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Collaboration with PARC is important to addressing agricultural challenges: Uzbek EnvoySan Jose Sharks winger Luke Kunin is on pace to set a new single-season career high in goals scored. He is in his second season as an alternate captain and plays the type of north-south game coach Ryan Warsofsky appreciates. Those qualities will also likely make Kunin, a pending unrestricted free agent, an attractive trade target among playoff-contending teams early next year. Kunin scored twice and had 16:31 in ice time for the Sharks on Tuesday in their 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Going into Thursday’s date with his hometown St. Louis Blues, Kunin, after 31 games, is now tied for fourth on the team with eight goals, more than halfway past his career high of 15 set during the 2019-2020 season when he played in 63 games with the Minnesota Wild. Now, it’s a matter of whether the Sharks want to try to sign Kunin to a contract extension past this season or trade him for future assets as they did with goalie Mackenzie Blackwood on Monday. Blackwood was traded to the Colorado Avalanche as part of a deal that netted goalie and pending UFA Alexandar Georgiev, 25-year-old forward Nikolai Kovalenko, and two draft picks. After the deal, Sharks general manager Mike Grier said Blackwood likely “played his way out of here” with the season he was having. That means the average annual value of Blackwood’s next contract will probably be significantly higher than the $2.35 million on his current deal. The rebuilding Sharks are only willing to commit so much money to the goaltending position as Yaroslav Askarov’s two-year, $4 million contract kicks in next season. “I hope he gets what he’s looking for,” Grier said of Blackwood. “But I think he kind of played his way out of probably the ballpark figure of what we were looking for, especially with (Askarov) coming up as well.” It’s fair to suggest that Kunin, who turned 27 on Dec. 4, will be looking for a bump from his current AAV of $2.75 million and perhaps some term beyond one or two years on his next contract. He also must decide whether he wants to remain with the rebuilding Sharks, who appear to be at least a couple of years away from being serious playoff contenders. With Kunin a pending restricted free agent in June, he and the Sharks came to terms on a one-year, $2.75 million deal that took him to UFA status. He has 12 points this season and is sixth among Sharks forwards in average time on ice (15:05). Like he will with other pending UFAs before the March 7 trade deadline, Grier must decide whether Kunin fits in with the Sharks in their current state or whether it makes more sense to ship him and collect a future asset. The Sharks’ other pending UFAs are goalies Georgiev and Vitek Vanecek, forwards Mikael Granlund and Nico Sturm, and defensemen Cody Ceci and Jan Rutta. Those players, too, must decide whether to stay or move on. Regardless, Kunin, who sustained a torn right ACL in Dec. 2022 in his first season with the Sharks, appears to be helping his value with his improved skating and production. Kunin had 11 goals and 18 points in 77 games last season. “I think he’s been solid,” Warsofsky said after Tuesday’s loss. “We’re seeing a guy that’s skating more, first and foremost, gets to the inside of the ice, kind of the heart and soul of our team, really. He gives you everything he’s got. To get rewarded with two goals is nice.” MUKHAMADULLIN TO PLAY: Warsofsky said Wednesday in St. Louis that defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin would play against the Blues as the Sharks play the final game of a six-game road trip. After Tuesday’s game, the Sharks announced that Mukhamadullin had been recalled from the AHL and that defenseman Jack Thompson and forward Ethan Cardwell had been loaned back to the Barracuda. Mukhamadullin had six assists in 14 games with the Barracuda this season after the Sharks assigned him to the AHL on Oct. 22. His most recent game was on Dec. 8, when he had two assists in the Barracuda’s 2-1 win over Coachella Valley. Mukhamadullin, acquired from New Jersey in Feb. 2023 as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Timo Meier to the Devils, played in three games with the Sharks last season – all in January – and averaged over 21 minutes of ice time per game and had one assist. The Sharks have lost three straight and are 2-3-0 on the trip that began close to two weeks ago with wins over the Seattle Kraken and Washington Capitals. PULLI OUT: The Sharks on Wednesday placed defenseman Valtteri Pulli on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his NHL contract. “Valtteri requested to play in Europe and we mutually agreed to terminate his contract,” Sharks assistant general manager Joe Will said in a statement. “We want to thank Valtteri for his contributions to the organization and wish him all the best.” Pulli, 23, was signed to a two-year, two-way contract by the Sharks in May 2023 after he played three seasons with TPS Turku of the Finnish League. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Pulli never played for the Sharks, but had 10 points in 59 games for the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL last season. Pulli was healthy again this season but only dressed for two Barracuda games, both in October. He had one assist in an Oct. 19 game against the Iowa Wild.Opinion: John Tayer: Giving thanks for our core values

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MANCHESTER CITY really do have a mountain to climb to get back to where they once were. This game – played in the shadow of the Alps - showed just how far they have fallen since the end of October. 5 Juventus added to Manchester City's misery in the Champions League Credit: Reuters 5 Juventus star Dusan Vahovic scored the winner in the second half Credit: Rex 5 Weston McKennie sealed the win for Juventus against Man City Credit: Reuters 5 Man City's woes continued in the Champions League Credit: AFP Dusan Vlahovic’s header – which somehow squeezed past Ederson – and Weston McKennie’s volley mean it is now one win in 10 for Pep Guardiola’s men Seven of those have been defeats and now the boss has to pick his weary troops up for Sunday’s Manchester derby. In recent years, they have made light work of the Champions League groups – effortlessly gliding through. Yet when the competition returns in a month’s time, a finish in the top 24 is by no means guaranteed. Read More on Football ALL GREEK TO ME Greek ultras armed with flares to invade EFL stadium, weeks after vandalism PAY THE PENALTY Man City stars including Haaland & Grealish 'miss pens against no keeper' Their next game is at old foes Paris Saint-Germain, who also need the points – followed by a home game against Club Brugge. From kings of Europe 18 months ago to scrambling to make the Last 16 play offs is a sobering fall from grace. And right now City look completely devoid of confidence – shipping goals alarmingly at the back while struggling to take their chances at the other end. It has been a nightmare six weeks for Pep - who don't forget signed a new two-year contract in the middle of all the chaos. Most read in Champions League GET OUT I'm an ex-Gers star who was sacked after one game - I was surprised I got that long JUNGLE WINNINGS Coleen Rooney signs first big money deal after I’m A Celeb success WORLD ORDER World Cup 2030 & 2034 confirmed with latter part of £2.5TRILLION Saudi project MAN MANAGEMENT My dad is Scotland's best ever player but I manage Old Firm stars in my job BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER S A trip to Turin might look daunting but Juve have lost four their last six European games at their Allianz Stadium. Thiago Motta’s men started out a couple of places behind City in the table – clinging on to a place in the play-offs by their fingertips. Beleaguered Man City boss Pep Guardiola involved in bizarre interview when discussing Rico Lewis red card Guardiola recalled his first-choice keeper Ederson, who had paid the price for his erratic display in the last Champions League game against Feyenoord . That result – when they threw away a three-goal lead in 15 astonishing minutes – had left their place in this tournament beyond January in some doubt. Pep had once again had to patch up his team – playing Rico Lewis as a left back after his eventful day at Selhurst Park on Saturday. City were seeing plenty of the ball which is what Guardiola had asked of them before the game – suggesting they needed to go back to basics. But they were struggling to create much and at the other end they were relieved to see a shot from Kenan Yildiz drift just wide. The Turkish winger also showed City skipper Kyle Walker a clean pair of heels on more than one occasion. First-half struggles England defender Walker can no longer rely on his pace as he used to and this time he had Ruben Dias to thank for making a key block. Meanwhile, City failed to record an effort of note in the opening half hour – the first time that has happened in a European game in four years. Erling Haaland saw an effort blocked by Teun Koopmeiners before it ricocheted into the grateful arms of Michele di Gregorio. The pair were face to face again moments later as the Norwegian ran onto a trademark pass from Kevin De Bruyne. He tried to lift it over the home keeper who got enough on it to keep it out and the best chance of the half was gone. The City boss would have been pleased with the amount of possession his team had – but slightly concerned how little they had created and how pedestrian they looked at times. Juventus get the lead Meanwhile after shipping seven goals in their previous two matches in this competition, at least they had kept the home team at bay. Guardiola knew failure to win here would have put their hopes of finishing in the top eight and qualifying automatically for the Last 16 almost out of the question. A two legged play-off in February is the last thing a squad that has already stretched by injuries needs. Not surprisingly, City’s best moments came from De Bruyne and his low cross soon after the restart found Ilkay Gundogan – but the German’s tame effort was blocked. And the two misses proved costly with Juventus taking the lead as Federico Gatti’s acrobatic effort was pushed away by Ederson. Josko Gvardiol made a hash of clearing his lines and Yildiz swung the ball back over. 5 Another Gvardiol error Vlahovic got up highest and while Ederson scooped it around the post, goaline technology said it had already crossed the line. It was a matter of millimetres but it was a poor goal to concede and another error by Gvardiol, who is having a miserable time right now. City knew they had to snap into action and they did – but Juventus were throwing everything in the way to protect their lead. Bernardo Silva saw a good chance blocked while De Bruyne’s long-range effort fizzed just past the post. Di Gregorio dived full stretch to push Gundgan’s effort from the edge of the box around the post. Read more on the Scottish Sun SNOW JOKE Snow maps reveal the Scotland areas forecast to have a white Christmas OFF THE AIR 'Gutted to hear this', fans cry as BBC Scotland series axed after 19 years But as they pushed for an equaliser they were caught on the break as sub Timothy Weah – son of former City player George – broke down the right. His cross made its way to US international team-mate McKennie whose volley had too much on it for Ederson.

All’s fair in love and football for Cade York and Zoë Dale . York, an NFL kicker for the Cincinnati Bengals, and Dale, who is a cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys , have been an item since summer 2024 despite their different football allegiances. “[Our teams] are playing on Monday, and I was like, ‘Well, Zoë, I will see you at home no matter what,’” York told reporters in December 2024. “It’s pretty cool. ... She’s going to be rooting for me. It’s gonna be great. She already told me [during] second quarter and fourth quarter is when she’s on the visitor’s side, so I’ll have to sneak her a couple smiles.” The Bengals and the Cowboys faced off at the Texas team’s home stadium on December 9, 2024. It was York’s first game for the Bengals after he was elevated from the practice squad roster. During the game, he even scored a field goal. “Praise God,” Dale was heard saying from her perch on the sidelines. After York’s team won the game, he ran over to the sidelines to reunite with Dale for a victory kiss. York was initially drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2022 and traded to the Washington Commanders two years later. After playing one game with the Commanders, he was waived in September 2024 before being signed by the Bengals. Dale, for her part, first made the DCC squad in July 2023. In 2024, she successfully auditioned for her second year with the team. (The cheer squad is notably the subject of Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders docuseries.) Keep scrolling for Dale and York’s full relationship timeline: York and Dale made their romance Instagram official in her monthly recap post. In the sweet snap, York wrapped his arms around Dale outside Tex-Mex eatery Marty B’s. Dale celebrated her 22nd birthday with York by her side. You have successfully subscribed. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News “Happy birthday to my girl! Love you and so thankful God has put you in my life,” he gushed via Instagram on October 18. Dale and York jointly shared footage from the Bengals vs. Cowboys game, captioning it with a Bible verse from Romans 5:3-5. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope,” the caption read. “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

For most of 2024, Scheffler was unstoppable on the course. Getty Images After an epic season in 2024, Scottie Scheffler will start the new year on the sidelines. On Friday, word broke that the World No. 1 and reigning Fed-Ex Cup champ has withdrawn from the PGA Tour’s 2025 season-opening tournament, The Sentry, on The Plantation Course , in Kapalua in Maui, Hawaii, as a result of kitchen accident he suffered on Christmas Day. “On Christmas Day while preparing dinner, Scottie sustained a puncture wound to the palm his right hand from a broken glass,” Scheffler’s manager, Blake Smith, said in a statement released by the PGA Tour . “Small glass fragments remained in the palm which required surgery. He has been told that he should be to 100% in three to four weeks.” Scheffler’s injury deprives The Sentry, an event widely known as the “tournament of champions” for a field that features winners from the past season, of the golfer who won more than any other last year. Over the course of his torrid 2024 campaign, Scheffler won seven times, including his second Masters title, and captured Olympic gold, en route to being named the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year. As unstoppable as he often was on the course, Scheffler had a headline-making hiccup off it in May, when he was arrested during a traffic incident as he drove to Valhalla Golf Club, in Louisville, before the second round of the PGA Championship. Though charges against Scheffler were soon dropped, photos of the game’s best player in an orange jailhouse jumper ranked among the enduring images from the game in 2024. As 2024 drew toward a close, Scheffler showed no signs of slowing. His most recent start, at the Tiger Woods-hosted Hero World Challenge Challenge, was yet another victory, six shots clear of runner-up Tom Kim. Fans will now have to wait to see Scheffler back in action. His next scheduled start is at the American Express, in La Quinta, Calif., on Jan. 16. The Sentry, meanwhile, will go on without him. The tournament kicks off on Jan. 2. A complete field is scheduled to be released later today. Latest In News Golf.com Editor A golf, food and travel writer, Josh Sens has been a GOLF Magazine contributor since 2004 and now contributes across all of GOLF’s platforms. His work has been anthologized in The Best American Sportswriting. He is also the co-author, with Sammy Hagar, of Are We Having Any Fun Yet: the Cooking and Partying Handbook.

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