National Sports

TORONTO — Mitch Marner believes the young, star-studded core of the Toronto Maple Leafs can stay intact. Whether or not the NHL's salary cap and future contract demands allow it is another matter entirely.

PHILADELPHIA — The family of the late NFL star Junior Seau has settled its wrongful death lawsuit against the NFL over the popular San Diego linebacker's 2012 suicide.

TORONTO — Growing up as a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, John Tavares remembers the great playoff battles his favourite team had with the Ottawa Senators. It doesn't seem likely he'll get to write his own chapter in the rivalry any time soon.

MONTREAL — Midfielder Saphir Taider believes the Montreal Impact need to win all three of their remaining games this season if they have any hope of making the playoffs.

TORONTO — Canada's three MLS teams are linked Saturday as the chase for post-season places comes down to the crunch. And Vancouver and Montreal can team up to eliminate Toronto FC from post-season contention.

GENEVA — A coalition of athletes, their global trade union, and human rights activists want the IOC to postpone an athlete charter due to be adopted next week.

Toronto FC striker Sebastian Giovinco is finally back with the Azzurri. "It's a long time but now the most important thing is I'm back. So I'm happy," he said with a smile after training Friday.

MILAN — Cristiano Ronaldo is available to play for his Italian soccer team on Saturday.

HALIFAX — Olympic gymnast Ellie Black has been named to the Order of Nova Scotia — becoming only the second person under 25 to ever receive the honour. The other young Nova Scotian named to the Order: NHL star Sidney Crosby, who was inducted in 2009.

Floyd Landis is using money he earned by taking down Lance Armstrong to start his own cycling team.