JCon

Government will then have an obligation to monitor the safety of the game and impose rules on the CFL.

Well, I bet those QBs are not making big $$$. It will be a budgeting issue, for sure. Can't just 'find' $100,000 when you're spending up to the cap. Even if you cut a guy making $100,000 and replace him for 9 games with a guy making $80,000, that's only $10,000 in savings. Etc, etc, etc. That being said, Walters has been looking at this and all the scenarios since last fall when he started putting his budget together.

Given how much a NI O-linemen gets paid, I don't think a team could afford 5 of them.

I like Brown but I would prefer they bring a hockey guy in. I find they spend too much time on the NHL but, since they do, it would be nice if they had some expertise. That becomes a pretty big team to have on a morning show each day. Producer (Brandon), Matt's replacement, Westwood, plus one more. Lots of mouths to feed there for a low rated program.

You're right and I'm totally speculating.... It seems odd if Willy were to sign an incentive laden contract given that he's been banged up so much over the past few years and he came into the season as the Bombers starter. You would think that he could demand a "fixed" amount (no incentives), with bonuses being paid upfront and not based on performance.

That's a great point about Westwood. I do like him but I could use a bit less of him (or someone else there too).

1. I thought Willy's was straight up pay, not bonuses. 2. If they stay on the 6-game, the whole time, it does not count. If they come off the 6 game early, everything counts retroactively, including the games missed.

Interesting that Marcoux and Leibl both started at the station at the same time, prior to it becoming TSN1290. They've had completely different career arcs (for whatever reason). I like Marcoux but not sure he could carry the morning show.

Agree completely. I only brought Irving up as a point of reference (or a counterpoint) and that he can get defensive. Often, he's right and he's never like Rod.

When I saw the title, I thought an orca was going to jump in the boat.

I think it's because there are media/reporters that actually try to do their jobs properly, even if their view get clouded by being so close to the team, and then there's Rod, a paid shill. He's just a sideshow and plays it up. Whatever. There are plenty of good media covering the Riders who are objective. I think Bob Irving can be a too protective of the Bombers at times with his opinions but he doesn't advocate for them. If that makes any sense....

No, but if I'm tuning into a sports radio show, I expect some level of analysis. Westwood can't provide that. And yes, Edmonds was a great host. That's his role. Westwood should offer analysis and 'excitement'. I think of Mike & Mike (ESPN) and the balance they have.

I can't agree with your Westwood assessment. I really, really like the guy and give him the benefit of the doubt but he's a terrible radio guy. TSN1290 is primarily a Jets (hockey) station, with other sports mixed in, and Westwood offers no insight to hockey. His manner of speaking drives me bananas. The Troy-isms, the "level of understanding", etc. Edmunds was great. I'm guessing Toth might be a front runner? Can't say I remember much of his work as I never listen to OB, with the exception of pre and post game coverage.

I would prefer seeing the Pavs sent down too. However, I also worry about Hutch's ability to back Helle up. Hopefully, he can step up his game from last season. I'm not really convinced that the Jets give Helle more starts than Pavs this year.

Who did he outplay? No one he played has played in the NHL.

You've never seen him play against NHL level opponents, not even close. How can you say he's ready?

Why can't you make Hutch available?

I wish! I just don't see the Jets doing this. I'm not sure how they make this work in 2016/17. Helle needs more time in the NHL and Comrie more in the AHL. I'd send Hutch down, if I thought he would clear waivers.

Indeed. I don't get the love for Monahan.

If he plays a full season with the Jets, I would bet he gets more than 10, as well. My point is that I don't think he won't play here that much. He was very good in the NCAA. He was on a good line in a weak Big Ten. Not taking anything away from him, but the CHL is much tougher. It's a longer, more demanding season, with a ton more depth. We see plenty of players who put up big numbers in the CHL, which cannot walk into an NHL. If Ehlers could have gone to the Moose, they would have sent him .

Does Connor get +/- 10.5 goals? My vote is under 10.5 goals. The only way I see him playing in NHL this season, is if there are significant injuries which leave many, many openings. That's a long shot. And just because people want Connor to play well and make the club (me included), that does not make him ready.

He has the potential to be really good. But he's far from being 'too good not to'. You've never seen him against NHL level talent. The NCAA is not the NHL.

Connor will not make this team. He will be a Moose. No reason to rush him and stunt his growth. He needs to learn to be a two-way, professional. They didn't have that option with Ehlers.

Yep, no value in a player that puts up 25 goals but costs the team 30. If Laine scores 25, it's because he plays top minutes all season and the PP.

It's still needed. The NHL/NHLPA will still need to insure the players to protect the owners from loss. Just like their normal contracts are insured while they play in the NHL (usually) and when they play any international tournament. Scheif was insured when he went to the world championships. His contract was over. One of the more outrageous demands the IOC has made for future Olympics is that the NHL should pick up the costs of insurance for the players to participate. Crazytown.