The Toronto Maple Leafs held their annual charity golf tournament on Tuesday, and general manager Brian Burke addressed the media, touching on everything Maple Leafs heading into the 2011-12 season. It was evident that with just more than a week from the start of training camp, Burke was excited about the team he has assembled this summer. "We think we made some changes that made our team dramatically better," said Burke. "Weve made some changes to the coaching staff, we made some changes on the blue line, and we made some changes up front." Burke added free agent centre Tim Connolly from the Buffalo Sabres and traded for forward Matthew Lombardi and defenceman Cody Franson from the Nashville Predators this off-season. The team also replaced two assistant coaches, adding Greg Cronin and Scott Gordon after letting Tim Hunter and Keith Acton go. "We think those things have put us in a position where we want to be, which is to compete for a playoff spot. Its the most depth and size and youth weve had on the back-end, but we think weve made some pretty critical additions up front too with Connolly and Lombardi. Were excited about the start of the season." And while Connolly and Lombardi are both expected to be locks to join the Leafs group of forwards that returns relatively intact for this season, Burke said that doesnt mean there wont be at least a little bit of competition for spots in training camp. "If youve noticed weve left one spot open, we want some competition for one of the forward spots," said Burke. "Whether thats Matt Frattin or Nazem Kadri or Joe Colborne or whomever, we do want to have some competition for a spot." Burke went on to say that if more than one young player impresses in camp, the team is willing to adapt. "At least one, it doesnt mean that someone else cant do it too; if two of these kids can make it and someones in the press box, then thats fine, too." So with the right mix of new additions and competition in training camp to a lineup that finished last season strong, Burke said he is optimistic this year could be the one the Leafs finally snap their playoff drought. While he acknowledged that many teams ahead of the Leafs in the standings at the end of last year had improved as well, he said there were some he thought his team could still jump. "We think there are a couple catchable teams and Im not going to name them - no reason to start with bulletin board material before the season even begins - but we think theyre catchable." "You guys know my philosophy is to build from the blue line out and we think were set in net. Were confident that (Jonas Gustavsson) is going to be in a position to finally show what he can do with his physical problems behind him and the weight hes gained; we think James Reimer is the real deal; and we think weve put a pretty respectable blue line group in front of him so were excited." Burke, now in his fourth season as general manager, was encouraged by last years finish and thinks his lineup can carry that momentum into this season. "We had the fourth best record in the East from the All-Star break on. It wasnt a short run, it wasnt a hey, theyre out of it so they played well run, it was a deep, long, hard run and thats the group thats coming back with the additions weve made so we think we have reason to be optimistic, but weve got to avoid a start like we had. In October, November, and December we just werent good enough and were going to have to start better than we did last year." Burke added that if youre looking for a comparison for this years Leafs, then a good one could be the Vancouver Canucks teams he managed in the late 90s and early 2000s. "I think there are parallels. I think the Vancouver team played at a .720 clip from Christmas on (in 2001) and made the playoffs. We werent successful making the playoffs but my philosophy has never changed: have the best blue line you can have, have strength in net and thats what were doing here." The Leafs blue line continued to come up in Burkes news conference, and its clear he is happy with the talent hes assembled there, even if there are still some question marks up front. "I think this (defence) is as big and young and talented a group as weve had here in a long time, not just since Ive been here. This group stacks up really well against just about any other team in the East in terms of our blue line. Now the question is, the guys weve brought in; are they going to answer the needs and can we count on some more internal improvement from the guys we have?" As for the forwards hes brought in, Burke said that Lombardi is progressing well and while he didnt have an update on his status at the time, said that he was symptom-free, working out hard and the only reason he may not be cleared for the start of camp is his aerobic component may not be on target. Burke added that he thinks Connolly, the teams other big free agent signing, will benefit from the change of scenery. "A player can get stale in a market; a player can get buried on a team and go somewhere and find new life. Were counting on that happening with Tim. Hes a real good hockey player; hes a real competitive hockey player. "Were confident that hes going to get new legs and new life here." Burke did also say that the team has cap space remaining and he wont be hesitant to make a move, if it makes sense. "Weve still got some cap space; were still open to adding. Weve never spent to the cap since Ive been here," continued Burke. "But if we have an opportunity to spend the remaining cap space we have - after we sign (Luke Schenn) - then well do that." As for the contract negotiations with Schenn, a restricted free agent, Burke said its not his policy to discuss such topics with the media but he is optimistic something will get done. Xabi Alonso Bayern Jersey. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have released veteran guard Uche Nwaneri, who started 63 of the teams last 64 games and didnt miss a snap last season. Jerome Boateng Bayern Jersey. - The Detroit Tigers will start the season without Jose Iglesias, though just how long the injured shortstop is sidelined will not be known until after he sees a foot and ankle specialist on Tuesday. http://www.soccerbayernmunichjerseysofficial.com/kids-rafinha-bayern-munich-jersey/. -- The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with safety Brock Vereen and QB David Fales on four-year contracts. Mehdi Benatia Bayern Jersey.9 seconds left, lifting Switzerland to a 1-0 win over Latvia on Wednesday in the Olympic mens hockey opener for both teams. Bastian Schweinsteiger Bayern Jersey. The hearing in Regina provincial court is set for June 11 and 12 for defensive back Dwight Anderson, wide receiver Taj Smith and wide receiver Eron Riley.KAMLOOPS, B.C. - Dallas Stars owner Tom Gaglardi and his company should face $300,000 in fines for damaging a fish habitat, a Crown lawyer argued Friday at a sentencing hearing.Digby Kier said Gaglardi had no regard for a fish habitat when he renovated his vacation home on Kamloops Lake in 2010. Gaglardi, also the owner of the Western Hockey Leagues Kamloops Blazers, and Northland Properties were convicted in August of two counts of harmful alteration of a fish habitat.The work involved a five-bedroom, two-bathroom addition to an existing bungalow known as Toms Shack and included extensive landscaping work, a 50-vehicle parking lot and the construction of a boat launch.Both defendants were well aware they were trying to keep a low profile and, if they got caught, they were going to seek forgiveness, Kier told provincial court Judge Stephen Harrison. Thats what you have today a€” them seeking forgivenesss.dddddddddddd Show this corporation and Tom Gaglardi that they cannot ride roughshod over the laws of Canada and escape without anything being done to them.Kier said Kamloops Lake is a significant stop for juvenile salmon on their way from the Interior to the Pacific Ocean.Kier said neither Gaglardi nor Northland obtained a building permit for any of the renovation work, and that it will take 40 to 50 years for the fish habitat to return to a healthy state.Defence lawyer Rob Bruneau said a $300,000 fine is excessive given previous sentences for similar offences and asked for a fine of $50,000 to $75,000.Mr. Gaglardi should not be penalized for his financial set in life, Bruneau said. 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