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TORONTO -- The road to Sochi doesnt necessarily start in Raleigh, N.C., but the competition for spots is hot with the Carolina Hurricanes. Carolina doesnt have half a dozen no-brainer Olympic selections like the Boston Bruins or Detroit Red Wings, but Hurricanes games should become must-see events for management teams over the next couple of months. They feature a roster that includes potential Canadian Olympians Cam Ward and Jordan Staal, potential U.S. defenceman Justin Faulk and a handful of others. "Theres a lot of guys on our team that are potentially candidates for their countries," coach Kirk Muller said. "Its a double added pressure, I think, on a personal note for those guys that theyre thinking about it because of when the teams going to get selected." Alexander Semin is a good bet to make Russias team. Former Maple Leafs winger Nik Borschevsky, a scout for Russia, was set to be in attendance for Carolinas game in Toronto on Thursday night. Jiri Tlusty could represent the Czech Republic, Tuomo Ruutu might suit up again for Finland and defenceman Andrej Sekera could be there for Slovakia. And thats not even counting captain Eric Staal, whos a lock for Team Canada as long as hes healthy. "I think your focus has to be on Carolina first, and then you kind of let those things happen," Staal said before the season. "Obviously its a goal of mine to defend that gold medal and be in Russia for Team Canada, but first and foremost Ive got to take care of the way I play, and thats with the Hurricanes." Almost five months before the tournament begins, thats a common refrain for Olympic hopefuls. "Thats always in the back of your mind, but I wouldnt say the guys in this room think about that a whole lot," centre Jordan Staal said. Faulk, who attended U.S. Olympic orientation camp outside Washington in August, said he and his teammates dont talk much about Sochi. That was more popular a topic during the pre-season and will be in January once the rosters have been announced. But until then, the Hurricanes will be watched. They face Team Canada general manager Steve Yzermans Tampa Bay Lightning twice before rosters must be finalized, including two days before the deadline. Ward, who went into Thursday nights game 0-2-3 with a 2.98 goals-against average and .913 save percentage, probably has the most to gain from strong play early in the season, considering Canadas question mark in goal. "Hes a guy that he always seems to make big saves at key times and hes a big-game player," said Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf, who played in front of Ward with the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL. "Hes won a Stanley Cup and hes right in that mix of those top goalies in the league." Canadas depth at forward could make it difficult for Jordan Staal to crack the roster. But the idea of playing on an Olympic team with brothers Eric and Marc, a defenceman with the New York Rangers, certainly is an attractive idea. "It would be really cool," he said. "Obviously Ive got to keep getting better and keep working harder and try to get that opportunity to play on that team. But obviously watching Eric winning the gold, you want to do it yourself. Hopefully I can keep improving my game and try to find a spot on that roster." Time to do that is limited. "If youre off to a slow start, youre thinking, This team doesnt get picked at the end of the year," Muller said. "So they know theres a countdown clock going on." Its also counting down for management staffs, which are constantly evaluating talent. For Canada its coaches Mike Babcock of the Red Wings, Claude Julien of the Bruins, Ken Hitchcock of the St. Louis Blues and Lindy Ruff of the Dallas Stars, general managers Yzerman, Ken Holland of the Red Wings, Peter Chiarelli of the Bruins and Doug Armstrong of the Blues and Edmonton Oilers president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe. The United States has coaches Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Todd Richards of the Columbus Blue Jackets and general managers David Poile of the Nashville Predators and Ray Shero of the Penguins watching, along with an extensive advisory board of GMs. "Theres a big group of people that are doing the role of picking the team," Faulk said. "I think theyre all kind of scouting on a daily basis, whether its Poile from the stands or whoever it is." It gives Muller some natural curiosity about players psyches. "Itd be interesting to talk to other coaches as the season goes along and see early on guys are off to a really good start, some guys on teams are not and how that definitely is in their minds like, Geez, I thought this was the year Id be able to make the Olympic team," he said. "Anyone whos off to a slow start, hes going, Geez Ive got to (improve)." Either way, being in the middle of so much Olympic conversation tells Eric Staal that the Hurricanes have "elite" players. Carolina came away with four medals from the 2010 Games in Vancouver: Staals goal, U.S. defenceman Tim Gleasons silver and bronzes for Finlands Ruutu and Joni Pitkanen. "I think our focus is going out there and playing a team game right now, and I think if we do that then it helps our chances to make that team," Faulk said. "I think when you have that, guys having the opportunity to make Olympic teams, I think obviously its fun to be around because theyre good players, which just helps your team." 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Bobby Okereke Womens Jersey .S. international midfielder Michael Bradley is complete.SAN FRANCISCO -- Javier Lopez tested the market just as he wanted to do, then wound up right back where he has become so comfortable at this stage of his career. On Tuesday, the free-agent left-hander finalized his new $13 million, three-year contract to stay with the San Francisco Giants. Lopez agreed to terms on the deal last Thursday, but needed to travel to the Bay Area to undergo his physical before signing the contract. "I feel like I went through the process the way I wanted to, obviously with keeping the Giants in the know and keeping them front and centre in the whole situation," Lopez said. "I did just want to reach out and see what kind of interest there was around the league and gauge the thoughts of my family, but ultimately San Francisco was No. 1 the entire time and thats ultimately how it worked out." He will earn $4 million in both 2014 and 15 and $5 million in 2016. The contract includes up to $500,000 in incentives based on games pitched. The 36-year-old Lopez went 4-2 with a 1.83 ERA in 69 appearances and 39 1-3 innings this year. He just completed an $8.5 million, two-year contract. Keeping Lopez was among the top off-season priorities for general manager Brian Sabean after his club missed the playoffs following its second World Series title in three years during 2012. In fact, Sabean approached Lopez leading up to this summers trade deadline -- when many figured he might be someone the Giants tried to deal -- and expressed his support of the pitcher for not only 2013 but beyond. For Lopez, that gesture meant so much, along with the Giants doing what they could to keep much of the pitching staff together not to mention the entire roster.dddddddddddd "I do think that obviously any time youre going into your last year before free agency, the trade deadline does become a barometer not only of what your future is with the club, but what the team thinks of you," Lopez said. "To have Sabean call us all in and tell us he wanted us to continue to be Giants not only this year but going into future, I think that was a big deal, I really do. Ive never had a GM do that before." San Francisco acquired Lopez in a swap that sent John Bowker and Joe Martinez to the Pirates in 2010, and Lopez emerged as a reliable option for manager Bruce Bochy as the club made an improbable run to the citys first World Series championship since moving West in 1958. The signing of Lopez to a multiyear deal gives the Giants two lefties in the bullpen for the next two seasons. Jeremy Affeldt received an $18 million, three-year contract last November. In addition, starters Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain are signed long term, along with 2012 NL MVP and batting champion catcher Buster Posey. Two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum landed a $35 million, two-year deal late last month. The Giants had to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Lopez, so left-hander Jose Mijares was outrighted to the minors. He then cleared waivers and chose to become a free agent. ' ' '