First of all, Happy New Year everyone! Health, happiness and may your wishes come true. It is also the time for predictions.
Is the new Professional Women's Hockey League permanent? Will the Stanley Cup return to Canada this year? What can we expect from the Canadian? Who will win the Super Bowl? Do you see the Dodgers winning the World Series? Will the Olympic Games take place in peace? Can the Alouettes win the Gray Cup for the second year in a row? And what can we expect from CF Montreal?
Let's go!
The LPHF: great start!
The game between the women's teams from Montreal and Ottawa was a complete success! Photo Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images via AFP
The teams from Montreal and Ottawa performed very well in their first game in the Professional Women's Hockey League. There was a great atmosphere at the Place TD Arena. It remains to be hoped that the number of visitors will continue. This time the foundations of the new league appear to be solid. The players didn't steal it. They showed patience and perseverance. The media gives them great visibility. Just one thing: it would be nice if all six formations had nicknames.
What if it was the Canucks?
Rick Tocchet transformed the Vancouver Canucks. Getty Images via AFP
I'm almost embarrassed that I picked the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup. Why this prediction? Because it's time for a Canadian team to bring home the Cup, and the Oilers seemed to be the team best placed to achieve what now appears to be success for a Canadian club. Notice that they get back on track. The Maple Leafs? Who wants to see them win? But what about the Vancouver Canucks? At the top of the Pacific Division they are ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights and the Los Angeles Kings. Could this finally be her year?
CH: 2026 at the earliest
Samuel Montembeault does a good job in front of the Canadian net. Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
The Canadian returned from his vacation unscathed. His .500 record after 37 games represents a four-point improvement over last year. The Habs are just five points out of a playoff spot, but it would be the surprise of the year if they qualified. And if you think about it, maybe that's not a good deal. We would start dreaming about the trophy. The team isn't there yet. I maintain that the Canadian will not reach the playoffs until 2026 at the earliest. But when it happens, no amount of regression will be tolerated.
Super Bowl: Beware of the Ravens!
Quarterback Lamar Jackson has thrown 24 touchdown passes this season. Photo AFP
With only one game left in the regular season, Las Vegas oddsmakers are still picking the San Francisco 49ers to win the Super Bowl in February. But it leaves them with just a slim lead to defeat the Baltimore Ravens, who are also having a tumultuous season. However, like many fans, I have a soft spot for teams that have gone far. The Miami Dolphins have been able to win a first division championship since 2008. The resurgence of the Detroit Lions, who have secured a first division championship since 1993, and the Cleveland Browns, who are second to the Ravens, is positive for the NFL. These three teams probably won't make it to the Super Bowl, but their success provides hope for the years to come.
Anyone but the Dodgers!
Nothing says Shohei Ohtani will lead the Dodgers to the promised land. AFP
To triumph without danger, we triumph without glory. Here's what we'll say about the Los Angeles Dodgers if they win the World Series this fall. But, you know what? I hope they screw up! I have no sympathy for teams trying to buy championships. I know that's part of the game, especially in baseball, a sport that has long since lost all sense of values. We can say that 97% of the 700 million 10 year contract granted to Shohei Ohtani will be paid to him after his career and that he will sell tickets wherever he goes, that's crazy! Not to be forgotten is the 12-year, $325 million contract awarded to rookie pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. At least it will bring in a lot of tax money.
The fear games
Boats took part in a parade rehearsal for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics on the Seine past the Eiffel Tower on Monday. Photo AFP
Due to the international situation, Paris will be nervous during the Summer Olympics. Security will be a major challenge at the opening ceremonies taking place on the Seine. The athletes will parade there in boats. There's no doubt the spectacle will be a feast for the eyes, but the police risk having their hands full. In a large stadium, such as a river, crowd control is already complicated. Last November, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin told the daily Le Monde that 35,000 police and gendarmes would be on duty on the day of the event, which will take place on July 26. During the Games, which run until August 11, and the Paralympic Games, which run from August 28 to September 8, 30,000 police officers will be mobilized daily to ensure the safety of athletes and spectators.
Why not a second Gray Cup?
Marc-Antoine's fiery speech after the Alouettes' victory in the Gray Cup game was epic. Photo Martin Chevalier
By winning the Gray Cup in 2023, the Alouettes repositioned themselves on the sports map in Quebec. By defeating the Toronto Argonauts in the East Division final and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Gray Cup game, the Alouettes Alouettes proved their success was not a matter of luck. They say it's harder to stay at the top than to get there, but the Alouettes will still have what it takes to go far. A second championship in a row is not a mirage.
Let's pray for Messi!
Let's hope Lionel Messi can play at the Saputo Stadium on May 11th. Getty Images via AFP
Finally, a word about CF Montreal, the most anonymous team in the city. The good news is that Lionel Messi will arrive at the Saputo Stadium with Inter Miami on May 11th. Let us pray that he does not suffer any injury by then. As far as the Montreal team is concerned, two questions arise. The first: Who will be the coach this year? Second, what does Joey Saputo plan to do with his team? Does he want to turn this into a competitive team or continue to sell his good players left and right?