TUESDAY RUNDOWN: ARASH, SUTTER & PLENTY MORE!

We covered it all – and got to the bottom of some key issues – on Episode #453 of The RP Show – Canada’s Daytime Sports Talkshow! Here’s the rundown:

• RP and Moose Dupont got it going with The Warmup for Four Seasons Sports Palace covering these Quick Six show topics: 1) Monday NHL leftovers (McDavid vs Matthews is magic), 2) Connor Bedard is lighting it up in the Dub Hub with 17 points in nine games, 3) CFL/XFL leftovers and 2021 season talk (Rod predicts an announcement is imminent that training camps will be delayed), 4) MLB opening day is Thursday with Toronto at the NY Yankees, 5) The UofR Rams Kyle Borsa runs a 4.38 40-yard dash, and 6) If the East Hub has playoffs, should all seven teams be included? (The panelists both said no).
• Sportsnet’s Arash Madani joined from Toronto and agreed that CFL training camps will be delayed. He said players haven’t been given any info on quarantine directions or any key dates. Regarding the Blue Jays, Arash said he never puts any stock in preseason results despite Toronto’s big bats in Grapefruit play. Like most pundits, he said starting pitching is a big issue for Toronto. He also explained his role on Blue Jays broadcasts this season saying he and Hazel Mae will serve as hosts.
• The daily Capital Auto Mall/Universal Collision Centre poll question was: Who would win a playoff series between the Oilers and Maple Leafs? At press time the vote was split exactly 50/50.
• In Hour 2 and the Second Half Kickoff we were joined in the bunker by RP Show Director of Officiating and Global TV’s Taylor Shire. He feels the conversation which got NHL referee Tim Peel fired happens in every hockey game around the world on a daily basis so obviously he doesn’t support the firing. He also discussed the stellar play of Connor Bedard and what’s in store for the Pats in his time here. Regarding the CFL/XFL, Taylor’s in favour of a merger if that’s what saves the league. He also feels time is running out on starting training camps on time.
• Columbus Blue Jackets scout Rich Sutter joined the show from Lethbridge and discussed regular season play in the WHL’s Central and East Divisions. He said the buzz from scouts in Regina is that Connor Bedard is “special” and concurred that he’s a surefire #1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Regarding the Blue Jackets’ struggles, Sutter said Patrik Laine is learning a new way to play in Columbus and will be there for the long haul. He dropped a hint that Columbus may be on the lookout for a centre to play with Laine. Regarding his brother Darryl’s harsh comments about Flames star Johnny Gaudreau, Rich said the truth hurts and the fact is Gaudreau was “horseshit” in his 499th career game. He predicted that how this Flames season plays out will determine who stays and who goes in Calgary.
• Tuesday’s show is available for viewing now on our Facebook and YouTube pages, you can catch the replay at 4:00 pm ET on Game+, listen to the podcast by clicking on the CONTENT tab at the top of this page or listen anytime to our 24-hour live audio feed at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive.
• Don’t forget to tune in tonight at 8:00 on AccessNow TV for the Regina Pats/Moose Jaw Warriors in the Dub Hub!
• See you at 12 pm ET/10 am MT on Wednesday on Game+ TV and YouTube/Facebook Live.