Executive Ian Penny will leave NHLPA

On Friday there is a statement made by the National Hockey League Players' Association(NHLPA):
"Interim Executive Director Ian Penny informed the NHLPA staff and the NHLPA Executive Board earlier today that it is his position he has been constructively dismissed as Interim Executive Director of the NHLPA and can no longer work in the present circumstances. Effective today, Ian Penny is no longer employed by the NHLPA.

There have been inaccurate media reports circulating today that the NHLPA has suspended operations. The NHLPA staff continues to work very hard on behalf of the players in all areas of the Association's business and will continue to do so going forward. The NHLPA will make no further comment today on this internal matter." It is regrettable that Penny leave the Association.

Giguere broke his groin again

Ducks goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere indicated on Sunday afternoon that he injured his groin during last night's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Honda Center. Giguere, who had been hampered by a groin strain in these days, got the start and gave up five goals in the game. Finally Giguere went down in pain after the goal and left the game, and he was replaced by Jonas Hiller. "I didn't see the puck until the last second, and when I saw it, I threw my leg out and my groin let go," Giguere said of the goal. "That's what happened when I hurt it before, and that made it worse."

Giguere said he was not sure if he would be available to play in tomorrow night's game against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs at Honda Center. "I think I need to give it a couple of days of rest and see what's going to happen," he said. "We're not too concerned about it, but I think yesterday was a bit of a lesson that you've got to give it time and make sure it's ready. We have great trainers who know what they're doing and right now I don't foresee this being a problem.” Hope he will come back to the team in ducks jerseys soon.

Canucks' Demitra may be out for several weeks

Pavol Demitra, who was initially projected to be out for six weeks after recovering from the shoulder surgery in the offseason, is now out indefinitely after a shoulder scope earlier this week revealed some complications in his range of motion. “He was going fine and in the last three weeks he hit a wall and the range of motion wasn’t there," said Alain Vigneault. "He tried different shots and that wasn’t helping him. Finally, the doctors and Demitra decided to go in there and find out what was wrong.”

Demitra collected 20 goals and 33 assists in 69 games with the Canucks last season but missed the first nine contests. Will he come back to the ice in the canucks jersey on time?

Union and MLB decide to push back collusion deadline

Players and owners have agreed to push back the deadline over last winter's free agents until the end of this offseason. The deal allows both sides to view how this offseason's free-agent market develops. There are few stars in this winter's class, and agents expressed concern last summer that no major players eligible for free agency agreed to contract extensions. Commissioner Bud Selig said there was no conspiracy against free agents. Major League Baseball's executive vice president for labor relations Rob Manfred, confirmed the agreement or else declined comment.

In addition, the sides in 2006 settled potential claims that management may have conspired against free agents following the 2002 and 2003 seasons. That deal called for a $12 million payment to settle unfiled collusion claims along with other pending grievances. Separately, players and owners have had an agreement since last year extending the deadline to file a collusion grievance after the 2007 season. That deal says after the end of Bonds' criminal trial , the union has to file a grievance.

High school pitcher Kikuchi will remain in Japan

Japanese high school pitcher Yusei Kikuchi announced at a press conference on Sunday in Japan that he will choose his country's pro leagues for now. He is expected to be the No. 1 pick in Japan's Oct. 29 amateur draft. "I don't think I have what it takes to compete at the world level yet." Said Kikuchi.

If a player joins a Japanese team, he must play nine seasons before becoming a free agent. Some players, such as Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka (in red sox jersey) , can leave earlier through a posting system that allows Major League Baseball teams to bid for negotiating rights.

Blue Jackets sign Russell to a 3-year deal

General Manager Scott Howson announced that the Columbus Blue Jackets have signed 22-year-old defenseman Kris Russell (in blue jackets jersey) to a three-year contract extension. Russell, who was taken by Columbus in the third round in the 2005 Entry Draft, has 4 goals and 28 assists for 32 points and 42 penalty minutes in 137 career games with the Blue Jackets. He got 28 penalty minutes in 66 games with Columbus Blue Jackets last season. His point total ranked third among club defensemen.

"Kris is an important player for us, not only in the present, but in the future," Howson said in a statement. "We believe he has just scratched the surface of his potential." He was a winner of the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s defenseman of the year in 2005-06 and 2006-07 and won the Four Broncos Trophy as the WHL Player of the Year while leading the Tigers to the WHL championship in 2006-07.

Bernie Parent will join Gary Bettman's program

Hall of Fame goaltender Bernie Parent will join Commissioner Gary Bettman on the NHL Hour from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday. Parent led the Philadelphia Flyers to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in both years. "NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman" broadcasts live on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on NHL Home Ice and NHL.com.

Another Hall of Famer, Bobby Hull, will join hosts Rob Simpson on NHL Live on Thursday which marks the 52nd anniversary of Hull's first NHL goal. There are also Florida Panthers coach Peter DeBoer, CBC's Elliotte Friedman, Anaheim Ducks center Saku Koivu and Hall of Famer Cam Neely.