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Stuart is a writer and contributor to LWOS in the news and rumours department. Started in October of 2025. He is also a contributor to flameforthought.com as part of the FanSided network.

  • NHL Metropolitan Division Standing Predictions

    As per the last article as preseason gets underway I am continuing my predictions for the NHL division standings, today it’s the top heavy Metro Division. Let’s get to it. Out of respect to John Gaudreau, and the Columbus Blue Jackets I will not be ranking them at this time.

    #7) Washington Capitals
    While the goal for the Caps is to be competitive for Ovechkin to break the all-time goals record and further cement himself as the greatest goal scorer the NHL has ever seen, the hill is just to steep to climb for this team with aging players and no true star young guns climbing the ranks

    #6) Pittsburgh Penguins
    As with the Caps the Pens also are a aging team without top prospects coming through their system, I give Sydney Crosby a lot of respect for continuing his career in Pittsburgh, a place he has made his home and has a truly legendary legacy in the city. I have doubts everywhere on this team, I think they’ll still be competitive in games but come up short more than not.

    #5) Carolina Hurricanes
    The defense and goaltending are the big stories for the Hurricanes and I don’t believe that this is a playoff team this year, they haven’t upgraded anywhere and seem to be running it back. This will prove to be their undoing as the current Stanley Cup window appears to be closing slowly

    #4) New York Islanders
    This team could and should be a playoff contender, an all-star caliber first line, a goaltending tandem that makes the entire league jealous, a solid top 6 defense core. The question is, can Patrick Roy put it all together for 82 games and prove this team is what it looks like. Currently I have them just outside the Playoffs.

    #3) Philadelphia Flyers
    Coming so close to that final playoff spot, and knowing that if they had won a single game down the stretch of that long winless streak at the end of the season has been haunting this team all summer long and I believe it’s added fuel to the fire. I have them picking up the last spot in the Metro division playoff qualifying position, with what seems to be the consensus leader in the Calder Trophy race in Matvei Michkov, the unlocking of Owen Tippett last season, I think the Flyers are going to take that step

    #2) New Jersey Devils
    I believe that Sheldon Keefe leaving the Leafs was a blessing for him and having the media scrutinize every decision, every line combination, every single day, and I think that pressure being lifted off him can take this team to brand new heights and be a Stanley Cup contender. I’m buying what their doing and I’m looking forward to seeing what this team can do, they’ll be entertaining to watch as well.

    #1) New York Rangers
    Until someone can knock them down a peg in the regular season, this is the best built team in the East, (maybe Florida gives them a run). All around great team, I see zero flaws or concerns. A true Stanley Cup Contender.

    All in all the top 2 look to be a sure lock (barring devastating injury/results) the rest is a log jam of we’ll see what happens over 82 games. I am pumped up for the season to start.

  • NHL Atlantic Division Standings Predictions

    Over the next few days I will go through every division and attempt to predict where teams will fall in the standings at the end of the season starting with 8th place and going to 1st.
    So starting with the Atlantic Division, arguably the most competitive division in the NHL

    #8) Buffalo Sabres
    I know there seems to be a level of optimism for the Sabres but I don’t see the forward group being any better than last season or an improvement on defense, and goaltending is an all around question mark, will Levi steal the show? Is it UPL’s net? I just don’t know and it’s the reason they miss, again.

    #7) Ottawa Senators
    This could go either way with the Sens, if Ullmark can be the stud in net this has the potential to be a playoff team, just with the uncertainty of how this all plays out I have them at 7.

    #6) Tampa Bay Lightning
    With the loss of the heart and soul of the team, this is the year I believe the Lightning take the step back we’ve all predicted to happen after their back to back Stanley Cup wins, and miss the playoffs this season.

    #5) Montreal Canadiens
    The Canadiens have been on the up swing in recent years and I believe they are ready to make that jump into playoff contention and surprise some folks in making it as Wildcard 2.

    #4) Detroit Red Wings
    Oh they’re back in playoff mode this season, the question is, will the goaltending be just enough to steal a game or two?

    #3) Toronto Maple Leafs
    It’s another rinse and repeat season for the Leafs, the playoffs are another story.

    #2) Boston Bruins
    The culture of winning in Boston is undeniable, they have enough players their from the Bergeron era as leaders on the team that they just understand how to win.

    #1) Florida Panthers
    This is a no brainer, it’s the best built team in the league, the only concern is the amount of hockey they’ve played in the past two years. The Panthers are the big brothers in Florida now.

    This division is by far the most competitive to me as their are a lot of good teams in there fighting for playoff spots.

  • Calgary Stampeders’ QB Change: Logan Bonner Steps In | Can He Match Bo Levi Mitchell’s Legacy?

    The Calgary Stampeders have made the change at QB after Labour Classic bomb out after Jake Maier threw 4 interceptions in a disappointing loss in the penultimate game of the season, 35-20 against the provincial rivals Edmonton. Maier went 22/34 for 297 and a touchdown along with the interceptions, while in 4th quarter Logan Bonner took over going 4/6 with 33 yards in a single drive. Speaking of Bonner, he is taking over the starters role in a short week facing the same Edmonton team on Friday the 7th.

    Bonner hasn’t had many opportunities in the CFL, replacing Jake Maier in a blowout loss to Ottawa 6 weeks ago going 4/8 for 66 yards, again in the 4th quarter in his only other appearance in a CFL game in his career. He signed with the Stampeders after a college career that had him start 15 total games at Arkansas State in 2019 and 2020, before transferring to Utah State, starting all but one of the 18 games over the ’21 and ’22 seasons he participated in. Career 59.1% in college ball, with 7525 yards and an interception ratio of 2.9%.

    It remains to be seen how the young gun will be in pro football and I’m looking forward to seeing how he’ll perform, as he has a similar resume, possibly an even better resume, to a former Stampeders QB when he made his first start in the CFL. Is this move going to reveal the next Bo Levi Mitchell? In case you’re unfamiliar with the legend, Bo Levi Mitchell is the Stampeders record holder for most passing yards(32,541), second in touchdowns(188). Let’s watch and find out if Logan Bonner has that in him. Tune in to TSN on September 7th at 5pm ET in Canada and CFL+ in the States.

  • Remembering Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames Icon

    Johnny Gaudreau, number 13 for the Calgary Flames, a 5’9 man who played bigger than he was, and from my own experience a extremely kind hearted, quiet, guy who was an absolute talent on the ice. The impact he had on the community in Calgary is felt even more today with his passing along with his brother Matthew, who were both struck by a vehicle while biking, the night before their sister was to be married. This hit’s so close to home, there will be future NHL players from Calgary that will list Gaudreau an idol they try to emulate, the number 13 will be worn more in the NHL because of Johnny Gaudreau. Number 13 will continue to live on.

    I had the fortunate opportunity of meet Johnny and his wife a couple of times while working in the kitchen of one of his favourite restaurants in Calgary. His quiet demeanor was surprising to me, but not at the same time. He would sit around smiling and enjoying the company of his friends and teammates. His wife is also incredibly kind hearted and I was so devastated to hear about her loss, and knowing that there are two kids who now will grow up without their father, not have the chance to see how much their father meant to an entire city of over a million people. Kids in the city if they have a Gaudreau sweater wore them to school in the wake of this devastating tragedy. He did so much for this city and this Flames franchise.

    On the ice was entirely different, the quiet guy changed, to a superstar, an all-star, and best player on the Flames since Jarome Iginla. A point a game player over his 9 seasons as a Flame, a dynamic player you wanted on the ice for 60 minutes a game without him getting too tired. His evasiveness and quick hands in close made him a beloved member of the Flames.

    I extend my truly heartfelt, deepest, condolences to the Gaudreau family and friends of Johnny, he is an icon in Calgary, we love him, we will miss him dearly.

    We love you Johnny, we always have and we always will.

    Number 13, Johnny Gaudreau.

  • Analyzing Calgary Stampeders’ Challenges: Defensive Weaknesses and Potential Coordinator Changes

    Analyzing Calgary Stampeders’ Challenges: Defensive Weaknesses and Potential Coordinator Changes

    I’ve been around at McMahon Stadium all season long and the call of the fans is needing a different spark at the QB position and I have been among them, but looking at the small details and not just the horrendous record through 10 games of the season, Jake Maier isn’t the issue.

    Jake Maier leads the league in drives lead (no surprise with all the injuries and controversies this season) with 134 drives, 23 of them ending in touchdowns for a 17.2% success rate. The more telling stat is red zone passing numbers, first in attempts (33), first in completions (25), first in touchdowns (11). Bonus is 0 interceptions, the issue isn’t punching the ball in, it’s getting the ball into the red zone. His accuracy on deep throws is an issue (targets over 20 yards, 20/49, 40.8%, 7 TD, 2 INTS) and I’m sure defenses around the league know this and will clamp down an play a more press coverage to defend the short passes making it more difficult for them to move the ball down field. To me what this means is that the run game needs to be a prolific part of this offense, using play action after the run games been established and force defenses to be more honest with the run.

    Dedrick Mills remains the teams leader with 406 yards rushing despite missing the last 4 games due to a personal matter(hope he’s doing well and it’s nothing too serious) leaving Peyton Logan the majority of rushes, he’s quick and agile and should be used as a 2nd down back with ability to catch out of the back field, combine that with someone who has the ability to run the ball through the gut of the defense and reach the second level would allow the Stampeders to show defenses many more combinations and force them to make way more decisions on every play. Force the linebackers on first down to freeze while wondering if the running back is getting the ball then going over their heads.

    The other side is the defense, teams are discovering that there’s a serious issue with the run defense. My goodness it’s awful, 80 rushing first downs, averaging 108.8 yards against on the ground per game. Also last in the league in giving up first downs with 219. 3 more than the worst team in the league in the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The pass defense is a bit more solid forcing 11 interceptions to hold second in the league, forcing fumbles and recovering them is different, they’re last in that category with 2.

    I don’t believe that the offense is the issue in Calgary, it’s the front 7 of the defense. Which is baffling to me when the starters include Cam Judge, Micah Awe, Julien Howsare, Mike Rose, and James Vaughters. All former CFL All Stars in their positions, but only combining for 10 sacks. Is it possible that Brent Monson, Stampeders Defensive Coordinator, could find himself on the hotseat? It seems to be drawing closer.

    Jake Maier isn’t the issue.

    References http://CFL.ca

  • CFL Awards Predictions: Recognizing Exceptional Performances in the East and the West

    CFL Awards Predictions: Recognizing Exceptional Performances in the East and the West

    The CFL Season is at the midway point going into week 11, breakout stars emerging and top candidates for end of season award are pulling away from the pack. In this I’ll pick my award winners in the East and the West and ultimately in the CFL.

    The CFL awards are as follows,

    -Most Outstanding Player

    -Most Outstanding Canadian

    -Most Outstanding Defensive Player

    -Most Outstanding Rookie

    -Most Outstanding Special Teams Player

    So let’s get this party started with the Special Teams.

    In the West it is hard to not pick BC Lions kicker Sean Whyte. So far he is the only kicker to be 100% success rate on field goals going 27 for 27 including 3 for 3 at 50+ yard attempt with a season long 52 yarder.

    In the East there’s no debate it’s Janarion Grant of the Toronto Argonauts. He leads the league with 4 total returns for touchdowns, 3 being punt returns and 3 kickoff returns of over 40 yards. He’s consistently the most dangerous returners in the CFL and teams are game planning against his returns.

    Most Outstanding Special Teams Player – Janarion Grant

    Moving along to the Most Outstanding Rookie.

    In the West I believe it’s Ontaria Wilson, the receiver of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is enjoying himself with 37 catches on 58 targets for 575 yards, 5 of those qualify as big plays (30 yards or more) and 2 touchdowns. He’s on pace for over 1000 yards this season.

    The East is a little tougher, but I’m going with Charleston Rambo of the Montreal Alouettes. Another receiver who’s on pace for just shy of the 1000 yard mark, 31 catches for 410 yards and 4 touchdowns. If this is just the beginning these two could be future MOP candidates.

    Most Outstanding Rookie – Ontaria Wilson

    Let’s get a bit more interesting, with the ever contentions Defensive Player.

    Roland Milligan Jr. stands out with 6 interceptions, 10 pass knockdowns, both leading the league. Add on the 13 special teams tackles he is just around the ball all the time. The Saskatchewan Roughriders have a breakout defensive all-star and my pick as the West M.O.D.O.P.

    Tyrice Beverette has been on the field the most, participating in 76 defensive plays, with 53 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, and 6 pass knockdowns. The 5th year Linebacker adds on 3 sacks and 1 pick and is on pace to break the 100 tackle barrier in a season for the first time in his career.

    Most Outstanding Defensive Player – Tyrice Beverette

    This next award to me is the backbone of the CFL, Most Outstanding Canadian. To me this is the second most prestigious awards in the CFL highlighting the amazing Canadian talent we have.

    Winnipeg has another division winner in Brady Olivera, it seems repetitive but there’s no doubting the running backs dominance, 611 yards, 5.7 yards per carry, 6 runs over 20 yards. The only knock so far from him is the big zero under the touchdown stat.

    The Alouettes are so fortunate to have Tyson Philpot, he has truly become one of the best receivers in the CFL racking up 779 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns, on 58 catches. 6 of those going for 30+ yards, and making people miss with 361 yards after the catch. To put in perspective, last season (marred by injury) he had 532 yards. This is a career year so far.

    Most Outstanding Canadian – Tyson Philpot

    Now for the main event, the MOP. Before his injury and the signing of Nathan Rourke, quarterback Vernon Adams Jr would have been my choice in the West as he was on pace for 6000+ yards.

    It’s becoming increasingly clear that a Quarterback likely won’t win this award this year with the injuries to quarterbacks, so in the West I’m going with BC Lions receiver Justin McInnis, 834 receiving and on pace for over 1600 yards, 6 touchdowns with 51 catches.

    In the East I’m going with Cody Fajardo, he’s missed the last 3 games with an injury, but has a completion percentage of 77.5, 1636 yards passing but the 10 touchdowns is the key thing, he finds his guys in the endzone, and I think when he returns it will continue in fine form.

    CFL Most Outstanding Player – Justin McInnis

  • NHL Qualifier West Playoff Predictions

    To the West we go with the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks. Kane and Towes vs McDavid and Draisaitl, goaltending and defense are going to be the key things in this series with the forward talent both teams have, I give that edge to the Blackhawks, but that won’t matter if the Oilers score 3 or 4 in a game. I give this series a full 5 games with a 3-2 win to the Oilers. Their goalscoring ability will out weigh the defense and the ‘Hawks will go home.

    The Vancouver Canucks and the Minnesota Wild won’t be as close as the Oilers and ‘Hawks, the Canucks young group who were exciting to watch during the regular season will be too much for the Wild with a 3-1 series win to the Canucks.

    Nashville Predators and the Arizona Coyotes might be closer than most people think it will be, with the Predators close to being in full rebuild mode there’s still a chance with Pekka Rinne in net, I think that the Predators will win 3-2 going a full 5 games to win.

    The Calgary Flames against the Winnipeg Jets is the series I’m most looking forward to. Two young talented teams looking to prove themselves in the west, if the Flames get their goaltending and Johnny Hockey with Sean Monahan finally make their marks in the playoffs they have a chance. Hellebuyck could prove to be too much for the Flames forwards, add on that the forward group for the Jets is a bit more talented, I see this series being one goal games in all 5 games. I give it a 3-2 series win for the Jets. Goaltending proves to be the difference maker for the Jets, and the Flames get a shot at Lafreneire

  • NHL Qualifier East Playoff Predictions

    Starting in the Eastern Conference with the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes, no one knows who will be starting in net for the Rangers. It’ll either be the veteran in Lundqvist, or the newcomer with almost no experience in Shestyorkin. If I was the Rangers I’d go with the experienced and hungry for the Cup in Lundqvist, but that decision isn’t mine to make. Meanwhile the Hurricanes could be the dark horse in the series with a young talented group, but I don’t think that the ‘Canes will be able to overcome that and the Rangers with Mika Z will come out on top with a 3-1 series win.

    Moving on to the Florida Panthers and the New York Islanders. The Panthers were on a roll before the pause, picking up steam and looking on their way to a playoff spot in the wild card. Facing the Islanders will be difficult but a possibility to win, that’s a beautiful thing about the Stanley Cup Playoffs, once you’re in anything can happen. Florida has an ability to be seen as underdogs and rise to the occasion, I don’t think it’ll be this year as the Islanders are too talented, the Islanders will move on 3-1 in this one as well.

    Next is the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins. This has the makings to be one hell of a series with a healthy and rested Carey Price. One of the things holding the Canadiens back in the playoffs in the past has been an overworked Price just to get them in the playoffs, when the time came Price folded under the weight of carrying the team on his head. Now with rest and looking like the MVP he can be the Penguins are going to need all their goal scoring talent to get even one against Price. That being said the Pens still have Crosby and depth, that could be the difference. The depth of the Pens is greater than the Canadiens. I think that this will be a series that goes the distance with a 3-2 win for the Canadiens. Price will be the MVP we know him to be. A final thought, Lafreniere with the Penguins, I shudder at the thought of no other team winning the Prince of Wales Trophy for a long time.

    Lastly the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackets. If the line of Tavares, Matthews, and Marner lives up to the expectations and the defensive core does what it can do than there’s no doubt. It’ll be a 3-0 sweep for the Leafs. And Torts get to give a lot more sound bites of disappointment. I don’t have anything that the Blue Jackets could win this series.

  • Is it Time for the MLB to Have a Salary Cap

    The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Mookie Betts to a 12 year $365 million contract extension, that will average out to $30.4 million a year. To spend that much on a single player and to still be able to afford putting your team on the field says that you have the money to do it, what about the other teams in MLB? For that matter what about in the past with the Yankees of old, or the Red Sox who could pay anyone and everyone to play with those teams. The MLB is a league of who has the money, who has the most to spend on their players. The game has become somewhat corrupt and a little unfair to the smaller market teams like Tampa Bay, Minnesota, San Diego. When was the last time you thought of those teams and went “they have a shot this year.”? You wouldn’t have. Implementing a salary cap would allow those teams who don’t necessarily have the finances to field reasonably competitive teams, it’ll also make the games more enjoyable because if you watch the Dodgers and the Padres for example, well you wouldn’t watch it because the Dodgers would probably win. By a lot. The answer to the heading question is yes, MLB does appear to need a salary cap if for nothing else than to make it more competitive for franchises that need it desperately. Hopefully the league notices how this would be the best course of action for the league and makes the change to help the game.

  • Who’s The Best Quarterback in Professional Football?

    This debate is timeless, who’s the greatest quarterback to ever play the game? Names are thrown around, the younger generations say it’s Tom Brady, or Drew Brees, the older generations say it’s Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, or any number of NFL players. I wanted to enlighten a few people with a new name, a name anyone who watches the Canadian Football League. A five-time CFL all-star, three-time league MVP, all time leader in completions (5892), touchdown passes (455), and the biggest one, most yards thrown in professional football with 79,816 yards. His name is familiar to the folk in La Puente, California where his high school retired is number 13. He’s an icon in Canada and his name is Anthony Calvillo. The former Montreal Alouettes star not only set records in the CFL but in college as well, in his senior year at Utah State he set the school record for most passing yards in a season with 3,260 yards, and his school record with 5 touchdown passes in a game. He did that twice, he also lead that team to it’s first Big West Conference championship since 1979. He also threw for 386 yards and 3 touchdowns to get MVP honours in the Las Vegas Bowl that season, the first bowl win in school history. He went undrafted in the NFL and in 1994 with the CFL expansion, and first professional team in the city, Las Vegas Posse, (sorry Golden Knights, the CFL beat you by 23 years). After a year the team folded and in the dispersal draft, Calvillo was selected first by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In Hamilton he was the backup to another CFL Hall of Fame member in Matt Dunigan. It wasn’t until 1998 when Calvillo signed with the Montreal Alouettes, the rest is history. Amassing his records and picking up 3 Grey Cup titles in the process, and would’ve had more if it wasn’t so difficult to win the Grey Cup. He should be among the legends in Canton, Ohio as one of the greatest players in professional football history, and the hands down best quarterback in professional football.