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TORONTO -- On the first day of training camp in his new job as a Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach, Steve Spott was trying to put an off-season disagreement with Phil Kessel behind him. After the Toronto Star reported Kessel telling Spott he wouldnt follow the teams new plan on how to break out of its defensive zone -- and Spott relaying that at a coaches clinic over the summer -- the dispute became one of the hottest topics on the day players reported for physicals. While Kessel denied such a conversation even took place, Spott only expressed regret that the star winger had to deal with questions about the situation. "Its our job as assistant coaches to get to know what these guys want to do and areas they think we can improve on," Spott said Thursday at the teams practice facility. "Phil and I talked about a number of things with regard to power play and where he wants to be. But those are things, thats my job. "To think we dont have conversations about golf and some simple things about the power play, thats what were paid to do. At the same time, its a very light-hearted conversation that I had some fun with in a coaches clinic." The Star quoted three anonymous minor-league coaches who attended that clinic and re-told what Spott said. Spott, promoted to join Randy Carlyles staff after being head coach of the AHLs Toronto Marlies, didnt refute the report. "I think we had a very general conversation that took place, talking about his drive, and also talking about different things on the ice, and thats part of my job," he said. "Get to know these guys, things they like to do on the ice, things that they think we can improve on, and just getting to know them." Kessel said he didnt read the article but insisted the conversation in question didnt happen. "Ive obviously talked to Spotter a couple times, but its not about that," Kessel said. "Its more about golf and stuff. I dont really talk about hockey in the summer, to be honest, if you really want to know the truth." Kessel was all smiles as he talked about the 11-foot, 450-pound shark he and teammate Tyler Bozak caught while in Florida and appeared to be in a jovial mood at the beginning of training camp. He laughed off a question about whether he hated his coach and deferred to Carlyle about whether the reverse was true. When Kessel got serious about coaching techniques, he said he believed deviating from team structure was "how you lose games." But he added that he doesnt get any input. "I have opinions, but I have nothing to do with how this team is run, coached or any of the systems, no matter what you guys think," Kessel said. General manager Dave Nonis said the disagreement was "not an issue in the dressing room at all." Carlyle sought to emphasize Spotts "tongue-in-cheek" tenor but move on from the entire discussion. Carlyle, however, conceded that Kessel gets coached in a different way than other players. "I think there is a double-standard in sports that talented people have to be given a bit more of a rope," Carlyle said. "Talented people have to have some freedom to take their artistic values and go paint the picture. He is that type of player. Hes a very talented player." Kessel, who last season matched a career high with 37 goals to finish fifth in the NHL in that category, agreed. "I think Randy lets me get away with stuff that other guys might not get away with," he said. "Obviously I play different than someone else on the team. I think me and Randy have a pretty good relationship in that, and we get along real well in that sense." When it comes to what Carlyle likes to refer to as the "white noise" around the Leafs in hockey-mad Toronto, Kessel passed up an opportunity to say extra scrutiny bothered him. In the first season of a US$64-million, eight-year contract, the 26-year-old said theres nowhere hed rather play. For Spott, who previously coached the OHLs Kitchener Rangers before the Marlies, this was a "Welcome to the Leafs" moment. "People had asked me earlier what I thought the biggest adjustment would be going from the head coach of the Toronto Marlies to an assistant coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs," he said. "I just found that out real quick." Yeezy 350 China . Toronto dropped a 7-2 decision to the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon, with only a pair of late runs preventing a second straight shutout loss. Josh Willingham belted a two-run homer in the first inning and Kendrys Morales hit a bases-clearing double in the seventh as the Twins took the rubber game of the three-game series. Yeezy 350 Outlet .com) - Former foes from the Mountain West Conference battle in the 23rd annual Las Vegas Bowl, as the 23rd-ranked Utah Utes clash with the Colorado State Rams at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday. https://www.cheapyeezy350outlet.com/.C. - Goodyear has warned teams that increased speeds at Charlotte Motor Speedway will put a heavy emphasis on the right front tires in Saturday nights race a€” a potentially key development for drivers trying to advance in the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship. Yeezy 350 Wholesale . Coverage on TSN is underway now while action resumes on TSN2 at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. TSN GO also offers TSN subscribers bonus online coverage, with live streams of all four venues. Yeezy 350 Sale . Then again, he really was at his home away from home. "It was nice to sleep in my own bed last night," Shields said after pitching Kansas City past the San Diego Padres 8-0 Wednesday. BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sabres coach Ted Nolan knocked twice on the wooden podium for good luck in hoping his team can finish the final week of the season without any more injuries. So far, the fates havent been kind for a last-place team thats losing players and games at an alarming rate. Nolan provided the latest injury update Monday by announcing goalie Nathan Lieuwen and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel will miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with concussions. Defenceman Christian Ehrhoffs playing status is uncertain against Detroit on Tuesday. Ehrhoff was struck by a puck and required stitches to close a gash on his right ear. All three were hurt on Sunday, in a 5-2 loss at Philadelphia. Ruhwedel was hurt following what was deemed by the NHL to be an illegal check to the head by Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo. The league suspended Rinaldo on Monday for four games without pay. Lieuwen was hurt during a collision with Flyers forward Jay Rosehill. "I dont believe in luck, but its just been one of those things," Nolan said, before tapping the podium. "Weve got four games to go. Hopefully, we can get through this unscathed." Lieuwens injury comes att a time when the Sabres are already thin at goaltending with co-starters Jhonas Enroth and Michael Neuvirth both sidelined.dddddddddddd The injuries forced the Sabres to call up both Lieuwen and Matt Hackett from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. Theyll have to call up another goalie to serve as backup and become the seventh goalie to dress for a Sabres game this season. And then theres the rest of Buffalos banged-up lineup which played Philadelphia with 10 players on its injury report. Its a group that includes defencemen Tyler Myers (undisclosed) and Henrik Tallinder (lower body) and forward Drew Stafford (undisclosed). At least, some are scheduled to return to a team that, with a 21-48-9 record, has four games left and guaranteed to finish in last place. Nolan said forwards Marcus Foligno (knee), Chris Stewart (lower body) and Torrey Mitchell (undisclosed) have a chance to return to play against the Red Wings. "Its pretty crazy. I havent seen anything like this," said forward Zenon Konopka, who has missed seven games with a back injury. "Its tough when youre not in the lineup and missing games. You feel guilty." ' ' '