Jetcetera

What does encouraging news on the COVID-19 vaccine front mean for the leagues and games we love to watch? Free Press sports editor Steve Lyons and sports columnist Mike McIntyre break down the latest when it comes to the NHL’s upcoming season, discuss the NFL’s longest week, the start of NBA training camp and plans for a curling bubble in Calgary. The guys also go on their usual tangents about plenty on non-sports topics, including recent Netflix and Prime shows they’ve watched and pet peeves when it comes to ordering take-out.

NHL players and owners are playing a silly game of chicken these days, leading to an impasse in negotiations over the upcoming hockey season and putting a Jan. 1 start in jeopardy. Free Press sports editor Steve Lyons and sports columnist Mike McIntyre discuss why both sides stand to lose if they can’t work out their differences soon. They also talk about the intriguing hiring of Dave Lowry to be the new assistant coach with the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba golfer Aaron Cockerill making waves while playing overseas on the European Tour, and Mike’s decision to tackle some Christmas baking. Better keep the fire department on standby.

This should have been the crown jewel of the CFL’s calendar, with the Grey Cup set for Sunday in Regina. Oh what a party it would have been, perhaps with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers going for a championship repeat. Unfortunately, COVID-19 shut the league down indefinitely, turning the “Grand National Drunk” into a virtual event this year. Free Press sports editor Steve Lyons and sports columnist Mike McIntyre tackle the prospects of a 2021 campaign based on this week’s comments from commissioner Randy Ambrosie, who is selling hope to the fan-base that a vaccine will ultimately cure what ails the league. The pair also discuss the latest on the NHL’s plans for an upcoming season, how Manitoba’s Code Red has changed their daily lives, Mike’s frequent trips to the dump, Steve’s quest to adopt a dog, and the pros and cons of mandarin oranges.

When will the new NHL season begin? Are the Jets going to make any other moves? How long will minor hockey in Winnipeg be shut down for? Who won the U.S. election?! So many questions, so few answers in these uncertain times, but that doesn't stop Free Press sports editor Steve Lyons and sports columnist Mike McIntyre from delving into the burning topics of the day. The dynamic duo also discuss sports icons like Bobby Orr and Jack Nicklaus coming under fire for expressing their political views, ways to stay mentally and physically active during the ongoing Code Red in the city and thank Mother Nature for some balmy early November weather.

Grab some maple syrup and poutine: talk of an all-Canadian division in the NHL next season is heating up! Free Press sports editor Steve Lyons and sports columnist Mike McIntyre weigh in on whether that would be a good thing for the Winnipeg Jets, and how they might stack up against their northern neighbours. They also discuss the state of minor hockey in the city in the midst of a global pandemic where local numbers have been soaring, an eventful World Series which included two massive blunders during Tuesday's clinching Game 6 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and an all-important Halloween-related debate about the best, and worst, chocolate bars.

The Patrik Laine saga is not going away. Free Press sports editor Steve Lyons and sports columnist Mike McIntyre discuss the latest trade rumours and whether it would be a mistake for the Winnipeg Jets to move the 22-year-old Finnish sniper. They also discuss the many challenges getting fans back in rinks and stadiums without a COVID-19 vaccine, what that may eventually look and feel like, the continued silence from the CFL regarding future plans, the beauty — or horror — of having snow on the ground before Halloween, and more delicious debate about dessert.

Free agency didn't exactly bring a frenzy around these parts, and Free Press sports editor Steve Lyons and sports columnist Mike McIntyre discuss why NHL players may be reluctant to take their talents to Winnipeg, along with the challenges that brings for Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. As for the moves the club did make, reviews are mixed to say the least. They also discuss the latest on the Jack Roslovic trade rumours, the state of Winnipeg's defence going forward and the NBA and MLB playoffs before saving the best for last — a spirited debate about the best, and worst, pies. Things got especially heated when it came to the age-old question: ice cream, or no ice cream?

The draft! Free agent frenzy! Trade rumours! Free Press sports editor Steve Lyons and sports columnist Mike McIntyre break down a busy week, looking at the newest prospects in the Winnipeg Jets pipeline and who they may be targeting for immediate help. Is Cole Perfetti a future franchise centre? Are they really going to trade Patrik Laine? Could Paul Stastny be on his way back? Will Travis Hamonic be coming home? Let the speculation run wild. They also turn their sights to fall ball and what's been an intriguing MLB playoffs so far, and share their observations about "Code Orange" COVID-19 protocols currently in play and how seriously folks are treating the global pandemic.

It “only” took 361 days, but the NHL season is finally over! Sports columnist Mike McIntyre, on his way back home from the hockey bubble in Edmonton, joins sports editor Steve Lyons to discuss the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stanley Cup victory, including what it felt and sounded like inside the rink. They also tackle claims from some players who claimed they felt like they were in a prison and look ahead to what next season might involve. They also discuss the start of MLB playoffs, vacation plans gone awry and Steve’s upcoming milestone birthday.

Vegas. Dallas. Tampa. New York. They’re down to the final four in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Sports editor Steve Lyons and sports columnist Mike McIntyre discuss who they like to win the most surreal championship in NHL history. As Mike prepares to head back to the Edmonton bubble to cover it, the duo also take a trip around the sports world by touching on the latest in the NBA and MLB, debating where the best coffee can be found along with Steve’s beef about burger week, and much more.