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TORONTO - When the Toronto Maple Leafs brought Stephane Robidas in for a free-agent visit over the summer, team brass told the veteran defenceman what they envisioned him doing if he signed.In his role, we felt that he would be a guy that could provide leadership, not only to our younger players but some of our older players, coach Randy Carlyle said. He can share minutes and he can make a contribution (more than) on the ice.On Wednesday, Carlyle told Robidas that would include wearing an A on his chest as one of the teams alternate captains along with Joffrey Lupul. Robidas replaces Jay McClement to complete the leadership group with captain Dion Phaneuf.Leadership was a major question late last season when the Leafs lost 12 of the final 14 games to fall out of playoff contention. The 37-year-old Robidas, who wasnt around to be scarred by that collapse, brings a respected voice in the locker-room.Thats what hes done all his career, so we dont look at it that were asking him to do something hes not comfortable doing, Carlyle said.The Leafs made a significant commitment to Robidas on July 1 by inking him to a US$9-million, three-year deal even though he was still working to get back from a broken leg suffered during the playoffs. Hes expected to be on the first defensive pairing alongside Phaneuf, at least to start the season.I think that he adds a lot to our team, Phaneuf said. He plays the game hard night in and night out, hes very smart. ... Hes good with the puck in tight areas, he makes real good short plays in the defensive zone to relieve pressure.Off the ice, Robidas already seems well-liked by his new teammates. He played in just one exhibition game, the final one, but hes a go-to voice in the room.It shows a lot of confidence in me, Robidas said of being named an alternate captain. Its something that I dont need the A to be a leader and you dont need letters to be a leader. (Its) something that I take pride in. I just want to be myself. Im not going to come in and change everything. Im just going to play like I can play and be myself.Robidas has credited Montreal Canadiens coach Michel Therrien for helping him develop when he was a young player. Therrien coached Robidas in the AHL for three years with the Fredericton Canadiens and Quebec Citadelles.All the credit goes to him because he had passion, he had character and hes such a good person, Therrien said. He was a great warrior on the ice. For a small player, he played really hard and thats the reason why he made it to the NHL and he ended up having a great career.---Follow @SWhyno on Twitter Adidas Stan Smith Mens Cheap . Not that he was complaining. Davis had 13 points, nine rebounds and a career-high eight blocks, and the New Orleans Pelicans emphatically snapped a three-game skid with a 135-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. Stan Smith Clearance . Pace had a career-high 10 sacks for Rex Ryans defence-- second only to Muhammad Wilkersons 10 1/2 -- in his sixth season with the Jets. The 33-year-old outside linebacker was an unrestricted free agent. http://www.cheapstansmith.us/. Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. Here are a handful of tidbits from around camp: Hutchison impressive The Blue Jays are being cautious when talking about their young arms but internally, excitement is building over the way Drew Hutchison is looking and performing this spring. Adidas Stan Smith Wholesale . However, Therrien added that Galchenyuks status for next Wednesdays game against the Detroit Red Wings is questionable. Galchenyuk has been out since Jan. 6 with a broken right hand. Cheap Adidas Stan Smith Sale . Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China.Kyle Lafferty is confident he will be fit for Northern Irelands Euro 2016 against Poland on Sunday after undergoing a precautionary scan on his groin problem. The 28-year-old striker hobbled out of training on Tuesday and was restricted to work on an exercise bike during the opening stages of Wednesdays training session.However, he has now received the results of the scan and took to Twitter to indicate he will be available for the clash with Poland in Nice. Lafferty tweeted: Results of scan now back on the pitch and bring on the poles. #GAWA #BELIEVE., along with a thumbs-up and a smiley emoji.Lafferty watched from a machine on a balcony as the rest of Michael ONeills squad went through drills at their base in Saint-Georges-de-Reneins, with Craig Cathcart joining that main group for the first time in France since suffering a back injury in Slovakia.Cathcart was also able to provide a positive report on his own condition after the training session. Kyle Lafferty warmed up away from the main group Its fine, he said of his back problem. I managed to get through the session today fairly pain free. Ive still got that little bit of pain there but hopefully that will settle down over the next couple of days and Ill be ready to go for Sunday.Having occupied an exercise bike himself on Monday and Tuesday, the defender knows that playing it safe is the best course of action for Lafferty too.I think he just sat out today as a precaution; I think hell be fine for Sunday, he added. Its just one of those things, he has to look after himsself.ddddddddddddNeill insisted on Tuesday there were no major concerns over Laffertys fitness, telling Sky Sports News HQ: Hes fine. He slipped and it was precautionary to take him out of the training session. Hes had an examination with the doctor and hes fine. No problems.Lafferty recently won his 50th cap in a 3-0 win over Belarus, scoring his 17th international goal, before coming off in Saturdays goalless draw against Slovakia.His fitness means any involvement in-form striker Will Grigg has in Nice may have to be as a substitute. Northern Irelands Will Grigg celebrates after scoring against Belarus He replaced Lafferty in his most recent international, later scoring his maiden Northern Ireland goal in that game against Belarus last month to spark joyous scenes and countless renditions of Will Griggs On Fire.That is likely to be the chant of choice among Northern Ireland fans this weekend and hearing it on the French coast would be bizarre for Grigg, given its origins on the DW Stadium terraces.It would be brilliant, that would be definitely be a long way from hearing it at home in Wigan, he said.It would be surreal. If I get some time on the pitch, to hear that song would be brilliant. Weve got to give the fans a reason to sing about it first. Also See: Lafferty fine after training scare McLaughlin targets key role Home comforts for Northern Irish Foreign Office issues terror warning ' ' '