2014 FIFA World Cup: USA vs. Belgium preview - CBS sports.com (blog)

Clint Dempsey and the US will be looking to upset Belgium Tuesday. (Getty Images)

USA vs. Belgium | Kickoff: 7/1, 4 p.m. ET | Stadium: Fonte Nova, Salvador

Match Preview: The United States will have the opportunity Tuesday to move into the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time since 2002 and just the third time in history.

There's two ways the Round of 16 match against Belgium can be viewed. First, the US was able to somehow navigate the so-called "Group of Death," something few gave them much of a chance of doing. At this point, really, they're playing with the house's money. Any success, however minor, beyond the group stage is cause for celebration.

On the other hand, Belgium is a team the United States can beat.

Of course this latter stance takes some qualifying. Belgium is teeming with professional talent -- their roster features 12 players from the English Premier League -- and they've yet to lose while in Brazil. Plus, in a friendly last year, the Belgians smoked the Americans, 4-2.

Certainly, there's plenty working against the US, especially in terms of overall talent. But there are some positives. Belgium is banged up, especially in the defensive third, where they may be without standout and captain Vincent Kompany, among others. The Americans got a bit of good news Monday on their own injury front when it was announced that striker Jozy Altidore will be available for the game. Possibly having Altidore with Dempsey up front greatly improves the American attack, which looked quite weak against Germany.

And while Belgium still boasts an advantage, they haven't looked like the powerful, cohesive unit that was expected of them. But they've taken care of business, winning every game so far this World Cup.

When it comes down to it, Belgium should win Tuesday. They have the superior side, and the US defense has been shaky and their possession quite weak. But it's certainly not a given.

This is a Belgium team that has looked shaky and vulnerable itself, and someone will take them down. It just may not be the Americans.

More World Cup: Scoreboard | Schedule | World Cup Bracket | U.S. Team news

Olivia Palermo

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USA vs Belgium

Friends, Auburn fans remember Philip Lutzenkirchen at Toomer's Corner - al.com

AUBURN, Alabama -- As more than 50 Auburn fans gathered Sunday afternoon to roll a tree and silently remember and celebrate Philip Lutzenkirchen's life, one of his close friends stood silently in the background.

"It's nice to see all the support from the people," said Jorrell Bostrom, a former offensive lineman at Auburn. "At first I really didn't want to come out here, but it was good for us to come out."

Lutzenkirchen, a former Auburn tight end known for his kindness and generosity off the field as much as he was celebrated by fans for his big plays on the field, died at the scene of a single-car accident early Sunday in LaGrange, Georgia.

News of the 23-year-old's death rattled the Plains, where Lutzenkirchen's legacy had already been established through his play on the field and his lovable personality off it. His go-ahead touchdown catch in the 2010 Iron Bowl cemented his legacy, placing him alongside some of Auburn's greats.

Bostrom, like the many standing here silently at the famous Toomer's Corner on Sunday, was in shock.

"I just talked to him last night before I went to sleep, and he was here two days ago," Bostrom said. "We had dinner and he stayed the night at our house. It's just very surreal you won't see him again."

Lutzenkirchen went horseback riding Sunday for about three hours. "He told me was pretty sore," Bostrom smiled.

Lutzenkirchen recently jumped into coaching as a volunteer with the football team at St. James School in Montgomery. He was also working at a wealth management company in Montgomery.

Bostrom and Lutzenkirchen chatted about the routine things in everyday life late Saturday night -- just five hours before the car accident at 3:05 a.m., which also claimed the life of Joseph Ian Davis, who tried out for Georgia's baseball team last fall.

The impromptu gathering at Toomer's Corner picked up steam thanks to word spreading on Twitter leading up to 4:30 p.m., the unofficial start time for the rolling of the trees adjacent to the site where Toomer's Oaks once stood. Fans meandered on the lawn, and found a suitable tree to roll along College Street.

Underneath one small oak was a roll of toilet paper with lyrics from country music singer Randy Travis' "Three Wooden Crosses" inscribed on the first square.

"It's not what you take when you leave this world behind you; it's what you leave behind you when you go."

To the right, another roll was placed on the ground. This one included a quote from Lutzenkirchen on June 26: "I know God's working, so I smile."

Only the wind rustling the tree leaves and the cars driving by on College Street broke the silence as fans gathered and spread out across Samford Lawn to watch others walk up to the tree one by one, and sometimes in pairs, to throw rolls of toilet paper.

Daniel Brower, a senior studying supply chain management at Auburn, sang the school's fight song halfway through the gathering with a few friends. As his friends drifted elsewhere, he stood by himself, one hand in the other, and sang the school's alma mater.

"I couldn't think of a better way to send him off," Brower said.

Morgan Jackson, the daugher of Auburn legend Bo Jackson, attended the gathering with friends -- she wore her father's jersey and others donned Lutzenkirchen's No. 43. A senior journalism major, Jackson interacted with Lutzenkirchen during and following his playing days on the Plains. Their last conversation earlier this month was about her father's shoes and Lutzenkirchen's desire to own a pair.

"I have never seen the man sad or mad," Morgan Jackson said. "Even after a loss, he'd come out of the locker room and be like, 'Hey, what's up?' Some people are sad and have their head down but Phil was always so positive, so happy."

The Marietta, Georgia native caught 14 career touchdown passes, the most by a tight end in Auburn history, from 2009 through 2012. His career ended with a hip injury midway through the 2012 season.

The most famous catch of his career came from the arm of Cam Newton, whose touchdown throw early in the fourth quarter capped an incredible comeback from a 24-0 deficit and helped seal a 28-27 victory against Alabama in the 2010 Iron Bowl. Lutzenkirchen celebrated with a dance, which many fans termed the "Lutzie."

The Tigers danced all the way to the BCS National Championship one month later.

"He was really good on the field, but on top of that he was a good guy to be friends with. He was a good guy to be around, even for strangers," Bostrom said. "All of us would get together and at dinner we'd get interrupted for pictures and autographs. Even now, two or three years pass from the 2010 (season), but he always obliged. He always said hello. That speaks a lot to his character."

USA vs Belgium

Olivia Palermo

Olivia Palermo

Robin Thicke

WWE

Matches with Biggest Historical Implications - Bleacher Report

The Money in the Bank pay-per-view is the one event each year where history is sure to be made. With guaranteed title opportunities at stake, young stars tend to break out and make names for themselves in the annual Ladder matches. After all, securing that briefcase all but ensures a Superstar a run with the top prize in the industry.

This year, however, there is the added bonus of a WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder match, necessitated by the injury to Daniel Bryan. Eight men will compete for the right to leave Boston with the gold in their possession. For three of them, it would be their first chance to hold the most prestigious championship in WWE. For one of them, it would be one step closer to immortality.

With four championships at stake, as well as a future title shot, Money in the Bank will feature a number of bouts with historical implications. Which of those have the biggest?

Take a look.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match

Sunday night will see the WWE World Heavyweight Championship put up for grabs in a Ladder match for the first time ever.

Back in December 2013, the WWE and World Heavyweight titles were unified in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match between Randy Orton and John Cena, but never before have the top two belts in professional wrestling been strung up 15 feet above the ring for one man to retrieve in a traditional Ladder match.

For Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt and Cesaro, the match could be their crowning moment. Not one of those three men has ever worn the WWE World Heavyweight Championships, nor have they been as close to doing so as they will be Sunday night.

Reigns looks to have all of the momentum heading into the show but one should never underestimate the cerebral nature of someone like Wyatt or the unadulterated strength of the "Swiss Superman" Cesaro. A win for one of those three competitors would position them as leaders of the next generation of WWE Superstars.

A championship victory for John Cena would put him one step closer to Ric Flair's legendary 16 title reigns. The win would put Cena at 15, and with plenty of time left in his career, it appears inevitable that he would eventually break the mark. That may not be popular or smart, but it looks like something WWE is determined to have Cena do, as if breaking Flair's record will somehow legitimize what is already a Hall of Fame, all-time great career.

United States champion Sheamus could make history Sunday by becoming the first Superstar in WWE history to hold both the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and the U.S. title at the same time. The closest anyone has come to accomplishing that feat was Booker T, who held the WCW and U.S. titles simultaneously back in 2001.

And then there is the potential that Money in the Bank could be cashed in on whoever escapes the main event with the gold. Just because one of the eight men involved in the title bout wins the contest does not mean they will exit Boston's TD Garden with gold.

Money in the Bank Contract Match

The central conflict of Sunday's traditional Money in the Bank match is the feud between Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins.

The former Shield members have received the most television time of the competitors in the match and are in positions significantly higher on the card than anyone else in the bout. A win for either would put them in position to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in their careers.

Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger or Rob Van Dam could become only the second Superstar after CM Punk to win two Money in the Bank matches. All three of those men successfully cashed in their previous title opportunities to become WWE or World Heavyweight champion.

Neither Kofi Kingston nor Bad News Barrett have won a Money in the Bank match despite competing in several of them. Winning the briefcase would instantly elevate them. For Kingston, it would take him to heights in his career he has never seen.

Speaking of Kingston, a breathtaking spot is almost guaranteed. A great one would cement his legacy as the most dynamic Ladder match performer ever.

WWE Tag Team Championship Match

Luke Harper and Erick Rowan are a team that many expected to win WWE Tag Team Championship gold sometime shortly after their debut last July. That did not happen as they seemed happy enough to serve leader Bray Wyatt on a weekly basis, all the while beating up teams such as the Rhodes Brothers for fun. Only recently have they begun targeting the gold, currently held by twin brothers Jimmy and Jey Uso.

Sunday night, Harper and Rowan's rise through the ranks of World Wrestling Entertainment could culminate with a championship victory. If that happens, it could be the start of a dominant reign or, perhaps, even a dynasty.

As the top heel team in sports-entertainment, they could easily reign atop the division for months, even a year, before another team knocks them off. With that said, the Usos are incredibly over and have shown that they can mix it up with top talent when given the chance.

At the very least, a title victory for Harper and Rowan would intensify a rivalry with the Usos that, if handled correctly, could ignite a new era of tag team wrestling in WWE.

The Leftovers

The Leftovers

Jhene Aiko

The Leftovers

Philip Lutzenkirchen

Meshach Taylor, 67, an Actor On TV's 'Designing Women' - New York Times

CBS Local

Meshach Taylor, 67, an Actor On TV's 'Designing Women' New York Times Meshach Taylor, the actor best known as the friendly colleague of four Southern women on the popular sitcom “Designing Women,” died on Saturday at his home near Los Angeles. He was 67. His death was confirmed by his agent, Dede Binder, who said he ... Meshach Taylor dies at 67; actor known for 'Designing Women' roleLos Angeles Times 'Designing Women' Star Meshach Taylor Dies At 67CBS Local Meshach Taylor Dead At 67, 'Designing Women' Star Dies After Battle With CancerHuffington Post Indianapolis Star all 351 news articles »

Warren Jeffs

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Transformers 4

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The Unimpeachable Songs of Bobby Womack - New Yorker (blog)

Bobby Womack’s death is a huge loss. There are other soul singers and songwriters who are ranked higher in the pantheon because they’re considered auteurs: Marvin Gaye, obviously, and Curtis Mayfield, and Sly Stone. But Womack belongs among them, now and forever. He started out with his brothers in Cleveland, in a family gospel act; first hit the charts as a teen after the group, renamed the Valentinos, was discovered by Sam Cooke; wrote that first hit, “Lookin’ for a Love”; also wrote one of the early classics of the rock-and-roll era (“It’s All Over Now,” famously covered by the Rolling Stones); became an in-demand session guitarist (for Aretha Franklin and others) and songwriter (for Wilson Pickett and others); went solo; stayed solo; released a string of albums through the early seventies that combined his increasingly sophisticated compositions, his profoundly soulful covers of other people’s hits, and long between-song monologues; co-wrote “Breezin’,” later for George Benson; continued to write, record, and tour; became an elder statesman; appeared on the Gorillaz’s “Plastic Beach”; had a comeback record produced by Damon Albarn; was diagnosed with cancer; beat cancer; was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s; and, finally, Friday, left the earth a far better place than he had found it.

The songs are unimpeachable: “Harry Hippie,” “Across 110th Street,” “Understanding,” “Communication,” “That’s the Way I Feel About Cha,” “Woman’s Gotta Have It,” “You’re Welcome, Stop On By.” The message was located right near the heart of what we think of as soul music: love and struggle, hard work, flashes of rueful humor. The emotion conveyed by his vocals was bottomless. There’s no way to do justice to a sixty-year career in a single post, except by urging everyone to go back to the beginning. Start with “Lookin’ for a Love” and go forward from there, song by song. You will pass these two along the way: Womack’s cover of James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” and the title song to his 1971 album “Communication.”

Photograph by Velthoven/Redux.

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Philip Lutzenkirchen

Bobby Womack

Jason Kidd

Robin Thicke

Robin Thicke's BET Awards Performance: Debuts 'Forever Love' - Hollywood Life

At the 2014 BET Awards, Robin Thicke performed an emotional ballad — ‘Forever Love’ — in an attempt to, you guessed it, win back estranged wife Paula Patton.

Robin Thicke, 37, debuted “Forever Love” off of his upcoming album Paula to the crowd at the BET Awards on June 29, and it was pretty emotional. As you might have guessed, Robin sang the song in tribute to his estranged wife, Paula Patton.

Robin Thicke’s BET Awards Performance: Debuts ‘Forever Love’

“Good evening, my name is Robin Thicke,” Robin told the crowd. “I’d like to dedicate this song to my wife, and say, ‘I miss you, and I’m sorry.’ This is called ‘Forever Love.’”

“Forever Love” is a soft, emotional piano ballad, which had Robin up on that Nokia Theater stage solo, with a little manufactured smoke wafting around him for dramatic effect. It’s difficult to feel bad for the guy at this point, as he’s not really given Paula a chance to consider his various proposals; he’s made his position pretty clear and he just needs to chiiill.

“I know that you and I have tried so very hard to find a different result,” he sings, and, “Any time you need a friend, baby, I will be the one that you want,” which seems doubtful.

“If you ever doubt it now, baby, I will be there picking you up. You can lean on me any time, baby, for anything you want and need. Yeah, see, I don’t need any reason, memory, or a season. Every day I will believe that you and I are meant to be,” he sings. “You’re my forever love.”

At the end of the performance, an old picture of Robin and Paula flashed on the big screen behind Robin and his piano, with “PAULA” written in huge letters above. Yikes.

Host Chris Rock summed it up best, following Robin’s performance: “He’s singing like she don’t know him. I miss the other song, ["Blurred Lines"], the one that sounded like Marvin Gaye.” Bless.

Robin Thicke Needs To Chill Out On The Public Declarations; Paula Patton Is Not Into It

Robin and Paula split in Feb. 2014 after 9 years of marriage, and a 22-year relationship. While their mutual statement claimed that their split was mutual, Robin was not shy in telling the world not long after that it certainly wasn’t — that he wanted her back.

Ever since their separation, Paula has been seemingly unmoved by his various public declarations, and many have criticized Robin for placing undue pressure on his estranged wife. After all, it seems like Robin ignores “Blurred Lines” as well as clear, solid ones. Furthermore, it’s getting a little creepy – in his video for “Get Her Back,” he can be seen bleeding and crying as a Paula lookalike strokes and caresses him.

No pressure, Paula! Robin seems pretty keen to give you all the space you need to decide. Or, rather, he seems like he really respects the decision you’ve already made.

WATCH Robin Thicke Perform “Forever Love” At The BET Awards On June 29:

So, HollywoodLifers, what did you think of Robin’s performance at the BET Awards? Do you agree with this humble writer that, like, it’s enough already? Let us know.

– Amanda Michelle Steiner

More Robin Thicke News:

1. Robin Thicke Begs Paula Patton To Reconcile — Watch ‘Get Her Back’
2. Robin Thicke Naming Album After Paula Patton — To Win Her Back?
3. Paula Patton On Robin Thicke Split: ‘If You Love Something Let It Go’

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BET Awards 2014

BET Awards 2014 Winners Revealed (Recap/Review) - Guardian Liberty Voice

Added by Douglas Cobb on June 29, 2014.
Saved under Awards, Black Entertainment Televison, Douglas Cobb, Entertainment, Kevin Hart, Nicki Minaj, Recap, Review, TV, Usher
Tags: bet awards

The BET Awards 2014 show, broadcast live from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, culminated a weekend-long BET Experience. Today’s hottest performers took the stage during the awards presentation, and BET honored singers, actors, actresses, and athletes with awards during the entertainment packed show, hosted by the very funny comedian, Chris Rock.

Jay Z and Beyonce, with 5 nominations each, have the most nominations of anyone. Not far behind them, with four nominations each, are August Alsina, Pharrell Williams, and Drake.

Pharrell Williams started the BET Awards 2014 off with a bang, by singing one of his hit songs. Missy Elliot joined him onstage, adding to the excitement. What a great way to start off the night!

Then, Chris Rock had the audience laughing with his uproarious opening monologue. He cracked jokes about Rick Ross, Dr. Dre, and the TV program, Scandal. He joked that Kevin Hart seemed to be in every movie this year, and said that he was even a Prius in the last Transformers‘ movie.

Chris used his irreverent sense of humor to poke fun at Oprah Winfrey and the movie Lee Daniels’ The Butler, the Jackie Robinson Story movie, and Donald Stirling, saying that “The first black man he ever met, he got for Christmas.”

The first BET Awards 2014 award presented was for the Best New Artist. The person who won the award was the fantastic singer, August Asina. He had shades on, but he was very emotional, crying as he accepted the award.

Lil Wayne then performed, and got the audience pumped up, raising their arms in the air with his great performance.

Nick Cannon and Zendiya then presented the second award of the BET Awards 2014 show, for Best Gospel Artist. Tamela Mann won the award. She was helped to the stage to accept it, because, as she explained, she had just had knee surgery done about a week ago. As she accepted the award, she gratefully said “All things are possible if you just believe.”

Chris Rock said that later tonight, Lionel Richie will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for all of his contributions to music and the entertainment industry. He certainly deserves it, as Lionel Richie has been very influential on many of today’s signers.

The next award of the night was the BET Awards 2014 Best Actress Award. The five people nominated for the award were Gabrielle Union, Oprah Winfrey, Lupita Nyong’o, Kerry Washington, and Angela Bassett. Al of the actresses were definitely deserving of this award, but it went to Lupita Nyong’o for her role in 12 Years a Slave.

The next person to person was the inimitable singer, John Legend. He is one of the best signers around today, as well as being a fantastic piano player.

The BET Awards 2014 award for the Best Male Hip Hop Artist was the next one to be presented. There were five nominees in this category, Future, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Z, J. Cole, and Drake. The winner of this award was Drake.

Chris Rock came out onto the stage to crack a few more jokes while the next act got ready. He noticed Paris Hilton in the audience, wearing a dress that was cut low and revealed quite a bit of her breasts He said “What? We’re getting our Kardashian on tonight!”

Then, Chris Brown took the stage, and he gave an incredible performance, even showing off some of his dance moves. He might have gotten the biggest audience response so far of the evening. It was good to see him performing once again.

Other awards given out on the BET Awards 2014 show included one for the Best Video of the Year. The videos up for this award were Beyonce’s Partition, Drake’s song Worst Behavior, Chris Brown’s hit Fine China, Beyonce and Jay Z’s song Drunk in Love, and the video for Pharrell’s hit, Happy. Pharrell won, though all of the videos were pretty cool.

There were five females nominated for the BET Awards Best Female Hip Hop Artist of the Year Award. They were Angel Haze, Nicki Minaj, Charli Baltimore, Iggy Azalea, and Eve. Though all of these female hip hop artists are great, Nicki Minaj won for the fifth year in a row.

The Subway Sportswoman of the Year Award went to Serena Williams. Five women were nominated, including her sister, Venus Williams. The Subway Sportsman of the Year Award was presented to NBA basketball star Kevin Durant. Two other basketball players, Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James, were also nominated, and the boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Blake Griffin were the other two people nominated.

Another major award that was presented was the BET Awards 2014 Best Male R&B/Pop Artist. The five men nominated were August Alsina, Pharrell Williams, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, and John Legend. Pharrell Williams, who has had a great 2013 and has already racked up numerous awards, won this award to add to his growing collection.

In the category of Best Group, five groups were nominated for this BET Awards 2014 award. The groups were A$AP Mob, Daft Punk, Young Money, TGT, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. The group that won this award was Young Money.

The BET Awards 2014 Best Collaboration Award was another tough category, with six songs up for the award. The award went to Beyonce and Jay Z for Drunk in Love. Jay Z was also nominated with Justin Timberlake in this same category for the song Holy Grail.

There were five acts nominated for the Coca Cola Viewers’ Choice Award. They were August Alsina featuring Trinidad Jame$ singing I Luv This S**t, Pharrell Williams and his song Happy, Beyoncé featuring Jay Z and their hot song Drunk in Love, Jhené Aiko singing The Worst, and Drake and his hit Worst Behavior. The winner of this award was August Alsina featuring Trinidad Jame$ singing I Luv This S**t.

There were five movies nominated for the BET Awrds 2014 Best Movie of the Year. The nominees included Fruitvale Station, 12 Years a Slave, Let Me Explain, The Best Man Holiday, and Lee Daniels’ The Butler. The winner was 12 Years a Slave.

Two other big awards of the BET Awards 2014 show were the Centric Award and the FANdemonium Awrd. The Centric Award went to Jhené Aiko and his song The Worst, while the FANdemonium Award was presented to Beyonce.

There were a ton of awards presented on the BET Awards 2014 show, as well as some great music. The winners represented the best singers, actors, and athletes around today. Please leave any comments below!

Written by: Douglas Cobb

Meshach Taylor

Meshach Taylor

Tim Cook

Tim Cook

The Leftovers

WWE Money in the Bank 2014 Results: Biggest Highlights and Low Points - Bleacher Report

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Credit: WWE.com

The results of WWE's Money in the Bank 2014 pay-per-view are in, so it's time for us to look back on the evening and break down the highlights and low points that made the event what it was.

This year, the regular setup for the Money in the Bank event was thrown out the window. Rather than having two title defenses and two briefcase-related Ladder matches, WWE found itself with a single vacated title.

While still booking around the concept of two Ladder matches, the stakes were altered to a degree which some would say was even greater than before.

The audience was essentially guaranteed a new WWE World Heavyweight champion and a new permanent top contender for that same title in this event.

Did the events that transpired forecast a bright and interesting future for the WWE Universe, or was the PPV a disaster that spells certain doom?

Which matches were fun and entertaining, and which ones fell flat?

Let's break down the positives and negatives of the night, presented to you in order of appearance.

Begin Slideshow »

Highlight: The Usos Defeat Luke Harper and Erick Rowan

Credit: WWE.com

All signs seemed to point to The Wyatt Family taking home the tag team titles, but this did not end up happening.

Some people may be disappointed at the result if they are fans of Luke Harper and Erick Rowan, but the crowd was eating the match up.

Who could blame them?

This was a perfect opener to warm the crowd up without going straight into a Money in the Bank Ladder match. Both teams looked strong, and there was a quick enough pace to avoid having any kind of lulls in the action.

The shock of the victory would not be enough to put it on this list. However, seeing that the match leading up to that outcome was highly entertaining, these four men definitely deserve to be classified as a highlight.

Highlight: Paige vs. Naomi

Credit: WWE.com

It almost goes without saying that a Divas Championship match at a pay-per-view is a low point.

Thankfully, the many fans who were expecting this to be the case were proven wrong.

There were some great high-flying maneuvers from Naomi, who has rarely been able to showcase her athleticism. Paige had her fair share of comebacks and impressive moves as well and has finally started to look like a legitimate champion.

Both women go against the grain of models who know nothing about wrestling, as they have proven here that they can hold their own in crafting an actual match.

For all those defenders of the Divas division who claim the only problem is a lack of allotted time, this showcased that the right women can perform admirably in spots of any length.

The issue is with actual wrestling talent, and both Paige and Naomi definitely have that.

Low Point: Damien Sandow as Paul Revere

Credit: WWE.com

Last year, Damien Sandow was winning a Money in the Bank briefcase and convincing the WWE Universe that he would become a future World Heavyweight champion.

This year he has been relegated to a comedic jobber who dresses up like historical figures.

While some may find it entertaining, it's disappointing to see someone who undoubtedly has more to offer do something like this.

Losing in general can be problematic, but when you're made to look like an afterthought with which WWE's creative team couldn't be bothered, too, it just illustrates that you've hit a low point in your career.

Highlight: Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Credit: WWE.com

From start to finish, the Ladder match to determine the new Mr. Money in the Bank was action-packed and just pure fun.

Quite literally speaking, everybody involved had several opportunities to look like stars.

As expected, people like Kofi Kingston and Dolph Ziggler made it a point to keep the energy up with some nice spots peppered throughout.

Others such as Rob Van Dam looked better than they have in ages.

The story of Dean Ambrose seeking vengeance and Seth Rollins being a tool of The Authority was woven in several times but never made the other competitors look like background players.

In particular, the end of the match had fans really pumped for Ambrose to win. Seeing it all crumble in front of them gave the audience the perfect reason to boo Rollins as he took the case.

Low Point: Summer Rae vs. Layla

Credit: WWE.com

For as good as the Divas Championship match was at defying the odds and proving detractors wrong, this match did the total opposite.

Nearly every criticism that women's wrestling receives was showcased in this match.

The crowd clearly wasn't into it and even chose to chant for CM Punk rather than pay attention.

It was sloppy and built as a bathroom break before the main event.

The commentators couldn't resist in making fun of it and facetiously made comments about the match after it had concluded.

Can you blame them?

Highlight: WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match

Credit: WWE.com

Although the Ladder match for the briefcase title shot will probably be the fan favorite of the night, as it had more enthusiasm behind it, this one was no slouch either.

Several times it appeared as though WWE would go with someone fresh like Cesaro or Roman Reigns as champion.

Once more, even the less important wrestlers like Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio were still given some time to shine.

Roman Reigns was a standout in this match and may have silenced some critics who feel he is not yet ready for a main event spot.

While you may not like the results, the WWE Universe has a new world champion in John Cena, and fans should at least be hopeful that good things will come out of it in the future.

What were your favorite and least favorite moments from the event?

Tell us in the comments below!

Anthony Mango is the owner-operator of the wrestling website Smark Out Moment as well as the host of its podcast show Smack Talk on YouTube, iTunes and Stitcher. You can follow him on Facebook and elsewhere for more.

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Jason Kidd

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Jason Kidd power move shows Bucks owners' inexperience - USA TODAY

Jason Kidd watches his Nets in Barclays Center in February.(Photo: Nicole Sweet, USA TODAY Sports)

The Milwaukee Bucks' new owners stepped in a mess, blindsiding general manager John Hammond and coach Larry Drew by asking the Brooklyn Nets for permission to speak with their coach, Jason Kidd.

And though the Bucks' lame statement said, "We're not going to comment on rumors or speculation," the story was neither. The honeymoon might not be over for new owners Marc Lasry, a former Nets minority owner who is close to Kidd, and Wesley Edens, but they ruined dinner one night and the vacation is almost over.

They are not the first owners to take over a team and make a few missteps along the way. It happens. But it's interesting that these two savvy and smart people think that because they were able to protect secrets in one line of work think they can do so in the NBA.

NETS: Hollins is early front-runner

WHAT? More on Kidd's power play

They'll learn, sort out their internal mess and move on, likely with Kidd. And now the Nets are expecting to hire a coach for the second time in 13 months. Lionel Hollins is a front-runner, but George Karl could also have a chance, according to a person familiar with process.

Kidd's tenure in Brooklyn apparently will be short, as he is thought to have had a Bucks job in hand when he went to Nets executives — above general manager Billy King's head — and asked for control of basketball operations, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The person requested anonymity because there is no resolution yet as the Nets try to get compensation from the Bucks, and the Nets are set on a first-round pick.

Kidd's power play backfired. He certainly had Russians in his corner. That's in part how he got the coaching job with Brooklyn. Kidd's agent, Jeff Schwartz, sold the idea of his player-to-coach transition to Dmitry Razumov, who is not listed in the Nets' media guide but is a trusted adviser to owner Mikhail Prokhorov. King was against hiring Kidd, telling Sports Illustrated before the season that his initial reaction was, "Absolutely not." But Razumov had interest, and Kidd won King over in the interview.

The relationship wasn't smooth at first, especially when the Nets dropped to 10-21 after a New Year's Eve loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Growing pains for Kidd as a coach were expected, but King also expected more after assembling the high-priced roster.

How seriously King considered a coaching change is unknown, but it had to have crossed his mind. Then the Nets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 2 and won 10 of their next 11 games. The Nets were headed in the right direction, and ended up being one of the better teams in the East from Jan. 1 through the end of the regular season.

Along the way, King and Kidd found common ground. King said Kidd "needed me to be there and to listen and be a sounding board and have an understanding of the kind of players he wants." They communicated regularly.

The Nets finished with the sixth seed, beat the Toronto Raptors in the first round and lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals. After that series, Kidd sounded like a coach ready to return to the Nets next season. Sometime between then and now, the idea to have more control of basketball operations became a priority.

But Kidd underestimated that King had key Prokhorov advisers on his side, too, and the coup failed. King played it right the entire time, from hiring Kidd to letting Kidd make the wrong moves.

Contributing: Sam Amick

VIDEO: Jason Kidd on the move?

USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick breaks down the recent situation with Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd. Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports

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NHL Draft Grades 2014: Final Report Card for Every Team - Bleacher Report

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USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 NHL draft is in the books after a star-studded first round hit the TV airways on Friday night and Rounds 2 to 7 closed it out Saturday afternoon.

It will be years before we know what the long-term effects of the weekend's selections will be, but the early grades are in for each team.

Factoring into these letters are what the team needed heading into the draft and what they got out of it; whether or not they got an impact player, or if they were really fortunate, more than one; whether or not they turned assets into multiple assets via trade, or were smart enough to stand back and just pick the best player available at every turn.

Click ahead to see where your team ranks, and offer your own grades in the comments.

Begin Slideshow »

The Picks

First round, 10th overall: RW Nick Ritchie (Peterborough, OHL)

Second round, 38th overall: D Marcus Pettersson (Skelleftea Jr., Sweden)

Second round, 55th overall: D Brandon Montour (Waterloo, USHL)

Fifth round, 123rd overall: D Matthew Berkovitz (Ashwaubenon, HIGH-WI)

Seventh round, 205th overall: RW Ondrej Kase (Chomutov, Czech Rep.)

The Grade: B

The Bottom Line

Credit the Ducks for stocking up on what they needed in their system, but their picks will all take some seasoning before making the jump.

Ritchie has the tools to be a dominant player but has a lot of work to do before he's truly ready for the NHL. Training right, and focusing on nutrition to shed some weight off his 6'2", 230-pound frame, will be necessary to make an impact at the next level. He's not a gamble, by any means, but he's a bit of a raw project.

The Ducks made nice picks in the second round with puck-handling defensemen Pettersson and Montour. Pettersson is a tall kid with a long reach and smart positioning skills. He's also got offensive potential. He'll need to bulk up to play in the NHL and will start by playing against men in Sweden. Montour had 14 goals and 62 points in 60 games this season.

Berkovitz, another offensively gifted blueliner, is nice value in the fifth round. Kase is already playing against men in the top Czech league and is a playmaking winger who has a shot at becoming a decent pro.

The Picks

First round, 12th overall: LW Brendan Perlini (Niagara, OHL)

Second round, 43rd overall: C Ryan MacInnis (Kitchener, OHL)

Second round, 58th overall: LW Christian Dvorak (London, OHL)

Third round, 87th overall: RW Anton Karlsson (Frolunda Jr., Sweden)

Fourth round, 117th overall: LW Michael Bunting (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)

Fifth round, 133rd overall: D Dysin Mayo (Edmonton, WHL)

Sixth round, 163rd overall: D David Westlund (Brynas Jr., Sweden)

Seventh round, 191st overall: LW Jared Fiegl (USA U18)

Seventh round, 193rd overall: LW Edgars Kulda (Edmonton, WHL)

The Grade: A

The Bottom Line

Depth on the wing was the biggest need coming in, and Perlini is a strong prospect who grabbed more and more attention from Christmas on because of his impressive play for the IceDogs. He's 6'3" and has plenty of time to fill out his large frame. He scored 34 times and had 71 points in 58 games in the OHL this season.

MacInnis is a solid two-way player with strong bloodlines. Dad Al MacInnis is a Hall of Famer, who should tell his son to shoot a little more.

With a nice collection of picks throughout, the Coyotes brought in a quality mix of talented skaters and offensive weapons like Perlini and potential seventh-round steal Kulda—who was the Oil Kings' second-leading scorer in the WHL playoffs en route to a Memorial Cup championship. Arizona also added physical players with the likes of Karlsson and Mayo.

The Picks

First round, 25th overall: RW David Pastrnak (Sodertalje, Sweden)

Second round, 56th overall: C Ryan Donato (Dexter High School, HIGH-MA)

Fourth round, 116th overall: C/LW Danton Heinen (Surrey, BCHL)

Fifth round, 146th overall: LW Anders Bjork (USA U18)

Seventh round, 206th overall: D Emil Johansson (HV71 Jr., Sweden)

The Grade: C

The Bottom Line

Pastrnak has promise, showing his skill at the world juniors. He's extremely creative with the puck but is also hungry without it. He was a solid pick for a team that is always seeking second-line wingers. Donato has size and smarts, but his body of work so far is at the high school level, so it may not translate as he works toward the pros.

What's most surprising about the Bruins' weekend is they took just one defenseman—and not until the seventh round—despite the fact they have a top three that is aging and will need to stock the cupboards in the system to replace the guys who are graduating to the NHL full time.

The Picks

First round, second overall: C Sam Reinhart (Kootenay, WHL)

Second round, 31st overall: LW Brendan Lemieux (Barrie, OHL)

Second round, 44th overall: C Eric Cornel (Peterborough, OHL)

Second round, 49th overall: RW Vaclav Karabacek (Gatineau, QMJHL)

Third round, 61st overall: G Jonas Johansson (Brynas Jr., Sweden)

Third round, 74th overall: D Brycen Martin (Swift Current, WHL)

Fifth round, 121st overall: C Maxwell Willman (Williston-Northampton, HIGH-MA)

Sixth round, 151st overall: C Christopher Brown (Cranbrook Kingswood, HIGH-MI)

Seventh round, 181st overall: RW Victor Olofsson (Modo Jr., Sweden)

The Grade: A-

The Bottom Line

It seemed as if the Sabres were constantly on the clock, and they picked up some strong pieces in multiple positions for their rebuild.

In Reinhart, they picked up the smartest player in the draft. He's a center who has the kind of vision and hockey sense that makes other players around him better. He also shines under pressure, according to Sabres general manager Tim Murray.

"Watching him play, he rose to the occasion in big games," Murray said on the TSN broadcast of the first round.

They picked up a gritty complement in Lemieux, who like his dad Claude is capable of getting under an opponent's skin. He could be more talented offensively than his old man, too.

Second-rounders Cornel and Karabacek have offensive potential as well, and to add to the defensive group they brought in a very sound defensive-minded blueliner in Martin—who was the more offensive Julius Honka's partner on the back end.

The Picks

First round, fourth overall: C Sam Bennett (Kingston, OHL)

Second round, 34th overall: G Mason McDonald (Charlottetown, QMJHL)

Second round, 54th overall: RW Hunter Smith (Oshawa, OHL)

Third round, 64th overall: D Brandon Hickey (Spruce Grove, AJHL)

Sixth round, 175th overall: D Adam Ollas Mattsson (Djurgarden Jr., Sweden)

Seventh round, 184th overall: RW Austin Carroll (Victoria, WHL)

The Grade: C

The Bottom Line

Size was the word of the day for the Flames brass, led by president of hockey operations Brian Burke and GM Brad Treliving. After picking up Bennett—who has been compared to his junior coach, Doug Gilmour, because of his heart and agitating style complementing his high-end skills—the Flames added some large bodies on Day 2. 

The pick might have been early, and McDonald wasn't even the top-ranked netminder, but the Flames wanted the 6'4" backstop badly enough to take him with their first of two picks in the second round—starting a run on goalies. He is agile and athletic and has progressed in the last couple of seasons. He could turn out to be a nice asset, but it will likely take years.

Smith is 6'6" and isn't a brute or a goon, although how well he may be able to play at the NHL level remains to be seen. He's destined for a bottom-six role at best. The second round seems high for that kind of player.

Mattsson is 6'4" and plays a simple defensive game. Carroll is 6'2" with more offensive ability but as a 20-year-old who was at their development camp a year ago may have been available as a free agent, freeing them up to take a shot at another asset instead.

The Picks

First round, seventh overall: D Haydn Fleury (Red Deer, WHL)

Second round, 37th overall: G Alex Nedeljkovic (Plymouth, OHL)

Third round, 67th overall: LW Warren Foegele (St. Andrews, HIGH-ON)

Fourth round, 96th overall: D Josh Wesley (Plymouth, OHL)

Fourth round, 97th overall: C Lucas Wallmark (Lulea, Sweden)

Fifth round, 127 overall: C Clark Bishop (Cape Breton, QMJHL)

Seventh round, 187th overall: D Kyle Jenkins (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)

The Grade: D

The Bottom Line

Fleury was the second-best choice at the position, and the Hurricanes needed another prospect on the back end. The team did pass up on some potentially elite offensive talents, however, which leaves it open to some criticism before Fleury proves his worth in a couple of years. 

The Hurricanes got caught up in the goalie run in the second round, again passing up on forwards when they already have three netminders at the NHL level.

In terms of value, Jenkins in the seventh round might have been their best bargain if he pans out as a defensive-minded bottom-pairing guy, but the Hurricanes need their top two picks to pan out for this draft not to be seen as a bust down the road.

The Picks

First round, 20th overall: C Nick Schmaltz (Green Bay, USHL)

Third round, 83rd overall: RW Matheson Iacopelli (Muskegon, USHL)

Third round, 87th overall: C/LW Beau Starrett (South Shore, USPHL PRE)

Fourth round, 98th overall: LW Frederik Olofsson (Chicago, USHL)

Fifth round, 141st overall: D Luc Snuggerud (Eden Prairie, HIGH-MN)

Fifth round, 148th overall: D Andreas Soderberg (Skelleftea Jr., Sweden)

Sixth round, 178th overall: C Dylan Sikura (Aurora, OJHL)

Sixth round, 179th overall: G Ivan Nalimov (SKA St. Petersburg 2, Russia Jr.)

Seventh round, 208th overall: RW Jack Ramsey (Penticton, BCHL)

The Grade: C+

The Bottom Line

Schmaltz has the offensive skills to make him a top-10 pick, but there are doubts about his defensive commitment. At least the Blackhawks have captain Jonathan Toews as a potential mentor. The fact they traded up seven picks to get him means they like what they see.

Hopefully for the Hawks he turns out to be as dynamic as he has been in the USHL, because he may be the only player with top-six potential out of this crop, which was heavy on the USHL and high school ranks and lower-end North American junior leagues.

Snuggerud, a balanced defenseman who may one day develop into a top-four guy on the team, may be their best value in the fifth round.

Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman sounded happy about the wide range of selections, according to Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago:

“We had a lot of picks and added to that, so we walked away with a nice mixture, guys at every position,” general manager Stan Bowman said. “What we wanted to do was address needs across the board: wingers, defensemen, centers, goalie. We’re happy with the breadth of players.”

The Picks

First round, 23rd overall: C Conner Bleackley (Red Deer, WHL)

Third round, 84th overall: D Kyle Wood (North Bay, OHL)

Fourth round, 93rd overall: RW Nicholas Magyar (Kitchener, OHL)

Fourth round, 114th overall: LW Alexis Pepin (Gatineau, QMJHL)

Fifth round, 144th overall: D Anton Lindholm (Skelleftea Jr., Sweden)

Sixth round, 174th overall: G Maximilian Pajpach (Slovakia U18)

Seventh round: 204th overall: C/LW Julien Nantel (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL)

The Grade: C

The Bottom Line

Bleackley is a strong leader, captaining the Rebels during his WHL stint. The franchise is in desperate need of defensive prospects, however, and although Wood is a big kid who could develop into what they're looking for as defensive pillar, they only added two blueliners through seven selections.

Beyond Bleackley, they didn't address the center position, either, which makes re-signing either Ryan O'Reilly or Paul Stastny even more important.

Even Bleackley was a bit of a reach, ranked as the 35th-best North American skater by CSS and taken 23rd overall. His leadership and intangibles will be great for the team years down the road, but it has that in place already with recent draft picks.

The Picks

First round, 16th overall: C/LW Sonny Milano (USA U18)

Second round, 47th overall: D Ryan Collins (USA U18)

Third round, 76th overall: G Elvis Merzlikins (Lugano, Swiss)

Third round, 77th overall: D Blake Siebenaler (Niagara, OHL)

Fourth round, 107th overall: LW Julien Pelletier (Cape Breton, QMJHL)

Fifth round, 137th overall: RW Tyler Bird (Kimball Union, HIGH-NH)

Seventh round, 197th overall: D Olivier LeBlanc (Saint John, QMJHL)

The Grade: B

The Bottom Line

The grade is primarily based on Milano growing both physically and as a player at Boston College the next couple of seasons. He'll need that time to get stronger in order to make the jump to the pro ranks, but there's no doubt he has the skills to impress in the NHL at some point. He's got a great feel for the puck.

Collins is a big and steady defender who can also make a solid first pass out of his own zone. He's nothing flashy, but the Blue Jackets don't need that on the back end right now.

The Jackets are hoping they struck gold with Merzlikins, a Latvian playing in the Swiss league who posted a 9.25 save percentage last season.

The Picks

First round, 14th overall: D Julius Honka (Swift Current, WHL)

Second round, 45th overall: LW Brett Pollock (Edmonton, WHL)

Third round, 75th overall: D Alexander Peters (Plymouth, OHL)

Fourth round, 105th overall: D Michael Prapavessis (Toronto Lakeshore, OJHL)

Fourth round, 115th overall: G Brent Moran (Niagara, OHL)

Fifth round, 135th overall: D Miro Karjalainen (Jokerit U18, Finland Jr.)

Sixth round, 154th overall: D Aaron Haydon (Niagara, OHL)

Sixth round, 165th overall: LW John Nyberg (Frolunda Jr., Sweden)

Seventh round, 195th overall: D Patrick Sanvido (Windsor, OHL)

The Grade: B+

The Bottom Line

The Stars did just what they needed to do and focused heavily on the blue line, starting with a standout offensive defenseman who can fight his way into the top four within a couple of seasons.

CSS scout Peter Sullivan wrote:

Let’s just say that when you go to a game and you see his name in the lineup, you’re excited to watch the game because he’s got about four or five different gears. You think he’s just skating normally and he puts it in another gear, then another gear. Excellent vision and on-ice awareness. He reads the play so well sometimes he’s two or three steps ahead of his own teammates.

Honka put up great numbers in his first season in North America, scoring 16 goals and 56 points in 62 games for the Broncos. His size is a bit of a scare, but a couple of years of training should help him fill out the 5'10" frame. Peters is a solid stay-at-home defender with great size, while Prapavessis might be a bit of a combination of the other two with impressive offensive numbers and a 6'1" frame.

Pollock has a chance to develop into a decent power forward but may project to a third- or fourth-line role in the pros.

The Picks

First round, 15th overall: C Dylan Larkin (USA U18)

Third round, 63rd overall: C Dominic Turgeon (Portland, WHL)

Fourth round, 106th overall: C Christoffer Ehn (Frolunda Jr., Sweden)

Fifth round, 136th overall: G Chase Perry (Wenatchee, NAHL)

Sixth round, 166th overall: LW Julius Vahatalo (TPS Jr., Finland)

Seventh round, 196th overall: C Axel Holmstrom (Skelleftea Jr., Sweden)

Seventh round, 201st overall: C Alexander Kadeykin (Mytischi, Russia)

The Grade: B-

The Bottom Line

With Jared McCann still available, the Larkin pick might have been based on proximity. McCann seems to have a little more upside offensively, but Larkin, a Waterford, Michigan, product, will be motivated to play for the Wings, according to Detroit Free Press writer George Sipple.

Considering their struggles at center behind Pavel Datsyuk, the Wings made the middle a real focus this weekend and scored a promising third-line prospect in Turgeon (son of Pierre) and an offensive wild card in Ehn, who was strong at the junior level and will play against men in the top league in Sweden next season.

As usual, the Red Wings' draft took on a very European look. It's worked out well in the past, so you have to give them the benefit of the doubt one or more of the later-round picks will play in the NHL.

The Picks

First round, third overall: C Leon Draisaitl (Prince Albert, WHL)

Fourth round, 91st overall: D William Lagesson (Frolunda Jr., Sweden)

Fourth round, 111th overall: G Zachary Nagelvoort (UMichigan, Big Ten)

Fifth round, 130th overall: C/LW Liam Coughlin (Vernon, BCHL)

Sixth round, 153rd overall: C Tyler Vesel (Omaha, USHL)

Seventh round, 183rd overall: G Keven Bouchard (Val D'Or, QMJHL)

The Grade: B+

The Bottom Line

The Oilers need size up the middle to compete in the Western Conference, and they got it in the form of the 6'2" German Draisaitl with stellar hands to go with that size and strength.

"We all know how difficult big centers are to obtain. Leon really fits that bill for us. We feel Leon's skill set fits in incredibly well for us in Edmonton," Oilers GM Craig MacTavish said on TSN.

He could be the best player from this draft class when all their careers are over, and that would certainly mean a better grade in review down the road.

They're penalized for taking two goaltenders (really, Oilers?) but given credit for adding bigger bodies in order to protect their smaller and more skilled assets.

“You’ve been telling us we need to be a little grittier and edgier, so we’re trying,” director of amateur scouting Stu MacGregor told reporters, via Canadian Press writer Stephen Whyno. “Obviously size isn’t everything but it’s a factor. The biggest thing is passion to play the game and want to get into battle.”

The Picks

First round, first overall: D Aaron Ekblad (Barrie, OHL)

Second round, 32nd overall: C Jayce Hawryluk (Brandon, WHL)

Third round, 65th overall: RW Juho Lammikko (Assat Jr., Finland)

Fourth round, 92nd overall: RW Joe Wegwerth (USA U18)

Fifth round, 143rd overall: LW Miguel Fidler (Edina High, HIGH-MN)

Seventh round, 182nd overall: G Hugo Fagerblom (Frolunda U18, Sweden Jr.)

The Grade: B

The Bottom Line

The Panthers added another big, two-way blueliner on Friday by taking who they thought was the best player in the draft. 

"There's a maturity factor to his game that you don't see in a lot of players," NHL analyst Pierre McGuire said on the TSN broadcast of the first round. 

They followed up with some important picks to fill up the forward depth in the system and got a great under-the-radar pick in Hawryluk early in the second round. He's only 5'10" but has one of those motors similar to Sam Bennett. Central Scouting's B.J. MacDonald loved Hawryluk's spunk in his viewings, via NHL.com:

"Hawryluk was spunky and had a good work ethic; he's undersized but plays big and with grit. He has decent hands and good instincts, and definitely had a tremendous second half."

The Picks

First round, 29th overall: C Adrian Kempe (Modo, Sweden)

Second round, 50th overall: D Roland McKeown (Kingston, OHL)

Second round, 60th overall: D Alex Lintuniemi (Ottawa, OHL)

Third round, 90th overall: C Michael Amadio (North Bay, OHL)

Fourth round, 120th overall: D Steven Johnson (Omaha, USHL)

Fifth round, 150th overall: G Alec Dillon (Victoria, BCHL)

Sixth round, 157th overall: C Jake Marchment (Belleville, OHL)

Sixth round, 180th overall: LW Matthew Mistele (Plymouth, OHL)

Seventh round, 209th overall: RW Spencer Watson (Kingston, OHL)

Seventh round, 210th overall: D Jacob Middleton (Ottawa, OHL)

The Grade: A

The Bottom Line

Just on quantity alone, the Kings have an impressive haul from the 2014 draft. But they were shrewd, too.

Top pick Kempe is a big center who boasts power, skill and determination. He didn't put up flashy  offensive numbers overseas but was playing a smaller role against men much older. With time to develop his game, Kempe could become a key replacement as a second- or third-line center in the NHL.

Trading up to grab defenseman Roland McKeown in the second round was a strong move. He had first-round talent, and the Kings recognized what value he possessed at that spot and pounced.

“I love this kid," Central Scouting's David Gregory wrote on NHL.com. "He can play offensively and move the puck and has a bomb of a shot. When defending you, he presents himself as a big, strong and mobile guy. He'll push guys to the side; he's a legitimate top prospect.”

He trains in the offseason with Gary Roberts, and he may be close to making the jump to the NHL.

Every player picked seems to fit the Kings mold with a blend of size, toughness and reliability with a secondary focus on offensive production.

The Picks

First round, 18th overall: C/RW Alex Tuch (USA U18)

Third round, 80th overall: D Louis Belpedio (USA U18)

Fourth round, 109th overall: G Kaapo Kahkonen (Blues Jr., Finland)

Fifth round, 139th overall: D Tanner Faith (Kootenay, WHL)

Sixth round, 160th overall: D Pontus Sjalin (Ostersunds, J20 Elit)

Sixth round, 167th overall: C Chase Lang (Calgary, WHL)

Sixth round, 169th overall: C Reid Duke (Lethbridge, WHL)

Seventh round, 199th overall: C Pavel Jenys (BRNO, Czech Rep.)

The Grade: C+

The Bottom Line

The Wild filled a need early with Tuch, one of the few legitimate top-end power forwards available in the draft. 

His vision and size is a unique combination, and he'll be honing his game in the college ranks for a year or two before making the jump to the NHL.

Character was a big focus for the Wild, and they picked Tuch's teammate Belpedio next in the third round for that reason. He's an undersized defender but was the team's captain and plays smart defensively.

With a risk/reward selection in the fifth round, the Wild took Faith, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury after just 10 games in his sophomore season in the WHL. They're banking on the 6'3" defenseman coming back strong and providing size and defensive responsibility on the back end.

The Picks

First round, 26th overall: RW Nikita Scherbak (Saskatoon, WHL)

Third round, 73rd overall: D Brett Lernout (Swift Current, WHL)

Fifth round, 125th overall: D Nikolas Koberstein (Olds, AJHL)

Fifth round, 147th overall: C Daniel Audette (Sherbrooke, QMJHL)

Sixth round, 177th overall: G Hayden Hawkey (Omaha, USHL)

Seventh round, 207th overall: C/RW Jake Evans (St. Michaels, OJHL)

The Grade: B

The Bottom Line

The Canadiens needed more size on the farm, and Scherbak fits the bill at 6'1". OK, maybe size is relative to what little they have.

In his first year in North America, the Russian playmaker scored 28 goals and 78 points in 65 games. A little more seasoning in junior and he will be ready to make the jump right to the NHL.

They really went big with Lernout, a basher at 6'4" who will fortify their defense in the future. He and Koberstein could play with more offensively-minded partners and allow them to roam without fear of consequences.

Audette is a teeny tiny center (5'8") with loads of skill well worth the risk in the fifth round.

Bonus points for drafting a guy with the last name Hawkey.

The Picks

First round, 11th overall: LW Kevin Fiala (HV71, Sweden)

Second round, 42nd overall: LW Vladislav Kamenev (Magnitogorsk 2, Russia Jr.)

Second round, 51st overall: D Jack Dougherty (USA U18)

Third round, 62nd overall: LW Justin Kirkland (Kelowna, WHL)

Fourth round, 112th overall: LW Viktor Arvidsson (Skelleftea, Sweden)

Fifth round, 132nd overall: D Joonas Lyytinen (Kalpa, Finland)

Sixth round, 162nd overall: D Aaron Irving (Edmonton, WHL)

The Grade: A

The Bottom Line

Fiala jumped from No. 11 on NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings of top Europeans to No. 3 in its final rankings. He's a shifty and explosive offensive weapon and suits the new-look Nashville Predators perfectly as they attempt to transition to an up-tempo team.

He can play either wing and is the kind of dynamic player fans in Nashville have longed for. They got another in Kamenev, who fell to the second round despite a first-round grade from the ISS, likely due to his citizenship. The KHL didn't scare off the Predators, but if he bolts for Mother Russia money long term, that would really hurt.

Dougherty is another guy who could have gone much higher but fell into Nashville's lap. He's a tough and smart two-way defenseman who can gobble up minutes one day. Perfect addition to a future top four.

Arvidsson could prove a steal in the fourth round, and the same goes for Lyytinen in the fifth.

The Picks

First round, 30th overall: C/LW John Quenneville (Brandon, WHL)

Second round, 41st overall: D Joshua Jacobs (Indiana, USHL)

Third round, 71st overall: RW Connor Chatham (Plymouth, OHL)

Fifth round, 131st overall: D Ryan Rehill (Kamloops, WHL)

Sixth round, 152nd overall: C Joey Dudek (Kimball Union, HIGH-NH)

Sixth round, 161st overall: LW Brandon Baddock (Edmonton, WHL)

The Grade: C+

The Bottom Line

Brendan Lemieux was the fan favorite. Quenneville is a pretty versatile player, though, who also has an edge to his game and can play in the middle or on the wing. He offers a more balanced game overall. He is defensively responsible but also put up strong offensive numbers for the Wheat Kings, and he played his best games in the playoffs. He's always finding a way to get to open spaces on the ice and his hockey smarts could help him carve out a nice NHL career if he can find his consistency.

Jacobs is big and a solid two-way defensive prospect—responsibility being the biggest common link between all this year's new Devils.

There is little to get excited about, however.

The Picks

First round, fifth overall: LW/C Michael Dal Colle (Oshawa, OHL)

First round, 28th overall: C/RW Josh Ho-Sang (Windsor, OHL)

Third round, 78th overall: G Ilya Sorokin (Novokuznetsk, Russia)

Fourth round, 95th overall: G Linus Soderstrom (Djurgarden Jr., Sweden)

Fourth round, 108th overall: D Devon Toews (Quinnipiac, ECAC)

Sixth round, 155th overall: C Kyle Schempp (Ferris State, WCHA)

Seventh round, 200th overall: C Lukas Sutter (Red Deer, WHL)

The Grade: A+

The Bottom Line

I'm repeating myself from the live draft coverage on Friday night, but what an incredible first round for the Islanders. 

Dal Colle, a big winger who can already shoot at the NHL level and is extremely mature, might already be ready for the next level. He has tremendous potential and the ability to play two positions.

And talk about a bold move, trading back into the first round to nab one of the most impressive offensive players in the draft in Ho-Sang—a controversial personality who was no doubt left off many teams' draft lists because of a perceived cockiness (see this story from Toronto Sun writer Steve Simmons) that comes from his unique upbringing.

People who don't like P.K. Subban because of his perceived cockiness would love to have him on their teams now. The same might be said about Ho-Sang in a couple of years.

They filled a goaltending need with Soderstrom and Sorokin and got value picks in Toews and Sutter, too.

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Picks

Second round, 59th overall: G Brandon Halverson (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)

Third round, 85th overall: C/RW Keegan Iverson (Portland, WHL)

Fourth round, 104th overall: D Ryan Mantha (Indiana, USHL)

Fourth round, 118th overall: G Igor Shesterkin (Spartak 2, Russia Jr.)

Fifth round, 122nd overall: LW Richard Nejezchleb (Brandon, WHL)

Fifth round, 140th overall: D Daniel Walcott (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL)

Fifth round, 142nd overall: D Tyler Nanne (Edina High, HIGH-MN)

The Grade: D

The Bottom Line

The grade might seem a little harsh, but a team that has no first-round pick and one of the league's best goaltenders locked up forever using its first pick to grab a goalie? That just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Yes, you need goalies in the system as well in case of injury, etc., but there's always next year, or the next round.

Wait, what's this? They added another one two rounds later?

Their best pick came in the fifth round. Nejezchleb showed offensive instinct and is the kind of guy who could play a third-line role and be bumped up if needed.

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Picks

Second round, 40th overall: D Andreas Englund (Djurgarden, Sweden2)

Third round, 70th overall: D Miles Gendron (Rivers Academy, HIGH-MA)

Fourth round, 100th overall: C/LW Shane Eiserman (Dubuque, USHL)

Seventh round, 189th overall: D Kelly Summers (Carleton Place, CCHL)

Seventh round, 190th overall: LW Francis Perron (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL)

The Grade: B-

The Bottom Line

Considering the Senators didn't have a first-round pick, they did fairly well with what limited resources they had.

Recognizing a need for a stay-at-home defender, they picked up a good one in Englund, who Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen says Sens assistant general manager Pierre Dorion felt was ranked much lower than his value:

“For us, we feel like we left this draft with a first round pick. I’ve been scouting for 20 years, I don’t think we could bring in a higher character person into our organization.”

They got value in Eiserman, who was ranked 45th among North American skaters, and could also hit with offensive blueliner Gendron after a few years of growth.

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The Picks

First round, 17th overall: D Travis Sanheim (Calgary, WHL)

Second round, 48th overall: RW Nicolas Aube-Kubel (Val D'Or, QMJHL)

Third round, 86th overall: D Mark Friedman (Waterloo, USHL)

Fifth round, 138th overall: LW Oskar Lindblom (Brynas Jr., Sweden)

Sixth round, 168th overall: C Radel Fazleev (Calgary, WHL)

Seventh round, 198th overall: D Jesper Pettersson (Linkoping, Sweden)

The Grade: C+

The Bottom Line

When it comes to impact players, it will be a few years until we see whether or not Sanheim pans out.

He was a huge riser in the draft rankings and opinions of scouts this season after being on virtually nobody's radar to start the year. But he does have speed and offensive ability that rose to the forefront in Calgary when injuries led to an increased role with the Hitmen.

Aube-Kubel and Friedman are both speedy prospects who are years away from contributing. Revisit this grade in a few years and see if it gets bumped up to a B-.

The Picks

First round, 22nd overall: RW Kasperi Kapanen (KalPa, Finland)

Fourth round, 113th overall: C/LW Sam Lafferty (Deerfield, HIGH-MA)

Fifth round, 145th overall: C Anthony Angello (Omaha, USHL)

Sixth round, 173rd overall: RW Jaden Lindo (Owen Sound, OHL)

Seventh round, 203rd overall: D Jeff Taylor (Union College, ECAC)

The Grade: B

The Bottom Line

Kapanen fell into the Penguins' laps in the first round, but they didn't have much to work with beyond that.

They added three forwards who are all long-term projects.

All their eggs are in the Kapanen basket in this one.

He was a top talent, but it's tough to live up to his father's reputation. His dad, Sami, was a Stanley Cup winner who put everything on the line on a nightly basis. He wasn't a high-end offensive talent but was still coveted for his intangibles. His son, Kasperi, has more skill, but the knock on him is he may not have the same kind of work ethic. I think he'll prove to be a steal with the 22nd overall pick.

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

The Picks

First round, 27th overall: RW Nikolay Goldobin (Sarnia, OHL)

Second round, 46th overall: D Julius Bergman (Frolunda Jr., Sweden)

Second round, 53rd overall: RW Noah Rod (Geneve Jr., Swiss)

Third round, 72nd overall: RW Alex Schoenborn (Portland, WHL)

Third round, 81st overall: LW Dylan Sadowy (Saginaw, OHL)

Fourth round, 102nd overall: D Alexis Vanier (Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)

Fifth round, 149th overall: C Rourke Chartier (Kelowna, WHL)

Sixth round, 171st overall: RW Kevin Labanc (Barrie, OHL)

The Grade: B

The Bottom Line

They traded down to get Goldobin, acquiring an early third-rounder in a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks and still grabbed a solid offensive prospect in Goldobin. The Russian is a well-rounded offensive playmaker, but his defensive efforts will need some work.

They used the extra pick to add another selection later and add to their collection of offensively talented wingers. With their first second-round pick, they scooped up a defenseman who may—in the long run—be the answer to the departed Dan Boyle.

The Picks

First round, 21st overall: C Robby Fabbri (Guelph, OHL)

Second round, 33rd overall: C/LW Ivan Barbashev (Moncton, QMJHL)

Second round, 52nd overall: C Maxim Letunov (Youngstown, USHL)

Third round, 82nd overall: D Jake Walman (Toronto JC, OJHL)

Fourth round, 94th overall: G Ville Husso (HIFK, Finland)

Fourth round, 110th overall: RW Austin Poganski (Tri-City, USHL)

Fifth round, 124th overall: RW Jaedon Descheneau (Kootenay, WHL)

Sixth round, 172nd overall: RW Chandler Yakimowicz (London, OHL)

Sixth round, 176th overall: LW Samuel Blais (Victoriaville, QMJHL)

Seventh round, 202nd overall: RW Dwyer Tschantz (Indiana, USHL)

The Grade: A

The Bottom Line

With their first two picks, they got top-end talents, and both play the most critical forward position.

Strength down the middle is so important in today's NHL, and Fabbri and Barbashev provide a strong future there.

Fabbri was dynamite in the OHL playoffs, scoring 13 goals and 28 points in 16 games after a 45-goal, 87-point, 58-game regular season. He has serious determination and plays hard despite his 5'10" frame. Combine the two and he may be on the same plane as top-four pick Sam Bennett by the time his NHL career is over.

It was a smart move to let goalie Ryan Miller walk and hang onto this pick—which they would have had to forfeit had Miller re-signed before the draft.

Barbashev is a big-time skater and goal scorer who shined at the world juniors. He also plays physical. He is a very well-rounded prospect who could crack the roster sooner than later.

Walman was a great grab at his spot. He's a strong two-way defender.

The Picks

First round, 19th overall: D Anthony DeAngelo (Sarnia, OHL)

Second round, 35th overall: D Dominik Masin (Slavia Jr. Czech Rep.)

Second round, 57th overall: D Jonathan MacLeod (USA U18)

Third round, 79th overall: C Brayden Point (Moose Jaw, WHL)

Fourth round, 119th overall: D Ben Thomas (Calgary, WHL)

Sixth round, 170th overall: LW Cristiano Digiacinto (Windsor, OHL)

Seventh round, 185th overall: C Cameron Darcy (Cape Breton, QMJHL)

The Grade: B

The Bottom Line

When it comes to risk-and-reward picks, going with DeAngelo was extremely brave.

He could turn out to be an even better pick than No. 1 overall Aaron Ekblad. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.

The Bolts need help on the back end, and DeAngelo fills that in full. He comes with question marks about attitude thanks to a couple of suspensions for his big mouth and anger issues, but Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman and his team did their due diligence and believe he'll grow as a player and person.

"We definitely had a long look at it," Yzerman said on the TSN broadcast. "We did our homework with the people he's played for, the people he's played with. His family. We think this is a young man with great potential. He's gonna have to change if he's going to make it as a professional hockey player and we believe in him."

Just in case, they went with defensemen with three of their top picks and four of their first five. Masin was the 10th-ranked European skater, and MacLeod is an extremely physical and punishing hitter.

The forward they grabbed in Point was his team's leading scorer this season, and his offensive efforts come with grit and determination as a bonus.

The Picks

First round, eighth overall: C William Nylander (Modo, Sweden)

Third round, 68th overall: D Rinat Valiev (Kootenay, WHL)

Fourth round, 103rd overall: RW John Piccinich (Youngstown, USHL)

Fifth round, 128th overall: C Dakota Joshua (Sioux Falls, USHL)

Sixth round, 158th overall: LW Nolan Vesey (South Shore, USPHL PRE.)

Seventh round, 188th overall: LW Pierre Engvall (Frolunda Jr., Sweden)

The Grade: B

The Bottom Line

The Leafs have had success with a Swedish center in the past and get another one here in Nylander, who might prove to be the most talented offensive player in the draft. The knock on him is he often tries to do too much on his own as opposed to utilizing his teammates. It's a trait he may have inherited from his dad, former NHLer Michael Nylander.

He could be a boom-or-bust type of pick.

"We were pretty fortunate he was there for us," said GM Dave Nonis on the TSN broadcast.

They got an older prospect in Valiev, who went undrafted last year but had a strong year in Kootenay and has improved a great deal.

 The Picks

First round, sixth overall: LW Jake Virtanen (Calgary, WHL)

First round, 24th overall: C Jared McCann (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)

Second round, 36th overall: G Thatcher Demko (Boston College, H-East)

Third round, 66th overall: D Nikita Tryamkin (Yekaterinburg, Russia)

Fifth round, 126th overall: D Gustav Forsling (Linkoping Jr. Sweden)

Sixth round,156th overall: C Kyle Pettit (Erie, OHL)

Seventh round, 186th overall: D Mackenze Stewart (Prince Albert, WHL)

The Grade: A+

The Bottom Line

Virtanen could be the best power forward from this draft and has every element a team wants from a big winger—size, speed, a heavy shot and a feisty edge. The fact he was picked by his hometown team made it an even easier choice for the Canucks. There's some risk with his shoulder surgery, but the reward could be incredible.

"We're trying to change the culture of our team a little bit and he's another piece of the puzzle," said new GM Jim Benning on the TSN broadcast.

Having traded gritty two-way center Ryan Kesler earlier in the day (via The Canadian Press' Stephen Whyno) as posted on the National Post, the second pick of the first round was a potential replacement—although not right away—for that aspect of the forward corps. McCann was nearly a point-per-game player in his second year in the OHL but also boasts the kind of defensive responsibility teams crave out of their big men in the middle.

Just to make sure everyone was impressed, Benning locked up the top goaltending prospect available in Demko in the second round.

The Picks

First round, 13th overall: LW Jakub Vrana (Linkoping, Sweden)

Second round, 39th overall: G Vitek Vanecek (Liberec Jr., Czech Rep.)

Third round, 89th overall: LW Nathan Walker (Hershey, AHL)

Fifth round, 134th overall: C/LW Shane Gersich (USA U18)

Sixth round, 159th overall: RW Steven Spinner (Eden Prairie, HIGH-MN)

Seventh round, 194th overall: RW Kevin Elgestal (Frolunda Jr., Sweden)

The Grade: C+

The Bottom Line

They picked a guy who celebrates goals like Alex Ovechkin, and plays defense like Ovechkin, too. And neither of those are the Ovechkin traits a team wants to spread around.

There's no disputing the talent of Vrana, a Czech-born winger who has incredible offensive skills. The problem is that new coach Barry Trotz will be busy trying to get his stars to play a more well-rounded style, and the addition of another guy who has yet to learn defensive responsibility could be a case of bad timing.

It's just a bad match, unless Trotz is able to get them all to buy into his philosophy.

Vanecek likely would have been available later in the draft. Only Spinner seems to have any late-round value among the picks.

The Picks

First round, ninth overall: LW Nikolaj Ehlers (Halifax, QMJHL)

Third round, 69th overall: D Jack Glover (USA U18)

Fourth round, 99th overall: C Chase De Leo (Portland, WHL)

Fourth round, 101st overall: D Nelson Nogier (Saskatoon, WHL)

Fifth round, 129th overall: LW Clinston Franklin (Sioux Falls, USHL)

Sixth round, 164th overall: C Pavel Kraskovsky (Yaroslavl 2, Russia Jr.)

Seventh round, 192nd overall: C/LW Matt Ustaski (Langley, BCHL)

The Grade: B+

The Bottom Line

I really like what the Jets did with the few selections they had.

Ehlers is tiny but incredibly fast and offensively gifted. He was playing alongside Jonathan Drouin, last year's third overall pick, in Halifax this year and looks a lot like the small and speedy Mooseheads teammate on the ice, too.

"He's a dynamic player," GM Kevin Cheveldayoff told TSN. "He loves to play the game."

In the third and fourth round, the Jets snagged two defensive pillars in Glover (6'3") and Nogier (6'2"). They won't be spending any time on the power play but will be dependable in their own end and difficult to play against.

De Leo is a hard worker with heart who scored at more than a point-per-game pace this season. He has the kind of determination that can take an undersized prospect—a stocky 5'8"—a long way in a couple of years.

All stats are via NHL.com.

Steve Macfarlane has covered the NHL for more than a decade, including seven seasons with the Calgary Sun. Follow him on Twitter @macfarlaneHKY.

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NHL Draft 2014