TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs are poised to buy out Mikhail Grabovski after putting the veteran forward on unconditional waivers Thursday. The buyout will make Grabovski an unrestricted free agent as of Friday at noon ET. The Leafs have already used their other non-compliance buyout on defenceman Mike Komisarek. Grabovski, 29, had four years remaining on his $27.5-million contract, which he signed in March 2012. Acquired in 2008 from Montreal, the Leafs had high hopes for Grabovski. But he struggled this season, recording just nine goals and seven assists in 48 games. "This was not an easy decision to make as Mikhail made numerous contributions to our hockey club," Leafs general manager Dave Nonis said in a statement. "This is a roster move that will give us salary cap flexibility moving forward." The move will free up $5.5 million of cap space for the Leafs. In 367 career games, Grabovski has 94 goals and 123 assists. Cheap Swell Water Bottle Canada . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Swell Bottle Black Canada . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. http://www.swellbottlesaleclearance.com/ . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. Swell Bottle Sale Canada .J. -- Marshawn Lynch said Thursday it will be good to get back to football after the Seattle quiet talking running back wrapped up his final mandatory media session of Super Bowl week. Swell Bottle Canada .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. TORONTO -- NHL meetings are set for this week to discuss whether the league will participate in the 2018 Olympics in South Korea.League officials will meet with the International Ice Hockey Federation in New York on Wednesday. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the NHL hopes to learn if any traction has been made between the IIHF and the International Olympic Committee with regard to potential sticking points, including money issues. NHL officials have expressed concerns that the IOC is not willing to cover out-of-pocket payments it took care of at the past five Olympics.NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said those costs were upward of $10 million during a two-week hiatus next season.I cant imagine the NHL owners are willing to pay for the privilege of shutting down for 17 days, Bettman said Monday at the Prime Time Sports Management Conference in Toronto. I just dont see that.If the IOC is not willing to figure out the expensees, Daly said, the NHL and NHL players association will have to jointly determine whether to proceed with participation in a sixth consecutive Winter Games.ddddddddddddBettman said a decision would need to be made by early January at the latest. He also took aim at the restrictive policies of the IOC with regard to the Olympics.Were not allowed to be associated with the Olympics. Were not allowed to promote that were there. Were not allowed to use the trademarks and logos. Were not allowed to use the footage, he said. The IOC says this is the way were going to do it. `Were not going to pay. You cant do this. You cant do that. It doesnt give you the warm and fuzzies.NHL and NHLPA officials recently visited the Olympic site in Pyeongchang, believing it to be suitable for international competition. ' ' '
