WEDNESDAY RUNDOWN: BLUE JAYS PLUS MACLEAN & SUTTER!

It was a big breaking news day on Episode #404 of The RP Show – Canada’s Daytime Sports Talk Show! Here’s the rundown:

• Rod and Dupes opened with The Warmup for Four Seasons Sports Palace covering these Quick Six show topics: 1) The Blue Jays sign OF George Springer to a 6 yr/$150M deal, 2) Tuesday NHL leftovers – RP says Sid The Kid is still the O.G., 3) It’s Connor versus Auston tonight with Oilers at Leafs!, 4) Why Rod thinks the CFL will play in 2021, 5) Philip Rivers retires, and 6) More breaking news as Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae reports the Jays have signed another Astros outfielder, 4-time AllStar Michael Brantley (later in the day that report was dashed, and Brantley re-signed with Houston).
• RP Show NHL insider Rich Sutter joined the show to discuss the opening week in the NHL. He admitted the play hasn’t been overly intense out of the gate but expects that to change. The Blue Jackets pro scout said they need more out of their 1-2-1 team, and also analyzed the Jets’ 4-3 OT win at Ottawa Tuesday night. He figures if Winnipeg can shore up their defence, they’ll be a force. Regarding a Junior Hockey Return To Play, Sutter feels that once the AHL gets going that there’s a good chance the WHL will follow.
• The daily Capital Auto Mall/Universal Collision Centre poll question was: Who will record more points tonight – Connor or Auston? At press time, over 70% of respondents voted for McDavid.
• Hour 2 was simulcast on Facebook Live and Game+ TV and after re-upping the Quick Six, we were joined by Hockey Night In Canada icon Ron MacLean. He agreed that play has been somewhat sluggish and lacked intensity over the first week but also anticipates it’ll pick up. Regarding the Scotia North division alignment being extended past this season, MacLean said he’s in favour of it if teams play outside their division as well. MacLean went on to tell many stories about Sidney Crosby and said he’s known the Penguins star since before he burst onto the NHL scene. Ron figures Sidney has never done anything to accumulate haters over his career. Ron also gave his thoughts on each Canadian NHL team so far.
• An unscheduled guest was former Blue Jays first base coach Tim Leipper from Toronto (2014-2018) who analyzed the Jays moves. He’s excited like everyone else in Toronto and across Canada that the Blue Jays have served notice that they’re in it to win it. He feels they’re the favourite the AL East as it stands now. Leipper also said he agrees with the Jays moving Vladdy Jr. to first base and also discussed his long history with Regina product Dustin Molleken. The pair were in the Majors together and also represented Canada in international competition.
• The Viewer Takeover segment encompassed chats about Oilers/Leafs, saving the CFL, CFL salaries and much more.
• Wednesday’s show is available for viewing now on our Facebook page, 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.
• See you at 10 am CT Thursday on Facebook Live and 12 pm ET on Game+ TV. Our guest list includes Sons of Anarchy star Kim Coates and Hockey Night In Canada’s Kelly Hrudey!