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If Norris Trophy-nominated defenceman Kris Letang cant come to a long-term deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, his preferred landing spot would be with the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Speaking to Jim Tatti and Mike Hogan on TSN Radio 1050s Game Night on Wednesday, Rossi explained why such a scenario could take shape. "Kris is a little bit curious about where he stands long range in the Penguins plans," he told TSN Radio. "He has read reports of mine that there are people within the Pittsburgh organization that thought Paul Martin was the better defenceman last year, and there has been a sort of a hesitation on a willingness to commit to him (Letang) to a long-term deal at elite defenceman money. "Ive been told that if the Penguins couldnt reach some sort of understanding with Letang, and the belief was they wouldnt be able to sign him to some sort of deal, that Toronto has emerged as a preferred landing spot - perhaps by Letang. It would be a place that he would be willing, if dealt, to perhaps sign a long-term deal." Where possible trades are concerned, Letang himself has no final say on who his next team would be. "We havent discussed the Toronto Maple Leafs, period," Letangs agent Kent Hughes told TSN on Thursday morning. "Our focus has been on trying to conclude a deal with Pittsburgh." Rossi also made it clear that Pittsburgh remains keenly interested in signing Letang to an extension. "General manager Ray Shero has been very public since the lockout ended that he wants to retain Letang, but the Penguins have committed a lot of money to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and they have also committed no-movement clauses to both of those players," he explained. "Theyre very deep in their system on defence." Letang had five goals and 33 assists in 35 games for the Penguins this season. Rossi noted that Pittsburghs price to deal the 26-year-old Montreal native would be quite high. "If the Penguins are going to move Letang they would want to deal with a team that could provide at least one roster player in addition to a first-round pick and a top prospect...if not two roster players in addition to a first-round pick," explained Rossi. "But I dont think were quite there yet and I dont know that they Penguins and Leafs have had any discussions." The Penguins traded Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes at the NHL Draft a year ago when Staal declined to sign a long-term extension with Pittsburgh. Robbie Ray Diamondbacks Jersey . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Rob Refsnyder Jersey . 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LOS ANGELES -- With his explosiveness, ability to take over a game in a variety of ways, and No. 5 jersey, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey invites natural comparisons to former Southern California sensation Reggie Bush.Trojans linebacker Uchenna Nwosu wont go that far, but definitely recognizes the threat the Heisman Trophy contender presents when facing the No. 7 Cardinal on Saturday in the Pac-12 opener for both teams.I wouldnt say Reggie, Nwosu said. Reggie is like the G.O.A.T. I dont know who he reminds me of, but he is a great athlete. He is going to be a challenge for us.Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast was brought back to USC to contain McCaffrey after he rushed for 207 yards and caught four passes for 105 yards in Stanfords Pac-12 title game win last December. McCaffrey rushed for one touchdown, caught one touchdown reception and threw one touchdown pass to quarterback Kevin Hogan, setting a USC opponent single-game record with 461 all-purpose yards.In 2013, Pendergasts USC defense held a Stanford team that went on to win the Pac-12 to 17 points in an upset win under interim coach Ed Orgeron despite being in the throes of NCAA-imposed scholarship reductions. That result and the overall work Pendergast did in helping USC win 10 games that season is a main reason why coach Clay Helton brought him back, and Pendergasts tactical acumen will be tested by the versatility of McCaffrey.Usually you see a runner or you see a receiver. When you have got the combination of both, you got to make a decision on what you are going to do, Helton said. You got to mix-and-match. Itll be a great chess match between Coach (David) Shaw and Clancy of mixing it back and forth. Thank goodness he is here.Perhaps the biggest difference Pendergast might make in containing McCaffrey will come from his mere presence on the sideline. Safety Chris Hawkins saaid the positioning of former defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox upstairs in the press box limited the options available to match Stanfords system of audibles.dddddddddddd After outside linebacker Sua Cravens had 13 tackles in the first meeting against Stanford at the Coliseum, Hawkins said Hogan was changing the play at the line of scrimmage to have McCaffrey run away from where Cravens was lined up.USC plans to show different looks intended to confuse Stanford quarterback Ryan Burns, who will be making his second career start. The hypothesis as Hawkins presented it is that if Burns cant check into the right play, it gives the defense a better chance at containing McCaffrey.The way we are playing them this year, its not like we are going to be stationary, Hawkins said. Were going to be moving around. Its going to be hard for him to check, especially with a quarterback where its only his second start. I dont know how loose the reigns are on him, but I doubt they are like Kevin Hogans who has been starting for four years.Clancy is great at disguising coverages and being able to show you one thing and at the last second it becomes another, Helton said.The reserved Pendergast wouldnt make any pronouncements about the defenses readiness to contain McCaffrey.As a defense in general were a work in progress, and I think everybody knows they can get better every single day, Pendergast said.Game notes Defensive lineman Noah Jefferson (shoulder) is doubtful to play against Stanford, Helton said. ... Safety Marvell Tell (concussion) has been cleared to play. . Defensive lineman Khaliel Rodgers has moved back to offense after starting center Toa Lobendahn tore his ACL against Alabama. Rodgers started six games at center last season. ' ' '