NFL doors open to a Québécois receiver

Damien Alford’s journey continues to gain momentum as the Québécois receiver attracts more attention than ever south of the border.
After a full season in the Canadian Football League, the Montreal athlete is finally seeing his ambition to play in the NFL move closer to a tangible reality.
Several Goodell organizations have shown sustained interest since the end of his calendar, giving a second wind to a trajectory long seen as uncertain.
His consistent performances and abili

The Canadiens are in Dallas for their game against the Stars.
And there’s one aspect of the game we’ve been keeping an eye on: the Canadiens’ starting goaltender.
Technically, it was Samuel Montembeault’s turn because Jakub Dobes (last Thursday in Carolina) and Jacob Fowler (yesterday in St. Louis) have played the club’s last two games. And logic was respected:Samuel Montembeault is the Canadiens’ starting goaltender against the Stars.
Jacob Fowler is hisbacku

The Blue Jays have several infielders. Ernie Clement, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Andres Gimenez will be regulars in the outfield. Addison Barger will play either third base or right field… and Kazuma Okamoto is more of an infielder than anything else.
In the outfield? Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, Davis Schneider (who can play second base), Anthony Santander, Daulton Varsho, and George Springer are there. Barger and Okamoto can also go in the outfield, if needed.
We agree that despite the su

Things are going well in Buffalo lately.
The Sabres lost yesterday (5-1 to the Columbus Blue Jackets)… but had just won ten consecutive games. The club’s streak came a little out of nowhere, but hey. No one can complain when the team is winning on the ice.
That said, there’s one file that’s starting to take on a lot of importance within the organization, and that’s Alex Tuch. Because the Sabres have an important choice to make…
Tuch is in the final year of a

Yesterday’s moves by the Americans to counter the Venezuelan regime by taking control of the country are having repercussions in the world of sport.
The Milwaukee Brewers, to name but one, are concerned for their native South American athletes in the wake of events there.
Nicolas Maduro’s arrest will certainly have consequences on the geopolitical chessboard, but it also leaves some sports teams feeling helpless, unsure of how to deal with the situation. For the time being, the Brewe

I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen an Eastern Conference as tight as this one in the National Hockey League.
We’re now halfway through the season, and no team in the East has yet been dropped to the bottom of the standings.
No team seems to be rebuilding and waiting for the draft, while all the teams are still in the playoff hunt.
It’s amazing how competitive the NHL has become, with parity at an all-time high, especially in the East.
To give you an idea, the 16 teams

The Montreal Canadiens and their fans can only be delighted to see Michael Hage performing like this at the World Junior Championship.
The Habs prospect is one of the best players on Team Canada Junior, with nine points in five games, which has any Habs fan excited about his arrival in Montreal.
The current WJC gives us easier access to Hage’s performances, allowing us to evaluate him in greater depth.
Canada’s #19 is playing some excellent hockey, while his vision and undeniable off

Aside from a difficult start to the season due to his contractual situation, Lane Hutson is having an absolutely incredible second season in the National Hockey League.
Let’s just say the Montreal Canadiens’ #48 doesn’t know what it’s like, a second-year jinx.
Hutson is amazing this season, even more dominant than last season, as evidenced by his 40 points, including six goals (his total from last season), in 41 games.
That’s phenomenal production, and puts Hutson i

Since the opening of the free agent market, Bo Bichette’s name has been echoing around North America, mainly among teams capable of acquiring the services of a player of his quality.
In turn, the Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers, and Red Sox have shown interest in the man who has only played for the Blue Jays since the start of his career in 2019. At 27, he’s a coveted athlete, as his batting stroke is far above average.
Of course, the Jays are also interested in keeping Bichette in town to co

There were 13 games on the National Hockey League schedule yesterday, with 26 of the 32 teams in action.
It was a very busy day of hockey, which gave us a number of interesting highlights.
Here are the highlights.
1. Auston Matthews makes Leafs history
With the Maple Leafs visiting the Islanders in New York yesterday, there was a chance for Maple Leafs history to be made.
Well, that’s exactly what happened, as with two goals, Auston Matthews became the all-time leading scorer for the Toron

In 2024 and 2025, Canada’s journey ended in the quarter-finals.
The nation finished fifth in the last two years due to defeats by the Czech Republic. In 2026, Canada has already done better and will finish at least fourth. #Progress
Tomorrow, at 8:30 p.m., Dale Hunter’s team will face its nemesis, the Czechs. They will be looking to avoid a third consecutive elimination against the European country.Junior Team Canada walks on eggshells as semi-final approaches: https://t.co/R5KPbN0NQ

The Canadiens wanted to extend their streak of games with at least one point to eight during their seven-game road trip.
This afternoon, however, they came up against an in-form Jordan Binnington, who picked up his first shutout of the season, stopping all 25 of the Habs’ shots.
St. Louis won 2-0, ending the Habs’ streak of games with at least one point at seven.On to Dallas
OntoDallas#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/fIKRoR4hHd
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 3, 2026
When

Kona Takahashi returns to Japan
He hasn’t reached an agreement with an MLB club.Kona Takahashi will indeed return to Japan for 2026, as he’s expected to sign a new multi-year deal with Seibu, per source. The deal will include opt outs that will allow him to test MLB free agency as soon as next winter without being subjected to the posting system.
– Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 3, 2026The Cody Bellinger file
Can the Dodgers get him out of New York?“I think the West Co

The Habs’ trip comes to an end soon. All that remains is a stop in St. Louis (this afternoon) and Dallas, tomorrow.
Montreal is looking for a point in its eighth straight game.
Here are the line-ups. Mike Matheson was back, while Josh Anderson declared forfeit. Zachary Bolduc and Alexandre Texier were back in St. Louis.Today’s lineup
Today’slineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/jPBE1INCP7
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 3, 2026#stlblues lineup vs. #habs:
Neighbours

In recent years, the Habs have drafted guys like Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, and David Reinbacher, who will be important players for years to come.
Alexander Zharosvky is also a guy I can’t wait to see, even if he was drafted in the second round.
But it’s not just the first two rounds that have smiled on the Canadiens. Recently, the club picked up two gems in the third round: Bryce Pickford and Jacob Fowler. Pickford has just been named WHL Player of the Month.Congra

The Blue Jays have signed hitter Kazuma Okamoto to a contract. According to reports, he will earn $15 million a year for four years, for a total of $60 million. He has also not been granted an opt-out.
This raises a number of questions.
1. Okamoto is good at third base and his best position is first base. The consensus is that he’ll only help out at first base if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is healthy.
I also see him playing in left field and as a pinch-hitter. But I expect to see him move aroun

Against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, Mike Matheson was violently hit on the head by Brad Marchand.
The defenseman missed the game against the Hurricanes and let’s just say his absence was felt, even in victory.
But this afternoon, in St. Louis, he’ll be back in action. He’ll take Adam Engstrom’s place.Trios warming up for the game against the Blues.
Josh Anderson is out today.
Caufield-Suzuki-Texier
Slafkovsky-Kapanen-Demidov
Bolduc-Danault-Gallagher
Blais-Veleno-Beck

Fans of the Montreal Canadiens are certainly disappointed that Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield have been passed over for the U.S. Olympic team.
On the other hand, Canadian fans can take heart from not seeing Hutson and Caufield with the U.S., since we know they could be a big help against the Canadiens.
However, Canadiens fans can take comfort in the fact that Nick Suzuki has been named to the Canadian team.
Many wonder what role he could play in such a well-stocked forward line. We can surely exp

In the run-up to this afternoon’s game against the St. Louis Blues (4:00 p.m.), many were wondering which goaltender would be in net for the clash.
With another game tomorrow afternoon against the Dallas Stars, we can expect to see two different goaltenders in this back-to-back with the ménage à trois.
The Montreal Canadiens have announced that rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler will be tasked with stopping the Blues in St. Louis.Today’s starter: JF32
Today’s starter:

Big news from the Blue Jays.
The Toronto club has acquired the services of Japanese outfielder Kazuma Okamoto. His window to sign ended tomorrow, so time was running out for him.BREAKING: Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a free agent contract, sources tell ESPN.
– Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 3, 2026Details to come…
This content was created with the help of AI.
The post Blue Jays: Kazuma Okamoto arrives in town appeared first on Dos

The New York Mets’ offseason continues to raise questions in the Big Apple as they look to address their main shortcoming of adding pieces to the starting rotation puzzle.
That’s why Japan’s Tatsuya Imai would have been a perfect fit, given their needs on the mound and the short term of his contract with the Houston Astros.
But that wasn’t the opinion of Mets management. In fact, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Metropolitans ultimately opted not to embrace Imai

Ivan Demidov was fortunate in his only full year in the KHL last year.
Although he wasn’t used much by Roman Rotenberg with SKA St. Petersburg, he did get to rub shoulders with some very good Russian players, including former NHLer Evgeny Kuznetsov.
On a couple of occasions, they shared a line together and made sparks fly.
This season, another prospect from the Montreal Canadiens is performing very well in his rookie season in the KHL: Alexander Zharovsky.
As we all know, the player from U

The Canadiens are having a very good holiday/early-year trip at the moment, collecting five points out of a possible six.
These are big points for the Habs, against three big teams, while deploying three different goaltenders.
Jacob Fowler picked up a point in Tampa, Samuel Montembeault regained some confidence in Florida, and Jakub Dobes beat the Carolina Hurricanes, the best team in the Metropolitan Division.
However, no goaltender was sensational on this trip, while the Habs’ forwards s

Even with star status in the Majors, who can do without the advice of an icon of Albert Pujols’ stature? No one, not even Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who received a visit and advice from the former glory while practising his swing as part of the break marking the activities of the most recent All-Star Game.
It’s not every day that someone so respected in the baseball world comes into your environment, taking the time to ask about you and offering a few tips along the way. Pujols shone for

Canada is having a fine tournament so far at the World Junior Championship, and we hope it continues.
Indeed, Team Canada Junior is putting in some fine performances, which is encouraging for the rest of the tournament, i.e. the semi-finals and potentially the final.
The next match, tomorrow at 8:30 p.m., will be extremely important, as Canada faces its nemesis of the last two WJCs, the Czech Republic, in the semifinals.
In short, we’re all happy to see Canada perform, but as fans of the M

The best team in the AHL’s Northern Section was in action last night at Place Bell, as the Laval Rocket took on the Utica Comets, the worst team in the division.
It wasn’t an easy game for the Rocket, but in the end, Pascal Vincent’s team came out on top, 5-4 in overtime.
The victory required a fine comeback, as well as some outstanding individual performances.
Québécois forward Alex Belzile scored four points, including two goals and two assists, for a total of 3

With the signing of Tatsuya Imai to the Houston Astros, there are fewer pitchers still immersed in the autonomy process, and Chris Bassitt is one of them.
The man who has worn the uniform of the Toronto Blue Jays for the past three seasons could continue his career in Georgia, with the Atlanta Braves. At least, that’s the logical destination for Rowan Kavner of FOX Sports in his analysis of pitchers still available.Now that Tatsuya Imai is off the board after his reported three-year deal w

While all eyes were on Team Canada Junior, who easily won their quarter-final match against Slovakia, there was plenty of action in the NHL.
There were four games on the National Hockey League schedule yesterday, including a Winter Classic.
Here’s what caught the eye across the league.
1. Winter Classic points record for Zibanejad
Last night, the Florida Panthers faced the New York Rangers in a Winter Classic, a game played on an outdoor rink.
The game took place in Miami, which raised a l

Canada faced Slovakia in the quarterfinals of the World Junior Championship. Last year, ÉCJ lost at this stage of the competition to the Czech Republic.
Only one change was made to the Canadian line-up. Jack Ivankovic kept goal and took Carter George’s place.
Here is the Canadian line-up:Ready for the quarterfinal.Ready for the quarterfinal duel.#WorldJuniors | #MondialJunior pic.twitter.com/QSVIq26IQP
– Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) January 3, 2026
Here’s Slovakia&rsquo

The World Junior Championship has just offered another stark reminder: in a knockout match, nothing is ever guaranteed.
The United States were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Finland, losing 4-3 in overtime, in a result that surprised as much by the scenario as by the context. Since the start of the tournament, the Americans had been among the teams tipped to fight for gold. But their run as two-time defending champions came to an end much sooner than expected.
On paper, the USA had the adva