need to re-establish who their captain and assistants are, has since said that,”I want to see who’s stepping up to the front. We’ll see as it evolves. I can walk around town and everybody’s giving me a suggestion. We can talk about it iternally-everybody has an opinion. I believe it’ll sort itself out.”

Last year following a presidents trophy, San Jose was ousted from the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the underdog Anahiem Ducks. A sight San Jose fans know all to well. The Sharks have not advanced past the Western Conference semi finals in four straight years, and couldn’t make it through the Western Conference quarterfinals last year, a seemingly step back from already dissapointing playoff campaigns.

There have been many trade rumours which have Marleau changing sceneries, and San Jose adopting a new culture within the dressingroom, but Marleau holds a no-trade clause in his contract that has him playing in the “Shark Tank” for one more year.

If the all time Sharks leader in points (Marleau) sees himself donning the only uniform he has ever worn past next year, it would be in his best interest to earn back his captaincy. That at least would settle the constant trade speculation, and perhaps help him work his way out of the fans and organizations doghouse.

In an interview, Glass said that he plans to sit down and discuss the team’s performance thus far with Team President Dan Glass and General Manager Dayton Moore.

An area of critisism within the orginization lies with Manager Trey Hillman, who has fallen out of favour with the fans and media while the team has slumped. Owner Glass says that although he has not yet considered making a change in the Manager position, Hillman’s performance will be examined during his talks.

“I’m going to have to sit down with Dayton and Dan and get their views”, Glass said. “It’s Dayton’s call. I have confidence in him and his judgement. So Dan and I will sit down with Dayton and we’ll work through all of this and see what we need to do as far as turning this thing around.”

Heading into the season this organization had high excpectations, and were thought to compete for the American League Central. However, the team finds themselves owning the second worse record in the majors heading into Detroit for a weekend series, ultimately prompting Owner Glass to get involved.

In a statement Glass said that, “It’s been a dissapointing season to date for all of us. And we’ve have more than our share of injuries. But everyone has injuries and you just have to get past that and compensate in other ways.”

Centre-fielder Coco Crisp, third baseman Alex Gordon, and Royals player of the year shortstop Mike Aviles have been out of the line-up for all or much of the season due to ailments. To make matters worse, right-fielder Jose Guillen has been placed on the disabled list and could be out for the rest of the year.

Glass also said that because the Royals only have so much team generated revenue coming in, being where they are in the United States, it is hard to afford premier replacments for the starters that have fallen out of the line-up.

“One of the problems with smaller markets is you don’t have the depth that some large-market teams have. But still, it’s professional baseball and you need to perform.”

Glass did make it clear that the entire orginization from top to bottom is devoted in their efforts to return as a successful squad.

“I will tell you this–I’m unwavering and the orginization is unwavering in our commitment to having a competative team in Kansas City.”

With that in mind, the Nationals would have offered Strasburg a Major League Baseball contract worth more than what was given to pitcher Mark Prior, who was signed by the Chicago Cubs after they drafted him second overall in 2001. Prior was signed to a US $10.5 million deal, which is the highest salary that has ever been awarded to a first year player. Kasten kept the actual terms of the offer undisclosed, and declined to comment if any counter offers were made by Strasburg’s agent Scott Boras. He did say that, “With 48 hours to go, I simply have no idea whether we’re going to be able to reach a deal.”

There was a meeting in California a week and a half ago between the two sides that included Strasburg, Boras, Kasten, Nationals acting general manager Mike Rizzo and team owners Ted and Mark Lerner.

Kasten, for his part reiterated that the team is still fully committed to Strasburg and respects that he has up until the deadline to come to a decision. “This kid is so impressive. We have nothing but the highest regard for him. If he wants to come and begin his career right now — and do so with the largest contract ever given to any drafted player in the history of Major League Baseball — we can help him accomplish that. But if this is more about changing the whole way an industry does business, then we won’t be able to reach a deal.”

As for Boras, Kasten didn’t have so many kind words to say about his approach to negotiations. He thinks that Boras is ”advocating a new methodology for evaluating draft picks”.

In the case that the Nationals do not sign Strasburg, it would be step back for a franchise that is trying to re-build. Last year the Nationals lost 102 contests, and ended up in last place in the Majors. That’s why they were awarded the first pick in last year’s amateur draft. The Nationals are on pace to finish the year with another 100 losses, and sit in last place.  To add insult to injury, Washington has lost its rookie starter in Jordan Zimmerman because of a torn elbow ligament–he is excpected to be sidelined for at least a year. 

Washington made their last ditch effort to sign Strasburg, having put forth a scenario in which he would be in the Majors as early as opening day next season if he signs before the deadline.

To the Nationals, Kasten explained, ”we think he’s not just a draft pick — we think he’s a special player, which is why we extended ourselves as much as we did, and will continue to entertain any other issues or concerns he might have in order to get him signed.”

Boras is representing the top three players taken in this years draft. All of his clients are unsigned up to this point in time.

If the Nationals cannot come to an agreement with Strasburg, then he will be put back into the 2010 draft and Washington would be given the No.2 pick in the 2010 draft as compensation.

James made his strongest comments yet in his hometown while attending the premier of  the Nike Air Max LeBron VII, the newest shoes in his exclusive brand. Despite the event intending to promote the sneakers, most people couldn’t help but wonder how negotiations between himself and the Cavaliers were going, and used the oppurtunity to ask questions. For all intents and purposes, LeBron confirmed that he will hold out so that he can control his future and explore every opportuinity. “I signed a contract in 2006 with an option, and it would make no sense for me to sign that contract if I didn’t keep my options open”, he explained. “I’ll let you fill in the blanks”.

On July 18th, the NBA’s reigning MVP was offered a contract extension. It is thought that the team offered him the leauge’s maximum player salary for up to three years. James will have up to July 30th of 2010 to way out the proposal.  

James’ contract has a clause that could allow him the choice to extend his current deal one more year through the 2010-11 campaign. The one year extension would see James getting a raise, earning $17.1 million US, which would be a raise of $1.4 million from his current $15.7 million contract.

Nonetheless, James does not appear as though he is close to inking an extension or picking up his one year option clause worth over $17 million any time soon.

LeBron says that,  his agent, Leon Rose, along with Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry have had a “great conversation”. As far as Ownership goes, James has appreciated the effort of Dan Gilbert, who is doing his part in making the Cavaliers a winning franchise. One of his latest moves has been the addition of Shaquille O’Neal, an all-star calibre centre who is cause for excitment in the eyes of LeBron James, who had this to say about his new teammate. “To get the opportunity to play with one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game, that’s the fun part for me. I’m humbled by that.”

LeBron is in a very much alike situation this time around with the Cavaliers, as he was in 2006 when he wasn’t sure if he should sign with Cleveland or not. In spite of his uncertainty, James insists that he enjoys playing in Cleveland and does not see his contract situation becoming a distraction for him. He would just prefer to see how the season plays out before making any commitments.

Despite that, FIFA officials remain committed to South Africa, and are confident that it will be succsessful. According to Blatter, “Plan A…Plan B…Plan C is that the 2010 World Cup will be staged in South Africa”. He did, however, admit that there is a contingency plan, which in the event of a “natural catastrophe”, would see the tournament be played elsewhere. Soccer fans will just have to wait to find out if the tournament will be hosted in another country or not. The fact of the matter is, rumours will continue, contrary to popular belief or not, like they have for the past four years.

Among of things, the primary concern is that South Africa will not be prepared in time for the event; planning and orginization are the most worriesome. Former sweeper and current German Soccer Coach, Franz Beckenbauer, and undisclosed FIFA excecutives are also reportedly unsure as to South Africa`s preparations. On the other hand, with that being said, South Africa`s very own Deputy Finance Minister, Jabu Moleketi, strongly disagrees with all the critisism that has been directed at his country. His theory is that global cynicism is directed towards Africa, and that`s why so much has been made over the preparations for the World Cup.

Other controversies include impoverished South Africans. It is thought  that they are being thrown out of residential areas in order to clean up the city so that it is more attractive to tourists. The  KwaZulu-Natal government`s “Slums Act” was challenged in the court of law. The act is meant to reduce street dwellers by putting them into transit camps by 2010. Of all the adversity that South Africa is going through, nothing has been critisized more than the scandal in the city of Cape Town. There is a project taking place called the “N2 Gateway”. The project would see 20,000 residents from their informal settlement of Joe Slovo having to move, and make way to rental homes and apartments. Those, of course, would also be for the tourists come 2010. As for the 20,000 South Africans who are being evicted, they will find refuge in Delft, a very poor town just outside the city.

In all likelihood, the 19th World Cup Championships will take place, for the first time, in an African nation. But, in the case of a “natural catastrophe”, suppose the tournament is delayed; at least international sport fans will be able to reminisce about the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. If that were the case, for the first time in a long time, winter will be longed for, and summer would be long.

Sources available upon request.

Even Doctor James Andrews, who completed Favres surgery, said, “He wants to play, and he wants to play for the Minnesota Vikings”. If Favre’s arm continues to hold up, Andrews thinks that Favre`s shoulder will make a full recovery. To add fuel to the fire, word has it that Brett and Deanna Favre have put a $30,000 downpayment on a condo in Minnesota. Meanwhile, even outside of Minnesota, wheels are in motion as Eric Sugarman, a Viking’s trainer, has visited Favre in his hometown state of Mississipi, in order to help Favre rehabilitate.The final report that is swirling around is an inticing offer, but again is a rumour. Apparently, the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff has agreed to change 40% of their offensive playbook in order to persuade Favre to play at least one last year, and avoid retiring.

Favre, 39, a product of Mississippi, was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons 33rd overall in the 1991 NFL draft. At the end of just one season with the Falcons, Favre was traded to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for the 19th pick in the 1992 draft. He then went on to become the starting quarterback for the Packers until his infamous retirement in 2008. It was later that same year, be that as it may, that Favre announced his desire to return to the NFL. He was traded to the New York Jets, and continued his career there for another year before informing Jets management that he was planning on retiring again.

Perhaps the greatest quarterback in NFL history, Favre rewrote history during his 17-year career, setting record-breaking statistics along the way. Should Favre opt to play for another year, he would also pad stats, which are already  NFL records, including: career touchdown passes (464), career passing yards (65,127), career pass completions (5,720), career pass attempts (9,280), career interceptions thrown (310), consecutive starts among NFL quarterbacks (269; 291 total starts including playoffs), and career victories as a starting quarterback (169). All of the aforementioned numbers have yet to be contested. Farve also is the only NFL player to have won three consecutive MVP rewards in campaigns between the 1995-1997 seasons. While he was taking snaps in Green Bay, Farve drove his team to 7 division championships, and four NFC championship games. Favre won one of two Super Bowl appearances with the Packers (Super Bowl XXXI).

 As of right now, the Farve rumours are all up in the air, and it is anyone`s best guess as to what he might do. If he does choose to return for the year, it is believed that it would be his last. However, you never know with Farve, as he has contemplated retirement for some time, and is attempting a return after retiring twice. 

Sources upon request. 

Even before the end of last year’s season, teams like the New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lighting, Colorado Avalanche, Atlanta Thrashers and Los Angeles Kings began to plan for the future, after all respectively were eliminated from playoff contention. Nine other teams joined them shortly after as the playoffs began. Because the Islanders had a finished with a league worst 26-47-9 record, they had a 25% chance at winning the lottery and retaining the first overall pick, and they did receive it. Garth Snow, the General Manager of the New York Islanders, following the lottery would not announce his strategy heading into the NHL draft, most likely in attempt to build hype throughout  Uniondale. Such a city once boasted a dynasty in the early 1980’s, that won four consecutive Stanley cup championships. However, as of late, the Islanders are a floundering team that has been among the bottom feeders in back-to-back years. While Garth Snow may have been mulling over his decision on whether to draft John Tavares, Victor Hedman, or Matt Duchene, the fans of the Islanders might as well have been the one’s to come up to the podium. Regardless of what was right for the club, the fans had not shown this much emotion in a long time, rallying and protesting that the only candidate to fill the number one pick would be Tavares. Immediately following the selection of John Tavares of the Brampton Battalion, ticket sales department had seen a 300% increase in what it was last year at the same. The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum also is set to renew 90% of their season’s tickets from last year. For a eighteen year old, John Tavares faces a lot of pressure from a franchise that has not advanced past the first round of the playoffs in sixteen years. He does nonetheless, join a crop of good young talent in the form of Kyle Okopso and Josh Baily, who were New York’s pervious first round selections . John Tavares, along with some of the higher draft selections are deemed NHL ready by inpatient fans, and it doesn’t appear as though you could argue that Tavares isn’t prepared. He does hold the Ontario Hockey Leagues all-time record in goals, with 215. The Tampa Bay Lightning, five years removed from the Stanley Cup championship find themselves selecting second overall in this years draft, and in the top two picks in back to back years. It was a year ago that Steven Stamkos was selected first overall by the Lightning, and now this year Victor Hedman, the swedish superstar, is Tampa’s first pick, second overall. The 6’6, 217 pound Swede has already drawn comparisons to Chris Pronger, and he is the first piece to re-building the Lighting’s blueline. Hedmans background only helps him when you think of where he has been developing over the past years. Born and raised in Ornskolsvik , Sweden, population of about 55,000, Victor has grown and matured in the same enviroment that produced Peter Forsberg, Hendrik and Daniel Sedin, and Markus Naslund. When asked about his immediate future, the defencemen responded he’d see it as his “excpectation to make the team right away”, and his coach Rick Tocchet seemed to be looking forward to activating Hedman as quickly as next fall as well. “When you have a 6’6 defenseman”, Tocchet explained, “who can skate with a long reach, it’s a premium in the NHL. It’s something we’re excited about”. As for Colorado, and a new General Manager, Greg Sherman, the last time they selected in the top 3, was way back in 1991, while the franchise was in Quebec. Eric Lindros was chosen by the Quebec Nordiques, but refused to don their sweater. He alluded to the appeal of the market. One he thought was less than intriguing to say the least, being French-Canadian and all. Eighteen years later, and the storyline couldn’t be any different as Matt Duchene, who grew up a passionate Avalanche fan, was drafted by Colorado. Earlier in the year while touring the Pepsi Centre and visiting Avalanche long-time captain, Joe Sakic’s stall, Duchene expressed his thrill in the potential of joining the squad. He called the presence of his once hero’s locker room, “surreal”, and said it was “amazing to be here”. “I can’t believe it, walking in here and seeing all the pictures of all those guys I grew up watching.” Being Colorado’s highest selection since moving to the Mile High City, Duchene recognizes he’s lucky to have had the opportunity to come to Colorado, having been such a successful organization in the past. Don Waddell’s Atlanta Thrashers, who had possession of the next selection, attained Evander Kane. Kane’s impressive resume included a gold medal at the under-18 world junior championships. The seventeen year old, a veteran in the Western Hockey League, dressed in 134 contests with the Vancouver Giants. All the while posting 73 goals and 65 assists, totalling just over a point a game at 138, and a  plus- rating of 73. With all that being said, the fourth overall pick sees himself as a “goal scorer” and elaborated by commenting, “I like to score goals and, uh that’s what I do best. I also like to bring a physical element to my game, and try to be a complete player”. Touted as the best power forward in the draft, Kane is thought to be capable of making an immediate impact for the Thrashers. Rounding out the top five is Los Angeles, and much to the chagrin of Brian Burke, Brayden Schenn is headed to the Kings. Having older brother Luke, and after not being able to swing a deal with the Islanders to draft Tavares, Burke, set his sights on uniting the Schenn’s in Leaf land. However, Dean Lombardi, of the L.A. Kings, similar to other managers declined to trade down to facilitate Burke’s wishes. Ed McGuire, Director of NHL Scouting say’s that “Brayden Schenn is a threat to score at all times while on the ice, and dishes the puck very effectively to his line mates, in getting the amount of assists that he does”. A solid two-way centre man, Brayden considers himself to have an advantage in having his older brother, Luke, drafted a year the year before. Citing that he has received a lot of advice from his borther, and all the while learnt from his big brother’s experiences.  McGuire in addition, alleged that, “Brayden Schenn takes the puck with the kind of authority that a Jonathan Cheechoo does, yet has puck dishing capacities that maybe a Joe Thornton has. So both are tough players, both are tough to move out in front of the net, and Brayden fits that ilk perfectly”. For the complete list of first round draft selections made by all thirty NHL organizations, please indulge below. And with the first day, and first round of the 47^th NHL entry draft in the books, there still lie 180 future prospects ready to fulfill there dream of an NHL tream drafting them through six more rounds in the coming hours…

Pick #                                     NHL Team                                    Player

1                                              New York Islanders                  John Tavares

2                                              Tampa Bay Lightning               Victor Hedman

3                                              Colorado Avalanche                Matt Duchene

4                                              Atlanta Thrashers                       Evander Kane

5                                              Los Angeles Kings                     Brayden Schenn

6                                              Phoenix  Coyotes                      Oliver Ekman-Larsson    

7                                              Toronto  Maple Leafs             Nazem Kadri 

8                                              Dallas Stars                                 Scott Glennie

9                                              Ottawa Senators                      Jarred Cowan

10                                            Edmonton Oilers                    Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson

11                                            Nashville Predators                Ryan Ellis

12                                            New York Islanders (from MIN)                Calvin De Haan

13                                            Buffalo Sabres                         Zack Kassian

14                                            Florida Panthers                   Dmitry Kulikov

15                                            Anaheim Ducks                   Peter Holland

16                                            Minnesota Wild (from NYI-CLB)                Nick Leddy

17                                            St. Louis Blues                       David Rundblad

18                                            Montreal Canadiens           Louis Leblanc

19                                            New York Rangers               Chris Kreider

20                                            New Jersey (from CGY)       Jacob Josefson

21                                            Columbus Blue Jackets (from ANA-PHI)            John Moore

22                                            Vancouver Canucks             Jordan Schroeder             

23                                            Calgary Flames (from NJ)       Tim Erixon    

24                                            Washington Capitals              Marcus Johansson

25                                            Boston Bruins                           Jordan Caron

26                                            Anaheim Ducks (from CBJ-NYI)                  Kyle Palmieri

27                                            Carolina Hurricanes                Philippe Paradis

28                                            Chicago Blackhawks                Dylan Olsen     

29                                            Tampa Bay Lightning (from DET)                Carter Ashton

30                                            Pittsburgh Penguins                 Simon Despres