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SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks knew it would take some time to see the benefits of the deal two years ago to acquire James Sheppard from Minnesota. After spending most of his first year in San Jose rehabbing from a serious leg injury, Sheppard completed his two-year journey back to the NHL in January and showed flashes of why the Wild drafted him in the first round in 2006. The Sharks re-signed Sheppard to a one-year deal on Wednesday that prevents him from becoming a restricted free agent next month as they hope to build on that progress even more this upcoming season. "When you see a guy go through adversity and a challenge like this it does reveal his character," general manager Doug Wilson said. "But this is a kid who was a very highly drafted player and a very talented player. I think his best hockey is now ahead of him. ... Now I think youll see him flourish. Were not even going to put a limit on where he can get to." The Sharks also signed Andrew Desjardins to a two-year contract. Both forwards could have been restricted free agents July 5 if they had not reached deals. "Im very happy to have both these guys signed," Wilson said. "They play the way were looking for our team to play." The Sharks originally acquired Sheppard in August 2011 from the Wild for a 2013 third-round draft pick. Sheppard had been suspended the previous season by Minnesota after suffering a career-threatening leg injury from an off-season ATV accident. Sheppard played four minor league games his first season with the Sharks but got more time at Worcester during the lockout last season. He made his debut with San Jose on Jan. 22 and had one goal and three assists in 32 regular season games. He had no points in 11 playoff games but showed the Sharks enough for them to want him back next season. "It was such an intricate injury that Im not going to be 100 per cent maybe ever but Im always getting closer and closer," Sheppard said. "The more time passes the better I feel and the stronger I feel. ... I still expect to play better and I have more goals for myself that I want to accomplish." Desjardins had two goals and one assist and 61 penalty minutes in 42 games last season playing mostly on the fourth line. He won 54.2 per cent of his faceoffs and got significant time on a much-improved penalty kill unit. Desjardins, 26, was the teams rookie of the year the previous season when he had four goals and 13 assists. Desjardins has had an impressive journey since starting his professional career playing in Laredo, Texas, in the Central Hockey League. "Hes never been given anything," Wilson said. "He fought, scratched and clawed and earned respect of his teammates. Hes a tough kid. Hes really the type of guy you want on your team. He does all the things that matter, faceoffs, PK, hell block shots, certainly skate, hell battle anybody and stand up for his teammates. Hes the type of kid who has really earned his place on this team." Wilson has been busy this off-season since the Sharks were eliminated in seven games in the second round by the Los Angeles Kings. He agreed to a five-year contract extension with star centre Logan Couture to keep him off the market next summer. That deal wont be official until July 5. Wilson also signed potential unrestricted free agent forward Raffi Torres to a $6 million, three-year deal and extended the contract of head coach Todd McLellan. San Jose still has two more potential restricted free agents in forward TJ Galiardi and defenceman Jason Demers. Forwards Scott Gomez and Tim Kennedy, defenceman Scott Hannan, and backup goalies Thomas Greiss and Alex Stalock are among the potential unrestricted free agents.Custom USA Soccer Jerseys . Emery skated the length of the ice and fought an unwilling Holtby during the third period of the Flyers 7-0 loss Friday night in Philadelphia. He was given 29 penalty minutes, including a game misconduct. But Emery did not face even a disciplinary hearing with NHL senior vice president of player safety Brendan Shanahan because rules 46. Stitched USA Soccer Jerseys . Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming tournament. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". USA Soccer Pro Shop . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. USA Soccer Jerseys China . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3.Does Leicester Citys style suit their trip to Arsenal? Will Tottenham be able to stop Sergio Aguero at the Etihad?A Super Sunday triple-header kicks off with the visit of league leaders Leicester to the Emirates, with Tottenham travelling to Manchester City after Liverpool head to Aston Villa.The weekend could prove pivotal as the title race enters the home stretch and ahead of the action, Sky Sports Thierry Henry gives his thoughts on where the tussles between the four title rivals could be won and lost... Arsenal v Leicester CityThis is no disrespect to Leicester because they deserve to be where they are, but a friend of mine recently asked me what I thought the score will be at the Emirates and I had to think about it. That already says a lot. Last year, you dont think about the result because Arsenal should win. But now it is the total opposite.Everything about the game suits the visitors - the way they play, their approach to the game, their counter-attacking style. But Arsenal are the only team so far thats managed to batter Leicester. Henry analyses Leicester Thierry Henry analyses Leicesters effective style of play They played them at the right time then, it was back when Leicester were winning 3-2, coming back to draw 3-3, when they were conceding a lot of goals. They were too open for my liking because they were always trying to outscore opponents.When you look at the way they defend now, they are not conceding as many, and they will sit at the Emirates and play their usual counter attack. Leicester had 34 per cent possession against Man City but beat their title rivals I believe Leicester can win the league, but they were the ones to believe it first. Claudio Ranieri has done an amazing job instilling belief, and they can see the light at the end of the tunnel because they are not far away. It is always difficult to finish it off, but I think they can.For Arsenal, if they win at the weekend, they are just getting three points, its as simple as that. The interesting thing will be how they respond after that, can they go on a run? Can they play well away from home?They have difficult games to come on their travels - they have to go to Old Trafford, to White Hart Lane, to Everton, West Ham and Sunderland, and the last one is against Man City. They must win on Sunday because its vital they dont lose more points on Leicester, but can they go on a run? Thats another story. Koscielny v Vardy Key battle: Laurent Koscielny v Jamie Vardy I dont know why there is no consistency in that team, maybe its because you have guys that havent won a championship yet. The first one is always the trigger, and you build on the confidence it gives you. Petr Cech has won it, and Mesut Ozil did at Real Madrid, but you dont have a team thats won it. They still have points on the table to catch Leicester with 13 games to go, but right now, in terms of consistency, its not good enough.I think Arsene is struggling with the right-hand side of midfield because nobody has made an impact there. I think Joel Campbell has done extremely well, but by now you would have expected Theo Walcott to become a starter after 10 years. Then the problem would have been solved. Is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doing enough? I dont think so. He is a talent, and plays for Arsenal and England for a reason, but he is yet to put a stamp on his position. I think thats why the boss has played Aaron Ramsey on the right. When Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin come back, he might go back to Ramsey. Arsenal got their title challenge back on the right track with a win over Bournemouth Arsenal did the job against Bournemouth but I didnt think they were brilliant, and the way they started against Chelsea and Southampton was not what a title-winning team would do. If you want to be a champion, you need that fear factor when teams come to your ground.I see that when Leicester play, opponents are scared of them. Most of the time they play the same eleven and that helps to carry momentum and build understanding at the back. On the other side, the teams trying to catch them are rotating. Im not a big fan of that, and Leicester are showing you can still do well. Title race: Tactical battles Arsenal v Leicester, Man City v Tottenham: Tactical analysis Theyve been under pressure for a long time, they had a run of games against Man City, Everton and Chelsea, and they showed they can deal with it.You look and most of their guys are players that were kicked out of other clubs. I doont know if a lot of teams wanted Robert Huth when he was available, we all know the story of Jamie Vardy, and not a lot of people fancied Riyad Mahrez.dddddddddddd I think its payback time for them. Thierry Henry picks his Premier League team of the year and there are a few surprises! They are top of the league because they are the only side that plays as a team at the moment. You can have money and great players, but if you dont play as a team and show consistency, then the likes of Leicester will perform.They are up there for a reason, and at the moment they are the best team. Sky Sports football pundit Thierry Henry has backed Leicester to go all the way and win the Premier League title Man City v TottenhamWeve said it since the beginning of the season, but Vincent Kompany is so important to Man Citys squad. I dont remember a team missing one player suffering like they have. Hes everything for them.We talk about him not being there and the team not performing, but surely one or two guys can take his position and be counted upon. He is the captain, but someone needs to step in.Every time theyve lost to a top team, theyve lost well. You can argue they battled back against Arsenal at the Emirates, but they lost badly so its not a fluke. Something is not working, and that is not the Man City that we know. Sergio Aguero is difficult to stop, especially at home. Hes been struggling away from the Etihad this season, but they missed him when he was injured, and he took a bit of time to come back. Whens hes fit, he can score against any team but if Spurs can stop the source to Aguero, then half the job is done because David Silva is struggling a bit. Henry believes Spurs must stop the source to keep Aguero quiet Tottenham are doing so well, and they are a good side. I never thought in my life Id be saying this, but they can win the league and deserve a lot of credit.What was missing at White Hart Lane was stability and consistency, and for once Daniel Levy showed a bit of patience with his manager. Mauricio Pochettino is the right guy.They have a lot of young players, and they are not just playing cameo roles, they are a factor in the team. They have a great goalscorer and Christian Eriksen can provide, Moussa Dembele can hold and play, and Dele Alli is a great player too. On top, they have a good goalkeeper, which is very important. Henrys combined XI Thierry Henrys top-four combined XI Pochettino is a good coach and has the club believing they can win the league. And yes, I think they can win the league.Its going to be an amazing Sunday. Get a Sky Sports Day Pass Watch Super Sunday all day for ￡6.99 on NOW TV. No contract requiredAlso See:Mersons predictionsTop four battle: The tacticsHenrys top four combined XIHenry analyses Leicester style ' ' '