In the midst of a six-game losing streak that has dropped them out of a playoff position, Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf joined TSN 1050 to discuss the teams recent struggles and the criticism he received following a difficult game versus the Blues. wholesale nfl jerseys . “Weve played some pretty good hockey, but havent been able to get wins,” Phaneuf said. “The biggest thing is sticking together…Were going to get out of this together.” In regards to Tuesday nights game against St. Louis in which he posted a minus-3 rating and declined to speak with the media following the game, Phaneuf said he wasnt comfortable answering questions in the emotional state he was in. “Last night I felt with the emotions I had, I declined to be available to the media,” Phaneuf said. “I dont like doing scrums when I have that emotion.” Phaneuf confident Leafs can make playoffs wholesale jerseys . -- Jayce Hawryluks second goal of the game with 29 seconds left lifted the Brandon Wheat Kings past the Regina Pats 5-4 in Western Hockey League play Wednesday. jerseys from china . -- Michael Phelps has competed in the second event of his comeback and failed to advance to the 50-meter freestyle final.EDMONTON -- Dallas Eakins brings an emphasis on fitness, accountability and frankness to his new job as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers. His arrival also creates a new beginning for a team that has missed the playoffs seven straight years. Forward Jordan Eberle said its time the Oilers forgot about their potential and started proving their ability. "Its a new slate, new coach, new mandate," Eberle said Wednesday. "Theres a point, probably a couple years ago, when you get sick and tired of hearing how good youre going to be and just want to get to that point." Fellow veteran forward Sam Gagner said the expectation for the team has to be nothing less than the playoffs. "Weve been through a lot of losing," he said after the teams camp opened with medicals and fitness testing. "It helps you grow as a person but its never fun. Our core is pretty much intact and we have a lot to prove. "Its important for us to realize that the time is now to turn things around." To that end Eakins, hired in the off-season to replace the fired Ralph Krueger, made it clear to the players its time to shed the "young team" label and show they belong in the NHL. "Its a cop-out to be labelled young," said Gagner, whos heading into his seventh season with the Oilers. "It allows you to go through some growing periods but thats done now. Weve been through a lot as a core and its time for us to move forward. "We have a mix of veterans, young guys and everything in between and its important for us to reach that next level." Theyll try to do that without veteran captain Shawn Horcoff (traded to Dallas), minus an established backup to goaltender Devan Dubnyk and with No. 1 centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins -- the first pick in the 2011 draft -- on the sidelines. Nugent-Hopkinns underwent off-season shoulder surgery and is expected to miss the first few weeks of the regular season. nfl jerseys china. Eakins, who was hired last June after will experiment with winger Taylor Hall, the teams leading scorer last season, moving into the vacant centre spot. "Dont make too much of that," Eakins cautioned. "Its not like Ive asked this guy to go play right defence. Hes played centre before. It may be an option for us a I want as many options as I can. "This is my experiment. If it works, great, if it doesnt I was crazy and well move him back to left wing where hes a pretty good player." For his part, Eakins said one of his immediate tasks is to learn the personalities of each of his players. "Its absolutely No. 1 for me," he said. "I dont know how you motivate a guy or push him in the right direction if you dont know what makes him tick. I just dont know how to do it. You really have to get to know the individuals." The former Toronto Marlies coach assured his players there would be no surprises. Hell be frank and upfront with them on all issues. "Its common sense to me," he said. "I dont like surprises a and I dont think players need surprises either. Theyll know exactly where they stand with me." In return he expects full accountability from his players, and that, said Gagner and Eberle, is how it should be. "He demands a lot of us, which is great," said Eberle. "Accountability is one of the most important things in the dressing room and with Dallas, if theres a problem hes going to address it. Thats how a team should function. If a guys not working hard someone should say something." The Oilers have 62 players in camp. They will open the pre-season Saturday with split-squad games against the Flames in Edmonton and Calgary. cheap jerseys cheap jerseys from china ' ' '
