menu_open Columnists

Sportsnet

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Notebook: Milestone homer may be latest sign Blue Jays’ Springer about to get hot

Notebook: Milestone homer may be latest sign Blue Jays’ Springer about to get hot

BOSTON – George Springer’s first homer in the majors came May 8, 2014 at the Detroit Tigers off Drew Smyly, while No. 300 came Tuesday against...

latest 6

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

David's bounce-back performance leads Canada to historic World Cup win

David's bounce-back performance leads Canada to historic World Cup win

VANCOUVER — This was one for the history books.  Winless in its previous seven games since making its World Cup debut in 1986, the Canadian men’s...

yesterday 1

Sportsnet

John Molinaro

Oilers' pursuit of Babcock raises more questions than answers

Oilers' pursuit of Babcock raises more questions than answers

EDMONTON — Even in a light least favourable … In its Thursday press release announcing that Mike Babcock’s awkward, early resignation from the...

yesterday 6

Sportsnet

Mark Spector

Why Richard Seeley is excellent choice to oversee Canucks' AHL squad

Why Richard Seeley is excellent choice to oversee Canucks' AHL squad

VANCOUVER — To reach Powell River from Vancouver by car requires ferries across Howe Sound and Jervis Inlet and, if the traveller is lucky, about...

yesterday 8

Sportsnet

Iain Macintyre

Yesavage finds groove to help Blue Jays sweep Red Sox

Yesavage finds groove to help Blue Jays sweep Red Sox

BOSTON — Max Scherzer was chopping it up in the Toronto Blue Jays dugout last weekend, as per usual, when Trey Yesavage’s between-outings work...

yesterday 8

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Canadiens mailbag: Will Kent Hughes land second-line centre before July 1?

Canadiens mailbag: Will Kent Hughes land second-line centre before July 1?

We’re eight days from the NHL Draft, with trade rumours swirling at gale force — a perfect time to crack open the mail and answer some pressing...

yesterday 6

Sportsnet

Eric Engels

Blue Jays make most of surprise bullpen day to blank Red Sox

Blue Jays make most of surprise bullpen day to blank Red Sox

BOSTON – The fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants approach injuries have forced the Toronto Blue Jays to take with their starting rotation is no biggie to...

previous day 2

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Scherzer’s season paused again as Blue Jays' pitching scramble returns

Scherzer’s season paused again as Blue Jays' pitching scramble returns

BOSTON – The latest interruption in Max Scherzer’s stop-and-start season began Monday morning, when the future Hall of Famer woke up with a knot...

previous day 2

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Why Canada's game against Qatar has massive implications

Why Canada's game against Qatar has massive implications

VANCOUVER – World Cup matches don’t come any bigger for Canada than its contest against Qatar on Thursday at BC Place.  Canada opened its account...

previous day 2

Sportsnet

John Molinaro

Maple Leafs hire Jim Hiller as head coach

Maple Leafs hire Jim Hiller as head coach

The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Jim Hiller as their new head coach.  The team made the hiring official with an announcement on Wednesday. Hiller,...

previous day 8

Sportsnet

Elliotte Friedman

Davis Schneider helps Blue Jays find timely offence in win over Red Sox

Davis Schneider helps Blue Jays find timely offence in win over Red Sox

BOSTON – The first of 16 games in 16 days for the Toronto Blue Jays began with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Andres Gimenez returning to the lineup, the...

tuesday 2

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Snapping David's slump critical for Canada with Davies still out

Snapping David's slump critical for Canada with Davies still out

VANCOUVER — Canada opened this World Cup without its two best players. Alphonso Davies was injured. But Jonathan David went missing during...

tuesday 2

Sportsnet

Iain Macintyre

World Cup Daily: France's Mbappe, Norway's Haaland shine on biggest stage

World Cup Daily: France's Mbappe, Norway's Haaland shine on biggest stage

The World Cup often brings out the very best in soccer’s biggest stars.  But at the same time, the tournament can be cruel. Not everybody makes the...

tuesday 2

Sportsnet

John Molinaro

Western Michigan's Pat Ferschweiler among candidates to be next Leafs coach

Western Michigan's Pat Ferschweiler among candidates to be next Leafs coach

Earlier Tuesday, during a zoom call to discuss Toronto’s trade with Philadelphia, GM John Chayka was asked about the Maple Leafs’ coaching...

tuesday 3

Sportsnet

Elliotte Friedman

Raptors optimistic heading into draft despite position, realities of NIL era

Raptors optimistic heading into draft despite position, realities of NIL era

For a long time, the running joke around top college basketball prospects having second thoughts about turning professional was along the lines of...

tuesday 3

Sportsnet

Michael Grange

Ali Ahmed symbolic of Canada's search for next breakthrough

Ali Ahmed symbolic of Canada's search for next breakthrough

VANCOUVER — Much has changed for Ali Ahmed since he last practised on the billiard-table smooth grass of the Vancouver Whitecaps’ training...

15.06.2026 4

Sportsnet

Iain Macintyre

NHL officially opens Mike Babcock investigation

NHL officially opens Mike Babcock investigation

Now that the Stanley Cup Final is complete, the NHL will officially begin its investigation into Mike Babcock’s 2023 resignation from Columbus. ...

15.06.2026 4

Sportsnet

Elliotte Friedman

Notebook: Caballero’s clock antics add new element to Blue Jays-Yankees rivalry

Notebook: Caballero’s clock antics add new element to Blue Jays-Yankees rivalry

TORONTO — A tug-of-war over the pitch clock is the newest element in the Toronto Blue Jays’ rivalry with the New York Yankees, with a strange...

15.06.2026 10

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Gaethje turns back the clock with tenacious upset win over Topuria

Gaethje turns back the clock with tenacious upset win over Topuria

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On a night unlike any the UFC has ever put on; on a night that blurred borders between sports, politics and culture; and on a...

15.06.2026 7

Sportsnet

Arden Zwelling

'Not hoisting that without him': Hurricanes' Staal did it all in Cup run

'Not hoisting that without him': Hurricanes' Staal did it all in Cup run

LAS VEGAS — Jordan Staal sat at the podium Sunday night, squeezed between his three young kids and the Conn Smythe Trophy. Dad’s smile and the...

15.06.2026 10

Sportsnet

Eric Francis

Ontario's Matthew Anderson loses rhythm, gains experience at Canadian Open

Ontario's Matthew Anderson loses rhythm, gains experience at Canadian Open

CALEDON, Ont. — Not for the first time on the back nine on Sunday, Matthew Anderson found himself in a pickle.  His drive on the 504-yard par-4...

14.06.2026 6

Sportsnet

Michael Grange

World Cup Daily: Germany puts a stop to Curacao fairytale

World Cup Daily: Germany puts a stop to Curacao fairytale

Goals, goals and more goals. Sunday produced a flood of steady offence at the World Cup — and the day isn’t over yet. Fourteen goals were produced...

14.06.2026 3

Sportsnet

John Molinaro

Stanley Cup Final notebook: Original misfit Reilly Smith could help save Golden Knights' season

Stanley Cup Final notebook: Original misfit Reilly Smith could help save Golden Knights' season

LAS VEGAS — If you thought John Tortorella would show up at Sunday morning’s availability to reveal his replacement for the injured...

14.06.2026 10

Sportsnet

Eric Francis

What's at stake in each fight at UFC Freedom 250

What's at stake in each fight at UFC Freedom 250

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The discussion around Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 has focused so much on what’s happening outside the octagon — the...

14.06.2026 10

Sportsnet

Arden Zwelling

Grange: Knicks snap drought with one of NBA's most impressive playoff runs

Grange: Knicks snap drought with one of NBA's most impressive playoff runs

I’m not sure we’ll ever see a five-game NBA Finals that close any time soon. I’ll say we won’t. It will go in the books as a win for the New...

14.06.2026 10

Sportsnet

Michael Grange

UFC Freedom 250 head-to-toe breakdown: Best paths to victory

UFC Freedom 250 head-to-toe breakdown: Best paths to victory

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- UFC Freedom 250 is finally here and with all of the hoopla, pomp and circumstance surrounding the event’s unorthodox and...

13.06.2026 3

Sportsnet

Aaron Bronsteter

Golden Knights stick with Hart with season on line

Golden Knights stick with Hart with season on line

LAS VEGAS — John Tortorella rarely feels the need to explain himself or his decisions. And in this case, he didn’t have to. There will be no...

13.06.2026 4

Sportsnet

Eric Francis

Blue Jays squander Gausman's gem vs. Yankees as Guerrero Jr. sits

Blue Jays squander Gausman's gem vs. Yankees as Guerrero Jr. sits

TORONTO – Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s back started tightening up before Friday’s 8-5 win over the New York Yankees, so he told John Schneider. The...

13.06.2026 10

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

'Wildly challenging': How UFC plans to pull off White House event

'Wildly challenging': How UFC plans to pull off White House event

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Even for background-checked and approved visitors on foot, accessing the White House is an extensive process. Multiple layers of...

13.06.2026 8

Sportsnet

Arden Zwelling

Kirk's triumphant return shows his importance to Blue Jays' trajectory

Kirk's triumphant return shows his importance to Blue Jays' trajectory

TORONTO — Alejandro Kirk became the third central character to rejoin the Toronto Blue Jays plot this week and immediately showed how important he...

12.06.2026 10

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Cyle Larin overcomes Canada’s lack of finishing to earn first-ever World Cup draw

Cyle Larin overcomes Canada’s lack of finishing to earn first-ever World Cup draw

TORONTO — A historic first World Cup victory continues to elude the Canadian men’s team.  But Les Rouges collected their first-ever World Cup...

12.06.2026 5

Sportsnet

John Molinaro

Tortorella trusts Golden Knights to learn from mistakes, bounce back in Game 6

Tortorella trusts Golden Knights to learn from mistakes, bounce back in Game 6

LAS VEGAS — If this Stanley Cup Final has taught us anything, it’s that no lead is safe, no momentum lasts forever, and no amount of video review...

12.06.2026 6

Sportsnet

Eric Francis

Gaethje faces 'huge challenge' against inevitable Topuria at UFC Freedom 250

Gaethje faces 'huge challenge' against inevitable Topuria at UFC Freedom 250

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Earlier this week, at a hotel not far from the outdoor octagon on the White House’s south lawn where he’ll defend his UFC...

12.06.2026 6

Sportsnet

Arden Zwelling

Tortorella projects confidence as Golden Knights face elimination: 'We'll be back here'

Tortorella projects confidence as Golden Knights face elimination: 'We'll be back here'

RALEIGH, N.C. — Tearing a page out of Mark Messier’s playbook, John Tortorella made a bold proclamation after a Game 5 loss Thursday put his team...

12.06.2026 10

Sportsnet

Eric Francis

World Cup Daily: Co-host Mexico kicks off with a bang

World Cup Daily: Co-host Mexico kicks off with a bang

We’re off and running at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and if the opening day was any indication, we're in for one helluva tournament. Five goals...

12.06.2026 10

Sportsnet

John Molinaro

How Canada's Yellamaraju found his way to the PGA Tour — through YouTube

How Canada's Yellamaraju found his way to the PGA Tour — through YouTube

CALEDON, Ont. — The path toward the highest reaches of professional golf is rarely a straight one, and it tends to get increasingly narrow the...

11.06.2026 8

Sportsnet

Michael Grange

Sources: Darnell Nurse asks for trade, agrees it's time to move from Oilers

Sources: Darnell Nurse asks for trade, agrees it's time to move from Oilers

As the Edmonton Oilers navigate hiring Mike Babcock as head coach, they continue on another path: finding a new home for one of their longest-tenured...

11.06.2026 6

Sportsnet

Elliotte Friedman

Fuelled by velo slap, Varland emerges as Blue Jays’ bullpen ace

Fuelled by velo slap, Varland emerges as Blue Jays’ bullpen ace

TORONTO – Graham Johnson first noticed the two-handed back smack Louis Varland gets on his way out of the bullpen during the Toronto Blue Jays’...

11.06.2026 5

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

'The moment is now': Canada set for historic World Cup opener in Toronto

'The moment is now': Canada set for historic World Cup opener in Toronto

TORONTO – It’s the biggest, most historic match in the history of the Canadian men’s team.  Unlike the Canadian women, the men’s side has...

11.06.2026 5

Sportsnet

John Molinaro

Stanley Cup Final notebook: Focus on defence amid scoring surge, comebacks galore

Stanley Cup Final notebook: Focus on defence amid scoring surge, comebacks galore

RALEIGH, N.C. — Taylor Hall had a prediction on what will ultimately be the difference in a series in which the his Carolina Hurricanes and the...

11.06.2026 5

Sportsnet

Eric Francis

Alex Pereira looks to cement superstar status in heavyweight title fight at White House

Alex Pereira looks to cement superstar status in heavyweight title fight at White House

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an era short on iconic, crossover stars who can capture audiences both casual and hardcore, the UFC has benefited enormously...

11.06.2026 5

Sportsnet

Arden Zwelling

NBA Finals Takeaways: Anunoby delivers defining moment as Knicks near title

NBA Finals Takeaways: Anunoby delivers defining moment as Knicks near title

Officially, historically, the craziest NBA Finals game of all time.  In the space of 48 minutes, you had the San Antonio Spurs setting an NBA Finals...

11.06.2026 20

Sportsnet

Michael Grange

Scherzer hits major milestone, but struggles continue in Blue Jays loss

Scherzer hits major milestone, but struggles continue in Blue Jays loss

TORONTO – A year after starting Game 7 of the World Series, Max Scherzer’s competitiveness remains as high as ever, but six starts into his second...

10.06.2026 4

Sportsnet

Ben Nicholson-Smith

Golden Knights' top line needs to start driving the bus to catch up to Hurricanes

Golden Knights' top line needs to start driving the bus to catch up to Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. — Asked if he needs more from his top line, Vegas Golden Knights coach John Tortorella’s post-game response was telling. “What’s...

10.06.2026 5

Sportsnet

Eric Francis

Aiemann Zahabi began 'embracing the fear' to reach UFC Freedom 250

Aiemann Zahabi began 'embracing the fear' to reach UFC Freedom 250

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Beneath the warm glow of Madison Square Garden’s spiderweb ceiling, cruising to a decision victory while carrying the...

10.06.2026 6

Sportsnet

Arden Zwelling

Golden Knights let Game 4 slip away with 'frustrating' giveaway

Golden Knights let Game 4 slip away with 'frustrating' giveaway

LAS VEGAS — Standing between the benches, with a perfect view of the carnage that had just unfolded, ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro summed up the scene...

10.06.2026 10

Sportsnet

Eric Francis

NHLPA asks for Babcock investigation before Oilers can hire him

NHLPA asks for Babcock investigation before Oilers can hire him

According to multiple sources, the NHLPA has asked the NHL to do a full investigation into Mike Babcock’s departure from Columbus before Edmonton...

09.06.2026 6

Sportsnet

Elliotte Friedman

Blue Jays walk off Phillies behind Cease's dominant return

Blue Jays walk off Phillies behind Cease's dominant return

TORONTO – Initially, the cramping sensation that forced Dylan Cease onto the injured list a couple of weeks ago was mild enough that the Toronto...

09.06.2026 9

Sportsnet

Shi Davidi

Why Blue Jays moved Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to leadoff spot

Why Blue Jays moved Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to leadoff spot

TORONTO — A few weeks ago, when the Toronto Blue Jays first moved Vladimir Guerrero Jr. out of the No. 3 spot in the batting order, he said he had...

09.06.2026 5

Sportsnet

Ben Nicholson-Smith

MacIntyre: Gallagher to Canucks makes sense but isn't a guarantee

MacIntyre: Gallagher to Canucks makes sense but isn't a guarantee

VANCOUVER — The Brendan Gallagher train is gaining steam. But it’s difficult to know at this stage who or how many are driving the locomotive and...

09.06.2026 7

Sportsnet

Iain Macintyre