KEARNS, Utah -- Skaters know theyre not going to be posting the same times early in the ISU World Cup season as they will later on, but theres the hope of getting off to a good start.The United States had three men and three women advance to the elimination rounds of the ISU World Cup short track speed skating session Friday.Last week, I really wanted to be top 16, and it went way better than that, said two-time Olympic medalist Katherine Reutter. This week, I think I can be a little more hopeful. Id be really happy if I was in the top eight, but I wouldnt be upset if I was in the top 12. ... Anything beyond that is just icing on the cake.The season is long. ... The way you race in November may have almost nothing to do with how you race in March. ... I know things can come and go really quickly.Keith Carroll Jr. moved on to the semifinal in the 1,500 meters (2:13.153) and 1,000 despite being taken out in the 1,000. Carroll Jr., however, fell during the 5,000-meter relay to take the U.S. out of contention. Teammate John-Henry Krueger advanced in both 1,500 divisions.Being here at home, I want to have a good showing, Carroll said. The relay event, I definitely feel like were one of the faster teams. We can keep up with anyone. It was really disappointing to go down in the first round like that.Individually, my No. 1 goal is always try to get through this first day and qualify for the World Cup round. ... Saturday and Sunday will be ultra-competitive. I just want to have a really good showing.Reutter starred for the women by qualifying in both the 1,000 (1:31.166) and 1,500 (2:25.940).Kristen Santos also qualified in the 1000, and Ryan Pivirotto and Jessica Kooreman both qualified for the 1,500 semifinals.China, South Korea, Russia, Kazakhstan and Canada all had strong days on the mens side; the nations advanced in the 5,000 relay and had all four members of the team move on in at least one other event.Today went pretty decent, U.S. mens coach Anthony Barthell said. Had a couple guys that I thought would make it through the first round, but didnt make it. But it was a good learning experience.[The goal was] to try to have as many people in the quarterfinals and semis as possible. Right now, were on track for four. So thats good.The Chinese and Canadian women both advanced in the 3,000 relay and had each member advance in at least one other event.This event is the second of six ISU World Cups this season. 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Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Roman Harper hopes he can improve the air quality in the New Orleans Saints locker room this season -- metaphorically speaking, that is.The younger guys, they need to feel success, they need to know what it smells like, Harper said, alluding to the mantra, Smell greatness, from New Orleans 2009 championship season.The Saints -- who open training camp in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, on July 27 -- havent entirely stunk up the Superdome in recent seasons; theyve been competitive in many games.But in going 7-9 in both 2014 and 15, theyve fallen far short of the standard they set when they made the playoffs four times in five seasons from 2009 to 2013. Harper, entering his 11th NFL season, was part of all of those playoff teams before leaving in free agency for Carolina, which made the playoffs in 2014 and advanced to the Super Bowl last season.Some of New Orleans roster moves this offseason, such bringing back Harper and acquiring eighth-year middle linebacker James Laurinaitis from the Rams in free agency, were made with an eye toward finding a better balance of young talent and veteran leadership -- particularly on a defense that has ranked second-to-last in the NFL the past two seasons.When New Orleans concluded offseason workouts this summer, its most accomplished players sounded confident that the Saints were developing the kind of cohesion that can make the difference between climbing into the playoff picture and languishing in mediocrity.Everybody is talented, so what separates you? quarterback Drew Brees asked rhetorically. Its discipline. It is work ethic. It is togetherness. It is competitiveness. It is toughness. I feel like we have all that with the guys, both veteran and young.Here are some things to watch as the Saints assemble for camp at the Greenbrier Resort:DETERMINED DREW: Brees is in the last year of a five-year, $100 million contract and wants an extension, but has asserted that his contract status wont affect his performance. History backs him up. The previous time Brees went into the final year of a contract was 2011, when he passed for what was then an NFL-record 5,476 yards, as well as 46 touchdowns. And while Brees is getting older, he led the NFL in yards passing last season with 4,870 -- down from his career high, certainly, but still elite.Drews been in this situation before, Saintts coach Sean Payton said.dddddddddddd I dont envision it to be a distraction.ALLENS TIME: If defensive coordinator Dennis Allen can ensure the right number of players are on the field every play and are lined up properly, hell have fixed two problems Payton cited with the unit a year ago. Allen, who took over New Orleans defense after coordinator Rob Ryans firing in the second half of last season, is coming off his first full offseason in charge and has sought to adjust New Orleans scheme to promote better organization and suit the strengths of his players.Youre able to instill your scheme and youre able to instill your culture, Allen said. You are not quite as able to do that when you take over in the middle of a season. Like anything else, were starting from ground zero. Were going to be judged on what we do from this point forward.PEATS PERFORMANCE: Payton has said he envisions 2015 top draft pick Andrus Peat as a starter on the offensive line this season. The question is whether its at tackle, where he played at Stanford, or at guard, where the Saints need someone to step in for Jahri Evans, who was released during the offseason. The Saints have starting left tackle Terron Armstead and starting right tackle Zach Strief back this season. So Payton aims to determine whether starting Peat over Strief at right tackle makes more sense than starting Peat ahead of one of the young, relatively unproven linemen competing to step in at guard.YOUNG DEFENDERS: The Saints are eager to see if players from the past two draft classes can make regular contributions on a defense that needs help. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is competing for snaps after being drafted 12th overall this spring. Meanwhile, two draft choices from last year -- cornerback P.J. Williams and pass-rushing outside linebacker Davis Tull -- are both on track to make their NFL debuts after spending last season on injured reserve.CATCHING ON: Rookie receiver Michael Thomas showed promise in offseason workouts and could compete for a starting job that opened up with the release of franchise career receiving leader Marques Colston last winter.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '