Coming off the thrill of the Winter Olympics in Milan, Canadian athletes and Canadian sports franchises are right back in the swing of things.
The Toronto Maple Leafs hit a new low in a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators, the Toronto Raptors look to have hit a ceiling when it comes to playing the best teams in the league, and there was some upsetting injury news in the world of soccer as Promise David faces several months on the sideline while Olivia Smith suffered a concussion.
In some positive news, Felix Auger-Aliassime fared well at the Dubai Open and also managed to leave before the airport shut down, Brad Jacobs is back in action and back to winning at the Brier, while several of Canada’s Olympic medal winners were honoured at the Montreal Canadiens game on Saturday night for their Olympic efforts. The Toronto Blue Jays also secured the services of Max Scherzer for another year.
Here’s everything that happened in around Canadians in the world of sport over the past week:
Maple Leafs hit new low
Feb 28, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) passes the puck away from Ottawa Senators forward Lars Eller (89) as forward Matthew Knies (23) looks on in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
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The Maple Leafs have opened their post-Olympic play with three straight defeats, getting outscored 14-5 in the process. Eight points out of a playoff spot with 11 losses in the previous 15 games, it is looking increasingly likely that the post-season is beyond them.
Worse yet, it’s the players who are looking, playing, and speaking as though the writing is on the wall.
“Just bad. Just fairly embarrassing, to be honest with you,” captain Auston Matthews said after losing to the Sens. “We need to have more pride in our play, no matter where we’re at, no matter what the situation is.”
Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens are battling for the third seed in the East, the Vancouver Canucks continue to languish at the bottom of the standings, and the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames are facing a similar fate to the Leafs standings-wise out west.
Connor McDavid continues to pace the Edmonton Oilers as the superstar racked up his ninth 100-point season.
Auger-Aliassime beaten in Dubai semifinals as top seed
Tennis – ATP 500 – Dubai Championships – Dubai Tennis Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – February 27, 2026 Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime in action during his semi final match against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev REUTERS/Raghed Waked
(REUTERS / Reuters)
Felix Auger-Aliassime continues to impress after having an unfortunate first round exit from the Australian Open due to cramps.
The 25-year-old was the top seed at the Dubai Open this past week and strung together some strong performances to reach the semifinals without losing a set. He then went up against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, who put together what may have been his best performance of the year to win in straight sets.
Medvedev then received a walkover against the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor in the final to claim the trophy. The result does see Auger-Aliassime drop to ninth in the ATP rankings, just behind Americans Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz, as he gets set to play the Indian Wells Masters 1000 event.
The bigger news now is that reports have confirmed Auger-Aliassime was able to depart Dubai safely before the air strikes began. Unfortunately, Medvedev and Griekspoor are among a few players — along with their coaching staffs — who have had to remain in the country as the Dubai International Airport was forced to shut down.
Raptors can’t escape top tier doubts
Feb 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) and forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) block out San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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As the Raptors continue to solidify their place among the top six in the East, there is a growing concern that this team has a very clear ceiling. Following losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs this week, Toronto dropped to an abysmal 4-15 against the top 10 teams in the league.
That record would read even worse if not for a 3-0 record against Cleveland where all three wins came early in the season and well before the Cavaliers acquired James Harden.
All things considered, though, a 31-10 record against the other 19 teams is plenty to take heart in when remembering the Raptors won a total of 30 games last season. The goal was to make the playoffs this season, not to be a legitimate title contender, and they are well on course to doing so.
There are more opportunities to work on that record against the very best next week as the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves await them on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
Gilgeous-Alexander back in action as Dort invites controversy and criticism
Feb 27, 2026; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts after a call against him after a play against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić (15) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was unable to play in his return home against the Raptors, he did make his return on Friday in an overtime win over the Denver Nuggets. He looked like he hadn’t missed a beat, scoring 36 points to go along with nine assists, two steals, and two blocks.
The timing of Gilgeous-Alexander’s return is crucial, having now played in 51 games with the Thunder having 20 games left to play.
Gilgeous-Alexander must play at least 65 games in order to be eligible for end-of-season awards such as MVP and All-NBA First Team. The Hamilton, Ont., native is currently the favourite to secure back-to-back MVP trophies.
During the game against the Nuggets, another Canadian Luguentz Dort made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Early in the fourth quarter, Dort appeared to intentionally trip three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who only recently returned to action after suffering a left knee injury that ruled him out for nearly a month.
Jokic understandably didn’t take too kindly to Dort’s actions and aggressively approached him before the referees intervened. Dort was issued a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected from the game as a result.
Athlete of the Week: Ismaël Koné
Soccer Football – Serie A – U.S. Sassuolo v Juventus – Mapei Stadium – Citta del Tricolore, Reggio Emilia, Italy – January 6, 2026 U.S. Sassuolo’s Ismael Kone in action with Juventus’ Pierre Kalulu REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli
(REUTERS / Reuters)
Ismaël Koné was Sassuolo’s standout performer in its Serie A victory over Atalanta, scoring in a 2-1 victory despite being down to 10 men.
Koné is expected to be a key piece in Canada’s midfield at the World Cup, and is arguably the most in-form Canadian at the moment.
Some of the best teams in the world are taking notice as well, as Italian journalist Matteo Moretto has reported that several top Serie A teams including Inter Milan are interested in his services along with some Premier League sides as well.
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch will certainly be hoping Koné can carry this form into the international window at the end of the month and then, naturally, be even better come the World Cup in June.
David injury news is a big men’s World Cup blow while women get back in action
Soccer Football – UEFA Champions League – PSV Eindhoven v Union Saint-Gilloise – Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands – September 16, 2025 Union Saint-Gilloise’s Promise David REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
(REUTERS / Reuters)
It was revealed that striker Promise David will miss anywhere from three to five months as his injury revealed the need for hip surgery. Playing in the Belgian Pro League for Union Saint-Gilloise, David appeared to suffer the injury when going up for a header in the box.
Arguably Canada’s most in-form striker this season, the prospect of David now possibly missing the World Cup is a massive blow. On a more positive note, Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies is only expected to miss a few weeks and could well be in action for Canada for international friendlies against Iceland and Tunisia on March 28 and 31.
On the women’s side, there was more injury news as Olivia Smith suffered a concussion in action for Arsenal and had to be left out of Canada’s SheBelieves Cup squad.
Canada was impressive in defeating Colombia 4-1 in the first match, Vanessa Gilles, Janine Sonis, Sydney Collins and Nichelle Prince getting amongst the goals. They will also take on the U.S.A. on March 4 and Argentina on March 7.
Blue Jays bring back Mad Max
Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after being relieved against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning for game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
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If you’re hoping to see Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider get chased off the mound again, you’re in luck.
The Blue Jays announced that they signed future Hall-of-Famer Max Scherzer to a one-year deal, which was to the joy of many who follow the team. Scherzer was presented with some challenges physically over the course of the regular season but delivered when it mattered most in the post-season.
He started Game 7 of the World Series and left the game with the lead, later promising he hadn’t thrown his last pitch while processing what was a devastating defeat.
In what turned out to be a heck of a sales pitch, Scherzer’s daughter wrote an adorable letter to the Blue Jays requesting that the team bring him back. How could they say no to that?
Quick turnaround for Brad Jacobs at 2026 Brier
(left to right) Canada’s Tyler Tardi, Ben Hebert, Brett Gallant, Marc Kennedy and Brad Jacobs celebrate with their gold medals after the Men’s Curling gold medal game against Great Britain at the Curling Stadium for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)
(Andrew Milligan – PA Images via Getty Images)
Fresh off an Olympic gold, Brad Jacobs and his rink didn’t have much time to celebrate as they are already back in the swing of things at the 2026 Brier.
Continuing the winning ways, Jacobs is 3-0 in Pool A through Sunday’s action. Kevin Koe’s Alberta rink is atop Pool B at 3-0 as well. The final is on March 8.
Kingsbury, speed skaters bask in glow of Olympic achievements
Feb 28, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Canadian medalists from the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games Mikael Kingsbury, Florence Brunelle, Courtney Sarault, Danae Blais, Kim Boutin and Steven Dubois receive a Canadiens jersey before the game between the Washington Capitals and the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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While Jacobs is hard at work, fellow Olympic medal-winners Mikaël Kingsbury, Florence Brunelle, Courtney Sarault, Danae Blais, Kim Boutin, William Dandjinou, Félix Roussel and Steven Dubois were all invited to the Montreal Canadiens’ game against the Washington Capitals on Saturday night.
There was a pre-game ceremony to honour their achievements during at 2026 Milano Cortina and the fans gave them a thunderous ovation. Canada’s men’s hockey members Logan Thompson and Tom Wilson were also recognized from the visiting Washington Capitals for claiming the silver medal.
The loudest cheer of the night was reserved for the last name announced, Canadiens’ own Nick Suzuki.