NEW YORK -- Joe Girardis return as manager of the New York Yankees was all about family. Oren Burks Packers Jersey . Girardi signed a four-year contract that could be worth up to $20 million Wednesday to stay with New York through 2017. With the Yankees missing out on the playoffs this season for the second time in 19 years, the 48-year-old Girardi got an early start on determining his future. He went over several possible scenarios with his wife, Kim, and three children that included taking a year off, pursuing a broadcasting job or managing somewhere else. But they quickly came to the conclusion that six years in New York was not enough. "It wasnt ever a lot of thought that I might not possibly come back. I just had to make sure that everyone was still on board," Girardi said on a conference call. Girardi was in the final month of his second three-year contract (worth $9 million) with the Yankees since taking over for Joe Torre after the 2007 season, and he asked for a fourth year in the new deal. The contract includes $16 million guaranteed and up to $4 million in bonuses, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because financial details were not announced. "Our lives have been here for six years," Girardi said. "I think stability is important." The pull of returning to his native Illinois to manage the Chicago Cubs, the team he grew up rooting for, did not factor greatly into his decision because once his family agreed he should manage it was set on New York. "Chicago is special to me. And I think itll always be special to me," Girardi said. "But this place is really special to me, too. Because of what Ive experienced here. ... And my kids and my wife are established in the community here. We just thought it was important to stay." In a 15-year career as a catcher, Girardi won three World Series titles with the Yankees from 1996-99. As manager, he has led New York to the playoffs in four of his six seasons, winning the World Series in 2009. Under Girardi, the big-spending Yankees have gone a major league-best 564-408 (.580) since 2008. Even though New York finished tied for third in the AL East at 85-77, Girardi had what many believed was his best season as a manager. He kept the Yankees in the playoff chase until late September despite significant injuries to stars Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson. "I wouldnt have come back if I didnt think we could win a championship," Girardi said. "I know theres a lot of work to be done. I know theres a lot of holes that we have to fill. Theres people leaving and people retiring. But I have faith in our organization." Girardi is sticking with a team that places the utmost premium on winning championships but is entering the off-season with uncharacteristic uncertainty. Girardi thinks it may be the most uncertain time during his tenure in New York. "It was something that I definitely thought about. What would the New York Yankees look like in 2014, and beyond?" he said. Quite different, it turns out. Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte just retired, Jeter played only 17 games this year after breaking his ankle last October and A-Rod is appealing a 211-game suspension. All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano is a free agent, as are pitcher Hiroki Kuroda and Granderson. Cano could be seeking a 10-year contract worth up to $305 million. Also, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner has said the team is determined to get under next years $189 million luxury tax threshold -- which includes about $177 million for player salaries. General manager Brian Cashman, though, recently said its unclear if staying within that limit is possible. "I think $189 millions still an awful lofty number," Girardi said. He acknowledged the Yankees will have to mix in players from their minor league teams to help remake the roster. Steinbrenner has expressed disappointment in the farm system after several players failed to produce when thrust into major league roles this year. But Girardi, the NL Manager of the Year in 2006 when he led a young Florida Marlins team to a 78-84 record in his first year as a manager, is hopeful. "We want to see these guys move, and move quickly," Girardi said. "And youd like to be able to say you have a core again of young players, which I think would be important to this organization." Packers Jerseys . The defeat leaves the 41-year-old Nestor to concentrate on the mixed-doubles event after winning 12 straight matches and winning Australian titles in Brisbane and Sydney with two different partners. "This was a little bit of a let down, but all credit to them," said Nestor. DeShone Kizer Jersey . Tottenham claimed top spot in Group K by winning 2-0 at Tromso after defender Adnan Causevic scored an own goal before Mousa Dembele put the result beyond doubt. Valencia made sure it will finish first in Group A with a 1-0 win at Swansea thanks to an early goal from Dani Parejo. http://www.packersproshopfootball.com/Youth-JMon-Moore-Elite-Jersey/ . Speaking with TSN 1050 following Brendan Shanahans introductory press conference, the Leafs GM also addressed the clubs perceived leadership issues and the type of working relationship that can be expected within Torontos front office. Scott Cullen looks at a night of shutouts in the NHL playoffs, with notes on Beau Bennett, Paul Martin, Brandon Dubinsky, Tyson Barrie, Vladimir Tarasenko, the goalies and more. PENGUINS RALLY Things were looking pretty good for the Columbus Blue Jackets, leading 3-1 just over a minute into the third period, but then the Pittsburgh Penguins mounted their comeback, scoring three unanswered goals, to escape with a 4-3 win and take a 2-1 lead in the series. There were a couple facets of the Penguins comeback that were interesting. First off, Pittsburgh outshot Columbus 15-5 in the third period, 14-1 over the first 12:06 the period, and while score effects account for a change in possession numbers, the Penguins controlled play the exact way that a team should when attempting to mount a comeback. Over a span of 2:13 in the third period, the Penguins scored three goals on three shots, with Brandon Sutter, Lee Stempniak and Jussi Jokinen getting credit for the goals. With Brooks Orpik scoring the first goal for Pittsburgh, they managed to earn a 4-3 win despite no goals from any of their top four goal scorers (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, Chris Kunitz) during the regular season. to be fair, the Penguins big guns dominated possession, with Crosby, Kunitz, Malkin, Neal and Jokinen all finishing with a Corsi% of at least 69.7%. Pittsburghs supporting cast has been playing big roles in this series. Winger Beau Bennett added a couple of assists and now has four points (1 G, 3 A) in three games and was one of three Penguins forwards to play less than 10 minutes. D Paul Martin recorded two assists for the third straight game, while playing a game-high 28:34. Blue Jackets C Brandon Dubinsky had a strong game for Columbus, picking up a couple of assists and nearly tied the game in the final seconds with a slick toe drag move around Martin followed by a strong drive to the net. The third period was exactly what the Blue Jackets should fear from the Penguins. When Pittsburgh turns up the heat, they can play at a higher level than the Blue Jackets and that puts a lot of pressure on G Sergei Bobrovsky if Columbus isnt at least competitive in terms of possession. GREAT GRANLUND The Minnesota Wild dominated Game Three territorially, but still needed overtime to emerge victorious against the Colorado Avalanche, taking a 1-0 win in Game Three and cutting Colorados series lead to two games to one. The winning goal, and the games only goal, was a brilliant effort from Wild C Mikael Granlund, who eluded Avalanche D Jan Hejda on the right wing boards, drove to the net, past C Mark-Andre Cliche, and tucked the puck around Avalanche G Semyon Varlamov. Granlund has been a strong performer, with a 54.3% Corsi% in the series, but his goal was his first point in the three games. Avalanche G Semyon Varlamov was spectacular, stopping 45 of 46 shots and nearly stealing the game for Colorado. Coming into the series, Varlamov was the one advantage that the Avalanche could lean on, but its asking a lot for a goaltender to make the difference for a team that gets outshot 46-22. Darcy Kuemper, taking over for Ilya Bryzgalov in the Minnesota net, stopped all 22 shots for the win; pretty surethat ought to earn him another start. Wild LW Matt Cooke is due for another suspension after delivering a blatant knee-on-knee hit to Avalanche D Tyson Barrie and the Avalanche already know that they are going to be missing Barrie for the next 4-6 weeks. Josh Jackson Packers Jersey. With Barrie out, Nick Holden played a career-high 28:04 for the Avalanche, and he may be asked to handle more minutes in Barries absence. Stefan Elliott may be next in line to join the Avalanche defence for Game Four, as Cory Sarich is still dealing with back spasms and Ryan Wilson has played sporadically, especially in the second half of the season. With Cooke expected to be out, Kyle Brodziak or Stephane Veilleux could return to the lineup. Given how thoroughly the Wild dominated play in Game Three, and the significance of the Tyson Barrie injury, this series is far from over. BLACKHAWKS ON THE BOARD Blackhawks G Corey Crawford stopped all 34 shots he faced, outdueling Blues G Ryan Miller in a 2-0 Chicago win that cut St. Louis series lead to two games to one. Chicago scored an empty-netter with 20 seconds remaining in the third period, so the only shot that beat Miller was a wrist shot by Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews 4:10 into the game. With Blackhawks D Brent Seabrook suspended, Sheldon Brookbank stepped into the Chicago lineup, playing 14:32 and paired frequently with Duncan Keith, but his 38.5% Corsi% was the lowest among Chicago defencemen. For the Blues, C Patrik Berglund returned to the lineup, but the top line adjusted to David Backes absence by moving Alexander Steen to centre and then bumping Steve Ott to left wing. Ott played 20:05 and was one of six Blues to have at least two-thirds of possession at 5-on-5. Blues RW Vladimir Tarasenko was outstanding, a plus-16 Corsi (20 for, 4 against) for the game, while the Blues were a net plus-1 (32 for, 31 against) Corsi when Tarasenko was off the ice. Chicago needed to win Game Three to have a chance in the series, and while they might not count on Crawford to win the goaltending battle too often, he did it Monday night. STARS BLANK DUCKS Returning home down two games to none, the Dallas Stars faced a must-win situation in Game Three, and G Kari Lehtonen backstopped them to a 3-0 victory, stopping 37 shots. If there was one clear area in which the Stars might hold an advantage in this series, it is that Lehtonen has more of a track record than Ducks rookie Frederik Andersen. Jamie Benn, Valeri Nichushkin and Ryan Garbutt scored for the Stars, with Garbutt leading the Stars with six shots on goal. The Ducks got the better part of the possession game, ultimately, led by C Mathieu Perreault, who was plus-15 (19 for, 4 against) for a Ducks team that ended up as plus-9 in terms of Corsi. Ducks winger Devante Smith-Pelly, skating with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry on the top line, had 10 hits and a 62.5% Corsi%. The big issue for the Ducks coming out of this game was the loss of D Stephane Robidas, who had played more than 20 minutes a game for the Ducks since he was acquired from Dallas, but suffered a leg fracture that will end his season. Robidas had fractured the leg on November 29 and returned to action March 18. His absence creates an opening for either Luca Sbisa or Mark Fistric. This is another series in which the underdog has a chance, but needed the Game Three win to even harbour hopes. Now, the Stars have hope and Anaheim losing a top-four defenceman doesnt diminish the odds of the Stars making a comeback. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. 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