andere Teams » few quality shots only to be turned back by Varlamo

Tim Leiwekes message has been made loud and clear; the Toronto Raptors plan to move forward, without looking back. The latest recipient of that message; Alvin Williams. After spending the majority of his nine-year playing career with the Raptors and serving in a number of roles with the organization -- including assistant coach, director of player development and most recently as a scout -- since 2009, the beloved former point guard was let go early Monday morning. "It does [hurt]," Williams told TSN 1050 Radio. "It does to be honest. Its disappointing." According to Williams, who guested on TSN Drive with Dave Naylor Monday evening, he and incoming general manager Masai Ujiri played telephone tag Sunday before Leiweke -- the new president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment -- broke the news to him over the phone a day later. "He just basically said that he was going to give Masai the opportunity to start with a clean slate and move forward with the organization," Williams said of that conversation. "Unfortunately my contract wasnt renewed." Hoping to dig the franchise out of its deepest hole, Torontos expensive new brain trust was assembled to make some tough decisions. This decision will not be a popular one. For better or for worse Leiweke and Ujiri have promised change and no Raptor -- on the roster, among the coaching staff or in the front office -- epitomizes the past quite like Williams. As a player, Williams won over fans in a hockey city with his hard-nosed approach and willingness to play through aches and pains. A second-round pick out of Villanova, he turned out to be the primary return in a deal that sent Damon Stoudamire -- Torontos first ever franchise player -- to Portland over 15 years ago. In 2001 he was a crucial member of the Raptors team that won its first and only playoff series, ultimately being eliminated on the cusp of a Conference Finals birth. Understandably, Williams also has ties to the current, underachieving era of Raptors basketball, having been around the team in multiple roles after knee injuries forced him into early retirement. The 38-year-old has a strong connection with a number of players on the roster, a roster that many expect to be tinkered with and maybe even gutted as early as this offseason. Williams has overseen the development of DeMar DeRozan, he maintains a close relationship with Rudy Gay and his friendship with Kyle Lowry -- a fellow Philadelphia native -- dates back to Lowrys senior year in high school. Hes sparred with them in practice and mentored them off the court. "Emotionally Im tied to things," he admitted. "A lot of times thats what you need to do, you need to start from scratch to go forward. Thats totally understood." At times that has seemed like the destined course for Leiweke and Ujiri, both of whom have stressed change. With the franchise mired in a five-year playoff drought, what else are they going to preach? "I inherit, I didnt create," said Leiweke, as he faced the assembled media in Toronto for the first time earlier this month. "And so from my standpoint this is today and we move forward from here." Ed Stefanski was immediately let go following the hiring of Ujiri and Jim Kelly, a longtime scout and member of the organization since its inception, was also sent packing. But what of Bryan Colangelo, who remains with the team, albeit with slightly altered business cards? What of Dwane Casey, who is expected to stay on as the teams head coach? The question, as Raptors fans will see it; why was Williams the sacrificial lamb? As Williams himself notes, this is a business. Ujiri will be given free reign to build his own team, from the roster all the way up to his staff, just as Leiweke promised. To some this move will come as a surprise. It may signify the end of an era, a heartless gesture that costs the embattled organization one of its greatest ambassadors. To others this will indicate a changing of the guard, the first in a series of bold moves. Moves that may one day propel the franchise back to where Williams helped lead it over a decade ago. Jason Williams Kings Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Marvin Bagley III Jersey . But when it comes to determining if Raymond will find a place on the Leafs roster when training camp concludes in a week, well, that decision will ultimately fall to the head coach. http://www.nbakingsonline.com/Authentic-Mitch-Richmond-Kings-Jersey/ . It was Kerbers third final of the year after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in Monterrey in April and to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in Tokyo two weeks ago. The 10th-ranked German improved her record in finals to 3-5. Custom Sacramento Kings Jerseys .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf. Chris Webber Kings Jersey .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. DENVER -- Michael Hutchinson was all warmed up by the time the Colorado Avalanche finally shook off the rust from a long layoff.At that point, nothing was getting by him.Hutchinson stopped 37 shots for his third career NHL shutout, Shawn Matthias scored in the second period against his former team and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Avalanche 1-0 on Friday night.Early on, the Jets were more energetic despite playing their third game in four days, including a 4-1 win over Dallas the night before.Meanwhile, Colorado looked a bit out of sync after a week break. The Avalanche got their offense working in the third period, outshooting the Jets 20-4. But they couldnt solve Hutchinson as he recorded his first shutout since Jan. 15, 2015, against Columbus.We knew with them having those days off, theres a chance they could come out with a little bit of a slower start, Hutchinson said. With us playing last night, we knew it was important to get a jump on them early. We did exactly what we had to do.The Avalanche pulled Semyon Varlamov with around 1:22 remaining, but couldnt capitalize.Varlamov stopped 20 shots, his only mistake not sliding over in time to stop Matthias wrist shot.Colorado went on the power play late in the final period and had a golden chance with Hutchinson down on the ice. But Rene Bourques shot from out front appeared to hit forward Brandon Tanev and sail wide of the net.Hutchinson also came up big midway through the third period by stopping Joe Colborne, who coasted in all alone and tried to thread the puck between Hutchinsons legs.This one stinks, Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog said. We really wanted this one. Especially after coming off an extended break.Simply ran into a hot goaltender.Their goalie stole one for them, forward Nathan MacKinnon succinctly said.Colorados alternate blue sweater hasnt exactly been lucky. The team is 5-9-1 since the jerseys debut last season.Jarome Iginla remains in a goal-scoring funk. He had a point-blank shot moments into the third period and was thwartted by Hutchinson.dddddddddddd Iginla has just one goal so far this season. Hes 16th on the leagues all-time goal-scoring list.Matthias gave the Jets 1-0 lead at 8:29 of the second period when he guided in a perfect cross-ice pass from Joel Armia. Matthias played for the Avalanche last season after being acquired in a February deal with Toronto. He had six goals in 20 games for Colorado.Nice to score against your former team, Matthias said. Theres no animosity toward any old team. Just playing hard for the Jets.Winnipeg nearly had a power-play goal midway through the first period when Mark Scheifele poked in a shot between the pads of Varlamov. But the officials blew the whistle just before the puck rolled into the net.Scheifele pleaded to no avail.Patrik Laine, the No. 2 overall pick in June who already has six goals, unleashed a few quality shots only to be turned back by Varlamov. Laine is good friends with Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen, who was making his season debut after being called up from San Antonio of the American Hockey League.They pair helped Team Finland to the 2016 world junior hockey championship. They also practiced together this summer.It will be fun, Rantanen said of the friendly rival.Rantanen was the 10th overall pick in 2015. His locker once belonged to Avalanche standout Milan Hejduk.Maybe Mikko will take the great energy that was in that stall, Landeskog cracked.Game notes Jets D Dustin Byfuglien recorded the 800th penalty minute of his career with a tripping call in the second period. He also was called for another penalty in the closing seconds. ... F Drew Stafford missed a second straight game with an upper-body injury. ... D Fedor Tyutin (groin) sat out a second straight game. ... F John Mitchell (hip) made his season debut.UP NEXTJets: Host Buffalo on Sunday.Avalanche: At Arizona on Saturday in their second back-to-back set this season. ' ' '