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Tony Gutierrez / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made it clear Friday his patience is starting to run thin with the club building a Stanley Cup winning team.

‘What we did this year was unacceptable’

Hellebuyck fires shots at club following Jets season exit

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Yesterday at 6:26 PM CDT

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Toews mum on hanging up blades

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Toews mum on hanging up blades

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Yesterday at 6:28 PM CDT

Jonathan Toews insists that he hasn’t made a final decision on his playing future.

But when you listened closely to the words he spoke on Friday morning and saw the number of lengthy embraces he had with teammates who exchanged souvenir signed hockey sticks along with the usual pleasantries, you got the sense that Toews might have played the final game of his memorable NHL career.

Toews was greeted by a large contingent of friends and family members after the game on Thursday, though that was a frequent occurrence, not to mention one of the benefits of spending this season suiting up for his hometown team.

“I don’t know if they need a specific shoutout at this point. They know who they are, but yeah, it was really great,” said Toews. “Even when I signed here last summer, the reception from friends, family, people I hadn’t talked to or seen in years was really special and something that I didn’t think about or didn’t really expect.

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Yesterday at 6:28 PM CDT

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews played all 82 games this season in his return to the league after past health issues related to COVID-19.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews played all 82 games this season in his return to the league after past health issues related to COVID-19.

No shortage of storylines as NHL playoffs kick off

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Preview

No shortage of storylines as NHL playoffs kick off

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Yesterday at 7:32 PM CDT

A weekly lap around the NHL by Free Press hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe

Sing it with us: It’s the mooooooost wonderful time of the yearrrrrrrrrr.

The hockey year, anyway. Buckle up, folks, as the Stanley Cup playoffs get underway on Saturday for what is sure to be another two-month joyride.

The first round is typically the best, with multiple games every night and plenty of energy, excitement and chaos.

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Yesterday at 7:32 PM CDT

Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press files

Will this be the year the Edmonton Oilers go one step further and bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993? Spoiler alert: Our puck prognosticators say no.
Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press files Will this be the year the Edmonton Oilers go one step further and bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993? Spoiler alert: Our puck prognosticators say no.

Canadian QB Elgersma says ‘it was time to come home’ after signing with Blue Bombers

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Canadian QB Elgersma says ‘it was time to come home’ after signing with Blue Bombers

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 7:24 PM CDT

WINNIPEG - Taylor Elgersma doesn’t view coming to the CFL and signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this week as a consolation prize.

The Canadian quarterback from London, Ont., told reporters in a video call Friday that his attempts to play in the NFL and United Football League are behind him for now and “it was time to come home.”

“My focus is on being a Bomber right now and becoming the best version of myself and helping this team win,” Elgersma said during a stop in Arkansas on his way driving to Canada from Texas.

“This is where I am, and this is where I'm excited to be. I see a long future here, and this is where my mindset is. If doors reopen (down south) sometime down the line, I think that would be a situation that I would have to consider then. Right now, I just signed here, and I'm excited to be here.”

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Updated: Yesterday at 7:24 PM CDT

Free agent quarterback Taylor Elgersma prepares for a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Gregory Payan/AP Content Services for NFL)
Free agent quarterback Taylor Elgersma prepares for a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Gregory Payan/AP Content Services for NFL)

Former Bison offensive lineman in the running to go first overall at 2026 CFL Draft

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Former Bison offensive lineman in the running to go first overall at 2026 CFL Draft

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Thursday, Apr. 16, 2026

When the Canadian Football League Draft begins later this month, the first selection could very well be one of Winnipeg’s own.

With team draft boards coming into focus, there is a growing belief that Gio Vaccaro, the former Manitoba Bisons standout who transferred to Purdue for his final season of college eligibility, will be the first name called on April 28.

“To me, I think that he is certainly one of the first offensive linemen off the board, and it’s not unreasonable that he would be a guy that would get some consideration as the top pick. In terms of what he is physically and athletically, he fits the bill,” TSN draft analyst Duane Forde told the Free Press.

The 6-2, 307-pound guard was a two-time first-team All-Canadian selection and 2024 winner of the J.P. Metras Trophy (awarded to the nation’s top offensive lineman) with the Bisons. Although Vaccaro’s move to the NCAA Power 4 ranks didn’t yield a starting job, he saw time on the Boilermakers’ special teams units and played valuable snaps in the team’s regular-season finale against Indiana — the eventual national champions.

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Thursday, Apr. 16, 2026

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

Offensive lineman Gio Vaccaro, who was named the J.P. Metras Award Winner as U Sports Lineman of the Year and first team All-Canadian for the second time back in 2024, credited the Manitoba Bisons for his success.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Offensive lineman Gio Vaccaro, who was named the J.P. Metras Award Winner as U Sports Lineman of the Year and first team All-Canadian for the second time back in 2024, credited the Manitoba Bisons for his success.

Hellebuyck, Jets left to deal with rapid fall from grace this season

Jim Bender, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Hellebuyck, Jets left to deal with rapid fall from grace this season

Jim Bender, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 7:02 PM CDT

WINNIPEG - Plummeting from a Presidents’ Trophy winner to failing to make the NHL playoffs was “unacceptable, this season,” Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck assessed Friday.

“This year, it was chaos,” said Hellebuyck, who won both the Vezina and Hart Trophy the previous season.

Hellebuyck recorded a lowly 2.86 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage last season.

“We came off to a pretty good start,” he said. “I wouldn’t say we were playing great at the start, but we got a good start (9-3).

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Yesterday at 7:02 PM CDT

Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, left, stops a shot in front of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli and Jets forward Mark Scheifele during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, left, stops a shot in front of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli and Jets forward Mark Scheifele during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Melissa Majchrzak / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Winnipeg Jets defenceman Ville Heinola has been a perpetual healthy scratch with the club.

‘Just want to finish the season strong’

Jets’ Heinola opens up about mental health struggles

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Thursday, Apr. 16, 2026

Sports Editor's Picks

Ken Wiebe:

Hard personnel decisions aplenty for Winnipeg Jets after missing playoffs

David Zalubowski / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti had a tale of two seasons, some of which was due to the high ankle sprain he suffered late in training camp.

Taylor Allen:

Team Kurz caps off undefeated week by capturing provincial mixed curling crown

Curl Manitoba Photo Team Kurz got the band back together last week and won the 2026 Manitoba Mixed Curling Provincial Championship on Sunday. From left: skip Colin Kurz, third Meghan Walter, second Brendan Bilawka and lead Sara Krym.

Taylor Allen:

Sweeting lands on her feet

Jeff McIntosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS files Third Val Sweeting, centre, has said her goodbyes to Team Kerri Einarson after playing for Canada at the World Women’s Curling Championship in Calgary.

Joshua Frey-Sam:

FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour brings dreams to our doorstep

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS The World Cup trophy up close. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour makes a stop in Winnipeg Monday at Memorial Park. Reporter: Julia-Simone Rutgers 260413 - Monday, April 13, 2026.

Mike McIntyre:

Sudarshan Yellamaraju used to swing a club inside Winnipeg’s Golf Dome — now he's a big deal on the PGA Tour

NATHAN DENETTE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju hits his tee shot on the 11th hole during first round of the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament, in Caledon, Ont., on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Canadian men’s rugby squad returns to the ‘Peg for first time in 33 years

Supplied The Canadian men’s rugby team battles against the U.S. men’s squad during a match on Aug. 22, 2025. The team will play an international match in Winnipeg on July 18, 2026, for the first time in more than three decades.

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What’s old is new again in Pennsylvania as the Penguins and Flyers renew a long-simmering rivalry

Will Graves, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

What’s old is new again in Pennsylvania as the Penguins and Flyers renew a long-simmering rivalry

Will Graves, The Associated Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 2:28 PM CDT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby would not take the bait, even though the smile on his face and the gleam in his eye hinted that maybe the Pittsburgh Penguins captain kind of wanted to.

Told that Philadelphia Flyers coach Rick Tocchet — an assistant with the Penguins when Pittsburgh won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017 — knew his current team was going to have to “get after” Crosby and longtime running mates Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang when the cross-state rivals open their first-round series on Saturday night, Crosby just grinned.

“I mean, to be expected, what else can you expect me to say?” the 38-year-old future Hall of Famer said with a small laugh. “We’re all out there competing. We all are after the same thing. That’s how it works.”

Technically, that's how it always seems to work whenever the Flyers and Penguins get together, regardless of circumstance. Things only figure to be ramped up considerably during the eighth — and perhaps most unlikely — playoff meeting between two teams separated by 300 miles geographically and considerably more in terms of postseason success.

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Yesterday at 2:28 PM CDT

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) comes to congratulate teammate Erik Karlsson, left, on his goal with Rickard Rakell, right, during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) comes to congratulate teammate Erik Karlsson, left, on his goal with Rickard Rakell, right, during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Oilers open playoffs against Ducks team built on speed, skill and youth

John Korobanik, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Oilers open playoffs against Ducks team built on speed, skill and youth

John Korobanik, The Canadian Press 4 minute read 5:00 AM CDT

EDMONTON - When the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks open their first-round NHL playoff series Monday, it will be a complete reversal from 2017, the last time the teams met in the playoffs.

Back then, the Ducks used their veteran lineup to subdue the young, mostly inexperienced Oilers 4-3 in a second-round series. Now the roles are flipped with a veteran, playoff-hardened Edmonton team facing a young, run-and-gun Ducks squad.

The Ducks’ top four scorers — forwards Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson and Beckett Sennecke, and defenceman Jackson LaCombe — average 21 years old.

“They have a lot of young talent over there that has led the way through the regular season, so it will be a focus of ours to be hard on them, not give them anything easy,” Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said of the young Ducks.

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5:00 AM CDT

Anaheim Ducks’ Leo Carlsson (91) is chased along the boards by Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse (25) during first period NHL action in Edmonton on Saturday March 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/James Maclennan
Anaheim Ducks’ Leo Carlsson (91) is chased along the boards by Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse (25) during first period NHL action in Edmonton on Saturday March 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/James Maclennan

Inside the Numbers: Some notes going into the NBA playoffs

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Inside the Numbers: Some notes going into the NBA playoffs

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: 8:34 AM CDT

A winning season usually gets you to the NBA playoffs. Not this year.

There were a record-tying three teams — Charlotte at 44-38, Miami at 43-39 and the Los Angeles Clippers at 42-40 — that finished over .500 this season but failed to qualify for the playoffs.

The only other years when that happened were 1971 and 2022.

In NBA history, teams with records over the .500 mark have gone to the playoffs just over 95% of the time. For teams going at least 43-39 (or the equivalent in shorter seasons), that in-the-playoffs rate was 97.3%, until this season.

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Updated: 8:34 AM CDT

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) gets fouled by Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) gets fouled by Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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