Everything points to this being the end for Alex Ovechkin in Washington

Nothing is official yet, but Alex Ovechkin’s return is looking less and less likely.
In recent days, GM Chris Patrick has acquired Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch, among others. And today, he added depth to his offense by signing Boone Jenner.
Darren Dreger (OverDrive) said today that all signs point to this being the end for Ovi in Washington.Darren Dreger: Re Alex Ovechkin's future: Given just how active Chris Patrick and the Capitals have been, all indications are that he's not [coming back]

In life, there are some things you just can’t learn. For example?
Not everyone is blessed with height. I know this because I'm naturally on the shorter side… Hehe.
Seriously, though, there's someone else who must know this all too well, and I'm talking about Alexander Karmanov. The defenseman was drafted by the Sharks in the last draft (in the 7th round), he showed up at the team's development camp in San Jose… and it made for some pretty spectacular footage.
After all, it's

The free-agent market opened Wednesday in the National Hockey League, and several players found new teams.
The result?
This means that right now, there aren't many options left on the free-agent market. And let's not forget that Kent Hughes hasn't done anything yet since the start of the summer, aside from signing players for the Laval Rocket…
That said, the list of players available via a hostile bid is still very enticing. There are several young NHL stars who are still without contract

Even though the second half of the season is already underway in Major League Baseball, the All-Star Game marks a break in the season. There's everything that happened before, and everything that will happen after.
And for the Toronto Blue Jays, a pivotal road trip awaits them before the All-Star break—a trip that will likely set the tone for the rest of the 2026 season.
Indeed, this nine-game West Coast road trip is huge for several reasons: the Blue Jays are currently 11 games behind the

The Leafs have found their new goaltender.
Sergei Bobrovsky has signed a three-year contract with Toronto, a deal that will pay him $7 million per season. And let's just say John Chayka seems really proud of this move.
Really, really proud, in fact…
Basically, the Leafs' GM said that Bobrovsky could end his career as the best goaltender in… the history of the National Hockey League. No, this isn't a joke.
I don't know if Chayka forgot the names of Patrick Roy, Dominik Hasek, and Ma

Jakub Dobes has just reached another major milestone in his young career.
The Canadiens have awarded him a three-season contract extension, a strong show of confidence in a player who had a stellar spring.
It's worth remembering, however, that just a few months ago, the situation was quite different.
In late March, my colleague Maxime Truman explained the real reasons behind the Czech goaltender's media hiatus, during which he was no longer available to speak with the press. That decision was ma

The Blackhawks must be hoping that Connor Bedard has avoided the worst.
Because the footage circulating from today's practice is far from reassuring.
According to initial reports by Ryan McGregor, the young forward reportedly left the ice clutching his left shoulder.
In the video, you can even hear him screaming in pain as he leaves the rink, suggesting that the injury could be serious.I have video of Connor Bedard leaving practice today with a left shoulder injury, as first reported by @Ryanmcg

The Maple Leafs have made significant changes to their roster since the start of the offseason.
Despite all these changes, one name continues to be the subject of discussion throughout the NHL: Matthew Knies.
In his most recent article on Sportsnet, Nick Kypreos revealed that several teams continue to inquire with the Leafs about the availability of the powerful winger.As we head into free agency, the trade market is still active and full of big names to watch. @RealKyper provides another update

The New York Yankees are in the midst of a really rough stretch. The team has lost its last seven games… and this comes at a time when the Tampa Bay Rays, their main rivals, have won seven straight games.
As a result, in just one week, the Rays have gone from trailing by 3.5 games to leading by 3.5 games at the top of the [email protected]/kUWb1sIKUV
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 2, 2026
But what's troubling when you look at the Yankees lately is how the mis

Earlier today, the Canadiens signed Jakub Dobes to a three-year contract extension. This means the goaltender is now under contract through 2030.
And let's not forget that yesterday, the club also reached an agreement with Ivan Demidov on the terms of an eight-year contract. That, too, is a major issue that's been settled.
When you consider these two contracts, it becomes clear that the Canadiens have, without much fanfare, secured a significant portion of their core roster. In addition to these

Bryan Adams has built a career belting out classics like Cuts Like a Knife, Summer of 69 and So Happy It Hurts. But the U.K.-based, North Vancouver-bred rock star has rarely strayed into political tunes. Until now.To celebrate Canada Day 2026, the Grammy and Juno-winning singer released a new pro-Canada single titled 51st State.The chorus directly addresses the Americans and Canadians who support annexing this country, with a clear message that proud Canadians can sing along to.Let me give it t

For the past nine years, Rob Ramage has served as the Canadiens' director of player development. The former defenseman, who held a development coaching position during his first three seasons in Montreal, was a key figure with the Habs.
And clearly, the new management also appreciated his work, as he remained with the team even after Marc Bergevin's departure.
That said, the organization has just announced that Ramage has left the Canadiens… because he has decided to retire.
The 67-year-o

This afternoon, Jakub Dobes signed a new three-year contract with the Canadiens. The goaltender will therefore remain with the team through the end of the 2029–30 season.
His excellent playoff performances have earned him some security for the coming years.
And Dobes, as is customary after such an announcement, spoke with the media to answer a few questions. And when you listen to his comments in full, there's something quite interesting.
On more than one occasion—and without necessa

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is pushing himself
He's taking hundreds of swings a day to break out of his slump.
Via @ShiDavidi, Vlad Guerrero Jr. estimates he's been taking “a lot—like 300 swings a day before games, and after games, probably around 100… I have to get better, and sitting here (in the clubhouse), I'm not going to get better. I have to take a lot of swings”https://t.co/4l7UBQ4o5t
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) July 2, 2026
Update on Ricky Tiedemann

Over the past few months, Jakub Dobes has established himself as the Canadiens' No. 1 goaltender. The young Czech player was dominant down the stretch and was a major factor in the team's deep run in the playoffs.
He was truly, truly exceptional.
We knew that the Canadiens, even though Dobes was just one year away from the end of his entry-level contract, wanted to settle the matter of his next contract this summer. And now it's done: Dobes has signed a three-year contract.The Canadiens have agr

Brady Tkachuk is no longer in Ottawa. The former Senators captain was traded to the Panthers a few weeks ago, which will allow him to play alongside his brother for the next few years.
And, at the same time, it put an end to years of speculation about his future in Ottawa.
All of this has meant that, since then, Tkachuk hasn't exactly been the most popular guy in Ottawa. There's frustration among fans, who feel they've been led on over the past few years.
And the Senators, clearly, wanted to cap

Between ejections, injuries, and inconsistent performances, things continue to move quickly in Major League Baseball as the All-Star Game approaches.
So without further ado, here's the latest edition of Passion MLB's power rankings. Last week's rankings are shown in parentheses.
1 – Los Angeles Dodgers (1)
2 – Milwaukee Brewers (3)
3 – Atlanta Braves (2)
4 – Tampa Bay Rays (5)
5 – Philadelphia Phillies (6)
6 – New York Yankees (4)
Tough break for the Yankees.

Theatre Under the Stars: Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Sister Act When: July 3-Aug. 22Where: Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, 610 Pipeline Rd., VancouverTickets and info: $35-69 at tuts.ca and 1-800-514-3849There’s something about Ariel that inspires a level of devotion beyond that enjoyed by the average Disney princess.Madison Simms, who plays the title role in Theatre Under the Stars’ upcoming production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, witnessed this firsthand when her yo

Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. NEW RELEASES1. The Reverse Centaur’s Guide to Life After AI: , by Cory Doctorow. 2. It Could Have Been Her: A Novel, by Lisa Jewell. 3. Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump , by Maggie Haberman, Jonathan Swan. 4. The Wise Pickle , by Sarah Howden, Sabina Hahn. 5. The Housemaid’s Wedding ,

The Baltimore Ravens are heading into the 2026 offseason amid significant uncertainty surrounding their defensive line, and one name dominates all the discussions: Nnamdi Madubuike.
Considered one of the cornerstones of Baltimore's defensive line, the 28-year-old defensive tackle completely changes the team's dynamic when he's on the field.
His prolonged absence in 2025, due to a serious neck injury, highlighted just how difficult it is to replace his impact.
According to several reports, includ

Today marks the end of the Canadiens' development camp.
And when the Canadiens' development camp comes to an end, that also means an intra-squad game. The young players were divided into two groups to give them the chance to face off in front of a large crowd of fans.
Because, well, that's Montreal for you…Group photo time at the #Habs development camp in Brossard. pic.twitter.com/4UuovkWHjm
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) July 2, 2026Of course, there were a few players we were watching mo

Things have been buzzing in Columbus for the past few days.
There have been quite a few rumors involving Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko. After all, the word on the street was that neither of them wanted to sign a long-term contract.
They can both leave Ohio in 2028, if they want to. That's when they'll become unrestricted free agents.
Yesterday, the Blue Jackets publicly put an end to the speculation (though I wouldn't be surprised if there's a change of course) regarding the defenseman. Bas

Alex Ovechkin, as we know, was one of the big names on the free-agent market. The Russian was a free agent… but in his case, the main question was whether or not he would return for another season in the NHL.
Because, in reality, he would never have signed anywhere other than Washington.
And now the Capitals have just made the announcement: Ovechkin will be back next year. He's signed a one-year contract worth $4.25 million.IT'S SO NOT O-VER, BABES
The Washington Capitals have re-signed c

Quebec baseball continues to shine across the province, and today we invite you to catch up on the latest sports news.
In the Frontier League, Eagles fans can celebrate the arrival of Zachary Leduc. The 22-year-old pitcher is from Blainville and played in the NCAA before turning pro. So far, he's been successful on the mound and is proudly carrying the Quebec torch alongside his excellent teammate Charles Lefebvre. Overall, the past week has been very positive for T.J. Stanton's team. The last m

The dust is slowly settling.
The rush of the draft, the trades that come with it, and the opening of the free-agent market are now a thing of the past.
It's time for a quiet period until September.
Kent Hughes's two biggest moves in recent weeks were extending Ivan Demidov's contract and the trade that sent Brendan Gallagher to Vancouver.
Gallagher wore an “A” on his jersey, just like Mike Matheson. With his departure, the team will need to name a brand-new assistant to captain Nick

In life, there are facts. What is factual…
And then there are emotions.
Often, we have to strike a balance between the two. Because someone who is too emotional or too rational overlooks 50% of reality.
So let's try to stick to the facts—while adding a touch of partisan emotion—and take a look at the Montreal Canadiens' “new” lineup.
Factually speaking, the Canadiens aren't a better team than they were two months ago. In fact, their lineup is the same: the players

Kyle Schwarber leads all of MLB with 30 home runs in 83 games and is on track to set a new career high after hitting a personal best of 56 home runs last year.
And with the All-Star Game taking place at home, the Philadelphia Phillies star is expected to participate in the Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
Schwarber has already competed in the Home Run Derby twice. First, in 2018, when he faced Bryce Harper in the final at Nationals Park, losing by just one home run despite hitting a tournam

There aren’t many options left on the free-agent market.
I'm not necessarily saying this about the Montreal Canadiens, who have never been contenders for the free-agent dance floor. And that's just fine. #HighPrices
I'm saying this in general.
Obviously, there are still some options out there, but they aren't ideal candidates. Teams looking to improve will likely have to do so via a trade, which is nothing new.
According to The Athletic, which ranked unrestricted free agents based on sever

There was a time when Devin White represented the future of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense.
A first-round pick—fifth overall in 2019—he seemed destined to join the ranks of the franchise's great defensive legends, alongside names like Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp.
He quickly lived up to those expectations.
As early as his rookie season, he established himself as a key player, before reaching his peak in 2020 with a major role in the team's Super Bowl victory. In 2021, he even ma

It was recently reported that if the Canadiens wanted to trade Samuel Montembeault during the offseason, they would be better off doing so before July 1.
After all, it's usually around July 1 that we get a better idea of the rosters of the various National Hockey League teams.
Normally, teams make moves before or on July 1 itself.
But here we are on July 2, and Monty is still here. Kent Hughes, who hasn't made many moves this summer, could still trade the Quebec native, of course.
That's surely