TAMPA, Fla. B.J. Raji Jersey . -- The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed general manager Steve Yzerman to a four-year contract extension. The Lightning have made the playoffs twice in four seasons under Yzermans watch, reaching the Eastern Conference Final in 2011. Tampa Bay has already qualified for this seasons playoffs and is currently in third place in the Atlantic Division. "Im grateful for the opportunity to continue the process we started four years ago and would like to thank (owner) Jeff Vinik for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading the Tampa Bay Lightning," Yzerman said in a statement. "Im very excited about what lies ahead for our organization and truly enjoy working with a fantastic group of people in Tampa Bay." Yzerman, who has one year remaining on his initial contract with Tampa Bay, also served as general manger of Canadas gold-winning Olympic mens hockey teams in 2010 and 2014. Yzerman spent 27 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings as a player, captain and front-office executive prior to joining the Lightning. The Hall of Famer ranks sixth in NHL history with 1,755 career points. He is a four-time Stanley Cup Champion, winning three as a player in 1997, 1998 and 2002 and another as a member of Detroits management team in 2008. "Since the day Steve agreed to serve as our vice president and general manager, he has worked tirelessly to transform our hockey department and establish the groundwork for sustained success", Vinik said. "We are very pleased with Steves job performance thus far, and I am fully confident Steve remains the right person to continue to lead us." The Lightning also announced Monday that Steve Griggs has been promoted to president. Griggs had served as the teams chief operating officer since 2010. He also spent six years in various roles with Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment. Demetri Goodson Womens Jersey. The final ranking of the tournament was then decided on penalties. The Union opened the scoring in the 29th minute when forward Jack McInerney brought in a long ball behind the Impact defence, just inside the box. Reggie White Packers Jersey . "The highly-anticipated showdown between The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 coaches Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva has a new date and home, as UFC president Dana White announced Thursday that the light heavyweight bout will now headline a show in Brazil on May 31," a post on the organizations website said.CHARLESTON, W.Va. - New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith is eager to work with Michael Vick, even if it means a hotly contested competition for the starting job. "Awesome, man. Vicks my guy," Smith said during a fan signing event Saturday in West Virginia. "We needed to find a guy that was legitimately a guy that could come in and play. I think thats what we did. "Mission accomplished." Vick signed a one-year deal with the Jets on Friday, the same day New York released former starter Mark Sanchez. The Jets hope Vick, who spent the last five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, will be able to push Smith during training camp. Vick is "going to be a guy I can work with, have a really good working relationship with and also compete with," Smith said at the Charleston Civic Center. Smith was unfazed by Vicks comments Friday night on a conference call with New York-area reporters that he wouldnt necessarily be content standing on the sideline all season. "Thats every quarterback," Smith said. "I understand where Mikes coming from. No one wants to sit the bench. I dont know a player that does." Smith threw for 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in his rookie season while starting all 16 games after Sanchez injured his right shoulder in the preseason. He drew praise from coach Rex Ryan for a sttrong finish in which the Jets won three of their last four to finish 8-8, but Smith expects to have "an open competition" with Vick for the starting job — just like it will be for every position on the team. Scott Tolzien Womens Jersey. "Its just good to have a guy to compete with like Mike," Smith said. "Were going to compete. Were not going to say, Hey, youre the starter. And well leave it at that. We want to get better. "I love it. Its really making everyone work harder and keep you right on your toes because you dont have a moment to be satisfied or just say Ive arrived. Youve got to continue to work at it." Smith respects the opinion of Vick, who first reached out to him during Smiths senior season at West Virginia in 2012. Smith, a second-round pick, recalled that the NFL draft process and how to handle expectations were among the topics they discussed. "Some of the things I asked him was, How did you deal with being THE guy?" Smith said. "I was in that situation last year. As soon as I walked into the locker room, I was expected to produce. And as we all know in the league, its hard to do that. If youre not on a team thats already set up to win, youre going to have your struggles. "It was more about me just having an understanding of the position that Im in and just continuing to grow." ' ' '
