Le Journal

Ahead of his long-awaited return to Toronto to face the Maple Leafs, reports indicate Mitch Marner will welcome the latest addition to the Vegas Golden Knights. Mitch Marner knows what awaits him when he steps into Scotiabank Arena. The Toronto Maple Leafs have long had this game circled in red on the calendar, and it’s finally here. In his first NHL season with the Vegas Golden Knights, no other game will carry as much emotion for Marner as the upcoming tilt in Hogtown. Fortunately for Marner, if things heat up, he might get some help from the latest addition to the squad, Rasmus Andersson. Traded from the Calgary Flames, the star defenseman has yet to make his NHL season debut with the Golden Knights. According to reports, Andersson could make his first appearance as a Golden Knight in Toronto. “Bruce Cassidy says Rasmus Andersson has been dealing with some immigration issues,” as reported by Sportsnet’s Anna Dua. “He will not play in Boston (January 22), unclear if he will be able to play against the Maple Leafs (Jan. 23) but is a possibility since he’s in Canada.“ Thus, as Marner steps out of the visiting tunnel at Scotiabank Arena for the first time in his career, he’ll be like a kid showing off his newest toy, ready to display to Leafs fans the latest weapon Vegas has added. Mitch Marner during a game with the Vegas Golden Knights Calm before the storm This reunion has been a long time coming. Fans have been building in anticipation as the hometown kid once poised to lead Toronto back to the promised land returns as an adult—one who made it clear last summer he wanted nothing more to do with his childhood team. At some point in everyone’s life, it’s time to move on from home. Marner, however, chose to do so in dramatic fashion, with less-than-ideal timing. Leafs fans haven’t forgotten the date: January 23—the only night they’ll get to see Marner back in The Six and remind him how the city feels about his exit. “I’m sure it’s going to be… loud,” Maple Leafs forward Scott Laughton stated, hinting at what everybody in the building knows will go down when Marner and the Golden Knights come out of the tunnel on Friday night. Nobody wants to miss Marner’s return As if the buzz around the matchup weren’t telling enough, a quick look at ticket prices tells the whole story. Scotiabank Arena is already sold out, with resale prices for nosebleed seats averaging $180–$200 (U.S. dollars). For better or worse, Marner’s return to Toronto is set to define a before and after. It will be a game fans talk about for years. That is saying a lot considering it’s just a mid-January, cross-conference matchup in the NHL regular season.

Following his trade from the Milwaukee Brewers, Freddy Peralta may be facing a significant decision as he joins the New York Mets for the upcoming regular season. In a bold offseason move, the New York Mets have demonstrated their unwillingness to miss out on opportunities by acquiring Freddy Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers. The franchise’s expectations for Peralta are sky-high, as they anticipate his significant contributions to their roster. Just hours after making the announcement, reports from Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated suggest the Mets are exploring a contract extension for Peralta. “Given the cost for Peralta, it’s certainly possible that the Mets would want to extend the right-hander before he reaches free agency next winter,” Ragazzo notes. Amidst these developments, Bo Bichette’s recent introduction to the fanbase has sparked excitement, revealing his choice of the Mets. Expectations are high for Peralta’s impact on the franchise, especially as the team’s previous season did not meet the fanbase’s expectations. Additionally, whispers around the league suggest the Mets may be interested in acquiring another former player from the Brewers to bolster their rotation further. Despite this, there’s an atmosphere of optimism surrounding the organization following their recent off-season signings. Freddy Peralta #51 of the Milwaukee Brewers Peralta’s potential impact on the Mets organization Freddy Peralta has garnered attention from multiple franchises, drawn by his remarkable talent and impressive statistics from his tenure with the Brewers. His influence within the Mets’ pitching rotation could be profound, contingent upon Manager Carlos Mendoza’s utilization of the 29-year-old talent. Peralta’s stellar record includes 17 wins—leading the National League—an ERA of 2.70, with 124 hits and 54 runs allowed over 33 games and 176.2 innings pitched. He aims to validate the Mets’ confidence in his abilities and propel them toward a successful bid for next season’s World Series. These developments underscore the Mets’ aggressive pursuit of top-tier talent for their roster. With Bo Bichette as a key acquisition, along with other notable additions, there is a buzz of anticipation within the fanbase, eager to witness the team exceed expectations in the upcoming season.

A former MLB veteran weighed in on the Philadelphia Phillies’ offseason plans, urging a key outfield decision after the J.T. Realmuto deal as spring training approaches. The Philadelphia Phillies are once again in a familiar spot this offseason — a strong team on paper, moving carefully even after securing J.T. Realmuto’s new deal. With spring training approaching, there are still questions about whether the roster is truly ready to contend in 2026. One of the unresolved areas is the outfield, where recent departures have thinned depth and reduced flexibility. While the organization has expressed confidence in internal options, not everyone is convinced that standing pat is the right approach. That skepticism was voiced publicly this week, when former MLB veteran Harold Reynolds delivered a pointed message regarding a player who briefly reshaped Philadelphia’s lineup. “I still think they got to re-sign Harrison Bader.” He said, “That guy turned a light switch on for that team. He’s an igniter. I think you’ve got to bring him back and let him play a full season.” Bader’s impact The arrival of Harrison Bader at the 2025 trade deadline quietly stabilized the Phillies’ outfield defense while injecting speed and energy into the lineup. In just 50 games, Bader produced strong offensive numbers while anchoring center field, offering a blend of range and instincts that rarely surface in traditional metrics but resonate inside clubhouses. Harrison Bader #2 of the Philadelphia Phillies prepares to bat. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images Can Philadelphia afford to let that spark walk away? Bader’s decision to decline his mutual option pushed negotiations into uncertain territory, forcing the front office to weigh financial flexibility against continuity. And even with Realmuto now secured, Dave Dombrowski’s public confidence in the current roster hasn’t quieted outside concerns about whether that approach truly matches the team’s competitive window.

Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns could see their push for a head coaching candidate go in vain after another AFC North team entered the sweepstakes. The Cleveland Browns are still searching for a head coach to replace Kevin Stefanski in the 2026 NFL season. Amid the dramatic offseason, Shedeur Sanders and the rest of the team have now learned a top candidate is steering away from them, with reports suggesting he is bound to join another franchise in the AFC North. Drama has been the name of the game for the Browns’ offseason. After being fired, Stefanski has dismantled the coaching staff. Now, Sanders has lost a key mentor—offensive coordinator Tommy Rees—who is joining the Atlanta Falcons as well. The Brows have yet to find a new head coach. It definitely hasn’t been due to a lack of trying on Cleveland’s part. The Browns have been knocking on almost every door in the NFL, yet they are getting no answers from the other side. When things seem to be going right, they suddenly go wrong. That was the case with Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who the Browns were after. “Jesse Minter has canceled a scheduled meeting with the Browns,” insider Jordan Schultz stated on X. As reported, Minter is leaning toward interest from other organizations that see him as the next head coach. Sanders and the Browns have once again gotten the short end of the stick. Jesse Minter DC of the LA Chargers Minter could join Browns’ rival As if being stood up by Minter wasn’t heartbreaking enough for Sanders’ Browns, Minter’s reported next destination only pours salt into their wounds. According to Schultz, Minter is in serious consideration to become the next head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. In more ways than one, signing with the organization in Maryland makes sense for Minter. The 42-year-old coach has been with the Ravens before, joining as a defensive assistant in 2017. He was promoted to defensive backs coach in 2020, but after one season in that role, Minter left to become Vanderbilt’s defensive coordinator. Now, his path may cross with Baltimore’s once again. Browns are still deciding The Browns have yet to make up their minds. With no shortage of options on the coaching carousel, Cleveland is still deciding whether it wants a defensively or offensively minded head coach. After parting ways with a defensive strategist like Stefanski, many expected the Browns to flip the script and hire an offensive guru. However, that remains unclear. The organization seems content with finding someone willing to take a chance on Sanders and the team and get the franchise out of its current pit—by any means necessary. Whether they become a defensive juggernaut or an offensive wrecking machine, the Browns don’t care; they just want the bleeding to stop.

Panama face Mexico in a 2026 international friendly, serving as a vital tune-up for both sides ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Panama National Team host Mexico at Rommel Fernandez Stadium for a 2026 international friendly. The match serves as a key preparation fixture for the upcoming World Cup, which is set to kick off on June 11 of this year. For Mexico, this clash marks their first outing of 2026 before they face Bolivia as part of a series of exhibition matches. Notably, this window falls outside of the official FIFA international calendar. Because this is not a designated FIFA date, manager Javier Aguirre faces a unique challenge: clubs are not obligated to release their players. Consequently, Aguirre will rely exclusively on a roster of Liga MX-based players for these two scheduled friendlies. On the Panamanian side, this will be their second match of the year, following a recent 1-1 draw against Bolivia. The encounter with Mexico will provide a stern test for Panama as they prepare for just the second World Cup appearance in their history. ¡HOY JUGAMOS EN CASA 🏟️!Con el boleto 🎟️ mundialista en mano, hoy la selección #PanamáMayor 🇵🇦 recibe a México 🇲🇽 en casa 🏟️ en un partido amistoso internacional.🇵🇦🆚🇲🇽⏰ 8pm🏟️ Rommel Fernández 📺 @tvmaxdeportes y @deportes_rpc pic.twitter.com/9uMRjfCrad— FEPAFUT (@fepafut) January 22, 2026 Mexico probable lineup For this series of friendlies, Mexico’s teenage sensation Gilberto Mora will be absent despite playing in Liga MX. The midfielder was ruled out as he continues to recover from a minor injury, with the coaching staff opting to leave him out of the squad to focus on his recovery. Mexico’s projected XI to face Panama: Luis Malagon; Jorge Sanchez, Israel Reyes, Ramón Juarez, Jesus Gallardo; Luis Romo, Erik Lira; Diego Lainez, Roberto Alvarado, Armando Gonzalez; German Berterame. Panama probable lineup Christiansen’s side report no major injury concerns heading into the match. However, the starting lineup is expected to feature several rotations compared to the side that drew 1-1 with Bolivia in its last outing. Panama’s projected XI to face Mexico: Eddie Roberts; Eric Davis, Javier Rivera, José Cordoba, Jorge Gutierrez; Ricardo Phillips, Abdul Knight, Jose Murillo; Kadir Barria, Kahiser Lenis, Abdiel Arroyo.