NHL: Schneider talks intensifying

Anaheim Ducks General Manager Brian Burke is currently talking to six teams regarding defenseman Mathieu Schneider. Among the most interested parties have been the La Kings, Atlanta Thrashers, Ottawa Senators, Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens. The Kings have been the team mentioned the most over the past two months but Kings GM Dean Lombardi has not been given the OK from ownership to add Schneider’s salary. Lombardi remains in contact with Brian Burke but the Kings will have to send some salary back to the Ducks. Andy Strickland reports Derek Armstrong could be heading the other way.

NFL: Steelers release Gary Russell

The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced they have released running back Gary Russell and promoted linebacker Patrick Bailey. Russell originally made the Steelers roster as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2007. With the additions of Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore, Russell became expendable.

NHL: Selanne seeks two year deal?

Forward Teemu Selanne is looking for a two year deal from the Anaheim Ducks. Selanne has been invited to camp on a tryout basis until the Ducks move enough salary. Andy Strickland reports the Ducks are close to trading Mathieu Schneider to the LA Kings. The Ducks have also been trying to gauge trade interest in forward Todd Marchant. Source: Orange County Register

NFL: Drunkenmiller withdraws bid to buy Steelers?

Reports indicate billionaire Stanley Drunkenmiller is withdrawing his name from the Steelers sale process. Drunkenmiller has been informed by the four Rooney brothers that they have turned down his offer to buy sixteen percent of each brothers share. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

NFL: Timmons to see increased role Sunday afternoon?

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons is expected to see his playing time increase against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday afternoon. The Steelers have been designing packages where Timmons sort of acts like a spy to neutralize Eagles running back Brian Westbrook. With Brett Keisel out of action, it also expected that Timmons will be used a bit more on the outside during blitzing situations.

NHL: Ducks place Schneider on waivers

In a attempt to clear salary the Anaheim Ducks have placed defenseman Mathieu Schneider on waivers. The Senators, Kings, Sabres and Canucks recently had discussions with the Ducks about Schneider. Source: USA Today

NHL: Shanahan to look elsewhere?

There are strong indications that the New York Rangers front office remains split on whether to bring back forward Brendan Shanahan. Numbers have been discussed but the Rangers have yet to make an official offer. Newsday reports “the possibility remains that the Rangers will offer Shanahan a one-year deal before the team leaves Sept. 27 with about 30 players for Europe, where they will play two preseason games in Bern, Switzerland, and open the season against Tampa Bay in Prague on Oct. 4.” The St.Louis Blues have been among a group of teams that have inquired about Shanahan. Source: Newsday

NFL: Rob Ryan to be named Raiders head coach?

The San Francisco Chronicle reports the Raiders victory against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday afternoon won‚Äôt help Lane Kiffin keep his job. Raiders owner Al Davis is adamant about getting rid of Kiffin and is expected to fire Kiffin very soon. The Chronicle reports Kiffin’s fate was sealed on Wednesday when “Kiffin told the media that the 41-14 Monday night meltdown against the Broncos happened in large part because defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and the team’s owner conspire to exclude him from defensive decisions.” Will the Raiders go in-house for their next coach. The S.F. Chronicle believes so and mentions that is very likely that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will be named the Raiders head coach. Source: S.F. Chronicle

NHL: Laviolette on the hot seat?

The Carolina Hurricanes have missed the playoffs for two straight years and speculation has been rampant that Canes head coach Peter Laviolette will be on a short leash this year. Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford tried to put an end to the speculation by telling the News and Observer there is no pressure on Laviolette and he doesn’t want anybody to be under the gun heading into the season. The Hurricanes are two years removed from winning the Stanley cup in 2006 and rely on playoff income to be financially stable. Source: News&Observer

NHL: Schneider on Sens and Sabres radar?

Internally the Ottawa Senators continue to flirt around the idea of acquiring Ducks defenseman Mathieu Schneider The Senators are in the market for an offensive defenseman and have shown an interest in Schneider for some time but were waiting for the Andrej Meszaros situation to resolve. The Senators have about $5 million in cap space and would have to send some salary back to the Ducks for a trade to work. Discussions are on-going. The Ducks are believed to be looking for draft picks and prospects in return. Brian Burke, the GM for the Anaheim Ducks has asked his scouting staff to provide scouting reports on potential targets from the LA Kings, Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres. The