FRIDAY COMMENTARY – BIZARRO WORLD

(Listen daily for the Rod Pedersen Commentary on Cat Country 98 & Rock 98.5 FM)

A coupla, three thoughts heading into the weekend …

First, it sure seems like we’re living in some bizarro world these days in sports. And it has NOTHING to do with Covid.

Three months into the hockey season, the fact remains for the Regina Pats that if Connor Bedard doesn’t score, nobody does. (Profuse apologies to Bedard’s linemate Tanner Howe, but you know what I mean). And if even if he does score, the Pats don’t win any more than they lose.

This week in Kamloops, Pats boss John Paddock blew his stack on a reporter for asking if team ownership has blocked a Bedard trade and the orders around the team seem to be “We’re not talking about it.”

What? Since when do teams control what the media talks or asks about?

This is a development I somehow missed.

As for Paddock, he’s an accomplished hockey man who has nothing to prove to anyone. I also know he knows that the best thing for the franchise is to trade Bedard. His testiness in the Kamloops media scrum smacked of someone whose hands are tied.

I could be completely out-to-lunch on this one, but I doubt it.

On the flipside, the Pats are filling arenas to watch Bedard, except their own.

A few years ago some Pats greats said they feared for the future of the franchise.

Now I know what they meant.

Secondly, the Riders can save the dime and there’s no need to call Kent Austin.

The word I got out of the Austin camp on Thursday is that the Rider great will NOT be returning to Canada. Not now and it sounds like, not ever.

It’ll be announced shortly that Austin will be joining his head coach at Liberty – Hugh Freeze – at Auburn. An anxious 48 hours for K.A. all turned out nice again.

Meanwhile the Insiders tell me things have changed in the football world and the hirings that used to drag on into late-winter are now being done before Bowl season. Not sure what changed, but here we are.

We’ve got a poker night of football guys Sunday in Fort Lauderdale. I’ll find out more then.

And lastly, as it pertains to the NHL season, just try to enjoy the ride and not analyze too much. That’s just some free advice.

Both the Flames and Oilers lost last night which will trigger an avalanche of anxiety in Alberta while Habs fans will be dancing in the streets given Thursday’s result. If only for just one day.

Allowing your team’s fortunes to affect your daily life may be too much for your ticker. Going with the flow iw a much more peaceful way to live.

Y’er welcome.

That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV, YouTube Live and WQEE Radio)

Photo: Regina Pats