The FAN Pregame

40 Episodes
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By: Sportsnet

Get ready for tonight's games with Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert as they discuss the stories that matter most to sports fans. Airing live on Sportsnet 590 The FAN weekdays from 6pm-7pm ET.

Jays/Twins Series Preview with Shi Davidi + Friday Free-For-All!
Last Friday at 11:01 PM

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Shi Davidi (1:00) live from the Ball Park ahead of the Jays series against the Twins. They discuss what to expect from the new Blue Jays pitcher, Patrick Corbin, the most concerning stats for Toronto so far this season, how the team can improve their issues with RISP, and much more. Then, it’s the Friday Free For All! Ailish and Justin go through the biggest storylines around the sports world, including what could be Ovi’s last matchup against Crosby, the Masters, Scott Oake set to retire after his final Afte...


World Series Rematch Reflections + Raps Look to Avoid Play-In
Last Thursday at 11:03 PM

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (1:22) following the World Series rematch between the Jays and Dodgers. They break down Vladdy’s start to the first year of a major contract extension with Toronto, the Red Sox's struggles to start the season, and much more. Then, Tim Reynolds joins the show (25:42) ahead of a pivotal Raptors matchup against the Miami Heat. They break down the weird season for Miami, how Darko Rajaković has fared this year as he looks for his 100th win as a Head Coach of the Raptors, NBA Awards and c...


Jays Stumbling Out of the Gate + Masters Preview
Last Tuesday at 10:59 PM

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick off with former Blue Jays and MLB Network analyst Kevin Kiermaier (1:04) after the Blue Jays' blowout loss to the LA Dodgers in their series-opener. They discuss the Jays' rocky start to the season, how they can bounce back, and his experience playing alongside Shohei Ohtani. Then, Dan Rapaport (26:01), host of Dan on Golf, stops by to tee up the Masters and discuss potential winners with the biggest storylines around them, Rory McIlroy's chances at repeating, and the Canadian's outlook at Augusta. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those o...


World Series Rematch
Last Monday at 11:00 PM

Ahead of a World Series rematch between the Jays and Dodgers, Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling (1:07). They break down Alejandro Kirk's injury timeline, what to take away from the first 10 days of the Blue Jays season, the importance of the World Series rematch, and much more! Then, Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times joins the show (25:20) to take a look at how the Dodgers have started the season, how the Dodgers will approach the series, and much more. Finally, Ailish and Justin discuss the Islanders making a coaching change with a...


Jays Drop Series Opener vs. White Sox + Friday Free-for-All!
04/03/2026

Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Rubinoff kick things off with Madison Shipman (0:22) in studio following the Blue Jays' extra-innings loss to the Chicago White Sox. Then, they react to Alejandro Kirk's injury and the news that the Blue Jays have signed Patrick Corbin to a 1-year contract. Then, they break down Tyler Heineman's error in the bottom of the ninth inning and Andrés Giménez's strong start at the plate. Later, it’s the Friday Free-for-All! Justin and Jesse go through the Toronto Tempo WNBA expansion draft results before discussing the Blue Jays' first week of the MLB season. They...


Dylan Cease Returns to Chicago + NHL Playoff Races with Bukala
04/02/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with ESPN’s Jesse Rogers ahead of tomorrow's home opener for the White Sox against the Jays. They discuss Dylan Cease’s start to life in Toronto, Alex Bregman’s start to his Cubs tenure, if the Yankees look poised for a deep run this season, and Bo Bichette’s early season struggles with his new team in a new role Then, they discuss Konnor Griffin getting a major payday and his first MLB call-up, why both sides elected to make the move, and more. Then, Jason Bukala joins the show to discu...


Top Priorities in Leafs' GM Search with Frank Seravalli
04/01/2026

Victory Plus NHL insider Frank Seravalli (2:08) joins Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert to kick off the Wednesday edition. They discuss the Leafs' GM search, the Auston Matthews factor of the Leafs' looming decision, Doug Armstrong's potential fit in Toronto, and recent reports about the expensive fan services offered at Scotiabank Arena. Later, ahead of Canucks vs. Avalanche on Wednesday Night Hockey, Sam Cosentino (26:11) stops by the studio to discuss who Vancouver might target at the top of the draft, whether the Leafs are better off losing their pick and drafting in 2027, the Hart trophy race, and what Cale Makar's...


The Post-Brad Treliving Era Begins in Toronto
03/31/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off discussing MLSE CEO Keith Pelley’s presser after firing Brad Treliving as General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. They share their biggest takeaways from the presser and break down what this means for the team's future. Then, Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman joins the show (13:11) ahead of the Blue Jays matchup against the Rockies, and he discusses the blowout loss to open the series, Max Scherzer making his season debut, Brandon Little’s struggles early on, and much more. Later, David Pagnotta joins the show (25:47) to discuss the timing of the Leafs...


Jays Take on Rockies + Leafs Face Off Against Gudas And The Ducks
03/30/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Ben Nicholson-Smith (1:01), who discusses the Blue Jays' record-setting opening weekend, realistic expectations for Cody Ponce in his Blue Jays debut, Kazuma Okamoto’s MLB debut series, Andrés Giménez's importance to the team, and more. Then, they tee up the series against the Colorado Rockies. Later, ahead of the Leafs' matchup against Radko Gudas and the Anaheim Ducks, Luke Fox joins the show (25:40). They discuss who would be most likely to step up and fight Gudas for injuring Auston Matthews, if Bruce Cassidy being fired by the Vegas Golden Knig...


Blue Jays Opening Night Preview With Joe Carter and Ben Shulman
03/27/2026

Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Rubinoff get set for Blue Jays' Opening Night! Jays legend Joe Carter joins the show (5:38) to discuss the honour of receiving a statue outside of Rogers Centre, the nerves of playing in the first game of the season, how the team can build upon last year's World Series run, how the rest of the league will view them, his relationship with Ernie Clement, and much more. Then, Ben Shulman joins the show (26:25) ahead of his first call of the season! They break down the differences between this year’s roster compared to 2025, whether the injuries to...


Blue Jays 2026 Season Superlatives With Caleb Joseph
03/26/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Frank Seravalli (0:58) for another edition of Frank or Fiction. They discuss whether the Red Wings' playoff chances are slipping away, if the Golden Knights are as good as their record indicates, the Oilers' path back to the Western Conference Finals, and whether Kyle Dubas deserves credit for the Penguins' success. Then, Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph (26:21) joins the show to discuss what it is like to play in a home opener, go through the 2026 Blue Jays superlatives, and much more.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are th...


MLB Opening Night Preview With Ben Verlander and Erik Kratz
03/25/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Ben Verlander ahead of MLB Opening night. They discuss the biggest storylines around baseball heading into opening night, if the Jays improved this offseason, if anyone could overtake the Dodgers, the expectations for the Phillies, and more. Then, they end things off discussing the rookies to keep an eye on. Then, former MLB Catcher Erik Kratz joins the show to discuss why players love to play for Toronto, what a former catcher thinks about the MLB’s implementation of ABS, expectations for Bo Bichette with the Mets, and much more.

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Can Aaron Judge Win Third Straight AL MVP?
03/24/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert are joined by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. They break down the Jays pitching staff with the injuries heading into opening day, if Roman Anthony is ready to lead the Boston Red Sox to new heights, How Alonso could help improve the Baltimore Orioles, and much more. Then, they discuss who could come out of the AL East, the Jays locking Ross Atkins up to a long-term deal, and much more.

 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily ref...


Blue Jays Lock Up Management + TGL Finals Preview With Adam Stanley
03/23/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Shi Davidi (1:10), following Ross Atkins and John Schneider getting contract extensions with the Toronto Blue Jays. They break down the importance of locking up key personnel, the big roster decisions and cuts from the Blue Jays, the last two battles to make the Jays roster, and much more. Then, Adam Stanley joins the show ahead of the TGL Finals (30:43). They break down what we have seen in Year 2 of the TGL, and much more. Finally, Ailish and Justin discuss the state of the NCAA.

The views and opinions...


Raptors' Late Stretch Confidence
03/20/2026

Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Rubinoff kick things off with Matt Devlin ahead of the Raptors matchup against Jokic and The Nuggets. They break down the importance of Poeltl getting back in the lineup, the teams upcoming schedule, the evolution of scoring across the league, the big games we have seen this season, and much more. Then, Justin and Jesse discuss the Jays kicking off their season in a weeks time!

 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & M...


Optimizing Your NHL Award Ballot With Seravalli + Blue Jays Rotation Worries?
03/19/2026

Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Rubinoff kick things off with Frank Seravalli (1:09) for a check-in on the NHL's award races. They discuss Macklin Celebrini’s Hart trophy candidacy, why Evan Bouchard deserves more respect in the Norris race, whether the Jack Adams is Jon Cooper’s to lose, Rick Bowness’s candidacy, and much more. Then, Justin and Jesse discuss the Jays' rotation to start the season, given the injury news for Trey Yesavage and José Berríos, Buck Martinez heading to the new Blue Jays' Hall of Excellence, and much more. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podc...


Senators' Playoff Chase + Cole Hutson's Debut
03/18/2026

Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Rubinoff kick things off with Luke Gazdic (2:45) ahead of Wednesday night hockey. They break down the Senators' recent hot streak ahead of their matchup against the Capitals, the Capitals' ability to retool under Spencer Carbery, and much more. Then, Justin and Jesse discuss Crosby and the Pens looking poised to get back to the playoffs and question whether the Leafs missed their window. Later, Jason Bukala joins the show (25:27) to discuss Cole Hutson set to make his NHL debut with the Caps tonight, the teams around the league finding success without their star players, the...


WBC Final Preview with Jon Morosi & Shi Davidi
03/17/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with MLB Network’s Jon Morosi live from LoanDepot Park In Miami ahead of the WBC Finals! They break down how Venezuela got to the finals taking out Japan in the process, their victory over Italy last night, the expectation Team USA faces heading into the finals, what to expect from Nolan McLean, and much more. Then Ailish and Justin discuss Jack Hughes wanting the Olympic Golden Goal Puck from the Hall Of Fame. Then, Shi Davidi joins the show to discuss the WBC Finals, the Blue Jays that could emerge vi...


World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals Takeaways with Kevin Pillar
03/16/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Kevin Pillar (1:43) ahead of the WBC semifinals. They discuss tonight’s matchup, team Italy’s Cinderella story, the need for ABS, Paul Skenes performance against the Dominican Republic, Jeff Hoffman’s addition to Team USA, the growth of baseball across the world, and much more. Then, Ailish and Justin discuss how athletes represent countries other than their home country before they get into the news that the World Cup of Hockey is returning! They break down the host cities, the OT changes, and more. Finally, they chat about the NBA's goals...


USA vs. Canada WBC Preview + Dinner with Elliotte Friedman
03/13/2026

Sportsnet reporter Hazel Mae (0:47) joins Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert to help set the stage for Canada vs. USA, Canada's first-ever game in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. Later, Elliotte Friedman stops by (12:21) to pay off his bet for losing in the In-Season Cup, as well as serving the cast of the FAN Pregame a steak dinner! Friedge sticks around for the Friday Free-For-All, and he shares some thoughts on the Raptors, the World Baseball Classic, whether Ailish should pursue a return to pro hockey, his Vikings signing Kyler Murray, and much more.

The views and opinions...


NHL Headlines in the Home Stretch with Frank Seravalli
03/12/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Frank Seravalli. They break down why the Leafs are only calling up Michael Pezzetta now, the smoke surrounding Matthew Knies at the deadline, Anaheim’s addition of John Carlson, if there is a path for the Buffalo Sabres to the Stanley Cup Final, the favourite in the East, the biggest games of the night, and much more.

 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.


Canada is Quarterfinal-Bound at the World Baseball Classic!
03/11/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Sportsnet’s John Bartlett (1:13) ahead of the Habs' matchup against the Senators. They discuss the Habs' push for the playoffs, their lack of trade deadline moves, the team's goaltending, Jacob Fowler getting the call-up tonight, and much more. Then, Ailish and Justin discuss the latest from the World Baseball Classic and the ethics behind Bam Adebayo’s historic night before welcoming Brandon Wile to the show (26:04). They break down Canada’s big win over Cuba as they now head to Houston to compete in the WBC Quarterfinals, the antics throughout the to...


Matthews Scoring Slump + Oilers Look to Surge
03/10/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Craig Simpson ahead of the Leafs matchup against the Habs! They discuss how the Leafs players adjust to being on a losing team, what the Leafs need to show in the last stretch of the season, how the Habs locker room reacts to not making any deadline moves, the atmosphere at the Bell Centre, and much more. Then, Gene Principe joins the show ahead of the Oilers matchup against the Avalanche. They discuss the Oilers goals for the remainder of the season, the teams goaltending situation, how the Oilers trade...


Canadian Baseball HOF Show With Dempster and Hamilton
03/09/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer and Co-Host of Intentional Talk, Ryan Dempster (1:13). They discuss the WBC, Canada’s opportunity to advance, his memories representing Canada at the WBC stage, the growth of Canada’s Baseball landscape, and much more. Then, long-time Team Canada executive Greg Hamilton joins the show (27:03)! They discuss the current Canadian roster, the Naylors' impact, and they preview a must-win game against Puerto Rico tomorrow. Then, Ailish and Justin end things off discussing their reactions from the first weekend of NHL games following the trade deadline, the Habs...


Kadri Returns to Avs + Deadline Winners and Losers with Sam Cosentino
03/06/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick off the hour with Sam Cosentino (7:38) as the trades continue to trickle in. They discuss the breaking news that the Avs are bringing Nazem Kadri back; whether Buffalo dodged a bullet with the Parayko trade not going through; whether Tampa Bay is poised for a deep Cup run; the Wild trading David Jiricek a year after bringing him into the organisation, and much more. Then, to end off the day, Ailish and Justin go through how each Canadian NHL team performed at the deadline and the biggest winners and losers across the league!<...


Did the Leafs Do Enough at the Deadline?
03/06/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert react live to trades trickling in as the NHL trade deadline concludes. They break down a flurry of last-minute moves, including the Leafs moving Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton, and their reactions to the limited moves across the trade deadline. Then, Sam McKee joins the show (30:00) to react to Toronto’s trade deadline, how the team fared in their returns for Laughton, McMann, and Roy, how the Leafs should approach the remainder of the season, and much more!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and gu...


Brothers Unite in Minnesota, Corey Perry Returns to Bolts, and Jen Botterill!
03/06/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Jen Botterill (4:52) as the NHL Trade Deadline approaches the final hour. They discuss Nick Foligno joining his brother Marcus with the Minnesota Wild and what he brings to his new club on and off the ice. Next, they discuss what the Tampa Bay Lightning should expect bringing back Corey Perry to the fold, how she expects the rest of the deadline to unfold, and much more. Then, Ailish and Justin discuss the biggest names that could still be moved, which teams need a goaltender most, and more. 

The v...


Trade Deadline Preview With Frank Seravalli + Canada's Chance at the WBC
03/06/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with the latest news and rumours from Elliotte Friedman and what we could see from the Leafs heading into tomorrows NHL trade deadline, how the Leafs fared in the Nic Roy return, and more. Then, Frank Seravalli joins the show to discuss the latest he is hearing from Rasmus Ristolainen on the trade front, which goalie is most likely to be moved, if the Oilers got better with the addition of Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach, and more. Then, live from Puerto Rico, Shi Davidi joins the show to tee up...


What Can Canada's Teams Do at the Trade Deadline?
03/04/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with 32 Thought Co-Host Kyle Bukauskas ahead of the trade deadline. They break down the flurry of rumoured and completed deals across the NHL throughout the day, the latest between the Sabres and Blues, the Flames expecting to trade Weegar, the markets poised to add at the deadline, which Canadian teams have the most pressure to sell, what to expect from Doug Armstrong as his tenure as GM with St. Louis nears its conclusion, and much more.

 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of t...


2026 World Baseball Classic Preview with Jon Morosi
03/04/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Michael Grange (1:16) ahead of the Raptors matchup against the Knicks. They discuss how the team has looked as of late, whether 2028 could be the golden generation for Canada Basketball, Zach Edey’s importance for the national team, and much more. Then, ahead of the World Baseball Classic, Jon Morosi joins the show (25:55)! He discusses the latest pitching concerns coming out of Team USA and the limits being placed upon the star arms, the expectations for the Naylor brothers on team Canada, Canada’s chances of getting out of the group, whic...


What's Next for Oilers at the Deadline + Chris Leroux!
03/03/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with NHL Networks Mike Kelly to tee up NHL Trade deadline week. They break down which Canadian teams are poised to add at the deadline, the Edmonton Oilers adding Connor Murphy and what else they could do this week, Matthew Schaefer’s historic rookie season, and much more. Then, Sportsnet’s Chris Leroux joins the show to discuss how the Blue Jays offseason and how the team looked as Spring Training, his memories playing for Team Canada, and much more.

 

The views and opinions expressed in this podca...


Are the Cavs Contenders? + Friday Free-For-All!
02/28/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert start the Friday edition with ESPN radio's Marc Kestecher (1:25) ahead of a busy night of NBA action. They discuss the sustainability of Detroit's regular-season play, Cade Cunningham's case for MVP, James Harden's impact for the Cavs, and how the Nuggets stack up in a loaded Western Conference playoff picture. Ailish and Justin dive deeper into NBA awards and whether the 65-game rule is hurting the conversation. Later, they open the chat for a Friday Free-For-All and discuss the Sabres' playoff chances, American NHLers in Canadian markets, the Leafs' deadline direction after a brutal Florida...


Frank or Fiction: Post-Olympic Break Edition
02/26/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Frank Seravalli for another addition of Frank Or Fiction! They discuss if USA and Canada are on level terms following the Olympics, if Matthews wants out of Toronto, if OEL will be a member of the Leafs after the deadline, if the Penguins can make the playoffs without Crosby or the next stretch of play, and much more. Then, Ailish and Justin react to Max Scherzer returning to the Toronto Blue Jays!

 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and g...


How Will Canada’s NHL Teams Close Out The Season?
02/26/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Sam Cosentino (0:45)! They take a look at the young guys in the league following the Olympic break, what to expect from Connor Bedard and Juraj Slafkovsky, Connor Hellebuyck’s Olympic performance and if he can guide Winnipeg to the playoffs, what to expect from the Canadian Olympians who return to their NHL teams, and if anyone on the Leafs is safe ahead of the trade deadline. Then, Ailish and Justin go through the Canadian NHL teams and discuss how they will approach the final stretch of the season. They break do...


Spring Training Games Begin + The NHL's Home Stretch
02/25/2026

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick off the show discussing Olympic highlights with Ailish returning from Milan. Then, with baseball back on the air, Sportsnet’s Ben Shulman joins the show (10:44) as the Jays look to defend their Grapefruit League Title! They discuss how much spring training games actually matter, what Jays fans should expect from Ricky Tiedemann, the team's new additions, and much more. Then, Ailish and Justin look ahead to the final stretch of the NHL season. They discuss the importance of the next few games for the Leafs and whether Auston Matthews will be in the li...


Canada Olympic Hockey Post-Mortem with Jason Bukala
02/24/2026

Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Fuchs kick things off with Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala (1:36) following Canada’s hard-fought loss to Team USA in the Men’s Hockey final at the Olympics. They discuss how each team was built, the young stars Canada left off the roster like Connor Bedard and Matthew Schaefer, how Canada will approach the next national event, if 3v3 hockey belongs on the international stage, and much more. Then, Justin and Jesse go through the biggest storylines from the Olympics, their takeaways from Canada’s Olympic hockey losses, Crosby’s future, the reliance on McDavid in the medal roun...


Gold Medal Game Gut Check with Elliotte Friedman and David Amber
02/21/2026

Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Fuchs kick things off with Elliotte Friedman (3:00) following Team USA’s victory over Slovakia in the Men’s Olympic Hockey tournament. They break down Sunday’s Gold Medal matchup between Canada and the USA, Canada’s close semifinal contest against Finland, the officiating, and what to expect in the Gold Medal game. Then, Sportsnet’s David Amber joins the show (12:20) to discuss his takeaways from the Men’s hockey tournament heading into the medal rounds, how Canada stacks up against the Americans, the key to beating Connor Hellebuyck, and much more. Later, following the announcement that he will...


Canadian Women Settle For Silver + Miracle On Ice's Legacy with Al Michaels
02/20/2026

Jesse Fuchs kicks things off with former Team Canada Olympic Hockey Forward Rebecca Johnston as they react to Canada’s heartbreaking loss to Team USA in the Women’s Gold Medal Game. They discuss how Canada unravelled in the last two minutes of the game, Marie-Philip Poulin's international legacy after what could be her last Olympics, and much more. Then, Sportsnet’s Matt Bonner joins the show (14:07) as the Raptors return from the All-Star Break. They recap how the event fared, whether the dunk contest can be fixed, and the league's newly proposed anti-tanking rules. Later, legendary broadcaster Al Michae...


Olympic Hockey Heats Up
02/19/2026

Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Fuchs kick things off with Ailish Forfar (1:56) live from Milan! They break down a busy day of quarterfinals action across the men’s hockey tournament and discuss her experience taking it all in from Canada House, the vibes when Mitch Marner got Canada into a spot in the semifinals, how Canada can rebound from Sidney Crosby’s injury, and if we should expect to see him suit up again this week. Then, they discuss Canada’s women’s hockey team's gold medal matchup against Team USA and what Canada needs to do to defeat a powerhou...


Canadians on a Roll in Milan + Will Binnington Deliver Again?
02/18/2026

Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Fuchs kick things off with Sportsnet’s Brad Fay (5:24). They go through Canada’s Olympic performances as the games begin to wind down. They discuss Canada’s curling results so far, what to expect in a gold medal game between Canada and the USA’s Women’s hockey team, Macklin Celebrini’s historic performance for Team Canada as a teenager, and much more! Then, Devan Dubnyk joins the show (25:59) to discuss how he views Canada’s decision to start Binnington and how it has worked out so far, his takeaways ahead of the semi-finals, and much more. The...