Training camps are opening around the NHL with a little more elbow room than usual.Thanks to the World Cup of Hockey, more than 150 players and almost half the leagues head coaches werent on the ice with their NHL teams at the start of camp this week. The Chicago Blackhawks are barely recognizable without Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Corey Crawford, Marian Hossa and coach Joel Quenneville. The Washington Capitals dont have Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom or coach Barry Trotz and the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins are without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.Really weird, Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner said Friday. I was looking out on the ice and something doesnt seem right. Were obviously light on numbers, so thats kind of strange. Youre used to having just swarms of guys everywhere and it just doesnt feel that way this year.This is the first time since 2004 that the NHL has held a preseason tournament, and that event happened on the eve of the lockout that canceled the entire season. Camps were already opening later than usual because of the World Cup, and the first preseason games begin Sunday when the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues have split-squad games in those cities. The real games begin Oct. 12.There isnt much time to get everyone on the same page. Perhaps thats why Penguins coach Mike Sullivan and Edmonton Oilers coach Todd McLellan raced back to be on the ice Friday.This is my responsibility to run this team and I love to do it, said Sullivan, who was an assistant for the U.S. team. Im excited to be a part of it. I didnt want to take any time off.Many World Cup players are being afforded a bit of time off before reporting to work. Washington general manager Brian MacLellan expects U.S. players T.J. Oshie, John Carlson and Matt Niskanen on the ice Monday.The 82-game season is a long enough grind that guys arent rushing back if they dont have to.I know a lot of the guys, at least the American guys, have talked about taking a few days off then going their teams, Kane said Thursday. Ill go back to Chicago and see whats in store and talk to (GM Stan Bowman) and Joel and kind of get a feel for what they want me to do, whats best for me.Players from whichever teams lose in the World Cup semifinals this weekend wont be far behind. In the meantime, their absences open the door for others.Its good for guys who typically wouldnt get a look in camp to show the coaches and scouts and staff what they can do for the future if something happens, San Jose Sharks defenseman Paul Martin said. For the most part, the guys that are gone are guys who can step right back in and be the players that they are for this team. Theres not anything that well be lacking as far as chemistry. It just gives other guys a chance to step up and see what theyve got.The same can be said for coaches. Torontos Mike Babcock was able to check in on the Maple Leafs when they reported for physicals Thursday and is in touch with assistant Jim Hiller every day, just like Capitals associate coach Todd Reirden is with Trotz, a Babcock assistant with Team Canada.Reirden was a finalist for Calgarys coaching vacancy, so running camp in Trotzs absence is more on-the-job training for a head gig.Todds done a great job, MacLellan said. Hes a good communicator. Hes at the point in his career that hes ready to take on more responsibility and hes getting interviewed for head-coaching jobs.However strange these first few days of camp are as coaches and players trickle in, Babcock doesnt think there are any disadvantages to this different year.When the guys are no longer in the tournament theyll take some days off and rejoin the guys, he said. I just think its a win-win situation for (everyone). Anyone that can be involved in the World Cup should be involved in the World Cup because your growth individually and for your team is positive. And then, you know a few days of those veterans in training camp without me, they probably cherish it.---AP Sports Writers Will Graves in Pittsburgh and Josh Dubow in San Jose, California, contributed to this report.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno .Cheap NHL Jerseys Canada . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. NHL Jerseys Canada . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. http://www.cheapjerseyscanada.ca/ .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield. Cheap Hockey Jerseys Canada . Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan scored shootout goals, and backup goalie Cam Talbot earned his second win in two nights as the Rangers shook off a late tying tally and beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 Monday night.Sven-Goran Eriksson is not quitting football after he was sacked as the manager of Shanghai SIPG last week.The 68-year-old former England manager is keen to carry on working and the Shanghai job will not be his last in football.Erikssons £4m-per-year contract was terminated last Friday after his team qualified for the Asian Champions League by finishing third in the Chinese Super League.Although he achieved the targets that were set for him at the start of the season, Eriksson was replaced by former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas.AVB is believed to have signed a contract worth £11m per year - almost triple that of ex-Manchester City and Leicester boss Eriksson.ddddddddddddDuring a 39-year coaching career, the Swede has managed 12 clubs including Roma, Lazio and Sampdoria in Serie A.His most high-profile role was as Englands first foreign manager between 2001 and 2006, in which he led the Three Lions to the quarter-finals of three major tournaments.Also See:Sven launches legal actionVillas-Boas replaces Eriksson in ChinaShanghai dont want RooneyKane on England v Scotland ' ' '