It’s my Parting Shot for my Monday Musings, also known as the first of four straight days of me talking about three of my favourite sports topics – all not doing very well right now…..

First up – the end of the attempt to run it back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders came on Saturday at B-C Place. The game was a microcosm of the Green and White’s 2026 campaign – a very good first half and a disastrous second half!

In short, the Lions did a better job of making adjustments at halftime than the Riders did. That may sound like an indictment against Corey Mace and his coaching staff, but I like Mace and I think he should stay in Saskatchewan! So should offensive co-ordinator Marc Mueller, a Regina guy who grew up around the franchise and understands. He just needs talent that stays a lot more healthy than what this year’s skill players did! The rest are under review, in my humble opinion!!

Word has come down that the Roughriders have more than half of the 59 players that were on their game roster, reserve roster, as well as one and six-game injured lists as pending free agents! That’s a lot, but that’s also the C-F-L!!

From that list of 35 pending free agents with the Green and White, I can see the “older” players not returning or retiring or wanting out and going elsewhere – namely Trevor Harris, A-J Ouellette, Jermarcus Hardrick, Mike Rose, James Vaughters, Tevaughn Campbell and Marcus Sayles! As for those on the list that I would just let go, it’s pretty lengthy – too long to list!!

The second topic is my Winnipeg Jets! After a 4-1-1 start to the season, the Nyets have just two points from a pair of extra time losses to show from their last nine games since October 13! The fans and media are howling for changes – the fans want head coach Scott Arniel and/or assistants Dean Chynoweth AND Davis Payne fired while the media have their sights set on Blaine Lake product and G-M Kevin Cheveldayoff! I would say Chevy has an immunity idol from the Winnipeg ownership. And, while Scott Arniel is someone I know and like very much from my time following the Jets in the 80s, back in the days when he was a 1981 second round draft pick as a left winger, I fear it’s always the bench boss that gets chopped – rightly or wrongly! I hope I’m wrong and that the team can get this turned around sooner than later!!

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