Jack Bird has pledged his long-term allegiance to Cronulla and is confident fellow backline aces Valentine Holmes and Ben Barba will also remain at the NRL premiers.Bird and Holmes are among the hottest properties off contract at the end of next season, while Barbas future is up in the air following his 12-match suspension for testing positive to cocaine after the Sharks historic grand final triumph in October.Barba is said to be the target of cashed-up rugby clubs in Europe and Japan after being granted a release from his Cronulla contract, but Bird delivered some welcome news for Sharks fans on Wednesday.Obviously hes a big loss, but Im sure hell be back during the year at some time and hes got all our support behind him, Bird said at the Auckland Nines launch in Sydney.Bird is hoping to settle his own future sooner rather than later and says as long as the Sharks table a reasonable offer hell almost certainly stay put.I just want to be comfortable where I am. Im happy to stay at the Sharks. I want to stay at the Sharks, he said.Birds loyalty pledge comes as a raft of rival clubs circle, with Newcastle and Gold Coast understood to be willing to throw huge money at the NSW State of Origin representative.Bird admits money is a factor but so too is camaraderie, with the rep ace keen to remain alongside his grand final teammates, including housemate and fellow young gun Holmes.Its a short career. Youre going to take as much as you can get to have a good career and be set for after footy, said Bird, who also harbours long-term captaincy aspirations at the Sharks.But Im not really demanding that much, to be honest. Im not that kind of guy. I just like playing footy if I got offered the minimum wage Id probably play.Bird is even willing to give Holmes first crack at the fullback position left vacant - for at least three months - by Barba.Im happy at centre. To be honest, it doesnt really bother me (where I play) besides winger, he said.But in saying that, anywhere to be around the ball I guess. I enjoy the halves but Im not much of an organiser. Im more of a runner.Bird collected Holmes from the airport following his return last week from NFL trials in America and is convinced the electrifying winger has the talent to make the code switch.Hed be a class wide receiver, to be honest. Hes got the speed, he can catch the ball, Bird said.But I dont think hes going anywhere to be honest. Hell be at the Sharks for a long time.Florida Panthers Jerseys . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. MacKenzie Weegar Panthers Jersey . 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Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming tournament.KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Justin Thomas began his title defense with an 8-under 64 at the CIMB Classic on Thursday, making nine birdies and a bogey to move into a three-way tie with Keegan Bradley and Derek Fathauer for the first-round lead.Thomas, who won his first PGA Tour title here last year in a tournament-record total 26-under-par 262, said he felt at ease in the opening round of the PGA Tour-sanctioned event.If theres such a thing as an easy 8-under, it was, Thomas said. I wedged it great. I took advantage of the first three par 5s.I was just very comfortable and hit it in there close a couple of times and made a couple putts, but it was a pretty low-stress day.Bradley had six birdies on the front nine and an eagle at the par-5 10th but then had two bogeys on his next three holes before recoveringg with birdies at the 16th and 17th.ddddddddddddEnglands Paul Casey was one stroke behind the leaders at 7 under, one clear of Asian Tour leader Anirban Lahiri and two ahead of a group of four at 5 under, including Sergio Garcia and Aaron Baddeley.Ryan Moore, who won the CIMB Classic in 2013 and 2014, opened with a 71 in his first tournament since he delivered the winning Ryder Cup point for the Americans.He was one of 13 players tied for 44th at 1 under, including Ian Poulter, who was making his first PGA Tour-sanctioned start since a foot injury in May caused him to take off the rest of the season. Poulter tied for 28th last week at the Macau Open, his first tournament back. 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