squad arrived in Zimbabwe on Wednesday for a two-match series, ending the uncertainty over the tour that had emerged in the wake of widespread protests in Zimbabwe over civil and economic issues.Th

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- With defenseman Hampus Lindholm finally under contract, the Anaheim Ducks will seek their fourth win in five games when they play host to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night at the Honda Center.Lindholm, a restricted free agent, signed a six-year contract worth $31.5 million on Thursday. The agreement makes Lindholm the Ducks highest-paid defenseman after he led the team with 115 blocked shots while scoring 10 goals last season.Im really happy to be back in Anaheim, Lindholm said on a conference call from his native Sweden. Theres where Ive been all my career so Im really happy to be back with the team and everyone.But before Lindholm rejoins the team, the 22-year-old Swede must get a work visa while general manager Bob Murray resolves the salary-cap problems resulting from the deal.Capfriendly.com calculates that Anaheim exceeds the salary cap by $1.4 million, even after placing defenseman Simon Despres and center Nate Thompson on long-term injured reserve. Nevertheless, Murray believes re-signing Lindholm was imperative to maintaining the Ducks status as contenders.It solidifies this organization, Murray told NHL.com. Hampus is a really good young hockey player. Hes part of the future of this franchise. Hes only going to get better.Murray also implied that Lindholms signing represents at least the beginning of the Ducks last stand with their current roster.We wanted to get it at a fair number for the organization so we could try to move forward with this group as best we can, he told NHL.com. I wanted to give this group another shot. Im going to do everything in my power to keep it that way.That includes managing the salary cap while concentrating on winning the teams second Stanley Cup.Its going to be an interesting experience, Murray told NHL.com. But Im going to do the best I can to give this group one last shot at this.Another recently signed restricted free agent, center Rickard Rakell, practiced with his teammates for the first time Wednesday. Rakell agreed to another six-year contract worth $22.8 million on Oct. 14. But Rakell will not be ready for Friday nights game. Center Ryan Getzlaf might miss his second consecutive contest after a shot hit him in the left forearm Tuesday night against the San Jose Sharks.Columbus enters the game after Thursday nights 3-1 loss in San Jose. The Blue Jackets 2-3-1 record provides a radical contrast from last years 0-8 start, and reflects a renewed emphasis on conditioning to deal with the NHLs increasing speed.Everybody looks quicker, Columbus forward Nick Foligno told the Columbus Dispatch. To a guy, you definitely feel quicker and lighter on your skates. But its more than that, too. Its the way were playing. Were trying to play faster and think faster and be faster with our heads, not just faster with our feet.Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella believes mental quickness can compensate for physical speed.If youre even a little bit slower than the other teams -- as far as just foot speed -- but you have a mindset of playing quick, I think you can be a quick team, Tortorella told the Dispatch. Were certainly trying to play quick.That quickness begins with the Blue Jackets defensemen sending the puck up the ice more rapidly and avoiding lateral passes. Tortorella described his goal using a metaphorical compass.Were just trying to be as north-south as we can, he told the Dispatch, and try to get away from going D to D and traveling east to west as much. Dell Curry Jersey . 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Devonte Graham Jersey .Y. - New York City has been selected to host the NBA All-Star weekend in 2015, with the game played at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk contest and other skills events held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. D. J. Augustin Jersey . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. New Zealands Test squad arrived in Zimbabwe on Wednesday for a two-match series, ending the uncertainty over the tour that had emerged in the wake of widespread protests in Zimbabwe over civil and economic issues.The 15-man squad led by Kane Williamson had undergone a week-long conditioning camp in South Africa and are now in Harare for a three-day warm-up fixture starting on July 22.Its nice to finally be here. We had a good tour here last year, so Im sure it will be much the same, Tom Latham, the New Zealand opener, said upon arrival in Harare. It was a good week of preparation for us in South Africa.It was good to catch up with the guys. We want to win every game, like we do on most tours. Its nice to have everyone back, everyone is fully fit.ddddddddddddWell get the warm-up game out of the way and then focus on the two Tests.New Zealand Cricket had said earlier this month that they were monitoring the security situation in Zimbabwe following a nationwide strike to protest the lack of jobs and unpaid wages, which had left the city streets deserted. Several other strikes - reportedly featuring the likes of civil servants, doctors, and teachers - have also taken place in the drought-hit country.The first Test begins on July 28, and the second is slated to start on August 6. Both Tests will be played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. ' ' '