NHL
– The Red Wings have signed F Todd Bertuzzi to a 2-year/$4.4M extension worth $2.2M annually. The new contract is also backloaded. Bertuzzi’s agent, Pat Morris, told the Free Press today that “we’re working at it, and getting closer.” The sides have been talking for the past month. The 37-year-old is in the last of a 2-year contract. After controversy surrounded him following the Steve Moore incident, as well as character question marks, Bertuzzi has developed into a two-way player and has gelled on a line with Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen. Bert has 12 goals and 29 points with a +21 rating in 54 games this season.
– The Blue Jackets have traded F Antoine Vermette to the Coyotes for a 2012 2nd-round pick (from Ottawa in Kyle Turris trade), a 2013 5th-round pick (becomes 4th-rounder if Coyotes win a 2012 playoff round) and G Curtis McElhenney. Vermette, who is in just the second year of a 5-year/$18.75M contract, has spent the last four years with the Blue Jackets. He has eight goals and 27 points in 60 games this season.
– The Sharks are reportedly targeting Blue Jackets’ F Rick Nash, with the return price including F Logan Couture. Columbus’ asking price reportedly remains too high for many of the teams involved, however, but a deal could still happen before Monday’s deadline.
WWE
– R&B singer Chris Brown has responded to the scathing video CM Punk tweeted on Tuesday night.
“@cmpunk the video u just posted was cute! It’s so funny how defensive u are.
And the fact that I really don’t know who you are and could give a shit is the funny part!
I really hope this 15 minutes of fame is paying you for the long run becuz music last forever! Wrestlers come and go according to ratings!
Ok back to rehearsal! Love u team breezy
Just so teambreezy knows… I’m never “ANGRY” when I speak my mind on twitter! They want me to be mad! Thats the difference! Love
I miss the real wrestlers! ( Hacksaw Jim duggan, Brett the hitman heart, coco beware, rowdy roddy piper) #Notnopunks
This shit funny!
Bret “the hitman” Hart! ***** typo
@KREAYSHAWN u got that one! Goldberg was the shit!
THE ROCK #Notnopunks
Number one trend! IM DONE!
We got them #Notnopunks tshirts on deck! Ask @TwonABMG and @Bighoodboss for yall sizes! Lol
Chris Jericho has chimed in on the Twitter feud:
“Glad to see @cmpunk wasting his time threatening rappers. I don’t care about anybody else’s business except mine-which is winning at WM28.”
– The WWE website has released a statement denying NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal’s claims that he will be wrestling at WrestleMania 28. The statement reads:
“Despite Shaquille O’Neal’s claim that he will compete at WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami, WWE officials have informed WWE.com that the 15-time NBA All-Star is not scheduled to appear on the card.”
The WWE article incorrectly states that Shaq told HollywoodLife.com that he will wrestle at WrestleMania. Shaq told HollywoodLife.com that he would be present at WrestleMania, but did not clarify whether he’d be getting in the ring. On Thursday, December 22/2011, Shaq appeared on the Abe Kanan radio show (based out of Chicago) and told Kanan that he was in negotiations to wrestle Big Show at WrestleMania. WWE’s recent storyline that “Big Show has never had his WrestleMania moment” seemed like a perfect set up to Big Show wrestling Shaq, who won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat back in 2006.
– Teddy Long says he’ll be appearing on Mondy’s RAW to continue his ongoing battle for power with John Laurinaitis. Long tweeted:
“Since @WWERawGM did MY dance on MY show, next week, I’m gonna be on #Raw making declarations in a husky monotone. Eye for an eye, playa.”
– As previously reported, former ROH star Chris Hero is now wrestling as Kassius Ohno at WWE developmental. The initials, KO, are inspired by Hero’s nickname in Ring of Honor – “That Young Knockout Kid.”
– Eve Torres wrote a “get well message” to Zack Ryder via Twitter. Ryder responded with the following:
“@EveMarieTorres ’cause in time you will find what goes around goes around goes around comes all the way back around #hoeski”
Torres also shot back at the “haters” calling her all sorts of bad names for her recent actions:
“All of you calling me names and degrading women are no better than I. How dare you judge me!”
MLB
– Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that the Mets are among six teams in the mix to sign LHP Scott Kazmir. Kazmir’s decision could even come in the next few days. Last week, the Mets said they didn’t have interest in Kazmir “at this time,” but things have changed. The 28-year-old averaged 86-89 mph and topped out at 91 mph while throwing for approximately 10 teams Friday in Houston. Kazmir has a 5.54 ERA over 55 starts dating back to the 2009 season, so he’ll likely only be getting a minor-league deal.
– Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports that the Yankees have signed RHP David Aardsma to a 1-year/$500K contract. Aardsma is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery last July and likely won’t be ready to contribute until mid-season. The 30-year-old posted a 2.90 ERA and saved 69 games for the Mariners from 2009-10.
– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com was told by SS Edgar Renteria’s agent, Barry Meister, that his client does not intend to play this season and is leaning toward retirement. Renteria was offered minor league deals from two NL teams, but turned them down. The 35-year-old will not file retirement papers because he remains open to resuming his career if the right opportunity comes along. The five-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner owns a .286/.343/.398 career batting line over 16 major league seasons to go along with 2,327 hits.
NBA
– Nuggets’ head coach George Karl said that F Nene (calf) might not be 100% healthy until next season. Karl said that Nene playing 30-35 minutes per game “might not even happen this year.” Karl added that his conditioning needs to be worked on, and some of Nene’s numbers are down this year from his career marks. He’s averaging 13.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 52% shooting, but has played in just 23 games.