The B.C. Lions acquired Canadian running back Jeshrun Antwi from the Montreal Alouettes on Wednesday.

In return, the Alouettes received a third-round draft pick in 2025.

Antwi, a sixth-round Alouettes selection in 2019, totalled 1,021 rushing yards and one touchdown on 191 carries to go with 52 receptions for 342 yards in 61 games with Montreal.

The 26-year-old, who was born in Israel and moved from Ghana to Calgary at age 12, produced only 20 yards on 10 carries and five receptions for 21 yards this season.

Before the CFL, he played for the University of Calgary Dinos from 2015-19, rushing for 2,233 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Antwi is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of this season.

The Minnesota Wild are looking to make sure Kirill Kaprizov sticks around for the long term.

With the NHL regular season around the corner, Wild owner Craig Leipold is planning ahead when it comes to his star forward

“He’s going to be the focus of what we’re going to do,” Leipold told reporters during training camp. “We plan to re-sign him. I will tell you nobody will offer more money than us, or longer (years), so all we have to do is prove to him that we want to win.”

Minnesota still has some time before an extension with the 27-year-old can be signed. Kaprizov has two years remaining on his current contract which pays him $9 million per season.

Kaprizov has led the Wild in score the last four seasons after scoring 46 goals and 96 points in 75 games last season.

Minnesota is also focused on ensuring the team can be competitive when it tries to sign Kaprizov to an extension.

The team was limited in how much cap space was available this off-season because of the buyouts to Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The two buyouts had a combined dead cap over $14.7 million but will just be $1.66 million combined over the next four seasons.

With that space opening up and the salary cap expected to see another increase, Leipold is intrigued by the possibilities.

“Next July 1 is going to be like Christmas,” Leipold said. “We’re going to have money available. We’re going to have the resources available to do what we need to do to get back to Wild hockey, and we’re looking forward to that. We look at who could be available next year. You’re going to ask me, who are those players? I won’t tell you.”

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Why it’s time for the Maple Leafs to give Nick Robertson his chance

In this episode of Canucks Talk, Jamie Dodd and Thomas Drance, joined by Don Taylor and Rick Dhaliwal, discuss the Canucks’ goaltending depth following the waiver claim of Patera and the signing of Lankinen. They highlight depth concerns in Abbotsford while also touching on standout performances from young players like Raty, Bains, and Lekkerimaki. Later, Jason Bukala shares insights on Raty’s development and Kudryavtsev’s potential, with a focus on how Lekkerimaki can continue progressing in the AHL.

This podcast is produced by Dominic Sramaty & Lina Setaghian

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

RJ Barrett isn’t concerned the hometown limelight will wear him down.

The Toronto Raptors guard/forward is instead choosing to embrace the attention.

With the Raptors in Montreal for his first training camp with the team, the 24-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., is looking forward to donning the red, white and purple jerseys he grew up watching for an entire NBA season.

“It’s crazy to me to even be in this interview. I used to watch this on TV,” Barrett said at the Université du Québec à Montréal on Wednesday. “I have a little bit more pride for it, so I’m going out there, just give my whole heart to this, give everything.

“This is my home. I have an extra desire, extra passion for it every single day. Just me being me I’m going to wake up and compete every day. So this is perfect for me.”

Toronto’s camp runs through Sunday’s pre-season game against the Washington Wizards at Montreal’s Bell Centre.

Barrett, whose father Rowan Barrett played professionally in France when he was younger, took the opportunity to practise his second language in a brief scrum with the French media on hand.

On the court, the Raptors emphasized working on their defence, which ranked 26th in the league last season. Head coach Darko Rajaković expects Barrett to be a big part of the solution.

“RJ’s defensive effort and importance on defence this year has to rise just because of the needs of our team,” Rajaković said. “We talk a lot. I’m calling him out in a lot of situations that he needs to be better. He’s responded really well. 

“It’s great to see him when he gets a stop or does good stuff defensively that he’s celebrating and he feels energy. That’s winning. That’s about winning. So we need him to fall in love with defence, be as good a player as he is offensively.”

Barrett, the third overall draft pick in 2019, is better known for his play at the other end of the floor.

The Raptors acquired Barrett and guard Immanuel Quickley from the New York Knicks in the blockbuster OG Anunoby trade last December.

In a 32-game sample with Toronto, the six-foot-six, 214-pound wing averaged career highs of 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

His efficiency also spiked. Barrett shot 55.3 per cent from the floor — more than 10 per cent higher than his career average — and 39.2 per cent from three-point range.

But with Anunoby and Pascal Siakam gone, Barrett will have to take on tough assignments in a position that boasts some of the league’s top players — and he says he’s up for the challenge.

“If you want to win, it starts with defence,” Barrett said. “I’ve been practising it, working on it, especially during the summertime, that was huge for me to just get reps defensively.

“If I’m playing defence, I can get on other guys to play defence too.”

At this summer’s Paris Olympics, Barrett averaged 19.8 points, Canada’s second-highest scorer behind NBA MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (21.0). Barrett was also third on the team in rebounds (3.8) and assists (3.5) as France stunned Canada 82-73 in the quarterfinals.

Despite the crushing loss, Barrett quickly travelled to Spain with fellow Canadian Kelly Olynyk to join a Raptors mini-camp.

His strong summer is paying off early in training camp. On Wednesday, Rajaković highlighted Barrett as one of the players who’s standing out, noting his ambition of succeeding at home.

“I just think that understanding his role on a team, the importance of him to step up this year. I think that he had a great summer with Canada Basketball, staying healthy, getting in good shape, also has helped with all of that.” Rajaković said. “He’s very excited to be home and play in Toronto and playing for the Canadian fans.

“All of that brings extra motivation for him.”

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard expects to be fined by the NFL for his celebration after a catch against Denver last Sunday that included what officials deemed to be a gun-like gesture.

“It’s something that’s very silly,” he said Wednesday. “Very, very silly.”

The wide receiver said his coaches have talked to him about it, but added he has received “zero clarification from the NFL” on the 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for which he was called.

Lazard caught a 12-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers in the third quarter of the Jets’ loss to Denver when, while sitting on the turf, he signaled for a first down by flicking his hands in a gun-like motion.

“It’s very unfortunate that I’m the victim of this situation,” he said. “But it is what it is and it’s part of the NFL and it’s a part of the entertainment factor.”

The NFL has warned players to not make “violent gestures.” Atlanta wide receiver Drake London was fined $14,069 for an unsportsmanlike conduct/violent gesture for a gun-like touchdown celebration in a recent game. Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers was also recently fined $28,128 for two gun-like celebrations after a score.

Lazard suggested he could reach out to the NFL Players Association or have the Jets’ coaches contact the officials because of a weekly e-mail that’s sent that includes missed calls and corrections.

Lazard said if he’s fined for his gesture, “they’re definitely going to exempt it” because he said “it wouldn’t make sense to fine someone for something that you never warned them (about).”

He compared it to implementing new driving rules without informing people.

“Like if you’re driving down the street with only one hand and you never told me that I can only drive with two hands, you can’t give me a (ticket),” Lazard said. “That’s not fair. That’s not a lawful democracy, in that sense. 

“But yeah, I expect the NFL to fine me, just from the history of situations like this.”

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NEW YORK — Mauricio Pochettino’s first player move as U.S. coach was to bring back goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who started nearly half the 2022 World Cup qualifiers but was exiled by Gregg Berhalter.

“He deserved the opportunity to be with us,” Pochettino said Wednesday after announcing his roster for friendlies against Panama on Oct. 12 at Austin, Texas, and Mexico three days later at Guadalajara. “It’s a good opportunity to see him and analyze.”

The 29-year-old Steffen has 29 international appearances and has started all 31 Major League Soccer games for Colorado this season after playing in just two Premier League matches over 4 1/2 seasons during his contract with Manchester City. He was surprisingly omitted from the 2022 World Cup roster and hasn’t played for the national team since the final qualifiers that March, though he was on the bench for CONCACAF Nations League matches a year later.

Turner, who split September friendlies against New Zealand and Canada with Columbus’ Patrick Schulte, lost his starting job at Nottingham Forest last season, was loaned to Crystal Palace in August and has not played this season. Ethan Horvath has not been in a Cardiff match since Aug. 31.

Midfielder Gianluca Busio was the other notable addition to the 25-man group, which includes 19 players from this year’s Copa America and a dozen from the 2022 World Cup, including Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie. Busio, 22, helped Venezia gain promotion to Serie A this season and played for the U.S. at the Paris Olympics.

“What we want to feel from them is the commitment, the personality, the character, the capacity to adapt to a new era, a new way to approach the games,” Pochettino said. “I think that is going to be the key, the capacity for them to think in the collective, to think and to give everything to try to be better.”

Hired on Sept. 10 to lead the Americans through the 2026 World Cup, Pochettino said he received a U.S. visa on Tuesday — “that was also a nightmare” — and will travel to Texas on Saturday to meet the team’s administrative staff of about 25 holdovers. Players will start reporting on Sunday.

“We need to to settle a few principles, a few concepts,” he said. “General way to behave and the way that we see football and the way that we want to compete.”

Pochettino held a Zoom news conference from London and said the only American player he had spoken with since his appointment was Antonee Robinson, whom he encountered in a London restaurant where the defender had joined Fulham teammates. Pochettino said he didn’t have time to call the entire player pool and didn’t want to call only a portion, preferring to address the group in Austin.

Pochettino said future rosters — the next is for Nations League quarterfinals in November — will have newcomers.

“We start to follow some very good players that I think have the potential and maybe are not now in the roster but for sure they’re going to be in the roster in the future,” he said.

Pochettino revealed he has started to read U.S. soccer media — “more than you believe” — and said he initially will use 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formations.

“I think we have amazing players but the most important (thing), they need to believe,” he said.

Injured players who will miss the matches include defenders Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards and Cameron Carter-Vickers, and midfielders Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna.

Goalkeeper Diego Kochen, defender Caleb Wiley and winger Cade Cowell, who had been on the September roster, were dropped.

Player positions may evolve under Pochettino. Brenden Aaronson, who has played a variety of central and wide midfield and forward roles, was listed as a midfielder rather than up front.

“He’s playing in too many different positions and maybe now is time for him to find his best position,” Pochettino said.

The roster:

Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Cardiff), Patrick Schulte (Columbus), Zack Steffen (Colorado), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)

Defenders: Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)

Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Weston McKennie (Juventus) Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven)

Forwards: Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Josh Sargent (Norwich), Timothy Weah (Juventus), Haji Wright (Coventry)

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The Vancouver Canucks will be without Pius Suter for a short while.

Head coach Rick Tocchet told reporters on Wednesday that the forward is dealing with an upper-body injury and will be out day-to-day after Suter missed his second practice.

Tocchet previously said that Suter was being evaluated for an injury after an altercation with Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry during Monday’s pre-season tilt. In the third period, Suter got tangled up with Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Perry, taking exception to the scuffle, tried to initiate a fight with the 28-year-old Canuck.

Suter is entering his second year with the Canucks after putting up 14 goals and 29 points in 67 games during his first season in Vancouver.

The Canucks don’t suit up for another game until Friday, when they will take on the Oilers once more in their pre-season finale.

On hour 1 of Sportsnet Today, Logan Gordon gets you set on a game day for preseason game 7 of 8 for the Calgary Flames! Hear from head coach Ryan Huska as he shares his thoughts on the upcoming home-and-home against the Winnipeg Jets, Jakob Pelletier shares how he’s feeling about his game, and Logan shares his take on what the future holds for Pelletier.

(25:51) Hear Stamps’ head coach and GM Dave Dickenson as he caught up with the boys on The Big Show, and Aazam Ali Nanji brings the latest edition of The Stamps Report!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Blair and Barker are joined by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi (10:55) to get his takeaways from Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro’s end-of-season press conferences, if he thinks the front office will pay Vladdy Jr.’s asking price for a contract extension, what roster changes he expects Atkins to go for, the reasons behind the coaching changes, and what are the positives of heading into the offseason and 2025. Afterwards, the guys check into the Back Leg Line to hear what fans think of Atkins and Shapiro’s pressers.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

CLEVELAND — Nick Chubb made a move Wednesday more significant than any cutback.

Cleveland’s star running back returned to practice with the Browns for the first time since suffering a grotesque, season-ending left knee injury more than a year ago.

The four-time Pro Bowler could still be a week or two away from playing in a game, but just having the 28-year-old on the field was a boost to the struggling Browns (1-3), who could use something positive.

“With any guy that’s working through injuries and rehabbing, you’re always excited when they’re back in pads,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Nick’s been here every day, so he’s not far from what we’re doing and not far from what we’re thinking about.

“He’s in every meeting. He’s here very early, so this is just the next natural progression for him.”

Chubb is not likely to play Sunday at Washington, but he is expected to be active for a game this month. The Browns play at Philadelphia on Oct. 13 before hosting Cincinnati on Oct. 20 and Baltimore on Oct. 27.

During the portion of practice open to media members, Chubb took a few handoffs and went through individual and positional drills. He’s expected to speak with reporters before practice on Thursday.

Chubb had been on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) since the start of the season. Now that he’s been designated for practice, the Browns can add him to the roster any time in the next 21 days.

Chubb’s 2023 season ended in Week 2, when he was hit on a run inside the 5-yard line by Pittsburgh safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Chubb sustained extensive damage to the same knee he hurt while in college at Georgia.

Chubb needed two surgeries to repair torn ligaments and meniscus. While the injury was potentially career-threatening, Chubb attacked rehab with his customary verve and was ahead of schedule throughout his recovery.

He began running in April and was able to increase his activities to on-field cutting and agility drills during training camp.

A second-round pick in 2018, Chubb has rushed for 6,511 yards and 48 touchdowns in 77 games with Cleveland.

Along with Chubb, running back/returner Nyheim Hines was designated to practice. Signed as a free agent in March, Hines has been recovering from a torn anterior cruciate suffered in July 2023 in a personal watercraft accident while he played for Buffalo.

NOTES: TE David Njoku (ankle) practiced and could return this week after missing three straight games. … DE Myles Garrett (Achilles), LT Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee), RT Jack Conklin (hamstring), LB Jordan Hicks (ribs/elbow/triceps), C Ethan Pocic (ankle), DE Alex Wright (triceps), CB Greg Newsome II (personal) and DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (illness) did not practice.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Lionel Messi will return to Argentina’s national team for the South American World Cup qualifying matches against Venezuela and Bolivia.

The 37-year-old star had missed recent matches because of an ankle injury.

Coach Lionel Scaloni announced his squad Wednesday for the matches at Venezuela on Oct. 10 and five days later in Buenos Aires against Bolivia.

Messi did not play the two previous rounds after sustaining an injury in the Copa America final against Colombia. Argentina won 1-0.

Argentina leads South American qualifying with 18 points, followed by Colombia (16) and Uruguay (15). The top six teams will qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and the seventh position will play an international playoff for a berth.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Walter Benítez (PSV Eindhoven), Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid)

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Germán Pezzella (River Plate), Marcos Acuña (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Nicolás Tagliafico (Lyon)

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Nicolás Paz (Como), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Rodrigo de Paul (Atletico Madrid), Valentín Carboni (Olympique Marseille)

Strikers: Thiago Almada (Botafogo), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolás González (Juventus), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Julián Álvarez (Atletico Madrid), Paulo Dybala (Roma), Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)