MONDAY SHOW RECAP: COVERING THE LATEST IN THE CFL

Hub Cities and Return To Play were the main topics on Episode #269 of The RP Show! Here are the highlights:

• Rod and Dupes opened with The Rollout for Flooring Superstores covering these Quick Six Show topics: 1) The CFL investigating a 6-game season for 2020, 2) The CFL giving the players a July 23 deadline to agree to the initial proposal, 3) This all hinges on funding from the Federal government, 4) Doug Flutie named the Calgary Stampeders all-time QB over Bo Levi Mitchell by TSN, 5) MLB training camps opened over the weekend with some hiccups, and 6) Is the NHL’s Return To Play really going as smoothly as it seems?
• The guys agreed a 6-game CFL season is better than none at all and talked about how it affects the teams. Pundits predict veteran free agents will be in demand under this formula.
• That led to the daily Capital Auto Mall/Universal Collision Centre poll question of: Who’s the most-coveted veteran free agent in a 6-game CFL season – Shawn Lemon, Derel Walker, S.J. Green or Derek Dennis? At press time, Derel Walker was leading. RP mentioned there’s a host of quality free agents still available including Odell Willis, Thad Coleman, Jonathan Jennings, Chip Cox and more. There are enough to form a quality Atlantic Schooners expansion franchise.
• TSN 1260 Edmonton’s Dustin Nielson joined the show to discuss all these topics. He explained that Edmonton’s excited to be an NHL Hub City but that’s tempered by the fact they weren’t the #1 choice. Obviously Dusty’s in favour of a CFL Return To Play but cautioned the many obstacles which remain. The guys also discussed the CFL SIM and Nielson admitted it’s drawn more reaction from coaches and players than his Oilers computer-simulation, but that illustrates the difference between the two leagues and the intimate nature of the CFL.
• 3DownNation.com’s Justin Dunk joined the show to go over all the latest CFL news and agreed this is the closest we’ve been to the CFL actually playing in 2020 than we’ve seen in quite some time. He suggested the salary cap will be lowered to the $4M-$4.8M range, and that players aren’t excited about an amended CBA extending into 2021. Dunk also revealed that TSN’s part in the Return To Play will be a huge factor, and it’s the top story he’s working on at the moment for 3Down.
• Hour 2 was broadcast on Facebook Live only (Hour 1 was carried nationally on Game+ TV Network) and the crew was joined by Stanley Cup champion Brent Sopel from Chicago. He “calmly ranted” that the NHL’s Return To Play is “stupid” and Commissioner Gary Bettman is just doing it to pad his wallet. The Saskatoon product feels the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs should be scrapped and the league should look towards next season starting in October. Sopel feels this only proves players are “pieces of meat”. He also figures the Blackhawks have a great chance at getting past the Oilers in the Play-In round and pointed to goalie Corey Crawford and captain Patrick Kane as big reasons why.
• Stampeders great Nik Lewis joined the show from Calgary and offered his thoughts on Doug Flutie being named the Stamps’ all-time QB. He explained that Flutie is a mythical figure in Stampeders lore but Calgary fans have been rewarded with the likes of Jeff Garcia, Dave Dickenson, Henry Burris and Bo Levi. He admitted though that there have been periods over the past few decades where the Stamps have under-achieved and should’ve had many more Grey Cups. Regarding the future of the CFL, Nik said the business model will need to change. RP said he’s not holding his breath.
• Rod and Dupes closed the show by conversing with viewers and had fun with the CFL SIM and the results through four weeks. RP feels the standings aren’t far off what the actual CFL season would look like although Dupes figured Hamilton’s 1-2 record isn’t what Ticats fans would expect. Rod also showed off a T-shirt gift from Brian Wawryshyn from the BC Lions Den Podcast.
• You can vote now on our Twitter poll for the Rockstar of the Day for RoxDar Supply Chain Solutions. At press time, Brent Sopel was leading. Friday’s vote was won by S.J. Green.
• Monday’s show is available for viewing now on our Facebook page, you can listen to the podcast by clicking on the PODCAST tab at the top of this page, or you can listen anytime to our 24-hour live audio stream at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive presented by SUDS Full Service Car Wash.
• See you at 10 am MT Tuesday on Game+ TV, Facebook Live and RodPedersen.com/ListenLive. The guest list includes Philadelphia Flyers great Brian Propp!