Peoria late in the season (four points, even, 14 GP) and the 6-fo

In a year that already has proved to be massive for the UFC, with one major card after another, UFC 205 on Nov. 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York looks to be the biggest and most important of them all. In honor of such a marquee event, ESPN.com is providing dedicated previews to all 13 bouts on the card, breaking down whats at stake and projecting who will win, along with quotes and statistics for each fighter.Middleweights: Rashad Evans (19-5-1) vs. Tim Kennedy (18-5)Odds as of Nov. 3: Kennedy -240; Evans +200Dana Whites thoughtsI always thought Rashad was small for 205. And lets not forget, he fought on the heavyweight version of The Ultimate Fighter. I always thought he should be at 185 pounds, but he didnt want want to do it.Listen, Rashad is a super talented guy. My thing with Rashad -- the last few years I didnt know how much his head was in it. Kennedy is a tough dude who always comes forward and I think hell bring the best out of Rashad. Ive had those talks with Rashad: It doesnt seem like youre here, man. Ive just always thought hes super talented, explosive, great wrestler, knockout power, hes got all the tools.Whats at stake?Kennedy: After UFC 205, Bisping title shot or ... retirement?Kennedy is pretty confident he can beat Michael Bisping, the current UFC 185-pound champion. Probably because it hasnt been that long since he did it.For Kennedy, 37, UFC 205 will mark his first appearance since a frustrating, controversial loss to Yoel Romero in September 2014. At this point in his career, Kennedy is pretty committed to only accepting big fights. Hes also frequently out of the country, which can make booking a fight difficult.An offer to fight Evans in Madison Square Garden was just the kind of offer to bring him back into the cage, but Kennedy says that should say something about his future demands. Basically, it will take an even sweeter offer to bring him back beyond this.If [the UFC] isnt saying, Your next fight is against Bisping, who I smashed last time, then I dont even know, Kennedy said. I cant imagine the fight that would bring me in again. If it took Madison Square Garden, on the biggest fight card in MMA history, against a former light heavyweight champion, perennial contender, coming to a new weight class for the first time, in a state where they just legalized MMA -- If it took that much to get me back here in the first place, it will sure as hell take a big, shiny belt for me to stay.Not that Kennedy is overlooking Evans, whom he has trained alongside at Jackson-Wink MMA in the past and says naturally outweighs him by as much as 35 pounds. This will be Evanss first fight at 185, after years of competition at 205.He had about 20 to 30 pounds on me when he was here, and that was when he was in fight camp, Kennedy said. So, maybe a 35-pound difference naturally.Hes been a special athlete for a long time. Hes going to show up on weight on that scale and hes gonna do it smart. I always thought he was an undersized light heavyweight. Im confident hes doing it the correct way, dieting, exercising, doing the work.Evans: Once I made up my mind to continue, the doubt stopped right awayIf Evans fighting career wasnt quite in jeopardy following a first-round knockout loss in April, it was at least a bit uncertain.The 12-year veteran lasted less than two minutes in that fight before succumbing to a Glover Teixeira left hook. Afterwards he called the performance embarrassing, and said he didnt want to lose heart or hope in fighting but something had to change.One big change ahead of this fight is a 20-pound change. Evans has played with the idea of moving to middleweight in the past and hell ultimately do so here, in his 26th professional fight.Im usually counting down the days of a fight camp, waiting for that week off before the fight. Evans said. This camp, Ive been telling myself to go easy during some of these days, I feel so good. I feel healthy. Ive cleaned out my diet. Im really happy with everything and Im walking around everywhere with my shirt off.Once I made up my mind this was something I was going to continue, the doubt stopped right away. Those were my raw feelings at the time, after the loss. When I stepped in the Octagon, I didnt feel the connection I normally did. A lot of it was just bringing things in to the cage from my personal life. Ive made peace with a lot of areas and its allowed me to just focus on fighting.In addition to turning heads in south Florida, Evans says his new, leaner physique will allow him to do something he hasnt been able to do for years competing at a higher weight -- impose his strong wrestling skills on opponents.A lot of these guys were cutting from 230. As Im getting older and lighter, I was going in at 210 pounds. The impact was a lot different and I finally said, You know what? These guys are just way bigger. I havent had the strength to grab someone and really impose my will on them. Thats when I decided to make the drop.Key statsEvans: 19-5-1 (14-5-1 UFC); middleweight debutEvans: 50 takedowns in UFC career, eighth-most among active UFC fightersKennedy: 18-5 (3-1 UFC); first fight since Sep 2014Kennedy: 14 of 18 wins by stoppage (7 by knockout, 7 by submission)BreakdownIts easy to talk yourself into an Evans win here. Kennedy has been away for two years, but more than that, Evans still seems like hes one right hand or left hook away from old magic.The unfortunate truth is that minus one dominant performance against Chael Sonnen three years ago, Evans hasnt looked right in a while. Whats interesting about that is that Sonnen is a middleweight, and if you listen to Evanss comments, he believes thats noteworthy. At light heavy, Evans was undersized. At middleweight, maybe he will look like that power wrestler his career was built on.If that is to be the case though, this seems like a tough matchup for his middleweight entrance. Kennedy will not be an easy target for offensive wrestling, and even though Evans hits harder, Kennedys chin is probably in better shape at this point. Evans has been a little gun-shy in recent years and the weight cut is a bit of an unknown. Early success with his wrestling would be a huge confidence boost.Prediction: Kennedy by decision.You make the call: Demarcus Lawrence Womens Jersey . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. Michael Gallup Womens Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. http://www.shoptheofficialcowboys.com/Elite-Ezekiel-Elliott-Cowboys-Jersey/ . It is a cliché dragged out by fans and pundits regularly when discussions take place around which teams are better than others. Custom Dallas Cowboys Jerseys . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. Leighton Vander Esch Youth Jersey . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft.The St. Louis Blues lost in the first round of the playoffs, but theyre not that far away from where they need to be. Off-Season Game Plan examines a Blues team that is among the best defensively, but could use a few more goals if theyre going to get where they want to go. 72-32-13 (.670) under Ken Hitchcock since he took over early in the 2011-2012 season, the Blues had strong possession metrics like other top-tier teams, but their goaltending ranked 20th in save percentage, which is tough for a defensively-oriented team that ranked 17th in goals per game (2.58). There are a lot of pieces in place for the Blues to keep pressing forward with what they have. There is plenty of work for GM Doug Armstrong to handle as it relates to signing restricted free agents that include leading scorer Chris Stewart and promising young defencemen Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk. That leaves the Blues largely in position to tweak their current roster, unless they want to start dealing core pieces in a major deal, and thats probably the most prudent course of action. A little more offence, a little better goaltending and that could have been enough to get past the Los Angeles Kings in the first round. The Blues have enough young players that they ought to be able to count on internal improvement to get better for next season. If the results dont come with that kind of continuity going forward then bigger changes can be contemplated in the future. The TSN.ca Rating is an efficiency rating based on per-game statistics including goals and assists -- weighted for strength (ie. power play, even, shorthanded) -- plus-minus, hits, blocked shots, giveaways, takeaways, penalty differential and faceoffs. (Stats are listed in this format: G-A-PTS, +/-, PIM, GP). Generally, a replacement-level player is around a 60, a top six forward and top four defenceman will be 70-plus, stars will be over 80 and MVP candidates could go over 90. Sidney Crosby finished at the top of the 2013 regular season ratings with a 93.65. Salary cap information all comes from the indispensable www.capgeek.com. GM/COACH Doug Armstrong/Ken Hitchcock Returning Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS +/- Cap Hit Alexander Steen 71.48 40 8 19 27 +5 $3.363M David Backes 69.71 48 6 22 28 +5 $4.5M T.J. Oshie 68.48 30 7 13 20 -5 $4.175M David Perron 65.41 48 10 15 25 0 $3.813M Vladimir Tarasenko 65.40 38 8 11 19 +1 $1.75M Vladimir Sobotka 63.97 48 8 11 19 -4 $1.3M Chris Porter 60.72 29 2 6 8 +5 $675K Jaden Schwartz 59.91 45 7 6 13 -4 $1.167M Adam Cracknell 59.65 20 2 4 6 +3 $600K Ryan Reaves 56.18 43 4 2 6 +3 $600K Free Agent Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS +/- Class 12-13 Cap Hit Chris Stewart 70.96 48 18 26 44 +15 RFA $3.0M Patrik Berglund 66.73 46 12 16 28 -1 RFA $2.25M Jamie Langenbrunner 57.21 4 0 1 1 +1 UFA $1.5M Scott Nichol 52.28 30 1 0 1 -2 UFA $650K Blues Forwards Usage Chart from somekindofninja.com Though hes never scored more than 51 points in a season, Alexander Steen is one of the games best puck possession players. Its no coincidence that hes played 19 minutes per game over the last three seasons, trusted in all situations. A superb two-way player who takes on tough matchups and defensive zone starts, David Backes is a superstar when he combines his hard-nosed all-around play with goal-scoring (he has two 30-goal seasons in his career). When its a season like 2013 and he scored at a career-low rate (0.13 gpg, 6.0 SH%), then hes merely very good, but Backes is big, physical and a perennial Selke Trophy candidate. T.J. Oshie plays bigger than he is, which sometimes takes its toll (he missed 15 games with a broken foot and three with bruised ribs last season), but hes been a reliable point producer throughout his career, averaging between 0.63 and 0.69 points per game in each of his five NHL seasons, which is remarkable consistency. One of the few Blues with the skill to be a prolific scorer, David Perron didnt have his best season in 2013, with his points-per-game (0.52) his lowest since his rookie season. If the Blues are looking for more offence -- and they ought to be -- Perron is one internal candidate that can do better. Russian rookie Vladimir Tarasenko burst onto the scene for the Blues, scoring 10 points in his first eight games, but he fell out of favour and saw his ice time and production slide after that. Built like a tank, Tarasenkos conditioning wasnt to the level that the Blues would like, so thats a priority this summer, but if hes fit and ready for next season, he should be a significant contributor. A checking forward with a little offenive upside, Vladimir Sobotka scored a career-high eight goals (in 48 games) and he put up solid possession numbers, as has been standard for this three years with the Blues. 29-year-old Chris Porter earned a more consistent role with the Blues down the stretch, his hard-hitting energy a welcome addition to the fourth line, and sometimes higher up the depth chart. If he can handle a regular role over a full season, Porter is a bargain. Jaden Schwartz got off to a very slow start, with three points in his first 16 games, but earned more ice time in the last couple months of the season, picking up 10 points in the last 29 games and playing primarily with Steen and Backes on the teams top line for the playoffs. Schwartz will be counted on for more scoring in his second season. Similar to Porter, Adam Cracknell is a 27-year-old who earned a bigger role with the Blues than he had in previous years, putting up good possession numbers in his limited ice time. Tough guy Ryan Reaves has scrapped 27 times in 131 career games, but hes also improving his play enough that he can take a regular fourth-line shift. A power forward who can score, and also disappear for stretches, Chris Stewart was the Blues top goal and point scorer, by a decent margin considering he plays fewer than 16 minutes per game, but hes not a strong puck possession player, so he needs linemates that will drive play. Scoring on a league-high 23.0% of his shots, Patrik Berglund scored 17 goals, giving him the best goals-per-game rate (0.35) of his career, but also finished with his lowest assist rate (0.17) and had subpar possession numbers. Ideally, 6-foot-4 Berglund would be a productive scoring centre, but he has struggled to establish that hes consistently productive, which leaves him in a secondary role and waiting on potential to pay off. With Andy McDonald retiring, there is room for another scorer to join the Blues. A veteran like Patrik Elias, Ryane Clowe, Pascal Dupuis or Clarke MacArthur could slide into a spot on left wing and upgrade the Blues attack. Returning Defence Player Rating GP G A PTS +/- Cap Hit Jay Bouwmeester 70.64 47 7 15 22 -6 $6.68M Barret Jackman 68.35 46 3 9 12 +6 $3.dddddddddddd167M Roman Polak 63.28 48 1 5 6 -2 $2.75M Ian Cole 58.33 15 0 1 1 -4 $825K Free Agent Defence Player Rating GP G A PTS +/- Class 12-13 Cap Hit Alex Pietrangelo 74.63 47 5 19 24 0 RFA $3.167M Kevin Shattenkirk 72.20 48 5 18 23 +2 RFA $1.3M Kris Russell 66.73 33 1 6 7 +6 RFA $1.3M Jordan Leopold 64.32 42 2 4 6 -4 UFA $3.0M Blues Defence Usage Chart from somekindofninja.com Acquired at the trade deadline, Jay Bouwmeester gives the Blues an established top pair defenceman while allowing Bouwmeester to play a few minutes less than he had been asked to in Calgary and Florida. A gritty veteran who struggled in the possesion game last season, Barret Jackman does get saddled with more defensive zone starts, such is the life of a shutdown defender. Strong as an ox, Roman Polak also gets charged with a defensively-focused role, parterning primarily with Jackman after Bouwmeester and Jordan Leopold were acquired. 2007 first-round pick Ian Cole has been on the fringe of the Blues lineup for the last three seasons, and has 11 points and a plus-9 rating in 67 career games. He has good size and makes a sharp first pass, so the 24-year-old is probably ready for a regular gig, but until he does it, there is some uncertainty in how much he can contribute. One of the leagues best on the blueline, Alex Pietrangelo is adept at both ends of the rink, plays big minutes (24:53 per game over the last two seasons) and is likely going to be a Norris Trophy contender for the next decade. That needs to be taken into consideration when the restricted free agent blueliner negotiates a new contract this summer. He wont come cheaply, nor should he. Not charged with quite as much defensive responsibility as Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk is a high-quality offensive defenceman, with strong possession skills. Over the last two seasons, Pietrangelo ranks seventh in defence scoring, with 75 points, while Shattenkirk sits 18th, with 66 points. Kris Russell finished his sixth NHL season and continues to battle for a regular spot in the lineup, sitting for nearly one-third of the games and playing his fewest minutes per game (16:03) since his rookie season. Hes a superb skater, though undersized and that can leave him vulnerable on the defensive end. If the Blues can get their restricted free agents signed, they will effectively have seven NHL defencemen returning, so theyre pretty set on the blueline. Adding a depth veteran might be the only move necessary. Returning Goaltenders Player Rating GP W L OTL GAA SV% Cap Hit Brian Elliott 74.66 24 14 8 1 2.28 .907 $1.8M Jaroslav Halak 68.21 16 6 5 1 2.14 .899 $3.75M Following an out-of-this-world 2011-2012 season, Brian Elliott came crashing to earth last season, even getting demoted to the AHL for a couple of games before he suddenly turned his season around in April (1.28 GAA, .948 SV% in 13 GP) and performing well (1.90 GAA, .919 SV%) just not well enough in the playoffs. Elliotts shaky track record makes him risky as a full-time No. 1 option but, when hes on, hes terrific. A groin injury hampered Jaroslav Halak for much of the season and, while he had three shutouts in 16 games, he also had a career-low .899 save percentage. Halak has a stronger track record (.917 career save percentage) than Elliott and is getting paid more, so he is likely to have first crack at the starting job, but needs to play better to hold the starting job. Top Prospects Player Pos. Team/League Stats Ty Rattie RW Portland (WHL) 48-62-110, +56, 67 GP Dmitrij Jaskin LW Moncton (QMJHL) 46-53-99, +26, 51 GP Jake Allen G Peoria (AHL) 13-19-2, 2.89 GAA, .904 SV% Jordan Schmaltz D North Dakota (WCHA) 3-9-12, +9, 42 GP Jordan Binnington G Owen Sound (OHL) 32-12-6, 2.17 GAA, .932 SV% Joel Edmundson D Kamloops (WHL) 9-16-25, -2, 63 GP Petteri Lindbohm D Jokerit (SML) 0-4-4, +3, 35 GP Jani Hakanpaa D Blues (SML) 2-3-5, +2, 34 GP Yannick Veilleux LW Moncton (QMJHL) 34-39-73, +15, 65 GP Niklas Lundstrom G AIK (SEL) 3-9-0, 3.10 GAA, .891 SV% A skilled forward who has been ripping up the WHL (231 points in 131 games plus 69 points in 42 playoff games over the last two seasons) Ty Rattie could conceivably challenge for a spot in St. Louis next season because of his offensive skills, but he may get some time in the AHL to show that hes strong enough to produce as a pro. He did little in the Czech League, but a move to the QMJHL last season showed how gifted Dmitrij Jaskin is. Hes a skilled 6-foot-3 forward who, like Rattie, could push for a job with the Blues soon. Jake Allen wouldnt have warranted a call-up based on his AHL performance last season, but injuries thrust him into 15 games with the Blues. The 22-year-old doesnt have the pedigree to be a starter yet, but could be a backup now if the Blues move one of their two goalies under contract. Taken in the first round last summer, Jordan Schmaltz didnt wow during his freshman season at North Dakota, but hell have time to develop. If he becomes a productive player, then a couple of years down the line the Blues can worry about how he fits in the organization. A sensational season in the OHL should set up 2011 third-round pick Jordan Binnington to embark on his pro career. With a few years to develop in the minors, he could force his way into the Blues goaltending discussion. Drafted in the second round in 2011, Joel Edmundson is a steady defenceman with good size who thrived once he was dealt to a competitive Kamloops team. A sixth-round pick last summer, Petteri Lindbohm is a bruiser on the blueline. He needs time to round out some of his rough edges, but might develop into something a few years down the line. Picked in the fourth round in 2010, Jani Hakanpaa joined Peoria late in the season (four points, even, 14 GP) and the 6-foot-6 blueliner, who is a right-handed shot, is an interesting developmental prospect is he is mobile enough to keep pace. A hard-working winger with good size and a little offensive ability, Yannick Veilleux got promoted to Peoria (2 G, 1 A, minus-1, 8 GP) at the end of the season. Niklas Lundstrom was a fifth-round pick in 2011 and the 20-year-old is still struggling to establish himself in the Swedish Elite League, so its going to take some time before hes a viable candidate in St. Louis. DRAFT No first-round pick FREE AGENCY According to www.capgeek.com, the Blues have approximately $41.8M committed to the 2013-2014 salary cap for 17 players. Check out my possible Blues lineup for next season on Cap Geek here. Needs: One top six forward, depth forwards, depth defenceman. What I said the Blues needed last year: One top nine forward, depth forwards, two top four defencemen. They added: Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, Wade Redden. TRADE MARKET T.J. Oshie, Chris Stewart, Patrik Berglund, David Perron, Kevin Shattenkirk, Brian Elliott. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. ' ' '