Wednesday that they are sending Rinne to their AHL affiliate in

NASHVILLE -- Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne cant wait to test himself in a game. Bills Jersey . The Predators, who announced Wednesday that they are sending Rinne to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee, are cautiously waiting to see if the two-time Vezina Trophy finalist can help them chase down a playoff berth. Both Rinne and the team will have a better idea of where he is after the conditioning assignment for games Friday and likely Sunday in this latest step in his recovery from an E. coli infection in his surgically repaired left hip. Rinne has been limited to only nine games this season. Coach Barry Trotz said the Predators will be monitoring Rinne after each practice and game. "Hes at a point where weve got to find out where he is game-wise and also body and mind," Trotz said of Rinne. The Predators start a five-game home stand Thursday night hosting Tampa Bay just four points back of the Western Conferences eighth and final playoff spot with 23 games remaining. They missed the playoffs last year for only the second time in nine seasons. How quickly Rinne rejoins them depends on how he fares in Milwaukee. Rinne practiced with the Predators on Wednesday before travelling to Milwaukee, and he called this a big day with doctors giving him the green light for the latest step in his long recovery. He has been sidelined since Oct. 24 for an infection in the hip surgically repaired May 9, and Rinne said hes focusing on getting his game back and help the Predators. "So far I feel really comfortable," Rinne said. "Im happy how things have gone in practice and how things have gone so far. I think Im actually a little bit surprised its been going so well. But like I said, its still a process but for sure I feel like Im really close to game shape and now its just a final couple of games before I jump on the ice with the Nashville team." Rinne, 31, is sixth in the NHL with 152 wins since the 2008-09 season and has 30 shutouts since 2008-09, which leads all goalies during that time. He hasnt played since Oct. 22 in a 2-0 loss at Minnesota. He is 4-4-1 with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. The Predators have played four other goalies this season trying to make up for Rinnes absence. Currently, Carter Hutton is their starter, and he is 13-9-4 with a .904 save percentage and 2.87 goals-against average. Trotz said what theyve been missing without Rinne is a game-changer who can mean the difference in as many as 20 points in the standings each season. "Hes an elite goaltender and steals games maybe when you dont deserve it," Trotz said. "He can steal points." Trotz said theyre not sure what theyll see from Rinne. "Its not about Pekka coming back and being a saviour," Trotz said. "I think its Pekka coming back and adding to our mix. And if he can get his game to the level close to what hes capable of, were a better hockey team plain and simple. To me, its about Pekka for hopefully the next five or six years. Hes a difference maker." Captain Shea Weber, who practiced with the Predators on Wednesday after helping Canada win the Olympic gold medal Sunday in Sochi, said the Predators are definitely excited about the prospect of Rinne returning to the lineup as they try to chase down a playoff spot. "Weve been through a lot this year and to see what position we put ourselves in here four points out coming in its not going to be easy by any means," Weber said. "If anyone can do it, we can." Sammy Watkins Jersey . The showiest items on Calgarys lot were forwards Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak. Both will be unrestricted free agents this summer.Jim Kelly Jersey . Hell be hard-pressed to match an unbeaten streak like this, though. Tanaka had his unbeaten regular-season run snapped at 42 starts, allowing a career-high four runs in six innings, and the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Yankees 6-1 on Tuesday night.SURREY, B.C. -- Ryan Phillips was willing to forgive the B.C. Lions on Thursday, but he wont soon forget his difficult experience with CFL free agency. The 29-year-old defensive back had hoped to re-sign with the Grey Cup champions before free agency opened Wednesday, and expressed his disappointment publicly just before the deadline passed. But he was happy to be back in the Lions fold after signing on the first day he was available to go elsewhere. "Nobody wants to go through this period," said Phillips. "This is my first time ever experiencing free agency. Ive never done it before and, hopefully, Ill never have to do it again." Phillips negotiated his own contract with general manager Wally Buono. But if there comes a time when he is a free agent again, the Seattle native will likely hire an agent. The five-foot-10 and 195-pound halfback is entering his eighth season with the Lions. The two-time CFL All-Star has appeared in 126 games for B.C. while recording 320 defensive tackles and 31 interceptions, including five returned for touchdowns. "I just forgive," said Phillips. "At the end of the day, Im a B.C. Lion. Thats what I came into the league as, and thats what I want to retire as." Praising Phillips for his football skills as well as his community work, Buono expressed no hard feelings about the players criticism of the delay in signing him. "When you negotiate, theres always a little bit of gain and a little bit of pain, so Im good with that," Buono said. "I think (Phillips) feels good at where hes at. The kind of person his, the kind of player he is, I think hes a big asset." Phillips said everything fell into place quickly once negotiations began. He was "grateful" to sign when he did, because around the time he was doing a media availability the Lions announced they signed free agent defensive back Byron Parker away from the Toronto Argonauts. Parker, a seven-year CFL veteran who has been named an all-star three times, recorded a career-high 50 tackles and five interceptions while appearing in all 18 regular-season games for the Argos in 2011. The 30-year-old Madisonville, Ky., native is also the leagues all-time leader in interceptions returned for touchdowns with nine. "I expect (Parker) to be the best wide-side cornerback in the league," said coach Mike Benevides. "History tells you a little bit about the future, and hes always been able to make a quarterbacck pay. Custom Bills Jersey. " Two days earlier, the Lions signed defensive back Lin-J Shell away from Toronto. But Buono and Benevides said there is room for all of the defensive backs under contract. "You dont go fishing for a Shell and a Parker," said Buono. "And why? Because the defensive co-ordinator (Rich Stubler, who replaced Benevides) and the head coach are different. Theyre changing what theyre doing. So these players fit into what were doing." Meanwhile, the Lions also signed free agent Canadian running back Stu Foord away from the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday. Since turning pro in 2008, Foord has appeared in 71 games over four seasons with Saskatchewan. The former Regina Thunder junior standout has rushed for 312 yards on 56 career carries while contributing another 122 yards on 12 receptions and 566 yards on 33 kickoff returns. The Lions convinced Foord, a 26-year-old Regina native who has been used primarily on special teams, to leave his hometown team for the lure of backing up tailback Andrew Harris. Foords signing became more urgent for B.C. after 25-year-old Canadian running back Jamall Lee retired last week to go into social work. The club already had Foord on its radar in case Lee, who was a pending free agent, chose to sign with another team. Benevides praised Buono for continuing to make his upcoming first season easier by signing veterans. He said Phillips skill sets and ability to perform speak for themselves while the newcomers add "experience that can make plays." With the latest signings, the Lions have filled virtually all of their needs on both sides of the football. They caught a couple of breaks when defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell opted to return rather than sign with the NFLs Miami Dolphins and offensive tackle Jovan Olafioye had a deal with the St. Louis Rams rescinded because of a medical issue. Buono said the club is still negotiating with defensive lineman Aaron Hunt, one of the most coveted free agents still available. But after Thursdays new deals, the GM indicated it will be difficult to re-sign him. "Our salary structure has changed," said Buono. Note: Lions defensive back Davis Sanchez, sidelined most of last season with a dislocated elbow, remains under contract but is expected to announce his retirement in coming weeks. ... Buono hopes to find out next week whether defensive end Brent Johnson will retire or play another Will talk to Johnson next week. cheap jerseys ' ' '