TORONTO – The disappointment was evident all over his face. Chicago Cubs Jerseys . Attempting a re-launch of his NHL career this fall, Petri Kontiola, the former Blackhawks draft pick, was plainly dejected after his second exhibition game with the Leafs on Wednesday night. Kontiola, a 29-year-old who spent the past five seasons in the KHL, knew that what hed offered so far probably wasnt good enough. “Im not doing that well right now and I know it,” he said gloomily. “Thats about it.” Kontiolas biggest challenge in making the leap back to the NHL, as per Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle, was his ability to keep up with the pace of the game. And thats been precisely the struggle for the Finnish forward. His long, choppy stride appears just a step too slow for the high speeds of the NHL game, evident even at this early stage of the exhibition season. He teamed uncomfortably with Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk on a de facto top line against Ottawa, finishing without a shot on goal in about 13 minutes. “We try to use these games as assessment periods and sometimes people play themselves into situations and play them out of situations,” Carlyle said, not mentioning Kontiola specifically. “We tried to put people in situations where they can have the best possible chance for success and then thats when the evaluation process starts.” The evident fact of Kontiolas struggle, early as it may be in training camp, has made Torontos once uncertain centre dynamic become pretty clear pretty quick. With Kontiola seemingly out of the mix – hes not getting faster overnight – the final two centre spots would appear safely in the hands of Peter Holland and Mike Santorelli, an unproven duo in different regards. Given Carlyles stated intention of three “scoring” lines, Holland would seem the probable choice for third line centre duties beyond Tyler Bozak and Nazem Kadri. Just 23, the former first round pick has offered hints of promise in 68 NHL games – albeit inconsistently – including five goals and 10 points in 39 games with the Leafs last season. Making clear that he was just a rung above the American League in the spring, he went on to thrive with the Marlies in the playoffs, boasting 15 points in 11 games. But can he fulfill his potential with the increased NHL opportunity likely to come his way? That will indeed be the question. Santorelli could certainly push him for some of those offensive minutes, but appears better suited (of the two) to absorb the difficult minutes left by Jay McClement, a Carlyle favourite whom the organization let walk in the offseason. Under the direction of since-deposed Vancouver head coach John Tortorella, Santorelli was utilized in challenging defensive situations, also killing penalties along the way. And he fared okay, posting positive Corsi numbers at even-strength. If Carlyle can find in him a player to handle those difficult assignments in the coming year he could alleviate some of the burden carried by Bozak and the teams top trio, which was often overloaded against top lines a year ago. “Hes going to get opportunities,” Carlyle said of Santorelli. “We brought the player in feeling that he could make a contribution.” Unlike McClement, who scored just four goals in 81 games, Santorelli also offers some offensive potential. Averaging nearly 19 minutes, he scored 10 times in 49 games with his hometown Canucks, adding a 20-goal campaign to the resume in Florida a few years earlier. “I think as a player you want to come in and help with the team any way you can and thats all Im looking to do here,” said Santorelli, who also won 51 per cent of his faceoffs. As for Kontiola, his fight to remain in the race for a job with the Leafs hangs by an apparent thread. Though the transition to North American-sized rinks would seem a challenge, even for a player who spent two seasons over here, he refused to touch it after Wednesdays game, brushing it off as an excuse. “No, a good player can play wherever,” he said. The team wasnt quite as dismissive. “Were watching him very closely,” Peter Horachek, the Leafs assistant coach, said before the game, “as we are with a couple of the other centremen and seeing where they stand because theres some questions to be answered for our team coming through training camp.” One at least appears increasingly closer to a solution. Brandon Morrow Jersey . -- Rory McIlroy birdied his last two holes Thursday for a 7-under 63 to take the lead after one round of the Honda Classic. Custom Chicago Cubs Jerseys . The former world No. 1 Djokovic, who is the top seed here despite being ranked No. 2, snuck past 35-year-old Czech showman Radek Stepanek in four high- quality sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5), on Centre Court. Djokovic appeared relieved when he converted on his first match point by swatting a cross-court forehand winner that just caught the line to end an affair that featured only two service breaks. http://www.thecubsteamshop.com/Cubs-Kyle-Hendricks-Kids-Jersey/ . -- Cordell Cato scored his first goal of the season and the San Jose Earthquakes survived a full half playing a man down to beat FC Dallas 2-1 Saturday night.Charlie Adam believes Rangers will be in a good position to immediately challenge Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title next season. The Gers sealed their place in Scottish footballs top tier with a 1-0 win over Dumbarton on Tuesday, and some of the focus has already switched to how Mark Warburtons side will fare next season.Stoke midfielder Adam, who spent six years in the Rangers first team between 2003 and 2009, sees no reason why his former club cannot be up with the sides at the top of the Premiership. Of course they are [able to challenge for the title]. They had 49,000 fans there against Dumbarton on a Wednesday night, and theyve had that support since they were in the Third Division week in, week out, Adam told Sky Sports Now.The fans have made a massive impact, the players and owners have come in and stabilised the club and they look like they are building for the future.I think the signings that Mark has made showed the intent that they were going to try and get promoted, but the players are good enough to keep them in the Premiership. Charlie Adam spent six years at Rangers Theyll go there next season and want to try aand win it - they will spend again as well and improve the squad, and Celtic will have to be wary of that. Jose Quintana Cubs Jersey. Before attention can turn to Rangers Premiership campaign, Warburtons side will attempt to win the Petrofac Training Cup on Sunday, followed by the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic a week later. Adam told Sky Sports Now that he believes the encounter with Celtic will be a real sign of how far Rangers have come under Warburton.Well see on April 17 - in the past there was a massive gap, but I think Rangers have improved, he added. Mark Warburton has led Rangers to promotion in his first year in charge Celtic are dwindling at the top, theyve taken their foot off the gas and Aberdeen have pushed them all the way, but they will still win the league.Id like to see Rangers push them and hopefully get the win, and to try and win the treble in one season would be incredible. Also See: Souness: Rangers return crucial Warburton: Job not done Ball targets treble success McCann: Exciting times ahead ' ' '