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Vancouver Canucks centre Ryan Kesler was doing damage control after practice on Thursday, refuting a report that hes asked for a trade. Nate McMillan Jersey . „I never commented to anyone that I wanted out,“ he explained. „My heart is with this group and making the playoffs.“ Kesler added that the rumours are „completely false“ that he asked to be traded – recently or ever. „I dont want to talk about this,“ he continued. „I dont want this to be a distraction…Im happy to be here.“ While theres lots of speculation that the Canucks could be looking to move the 29-year-old centre, TVA Sports reported on Wednesday night that Kesler approached the team requesting to be dealt. Speaking to Adrian Dater of The Denver Post on Wednesday night, Keslers agent Kurt Overhardt also denied the story, calling it „a bunch of B.S.“ Kesler, 29, is recovering from a hand injury and did not dress on Wednesday night for Vancouvers post-Olympic opener against the St. Louis Blues. He hopes to play Friday night when the Canucks host the Minnesota Wild. He has two more years remaining on a six-year, $30 million contract, which pays him $5 million in each of the next two seasons. „Whether he wants to go or stay, hes not going anywhere,“ Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo told reporters. „We all know how this script ends.“ Thunder Jerseys 2021 . A 23-year-old rookie, Stroman is 4-2 with a 3.44 earned run average in 12 games this season, the past seven of those being starts. He logged the first scoreless outing of his career on Friday versus Oakland in a no-decision. Fake Thunder Jerseys . – The New York Rangers have momentum, a unified locker room and Henrik Lundqvist. SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants outfielder Andres Torres was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of a strained left Achilles tendon and might not return this season. Torres said the injury has lingered since the start of 2011 after he helped the Giants win a World Series championship the previous fall. He is scheduled to get a second opinion and be examined by specialist Dr. Robert Anderson next week in North Carolina and hopes to avoid surgery — though an MRI exam showed bone spurs in the area. „I need to be 100 per cent,“ Torres said. „After we won the World Series and they gave us the rings (April 9, 2011), I hurt this foot and Ive never been the same. Playing like this is not going to be good for me and its not going to be good for the organization. I respect them a lot. This is something I have to work to get better.“ Rehabilitation hasnt worked for the speedy Torres, who said the left foot bothers him most when hitting from the left side and is limiting him to running at about 80 per cent. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Torres called about 1:30 p.m. Thursday to tell him he couldnt play in the opener of a four-game series against the NL Central-leading Pittsburgh Pirates. „Its bothering him to the point he needs a break,“ Bochy said. „I cant say its over yet until he gets evaluated. I think that will determine what ends up happening with Andres. Is there a possibility of surgerry? Sure. Patrick Ewing Jersey. Thats why hes getting checked out.“ Bochy said he only learned of Torres condition a few days ago but the outfielder hadnt spoken of it, saying „its one of those injuries thats flared up again on him.“ The 35-year-old Torres, who signed a $2 million, one-year contract last winter to return to the Giants after spending 2012 with the New York Mets, is batting .250 with two home runs and 21 RBIS with just four stolen bases in 103 games this season. He said when hitting from the left side his injured front foot lifts and he loses his power and strength. „I want to make sure this is right and I can drive the ball from both sides,“ he said. Bochy didnt rule out Torres season ending, especially with the reigning World Series champions out of the playoff race and planning to try out many young players over the final month. Bochy said Torres role, if he is able to play again this year, would be primarily as a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner or late defensive replacement. „Theres no rush to get Andres back,“ Bochy said. „We want him to get healthy. Hes got his future to think of.“ In other moves, lefty Mike Kickham was optioned to Triple-A Fresno, and infielder Nick Noonan and outfielder Francisco Peguero were recalled from Fresno to provide some depth. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval returned to the lineup after missing the final two games against Boston with a sore back. ‚ ‚ ‚