HILLENBRAND TO THE HALOS?

Some early-evening items:

• Well, we all saw this coming: The NFL has deep-sixed Reggie Bush's appeal to be allowed to wear No. 5 for the New Orleans Saints. Which is too bad: I was going to suggest that each week, have Reggie Bush's jersey numbercorrespond to President George W. Bush's approval rating. Reggie will be wearing No. 5 before the end of this season.
• Speaking of low ratings, the NHL post-season. It's not a disaster that America doesn't get it, writes SI.com's John Rolfe.
• Obviously it's not as interesting as the scuttlebutt surrounding Dontrelle Willis, but the hungry-for-hiting Angels are said to be interested in the Jays' Shea Hillenbrand and might part with their second baseman, Adam Kennedy. It makes too much sense not to make the deal. Hillenbrand, who has homered tonight against Tampa Bay (in progress), would address the Angels' lack of power at either first or third. J.P. Ricciardi is obviously realizing few teams have made the playoffs with a second-year shortstop (Russ Adams) and a second baseman (Aaron Hill) who's in his first full season. So if Hillenbrand goes, does that ensure Eric Hinske a place on the team for the rest of the season? All along my feeling was Hinske would see just enough playing time to increase his value in a trade to a NL team (his ability to play multiple positions would give him more value in the National League).
• The NBA Draft lottery is tonight. I'm with Scott Carefoot; here's hoping the Raptors get a high enough pick so they can draft a true centre. Joakim Noah would look good in red and purple. Actually, Noah is about the only person who's cool enough to pull off red with purple.

See you after the hockey game.