MONTREAL -- There was an extra boost of energy at the Pittsburgh Penguins practice Monday with both Sidney Crosby and Jordal Staal taking drills on the ice. Jerseys Black Friday 2014 . Neither is ready to return to game action, but their presence at least allowed the Penguins to imagine having a full, healthy lineup some time before the end of an injury-plagued season. "It was good to be out there," said Crosby. "This weeks been pretty good. "I feel like Im getting there. I dont know the timeframe. I wish I did." The Penguins, who lost 5-2 in New Jersey on Sunday, skated at the Bell Centre where they will face the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. The Canadiens got the day off after splitting a pair of weekend afternoon games. Crosby has played only eight games this season as he recovers from a neck injury, while Staal has missed 14 games with a bad knee. Rookie defenceman Simon Despres, who has missed 12 games with an injured knee, was also back skating with his teammates for the first time. Coach Dan Bylsma felt that with Staal and Despres there, it was better to include Crosby in the main practice rather than have him skate on his own. "Its not a change in his status, its just that he would have been lonely by himself," Bylsma said of Crosby. Crosbys status, or at least his frame of mind, has changed a lot in the last two weeks after two new rounds of tests by doctors showed his concussion symptoms likely came from a soft tissue injury in his neck. He was given an injection to treat swelling in the neck. Crosbys health has been a daily drama since he suffered concussion symptoms after hits in consecutive games in early January, 2011. The Cole Harbour, N.S., native was leading the NHL with 66 points in 41 games but missed the rest of the season. He returned on Nov. 21, picked up 12 points in eight games, and was sidelined again with similar symptoms. But a visit to a specialist in Los Angeles, who found soft tissue damage, was confirmed in a follow-up examination by a doctor in Philadelphia. Now the focus has shifted from concussion symptoms to healing his neck. "Its nice to go in and not be guessing," Crosby said. "The good news is seeing some progression, and with this stuff thats always what youre looking for. "I feel like Ive got better the last week or so and hopefully it keeps going the same way. Im really paying attention to the work on my neck and I think thats a big cause of it. So, like I said before, just being able to focus on that and hopefully seeing improvement with that is nice." Skating with the team, a sign that Crosby is close to a return to game action, wont be a regular occurrence quite yet, however. "Ill be back (skating) by myself and doing the type of things injured guys usually do," he said. "You play hockey because you love being part of the team and being around that type of atmosphere. When youre injured its not like that. Youre out there with one or two guys or youre on your own. Its nice to be with the group." But when asked if he was symptom-free, he said: "No. As soon as I am hopefully Ill be out there. Thats where I want to be." Crosby took part in all the drills in what was a somewhat casual practice. It included a stretch where right-handers played left-handed and vice-versa, and ended with a penalty shot contest. Bylsma expects Staal and Despres back within a week to 10 days, although Despres will likely be sent to AHL Wilkes-Barre. On Crosby, Bylsma said: "Theres a little more certainty in his injury situation and everybody likes that better than not knowing. To have an area identified and a treatment identified is a different mindset." The 30-19-4 Penguins have managed to stay in playoff position despite their injuries. They also missed top defenceman Kris Letang for 21 games with a concussion, rearguard Zbynek Michalek missed 20 games, and Paul Martin was out for six in December. Forward Richard Park sat out 11 games in December. And it hasnt stopped. Bylsma said forward Tyler Kennedy was sent back to Pittsburgh for tests on a lower body injury. With key men out, the Penguns have seen centre Evgeni Malkin rise up with 61 points in 46 games, James Neal has 27 goals, and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is 9-1-0 in his last 10 starts. "It shows the depth in our locker room and the amount of good payers we have," said Neal, adding that the team has adapted to playing without Crosby. "No ones worried about it. "Sid will be back when Sids ready. Weve been through this process. It doesnt affect us. We wish the best for him. Were happy hes getting ready to get back. Were excited that hes skating with us." Brooks Orpik said that even when Crosby cant play, he helps the team. "It gives you hope, he said. 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Blantons deal includes a team option for 2015, a person familiar with the negotiations said Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical. Burnetts agreement also is pending a physical. Blanton, who turns 32 next week, was 10-13 with a 4.LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida - The best Blue Jays pitcher of his generation, arguably the best ever pitcher in Blue Jays history, is walking away from the game. Fittingly, Roy Halladay will do so in a Toronto uniform, signing a one-day contract to retire with the franchise that drafted and developed him. "I was very lucky to have a lot of people in that organization really develop and help me become the player that I was able to become," said Halladay. "Without the organization and support of the people in the organization from the front office to the coaches to the players, it really turned my career around and made a difference in my career. So thats why Im very fortunate to retire as a Blue Jay." During his career Halladay, 36, was regarded as one of the hardest workers in the game. His preparation between starts, which featured a strictly regimented workout program, became the stuff of legend and so theres a cruel irony to Halladay being forced from the sport, just two years from his last dominant season and still so far from his 40th birthday. Halladay won 19 games for the Phillies in 2011 but was limited to 38 starts over the past two seasons, owing to a deteriorating back condition which forced him to change the mechanics of his delivery that led to shoulder trouble. The decline seemed to happen so fast. "It was probably more steady than people knew," said Halladay. "There were times in the season before where later in the games it would be a challenge. You know, as you get older, thats how things go. Youre going to stiffen up. Youre going to get tight. I thought it was just due to age. But I know things were starting to change a little bit. I think the frustrating part was in the past I found a way through working out, through research, through talking to trainers, to overcome those things." From the beginning, Halladay seemed destined for stardom. Selected with the 17th overall pick in the 1995 draft, Halladay won 15 games for Single-A Dunedin in 1996, posting a 2.73 ERA and 1.239 WHIP. He stalled somewhat in 1997, bouncing Double-A Knoxville and Triple-A Syracuse and while his numbers didnt jump off the page in 1998, Halladay earned a late-season call up. In just his second start, on the final day of the 1998 season, Halladay took a no-hitter into the ninth inning. After retiring Gabe Kapler and Paul Bako, pinch-hitter Bobby Higginson was all that stood between Halladay and a piece of history. Higginson hit a solo home run, over the left field wall. There would be bumps in the road. Significant bumps. After working a dual starter-reliever role in 1999, Halladay was torched by American League hitters in 2000. He posted a 10.64 ERA over 19 appearances, 13 starts, and the control for which he would eventually become famous was non-existent (he walked 5.6 batters per nine innings.) It was back to the minors where, under the tutelage of late pitching guru Mel Queen, Halladay lowered his arm angle and developed the cut fastball which would induce ground balls for years to come. What would follow after his return to the major league level was sheer brilliance. Halladays 148 wins in a Blue Jays uniform puts him second to Dave Stieb (170). He is one of only two starting pitchers in franchise history to win 20 games more than once, accomplishing the feat in 2003 (22) and 2008 (20). Roger Clemens was the other. Never tiring of the organization or the city but with a desire for playoff competition, Halladay discussed the possibility of a trade with then-general manager J.P. Ricciardi after the 2008 season. By the All-Star Break in 2009 it was no secret Halladay wouldnt re-sign with the Jays upon the expiry of his contract and it was left up to newly-minted general manager Alex Anthopoulos to make a deal. The Phillies, coming off back to back World Series appearances, were willing to oblige. He pitched a perfect game, for the Phillies in Florida on May 29, 2010 and followed it up with a no-hitter in the playoffs later the same season. Halladays 1.198 WHIP over 2,046.2 innings in Toronto is second-best amongst franchise starting pitchers (Jimmy Key, 1.196 WHIP in 1,695.2 innings.) In all or parts of 12 seasons with the Blue Jays, he was worth 48.5 wins above replacement (WAR). He won Cy Young Awards wwith the Jays in 2003 and the Phillies in 2010. [url=http://www.officialnflonlineshop.com/Black-Friday-Pittsburgh-Steelers-Troy-... Polamalu Black Friday Jersey[/url]. Halladay finished top-5 in Cy Young voting on seven occasions. For their part, the Blue Jays are interested in exploring ways to keep Halladay in the organization. Hell be invited to spring training where hed be a natural fit to pass on wisdom to the clubs younger pitchers. General manager Alex Anthopoulos likened Halladays situation to that of Pat Hentgens, who tried his hand in different areas before assuming the role of bullpen coach, a job hes holding for the second time. Known for his intensity, Halladay transitions into a quieter life out of the spotlight. Hes ready for it. "Its actually a very peaceful feeling." STARTING ROTATION R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle seem to be the only "sure things" in the Blue Jays 2014 starting rotation. General manager Alex Anthopoulos, as far back as July, identified the rotation as a sore spot which required remedy. He hasnt been able to acquire outside help – at least not yet – and doesnt expect to before the winter meetings conclude on Thursday morning. "I think if its a signing it would be more of a January thing unless the prices change and they come down," said Anthopoulos. "Right now I would say trade. I would say the focus, while Im here, is that absolutely talking to clubs about trades rather than having meetings with agents and things like that. Im really trying to take advantage of having all the GMs here to continue to have dialogue." Brandon Morrow, who was lost for the season at the end of May with an entrapped nerve in his pitching forearm, is being counted on to not only return to health but to contribute innings and wins next season. "Based on the offseason so far, hes thrown two bullpens, thrown a (simulated) game, looks great," said Anthopoulos. "Thats a big add to our rotation." But can you count on him to make 30 or more starts? "We got 180 innings out of him in 2011 and then in 12, before the rib cage, he was on his way to what looked like an all-star season for us," said Anthopoulos. "I think the one place were in a much better position this year compared to last is our depth in starters six through 10." If the Blue Jays get their way, both Drew Hutchison and Kyle Drabek will begin the season with Triple-A Buffalo. Both are back to full health after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgeries in 2012. Youngsters Marcus Stroman, Sean Nolin and, perhaps later in the season, Aaron Sanchez could be afforded opportunities. Swingman Esmil Rogers and journeyman Todd Redmond impressed at times last year. J.A. Happ slots in best at the back end of the rotation. SECOND BASE Barring a surprise signing or a trade to acquire a second baseman, the Blue Jays will go into spring training with Ryan Goins and Maicer Izturis as their two options at the position. Asked to handicap the race for the job, manager John Gibbons gave the vote of confidence to Goins. "We really like Goins," said Gibbons. "We like what he did in September. He gave us a shot in the arm. I thought he handled the ball well enough to be top dog going in there." Izturis struggled early in his first season in Toronto. With Brett Lawrie and Jose Reyes injured for significant portions of the first half, Izturis bounced around the diamond and appeared to struggle with the adjustment to playing on turf. Later, he settled in before an August ankle injury ended his season, but Gibbons envisions Izturis returning to the role he had with the Angels. "Izturis will be a utility guy; I think thats his strength," said Gibbons. "Today thats the way we look at it. Alex could go out and make a trade for somebody to bring a second baseman in. I dont know if thats going to happen. But if not, I really like what Goins did." EVENING DOINGS On Monday evening, Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported the Blue Jays agreed to a three-team trade, two weeks ago, which would have resulted in reliever Sergio Santos landing with the Texas Rangers. According to the report, the deal fell through when one of the players involved failed his physical. There were no other details. ' ' '