Today's Sports Headlines

Including: Bruce Arthur: Meaningful dialogue on racism in hockey is long overdue — listening to Akim Aliu is a start [Star Logo] Sports Headlines OPINION [Bruce Arthur: Meaningful dialogue on racism in hockey is long overdue — listening to Akim Aliu is a start]( [The player who called out ex-coach Bill Peters will meet with the NHL Tuesday at a neutral location. Hockey in Canada sells itself as a reflection of the best of us — but it can be something else, too, Bruce Arthur writes.]( [Read More [arrow]]( OPINION [Gregor Chisholm: With or without Lowry and Ibaka, the Raptors are full of surprises]( [A lot has changed since Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka were hurt in the same game almost a month ago. The Raptors were deeper than anyone thought. With Ibaka back in the rotation and Lowry close, who knows how far they might go, Gregor Chisholm writes.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [Ex-Wing Johan Franzen calls Mike Babcock ‘the worst person I have ever met’]( [In the wake of Chris Chelios revealing an incident in the 2012 playoffs that left Franzen with a nervous breakdown, the retired Detroit forward told Sweden’s Expressen that Babcock, recently fired by the Maple Leafs, “would lay into people without any reason.”]( [Read More [arrow]]( [Sheldon Keefe’s successor behind the Marlies’ bench is ahead of the curve]( [Greg Moore is the first significant coaching hire in the post-Bill Peters era. It’s a hiring reflective of the kind of coach hockey is moving toward: one with a spotless record of putting people first, Kevin McGran writes.]( [Read More [arrow]]( OPINION [Dave Feschuk: William Nylander’s monster contract doesn’t seem so scary one year later]( [The Maple Leafs winger is on pace for career highs. After last season’s disastrous results, a case can be made he’s slightly overachieving, Dave Feschuk writes.]( [Read More [arrow]]( OPINION [Damien Cox: Keefe’s promotion reveals more of the Dubas blueprint]( [Kyle Dubas and Sheldon Keefe are bonded as closely as any GM/head coach pair in Leafs history and have been promoted up the chain together, along with many of the players who played for them in the AHL. That creates a certain mindset, Damien Cox writes.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [Gregor Chisholm: Drury stays, Maile goes in Blue Jays contract deadline dance]( [Catcher Luke Maile, right-hander Derek Law and right-hander Jason Adam were cut loose Monday night, while infielder Brandon Drury, closer Ken Giles, starter Matt Shoemaker and right-hander Anthony Bass were all tendered contracts.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [Marc Crawford placed on leave by Blackhawks amid physical abuse allegations]( [Former player Sean Avery claims he was kicked so hard by his former coach with the Los Angeles Kings that it left a mark.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [Canadian Carl English hopes tale of perseverance through tragedy will inspire kids]( [From losing his parents in a house fire as a young boy to the death of his uncle to going unchosen in the NBA draft, Carl English has been thrown one cruel curve ball after another.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [Lionel Messi confident best is yet to come]( [U.S. women’s captain Megan Rapinoe caps “incredible year” by winning her first Ballon d’Or trophy.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [The Star]( If you’re not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you’d prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Manage Your Email Preferences]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](