THE MONDAY MORNING GOALIE

Morning Skate …

1 – FREE BABS: The hockey world got flipped on its ear Saturday when TSN’s Darren Dreger Tweeted the scoop that Mike Babcock was to be introduced this week as head coach of the University of Saskatchewan mens hockey team. The scoop itself was no shock to me, since Darren is one of only three NHL media whom Babcock speaks to privately. I’ve got to admit the hiring itself is surprising since a source close to Babcock told me months ago that he had no interest in the position after Dave Adolph stepped down. However that same source on Saturday told me, “Babs is making a statement with this.”

2 – WHAT’S THE STATEMENT?: I don’t know because I never asked. The statement could be “I don’t need the NHL”. Who knows? But Mike definitely doesn’t need the money. I’d the say the most shocking part of this announcement is the backlash the hiring has received from both inside and outside hockey. Mike Commodore has made his thoughts known, but tell me why we should listen to him? Sure the various anti-bullying advocates have had a voice, but that’s to be expected as well, and understandable. But they don’t know Babs. No, the most surprising thing to me is the hockey people who aren’t willing to give Babcock a second chance and are slagging the U of S for the hire. Good on the Huskies for having the backbone to stand up to cancel culture and give someone another chance! It doesn’t hurt that Babs is alumni.

3 – MORE: I’d say I know Mike Babcock fairly well. I’ve been over to his house for supper in Spokane at the 1998 Memorial Cup (I recall his wife being the spitting image of Maura Tierney), interviewed him several times, and we are both Saskatchewan products and WHL grads. Is he gruff? Yes. Has he ever been a jerk to me? No. In fact Babcock’s done more for the people of this province (ask Christina Haugan and Russ Herold, the Hospitals Foundation or U of S) than most other NHL coaches who come from the Rectangle. He’s admitted his sins and the fact is we all take it in the nuts at some point in our careers. What matters is how you come back and here’s Babs’ chance. Shame on anybody who doesn’t allow someone the opportunity to change. SHAME!

4 -WIN/WIN: The hiring of Babcock by the U of S is a win all-around for teams in Canada West and USPORTS in general. It’s going to bring massive attention to the product (maybe even televised games), the players will benefit from Babcock’s teachings, and he’s back in the game at a meaningful level. When I saw people scoffing at the move on social media, I wanted to choke them. Why did Kavis Reed go back and be a defensive coordinator with the Edmonton juniors? Why is Hall of Famer Scott Flory running the Huskie football program? Why did I go from CFL coverage to calling SJHL & U18 games on TV? IT’S BECAUSE WE LOVE THE GAME and don’t have to prove anything to anybody. In some cases, the paycheque isn’t bad either. Babcock will be back on an NHL bench one day and a lot of us are surprised it hasn’t happened already.

Somebody asked Saturday how much a 55-60 year old can change? If you recall last week’s column, I said it’s not hard to teach an old dog new tricks if that dog’s willing to learn. The same applies here, and I see it everyday in my thriving Recovery career. You didn’t forget about that sideline did you?

5 – ANALYSIS: We might’ve seen the tipping point in sports media happen during the pandemic. I was excited to hear the Hockey Night In Canada panel’s analysis of the Babcock hiring Saturday night but from what I could tell, they didn’t even mention it. Profuse apologies if I missed it (there’s a great chance I did because I also tuned into Fan Controlled Football) but, again, on the intermissions I watched, they completely ignored the Babcock story. However Paul Bissonnette did not. The famed one-half of the Spittin Chiclets duo went live on Instagram from his Scottsdale, AZ condo (pictured) and answered questions from hockey fans Saturday evening. I should add that he and partner Ryan Whitney did the same during intermissions and postgame of the World Juniors gold medal final and I found myself tuning in for that as well, rather than the TSN panel. Anyway regarding Babcock’s hiring, Biz Nasty offered, “Commodore’s probably coming off the top ropes on this. But I’ve never been one to hold a grudge. He never screwed me over.”

With that, he officially offered his blessing to Babcock re-entering the hockey world. Also with that, it’s another nail in the coffin for the networks whom are more interested in making political statements than offering quality commentary. However with our digital shows we are not tied down by anyone and can offer on-the-spot analysis and interviews and some of us have the credibility to back up our comments which guarantees viewership loyalty. Bissonnette surely does. He and I hit off when I was hanging around the Coyotes from 2015-2018 and have kept in touch.

It’s a small world when you’re good people.

6 – ON THE SPOT: Follow our Instagram account at @therodpedersenshow. Unlike Spittin Chiclets, we’ve only gone live on a few special occasions and they included the Patrik Laine/PLD Trade, Charleston Hughes’ release from the Riders, and with WHL Commissioner Ron Robison on the Return To Play announcement. Each interview drew thousands of views and each time we were thanked for the coverage by our interviewees. Small, agile, with the ability to pivot and the views to back it up. That’s the way to go. 

7 – FAN CONTROLLED FOOTBALL: Week 2 was a step back for the Fan Controlled Football League, in our opinion. They couldn’t seem to find a way to speed up the plays (it took 8:26 to run six plays at one point), and viewership was down 50%. Also, it appeared as though Johnny Manziel was hurt because he came out for a spell. Mind you both games of the doubleheader came down to the final play. Either way, I enjoyed watching on Twitch and will be back. The XFL took a huge dip in viewership from Week 1 to Week 2 back in 2001 as well, but recovered. Again, this is the only football going on right now and we have some friends involved so I’m on board.

8 – CFL: I was angry Friday morning when I read Dave Naylor’s column at TSN.ca with the headline “CFL WON’T PLAY IN 2021 WITHOUT FANS” because it was less than 24 hours after Commissioner Randy Ambrosie told the Canadian Press, “We’re going to play in 2021. We’re going to find a way.” Here’s my read — somebody high up in the CFL saw there was too much optimism with Ambrosie’s comments so Dave Naylor was prompted to bring expectations back down to the ground. Nayls doesn’t write these columns willy-nilly, out of nowhere. My sense is the CFL can’t get all nine teams on the same page and it will likely contribute to the ultimate downfall of the league. Figure it out guys. There are a lot of people depending on you.

9 – SCOTTIES: If you’re reading this, you likely know Saskatchewan’s Sherry Anderson is 1-1 in the Scotties Bubble after a 7-6 loss to PEI in her opening draw (giving up 3 points over the final two ends) and a 9-3 win over Nunavut in the nightcap. It’s going to be a fun week! Our Scotties coverage on the RP Show is presented by Verge Agriculture out of Calgary. Sherry’s going to be ticked at giving up that lead in the opener but consider it an exhibition clash. Please consider donating on Sunday’s Sandra Schmirler Foundation Telethon live on TSN! The program is being produced out of our IKS Studios.

10 – RANDOMS: I expect someone will be fired over the NHL’s outdoor ice fiasco at Lake Tahoe? … They say Sportscentre is dying on TSN. I don’t know. I watch it everyday and would be lost without it. … Decoding Burkie: When Brian Burke said he’d only work for select teams, he meant he’d only work for an Owner/President he respects. He’s turned down offers over the past few years but in the case of Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins, VOILA. Burkie’s a Penguin. … TSN’s Craig Button may be searching for the same special opportunity but when I asked him if he envisions running an NHL team again, his response was, “Who knows? For now I’m having too much fun!” It certainly looks like he is. … Shop local. … The Penguins clearly kept the right goalie in Tristan Jarry. … NHL coaches swear too much during their news conferences. Geoff Ward and Paul Maurice were particularly liberal with the s–t word this week. Please have some respect. … Onto a brand new, warmer week. Stay safe!

More coming,
RP
@rodpedersen