It’s my Parting Shot for my reactions to the headlines in today’s Star-Phoenix…..

First headline…Respectful offer brings Ouellette back to Sask. My reaction…from the sounds of it, wanting to try to repeat as Grey Cup champions with a core of the 2025 Roughriders was more important this off-season to running back A-J Ouellette than making scads of money elsewhere. Besides, there’s a salary cap in the C-F-L, so how much better could Ouellette have done? A key piece of the Green and White is back, happy with a smallish, hometown-friendly type of one-year extension and I think Rider Nation can be happy with that!

Next headline…Veteran kicker Lauther released by the Riders, General Manager says the role on club will be an “open competition” in training camp. Reaction…that doesn’t mean anybody can come in off the street and get a chance to put on a training camp jersey and get some Roughrider swag before attempting to make a convert! Speaking of Rider Nation being happy, unfortunately Brett Lauther’s performance in 2025 was one of the few low points in the Grey Cup winning season. I think he had eight very good years, including a walk-off Labour Day Weekend Classic win over Winnipeg among other notable big kicks, and would be worthy of consideration for the Riders Plaza of Honour in the not-too-distant future!!

Last headline…Three-quarters done: Blades eye 4th place, Young Saskatoon team currently sits in sixth in the W-H-L Eastern Conference. My reaction…This edition of the Bridge City Bunch may be young, but they were waxed 7-1 last night by a Calgary team that is even younger than they are. This edition of the Blue and Gold are maddeningly frustrating to try and figure out. They played like demons in a 3-2 shootout win over the defending W-H-L-champion Medicine Hat Tigers a couple of Fridays ago, but have lost five of six games since then – the one win being a 4-0 triumph in Prince Albert back on Saturday. The Raiders are one of the top teams in the country, let alone the W-H-L! What is frustrating is their plat at home. The Blades have more wins and a better record on the road than at SaskTel Centre, which they proudly chant, “Who’s House, Our House!” after a goal is scored! Saskatoon is hanging their hopes of a strong finish on the fact that 10 of their last 18 games are against teams with a losing record. They need to play to the level they’ve shown against Medicine Hat and P-A – and especially at home – in order to meet their goal or it might be a second straight quick post-season exit!!

That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!