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TORONTO – It was competitive enough in Anaheim – the top team in the West mind you – that Teemu Selanne would see his ice and opportunity in Orange County decline to levels that would sour the end of his Hall of Fame career. While now fighting simply to make the playoffs in Toronto, former Duck and new Leaf Daniel Winnik envisions similar competition for minutes amongst a revamped Maple Leafs forward collection. Competition amongst that group stands as the most curious roster battle to watch as training camp unfolds. "There are people that are expecting to be here that are probably on one-way contracts that arent gonna make our team," said Maple Leafs general manager, Dave Nonis, recalling training camp in 2013 when Tim Connolly and Matthew Lombardi failed to make the cut. "We did that by design. This wasnt [a situation] where we wanted to leave two spots open and say lets have two guys fight for it, we wanted to approach this a different way. There are no spots open and someones gonna lose their job." The potential for improved depth and competition at the position stands to offer returning head coach Randy Carlyle increased flexibility, backup in the case of injuries, and better balance to a lineup that was all too imbalanced at points last season. Not only do jobs figure to be on the line, but simple positioning within the forward ranks figures to be competitive. Theres versatility with this group too – players who have the skill-set move up and down the lineup – meaning Carlyle can move pieces around more freely if they dont fit, an opportunity to get creative if the need arises. David Clarkson, for instance, will have competition from the likes of David Booth, Mike Santorelli, Petri Kontiola and Matt Frattin for a spot on the second line, not to mention time with the second power-play unit. Peter Holland, who landed in Toronto when depth proved ill amid injuries to Dave Bolland and Tyler Bozak, will have to fight for minutes and an opportunity to play regularly. "We think that thats a healthy environment that we can create, competition for the position," Carlyle said, even toying with an idea of returning Joffrey Lupul to a first line with Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak. Toronto didnt have much in the way of depth last season, punctuated by the sparing use of a fourth line that offered almost nothing in the way of value. Lacking balance amongst his forward combinations, Carlyle leaned heavily on his top assets, often overburdening that top line of Kessel, Bozak and James van Riemsdyk. With new assets in the fold, he is afforded the opportunity to balance out the minutes and contributions of his forward group, even employing a defensive fourth line to slug it out with the oppositions best (he appears intent on using three lines for offence). "If youve got good third and fourth lines you can take away some of the tough minutes from your top guys," Winnik said, "try to give some rest for Phil and Tyler and James, when were up by a goal or two goals, that they dont have to be playing as much as they used to be." "I think the coaching staff, they have more in their bag and players are going to have to perform or theyre not going to get the ice-time they expect," Nonis said. Added depth is also a benefit in case of injuries (or suspension). By October 10 last fall – with David Clarkson suspended and others out with injury – the Leafs were forced to recall two prospects, Josh Leivo and David Broll, who had never played an NHL game before. That isnt likely to occur this time around with Leivo, Broll, Trevor Smith and Carter Ashton staring at positions with the Marlies, and those like Frattin, Holland and Troy Bodie, simply competing for jobs. "You look up and down the roster that we have at training camp here and theres tons of good guys that definitely its going to be tough to find ice-time," Frattin said. "Youve got to try and get your job and hold onto it." Frattin is among the forwards with something to prove this season, having faltered in stops with the Kings and Blue Jackets. Clarkson, too, would surely like to prove last season was a one-year nightmare while Kontiola aims to resurrect an NHL career he long ago left behind. All of which should make for an intriguing competition, one that begins in training camp and continues anew throughout the regular season. "It kind of pushes everyone to be better," Winnik said of the battle. "When you have two bad games you know youve got to step it up for the next two or else youre going to be sitting and watching in the press box." Authentic Minnesota Vikings Jerseys . 1 goaltender tonight when they conclude a four-game road trip versus the Winnipeg Jets. Cheap Minnesota Vikings Jerseys Online . Detroits powerful offence made that unnecessary. Scherzer allowed two hits and struck out seven, and the Tigers backed their star right-hander with three early homers in an 8-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night. http://www.cheapvikings.com/ . -- D. J. Williams finally has his packing strategy down. Wholesale Minnesota Vikings Jerseys . He had even more fun Friday. Coming off a sensational rookie season, Spieth opened the new year by never coming close to bogey and making a 12-foot birdie putt on the last hole for a 7-under 66. Minnesota Vikings Jerseys Outlet .com) - Oregon wasnt going to let Arizona ruin its national title dreams for a second straight season.ST. LOUIS -- Hiroki Kuroda snapped an 11-start road winless streak and Jacoby Ellsbury helped build an early lead with three hits and three RBIs his first three at-bats in the New York Yankees 7-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night. John Ryan Murphy added two RBIs for the Yankees, who took two of three without an appearance from Mark Teixeira, nursing a sore wrist, and wrapped up a 5-4 trip. Catcher Brian McCann made his first career start at first base in the finale. Shelby Miller (6-4) allowed a career-worst seven runs and nine hits in five innings for St. Louis. Kolten Wong had a career-best four hits and an RBI, Matt Carpenter doubled twice with an RBI and Yadier Molina had two hits and two walks, but the Cardinals stranded 13 runners. Derek Jeter didnt play in the finale but made a curtain call before the seventh inning after the scoreboard camera focused on him in the dugout and fans responded with another standing ovation. Kuroda (4-3) allowed three runs in 5 2-3 innings for his first road victory since last July 25 at Texas. He had been 0-7 since then, the longest drought of his career but is 1-1 away from Yankee Stadium this year. Miller had won five of his previous six starts but has lasted fewer than six innings seven times in his 11 starts. Frequently jumping on the first pitch, the Yankees pelted the 23-year-old right-hander for seven runs and seven hits. He walked two in the third andd fourth.dddddddddddd. Ellsbury had an RBI single in the third as five straight Yankees reached safely, and added a two-run single in the fourth. Murphy had a two-run single in the fourth. The Cardinals stranded two in the second and left the bases loaded in the third when Yadier Molina popped out to second. Kuroda has allowed just one extra-base hit with the bases loaded in 65 career plate appearances, limiting opponents to 14 hits in 57 at-bats with a double. St. Louis chipped away with single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth and Wongs RBI single off David Robertson in the eighth cut the deficit to three. The first two Cardinals reached in the ninth before Robertson struck out the next three, including pinch-hitter Matt Adams, to earn his 12th save in 13 chances. NOTES: All three games were sellouts. Paid attendance of 45,267 in the finale was the Cardinals 13th in 24 home dates. ... Adams did not start at 1B due to calf tightness. ... The Yankees have a day off Thursday before beginning a seven-game homestand against the Twins, Mariners and As. Vidal Nuno (1-1, 5.49) starts Friday against Minnesotas Ricky Nolasco (2-5, 6.12). The Cardinals open a four-game series at home against the Giants Thursday, with Jaime Garcia (1-0, 4.26) opposing Ryan Vogelsong (3-2, 3.20). ... Matt Holliday singled in the third and has reached base safely in all 24 home games. ... The Yankees are 6-3 overall against St. Louis. 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