Darren DuPont’s Moose Droppings
Each week I drop by to share what’s been in my head over the past seven days and what I’m looking forward to ahead of the weekend. A few things on my mind today as we get into it:
1. NHL PLAYOFFS – The playoffs continue to impress. Edmonton, Toronto and Winnipeg collectively have Canada buzzing but not all can reach the Cup. Because of Edmonton’s 3-1 series lead and Toronto’s great start against Florida, fans are salivating at a possible Edmonton/Toronto cup final. That’s an exciting thought but I don’t think the country could handle it. We would melt down. It would incite a civil war. But, television ratings would be off the charts.
2. HOCKEY TV – Speaking of television ratings, it’s been a treat for Canadians to be exposed to some of the US coverage this spring. While Hockey Night In Canada continues to be #1, Sportsnet is allowing us (possible $$ savings) to see both ESPN and TNT’s playoff coverage including the intermission panels. I love variety and it’s very satisfying to be able to see them all. It’s also great when you have so many different starts of years past on your tv. What’s your favourite panel and who’s your favourite analyst? I’ve always liked Kevin Bieksa, but I’m becoming more and more a fan of Henrik Lundqvist on TNT.
3. BETTING UPDATE – Let’s check in and see how things have changed midway through round two. At DraftKings, the…. Carolina Hurricanes are your Stanley Cup betting favourites at +310 while Edmonton is close behind at +320. A rematch of 2006? Sign me up! Dallas (+340), Florida (+400), Toronto (+900), Winnipeg (+1600), Vegas (+2500), and Washington (+5000) round out the field.
4. WORLDS – Canada is cruising at the World Hockey Championship in Sweden and Denmark. Sidney Crosby was his usual magical self on Tuesday in a win over France. Canada is 3-0 with their next game set for Thursday against Austria. Canada has beaten Slovenia, Latvia, and France. Not exactly a who’s-who and still have Austria, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden remaining as group play wraps up on Tuesday.
5. BETWEEN THE PIPES – Jordan Binnington has joined team Canada along with Blues’ captain Brayden Schenn. Binnington stopped all 15 shots Tuesday in a 5-0 win and looks like he’ll be the likely starter when it matters. Dylan Garand was perfect in Canada’s first win (11 saves in 4-0 win over Slovenia) while Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 16/17 in a 7-1 win over Latvia. I’d like to see Fleury play this out for nostalgic and romantic reasons but I just can’t see it happening. These coaches aren’t in the business of fuzzy feelings, they are there to win and Binnington is the best option.
6. CFL CAMPS OPEN – CFL camps are open but one story I was following is over before it began. QB Taulia Tagovailoa (brother of Miami Dolphins QB Tua) was released by the Hamilton Tiger Cats prior to camp. By no means does this take the air out of an exciting time of the year but it’s fun to follow names and he has a name. Now, the other big “name” news is the BC Lions announcing Tuesday that Snoop Dogg will perform at the Lions’ home opener. BC continues to lead from the front when it comes to game day entertainment and innovation. It’s a good lesson that when you have momentum keep pushing forward.
7. CAMPING – I’m envious of those covering CFL camps across Canada. The only downside is the weather is less than ideal in pretty much all markets right now! I love camp life, watching practices and drinking coffee in the spring sunshine. It was back at Roughriders training camp in Saskatoon in the spring of 2015 that RP and I first really connected. Some old photos popped up recently in my google photos memories and it was fun to think about the old times. One in particular? Visiting the site of the old Bonanza restaurant on 8th street in Saskatoon. It had burnt down so we went by to pay our respects and hold a brief memorial. What a time!
8. PACKERS SIGN ELGERSMA – By now you’ve likely seen the news that Canadian QB Taylor Elgersma has signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers. Elgersma led the Laurier Golden Hawks to the Vanier Cup final this year and became the first Canadian University QB to sign an NFL contract since 1987. Incredible. We know that he has all the raw tools and I’m excited to see what Matt LaFleur and his staff can do to develop them. It’ll be fun to watch. Between CFL camps opening and all the Canadian interest in the NFL (Kurtis Rourke, Elgersma, etc) there is plenty for the football junkies to stay up on. I just hope these guys get a chance to shine.
9. TIME HEALS ALL WOUNDS – This saying proves to be true more often than not and that was the case again on Tuesday when Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson were both reinstated from the ineligible list by Major League Baseball. When Rose passed I wondered if it was time to lift the ban and put his name in the hall among the history of the game. Well, here it is. He’s not in yet, but now it feels like only a matter of time.
Here’s the quote from commissioner Rob Manfred: “In my view, once an individual has passed away, the purpose of Rule 21 have been served. Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game. Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve.”
It doesn’t always happen as fast as we think it should but the hatchet can always be buried. I actually admire Manfred for holding firm on the punishment but also ensuring that these names have the opportunity to be part of baseball history.
10. RANDOMS – The PGA Championship, the second major of the season, begins on Thursday at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina. What a beautiful place. Round one will start bright and early Thursday morning with key groups starting before 7:30am ET. At the end of the month I’m excited to be hosting out on the “Rink Hole” at the pro-am of the Canadian Open at TPC Toronto. I’ve asked tournament organizers to see if they can ensure Rory McIlroy comes through that hole. Players only play 9-holes during the pro am and here’s hoping the Masters’ champion makes a visit to the Rink… It was nice to see legendary ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman ink a new contract with the network. It will see him celebrate 50 years with ESPN and also have a role in the network’s first Super Bowl broadcast in 2027… Speaking of television, NBC Sports announced that Michael Jordan will be a “special contributor” to the network’s upcoming coverage on NBC and Peacock. NBC has live rights to the league for the first time in 23-years. Stephen A Smith, on his show First Take, was speculating what kind of Jordan viewers would get to see. He’s hoping it’s the one that they talk to on a regular basis rather than the one we see in the media. Now I’m wondering who the real Michael Jordan is? The NBA has my attention…
Until next week,
DD
What they did was opportunistic and a chance to sell more tickets to Pete Rose Night this evening. If I were Pete Rose Jr I’d tell them to take a flying leap. Mind you he’s been trying to get a job in MLB for 30 years so maybe it’s all time to play nice. With that stated Rob Manfred is a labor lawyer by trade and able to use language to fit the purpose. Rob Manfred is a good man and it helped that President Trump pushed this along. #MAGA. The issue today. The kids have no clue who Pete… Read more »