10 WEEKEND THINGS

THE BUZZ FROM THE CAPITAL

1 – CASH CRUNCH: CFL leaders are extremely tightlipped about where the league is going as we close out 2020. Was it a “slip” by TSN’s Farhan Lalji when he predicted on Edmonton radio that no CFL “non-QBs” will see a salary north of $200,000? Football maven John Frenzy quoted a source close to the Roughriders board as saying the maximum on quarterback salaries will be $300,000. No one’s confirmed any of this, but it certainly appears a set salary structure is on its way (which I’ve been lobbying for since last spring).

2 – COACHING CASUALTIES: Kudos to Edmonton Football Club head coach Scott Milanovich – always a straight shooter – for divulging on Edmonton radio this week that his coaching staff has been cut to six for 2021. That’s the same number on the 1999 Saskatchewan Roughriders coaching staff when I came into the league. The staff swelled to 14 coaches under Chris Jones in 2017, but is back down to single digits.

3 – LESS IS MORE: Players and coaches are fit to be tied over these developments, particularly when they see “the suits” raking in salaries that are well into six figures. Can you blame them? There are coaches earning less in this league right now than they did 10 years ago. Can the same be said for Presidents and VP’s? That situation’s going to need to be addressed pronto. But it seems no one can agree on what this should look like moving forward, or even what the end goal is. The simple fact is CFL teams are bleeding red ink in this pandemic with no relief in sight. The perception is things are fine (‘Hey we’ve got a schedule!’) but they are not.

4 – DOLLARS AND SENSE: Those fighting against a cap on salaries and limitations on staff say it makes the league look second rate. I can’t disagree, but can you present a better option? This is the bind the CFL finds itself in by its own doing. IMO they need to get their financial house in order first, survive, and worry about growth years down the line. The money is there in Canada in one shape or another. The average NHL operating income for Canadian teams in 2020 was $37-million US, led by Montreal at $106M and Toronto at $101M (Source: Forbes). The CFL needs to get its act together and then find a way to get a piece of that. However with all the finger-pointing and lack of accountability going on, I’m not particularly optimistic for the immediate future of this league.

5 – HOCKEY BUZZ: My NHL source who’d been pointing to February 1 as the start date for the 2020-21 season backtracked this week and agreed that it is indeed January 13. GREAT! I’ll take being wrong in exchange for the NHL actually hitting the ice. However another NHL source informed me players aren’t rushing to get back to work due to uncertainties around bubbles, travel and safety. He said players would prefer to have the Return To Play vote offered to the entire union rather than just the 31 team reps, like it was this past summer. None of this means NHL hockey won’t happen, but the owners need to do a sell job on the players. But the NFL, NBA and MLB owners were able to do it so I expect hockey will be no different.

6 – WJHC: This is the critical weekend for the 2021 World Juniors Tournament. European teams will begin boarding planes and arriving in Edmonton over the next 24-36 hours, getting tested, then entering the bubble. The news we hear from TSN and Hockey Canada sources is that things are all positive and my Edmonton hockey contact says it’s “full steam ahead” in the bubble. However some of my international contacts say some teams aren’t taking this as seriously as Canada is (i.e. they don’t have the financial stake Hockey Canada does), so don’t be surprised if Covid outbreaks lead to teams pulling out left and right. The IIHF may need to entirely re-jig the tournament schedule if they don’t get their full compliment of teams.

7 – BE-LEAF: You may or may not agree with Bodog’s odds for the 2021 Stanley Cup winner but the Toronto Maple Leafs are listed as Canada’s #1 favourite to win the NHL title this season. (Yes, the same team that lost to a Zamboni driver last year). Here are the top six: 1) Colorado +700, 2) Vegas +800, 3) Tampa Bay +800, 4) Boston +1300, 5) Philadelphia +1500 and 6) Toronto +1400. The team with the worst odds? The Detroit Red Wings at +15,000. Meanwhile the Edmonton Oilers had Canada’s top point total last season.

8 – BABS: Speaking of the Red Wings and Maple Leafs, former Head Coach Mike Babcock’s name came up this week when longtime U of S Huskies mens hockey coach Dave Adolph announced his retirement after decades at the helm. Babcock was mentioned because he has strong Saskatoon ties and a close association with the university after delivering an address at convocation over the years. I asked a source close to Babcock if Mike was, or would be, interested in the Huskie job. The response was a terse “No way”. Babs is still being paid by the Leafs and calculating his next move. From a timing standpoint he’s real lucky; would you want to be coaching a team right now if you didn’t have to?

9 – MORE FOOTBALL NOTES: It’s inexplicable that free agent kicker Brett Lauther doesn’t have an NFL contract yet – or even a tryout – particularly after the latest foibles of the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13. However I spoke to Brett and his agent this week. They’re both optimistic while he continues to workout on his own and stay ready for a shot. At 30, time’s still on his side and they feel if something doesn’t materialize this year, perhaps it will next year. … Speaking of former Riders, Jeff Knox Jr.’s trial for double attempted homicide goes Thursday in Pennsylvania. Forgot about him didn’t ya? I didn’t. I’ve been speaking with him and we’re hoping for the best possible outcome. Like I said weeks ago, there are two sides to every story.

10 – RANDOMS TO END: Perhaps I’ll be the lone person in 2020 asking SaskTel to install a land line in our house. They’ve seemed to become passe but with these new scheduled Friday morning appearances on TSN 1290 Winnipeg with Jim Toth & Troy Westwood, I want them to be the best possible audio quality. What a great opportunity. … What is it about football that everyone thinks they’re a coach on Twitter? Hockey isn’t that way, except in Edmonton. … An interesting comment from a football fan this week: “If the CFL truly wants to go global, they should put some teams in Mexico.” It’s not as crazy of an idea as you think. … What good is it that David Braley left millions in the BC Lions bank account but they tried to screw Mike Reilly out of money they’d guaranteed him? This shady stuff in the CFL needs to go. … I shudder to think where we’d be without Justin Dunk and 3DownNation holding CFL leaders accountable. … Landmark Cinemas are offering a package where you can get a private screening for a group of family and friends beginning at $99. We just may do it. … The squawking by CFL teams over the results of the 2021 Draft Lottery got me thinking. The teams who make the most out of the hand they’re dealt end up having the most success. You never see John Hufnagel whining. … The BCHL is investigating a bubble for 17 teams in Penticton in order to begin play next month. The City of Penticton is backing the move. It’s admirable to see sports and entertainment people doing whatever they can to play and perform. People who are collecting free money from the government or haven’t been impacted financially by the pandemic don’t seem to get this. Thankfully no one’s listening to their tantrums.

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen