Subject :TORONTO, Ontario - While most of his teammates embarked on vacations to sunny southern destinations
TORONTO, Ontario - While most of his teammates embarked on vacations to sunny southern destinations over the Olympic break, David Bolland - out of the lineup since suffering a severed tendon in his left ankle on November 2 in Vancouver - headed to London, Ontario instead to continue his rehab with his old junior team, the London Knights. Dalvin Cook Jersey . Although head coach Randy Carlyle jokingly wondered how much actual training Bolland got done while in London. "I dont know how much training goes on when you go back to the junior team that you played for so I wouldnt read too much into that," laughed Carlyle after the Maple Leafs were put through an up-tempo practice that concluded with a 10-minute bag skate on Thursday. "I was in London once at a bar called "Joe Cools" and they have numerous stools there that have players names on them that Ive coached, and hes one of them." In all seriousness though, that Bolland has put himself in a position to even discuss a potential return just 110 days since suffering a laceration that he said went right through the muscle and tendon in his ankle, nearly down to the bone, is a remarkable feat of determination that has not been lost on his coach. "The level of professionalism that he displays day in, day out right from when we first saw him in training camp, that has continued here," said Carlyle. "Hes pushing himself and with the help of our training staff and our strength and conditioning (coaches), hes done a heck of a job to get himself back where he is now." So where exactly is he? Neither Carlyle nor Bolland would pin down a specific return date but Bolland did sound more encouraged with his progress than he did when he offered his last update on February 5 in Tampa Bay. "Im close, its getting there," he said on Thursday. "Im on my way upwards." Carlyle suggested yesterday that a decision would be made next Wednesday as to whether Bolland will dress when the Leafs resume their schedule against the New York Islanders on February 27. "Ah, well see," Bolland added when asked if he expects to play against the Islanders. His impending return was welcomed news to Dion Phaneuf. "Thats a very big boost," said the Leafs captain. "Bollands an experienced guy whos played a lot of hockey in the league. Hes a big part of our team. Hes big in the room; hes big on the ice. Hes a leader in our dressing room and he plays hard night in and night out so were excited to get him back." But despite just 22 regular season games remaining for the Leafs, Bolland will not be re-inserted until he declares himself ready. "When he says hes ready to go, thats one of the things were adamant about here is that the player is not going to come back and say hes 85 per cent and were going to put him in the lineup," Carlyle said. "Hes got to tell us hes 100/110 per cent and then were ready to go. That makes it a lot easier for everybody involved." When Bolland was injured, he was playing on a line with Mason Raymond and David Clarkson. Since then, Clarkson has been moved to a line with Joffrey Lupul and Nazem Kadri which Carlyle indicated he has been pleased with. At this point, consider it audition time for the right wing spot with leading candidates likely being Nik Kulemin and Troy Bodie. "We think that Bolland and Mason Raymond and whoever we decide to put there could give us a 2A and 2B type of offensive numbers," said Carlyle. But dont expect too much too soon when Bolland does return, Carlyle cautioned, suggesting he will keep an eye on his minutes and potentially avoid penalty killing duties early on. "I dont think Ill be stepping into the same role as I was at the start of the season," Bolland said. "I missed two and a half, three months of hockey and just coming back and throwing yourself in the mix is never fun. Its tough coming back from injuries and coming back will be something where Ill be eased in and not just thrown to the wolves. My expectations will be a little bit lower but gradually (after) the first two or three games, Ill be back in the mix." The chance to get Bolland back for the stretch drive, whether its in the first game back against the Islanders or a few games later, is an addition that Carlyle feels will have a significant impact on the team, almost akin to a trade deadline acquisition without giving anything up. "Anytime you can add a player of that caliber, it does change the makeup of your lineup," said Carlyle. "We lost two centres (Bozak and Bolland) early in November and weve been taxing people and putting younger players in situations that have somewhat overwhelmed them at times. We feel its a huge compliment to the depth of our organization that our young players have come in and filled that gap. Theres no ifs, ands or buts adding a David Bolland, we feel it has an impact into our line up." Ben Gedeon Youth Jersey .com) - Bradley Beal deposited a season-high 33 points and John Wall posted another double-double as the Washington Wizards went on the road and beat the Houston Rockets, 104-103. Pat Elflein Jersey .C. - The Panthers will be without starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei for Saturday nights NFC divisional playoff game against Seattle after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair a broken bone in his foot.Mike Richards will not be bought out by the Los Angeles Kings. Kings general manager Dean Lombardi told the Los Angeles Times in an interview Friday that Richards will remain with the team but must improve in training. "The biggest thing in the meeting with Michael - the important thing - is that he realized hes going to have to make some adjustments in his offseason training," Lombardi said. The 29-year-old forward has six years remaining on the 12-year deal he signed prior to the 2008-09 season with the Philadelphia Flyers worth a total value of $29 million. A buyout would have cost the Kings $19.3 million over the next 12 years. In 82 games with the Kings last season, Richards scored 11 goals and added 30 assists. He would add three goals and seven assists in 26 playoff games as part of the Kings run to the 2014 Stanley Cup. Onnce the captain of the Flyers, Richards has seen his offensive production fall off in recent years. Jaleel Johnson Vikings Jersey. A 30-plus goal-scorer in 2008-09 and 2009-10, Richards has only once cracked the 20-goal plateau in Los Angeles. Lombardi said in the interview he would have to trust Richards in his promise to improve his conditioning and play in time for next season. "As long as he looked me in the eye and made that promise that he would make the commitment in the offseason …Essentially, I have to trust him. Once that deadline goes, were locked in," Lombardi said. Originally drafted 24th overall by the Flyers at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Richards has scored 174 goals and 292 assists in 657 career games with the Kings and Flyers. Richards was also a member of the 2010 Canadian Olympic team that won gold at the Vancouver Games. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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