were a number of locks, especially at the centr

With the MLB Off-Season underway, many teams are looking to upgrade, find replacements, and make major renovations to their clubs. TSN.ca looks at the days hottest off-season rumors and speculations. Oakland Not Done? After shocking the baseball world by dealing All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Oakland Athletics may not be done on the trade market. According to John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group, the Athletics have talked to the Atlanta Braves about outfielders Justin Upton and Evan Gattis. Upton has been the subject of trade rumours all off-season. The package back in any deal is expected to include Jeff Samardzija, whom Oakland acquired at last season’s trade deadline. Another possible desination for the right-hander is the Chicago White Sox, according to the Chicago Sun Times. In 16 games with the Athletics, Samardzija went 5-6 with a 3.14 ERA. Billy Beane said that Oakland is unlikely to add a shortstop via free agency. The team is not expected to re-sign Jed Lowrie. One More Year for Avila The Detroit Tigers plan to have Alex Avila as their starting catcher this season, however the team is prepared to let him walk as a free agent next year, according to Lynn Henning of The Detroit News. Since being named an All-Star in 2011, Avila has struggled to continue his strong offensive play. He has also dealt with a number of concussions in recent years. Rookie catcher James McCann, the team’s first round pick in 2011, is expected to succeed Avila in 2016. Cheap Air Max Plus . Every once in awhile, it seems like life lets dreams become real - and that is a gift. Air Max Plus On Sale .com) - Nate Buss 3-pointer with 5. http://www.cheapairmaxplus.net/ . Not Peyton Manning. Hes holding on to the heartache to stoke his competitive fire. Wholesale Air Max Plus . 9 Baylor Bears just needed some time to get on track in their first game after the Christmas break. Air Max Plus Cheap . The 28-year-old from Rochester, Alta., was selected by the Redblacks from the Saskatchewan Roughriders roster in the 2013 CFL Expansion Draft.With Hockey Canadas Olympic orientation camp underway in Calgary, the NHL on TSN took an early look at which players should make the final roster and represent the country in February in Russia. There was no lock in net, but Vancouver Games starter Roberto Luongo is considered a favourite to make the team. "It doesnt seem like anyones way out in front but its hard to believe, given the comments Mike Babcock made, that Robert Luongo wouldnt be on this team," said NHL on TSN analyst Ray Ferraro. "Babcock talked about how hes proud of the way Luongo has handled this past year and that hes a winner. Hes won before (in Vancover)." Experience appears to be a big factor in determining which three goalies coaches will ultimately go with. "You do also have some World Championship experience in Mike Smith and they believe that Carey Price is going to find a way to have a better year for the Montreal Canadiens," added TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger. "The top three would be Luongo, Price, and Smith." Duncan Keith, Drew Doughty, and Shea Weber were considered locks on defence by the panel while four players favoured to make the team included Alex Pietrangelo, PK Subban, Kris Letang, and a potential surprise in Jay Bouwmeester. "Even though Bouwmeesters game isnt as dynamic as Subbans, even though it doesnt have as much bite as Letangs game, he plays really well on the big ice," said NHL on TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie. "When hes played in the World Championship, hes fared very well. He defends very well and when youve got the wheels and the ability to move the puck the way that Bouwmeester does, I think its natural that he is one of the favourites to slot right in behind Keith, Doughty, and Weber. Ferraro added another potentially surprise candidate to make the team in Vancouver Canucks blueliner Dan Hamhuis. "When Kevin Lowee was talking about what theyre looking for in their defencemen, he talked about guys that can defend the big ice, are good skaters, and can quickly move the puck.dddddddddddd Hamhuis answers a lot of those questions. I believe Hamhuis has a real good chance of pushing his way onto this team." Dreger also mentioned that Team Canada coaches will be putting an emphasis on defencemen who are responsible in their own zone, cautioning against too many offensive defencemen making the squad. "There is a lot of gamble defensively in Subbans and Letangs game but youre looking at a Norris Trophy winner so I think Subban has the edge." Up front there were a number of locks, especially at the centre position where Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Ryan Getzlaf, Claude Giroux, and John Tavares all figure to make the team. With so many centres, line combinations could pose a problem for coaches. "As much as Babcock would like to play players in their comfortable position, I dont see any way around the fact theyre going to have to move centres to the wing." Wingers Eric Staal, Rick Nash, Steven Stamkos, and Patrice Bergeron were also considered locks by the panel while Corey Perry and Martin St. Louis were added to the depth chart as favourites. As for the few positions up for grabs, McKenzie said players whose games are tailored towards the big ice could hold the advantage. "Its going to be interesting. The decisions that were made last time – Mike Richards played the wing last time and was really effective – this time around, does the big ice work against Richards and in the favour of Jeff Carter who was effectively the last cut for Team Canada up front last time around? The first three months of the NHL season will be the final audition for the players but it appears there may be a lot players competing for few positions. ' ' '