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The agent for forward Ryan Kesler is denying that his client has requested that the Vancouver Canucks trade him. Nate Lowe Jersey . Speaking to Adrian Dater of The Denver Post, agent Kurt Overhardt says that a report from TVA Sports saying that Kesler had asked for a trade is "a bunch of b.s.". TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reports that Canucks general manager Mike Gillis neither confirmed nor denied the report. Kesler, 29, is nursing a hand injury and did not dress on Thursday night for Vancouvers post-Olympic opener against the St. Louis Blues. Rumours in recent days have suggested that the Canucks have been listening to offers for Kesler and Alex Edler. Kesler has two more years remaining on a six-year, $30 million contract. He will be paid $5 million in each of the next two seasons and his high cap hit is expected to potentially make him difficult to move before the March 5 deadline. Willy Adames Jersey .Y. - Major League Soccer is prepared to start its season this weekend even if there isnt a labour deal with its referees and other on-field officials. Anthony Banda Rays Jersey . A groundswell for raising the number of playoff qualifiers to seven in each conference figures to get plenty of support from the 32 owners. Most notably, Arizonas Bill Bidwill, who saw his Cardinals go 10-6 and not get in, while Green Bay (8-7-1) qualified by winning the NFC North.Tommy Haas needs a fourth operation on his right shoulder and will miss the rest of the tennis season. The 20th-ranked German retired from his opening match at the French Open last month and withdrew from last weeks Gerry Weber Open in Halle to assess the injury. The 36-year-old players management company said Monday that Haas has three damaged tendons in his right shoulder, which was operated on in 2002, 20003 and 2007. Charlie Morton Jersey. Haas says "the diagnosis was a real shock" and surgery "cant be avoided because the injury is very serious." Haas, once ranked No. 2 in the world, will undergo surgery Tuesday in New York. He says he no plans to retire and hopes for a comeback in 2015. Haas says "Im still totally convinced Ive good matches and tournaments ahead of me." ' ' '