against Pitt State, was the top prospect in the class of 2013.

TORONTO - Nazem Kadri has been able to get under Sidney Crosbys skin before. Proof of that came on HBOs 24/7 show last year when the Pittsburgh Penguins star called the Toronto Maple Leafs centre a dummy and a joke. There were some expletives in there, too, as Crosby vented his frustration with Kadri to Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf. I was matched up against him and Im an agitator and Im going to do anything I can to try and get him thinking about me and not the game, Kadri said. I think it originally started with just a hit he threw on the boards and he thought I kind of embellished a little bit. Words were exchanged and thats really when it just all started to heat up. With the Penguins in town Saturday night, the Leafs will be able to pester and annoy the reigning Hart Trophy winner once again. Not only does Kadri relish the opportunity to mess with Crosbys head, noted gnat Leo Komarov could also be a bother. With Sid, youve got to play him hard, Phaneuf said Friday. I think that when you play him hard and try and limit his time and space, thats when you can do a good job of making him move the puck and not hold onto it and create chances because when you give him time hes going to create things. Komarov is the kind of player the Leafs missed last season when the forward was in the KHL. Already through the pre-season and one regular-season game, teammates appreciate his antics. You almost laugh to yourself sometimes on the bench when you see him flying around out there and guys are getting all upset, winger James van Riemsdyk said. He looks like a little angel out there, but thats far from the case. I think thats why you see a lot of guys try to whack him and take runs at him and he just keeps on ticking. Van Riemsdyk said opponents arent sure what to say to Komarov because they dont know if he speaks English. Plus, Komarov doesnt add any banter and does it all with a straight face. Thats part of why its so funny, van Riemsdyk said. Kadri said he started agitating as soon as he started playing contact hockey as a kid because of a lesson his father taught him. He said if things arent going your way, you go out and try and establish yourself, get into the game with a big bodycheck or a verbal encounter or something like that just to get your emotions to where they want to be, Kadri said. When Im at my best, I can agitate and have other guys worry about me. And at the same time I can go out there and make a play and make a difference and have an impact on the game. That would be welcome against the Penguins, who showed off plenty of firepower in beating the Anaheim Ducks 6-4 on Thursday night in coach Mike Johnstons debut behind the bench. Crosby had two goals and an assist. He came back with a bang last night, Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said. He was a dynamic force to handle. Crosby isnt quite a three-point-a-game player all-time against the Leafs, but he has 20 goals and 23 assists in 28 previous meetings. In 13 games at Air Canada Centre, Pittsburghs captain has 17 points. Hes a good player, Kadri said. Anything to get him off his game is going to be good with us. If Carlyle continues what he did against the Montreal Canadiens, the top line of van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Kessel could again draw the assignment of the opponents stars. In this case it would be Chris Kunitz, Crosby and Patric Hornqvist. If we play against them were going to have to play good defence and try to turn it into a bit of offence, Kessel said. You want to have the puck. If they have the puck its tough to defend them. The Leafs mantra in defending Crosby has to do with keeping someone as close to him as possible. Crowd him as much as possible, dont give him the freedom that he enjoys, and when you do give him freedom hes a very dangerous player, Carlyle said. He might be the most dangerous player in the league. Notes: Right-winger Richard Panik (whose surname is pronounced PAWN-ihk) skated on the Leafs fourth line alongside Daniel Winnik and Peter Holland in his first practice since being claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. With Panik expected to play there against the Penguins, Matt Frattin figures to be a healthy scratch. ... Injured blue-liner Cody Franson (knee) reported more progress, but Carlyle said the defenceman is more likely to be available Sunday against the New York Rangers rather than against Pittsburgh. That would mean rookie Stuart Percy remains in the lineup for his second career NHL game. Custom Atlanta Falcons Jerseys . Mladenovics quick hands at the net made the difference while Bencics inexperience in doubles showed. "We took a lot of pleasure," Mladenovic told Sport Plus television. "Its extremely difficult to play in such conditions, but our doubles team showed a lot of quality. Custom Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys . Wiggins, a 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward who plays his first exhibition game on Wednesday against Pitt State, was the top prospect in the class of 2013. http://www.footballcustomjerseys.com/custom-new-york-jets-jerseys-928c.html .com) - The Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings are ready to put all the talk and hype surrounding their meeting at Dodger Stadium behind them. Custom Denver Broncos Jerseys .A. Dickey earned an American League Gold Glove on Tuesday to become the first Toronto Blue Jays pitcher to win the award. Custom Seattle Seahawks Jerseys . Jeff Carter had two goals and an assist as the Kings stretched their streak to seven wins in a row with a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.Anaheim Ducks F Jarko Ruutu announces retirement. - Pro Hockey Talk G Ilya Bryzgalov, F Dany Heatley recalled from AHL conditioning stints. - Orange County Register F Chris Wagner sent down to Norfolk (AHL). - Orange County Register Carolina Hurricanes Recalled F Justin Shugg from Charlotte Checkers (AHL). - Team website Placed F Andrej Nesrasil on injured reserve due to upper-body injur. - Team website Columbus Blue Jackets D Fedor Tyutin (knee) a possibility vs. Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. - The Columbus Dispatch Detroit Red Wings F Johan Franzen, F Tomas Tatar dealing with non-mumps related illness. - MLive.com Minnesota Wild F Brett Sutter called up from Iowa (AHL). - Star Tribune F Ryan Carter placed on injured reserve with upper-bod injury. - Star Tribune D Keith Ballard (concussion/facial fractures) placed on injured reserve. - Star Tribune D Jared Spurgeon has stomach virus and not the mumps. F Matt Cooke (hip) took part in practice on Monday. - Team Twitter New Jersey Devils Mike Cammalleri sent back to New Jersey with lower-boody injury.dddddddddddd - The Record F Travis Zajac says hes ready to return from lower-body injury, illness. - The Record New York Islanders F Casey Cizikas to return to lineup from upper-body injury. - Team Twitter F Michael Grabner out of lineup, day-to-day with lower-body injury. - Team Twitter G Jaroslav Halak to start Monday vs. New Jersey Devils. - Team Twitter Ottawa Senators F Milan Michalek ready to rejoin Senators from upper-body injury. - Team Twitter Philadelphia Flyers F Vincent Lecavalier (lower body) took part in practice Monday. - Philly.com Pittsburgh Penguins F Robert Bortuzzos undisclosed injury related to upper body. - Team Twitter Tampa Bay Lightning F Ondrej Palat will miss at least two more games with lower-body injury. - Tampa Bay Times D Radko Gudas may return Tuesday from illness. - Tampa Bay Times Vancouver Canucks Recalled D Alex Biega from Utica Comets (AHL). - Vancouver Province Bo Horvat will remain with the club and not be loaned to Team Canada for the World Junior Championship - Team Release Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '