Darren DuPont’s Moose Droppings!
1. Stanley Cup Update – While these weeks are flying by, it feels like a decade since round two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs wrapped up. On Tuesday night the conference finals began but not much changed. The Carolina Hurricanes dropped their 13th-straight Eastern Conference Final game as Florida drew first blood with a 5-2 win. Tonight, The Edmonton Oilers open their third round series in Dallas against the Stars.
2. Predictions – Yes, my prediction at the beginning of the playoffs was Carolina/Colorado in the Cup Final but that doesn’t mean I’m locked into that today. I have Edmonton/Florida in a Stanley Cup Final rematch. And who wouldn’t love that? I certainly would. But, let’s be honest, any of the possible match-ups will be must-see TV. That’s what is so great about the Stanley Cup, there’s always a great storyline.
3. Coaches – We’ve seen (and heard) a lot from coaches during these playoffs and that’s usually the case. But, we’ve also seen coaches fired, coaches hired and it’s got me thinking about my favourite coaches in the game today. In no particular order my top-5 favourite coaches are Paul Maurice, Jon Cooper, Rod Brind’Amour, Peter DeBoer, and John Tortorella. Three are in the final-four and one is out of a job. Yours?
4. World Championships – Plenty of football coming but one final hockey thought: One thing about the IIHF World Hockey Championship is that it’s long. But, how much fun has it been to watch? Yes, I know most of you probably aren’t following it as closely as I am but the hockey world has fallen in love with young Macklin Celebrini and his new friendship with Sidney Crosby. This kind of generation-to-generation stuff is so awesome. Now we learn that Bo Horvat (who was having a great worlds) is out and young draft eligible Porter Martone is joining Canada. Nice!
5. Leading the News – Is it CFL camps? Preseason results? Streaming? Aaron Rodgers? Belichick? Sorry. It’s flag football. At least on my timeline the NFLPA and now the NFL itself deciding to let players participate in the 2028 LA Olympics has been what I’ve seen most. I don’t know what the rosters will look like but I also know that this might be one of the most-anticipated sports of the entire games. It won’t top the sprints but it will come close.
6. Fizzle – On last week’s RP Show Rod had BC Lions owner Amar Doman on the program and the talk of the Olympics came up. Doman pointed out that with the CFL season running during the games it will be unlikely that CFL players participate. Would CFL players even crack the rosters if allowed or is there enough talent in the NFL? I’m talking for both team USA and Canada. The athleticism needed to excel on the larger Canadian field could translate well to flag football even though they play on a very small field with tight endzones. either way, the USA is ramping up for flag and the NFL is getting on board.
7. Canada – So what could Canada’s roster look like? An article on The Score came up with a list and it’s good. Canada would be quarterbacked by both Nathan and Kurtis Rourke. The receivers would be Buffalo WR Josh Palmer, and the Texans’ John Metchie III. The running backs would be Chuba Hubbard of the Carolina Panthers, Chase Brown of the Bengals, and Winnipeg’s Brady Oliveira. Defensively Canada would have Tavius Robinson (Baltimore), Sydney Brown (Philadelphia), Jevon Holland (NY Giants), Benjamin St-Juste (LA Chargers), and Tyrell Ford (Edmonton).
What a list!
8. Others – I think there are probably a few omissions and I’ll give you a few other names to ponder. I’d be considering Titans receiver Elic Ayomanor, tight ends Theo Johnson (NY Giants) and Tanner McLachlan (Bengals), QB Trey Ford (Edmonton) as possibilities for Canada. One thing I know is that while the game is quick, big receivers who can win jump balls in the endzone are a real value.
9. What Should The CFL Do – I think even having one player from the CFL at the Olympics is a win for the league and reason enough to pause the season. It’s not as easy as shortening the season (because that’s lost revenue for the league and teams who badly need it) or pausing it (A Grey Cup at Christmas?). But, whatever it takes, I think the league would do really well by creating an “Olympic Break” during the season much like the NHL had done in the past. Having CFL’ers and NFL’ers competing on the same field would do wonders for the credibility of the CFL. Whatever it takes, I’d be doing it.
10. Randoms – Did I mention how important storylines are to capture the audience? Well, a pair of Italians making long runs at the Italian Open last week had me very interested. In the end they couldn’t capture the ultimate prize. And now? The French Open at Roland Garros! It just keeps going… Speaking of majors, the PGA Championship was not a photo finish as world #1 Scottie Scheffler cruised to a win on Sunday. Rory McIlroy made the cut but wasn’t in the mix. The biggest issue it seems is that he can’t find the fairway off the tee. He’ll be in my backyard at the beginning of June for the Canadian Open and I’ll be there for all of it… I found out this week that they’ve installed cell towers (? or some sort of system to get a signal underground) in the Toronto Subway system. It’s not perfect but it is a great idea… I didn’t mention the Winnipeg Jets and the whole Scheifele tragedy but it’s not because it’s not on my mind. Heartbreaking… The Studio on Apple+ is at the top of my watch list. Seth Rogan is fantastic and it’s right up my alley. The final instalment of the Mission Impossible franchise is hitting theatres and I can’t wait to go. The promo is everywhere and this might be one of the greatest movies ever. Tom Cruise is insane!
Until next week,
DD
There was a time Tom Cruise was a very serious actor – color of money – risky business – all the right moves – American made – born on fourth of July – magnolia – days of thunder …..these movies today lost me. Cfl in Olympics. This is a working man’s league and it’s not happening. UFL has improved and is perfect until the CFL regular season starts. Fave NHL Coaches. Probably because I remember them as players – Craig berube – scott arniel – rick tochet Best coaches – peter Deboer OHL – Dale Hunter Random – that little… Read more »
Where in this article did DuPont bring up the court case from London? Is your life so short on purpose that you constantly need to bring up things not connected to the topics at hand so you can spread hate on women?
…oh so YOU are the fiance!!!
Yet not one mention contesting any of those tom cruise movies. You are so biased – you have William Lee Golden Derangement Syndrom