menu_open Columnists

Sportsnet

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Oilers' experience pays off in Game 5 win to save season

Oilers' experience pays off in Game 5 win to save season

EDMONTON — It’s still unknown whether the Edmonton Oilers have two more wins over these Anaheim Ducks in them this spring. But the Oilers...

latest 4

Sportsnet

Mark Spector

Yesavage's shutout season debut a welcome return in Blue Jays win

Yesavage's shutout season debut a welcome return in Blue Jays win

TORONTO — All the Toronto Blue Jays have known from Trey Yesavage is dominance, which is why expectations can be so easily skewed, perspective so...

yesterday 2

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

'A delightful human': John Garrett was one of a kind

'A delightful human': John Garrett was one of a kind

VANCOUVER — In his working life with John Garrett, play-by-play announcer John Shorthouse remembers exactly two times that his broadcast partner...

yesterday 3

Sportsnet

Iain Macintyre

Notebook: With McDavid's status in doubt, ailing Oilers aim to push past Ducks

Notebook: With McDavid's status in doubt, ailing Oilers aim to push past Ducks

EDMONTON — With the Edmonton Oilers’ season on the line, Connor McDavid was listed as a game-time decision Tuesday morning. McDavid missed morning...

yesterday 9

Sportsnet

Mark Spector

Shining in first playoff experience, Darko Rajakovic never doubted himself, Raptors

Shining in first playoff experience, Darko Rajakovic never doubted himself, Raptors

Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic has had an excellent start to his first playoff experience as an NBA head coach. He has made adjustments,...

yesterday 10

Sportsnet

Michael Grange

Canadiens' St. Louis must contemplate changes to spark top six

Canadiens' St. Louis must contemplate changes to spark top six

BROSSARD, Que. — No matter how many episodes of Seinfeld Martin St. Louis watched over the last 24 hours, it’s hard to imagine he ever really fell...

yesterday 1

Sportsnet

Eric Engels

Yesavage finally set for first Blue Jays season after whirlwind year

Yesavage finally set for first Blue Jays season after whirlwind year

TORONTO — First, Trey Yesavage struck out nine batters over five innings of one-run ball during an electric big-league debut. In his next start, he...

yesterday 10

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Blue Jays can't capitalize on Red Sox chaos in series-opening loss

Blue Jays can't capitalize on Red Sox chaos in series-opening loss

TORONTO — Despite the chaos that surrounded the Red Sox as they arrived in Toronto, they’re still a talented team. On Saturday, they dismissed...

previous day 0

Sportsnet

Ben Nicholson-Smith

As Max Scherzer hits IL, George Springer nears return to Blue Jays

As Max Scherzer hits IL, George Springer nears return to Blue Jays

TORONTO — At the same time as Max Scherzer addressed the media outside the clubhouse after becoming the 13th Toronto Blue Jays player on the injured...

previous day 2

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Oilers backed into corner as injuries, fatigue weigh on roster

Oilers backed into corner as injuries, fatigue weigh on roster

EDMONTON — The fact that the Edmonton Oilers’ entire season was suspended in time — players and coaches waiting/praying on a decision from a...

previous day 5

Sportsnet

Mark Spector

MLS Notebook: Injury-ravaged TFC facing issues after solid start

MLS Notebook: Injury-ravaged TFC facing issues after solid start

Despite a decent start to the MLS season, Toronto FC finds itself in a bit of a predicament. TFC (3-3-4) saw its seven-match unbeaten run snapped in a...

previous day 2

Sportsnet

John Molinaro

Blue Jays notebook: Louis Varland impresses at back of bullpen

Blue Jays notebook: Louis Varland impresses at back of bullpen

TORONTO — The Blue Jays have been seeking answers in their bullpen for most of the season, but after this weekend they may be a little closer to...

previous day 5

Sportsnet

Ben Nicholson-Smith

Oilers down to last life after losing Game 4 to 'unlucky bounce'

Oilers down to last life after losing Game 4 to 'unlucky bounce'

ANAHEIM — Can’t get a bounce, can’t catch a break. Is it because the Edmonton Oilers, 4-3 losers in overtime Sunday, haven’t earned a break...

previous day 10

Sportsnet

Mark Spector

'We're battling': Canadiens fall short in Game 4 as coin-flip series continues

'We're battling': Canadiens fall short in Game 4 as coin-flip series continues

MONTREAL — Let’s not pretend there was some deep lesson for the Montreal Canadiens to learn from their Game 4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning....

previous day 10

Sportsnet

Eric Engels

Raptors overcome poor shooting to tie series with Cavaliers

Raptors overcome poor shooting to tie series with Cavaliers

The Toronto Raptors' offensive struggles couldn't stop them from tying their first-round series. The Raptors overcame a rough shooting...

sunday 10

Sportsnet

Michael Grange

Canadiens notebook: Lightning series hinges on emergence of superstars

Canadiens notebook: Lightning series hinges on emergence of superstars

MONTREAL — There’s more than one player who scored over 100 points this season but is stuck on less than you’d expect through three games of...

sunday 10

Sportsnet

Eric Engels

Oilers face familiar playoff deficit against youthful Ducks

Oilers face familiar playoff deficit against youthful Ducks

ANAHEIM — The fast, young Anaheim Ducks are giving the playoff-tested Oilers fits. Anaheim leads the NHL playoffs with an average of 5.33 goals per...

25.04.2026 4

Sportsnet

Mark Spector

Can Toronto take Harden off his game against Raptors?

Can Toronto take Harden off his game against Raptors?

TORONTO — When it comes to high-leverage playoff games, having help from unexpected sources is crucial, especially for the underdog. The Toronto...

25.04.2026 6

Sportsnet

Michael Grange

Gausman provides vital stability in Blue Jays' win over Guardians

Gausman provides vital stability in Blue Jays' win over Guardians

TORONTO – All off-season, the Toronto Blue Jays considered how the physical toll of last year’s run to the World Series might impact them this...

25.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Trey Yesavage feeling 'confident in myself’ as he rejoins Blue Jays rotation

Trey Yesavage feeling 'confident in myself’ as he rejoins Blue Jays rotation

TORONTO – The major-league clubhouse at the Player Development Complex empties in an instant when spring training ends and Trey Yesavage found the...

25.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

How Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj learned to 'see things clearly through the chaos'

How Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj learned to 'see things clearly through the chaos'

MONTREAL — Arber Xhekaj’s play through three games of this series is proof positive that even just a little bit of experience goes a long way. The...

25.04.2026 4

Sportsnet

Eric Engels

Oilers struggle to keep up with Ducks in Game 3 loss

Oilers struggle to keep up with Ducks in Game 3 loss

ANAHEIM — Too quick. Too big. And so far, too good. They’re making the Edmonton Oilers look old and slow, these flashy young Anaheim Ducks....

25.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Mark Spector

Canadiens' Dach writes 'unbelievable' redemption story in Game 3 win

Canadiens' Dach writes 'unbelievable' redemption story in Game 3 win

MONTREAL — There was Kirby Dach in overtime, standing in front of the net as Lane Hutson’s shot went right by Andrei Vasilevskiy for the goal that...

25.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Eric Engels

Blue Jays move to closer by committee to ease pressure on Jeff Hoffman

Blue Jays move to closer by committee to ease pressure on Jeff Hoffman

TORONTO – Jeff Hoffman went home to Florida for the off-day, spent time with his family, caught a little sun and then returned to Toronto, where a...

24.04.2026 9

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Max Scherzer's tough start raises questions for Blue Jays

Max Scherzer's tough start raises questions for Blue Jays

TORONTO – By allowing seven runs to the Cleveland Guardians Friday, Max Scherzer created an early deficit that the Toronto Blue Jays wouldn’t be...

24.04.2026 5

Sportsnet

Ben Nicholson-Smith

How Ducks have shut down McDavid through first two games

How Ducks have shut down McDavid through first two games

ANAHEIM — Whether he likes it or not, Tim Washe has become the face of Anaheim’s effort to shut down Connor McDavid. Washe (pronounced WASH-ee)...

24.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Mark Spector

Toronto FC's Josh Sargent starting to 'find his form' after slow start

Toronto FC's Josh Sargent starting to 'find his form' after slow start

After a bit of a slow start in MLS, Josh Sargent is starting to come good for Toronto FC.  The American forward’s strike in a 3-3 draw against the...

24.04.2026 5

Sportsnet

John Molinaro

For better or worse, Ryan Johnson's standing with Canucks likely changing

For better or worse, Ryan Johnson's standing with Canucks likely changing

VANCOUVER — Ryan Johnson’s unmistakable aura is decency. Nobody who speaks to him for 15 minutes about anything leaves the conversation without a...

24.04.2026 20

Sportsnet

Iain Macintyre

Barnes, Barrett lead Raptors over Cavaliers in Game 3

Barnes, Barrett lead Raptors over Cavaliers in Game 3

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors are going to need some special things to happen if they’re going to upset the heavily favoured Cleveland Cavaliers...

23.04.2026 7

Sportsnet

Michael Grange

Plan vs. reality: Why Oilers, Ducks are tied in first-round series

Plan vs. reality: Why Oilers, Ducks are tied in first-round series

ANAHEIM — In a series tied at one win apiece, we’d say both teams could make a case for blowing their opportunity to be up 2-0. But, as the...

23.04.2026 7

Sportsnet

Mark Spector

FA Cup semifinals preview: Man City eyes history vs. Larin, Southampton

FA Cup semifinals preview: Man City eyes history vs. Larin, Southampton

We’re down to the final four in the 2025-26 FA Cup.  The quarterfinals wrapped up earlier this month, and the subsequent draw established the two...

23.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

John Molinaro

Ex-Blue Jays manager John Gibbons enjoying role with 'old farts' on Angels staff

Ex-Blue Jays manager John Gibbons enjoying role with 'old farts' on Angels staff

ANAHEIM, Calif. — John Gibbons wanted to dial things down once last season ended so he told the New York Mets, for whom he’d served as bench coach...

23.04.2026 20

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Oilers still waiting for McDavid to put stamp on series with Ducks

Oilers still waiting for McDavid to put stamp on series with Ducks

EDMONTON — There is a weird fascination in watching Connor McDavid struggle like this. Like spotting a lynx in the wild, or watching your golf...

23.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Mark Spector

Poeltl must be better to give Raptors a chance to turn series around

Poeltl must be better to give Raptors a chance to turn series around

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors have a Jakob Poeltl problem. It’s been ebbing in and out of sight for most of the season. But with the playoff...

22.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Michael Grange

Taxed Blue Jays bullpen gives way late in loss to Angels

Taxed Blue Jays bullpen gives way late in loss to Angels

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Had their bullpen been in better shape, the Toronto Blue Jays would likely have used an opener in front of Eric Lauer, and the two...

22.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Blue Jays to re-evaluate Jeff Hoffman's role

Blue Jays to re-evaluate Jeff Hoffman's role

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Toronto Blue Jays plan to “re-evaluate” Jeff Hoffman’s status as closer while they consider ways to get the struggling...

22.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Canadiens notebook: Expect Suzuki line to respond, possible changes for Game 3

Canadiens notebook: Expect Suzuki line to respond, possible changes for Game 3

TAMPA, Fla. — A dose of perspective, 48 hours after yet another game in which Montreal’s best players were held to nil at five-on-five: the Bell...

22.04.2026 7

Sportsnet

Eric Engels

Oilers notebook: Why McDavid looked mortal under Ducks coverage

Oilers notebook: Why McDavid looked mortal under Ducks coverage

EDMONTON — If there was one thing in Game 1 of Anaheim-Edmonton that stood out as strange, it was Connor McDavid not being able to gain the zone on...

22.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Mark Spector

Sources: Canucks seek permission from Leafs to speak to Shane Doan

Sources: Canucks seek permission from Leafs to speak to Shane Doan

Add a name to Vancouver’s hockey operations search: According to several sources, the Canucks asked Toronto for permission to speak to special...

22.04.2026 7

Sportsnet

Elliotte Friedman

Young Canadiens served lesson by savvy Lightning in series-tying loss

Young Canadiens served lesson by savvy Lightning in series-tying loss

TAMPA, Fla. — This was a night that made you remember that one of these teams is the youngest participating in these Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the...

22.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Eric Engels

Blue Jays’ late rally secures series-clinching win over Angels

Blue Jays’ late rally secures series-clinching win over Angels

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Since a foul tip fractured his left big toe April 11 and relegated him to an observer in the dugout, George Springer has noticed a...

21.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Experienced depth players loom large in Oilers' push for Cup

Experienced depth players loom large in Oilers' push for Cup

EDMONTON — Somehow, the Anaheim Ducks managed to cut off the head of the snake in their playoff debut at Edmonton, yet still, the rest of the...

21.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Mark Spector

Blue Jays' Ponce plans to be 'biggest cheerleader' after season-ending surgery

Blue Jays' Ponce plans to be 'biggest cheerleader' after season-ending surgery

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Cody Ponce knew the damage to his right knee was severe based on the “snap, crackles and pops” he heard before he collapsed to...

21.04.2026 20

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Prospect Austin Smith eyes two-way stardom with Blue Jays

Prospect Austin Smith eyes two-way stardom with Blue Jays

TORONTO — Austin Smith’s teammates support what he’s doing. They praise him for the boldness required to be a two-way player and ask questions...

21.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Ben Nicholson-Smith

Oilers' depth steps up in Game 1 win on slow night for superstars

Oilers' depth steps up in Game 1 win on slow night for superstars

EDMONTON — The ‘A’ cliché at this time of year is a true hockeyism: Your best players have to be your best players. So when Connor McDavid goes...

21.04.2026 20

Sportsnet

Mark Spector

Cease fans 12 as Blue Jays overcome travel chaos to beat Angels

Cease fans 12 as Blue Jays overcome travel chaos to beat Angels

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Mechanical issues with their plane in Phoenix left the Toronto Blue Jays with a decision to make late Sunday afternoon. They could...

21.04.2026 20

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Ingram struggles offensively as Raptors fall to Cavaliers in Game 2

Ingram struggles offensively as Raptors fall to Cavaliers in Game 2

CLEVELAND — Careful what you wish for. Intentionally or not, Toronto Raptors all-star Brandon Ingram made himself the focal point of the discourse...

20.04.2026 10

Sportsnet

Michael Grange

Rehabbing Demko motivated to help Canucks turn corner

Rehabbing Demko motivated to help Canucks turn corner

VANCOUVER — The person who will have the greatest impact on the Vancouver Canucks next season is the general manager who has yet to be hired. The...

20.04.2026 9

Sportsnet

Iain Macintyre

Canadiens' notebook: Carrier helps fill void left by Dobson; Xhekaj finds best self

Canadiens' notebook: Carrier helps fill void left by Dobson; Xhekaj finds best self

TAMPA, Fla. — It was six shifts into his first game in three weeks that Alex Carrier made a series of plays that perfectly encapsulated his value to...

20.04.2026 7

Sportsnet

Eric Engels

'In a way better place': Oilers' Connor Ingram ready for huge Game 1 vs. Ducks

'In a way better place': Oilers' Connor Ingram ready for huge Game 1 vs. Ducks

EDMONTON — There is a school of thought that wonders if Connor Ingram, whose mental health journey took him through the NHL/NHLPA Players...

20.04.2026 20

Sportsnet

Mark Spector