Sonstige Informationen » Dineen said. "The effort wasnt good enough

TORONTO - Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel often appears shy, quiet, reserved — at times almost uncomfortable when talking in a media scrum.He admits his answers arent that great. Hes not sure why reporters want to speak to him every day. And he certainly didnt appear to be in the mood for comment after Toronto was shelled by the lowly Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.However, there was no avoiding the phalanx of cameramen and scribes parked near his dressing room stall at Air Canada Centre after Mondays practice. The issue of his availability was the topic du jour after a beat reporter sent out a tweet Saturday saying that Kessel declined to talk after the 6-2 loss and angrily stormed off.As he approached the large scrum Monday, Kessel joked about what the line of questioning might be. He then put on a blue hat, smiled and took questions for about five minutes.You know I dont speak all the time, he said. You guys know that. Obviously you dont want to lose like that to anyone in this league. Weve lost two in a row. It was a tough game.Jonas Siegel, a Leafs beat reporter for TSN Radio and TSN.ca, sent out a second tweet from his verified account describing his interaction with the Toronto forward.Kessels exact reaction when asked for comment: Get away from me, Siegel tweeted.Kessel told reporters Monday that he doesnt think there is a need for daily comment.I think Ive talked a decent amount, he said. Ill come out sometimes to talk, but sometimes I dont. But I dont have too much to say about losses like that.NHL players are generally expected to make themselves available for media interviews and requests are usually accommodated. Head coach Randy Carlyle made it clear what the teams expectations are on the issue.Its the players responsibility and its our organizations responsibility to make sure everybody is available to the media, Carlyle said. Its spelled out in training camp, its spelled out on a day-to-day basis that when youre called upon, youre to be made available, simple as that. Thats what we support.Leafs forward Nazem Kadri said Kessel is quite talkative on the ice and is much different when engaging with teammates.Hes pretty laid back and easy going, Kadri said. Hes an easy guy to talk to, a really nice guy. When hes put on the spot, I think he just shies away a little bit. I think hes starting to get the hang of it.He likes guys he can trust and when he doesnt feel like he can trust anybody, he gets a little bit shy and a little bit timid in that regard. Its really nothing personal.The media can be more demanding in Toronto than some other cities given that its a large, hockey-mad market with four daily newspapers and two all-sports radio stations. Big-name players are often asked for comment even though they sometimes weigh in with stock answers or cliches.Kessel, whos off to a great start with 22 points in 18 games, said he doesnt read the media reports, but added he loves the team, fans, organization and the city.I dont say a whole lot, he said. But I try to leave it on the ice.———Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter. Ken Griffey Jr. Jersey . -- Keith Aulie has joined the Tampa Bay Lightning. Billy Pierce White Sox Jersey . The Canadian Luge Association officially named seven athletes to the 2014 Olympic team Tuesday. Edney, will lead teenagers John Fennell and Mitchel Malyk into their first Games in mens singles. Tristan Walker and Justin Snith will represent Canada in doubles, while Gough, will be joined by Kimberley McRae in womens singles. https://www.cheapwhitesox.com/2914e-daniel-palka-jersey-white-sox.html . He says he will have the operation Wednesday and be ready in time for training camp in September. Bernier missed five games in March due to the injury. Al Simmons Jersey . Villarreals victory in Valencia kept it in fourth place and in control of Spains last Champions League spot. Uche broke free in the area in the 10th minute and was brought down by goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who was shown a direct red card. George Davis Jersey . -- Jonas Hiller is cautiously confident he has kicked his vertigo. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals shook up their coaching staff Thursday in an attempt to jumpstart their failing offence, making Dale Sveum the hitting coach and Mike Jirschele their third base coach. Pedro Grifol, who took over as hitting coach last season, will now instruct catchers. The moves were announced after the Royals finished off a disastrous homestand that included a sweep at the hands of Houston, and before they opened a four-game series in Toronto. Sveum said the Royals havent done a good enough job this season of hitting pitches in the upper half of the strike zone. "The bottom line is weve struggled with elevation and weve swung at pitches down in the zone probably way too much," he said. "From thigh high to the top of the strike zone, were not doing enough damage." The Royals began the day last in the majors with 21 homers, putting them on pace to match the 1976 club for the fewest in franchise history for a non-strike-shortened season. Theyre also last in the American League in runs and slugging percentage. "There is not one man in the lineup thats hitting the ball well," Royals designated hitter Billy Butler said Wednesday. "Were just cold." Yost said "a different voice can make a difference," to struggling batters, but the Royals have heard plenty of voices about hitting: Sveum is Kansas Citys fifth hitting coach in lless than three seasons.dddddddddddd The Royals let go of Kevin Seitzer two years ago in the hope that somebody else would help the club generate more power. Seitzer was eventually hired by the Blue Jays, who currently lead the majors with 76 homers -- more than Kansas City is on pace for all season. Jack Maloof and Andre David were hired before last season, but they only made it a couple of months before they were reassigned within the franchise. It was at that point that the Royals hired Grifol and Hall of Famer George Brett on an interim basis. The Royals showed signs of life once that duo was in charge, slowly climbing into playoff contention. Grifol was given the job on a full-time basis after Brett stepped down in July, but lasted less than a year in the role. "Hes the one that pulled us out of our trouble last year," Yost said of Grifol Thursday. "A year later, we find ourselves in the exact same spot." Sveum, a former Brewers and Cubs manager, had been serving as the Royals third base coach. But he also has plenty of experience as a hitting coach, helping Milwaukee finish in the top three of the National League in homers in each of his three seasons. "Hes got experience, he studies hitting," Yost said. "Hes got a lot of knowledge. He helped Prince Fielder get, in my opinion, to the next level as an offensive performer." ' ' '