SCRUFFY’S THIS ‘N THAT

1 – NHL TRADE DEADLINE:  By the time you read this, a lot of trades may already have been completed as contenders look to strengthen their lineup for the stretch run. Some moves have already been made with Chris Tanev, Vladimir Tarasenko, Adam Henrique and Noah Hanifin changing addresses. Will the moves help? Only time will tell.  The one deal I can’t believe was the Buffalo-Colorado deal that sees Casey Mittlestadt head to the Avs for Bowen Byram. It was a great old fashioned one-for-one deal, but I am not sure why the Avs are dealing Byram. His arrival in Buffalo gives the Sabres three great young d-men in Byram, Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. By trading Byram and Ryan Johansen, I think the Avalanche are ready to make a big move but whether that comes today or in the off-season is something I don’t know. One name I have heard is Steve Stamkos.  The Lightning would be crazy to trade him now, but in the off-season? Hmmmmmm.

By the way, tell me a team that has a better blueline than Vegas from top to bottom? That team is going to be a tough out again come playoff time. Does Winnipeg know the trade deadline is this afternoon?

2 – RECOGNIZING HOPPY: Some people thought I was a little hard on the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week in this column (including some in the organization from what I hear) for their girl math promotion that never should have been put out there.  Those that know me know that I generally call a spade a spade and when a team does something bad, including ones that I cheer for, I will call them out and I will praise them when they do something well. With that being the case, a tip of the hat to the organization and all of those who were in on naming the team’s auditorium which is a meeting place during the season as the “Jim Hopson Auditorium”. What a fantastic tribute for a fantastic man who did so much for the club.

If the Riders or anyone can do anything that brings a smile to Hoppy’s face as this did, I’m all for it. Well done Riders, well done!

3 – LARRY DEAN: It was an announcement that likely could have waited until Monday and the curling was over, but the Riders let it be known yesterday Larry Dean was ending his on-field football career to begin what should be a great off-field career with the green and white as he is now the team’s player personnel coordinator.  This is a great hire!

Larry Dean is a guy who loves football and you could see that with his on-field play. That passion will translate into this role and the advice he can give young players will be beneficial. Dean has said he would love to be a general manager in this league. He can certainly soak some info from Jeremy O’Day and who knows, maybe when JO’s contract is up, his replacement can move down the hall.

4 – THE BRIER: Going into the weekend, Mike McEwen and his Saskatchewan rink are in the playoffs which is exactly what organizers wanted as the Brandt Centre should be humming this weekend especially Sunday night if McEwen is in the final.

It’s too bad that the week was tarnished a little by a leak from the roof and some water issues which should show the city that it is time for a new facility.

It should be a great weekend of curling with the likes of Bottcher, Gushue and McEwen chasing down the title.

They say the Brier is like the Grey Cup because of the party surrounding the game. That has certainly been the case this week at REAL. It’s been a good time and it looks like curling fans in southern Saskatchewan will soon be able to visit Moose Jaw again as the 2025 Men’s Worlds will be played in the city.  I can’t believe that the guy who does PA for Curling Canada scooped the organization he works for when he announced it in the Patch Wednesday night. That’s a big time oops, but it was the Patch so I think he can be forgiven,

5 – CURLING TECHNOLOGY: In this day and age where technology plays such a role in sports, can we not find a way to do something about measurements in curling? Do we need “the stick” to come out when surely there is technology that can determine how far away the rock is from the button.  Maybe it’s just me, but I think in high-level events you can find a way to do that.

6 – RUSSELL WILSON: If I told you that I didn’t laugh a little when I heard the Denver Broncos were releasing quarterback Russell Wilson, I’d be lying. I think it is safe to say that the Seattle Seahawks just fleeced the Denver Broncos with that trade. Wilson’s time in Denver was a disaster and now one wonders where he ends up and for how much. Pittsburgh looks like they will kick the tires. Wilson will have to prove himself again and the reality is his expiry date may have hit. Take nothing away from what he did in Seattle, but he will be remembered for helping the team win a Super Bowl and throwing a ball that cost the team a second Super Bowl. That throw in my mind if he doesn’t win again will keep him from going to Canton. He is the best quarterback Seattle has had in their history, but throwing that interception at the one yard line to give the Patriots a Super Bowl was one that won’t be forgotten and in the end may be what keeps him out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

7 – CONGRATS ASSINIBOIA: People that turn their nose up at the thought of a new facility in their town/city makes me laugh. They are so narrow-minded that they don’t see that said facilities are better for their locale in so many ways.

I still remember those in Moose Jaw being disgusted over the fact the city was going to build Mosaic Place (now known as the Moose Jaw Events Centre pending another corporate name attached to it).  Since that building opened, they have gotten events they would never have gotten otherwise, like a pair of Scotties, and it has revitalized their downtown core.

I don’t know what the reaction was in Assiniboia when it was announced a state-of-the-art facility was coming to their town, but that investment is already paying off. Is it safe to say that the 2025 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship will be the biggest event the town has ever hosted? If not, I can’t think of anything bigger.

Build it and they will come.  Are you taking note Regina? #coughcoughrink #coughcoughballpark

8 – CONGRATS COACH BURROWS:  A big smile crossed my face when I saw the Saskatchewan Rattlers announce they have hired U of R Cougars head coach Steve Burrows to serve as an assistant this year.

I couldn’t be happier for Steve who has worked hard for years in putting an entertaining and competitive team on the floor.  I thought this season might end up better than it did, but injuries down the stretch didn’t help,

What he should learn from new Rattlers coach Larry Abney will be extremely beneficial moving forward.

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That’s all I got, Have a great weekend! Hope to see some of you at the Brier! I ran into a lot of people this week. Some that I know and others who knew me even though I didn’t know them.  I thank you for the encouraging words, but your wishes won’t be granted — at least not anytime soon if ever. Gone, but not forgotten right?