Mitglieder-Steckbriefe » nfred. Francona has gotten to kn

NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Predators signed centre Olli Jokinen on Wednesday in their latest attempt to boost an offence that has lacked punch. The 35-year-old Jokinen had 18 goals and 25 assists in 82 games last season for the Winnipeg Jets. He signed a one-year deal worth $2.5 million. "Olli is a guy that all through his career has played against the top lines," Predators general manager David Poile said during a news conference. "Hes a big, physical player that can play against the best players in the National Hockey League. His record speaks for itself. Hes a guy thats scored a lot of goals in his career. We expect that this is another guy thats going to help us increase our offensive production." The Predators ranked 19th in the league with 2.61 goals per game last season and missed the playoffs for the second straight year. After the season, the Predators fired Barry Trotz -- the only coach in franchise history - and replaced him with Peter Laviolette. Laviolette and Poile have discussed the Predators hopes of improving the teams offence. The Predators off-season moves have reflected that desire. The Predators acquired forward James Neal in a Friday trade that sent forwards Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Neal had 27 goals and 34 assists in 59 games this season, which marked the sixth straight year he scored at least 20 goals. Now theyve added a veteran presence in Jokinen, who has 317 goals and 423 assists in 1,169 career regular-season games that have taken him all over the NHL. Jokinen had two stints with Calgary and also played with the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes and New York Rangers before coming to Winnipeg in 2012. Jokinen, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound centre, has scored at least 20 goals in seven seasons and has reached the 30-goal mark four times. Jokinen was an NHL All-Star in 2003, and he has been a team captain or alternate captain in eight of his last 11 seasons. Poile cited Jokinens experience and versatility should help the Predators. Poile said the Predators are penciling Jokinen in at centre but also believe he can play wing. "With all the young players that we have here, I think the idea of adding that veteran forward presence was the right thing to do," Poile said. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . Speaking on Leafs Lunch with Bryan Hayes and Jamie McLennan on Thursday, Bernier said it was "very hard" at times being entrenched behind Jonathan Quick and is now excited at the prospect of getting an opportunity to compete with Reimer for the top spot with the Leafs. Cheap Wild Jerseys Authentic . -- The Seattle Seahawks and wide receiver Sidney Rice have agreed to terms on a deal. http://www.cheapwildjerseys.com/. 3. Trevor Ariza left them talkin about 40. Ariza made eight 3-pointers and scored a career-high 40 points to help the Washington Wizards win their sixth straight game, 122-103 over Philadelphia on Saturday night. Wholesale Wild Jerseys . - Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II says the NFL has told the team it will not be docked a pick in this years draft for coach Mike Tomlins foray onto the field against Baltimore last November. Cheap Minnesota Wild Jerseys . PAUL, Minn.CLEVELAND -- Before touching home plate, Mike Aviles slowed down long enough to get splashed in the face with cold water by his teammates. Maybe the Indians are waking up just in time. Aviles homered leading off the 11th inning Friday night to give Cleveland a 2-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Aviles, who made two barehanded plays at third base earlier in the game, connected on a 1-2 pitch from Brian Matusz (2-3), driving it onto the home run porch in left field for just Clevelands second run in the past 22-plus innings. The Indians were shut out 1-0 by Arizona in 12 innings on Wednesday night. After rounding third, Aviles was doused by his jubilant teammates, who then embraced him and danced as one up the first-base line. "That would have been a tough one to lose," Indians manager Terry Francona said. The Indians ninth walk-off win -- and second in three games -- allowed them to keep their playoff push going and not waste another strong outing from Corey Kluber, who allowed just one run in 7 2-3 innings and remained unbeaten in eight starts since June. Scott Atchison (6-0) retired all six batters. Kluber struck out 10 and has allowed just four runs in 47 2-3 innings over six second-half starts. He has a 0.76 ERA since July 6. The stoic Kluber, nicknamed "Klubot" by for his passive demeanour, walked one. "Hes so good and he competes," Francona said. "Hes just worked himself into being one of the premier pitchers in baseball. He wants to be the best." Rookie Zach Walters homered off Baltimore starter Wei-Yin Chen as the Indians won for the fourth time in five games. Blanked until the eighth by Kluber, the Orioles tied it on J.J. Hardys two-out single. After Kluber got two outs, Nelson Cruz singled off the right-hander, who has been on a remarkable run during the seasons second half. Kluber received a standing ovation from Clevelands fans as he walked to the dugout, and he had barely taken a seat when the Orioles evened it against Bryan Shaw. Delmon Young singled and Hardy, who missed the previous four games with a sprained left thumb, also singled,, with Cruz scoring ahead of centre fielder Michael Brantleys throw to the plate.dddddddddddd Klubers eight double-digit strikeout games this season are the most for an Indians pitcher since Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley in 1976. Walters gave the Indians a 1-0 lead with a homer in the fifth off Chen, who allowed only four hits in seven innings. During his brilliant second-half stretch, Kluber has struck out 55 in less than 48 innings, outdueled Seattle ace Felix Hernandez, downed the Tigers and Yankees and carried a perfect game into the seventh at Kansas City on July 24 before getting a no-decision. Kluber hasnt lost since June 30, and that was a 1-0 setback against the Dodgers. GAMESMANSHIP Francona wasnt pleased with how the umpires handled Baltimore manager Buck Showalter contesting that Orioles centre fielder Adam Jones was hit by a pitch in the eighth. Francona felt the delay -- Jones squared to bunt and appeared to get hit in the hand -- may have affected Kluber. After looking at a replay, the umpires determined Jones offered at the pitch. THIS BUDS FOR YOU: Francona had high praise for baseball commissioner Bud Selig, who will be replaced in January by Rob Manfred. Francona has gotten to know Selig over the years and credited him with steering the game through "some tumultuous times." "I cant imagine trying to please 30 owners and 30 teams," Francona said, "especially the way baseball is set up." TRAINERS ROOM Orioles: 3B Manny Machado (sprained right knee) is travelling with the team, but theres no timetable for when his return. Indians: 1B Nick Swisher will have his right knee examined again on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Its possible hell need season-ending surgery, and Swishers injury could explain his lack of production in his second season with Cleveland. UP NEXT Former Indians RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (4-8) faces his ex-teammates for the second time this season. Jimenez went 13-9 for Cleveland last season before signing with Baltimore as a free agent. Hell face RHP Carlos Carrasco (4-4), making his second start since returning to Clevelands rotation. ' ' '