ht and also will welcome Columbus on Saturday. The Flye

CHARLOTTE, N. Sam Huff Jersey .C. -- Michael Jordan anticipates the Charlotte Hornets will make another big splash this off-season. Jordan said Monday with three draft picks and more than $13 million to spend in free agency the Hornets are in position to make a "big difference" in upgrading their roster. "I think we made a difference last year with Big Al (Jefferson) and some of the acquisitions -- and I dont anticipate this year being any different," Jordan said. Behind Jefferson, who was recently named third-team All-NBA, Charlotte made the playoffs for the first time since 2010 -- the year Jordan took over as majority owner. Jordan is hoping Jeffersons success will convince other big-name free agents to come to Charlotte. "I always thought Charlotte was a great destination," Jordan said. "Big Al has proven that you can come here and make a big difference. Hopefully we can look at that and attract some other superstars." Jordan spoke Monday following a presentation at Hornets Nest Elementary school in which he, along with Lowes and Fox SportsSouth, donated $250,000 to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. The event marked the organizations first community service initiative since the changing its name from Bobcats to Hornets last month. The Hornets have the ninth, 24th and 45h picks in this months draft. If forward Josh McRoberts decides not to opt out of contract the Hornets will have all five starters from last season under contract -- and still have at least $13 million to spend under the NBA salary cap. If McRoberts opts out the team could have closer to $17 million free under the cap. "This year we have a lot of flexibility and Ive been speaking to that over the last three or four years -- flexibility is very important and we are going to use every resource to try to better the team," Jordan said. Charlotte finished last season 43-39 and earned the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, Jefferson injured his foot in the first game of the NBA playoffs and Charlotte was swept by the Miami Heat. Still, it was a big step in the right direction for a franchise that went 28-120 over the two previous seasons, by far the worst record in the NBA during that span. Jordan said he was "very proud" of what his team accomplished under first-year coach Steve Clifford. "The guys came out and took the initiative from coach and he was able to bond (them) and put together a good effort from the team," Jordan said. Jordan said Jefferson, who signed a three-year, $41 million contract last July 4 -- the largest ever given out by the franchise -- was better than advertised. But he said what was even more surprising is how quickly his new teammates adjusted to playing with a dominant low post presence. "Everybody surrounded him and we got better," Jordan said. "McRoberts was a huge part of that. So I think we got better as the year went along." Jordan said Jefferson, who was the only player in the Eastern Conference to average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game last season, deserved to be an All-Star. Jordan wouldnt say specifically what position the team might look to upgrade this off-season, instead saying he wants to find players who truly want to play in Charlotte. Another key, he said, is developing a core of young players including Kemba Walker, Jeffery Taylor, Michael-Kidd-Gilchrist and Cody Zeller. "We have a bunch of young talent that we still are trying to nourish into some better basketball players," Jordan said. "So summer is when we have to make our big leap." Russ Grimm Womens Jersey . Leaning forward with both hands on his knees, Buffon appeared to be resting or somehow trying to withstand the rain. Or perhaps the 36-year-old goalkeeper and Italy captain was reflecting on this: He is only the third player in history to be part of five World Cup squads, along with Germany great Lothar Matthaus and former Mexico goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal. Dexter Manley Jersey . - Jesse Shynkaruk scored a hat trick as the Moose Jaw Warriors snapped a seven-game losing streak with an 8-2 win over the Prince Albert Raiders in Western Hockey League action on Saturday. https://www.redskinssportsgoods.com/Womens-Daron-Payne-Inverted-Jersey/ . Jim Leyland, in his eighth playoffs, has never had a starting rotation he trusts as much as the grouping of Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez and Doug Fister.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Wild will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games when they visit the sliding Philadelphia Flyers for Thursdays clash at Wells Fargo Center. The Wild, who last won four in a row from April 5-10 of last season, are on their second three-game winning streak of the season and the current one comes directly on the heels of an 0-4-0 stretch. Minnesota had to grind out a 4-3 overtime victory Sunday against visiting Winnipeg despite holding a three-goal lead in the game. The Wild grabbed a 3-0 lead in the opening period and didnt score again until Marco Scandellas game-winner 61 seconds into overtime. After the Wild blew their three-goal lead in the third period, Scandella fired a shot from the point that beat traffic in front and got past Michael Hutchinson. Scandella had missed the previous two games with an illness and notched his third tally of the season. Minnesota forward Zach Parise had two goals in his return to the lineup after missing the previous five games with a concussion. Nino Niederreiter also lit the lamp. We were frustrated with the way we let them back in the game. Unfortunately, we gave them a point we shouldnt have, Parise said. Niklas Backstrom was pulled after giving up three goals in the third for the Wild. Darcy Kuemper made three saves in relief. Kuemper is expected to start tonights game and has never faced the Flyers. Minnesota is beginning a three-game road trip tonight and also visits Tampa Bay and Florida on the swing. The Wild are 3-6-0 on the road this season and just 2-7-0 all-time in Philadelphia. Philly has claimed three of four and seven of the past 10 overall meetings in this series. The Flyers will try to halt a three-game losing streak on a night when they honor two former players by enshrining both Eric Lindros and John LeCllair in the franchises Hall of Fame. Sonny Jurgensen Youth Jersey. Lindros and LeClair, who made up two-thirds of Philadelphias famed Legion of Doom line along with Mikael Renberg, will be inducted in a pre-game ceremony. Lindros won the Hart Trophy in 1995-96 and was an All-Star six times during his tenure with the Flyers. He is fifth on the clubs all-time scoring list with 659 points, while LeClair is ranked fifth in goals (333) for the franchise. The Flyers also will induct defenseman Eric Desjardins in the team Hall of Fame on Feb. 19 before they host the Buffalo Sabres. Philadelphia dropped its third straight game Wednesday night in New York, as the Rangers and goaltender Cam Talbot posted a 2-0 shutout at Madison Square Garden. Steve Mason was solid in the loss, making 32 saves for the Flyers, who had won three straight before the current slide. The Flyers failed to be buoyed by the last-minute addition of captain Claude Giroux, who was originally ruled out with a lower-body injury suffered in practice on Monday. Giroux felt well enough in warmups to gain a slot in the lineup but couldnt coax any scoring from his club. The trainers did a great job of getting me ready for the game. But I can play better, Giroux admitted. I have to find a way to get our game going. Any time you lose three in a row theres concern. Flyers defenseman Michael Del Zotto left Wednesdays game with a lower-body injury and is questionable for this evenings home test. Del Zotto, a former Ranger who was making his return to Madison Square Garden, left in the third period and did not return. He is second among Philadelphia defenseman with eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) in 17 games. Philly is playing the first of two straight at home tonight and also will welcome Columbus on Saturday. The Flyers are 5-2-2 at Wells Fargo Center this season. ' ' '