Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Weber and Suter appear on NHL Live!

Nashville Predators defensemen Shea Weber and Ryan Suter will be among the guests on Thursday’s edition of NHL Live!, scheduled from noon-2 p.m. on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio. Weber will be part of Team Canada at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, while Suter will play for Team USA.

Also scheduled to appear to speak with co-hosts Deb Placey and E.J. Hradek NBC and NESN hockey analyst Mike Milbury and CBC play-by-play man Jim Hughson.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Getzlaf will play for Team Canada

Hockey Canada announced that the roster which is submitting for the men’s hockey tournament at the 2010 Olympic Games is the same as the roster that was announced on December 30, 2009 in Saskatoon, meaning Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim is OK to play.

Getzlaf suffered a sprained ankle last week and Team Canada had the Flyers' Jeff Carter as a replacement if needed. Carter was informed that he will not be added to the roster.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Dodgers sign free-agent Ortiz

The Dodgers have signed right-handed free-agent pitcher Ramon Ortiz to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League camp. Ortiz last pitched in the Major Leagues in 2007, splitting time between the Twins and Rockies. He pitched in Japan in 2008 and for the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in Fresno last year, going 5-6 with a 3.05 ERA.

He was the winning pitcher for the Angels in Game 3 of the 2002 World Series against the Giants. Hope he can play well in the dodgers jersey.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

McClung signs Minors deal with Marlins

McClung has reached agreement on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. His deal is similar to that of another former Brewers reliever. Last Friday, the Marlins signed Derrick Turnbow to a Minor League deal with the same contract figures. McClung appeared in 41 games for Milwaukee last year and posted an ERA of 4.94. From 2003-06, McClung pitched for Tampa Bay.

The Marlins have stated that they are looking to strengthen their bullpen. Jose Veras, who pitched for the Yankees and Indians last year, also will get a look on a Minor League contract. The Miami Herald reports Florida also has signed right-hander Scott Strickland to a Minor League contract. Hope he can play well in the marlins jersey.

Ducks sign Hiller to a four-year deal

The Ducks announced that they have signed goaltender Jonas Hiller to a four-year contract extension through the 2013-14 NHL season. Hiller has posted a 54-37-5 record with a 2.46 goals-against average in 108 career NHL appearances in his anaheim ducks jersey. Since he entered the NHL in 2007, Hiller ranks third among all NHL goaltenders. He has also made 13 career playoff appearances for Anaheim.

"Jonas has proved himself as a starting NHL goaltender," said Executive Vice President and General Manager Bob Murray. "We expect him to only get better and are pleased he’s committed to us for four more seasons." Currently in his third NHL season, he has compiled a 21-15-1 record with a 2.75 GAA in 39 appearances this year. He currently is tied with Roberto Luongo for the league lead in January victories. Next month, Hiller will represent Switzerland at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

PNC Park will host Dave Matthews Band

The Pirates announced that the Dave Matthews Band is coming to Pittsburgh to perform a July 10 concert at PNC Park. This will be the fourth major concert, not including music acts following Pirates games, that PNC Park has hosted since opening in 2001. The band's tour, which begins at the end of May and runs through September, will make two other ballpark stops as well. The Dave Matthews Band will perform in New York's Citi Field on July 16 and 17 and at Nationals Park on July 23.

The Dave Matthews Band was nominated for two Grammy Awards -- "Album of the Year" and "Best Rock Album", and will perform live at the awards ceremony this Sunday. Billboard recently named the group as the top-selling touring artist of the decade.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Victorino and Phillies agree to a three-year deal

It is announced that the Phillies and Victorino agreed on a three-year contract extension worth $22 million, which will keep him under contract with Philadelphia through 2012. The extension buys out Victorino's final two years of salary arbitration and his first year of free agency. Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said that the Phillies also could lock up Ruiz to a new contract before the end of next week.

Victorino hit .292 with 39 doubles, 13 triples, 10 home runs, 62 RBIs and 25 stolen bases last season. He made his first National League All-Star team and earned his second consecutive Gold Glove.