Commentary: Happy For ‘Em

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A day late with our Random Thoughts commentary, but late is better than never! Let’s have a look …

#1 – The Leafs and Stars scored Wednesday wins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Toronto’s up 2-0 on the Panthers coming back here to South Florida for Games 3 & 4. The Leaf fans have been annoying – act like you’ve been there before – but to be honest I’m very happy for good people like Mitch Marner, Craig Berube and Brad Treliving. I can’t think of a place with more pressure. But it’s far from over.

Panthers fans filled my DMs asking why their team’s down 0-2. The answer is the Leafs already had better forwards and defense. If they win the goalie battle, then Florida has no chance to win. They dominated the Leafs in the regular season, but, the playoffs are a new season.

The Dallas-Winnipeg series is a longggg ways from over too. Did you know: those teams have never met in the playoffs? Connor Hellebuyck said the pressure’s off after their Round 1, Game 7 win.

I believe him.

#2 – The latest sensation in the media is Chris Pronger on ESPN, who gained media fame from his personal Twitter account. That’s another guy I’m happy for! Ryan Getzlaf told me Pronger’s the greatest teammate he ever had and that #44 would break his stick over you if you did even the littlest things wrong in practice in Anaheim.

That’s how you win championships folks! That’s how you win at life too. The mediocre people will think you’re a jerk but the people who want to win follow a guy like that.

Looking forward to more of his commentary. He’s actually just a fun, bubbly guy.

#3 – Some of you likely came here to get my thoughts on the CFL suspending Winnipeg QB Zach Collaros on Wednesday for failing to respond to messages regarding a doping test. They actually shortened the suspension from two games to one due to “extenuating circumstances”.

At first glance, it takes huge ones to suspend the league’s highest-paid player, and arguably most-recognizable face. Secondly, do they know Zach? Him not responding to messages within 24 hours is on brand.

It smacks of a P.R. nightmare – the League’s already being ridiculed for this – but I’d love to know if this came down from the Commissioner’s office. I forgot to ask Stewart Johnston when we talked a couple weeks back if he’s comfortable handing out discipline in his new role.

There’s just so much about this story that we don’t know.

But the great thing about the media these days is, that doesn’t need to stop us from giving an opinion. 

That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary

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