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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Defensive end Greg Hardys teammates want to see him back in a Carolina Panthers uniform next season.Hardy was convicted on two counts of domestic violence last July, but is appealing the decision. A jury trial date has not yet been established.Hardy was placed on the commissioners exempt list following the conviction and only played in one game for the Panthers in 2014. He still collected $13.1 million this season as Carolinas franchise player.He will become an unrestricted free agent in March.A guy of that calibre, we need him, Panthers cornerback Josh Norman said Sunday as players cleaned out their lockers a day after a season-ending 31-17 loss to Seattle in an NFC divisional playoff game.I mean, hands down I would welcome him back, and relish the chance to play with that guy again.Norman called Hardy, who had 15 sacks in 2013, a rock for the Panthers on defence.Hes that guy that takes us to a whole other level, Norman said.Norman said he doesnt condone domestic violence, but said at the end of the day the mans got to make a living. Hes got to work. Hes got a job to do.Defensive tackle Dwan Edwards also said he wants to see Hardy back in Carolina — even if his conviction isnt overturned.If he pays his dues and serves his time, then he serves his time, Edwards said.Norman said he spoke to Hardy on Sunday in the locker room and said the defensive end told him he wants to re-sign with Carolina.He even told me he will play for free, Norman said.Whether or not owner Jerry Richardson would consider re-signing Hardy remains to be seen. Richardson spoke out against domestic violence in an emotional speech after Hardy was placed on the commissioners exempt list last year.The Panthers (8-9-1) won their second straight NFC South title this season, but their season ended abruptly after a five-game win streak.It capped a bizarre season that included quarterback Cam Newton fracturing two bones in his back in an automobile wreck, coach Ron Riveras house catching fire and Hardys conviction.Things to watch this off-season from the Panthers:NEWTONS FUTURE: The biggest question for the Panthers entering the off-season is addressing Newtons long-term future. The Panthers picked up the fifth-year option on Newtons rookie deal earlier this season and are set to pay him $14.6 million in 2015. But the team has said it would like to sign Newton to a long-term contract extension. Newton is 30-31-1 as Carolinas starting quarterback in the regular season and 1-2 in the post-season.FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS: The Panthers found continuity on their offensive line the past seven games of the season with right tackle Mike Remmers and guards Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell seemingly cementing jobs in the future. However, the big question will be what they do at left tackle with Byron Bell, who is set to hit the free agent market. Bell is well liked by coaches, but the Panthers wont be able to overpay to keep him if they re-sign Newton.SECONDARY FIRST: Russell Wilson was 8 of 8 passing for 177 yards and three touchdowns on third downs against the Panthers on Saturday night. That says a little something about the Panthers nickel defence. Carolina hasnt invested much in its secondary, relying mostly on lower-round draft picks, undrafted players and low-cost aging veterans to fill those spots. The position is long overdue for an upgrade. The Panthers cut cornerbacks Antoine Cason and Charles Godfrey midseason and used Colin Jones, a backup safety and lifelong special teams player, as their nickel back. The Panthers have the 25th pick in the NFL draft and cornerback and offensive tackle are clear areas of need.ADDING OPTIONS ON OFFENSE: The Panthers need to add some offensive options around Newton in the passing game. Kelvin Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen both had 1,000-yard receiving seasons, but the team lacked a deep receiving threat.WILLIAMS FUTURE: The Panthers have long had too much money invested in their running back position. Theyre finally in a position where they could cut running back DeAngelo Williams, the teams career leading rusher, and not have to take a huge salary cap hit. Jonathan Stewart re-emerged as a top-flight back, although he has had trouble staying healthy during his career.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Danny DeKeyser Jersey . And thats about it. 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Mike Green Red Wings Jersey .com) - The Minnesota Twins made it official on Wednesday, announcing the signing of outfielder Torii Hunter to a one-year contract.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. With the 2014 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction festivities about to take place this weekend, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to share a memory or two. A number of times I had the good fortune to receive the assignment to work the Hall of Fame Game played between the Toronto Maple Leafs and their respective opponent. I always felt emotions well up from deep within that were spawned from childhood recollections as previously enshrined members; some from generations long since removed, were marched onto the red carpet prior to the new class being presented. Each time I set foot inside the Hockey Hall of Fame I am overcome with knee-trembling awe at the accomplishments of the membership and the history of the great game of hockey that we all love. I am grateful for the opportunity to have skated on NHL ice with some of the greatest players the game has known for three decades; including my association with the current crop of inductees. Their talent, individual records and tremendous contribution to the game are common knowledge. You might be surprised to learn that my first thought at hearing Peter Forsbergs name is not about all of his awards and the tremendous skill or the brute power he demonstrated; a guy that could throw a reverse hit like no other as he was about to be checked while maintaining full possession of the puck. No, my thoughts centred on his well-documented ankle and foot problems that ended his comeback attempt as a 37-year-old with the Colorado Avalanche after playing two games in 2010-11. The reason for this is I attempted to walk in the mans skates and as a result I am truly amazed at how Peter could achieve such an amazing career. In September of 1996, I flew to Stockholm, Sweden with linesmen Ray Scapinello and Dan Schachte to officiate the European preliminary round of the World Cup of Hockey. We connected through London Heathrow where a broken baggage conveyor belt prevented thousands of bags from moving on to their final destination. My colleagues were fortunate enough to find their equipment bags on the conveyer in Stockholm while mine remained stranded in London. Dag Olsen, referee-in-chief of the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation, made a call to the Swedish team trainer to arrange alternate skates and equipment. I arrived at the Globe Arena two hours prior to game time and was given a pair of skates my size. After lacing up and stepping on the ice my right skate turned so severely inward that I almost fell over. I only ventured 10 feet from the players bench door to recognize I couldnt navigate in Forsbergs skates that were formed to his foot malady. I was forced to use Olsens ancient tube skates. I saw Peter as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers; along with their medical and training staff exhaust all options to devise a solution to this real foot problem. All the while, you as fans were treated to his amazing skills with little or no knowledge of the magnitude of what he had to overcome. Dominik Hasek was appropriately tagged The Dominator for preventing pucks from entering his net by whatever means it took; including his head. Doms goaltending style was beyond unorthodox and during his many elite years, he stopped pucks better than any other goalie in the game. In 1998, I travelled to Nagano to work the Winter Olympics. My wife Kathy was joining me in Japan prior to the medal round. A few games into the preliminaries Kathy asked, in a phone conversation, which teams I thought looked good.dddddddddddd While the Canadian team had received most of the advance hype, much to her surprise I told Kathy the Czechs looked like the team to beat. Reason being, teams just couldnt put the puck past Hasek! Kathy and I were seated in the first row of the lower balcony with a contingent of NHL dignitaries preparing to watch the gold medal game between Russia and Czechoslovakia. A very low railing provided minimal safety for anyone from falling over the balcony if they were to stumble on the steep steps. Chicago Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz was about to settle into the seat beside me when the large man stumbled and was about to go over the rail. I grabbed Mr. Wirtz by the belt and yanked hard to deposit him into his seat. The Hawks owner was surprised to see that it was me that saved him from a dangerous, if not tragic fall. The former Chairman of the NHL Board of Governors then solicited my opinion as to who I thought was going to win the game for the gold. I shared that the Czech team looked very tough to beat. Turns out that was good news for Mr. Wirtz, as he told me he laid a substantial bet in Vegas on the Czech team to win. The reason was that he gambled against Hasek once before when his Hawks traded him. He wasnt going to make the same mistake and bet against The Dominator again. Led by the brilliant goaltending of Hasek, the Czech team shut out the Russians to win the gold medal. On this solemn day of November 11 as we honor our veterans; past, present and future, I cant help but pay tribute to the memory of Pat Burns; a great coach and an even better man. In doing so I must share a valuable perspective that I gained from a non-hockey person in Boston one day. On the morning of a Bruins game I attended the weekday, morning mass at a chapel inside the Copley Square Mall. Following mass the Priest, who correctly assumed I was an out-of-town guest, engaged me in conversation to find out where I was from and the nature of my visit to Boston. When I informed him I was there to work the Bruins game, the priest told he was in charge of the Seminary and had several hockey fans in his charge! I arranged to have four seminarians as my guest at the Bruins game that evening. In reciprocation, I was invited to attend lunch at the Seminary; an invitation I was thrilled to accept. One of the young seminarians was a devout hockey nut from Michigan who was almost out of his skin with enthusiasm at having me join them for lunch and to be going to the Bruins game that evening. After the blessing, the Michigan lad was animated in telling his colleagues all about the officiating career of Kerry Fraser and how I was a future Hall of Famer! Sitting across the table from me was a very polite, meek young seminarian from Nebraska who didnt know a hockey stick from a corn stalk. The aspiring priest looked me in the eye and said, Mr. Fraser, I dont mean any disrespect but theres only one Hall of Fame that I want to be inducted into, as the young seminarian looked skyward and pointed toward Heaven. I laughed and said a big, Amen to that my Brother! Following the festivities this weekend, I know without a doubt Pat Burns will have been inducted into both Hall of Fames. God bless you and your family Pat. I wish to congratulate each of the class of 2014 inductees on their career accomplishments and the great honour being bestowed upon them this coming weekend. ' ' '