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PITTSBURGH, Pa. - There are places in the world, from a personal standpoint, that make a lot more sense for Tomas Vokoun than western Pennsylvania. The 36-year-old goaltender could be back home in his native Czech Republic.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf have played together for nearly every game of their careers with the Anaheim Ducks, usually on the same line.

OAKLAND, Calif. - Bob Melvin has repeatedly described the comfort of managing right at home in the Bay Area — and Billy Beane has described the comfort in having a winning, "modern-day" manager leading the Oakland Athletics.

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The hallways were all but deserted, the concession stands closed. Water only trickled from the bathroom faucets, the paper towel machines were turned off.

OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators prospect Patrick Wiercioch is making the most of his opportunities, because he's well aware of how quickly they can slip away.

NEWARK, N.J. - The lockout-shortened 48-game season hasn't started and the New Jersey Devils are already looking goals. Not the type a team sets before the season.

TORONTO - Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle is comfortable with the idea of giving a top prospect a shot with the big club.

WINNIPEG - Mark Scheifele has grown in size, confidence and experience and now the 19-year-old centre says he's ready to play in the NHL — if the Winnipeg Jets agree.

TORONTO - John (The Magician) Dodson thinks big. The five-foot-three 125-pounder looks to take the UFC flyweight title from Demetrious (Mighty Mouse) Johnson on Jan. 26.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - George Parros is sleeping for the time being in a teammate's guest room. His family is 2,700 miles away, waiting for him to find their new home. He's learning about a new city and getting acclimated to a new locker room.