NEW YORK -- Tyson Gay joked that his agent tricked him, promising a "low-key" race for his long-awaited return to competition, not the throng of TV cameras that greeted him at the Adidas Grand Prix on Saturday. But the former world champion knew he needed the pressure of a big stage before he goes to the U.S. Olympic trials at the end of the month. The 29-year-old Gay hadnt raced since hip surgery last July. He entered the "B" 100 Saturday, finishing in 10.00 seconds running into a headwind, more than two hours before reigning world champion Yohan Blake won the "A" heat in 9.90 seconds. For Gay, success wasnt measured in numbers. He accomplished his goals: to sprint without pain and to "get all the jitters out." Gay would have preferred entering a less high-profile event than a Diamond League meet in New York City. But he said coach Jon Drummond told him it was "better to get it out of the way than to go to trials and be really anxious and nervous." Blake and countrywoman Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the defending Olympic gold medallist in the 100, face their own stress heading into Jamaican trials. The country is so deep in the sprints, a berth at the London Games is hardly assured for either. Both were encouraged by their performances Saturday. Blake was hampered by his customary slow start, but ran down Keston Bledman to stay undefeated this year. "You have the confidence going into trials that youre invincible," Blake said of his unbeaten streak. Even if he was a bit disappointed by the close call. "Im The Beast, right?" he said of his nickname. "I dont expect anybody to be beside me." Fraser-Pryce made a statement against a deep field, winning in a seasons best 10.92. American Tianna Madison was second in a personal-best 10.97. Reigning world champion Carmelita Jeter was third in 11.05, and U.S. teammate Allyson Felix, a three-time 200 world champ who is considering adding the 100 at trials, was fourth in 11.07. "It was about getting everything right before national championships," Fraser-Pryce said. Sanya Richards-Ross may have earned herself a second event at U.S. trials, winning the 200 in a world-leading and personal-best 22.09. The 2009 world champion in the 400, Richards-Ross was trying to convince her coach to let her run the 200, too. Richards-Ross struggled in 2010 and 11, but after a strong performance in the 400 last week at the Prefontaine Classic, shes looking anew like a title contender. "Im really happy that my races are coming together again," she said. "I lost a bit of confidence last year, and I feel it coming back." The 800 world champion, David Rudisha, came into the meet saying he wanted to run a time in the 1:42 range -- which would have been an impressive feat two months before the Olympics considering his world record is 1:41.01. The Kenyan proved just how dominant he is in the event, bettering his goal by running 1:41.74 to win by nearly 3 seconds. "I felt good during the race and I decided to push a little bit," he said. Julie Labonte of Sainte Justine, Que., was fourth in the womens shot put. Nathan Brannen of Cambridge, Ont., was fourth in the 1,500 metres. "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius failed to post an Olympic qualifying time of 45.30 seconds in the 400, finishing in 46.14. The double-amputee from South Africa will likely have two more chances before the end of the month to meet the standard to earn a trip to the London Games. After struggling recently with a sore hip and slow times, Pistorius saw major progress in his performance on a day the winner, Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic, finished in 45.24. "Its the first time I felt in shape to get back to 45," Pistorius said. "So now Im sure Ill be able to do that." After three false starts -- the first two by indoor world champion Aries Merritt, knocking him out of the race -- Jason Richardson won the 110 hurdles. Richardson was an unlikely outdoor world champ last summer, bumped up to gold after Dayron Robles was disqualified for hitting Liu Xiang, the other huge name in the event. Heading into the U.S. trials, Richardson has the confidence that hell finish first in many big races to come. "This year, I feel like Im supposed to belong and belong on the team," he said. "As a whole, Im having the ride of my life." Gay may run in a small meet in Texas before trials. The American-record holder in the 100 won three gold medals at the 2007 world championships. But since then, he has been overtaken by Usain Bolt and beset by injuries. The hip still bothers him, though he said Drummond hammers him about so many technical details, that distracts him from feeling the discomfort. "It aches and pinches and grabs," Gay said. "But Ive just got to go out there and run through the pain." cheap jerseys from china . 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While its certainly true Luongo would look kindly on a return to South Florida, and Canucks GM Mike Gillis most certainly knows that, its far too early in the process to suggest he wont go here or there, with here or there obviously including the Toronto Maple Leafs. HELSINKI, Finland -- If Leo Komarov has his way, hell be wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater in the fall. The 25-year-old Finnish forward finally feels ready to make the jump to the NHL and hopes a deal can be worked out to make it happen once he finishes playing for the host country at the IIHF World Hockey Championship. "I hope so -- as fast as possible," said Komarov. "If they need me and they give me a good contract then I will go over there." Its an intriguing scenario for the Leafs. Drafted in the sixth round in 2006 by former GM John Ferguson Jr., Komarov has taken major strides over the last few years and was a key member of the Dynamo Moscow team that recently won the KHL championship. His Russian contract has one year remaining and reportedly includes an out clause that can be enacted after the world championship wraps up later this month. He wont be able to sign with Toronto until that happens. "Ive got a year in Dynamo left so I dont know if they will let me go," said Komarov. "Its my agents work." Naturally, the Leafs are taking a wait-and-see approach to the situation. They own Komarovs North American rights and will only have to give him an entry-level contract, which allows them to move him freely between the NHL and American Hockey League. Leafs GM Brian Burke believes Komarov can play in the NHL and scouts have the five-foot-10 winger projected as a checking-line player in the mould of Jarkko Ruutu.dddddddddddd "Youve seen him, hes not big," said Burke, who is part of USA Hockeys management team for the world championship. "But hes dynamic, explosive, obnoxious and skilled. Hes a really hard guy to play against. "He makes things happen out there and were hopeful at some point that he joins the organization." Komarov already has seven professional seasons under his belt in Europe -- four in Finland and the last three with Dynamo Moscow. Once considered nothing more than a pest, hes developed into a responsible two-way player who shows occasional flashes of a scoring touch. The idea of playing in the NHL has been in the back of his mind since getting drafted by the Leafs. "Every morning when I wake up I look at all the scores," said Komarov. "Theyve got a good league." Komarov speaks four languages fluently -- Swedish, Finnish, Russian and English -- and would become the first NHL player ever to be born in Estonia. He was largely raised in a small Finnish village by Russian parents and seems to be on the verge of writing another chapter to his interesting story with a move to North America. He certainly isnt masking his desire to join the Maple Leafs. "Something is going on," said Komarov. "I need to play this tournament and I need a little bit of a break and then well see." ' ' '