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TORONTO -- The early-season struggles of the Nashville Predators werent just about a team trying to find cohesion with new parts on the ice.It was just as much about Nashville redefining its leadership core following the departure of former captain Shea Weber as well as other veterans such as Barret Jackman, Paul Gaustad and Eric Nystrom.And what youre seeing now, perhaps -- as the Preds have picked up points in six straight games (4-0-2) heading into their game Tuesday against the?Toronto Maple Leafs?-- is a team that has defined its pool of leaders through that early adversity.When you lose a lot of players, not just Shea, guys are figuring out where their spot is early in the season, new captain Mike Fisher said on Tuesday after the teams morning skate. So its all kind of new on the ice as well as off the ice. I feel like we went through a stretch where we realized we were a lot better than we were but [figured], Lets learn through it. I feel like were coming out better on the other side. Were figuring out how we need to play, our identity.Added alternate captain James Neal: Everyone is going through the change with new roles, a lot of younger guys, and new faces. Thats part of it. But we knew wed come out of it. Its all part of hard work.Its also part of the legacy that a guy like Weber left behind. Go around the Predators room like I did on Tuesday, and youll see the players faces light up when asked to put into words what their former captain meant to them.He had an amazing presence, said winger Colin Wilson. Hes one of the best guys I ever played with, best leaders, thats what hes known for. He set the tone every single day.The way Weber handled his day-to-day approach still influences his former teammates.Just seeing him working hard every practice, every day in the gym ... he never took a day off. He was just a true professional, said defenseman Mattias Ekholm. It was a pleasure to grow into the league with a guy like that as a leader. You feel how blessed youve been to have had a guy like that to look up to, and try to be as good as him every day.As his?Montreal Canadiens teammates are learning, Weber sets the tone by what he does, not so much what he says.He wasnt a huge talker, Wilson said. Its more that he showed up, and when you have a leader whos dialed in every single day, every practice ... . He never took any days off, he led by example. Hes an intense guy and hes somebody you wanted to play for. Hes also a lot of fun, he kept the dressing room pretty light.Added Neal: Sheas just a great guy, a great person, a great hockey player. He didnt need to say much. Thats the kind of leader he was and the kind of guy he is. When there were problems, he would be able to hide them. He put his work in every day, and if you didnt put the work in with him, you were falling behind. All great leaders are like that. He was a fun guy to play with.Talented blueliner Roman Josi, an alternate captain, is growing into a bigger leadership role.Its definitely kind of new for a lot of guys, said Josi. You just kind of grow into a leadership role and try to learn from the older guys. You try to get more comfortable with it.The player acquired for Weber, the dynamic P.K. Subban, is part of that group of guys who can each lead in their own way. For Subban that means delivering on the ice (the defenseman is tied for fourth in goals, with three, and points, with eight), but also trying, in times of adversity like the Predators had in the opening month (losing six of their first eight games) to keep the right frame of mind at the rink.It has been a challenge. I really believe that a lot of the outcome of whatever the situation youre in is determined by your attitude and how you approach it, Subban said on Tuesday. I always approach everything with a positive attitude. I seem to get more success doing that than anything else.Picked by many before the season as serious Stanley Cup challengers, the Predators are showing signs of becoming that team. And Ekholm said the early-season losses, while frustrating, might have been a blessing in disguise because they forced everyone in the room to understand what it was going to take.I think we can be a contender, but not unless everyone works hard and understands their roles and what have you, said Ekholm. We have strong leaders in this room still with a lot of the older guys. We got a lesson in the beginning and now were finding our stride. We just have to keep at it. Custom Dallas Stars Jerseys Cheap . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. Custom Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. http://www.hockeyjerseyscustom.com/ . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. Cheap Custom Hockey Jerseys China . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. Custom Minnesota Wild Jerseys Cheap . LeBron James and Chris Bosh didnt need any more. Williams scored 11 points in 10 minutes, Alan Anderson scored 17 points, and the Brooklyn Nets finished the exhibition season with a 108-87 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night. CINCINNATI -- A.J. Green took up juggling when he was in grade school, learning how to toss-and-catch all sorts of things without dropping them. It was fun and developed his coordination.Now, anything near his fingertips seems to stick.The Bengals receiver pulled off one of the most amazing plays of the season during a 31-17 win over the Browns on Sunday.In the middle of a scrum in the end zone, he jumped, tipped a desperation pass to himself, and pulled it in with one hand while being pulled down.His 48-yard touchdown on the last play of the first half put the Bengals (3-4) in control and left everyone amazed.No matter how many times they watched the play again on video, his teammates couldnt help but marvel.If its not the play of the year, there has to be one thats really, really good, said Andy Dalton, who heaved the ball into the end zone so Green could work his magic.For how he tipped it, and then it went off someone else, and then he goes and gets it with one hand -- it just goes to show how good his hands are.He put on a real show.Later, Green beat a defender down the right sideline and made another one-handed catch for another 48-yard gain. On that one, he was looking back into the sun and didnt see the ball until the last instant, forcing him to take a stab at it with one hand.At the last second, I put my hand out, Green said. It was the only way to get it.Hes been getting pretty much everything in whats shaping up as his best season yet. Green, a first-round pick in 2011, leads the NFL with 50 catches and is second to Atlantas Julio Jones in yards receiving with 775. Hes got two of the top 10 games in yards receiving this season at 180 and 173.Whats most impressive is the degree of difficulty on many of his catches.ddddddddddddHe pulled one down so impressively during a Thursday night win over the Dolphins that the postgame broadcast crew had him juggle three oranges to demonstrate his coordination.The pair of one-handed catches on Sunday -- part of a 169-yard performance -- was simply stunning.An amazing play, to catch it with one hand, receiver Brandon LaFell said. Its unbelievable.When Green held up the ball to show hed made the touchdown catch, a bevy of Browns defenders stood in disbelief that hed somehow come up with it.I think it sucked the life out of them, Bengals running back Jeremy Hill said.Green has nine games with at least 150 yards receiving and a touchdown, the fourth-most among NFL players in their first six seasons. He trails Lance Alworth (13), Jerry Rice (11) and Randy Moss (10). His nine games with at least 150 yards and a TD are tied for most among active players with Andre Johnson and Steve Smith, Sr.Green works on his one-handed catches during practice. His one-man, one-hand show on Sunday was a chance for everyone else to watch what happens often during closed practices.You see it all the time, coach Marvin Lewis said.Game notes The Bengals will be the home team for their first trip to London, facing Washington (4-3) at Wembley Stadium. Theyll wear black jerseys with white pants. ... The Bengals will have a two-hour practice in Cincinnati on Thursday and then fly to London. Theyll practice at Allianz Park on Friday and at Wembley for an hour on Saturday.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '