e next days starter,” the long-time Baltimore Oriole

NEW YORK, N.Y. - After a year of record revenues, the NHL salary cap is going up again. The exact figure for the 2014-15 hasnt been set yet, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday following a meeting of the leagues board of governors, but he hoped it would be worked out with the players association in time for the start of the two-day entry draft Friday in Philadelphia. The final number is expected to be in the high $60 millions or low $70 millions. That gives general managers a guideline as they head into the draft and the free-agent shopping season that begins on Tuesday. "We hope to have a mutual understanding as to what the cap will be within the next day, hopefully at the latest," Bettman said. "Its something that obviously we do in conjunction with the players association. "There have been ongoing meetings, but our goal would be to move this as quickly as possible. But we have a dance partner and we want to make sure the music is playing appropriately and were both hearing the same things." Many team officials rushed out of the midtown Manhattan hotel where Thursdays meeting took place and headed to Philadelphia for the draft, which will open with the first round Friday night and conclude with rounds 2-7 on Saturday. Teams that have large amounts of cap space can already make their off-season plans, whether it be trades or free-agent signings, without knowing the final cap number. "I expect to see a lot more trades than we normally see," Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher said. "Well see a lot more trades, in my opinion, that dont even involve draft picks. Hockey trades. Theres so much parity in the league, everyone is trying to get ahead. I think some teams look at free agency as not an ideal route. I think there will be a lot of movement." Last seasons salary cap sat at $64.3 million, quite a jump from the original cap number of $39 million, established after the lockout-cancelled season of 2004-05. The only time the cap number dropped from the previous season was in 2012-13 following another lockout when the figure was set at $60 million after being $64.3 in 2011-12. Bettman said number-crunching was still being done to determine what the leagues revenues were last season, but he declared they were at an all-time high. "It is a record number, which is a testament to the strength of the game and our fans, and how competitive things are," he said. Also discussed Thursday were a host of potential rules changes that have already passed through the leagues competition committee and the general managers, who met earlier this month in New York during the Stanley Cup finals. There were no hurdles involved in those proposed adjustments, and the new rules are on track to be approved by the players association. "There are things that we need to consult with the players association on," Bettman said "I would prefer to do that before we make any formal announcements. I think its better for the process that way." The biggest possible changes revolve around the 5-minute overtime period in the regular season. The league would like to create more overtime goals and have fewer shootouts. The proposal includes doing a scrape of the ice before overtime instead of before the shootout to give a cleaner surface to play on, and having teams change direction after the third period to create a longer change to the benches. "In our game now, the way its played, teams play so hard," said Hockey Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille, now the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings president of business operations. "Players are so good, and when theres not a lot of room, suddenly one bad change and it ends up on a 2-on-1 or a 3-on-2. "It does make a difference. This certainly will open up a few plays here and there. That long change is always a hard thing for most teams." Also subject to change are penalties for faceoff infractions after icings, which could result in a delay-of-game penalty, the configuration of faceoff circles, increasing the size of the trapezoid behind the net, and tougher penalties for embellishment. "Very consistent with the discussions with the competition committee and with the general managers," Bettman said of Thursdays talks. "When everything is neatly bundled up, well issue a formal release giving you the details on all of that." Koen Casteels Belgium Jersey . “Momentum is only as good as the next days starter,” the long-time Baltimore Orioles manager famously quipped. Marouane Fellaini Belgium Jersey . - Aroldis Chapman, with two black eyes, has returned to the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse four days after being hit in the face by a line drive. http://www.belgiumsoccerpro.com/Thibaut-Courtois-Belgium-Jersey/ . Snedekers best result so far this year is a tie for eighth place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. He sits 113th in FedEx Cup standings and has dropped to 31st in world rankings — not the results expected from a player ranked fourth in the world only two years ago. Dedryck Boyata Belgium Jersey . Messier, who had been a special assistant to Rangers general manager Glen Sather, announced Thursday in a statement that he is resigning in order to "expand the game of hockey in the New York area by developing the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. Yannick Carrasco Belgium Jersey . Fans holding laudatory signs started showing up at Yankee Stadium when the gates opened at 4 p.m. Monday, an hour early in order to give them a chance to watch the New York captain take batting practice.Awesome NCAA Tournament so far! Cant wait for the final six days of coverage on TSN. Enjoy! I know Im loving it. Tyler Ennis and Andrew Wiggins are out yet other Canadian players are having a big impact on their respective teams appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. Lets take a quick look at these impact guys. 1. NIK STAUSKAS (Michigan): Has made seven three-pointers so far and is averaging 16 points with a really sweet eight assists vs. Texas in the Round of 32. Love how hes playing. Wonderful shooter who can get his game off the bounce going as well. Nifty passer with a real keen sense of how to play. Much improved from 12 months ago. Plays with great enthusiasm and energy. 2. DYSHAWN PIERRE (Dayton): Averaging 13 ppg and 7 rpg with major plays in both the Ohio State and Syracuse upsets. Hes explosive off the bounce, can shoot the three, gets after it on the glass and guards. Plays with terrific poise. Huge FTs in both games. Love his presence on the floor and plays within himself making the right plays. Really impressed me. 3. DWIGHT POWELL and STEFAN NASTIC (Stanford): Have averaged between them 19 ppg and 10 rpg. Both play with lots of bounce in their step and love the energy. Their size and athleticism really frustrated Kansas on SSunday.dddddddddddd Hard-nosed defenders who battle for you every possession. Physical on the glass and set hard screens. Both are seniors and play a smart/polished game. 4. KENNY CHERRY & BRADY HESLIP (Baylor): The Canadian backcourt combined for 31 points and six assists in their upset win over Creighton. They also made nine three-point shots! Heslip was 10-for-10 on FTs in their opening round game as well. Both upperclassmen play at a nice pace and can hurt you in the transition game as well as in the half-court game. They play off of each other quite well and completely understand their roles and set up teammates beautifully. Nothing like having veteran players at your guard spots. 5. MELVIN EJIM and NAZ LONG (Iowa State): Ejim has been a significant guy for the Cyclones all year and he hasnt disappointed one bit in the NCAAs. Averaging 18ppg and 6 rpg and just refuses to lose. Major competitor with great athleticism and toughness. Makes whatever plays you need. Long was clutch against North Carolina making four threes and has deep range. With George Niang (16.2 ppg and 4.3 rpg) out for the remainder of the Tournament theyve needed everyone to play really well and these two havent let their team down one bit. ' ' '