ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Veteran forward Antoine Vermette has agreed to a two-year, $3.5 million contract with the Anaheim Ducks.Anaheim announced the deal Monday.The former Stanley Cup champion spent last season with the Arizona Coyotes, getting 17 goals and 21 assists. The Coyotes bought out the remaining $3.75 million on Vermettes contract earlier this month, making him a free agent.Vermette has scored 471 points in 910 NHL games with four franchises, establishing a reputation as a steady two-way center with a knack for big goals. He scored the double-overtime playoff winner for the eventual champion Chicago Blackhawks in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the Ducks in 2015.Vermette will fill a gap left by Nate Thompson, whose torn Achilles tendon will keep him out for several more months. Aledmys Diaz Astros Jersey . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. Nolan Ryan Astros Jersey . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. http://www.baseballastrosproshop.com/lance-mccullers-astros-jersey/ . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. Alex Bregman Astros Jersey . Artturi Lehkonen, Joni Nikko and Ville Leskinen had the other goals for Finland (1-0) while Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots. Tim Robin Johnsgard had the lone goal for Norway (0-2). Jeff Bagwell Jersey . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints kicker carousel is still going strong.The Saints have moved on to their 11th kicker in 11 years under coach Sean Payton after signing undrafted rookie Wil Lutz on Tuesday -- as announced on social media by both Lutz and his agent, John Perla.The plan is for Lutz to replace veteran Kai Forbath, who was released by the Saints on Tuesday.The Saints also released veteran cornerback Cortland Finnegan, who joined the team midway through training camp. To replace him, the Saints signed veteran cornerback Sterling Moore, according to his agent, Andy Simms.Moore started nine games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year and previously played for the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. He spent this summer with the Buffalo Bills before being released. He replaces Finnegan as the most experienced veteran by far among a young group of cornerbacks.Lutz spent the summer with the Baltimore Ravens after serving as both a kicker and punter at Georgia State.Lutz made 2 of 3 field goal attempts during the preseason with the Ravens (the miss coming from 53 yards). He made just 31 of 46 field goal attempts in college, though eight of those misses camee from beyond 48 yards.dddddddddddd He was 23-of-27 from inside the 40-yard line and finished as Georgia States all-time leader in field goals, PATs (120), points (213) and games played (47).Lutz originally agreed to join the Saints practice squad Monday after a tryout. But then the Saints reversed course and decided to sign him to their active 53-man roster instead.?The Saints have tried a little bit of everything at kicker during the Payton era. This year, they had three veterans on the roster -- Forbath, Connor Barth and Josh Scobee (who was released before OTAs began).Last year, the Saints tried two unproven young kickers throughout the summer -- Zach Hocker and Dustin Hopkins. They wound up keeping Hocker, only to replace him with Forbath weeks later. Hopkins, meanwhile, went on to thrive with the Washington Redskins.Since 2006, New Orleans has now burned through John Carney (three times), Billy Cundiff, Olindo Mare, Martin Gramatica, Taylor Mehlhaff, Garrett Hartley (also on-again, off-again), John Kasay, Shayne Graham, Hocker and Forbath. ' ' '