EDMONTON -- Former Hockey Canada top executive Bob Nicholson is joining the Edmonton Oilers to oversee business operations, promising to take a scalpel -- not a bulldozer -- to the struggling NHL franchise. Erik Johnson Avalanche Jersey . "There are a lot of things that are going very well in this organization. Im not coming in here to rip things apart," Nicholson told reporters Friday. "I know what Hockey Canada was when I started, and I know where this (Oilers) organization is today. "There are huge challenges, but I think there could be something very special in this city." Oilers owner Daryl Katz was not at the news conference, a not unusual occurrence for the reclusive pharmacy magnate. Nicholsons hiring is part of a corporate reorganization for Katzs sports entertainment properties. Under the newly named Oilers Entertainment Group, or OEG, Katz will be chairman while former Oiler Kevin Lowe and Nicholson will be vice-chairmen. Lowe will continue to be in charge of hockey operations while Nicholson will handle the business side -- but both said they expect the other to help out across the board. Patrick LaForge remains in charge of day-to-day business operations as president and chief operating officer. Nicholson spent 16 years as president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada, officially stepping down May 31. Canadian hockey teams excelled under his watch, winning numerous championships including seven Olympic gold medals. Lowe and Nicholson worked closely on Canadas Olympic teams, and Nicholson said that relationship was a key reason he signed up with the Oilers. "The relationship that I have with Kevin, and the one that Ive really developed with Daryl over the last little bit, had a big part," said Nicholson. "I had a great job with Hockey Canada. I didnt have to rush into anything. I was going to play a little more golf. "But when you get a chance to work with the right people in the right organization, the time was right to join the Oilers." Lowe said Nicholson has already started delivering ideas on the hockey side. "Yesterday Bob sat in on pro scouting meetings and was engaged with the scouts," said Lowe. "Hell be as involved as much as we can get him, and I know that will be a massive addition to this organization. "Hes as passionate about fixing the Oilers as we all are." In addition to the Oilers, OEG owns the 2014 Memorial Cup Champion Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL), the Oklahoma City Barons (AHL) and the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL). Lowe said more franchises are part of the long-term game plan. "Hopefully well acquire more in the future years," he said. "(Im) not predicting anything, but we know that our owner has great vision." The Oilers and the City of Edmonton have also broken ground on a new downtown arena that is slated to open for the start of the 2016-17 season. Nicholson joins a franchise and a fan base desperate for success. The Oilers have missed the playoffs every year since advancing to the Stanley Cup final in 2006. The team has been criticized for sub par scouting and poor player development, failing to rebuild the team despite having three of the last four first-overall draft picks. Other changes are underway. Earlier this week, the team announced Craig Ramsay will join Dallas Eakins coaching staff to handle the defence and power play. Assistant coach Kelly Buchberger will move over to player development. Mark Barberio Jersey .A. Happ. The Toronto Blue Jays will be looking to improve the starting rotation ahead of next season and pitchers like Happ have a chance to show they belong as the disastrous 2013 campaign draws to a close. Rob Ramage Avalanche Jersey . -- Fantasy football owners and Denver Broncos fans can rest easy: Peyton Manning is back. http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic-j-t-compher-avalanche-jersey/ . Modin, 36, tallied seven goals and three assists in 36 games with the Thrashers this season. The Sundsvall, Sweden, native has posted 232 goals and 230 assists in 894 career NHL games with Toronto, Tampa Bay, Columbus, Los Angeles and Atlanta and has appeared in 57 post-season contests, helping the Lightning capture the 2004 Stanley Cup Championship. TORONTO -- Julio Cesar is the newest member of Toronto FC. The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. The 34-year-old Cesar has been relegated to a backup role with second-tier English club Queens Park Rangers and will join Toronto for the start of the 2014 season. General manger Tim Bezbatchenko would not confirm details of the loan agreement, but it is expected that Cesar will be back with Toronto following the World Cup. "We (found) an agreement, between me, QPR and my agent," said Cesar. "My agent ... they were talking with them. We just (found) the best agreement between everyone so thats the reason I can sign with (Toronto)." Toronto FC head coach Ryan Nelsen is a former teammate of Cesars at QPR and had a big hand in acquiring the goalkeeper. "I keep in contact with a lot of ex-players and it was out of that an opportunity potentially that could arise that we could bring Julio here," said Nelsen. "As soon as I got a sniff of that, it didnt take long to register how important it would be to have a man like that." Cesar lost his starting role with QPR to England international Rob Green once the Hoops were relegated from the Premiere League last season and has appeared in just one game for the club this season. Cesar, who has earned 77 caps for Brazil, won the Copa America in 2004 and the Confederations Cup on two occasions. Before his stint at QPR, he also played at Inter Milan, where he won five Italian league titles. Additionally, he has won three Coppa Italia titles, the 2010 UEFA Champions League and the 2010 Club World Cup. As for his first impressions of TFCs training facility in north Toronto, Cesar was amazed. "Thee first thing when I arrive here, I asked to visit the training grounds. Rene Robert Avalanche Jersey. I need to be honest here, I was impressed," he said. "Its much better than many, many clubs in Europe that I have had the opportunity to know. Its an amazing training ground, you have everything. You can do good work here." Cesar joins a TFC lineup that has undergone a radical shift this off-season, including the acquisition of England striker Jermain Defoe, American midfielder Michael Bradley, fellow Brazilian Gilberto Oliveira Souza Junior and former MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario. Gilberto, 24, just missed out on an opportunity to play with childhood idol, and fellow Brazilian star, Ronaldo, and is looking forward to playing in front of Cesar. "Im going to play with another legend and Im definitely looking forward to that," he said through a translator. "(Cesars) played with the best strikers in the world ... and I have nothing but things to learn from him." The signing of Cesar moves fellow goalkeeper Joe Bendik, who had a 6-16-11 record in 2013, to the backup role for the 2014 season. "Im only looking at it as a win-win situation. He comes in and I get to learn from a legend," said the 24-year-old Bendik. "Im going to compete with him every day and off the field, Ill pick his brain for just about any piece of knowledge I can get. Seeing a guy whose played in a couple World Cups, hes won champions league. "You can only learn so much from him so its a win-win situation for the club and for myself." Added Nelson: "When you have the opportunity to ply your trade day-in and day-out beside a man whos obviously done what (Cesars) done, the age that he is and the experience that hell be able to give to Joe you cant tell how valuable that is." ' ' '