quarterback CColin Kaepernick began the anthem pro

NEWARK, N.J. -- The Toronto Maple Leafs picked up size and depth in Sundays NHL draft in the former of Rimouski centre Frederik Gauthier. But they will likely have to wait for their 21st overall pick to make his presence felt in the NHL. "Hes big," Toronto GM Dave Nonis said when asked about his first-round pick. "Hes a big man." Gauthier is one for the future and, at six foot four and 215 pounds, the 18-year-old from Laval, Que., is a load. Hes billed as a strong two-way player who led first-year Quebec Major Junior Hockey League players in faceoff percentage. He ranked eighth among North American skaters, according to NHL Central Scouting. "Ive never seen a kid get back and play defence like he does in 20 years," said Chris Bordeleau of NHL Central Scouting. "In his own end, hes always around the puck. A kid that can play defence like he does at his age, with that kind of maturity, is very rare." Gauthier had 22 goals and 28 assists in his first season with the Oceanic, to rank fourth among rookies. He also helped Canada earn a gold medal at the 2013 Under-18 World Championship in Russia with a goal and three assists in seven games. Nonis said the Leafs had four or five players in mind with their first pick and had looked into moving up. But they abandoned the effort after deducing that Gauthier would still be there when their turn came around. "He fills a need long-term for us," said Nonis. "I dont expect that well see him shortly but hes come a long way in a short amount of time. He was playing midget hockey not too long ago." Gauthier will come to rookie camp with the Leafs. "Someone asked me earlier how long is it going to take for him. Its going to take as long as it takes," said Nonis. "Theres not going to be any rushing of any of these players. We want to do a better job of being as deep as we can be so we can keep the players where they should be playing until theyre developed and ready to come and play for us." Gauthier, who says he models his game after Jordan Staal, said he was surprised and excited to be taken by Toronto. He had spoken to the team at the recent NHL Combine. "Ill try and make the NHL next year for sure," he said. "And if I dont, Ill go back to Rimouski and play junior and continue at school." Nonis said he looked at moving higher in the draft but the price was too steep. "The assets to move up didnt make any sense." Cheap Air Max 2019 . Detroit and Boston are deadlocked, 1-1, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland could be forgiven if he was caught rationalizing instead of dissecting how his club could blow a 5-1 lead late in Game 2. Cheap Authentic Air Max 95 . 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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Coach Ben McAdoo has talked with Giants players about making a statement on social injustice in the wake of police shootings in Oklahoma and North Carolina, but something other than kneeling or sitting for the national anthem.The rookie coach neither identified the players he spoke with Wednesday nor did he say what type of action was being considered.No Giants players have sat or knelt during the playing of the national anthem either in the preseason or at the opening two games of the NFL regular season. There was also no indication any of them would protest Sunday when the Giants will be home to play the Washington Redskins.Theyre conflicted and they want to make a difference, McAdoo said of his meeting with the players. The league is a platform to make a difference. I encourage them to. I would like to be involved in that. Anything I can do to help.Still, I feel that you can make a difference outside of the anthem. We can do something together to make a difference. It doesnt have to involve the national anthem. I still believe that you pay tribute to the people that sacrifice their lives so that we can coach and play in this great game.San Francisco 49ers quarterback CColin Kaepernick began the anthem protest that other NFL players and athletes in other sports have since joined.ddddddddddddMcAdoo said he would not stop any player who wanted to join that protest.Thats their freedom, McAdoo said. I just want an open dialogue, something that we can do together as a team to make a difference.Running back Rashad Jennings wanted the team to do something seen as more than a gesture that many view as disrespect for the sacrifices of those who defend the country. He wanted the protest to be seen as opposition to oppression and injustice.Cornerback Janoris Jenkins said he felt a little powerless when he heard about the recent shootings.They have to get that fixed, to the top, start with the president or whatever, he said. Man, you just drop your head and move on and hope that one day there will be a change.Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul said he would stand for the anthem. He said what others do is up to them.Dont be a follower, be a leader, Pierre-Paul said. Do what you want to do.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '