Report: Canucks Prospect Tom Willander Will Not Join The Abbotsford Canucks During The 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs
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Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Davis: Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive line looking for another sack attack
Good job, D-line! Can you do it again? That's how things go in the CFL, where the Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive linemen just played their best, most dominating game of the season and are expected to repeat it Saturday when they visit the Montreal Alouettes. 'I think it was our best performance this year,' said defensive end Shane Ray, reflecting on the six (of eight) times Riders defensive linemen sacked Edmonton Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo in a 21-18 victory on Friday that improved Saskatchewan's league-best record to 6-1. 'You get two sacks across the board with me, Scoop (Malik Carney) and Micah (Johnson), that's big. To have eight sacks total, that's incredible! But we look at the film and we're like, 'Man, we left so many more sacks out there.' So for us it's about trying to capitalize and get the ones that we missed.' With starting quarterback Davis Alexander sidelined by injury, the 5-2 Alouettes will be led by veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Not a tremendously mobile quarterback, Bethel-Thompson plays behind an offensive line that has allowed only 10 sacks and gets only 4.7 yards per carry from running back Sean Thomas Erlington. The Alouettes practised all week without game-breaking receivers Austin Mack and Tyson Philpot. Ray and Bethel-Thompson were teammates on the 2022 Grey Cup-winning Toronto Argonauts. 'I played with McLeod and I think he's going to stand in there when he feels pressure,' said Ray. 'He's the kind of quarterback that's going to stand in there, try to make throws. That's what we're looking at with him. 'You know, he's not very mobile. But he can make the throws and he can obviously make the deep ball down the field.' Despite the all-star credentials of starters Ray and linemates Johnson, Carney and Mike Rose, who joined the Roughriders in the off-season from the Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan's defensive linemen weren't having an outstanding season before manhandling the Elks. They have been rotating nine players through the line and expecting the front four to pressure opposing quarterbacks while eight teammates dropped into zone coverages. 'It's getting better and better,' said Ray, a former Super Bowl winner who also joined the Riders in the off-season. 'Early in the season we were trying to build our chemistry. 'It's difficult to build chemistry. I was out for a couple weeks in training camp and the pre-season. We needed those first few games to understand how we all rush because how we work together is crucial. Though we've been rushing very well, we just haven't hit home.' Maybe they just needed a little help. 'We were getting all (quarterback) pressures but no sacks,' said Ray. 'To continue to have pressure on guys, especially guys that can't really move in the pocket, putting a phone booth around them, having guys close around him so he can't extend his arm and make those throws, that changes the game. That's what we've got to do as a D-line every week.' Against Edmonton, the Roughriders relied heavily on a five-man pass rush and frequently added a defensive back or another linebacker in six-man blitzes. Linebackers A.J. Allen and C.J. Reavis also sacked Fajardo, whose offensive line struggled to protect him. The blitzes were particularly effective in shutting down Edmonton's rushing attack, which gained only 25 yards and repeatedly forced the Elks into passing situations. And the final two sacks came on the game's last two plays. After the Roughriders — who have struggled to hold late-game leads — had been outscored 14-0 in the fourth quarter to make it a three-point game, Edmonton had possession on its five-yard line and needed 60 quick yards to try a game-tying field goal. Johnson and Ray snuffed out those hopes. Credit those big plays to the nine-man rotation keeping everyone fresh. 'We've got a lot of guys that can play,' said Ray. 'We would be doing guys like Habba (Baldonado) and Caleb (Sanders) a disservice if we didn't get them an opportunity to get on the field and make plays. 'Rotating and having guys we can trust when me or Scoop comes out, or Micah or Rose, we have that. To be able to rotate and be fresh at the end of the game, that's part of our chemistry.' Related The Big Question: Why can't the Saskatchewan Roughriders close their CFL games? Davis: Saskatchewan Roughriders eke out CFL victory over easy Edmonton Elks The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Up Close: Meet Roughriders offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick
From Mississippi to Saskatchewan with several stops in between, offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick has had quite the journey to the CFL. Now in his second season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hardrick is in his 11th year in the CFL after NFL and Arena Football League stops before he arrived in Canada. In fact, there was a time during that journey when he thought about hanging up his cleats. After starting his college career at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas, Hardrick joined the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers for two seasons before signing with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012. Following his release from the Bucs, Hardrick signed with the New Orleans Saints later that year before spending the next season in the Arena Football League with the Utah Blaze. In 2014, he made his way to the CFL with the B.C. Lions before heading back to the AFL. After a short stint with the Tampa Bay Storm, Hardrick joined the Roughriders in 2015 and went on to play eight games that season. He was released by the Riders that off-season and signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers just one day later, before going on to win two Grey Cups and earn three divisional all-star nods for the Bombers over the next seven seasons. This week, we sat down with Hardrick to reflect on his journey, which wasn't always smooth sailing. Name: Jermarcus Hardrick Position: Right tackle Number: 52 Age: 35 Height and weight: 6-foot-4, 315 pounds Nickname: Yoshi Hometown: Courtland, Mississippi 'About 300, 400 people now. Growing up, about 200. 'Love to go back there to show my kids where I came from and just show my face.' When did you get into football? 'Grade 7. The town was so small we didn't have any organized sports growing up. 'Played a little tight end, but mostly along the line. Tight end to block. It wasn't tight end Travis Kelce. I was a 300-pound blocking tight end.' What was your football journey after high school? 'I went and played junior college in Kansas then with Nebraska. 'Then I got a try out with the Buccaneers … Got cut (in) final cuts and got signed with the Saints on the practice spot. Didn't get signed back the next year. Played arena ball. Quit football because I just had a kid and I had I think $1.38 in my account. 'My wife said we're done with this, can't play this anymore. So I quit that football. 'I was selling cars … and then I got a call that said, 'This is the British Columbia Lions and you're on our neg list.' And I was like, I've never heard of British Columbia. 'My wife helped me get a passport. Her mother actually paid for my passport, and the rest is history.' What was the transition to the CFL like? 'I'll tell you the truth my first year, I didn't know 12 people were on the field. I didn't know anybody's name … I was just playing football, having fun. 'I came halfway through the year … I showed up first week I thought I was gonna be on practice squad, and I was active.' Did you think you'd still be in the CFL this many years later? 'Not at all because I was on three teams in three years. 'My wife told me in '16 when I signed with Winnipeg, this might be our last (year). 'We had three kids in three years, and I had three teams in three years. So yeah, it was rough. 'It wasn't even my wife telling me … She's was more like, 'Hey, life is happening.' ' Any other sports growing up? 'I played a little church basketball; wasn't organized really. I played baseball until about (age eight or nine) and we just played at our park. And it was fun. Didn't know anything. Went to a big city. We got blew out maybe 20-1. Baseball wasn't for me.' Any other jobs besides selling cars and playing football? 'I worked for the YMCA for like 10 years. I was a referee, I was an umpire. Did football (and) basketball.' Favourite football memory? 'Any time I won a championship on any level. 'But I'd say my first game in Nebraska. I always dreamed of being on TV and dreamed of coming out. And I always wanted to play myself on a video game. The first time I got to play myself on a video game and my parents watched me on ABC down south, that was unreal.' Any superstitions? 'Usually just write my wife and kids names on my tape.' Hidden talent? 'I can eat a lot (chuckles). No, no hidden talent.' What would you be doing if you weren't playing football? 'Probably trying to coach (or) trying to use my degree. I'd be trying to do something positive; give back to somebody. I'll be trying to go save a young Yosh. 'I'll never forget when I went to Nebraska and I took my visit, (coach said), 'You're gonna graduate from the University of Nebraska.' Nobody ever told me I was going to graduate before.' tshire@ Related Roughriders' receiver Shawn Bane Jr. is ready — and waiting Roughriders' defence compliments each other on the field and in the media The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
How will Edmonton Oilers deploy new-look winger depth charts in 2025-26?
While Edmonton Oilers fans focus on the famous veteran wingers who were lost to free agency, the organization is focused on a new-look group that marbles youth, experience and the unknown in hopes of adding speed and goals. The Oilers' wingers scored a total of 116 goals last season: Zach Hyman (27 goals), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (20, 12 as a winger), Corey Perry (19), Jeff Skinner (16), Viktor Arvidsson (16), Connor Brown (13), Vasily Podkolzin (8) and Kasperi Kapanen (5). Advertisement Meanwhile, the team's main centres scored 100: Leon Draisaitl (52), Connor McDavid (26), Adam Henrique (12) and Mattias Janmark (2), plus the eight goals Nugent-Hopkins scored while playing centre. Edmonton general manager Stan Bowman needed to add youth, a rugged edge and goals this summer, while also saying goodbye to almost 60 percent of the goals scored by wingers last season. How did he do it? Will it work out? Here's a look. Matt Savoie has a full year of professional experience, having thrived with the Bakersfield Condors as a rookie pro in 2024-25. He was the leading rookie scorer (age 20 group) in the AHL last season, and the Condors outscored opponents at a 65 percent rate when he was on the ice. When Savoie was not on the ice, that goal share dipped under 50 percent for Bakersfield. NHL coaches are risk-averse, especially with rookies. Savoie's performance in Bakersfield, plus a cup of coffee in the NHL, should give him an early boost in the race for skill-line minutes alongside one of McDavid or Draisaitl. Hyman should be the right winger with McDavid, but he can play either side. It's possible Hyman is delayed in making the opening-night roster as he recovers from wrist surgery. That could help Savoie. Ike Howard's journey to the Oilers roster is a little more complicated. Edmonton moved out Perry, Arvidsson and Brown on right wing, leaving only Hyman and Kapanen as incumbents this fall. However, Skinner was the only free-agent left winger not retained. Adding to the degree of difficulty is Howard's pure rookie status; he has never played professional hockey. His main calling card is as a first-shot scorer. Howard delivered 26 goals in 2024-25 and led the Big Ten in that category, finishing second in points. If Howard can gain some traction in training camp, the Oilers' roster becomes wildly interesting on the third- and fourth-line left wing spots. It's possible the club makes a trade before opening night (possibly Janmark) to make room. Advertisement Likely deployment: Both men receive between 45-60 games, Savoie scoring 0.5 points per game, with Howard taking a little longer to establish himself. The range of outcomes for Howard includes extended time with the Condors, especially if his work away from the puck becomes an issue. Andrew Mangiapane and Trent Frederic both have a chance to grab significant roles on the 2025-26 Oilers. The veterans signed with the team over the summer and will bring a range of skills to the top three lines. Mangiapane's intelligent play and aggressive forechecking style should lend themselves to both the McDavid and Draisaitl lines. He did not have a strong offensive season in 2024-25 (his sole campaign with the Washington Capitals) but should recover if he can stay on one of the top lines. Likely deployment: Mangiapane playing left wing on one of the top two lines is the easiest bet among the newcomers on the Edmonton roster. Expect 75-plus games, 40-45 points and 15-20 goals for the coming season. Frederic is a more difficult player to project onto the Edmonton roster. He brings plenty of grit, something the club will want (at times) on the top two lines. If completely healthy, he could score enough to merit time with the high-end skill centres. Failing that, he could be an effective winger on a third line that outscores and takes on some tough assignments. Deployment: Plenty of third-line time, with trips up the depth chart as required. Oilers fans didn't get to see Frederic at his best last season. Before his injury-riddled season in 2024-25, he averaged 14-14-28 with the Bruins. That should be the range of expectation (if he's healthy) for him in 2025-26. Hyman had wrist surgery and is 33. Despite a motor that won't quit, it's unrealistic to expect the kind of goal-scoring Oilers fans enjoyed over the past four seasons (he has averaged 38 goals per 82 games in Edmonton). Advertisement Podkolzin scored just eight goals last season while playing a significant amount with Draisaitl on the second line. His career high (14) should be within reach if he can hang around on the skill lines long enough this season. For a team that may need his fearless approach more often this season (with the exit of Evander Kane), Podkolzin is in a good spot to increase his offence in 2025-26. Kapanen projects as a depth forward and should deliver at about the same per-game production levels as last season. David Tomasek (Swedish league's leading scorer), Curtis Lazar (healthy again and a possible solution at centre) and Quinn Hutson are wild cards who could pick up significant playing time if injuries hit or the young hopefuls fail to deliver. Here's the tale of the tape. Each year, I run a 'reasonable expectations' series that projects goals-for and against for the Oilers in the coming season. The wingers this coming season project behind last year's group by nine goals. Hyman's injury and aging are factors, and the reliance on both Savoie and Howard as rookies, plus a wild card in Tomasek, likely means a slight downturn in results. The positive in this exercise is clear: there is room to grow. If the Oilers stay the course with the new group of players, the team should be fresher in the playoffs with the rookies battle-hardened. Look for an increase year over year from Podkolzin. He's in an excellent spot on this roster for the coming season. If Savoie and Howard are quicker than projected in figuring out where the goals are scored, Edmonton could break even in terms of production on the wings. (Photo of Andrew Mangiapane: David Kirouac / Imagn Images)
