OTTAWA -- For the past month the Ottawa Senators have been

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Baseballs annual gathering of general managers began Monday when $14.1 million qualifying offers were turned down by all 13 free agents who received them from their former teams, a group that included Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Napoli and Stephen Drew of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Three New York Yankees also said no thanks: Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and Hiroki Kuroda. The others turning down the offers were Atlantas Brian McCann, Cincinnatis Shin-Soo Choo, Clevelands Ubaldo Jimenez, Kansas Citys Ervin Santana, St. Louis Carlos Beltran, Seattles Kendrys Morales and Texas Nelson Cruz. "I dont think its that particularly surprising that all the offers were turned down across baseball," Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said. New York Mets GM Sandy Alderson interpreted the turndowns as an indicator a bull market is possible. "That ought to tell you a little bit about their expectations," he said. If a player who turned down the offer signs with a new team, his former club would receive an extra amateur draft pick at the end of the first round next June. All 22 players given qualifying offers have said no during two offseasons under the new system. "When we made the qualifying offers, we did not expect anyone to accept. We would have been happy if any of them did," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. Cashman was an early arrival at the sessions, with some GMs due to check in on Monday night. In addition to early talks with agents and trade feelers, GMs will hold rules discussions, such as whether there should be any limitations on bowling over catchers. Owners then arrive for their fall meeting on Thursday morning, with expanded instant replay on the agenda. A baseball official familiar with the deliberations, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said management probably would approve the additional video review by umpires in phases. The go-ahead to spend the funds probably will occur Thursday. Approval of the rules likely would be put off until the January owners meeting. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized. For expanded replay to start next season, agreements with the World Umpires Association and Major League Baseball Players Association would have to be reached. "Both parties are working diligently to iron out every possible scenario that could occur with a replay," WUA President Joe West said. These meetings usually are the spark for trades and signings later in the off-season. The pace figures to increase during the winter meetings, to be held in nearby Lake Buena Vista from Dec. 9-12. "These meetings will probably be mostly about just getting information," Cherington said. "Id be surprised if anything actually happens in the next three days." With many clubs seeking top starting pitching, Tampa Bay is expected at some point to trade 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner David Price, who is eligible for free agency after the 2015 season. Detroits Max Scherzer, favoured to win a Cy Young on Wednesday, can be a free agent in 12 months and the Tigers may try to gauge what he would bring in return. Texas would consider offers for middle infielders Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus to clear a starting spot for Jurickson Profar. After missing the playoffs for just the second time in 19 years, the Yankees figure to be a central figure in the market. Cano, an All-Star second baseman, has been seeking a 10-year deal in excess of $300 million. Re-signing Cano is a top priority, but at some point the Yankees would have to move on. "Those type of players dictate the dance steps," Cashman said. "So well do the dance as long as we can but, yeah, at some point you cant do that forever. But were in the very front end of this thing, so the music hasnt even started yet." While New York wants to get its payroll under next years $189 million threshold for the luxury tax, the Yankees may not be able to unless Alex Rodriguez serves a major part of his 211-game suspension for violations of baseballs drug agreement and labour contract. The players union filed a grievance to overturn the penalty, and arbitrator Fredric Horowitz is expected to rule during the off-season. New York would be happy to save much of Rodriguezs $25 million salary if he misses a significant part of the season, but the Yankees would need to find a third baseman. "I have question marks clearly with the controversy at third. I have a question mark at short with Derek Jeter coming back from his ankle, a free agent in Cano," Cashman said. "So ultimately, I need to look and be open-minded to improving aspects when I can." With more cash available because of the increase in national broadcast contracts, more teams could be bidders. After cutting payroll by about 33 per cent over two years, the Mets may be ready to spend. And they could be interested in some of the players who turned down qualifying offers, because they wouldnt forfeit their first-round draft pick -- the top 10 selections in the opening round are protected, and those clubs would lose their second-round slot. "The fact that we only have to give up a second-round pick may give us a little bit of an edge," Alderson said. "Well see." He even joked about his newfound financial flexibility. "I was upstairs stacking our money," he said. "Dont get excited. They were all fives." Cheap Air Max 720 . -- Jake Paterson made 39 saves as the Saginaw Spirit halted the Guelph Storms seven-game win streak with a 6-3 victory on Sunday in Ontario Hockey League action. Cheap Air Max 720 Uk . The Brazil defender was substituted 13 minutes into Wednesdays 2-1 Copa del Rey win at Athletic Bilbao because of a right hamstring problem. Scans revealed a second grade tear which could keep him out for a reported four to six weeks. http://www.airmax720outletuk.com/.S. - Nova Scotias Mary Fay guaranteed at least one more match and a shot at the Canadian junior curling championships final on home ice. Air Max 720 Cheap Online . - After a back-and-forth battle throughout the season, Alex Guenette has earned the 2013 rookie of the year award for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 by just one point over Ryley Seibert. Air Max 720 Uk Sale . However, the 38-year-old is in no hurry to sign with another team. "Im not in a rush. This will be my last contract, so I want to do it right," said Burris on Thursday.OTTAWA -- For the past month the Ottawa Senators have been focusing on playing better hockey while keeping a close eye on the Eastern Conference playoff race. And with one game remaining before the Olympic break, Ottawa finally has a chance to crack the top eight in the conference standings. Ottawa (26-21-11) visits the Boston Bruins (36-16-4) on Saturday afternoon hopeful theyll have a hold on a playoff spot once the dust settles. Trouble is, the Senators are in a very tight race and winning still might not be enough. Ottawa has 63 points heading into Fridays action, one behind Detroit for the final wildcard spot. But the Columbus Blue Jackets also have 63 points and more wins. Columbus faces San Jose on Friday night and a Blue Jackets win will leave Ottawa outside the top eight regardless of Saturdays outcome in Boston. And theres also the matter of the Red Wings, who face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night. So should either Detroit or Columbus win, nothing would change for Ottawa. "Its a competitive group of teams thats fighting for that spot," said Ottawa defenceman Marc Methot. "It keeps you honest. I like it. "It makes it competitive and it makes every game that much more important and those are easy games to get up for. Its going to be competitive and I bet its going to get right down to the last week of the season." Ottawa is in playoff contention thanks to posting a 9-3-4 mark so far in 2014. The Senators feel as long as they can remain competitive they should find themselves in good standing at seasons end. "Were playing better hockey, were playing more consistent," said captain Jason Spezza. "A win in Boston would go a long way for us to keep moving in the right direction so its a good opportunity for us to win another game and keep grabbing points." Spezza finds himself on a nice roll, having recorded seven points (one goal, six assists) in his last five games. While the Olympic break might not be ideal, the Senators feel they can take advantage of the practice time and return to action with confidence. "Im real proud of the little stretch of good hockey that weve been playing lately," said Methot. "If theres any way to go into the break its playing properly and good structured hockey and as a team right now were clickingg.dddddddddddd "You just hope after a little bit of a layover with the break, so to speak, well come back just as strong. Im sure well be putting the work in as soon as were all back together." While holding down a top-eight spot by the Olympic break would be satisfying, centre Zack Smith believes even being within reach is a positive sign. "Weve come a long way in the last month and a half or so," said Smith. "Weve won some big games and theres a few that obviously wed like to have back. "Theyre all emotional games right now so its nice to get points and stay in." But with the teams Ottawa is chasing also winning, that makes the Senators task that much more difficult. "Theres not much separation or breathing room it seems," said Smith. "Everything can change within a few hours so you have to wait and check scores to see whats going on." But one benefit of a tight race is it makes every game important. "Every night youre playing for something and you know the points are that much more important," said Smith. "Its exciting to. "Win or lose you know it has a lot of influence on where your spot is and what position youre in." Should Ottawa be unable to crack the top eight by the break, Smith said there will still be plenty of time for the team to make a move. "When it comes down to it, theres still a lot of games left after the break," said Smith. "Its still a long season. "If we dont win a game or say we lose two games in a row were still not out of it by any means. Its good for motivation." NOTES -- Craig Anderson will start in goal against Boston . . . Forward Stephane DaCosta was re-assigned to the AHLs Binghamton Senators on Friday. In eight games, DaCosta had three goals and an assists . . . Defenceman Chris Phillips will miss his seventh straight game with a lower-body injury Saturday. Phillips skated on his own prior to practice . . . Defenceman Erik Karlsson was given a maintenance day Friday . . . Head coach Paul MacLean shuffled all of his lines at practice. But he said not much should be read into it as he was just having some fun . . . Most of the Senators said theyd be keeping a close eye on the Olympic action but also were looking forward to having a little down time. ' ' '