10 THINGS FOR CAPITAL AUTO MALL

1 – FIRING SEASON: The crazy firings didn’t stop when the calendar flipped over to 2020. The talk of sports right now is the Vegas Knights torching head coach Gerard Gallant on Wednesday, with his team still in contention and a month away from coaching at the NHL All Star Game. While the handful of Vegas hockey pundits are assuring us this was performance-related, that’s still quite vague. There’s ALWAYS more than meets the eye and even the network hockey insiders don’t seem to know what it is.

2 – THINGS LOOK CRIM: You have to hand it to Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon who calmly stood before TV cameras and basically said, “This decision was made by ME”. The Plenty, SK product said Gallant was let go on a “feeling” that a change needed to be made. It was refreshing to see leadership like that, unlike a lot of bosses who say, “Well it was a group decision and we felt it’s what’s best for the organization.” Crim put the onus squarely on himself.

3 – WORLDS COLLIDING: Roughriders icon Ray Elgaard went off on Facebook after the firing which was surprising because Elgaard – a Las Vegas resident – has been the franchise’s biggest backer since even before Day 1. Ray’s tirade included this: “Today I’m embarrassed to call the VGK my team. Not for on-ice performance, but for the personality of the corporation. If the VGK corp was a human – you’d judge it as a JERK”. Again, we direct your attention to Point 1. Trouble in paradise.

4 – MUSICAL CHAIRS: The game of musical chairs in the CFL coordinator game is about to stop. Stephen McAdoo – who spent the past 4 seasons as the offensive coordinator in Saskatchewan – may be left without a seat after the BC Lions and Edmonton Eskimos hired someone else as OC. Winnipeg’s job is still open (however it’s expected to be filled by Buck Pierce) and Toronto’s Ryan Dinwiddie has yet to announce his staff. But the options are getting very limited.

5 – SENSELESS CAP: There are many quality coaches getting squeezed out of the game by the CFL’s “new” football operations salary cap and staff limitation. Rick Campbell (BC), Scott Milanovich (Edmonton), Paul LaPolice (Ottawa), Dave Dickenson (Calgary) have all added the duties of coordinator to their title of head coach. Dinwiddie could still do the same in Toronto. GMs and coaches figured out that teams can save a lot of money by duel or triple roles, or at least spend the money elsewhere. Like other industries in the current pinch, it’s a case of “do more with less”. The list of football people out of work is growing rapidly, and that’s not good for the game.

6 – WALSH ACRES: It was reported here on December 21 that Steve Walsh wouldn’t be back as QB Coach with the Riders and it was also unlikely Ricky Ray would be his replacement. https://rodpedersen.com/10-christmas-things/ 3DownNation’s Justin Dunk confirmed it all yesterday. New O.C. Jason Maas will add the role of QB coach to his portfolio. Again, saving money, but in this case it makes total sense because Maas and Cody Fajardo seem to have already formed a strong bond.

7 – TKACHUK/KASSIAN: As if there hasn’t been enough ink spilled over the latest Battle of Alberta brouhaha, here’s some more. My jaw dropped when TSN’s Craig Button said Matthew Tkachuk’s predatory hits on Zack Kassian “were clean”, but 10 guys can watch the same hit and view it 10 different ways. I’m also shocked that people seem completely split 50/50 on whose side they’re on in this drama. But that’s what makes it fun. And here’s a bold prediction: Absolutely NOTHING will happen in the January 29 game between Edmonton and Calgary despite a UFC-style build-up. It never does.

8 – FEEL THE RUSH: Now’s your time to take in the Saskatchewan Rush when they host the Colorado Mammoth on Saturday on Coop Field at SaskTel Centre. Due to the economic pinch, the Rush are offering $15 tickets all season long which you can grab at Saskatoon Coops or from the Rush website. The Rush generally have 1 – at the very most 2 – clunkers in the regular season and it came in their home-opener against New England last month. They’ll be back to themselves this Saturday on Prairie Pride Night, I guarantee it.

9 – LIFE UPDATE: I’d like to thank everyone who offered kind words and encouragement over the Holiday season regarding The Rod Pedersen Show. People all over the country can see that it’s growing by leaps and bounds and it’s afforded a very nice living. I’m real happy. (Ownership is key). I was approached in 2019 by a handful of NHL, CFL, WHL & SJHL teams plus various radio & TV outlets but told them for now my focus is on the RP Show, and my other interests. It’s turning out to be wonderful and we have some real big news regarding the show right around the corner. Stay tuned and thanks for the support!

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: When the Regina Pats are out of town, I miss them. … Everyone’s asking why Yorkton Terriers 100-point man Chantz Petruic isn’t in the WHL. Answer: He was, with the Moose Jaw Warriors. Just relax and enjoy the show. … Why was Doug Flutie a 6-time CFL MVP but couldn’t stick in the NFL? Same thing. … The SJHL/MJHL Showcase of Under-20 players goes in Regina next Tuesday/Wednesday at the Cooperators Arena. Darren Dupont and I are pleased to be on the mic for the games. …. People are freaking out the Riders haven’t announced their coaching staff yet. Folks, look outside. It’s minus-45. No one’s coaching anybody right now. Relax. … I liked Dan & Shay a lot better when they were called Rascal Flatts. … I can’t wait for Country Thunder. … From my Army friend Rylan Betker: “Why is it we get a crystal clear view from an endzone pylon in the NFL, but can’t see a robber’s face at 7/11?” Answer: No one buys tickets to see the robber. … Two thumbs up for the acclaimed movie 1917. I went with some military personnel on Tuesday and they feel it’s the most-realistic war movie ever made. I was fortunate to go with them, because civilians might find it a little slow or dry. But if you really want to know what life was like in the trenches in WWI, go see this movie. And if you ever knew (or know) a war vet, now you know what they meant by the unspeakable things they saw, and why they don’t want to talk about it.

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen

(Photo: Lisa Lukye)