The Hurricanes will receive a sixth-round draft pick if the Penguins win the Stanley Cup this year, a source told ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun.

The acquisition of Jokinen is the latest improvement made recently by the Penguins, who also have added Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow and Douglas Murray ahead of Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline.

Jokinen, who turned 30 on Monday, has six goals and five assists in 33 games this season, his fourth full campaign with the Hurricanes.

Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford confirmed the trade on his official Twitter account.

An eight-year veteran, Jokinen has 121 goals and 225 assists in 569 career games with Carolina, Tampa Bay and Dallas. He enjoyed his best season in 2009-10, when he scored a career-high 30 goals with the Hurricanes.

“We thank Jussi for his great service to our organization during the last five years,” Rutherford tweeted. “This deal is important for our team’s financial flexibility moving forward.”

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Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was at one time Mendenhall’s offensive coordinator with the Steelers.

Mendenhall had led the Steelers in rushing for three straight seasons before a disappointing 2012 season marred by injuries and a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.

He was suspended for a game in December for not attending a loss to the Chargers after he found out he wouldn’t dress for the game. He also was inactive for two games after fumbling twice on four carries in a loss to the Browns.

Mendenhall also was slowed by injuries last season. He tore the ACL in his right knee in Week 17 of the 2011 season and didn’t return until Oct. 4 of last season. His return didn’t last long, though, as he strained his right Achilles four days later.

The 25-year-old running back has rushed for 3,549 yards and 29 touchdowns in 57 career games.

The Cardinals released running back Beanie Wells last week.

The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Wells was envisioned as a power running back to anchor Arizona’s offense, but injuries and inconsistent play kept him from being a regular threat. He had only three 100-yard rushing games in his four seasons in the desert.

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Bush’s contract is reportedly worth $16 million.

The Lions also agreed to deals with former Houston Texans safety Glover Quin, cornerback Chris Houston and former Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Jason Jones on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Bush proved that he can be an every-down tailback in Miami, rushing for 2,072 yards and 12 touchdowns in two seasons with the Dolphins.

He called the Lions’ offense “a running back’s dream.”

“The first thing we talked about, we’re watching film, seeing those safeties deep … it’s a running back’s dream. We have to be able to run the ball in that situation. That’s part of the reason I wanted to come here and be part of a balanced attack and take the pressure off Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford.”

Lions great Barry Sanders welcomed him to the Lions on Wednesday afternoon, in a tweet.

“Proud to be a @DetroitLionsNFL and excited to welcome @ReggieBush to the family,” he wrote.

In 2012, Bush played in every game for the first time since 2006 and fell just shy of his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season, finishing with 986.

In 91 career games, Bush has 4,162 yards rushing, 2,730 receiving and 48 touchdowns (29 rushing, 15 receiving, four return).

Quin led the Texans with 84 tackles last season, along with two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack.

Quin moved from cornerback to safety when Wade Phillips took over the Texans defense in 2011. The 27-year-old defensive back has 314 tackles and five sacks in 63 career games.

Houston agreed to a five-year deal to return to the Lions. The terms of Jones’ agreement weren’t immediately known.

“I’m excited that it’s all over,” Houston told the Detroit Free-Press. “I’ve been through free agency before, and it was crazy that time. It was crazy this time, also, but I’m just happy that I have a home, a place to go and finish out my career. I’m not one of those guys out there who’s worried about where they’re going to be, so I feel pretty good.”

Houston had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and 56 tackles last season for Detroit, his third season with the Lions. He had a career-best five interceptions in 2011.

In 87 career games, he has 332 tackles, 11 interceptions and four forced fumbles.

Jones’ agent tweeted the news of his client’s agreement with the Lions.

Jones went to high school in Lathrup Village, Mich., and played college football at Eastern Michigan. He was a backup defensive tackle last season for the Seahawks. His season ended in December due to a lingering knee injury.

But the 6-foot-5, 276-pound Jones could play a bigger role with the Lions, who may lose defensive end Cliff Avril to free agency.

Detroit also released veteran Kyle Vanden Bosch last month.

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The deadline for teams to use the franchise tag is 4 p.m. ET on Monday.

The team’s decision means that left tackle Jake Long and receiver Brian Hartline will become unrestricted free agents on March 12 unless the Dolphins can agree to contracts with both players before then.

The 29-year-old Starks made the Pro Bowl as an alternate and is one of the anchors of Miami’s stout run defense. He was hard to move in the middle and showed enough athleticism to also register 4.5 sacks and an interception. Starks has 32.5 sacks and four interceptions in 140 career games.

Long, the Dolphins’ No. 1 overall pick in 2008, was placed on injured reserve in December because of a left triceps injury. Before that injury, the 27-year-old left tackle had missed only two games in five NFL seasons. He was chosen as a Pro Bowl starter each of the three years before 2012.

Long has become a less dominant blocker as his injuries accumulate. He was slowed by an ankle injury as a rookie and hurt his shoulder in 2010. In 2011 he battled back trouble, then missed the final game with a torn right biceps.

The 26-year-old Hartline posted career highs in receptions (74) and yards (1,083) as he provided a go-to target for first-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

He has 183 receptions, 2,753 yards and six touchdown catches in 60 career games.

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The Canucks said Wednesday that Kesler will be out for up to six weeks because of a broken right foot. The fracture was revealed on a CT scan.

It is unclear when the injury occurred, but coach Alain Vigneault said Kesler might have been playing with it before it was diagnosed. Kesler played more than 19 minutes against Phoenix on Tuesday and earned an assist.

Kesler didn’t practice on Wednesday and was seen wearing an air cast. He returned to action two weeks ago after taking longer to recover from offseason shoulder surgery. He had a goal and four assists in seven games before being injured again.

Kesler has 154 goals and 188 assists in 568 NHL career games, all with the Canucks.

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Turner, 31, rushed for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns last season as the Falcons reached the NFC Championship Game. It marked the fifth straight season in which he reached double figures in TDs.

Turner split time in 2012 with second-year pro Jacquizz Rodgers. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Turner was on the field for 503 snaps and Rodgers took part in 502.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Turner has spent the past five seasons with the Falcons after playing his first four years with the San Diego Chargers. He has rushed for 7,338 yards and 66 TDs in 134 career games.

The post Michael Turner faces release appeared first on IdealCapper.

“I’m going to officially put the cleats on the shelf. I’m going to walk away from the game,” the four-time Pro Bowler said.

The Packers announced that he will take part in a formal news conference at Lambeau Field on Feb. 6 at 12 a.m. ET.

“I played my entire career in Green Bay and have always enjoyed a special bond with the fans,” Driver said in a statement released by the team. “I can think of no better way to retire than to celebrate with them and the Packers organization.”

Fans are invited to attend Driver’s retirement news conference and tickets will be distributed free of charge.

“I’m going to open my retirement up to the fans … give them everything they deserve,” Driver told ESPN Radio.

Taken in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL draft out of Alcorn State, the 37-year-old Driver retires as the Packers’ all-time leader in receptions (743) and yards (10,137). He also had 61 touchdown receptions (third on Packers’ all-time list) in 205 career games, all with the Packers.

He’s one of only 18 wide receivers in NFL history with 700-plus career catches and 10,000 or more receiving yards in 200 games.

There were three wide receivers taken in the first round of the 1999 draft — Torry Holt, David Boston, and Troy Edwards. Driver had 225 more career receptions, 3,034 more yards and 25 more touchdowns than Boston and Edwards, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Only Brett Favre played more games in a Packers uniform.

“All 14 years. Every day,” Driver told ESPN Radio. “That’s a special place to walk out of, and that’s something I’ll never forget.”

He had seven 1,000-yard seasons, also a Packers record for a receiver. He had six straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2004-09, averaging 14 yards per catch during the stretch. He made at least one catch in 133 straight games from 2002 to 2010, another franchise record.

“It was a pleasure to share the field with you for 4 years! Great player, tremendous person. #retire80,” offensive guard T.J. Lang said on Twitter.

Aaron Rodgers added, “Thanks for the memories quickie, you will be missed #Packer4Life.”

Quickie is Driver’s childhood nickname.

He turns 38 on Saturday.

It wasn’t just his performance on the field that made Driver one of the most beloved players in Packers history. Fans were charmed by his bright smile and infectious laugh, and moved by his story of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. Growing up, Driver and his family were so poor that he, his mother and siblings sometimes spent the nights in a U-Haul. He and his brother stole cars to get money, and Driver sold drugs, too.

Driver never forgot that tough childhood, remaining active in the community throughout his career.

“His contribution to the history of the Green Bay Packers has been extraordinary,” Bart Starr said in the Packers’ statement. “I am honored to congratulate him on all of his achievements on and off the field.”

Though Driver had said he hoped to play until he was 40, his retirement was hardly a surprise. He had restructured the final year of his contract to come back this season, but played only a bit role in the offense with Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb ahead of him on the depth chart. Driver’s eight catches for 77 yards were his lowest totals since his rookie season, and he was inactive for four games, including the NFC wild-card game, his final contest at Lambeau Field.

“It’s always difficult, especially when you feel you can still play the game,” Driver told ESPN Radio. “There’s other things out there. There’s the next chapter of your career and I’m ready for it.”

Driver said he is eager to spend more time with his family. Driver and his wife, Bettina, have three kids.

“Someone is always going to be able to tell my kids that their dad was a great football player,” Driver told ESPN Radio. “But no one will be able to tell my kids that their dad was a great dad and a great husband, so I have to be able to show them that.”

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Vancouver at San Jose
When: 8:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 27, 2013
Where: HP Pavillion at San Jose, San Jose, California
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet Pacific (Vancouver), CSN California (San Jose)
Prediction: Sharks 4, Canucks 2

Oddsmakers currently have the Sharks listed as 126-moneyline favorites versus the Canucks, while the game’s total is sitting at 5½.

Cory Schneider quieted some of the fears of the British Columbia faithful by stopping all 30 shots he faced in Vancouver’s 5-0 win over the Ducks on Friday. Mason Raymond scored twice to join Zack Kassian for the team lead with three goals apiece. Raymond has just one tally in 18 career games versus San Jose. Daniel and Henrik Sedin each have four assists for the Canucks, who wrap up their trip through the Golden State with a date with reigning Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles on Monday.

In their last action, Vancouver was a 5-0 winner on the road against the Ducks. Bettors on Vancouver at -102 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (5) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.

Team record: 4-0-0 SU, ATS
Current streak: won 4 straight games.
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Vancouver
is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 8 games when playing at home against Vancouver
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Toronto are 4-6
After playing Colorado are 8-2
After a win are 8-2

San Jose’s potent power play is crippling the opposition. The Sharks scored on their first three opportunities Saturday and are 10-for-24 this season. Although Thomas Greiss turned aside 24 shots to record his first career shutout, Antti Niemi likely will be back in goal on Sunday. Niemi owns a .927 save percentage this season but is just 3-6-2 with a 3.13 goals-against average in his career versus Vancouver.

In their last action, San Jose was a 4-0 winner at home against the Avalanche. Bettors on San Jose at -153 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (4) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.

Team record: 2-1-1 SU, ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games
is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Jose
is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing San Jose
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing San Jose are 7-3
After playing Anaheim are 4-6
After a win are 7-3

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