st happy to come here and play," said Lazar, as Ottawas r

TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs have waited nearly four months for Dave Bolland to return to their lineup. It seems theyll have to wait a little longer. The veteran forward practised Wednesday but was wearing a maroon jersey, meaning he wasnt allowed to participate in full contact and making it unlikely hell will be in the lineup Thursday night when Toronto visits the New York Islanders in the first game for both teams following the Olympic break. Bolland, who suffered a severed ankle tendon in a game Nov. 2, had resumed practising with the Leafs earlier this month. But he stumbled late during Tuesdays session, grimacing in pain. "Its one where we felt that he took a step back (Tuesday) so we felt it would be best suited he didnt participate on a line (Wednesday) as far as practising with a group," Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said. "To say that its a bad sign, well, its not a positive. "But its not a huge negative. I dont want you to read into it that its something we cant deal with." Bolland maintained Wednesday his situation remains day-to-day. And while he did say he had a misstep Tuesday, Bolland didnt reveal any further details. "Sometimes in situations on the ice youre going to get those things," he said. "I just had a little bit of a fall there but thats whats going to happen in a game. "Thats what you have to get ready for." Carlyle said Bolland will accompany the Leafs on their two-game road trip versus the Islanders and Montreal on Saturday night. Bolland plans to participate in Thursdays pre-game skate before deciding whether hell play. Bolland added hell return to the lineup when hes convinced hes healthy enough to deal with the rigours of game conditions. "Id rather be ready for the long road than being in and out of the lineup and not going," Bolland said. "Youve got to be 100 per cent getting back in the lineup, you dont want to be a liability out there. "Its never fun watching the guys play sitting at home on the couch seeing whats going on. You want to be out there right now. I want to be out there. I wish I couldve been out there a month ahead but its about getting it stronger and making sure its ready." Toronto (32-22-6, 70 points) has fared well despite Bollands injury, entering the Olympic break on an 11-2-1 run. "Im ready (to return)," Bolland said. "With watching and seeing whats going on with the guys and seeing them win and keeping it rolling, thats the big thing. "For myself, my confidence is going to be high when I get out there. I want to contribute as much as I can to this team and to help it keep going." Meantime, leading scorer Phil Kessel (31 goals, 34 assists) was back on the ice Wednesday for the first time since suiting up with teammate James van Riemsdyk (24 goals, 23 assists) for the U.S. at the Sochi Winter Games. Van Riemsdyk didnt skate but did work out with his teammates Tuesday. Carlyle said Kessel, who didnt speak to reporters after practice, had the same option, but opted to take Tuesday off instead. Theres been persistent talk van Riemsdyk suffered a hand injury in Sochi, but Carlyle said both players have been cleared medically by Leafs doctors. Carlyle was asked how Kessel looked in practice. "I would say Phils not an energetic individual to the start of practice," Carlyle said, drawing chuckles from the assembled media. "I dont know how else to put it." The reporter then followed up by saying Kessel looked more energetic near the end of the session. "That seems to be how Phil approaches practice," Carlyle added with a grin. Marcus Davenport Youth Jersey . Perhaps their first trip to the city of Winnipeg in 16 years can serve as the shakeup they need. Sam Mills Womens Jersey . Hoffman, the former star closer, will evaluate and help co-ordinate all pitchers at Double-A, Triple-A and the big league team. Byrnes says Hoffman "will be a key part of finishing the development of our younger pitchers. http://www.authenticsaintssportsonline.c...th-gold-jersey/. -- Cole De Vries had a couple of key strikeouts during what could have been the inning that doomed him to defeat against the Kansas City Royals, allowing him to escape further damage and keep the game tied up. Michael Thomas Youth Jersey . -- Brad Gushue of St. Morten Andersen Womens Jersey . Justine finished first with a score of 22.44 while Chloe was second with 21.66 points. Defending champion Hannah Kearney of the U.S., was third at 21.49. A third Dufour-Lapointe sister, Maxime, failed to make the final group and finished 12th while Audrey Robichaud of Quebec City was 10th.OTTAWA -- Expectations are nothing new for Curtis Lazar and he has every intention of living up to them. The Senators first overall pick -- 17th overall -- in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft is expected to make a strong case for himself to remain in the NHL this season, and the challenge starts Saturday with the Senators rookie tournament in London, Ont. "Theres been a lot of speculation this summer, but Im just happy to come here and play," said Lazar, as Ottawas rookies took part in some testing. "Wherever I go, I try and have as much success as possible, but at the same time if things dont go my way its a learning curve. You dont want to get down on yourself." The Senators are of a similar mindset. While its clear they have high hopes for the 19-year-old, they want to ensure that in the end they make the best decision for not only the player, but also the organization. Lazar has already earned an invitation to the Senators main camp and assistant general manager Randy Lee says Lazar will be given every opportunity to prove he belongs in the NHL. "We just want Curtis to be Curtis," said Lee. "Hes a very competitive guy. He always plays right; hes always in the right spot. Hes good defensively, hes good without the puck and can contribute offensively." Lazar will need to be at his best to earn a full-time position with the Senators as they have few options for the young star. Its either make the Senators or be returned to the Western Hockey Leagues Edmonton Oil Kings. "We want to see whats best for him down the road," said Lee. "We dont want to look back in three years or five years and say we did a disservice to him. "You want to put him in a position to succeed to make sure at the end of the year hes a better player." Lazar says he will accept whatever decision the Senators make, but theres no denying he has little left to prove on the junior stage. Last season Lazar led the Oil Kings in goals, with 41, was second in team scoring with 76 points, and was instrumental in leading Edmonton to a Memorial Cup. In addition, he was a member of Canadas world junior team. If the Senators have any question regarding Lazar its how he will find the ability to shine after an exhausting year and a half of commitments. Since being drafted Lazar has gone through two conditioning camps, a rookie camp and one main camp with the Senators. Hes also been through two world junior summer evaluation camps and played a significant role at the world junior tournament. Thats in addition to a full season with the Oil Kings as well as four rounds of playoffs and a trip to the Memorial Cup.dddddddddddd "Thats a lot of games for a young player, for any player," said Lee. "He needs to make sure to take some days off. He needs to manage his recovery so he can be at his best." Knowing he would be facing the pressures of the NHL Lazar made a conscious effort to add some muscle to his six-foot frame. "Im about 10 to 15 pounds heavier and it just makes me comfortable in my body and getting to play in Edmonton the last couple of weeks has helped me get used to myself and Ill see how I can do against the pros in the next few weeks," he said. Lazar lives in Vernon, B.C., but spent most of the time training in Kelowna, B.C., at the same facility as Josh Gorges. The Buffalo Sabres defenceman took the young centre under his wing and offered some sound advice. "A big part of it is just to try and enjoy it," said Lazar. "Theres so much going on and people say theres pressure, but I dont like to see it that way. Its a great opportunity and Im looking forward to thriving in this situation and just being myself. Whatever Ive been doing its gotten me in this situation so why change it. Im going to go out there and keep on smiling." While he plans on enjoying the experience, Lazar did admit to feeling a little nervous knowing whats at stake. "Ive felt quite a few emotions over this summer," admitted Lazar. "Im nervous, Im excited, but ultimately Im quite happy and proud of myself for putting myself in this situation. Theres not much left to do but just go out on the ice and not give them an excuse to send me back down." Lazar has played the majority of his career at centre, but should he make the Senators it would likely be as a right-winger. "We think it would be best suited for us if he was a winger," admitted Lee. "Hes really good along the walls, but the fact that he can play both is great. The fact that he can take face-offs is great, but he is very good along the walls and hes always in the right position. Hes a very dependable player so hell have no problem playing on the wing. "If a centre position opened up we would have no problem putting him there." NOTES: After three seasons working in scouting and as a development consultant Jason Smith will now be part of the Senators coaching staff working primarily with the teams defencemen. Former Senator Shean Donovan was hired as a player development consultant and will work with the Senators, the AHLs Binghamton Senators and the ECHL Evansville IceMen coaching staff. ' ' '