Gästeforum » Staple of Newsday reports Boyle will let the Islanders

TORONTO - By the time the Raptors make their selection in next months NBA draft, provided they stand pat at pick no. 20, three Canadian players should already be off the board. Thornhills Andrew Wiggins, a lock to go in the top three, will be the first of that group to hear his name called followed by possible lottery picks in guards Nik Stauskas and Tyler Ennis, all hailing from the Greater Toronto Area. Fittingly, Ennis initial stop on the pre-draft circuit came in his hometown, headlining the Raptors first workout session Thursday morning. The Brampton-raised point guard, like Wiggins and Stauskas, has been on their radar for a while. "Weve tracked him [for] a long time," admitted general manager Masai Ujiri. "This is one of those deals where we could go to Syracuse as many times as [we wanted], being close to [Toronto], drive up, so I was fortunate enough to go to a couple practices [and] a couple games." What he saw was a young man at the age of 19 who plays the game and carries himself with poise beyond his years, a common denominator among most of the countrys emerging prospects. "He plays very calm and thats the first thing I noticed," Ujiri said of Ennis, set to enter the NBA following his freshman season at Syracuse. "[Hes] very professional and carries himself the right way." "You see his demeanour and I think hell make a good professional." Ujiri has long been enamoured by the prospect of adding a Canadian-born product but remains steadfast in his belief that it would have to be the right player, in the right situation. Understandably, the Raptors GM will not draft a player simply for his passport, rather that player must be able to contribute at the highest level, address a need on the roster and possess the maturity required to strive in a high-pressure scenario. Ennis is a player who would appear to fit the bill. "I dont think anybody enters the draft just wanting to make a team and be happy there," said Ennis, arguably the best pure point guard in this years class. "Personally, I want to make an impact. I thought I was ready for the next level when I decided to enter the draft and if I were to end up on Toronto, I would definitely want to make an impact, especially in my home town." But will he be available to the Raptors at 20? "Id be surprised," Ujiri admitted. Unless the Raptors were to trade up in the draft - a possibility, however unlikely, that Ujiri wont completely rule out - they will likely miss out on that highly touted trio, but given the influx and depth of domestic talent that continues to come out of the country its only a matter of time until they call a Canadian to the podium. "I think anybody thats lucky enough to play in Toronto," Ennis said, "with the fan support that was shown in the playoffs and the great organization that the Raptors have, I think anybody that gets drafted here is lucky. "To have a Canadian would be great for the city, I think everybody would get behind them and I think it would just be a great opportunity." Of course, the Raptors also own a pair of second-round picks - 37 and 59 - where they could snag one of four other eligible Canadians. 7-foot-2 Calgary-native Jordan Bachynski, last seasons NCAA blocked shot leader, was among the participants in Thursdays workouts at the Air Canada Centre, while Quebecs Khem Birch and Torontos Melvin Ejim and Dwight Powell could audition for the Raptors when sessions resume next week. "To have so many Canadians in the draft is big for the country and for the most part, most of them are from the Greater Toronto Area, so I think its great for basketball in Canada and its great for us individually," Ennis added. "All of us have had very good years at our respective universities and wherever we end up I know everybody thats in the draft thats Canadian is hard working and good people off the court, so I think well all be able to find success." Irving Fryar Womens Jersey . The Durban-based Sharks withstood a furious second-half fightback to beat the Queensland Reds 35-20 for a fourth straight win which gave them a five-point lead atop the championship table. The Hamilton-based Chiefs scored two late tries to beat the Cape Town-based Stormers 36-20 for their third win, after the Stormers rallied from 24-6 down to 24-20 with six minutes remaining. Andre Tippett Jersey . -- Kansas City Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar will have Tommy John surgery that will sideline the pitcher for the season. https://www.patriotssportsgoods.com/Womens-Steve-Grogan-Inverted-Jersey/ . Bayern winger Franck Ribery marked his league return after recovering from a cracked rib by scoring two goals and setting up two more as the league leaders inflicted the heaviest home defeat on Bremen in the Bundesliga. Drew Bledsoe Womens Jersey . - Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has nothing but good problems right now. Drew Bledsoe Patriots Jersey . -- Craig Anderson has quite a record against his former team, the Florida Panthers. With the NHL Draft coming up on June 27 and free agency opening on July 1, discussions between NHL general managers will be heating up over the month of June. Each day this month, TSN.ca will provide the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Good as gone? According to Andy Strickland of Fox Sports Midwest, defenceman Dan Boyle is highly unlikely to sign with the New York Islanders. Strickland reports that Boyle, 37, is looking to sign with a contender. The Islanders traded a conditional 2015 fifth-round draft pick for the rights to the unrestricted free agent last week. If Boyle were to sign with the Islanders, the pick returning to the San Jose Sharks would improve to a fourth-round selection. Update: Arthur Staple of Newsday reports Boyle will let the Islanders know by the end of this week whether he is interested in contract negotiations with the team. Staying in Beantown? Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com reports the Boston Bruinns have started contract negotiations with veteran forward Jarome Iginla.dddddddddddd Iginla finished the regular season tied for the Bruins lead in goals and led the Bruins in playoff goals with five. According to Haggerty, the Bruins are pushing to re-sign to the 36-year-old to a contract very similar to his one-year 2013-2014 deal, which paid him $1.8 million. Price too high? David Staples of the Edmonton Journal considers the possibility of the Oilers acquiring either Nazem Kadri or Jake Gardiner from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Staples reports that the Oilers could have interest in both players to improve the team and mentions that both played under Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins with the Toronto Marlies. However, Staples believes the price for either player will be too high for the Oilers unless the team decides to make a "major effort" by offering Nail Yakupov, David Perron or their first round draft pick. ' ' '