been approached about a number of coaching opportunities

It appears Sidney Crosby wanted to make sure Jonathan Toews was good with him taking the captaincy for Team Canada in Sochi. According to CSNChicago.com, Detroit Red Wings and Team Canada head coach Mike Babcock said the Pittsburgh Penguins captain wanted the go-ahead from the Chicago Blackhawks captain before accepting Canadas captaincy for the upcoming Olympics. "When we were taking about it, Sidney wanted to make sure it was OK with [Toews], just for the fact he won a couple of Cups,” Babcock said after the Wings morning skate ahead of Wednesday nights game with the Blackhawks. "Hes held in high regard, to say the least, and hes a huge part of the reason why they win as much as they do." Toews, for his part, thought Crosbys gesture was a flattering one. "For Sidney to ask guys for approval, I dont think he needed to do that, but it shows the kind of guy he is," Toews said. Toews went as so far as to suggest that Babcock revealed this discussion just to be polite. "Everybody knows Sidney is the guy," said Toews. "Im just honored to be in the conversation for the captaincy. One way or the other, Im excited to accept a role like that. If its more of a leadership role, Im excited for the challenge." Babcock believes that Toews would have made for a deserving captain, as well. "Hes earned the right to be a captain with Canada: two Cups, Olympic gold," said Babcock. "I dont know what else hes won. It seems more than that. Hes a pro who does it right every day. Hes a 200-footer. To me, hes an impressive, impressive man." Toews and Nashville Predators captain Shea Weber will serve as alternate captains for Canada next month in Sochi. Korleone Young Jersey Signed . Tepesch, back from the minor leagues, earned his first major league victory in more than 10 months and the Rangers edged the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Wednesday. Malik Allen Jersey Signed .Inter Milan and Napoli also advanced to ensure there will be at least three Italian clubs in the last 32 of Europes secondary competition.Spurs victory, secured by Benjamin Stamboulis 49th-minute winner, was overshadowed by a succession of pitch invasions that forced the referee to halt the game after 41 minutes. https://www.cheapnbajerseysjustwholesale.com/mark-price-jersey-signed/ . Levante, which had lost five straight including a Copa del Rey game last weekend, fell behind at its Ciutat de Valencia stadium when Ionut Sapanura opened the scoring for Elche in the 26th minute. NBA Jerseys 2020 . The 57-year-old Tietjens has coached New Zealand to nine IRB World Sevens titles and to four Commonwealth Games gold medals as its only coach in the professional era. New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the re-signing was made with a focus on 2016 when sevens will be in the Olympics. NBA Jerseys . - Tom Brady was upset that his New England Patriots hardly looked like a division champion in the first half.When a fan tweeted at BC Lions defensive back Korey Banks on Wednesday that he was looking forward to him suiting up for the team in 2004, the player himself wasnt so sure. "@gjmarc: @24Banks hey man happy new year ... See you on the turf at BC Place in 2014!” (I dont know about that) we will see." Banks hopes to return to the Lions for a ninth season, but is preparing for life after the Lions. The 34-year old believes the Lions want him back, but is growing frustrated at the lack of progress towards reaching a contract extension. Banks is entering the option year of his deal, but like many CFL veteran players, has no intention of playing without an extension. The seven-time all-star, who doesnt use an agent, reached out repeatedly to the Lions front office, but isnt hearing much back. Lions GM Wally Buono is currently on his annual vacation in Hawaii, but has been known to regularly conduct business from there. Buono plans to return to Vancouver on January 15th, at which time he will sit down with Benevides and new defensive coordinator, Mark Washington, and take recommendations from his coaches on which returning players are biggest priorities and where the team must upgrade. "This will not be about money," said Buono. "If the coaches tell me that Korey is a player they must have to get this defense to play at a championship level then well get it (an extension) done. If their feeling is that there has been a loss of production that comes with age, or that he may not fit in as well with any potiential scheme changes, then well have to make a decision."Banks is one of a number of thirty-somethings on the Lions defense, including fellow defensive backs, Dante Marsh and Ryan Phillips, both of whom are expected to return for 2014. Keron Williams, scheduled to become a free aggent in February, plans to explore NFL possibilities.dddddddddddd. Banks believes his value to the organization has been demonstrable. "Ive given a lot to this team. At least show me the respect of making a decision and letting me get on with things for my family," said Banks from his home in Atlanta. "Im not like the other guys, who have never played anywhere but BC. Im prepared to move on if I have to. Im sure I wont have a problem finding work with another team." Lions head coach Mike Benevides thinks the ball will rest in Bankss court. "I still believe Korey can play the game at a high level," said Benevides. "Hes a tremendous leader and provides value, but its a case right now of how he sees himself at this stage [of his career] and where he wants to be." Banks is also considering retirement. He has been approached about a number of coaching opportunities at the NCAA level, and says he could see himself going in that direction. Ultimately though, Banks still hopes to play at least one more season, but only if the price is right. He wont be surprised if the Lions ask him to take a reduced salary for 2014 but says, "I wont go through what Geroy (Simon) went through last year," referring to the drastic reduction in salary and role the CFLs all-time leading receiver was asked to take last year. Simon would eventually be traded to Saskatchewan, where he won his third Grey Cup in November. Its highly unlikely the Lions would ask Banks to take as drastic a pay cut as Simon was asked to, and given the makeup of CFL rosters, if he returns, he would almost certainly still be teams starting nickelback. But both Banks and Benevides acknowledge there are no guarantees and, as the Simon situation at this time last year showed, anything is possible. ' ' '