Long Island. Buffalo was a win or two a month a

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- NASCAR chairman Brian France staunchly defended Sunday the health of the sport, saying that it is in a good spot to replace Sprint as an entitlement sponsor amid television ratings and attendance declines.In his first general news conference with motorsports media since January, a feisty France also staunchly defended his commitment to diversity, a commitment that was challenged when he endorsed Donald Trump earlier this year.Nobody wants to hear my political views ... so I wont be talking about that, France said before the season-ending race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. But on diversity, nobody in this company has worked harder, done more and resourced it better than me.I founded [NASCARs] diversity council. I fought for every single thing that makes sense because thats my core belief: Diversity is very, very important. I talk about it frequently. And my efforts there should never be challenged no matter what my political view. Thats a ridiculous thing to do.With all but two of the Chase for the Sprint Cup race television ratings down at least 10 percent, the track public-operating companies reporting admission revenue down 9 percent after the Daytona 500 and potentially seven of NASCARs charters (its version of franchises) changing hands as teams still have trouble finding sponsorship, France said the sport is in a better position than those numbers indicate.We are still very pleased with our position in sports, France said. The audience isnt going away at all. Its sliding to different places, consuming in different ways. ... Our digital consumption is off the charts.Multicar teams Richard Petty Motorsports, Roush Fenway Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing are among well-established teams that are still seeking significant sponsorship to field one of their cars in 2017 that they fielded in 2016.You have some teams that for whatever the reasons cant compete at such a high level and they have some problems, and thats throughout history, France said. Its not abnormal at all.The other hurdle for NASCAR this year has been finding a replacement for Sprint, which will leave this year after 13 seasons of sponsoring the sport. NASCAR has not announced a new sponsor. Industry insiders have indicated Monster Energy is the leading candidate. Monster Energy sports marketing director Mitch Covington said last week he would not respond to rumors.Its taken a little longer than I thought, France said. But its also a big agreement, and its an important agreement. Its not just dollars and cents. Its a fit for us. ... Im confident were going to end up in a very good spot.France also said that NASCAR will look at rewarding the regular-season champion and that discussions continue to bring additional manufacturers into the sport.Would I like to have everything perfect? Of course I would, France said. Thats sports and thats a competitive business, and the model is changing a little bit, too. ... Were pleased with the health of the sport. Custom Paul Pierce Jersey . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No. Custom Kevin Mchale Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. http://www.customcelticsjersey.com/custom-bill-russell-jersey-large-157e.html . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. Custom Celtics Jersey China . The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling "puts an end to my dreams of being a top player," the 27-year-old Troicki said in a statement. "I worked my entire life for it, and it has been taken away from me in one afternoon by a doctor I didnt know," said Troicki, whose ranking peaked at No. Custom Celtics Jerseys . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. The first few hours of 2016 NHL free agency were fast and frenetic. Heres a look at some of the most significant developments so far -- and what they mean.Unfinished business for EdmontonThere wasnt much surprise when Milan Lucic signed his seven-year, $42 million deal with the Edmonton Oilers moments after the free-agent market opened at noon ET Friday. The Oilers had been courting the big power forward, and he knows general manager Peter Chiarelli well from their days with the Boston Bruins, with whom they won a Stanley Cup in 2011.Lucic will help plug a hole on Edmontons top two forward lines -- a void created when the Oilers dealt 2010 No. 1 overall pick Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils in a deal that brought defenseman Adam Larsson to Edmonton.The picture still isnt complete, as Chiarelli continues to hunt for a top-four defenseman to help shoulder some of burden of turning this team around defensively. Jason Demers was rumored to be a target, but he remained unsigned as of mid-afternoon Friday and eventually signed with the Panthers. Until that defensive solution appears, the Oilers picture will remain just a little bit out of focus -- even if we love the addition of the hard-nosed Lucic in the Edmonton locker room.Oh, oh, BuffaloSure, the Buffalo Sabres would have loved to have taken a run at Steven Stamkos had the Tampa Bay Lightning captain hit the market. But I have to admit that I like their addition of Kyle Okposo, who signed a seven-year, $42 million deal with the Sabres on Friday, almost as much.Whether Okposo plays with Ryan OReilly or Jack Eichel, he brings 70-point potential and a nice, understated leadership presence to the Sabres dressing room. The fact that Okposo is close with Matt Moulson might help Moulson return to the kind of productivity he enjoyed when they played together for Long Island. Buffalo was a win or two a month away from the playoffs last season. Assuming goalie?Robin Lehner?is?healthy, the addition of Okposo might be just enough to push the Sabres to the postseason.A town with no curfewLots of curfew jokes accompanied the news that the Montreal Canadiens had signed Russian winger Alexander Radulov to a one-year deal worth $5.25 million. But, unlike last summers ill-fated experiment with Alexander Semin, this one has the potential to pay huge dividends for the Habs.Lets assume that Radulov, 29, has grown up some since his late-night excursions during the 2012 playoffs, when he and Andrei Kostitsyn were suspended for busting curfew while both were members of the Nashville Predators. Radulov is a big body with plenty of snarl and big-time skill. In short, pretty much what the Canadiens need. Perhaps he will help?Alex Galchenyuk settle into a more mature role with the Habs -- and, on a one-year contract, theres little exposure for Montreal if it doesnt work out.The fact that newly acquired defenseman Shea Weber was captain of that Nashville team adds a little intrigue, but shouldnt be much of an issue, assuming Radulov is motivated to take advantage of this new opportunity to establish himself as an impact player in the NHL.Flames on fireCalgary Flames Brad Treliving continues to assert himself as an emerging young GM. He added a gritty, top-nine forward, Troy Brouwer, who?signed a four-year deal worth $4.5 million annually. The money is acceptable, although the fourth year might be a bit dicey given how hard Brouwer, 30, plays. But he is coming off a terrific turn with the St. Louis Blues and adds another element to a team that earlier cemented its goaltending by acquiring Brian Elliott?and then adding capable backup Chad Johnson on Friday. Its playoffs or bust for the Flames.Whither the New York Rangers?Sometimes the best deals are the ones you dont make. Yes, weve heard that old chestnut before. But what if -- and this isnt a shot at Michael Grabner, who signed a two-year deal with the Rangers on Friday, or Nathan Gerbe, who inked a one-year deal -- you dont do anything of note? How does not making any fundamental change to your lineup help a team like the Rangers, who appear to be sliding out of relevancy?The teams refusal to engage in anything significant pre-draft or on the opening day of free agency is a bit puzzling given how beaten down it looked, especially defensively, at the end of a first-round loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.dddddddddddd Even Viktor Stalberg, a useful forward the Rangers picked up off the scrap heap a year ago, took a one-year deal with the?Carolina?Hurricanes for $1.5 million.Under the radar, part IRay Shero sure does love his Pittsburgh connections. After raiding the Penguins for coaching and front-office hires over the last year or so, the Devils GM signed former Pittsburgh defender Ben Lovejoy to a three-year deal Friday worth $8 million. Lovejoy was part of a solid defense-by-committee group that won a Stanley Cup. While he does not replace Larsson, Lovejoy does become an instant top-four or five defenseman who can log big minutes with little downside. The Devils also brought in dressing-room gem Vernon Fiddler as they continue to remake themselves into a team that should have legitimate designs on a playoff berth next spring.Under the radar, part IICredit San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson for adding another layer to his blue-line corps by inking underappreciated 29-year-old David Schlemko to a four-year deal worth $2.1 million annually. Schlemko had a strong season with New Jersey last season and he should fit in nicely with a Sharks defense that was revealed as just a little wanting in San Joses Stanley Cup finals loss to the Penguins.?Under the radar, part IIIThe Dallas Stars might have lost Alex Goligoski, who signed with the?Arizona Coyotes, but its hard not to see their acquisition?Friday of defenseman?Dan Hamhuis as a nice upgrade. Hamhuis appears to have put injury issues behind him and is motivated to return to top-four status. His two-year deal worth a total of $7.5 million is Stars-friendly, especially if Hamhuis, a Canadian Olympian in 2014, returns to form, as he told ESPNs Pierre LeBrun he hopes to.Homeward boundSo you can go home again. But can you go home and win a Stanley Cup again? Thats the hope, of course, for Brian Campbell and the Chicago Blackhawks who reunited after Campbell spent the past five years with the Florida Panthers.Campbell is 37, and the one-year deal he signed for up to $2.25 million, pending bonuses, is just about right for a player at this stage of his career. But like Brad Richards two years ago, this deal has all the makings of a winner. Campbell can still skate with the best of them, and playing behind the big three of?Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson?wont put undue pressure on Campbell.Not that Campbell minds the big moments. He won a Cup with Chicago in 2010 and now will be part of what the Blackhawks hope will be a bounce-back season after falling in the first round to St. Louis this spring.But sometimes you have to ask, Why bother?Its hard to argue with the wisdom of Campbells return to Chicago, and even David Perrons return to St. Louis after he played so well in Anaheim before getting hurt. But Im not sure what?Minnesota Wild?GM Chuck Fletcher sees?in Chris Stewart to warrant even the modest $2.3 million Stewart will earn over the two years. Stewart is a big body, yes. But his big body has rarely been put to its proper use, as the Wild well know. (Stewart played 20 games for Minnesota in 2015.) Stewart has 37 goals in his last 200 regular-season games and one goal in his last 21 postseason games. ' ' '