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	COLLEGE	GOLF	SOCCER

	The NHL-leading Predators haven't filled Gaylord Entertainment Center many nights and could be on the way out of Nashville. Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

The Seattle SuperSonics have hired an independent research firm to determine if the Puget Sound market could support a NHL franchise, principal owner Clay Bennett said Wednesday. Attracting an NHL team to the region is a key component in Bennett's proposed multi-purpose Renton arena. Currently, no NHL team is on the market, however, the Predators are struggling at the gate and if the sagging attendance continues then it would trigger a clause allowing them to relocate.
-- Seattle Times

The Ducks have been shut out in three of the last five games, and their last goal came eight days ago in a loss to San Jose. General Manager Brian Burke maintains the Ducks have the personnel to shake themselves out of this slump. But that doesn't mean he isn't working behind the scenes to help a suddenly stagnant lineup. Keith Tkachuk, in particular, is believed to be on the Ducks' radar, as is Columbus winger Fredrik Modin.
-- Los Angeles Times

Edmonton has joined Dallas and San Jose in taking a long look at defenseman Derian Hatcher. The Oilers likely want to move right winger Joffrey Lupul, whose salary increases to nearly $3 million in two years. The Flyers would have to add more to the deal, and would be willing.
-- Philadelphia Inquirer

League sources confirmed that Panthers winger Gary Roberts, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, would likely waive it to accept a deal that sends him to Ottawa or back to Toronto.
-- Toronto Sun

In the best-case scenario, the Blues would move Bill Guerin to a contender for, say, a first-round draft pick and a front-line prospect. Then the Blues would use their available salary cap space to bring him back as a free agent this summer.
-- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Manny Fernandez isn't blind to what's going on in his absence. Every time Niklas Backstrom plays well in his stead, the goaltending tandem gets that much closer to making a comeback. Fernandez worked for six seasons to emerge as the Wild's No. 1 goaltender, and it's unlikely he wants to go back to sharing time because he misses a few weeks because of a bad knee. But when asked about the prospect on Wednesday, he said the right things.
-- St. Paul Pioneer Press

John-Michael Liles, a defenseman who played only six minutes in a Colorado victory over the Ducks on Tuesday, said his lack of ice time had nothing to do with the broken foot that recently kept him out of the lineup for a month until last week. Liles said neither coach Joel Quenneville nor anyone else had told him why his time has been limited.
-- Denver Post

The Coyotes at first were hesitant to give 30-year-old power forward Shane Doan such a lengthy deal. But because Doan wanted to stay with Phoenix so much, and the team felt the same way about keeping him, they reached a deal.
-- Arizona Republic

The Red Wings' goaltending situation appears to be returning to normal. Chris Osgood started Wednesday night's game against the Stars, and coach Mike Babcock said Dominik Hasek would start Saturday at Phoenix.
-- Detroit Free Press

The Bruins were being close-lipped about Patrice Bergeron's lower-body injury, suffered in the first period against the Oilers. He played in the second period but then left the game and is listed as day to day. Yesterday, Bergeron was walking without apparent pain, though he did not skate at practice, instead receiving treatment.
-- Boston Globe

	NFL	MLB	NBA	NHL	NASCAR
	COLLEGE	GOLF	SOCCER