Biete - Metall » this week with knee injuries, and miss

BROSSARD, Que. -- P.K. Subban was still wearing his playoff beard as he answered questions about what may be a summer-long story about his contract negotiations. Since signing a two-year "bridge" deal that paid him US$3.75 million this season, the 25-year-old, who has become one of the NHLs best and most entertaining defencemen, is a potential restricted free agent in position to ink a multi-year contract for a kings ransom with the Montreal Canadiens. Or he could take a shorter contract and then become an unrestricted free agent. Subban said he hopes to sign a long-term deal and to stay in Montreal his entire career. "Im sure everybody in hockey wants a long-term contract, but for me, its not just about that," he said. "Its about being part of a team that can win a championship, and I believe we have that in this dressing room. "When it comes to contract stuff, thats why I hire my agent (Don Meehan). Thats why we pay him. Thats his job and Ill let him do his job. Ive done mine, and hell do his." The Canadiens, coming off their second trip to the Eastern Conference final in four years, gathered at their suburban training centre to clear out lockers and begin exit interviews before splitting up for the off-season. Their better-than-expected run to the third round of playoffs ended on Thursday with a 1-0 loss to the Rangers in New York. "Right now, the season just ended 48 hours ago," said Subban. "It feels weird cleaning out my stall. "Im just still trying to enjoy the last couple of days with my teammates before going home. Enjoy the summer with my family. So, I havent put much thought into (a new contract) as of right now, but obviously during the summer its something that will get taken care of." General manager Marc Bergevin, who will talk to the media only on Monday, has a heap of contracts to settle, but none will be watched with quite the rapt attention of Subbans. During his bridge deal, the Toronto native won the Norris Trophy as the leagues top defenceman in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season and followed with a career-best 53-point campaign in which he had 24:36 of ice time per game, second on the team to rearguard Andrei Markov. He also helped Canada win gold at the Sochi Olympics in February, although he was cast as the extra defenceman on a talent-packed team due to managements doubts about defensive lapses. Where Subban sits on the scale of NHL stars, or of top defencemen, is much debated. Among his Olympic teammates, Shea Weber is signed through 2020-21 by Nashville for an average of $7.8 million per season, Drew Doughty is with Los Angeles until 2018-19 at $7.0 million, while Chicagos Duncan Keith will make only $5.5 million until 2020-21. The one he is often compared with is Ottawas Erik Karlsson, who is earning $6.5 million per year through 2018-19. But with the salary cap expected to rise steadily in coming years, the scale may now he higher for a player of Subbans skill and star power. And theres always the possibility that another team (Toronto perhaps?) makes him a spectacular offer that the Canadiens would have the right to match. Asked if he feels he has reached elite status among NHL defenders, Subban said it is for others to decide. "I dont control what people say and what category people put me in," he sad. "All I can control is trying to help my team win hockey games and a championship. "Thats my goal. But in terms of what people say about me. There are always critics. There are always people that are going to characterize yourself, your game. Thats not for me to do." Two other restricted free agents who are likely to be much easier to sign are Lars Eller, who had an excellent playoffs and who is developing into a shut-down centre, and right-winger Dale Weise, a late-season pickup who sparkled in the post-season until suffering a suspected concussion in Game 5 of the conference final. Weise was not available to the media. And RFA Ryan White, who wasnt used in the playoffs, has an uncertain future with the club, although he would likely be of interest to a team needing a fourth liner with grit to his game. Markov, Thomas Vanek and captain Brian Gionta top the list of seven potential unrestricted free agents. The tough decisions involve Markov and Gionta, who are both 35 and slowing but who are leaders on the team. Both may have to take short-term deals for perhaps less money. Gionta, ending a five-year deal that pays $5 million per season, wants to stay. "My familys been here for a while," he said. "We love the city. "We love the team and believe in the team and the direction of the team, so well leave it up to (Bergevin) and my agent to take care of it." Vanek has said all season he intends to test the free agent market. The big, gifted winger showed he can be a game-changer when at his best, but he struggled in the playoffs and ended up going from the first to the fourth lines. "A year ago I made a decision that it will likely be my only time to pick my own team, and hopefully pick a team where I have a chance to win," said Vanek, who started the season in Buffalo and moved to the New York Islanders before being picked up at the trade deadline by Montreal. "Once you make the decision, you cant look back. "I loved it. Its a market that I wasnt used to. Overall, I have nothing but good things to say. Marc Bergevin really made me feel at home. When I had ups and downs he was always there for me. Hes a great guy. Ill always appreciate what he did for me." Vanek insists he wasnt injured in the playoffs, but said he struggled once he was taken off the top unit with David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. "I thought we were one of the best lines," he said. "Once I got taken off, I just struggled to find myself on a new line. "I played with (Tomas Plekanec) most of the playoffs and it just didnt work. Were both, I believe, very good players, were just not on the same page. Its just a different game." The Canadiens may also want to keep another deadline pickup, defenceman Mike Weaver, although he is also over 35. But it may be the end in Montreal for potential UFAs Francis Bouillon, Douglas Murray and enforcer George Parros. "Id like to keep playing, but well see what happens," said 38-year-old Bouillon. While much of the talk was of who would and would not be back, the mood was upbeat. The Canadiens were expected to battle just to make the playoffs, but ended up with a 100-point regular season and a trip to the conference finals. They have a young core of Subban, Pacioretty, pesky winger Brendan Gallagher, skilled 20-year-old Alex Galchenyuk, goalie Carey Price and a few promising young defencemen that suggest they can become a Cup contender. "I think we have an excellent opportunity," said Price, who injured a knee in the opening game of the conference final. "We came just a little bit short, so well need to find ways to improve somehow. "We didnt win, so we have to get better. How that is well have to evaluate over the summer. Each player individually is going to have to figure out a way to get 10 per cent better. It might not even be that much, it might be one per cent better. But were going to have to improve somehow." Juventus Jerseys . So far, so good: Gonzalez has allowed one run through 12 innings this season. His second start came Tuesday night, when he gave up only three singles over six innings to lead the Nationals to a 5-0 victory over the Miami Marlins. Gianluigi Buffon Jersey . 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Formula One Teams Association secretary general Oliver Weingarten says the organization collapsed over unpaid subscription fees and a failure to strike an agreement for 2014 with all 11 teams.KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Three weeks ago, the Kansas City Chiefs were charging toward the top of the AFC West.They had as much momentum as anybody in the league, winners of five straight.They had just beaten the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks.They also had barely heard of Latavius Murray.Everything changed over four quarters in Oakland, though. The Chiefs struggled through the rain against a team that had lost 16 straight. Murray needed only four carries to run for 112 yards and two scores before leaving with a concussion.And the Raiders squeaked out a 24-20 win that started Kansas City (7-6) on a disastrous three-game skid.Now, the Chiefs are in playoff peril as they prepare to face the Raiders (2-11) on Sunday.In much the same way their season did an about-face with their first meeting, the Chiefs hope to turn things around when the longtime rivals meet again at Arrowhead Stadium.We still got a chance, Chiefs defensive tackle Dontari Poe said. Long as we got that and were trying to push, were going to keep moving. Theres really never any pointing fingers.Maybe thats because there are more places to point than fingers to do the pointing.Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has been sacked 11 times in two games. Kansas City still does not have a touchdown catch from a wide receiver. Running back Jamaal Charles is banged up, as is tight end Anthony Fasano and linebacker Tamba Hali. The Chiefs run defence has been gouged by everyone. Their pass defence hasnt fared much better lately.With games still to go against Pittsburgh and San Diego, two teams also in the playoff mix, the Chiefs may be reaching the point of no return against the Raiders.The positive is there are some things we can do here to fix the issues, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. They are not things that we cant work out.The Raiders (2-11) could be an ideal get-right opponent, provided its the bunch that was whacked 52-0 by St. Louis two weeks ago and not the one that stunned San Francisco last week.Murray missed the Rams game while recovering from his concussion, but the break-out second-year running back returned to run 23 times for 76 yards against the 49ers.ddddddddddddWe missed him for that St. Louis game, but he came back last week, played in the game, did a nice job, Raiders coach Tony Sparano said. Hell be ready to go.With their season slipping away, the Chiefs insist theyll be ready, too.Here are some things to watch for in Sundays game.TRAINERS ROOM: Charles, Fasano and Hali all missed practice this week with knee injuries, and missing any of them would be a blow to the Chiefs. Charles is their most dynamic playmaker and Fasano helps to carve out holes for him. Hali helps to keep league sack leader Justin Houston from getting double-teamed. Next man up, weve got to go, Smith said.FAST CARR: The Raiders Derek Carr is coming off the best game of his rookie season, completing 22 of 28 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He threw for 174 yards with a touchdown and no picks against Kansas City earlier this season.POWERFUL TRUCK: Khalil Mack may hit like, well, a Mack truck, but he hadnt been hitting the quarterback much until only recently. The Raiders first-round pick had his first sack in Week 11 against San Diego, and is coming off his first two-sack game against San Francisco. Thats the part of my game that Ive always thought about, he said, making plays in the backfield.SWISS CHEESE: Running backs have merely had to pick their hole against the Kansas City run defence lately. The Chiefs have allowed at least 100 yards rushing in six straight games, and at least 200 yards in two of them. Even without star running back Andre Ellington, the Cardinals still ran for 141 yards last week. They make plays, too. Theyre professionals, linebacker Joe Mays said. We just have to work on our stuff in practice and be better.GOING FOR TWO: Oakland will be trying to win back-to-back games for the first time since Weeks 7 and 8 in 2012, and win on the road for the first time in 10 games. Theyre calling it a revenge game. Were knowledgeable of that, Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera said. 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