WOMBAT-Empfang » is vital," said Teibert. "Hopefully we get a

WINNIPEG -- Grant Clitsomes name is off the list but plenty remain as the Winnipeg Jets work their way through a long list of restricted and unrestricted free agents. Clitsome has signed a three-year extension with the Jets for a reported US$6.2 million, almost double what he was making, keeping him off the free-agent market. Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said Wednesday they liked what they saw from the 28-year-old defencemen during the lockout-shortened season, particularly at the end when they were coping with injuries. "The last 33 games of the season last year he had 14 points, he was plus 14, he was averaging 21 minutes a night," said Cheveldayoff. "His game seemed to step up." He finished the season with a plus-10 rating after 44 games, the best of any Jets defenceman. Not bad for a player picked up on waivers from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2012. At just 28, hes also younger than many of the other defencemen on the pending free agent market and Cheveldayoff says he still sees potential for growth. For his part, Clitsome said he wanted to stick with the Jets. "They took a chance on me when they picked me up on waivers and gave me an opportunity to show I can play in the league," said the native of Gloucester, Ont. "I like the coaching staff and the management and Ive been treated first class the whole way. The whole time it was definitely a priority for me to sign in Winnipeg." The Jets have also said theyre interested in keeping unrestricted free agent Al Montoya as backup netminder to Ondrej Pavelec. He played in only seven games last season and started just five, but finished with a record of 3-1-0. Cheveldayoff said Wednesday he had been talking with Montoyas agent "as recently as last night." The Jets are ready to let some of the unrestricted list test the market but theyve already made qualifying offers to their list of 13 restricted free agents. That list includes two-thirds of their top line, centre Bryan Little and right-winger Blake Wheeler, as well as key defenceman Zach Bogosian. Cheveldayoff says some of the high-profile deals will likely take longer to conclude. But its like a big jigsaw puzzle as he works through which players to keep and which new players he might be able to add. "There are a lot of moving parts here," said Cheveldayoff. "Youre kind of looking at all of your options. Looking at what might be available in front of you." That includes free agents coming on the market this week as well as possible trades, he said. The Jets are looking for a right-winger to pair with Evander Kane on their second line and also could do with another top-six centre. They may have more room for deals under the salary cap, which comes down $6 million this season, than some other teams. But how much they have to pay to retain their restricted free agents will ultimately determine that number. There are players already in the Jets system who might fill some of their needs but whether they are ready yet also remains a question mark. They have centre Mark Scheifele finally coming up from junior this season and he has matured significantly since he first tried to crack the lineup in 2011-12. But after two disappointing finishes in their new home, the Jets are looking to finally make the playoffs and must do it in a new conference as they move west under realignment. Other deals may be in the works as free-agent talks get under way in earnest, and Cheveldayoff at least appears a little more engaged than he might have in past years. "The interview period has started and we are active in that regard," he said. 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Obasi chested the ball past one defender, prodded it past another and then rounded the keeper before scoring from a tight angle in the 16th minute. Seconds after the restart, Obasi set up Klaas Jan Huntelaar for the Dutchmans 11th goal from 13 games this season.VANCOUVER -- Perspective is always important. Maybe thats why midfielder Russell Teibert managed to sound enthusiastic about a schedule that sees the Vancouver Whitecaps play their third Major League Soccer game in eight days. The Whitecaps match against Real Salt Lake Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium comes on the heels of a 1-1 draw Wednesday in Toronto against Toronto FC and a 3-1 loss to Chivas USA Saturday at home in BC Place Stadium. The Whitecaps will have travelled over 7,300 kilometres by the time they return to Vancouver. The stretch can be physically exhausting but Teiberts rational is more games in a short time period means increased playing minutes for everyone on the team. "I think its the most exciting stretch to be going through, especially with the squad we have this year," said the 21-year-old from Niagara Falls, Ont., who played 82 minutes against Toronto after not getting on the field against Chivas. "You never know when you are going to have the chance to be on the field. Now that we have more games theres a better chance you have in playing. Its exciting and it keeps all the guys on their toes." A win would help Vancouver gain ground in MLSs competitive Western Conference. Heading into the weekend the Whitecaps are sixth in the West with 26 points from a 6-4-8 record. That leaves them just two points back of Salt Lake, which has a 7-4-7 record. "Each point, each win is vital," said Teibert. "Hopefully we get a good result and can jump back up there." Perspective can also be applied in analyzing the Whitecaps recent fortunes. For three months Vancouver rode a franchise-record eight game unbeaten streak (3-0-5). During that stretch the team scored 18 goals but allowed 14. Over their last four games the Whitecaps are 1-2-1. The team has managed just three goals and allowed six. "You are always going to have ups and downs in a season, thats professional sport," said Teibert. "Its how you handle those up and downs. "We have got a couple of draws and we did lose an unfortunate game last weekend. Its all about moving forward." Defender Steven Beitashour cant explain why the ball suddenly isnt going into the net for the Whitecaps. "I dont know what the reason is for that," said Beitashour, a member of Irans team at the recent World Cup in Brazil. "Any time we play we try to put up as many goals as possible and give up zero goals."t; Teams often improve defensively as the season progresses, said Beitashour, who is playing in his fifth MLS season.dddddddddddd The Whitecaps are also still adapting to new coach Carl Robinson. "The coaching staff has more time with the team," he said. "Guys are getting used to each others tendencies and things like that. "With Carl being new here we are all trying to understand exactly what he wants defensively and we are starting to jell together." Real Salt Lake has struggled of late and is winless in their last five games (0-3-2). One problem is goal scoring. In the first five games of the season Salt Lake scored 23 goals. In their next seven the team managed just four, with two of those coming on penalty kicks in one match. In the first 11 games Salt Lake was shutout once. In the last seven games they have been shut out four times. Defender Tony Beltran said no one is panicking. "I feel like we talk about that every year at a certain point," he told the Real Salt Lake website. "We trust our forwards. We trust our midfielders. "We know theyre capable of finishing chances when they get them. For whatever reasons theyre not going in right now." Coach Jeff Cassar wants more production from his forwards, but said scoring is a team effort. "Scoring chances dont just come from the forwards," he said. "It comes from the build up. Getting numbers forward. "We need that final pass to not be close, but to be perfect, so that they (forwards) are then able to do their thing." The last time the two teams met Real Salt Lake took an early 2-0 lead only to see the Whitecaps battle back for a 2-2 draw. Teibert said the Whitecaps will be playing with fire if they let Salt Lake take an early lead in the rematch. "They are a very possession-based side," he said. "They play their style of game very well. "They know what they are good at. They can pass through teams. Its important for us to really key in on that. It will be a great match." The Whitecaps recent struggles havent dented the teams confidence. "Were not trying to change for anybody," said Teibert. "We are always going to stick to our game plan. Some days it works, some days it doesnt. "We always want to be an exciting team to watch. We have a never-say-die attitude. We have a sense of togetherness. We believe we can go out and win games." ' ' '