said hell need to return every few months for follo

TAMPA, Fla. Cameron Payne Raptors Jersey . - Jon Cooper wants his Tampa Bay Lightning to know something about heightened expectations. They dont mean anything unless you prove youre as good as you think you can be.The young team led by Steven Stamkos posted the third-best record in the Eastern Conference a year ago, and Cooper is among those who believe the club is capable of contending for the Stanley Cup title this season.The coach, beginning his second full season behind the bench in Tampa Bay, just doesnt want his players to get too caught up in whats being said and/or written about their prospects for success.You dont have a right to make the playoffs. Its not a given youre in, said Cooper, who replaced former coach Guy Boucher in March 2013 and helped the Lightning rebound from having the 28th-worst record in the league to go 51-35-2 finish last season.We have to realize its going to be tougher this year, Stamkos agreed. I know the expectations are higher, but were not going to surprise anyone. In that regard, we can use that as motivation.Stamkos missed 45 games, as well as Canadas gold-medal run in the Olympics last winter, yet the 24-year-old still was able to lead Tampa Bay to its first playoff appearance since 2011.The two-time All-Star delivered 25 goals and 40 points in 37 games, and his absence from early November to just before a late-season trade sent Martin St. Louis to the New York Rangers created unexpected opportunities for young players such as Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson, who helped the Lightning stay afloat without its star.Meanwhile, goaltender Ben Bishop set franchise records for victories (37), save percentage (.924) and goals-against average (2.23) before a left elbow injury sidelined him for the final week of the regular season and the playoffs, where Tampa Bay was swept by Montreal in the opening round.Ryan Callahan, obtained in the deal that sent St. Louis to the Rangers, returns for a full season after re-signing as a free agent. General manager Steve Yzerman has also brought in Brian Boyle, Anton Stralman, Brendan Morrow, Jason Garrison and backup goalie Evgeni Nabokov in hopes of strengthening the team defensively.Its not how many goals we score, its how many we keep out of the net, Cooper said.We like to think were an improved team, Yzerman added. But weve got to do it on the ice.___Some things to watch as the Lightning prepare for a year the team is hopeful will end with a strong post-season run:IMPRESSIVE TURNAROUND: The Lightning tied the franchise record for wins in a season in 2013-14, finishing with 101 points a€” tied most in team history.SCORING MACHINE: Stamkos has scored more goals than any NHL player since the start of the 2009-10 season with 210. Hes led the league in goals-scored twice and also ranked second in points two times. Despite missing more than half of last season, he still led the team with nine power-play goals.MORE FIREPOWER: Palat led the team with 59 points last season. Johnson, another first-year player, set a club record for rookies with 24 goals. In all, Tampa Bays rookies combined for 201 points, more than twice as many for first-year players from any other team. Palat led all NHL rookies with 44 points after Jan. 1.PLENTY OF LEADERSHIP: Stamkos, who was named captain last season, says theres no shortage of leadership on the roster, noting that Callahan was a captain in New York before being acquired from the Rangers and that Boyle, Stralman and Morrow also are established veterans who bring grit and playoff experience. Its not a one-man show here, Stamkos said. Its by committee. That makes it easier on me that way.TALK IS CHEAP: Yzerman likes the roster hes put together, but says it too early to talk about what this years team might be capable of accomplishing. Were optimistic, the Hall of Famer said, but it takes time for changes for gel. Kyle Lowry Jersey . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. Vince Carter Jersey .Y. - Geno Smith shouted a couple of mighty expensive expletives.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers offensive lineman Andrew McDonald said he expects to return to training camp next month after undergoing surgery in May for testicular cancer. McDonald said Wednesday that doctors expect him to make a full recovery. McDonald was "Player A" in a report on the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal this year that indicated he was among those bullied. McDonald didnt have any symptoms, but noticed a "bump on his skin" on one of his testicles and met with doctors on May 19. He said hes glad he did. Doctors determined he had testicular cancer and operated the following day to remove the mass. "Its out and right now I should be all good," he said. The 25-year-old McDonald said doctors believe they caught the cancer before it spread. He said hell need to return every few months for follow up CT Scans. "It was obviously surprising news," McDonald said. "They scheduled surgery for the next day, so it kind of hits you all at once. But I just made up my mind not to get down or let it affect me and stay positiive. Matt Thomas Jersey. It has worked out, so thank God for that." After the bullying report, McDonald released a statement through his agent Brett Tessler saying, "While Andrew cant speak for other players involved in the report, he personally has had no problem with the Miami Dolphins organization and has the highest opinion of (offensive line) coach (Jim) Turner both personally and professionally and feels terrible about the way their relationship has been portrayed in the report." McDonald talked briefly on Wednesday about his time in Miami. He said offensive tackle Jonathan Martin, the primary victim in the bullying scandal that involved Richie Incognito, "went through a lot and it kind of affected him a little differently. "Everybody goes through a little adjustment when they get into the league. I saw it as beating on the rookies and just kind of playing around and messing with them. But with some people it goes a little too far some times." McDonald declined to say if the bullying he encountered went too far. ' ' '