Darren DuPont’s Moose Droppings
Let me catch you up.
1. TRAVEL THINGS 
– Friday afternoon as I was sitting in the Regina airport, sipping on a Tim Horton’s coffee, with NCAA basketball on over my shoulder, waiting to board my flight home to Toronto, and who do I look over and see? CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. Or is it former CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie?
– Friday afternoon as I was sitting in the Regina airport, sipping on a Tim Horton’s coffee, with NCAA basketball on over my shoulder, waiting to board my flight home to Toronto, and who do I look over and see? CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. Or is it former CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie? Does it matter?
I was heading back after a very rewarding and fulfilling 3 days in the Queen City. Last Thursday night I was hosting the 56th Annual Regina Rams sports dinner with NFL Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle. What a night. In between flights and the dinner I spent time catching up with old friends and quality time with family. Wish I could have stayed longer.
2. JOHN RANDLE 
– It was a real treat to meet and spend some time with the Hall of Famer. He is a big personality that just loves life. Originally from Texas, he has made Minnesota home after his playing days and remains very involved in the scene. Most recently he was working with position groups in Indy at the NFL combine. Interesting fact, the fictional character Terry Tate: The Office Linebacker is based off Randle. I could totally see it! He had the crowd in stitches.
– It was a real treat to meet and spend some time with the Hall of Famer. He is a big personality that just loves life. Originally from Texas, he has made Minnesota home after his playing days and remains very involved in the scene. Most recently he was working with position groups in Indy at the NFL combine. Interesting fact, the fictional character Terry Tate: The Office Linebacker is based off Randle. I could totally see it! He had the crowd in stitches.3. AMBROSIE 
– Whatever the situation, Randy looked good (and happy) sitting up at the front of the plane. Honestly it felt good to see him smiling and generally stress free (which I hope he is). Upon takeoff we heard some awfully concerning sounds coming from underneath the plane and we weren’t gaining any altitude. I’m a pretty calm flyer these days but the young man next to me was clearly concerned. We flew very low (low enough to still have cell service!) for several minutes before the captain came over the intercom to let us know there was an issue with the landing gear shortly after takeoff as well as a door that wouldn’t close. We were going to circle low while they tried to figure out a solution on the ground. We circled very low for an hour (which was a little unnerving) before being informed that we would head to Winnipeg where a more robust maintenance crew would be standing by. I mean, I didn’t know if the landing gear was going to open as we approached the airport in Manitoba. I even googled survival rate of plane landings without landing gear! Luckily we landed safely with no issues. After another wait while they looked over the plane, we were instructed to get off the plane and that a new plane was coming for us. I thought I’d see if Randy wanted to get a bite during our extended 2 hour layover in Winnipeg but the second we were off the plane he was gone. He didn’t join the rest of us for our flight to Toronto later that night.
– Whatever the situation, Randy looked good (and happy) sitting up at the front of the plane. Honestly it felt good to see him smiling and generally stress free (which I hope he is). Upon takeoff we heard some awfully concerning sounds coming from underneath the plane and we weren’t gaining any altitude. I’m a pretty calm flyer these days but the young man next to me was clearly concerned. We flew very low (low enough to still have cell service!) for several minutes before the captain came over the intercom to let us know there was an issue with the landing gear shortly after takeoff as well as a door that wouldn’t close. We were going to circle low while they tried to figure out a solution on the ground. We circled very low for an hour (which was a little unnerving) before being informed that we would head to Winnipeg where a more robust maintenance crew would be standing by. I mean, I didn’t know if the landing gear was going to open as we approached the airport in Manitoba. I even googled survival rate of plane landings without landing gear! Luckily we landed safely with no issues. After another wait while they looked over the plane, we were instructed to get off the plane and that a new plane was coming for us. I thought I’d see if Randy wanted to get a bite during our extended 2 hour layover in Winnipeg but the second we were off the plane he was gone. He didn’t join the rest of us for our flight to Toronto later that night.I couldn’t help but think to myself “damn, crisis just follows this guy everywhere!” Poor guy.
4. QB CLARITY 
– The QB carousel in the NFL continues to sort itself out and the picture is coming into focus. Russell Wilson signing with the Giants is interesting. The team now has Wilson, Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito in their QB room with pundits even predicting the team could take another young QB with the third overall pick. It could be a situation where you take a guy like Shedeur Sanders and develop him for 2-3 seasons. I like the idea of drafting Shedeur if you can put him in a situation where he doesn’t need to be rushed.
– The QB carousel in the NFL continues to sort itself out and the picture is coming into focus. Russell Wilson signing with the Giants is interesting. The team now has Wilson, Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito in their QB room with pundits even predicting the team could take another young QB with the third overall pick. It could be a situation where you take a guy like Shedeur Sanders and develop him for 2-3 seasons. I like the idea of drafting Shedeur if you can put him in a situation where he doesn’t need to be rushed. Now we wait for Aaron Rogers to Pittsburgh?
5. TITANS 
– Meanwhile, it appears the Titans are very interested in Miami QB Cam Ward with the number one pick. After his pro day this week the Titans spent an extended period with the prospect and are even having him throw again at a private workout. ESPN analyst (along with RP Tuesday on the show) highlighted the maturity of Ward. RP exclaimed that he’s a man while Orlovsky showcased all the things he had done in college that mimics the process of a pro QB including his command of the line of scrimmage. I’m sold. Tennessee should keep the pick and draft Cam Ward.
– Meanwhile, it appears the Titans are very interested in Miami QB Cam Ward with the number one pick. After his pro day this week the Titans spent an extended period with the prospect and are even having him throw again at a private workout. ESPN analyst (along with RP Tuesday on the show) highlighted the maturity of Ward. RP exclaimed that he’s a man while Orlovsky showcased all the things he had done in college that mimics the process of a pro QB including his command of the line of scrimmage. I’m sold. Tennessee should keep the pick and draft Cam Ward.
6. GR8 CHASE 
– Make it 6 more goals until Alex Ovechkin passes Wayne Gretzky after the Capitals’ star scored late in the third period Tuesday night in Winnipeg. I billed the game as a potential Stanley Cup Final preview and it didn’t disappoint with Ovi tying the game late and the Jets winning it in overtime.
– Make it 6 more goals until Alex Ovechkin passes Wayne Gretzky after the Capitals’ star scored late in the third period Tuesday night in Winnipeg. I billed the game as a potential Stanley Cup Final preview and it didn’t disappoint with Ovi tying the game late and the Jets winning it in overtime.If you head to the sportsbooks you can bet on all kinds of GR8 Chase props including the opponent he’ll score 895 against, the period he’ll score the goal and even how it will happen. I’ll put a $20 on it being an overtime goal at +2500 odds.
The books have Dallas (+600) and Florida (+650) as teams with the best odds to win the cup. Washington (+1100) and Winnipeg (+1200) could be great value bets.
7. THE DUB 
– Major Junior playoffs are starting this week across Canada but all the talk is centred around expansion in the dub. The league has announced that the Penticton Vees will enter the league next season while the process is underway to bring a team back to Chilliwack starting in 2026. I’ll say this, the Vees really came out of this BCHL/Hockey Canada split with the best possible outcome. It’s a proud franchise that has accomplished everything at the Jr A level. Now we will see if they can compete in the CHL. An expansion draft is scheduled for May 7th.
– Major Junior playoffs are starting this week across Canada but all the talk is centred around expansion in the dub. The league has announced that the Penticton Vees will enter the league next season while the process is underway to bring a team back to Chilliwack starting in 2026. I’ll say this, the Vees really came out of this BCHL/Hockey Canada split with the best possible outcome. It’s a proud franchise that has accomplished everything at the Jr A level. Now we will see if they can compete in the CHL. An expansion draft is scheduled for May 7th. 8. OPENING DAY 
– Opening day is Thursday and the excitement is ramping up. Here in Toronto fans are excited to get the season started after a positive spring. The issue is that spring came for a few days here in southern Ontario but this week it feels more Iike winter. It’s felt like spring in spots across the prairies early in the week but the cold weather is coming the rest of the week across most of Canada which really doesn’t make it feel like opening week. Nevertheless, if we don’t end up at the ballpark on Thursday we will definitely be having hot dogs and watching the game at home. It’s always a fun tradition. Celebrate all the things!
– Opening day is Thursday and the excitement is ramping up. Here in Toronto fans are excited to get the season started after a positive spring. The issue is that spring came for a few days here in southern Ontario but this week it feels more Iike winter. It’s felt like spring in spots across the prairies early in the week but the cold weather is coming the rest of the week across most of Canada which really doesn’t make it feel like opening week. Nevertheless, if we don’t end up at the ballpark on Thursday we will definitely be having hot dogs and watching the game at home. It’s always a fun tradition. Celebrate all the things! 9. JAYS 
– All the experts have picked the Jays to finish in the basement of the AL East and that’s not surprising. Either way it’s still going to be fun for the first two months! The sooner this season goes south the more heat there will be on the front office. That part is pretty obvious but the longer the Jays stay relevant on the field the less people will talk about Vladdy’s contract.
– All the experts have picked the Jays to finish in the basement of the AL East and that’s not surprising. Either way it’s still going to be fun for the first two months! The sooner this season goes south the more heat there will be on the front office. That part is pretty obvious but the longer the Jays stay relevant on the field the less people will talk about Vladdy’s contract. The Jays have the 20th best odds to win the World Series at +6000. The Dodgers (+250), Braves (+750), Yankees (+850), Phillies (+1200), and Mets (+1200) are the top-five according to DraftKings.
10. RANDOMS 
– The Leafs took out some frustration Tuesday night beating Philly 7-2 as they get set to head out on the road to California. Jeff O’Neill said it was a big game for the card players as the win completely sets the tone for the road trip. I stayed up and watched LA/NYR and it was a treat to watch the Kings home broadcast featuring Sask born Jarret Stoll as the intermission analyst… I’ll be on CBC radio Saskatoon on Thursday morning previewing the Saskatoon Blades opening round playoff series with Calgary. The two teams haven’t met in the playoffs in 25 years! … It sure looks like the St Louis Blues made the right call to hang onto Brayden Schenn and Jordan Binnington… The Flames have won four-straight to stay in the race in the West despite being the lowest scoring team in the league. If they make the playoffs it would be the first time in 15 years that the lowest scoring team in the league made the post season. The last? The Boston Bruins… I’m leading my March Madness pool and my bracket isn’t busted… yet. I have Duke winning it all… Ed Hervey? It’s always easier to apologize but to me he basically doubled down. Wonder how it will effect his ability to sign free agents in the future.
– The Leafs took out some frustration Tuesday night beating Philly 7-2 as they get set to head out on the road to California. Jeff O’Neill said it was a big game for the card players as the win completely sets the tone for the road trip. I stayed up and watched LA/NYR and it was a treat to watch the Kings home broadcast featuring Sask born Jarret Stoll as the intermission analyst… I’ll be on CBC radio Saskatoon on Thursday morning previewing the Saskatoon Blades opening round playoff series with Calgary. The two teams haven’t met in the playoffs in 25 years! … It sure looks like the St Louis Blues made the right call to hang onto Brayden Schenn and Jordan Binnington… The Flames have won four-straight to stay in the race in the West despite being the lowest scoring team in the league. If they make the playoffs it would be the first time in 15 years that the lowest scoring team in the league made the post season. The last? The Boston Bruins… I’m leading my March Madness pool and my bracket isn’t busted… yet. I have Duke winning it all… Ed Hervey? It’s always easier to apologize but to me he basically doubled down. Wonder how it will effect his ability to sign free agents in the future.Until next week!
DD
Good stuff With Ed Hervey. He’s 52 and part of our generation the greatest generation. The man told the truth. He doubled down. As for the CFLPA. They could have made a phone call. They could have said “Ed in the interest of harmony can you clarify….we have some nancies a little bruised up. We all know how this new breed is” That’s how you do labor relations. Nah, they had to be “offended”. Wait until the Owner changes the name back…. Ed Hervey for those who don’t recall the 2000s was a warrior. They don’t have one guy on… Read more »