Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week, they discuss the mistakes in the recently-filed concussion lawsuit, Jaroslav Halaks unwillingness to play his fomer team, Ryan Smyth and what he meant to Edmonton and Canada, and the new, civilized way managers and umpires argue with each other. Bruce Arthur, National Post My thumb is up to proofreading, especially when you happen to be filing a class-action lawsuit that pertains to concussions. The suit filed this week against the NHL on behalf of a group that included a small group of former players, including Michael Peluso and Dan Lacouture, was the second of its kind in hockey, and wont be the last. And it probably didnt help the cause by misspelling Sidney Crosbys name, citing movies like “Friday the 13th” and “Mystery, Alaska”, and declaring Gordie Howe dead. Look, we know what brain trauma does to people, now. In sports, what leagues knew and when they knew it is important, because if information was concealed, that could be monstrous. Now, Im not a lawyer, but if youre looking for answers, maybe start by not killing Gordie Howe. Steve Simmons, SUN Media My thumb is down to Jaroslav Halak, for basically opting out of playing goal against his former team, the St. Louis Blues. This is a hard one to completely understand and there is more than one version of the story. But the way I understand it, the Washington Capitals picked up the goalie at the trade deadline for the express purpose of trying to help them get in the playoffs. Yet he told his coach, Adam Oates, that he wasnt comfortable playing against the Blues, the team that just traded him away. Not comfortable? Isnt the athletes favourite game the one against his former team with all his friends? Isnt that what a goalie signs up for? The odd part in all this, without Halak the Capitals beat the Blues Tuesday night and still managed to miss the playoffs. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated My thumb is up to Ryan Smyth, who announced his retirement Friday. He was not the greatest Oiler, obviously, but he was as much of an Edmonton-standard bearer in his era as Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier were in theirs. Smyth was not conspicuously skilled, but he stood for old-time hockey values - and he stood in front of the net, the source of most of his 386 goals. He was steadfast in commitment to country, playing in eight World Championships and two Olympics. Captain Canada, indeed. But Smyth spent 15 of 19 NHL seasons in copper and blue. He belongs to Edmonton. The rest of the country was lucky it could borrow him. Dave Hodge, TSN My thumb is down to baseball fans who say they miss the loud-cursing, dirt-kicking, arm-waving, near-spitting, face to face arguments between managers and umpires. Those have been replaced this season by civilized conversations that the managers deem necessary while they wait for dugout advice on replay challenges. We have enough fits of temper and rage in this world that they dont have to come in the form of phony sports entertainment. The managers look better when they act older than five, the umpires are deserving of respect and this way, bad calls can actually be corrected. Its all quite civilized, which, Abner Doubleday intended, I believe. If, indeed, Doubleday was baseballs inventor. There are other claims, but lets not fight about that, either. Hakim Warrick Jersey . TSN Hockey Insiders Pierre LeBrun and Bob McKenzie both reported Thursday that there have been ongoing trade discussions between the Oilers and Los Angeles Kings over forward Sam Gagner. Andrew Bogut Jersey .4 seconds left and dribbled up court, weaving through Pitts defence. https://www.cheapbucksonline.com/946t-sterling-brown-jersey-bucks.html .ca. The NHL Play of the Year showdown kicks off with some slick moves going head-to-head with a combination of soft hands and endless patience. Marques Johnson Jersey . The St. Louis Cardinals were scheduled to arrive in Boston in time for a workout on Tuesday afternoon. Much of Mondays discussion focused on Bostons lineup considerations as the series progresses, specifically when the venue shifts to St. Joe Alexander Jersey . Belfort was originally schedule to fight Chris Weidman at UFC 173 on May 24, but a Nevada State Athletic Commission ban on testosterone replacement therapy forced the former light heavyweight champ to withdraw.Four Canadians have earned direct entry into the main draw of the French Open, the second Grand Slam event of the tennis season, while three more have a chance to qualify. On the womens side, Eugenie Bouchard of Westmount, QC, seeded no. 18, will start against Shahar Peer of Israel. It will be the fourth meeting between the two players and Bouchard has won the first three. Flavia Pennetta, Daniela Hantuchova, and Angelique Kerber are the other seeds in the Canadians section. At last years French Open, Bouchard was defeated by Maria Sharapova in the second round. With her career-high ranking of no. 77, Sharon Fichman of Toronto, ON, has earned direct entry into a Grand Slam main draw for the first time. She faces a tough first round test against sixth-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic. Fichman will also be teaming up in with Russias Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in doubles. The pair won two junior Grand Slam doubles titles together including Roland-Garros in 2006. On the mens side, eighth-seeded Milos Raonic of Thornhill, ON, will open against the fast rising Australian wildcard Nick Krygioos.dddddddddddd. The 19-year-old Aussie was crowned champion of the International Junior Tennis Open in Repentigny in 2012. Raonic has enjoyed a successful clay court season, highlighted by a semifinal appearance at the Rome Masters event last week. He will be looking to improve on his third round showing in Paris last year where he fell to Kevin Anderson. Some of his potential opponents include Gilles Simon, Alexandr Dolgopolov, and Kei Nishikori. Vancouvers Vasek Pospsil is hoping to get back in the win column for the first time since the Australian Open. He will take on world no. 60 Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia in the first round. Peter Polansky of Thornhill, ON, became the first Canadian to qualify for the French Open. With the win, the 25-year-old will return to the French Open main draw for the first time since 2009. One more Canadian is alive in qualifying - Aleksandra Wozniak of Blainville, QC, needing one more win to get a spot in the Roland Garros main draw. Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls and Gabriela Dabrowski of Ottawa were both eliminated in qualifying on Friday. ' ' '