TORONTO – Randy Carlyle entered the dressing room of the Maple Leafs practice facility Monday morning to an unusual and almost

TORONTO – Randy Carlyle entered the dressing room of the Maple Leafs practice facility Monday morning to an unusual and almost eerie silence. Terrell Brandon Cavaliers Jersey . There was no music pumping from the stereo system, nothing but the uncomfortable quiet of a team in midst of another memorable late season collapse. "Thats a sure tell-tale sign," he said of a group in shock, down in the dumps from a losing streak numbering eight games, one that has the clubs playoff hopes dangling from the thinnest of threads. Carlyle took the day to inject a little life into what remains of those hopes. He also did a fair bit of teaching, directing, and informing, tweaks to "things that we think that are very easily correctable". He implored his forwards to "turn your [butt]" to protect the puck and adjusted the positioning of Jay McClement and Tim Gleason during one particular defensive zone drill. Carlyle may be coaching for his job in these final six games of the regular season, but beyond the uncertain question of the head coach and his status for next season is the roster retooling that seems likely to take place under the direction of GM Dave Nonis and his management team this summer. With 10 players up for free agency – including half the forward group and two top-four defenders – and the core deserving of some scrutiny after another collapse, plenty of change could and probably will be coming to the Leafs. Forwards James van Riemsdyk Tyler Bozak Phil Kessel Joffrey Lupul Nazem Kadri Nikolai Kulemin** Mason Raymond** Dave Bolland** David Clarkson Troy Bodie** Jay McClement** Jerry DAmigo* Colton Orr Defencemen Carl Gunnarsson Dion Phaneuf Jake Gardiner* Cody Franson* Tim Gleason Morgan Rielly Paul Ranger** Goaltenders Jonathan Bernier James Reimer* Note: *Restricted Free Agent | **Unrestricted Free Agent Phil Kessel, James van Riemsdyk, Dion Phaneuf, David Clarkson, Joffrey Lupul, and Tyler Bozak are all locked up until the summer of 2017 and in some cases beyond. They constitute the Toronto core along with Morgan Rielly and Jonathan Bernier and the far less secure but high upside duo of Nazem Kadri and Jake Gardiner. Considering their place in three straight collapses – all of varying degree – and ongoing struggles to defend, adjustment to the group has to be considered with only Kessel, van Riemsdyk, Bernier and Rielly seemingly off the table this offseason. Luke Schenn, once a cornerstone of that group, was jettisoned after the meltdown in 2012. Mikhail Grabovski faced the same fate via compliance buyout after Game 7 last spring. Will the summer ahead bring with it more change to the building blocks of the organization? Is a 1-2 centre punch of Bozak and Kadri strong enough to be a force in the East or are upgrades needed down the middle? Is there enough two-way stability to the current top-six (all signed long-term, save for Kadri) with little in the way of youth on the way? Can Clarkson be redeemed in year two of a whopping seven-year contract? Might the organization buy him out? Is a trade even possible? Can Lupul be a part of the solution at age 30 and beyond that? Is the core, generally speaking, good enough to win as constructed or is a major or perhaps minor tinkering required? Beyond that core is the looming free agent bunch, of which Bolland figures to be the most intriguing. The 27-year-old began his Leaf career with a bang, posting six goals and 10 points in October. But a serious ankle injury kept him out nearly five months and muddled his status in the process. Theres value there, but at what price and what term? Can he stabilize the club at centre ice or is there a better fit elsewhere, perhaps 28-year-old Paul Statsny, also entering unrestricted free agency for the first time? Then there are the likes of Mason Raymond, Nik Kulemin, Jay McClement, Troy Bodie and Paul Ranger, all also unrestricted. McClement is useful if employed in a fourth line role, and Bodie has certainly earned himself another contract with an energetic presence. The others all have question marks with price point and fit among the concerns. Thats the entire group of bottom-six forwards, all in question to return next season. None of the three restricted free agents are certain or maybe even likely to come back next year with Jake Gardiner the likeliest of a bunch – by a good margin – that includes Cody Franson and the all-but-gone James Reimer. Torontos defence should be the top priority for upgrade followed by a forward complement that has plenty of holes in the bottom ranks (size, strength, defensive commitment among the issues) with question marks up top and down the middle as well. Nonis would be hard-pressed to bring back Carlyle if the Leafs do definitively fumble away their once certain playoff chances, but hell also have to give a long, hard look to a roster thats proven (in conjunction with that coaching staff) to be flawed and in need of improvement. J.R. Smith Jersey . -- Quarterback Josh Johnson has returned to the San Francisco 49ers and his former college coach, Jim Harbaugh. Terrell Brandon Jersey .com) - Intrastate rivals collide Saturday as the Texas State Bobcats hit the road to take on the eighth-ranked Texas Longhorns in a non-conference battle at Frank Erwin Center. https://www.thecavalierslockerroom.com/ .J. -- Pete Carroll said it was the suspension of linebacker Bruce Irvin last spring that finally got the attention of the rest of the Seattle Seahawks that they needed to be taking their commitment to the team more seriously.CLEVELAND -- Expectations were already high for the Cavaliers this season. Once Andrew Bynum stripped off his warm-ups and stepped on the floor, they rose to another level. Cleveland could contend again. Anderson Varejaos basket with 28 seconds left -- off an assist from Kyrie Irving -- sent the Cavs to a 98-94 win on Wednesday night over the remodeled Brooklyn Nets in coach Mike Browns first game back with Cleveland. But it was the return of Bynum, the massive 7-foot centre, after a 17-month layoff that gave the Cavs a boost that could propel them for months. Bynum, who didnt play a single second for Philadelphia last season because of knee injuries, played in his first NBA game since May 21, 2012. Bynum only played eight minutes, but it was long enough for the Cavs to get a glimpse of the team they could be. "Its a big body out there blocking shots," Cavs guard Dion Waiters said. "He changed the game. He changed the momentum. Im just glad hes back out there doing what he loves to do." Varejaos jumper gave the Cavs a 93-91 lead, and Irving, who finished with 15 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds, made four free throws in the final 14 seconds to help Cleveland put it away. Brook Lopez scored 21 and Paul Pierce scored 17 in his first game for the Nets, who were without coach Jason Kidd as he serves a two-game suspension for a driving-under-the-influence conviction. Kevin Garnett, another of Brooklyns new pieces, had 10 rebounds. But the Nets, who made a blockbuster trade last summer and are over $100 million in payroll as they seek a title, didnt make enough plays down the stretch and dropped their long-awaited opener. "Everyone has to be patient," Garnett said. "Its not just because you assemble guys and things are going to just voila. Were not a perfect team by far, but we are a hard working team. Were a team with no excuses." Tristan Thompson led the Cavs with 18 points and guard Jarrett Jack scored 12 -- all in the first half when Irving got into foul trouble. After Irving made two free throws with 5.9 seconds to go, Pierce made a 3-pointer to pull the Nets within 97-94. But Varejao dropped a foul shot to give Brown his first win in his second stint with Cleveland. Brown was fired following the 2010 season, but hes back and his return should help the Cavaliers put three miserable seasons behind them. Of course, having Irving helps, too. The All-Star guard was in early foul trouble and played just 11 minutes in the first half. Brad Daugherty Cavaliers Jersey. But he was on the floor when it mattered most, and after dribbling through traffic for several seconds with the score tied at 91-91, he alertly found Varejao near the free-throw line for his critical jumper. Bynums appearance was a mild surprise. He had been making strides in practice as he recovers knee surgeries, but only got medical clearance to play a few hours before the game. The two-time All-Star, who signed a two-year, $24 million free agent contract with Cleveland in July, came off the bench with 3:40 left in the first quarter. He checked in to a rousing ovation from Cleveland fans, many of whom wondered if they would ever see him play because of his well-chronicled knee issues. But the big man moved without any limitations and finished with three points, three rebounds, two assists and one block in eight minutes. "It was kind of like riding a bike," he said. "I dont think Ive accomplished anything yet." The Nets believe they can make a title run this year, but it could take some time for their talented lineup to gel. Deron Williams played just 22 minutes as he continues to recover from a sprained ankle, and Brooklyn missed him being on the floor in the final minutes. "Obviously it hurts but we have to go back and look at the reason why we lost this game," Pierce said. "Throughout the course of the season we have to understand its always going to be about the little things. To be a championship team, you have to clean those things up." NOTES: Cavs rookie F Anthony Bennett, the No. 1 overall pick in this years draft, missed all five shots from the field. He finished with two points and five rebounds in 15 minutes. .... While Kidd serves his suspension, assistant coach Joe Prunty is assuming head duties. ... Williams wasnt surprised by his limited minutes, but he did think he would play in the fourth. "Its tough to get into a rhythm when youre limited," he said. ... As punishment for failing to bring donuts to a recent practice, Bennett and Clevelands other rookies were forced to wear brightly colored outfits to the arena. Bennett had to wear a purple fedora and vest. "You look like Cedric the Entertainer," Thompson told him. ... Nets F Andrei Kirilenko sat out with back spasms but could play in the home opener against Miami on Friday. ' ' '