Hall of Fame » the time, the Broncos said they liked McManus strong leg an

Aaron Ekblad may be the most mature 18-year-old hockey player on the planet. "Not only does he have a 30-year-olds physique under his equipment but he also thinks and acts like a 10-year NHL vet," said Dan Stewart, scouting director for the independent scouting service Future Considerations. Ekblad, a two-way, right-shooting defenceman, knows what he wants to be not only in this weeks NHL draft but as a professional. Hed love to go No. 1 and continue to mould himself in the images of Shea Weber, Alex Pietrangelo and Duncan Keith. More than anything, though, the Barrie Colts captain wants to be considered reliable on and off the ice. "I dont do too many things that are going to surprise anyone," Ekblad said at last months scouting combine. "Im going to be the kind of player that you know what youre going to get from me." Steady and dependable doesnt put butts in seats, but Ekblad isnt touting himself as a flashy kind of player. Instead, and more importantly, he has the potential to develop into a franchise cornerstone. Because of that, the Belle River, Ont., native is the front-runner to be the top pick Friday night in Philadelphia, whether the Florida Panthers choose to keep it or trade it. Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray said last week he expected Ekblad to go No. 1 regardless. If that happens, Ekblad would be the first defenceman to be selected with the top pick since Erik Johnson in 2006, and the first Canadian-born blue-liner in that spot since Chris Phillips in 1996. Ekblad knows it has been a "long time" since a defenceman was drafted first. But it would come as no shock to NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr. "Aaron Ekblad is a hard player to go past in the draft, I think, for any of the teams, and they know that," Marr said at the combine. "There doesnt seem to be a will to take a defenceman high because a lot of times you dont get the quick bang for your buck." Ekblad wants to provide that, just as 2013 No. 4 pick Seth Jones did for the Nashville Predators. "A hundred per cent" he wants to be in the NHL next season, and he told that to all 16 teams that interviewed him. "Thats the way I believe in myself," Ekblad said. "I wouldnt say Im cocky, but Im confident and I believe that if I work hard and I do all the little things and pay attention to details, I can be in that league next year." With that confidence in mind, Ekblad still watched games this past season and recognized the NHL is a hard league to crack and that getting drafted is just a foot in the door. "It means nothing until you prove that youre ready to do it," he said. Scouts believe Ekblad is prepared to prove it. In the six-foot-three, 213-pound prospect, Ross MacLean of ISS Hockey, another independent scouting service, sees someone with skills to insulate himself from making mistakes and the maturity to be able to adjust to the next level. "Hes a kid that I think probably couldve played in the NHL this year, let alone next year," MacLean said. "I think we saw that with Seth Jones, as well, last year. Theyve just been put into positions where theyve been able to acclimatize and get comfortable and confident and develop their skills at the appropriate pace, and theyre ready for the next step." Typically, theres a learning curve for even the best young defencemen before they can become NHL regulars, let alone stars. But a handful from the top 10 of the 2012 draft, including the Toronto Maple Leafs Morgan Rielly, Anaheim Ducks Hampus Lindholm and Columbus Blue Jackets Ryan Murray, played the full 2013-14 season and showed it may not be as steep as it once was. During the season, then-Predators and now Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz theorized that its because junior hockey has more pro systems designed to help defencemen adapt quicker. Stewart thinks Ekblad can adjust on the fly because of his awareness. After being given the captaincy in Barrie, Ekblad "was trying to do everything," Stewart said, before recognizing his weaknesses and dialling back to what hes good at. "He has shown time and time again that he learns from mistakes," Stewart said. "Ekblad is always thinking and while he does make some mistakes from time to time, he also shows an ability to compensate for any situational deficiencies. Because of his slower feet, while defending speedy forwards attacking the zone, he gives himself a little larger gap than say if he were going up against someone he feels he can easily wedge off the puck. "Its his advanced thinking on the fly and understanding of his position that should benefit him quickly at the next level." Physically, Ekblad is undoubtedly NHL-ready. After earning exceptional status to play in the OHL at the age of 15, he has gone through three junior seasons in Barrie and held his own at the world junior championship. Stewart was impressed with how Ekblad handled pressure situations and defensive responsibilities while playing for Canada at the world juniors. In Barrie, Colts teammate, roommate and best friend Brendan Lemieux — a projected first- or second-round pick in his own right and the son of former NHL agitator Claude Lemieux — saw Ekblad show even more. "Ek really showed that he was willing to stand up and answer the bell, even with his gloves off. I watched him pound a few guys this year," Lemieux said at the combine. "He might not show that physical presence and how big he is and how tough he can be, but hes a tough guy, too. Hes not just a super-skilled big guy, hes a super-skilled big, tough guy." Ekblad is certainly better known for his 23 goals and 30 assists than his three fights, and it was that offence balanced with defensive acumen that earned him OHL defenceman of the year honours. Its hard to be upset about that kind of season, but Ekblad insisted hes not satisfied with what he showed scouts. "Thats kind of the way everyone here should be thinking: I believe I can always be better," he said. "You look back on some games, some shifts and (think), What if you did this instead of that? I wouldnt say I have any regrets, per se. I think I had a pretty good year. But theres always things you couldve done." --- Follow @SWhyno on Twitter Zack Cozart Jersey . On Saturday, the paths of Drew Tate and Kevin Glenn cross again as opposing quarterbacks. Custom Los Angeles Angels Jerseys . Though the 26-year-old said he was able to participate, coach Dwane Casey kept Johnson out as a precaution. http://www.baseballangelslockroom.com/rod-carew-angels-jersey/ .com) - Maria Sharapova rallied for a three- set win over Ana Ivanovic on Saturday to capture the season-opening Brisbane International tennis tournament. Darin Erstad Jersey . The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made. By releasing Bailey, the Broncos would open up cap space with the 12-time Pro Bowl player scheduled to make around $10 million next season. J. C. Ramirez Jersey . Johan Franzen had two goals and two assists, Gustav Nyquist a goal and three assists and David Legwand a goal and two assists in the Red Wings 7-4 win over the New Jersey Devils.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - The Denver Broncos have switched kickers again, waiving first-year pro Brandon McManus and signing Connor Barth, who hasnt kicked in an NFL game since 2012.Barth, 28, won a competition with 38-year-old Jay Feely at the Broncos complex in suburban Denver on Tuesday.The Broncos were in the market for a new kicker after McManus clanked a 33-yard field goal off the right upright in Denvers 39-36 win over Miami on Sunday. His miss followed a seven-minute drive that stalled when Peyton Manning tripped on third-and-1 from the 7 for a sack.Cameras caught several of McManus angry teammates throwing their helmets in disgust when the Broncos came away empty.That blunder came on the heels of a game in St. Louis where the Broncos passed up field goal attempts of 54 and 55 yards indoors.Obviously, Im disappointed in being released, but I thank the Broncos for giving me the opportunity to play for such a great organization and team, McManus said in a text to The Associated Press.Not too happy with myself with how I went out missing that FG against the Dolphins, but will only use it as motivation to get better and come back better than before, McManus added. Ive been set back before and I will get back up and play in this league again.McManus longest field goal was from 44 yards, and he didnt really get the chance for a pressure kick for the AFC West-leading Broncos.While solid on kickoffs, McManus was 9 for 13 on field goal attempts. His 69.2 per cent conversion rate was dead last among NFL kickers, ranking ahead of only Nate Freese and Alex Henery, both of whom were released by Detroit earlier this season.Barth, who spent four of his five seasons in Tampa Bay, has plenty of experience in crunch time, although not for a team with quite the Super Bowl aspirations of the Broncos (8-3).Barth has made 84 per cent of his career field goal tries. He was the most accurate kicker in Buccaneers history but missed all of llast season after tearing the Achilles tendon in his right foot during a charity basketball game.dddddddddddd He returned this year but was beaten out by rookie Patrick Murray.In his last season in Tampa Bay, Barth made 85 per cent of his kicks and was 6 of 9 from 50-plus and 12 of 13 from 40-49 yards.The Broncos had the leagues best kicker last year in Pro Bowler Matt Prater, who made 25 of 26 field goal tries, including an NFL- record 64-yarder against Tennessee.He had a poor preseason, however, and was suspended four games for violating the leagues drug policy by drinking alcohol. The Broncos acquired McManus from the Giants for a seventh-round draft pick in 2015. They decided to keep him over Prater, who subsequently signed with Detroit, where hes made 12 of 16 field goal attempts.At the time, the Broncos said they liked McManus strong leg and high ceiling. But the decision to part ways with Prater also had to do with money. They saved nearly $2.3 million off this years cap and $3.25 million off next years with Praters release.There was some speculation the Broncos could sign a veteran kicker but still keep McManus as a kickoff specialist — his 48 touchbacks on kickoffs ranked second in the league. That would have meant finding a roster spot elsewhere and injuries have thinned the teams depth.Barth wasnt used on kickoffs by the Bucs in 2011 or 12 and in 2010 he had just one touchback on 78 kickoffs for Tampa Bay.McManus is not unlike many young kickers who stumble in the pros before finding a foothold. What made his situation different is that he was playing for a team on a Super Bowl-or-bust mission.Were a performance-based business and regardless of what your job description is youre expected to perform, coach John Fox said Monday.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton ' ' '