Kaminzimmer » n and Patrick Herrmann are the stars of

TORONTO -- Just because Tim Gleason is happy to be in Toronto doesnt mean hell be wearing a Maple Leafs jersey right away. Gleason, obtained from the Carolina Hurricanes for fellow defenceman John-Michael Liles and a prospect, practised with the Leafs for the first time Friday. But its uncertain if hell play Saturday night against the New York Rangers. "We feel he can make a contribution, and if it starts (Saturday) night or if it starts the next night or the night after, its always nice to have depth in defencemen," coach Randy Carlyle said. "I think its one of those things where youd like the player to get a little bit more familiar with your group, too. "Well see on how we feel he sets up." Gleason was paired with Mark Fraser on Friday. Fraser has been a healthy scratch for Torontos past six games and eight of the last nine. Carlyle provided some mixed signals on whether Gleason might be in the lineup for his size and physicality. "New Yorks got some big forwards in (Rick) Nash and (Brian) Boyle," he said. "Theyre a hockey club that will try to grind it down down-low. So those are all things you take into consideration." Carlyle and his staff must also consider Gleasons quick turnaround after being dealt New Years Day as the Leafs were playing in the Winter Classic. The veteran has a steep learning curve ahead of him. "Theres a lot of information, a lot of system things, kind of like going back to school, so its good," Gleason said. The 30-year-old left-handed shot had just one assist in 17 games for Carolina this season. He knew he was being traded about a week ago and was pulled out of games and practices beginning Dec. 31 against Montreal, so it didnt come as much of a surprise. Gleason, whose final game with the Hurricanes was at Air Canada Centre against the Leafs, also knew to expect more media attention than he got in Raleigh, N.C. "This is totally different from what Im used to. Theres usually two of you," Gleason said with a smile. "This is exciting, and (Im) happy to be a part of this club." The six-foot, 217-pound Gleason figures to fit in better with Carlyles ideal identity than the smaller, quicker Liles, whos more of a puck-mover. "I think Im a physical player," Gleason said. "Thats kind of how Ive earned my spot throughout my career so far, just being physical and being hard to play against and kind of bringing that gritty type of style of play." That gritty style of play is exactly why the Leafs acquired Gleason and his US$4-million cap hit that runs for two more seasons after this one. Unlike Liles, who was made expendable by the growth of Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner, Gleason wont be out of place. "I think were asking Tim Gleason to play the way hes accustomed to playing," Carlyle said. "Thats the style of play that hes etched out an NHL career (with), being a strong, physical, defensive defenceman. "We think he has something to offer to our group." Gleason will likely have something to offer as long as he can stay healthy. He missed time at the start of the season with a concussion and then separate stretches with an upper-body and then a lower-body injury. Asked if he was healthy now, Gleason deemed himself 100 per cent. "Obviously I had some issues prior at the beginning of the year, kind of a setback," he said. "But all good and ready to go and ready to get my game back here." Gleasons challenge in getting his game back has to do with the Leafs carrying eight defencemen. Theyve played eight this season, counting Liles, and at one point had a ninth on the roster in T.J. Brennan, who did not dress. That also could be a bit of a problem for Carlyle when it comes to juggling eight and only being able to play six or sometimes seven at a time. "Its always tough when youre making decisions whether people are in and out of the lineup. It does complicate it," Carlyle said. "But thats a luxury. We always state that when you start the beginning of the year, you think you need nine or 10 to get through the year. This years no different than that. "We just felt that with the way our team is and the way weve played that wed like to add some stiffness on the back end." The Leafs did that in getting Gleason for Liles and 2011 sixth-rounder Dennis Robertson, a defenceman whos playing at Brown University. Gleason had to waive his no-trade clause to make it happen and did so knowing it was a smart, practical move. "Ultimately it was our decision as a family," said Gleason, a veteran of 616 NHL regular-season games. "Youve been (in) a place for eight years, you kind of have friendships outside the hockey, things like that. It plays a big part in life itself. "But I knew as a hockey decision I had to move on, and what a better place to be than Toronto." Gleason arrived on a day temperatures reached -22 C and after snow had fallen across much of the region. That didnt bother the native of Clawson, Mich., which is about 20 minutes outside of Detroit. "Im a Michigander, so its not that far off," Gleason said. "Its in my blood. I tried to shake it for eight years, but I came back and I was used to it." NOTES -- Practice was delayed more than 40 minutes because of accidents on the west-bound section of the Gardiner Expressway. Accidents appeared to involve 10 cars in two separate places, and centre Nazem Kadri got caught up in congestion around Islington. It was unclear which other players were stuck in traffic getting out to the teams practice facility. ... The Leafs will wear their Winter Classic jerseys twice more this season, Jan. 18 against the Canadiens and Feb. 7 against the Canucks. Because of that, goaltender Jonathan Bernier will keep his vintage brown pads around before giving them to charity. ... The NHL said an average of 3.57 million people watched CBCs broadcast of the Winter Classic, which is the most for any non-playoff game in Canadian broadcast history. Green Bay Packers Jerseys . Klein went undrafted in the NFL last year following his senior season with the Wildcats. He was invited to the Houston Texans rookie camp, but was not offered a contract. Jaire Alexander Packers Jersey . New York secured second place in the Metropolitan Division when the Philadelphia Flyers lost at Tampa Bay later Thursday. The Rangers will face either the Flyers or Columbus in the opening round of the post-season. The Rangers struggled throughout against the lowly Sabres and goalie Matt Hackett, who played in just his seventh NHL game of the season. http://www.packersrookiestore.com/Packers-Oren-Burks-Jersey/. The team reported the signing on its website Thursday, but said Friday the deal was off in "a mutual parting of the ways that had to do with the language of the contract. Jimmy Graham Packers Jersey . Five years ago, Nestor and Zimonjic beat the American twins to win the title. But the Bryans, the worlds top-ranked team, needed 74 minutes to earn the victory Saturday as both Nestor and Zimonjic lost serve in the second set. DeShone Kizer Packers Jersey . Inter Milan ended its five-match winless streak in all competitions by beating 10-man Bologna 3-1 on new manager Claudio Ranieris debut, while injury-plagued AC Milan edged Cesena 1-0 with an early goal from Clarence Seedorf.FRANKFURT - Having advanced to the knockout stage in the Champions League, Bayern Munich is looking to successfully conclude a good week when it travels to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Saturday.Eintracht has lost its last three games, while Bayern is riding high. It beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 last weekend in the Bundesliga and then eased past Roma 2-0 in the Champions League to make sure of advancing and topping its group.Its closest followers, Wolfsburg and Borussia Moenchengladbach, are four points behind. Wolfsburg hosts Hamburger SV, which is showing signs of revival, while Moenchengladbach visits next-to-last Dortmund, which has lost five straight.Here are some things to know ahead of the Bundesliga weekend.___BAYERN A DISASTER?At least in one area, Bayern coach Pep Guardiola thinks his team is a disaster — in creating goals from corners. In 10 matches so far in the Bundesliga, Bayern has not scored after a corner.We are a disaster and we have to improve there, the perfectionist coach said.Guardiola insists that his team is still not at its peak.We need to play better, we can never be satisfied, that would be a big mistake. We can always play better, Guardiola said after the victory over Roma.Not good news for Frankfurt.___WOLFSBURGS RISEEver since winning the title surprisingly in 2009, Wolfsburg has been trying unsuccessfully to establish itself as a Champions League team. It may be closing in on its goal this season.One of the reasons for its good run (six consecutive victories in all competitions), is the playmaker Kevin de Bruyne. The Belgium international tops the league with seven assists, and also has one goal.I am a winner, I am here to win every match, said de Bruyne, who failed to make an impact in Chelsea. No player can play a perfect game, but I try it every time.Coach Dieter Hecking says the Belgian is no world champion in training but is always eager to play.He is the one who can make the difference in a match, Hecking acknowledged.___CHANGING ROLESWhile Dortmund is battling to escape from the relegation zone, Moennchengladbach is playing some of the best football in the league.ddddddddddddMoenchengladbach gave Bayern a tough test in a 0-0 draw and is the only other undefeated team.Dortmund is hoping to take some of the momentum from the Champions League into the domestic competition. With four wins in four games, Dortmund has advanced in Europe. Dortmund led against Bayern last week before a couple of errors allowed Bayern to come back for a 2-1 victory.Moenchengladbach has a young, exciting team resembling The Foals of the 1970s, who dominated the league and won five titles.Christoph Kramer, Max Kruse, Andre Hahn and Patrick Herrmann are the stars of the team and its fast-paced attacking style, along with Raffael, a Brazilian playmaker.___TOP SCORER, BOTTOM CLUBFranco di Santo is one of the four players leading the Bundesliga with six goals apiece. That is remarkable seeing that his team, Werder Bremen, has only one victory and is last in the standings.He is a leader who is good for us, teammate Felix Kroos said of the Argentine. Di Santo is also popular because of his sunny disposition and positive attitude.Its important, especially in bad times, di Santo said of his good mood despite Bremens dire situation. Di Santo has settled in in his second season and also benefits from a change of formation since new coach Viktor Skripnik started playing with two forwards.___PADERBORN SURPRISEWith 15 points from 10 matches and seventh place, promoted Paderborn is arguably the biggest surprise of the season so far.The small club has the fifth best attack with 16 goals. But coach Andre Breitenreiter remains cautious.We only have 15 points. Thats only a good basis to avoid relegation, not more, said the coach, who is credited with Paderborns success because of his flexible tactics.But defender Patrick Ziegler thinks his team has more substanceAfter 10 matches, you cant talk about beginners luck any more. We are here to stay, he said optimistically.Paderborn travels to Augsburg, another small club that manages to stay in the league with limited means. Wholesale MLB Orioles Jerseys Red Sox Jerseys From China Discount Yankees Jerseys Online Rays Jerseys For Sale Blue Jays Jerseys From China Wholesale MLB White Sox Jerseys Indians Jerseys For Sale Tigers Jerseys From China Wholesale MLB Astros Jerseys Cheap Baseball Angels Jerseys Athletics Jerseys From China Mariners Jerseys For Sale Cheap Baseball Rangers Jerseys Braves Jerseys For Sale Discount Marlins Jerseys Online Discount Mets Jerseys Online Phillies Jerseys From China Wholesale MLB Nationals Jerseys Cubs Jerseys From China Discount Reds Jerseys Online Brewers Jerseys From China Wholesale MLB Pirates Jerseys Wholesale MLB Cardinals Jerseys Diamondbacks Jerseys For Sale Rockies Jerseys For Sale Discount Dodgers Jerseys Online Discount Padres Jerseys Online Giants Jerseys For Sale ' ' '