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	SOCCER	NASCAR

	Overpaying for Ryan Whitney (left) could cost the Pens netminder Marc-Andre Fleury. Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

It would be short-sighted for the Penguins to go overboard with spending immediately because while Ryan Whitney is the most prominent player who must be re-signed this summer, Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury will be eligible for new contracts in 2008, and the deals of Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin will expire a year later.
-- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Even with the Oilers out of the playoff picture and mired in the throes an eight-game losing streak, Petr Sykora isn't counting the days until July 1 when he becomes an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team in the league. He says he wants to stay.
-- Edmonton Sun

The Panthers were believed to be among the teams interested in Martin Biron when the Sabres dealt the goalie to the Flyers at the trade deadline for a second-round draft pick. But coach Jacques Martin said Thursday the Panthers never seriously pursued Biron.
-- South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Capitals general manager George McPhee said he plans to re-sign pending restricted free agent defenseman Milan Jurcina during the offseason.
-- Washington Post

Coach John Tortorella, in keeping with his standard philosophy of goaltenders, doesn't feel the need to anoint either Marc Denis or Johan Holmqvist as the top guy heading into the final weeks of the season. Rather, he'll continue to let their play dictate who gets the nod from game to game.
-- Tampa Tribune

Penguins winger Georges Laraque, bothered by back spasms for most of this week, said he is fully recovered and ready to return. Coach Michel Therrien was noncommittal about dressing Laraque against the Canadiens, and it's likely that Laraque's medical status won't be the only factor considered before a decision is rendered.
-- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Taylor Pyatt's career season should translate into bargaining power when the winger negotiates a new contract with the Canucks. That leverage took a hit Wednesday. Citing a lack of effort and physical presence from the towering right winger, coach Alain Vigneault replaced Pyatt with Jeff Cowan on the second-power play unit.
-- Vancouver Province

Dan Cloutier's contract makes it unlikely that Kings general manager Dean Lombardi will be able to present a big offer to a free-agent goaltender.
-- Los Angeles Times

	NFL	MLB	NBA	NHL	COLLEGE
	SOCCER	NASCAR