Die Rassen (Coats) » Sanders went into the Broncos bye last week as the le

There were rumours throughout the NHL season that the Minnesota Wild would be a free agent destination for a particular top goal-scoring winger and, when free agency opened, they got their man. Numbers Game looks at the Wild signing Thomas Vanek. The Wild Get: LW Thomas Vanek. Vanek, 30, has been one of the most prolific goal-scorers in the game. Since 2006-2007, his 252 goals ranks fourth, behind Alex Ovechkin, Jarome Iginla and Ilya Kovalchuk. Vanek is a four-time 30-goal scorer who has scored at least 20 goals in each of the last nine seasons. Only Ovechkin and Rick Nash have managed that same feat. So, with that goal-scoring resume, Vanek should have been incredibly appealing as a free agent, but there was the small matter of his slump in the playoffs that left a sour taste for some. Vanek had eight points in 10 games, through Game Six of the Boston series, but fell flat after that, managing two assists and a total of eight shots on goal in the next seven games. He played under 15 minutes in each of his last eight playoff games. For a season in which he played a career-high 19:21 per game, with the Sabres, Islanders and Canadiens, that role reduction made it clear that Vanek would be moving on from Montreal. This following a season during which he scored 15 points in 18 games with the Habs, giving him 68 points in 78 games while moving around the Eastern Conference. Which brings us to Minnesota, which had been linked to Vanek pretty much from the get-go of his contract year. Vanek played college hockey at the University of Minnesota. His wife is from Minnesota. The Wild would have Dany Heatleys $7.5-million cap hit coming off the books. Former Sabres teammate Jason Pominville was playing well for Minnesota. It was all lining up for Vanek with the Wild. Ultimately, nothing really changed that. Maybe a great playoff would have given Vanek more leverage on the open market, but he didnt sign a break-the-bank deal, inking for $19.5-million over three years. The $6.5-million annual cap hit is actually less than Vaneks previous contract, but when a player has a preferred destination, and particularly when he has earned a boatload of money in his career already (more than $57-million in his career, according to Cap Geek), there is an opportunity for a team to get him for less than the top price on the market. That Vanek was willing to accept a three-year term is a clear indication that Minnesota was his preferred location. When it comes to his game, Vanek doesnt use his size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) very effectively, aside from when hes in front of the net, where he positions well for tip-ins, deflections, screens, etc. Throughout his career, Vanek hasnt been much of a puck possession player, varying up and down a little bit in relative terms from year to year, but Vanek has always been a high-percentage finisher in his own right and consistently had high on-ice shooting percentages (which includes others on the ice with him in 5-oin-5 play), so hes going to bring offence to Minnesota. Depending on how the Wild want their lines to shake out, Vanek should have either Mikael Granlund or Mikko Koivu -- two pass-first playmaking centres -- setting the table for him and if Vanek is getting opportunties -- he had a career-high 3.18 shots on goal per game last season -- take 25 goals to the bank, with 30 or 35 possible at the top end. This is a nice upgrade for the Wild, who made some noise in the playoffs and have added a premier goal-scorer to their mix and have done so without spending too much in order to get him. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Mousa Dembele Jersey .J. -- The New York Jets have promoted Tony Sparano Jr. Thorgan Hazard Belgium Jersey . Pominville scored in all three of Minnesotas games last week to help the Wild (8-4-3, 19 points) earn four out of a possible six points. His best performance was in a 4-3 win over Montreal on Friday, where he posted a season-high three points (two goals, one assist), including the game-winning goal. http://www.belgiumsoccerpro.com/Blank-Belgium-Jersey/ .com) - Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant combined for 51 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder took down the struggling Bucks 114-101 on Tuesday. Youri Tielemans Belgium Jersey . 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The German led the overall World Cup womens standings this season and continued her dominance by putting down a track record time of 49.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Peyton Mannings next touchdown throw will be his 500th, and hes spreading the credit around just like he does the football.The five-time MVP doesnt like to talk about individual accomplishments.As he approaches another milestone in a career filled with so many big moments, however, Manning took time Wednesday to reflect on all the help hes received on his 499 TD passes.He acknowledged that yes, he looks at his TD throws and interceptions every year because if the former is high and the latter low, that means youre getting your team in the end zone and that means youre protecting the ball. I think that particular statistic usually leads to winning football games.As far as the other thing, obviously, youre just trying to win this football game, Manning said. But when asked about it, I have reflected on how many great teammates and coaches that Ive been with along the way that have been a part of that. You dont throw that many touchdowns without a lot of help.Its not just the 44 players who have caught one of Mannings TD throws, but the rest of his teammates and coaches.As my old centre Jeff Saturday said, the only reason Ive thrown that many is because I had great protection for so many years. Typical lineman speaking, especially one in the media now, Manning said. But to tell you the truth, hes right. There are so many people that have helped me along the way.Hell face men who made big early impressions on him Sunday when the Denver Broncos (2-1) host Arizona (3-0).Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was Mannings first quarterback coach when Manning arrived in the NFL in 1998. And Arizonas assistant head coach Tom Moore was his offensive co-ordinator during his 13 seasons in Indianapolis.The Cardinals would love to delay Mannings milestone another week, but they know as well as anyone that its probably just wishful thinking.Thats tough because Peyton always finds a way to get the ball in the end zone, Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson said.The last time Manning didnt throw a TD pass was Nov. 14, 2010, against Cincinnati.So, chances are No. 500 will come sometime Sunday.Hell probably brush it off like its just another touchdown, Denver nose tackle Terrance Knighton said. But I know it means a lot to him.And chances are Mannings touchstone touchdownn wont come down in the arms of a receiver, either.ddddddddddddight ends Julius Thomas (five) and Jacob Tamme (two) have accounted for all but one of Mannings eight TD tosses this season.Newcomer Emmanuel Sanders went into the Broncos bye last week as the league leader in catches (25) and yards (334), yet he still waiting to spike a TD toss from him a€” unlike Denver defensive tackle Mitch Unrein.Its still kind of a shock to me that I have a touchdown from Peyton, Unrein said.Sanders cant wait to join the list.With 14 catches so far, Thomas jokingly asked Sanders on Wednesday if he could spare a reception.All right, Sanders retorted. Ill trade you for a touchdown.Thomas said Sanders can have No. 500 if he wants it.Ive already got a couple milestones, said Thomas, who caught Mannings 51st TD throw that broke Tom Bradys single-season record last year. It was one of his dozen TD receptions that surpassed Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpes team record for tight ends.I hope they throw it to me, said Knighton, noting that a jelly-belly lineman a few lockers down caught one.Unrein lined up at fullback on Dec. 2, 2012, slipped into the left flat unencumbered on first-and-goal from the 1 and hauled in Mannings floater to help the Broncos beat Tampa Bay 31-23.Manning has thrown 100 TD passes in the regular season since his arrival in Denver.His first in a Broncos uniform was the 400th of his career and it came on a 71-yard screen pass to Demaryius Thomas.Manning figures to surpass Favres record of 508 TD throws later this month.Behind them are Dan Marino (420), Drew Brees (370), Brady (363), Fran Tarkenton (342) and John Elway (300).Told he has nearly 200 more TD passes than his boss, Manning said: He probably has a few more rushing touchdowns that I do.Elway has 33 of those, Manning, 18.Notes: LB Lerentee McCray (knee) practiced for the first time since getting hurt against Kansas City on Sept. 14. That left S David Bruton (ankle) as the only player who didnt practice. RG Louis Vasquez (ribcage) was limited. ... Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw and point guard Ty Lawson attended Wednesdays practice.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton Cheap Warriors Jerseys Authentic Cavaliers Jerseys Cheap Spurs Store Celtics Jerseys Online Cheap Bulls Jerseys Cheap Nets Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Wholesale Raptors Jerseys Cyber Monday Pistons Jerseys Wholesale Team USA Basketball Jerseys Cheap Celtics Jerseys Cheap Nets Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Raptors Jerseys From China Cheap Bulls Jerseys Cavaliers Jerseys From China Wholesale Pistons Jerseys Bucks Jerseys From China Pacers Jerseys Outlet Authentic Hawks Jerseys Cheap Hornets Jerseys Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Authentic Wizards Jerseys Cheap Nuggets Jerseys Timberwolves Jerseys Outlet Wholesale Thunder Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Discount Warriors Jerseys Wholesale Clippers Jerseys Wholesale Lakers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Kings Jerseys Discount Mavericks Jerseys Authentic Rockets Jerseys Discount Grizzlies Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Spurs Jerseys From China ' ' '