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Why Flames plan to manage Parekh carefully even after impressive return

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Because as good as he looked Monday night against the Maple Leafs, he won’t be playing all 27 games the rest of the way.

That’s not speculation. That’s straight from Ryan Huska, who told Sportsnet the 19‑year‑old will be on a schedule for the remainder of the season — a load‑management plan designed to protect a still‑growing defenceman from a punishing stretch that includes 16 games in March alone.

So yes, Parekh was impressive. Yes, he looked like the most confident version of himself we’ve seen. And yes, he earned Huska’s trust to the point he was thrown over the boards in the final two minutes of a one-goal game with the Flames’ goalie pulled.

But no, he will not be in the lineup every night.

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And Flames fans need to brace themselves for that reality, resisting the urge to light up social media with suggestions that a healthy scratch here or there is punitive.

On Monday, the kid played much more like the ninth overall pick fans hoped to see. From his first shift, Parekh looked like a player who had rediscovered his swagger — the same swagger that made him such a tantalizing prospect before a first half full of injuries and frustration was turned around by stints at the world juniors, and in an AHL conditioning stint.

“That’s kind of the best I felt all year,” said Parekh, following a night in which he earned increased ice time in every period, totalling 20:05 by the end of a 4-2 loss.

“It’s crazy what some confidence can do for you.”

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He wasn’t exaggerating. He moved the puck with authority. He broke plays out cleanly. He showed patience in the offensive zone. He didn’t force pucks or panic under pressure. And he looked like he belonged in the moment when Huska tapped him for the six‑on‑five.

“My first game back in three months, and I was out there on the six‑on‑five,” he said.

“I think Husk kind of liked the way I played. I tried to play my hardest and play the right way, and I guess you get rewarded.”

“I thought Zayne played well tonight,” said the coach.

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“He looked comfortable with the puck. And that’s where he’s going to be paid for, those situations late in games.”

Nazem Kadri saw the same thing.

“You can always tell with a young player, the more they hang onto the puck, the more their confidence grows,” Kadri said of the young man who did well to send six shots towards the net, with five being blocked.   

“I liked his game tonight, especially toward the end.”

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But here’s the part Flames fans won’t like: none of this changes the plan.

Huska made it clear Parekh’s usage will be carefully managed.

Not because of mistakes, as the Flames are committed to letting him play through those. And not because of the opponent. 

The only factor is protecting a 19‑year‑old who is still undersized and still adjusting to the rigours of the NHL.

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This is not punishment. It’s long‑term thinking.

Parekh has already been through a lot this season with injury rehab, the world juniors, and four AHL games that Huska said showed clear progression.

The Flames want that confident, assertive, and growing version of Parekh, not a fatigued, overwhelmed version that can emerge when a teenager is thrown into the deep end of an NHL schedule.

Parekh acknowledged just how demanding that schedule is.

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“It’s just a really busy schedule,” he said.

“These guys are grinding. Nothing’s given, you’ve got to earn it every day.”

After Wednesday’s game against the Oilers, Parekh and the Flames will get a few weeks off for the Olympic break.

“For Zayne, the most important thing during the break is to take a couple days,” Huska said. “But everything for him is about getting stronger, putting on size, putting on weight. He’ll have a lot of time with (Flames strength guru) Ricky (Davis) when he gets back.”

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So what does success look like for Parekh the rest of the way?

“You want to see a player gaining confidence at this level,” Huska said.

“And you want to see a player who understands the areas he has to work on. Sometimes what he does off the ice is as important as what he does on it.”

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Monday night was a glimpse of what he can be, a shifty, confident puck‑mover who can create much-needed offence, and handle defensive pressure.

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But it was also a reminder that development isn’t linear.

There will be nights he plays 20 minutes. There will be nights he sits. And fans shouldn’t lose their minds when that happens.

Because if the Flames manage this right, Parekh won’t just be a good young defenceman.

He’ll be a franchise one.

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And that’s worth protecting.

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Mark Washington returns to B.C. Lions coaching staff

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Mark Washington is back with the B.C. Lions.

The Lions named Washington as their linebacker coach Wednesday. 

Washington began his CFL coaching career with B.C. in 2008, spending six seasons as defensive backs coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2014. He remained in that job until becoming the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive co-ordinator/defensive backs coach in 2019. Washington was let go by the Ticats during the 2024 season.

Washington played defensive back for 11 CFL seasons with the Montreal Alouettes (1997-02) and Lions (2003-07). He registered 483 tackles, 48 special-teams tackles, 17 interceptions, 12 fumble recoveries, and one sack over 156 regular-season games.

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Washington won two Grey Cups as a player (2002, 2006) and another as a coach (2011).

Buck Pierce returns for a second season as the Lions’ head coach, offensive co-ordinator and quarterback coach. 

The remainder of his staff includes: Mike Benevides (defensive co-ordinator); Cory McDiarmid (special-teams co-ordinator); Kevin Bourgoin (receivers coach, pass-game co-ordinator; Paul Charbonneau (offensive-line coach, run-game co-ordinator); Kristian Matte (running backs, assistant offensive-line coach); Ryan Phillips (secondary coach, pass-game co-ordinator); Randy Melvin (defensive line coach); and Derek Oswalt ( assistant receivers coach).

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Bonfrere Questions NFF Leadership After Super Eagles Miss Back-to-Back World Cups

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Former Super Eagles head coach Johannes Bonfrere has raised concerns about the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for two consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Nigeria missed out on the 2022 World Cup after losing to Ghana on the away goals rule, while their hopes for the 2026 edition ended in a penalty defeat to DR Congo. The absence from both tournaments has dealt a blow to the country’s football reputation on the global stage.

Bonfrere, who guided Nigeria to Olympic gold in 1996, said the situation is unacceptable and called on the football authorities to take urgent action. He stressed that preparations for future tournaments must begin immediately to avoid another disappointment.

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According to the Dutch coach, missing the 2026 World Cup is damaging not only for Nigeria but also for African football. He urged the federation to review what went wrong and ensure proper planning ahead of future competitions, starting with the next Africa Cup of Nations.

He noted that Nigeria has many talented players competing in top European leagues and warned that it would be a major setback if such a generation fails to appear at multiple World Cups.

Bonfrere also reminded stakeholders of Nigeria’s rich football history, describing the country as a leading force in Africa that should always be present on the world stage. He pointed out that Nigerian teams have traditionally brought excitement, colour, and strong fan support to global tournaments.

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Reflecting on past successes, he recalled how Nigeria attracted global attention at previous World Cups and the Olympic Games, with fans eager to watch the team play. He expressed concern that the absence of the Super Eagles is now being noticed worldwide.

The veteran coach concluded by urging the federation to put its house in order, insisting that there is still enough time to rebuild and prepare properly for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups. He added that decisive action now will be key to restoring Nigeria’s place among football’s top nations.

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“YOU’RE NOT A CHAMPION” – WWE official’s message to female star

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WWE is on the Road to WrestleMania, and the company recently hosted another major premium live event. Meanwhile, NXT General Manager Robert Stone sent a message to a female star following the recent edition of NXT when demands were made on X.

Last year, Mariah May signed with the Stamford-based promotion and joined the developmental brand. May, now known as Blake Monroe, was one of the names to leave All Elite Wrestling and join WWE under the new regime. Before the end of the year, she captured the NXT Women’s North American Championship and lost it in December accidentally to Thea Hail.

After losing the title, Blake Monroe feuded with Jaida Parker and returned to the division for the title she wasn’t planned to drop in the first place. On the recent edition of WWE NXT, Monroe and The Vanity Project’s Jackson Drake defeated Tatum Paxley and Shiloh Hill in a mixed tag team match. The 27-year-old WWE star pinned the current NXT Women’s North American Champion for the win.

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Later, she uploaded a picture on X with a custom title and claimed in character that she’s now a two-time NXT Women’s North American Champion and demanded her side plates from the NXT General Manager. Robert Stone sent a message to Monroe and claimed she’s not a champion, stating it wasn’t a title match, which Monroe and Drake won on the show.

“YOU’RE NOT A CHAMPION,” Stone tweeted on X.

Monroe might’ve earned a title match against the champion, but the mixed tag team match was a non-title bout.


Blake Monroe lost at WWE Stand & Deliver 2026

Earlier this year, Izzi Dame won the NXT Women’s North American Championship from Thea Hail while she was in a feud with Tatum Paxley. Last year, Dame and The Culling turned on Paxley and cost her the NXT Women’s Championship against Jacy Jayne. The 29-year-old WWE star vowed to get revenge on her former on-screen family.

After Dame became the new champion, the title was inserted into her ongoing feud with Tatum Paxley. Later, Paxley won the title at NXT Vengeance Day and defended it against the former champion in a Steel Cage match and won. Later, she entered a feud with Blake Monroe, who stole the title in the weeks leading up to their match at Stand & Deliver.

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The biggest event of the developmental brand took place in Missouri, and Tatum Paxley defeated Blake Monroe in a title match. After the match, Monroe took an assist from The Vanity Project and pinned the champion in a mixed tag team match. It’ll be interesting to see what’s next for both stars in the coming weeks.