National Sports

TORONTO — Two days after being serenaded by chants of "M-V-P!" in Toronto, Raptors star Kawhi Leonard is about to return to an arena where fans won't be nearly so kind.

Mark Stone made it clear he wants to stay in the nation's capital. Now it's up to the Ottawa Senators and the winger's agent to get it done. And they aren't alone in a league where a number of big names could hit unrestricted free agency this summer.

BROSSARD, Que. — Montreal Canadiens star goaltender Carey Price is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday night against the visiting Vancouver Canucks.

OTTAWA — The Vancouver Canucks traded goalie Anders Nilsson and minor-league winger Darren Archibald the Ottawa Senators for netminder Mike McKenna, forward Tom Pyatt and a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NHL draft on Wednesday.

HALIFAX — It doesn't exist yet, but the Atlantic Schooners Football Club — Halifax's proposed CFL team — is already selling swag.

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders released American linebacker Samuel Eguavoen on Wednesday so he could pursue opportunities in the NFL. Eguavoen was scheduled to be a free agent Feb. 12.

After taking a leave of over six weeks after his disqualification from the Red Deer Curling Classic, Ryan Fry is set to return to his usual position as third on Team Brad Jacobs.

NEW YORK — Tampa Bay Lightning sniper Nikita Kucherov, Calgary Flames winger Johnny Gaudreau and Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid have been named the NHL's three stars of the month for December, the league announced Wednesday.

CALGARY — Isabelle Weidemann has hit her stride, literally and figuratively, in long-track speedskating. Currently ranked No.

BRISBANE, Australia — Canada's Milos Raonic advanced to the quarterfinals at the Brisbane International on Wednesday by downing Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia 6-3, 7-6 (2).