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TAMARAC (CBSMiami) — Golf may seem like a competitive game when you watch tournament play on television or in person. But to most who play the game, it is also a chance to be outside with friends or even alone for a friendly competition.

Duane Sebastian is a Marine who served in Iraq in 2004 and had been playing golf before his service and continues to play today. CBS4’S Dave Warren joined him for a round of golf at Colony West Golf Club in Tamarac as part of the CBS4 Moving U campaign.

“Ah, it helped a lot. It keeps you humble. It’s just you, the course and the ball. individual competition keeps me at peace,” Duane explained.

The daily stress of serving in Iraq can and did have a lasting effect on soldiers after they returned home, and Duane was no different. But after he picked the game back up in 2006 while stationed in California he became involved with the Veterans Golf Association.

“The VGA is a wonderful association. It lets a lot of veterans that don’t get out and do what they want to meet a lot of other veterans going through the same thing you are or even worse. I will continue to support and play in events with them,” said Duane.

Founded in 2014 the VGA has grown from a simple day of golf between friends to close to 150 tournaments a year across the county, with one of those tournaments at Colony West in Tamarac.

Joining Dave and Duane in a foursome was Bob Ewing, the General Manager of Colony West and Ryan Miller, Assistant Manager. The club participates as one of the VGA golf tournament circuit stops each year.

“You see these players and hear some of the war stories and some of the things they went through. You feel honored that they come and play at your golf course” said Ewing who also hopes to establish the club as a military veteran friendly course.

“It’s very relaxing and peaceful. Once you get playing, you like it and want to continue to play. It takes your mind off a lot of stuff that you may be thinking about,” explained Duane.

CLICK HERE for more information about the Veterans Golf Association.

To get moving yourself and help local veterans, check out the World’s Largest Golf Outing held at the end of April at Colony West.

Remember, CBS4 wants to know what’s Moving U. Email your story to movingu@cbsmiami.com and let us know what you’re doing to stay healthy and happy. Perhaps what moves you will inspire others as well!

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WASHINGTON (CBSMiami) – The Washington Capitals accomplished what they set out to in the final game of the regular season.

They played it without anybody getting hurt.

James Reimer stopped 38 shots for his second shutout in two days, and the Florida Panthers defeated the Capitals 2-0 on Sunday night, snapping Washington’s four-game winning streak in a game with no playoff implications.

“I think we’ve put in the work to prepare for the playoffs,” Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby said. “Now it’s fun time.”

With home ice secured throughout the playoffs, the Capitals (55-19-8) rested several players, including T.J. Oshie and Justin Williams.

“It was sort of a non-contact game,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. “These Game 82s are sometimes anticlimactic. But we got through it. I don’t think we have any injuries and we go from there.”

Despite Sunday’s loss, Washington rolls into the playoffs having won 10 of 12 games and their second straight Presidents’ Trophy. Unlike last season when they clinched early, the Capitals played meaningful hockey into the final week.

“Last year we still got the wins and all that, but I just think our outlook and our preparation for the playoffs has a little more focus to it,” Trotz said. “We got pushed by good teams right to the end.”

The young Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night, meaning the Leafs (40-27-15) finished as the second wild card in the Eastern Conference and will be Washington’s first-round opponent. The teams have never met in the playoffs. The Capitals won the season series, which included a 4-1 win Tuesday in Toronto.

“It’s going to be a good series,” Washington winger Alex Ovechkin said. “We just have to play them our way and not give them freedom.”

In the finale, Derek MacKenzie scored a short-handed goal midway through the second period, and Denis Malgin added a power-play tally at 9:47 of the third period as the Panthers (35-36-11) finished a disappointing season with back-to-back wins after losing six straight.

“With all we have been through, we will take it,” MacKenzie said of the victory. “I have said all along this is a great group of guys.”

Reimer was solid throughout, one night after making 30 saves to blank the Buffalo Sabres.

The two straight wins aren’t likely to alter Florida interim coach Tom Rowe’s fate as published reports say he won’t be retained. Rowe is 24-27-10 since taking over for Gerard Gallant (11-9-1). After winning the Atlantic Division a year ago, the Panthers finished sixth in the Atlantic Division.

“It is not a good feeling,” Rowe said of missing the playoffs. “It is a very disappointing season obviously. Sometimes you have to take a step backward. I know our fans are very unhappy and deservedly so. We will be back next year. We have a lot of great pieces.”

Rowe said he’ll meet with President of Hockey Operations Dale Tallon on Monday.

Holtby stopped 14 of 15 shots before being replaced by Philipp Grubauer to start the third period. Grubauer made five saves and allowed one goal.

Washington had a 19-14 advantage in shots after two periods, but trailed 1-0.

With the Capitals on a power play, MacKenzie picked up a loose puck in his own end, skated up ice and beat Holtby with a wrist shot from the left circle for his sixth goal at 15:37.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Sports Xchange contributed to this report.)

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A dead bat found a in a pre-packaged salad in Florida has led Fresh Express to issue a recall.

The recall is for five-ounce packages of Organic Marketside Spring Mix marketed in a clear container with production code G089B19 and a best-if-used-by date of APR 14, 2017 located on the front label, and UPC code 6 8113132897 5 located on the bottom of the container.

The recalled salads were distributed only to Walmart stores located in Florida and seven other states. Walmart acted quickly to remove the product from store shelves.

No other Marketside salads are included in the recall. Fresh Express salads are not subject to a recall.

People who bought the recalled salad mix are urged to throw it out and call the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center toll-free at (800) 242-5472 for a full refund.

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A candlelight vigil was held Sunday night at Village of Merrick Park for Equinox fitness center general manager Janine Akerman and fitness manager Marios Hortis who were killed by a disgruntled ex-employee.

“It’s such a tragic — horrible unnecessary situation that affected some really nice people,” said Julie Neitzel.

Saturday morning Akerman, 35, fired personal trainer Abeku Wilson for workplace violence and had him escorted out of the building.

Wilson reportedly went home, got a semi-automatic handgun and went back to the gym looking for Akerman and Hortis.
Police say he shot both of them multiple times and then killed himself.

Akerman died late Saturday night and Hortis succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning.

Akerman, engaged to be married at the end of 2017, was known and respected in the hospitality industry. She once worked at the Fontainebleau Resort where she met her fiancé.

“We are overwhelmed with a sense of loss. This senseless loss that it is and truly a little bit of disbelief. Janine was one of our family members, she was a friend and colleague a co-worker and most of all she was this bright beautiful young lady with amazing future, said the Fontainebleau’s VP of Operations Mary Rogers.

Hortis, a model with a warm personality, was employed at the gym for more than 6 years.

Tears and confusion at the vigil not only from the Equinox employees but also members of the community.

“Two beautiful people died, our community is very affected,” said Coral Gables resident Alfanzo Perez.

Wilson, who graduated from the University of Miami, had just returned from vacationing in Ghana where his family is originally from.

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – The Delray Beach police department is mourning the loss of one of their own after a deadly crash in Key West.

Officer Christine Braswell and a fellow officer were riding scooters when they were struck by a car on Saturday.

Braswell was killed, the other officer is stable at Jackson Memorial South.

Braswell, who was a member of the SWAT team, was with the police department for ten years.

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Delta Airlines says it’s trying to get back to normal after bad weather wreaked havoc on their flight schedule.

Thousands of flights have been delayed or canceled over the past five days. Sunday, Delta said it was forced to cancel at least 150 flights, including three at Miami International Airport. Airport officials also reported 31 delays.

“Originally the flight was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. It’s now 9 p.m. and they’re saying crew delays. It’s not actually a weather delay. They’re still backed up with whatever happened in Atlanta,” said Clay Roberts, whose flight was delayed at Miami International Airport.

Severe weather in Atlanta led to the cancellation of some 3,000 Delta flights nationwide.

Passengers at Miami International Airport were feeling the effects as the airline tried to handle its backlog of flights.

“I was not expecting delays now that it’s Sunday already,” said Jane Khodos, whose flight was delayed.

Clay Roberts who travels frequently says he was not surprised his flight was delayed.

“I fly half a million miles a year for my job and mostly with Delta,” said Roberts. “So the second something starts going wrong with Atlanta, you have to either book another airline or just stay away for a couple of days. Atlanta just causes a lot of back-ups if they have a problem there.”

Lamar Dillon was stuck having to wait an extra hour and a half. He was also delayed leaving New York Thursday. “Actually the flights were delayed in New York too. Getting here was kind of bad,” said Dillon.

Delta admits recovery from Wednesday’s severe weather has not been ideal. Flight attendants were seen serving pizza to travelers who were inconvenienced. At Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport stranded passengers were frustrated.

“I asked them, ‘Are you going to compensate for a hotel?’ And they said, ‘No, we cannot do that, sir. I can only do rebooking’.”

At MIA passengers said they were thankful they were only dealing with a delay and not a cancellation.

“I guess I will just sit around and get some food, buy some souvenirs, waste some time,” said Dillon.

“I’m upset but this is how it goes with air travel. It’s just par for the course,” said Khodos.

Customers should check delta.com for flight status information.

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – You’re hired!

That’s what representatives of 30 plus companies are looking to tell prospective employees at a mega-job fair in Miami Lakes this week.

More than 2,000 positions are available from a variety of companies. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Don Shula’s Hotel, located at 6842 Main Street.

So who’s hiring?

Service Corporation International will be doing on the spot interviews for more than 50 sales managers, pre-planning advisors and sales professionals to work in Miami Lakes. They are the largest provider of funeral, cremation and cemetery services and have over 20,000 employees.

Humana has over 25 openings for tele-sales specialists in their Miramar location.

ALDI has more than two dozen immediate openings for store associates ($12.50/hr), manager trainees ($24/hr) and shift managers ($12.50- $14.50/hr) in Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, North Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Miami, Hialeah, Ft Lauderdale, Cooper City and Plantation.

The U.S. Navy will be at the event recruiting EMTs, Electronics Trainees, Electricians, Nuclear Power Trainees, IT and Medical Assistants.

Carnival Cruise Lines has 50 immediate openings for outbound and inbound Sales, inbound Customer Service, Personal Vacation Planning and Cruise Vacation Planning. Employees receive two complementary Fun Ship cruises per year.

Creative Engineering Group will be doing on the spot interviews for junior accountants, clerical and FDOT approved inspectors as well as senior inspectors for the Miami Lakes, Broward, and Palm Beach branches. They offer full benefits and paid vacations.

Ocaquatics Swim School will be conducting on the spot interviews for over 20 swim instructors for the Miami and Hialeah Gardens locations. No experience is necessary. They provide all training and certification courses: CPR, WSI, and LG!

One Blood will be conducting interviews for territory account reps, blood donation recruiters and donor service specialists to work in Hialeah, South Miami and Pompano Beach.

Waste Connection is hiring for CDL Drivers, equipment operators, maintenance supervisors, diesel mechanics, Operations Supervisors and outside Sales Reps to work in Miami and Opalocka. They are the 3rd largest waste company in the US and offer great benefits including yearly bonuses and rewards for the drivers for incident free weeks.

Racetrac is hiring part-time store associates, entry-level managers, all the way up to store managers for their locations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke, Hallandale, and Broward.

Wireless Connections will be interviewing for 5 sales reps to work in the Tri-County area.

YMCA of South Florida will be interviewing for all camp positions.

Sears is looking for 10-15 sales representatives in Doral. The representatives receive $12/hr for paid training and then $10/hr plus commission on the sales floor.

Albion Staffing Solutions has three branches that cover the South Florida Market within various industries. The Coral Springs Office is seeking to fill at least 50 positions within the Healthcare Industry. The Banking Division in Coral Gables is seeking to fill at least 40 positions. They also offer staffing and executive recruiting services for the Accounting and Finance Industries. The Headquarters in Doral is seeking to fill at least 40 positions primarily in the areas of Logistics and Light Industrial.

Click Here To See All The Companies At The Event

So how do you increase your chances of getting hired?

First, visit jobnewsusa.com/southflorida before the event and pre-register. On the site, you will be able to view the event directory so you can see who’s hiring and what jobs are available.

Get a game plan and research companies of interest from the directory. Develop tailored resumes for the companies you want to apply with. Also, bring plenty of them with you because you won’t be able to print or make copies at the event.

It also helps if you have a clear career focus. Be prepared with an answer to one of the first questions each recruiter is going to ask you: “So, why are you here?”. Also, prepare and practice responses to typical interview questions. “Tell me what you know about our organization” and “Why do you want to work here?”

It’s also helpful if you sketch out a few questions to ask each recruiter.

Perhaps most importantly, dress professionally. Think clean-cut, well-fitting, conservative to make a good first and lasting impression. Wait patiently in line for your chance to chat with the recruiter and make sure you ask for their contact information before leaving.

Jot down notes as soon as you are done with the recruiter and include these notes in your thank you email that you will send when you get home.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — He couldn’t catch a break. Sergio Garcia said that so often at majors like the Masters you were sure it would be etched into his tombstone someday.

He always had an alibi ready. Bunkers that weren’t raked until after he played out of them. Putts that curled around the hole only to spin away. Tee times that put him on the course in the teeth of a storm while rivals like Tiger Woods always drew blue skies and sunshine.

Garcia seemed so certain that fate had it in for him that like Pigpen from the cartoon strip “Peanuts,” he didn’t dare look up. There was always going to be a cloud of dirt and dust following him around.

No more.

On a picture-perfect Sunday, on what would have been the 60th birthday of his countryman and idol, Seve Ballesteros, the 37-year-old Spaniard made a birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff to beat Justin Rose.

“Obviously this is something I wanted to do for a long time but, you know, it never felt like a horror movie,” Garcia said afterward. “It felt like a little bit of a drama maybe, but obviously with a happy ending.”

The final putt rolled only 12 feet, but it felt like 12,000. It took seconds, but it felt like years. He and Rose have been butting heads since they were 14, but the distance between them grew as wide as a gulf when the Englishman notched his first major in 2013 at the U.S. Open.

“Any time one of those guys gets that huge monkey off their back,” Rose said graciously, “I think it makes it a poignant major championship.”

“It’s always a nice to be a part of history,” he added a moment later. “I would have liked to be the right part of it, but nevertheless I hope it’s a good one.”

Any talk about Garcia’s history before this Masters would have been a tale filled with anguish. He was a bona fide star at 16, a prodigy whose promise went unfulfilled, first by the emerging dominance of Woods and later by forces only he seemed to see.

The one thing everyone else focused on were his sad-sack results in golf’s big events until that last putt rattled at the bottom of the cup: 0 for 70 in his pro career.

Barely five years ago, after Augusta National got the better of him yet again, Garcia stormed off and said he’d had enough. “I will try to be second or third,” he said.

No more.

He was the only player in the field to break par all four days. He started the back nine a combined 31-over par in 18 previous appearances and played it 1 under the one time it mattered most. The centerpiece was a scrambling par at No. 13 that required the kind of grit even he must have doubted he had.

Up until then, the long-running duel between Garcia and Rose seemed bound to end badly for the Spaniard. Rose already owned a two-shot cushion and Garcia’s drive off the par-5 tee hooked left and into an azalea bush along the left side of the fairway. He took an unplayable lie and punched out only to see Rose knock his second shot just behind the green.

Garcia’s fourth shot, a wedge, left him with a 6-footer for par; Rose’s third, a chip, stopped at 7 feet for birdie. Garcia made his, Rose missed and what could have been the deciding blow turned out to be a draw.

“You know, the par on 13 obviously was big. … In the past, I would have, I would have started going, you know, at my caddie, and oh, you know, why doesn’t it go through and whatever,” Garcia said, laughing.

That line was funny because in the past, not everybody laughed along.

What changed this year is that Garcia caught some breaks and finally had the maturity to acknowledge that’s how it’s been all along — the good AND the bad. Most memorably, perhaps, was the 4-iron that landed on the bank on that same hole a day earlier. Instead of trickling into the creek, it stayed stuck in place as though the grass was Velcro.

He parlayed that unexpected good bit of fortune into a 70 Saturday that put him alongside Rose in the final pairing. When Garcia stood at the same hole in the final round staring at trouble on the bank above the creek, he decided to fight back instead of folding up.

He carried that attitude all the way to the 18th and when he missed a 5-footer that would’ve given him a win in regulation, he simply redoubled his effort.

“I think the problem is, because where my head was at sometimes, I did think about, am I ever going to win one?” Garcia said. “I’ve had so many good chances and either I lost them or someone has done something extraordinary to beat me. So it did cross my mind.

“But lately, you know, I’ve been getting some good help and I’ve been thinking a little bit, a little bit different, a little bit more positive. And kind of accepting, too, that if it for whatever reason it didn’t happen, my life is still going to go on. It’s not going to be a disaster.

“But,” he said finally, a wide smile stuck in place, “it’s happened.”

(© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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WASHINGTON (CBSMiami/AP) — Judge Neil Gorsuch is taking his place as the newest Supreme Court justice after a tumultuous confirmation process.

The 49-year-old appeals court judge from Colorado is to be sworn in Monday after a bruising fight that saw Republicans change the rules for approving Supreme Court picks — over the fierce objection of Democrats.

First up is a private ceremony in the high court’s Justices’ Conference Room, with Chief Justice John Roberts administering the oath prescribed by the Constitution. That will be followed by a public White House ceremony, where Justice Anthony Kennedy is to administer the oath.

Gorsuch, who once clerked for Kennedy, will be the first member of the court to serve alongside his former boss.

He replaces the late Justice Antonin Scalia, part of the court’s conservative wing for nearly three decades before he died unexpectedly in February 2016. In nominating Gorsuch, President Donald Trump said he fulfilled a campaign pledge to pick someone in the mold of Scalia.

During 11 years on the federal appeals court in Denver, Gorsuch mirrored Scalia’s originalist approach to the law, interpreting the Constitution according to the meaning understood by those who drafted it. Like Scalia, he is a gifted writer with a flair for turning legal jargon into plain language people can understand.

Gorsuch will be seated just in time to hear one of the biggest cases of the term: a religious rights dispute over a Missouri law that bars churches from receiving public funds for general aid programs.

His 66-day confirmation process was swift, but bitterly divisive. It saw Senate Republicans trigger the “nuclear option” to eliminate the 60-vote filibuster threshold for all future high court nominees. The change allowed the Senate to hold a final vote with a simple majority.

Most Democrats refused to support Gorsuch because they were still seething over the Republican blockade last year of President Barack Obama’s pick for the same seat, Merrick Garland. Senate Republicans refused to even hold a hearing for Garland, saying a high court replacement should be up to the next president.

The White House swearing-in ceremony is a departure from recent history. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan were both sworn in publicly at the Supreme Court. Former Justice John Paul Stevens has argued that holding the public ceremony at the court helps drive home the justice’s independence from the White House.

Some interesting facts about Gorsuch and the court:

—He is the youngest nominee since Clarence Thomas, who was 43 when confirmed in 1991.

—The Colorado native went to high school in Washington while his mother served as EPA administrator in the Reagan administration.

—He’s the sixth member of the court who attended Harvard Law School; the other three got their law degrees from Yale.

—Gorsuch credits a nun with teaching him how to write. He and his family attend an Episcopal church in Boulder, though he was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools as a child. He joins a court that has five Catholics and three Jews.

—As an associate justice, Gorsuch will earn $251,800 a year — more than 15 percent higher than his $217,600 salary as an appellate judge.

—Gorsuch joins the ranks of justices who are millionaires. He reported financial assets in 2015 worth at least $3.2 million, according to his latest financial disclosure report.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.) 

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) —  The FBI is looking for a Florida man wanted for his alleged involvement in a multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme in parts of the state.

Jaime Jesus Sola Avila, believed to be in his late 50s, was last known to have lived in Doral with ties to the Westchester area of Miami.

Federal officials say the alleged operation lasted from 2007 to 2008 between Miami, Tampa and Largo.

Avila allegedly recruited unqualified buyers to purchase condos under false and fraudulent pretense. He also allegedly recruited people to forge documents so the buyers could get approved for mortgages on the condos.

Back in January, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Avila after being charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud and bank fraud.

In February, he was made aware of the charges and has not been seen since.

Avila, a convicted felon, also uses the aliases Jaime Sola, Jaime Jesus Sola and Javier Ignacio Sola. He is about 5’11” and weighs about 180 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at (754) 703-2000.

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CLEWISTON (CBSMiami) – The body of the tenth Florida panther killed this year in the state has been found in Hendry County.

The state’s Fish nd Wildlife Agency said the year and half old female had been hit by a vehicle. Its remains wee found April 5th.

Eight of the ten Florida Panthers who died this year were hit by vehicles. This was the fourth dead panther found in Hendry County.

Panthers were once found throughout Florida, as far west as Arkansas and as far north as South Carolina. Today only about 120-230 adult panthers exist, primarily in southwest Florida.

By Sam McPherson

It’s that time of year again, now that the 2017 regular season has kicked off for Major League Baseball. One week in, and most fantasy baseball owners are freaking out. After a draft where everything seemed to go right, the standings are telling a different story, and now most owners are going into panic mode. Never fear, as we are here to help you every week of the season with fantasy advice that can help anyone playing fantasy baseball in the standard, daily/weekly Rotisserie baseball format.

Assuming your league uses the 10 statistical categories most commonly employed—batting average, runs score home runs, runs batted in and stolen bases for hitters, joined with wins, saves, strikeouts, earned run average and baserunner ratio for pitchers—we have the answers for you every week on how to improve your roster and finish closer to the top of the standings than the bottom. We cannot guarantee you will win your league, because there are just too many variables to consider. After all, if this was an exact science, what would be the point of playing?

Check back every Monday until October for our thoughts on fantasy baseball; we wish you good fortune in the season ahead. Right now, you want players in your lineup and on your roster that are going to produce good statistics for you, so choose wisely when swapping out players during your transaction windows (whether daily or weekly). No roster is perfect, even if it is in first place, so here are the recommendations for the second week of the season.

Players to Get Onto Your Roster Now

1. Mark Reynolds, 1B, Colorado Rockies: He probably went undrafted in your league, even though he was scheduled to start the season as the starter in Coors Field. He is 33 years old, and yes, this is the same Mark Reynolds that led the majors in strikeouts four straight seasons (2008-2011). He also averaged 35-plus HRs in each of those seasons. In 118 games last season with the Rockies, he hit 14 HRs and posted 53 RBI with an .806 OPS. Reynolds may not stay in the lineup all season, but Colorado will find a place for all its good bats this year. He has hit three HRs and driven in eight runs already through the first six games of this season. That can help any team.

2. Kendall Graveman, SP, Oakland Athletics: After two mediocre seasons in 2015 and 2016, this is another player that was likely not drafted in your league, but Graveman has shown new capabilities in his first two starts this season. His strikeout rate is way up, and his hits-allowed ratio is way down despite facing two strong offensive teams (Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers) last week. He could be on his way to a stellar season, the kind that was predicted for him when the A’s acquired Graveman from Toronto in November 2014 as part of the package for Josh Donaldson. Don’t miss out on that opportunity.

3. Greg Holland, RP, Colorado Rockies: He was an All-Star selection in 2013 and 2014 with the Kansas City Royals, posting a 1.32 ERA over 129 1/3 innings, while saving 93 games and striking out 193 batters. Then, he got hurt. If he’s anywhere near that level for Colorado right now after missing all of 2016 in recovery from surgery, Holland is going to be amazing. He was a perfect 4-for-4 in save chances in the first week of the season, and Holland struck out six batters in his first four innings of 2017. He could be the Comeback Player of the Year as the Rockies should also surprise people this season.

4. Yangervis Solarte, 3B, San Diego Padres: Quite underrated considering the lack of depth at his position, Solarte has shown steady improvement since joining the Padres in 2014 via trade from the New York Yankees. He will be 30 years old this summer, but he is entering his prime. Depending on your league rules, Solarte also could have eligibility at second base and first base. He is settling in at second for San Diego this season, however, and his projected power (15-20 HRs this season) can be a nice addition to any middle-infield slot on the roster.

Players to Sit/Drop This Week

1. Julio Urias, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers: If you drafted him in hopes of a full season, that dream was dashed as the Dodgers sent him to the Triple-A club to start the season. Don’t panic; stash him on your bench, because it will be worth it in the second half of the season when he mows down MLB hitters on the way to another L.A. playoff run. As a 19-year-old rookie last year, he notched 84 Ks in just 77 innings. When the Dodgers need him, Urias will get the nod and make you look like a genius for stashing him on your bench.

2. Steven Matz, SP, New York Mets: In 168 career innings in 2015 and 2016, the lefty has struck out 163 batters. But he now has the “strained flexor tendon” diagnosis, and that could mean a lot of trouble. Yes, Matz is very talented, but unless you’re a diehard Mets fan and stubborn to the last, don’t risk a roster spot on a now-injured pitcher that may never seen the field in 2017. Let someone else in your league take up the roster spot for the high-risk, low-reward chance that Matz will pitch effectively this season. At most, stash him on your roster’s disabled list short term until the Mets know more about his situation.

3. Drew Smyly, SP, Seattle Mariners: Here we go again, as Smyly has roughly the same issue as Matz does, and he doesn’t have the potential Matz does, either. But Seattle was looking for a solid starter when they acquired Smyly from Tampa Bay in January, and now he’s on the 60-day DL for the Mariners. There is no need to stash him on your roster’s DL, however. While his career ERA (3.74) held promise for the Seattle rotation in 2017, it still would have been a nice bonus for Smyly to post that number over a full season. Since he was drafted in most leagues, you can just drop him and find a better pitcher on the waiver wire.

4. Jung Ho Kang, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates: Most hitters that get off to slow starts will recover eventually, so you want to hang on to them in order to maximize the hot streak to come. With Kang, however, the situation is entirely different. If you drafted him thinking he’d be back in the United States soon, don’t hold your breath. Kang has legal problems in South Korea, due to a DUI arrest in December, and even once the legal issues are cleared in regards to a work visa here, he’s going to need some time in the minors getting his timing back. How long can you stash him on your bench? That depends on the rest of your roster, but you should let it be someone else’s problem.

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – Although state college leaders are unhappy with a Senate budget that would boost university funding but slash support for the colleges, they are pleased with a Senate effort to expand aid for students who come from lower-income families.

The budget plan (SB 2500), which the Senate will take up Wednesday, would increase the state’s largest need-based aid program, known as Florida student assistance grants, by 81 percent, or $121 million, in the academic year that begins July 1. Senators also want to double the state’s matching grants for “first generation” college and university students to a total of $10.6 million.

The increase in need-based aid, which would also help the university system, is important to the 28 state colleges because their students will not benefit much from the Senate’s plan to expand the Bright Futures merit scholarship program. The Senate budget would cover full tuition and fees for the top Bright Futures students, known as “academic scholars,” as well as provide $300 for textbooks for two semesters and cover summer tuition.

But out of 46,000 Bright Futures academic scholars projected in the next academic year, only 5 percent of them will be enrolled at a state college.

In contrast, state college students represented 70 percent of the 105,000 students in a public college or university who received a need-based Florida student assistance grant in the 2015-16 academic year, according to the state Department of Education.

Systemwide, state college students received an average grant of $903, ranging from $1,651 at Chipola College to $499 at Broward College. Broward had the most students receiving grants, with 17,000, followed by Miami Dade College with 16,700.

The Senate budget would expand Florida student assistance grants for public universities and colleges from the current year $114.6 million to $208 million. The grants also go to private universities and other post-secondary programs.

“We’re all over the Senate right now because we’re concerned,” said David Armstrong, president of Broward College, referring to the Senate’s proposed budget cuts, including a $55 million reduction in remedial education funding for the colleges.

But it’s a different story with the Senate’s plan to expand need-based aid.

“We have been neglecting the need-based (programs),” said Armstrong, who oversees the second-largest state college in the system, with some 66,000 students. “Kudos to the Senate. I applaud them for addressing the need-based issues.”

The Senate and House are expected next week to approve their budget bills, setting the stage for negotiations on a final spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

The House budget plan (HB 5001) would lead to a 5 percent increase in the overall Florida student assistance grants program.

State colleges would also benefit from the expansion of another needs-based aid program in the Senate budget, which would double the state match for students who qualify as “first generation” college or university students. The Senate bill would double the state funding to $10.6 million, meaning for every dollar a college or university raises for the program, it would be matched by $2 from the state.

State colleges should receive about $2.65 million in matching funds from the program, reflecting about quarter of the funds, a proportion that is consistent with what they received in the 2015-16 academic year.

The House budget does not expand the first-generation matching program, nor does it provide any expansion of the Bright Futures merit scholarships.

Ava Parker, president of Palm Beach State College, said less than 2 percent of the 46,000 students on her campus have Bright Futures scholarships and she appreciates the Senate’s effort to boost need-based aid programs.

“The Senate has a real appreciation for (the fact) that we have students who have economic challenges and they’re trying to find ways to assist with that,” Parker said. “I think the Senate is really focused on what things can we do to ensure that folks graduate faster and they understand that the college system is a piece of that puzzle.”

Having said that, though, Parker said she remains concerned about what the college leaders perceive as an imbalance in the Senate higher-education budget that would increase university funding while cutting state colleges. She said the cuts would make it harder for colleges to achieve the Legislature’s goal of graduating more students on time.

“It’s a greater understanding that if you don’t help us also participate in that (funding) equation (with the universities), it’s going to be more difficult for you to reach that goal,” Parker said.

Also, a gap remains for students who rely on need-based aid to attend state colleges or universities. Neither the Florida student assistance grant program nor the first-generation grants can be used during the summer semester.

It is further complicated by the fact that lower-income students tend to rely on a combination of scholarships and grants to pay for their educations. One of the key financial supports is the federal Pell grant program, which since 2011 also has not covered the summer semester.

Over the last year, there has been debate in Congress about making Pell grants available year-round, but that has not become a reality.

Another challenge for financial aid looms in the House, where leaders have raised objections to colleges and universities using public employees in their private foundations, which raise money for the schools.

Armstrong, Parker and other college presidents said limitations on the foundations could hurt their ability to raise money, which at the colleges is primarily used to fund scholarships.

The News Service of Florida’s Lloyd Dunkelberger contributed to this report.

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As the first quarter of 2017 is now in the rearview mirror, the Hurricanes finished their ninth spring practice session this past Saturday – which included a full contact scrimmage.

Here are musings from the weekend practice and things to watch for this week:

There were two main narratives from Saturday’s scrimmage: the first being quarterback play.

> On the Tuesday prior to the scrimmage, Canes head coach Mark Richt said that he planned on allowing defenders to have full contact with the quarterbacks to see “how they would respond to pressure and how they would react after getting hit”.

Richt and other coaches hemmed and hawed about whether the quarterbacks would wear their “protective” red non-contact jerseys during the scrimmage through Thursday’s practice session, but they elected to make it full contact.

> Reports surfaced Saturday afternoon that redshirt freshman quarterback Jack Allison sustained a right shoulder injury during the scrimmage. It was said that Allison “mildly separated” his throwing shoulder when a defender took him to the ground on a rollout pass.

> Personal sources confirmed that Allison did suffer the injury, but said that it didn’t appear to be too serious.

Richt told reporters after the scrimmage that he would confer with team doctors about Allison’s status moving forward.

Richt also confirmed the early enrollee freshman quarterback Cade Weldon did not participate in the scrimmage Saturday…“I didn’t think Cade was ready so I didn’t give him any reps today. Next scrimmage he will get reps. I didn’t think he was ready for the moment yet.”

> Sources confirmed that it was redshirt junior Malik Rosier and sophomore Evan Shirreffs that took reps with the No. 1 offense during the scrimmage.

> Beyond the Allison injury, the other narrative from the closed scrimmage was the play of the Hurricanes defense.

Richt told reporters that the defense had “between four to eight sacks” and that the defense was impressive early in the scrimmage because of “self-inflicted wounds on offense and just defense smothering them up, once they started smelling the blood.”

Miami’s defense – specifically its front seven – remains the strongest part of the team. The defensive line has a mix of experience and youth – personified by senior defensive end Chad Thomas and sophomore Joe Jackson, who had a stellar freshman campaign. Add in defensive tackles R.J. McIntosh and Kendrick Norton along with rotational players like Demetrius Jackson and Gerald Willis, and it is hard to find a deeper or more talented group on the roster.

> Also, another player that has received praise from coaches is freshman athlete DeeJay Dallas. The early enrollee from Brunswick, Georgia has been lauded for his explosiveness as a slot receiver and kick returner. Somewhat of a “jack of all trades”, Dallas can – and probably will – contribute right away this fall because of his versatility. The majority of his work this spring has been at wide receiver, but he could also work as a defensive back and will definitely contribute on special teams.

> One thing that has gotten Miami Hurricanes fans excited is how well Richt and company have done in recruiting.

The Canes currently have the No. 1 recruiting class for 2018 – holding 15 verbal commits, nine of which being 4-star prospects.

Also included in that class is 5-star running back Lorenzo Lingard from Orange City, Florida’s University High School.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Lingard made his pledge to the Canes back in February and is rated as the No. 2 overall running back in the 2018 class and the 17th best player.

Lingard, who rushed for nearly 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns during his junior year of high school, is scheduled to join Larry Blustein and J.T. Wilcox on the SFHSSports Radio Show on Miami Sports Radio 560 Monday night at 9 p.m.

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MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) – There was a warm embrace as a mother thanked a Miami Gardens pastor who donated reward fund money for a hit and run case in Miramar.

Devara Puyol is pleading for help to the find the person who hit her son and just left him in the road.

“It hurts, it really hurts. You see it on TV. You feel for the person on TV but you never think it will actually happen to you,” said Puyol.

Twenty-eight-year-old Deferious Puyol was hit while crossing 441 near Miramar Parkway on March 31st about 9:30 p.m. Since then he’s been in the hospital in a medically induced coma and still not able to breath on his own.

“I cry constantly, wondering like, is he going to wake up? Is he come in, come out of this, is he going to be alright,” said Puyol.

Pastor Eric Readon from New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church in Miami Gardens saw Deferious’ mom on television pleading for help for her son. His congregation gathered a thousand dollars. He then delivered that check to Crime Stoppers to up the reward in the case.

“It’s just sad that you hit somebody and leave them on the side of the road in worse shape than you’d leave an animal. We don’t treat human beings this way. Some people treat their pet animals better than they treated this person,” said Pastor Readon.

Deferious’ mom is making that difficult plea once more – begging someone to give the crucial clue to catch the person who hurt her son.

“I’m just really shocked that people would just keep going like that and know you hit somebody. Somebody knows something. Just come forward. That’s all that I ask. I just want justice for your son,” said Puyol.

Anyone with information is urged to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.

Leah Still, daughter of star NFL lineman Devon Still, has an infectious sparkle and vibrant personality that is unwaveringly positive. At the age of four years old, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma.

“When I first found out I had cancer, I panicked and screamed in my head,” Leah shared. “I didn’t cry because I try not to cry.”

While Leah was in the hospital, she bravely faced a variety of hardships such as many needle pokes, reoccurring fevers, constant fatigue, getting Broviacs and being in a “plastic [hospital] room.” During those distressing times, her remarkable resilience stemmed from an inner strength, a trait passed down and fortified by her loving father.

During her journey, Leah spent a lot of time with her father. “When I was sick, me and my dad danced a lot,” Leah recalled. The support and love she received from Devon gave her courage and kept her spirits up during treatment.

Together, the pair also painted, colored, did arts and crafts and even did each other’s nails. Since Devon’s job sometimes took him away from physically being with his daughter in the hospital. He bought Leah a charm bracelet that he filled with special charms, so that she could always have a piece of him with her. To visibly show his support for her while he was working, he also shaved his head.

“We went in it together. We’re supposed to cut our hair together; we’re supposed to grow it back together,” Devon stated.

On March 25, 2015, Devon Still announced via Instagram that Leah is in remission.

Now, the father and daughter celebrate life daily with special rituals such as stopping to get a doughnut before school and always making time to have fun together.

In closing, Leah offered a message of hope to other children battling cancer: “Don’t be scared, be strong. You gotta work hard. Your family is helping you.”

Visit Walgreens.com/Cancer to learn more about Walgreens cancer support services.

Alyssa Naimoli

The regular season has slipped away and every NHL fan’s favorite time of the year is coming around: the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Finally, the moment we’ve been waiting for when playoff matchups are set in stone and everything we do is “for the Cup.”

82 games have come and gone and now we’re starting over with 16 playoff teams who each want the Stanley Cup as much as the guys on the opposite side of the face off circle. No matter how badly each one of these teams wants to take home the ultimate prize in hockey, only one team will end up being Stanley Cup champs.

Now that our playoff matchups are finally set and we’re awaiting puck drop in Game 1, let’s take a dive into each playoff team to see why they can go all the way and why they might fall short in their quest for Stanley Cup glory.

Washington Capitals – 118 Points – 1st Metropolitan Division:

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

It isn’t any surprise that the Capitals are a Stanley Cup favorite this season. Washington is leading the NHL and heading towards their second consecutive President’s Trophy. While the Caps fell in the second round to the 2016 Stanley Cup Champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team seems poised to take the Cup home this year for the first time.

Led by Alex Ovechkin and Braden Holtby, the Capitals seem more powerful than ever and have become an instant Cup favorite. Their season has been dominating and powerful, to no surprise, and despite hiccups in the season they have always overcome.

Why They’ll Win it All:

Because the Capitals’ roster is deep, powerful and determined to succeed.

Nicklas Backstrom (23 G, 86 P) and Alex Ovechkin (33 G, 66 P) have been staples of the team’s dominating production, which has given them, and the Caps’ offense overall, a clear advantage over other teams. Simply put, the Capitals can make scoring look easy. Not to mention, defense has been solid and Braden Holtby is one of the NHL’s best goaltenders. The team’s roster screams Stanley Cup champs.

Why They Won’t Win it All:

Because they’ve never made a deep run past the second round of the playoffs.

Lack of experience isn’t always a solid reason to count a team away from the Stanley Cup, but the Capitals have never seen past the second round of the playoffs. While is isn’t strange for a team to make it to the finals with minimal playoff experience, it might make it more difficult for the team, especially if they advance to the finals and face an experienced cup-winning team like the Blackhawks, or even the Sharks.

Pittsburgh Penguins – 111 Points – 2nd Metropolitan Division

(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Can the Pittsburgh Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles? Mike Sullivan has further transformed the Penguins into an alarmingly powerful team since he became head coach last season. Between the talents of Sidney Crosby (44 goals, 89 points) and Phil Kessel, the Penguins are loaded with world-class talents who are determined to win.

The last team to win consecutive Stanley Cups was the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998, but the Penguins have notched consecutive wins before, just prior to that, in 1991 and 1992. Pittsburgh will be looking to push boundaries and take the Cup home again.

Why They’ll Win it All:

Because they know how to win.

The Penguins are almost too solid. Pittsburgh knows how to win and their Stanley Cup victory last season is a big part of that conversation. The Pens’ roster is loaded and between top producers, Crosby, Connor Sheary and Kessel; the Penguins have nothing to worry about when it comes to production. Pittsburgh is looking to take the Cup home again this season and if they can channel the same dominating play they did last year and for most of this season, they can do it.

Why They Won’t Win it All:

Because injuries in key spots will finally catch up with them. 

Pittsburgh is having a strong season, especially given how competitive the Metropolitan Division has been. Despite the success, some teams have figured out the Penguins’ play and they don’t have as many wins against the teams that matter most. Which means, even if the Penguins get through the Eastern Conference, they might fall to teams with the upper-hand in the West. Pittsburgh has also lost several top players to injuries recently including Evgeni Malkin, Carl Hagelin and Kris Letang. Losing these players to injuries won’t be easy for the Penguins because, regardless of their timetables, no team wants injury risks, big or small, prior to their playoff race.

Columbus Blue Jackets – 108 Points – 3rd Metropolitan Division

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Columbus Blue Jackets, better known as this season’s underdogs, have made quite a splash. The Jackets ended last season second-to-last in the Eastern Conference and no NHL fan would have guessed they’d be third in the Metro Division on their way to the playoffs after a dominating season.

This will be the team’s third playoff appearance and second appearance since 2009. This will also be the team’s first time coming in any place lower than seventh. In fact, the last time the Jackets were in the playoffs, they also faced the Penguins in the first round but fell 4-2 to them.

Why They’ll Win it All:

Because they’re rock solid on special teams, which play a major role in the playoffs

Columbus is tired of being a team synonymous with disappointing seasons. The Blue Jackets have long been regarded as a team that isn’t a real Cup contender and now that the team has put together a solid season, they’re ready to prove doubters wrong. The Jackets have been defeating all of the tough teams this season, they’re tied for second for most wins in the league and they rank in the top 10 for both their power play and power kill. This team is young, hungry and has all the determination a team needs to play winning hockey in April/May.

Why They Won’t Win it All:

Because they lack the experience of the rest of the Eastern Conference playoff teams

A lot of NHL fans have long doubted the Blue Jackets’ true level of competitiveness, especially when it comes to the postseason. Not to mention, Columbus doesn’t have the experience, especially now, but that hasn’t stopped teams before.

Montreal Canadiens – 103 Points – 1st Atlantic Division

(Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

The Montreal Canadiens are back to being Cup contenders after falling short of last year’s postseason by 14 points. The team’s sparked play this season could be partially contributed to their blockbuster trade from the off season when they sent P.K. Subban down to Nashville in exchange for Shea Weber. The Canadiens even have a new coach behind the bench now when former Bruins head coach Claude Julien went over to Montreal. Montreal has been revived this season and has been putting impressive performances. They’re ready to get back in the Stanley Cup mindset.

Why They’ll Win it All:

Because Carey Price can bail them out when needed and steal a series

The Canadiens are strong, solid and have been one of the league’s best teams for the better part of the decade. Montreal is looking to make up for last year’s disappointing season and is more determined than ever to prove their power. Carey Price, Max Pacioretty, Alexander Radulov and Shea Weber have been outstanding for the Habs this season. The Canadiens have an effective offense, strong defense and a goaltender that can bail them out if need be, which gives Montreal a solid group to chase the Cup.

Why They Won’t Win it All:

Because they don’t stack up against any of the teams in the Metropolitan division

The Metropolitan Division is loaded and if the divisions weren’t separated the Canadiens would have come in fifth place in the conference, behind Metro front runners like the Capitals, Penguins, Blue Jackets and Rangers. Montreal needs to make it through the Metropolitan Division if they intend to go all the way, which might be pretty tough. In fact, the Canadiens were bounced out of the playoffs by a Metropolitan team in six of their last eight playoff appearances.

Ottawa Senators – 98 Points – 2nd Atlantic Division

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Ottawa Senators are back in playoff contention after missing the postseason last year. The team has been putting forward solid play for most of this season and plan to head into the playoffs with revitalized play. The Sens’ defensive core is strong, their offense knows how to get the job done when they have the room to operate, and their goaltending has been consistent. With Erik Karlsson ready to make a strong playoff push and their solid skill, the Senators will find their playoff mindset quickly.

Why They’ll Win it All:

Because Erik Karlsson is a game-changer who can change a series

The Senators are a strong group and have the ability to bring really solid play when they need it. Ottawa is hungry for the Stanley Cup and that determination can go a long way. Not to mention, Erik Karlsson is a game-changer and goaltending from Craig Anderson and Mike Condon has been very solid.  The Sens’ defensive play shuts down their opponent and gives their producers the opportunity to get in and score. Even with a defense-first style to their play, the Senators still have four players with at least 50 points and nine players with at least 30.

Why They Won’t Win it All:

Because they’ve been inconsistent, which is a recipe for disaster in the playoffs

Ottawa has had a problem with consistency lately, especially where injuries have impacted the team. The Sens are currently without five players due to injuries and that isn’t always a comfort when the playoffs arrive. Not to mention, depending on the teams Ottawa would have to cross, their defensive system might not be enough to hold back the opposition. A team with offense strong enough to push through their wall will foil their plans since Ottawa isn’t a team with a score-first mindset.

Boston Bruins – 95 Points – 3rd Atlantic Division

(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Bruins haven’t seen the postseason since 2014 and every year since then Boston would end the season just a few points out of contention, but that’s officially in the past. Boston is hitting the postseason and the team couldn’t be more prepared to give their all in the playoffs. Boston has seen coaching changes, new players and new systems this season and it has been working well for them. Now, the Bruins are refreshed and ready to take on the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Why They’ll Win it All:

Because Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak are having career years and Tuukka Rask has found his game at the right time

Boston has solid roster depth and even though Tuukka Rask has had his issues (perceived, or real) this year, he knows what it takes to get the job done in the playoffs. This season the Bruins have five players with more than 50 points and four lines that can keep the puck moving in the offensive end. Boston also has three strong defensive pairs that do a good job of guarding the net as a security blanket for Rask. They also know how to keep their play balanced at and away from the blue line. Veteran members of the Bruins have been stepping up this season and several players are having milestone career-highs, including Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak.

Why They Won’t Win it All:

Their record against teams within their playoff bracket is awful this year

A lot of the teams they might have to face in the Metropolitan Division, like the Senators or Rangers, have dominated them this season for that same reason. Against the Rangers, Senators and Canadiens this year the Bruins are 2-9-1 (both wins came against Montreal), and they’ll need to beat two of those three teams in the first and second rounds of the playoffs just to get to the Conference Finals against the likes of Washington, Pittsburgh or Columbus.

New York Rangers – 102 Points – 1st Wild Card

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The New York Rangers have been passionately chasing the Stanley Cup for a few years now but haven’t been able to seal the deal. New York is trying to do things differently this season; they’ve got an overall younger team, a lot of roster depth and reliable goaltending in Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Raanta. The Rangers aren’t leading the loaded Metropolitan Division this season, but are winning games when it matters most.

Why They’ll Win it All:

Because their mix of veterans and young talent is finally right for a Stanley Cup run

The Rangers have seen teams pass them for the Stanley Cup the last few years and are finding the determination to buckle down and take the Cup this year. The team has gotten younger, stronger and more determined this season and are in the best shape to make a strong playoff run. The defense has received a face lift with the additions of Brady Skjei, Brendan Smith and Nick Holden while the new offensive faces Pavel Buchnevich, Jimmy Vesey and Mika Zibanejad are bringing strong performances. Not to mention, some of the veteran talent like Rick Nash and Michael Grabner have been stepping up significantly not only as leaders but as well-rounded players. The team is solid and, aside from some inconsistencies, this roster has what it takes.

Why They Won’t Win it All:

Because their blue line is a liability and their goal scoring won’t be able to mask it all postseason long

The Rangers have all the ingredients of a winning team but sometimes let their little mistakes and inconsistencies ruin their game. The team has struggled on the blue line and when defense falters the forwards step in to help and lose scoring chances. While both Lundqvist and Raanta are posting solid seasons, goaltending has caused a few issues for the team this season mostly due to the unstable defense. While acquiring Smith at the deadline is beneficial, some of New York’s veteran D-men will need to pick up their play if they want their defense to stay solid.

Toronto Maple Leafs – 95 Points – 2nd Wild Card

(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

The biggest underdog in the Stanley Cup race this season is the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs took on rookies Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, fixed up the team a bit and became an entirely new organization. Toronto has only qualified for the playoffs once in the last 11 seasons and the future is bright, but can the youth movement propel the Maple Leafs to new heights this year?

Why They’ll Win it All:

Because they’re young, fast, and hungry

The Leafs are producing and finding ways to win. Between the scoring and play-making abilities of William Nylander, Marner and Matthews, the Leafs are loaded with young scoring talent. The Leafs have been sitting back the last few seasons but have been collecting young talent that is exploding now. Size has increased, defense has improved and Frederick Anderson has been performing in net. Not only is the team in solid condition but the Leafs are motivated beyond a doubt to make a big splash in the playoffs this season. If they can mimic their regular season performance and push the limit, they will surprise people.

Why They Won’t Win it All:

Because they’re still a few years away from having the experience to win it all

The Leafs don’t have the same experience as the other teams do and it has forced them into play that turns out to be very good or very disappointing. Not to mention, the Leafs will need to get out of the Eastern Conference if they intend to take home the Cup, and the Metropolitan Division won’t be very forgiving, especially considering the struggles the Leafs endured against these teams over the regular season.

Eastern Conference Final Prediction:

New York Rangers top Washington Capitals 4-3

The Rangers and the Caps always come together for intense games and this conference finals will be no different. The series will be a long one, but the Rangers will come out on top in a close series. The Rangers, with their roster depth, offensive talent and player additions this season will have a refreshing advantage against the Capitals. It’ll come down to a battle of wits and who wants it more. In the end, the Rangers will rally and get the job done if they stay determined, shore up their defense, and stay healthy and strong.

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Following the new social norm, two professional athletes are embattled in a social media beef.

It’s not unusual for athletes to post pictures of themselves in game action on the popular photo-sharing app Instagram. It is an effective way to promote themselves and connect with fans.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso did just that recently, sharing what appeared to be a professional photo of he and another Dolphins player making a tackle on Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy.

Alonso shared the photo on his personal page (@elbravo_47) with the caption: “El Blankito ojos claros #ozuna #futbolamericano #miamidolphins #yatusabes” and received upwards of 5,000 “likes” and 1,700 comments on the picture.

One person who did not like the picture was McCoy.

As it was pointed out by the Palm Beach Post’s Joe Schad, McCoy, or someone using his verified Instagram account (@shadymccoy), commented on the post:

“boy ya dad wish u was as good as me… n ya new contract garbage lol my 2011 money …”

And he followed that grammatically eloquent gem up by also writing:

“take me off ya page u BUM”

It’s worth noting that Alonso and McCoy have some indirect history with one another.

Two years ago, the Bills traded Alonso to Philadelphia for “Shady” McCoy. Miami subsequently traded for Alonso in 2016 and recently re-signed him to a 4-year deal worth a total of $28.9 million, which includes $18.5 million guaranteed and more than $26 million over the final three years.

Beyond that, the two have no other inherent connection or have engaged in any other quarrels.

Perhaps it’s just McCoy taking the divisional rivalry between the teams a bit more seriously than others tend to.

Alonso also posted a picture on Saturday showing him bearing down on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers – asking fans to comment with a caption for the candid photo.

Maybe we’ll be hearing something from Rivers soon.

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBSMiami/ AP) — Palm Beach County Commissioners are considering a special tax to be levied against Mar-a-Lago resort for the cost of President Donald Trump’s visits if the federal government does not reimburse them for costs.

The county spends more than $60,000 a day when the president visits, mostly for law enforcement overtime — almost $2 million since January. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw says the county was expected to spend $250,000 during Trump’s recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the president’s sixth trip to his Winter White House in the 12 weeks since his inauguration.

County Commissioner Dave Kerner has suggested turning Mar-a-Lago into a special taxing district and imposing a levy on the resort to pay the president’s security costs. Because Mar-a-Lago is incorporated as a club, it pays lower property taxes than hotels. It also gets a tax break because Trump surrendered development rights after he purchased the property from the estate of cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post for $10 million in 1985.

The 500 members pay $14,000 annually in dues. The initiation fee was recently doubled to $200,000. Forbes Magazine estimates the club is now worth $150 million.

“We’re very honored to have the president here, but at the same time, his travel here is such high frequency he’s not visiting Palm Beach County — he’s governing from it,” Kerner told Money magazine recently. “Whatever our priorities are, the taxpayers didn’t pay this money to us to protect the president.”

Kerner did not return numerous calls from The Associated Press to his office.

The sheriff believes the federal government will eventually reimburse the county, but can’t be certain.

“I had a personal conversation with the president in February and he understands,” Bradshaw said. “There is a system in place and, unfortunately, that involves Congress … and that is not an easy thing to navigate through. I am sure they will get around to it.”

Local governments aren’t the only ones complaining. No solution has been found for the 28 business owners at Lantana Airport, a small field for propeller planes about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Mar-a-Lago. The Secret Service shutters it every time Trump visits Mar-a-Lago because agents believe the 350 flights it handles daily pose a security risk.

Marian Smith, who owns a flight school, says she has lost almost $100,000 because of the closures. A banner-towing company that operates from the airport says it has lost over $40,000 in contracts.

Jonathan Miller, the contractor who operates the county-owned airport, said this week that he believes a compromise will be worked out with the Secret Service, the Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies that would allow the airport to operate with restrictions during presidential visits.

“The FAA has a strong incentive to work with us and help get some funding that will put a system in place that will appease the Secret Service,” Miller said.

The cost of Trump’s visits divides local residents, with the schism often falling along political lines. Trump’s supporters say any money spent by the county is recouped through added visitors lured by the frequent exposure and his visits show he cares about the area.

“The fact that he comes down here, the fact he is involved in the community to this extent even though he is the president, I think that’s great,” said Julian Detwiler, who operates produce stands at local farmers markets. “There are costs associated with everything. It doesn’t cost the country or the community more for him to (visit) than lots of other things we do. It keeps the economy going.”

The president’s critics say the visits illustrate his hypocrisy as he frequently slammed President Barack Obama’s trips, even though they were less frequent and didn’t burden any single community.

“Trump is costing this area so much money, a hell of a lot of money, and he doesn’t seem to give a damn,” said Bob Brink, a novelist and retired local journalist.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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Monday has proven to be quite the banner day for weird news.

First, news came out about Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso beefing with Buffalo Bills running back LeSean “Shady” McCoy on social media.

Now, Fins wide receiver Kenny Stills is said to be among a group of current NFL players who will reportedly be fined by the league for participating in a Pro Football Arm Wrestling Championship event held in Las Vegas over the weekend.

Via reports from Ian Rapoport and USA Today, the players who participated in the event will be fined because their participation violates NFL rules and they “did not seek pre-approval” for attending the event.

League rules prohibit players from appearing at casinos for any sort of promotional purpose (even not relating to the casino).

Joe Lockhart, the NFL’s executive vice president for communications and public affairs, said told USA Today, “Had we been asked in advance if this was acceptable, we would have indicated that it was in direct violation of the gambling policy”.

Others players on the list include Pittsburgh Steelers Maurkice Pouncey and James Harrison; San Francisco 49ers linebacker No’Vorro Bowman; Raiders punter Marquette King and defensive lineman Mario Edwards; Patriots safety Patrick Chung, and former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, who may or may not be returning the NFL.

In a bit of cruel irony, the NFL owners recently voted – by a nearly unanimous margin – to approve the move of the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas.

The amount of the fine is unknown, but Stills will have to dig into his wallet and fork over some of those $32 million dollars he just got from the Dolphins in his new 4-year deal.