Today on the show guest host Connor Halley and Co-Host Terry Ryan will talk all things Oilers offseason, Elks game in the Labour Day Classic, go around the NFL ahead of week 1, and more!
Edmonton’s leading man brings you four straight hours of sports talk on all the hottest topics.
From Oilers to Elks, basketball to football, whatever is happening in the wide world of sports, Jason Gregor will be covering it.
With daily guests, co-hosts, and the Jason Gregor Show staple of Connor Halley this is four hours of sports talk you won’t want to miss.
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The two best names in the boot business. So save on boots by Savon Foods. That’s Diablo Boots. 3340 Gateway Boulevard in the east side of Savon Foods by Canadian. They’re terrific. [Music] Jason Gregor and this is going to go his first home run on sports 1440. Celebr takes his pass. Sharp angle shot scores. Mlin Cbr with his 25th of the season as he put it either posting in or crossbarn and the Sharks have a one- nothing lead. Presented by playalberta.ca, Alberta’s only regulated online gambling website. Off the wall is in to score. Sprinkler round in third and he’ll score delivers. Just after 2:00, it is the Jason Greger show here on Sports 1440. Also streaming on Oilers Nation, Facebook, YouTube, and X. Hit that like button if you are watching right now. The Jason Greger Show brought to you by Playalberta.ca. Tomorrow, Lottomax, an estimated $30 million. Also, the Daily Grand $1,000 a day draw tonight. That’s 20 years, $7.3 million. Go get your ticket at player.ca. Remember, use your GameSense. gamesenseab.ca. Connor Hally sitting in for Jason Greger once again. Jason on vacation. He will return on Tuesday as we uh really get into the the fall sport season. NFL will be getting going. He’ll have the NBA and NHL camps. We get into Major League Baseball playoffs, CFL playoffs. It’s a really good time coming up in the sports year, but uh it’s a good time right now and lots to get to on our show today. Of course, coming up at about 2:20, we’ll be joined by John Hodgej from Three Down Nation. Take a look at the CFL Labor Day Classics coming up over the weekend. Edmonton down in Calgary taking on the Stamps on Monday at 2:40 Thursday. That means Sherbrook Liquors David Owens will be dropping by for Thursday. We’ll sample some nice little beverages there. will be joined by Brain Foko as well. Former NFLer, you know, still current NFLer. He was just released by the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. So, he’s still probably ready to go if called upon. And I I think that’s probably going to happen. Uh we see so many injuries in the NFL. But Braden, a good run with the Chargers, went to the Steelers, a member of the 2019 LSU national championship team that featured Joe Burrow, pretty good player. Jamar Chase, pretty good player. Justin Jefferson, pretty good player. Even Clyde Edwards Lair, who just recently signed with the Chiefs again, pretty good player. So, we’re going to talk to Braden about uh just his thoughts on the league right now. He’s got some really good stuff going on X, just about the opportunity and how much going to the right situation matters versus maybe going to a team where, you know, they might pay the most. Like going to the spot where you’re going to get opportunity, chances, getting coached up well got to be priority. And he was an undrafted free agent. So, we’ll talk to him about that. We’re also gonna be joined by Lena Becker. issues with the sexual assault center of Edmonton. For those who don’t know, unfortunately they lost some funding in the last little while here. So, we’ve got a really good initiative going on this show. Big shout out to Amalgamated Mining for donating two tickets to tomorrow night’s Laney Wilson concert down at Rogers Place. Two tickets. Chairman’s Club in section 101. That comes with free parking and dinner. So, right now we’re doing an auction. You can text in 1833411440. Of course, all money raised will go to Safe, the Sexual Assault Center of Edmonton. Right now, goalie Greg has it at $1,000. I think we can get that number up a little bit more. It’s going to a great cause. And of course, you know, if country music isn’t your thing, or maybe that’s just a little bit too expensive for you, you still want to make a donation, you can go to www.safe, that’s sac.ca, to make a donation. And uh they need money. Got to help out uh survivors of sexual assault. So, if you want to go do that, uh we highly recommend it. And if you got a bid more than $1,000, text it 1833 4011440 at 4:00. Terry Ryan will join us. Former NHLer. We’ll talk maybe a little bit about his story. You know, we have a former undrafted free agent that made it to the pros. We got a first round pick who played in the pros. So TR can talk about that. Shank Pang will come by, talk some San Jose Sharks. Mlin celebrating year two. What are the expectations for San Jose? Another bad year maybe wouldn’t be the worst thing. That guy McKenna allegedly pretty dang good. Maybe being a lottery team wouldn’t be the worst thing there. And then at 5:’ we’ll have Mark Spectre joining us of Rogers Sportsnet. Of course, you can always get in touch with us on the show, the Ewell inbox 18334140. Score with your Power Play partners at Ewell. Get all your electrical needs at ewell.ca with 247 ordering and shipping in Edmonton and across Alberta. Uh text line here checking in. A lot of people saying hello, how you doing? And uh we want to get the text rolling in. 1833 411440. Uh as we mentioned here in the CFL Labor Day going to get going on Sunday. It’s kind of a an interesting one. You know, Saturday CFL will take a break, but there’s going to be tons of college football on for you to watch if you are kind of a sicko like a lot of us here at Sports 1440. Then on Sunday, you’ve got Winnipeg and Saskatchewan. Should be a fun one. uh the Rough Riders coming off a surprising loss to the Calgary Stampeders Stamp showing that they can play obviously and when they have Vernon Adams in the lineup. That’s a good football team. Then on Monday, you got Hamilton and Toronto. That will be at 12:30 start to kick things off. And of course, uh the double header 4:00 kickoff down in Calgary McMahon Stadium. Some people say it’s a box factory. That’s what it reminds me of. It’s not the best stadium in the CFL, but it should be home for a really good football game with the Elks taking on the Stam. So, if you’re not going down there, you want to come watch the game, maybe head over to the Rocks. We got the Elks watch party that I’ll be hosting kickoff at 4:00. Um for the Edmonton Elks the last little while here it’s it’s been some struggles and some injuries for this team. Uh making some changes adding players onto the injured list. Robbie Smith going on the six game I which not ideal. I mean obviously he he had been back in the lineup and now back to the IIL. And then you’ve also got Steven Dunar Jr. going on the six game injured list. So Steven Dunar Jr. I mean, we know what he can do. Uh, guy is a threat on the field. But for the Emmonton Elk, I think they do have some options at receiver. Some good depth and uh we’ll continue to roll out that way. After the Labor Day Classic on the Tuesday, Sports 1440 is going to be streaming on YouTube throughout the entirety of the day. So, like I’ve said in the past, a lot of people wanted Kevin Caris back on the screen. He’s a TV guy. He was a TV guy for a long time. He made the switch to radio, but now you can watch him once again from 7 to 11 on Sports 1440’s official YouTube channel. That’s Sports 1440 a.m. on YouTube. Go subscribe. Then you get Fantasy Frenzy. So you get me and the Duke, which wasn’t the top priority for a lot of people, but we kind of slid it in there as well. And then from noon to 2, another very popular one. Alan Mitchell, the host of the Low Down Flow Tide on YouTube. So, make sure you go check out our YouTube channel, Sports 14:40 a.m. Uh, Donovan Paulson along with me here, as is Josh Fenwick. And Donovan, you know it. A lot of people want Tide on YouTube, and it’s finally happening. Oh, you have no idea how many people want Tide on YouTube. That is basically the most requested thing on this station right now is, can we see Low Tide? Can we see his face? Where is Low Tide? Well, I mean, Low Tide thinks it’s uh he’s not exactly, you know, he he he thinks he’s there’s a lot more attractive people that you can be looking at during the show, but I mean, you know, Low Tide’s fan base. It is uh it’s it’s enormous. So, uh you’re going to get to see Low Tide, you’re going to get to see Caris, you’re going to get to see I mean, hell, even uh even myself from time to time. And maybe we can have like a a most handsome poll at the end of the first day. Who’s the most handsome? Who do you think is good-looking? I mean, maybe that that might hurt some feelings along the way. I don’t know about that one, but I I feel like I did see Low Tide like putting on a little bit of makeup there. Oh, yeah. He had the uh he had the powders going. He had the foundations, all those uh all those things that are necessary for Low Tide to get looking at his best. Um I’m expecting a tux next week from Low Tide. Oh, yeah. He’s going to step up his game. I mean, I I feel like uh Caris might be in a similar fashion. Former TV TV guy knows how to put on makeup. Uh just clean it up a little bit. Maybe like on the cheeks or the chin. I I think that’s something that those TV guys do. W Gret’s also going to be here for the next what two and a half hours. I kind of made the joke yesterday. He left at 4:20. It wasn’t for the reason you think. He went to go pick up his son. W Thanks for joining us here in studio once again. Best looking contest. Hey, it’s tough. How do you How do you choose between tens? Ranking the sports 144 40 men now as the guy who really pushed Greor to get all the shows on to YouTube. I didn’t think this through far enough about how do I stay off YouTube? Yeah. I mean, you you come in, you tilt the camera down. Can we keep doing that? I think so. I think we have to. I think we have to. Unless you want to do face reveal. No. No. No. No. If the Oilers won the cup, would you do a face reveal? No. No. No. Nothing would nothing nothing in this world. The genie stays in the bottle. When I see I love Oilers fans more than anybody. When I see the amount of people that W stops and talks to in your Ram truck. Great folks and they bug them like man I’m glad I used a fake name the whole time because you guys are made to be famous you 1440 boys. But not me. I’m just a computer programmer. JP says uh hey people know who you are. Yeah some people. Are you are you helping JP or are we hurting the situation? People uh have asked me, “What does Wany look like? Is he a good-looking man?” And I say, “He might be.” He might be. He was being my gender before the incident. Yeah. Yeah. Then big things happened. That eagle flew away with his eyeball. Lance says, “You should wear a luchador mask on your 1440 themed luchador.” That’d be pretty cool, actually. I liked when I used to be the host of Oilers Nation after Dark before Origy took over which I think improved the show. We would have Bag Milk come on. Yeah. And he would come on and he would use like the voice modifier sometimes and have a good time with that. It was always entertaining. Bag Milk and I decided when Oilers Nation started many thousand years ago, we’re like agreed we’re doing this anonymously. Yes. And we were supposed to never even talk. We didn’t want anyone to know what we sounded like. We didn’t want to do anything. Now in 2025 when I look at the amount of photos my bag my boy bag milk is in fake. It’s fake. He’s not hidden anymore. He’s not. I saw a certain wedding photo popping up. I’m like oh could that be one of could he be one of those guys? Cuz you do the elimination from Nation and you know 17 years in this blogging game Connor. Not one photo. You’ve avoided it. Every single one. You’re like Conor McDavid when he’s out and about and like hides his drink. You just hide the face. I’m a face, man. That’s smart. Smart. Skippy says, “First you are out on streaming, then next will be the hunks of 1440 calendar.” Oh boy. Yeah. I’ll be the worst selling calendar of all time. Not true. No one would buy it. I would. One sold. Just sitting there looking at March all the time. Just like in our studio just thinking. Yeah. Good one. Uh text line 1833 411440. You can also email if you’d like. Connor at sports1440.ca. Um we are going to talk a little bit on the show here. We got Brandon Foko coming up a former LA Charger, former Pittsburgh Steeler Wet an undrafted free agent and he’s got some good tech uh tweets going on right now. Just talking about like the proper fit for players and you always see that like undrafted free agent, you probably sign with any team, right? But there’s got to be so many teams where there’s not much chance you have to make it. Like realistically, I feel like if you’re an undrafted free agent at at a lot of different levels, you got to find a team that has weaknesses and say, you know what, playing this first contract for a low amount, but this is a team that gives me opportunity. So, the opportunity is going to be there to earn that second contract. And that’s when you get a little bit more stability. But I’ve seen it many times like where you’ll see an undrafted free agent sign with a team that has really good depth and he’s a receiver signs with the team with good receiver depth. even if you make plays, you know, your opportunity to get on the field is not going to be there in the regular season. So, I want to talk to him about that. And then also, he played with some really good teams. He’s played with Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, coached by Mike Tomlin. Like, anytime you get these former players and he’s not like he was released last week by the Steelers, he’s still active. I’m sure he’s still working out every day waiting for that phone call. It’s going to come, but looking forward to talking to Yeah, it’s going to be a fun one. TR is going to be by of course he was a first round pick. Opposite end of the spectrum there of uh of you know given the opportunity when you show up everybody’s watching you versus someone who’s an undrafted free agent and yeah maybe we’ll get into some of the undrafted free agent talk as well. Elks down in Calgary for Labor Day. Come on. What are you thinking? You going to get down for that one? Or maybe you come to On the Rocks and watch with me at the watch party. I heard from an Elks Nation team member. She was like, I went to the watch party that Connor was at and it was so busy. just packed. Unbelievable. I was at Billy Buds. You’re doing a great job. Well, I don’t think it’s me, but you know, you got locations with good food, good beer, good football, and tons of prizes from the Elks. That’s all we want. And then somebody said, “You guys are already doing watch parties.” I’m like, “Yeah, we’re already at like year eight of the Nation Network business plan in month three.” And then somebody else walked by and was like, “No, that’s Connor with 1440 doing parties. They’ve been doing them for years.” Yeah, you’ll get there. Well, there’ll be the same party, Connor. It is funny though because I do talk to members of the Elks organization. arcade. Coz Nation, what do you say? I say, well, I have nothing to do with it. I’m not involved. It’s great. Well, I say it’s great and it’s good people, of course. Eddie Steel and Dean crushing it on the pods and the the video on YouTube, but I don’t participate. I’m not I’m not in it. Endorse us, brother. Well, I try. I do, but I’m just saying like if they’re like ever getting mad about it, something’s a little too real, I just say, you know, I don’t have any association. We’re the realest. I’m just a watcher. We’re the realest. Danny YC says 1440 hotties with cats calendar could sell like hotcakes. Well, the Duke has two cats. Maybe he just It’s all the Duke with his cats and like in Halloween it can be they mean a pumpkin and now that’s actually a good idea. Christmas. Nothing sells better than a gag calendar. Yeah. Hilarious. King of Fortn says, “I have no idea who one is. I can’t creep him out anywhere. It’s killing me. You and that parole officer can’t figure anything out. Sean says, “I don’t know, W, but if I had to guess, I picture a guy that is that made just enough money to not really work anymore. Drives an old Cadillac around, unmarried with one kid living in a downtown penthouse, but not any penthouse. One that is brick and mortar and still has finishes from the 80s. Makes his weekly appearance on 1440 and golfs at mediocre golf courses twice a week cuz a real golf course isn’t worth it.” That’s my take. Am I close? Ouch. No. You bought a new vehicle a while ago, but not a caddy. No. You don’t live downtown. I’m not retired. You’re not retired. I’m very much working. You make so much money you don’t have to work, but you choose to. Oh, I don’t know about that, but I do like working. It doesn’t feel like work when you get to do sports stuff. No, I mean, it’s You’re right. I was just telling the Duke earlier today on Fantasy Frenzy that my I I started to get back into LinkedIn. Oh, yeah. And my picture has like a little filter that says open to work. I don’t know how to get rid of it. Oh no. So I’m like I don’t want people to like start. No one’s offering me jobs obviously, but I don’t want people to think that I’m unhappy here. Why are you back on LinkedIn? I just I don’t know. I I was like, “Oh, I’m going to look at this again.” And uh people that I connect with, I caught connected with a bunch of people at Stingray here. They like post pictures on vacation and stuff and I didn’t know that’s what that like LinkedIn was about. I don’t really know what LinkedIn is, but it’s kind of like Facebook for work. Yeah. But if you’re looking for a job, it’s the world’s business card. Like if you’re not on LinkedIn or it’s not up to date and you’re job hunting or you’re open for work as your profile would denote, you got to be on LinkedIn. Well, I got the app and I get notifications every day and it’s really annoying. I might delete it soon and just take my disappearance away. Do you get to see who’s looked at your profile on LinkedIn? That’s the funnest part. I think so, but it’s like you need they want you to pay for it. You get to see a little bit. Yeah. like their blurred out image like three people visited. Who are you? Who could it be? And I don’t want to creep on people’s pages either cuz then they’ll know I’m there and they’re like, “This guy can’t hire me. What does he want?” This reminds me of Nixopia. Do you remember Nexopia? Oh, buddy. The most genius part of Nexopia in addition to early social networking site was that you could pay for Nexopia Plus and be invisible on Nexopia. Yeah. Because the big thing driving engagement was you could see who looked at your profile. So if you didn’t want to be busted as a creep show as most people were in the mid as you had to pay for Nexopia Plus. I was a mod. You were an Nexopia mod? I got free Nexopia Plus for like a month or six months or something for being a mod in the NFL with the sports forums. True. So I could block people. I didn’t. It lasted one group at like one term and then you didn’t want to do it after. I think I I probably got power hungry and like someone made fun of the Chargers and I’m like well you’re blocked. straight to his head. You got a weak timeout. One time I had a meeting at Facebook and I was like, “You know what you guys should do?” And I broke down Nextopia Plus thinking that they’d be like, “Oh, we know Nixopia.” They’re like, “Never heard of it.” I’m like, “What they did see was you couldn’t be tracked on it.” They’re like, “That’s great. Please leave.” And I was like, “Oh, I think this went great.” Didn’t work uh quite as well as you thought. But LinkedIn took that feature. Yeah. And ran with it. Nextopia, like for those old enough, it’s pretty solid. Especially in Edmonton, 1.8 million users in Canada before Facebook even launched. I met a couple good people off Nextopia, like people down in Calgary. We’d go hang out with them on Labor Day, NFL fans, good good dudes. Still follow them on Facebook. I have a Nexopia hoodie. We used to share an office with them. And when they went down, I bought up all the merch because I wanted to wear it. And I’ll still wear Nextopia cuz your mom’s on Facebook. It says that was a good joke. Oh, it was a good shirt. Lance says he went to high school with a guy who started Nixopia. Now works for Google. Teemo. Teemo. Teemo Edwards. You know him. Genius. Yeah. Sounds genius. We should get him in 1440. Oh, he’s a cool guy. Yeah. He works for Google. Those were the days when Connor used to have to have a server room like you guys here at 1440 have. Yeah. So, if you started up any website, no matter what, there was no cloud hosting. So, you had to go buy like racks of hardware. And I went I was hanging out with that guy one time. He was telling me he was in high school having vented Nexopia. And when his exams were over, the site was so much bigger than when his final exam started. He had to go buy servers in the summer. He did it big. That guy’s a real genius. Uh fans on the whole time in those rooms because they get hot. Oh yeah. And especially in this weather right now. Little nerve-wracking. Don’t want everything to go down. Not Fred says sports 1440. Tarps off calendar. Carious and Gregor be fighting to see who’s on the cover. Three sold. One to Gregor, one to Carious, and one to Strudwick just so he can get it signed. Yeah, right. I’d buy 10 just to boost those numbers. Oh, yeah. I think you’d move units if you had a 1440 charity calendar. Yeah. Well, we need puppies involved. You got like the SPCA involved or something. Totally. What we’ll do here, we’ll take a break. Lots to get to on this show. Uh coming up later on, Mark Spectre, Shang Pang, Terry Ryan, Lena Becker going to join us from the Sexual Assault Center of Edmonton doing a fundraiser today. We’ve got two tickets to Laney Wilson tomorrow night in the Chairman’s Club section 101 that comes with free dinner, which you know is a big value, and parking. All money raised is going to go to the sexual assault center of Edmonton, which recently, as you probably know, underwent a severe funding cuts. Uh we got to help them raise some money so they can take on uh new survivors and and help them out. So, if you want to get your bid in, we’re currently at $1,000 from Goalie Greg. 1833 401440. And even if that’s too much, maybe you’re busy, but you still like to make a donation, sacce.ca. Go there, donate. 20 bucks, 50 bucks, whatever you can afford. And hopefully we can get a big push today here uh to help out safe. It is the Jason Greger show here on Sports 1440 Oilers Nation Facebook, YouTube, and X. Brought to you by playalberta.ca. Ah, Hawaii. The warmth of a golden sunset as the waves roll in. The freshness of a waterfall, a lush scent of tropical flowers in the air. You don’t need to travel to enjoy all Hawaii has to offer. You just need to order pizza. Bring Hawaii home with the Aloha Trio. Available for a limited time at Papa John’s. Try our classic Hawaiian, Super Hawaiian, or Hawaiian barbecue chicken for just $19.99 each. Better ingredients, better pizza. 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It’s the Jason Greger show on sports 1440 presented by playalberta.ca Alberta’s only regulated online gambling website. Sports 1440 also streaming on Oilers Nation Facebook, YouTube and X. Connor Hi, Wany Gretz with you here. Also, Donovan Paulson and Josh Fenwick keeping us on track on the streams. If you are watching online, make sure you go hit that like button as I just did. Just got to boost those numbers. everyone out there, go to the link, hit the like button. Good for us. Uh helps us grow the brand. And of course, if you didn’t know it, then uh on Tuesday, we do have the official Sports 1440 247 launch. It’s actually going to be 11 hours, but starting at 7 a.m. on Tuesday will be live on YouTube. Sports 1440 a.m. is the channel if you want to go check it out. Of course, uh Greg Show’s been doing that since the the launch of Sports 1440 coming up on two years. But, uh now we’re getting everybody else involved with YouTube. So, make sure you go give that a subscription. Right now, we’ll get to the CFL report brought to you by Legacy Heating and Cooling where the rates never change, no OT charges, furnace repair and maintenance. Do it now with legacy heating.ca. We are joined by John Hodgej from 3 Down Nation insider and reporter. John, good afternoon. How are you doing today? I’m doing great. Thanks for having me. Yeah, we really appreciate you joining us in kind of a a unique weekend in the CFL. As usually we’d be having Thursday, Friday games uh Saturday as well, but with the long weekend, Labor Day Classics going on, the action doesn’t get going till Sunday. I want to ask you the games going on this weekend, which one intrigues you the most? Well, I I mean, I’m based in Winnipeg, so maybe I’m I’m a little biased, but to me, I I mean, it’s it’s the one that at least in my opinion is the best rivalry in Canadian football. That’s that’s the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Rough Riders. This is also the game uh between the three of them that has two playoff teams in it, right? I mean, I think Winnipeg is is in tough to finish first again in the West division this year, but it’s certainly not impossible. And I mean, if they were to sweep this home and home in against Saskatchewan, something they did just last year, uh they would in fact leaprog the Riders in the standings, easier said than done. But, uh, to me, these are the two, uh, best teams playing this weekend with the exception of the Calgary Stampeders, uh, who I had as the number one team on my power rankings ballot this week for three down nation. Uh, but it’s, uh, it’s going to be the best atmosphere, standing room only at Mosaic Stadium. And, uh, I I think it’s always special when when Winnipeg and Saskatchewan plays, but maybe maybe again, I’m just biased. Well, being based out of Winnipeg, then let me ask you, going back with the Banjo Bowl history, what is your favorite memory from these games? Oh, that’s a great question. So, I I was in person to cover Labor Day last year. Uh that was an unbelievable atmosphere. Fantastic game. Unfortunately, with the injury to Zach Karis was a a little bit of a of a let down in the second half, but the first game of that that game was uh first half of that game, I should say, was electric. Uh Banable, I’ve been at all of them. Um there have been blowouts on on both sides. Uh, man, I I’d be hardressed to to pick a favorite memory. M maybe uh you know Oh, geeh, that’s that’s a great question. I think you’ve stumped me. I mean, they’re they’re all good, right? When when the riders come into town and get the upset, it’s drama. When when the hometown crowd gets the win and gets to celebrate, that’s, you know, it’s a tremendous atmosphere at at Princess Auto. So, uh I don’t know if I have a favorite memory. May May maybe the first one, right? May maybe the first one. I was a kid. I was there as a fan and um you know with uh with the unbelievable charge that was surrounding that game with you know Troy Westwood’s comments going you know pseudo viral in kind of the preocial media era. Uh and that was before I think everybody realized at least before I realized it was going to be an annual game. So so maybe the first one feeling like okay there’s this oneoff these two teams are going to play this thing called the Banjo Bowl. you know, you both both teams are are dying to win. Maybe the first one, but they they’ve all been good since then. Yeah. I mean, this one should be the exact same. And, you know, one of my favorite traditions is always going down to Calgary for that game as someone based in Edmonton. Uh, the streak that I went, I think I saw the the Eskimos at the time win one or two games in 11 years. It wasn’t a lot of fun. And I missed out on probably the most memorable, I would say, from a Battle of Alberta standpoint with the the Ed Hervey and the helmet toss. I’m sure you remember that one. That’s well that’s it, right? I mean all of these Labor Day matchups, these classic matchups are winners, right? And it helps when the teams don’t like each other, which is something that, you know, isn’t always the case. Certainly the fans don’t uh don’t always get along. There’s a healthy rivalry there. But yeah, I mean, you mentioned that game. There have also been some well doumented games in the Battle of Ontario where a lot of the guys on Toronto and and Saskatchewan have or pardon me Hamilton and Toronto have very much not liked each other. So, uh I think anytime you can get those types of moments, you don’t want to see anything agreed just right like we don’t want to see guys trying to injure each other, but anytime it can be, you know, a hotly contested rivalry that’s simultaneously played, you know, within the confines of the rules, I think it’s hard to beat that. in the Canadian Football League. We’re looking around the CFL with John Hodge of Three Down Nation. You can give him a follow on next at John D. Hodgej. Uh let’s look at the Battle of Alberta and like you said, you have the Calgary Stampeders at the number one spot in your power rankings. The Emils playing some good football. I mean, if you looked at it just based off the standings, it might not be as close as it could be on Sunday or Monday with two pretty good teams playing or two teams that are playing pretty good right now. Yeah. And to me, you know, there’s there’s positive and negative here for the Evston Elks. Like on the one hand, they’ve won three straight. You know, Cody Fardo does a really nice job of protecting the football, uh, limiting mistakes. He’ll never lead the CFL’s most dynamic offense, but, you know, if if the defense settles down, which which it has as of late, I think JC Sheriff, their their rookie defensive coordinator, has kind of grown into that role. Um, and as long as they’re playing well in special teams, I was very impressed with that. Vincent Blanchard handling all three duties, I thought pretty well last week. And then of course Javon Leak rips off the punt return touchdown. Um you know this this team can make some noise. The downside of it for the Elks is they started so badly, right? Like they they dug themselves in a tremendous hole at one and six. And a time-honored cliche that that admittedly I don’t like, but that gets touted at this time every year is people saying, “Oh, well the CFL season doesn’t even start until Labor Day.” Well, the reality is you can be out of contention by Labor Day. And that’s exactly what the Edmonton Elks are facing, right? like they’re playing the best team in the CFL back to back here and I don’t think they need to c sweep Calgary in order to get like back in the playoff hunt, but the reality is they’re they’re two points behind BC and they’ve already lost that season series. So, they need to make up some ground here. Um I think this team really needs to to get one of these games, right? I don’t think it matters which one, but if the Elks can can find a way to split this this home and home against a really tough opponent in the Stampeders at that point, they’d be five and seven and you’re going, “Okay, there’s there’s potentially some noise this team can make down the stretch.” At four and eight, I think you’ve kind of squandered that that little three-game heater they’ve been on. So, I’m very interested to see what the Elks are able to do. Now, I know the league awards we call the the M OP, but if you had an MVP award, most valuable player to their team, where would Vernon Adams Jr. rank for you right now? Uh, he’d be number one. I I think um, you know, that team looked unbelievably different with PJ Walker under center. And if VA doesn’t get hurt in the late stages of that Montreal game his team lost earlier this year, and if VA is able to start against the Ottawa Red Blacks earlier this year, I I think this team is nine and one. Like, they uh they’ve been absolutely brilliant on defense. uh that front four is the best in the CFL. Uh I thought going into the season that the best defensive line in the CFL would be in Alberta. I was right about that. The issue is I thought it was going to be at Edmonton where they basically signed the Gay Cup defensive line from Toronto. They repatriated defensive line coach Demetrius Maxi who people in and around the CFL speak extremely highly of. Uh that quite hasn’t panned out for the Elks. Uh, but the St. Peters, I mean, between Floren Malady, who they brought back by a trade, uh, Jaylen Hutchkins, who to me has been the best defensive player in the CFL in the middle of that defense. And then, you know, Clarence Hicks having a bit of a breakout year, uh, some of the other guys, they’ve been able to rotate in there who have flashed, uh, they have just been sensational up front. And when you’re getting pressure at four and you can consistently drop eight, uh, that puts you in a really nice position to be successful as a defense. So, uh, the defense I think deserves credit, but to get back to your question, like that unit did not play any complimentary football. That team did not play any complimentary football when VA was out of the lineup. Offensively, they were very stagnant. Uh, it’s not and like it’s not a super dynamic offense like like they can run the ball pretty well. Um, but if VA is not in there, it’s easy to take away Dedric Mills and say, “Okay, well, beat us through the air.” And PJ Walker like could not do that. Um, so VA to me is is the MVP. Uh, I think he’s going to get some M OP love, especially if the Stampeders finish first in the standings. Right now, VA’s touchdown reception ratio is pretty mediocre. It’s 11 to6. So, I I don’t see him as the favorite for that. If I had to vote for MP right now, I’d probably have Trevor Harris coming out of the West and Bullvi Mitchell coming out of the East. But, uh, certainly in the second half, I think VA can make some noise to to perhaps get some more M OP buzz, but I like your your consideration here with potentially him as the MVP. John Hodge 3 down nation joining us from the Jason Greger show. Connor Hi sitting in. John, you have a pretty good policy of the NFL as well. Canadians playing in the league and maybe some potential guys who might trickle down into the CFL, you know, if they don’t sign on practice rosters or find another spot. Uh, you kind of touched on it there and I know that’s a really cliche cliche statement in the CFL about how it doesn’t start till after Labor Day, but are there any players you’re watching for that could make a trip back to the CFL and have an impact? Well, I mean, I think one you have to talk about right away is Mai Pulk. Like the the Toronto Argonauts are in a hard way right now, right? Only three wins. Um, but they’re the Gray Cup champs for a reason. They’ve they’ve obviously done very very well for themselves since Ryan Denwitty was hired as their head coach. And um you know this offense under Nick Arbuckle was incredible this past week against BC. 52 points over 400 passing yards for for Arbuckle. Well, you you add Mai Pulk to that offense especially when Deonte Cooxy gets healthy. That’s a pretty tremendous set of weapons and uh I’m still skeptical the Argonauts can get all the way back to get into a playoff spot, but that’ll certainly help them. A Joe, very good player who I believe will be back with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders soon. Um nice player. The issue is the Riders are are so deep with their Canadian receivers. I’m not sure how much he’s going to play. I mean, Kian Schaefer Baker and Sam Emilis have both missed considerable time but are expected to be back. And then the guys who are playing are doing well like Tommy Neil’s got some touchdowns. Uh Dell Duncan Busby has done very well. Uh they’ve got Mitch Picton in there still who’s who the time you know tested uh a vet with uh with great hands. So I’m sure they’re happy to get a Joe. I’m just not sure at least for 2025 how much he’ll he’ll play just because they’re so deep there. Um, one guy I’m I’m keeping very close eye on is Antaria Pokey Wilson, uh, who had a thousand yards as a rookie with the Bombers last year. That Winnipeg receiving core has not been good enough in my opinion over the first half of the season. Uh, Nick Demsky obviously having a great year. Dalton Shown is expected to re-enter the lineup uh, probably this week coming off a knee injury that’s held him out for six. But beyond that, I mean, you’ve got Jared Sterns who’s been okay. He’s now banged up. Dylan Mitchell has not been super impactful. Like they really need someone else in that receiving core to make some hay. And I think that um that’s something that uh that the Bombers could really use is that that impactful receiver. And Wilson was cut by the Jets recently and um thus far at least he does not have any practice roster uh uh interest it would seem. So uh he’s a player who I’d keep an eye out as a CFL man. Now, you guys at Three Down Nation had reported that Taylor Elgma was working out with the New York Giants, obviously a second round pick of the Bombers. Uh, what do you expect with him? Do you think he will hang around in a practice squad, or do you think he could wake make his way back to the CFL? Well, I think Elgger’s like, like the guys I just mentioned have all been in the CFL before, right? And that I think is very different than being a quarterback like Taylor who’s 23. He’s straight out of university and uh just went through NFL training camp for the very first time and and looked good during the preseason. One touchdown, no picks. He did have a touchdown that got called back by a penalty, but he also had an interception that got called back. Um you know, I I think if you’ve already been up to the CFL and you get an NFL look again like Mai, like Wilson, some of these guys, um I I think it’s easier to come back to the CFL, right? because you kind of go, “Okay, well, I’ve already been up there. I already know what it is.” You know, this was kind of a bonus NFL shot after the one I got coming out of college. And almost all these guys get NFL shots coming out of college, certainly the Americans anyway. Taylor Alers, that’s not the case, right? This is his first shot. I think once he signs the CFL contract, I’m not saying he can’t get back to the NFL, but it’s going to be harder, right? I think it’s easier to come out as a rookie and prove you’re an NFL guy than it is to go up to Canada for a few years and potentially get a shot when you’re that much older. So, I doubt that Taylor Algrisma is going to run to the CFL. Um, he’s he’s um, you know, his his rights belong to to Winnipeg. Would the Bombers love to have him long term? Absolutely. Do would they would they want to have him now? Uh, I I I’m not sure. Right. They’ve got a veteran laden quarterback room, Zach Polaris, Chris Trevor, and then Terry Wilson’s in his second year as kind of the de developmental guy. And they’ve got Chase Arttopius, who they seem to like as a rookie on the PR. So, uh, I’m not saying that Elgres doesn’t come up, but I think he’s in a position where it would make sense to wait at least a little bit longer. Uh, whereas some of these guys who again are already 26 years old or 27 and you know, yeah, they were in NFL camp, but this was camp three or four for them. Um, and, uh, you know, they they’ve already come up to the CFL. I think as a as a really young guy, it maybe pays to be a little bit more patient. John, thanks so much for doing this today. We really do appreciate it and we’ll talk to you soon. Thanks for having me anytime. There you go. John Hodgej insider and reporter for three down nation. Give them a follow on X at John D. Hodgej. Yeah, it should be a fun weekend in the CFL. Of course, it all gets going. Sunday, Ruff Riders hosting the Blue Bombers. Then Monday, the double header Hamilton against Toronto. Then at 4:00, it is the Elks down in Calgary taking on the Stampeders who are playing very good football. Just come off a big win against the Riders. It’ll be a tough one. Uh but hey, Edmonton Elsk playing some good football as well. And we’ve seen crazy things happen in the CFL, especially on Labor Day. Going to be a heck of a game. Uh we’ll take a break here. When we come back, it’s Thursday. Thursday here on the Jason Greger Show on Sports 1440 streaming on Oilers Nation Facebook, YouTube, and X. Brought to you by playalberta.ca. McDonald’s Sundays and snack size shakes are $2 or get $1 cones exclusively on the McDonald’s app. With those prices, your hands are going to be full of treats like Alex here. My phone. I got you. App download and registration required at participating McDonald’s in Canada. Taxes extra. Prices exclude delivery. Nugget. This is N’s nuggets brought to you by Legacy Heating and Cooling. What nugget of cooling advice does Nooj have today? An air conditioner works by blowing air across the cold evaporator coil where the heat is absorbed into the refrigerant. Uh, you know, I actually don’t know what that means. Kind of like Zachman with Goender Interference. Sorry, Zach. Well, you got me there. 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We bring in David Owens from Sherbrook Liquor. David, good afternoon. How’s it going today? Good afternoon. I’m doing fantastic. How are you doing? Good. I I see this selection here and it seems very fitting for the weather today. You know, it has been hot this week and uh going into the long weekend, I thought, you know what? We should do margaritas. I like it. There are so many pre-made margaritas out on the market right now. This is just a small smattering of what we have available. So, we’re pretty excited about it. Has there been a rise in the pre-made drinks? Cuz I know like back in the day you could get like the pre-made Jack and Coke and things like that, but it seems like it’s really expanded in that variety of beverages. Yeah, for sure. The uh the RTD category, ready to drink what they call it, and it is a huge huge category and consistently growing. Yeah. Um you think about way back, you know, when I was young, you know, coolers first came out and you know, there’s a couple I God I can I can still smell that fake sugary. You can taste it almost right now just talking about it. But, uh, they have evolved a long long way from there and you’re getting a lot of, you know, really, you know, natural fresh juices, you know, great options all the way through and lots of different different types as we’re going to see today as we go through as well. When I think of coolers, Picardi Breezers come to mind and it was like I remember one night saying, I’m going to drink these and I had two pounding headache. I’m like, I can’t do anymore. It’s just too sweet. So, so much good to see the the growth in that category. So, that’s right. All margaritas pre-made. What are we going to start with? All margaritas pre-made. Yeah, we’re going to start with this one here, Essa Cocktails. So, this is an emerging uh player here. So, this is their uh salted lime. Uh so, they just use fresh agave lime and some hints of orange in it. Uh I think it’s about 5% alcohol and they’re out of uh they’re out of Calgary actually. So, uh newer player out there and they’re just uh they’re just getting going. Nice clear one to start off with here. Clear one to start off with. Smells very good. Great smell naturally. It smells like a margarita. I was going to say they’re probably all going to have a bit of a similar smell to them. Smells smells like a taste. Delicious. Taste. Yeah. You know, you could pour that over ice and salt to ri if you want. You’d feel pretty good about drinking a margarita like that. Just hints of orange. Are you getting it? Yeah. Just a light hint. But that’s what a And that’s what a margarita is, right? It’s it’s you know, tequila or or an agave beverage. um you know an orange lure in there, a quantro or triple sack or something like that and then lime juice. So it’s a just a nice slight hint. Yeah. Like I don’t have the refined palette that you do. I’m like tastes like a margarita. It’s it’s always hiding in there. Do you notice an uptick in, you know, these types of drinks being bought when the weather goes up? Oh, for sure. Yeah. Yeah. When it’s hot out, these are such a great go-to all the time. Just throw them in your fridge and uh like I said, just pour it over ice and you’re good to go. What’s the uh the wintiest drink? the wintryest drink. Oh, you know, I think it that uh changes too, but you know, wintry people get into rum. Yeah. Some more and they’re drinking their spirits a little bit more. Uh port is always a fantastic. We’ll do some port as we get into the fall probably. That’s a great thing. Um yeah, those are some great ones for the winter time. Excellent. Okay, so the next one up here, mango. So, this is a please beverage. Another fantastic beverage. They’re a company out of Vancouver. So, this is a mango margarita. This one’s a little bit more 6.9% alcohol. They come in a fourpack mixer. of a whole bunch of different flavors and natural um and then this mango one and so on. So really fantastic garbage. Uh this is you know called a 2 oz tequila you know 2 oz tequila cocktail. So it is like it’s a proper proper margarita. Little bit stronger than the previous 6.9%. Smells really good. Oh that that nose is super fresh juice. Right. You got to love that. Oh yeah. Yeah. That one’s actually really nice. I don’t even really taste the alcohol. Like it tastes pretty pretty smooth. Really, really fresh juice. The mango flavor is really strong. Nice tartness to it at the end as well. Mhm. Uh, you know, sits on your palette a little bit. So, oh, that’s fantastic. That is a great great product. I’m going to once again ask you the power rankings at the end of this. Yeah. Yeah. Well, that could be a player right there. The player right there already. Yeah, for sure. All right. Coming up next here. All right. So, we’re staying in Alberta. Going back to Alberta, I guess. And so, this is a bit of a different play. This is a This is Wildlife and they’re in um Canmore and so this is a gin margarita. So they’ve replaced the tequila with gin. Uh so a little bit of a play on it, a little bit of a move. And um you know this is a fantastic company in Camour. They’ve been making great products forever. They started with uh started with their vodkas and gins. They’re they’ve got whiskey now. Um really great group of guys. Took their time, learned how to go distill properly. They went over to Scotland and learned and um yeah, great great group. So, this is a fantastic and super super popular beverage. Lots of different varieties as well. Or lots of different varieties as well. Yeah. The thirsty cougar gin margarita. Gin margarita. For those keeping track at home, 5% and 5%. There you go. Yeah. Not too bad at all. Yeah. Nice. Super fresh. Wow. That’s really good. It almost like maybe it’s just the gin, but like it doesn’t even tastes like a margarita really. Yeah. It’s a little bit of a different twist for sure that I think the um you know that that uh that lime comes through quite a bit on this one and a little bit of that orange u orange bit as well. They did put some agave syrup in there as well. So you are still getting still an agave beverage still be that margarita but really I think I think it’s a little bit more fruity than the other ones today too. You know it doesn’t have it’s not quite as tart. Yeah. Um so if you if you don’t like things super super tart this would be a great spot to go to for sure. That one could go down very easy. That one was I’m not going to lie to you. All three of them have gone down pretty easy so far. They’re all going down easy. Yeah. But I mean, that one might be uh setting the bar here. Now, here we go. A spicy margarita. Spicy margarita. Yeah. This is a cabon. Uh so these guy also Vancouver. And so this is a tequila blancock with jalapeno and lime juice. And it’s h coming through at 7%. So a little bit more uh little bit of a bigger can there also. Uh so this one, you know, got to be a little bit more careful with. real juice, you know, gluten-free, vegan, all these things for those. Oh, you can smell that jalapo. E, just blasted right off the bat. I don’t do good with hot stuff. So, we’ll see how this one goes down. Oh, it’s topnotch. I feel like we might have done this one one point in time before. I had to bring it back if the smell gets you, but the taste is not quite as strong. I will say that. Oh, cuz usually like I I’m soft when it comes to these things like jalapeno I should be able to handle. But uh the smell I was a little taken aback but actually when it comes to the taste pretty good. It Yeah, it blends really really nicely in there. There’s just a nice mild sort of heat to it. But that initial nose on it is Yeah. full on opening a jar of jalapenos. That’s good. Yeah, that’s a fantastic one, too. You know, and that little bit of spiciness really helps out when it’s when it’s hot outside. That spiciness really helps in kind of toning down some of the extra bitterness into it, too. and and just a little bit more refreshing. And like you said, bigger can. Yeah. No one’s going to complain about that one at 7%. No one’s going to complain about that at 7%. That’s right. Now, this might be actually my favorite, I guess we call it a bottle here for this one. Yeah. So, this one’s called Duchess Dry, and this is actually a 0% lightly sparkling margarita cocktail. So, this is a non-alc. Um, really popular beverage with us in our non-alc stuff. And uh you know, as you can see, color-wise, it sort of fits in right in with all the other ones. Mhm. Has it still has that same same nose to it. Looks like a very similar to the other ones here in terms of color. Yeah. And great packaging, right? That packaging is so reminiscent of the old stubby bottle, right? Absolutely. Kind of remind me of a red stripe or something. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. You can really taste the uh the margarita flavor in that one. the margarita totally comes really comes through. And so, you know, if you’re looking to uh, you know, as we talked about striping a little bit or uh just not embibing right now, but you want something that uh that fits with everybody else, grab a nice cocktail glass, salt to rim, put a lime on it, over ice, drink a margarita with everybody else. With the non-alcoholics, how much has that grown in the last couple years? It’s really it’s really incredible how much it’s grown over the last few years. and our our non-alc section is just constantly growing in all aspects of it, whether it’s in the cooler with beers and and RTDs like this or even with, you know, wines and spirits and uh, you know, cocktail mixers, everything that’s out there. Yeah, because I I mean, I’ve known some people trying to get off the alcohol for a while and still want to have a drink with your friends and, you know, a lot of people like the taste, so you want to have one that tastes similar and that’s uh that one is quite good actually. So, have to take that one home. I don’t know if the young kids will want that. That’s right. Maybe I’ll steal that one. They’re They’re gonna be fighting over that 7enter. I can see it right now. We may have to make them split it in studio to keep the peace. Our final one. Right on. Our final one. So, this is also a non-alc. And this is a mezzcow margarita from Wild Folk. And these Wild Folk are also making a variety of really fantastic non-alc readyto drink beverages. This Mezcow margarita is uh is definitely one of them. Do they also do alcoholic beverages or is the focus just on NAS? Focus on the NA. Yeah. Okay. Right on. So, we’ll give that one a go. A little bit darker in color compared to a little bit darker in color. Yeah. And uh what kind of flavor are we expecting? This is a this is a little bit mezcow. So you know you’re going to have more of that smoky kind of flavor profile. Smoky spicy. Oh yeah. A little bit different. Right. Yeah. Smoky comes through. That’s good. I immedately feel like I’m in a sauna. Yeah. The sauna. The smokiness. Yeah. That’s actually really quite that’s like that’s campfire deliciousness right there. Yeah, that’s really good. Sure. A lot of like and that’s another one for me personally. If I had that I wouldn’t think margarita. I’m thinking I don’t know what it is but it’s good. But it’s good. Yeah. Lots of you know lots of balance to it though. And and uh and again fits right in. And I mean you wouldn’t know that you’re not you know you wouldn’t know that you’re not drinking alcohol. Absolutely. So one through three or let’s go three through one. What are you thinking for these margaritas today? Oh I got to say you know I was uh the please is the first time I’ve tried that please. And I got to tell you that was pretty topnotch. Um, so that was the mango margarita we tried from the street for you and uh I really like the cabon spicy spicy number two. And I’m uh I’m going to go with the wild folk today. I really that mecal margarita is just so good. Uh you know and you know the nice thing about these non-alco ones too if you wanted to put your own tequila into it or your own mezzcal into it just to top it up just a little bit you also do that as well right the mixer. Uh I think I’m I’m kind of with you. I think I have the spicy margarita at three. Um I did like the Is it Essa? Yeah, Essa here. I like that one. And number one, it’s got to be the thirsty cougar. There you go. The thirsty cougar. Thirsty cougar. These are a great flavor, great taste, and a great name. So 100% good options and available at both locations. Yeah, you betcha. Awesome. Well, head down. It’s the long weekend. I’m sure you guys are going to miss long weekend. Yeah, we got did a major restock at both stores this week. I know on the big order showing up at at Otwell tomorrow. So, lots of fresh stuff in the cooler. Lots of new new products, beers, and RTDs. And uh should be a great uh great weekend for you. And a very wise staff. You have questions, go talk to them. They’ll point you in the right direction. Anything you need to pair it with as well. Check out Sherbrook Clicker. Two locations. Uh Southside 50th Street 92nd or St. Albert Trail in 118th. David, thanks for doing this. And I guess we’ll see you next week. Hey. Yeah, you bet. We’ll do. There you go. It’s Thursday brought to you by Sherbrook Liquor. We’re going to take a break here. When we come back, we’re going to be joined by Brain Foko, NFLer. Talk a little bit about his career and life as someone who kind of bounced around a little bit between practice rosters, finding new teams, and also his unbelievable college career playing on the 2019 LSU Tigers team, undefeated national champion Joe Burrow wins the Heisman. We’ll talk about that and more coming up on the Jason Greger Show. But right now, sports 1440 update brought to you by 01 Hockey. You build your game all summer long with custom training and cuttingedge tech. Become unstoppable. Sign up now at 01.ca. That’s ze.ca. This is a sports 1440 update. Good. I like that. [Music] Late day of MLB action. Currently games underway. It’s the Diamondbacks over the Brewers in the bottom of the ninth. It’s the Cubbies currently up on the Giants 3-2 in the top of the sixth. You’ve got later today the Phillies. They are hosting the Atlanta Braves. The Marlins, they are in New York to clash with the Mets and the Yankees. They take on the Chicago White Socks. Three finals from earlier MLB action. It was the Red Sox over the Orioles 3-2. The Astros took one from the Rockies 4-3. And the Cardinals, they beat up on the Pirates. US Open tennis action. Felix Oali scene he’s looking to get underway with another delay at 3:45 and your one lone Canadian finished Dennis Chappavalo up. He has advanced past the round of 64. Coming up on Sports 1440, we’ll be joined by Terry Ryan. But first, it’s Brennan Poko, former NFLer. I’m Bowman Pollson. That’s your sports 1440 update. This is sports 1440, a Stingray radio station broadcasting on 6 territory. Download the free iHeart Radio app and listen to CKJR wherever you go. Listen up because you’re not going to want to miss this. Right now is your chance to get in on Play Alberta’s biggest offer ever. For a limited time only, new players can get up to a $1,000 casino bonus when they sign up. There’s never been a better time to join the fun. 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Proudly locally owned and operated. He’s Alberta’s sports authority and lead touchdown winner of his family’s backyard flag football games. The Jason Greger Show on Sports 1440. Presented by playalberta.ca, Alberta’s only regulated online gambling website. just after 3:00. Thank you guys for tuning in to the Jason Greger show here on Sports 1440. Connor Hally sitting in one Gretz here along for the ride as well. Donovan Paulson and Josh Fenwick keeping us going here on Oilers Nation Facebook, YouTube and X. Make sure you give us a like on YouTube. I’ve just been told to keep telling you guys to do that. Hopefully we hit that like button and just grows the brand here on sports 1440 and Oilers Nation. The Jason Greger show brought to you by playberta.ca. Tonight it is the daily grand. A chance to win $1,000 a day for the next 20 years. We did the math. That’s $7.3 million. Allelberta.ca and the Lottoax tomorrow. An estimated $30 million. Remember, use code word Gregor 50 with your deposit and you get a $50 free bet. Maybe you want to throw that on the Jay’s. Maybe you want to throw it down on a CFL game this weekend. Hey, we got NFL football getting going next week. Cowboys and Eagles. Will Micah Parsons be there for the Dallas Cowboys? It’s looking like he won’t be, but hey, crazier things have happened. Right now, really special guest joining us here on the Jason Greger show. We’ll go in the room. Brought to you by Action Electrical. They’re the most diversified electrical contractor in Alberta with four divisions in project service take and solar for commercial or residential. Contact them today at alectrical.net. We’re joined by NFLer Braden Foko joins us on video. Braden, good afternoon. How are you doing today? Appreciate you guys for having me, man. It’s uh it’s an honor to be on and shoot, excited to talk some ball. Absolutely. And I mean, the career you’ve had is absolutely outstanding and it’s not over yet. I mean, obviously you’re probably just waiting in the wings right now, hoping for that phone call. I assume still working out just in case or when it comes because as we know in the NFL, I mean, you’re an injury away from getting the phone call, right? Yeah, it’s a long season. I mean, especially as a veteran guy. um you kind of know the ins and outs is it if you’re especially a guy like me who’s been in the league six years, man, you’re you’re one of those guys where, you know, teams have your number on uh on I wouldn’t say speed dial, but they have your number on hold and you know, you’re waiting for an injury or something to a need for a team here and there or an old coach to give you a call and you know, you’re waiting for that phone to ring, but you know, you’re spot on. That’s that’s what a lot of guys are going through right now. Now Braden, I want to talk to you about your career as well as your thoughts on the game right now because I think on Twitter the last few days here, you’ve had some fantastic points about, you know, being in the right opportunity and it’s not just about, you know, chasing a certain team, but going to a team where, you know, you’re going to get an opportunity to play and maybe learn from some bets, good coaching staff, but I want to go back to the the early days of your life. You grew up in Hawaii at Honolulu. At what age did you get into football? You know, for me, I think the earliest was I mean, I probably was four or five years old and my older brothers all played it. Um, you know, my dad had a little stint in the CFL and he played a little semi-pro in Hawaii. And so, you know, I was always grateful to be around the game from a young age and, you know, it just kind of grew on me. wasn’t forced and you know from a young age I remember my dad sitting us down and asking us what we wanted to do and I told him I always wanted to play in the NFL and so very grateful very grateful for my career very grateful for everything that’s happened in it the way it it panned out to be you know when I look back at it everything happened just the way it should have so growing up were you always playing along the defensive line or did you get on the offensive side as well you know as a kid my first position in Pop Warner football was strong safety Oh really I wore the number 22 man um and you know I was skinny believe it or not, once upon a time. But, uh, you know, I could run. I had a six-pack and, you know, I always love intercepting quarterbacks. You know, whether it was Pop Warner or flag football at school. Um, playing safety was like one of those positions I always thought like, you know, you could affect the game in so many ways outside of quarterback. And then as I got older, it was, you know, I gained 10 pounds here this off seasonason, I gained 20 pounds, 30 pounds, and then by the time I got to high school, you know, I got my first offer in. I think it was from uh Arizona State and they were like, “Yeah, we see you as a defensive lineman.” So, um I think you you think you’re going to put on some weight in that body frame. And I went from like 205 210 lbs my eighth grade year to 270 by the time I was a sophomore and junior in high school. So, big transition, but you know, along the way, I’ve I’ve always had a heart for the skill position guys. So, did you were you recruited that early? Like eighth grade you already had offers coming in? I was. I was. My first offer was actually in seventh grade, I believe. And it was from the University of Hawaii. Um, you know, of course, it wasn’t official. It was a verbal offer, but you know, I was one of those kids like the Christian McAffries and the Sony Michelle’s of the world where, you know, you were getting offered. And, you know, it wasn’t a big power five offer, but it was a it was a division one offer from the University of Hawaii. And slowly by slowly as I got older, attended more camps, you know, the offer started to rain in and very grateful. I mean, but at the end of the day, you only you only can choose one. Um, and so, you know, I chose Texas Tech coming out of high school. I I was very comfortable there with the coaching staff and my brothers had attended there. Then, you know, two or one and a half years later, excuse me, I made my way to LSU and best decision I ever made. I’ve got a lot of questions about the decision to go to LSU and I know how it paid off that. Well, we’ll get into that in a second here. So, let me ask you the offers that came in. And I was joined by Brain Foko here, defensive lineman, NFL six-year vet, spent some time with the Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. You know, from the other schools, was it strong safety offers or was it at that point you starting to say, you know what, we also see you as a defensive lineman? You know, when the University of Hawaii offered me as a seventh grader, it was at a lineman camp. Um, and I and I shouldn’t be saying this, but it was for high schoolers. And um, my parents signed a waiver and they were like, “You’re going to go participate.” And you know, lo and behold, I was dominating. And you know, I was able to, you know, come up with an offer. And um when I told them, they were like, “Hey, so you know, what year do you graduate?” And they were expecting like 2011, 2012. And I told them, I was like, “205.” And mind you, this was in like 2010. So, um, you know, they said, “You know what? We’re going to offer you as a lineman.” We I had a bigger frame. I was a taller, lanky kid. I wasn’t heavy. I was about 61 in eighth grade. And you know, I had 190, 200 lbs to my body frame. I played basketball, so I had a little leniency to me. But, you know, they offered me as a lineman. They didn’t know if it was going to be offensive or defensive lineman, but Hawaii kind of had the first vision of like, yeah, this guy’s probably going to play lineman somewhere along the way when he gets older. That is awesome. So, what what led to the decision? You mentioned, you know, family and everything like that, going to Texas Tech, joining the Red Raiders, uh, pretty big program. like how was the adjustment going from life on the island to Texas? Yeah, so I think the biggest influence for me going to Texas Tech was a coach by the name of Mike Smith. Um he’s the outside linebackers coach for the New England Patriots now, but Mike is like an older brother to me. Yeah, even still to this day, he’s a he’s a mentor. Um he’s always looked out for me and he’s somebody I’ve trusted, especially in the coaching industry. Um you know, just always kind of keep it a buck with me. You kind of don’t get that um as an adult. you know, everything’s kind of on paper or or watered down, I should say, especially for young college kids. And so, as a 17, 18-year-old freshman coming out of high school, I really needed and craved somebody to, you know, keep it real with me. I was a five-star athlete. I had everything you could imagine. Like you said, I had all the offers coming out of high school. Um, but trusting Mike, you know, coming into college, for me, it wasn’t about the name where I wanted to go. To me, it was somebody I could trust, somebody I could grow under. um you know and thankfully he was I was able to spend a season with him and so they ended up letting go that defensive staff after my freshman year at Texas Tech and um you know I wanted to leave after that year um but you know I I’d met with Cliff Kingsbury in the offseason after that first year and you know he talked me into staying that second year and the second year went by my sophomore year it was cool it was all right um my heart wasn’t there though you know I was kind of sold on, you know, the coaches I had came in with, you know, Mike Smith, Matt Waller said, Kevin Curtis, Trey Hy, those guys at Texas Tech early on. I did, I enjoyed it. After that second year, funny enough, Texas Tech releases all those defensive staff that second year. So, you know, within a matter of one and a half, two years I’ve been there, I’ve already gone through two different defensive staffs. And so, you know, for my development as a young 19-year-old kid in college, I felt like that was a little unhealthy to have a revolving door, you know, for my fundamentals and and, you know, just my development as a defensive lineman. And, uh, I took that leap of faith. Originally, I wanted to move a little closer to home. So, I was kind of eyeing the Pack 12. Um, you know, schools like USC, Oregon, Arizona State. And you know, when I announced my in my transfer process from Texas Tech, um the only schools that offered me were all SEC schools. Georgia, Alabama, Miss, LSU, South Carolina, um you name it, they were my only offers. And it was crazy enough, I was not thinking about going to the SEC. And so, you know, I took my visits. It was down to Auburn and LSU. And um I loved LSU solely based off of, you know, Coach O’s energy and and being there under, you know, Pete Jenkins, legendary defensive line coach. So you get to LSU and we’ll talk about that in a second because you guys unbelievable run but two years at Texas Tech. Were they both with Patrick Mahomes? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So um when I got to Texas Tech early in the spring, Baker Mayfield was just leaving. Um it was crazy because when I got to Tech, Baker was just leaving. He had just transferred to Oklahoma or he was still in the process of doing classes cuz I was an early enrolly. He was in the process of moving to Oklahoma. Uh Patrick Mahomes had just taken over the season prior because Davis Webb, who is the passing game coordinator, quarterback’s coach, I believe, with the Broncos right now, he was a freshman all-American the year prior. He took over for Baker Mayfield. There’s a whole I I could go into it, but there’s a whole um this happened, so this happened. And um Patrick Mahome took over for Davis Webb after Davis got hurt. Patrick was the quarterback, my quarterback there for two years. Um, we became close friends, still really good friends to this day. Every time we play each other, whether I was with the Chargers or, you know, whenever I was with Pittsburgh. Um, you know, we always chop it up. We always ask about our family. He’s always asking if I’m still eating water burger. Um, and so, you know, it’s just always good to catch up with those guys. But he was a he was a good one. You know, he was one of those guys early on that when we first got to Tech, you know, he was before he even got on the field, you can always you always knew he was competitive just because in the locker we’d go at it and ping pong and we’d do it for hours at hand. Waterburger or In and Out. I mean, you know my you know my take on it. I’m I’m always going to be a Waterburger guy. I live in Texas now. Um trying to be in the process of franchising one. Hopefully we can get it more down south towards those towards those southern states. Hopefully I want to open up another one in Baton Rouge. Um they only have one right now and so um nothing like a good, you know, after a night out in college in the summer going to go get a patty milk. Man, I think that’s just some of my fond memories and and why water burger hits so close to home for me. Now, if you can get one up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, we would be appreciative because I’ve heard only good things about it. Uh, yet to try it, but one day I’ll get down to Texas and give it a go. Original nearby Britain Felico on the Jason Greger show. Connor Hally sitting in. And let’s just talk about the decision to go to LSU and the 2019 team. Uh, one of the greatest teams of all time, ever assembled. I, you know, when I think about it, for me, it’s the the Hurricanes of 2001, I believe, and then the 2019 Tigers. So, what led to your decision to join LSU and the roster that they had there? It’s a great question. You know, so for me coming out, um, when I was in the transfer process, the biggest thing I wanted was development as a defensive lineman. And, you know, looking back at it, I’m not the tallest guy. I don’t have the longest arms. I’m not the biggest. I’m not the strongest. And so, for me, what would set apart when it came time to play in the NFL to accomplish my dreams? What would set me apart? And that was going to be my technique, my fundamentals, and and learning the game, not just on the field physically, but mentally, putting myself ahead. And so one of the big set aparts for me in choosing a college and choosing LSU was Ed Oron as a defensive line guy and he was the head coach at the time. And so I knew that, you know, if a guy’s a head coach and as a Dline guy, you know where he’s going to be every day. And so every day, you know, he was on my ass. I won’t say it, but you know, he was on my behind every day in that meeting room. and then getting to learn from Pete Jenkins who is I mean I think he’s the guru of of teaching three four defensive linemen you know and so I got to learn that and then being with Dennis Johnson as well who was the defensive line coach with the Baltimore Ravens um we grew together I was with we called it meatball at the time um but you know I was with DJ when he was an analyst at LSU and so to see that growth where he is now um to see where I am now um I think it was one of the best decision and obviously winning a national championship paid off but you know going to LS She was one of the best decisions of my life. So you go from Patrick Mahomes to Joe Burrow and then you know that offense was unbelievable. Played Edwards in the back field, Justin Jefferson, Jamar Chase and you know Terrence Marshall like another guy NFL player right there. How many times at practice were you just kind of starruck looking around the the field thinking like these guys are all going to be all pro players at the next level. Man, you know, it’s funny because when you go to a school like LSU, anybody who walks through those doors, man, is is filled with pro potential. Um, and not just those guys you mentioned, but there’s a lot of guys who never got a shot to play in the league. Um, you know, whose career probably got derailed here and there, but very talented likewise. And it’s funny when people talk about our 2019 roster, right? But, you know, in 2018, I feel like we had a way better team. You know, we had the Buttkiss winner. We had Devin White. Um, you know, we were the same. We had the same offensive line. We had a deeper running back room. And when I look back to it and I think about it, I think what was the biggest difference? And I think that was hiring Joe Brady in the offseason, um, who’s the offensive coordinator with the Bills now. And his mix along with Steve Enminger’s West Coast influence, you know, to his offense approach. you know, in 2018, we were big on getting in the dot, running the ball, uh, being balanced, play action, you know, real Shanahanesque type of offense. Um, and then Joe Brady kind of came in as like, we have all these athletes, like why not spread them out and let them run across the field and and let them make plays. And so that’s exactly what he did. that dosage along with Steve Endsminger and and James Craig who is I believe with the San Francisco 49ers now with their offensive line. Um you know it was a match made in heaven and then you know all we had to do on defense was just stop teams enough and we knew our offense was going to roll teams and put 40 and 50 on the board. At what point during that season did you think you know what we are not going to lose anymore. This team is too good. H you know I didn’t the only game I kind of felt like whoa you know we got some we got to buckle up here was Auburn that year and don’t get me wrong if you look at the Alabama game how many pros were on the field that day I think 30 30 plus played in the NFL just off that game alone but that Auburn game that year um Kevin Steel the defensive coordinator Gus Mzison they had an elite game plan that day I mean it was a tool 2:00 game. You weren’t expecting nothing of it. I think Auburn had three losses already on the year. And as you know, in the SEC, three losses is is a death penalty, right? Coaches, you’re on the hot seat. Um, and Derek Brown, I mean, he they ran this, it was like a 137 defense where Derek Brown was the only down defensive lineman. They had three linebackers and seven DBs. And I mean, we couldn’t block Derrick Brown with four four guys on him. I mean, he that day he secured his first round, you know, draft grade, deservingly so. He’s a hell of a player. He’s a great friend of mine as well. But Auburn was that game that year that was like, “All right, now like when we think back to 2019, Auburn was probably the best team we faced that year and I I look back at and you know, you never really appreciate it. I think when it’s happening and then a few years later, just looking back, it’s quite the roster you guys had.” And what a record, what a run. It was a fantastic season. Uh, Braden, do you have a few more minutes with us? We got to take a break, but we’ll come back. We’ll talk about the Micah Parsons trade for those who might not have seen it. He’s going to Green Bay, going from one historic franchise to another. So, we’ll talk about that. We’ll talk about your trip to the NFL. Uh what it’s like to be a guy who goes from an undrafted free agent to practice squad to the big club and all that. All that and more coming up here on the Jason Greger Show. More with Brad Hog right after this. 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This is Sports 1440, presented by playalberta.ca, Alberta’s only regulated online gambling website. Here on Sports 1440, also streaming on Oilers Nation Facebook, YouTube, and X. Connor Hi, Bonnie Gres with you sitting in for the vacationing Jason Greger who will return on Tuesday. Lots to get you still on the show, but we’re very lucky to have Braden Voko hang around for another segment here. And Braden, I’m sure you saw the news. The Dallas Cowboys sending Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for uh what was it? Kenny Clark and two first round picks. I mean I the poor Dallas fan base. Now first Luca, now Micah. This is just crazy trades they’ve been doing as of late. What are your thoughts initially seeing this deal? Well, I think first off, I mean, generationally, Michael Parsons and his family set. I mean, for the next 10 generations. Um, welld deserved, hell of a player. Now, I live in Dallas and so the city of Dallas has kind of gone through a little heartbreak, right? The Mavs traded Luca this past season. Michael Parsons gets dealt to Green Bay. I know there’s a lot of uneasy fans here in Dallas. first reactions is going to be a lot of people are going to be mad, right? That’s your franchise player. Whether you look at it, whether it’s him or Dak Prescott, but here’s what I say. Being in the NFL, you see this a lot. If a guy, right, and these contracts and these money, it’s generational, right? And my opinion is if a guy really I don’t know what the terms of what the first contract Jerry had offered Micah but if a guy doesn’t want to accept it and according to Jerry in his words they were going to make him the highest non-paid quarterback in the NFL. If a guy isn’t willing to accept that and you’ve offered him market resetting money, then I think it’s fair to let him or let the franchise find a trade because at the end of the day, you always want guys that are going to play for you, right? You never want money to be the deciding factor. And I think what Dallas got back with two first round picks and a great defensive tackle. I’m a huge fan of Kenny Clark. I’ve always been I know Kenny personally. I think Dallas shored up their interior defensive line. I think where those two first round picks now down the road, what they whatever they turn into or who they turn into, that’s where it’s okay. Was this trade worth it? Because you look back to the Roquan Smith trade from Chicago a few years back. You look back to the the Bryce Young trade with Carolina, you know, you never know how these trades go until you actually see those picks on paper and see them on the field. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, we’ll have to see how these pans out. But for the Green Bay Packers in that division, what an addition. Micah Parsons going to the Green Bay Packers and we’ll see what happens when he gets into the lineup. I think those two teams meet week four, so it should be a heck of a match up there. Now Brad, let’s talk a little bit more about your career here. You leave LSU, you go undrafted. Take me into the mindset as a player who’s undrafted. You obviously have a lot of teams to choose out of and where you want to sign. How much of it is, you know, just finding that proper fit and opportunity with a team in the NFL? Yeah. So, when I was coming out of uh of college, I think after the draft, I had five teams um that wanted to give me an undrafted free agency deal was the Chargers, the Cardinals, the Seahawks, the Giants, and I can’t remember who that last team was. It was so long ago. I think it was the Bills maybe. Um but when you come out and everybody wants to get drafted, right? you know, um, you grow up, you see the guys, their names get called on the screen, go shake the commissioner’s hand. It’s always a childhood dream. But sadly, there’s only a certain amount of spots that can get called on draft day. Going undrafted helped me more than getting a late pick in day three. And I say that because as a day three guy, right, a lot of those picks to me are if you can play special teams or you’re a depth piece for camp or for the offseason and if you never really pan out, then you know it’s kind of a death penalty, right? Being a being a day three guy. Now, as an undrafted guy for me with the Chargers, they called me in the fifth round and they told us they said, “Hey, it was COVID, so they said, “Hey, we don’t have any medicals on you. We weren’t able to fly you out for a visit. Therefore, we were we’re not going to draft you, but we’re really high on you in this process. We think you’d be a scheme fit. They told me the depth chart. They said, “We’re going to give you every opportunity.” And the Chargers were like, “Statistically, we keep the most undrafted free agents on a roster. You can look at our roster.” And I like that a lot. I like the scheme fit. I like how transparent they were with me. And you know, it’s crazy when I look back to it. They had offered me the least amount of guarantees as an undrafted free agent. I mean, I think Seattle offered like upwards of six figures for undrafted, and that’s pretty high for undrafted guy. And I mean, I took the lowest. I took $2,500 signing bonus to sign with the Chargers, and it paid off for me. I played all three years there as an undrafted free agent. And uh, you know, I was able to kickstart my career there in Orange County. Yeah. I mean, and that was a tough situation, too, like you said, during the COVID pro process. Uh, no preseason games to get your opportunities, so it had to be every day of practice just trying to be spotted. I mean, if you’re giving uh advice to someone who might have been in your shoes, undrafted free agent, just trying to find a spot, like what kind of advice do you pass along to them? Be perfect. Um, and I know it’s impossible to do, but you you’re not afforded the opportunities as somebody who’s drafted. You know, I’ve said it in my last couple tweets that, you know, where you’re drafted determines the opportunities and least you’re given in this league. Um, for me as an undrafted guy, I knew that I didn’t have the same opportunities as the veteran guy or the draft pick they had the year prior, um, I had to be perfect. I had to know every spot on the defensive line. I even was long snapping. You know, I was finding ways to, you know, get myself noticed, whether it was, you know, they needed a backup long snapper because, you know, our long snapper had COVID, right, during training camp, anything. And I didn’t I didn’t long snap in my life before that, but I told him I could do it, right? And I was practicing every day. I was in my hotel room, you know, calling up one of my buddies who I long snap, Blake Ferguson at LSU. I said, “Bro, how do I long snap? If you could teach me how to do it in a day, what is it?” And I was up all night. You know, just things like that, man. I sacrificed. And I was like, “You know what? I know it it’s going to be a long shot to make this 53man roster, especially COVID with no preseason, but if I can stick around, make this practice squad, keep grinding, keep chucking away, I know I can show trust here in the organization and eventually I’ll play.” And you know that’s exactly what happened for me. Six-y year NFL vet Brain Hoko joining us here on the Jason Greger show. Connor how sitting in. Now you had some really good tweets the last few days. And you mentioned the grim reaper. Can you explain what the grim reaper is in NFL football? Shoot. The grim reaper man is is somebody who and and I’m being and I’m being totally just modest right here. Right. He’s he’s somebody who he doesn’t want to do what he wants to do. Right. And and when I talk about the grim reaper in NFL terms, it’s a young, it’s usually a scouting intern or an analyst, somebody who works in the front office upstairs. They send him to do the dirty work. They send him to come downstairs or if you’re in the parking lot, he’s waiting in the lobby for you to walk through those doors. And you know it’s the Grim Reaper because you’ve seen him grab guys before. Every team has one of them. And um it’s it’s one of those feelings where you know when you’re going down a roller coaster and your stomach sinks a little bit, right? And that gut-wrenching like h but I’ve been through it. I’m not going to say I’m used to it because it’s it’s never easy losing your job in the NFL. But saying the grim reaper sucks um tweeted that I think it was two years ago we were had a Monday workout after a game. It’s like a flush recovery workout and um I’m with the Chargers. We had just won I forgot who we had played, but anyways, long story short, we’re we’re there and one of the practice squad guys is working out with us and the Reaper comes in and you know, it’s kind of awkward because the Reaper is never in there during our workouts. Whenever the Reaper’s in our locker room or downstairs around the players, it’s usually he’s looking for somebody or, you know, the GM sends him to go do the dirty work. And um one of the guys is finishing up his set of bench and the Reaper is just watching him like he’s just watching him like he you can tell he like doesn’t want to do it and he doesn’t want to be there. And as soon as the guy finishes his set of bench three goes, he goes, “Hey, so and so, can you come upstairs and make sure you bring your iPad?” And all the guys in in the league, they know it. And you know, you just kind of you start dapping each other up. You know, he’s telling everybody goodbye and stuff. He’s like, “Man, you know, we’re all just telling keep your head up, bro. Keep balling. You know, keep grinding. You know, we’ve been through it. We’ve all been through it.” And that’s the Grim Reaper, man. And shout out to all the Grim Reapers because, you know, they probably get a bad rap after, you know, hearing what I tweeted. Um, you know, but these guys, they definitely don’t I mean, nobody wants to do that, right? You know, even these GMs, these assistant GMs, these scouts, you know, that have to call guys on cut day and tell them, you know, they’re, you know, they’re losing their job, they’re getting fired. They, a lot of them don’t want to do that. Not Not a lot of them. All of them don’t want to do that. You don’t want to be the guy that tells somebody, “Hey, you know, your dream is over.” You know, because they’ve all been there. They’ve all been that seat. But yeah, that’s the crazy side of the NFL, man. You see it happen, you know, way too often. And, you know, even during the season, you know, even if I’m not getting cut, if I see the Reaper down in the cafeteria, I’m trying to avoid him. I’m like, is he making eye contact with me? Like, don’t look at me, please. Like, walk the other way. I could imagine a little bit of fear going into, you know, every single player when you see him walk into the room there. So, you had been through that, right? Like, you’ve been on to the practice roster and then you get the promotion to the game, the active roster. What when what do you do when you’re on the practice roster? like what’s the dayto-day and how does it differ from someone on the active roster? Shoot, you do everything the active roster does and a little bit more and the only thing you don’t do is play on Sunday. Um, with practice squad guys, man, I I always tell people this, like practice squad guys age older than guys on the active roster. Why? Because, you know, you’re only allowed a certain amount of spot uh, excuse me, a certain amount of spots on the practice squad. And so, you know, sometimes you have these offensive linemen and defensive linemen on practice squad who are doing special teams reps during practice. You know, they’re not just guys who are holding bags, right? They’re guys that are emulating the kickoff team, the kickoff return team, the punt block, the punt team on top of doing the scout team reps. You know, they call it look card now because you never want to you never want to say scout team. You want to say look card because, you know, you’re never demeaning a player, right? You’re always giving a good look. And so on top of giving the other teams looks, you know, and and you know, plays they’re running throughout the week, you have to double back, get your water, get your rest, and then you have to do your team’s plays for the week. So for me, when I was with Chargers or or with Pittsburgh, it was taking every rep on Card O and Card D and then double back, getting my rest, and you know, going to go get our reps on defense and knowing what I had to do. And so it’s crazy, man. I give a lot of props and I have so much respect for practice squad guys man because you know unless you’ve been there and you’ve been through it man nobody knows what they go through and it’s it’s a tough spot tough spot to be in Brain Voko joining us here on the Greger show I got to ask you I’ve asked about Burough I’ve asked about Mahomes how about Justin Herbert you guys would have came into the league together I mean I still remember that game against Kansas City when he trucked the linebacker took him out only getting in because Tyrod Taylor had the incident with the was it the lungs yeah he had a punctured lung yeah like what was Justin Herbert like as a rookie and what you seen from him since? Great dude. Um, one of my best friends. It’s kind of cliche because I feel like I’ve said everybody’s my best friend, but I think that’s what’s helped me in the NFL is the relationship I’ve been able to build with a lot of guys, but man, Jay Herb, we came in as rookies together. Um, you know, I was always over his house. He lived in Irvine. I lived in Orange, uh, in Costa Mesa, and so it was about a six- minute drive. He was always throwing something on the smoker. You know, he always fed me my rookie year. And um you know just one guy who so humble. I mean you talk about a true team first guy like that kid will never throw anybody under the bus you know and no matter if he played a perfect game even if the blame wasn’t on him if he got sacked too much if a receiver dropped the ball if the run game wasn’t going. Justin’s always going to be the guy that says I got to play better. you know, and I’ve always respected him for that because you don’t see that a lot. You know, the Tom Brady types in this league, the ones who will who get in their offensive line’s face and and tell you to block and and tell the receivers you need to play better or you’re going to get cut. Like Jay Herb’s the opposite, man. He’s the guy that, you know, he’ll take a bullet for you on the football field. Um he’s always going to put himself, you know, in front of harm’s way just for just for the team success. And I’ve grown fond of that over the years and I’ve really appreciated it now more than anything that I’m not playing with him and I see it more, you know, when I’m watching film or when I’m, you know, watching them on TV. I see the things he does and I’m like, “Wow, like I’ve seen this guy grow up. We came into the league together as rookies and, you know, what he’s doing now. It’s it’s amazing.” And I’ve I’ve been really blessed to be, you know, around some great quarterbacks in my career. Some really good ones. Yeah, that’s an unbelievable list you’ve been through. So, you’ve had the victory brisket then? I have. I have it was funny when when California had there was like we had some fires in 2020 that were um they had to evacuate Orange County. We had thrown we had just beat I forgot who we had just beat my rookie year but we had just thrown the brisket on the Trager and u we had to evacuate. So we basically threw away a $300 Wagu brisket that was we couldn’t smoke because we had to turn off the Trager and and everybody had to evacuate. But um Jay Herb can cook now, but you know, I’ I’ve also evolved in the cooking game as well. So, you know, I’ve sent him pictures of my cooking. I’ve sent him pictures of my brisketss and my steaks and uh you know, we got to throw down together one day because I I think I could give him a run for his money now. Well, that’d be that’d be an all little barbecue for those two items there. Whatever else you guys cooked up and Madison Beer would be there. I’ve been following the social media seeing that, right? That’s pretty cool. Uh last one before we let you go here and Brandon, really appreciate your time. I just want to ask you about Mike Tomlin because we kind of joke here on the station like you could hand him any team and they’ll finish nine and eight and find a way to get into the playoffs. Just want to ask you about how good of a coach Mike Tomlin is and you know the standard he sets in that room. Man, he’s a great coach. Hall of Fame coach first ballot. I mean, second to none. His resume speaks for itself. But more than just being a Hall of Fame coach, uh he’s an even better leader of men. Um, I learned so much just in my last three years with Pittsburgh being around Coach Tomlin. Just the life lessons every day. Um, not just football. I mean, my football knowledge and I’ve said it too. I’ve learned more being with being under coach Tomlin the last three years of my whole my whole career in football. That’s true. And the things that I have learned, I’ll gladly pass them down to the next generation. Pass them down to my son. You know, whoever asks for it, whoever wants the knowledge, I’ll gladly be able to give that to them. but just what he’s seeing. Um, it’s a neverending process of learning with him. Every day I walked into that team meeting room, every day he walked into our meeting rooms as a defensive line, man, I always was so eager to be like, “What was Coach T going to say today?” Because he always brought something new to the table. Whether it was X’s and O’s, whether it was how to look at a game from a different perspective, we all see things, right? We all look at, oh, the tendencies of this team, for example, and this team likes to run the ball left, this team likes to run the ball right, or however many times, simplifying it. But Mike Tomlin will point out even more like particular things that I won’t get into, but he sees the game within the game. And if you’ve been around coach Tomlin, you know exactly what I’m talking about, especially when it comes to his Tomlinisms. Um, you know, I can put putting fitting eight pounds in a five pound bag. Two dogs, one bone. You know, I’d rather say woe than sickum. Just all these things that you’ve learned over the years about like they don’t just apply to football, they apply to life. And, you know, I’m so grateful to have spent that much time around him and be able to pick his brain and, you know, to have a good relationship with him. That’s awesome. And just quickly, where did your dad play in the CFL? He had a little stint with I can’t remember who it was, honestly. I know he had a little stint. Um it was uh one of his closest friends um junior IU uh CFL CFL big CFL guy was um in in the CFL at the time and he had my he got my dad a little stint. I can’t remember. I wasn’t born yet. Okay. Um when I was born my dad had did more semi-pro. Um but it was time before me and uh definitely would need to ask him. We’ll look into it. I I remember your dad from Hart Fox stealing the show. Awesome. So, Braden, thanks so much for doing this today. Really do appreciate it and hopefully we’ll see you back with another NFL team here soon. Appreciate you guys. Thank you for having me. There you go. Brandon Foko, sixear NFL vet. Uh what a what a run going to Texas Tech from Hawaii, then going to the 2019 LSU national championship team there for a couple years. Plays three years with the Chargers, few more with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and some really good insight. So, I highly recommend giving him a follow on ex uh a guy who’s been through it and I think that means something. When I say something, who cares what I think? Someone who’s actually been in the room. W just means a little bit more. Care what you think? I think he did a really good interview. It was fun talking with him. You knew little details that blew his mind, I think. Well, I didn’t want to tell him I’m a biased Chargers fan. He I remember him at camp in 2020 cuz every training camp, it doesn’t matter the sport, there’s like little fan favorites, right? People are following along with and he was one of them. People really hyped him up and then he got in the game and he’s making plays, taking on double teams, things like that. So, and it’s an unforgiving position. He’s playing the nose tackle, right? Big boy in the middle, but yeah, very good player. And to carve out a six-year career in the NFL, like the average is three and a half and undrafted. Undrafted. And I think you get the pension then, too. So, boy, that’s not bad. Good on him. Uh, we’re going to take a break here. When we come back, uh, one of the things we’re doing right now on the station, in case you’re just tuning in, maybe you haven’t been around the radio or the streaming service all day, we’ve got two tickets we’re auctioning off for Laney Wilson tomorrow night at Rogers Place. Section 101 comes with free parking and free dinner. That’s the chairman’s club. Uh, we had them donated from Amalgamated Mining. And with the goal of this was to raise money for the sexual assault center of Edmonton safe which has recently undergone funding cuts and uh we just need to help raise some money to help them out. So we’re taking auctions until about 550. Kind of wrap it up then. Goalie Greg leading the way right now with $1,000 bid. So if you’d like to go to the concert tomorrow, Laney Wilson Rogers Place, you can text in 1833 411440. The current bid is 1,000. We like to go up by at least 50. So 1,50 if anybody wants to take it to the next step. And uh at the end of the show, we’ll give that package away. And coming up next, we’re going to talk to Lena Becker from Safe. So, just talk a little bit about the organization, the struggle they faced, and what they do. That’s coming up next on the Jason Greger Show here on Sports 1440, Oilers Nation Facebook, YouTube, and X, brought to you by playalberta.ca. Listen up because you’re not going to want to miss this. Right now is your chance to get in on Play Alberta’s biggest offer ever. For a limited time only, new players can get up to a $1,000 casino bonus when they sign up. There’s never been a better time to join the fun. Visit playalberta.ca today to get started with casino sports and lottery all in one app. Must be 18 plus to play. Remember, if you gamble, use your game sense. The midsummer sales event is on now at Volvo Cars Edmonton. The allnew redesigned 2026 XC90 is here. Test drive the ultimate evolution in luxury. Lease or finance a 2025 XC60 from 0.49% and save $5,000. Finance or lease a 2026 XC40 from 2.99%. Come and discover the deals now at Volvo Cars Edmonton. Great vehicles, better service. The Midsummer sales event is on now at volvocarsedmon.com. Get ready for a silly hockey fans. 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From home to auto and even commercial installation or repairs, we’re your team. Call 310 Glass or visit crystalglass.ca. Crystal glass. [Music] Patrics, touchdowns, and home runs. Get it all with the Jason Greger Show on Sports 1440, presented by playalberta.ca, Alberta’s only regulated online gambling website. Welcome back to the Jason Greger show here on Sports 1440. Connor Hally, Juan Egret sitting in for the vacationing Jason Greger. He’ll be back on Tuesday and on Tuesday. Sports 1440 will be live all day on YouTube. Go subscribe. Search us up on YouTube. sports 14:40 a.m. Today on the station, we are auctioning off an item, two items to Laney Wilson tomorrow night in the Chairman’s Club at Rogers Place. That’s section 101 comes with parking and a free dinner. And hey, free dinner anywhere is tough. We know how expensive concessions are. So, this alone is quite valuable. Throw on top Laney Wilson with the top acts in the world right now. And then factor in raising money for the Sexual Assault Center of Edmonton, uh, which unfortunately underwent some severe funding cuts. and uh we’re trying to help them out and raise some money. So, right now, top bid is goalie Greg at $1,000. If you would like to top that bid, 183341440. Also, if that’s just a little bit out of your price range, we understand. You can always go to safe.ca and make a donation. That’s sac.ca. And right now, we’re going to be joined by someone from Lena Becker joins us here on the Jason Greger show. Lena, good afternoon. How are you doing today? I am doing great. How are you doing? uh doing good and we appreciate your time coming on the show just to talk about safe for uh a little bit here and let people know. So we we know the sexual assault center of Edmonton and we’ve heard the story about how the the lack of funding has really been a problem right now and it’s tough to bring in uh new survivors from sexual assault with this. So first off, can you just tell us a little bit what you guys do down at SACE? Well, um, we are an agency that offers no free services to survivors of sexual abuse and violence, um, as young as three years old. So, we offer child and youth counseling, adult counseling, group counseling, as well as a support and information line for people to call if they need immediate support or information and public education that um, we offer to youth and adults in our community as well. So, you know, with the the issues that have come down with funding, I mean, how much has that set you guys back here? Because this isn’t something that just goes away. This is a problem unfortunately in our society that impacts so many innocent victims. Uh with without that funding, what kind of struggles have you guys faced? Yeah, I think with the the changes to our funding earlier this year, it has been incredibly challenging. We did have to pause our weight list um for clinical services and it really um it’s been a tough year for us for sure. Um, I think the the flip side, we’ve been so heartened by the support from our community, including, this is a great example, um, you know, having these Lady Wilson tickets auctioning off. There’s just been so many people who have come out to support us in different ways and donate, um, reach out to see how they can support us. And so, that’s really kind of what’s getting us through right now. for the victims and the survivors when they do come into your door and talk with you. I mean, what kind of steps are are done to try to you you know, you’re never really going to fully get over it, but I guess just try to help and and move on with your life and and try to grow from it. Well, I think that for every person, their healing journey is individual and unique. And what we try to do is meet people where they’re at, support them in whatever that needs to look like. So, for some people that is reporting to police. Some people that’s not um you know, not something they want to pursue and we don’t push that at all. Others it might be therapy, but maybe that’s not the right fit for them either. We’re really just here to walk alongside survivors and make sure that they feel empowered with whatever choice they meet they make in order to u move forward with their lives. Since the uh the severe funding cuts, I mean, it’s unfortunate. Have there been people that have come in that you haven’t been able to help? Has that become more of an issue? It has been a challenge. Um, you know, the last few months we’ve had to have our weight list closed, which means that we weren’t actually able to take new intakes. Um, and we are feeling hopeful that we can still we we’ve been doing our best to support folks as much as we can even under the the challenging situations that we’re in. Um, and you know, we’re really we’re steadfast, we’re committed, we’re still here and we’re finding ways to make it work. And every dollar that comes in our doors from don um from donors makes makes it makes helps us a lot and uh helps us continue to do that work. How many people do you guys have on staff down at? Uh we currently this is a good question. We have um currently around the in the 40s somewhere around there. Yeah, I’m it’s a moving target. I’m not exactly sure the the total number, but we’ve got um a really robust team of counselors, educators, admin staff um who are all just doing fantastic work. Well, Leo, thanks so much for hopping on quickly here. I don’t want to take up too much of your time, but wanted uh you to come on and just let people know what this charity does, the helps the victims, and uh hopefully we can get it up a little bit. We’re at $1,000 right now, and we’ll try to get it even higher. Great. Thank you so much, Connor. There you go. Lena Becker joining us from Safe. Uh again, two tickets to Laney Wilson tomorrow night down at Rogers Play Section 101. It’s the chairman’s club. These tickets donated from Amalgamated Mining. Uh comes with parking and dinner. Just $1,000. I mean, I know you can talk to one of your friends, maybe a big country fan. You’re going to go out and see a great show, have a nice dinner, get some free parking, maybe go to the casino right after and win it all the money back like Donna Rogers Place. That is a possibility. So, text line 183341-11440 if you’d like to get in on the conversation and make that donation. You can also call us. Donovan’s got the phone going right now, so you can call reach out to him and make that donation. But uh yeah, it’s it’s unfortunate what happened with the budget cuts there and you know this isn’t going away. Unfortunately, it’s an issue that uh it’s just in our society and you know to not have this type of outreach and help it’s it sucks. There’s no other way to really put it. It’s just brutal. At the risk of uh saying political stuff, we waste a lot of money as a society on a lot of stupid stuff. Almost said a swear word. Yeah. I cannot fathom how an organization like this loses funding. Yeah, it’s you know what I’m I’m thinking I know I’ll make an executive decision. We’re doing our fantasy frenzy football pools. We got the survivor pool $10 an entry e transfer Brandon that’s boards 1440.ca. Uh for for that we’re going to be giving the money to October October with Operation Friendship Senior Society. I’m thinking for our other one it’s a 12 team league halfpoint BPR. we might have to give the uh half the proceeds to s I think we’ll make that commitment right now because uh you know shout out to our our listeners who have got this up to $1,000 already but I think we can donate more uh for those who might be interested in joining our fantasy football league. It’s a 12 team league as I mentioned halfpoint PPR. Uh you can buy an entry by e transferring $20 to conor at sports1440.ca. You can buy as many entries as you want if you want to try to ensure yourself in our league. Hopefully we’ll see about 30 entries right now with a bunch of different people and the draw for that will happen tomorrow during fantasy frenzy. Draft will go on Tuesday and uh hopefully we can uh raise a little bit more money from anyone that might want to partake in a fantasy football league with well a few good listeners and then a few average managers when it comes to the Duke and I. Any more information you want? 183341440. Wana, are you a fantasy football guy? No, but now that I know that you were an Exopia football mod, how dare you speak down about your own skills running that league? Well, I mean, I don’t know why I was a mod. They offered free plus and I was like, “Oh, I can see who visited my page. That’s cool. It’s good stuff.” Uh, that power hungry maybe. Yeah. But I I it wasn’t like a long-term thing for me. But you’ve been a sports organizer for longer than you care to mention. This is put on my LinkedIn. Yes. Link to Nexopia’s LinkedIn. I’m sure it’s busy. sports mod on Nexopia. It impressed me. 2004 to 2004. It was a one-year span. January 3rd, 2004. January 4, 2004. Little little run there. Uh the big news, in case you missed it, we talked to Brandok about it a little bit, but the Dallas Cowboys sending all world edge rusher Michael Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for two first round picks. And Kenny Clark, who hey, fine player. Totally is. Those first round picks are likely going to be late round picks. I would say 25 or lower in exchange for Michael Parsons who gets, you know, huge deal. Green Bay Packers fans, cheese heads, how you feeling? That’s got to be what a feeling. I was going crazy when the Chargers acquired Khalil Mack a few years ago and he was aging at that point. Michael Parsons in the prime of his career going from the Cowboys to the Packers. two historic franchises, but my goodness, like how did you fumble this one if you’re the Dallas Cowboys? Just pay the man. It’s so simple. It’s amazing to let him go to the Packers of all teams, too, to just haunt them for who knows how many seasons to come. He’s going to play in the conference. Uh could potentially meet in the playoffs, and he’s still so young, like 26 years old, 50 sacks already in his career. Um do this Cowboys now have an insane amount of cap room to go and do something equivalent or like how’s this going to play out? Well, he was still in his rookie year. M. So like he let that go. It was going to it would have been his fifth year option. I believe it was going to jump up next year. Rick says those picks are going to be top 15 without a doubt in my mind. Top 15. You think the Packers are going to be a bottom 15 team in the league? I don’t know. I mean they are good last year and they just added the best defensive player in football. Uh they headed Matthew Golden to their team this off seasonason. Jordan Love only getting better. I don’t know. I think if you’re in that division and you’re the Vikings, the Lions, and even the Chicago Bears, you’re like, “Well, damn, that’s going to hurt. That’s going to hurt because that is a pretty pretty good move there for the Green Bay Packers.” But we’ll see. Hey, crazier things have happened. MTR says, “Trading Donic at 26 and Parsons at 26 within 6 months is hilarious.” Yeah, it’s crazy. Like the Dallas sports fan, if you know one, hug one. At least you got the Dallas Stars. Haven’t anything too crazy. The Stars did anything crazy, Donovan. They didn’t trade uh I don’t know, Mirror Heiskin in today, did they? No, they didn’t. Uh the Dallas Stars actually put out a tweet. Don’t It was something along the lines of, “Don’t worry, y’all. Nico Ranton is still a Dallas star.” Well, that’s good. That’s good. Keep one of their stars in Big D. That is absolutely crazy. Still texted in. I asked him who Laney Wilson is, and now she’s blasting it from her phone and dancing in the passenger seat. Yeah. Well, Stulo and wife, I mean, for only I say, let’s say, let’s boost it up $1,100, you go tomorrow. You could help a really needy cause in our city and have a great night and have a great meal. The food down there at Roger’s place. I I don’t know what it would be. I’m thinking buffet probably. I mean, you’re going into the chairman’s club. It’s going to be I bet there’s a roast or something. Chairman love roasts. They do. Everyone knows that. Uh, we’re going to take a break here. The text rolling in. And Austin Flintflon say, “Hey, boys on point with the tunes today, Harley.” Yeah, Donovan Pollson keeping it going here. Husk says, “It’s just crazy about that deal. $188 million contract.” Yeah, good on the Green Bay Packers for handing out that deal. That’s fantastic. U comment. This comes in from Scott Hall. Tremendous guest today. Thank you for bringing him on. I’ve been waiting so long for our 1260 to 1440 sports stations to interview someone I saw play in person against the hated Georgia Bulldogs. 2014 to 2019 was FSU, Georgia State, and Alabama, but I never paid attention to any team more than the Tigers. Nice job to both of you. Please have them on again. Sorry about his cowboy luck. Parsons did what he had to. Scott Hall via Alberta and Alparetta, Georgia. Yeah, Braden Feo, man. He we’ll have to get him on again. Like even if he’s done with football. Hey, I was going to say, would you play in the CFL? Maybe the Knox will bring you in. Big Bunstuffer could be big. Uh, let’s take a break. We’ll get to a sports 1440 update when we come back. We’ll be joined by Terry Ryan, former NHL. We’re going to head down to San Jose as well. Talk to Shang Pang as the San Jose Sharks. We got some news on the arena. You got some nice young talent there. Might they want to finish in the bottom half of the league again? Possibly. There are some uh pretty good uh players out there. one potentially. I don’t know if they’ll be in the the running for that one. But first, a sports 1440 update brought to you by Cattail Crossing. For early risers, this one’s for you. Tea off bright and early and enjoy breakfast on us. Only $55 with the rise and dine only at Cattail Crossing. This is a sports 1440 update. Big breaking news of the day. Micah Parsons is no longer a Dallas Cowboy. He’s now joining the Green Bay Packers after a signing trade. Four years, 188 million is the terms. 47 million a year and 136 million guaranteed. The return for Dallas two first round picks and dtackle Kenny Clark. News uh games around the majors, excuse me. The Philadelphia Phillies hosting the Atlanta Braves. It is the Marlins in New York to clash with the Mets. And the Yankees battle the White Socks. Some finals. The Giants edge out the Cubbies 4-3. The Cardinals over the Pirates 4-1. It’s the Astros taking down the Rockies 4-3. The Dbacks 6-4 over the Brewers. And the Orioles fall 3-2 to the Red Sox. Coming up, it’s hour three of the Jason Greger show. I’m Don Olson. That’s your sports 1440 update. Sports 1440 a Stingray radio station C AJ R broadcasts from West Edmonton Mall and with download the free Stingray music app and listen wherever you go work never gets done by standing around you have to put your words into action and that’s exactly what GS Construction does every single day our priorities are safety first quality second efficiency third GS Construction works hard it’s true but first comes the care planning and the people underground Ground infrastructure isn’t just about machines and trenches and some traffic inconveniences. It’s about doing things right. 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You just have to callacy for comfort at night when the hot air suffocates you. Callacy for comfort in your wallet with no payments or interest for one year. Callacy. [Music] You deserve comfort. Cool off today with AC from Legacy Heating and Cooling. Score an A+ deal on 5G Ultra home internet from Explore. Switch to incredible internet speeds and get a $100 gift card for a limited time. Upgrade today at explore.ca. [Music] The Jason Greger Show, the best of Edmonton Sports Talk and beyond. This is Sports 1440, presented by playalberta.ca, Alberta’s only regulated online gambling website. 404. Welcome back to the Jason Greger Show here on sports 1440. Connor Hally wier gratz with you. The Greor show brought to you by play Alberta.ca. Tomorrow night’s Lottomax an estimated $30 million. Plus tonight you got the daily grant $1,000 a day for 20 years $7.3 million. Go get your ticket at playalberta.ca. And remember gamesenseab.ca text rolling in about the Micah Parsons trade. Micah Parson’s stud edge rusher for the Dallas Cowboys no longer. He’s a member of the Green Bay Packers in exchange for Kenny Clark and two first round picks. Gets an absolutely massive deal from the Packers. A no-brainer for most teams. Cowboys didn’t seem to feel that way. HVAC Nicks texting in Jerry is a stubborn sheep be. This should not surprise anyone. And it’s not. I would agree with you. I don’t think it is surprising. We probably knew this was eventually going to happen. Actually, that’s a lie. I thought he would pay him. I can’t I I can’t get over the fact that he did not pay him. It was right there. He’s done this in the past with like CD Lamb and Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, make him wait till the last minute, then you pay him. I I didn’t see this coming. I thought he eventually would just make a deal of it. I think it was a burned bridge when Jones tried to make deals without David Mugleta, his agent. I think that’s when it was like, “No, we’re not doing this.” What’s going to happen with Cowboys fans? Like, you can’t shake the GM chair loose of Jerry Jones. like he’s in the saddle potentially as long as he owns the team. Yeah, 100%. Is there a backlash so strong he stands down from this? I don’t think so. I I mean, there could be a huge backlash, but I don’t think he stands down. I think he’ll just say, “Look at my rings. I’ve won before.” Wow. Even if it means nothing 25 years later, 30 years later, like it’s it’s absolutely crazy. You can tell it’s almost September because the Cowboys are at war with their fans. BG says, “At least Jerry got two first rounders. He can refuse to pay in a few years. Go Pack, go.” Like it just sets a bad precedent. If you’re a player there, a young player, you’re like, “Okay, I play well. I’m going to get paid.” Well, yeah, you’ll get paid, but maybe it won’t be in Dallas. Uh, we’re going to get to our big guest of the day brought to you by Silent Rides Charter Company. Silent Rides is Alberta’s premier bus charter company with state-of-the-art motor coaches safely taking your team or group to their next destination. Visit silent rides.ca for more information. We bring in actor, former NHLer, two-time author, podcaster, and uh Tuesday, Thursday co-host here on the Jason Greger. Former NHL Terry Ryan in. TR, how you doing? Oh, I’m not bad. Things are busy, but busy is good uh this time of year when it’s tailing off. Uh just planning out my fall to be honest and my daughters. And uh nice, I guess, nice weather over here in Newf Finland and finally winding it down a little bit. Yeah, I mean it’s it’s getting to be that time and all of a sudden we’ll be talking hockey once again. I want to ask you TR just as a former professional athlete and we always kind of speculate like a good way to keep your team happy is draft well and then reward your players for what they do and keep them with your team. Keep that consistency and build the culture of an organization. It’s not hockey, but in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys and Jerry Jones totally messed up this situation with Micah Parsons. He’s 26 years old. He’s top two, three defensive player in the league and wanted to play in Dallas and somehow they messed it up and that worked out quite well for the Green Bay Packers as they just traded him to Green Bay for two first round picks and a player Kenny Clark defensive lineman. I just want to get your thoughts on, you know, as someone who played professional hockey and it was a professional athlete, how you can mess this one up and lose such a star player and how the guys in the room are probably feeling about it. So, first of all, I didn’t even realize that happened. I I know this. I know the situation. I know the uh uh Parsons and Dallas Jerry Jones. Um I knew all about the debate and the contract. I just didn’t realize he got traded to the Green Bay Packers. Yeah, it just happened an hour ago. Okay. Um yeah, like first of all I I I was scratching my head at that anyway because I just I mean if you’re Cowboys especially like it’s so divisive anyway of fan base and to me the move I don’t I I don’t know again I watch football I have an opinion I didn’t play so I feel like some kind of hypocrite saying this but I I really didn’t think they’d let him go. I I really didn’t. So, how does it affect the room? Especially when it’s someone that people, you know, that’s producing that’s um generally liked. Um uh yeah, I’ve I’ve never re It takes a while to rebound from that. It takes a while to rebound from somebody that’s just regularly in the room and you add the the, you know, the level of kind of dynamic player and and relative to others in the league, like you said, top three, you know, so I it’s mystifying. Yeah, man. And sometimes it needs to happen, but even so, I mean, look at these teams. Um, you know, Pittsburgh is still reluctant to do it in the in the NHL knowing they’re losing. Like it, you know, it’s something it takes a little bit away from the organization as a whole when whether you win or lose when you’re getting rid of parts that you need. And uh, sometimes it goes towards a rebuild. In this case, it isn’t. So, yeah, it’s it’s it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be tough. And it’s also if you’re if you get traded for two first round picks, it’s also going to take a while to see the results. And uh I’m not sure Cowboys fans want to hear that right now. I’m totally with you. I mean, we we’ll see what happens in four or five years when those first round picks kind of become full-time NFLers, but I think the Green Bay Packers really solidified their defense. Uh their offense is pretty pretty good as well. So this could be late round picks as well or late first round picks. So we’ll see what happens. Now, TR Team Canada men’s women’s parolympic teams meeting in Calgary for the orientation camp. And of course, they’re not going to hit the ice, but a little bit of team building, getting to know one another. And Conor McDavid did speak to the media. The question was brought up pretty quickly about his contract, and he didn’t seem too panicked. I I don’t think too much has changed, but when you just look at this negotiation with the the Oilers and Conor McDavid, do you have any concern that it doesn’t get done? Like, it just seems like the the offer will be made and accepted and he’ll be under contract for the next three to four years. Yeah, like first of all, his words, they didn’t mean anything one way or the other. I mean, I’m glad he said them and he’s I mean, you knew this was going to happen. And you know, if I’m him, even if I’m like one minute from signing, it’s still not guaranteed. You don’t want you don’t want to let too much info out there equally the other way. And everything I’ve seen and heard from him, I mean, he said he buds to win at Edmonton. everything I’ve seen him do in sweat and blood and tears and effort and broken bones and cold groins and ligaments and everything that he’s been through in all the time here and just being right there about to sip Lord Stanley’s cup just grasped away from him inches inches millimeters and the you you see him in the room and and you know by his postgame speeches or or the midgame speeches from the way he handles the media, his friends, the things people say after playing with them, how good of a teammate he was. Like, so I it to me any any jumping on boats to to that are sailing the direction of this guy leaving, I think is way premature. I think he said exactly what you would expect him to say for a guy that loves the team he plays for that hasn’t signed yet. you’re not going to give too many cards away. You can’t even even if you know what’s going to happen, you don’t want to do it. It’s not the time or the place. So, I I’m totally I mean, if he’s not signed by the beginning of the year, I’ll be surprised. I still won’t It’s not going to matter to me. I There’s a long time to play out here and there’s a lot of factors. It’s not just money, man. It’s that’s probably down on the list. You can only get so much. He wants to win. He wants to And his team’s in a great position. Was he going to jump over to some team that he’s not sure? Like I it’s possible, but he said nothing to me to make me think that his he’s not all in with the Oilers. So I think people maybe might be panicking a bit that think otherwise. Maybe I’m wrong, but I to me I’m it’s nothing to be alarmist about. Yeah, I’m totally with you. I mean I I think once he gets back to Edmonton from this camp at some point the discussion the sitdown happens and you know Jeff Jackson said like I don’t expect this to be a tough negotiation. I think the Oilers will pay whatever he wants. We know it’s going to be probably between 16 and 18 mil and then it’s done and then you know focus on winning hockey games and we’ll see. Now they were at the orientation camp. So I want to ask you just between you know talking Oilers players Evan Bard and Zack Heyman do you expect one both or you know none of them to make this Canadian Olympic team? Oh I think they both got a great shot at it. Really do. I still say it. I mean, it’s people all eyes are on Buchards in the playoffs. It’s the weirdest. It’s an anomaly. It’s it’s um you you’re you’re looking at it and and as he’s playing as he’s playing and finishes a game it because it’s never unanimous. It’s some people it’s some people got him as a one and some as a 10. I know he gives it away. That’s probably the the biggest, you know, defensive maybe giveaways would would be the biggest criticism maybe or or or just maybe sometimes playing two lacks. I’m telling you, he’s one of the best DE in the league. Look, look at the guy. Um, look at what he does out there and and and he does it. It’s not easy to play with the best players in the world either. I’ve often said that people might say, “Oh, he gets more points because of it.” It’s not easy though. Not everybody can do it. They go in and then they might overpass it or overthink it or or not time it right. I mean it’s hard and the same thing with Heyman Bi Cory went out and his best years are in Edmonton because he can play with those guy. We’ve seen players come in and out that are supposed to do the job that don’t. So I think two of them if nothing else Conor McDavid is going to be there and they both compliment them well if nothing else. Now I think outside of that they’re they’re they’re two of the better players at their position in the league. They’re Canadian of course. Um, I think Heyman for sure I take him. I mean I don’t know like LA even last year when he got left off you’re looking at after all of that like I’ve said before like blood, sweat and tears that he’s put into it and the talent and the finish and the areas that he’s willing to go. I was surprised to me he is team Canada. He’s the epitome of what we need there. Booard not so much but I think he’s good enough. Now, of course, as you stack down the D and you look there, Canada’s got some fantastic D and some people that are ready to step in and make a splash. All good. I thinkard might be in a little deeper, but I still expect the very least to be there. I don’t know if he’s going to be one of the best D, but and same thing, Hyman could play on the first line or the fourth line. He’s going to go out. He’s going to hit. And as soon as playoffs start, which is the Olympics, just like last year, he was getting 12 and 13 hits a game on top of going into the front of the net. He’ll bounce him in off his knee. Like it doesn’t matter with that guy. To me, any Canadian team got to have Heyman on it. And and I expect Buchard, it’s going to be tough, but he’s going to get a look. Yeah, I totally agree with that assessment of Zack Heyman. And like like you said, the playoffs started off, he wasn’t in the top line. What did he do? He just went out there and hit every single person that he had to. He made an impact in the game. He’ll take one off the face if he has to to win a game for your team. And I totally agree. I think he’s just got that versatility. And you know, I think some outsiders, maybe Oilers haters wouldn’t like it, but to me, he’s just a guy the epitome of what you want on that team. And Bard, yeah, I mean, the NHL network did their polls the last two years. Last year, they had him as the ninth best in the league. This year, it was 10. So, I think sometimes in Edmonton, maybe eyes are on him a little bit too much and a little overly critical, but I don’t know if he’s top sixth, maybe a seventh or eighth guy if he could. I I wouldn’t mind having him there for team Canada. Terry Ryan joining us here on the Jason Greger show. Connor Hi sitting in. We’re going to be joined by Shang Pang. Talk some San Jose Sharks in a few minutes followed by five questions. But TR, before we get to that one, how about those Toronto Blue Jays last night? Another comeback win. They are never well usually never out of a game. That’s another thing, right, I go back to like you can see it and not only are they playing as a team, but they get confidence in the late innings. And that that’s there’s been more than one of those recently. Now, a lot of haters would point and say, “Well, it’s it’s baseball at some point. You’re going to get and it happened just the night before the other way around.” I know, but more often than not, the Jays when they need it, they come together and they put a push on. I mean, you can’t always dictate um certain especially in baseball that happen, but you know, whether it’s the weather or who you’re playing against or who you’re pitching against or who’s coming in in the bullpen or it’s all kinds of things, but you you you you rally together and you clearly I heard it I can’t remember. I wish I could because I I I I the point is I didn’t come up with this. I don’t know if it was on Overdrive or ESPN or or or one of them. And they were talking about the Blue Jays putting time in um in the video room and and I was like, “Yeah, I get, you know, just just like a quarterback, you know, or or any or or any position. I’m just saying like we often it comes up and you don’t really remember that when we’re when we’re assessing a season, right? And then you watch maybe the Netflix doc there on u you know, quarterback and one of the first I think Mahomes was in there and I was well, of course he does all that work. I mean, it’s Patrick Mahomes. He’s great, but my god, the the the time he spent watching video and other players and and it goes somewhere and the the greats are great. Well, the Jays, no one really talks about that, but um and and I’d heard they they do a lot of that and they and they bounce ideas off each other. They come together. That’s a team. It’s not always like when I say it, someone from my era, people think I mean clanging beers at the end of the night and being camaraderie and and having camaraderie, sorry. And you know that that’s part of it. A lot of being a team is being just communicating whether it’s on the plane and you know what did you think here? Well, you know, I late in the game there that I didn’t see the slider coming like what what do you think? Well, I you know I played eight years longer than you. Maybe I know this, right? Maybe there’s a guy like Guerrero that comes in and talks to a guy like uh George Springer, right? They but they’re both right-handed batters. A lot of the same expectations, but Springer’s been around a little longer. Not that we’re glad he’s a rookie, but you know, little things like that. And what I hear is that they’re doing that all the time and they then they want team success and and and of course they want individual success but it’s it’s through it’s by way of the team and I think watching them just just watching the way they interacted with each other I think that’s obvious and when you have that I just think it you you tend to have less pressure more confidence in the team less pressure personally and each at bat is is almost methodical. You know, you get up there and and and you’re you’re assessing it and and you give yourself a better chance to succeed and you give the the team a better chance to win. So, I don’t think it’s a real fluke that it’s nine innings, right? So, I it’s seven, eight, and nine that they come together when when the chips are on the line to produce some good things. It that doesn’t really surprise me given the the the characteristics of the team. Yeah, it’s going to be one heck of a series getting going tomorrow against the Milwaukee Brewers for the Jays. Beaver, Gossman, and Shers on the mound. Should be a lot of fun. Of course, the Saturday and Sunday game you can listen to here on Sports 1440 on the AM dial. We’ll take a break in a second here. Once again, though, I do want to let you know about the auction item we got going on. Uh trying to raise some money for the sexual assault center of Edmonton, which of course faced some severe funding cuts and is trying to raise some cash. Amag amalgamated mining. I knew I was going to struggle with that word. donating two tickets to Laney Wilson tomorrow night out at Rogers Place in the Chairman’s Club. That comes with the two tickets, parking, and a free dinner. All you have to do, text in your bid 183341440 or give us a call at that same number. Right now, goalie Greg has it for $1,000. So, if you want to raise that up, text in 1833 411440. Raising money for safe or if that’s a little bit expensive, totally understand. If you want to make a smaller donation, go to sace.ca. We’ll take a break here. When we come back, more text and we’ll head down to San Jose, talk some sharks with Shang Ping. It is the Jason Greger show here on sports 1440. Connor Hally, Wang Gretz, Terry Ryan with you on Oilers Nation YouTube, Facebook, and X brought to you by playalberta.ca. [Music] Tast.ca. [Music] Delivering you the almost right away. Remember you can order.ca. [Music] So stay on your couch all day. [Music] Actions speak louder than words. Japa Machinery Group puts your construction plan into action with XCMG construction machinery you need. Available for rental or sale. Learn more at japamachinery.com. You’ve got a go-to coffee spot, a trusted barber, even a lucky game day jersey. But when it’s about looking your absolute best, there’s only one name you need. Mr. Durk. Family run since 1939. 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Half download and registration required at participating McDonald’s in Canada. Taxes extra. Prices exclude delivery. The midsummer sales event is on now at Volvo Cars Edmonton. The allnew redesigned 2026 XC90 is here. Test drive the ultimate evolution in luxury. Lease or finance a 2025 XC60 from 0.49% and save $5,000. Finance or lease a 2026 XC40 from 2.99%. Come and discover the deals now at Volvoars Edmonton. Great vehicles, better service. The Midsummer sales event is on now at volvocarsedmon.com. Pro sports, local sports, minor leagues, you got it all. It’s the Jason Greger Show on Sports 1440, presented by playalberta.ca, Alberta’s only regulated online gambling website. Terry Ryan with you here. Of course, you can always reach us 183341440 via the text line or email me connorsports1440.ca. The Jason Greger Show brought to you by playalberta.ca. Lottomax, an estimated $30 million tomorrow night. And tonight he got the daily grantund thousand dollar a day for 20 years. $7.3 million. Uh wouldn’t be a bad payday at all. I think you could live a pretty good life if you were doing that. Hey TR $1,000 a day,000 bucks a day. Boy, wouldn’t that be nice? Just And it’s a nice solid uh number and uh enough I think that most people could take care of their family I would think and most things that they want. I mean, with that kind of money, I can’t speak for everybody, but for me, that would just be absolutely exquisite news knowing that for the rest of you. Imagine that off of your mind, all that trouble. You could be, you’d set up your family right now. Penny Lane and I could go on a trip wherever we wanted. Um, you know, there’s so many things. That’s a wonderful prize. Oh, yeah. Absolutely. So, playalberta.ca. Use your GameSense. Gamesenseab.ca. We are going to talk some San Jose Sharks here with Shang Ping in a minute here. just getting him on the line. That’ll be around the NHL for McDonald’s. Cool down with $2 Sundays and snack size shakes. Or check out the McDonald’s app for an exclusive $1 cone deal. Taxes, extra prices exclude delivery. And of course, you know, last year maybe for the San Jose Sharks. Uh not quite what they would have wanted, but you know, some really nice pieces on that squad. Malcolm CBrini comes into the NHL, has some really good moments for the team. Um they’ve got a lot of nice pieces there and some good news regarding the arena as well. Uh celebrating last season 25 goals. Yeah, Tyler Defoley as a vet jumps in there a 30 goal season. Quite nice. Will Smith had some great moments as well. William Ecklund maybe a little underrated 58 points with San Jose. Well, we’ll be joined by Shang Pang right now. Covers the team for San Jose hockey. Now Shane, good afternoon. How are you doing today? Hey, how’s it going? Doing uh doing good, thanks. How’s your summer been so far? Uh pretty good. I’m actually in London right now. Not London, Ontario, right? London, England. No, London, England. Yeah. Well, you know what? Thanks for taking some time. I guess it’s pretty late there. How long have you been across the pond for? Actually, I just got here yesterday. Okay. Are you doing the like the NHL European tour or is this vacation? No, it’s just vacation, actually. Yeah, we’re the the European tour. I thought that was over. Anyway, well, I apologize that we bugged you on your vacation. We won’t take up too much of your time. Uh, I guess first things first. Oh, no worries. Some news with the arena out in San Jose keeping the Sharks in the Bay Area for a long time. Hey. Yeah. Yeah. No, no big deal. No, I think I’m seven hours ahead of you, so it’s pretty late here, so I Yeah, I’m not out anyway. But, uh, but yeah, on the arena deal. Yeah. No, that’s fantastic news uh for the Sharks uh staying in the in the same place. Uh, so they’re going to be there till 20. And uh, yeah, look forward to first renovations to SAP Center. And also too, a part of the deal is a new arena, arena district. And that’s going to be very exciting because obviously SAP Center is, I believe, the third oldest arena in the league at this moment. Uh, also the oldest that hasn’t had a major renovation and so excited to see how that all comes together. So, putting a little little bit of an update on it before the brand new arena. Uh, when it comes to the brand new arena, any like any expectations for size, any other teams you think it’ll be housing? Um there’s no no sense of that right now. I think it’s a bit early. I they’re going to decide on kind of a arena location hopefully by I believe September 2027. But then though uh the SAP center it’s it’s going to be renovated until I think roughly the mid 2030s. So whenever they decide a rena location doesn’t mean necessarily that the team is going to move there within three, four, five years of the arena location. So no sense of all that yet. Uh want to look on the ice here in Malcolm Celery this season. 70 games played at 25 goals, 63 points. Uh going into year two, I’m sure the expectations will be even higher, but how did he live up to what you thought he would do in his rookie campaign? I think that he outperformed um his his expectations, which were very high going in. But to see him uh take on not just on the ice but a leadership kind of role off the ice just in terms of his work ethic and outworking everybody as an 18-year-old that definitely gets people’s attentions attention and if you look at the on the ice uh becoming the Sharks number one center number one forward after they tra traded Mauy Granland and not really skipping skipping a beat in terms of his production and also being a conscientious two-way player trying at least at that which is not something that 18-year-olds always do. Joined here by Shank Ping from San Jose Hockey now here on the Jason Greger show. Yeah. So outside of Malcinra, obviously the team does have some nice pieces. What are the expectations for this upcoming season with Will Smith? Is he another guy you think you can count on may slide into that center two role? Yeah, I think they’re hoping that he can fill fill that role. They did draft him as a center, but uh last year though, um they didn’t they they kind of short circuited the center experiment with him last year. He kind of struggled to start the season and uh within a month they put him put him on the wing and that’s where he found his success. the second half of the season. He averaged basically a point a game in the second half of the season and that was when they moved him to wing and so that’s where he has found his success in the NHL but he has played center his whole life and right now they didn’t necessarily sign any sort of uh safety nets for for for Will in this case in terms of center you know their top their top centermen or top established centerman right now are celebrating Alex Wenberg and not a lot of established centermen pass that And so it’s going to be kind of Will’s job to kind of lose. And so interesting to see if if he can kind of take control of that role. I think a lot of people still think that he will end up at wing in the NHL. And so this will be very interesting kind of, you know, I wonder if the hook will be pretty short with him this year too if it doesn’t quite materialize for him at center this season. Nice to meet you. Terry Ryan here. actually in Newfoundland, boys. I’m smack dab in the middle of both of you. Um, hey, how’s that? We’re cover a lot of ground. Um, I’m curious. An intriguing prospect to me is Matias Havlin. Okay, so this guy, believe he was a second rounder a couple years ago, two or three years ago, and he floundered off the bat and then last year he caught fire. 18 games played in the Swedish one league. Uh, 14 points, they won it all and he signs with San Jose. Is anybody talking about him? I know he’s small, but I think he’s sneaky good. You know, what’s the word on Matias Havlin? Yeah, I I really wonder about him because he was a 2022 draft pick. At this point, um you were hoping that someone drafted in that draft is flourishing not in the kind of the second second division Swedish hockey, but at the highest level of Swedish hockey or in the AHL. Um, and that hasn’t quite happened yet for Havlid, but maybe there are extenduating circumstances. And so, we’re going to see. He’s going to be with the Barracuda this year. He’s going to be in the AHL. And so, it’s going to be kind of a, you know, make make it or break it kind of season for Havlin. You wrote an article recently, what has to go right for the Sharks to make the playoffs. So, tell us what has to go right. Uh, do you guys have an hour? as much time as you need. But um yeah, I mean it’s one of those things where like I mean like almost everything has to go right and so like you know there’s probably like when you talk about uh a team winning a Stanley Cup, right? Like there’s probably 10 to 15 teams if everything goes right they can win a Stanley Cup. Um, so for the Sharks here, um, that they really will need pretty much everything to go right, but I guess the essential things if you want to kind of bake it into like three or four things. Uh, I think they need Yurrosoft Ascarov to kind of take over the net immediately, put together kind of a Dustin Wolf kind of season. Ascrooft has the talent to put together a CER trophy challenging season, but um he will have to do it behind one of the league’s worst defenses and which Dustin Wolf did not have to do last year, but that has to happen. Minne has to take that next step and I’m talking like superstardom kind of step. Um, I think the most recent example I can think of that of kind of a 18-year-old his sophomore year kind of taking that giant leap was Stephen Stamos who went from like a 40point guy to 46 goal scorer uh from his uh from his 18 to 19 year old season. So they’ll need to take a huge leap. Um, and then I think most importantly, or just as important as other things, but underrated, is they’re going to need to uh stitch together a a a playoff caliber top four defense. And uh it’s not likely because a lot of the guys they brought in are might be considered, you know, 30-ish over the hill, but uh the guys they did bring in um their uh track record is pretty good. I mean, Orlop, Clingberg, Lety, if those are guys he brought in five years ago, then you would think, oh man, you know, we got we we’re going to have a really stellar defense. Um, and so they’re going to need those guys to kind of turn back the clock a little bit. Um, especially Clingberg and and and Lety, uh, who, you know, last year had kind of injury kind of, uh, you know, just kind of broken up seasons for them last year. Clingberg obviously hasn’t been hurt for a couple of years there. And so if they can stitch together a a a a better than than average defense out of the pieces that they have and could also come in the form of Sam Dickinson or Shakir Mukum and younger defenseman like that kind of emerging but if they can do that then you know those those kind of three things happen then then we are talking about a way more competitive Sharks team than I think most people project. We are talking San Jose Sharks with Shang Pang of San Jose hockey now and NBC Sharks. So, I want to ask you about Ryan Moravski. Just looking at him here, pretty great run he’s had in the past going from East Coast to the AHL and now the NHL. A quick journey, less than 10 years to do all of that. What did you see from him in his first full season as an NHL head coach? I think that uh Warsuke, I think he he adjusted throughout the season. You know, he came in, he wanted to play a certain way. He figured out maybe more uptempo style. he figured out uh by mid-season, especially after they traded Mackenzie Blackwood that that this team just could not do it. Um there was a kind of a stretch after they traded Mackenzie Blackwood in December to the Four Nations where I think the team won like four games or something like that and they were getting pummeled. They were getting pummeled like they were a couple years ago. And uh during Four Nations, they instituted uh more of a a neutral zone conservative kind kind of uh kind of board check, hanging back a little bit. And that helped a lot. that made the the games after form nations way more competitive. So little things like like like that I think showed kind of uh that you know obviously he wants to play a certain way but that he was able to to adjust and so I think that there’s definitely a promise there with with Warsovski. Hopefully he takes kind of the lessons learned from a difficult first year and can start to kind of uh yeah to to kind of move things forward here. Now with Michael Misa, what do you think the plan is for his development? Is there any rush to get him into San Jose? Yeah, I think I think that’s the the plan. I mean, I know he still hasn’t signed his his ELC, which is a little curious, but I think that he will and I think that he will get a chance to start the season with the Sharks. Um I the best case scenario is that he stays in San Jose all year and the sort of the the other scenario is that he gets his nine games and then he does the whole nine games a conditioning assignment. Uh the nine games probably won’t happen in a row too. They’ll probably sit him a few games, do kind of like that development plan that Will Smith did last year and Leo Carlson a couple years ago in Anaheim. Basically slow roll his time to get to Ro Juniors and then after Ro Juniors he might re rejoin Sagenov. So um that’s sort of the the worst case scenario, but best case still and I think some people think that he can hang in the NHL and be okay for the full season. So if he can do that then then why not? Now I’m sure you have a pretty good pulse on the team. I just want to ask you you know 22 wins three years ago then 19 then 20. I’m sure fans want wins but for an increased chance at Gavin McKenna. Would the team the fan be okay with another tough season? It depends on which fan you you talk to. some some fans are still in the hey let’s tank if not McKenna get a get a get a bear hop right which the Sharks do need uh probably more high-end defense in their system. Um other fans are tired of all the losing you know some of the the the oldtime fans who uh who who stuck who were here throughout the successful years uh the the Doug Wilson era. So um so that just depends on on on who you ask. I think I think that if you you took a poll, it’d be fairly fairly even on that. But I I would say that um a lot of fans even if they wouldn’t mind a McKenna or Verhoff, they do want to see some growth. Um you need to see even if you end up worst team in the league again or you end up lottery again, you need to see the young players really take a step, right? You need to see celibbrini not plateau. You need to see Will Smith take another step. Ly Mlin, you mentioned uh Mukumadulan, um Sam Dickinson, right? So, you need to see that really work. And so, if you do not uh do not uh rise much in the standings, as long as the young young players are not taking steps back, then you feel pretty good about the progress of the rebuild. Dang. Um being in Eastern Canada, a lot of the uh games and highlights that come over here first are from the Leafs have s whatever. Now I stay up and watch the oil. Uh but I I didn’t see Timothy Ligan much. I saw his numbers were the same, you know, the last few years see so much of him in Toronto. Um did he evolve as a player in San Jose last season or uh you know what what what’s the juice? What did he expect? What are the expectations on a guy like Lilligrren and has he improved? I think he’s still a work in progress which maybe you don’t want to hear for him. Yeah, I think he’s 20 25 now and and honestly too San Jose is a really really tough environment for for any defenseman right any kind of developing defenseman well whether it be a lagrin or Saman Dickinson or whatever. So I think that you still kind of tried trying to find find his game in San Jose. You know, there’s moments of of excellent puck moving, of even solid defense from from a from a Timothy, but um it’s it’s not regular enough that you can kind of pencil him in as okay, he has found his his way in in San Jose. Well, Shane, thanks so much for doing this today. Enjoy your vacation. Hey, no more radio hits. I I’m happy to do it as long as it’s not in the middle of the day. So, well, enjoy it. We’ll talk to you again during the season. Yeah. All right, man. Talk to you soon. There you go. Shankpane covers the San Jose Sharks with San Jose hockey. Now joining us live from London. When he when he said London TR, I just had to make sure it wasn’t Ontario because that wouldn’t be quite the same. I’d say I always I’m in Canada. I always think you you need to say what I mean. London’s I think it’s a little town that no one heard of. London, Ontario is a pretty big city with like a lot of history there. So if I’m in Canada, to be honest, I assume you’re saying London, Ontario, unless you correct me otherwise. Yeah. could have been doing a story on the Knights and their history. I mean, that that would be something I’d read if you ever got into it. We’ll take a break here. When we come back, we’ll get to five questions with Donovan Paul. It is the Jason Greger. So, here on Sports 1440, streaming on Oilers Nation Facebook, YouTube, and X, brought to you by playalberta.ca. Listen up because you’re not going to want to miss this. Right now is your chance to get in on Play Alberta’s biggest offer ever. For a limited time only, new players can get up to a $1,000 casino bonus when they sign up. There’s never been a better time to join the fun. Visit playalberta.ca today to get started with casino sports and lottery all in one app. Musty 18 plus to play. Remember, if you gamble, use your game sense. 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Thanks for checking out Edmonton Sports 1440, presented by playalberta.ca. Alberta’s only regulated online gambling website back. It is the Jason Greger show here on Sports 1440. Also streaming on Nation Facebook, YouTube, and X. Hit that like button. We got the auction item tonight as we’re raising money for say two tickets to Laney Wilson tomorrow down at Rogers Place Chairman’s Club section 101 parking free dinner at Rogers Place two tickets to one of the top acts in the world raising money for the sexual assault center of Edmonton which recently had some funding cuts. So if you want to make a bid we’re currently at $1,000 a pretty big bid there from goalie Greg earlier today. If you want to top them you can do so. Text us 1833411440. Jason Ger show brought to you by play alberta.ca. Right now on the show, we’re going to get to five questions brought to you by the brick. It is the tent sale. You can score up to 60% off original prices on clearance items in the tent with new items arriving daily. Plus, get a free Bluetooth party speaker when you spend more than $999 on furniture at the brickandbick.com. [Music] It’s time for five questions on the Jason Greger show. [Music] All righty, fellas. Uh, with the news yesterday that Conor McDavid is willing to let his extension play out, um, and obviously the Oilers having a couple other, uh, potential extension candidates. How many Oilers will have an extension come the end of September? Um, I’m not sure on this one. I don’t know how many are up for it. Well, you got Jake Wman. Sorry, Terry. Yeah, go ahead. You got Jake Walman, you got Vicil Pod Coulson, you’ve got uh Matias Echol, there’s uh there’s a number of a couple other little ones, but I didn’t realize Walman was a new um yeah, I’m just going to be giving a random guess because I don’t know the exacts of it. Uh you know, I think most of the guys will be signed. That’s what I think. Uh I’ll say McDavid and that’s it. I think for the rest of those guys, they’re going to probably want to play out a little bit. Like if you’re Vil Vasili Pod Coulson and you have the mindset that I’m going to go out here and top my goal total from last year and improve bet on yourself a little bit. I don’t think it does you any good to sign it right now. I think you want to have some success. Matias for the Oilers. I think they want to see what he can do. They saw him with the injury last year down the stretch and it wasn’t ideal. So I think before they extend him, they might want to see what he can do. I think Walman’s a guy I’d probably like to get locked up a little earlier. You made the investment in him. But I’ll say it’s just McDavid and Walman will be the next one I’d be targeting. All righty. Uh on the show yesterday, um obviously you weren’t here, Terry, but uh yesterday it was discussed are Conor McDavid and Leon Dryidle’s failures if they can’t win a cup. Um so for for this question, what’s the best team you’ve ever watched that never got it done and won? Uh, for me, I mean, I have some kind of biased responses here because I I did cheer for a Los Angeles Chargers team that was the best offense, best special teams, and somehow missed the playoffs. So, not only did they win, they didn’t make the playoffs, but I go back to the 2006 season. They were absolutely loaded. LT was unbelievable. The defense was phenomenal and uh won they got into the playoffs after a by-week. And Marlon McCree, a guy who will be an enemy forever for most Chargers fans, intercepted Tom Brady, could have sealed the game. He decided to try to run it back. He fumbled. They lost the game. And uh that was the best team for me personally that didn’t get a chance to to win a trophy. So biased answer for me, but I’m going with the 06 Chargers. Well, I’m going to go with a team that Oilers fans are very familiar with. I guess older Oilers fans, more experienced Oilers fans, but I always thought the Winnipeg Jets in the 80s just never got any credit because they always ran into the Oilers and but they had some great players like Dale Howchuk. If you really go back and watch his yearby-year statistics and growth as a player and leadership, point totals, I mean, it’s wild. And then they had guys like you’re not even thinking of like Paul Mlan, Thomas Steen, Dave Babage, people know because of his big mustache. And that guy was deadly. Look at his points. He was like a first round or like fifth overall or something. He went all the way through. Again, I’m a kid living this out with only hockey card books and stickers and the hockey news to deal with. But I always like every year I thought maybe the Winnipeg Jets will do it this year. And I can’t remember the exact of it, but I know that they they they had a few close calls. Like they weren’t as bad as maybe, you know, losing every year looks like, but I I thought they had some great I I don’t know about the best ever to do it. I just figured I’d bring up something relevant. Uh but, you know, they were if you don’t know about them, go back and look. And they had guys like Jim Kite and Lorie Boschman, too, that that had dropped their mitts. It was it was pretty entertaining hockey for me. that 2015 Blue Jays team that lost to the uh lost to the Royals. Oh, that was uh that team should have won, could have won. I still can’t believe they didn’t. That uh that one’s up there. And then the uh like you Connor with the not making the playoffs. The uh the Jay’s team with Robbie Ray, Marcus Semian. Um those two on those those one-year deals, Robbie Ray wins the Sai Young, Marcus Semian, and Vlatty Guillo both finished top three in MVP voting. somehow that team didn’t make the playoffs. If they would have squeaked in, they’re the hottest team in baseball. They I think they probably could have made a run for the World Series, but uh sometimes it just doesn’t break your way. Off to number three, fellas. Uh we had former uh NFLer Braden Foko on the show, undrafted NFL player. Uh so who for you guys, who is the best undrafted player across any sport ever? Go ahead, TR. the best undrafted across any sport ever. Okay. Um, I just went hockey and I guess I could uh you know what? There you go. I’ll go with a bit of football. I uh I believe Adam Adam Venitaryi didn’t get drafted or am I wrong there? I believe the kicker. I think you’re right with that one. Yeah, I think I’m right. There you go. You’re asking me my favorite. I always loved I didn’t know, you know, again, I I’ve evolved later than everybody else in football. We don’t have it here growing up. So, I just got in like through everybody else like playing pro hockey and and watching what they and I and as it’s evolved, there are certain players like Adam Venitary and I think he kicked a couple in the Super Bowl like to win it like so, you know, I I it’s legit. It’s just, you know, it’s a little bit off the board because it’s a kicker, but screw it. I’ll go with Adam Venitary. undrafted out of South Dakota skate uh state in 1996. Went on to play NFL Europe before going to the Patriots. And you’re right, won them some games, hit some huge field goals in the snow as well. Also won with the Colts. So, I like that one to answer TR. Like, there’s a bunch for me. I I think like M uh in the NBA, Ben Wallace, that guy was an animal and he was undrafted, undersized for the position, but still was phenomenal. Uh Antonio Gates, of course, I got to give you a biased Chargers one, but he became a Hall of Famer. Adam Oats, Martan St. Louie, Warren Moon, there’s a ton, but uh I’ll I’ll go with uh Warren Moon just, you know, I think there’s other reasons behind him not being drafted, not just ability, but he came to the CFL, crushed it for the Eskimos, and then got his chance and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. So, Warren Moon undrafted for me would be a big one. Donovan, that’s a good one. I mean, for for me, when I hear undrafted, I just think of Marty St. Louis. Yeah, that is I think that’s the for hockey especially, that’s the big one. The other one, I guess, Marty Dano is undrafted, too. Uh there’s a I feel like there’s more in hockey than any other sport, but uh it just it goes to to show how tough it is to be u an undrafted player. And I guess Kurt Warner would be another one, huh? Yeah, Kurt Warner. Kurt Warner. Yeah. Um off to number four. Uh we went out to San Jose with Shang Pang earlier in the program. Of course, uh they were last in the league last year. So why don’t you guys give me your bottom three teams in the NHL next season? Uh you know what? I I hate to say it, but I feel like San Jose and Chicago are going to be there again. Um Buffalo, you know, as bad as we kind of feel like they are and they are eliminated from playoff contention and I don’t think they’re going to be in that category, but I’ll say uh oh, let’s say tough times ahead in Boston. Say Boston’s going to have a downturn this year. I think they are too. And I couldn’t decide between Seattle and Pittsburgh for my last I mean it’s Chicago. I don’t see much light there. I mean I do you know Bard and and and a few players but I just don’t like and San Jose could be there but I just see much brighter light at the end of that tunnel. Um but you know what I’ll just go a little bit off the board. I’ll go Chicago. Seattle. Not much pizzazz there. And I don’t know, it’s hard for me to say, but I don’t see Pittsburgh doing much. And, you know, maybe it’s time for them to come 30 seconds so they can get another first overall pick that lasts them 20 years. I mean, it’s amazing their luck. Maybe they’re thinking that way. It’ll be tough to still have those three or four, you know, aging superior players and do that, but, you know, I don’t know. I’ll go Pittsburgh. Could you imagine Lemiu, Crosby, and McKenna? That’d be a good run. Yeah, it would be. And it makes sense for their big guns to get traded. Now, who knows if Sid wants to do that? And who am I to say for him to do it? I mean, you know, whatever. But Pittsburgh are in a great position to get rid of those guys, rebuild, come 32nd on purpose, and go on another run in five years. Pittsburgh, uh, very, very interesting team with an interesting future. and of course Sydney Crosby. Uh off until number five here, International Cabernet Day. So I want to ask you, what is your favorite food and drink pairing? Well, when I hear drink, I hear alcohol. Now, contrary to popular belief, I don’t love the taste of alcohol. I don’t drink it unless I’m going out to like my buddies the other night, Oasis. The last beer or sip of alcohol I had was Sunday night at Oasis. That’s the way I live. So, I don’t really pair, you know, white wine with uh fish and and red wine with pastas. The normal I to me it’s all poison. I like Diet Coke. I’m trying to get off of it. I don’t know if it’s much better, but uh so the pairing if it got to be alcohol, I assume that’s what you meant. I guess like a hot dog and a beer at an MLB game. That that probably that does it have to be alcohol here? It does not have to be alcohol. Cuz if I’m going alcohol, like beer and pizza, always a pretty good combination, but I think the best one is uh piece of chocolate cake or cookies with a glass of milk. I might be a weird one for that one, but uh that’s probably the way I go. Donovan, how about you? Cookies and milk is is an absolute classic, but I will uh I’ll stick with a little wine here. I’ll go little red wine and some steak. That is a that’s a classic for a reason. You got to love that one. And uh if I was to go non-alcoholic, I just I love a good Pepsi with just about anything. You can in insert any food you want there. Usually it kind of winds up being a a nice Pepsi with a with a a nice Alfredo pasta. I But I can drink Pepsi with just about anything. Classy. Classy. Uh TR, thanks for doing this. What do the plans for the weekend hold for you? Oh, there’s there’s a lot on the go. I got my daughter as her final week with soccer. If they win tomorrow night, it’s the club like national. So, if they win tomorrow night, they’re going to the national soccer championships under 15. If they lose, that’s the you know, they’re going to stay home and watch it on TV. So, I’ll be with her and uh I’ll be chilling with uh a lot of my buddies. We uh we got the ice. We always get the ice on Friday at noon and then uh probably head into my dad’s for a couple of beer. Nothing serious. I got a big weekend. But little bit of uh RNR. And I do want to correct before we go earlier, just so people don’t think I’m nuts. I thought you meant people that I I I thought there were people that were left to sign before the season. Of course, I’d want Echo to play before I saw him get signed because of all the injury last year. And you know, he’s aging. But uh that was a good point you made. I just wanted to point it out. people listening to me talk. That would have sound insane to just jump on the boat and sign everybody before the season starts. Dr. Thanks so much for doing this today. Have a fantastic weekend and we’ll talk to you on Tuesday. Thank you, Donovan. Thank you, Connor. Thank you, Evans. I’ll see you guys again soon. There you go. TR, our Tuesday, Thursday co-host here on the Jason Greger Show. Former NHL podcaster, author, actor, Hall of Famer. Guy does it all and we appreciate him making some time for us here on the show. Still to come on the Jason Greger show, we’re going to be joined by Bill Schmeed, Green Bay Packers postgame host as the in case you missed it somehow. Micah Parsons somehow becomes a Packer. Don’t know how this happened. The Dallas Cowboys allowed it to happen, I suppose. Two first round picks in Kenny Clark for Micah Parsons. He gets a huge extension to stay with Green Bay. Unbelievable move for them in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. We’ll talk about that, but coming up next will be Mark Spectre of Rogers Sportset. Right now, we will get to a sports 1440 update with Donovan Pollson, brought to you by Legacy Heating and Cooling. They’re hiring HVAC installers and plumbers. Starting bonuses to the right candidate, strong benefits, RSP matching, tuition reimbursement. You can apply today at legacy heating.ca. This is a sports 1440 update. Micah Parsons is now a Green Bay Packer, of course, getting traded from the Dallas Cowboys in a sign and trade, a 4-year extension with the Green Bay Packers, carrying a $136 million guarantee with an AEV of 47 million and a max number of 188 million. MLB action currently underway. Only one game. It’s the Atlanta Braves on top of the Phillies one- nothing. You still to come, you have the Marlins in New York clashing with the Mets. The Phillies or the Yankees, excuse me. They are in Chicago to battle the White Socks. It was the Red Sox over the Orioles 3-2. The Dbacks, they edged out the Brewers 6-4. The Astros over the Rockies 4-3. The Cardinals, they took down the Pirates. And the Giants, they were victorious over the Cubbies. Coming up right after the break, it’s Mark Spectre. I’m Don Pollson. That’s your sports 1440 update. Sports 1440 in West Edmonton Mall and within CKJR. It’s a Stingray radio station. Download the free radio player app and listen wherever you go. Reports suggest that Canadian taste buds are bored to tears. My mouth can’t handle another dull drink. Summertime smoothie experts everywhere are recommending a watermelon wake up from Booster Juice. It’s so smooth, cool, and refreshing and ridiculously delicious. Enjoy the watermelon wave and watermelon explosion smoothies. Available all summer long at a Booster Juice near you. Stay cool, Canada. Booster Juice. Canadian born blending since 1999. The Bricks famous tent sale is back. Find up to 60% off clearance items in the tent and store with even more amazing deals arriving daily in every department. And Thursday through Monday, score limited time 5day deals like mattresses starting at just $99 and TV starting at just $1.99. Plus, get a free Bluetooth party speaker when you spend $9.99 or more on furniture. Exclusions, terms, and conditions apply. Stay in store for details. The brick saving you more. Hey everybody, it’s Jean Principe, the prince of puns, and I’ve got something that definitely will float your boat. How would you like to join me and the superstars of hockey on an exotic holiday? Join us on a seven night cruise through the Mexican Riviera. Leaving from LA, and including Cabo, Mazatlan, Porttoarta, and more. While we relax and cruise the tropical waters and have some drinks with umbrellas in them, you could attend an intimate meet and greet with legends like Bill Ranford, Jason Strudwick, Kelly Bookberger, Ron Low, and more. Don’t miss out on every hockey fan’s dream cruise, the Edmonton Hockey Legends cruise. It’s going to be one haul of a trip. Prices start at just $23.99 and part of the proceeds support the Ben Stelter Foundation and Kids with Cancer. Visit cast.ours/edmonton tours back/edon or call 1833-3477678. Call and save $200 when you mention promo code stingray radio. Cast tours 1833 3477678 [Music] Portion of this hour brought to you by Culligan. For all your residential water needs, your local water treatment company. More than just big bottles. That’s culligan.com. From Puck Drop to kickoff, it’s the Jason Greger Show on Sports 1440 presented by playalberta.c. CA, Alberta’s only regulated online gambling website. It’s just after 5:00. Welcome back to the Jason Greger show here on Sports 1440 streaming on Oilers Nation Facebook, YouTube and X. Connor Hley, Donovan Paulson, Josh Fenwick with you here. Text line 183341440. Lots to get to still on the show. Bill Shme going to join us talk about the Green Bay Packers acquiring Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys. An absolutely massive trade in the NFL today. Parsons gets rewarded. The Cowboys get two first and defensive tackle Kenny Clark back. I don’t know how it got to this, but uh we’ll head out to Green Bay in a few minutes here. Coming up next, we’ll be joined by Mark Spectre. But first, I want to let you guys know about the auction item we’ve got today. Two tickets to Laney Wilson tomorrow night down at Rogers Place in the Chairman’s Club. that section 101 comes with parking and a free dinner. Of course, we’re raising money for the Sexual Assault Center of Edmonton, which recently underwent severe funding cuts and we want to help them raise some money to help survivors of sexual assault. So, if you want to get in, 18341440 is how you do so. You can phone or text right now. Goalie Greg has the package at $1,000, so hopefully we can get a little bit higher. We like to go up by at least $50 if you’re able to do so. Uh, gets you the tickets to the show, free parking, and a dinner before the concert. And if that is too much for you, totally understand. It’s a lot of money, but you want to make a donation, www.sacce.ca. It’s the sexual assault center of Edmonton. You can make a donation there, and anything you can donate would be appreciated and go a long way. Right now, let’s get to the speck report brought to you by GS Construction. They they specialize in underground infrastructure. They make your life more enjoyable with running water and indoor plumbing. They’re the grinders of the construction industry, GS Construction. as we bring in Mark Spectre of Rogers Sports Net. Spec, good afternoon. How’s the day going? Wow. So, didn’t Dallas’s basketball team just lose a really great player because they decided they didn’t want to pay him or he was out of shape or something? Now, now Parson’s leaving the Cowboys. Like, shouldn’t you hang on to guys like that? Common sense would say, yeah. I mean, I don’t know how it gets to that point. You know, I I guess for the Dallas Mavericks, it worked out okay. They get Cooper Flag and Antonio Davis, but for the Dallas Cowboys, uh I don’t know, Spec, you tell me. Is there a more polarizing owner in sports than Jerry Jones? Yeah, he’s very involved. And you know, there haven’t like let’s go back through some history of involved owners. Uh usually, you know, usually they’re a bit of a pain in the rear end because they’re not football experts or hockey, you know, the expert in the sport. They just have a lot of money and bought the team. really owners are just really really rich fans most of the time. And now Jerry Jones is bigger than that. He’s a he’s a you know what’s what are the Cowboys worth? What’s that stadium worth that he built? Like he’s a wheel. There’s no doubt. But I’m not sure that he doesn’t try to GM that team a little bit. And you know George Steinbrer was that with the Yankees, but the Yankees won. And you know, Jerry Bus was that with the Lakers, but the Lakers did end up winning. Uh, I’m not sure that that Jerry Jones can say that, you know, can can get to the end of that conversation. He’s as involved or more than any owner I can think of, but they don’t win, do they? No. And, you know, they they have good players. They seemingly draft well, but it always seems to be drama when it comes to extending them. Their wide receiver, CD Lamb, it took a long time. Dak Prescott, uh, on the other side, Stefan Diggs, no, not Stefan Diggs, but, uh, the brother. Uh it’s just it takes forever and then it eventually happened. So I thought for sure this would happen with Micah Parsons and then it didn’t. So kind of a shocking one to start off with, but hey, we’ll see. Maybe they got a master plan, but I really like it for the Green Bay Packers. I think that’s a great move for them, especially in that division with Detroit, Minnesota, and Chicago. All competitive teams. Very, very good move for Green Bay. And uh they they make no mistake pay the man, which good on them for doing so. And good for Barson to get his money. Now, Spec, we had a good question from Donovan Pollson during five questions and we, you know, he mentioned of course Conor McDavid is going to get his contract, but there are some other Oilers this season that could get extended as well when you look at Matias Echome, Jake Walman, potentially Vasil Pod Kohl’s in, but when you look at those guys, if and when a deal happens, when do you think it would happen? Oh, those are those to me those are are I would say after the new year guys for sure, right? Like it’s varying guys. Jake Walman is pretty established in the league and I think he’s the most important of all. You know, you you acquired a really good young defenseman. Matias Ekholm is going to sign a shorter term deal and let’s face it, he’s getting old. He’s on the back nine here. Wman is a guy that I want to lock up if I’m the Oilers because he’s How old is he going to be? Is he 30? No. Age on him. Uh, but he’s got a bunch of years left and he’s going to be a big part of things around here. I like the player a lot. You know, there’s a lot of He’s a physical, skilled defenseman and you don’t get a ton of those guys and he’ll stand you up at center ice like I like his game and I’m sure the Oilers do too. So, to me, if if he’s having, you know, it’s up it’s going to become up to the player, Connor. If if the players any of these players are having an unbelievable season, then the orders, if they want to sign them early, they’re just going to have to buck up big time. Uh if they’re not having if they’re having an average season, I suppose you could say, “Look, you’re you’re doing what you’ve done for the last two years, Jake Walman, we know what your numbers are. You’re consistent. Let’s make a deal and let’s sign it in February or March.” That could happen. Uh Matias will wait until the summertime, I would think. I just sense that. And probably Todd Coulson will too. He’s an RFA and what Todd Coulson needs to do is is unlock the offensive key here. Like we all see a ton of hockey player in Todd Coulson and so did Vancouver. The Canucks never really got it out of him. Edmonton has found that you know in the same way it cost they found the defensive side and the physical side and he’s digging pucks out. He’s doing a ton of great stuff. Like you want, right? Find me a hockey fan in Edmonton that doesn’t want Todd Coulson resigned and part of this team. But if I’m his agent, if I’m him, I want I don’t want to sign until like if I’m having a 20 if I could figure out how to have a 20 goal season, then I want to sign because then I’m going to make a lot more money. Yeah, totally agree with you. That’s what I was thinking as well. Like the other guys, you kind of wait and see. Matias at home. Want to see what he can do. And if I’m bought goals and and I get off to a good start, well, keep it going here. You know, strike when the iron’s hot and get that deal signed. Jake Walman, 29 years old, turns 30 on February 20th. So, uh, halfway through the year. Yeah. So, he’s a I mean, I could sign Jake Walman to a four or five year deal, I think. You know, he’s in my understanding and my thinking about the guy, he’s been pretty healthy his whole career. Uh, he’s a skilled player. He’s a character guy. I think, you know, he’s part of the thing here. So, I’m not telling you you’re giving him eight years, but uh I probably don’t want him walking away as a UFA. I like Jake W. Spec. Do you want to look at just at the the for nation face off going to the Olympics because the players still down in Calgary for the orientation camp? I think they did some golfing yesterday. DVD was telling us, how much turnover do you expect to see from that team? Like, it is hard to argue with the result and they play some pretty good hockey. Uh the familiarity would probably go a long way, but if you had to guess, I put try to put a number on it. How many new faces do you think in the starting lineup? Well, there’s always going to be a few like you know there, let’s face it, there’s going to be like I could probably give you let’s what is it that’s going to be? Is it a 23man roster? Let’s say it’s 23 men. Uh I could give you 12 guys are on that team for sure. Like absolutely for sure. Then there’s another five or six that as long as they’re having good seasoned and they’re healthy, they’re going to be really hard to unseat. Uh and then there’s like the, you know, the last five guys, right? Who’s going to be your fourth line? Were you happy with what you had at fornations? Or maybe, you know, maybe you want a little bit of a different look down there. Were you did you like your line combinations? Maybe, you know, like Marner wasn’t great in that in that um Four Nations, but to me, Mner makes your team because he’s such a good player, but maybe you got to play him with someone else. So maybe that facilitates a new guy. Uh maybe you, you know, I don’t know, the goalies have got to be pretty wide open, man. I’m not sure how we’re picking goalies for this team. Uh and the last thing is you got a guy like Zack Heyman. to me if Zach Kimman comes back and and you know puts together a 30 goal season, Zack Hyman’s on that team. That means somebody isn’t. So there’s going to be and there’s going to be an injury along the way. So there will be some change. I’d say you’ll probably have four or five different names of that for nations. You get a chance to talk to Conor McDavid quite often and maybe get a little bit of a glimpse into, you know, how he is. Do you think there’s any chance he would speak to the selection committee and just say, “Hey guys, like Zack Heyman knows how to play with me. it’s a quick turnaround at this tournament might be a good idea to bring on the team because not only that I just think that you can put him anywhere in the lineup. TR brought brought up a really good point about how last year in the playoffs he wasn’t on the top line and he was out there throwing 12 14 hits a game. Like it just seemed like to me that guy’s a gamer and if I was Conor McDavid I might be trying to say something to influence their decision. Well, I’m pretty sure when I say this, uh, management will talk to Conor McDavid among others when it comes to selections like Doug Armstrong and talk to Conor McDavid and say, “We’re thinking this, we’re thinking that. What do you think?” Uh, again, among other guys. Uh, but Conor McDavid would not phone up Doug Armstrong in my esteem and say, “Hey, here’s who I think should be on this team. I think that I got a better chance of playing in that tournament than that happening.” So K asked will give his totally honest opinion and I would tell you that I would suspect that what you’re saying is true. He would say, “Hey, this guy fits like a glove with me. I love this guy. I want him on my line. I’d like him on my line.” But you won’t catch Conor McDavid GM in that team. Uh Connor, that’s that is whe when the Oilers hired Jeff Jackson and then they went out and hired Chris Knobblock and the word on got out there that Conor McDavid was GMing and making hires and stuff. He was really really upset about that. He did not like that perception one bit. I spoke to him privately about him. I’ve spoke to people around him about it. He hated that. So, no, no, he will not phone Doug Armstrong up and say, “Hey, here’s my thoughts on who should be on this team.” That that will never happen. Yeah. And you know what? I don’t blame him. I remember, you know, Brandon Douglas and I when the change happened at coaching and Chris Knoblock came in and the amount of, you know, like, oh, who’s next? Conor McDavid’s junior like high coach is going to come in here and do this to like Yeah, exactly. People were actually kind of upset about it. So, I don’t blame Conor McDavid at all. You don’t want that perception. But I mean I if I was him I I might just lean in like at a practice maybe just hey he’s pretty good. Uh Mark Spectre joining us here on the Jason Greger show taking a look around the world. If you were him we wouldn’t be doing this interview right now. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Exactly. Uh I want to talk a little Major League Baseball as well because this weekend we’re going to have an absolute gem of a series. The Milwaukee Brewers number one spot in the National League in Toronto taking on the number one team in the AL, the Toronto Blue Jays. If you were a betting man, would you be wagering any money that this is a future World Series? Yeah, it’s a long way to go. I mean, I really like Milwaukee. I watched them a little bit when uh in that Cub series. I watched about three of those games, and they are very well-rounded. They’ve got every, you know, base covered. I hate to use that one, but it’s not a pun. Uh they’ve got a good team, man. Their starting pitching is excellent. Their bullpen is excellent. Defensively, they’re really strong. They got a killer good catcher. Uh, you know, positionally they’re very sound. They steal bases when they need to. Like I don’t know what they don’t do. Like to me that Milwaukee team is as good as it is. Sorry, someone’s calling me in the middle of my head. Um, so I would say to you that I like Milwaukee a lot. Uh, I don’t look I think Toronto is going to need to pull a little bit bigger rabbit out of their hat if they’re ever going to get to um get to the World Series. I’m not saying they can’t. I’m not saying they can’t. But if you told me which one of these teams is going to be in a series, I would say I would I would more suspect Milwaukee to make it. I’d love to see the Blue Jays get in there. I love seeing play the Cubs in there. So, let’s see what happens. But this weekend, it’ be good. If you’re the Blue Jays and you’re stacking yourself up here, we’re coming down to crunch time. Let’s see how you look against, I guess, the very best team in baseball in Milwaukee. Let’s see how you handle them. Do you think Joe baseball fan would be appreciative of the potential World Series with the Jays and the Brewers? Like it was just a couple years ago, wasn’t it? We had Dodgers, Yankees, like the two huge franchises. This would almost be the opposite. Yeah, it would be a it would be brutal for ratings. It would be like whoever gets those games, well, is it Fox and Fox and I don’t know who else does it? Uh, they would cry in their beers. They would hate Milwaukee and Toronto. That would be like a Carolina San Jose Stanley Cup final, man. The ratings would suck in the States. Uh, Milwaukee is a very small center. Wisconsin is not that populous of a state. Uh, no, no, no. I mean, let’s face it. Why do you think they show the Yankees and Boston every chance they get, right? Yeah. So, no baseball like baseball’s like hockey. They don’t control who wins. They don’t put their finger in the scale, but if you put, you know, what’s his name? Silver the uh the uh commissioner. If you put him on truth serum, of course he’d want the Dodgers and the Yankees and the Red Sox. That’s how they make their best money. That’s how they get their best rating. I don’t blame the guy a bit. People like me grown. Spec, thanks for doing this today. Really appreciate it. and we’ll get you back on tomorrow to wrap up the week. Hey, sounds good, Connor. There you go. Mark Spectre of Roger Sportset joining us here on the Jason Greger show as he does every day Monday through Friday just after 5:00. The text line 1833 411440. Team Dean says, “I’m a Cowboys fan. Michael Parsons not worth 47 million. This was a player believing the hype. Good trade for Jerry.” Team Dean. Okay, so I’m just looking into it. The money is quite high. The Green Bay Packers overpay maybe. And where I’m looking, it’s 48 million. That’s above TJ Watt, Miles Garrett, Dell Hunter, and Max Crosby as the highest paid edge rushers, defensive players. Really, it’s it’s all edge rushers. Then you get uh Sauce Gardner and Derk Stingley as the DBs coming in at 30 million. The price is high, no doubt about it. But Michael Parson’s 26 years old, like 52 and a half sacks. If you’re going to pay someone, it might as well be him. The Green Bay Packers probably have the luxury of being able to do so and factor that in like when they made the trade that they could do it, but right now it’s a clear-cut winner. Green Bay won the trade. We can look back at it in a few years and we’ll see who’s selected. I mean, if if if Dallas has a couple studs, maybe maybe uses those picks to trade up in the draft to get that that next guy, maybe Arch Manning, whoever it might be, then like, yeah, okay, good move for for the Cowboys. But I don’t think you’re going to find too many Green Bay quarterback or Green Bay fans that are like, “Oh, I can’t believe we’re paying him 48 million.” He’s an absolute stud. Not Fred Story, guys. I think I might be in the Morty, but I don’t think Parsons is worth that much money. He is a star and a superstar, but I remember two years ago in the playoffs, they lost to Green Bay because they couldn’t get high pressure on the quarterback. High level quarterbacks in the NFL nowadays release the ball in two seconds. There’s no defensive lineman that can get in that quickly, especially during the playoffs against the playoff team. So, yes, he’s a great player in the regular season, but I think you can spend the money elsewhere and find a serviceable lineman. I respectfully disagree. I don’t think there’s too many guys out there that do what Micah Par does and they’re not available for trade. Like the last time we saw this was what 2016 when the Bears traded Cleo Mack to the or the Raiders traded Cleo Mack to the Bears. Like there’s not too many 26 year olds out there who have four straight seasons. Let me just confirm here. Four straight seasons of double digit sacks. 13 13 and a half 14 12 last year and 13 games. Want to stay on the see him on the field. You’re right about postseason. Now, he does only have one sack in the postseason, so that’s fair. But man, anytime you get a chance to add a guy like Michael Parsons, I think you do it. I love it. Connor, he’s getting one more million guaranteed than Nick Bosa. He’s getting 12 more million guaranteed than TJ Watt. It’s not crazy. That’s not even crazy at all. Like, and you look at the total um I guess if you want to look at AAV, he is getting 6 million more than TJ Watt. He’s getting 7 million more than Miles Garrett. Miles Garrett gets the most guaranteed money as an edge rusher. I I look at that deal and I actually think relative to what was just recently signed here kind of a deal. Like as much as it’s astronomical relative to TJ Watt’s recent deal, I can tell you which one I’d rather sign personally. Yeah. I I don’t think it was like a great deal for like I don’t think I would pay it. I’ll say that if if the Chargers were in on the running, I’d be all over that one. When TJ Watts signed his $41 million deal, we said like, “Okay, well, there’s your starting point. What like how much more does it take?” To be honest, I thought it’d be closer to like 44, 45. So, if that’s where your number is, are you going to let $3 million a year get in the way of it? For Michael Parsons, no. I think I’d rather overpay by a few million and get him than not write the check and not get him. In in NFL terms, what is $6 million relative to an impact player? Is that going to really get you the biggest impact player that’s going to help you win a Super Bowl? In my mind, no. You you give up you give six more uh million dollars on an AAV perspective than TJ Watts. Would I have blinked at 50? Yeah, probably. But you’re under 50. That’s really all that matters. And you’re under the total guarantees of Miles Garrett. That’s a massive win, right? Like I just sure would you have maybe liked them to be I don’t know a couple million cheaper but if you’re who sure but if you’re overpaying by 2 million bucks for Micah Parsons who flipping cares that’s what I’m saying like for me it might be a $3 million overpay but you’re getting one of the best defensive players in the league. Now you know who’s smiling that next wave of young studs. Will Anderson, Abdul Carter, maybe Aiden Hutchinson. uh those guys thinking, okay, maybe I’m not going to get 47, 48 mil, but maybe I get 43, 44. Uh what a deal. What what a great news day for us uh here is at Sports 1440s NFL fans. We’ll take a break. When we come back, we’re going to be joined by postgame host for the Green Bay Packers, Bill Schmidt. It’s coming up next on the Greger Show here on Sports 1440. Also streaming on Oilers Nation, Facebook, YouTube, and X. Brought to you by playalberta.ca. Is your company drowning in paperwork and administrative tasks? 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And support Canada West and Diablo, the two best names in the boot business. So save on boots by Savon Foods. That’s Diablo Boots. 3340 Gateway Boulevard on the east side of Savon Foods by Canadian. They’re terrific. The ATV Classic is returning to Northern Bear Golf Club. An international field of professionals will battle it out on their path towards the PGA Tour. Advanced tickets are $20 or upgrade your access to sit greenside in the sports 1440 Birdie Bar presented by SE. Net proceeds go to youth on course to give kids a 6 to 18 access to play golf for just $5. Some see the future stars of the PGA Tour, the ATB Classic, September 11th to 14th. Get your tickets at atbclass.com. portions this hour brought to you by Papa John’s. At Papa John’s, get one large, one topping pizza for just $14.99. Use promo code L1499 at Papa John’s.ca or the Papa John’s app. hatticks, touchdowns, and home runs. Get it all with the Jason Greger Show on Sports 1440, presented by playalberta.ca. Alberta’s only regulated online gambling website. Back to the Jason Greger show here on Sports 1440, Connor Hley, Donovan Pollson, Josh Fenick with you here. The Jason Greger Show brought to you by playalberta.ca. Tonight it’s the daily grant, $1,000 a day for 20 years. We did the math. That’s $7.3 million. Tomorrow we got the lotto max, an estimated $30 million. Check it out. play Alberta.ca. When you make your deposit, use code word gregor 50 and you get a free $50 bet each month. play alberta.ca. Use your gamesense gamesenseab.ca. Uh tonight the auction continues. Goalie Greg, unless someone comes in late with a nice bid, might have the package. We’ve got two tickets to Laney Wilson tomorrow night down at Rogers Place in the Chairman’s Club. That’s section 101. Comes with parking and a free dinner. Raising money for the sexual assault center of Edmonton. Of course, unfortunately, there were severe funding cuts and we’re trying to help them raise a little bit of extra money. So, if you want to get in on this, text us, call us 183341440. The bid currently $1,000. Uh if that money is too much and you still like to help out, say.ca for a donation, sacce.ca. Hey, I know sports 1440 listeners are very generous. So any extra cash you might be having a line around, you want to make a donation, make sure you go do so. We’ll do this auction for about another yeah 20 25 minutes. But goalie Greg right now it is looking pretty good right now. We got to head out to Green Bay, Wisconsin. Some huge news in the NFL world as Micah Parsons going from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers. It’s huge. Uh I didn’t think this would happen. I thought for sure the deal would get done in Dallas the way it always has done. It’s always just dragged out longer than it should. But Parsons gets moved to the Green Bay Packers for two first round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. We’re going to discuss it right now with Green Bay Packers postgame host Bill Schmid. Bill, how you doing today? I’m doing phenomenal, fellas. Uh, I I’d be only doing better is if I could afford uh to grab those Laney Wilson tickets in the club, but uh maybe if I could get a direct line to Micah Parsons. He’s got a couple extra bucks lying around. Might let me be able to hold some to be able to do some good. You know, he might not even notice that gone from the contract that he signed with the Green Bay Packers. So, Bill, I want to ask you this. Like, you get a chance to add this type of player. You do it. You don’t care what the picks are. You don’t care what you have to pay them. You just get the deal done. How long do you think the Packers have been working on this deal with the Cowboys? Well, from the indications and from the reporting uh by I think it was Rapaort after the news broke was that this has been going on for about a week now. Ricky Scoops uh had this maybe three days ago on Twitter. Uh and and instantly people downplay news like this or rumors in Green Bay for good reason. The Packers very rarely would give up the sizable capital to get a player like Micah Parsons. The the difference, however, is that you are in a situation where I if you’re going to be a Super Bowl caliber team, and Brian Gudens mentioned the general manager earlier this year during his uh wrap-up press conference at the end of the year that it’s it’s time to start competing for championships. Well, then you’re not going to lose enough games to draft a player uh like Micah Parsons. So, it becomes how do you find one? And I do believe even though uh they came up short through the offseason, the Packers looked and and tried to find the big- time acquisition on the defensive side to add into right now a very good football team. And they were in a one-sore game with the event eventual Super Bowl champions a year ago. and ultimately fall short. But, uh, there’s a point to be a case to be made and and Josh Jacobs made it to us when we were at Radio Row, uh, at the Super Bowl this year that he he believes they gave Philadelphia the best game out of anybody in the playoffs. And and I think that’s kind of the sentiment in the locker room even though they left so much meat on the bone in 24, losing five games in the division, which was clearly the best in football. So, how do you win some of those games, those one-sore games? Well, you get off the field on third down, and that was and has been a problem for the Packers for a number of years now. It was throughout the uh prime and tail end of Aaron Rogers career. One of the reasons why they’ve not been able to get back to the Super Bowl uh in now 15 seasons. But for the better part of the last decade, they’ve been a good team that has struggled at getting the biggest stop at the keyest moment. You think in uh Rogers final game in Green Bay against Detroit, team that’s already eliminated from playoff detention. They got three first downs on a final drive that if the Packers stop them, they have a chance to score a touchdown, win the game, and go to the playoffs and and see what happens. I think they had won four straight at that time. So, it’s clearly been something that has held them back. And uh now thanks to Jerry Jones deciding that this was personal enough that he did not feel comfortable continuing on uh their business relationship with Micah Parsons. The Packers capitalized. And I’ll be completely honest with you fellas. Like $1,000 is not that much for those Laney Wilson tickets to be able to donate to a phenomenal cause. I don’t know what everybody believes. Two first round picks in Kenny Clark. Kenny Clark’s a Packers Hall of Famer, right? He was drafted here as the youngest player in the NFL going on a decade. They don’t give out third contracts. They gave him one before last year, but he ended up statistically having the worst year of his career. Uh he did have an injury and played through it in the entire year and I don’t believe missed a game. So he’s a warrior. He’s a phenomenal player, but he’s on the he’s third going to be 30 and has played a ton of football. And they got a 26 year old pass rusher who’s arguably the best in football. Yeah, you got to pay him a bunch of money. That one I don’t care about. The two first round picks. It is tough, but uh it’s a price that you can pay and you can absolutely stomach when the reward is Micah Parsons. I I’m totally with you. And we kind of ran through the numbers in the previous segment. So TJ Watt gets 41. USA Today has the number for Parsons at 48. If you ask me, you get the younger player who’s had a good track record. He’s got the production. I would say that if the negotiation starts at 41, I would expect the number to come in at like 44 45 and then to get it up to 48 is $3 million. So, am I mad about a $3 million overpay for Micah Parsons? No. I do that in a second. I give up first picks and a player if I have to. As a Charger fans, I’m gutted they didn’t go out there and make that move themselves. So, what do you think this message now sends to the rest of the defensive players in that room? Like, I got a feel they’re pretty encouraged about this addition. No doubt about it. And we’ve talked about it a couple of different ways because I if indeed the Packers are trying to send some liinal messages. I don’t know that they’re subtweeting their locker room from the front office, right? Like saying something about somebody but not putting in their their sign. Like you can do different things to be able to send messages. They drafted a wide receiver in the first and third round. They have Christian Watson, Romeo Dobs coming up on free agent years. And Jaden Reed’s like, “Hey man, can I hold something?” my seventh single season record for a rookie uh that Sterling Sharp held for three decades. He’s going into the Hall of Fame and the Packers are like, “We’re going to get younger and and add in more competition.” So, the Packers have have been hellbent on adding young controllable talent and competition to their roster for the better part of the last three years now. And I it’s a ringing refrain from Guda any opportunity he speaks into a microphone is that they’re going to add competition. So I think it’s a message to a number of guys that listen we just committed 4748 million a year that it’s going to be a little sparing for cash. We’re going to be a little strapped for cash. But they also have nine first round picks on that uh defensive side of the ball. So it’s put up our shut off time for a lot of guys. It’s time to go. And uh there’s a reason why right now uh I think they’re going to be over the next couple of hours the the most bet team well the bet most bet team in the last day uh to win the Super Bowl. And I think there’s going to be a lot of people that have that ticket because of the potential that’s out there in this NFC that is yes the Eagles ran away with the Super Bowl, but they were in two really close games in the playoffs. I do think the NFC is a little bit more open than you would think. Bill Schmidt, Green Bay Packers postgame host of 97.3 the game in Wisconsin Milwaukee joins us here and Michael Parsons going to Green Bay. It’s something I did not see coming when we started the show today. But you just look at that group and you said all the first round picks, Rashan Garry, Devonte Wyatt, Aquay Walker, Edin Cooper, like this team has so much talent on the back end and on the or in the offensive side of the football really good too. So just very quickly uh want to ask about Matthew Golden. the team picks a receiver in the first round for the first time and you would know, I don’t know off the top of my head. How has he looked in camp and do you expect him to be the clear-cut number one option for Jordan Love? Yeah, it was 23 years. I was uh seven or eight years old when uh Christmas morning I got a Javon Walker number 84 jersey. Um and he was the last rookie wide receiver. Yeah. Yeah. And uh and ultimately uh it took, you know, 23 years for them to be able to break that run. It’s not like they didn’t grab, you know, top flight wide receivers. They got one that could be HOF and Devonte Adams and a couple others that that were pretty phenomenal in the second round, but never committed that first round tag to it until this year with Golden. And he’s lived up to the billing, guys. Uh, I’ve been lucky enough uh it’s a pretty stupidly fortunate position that I’m in doing the postgame show for the uh for the team that I get to do my daily show that we do in the morning uh from practice. Every public practice we have a perch uh right in the middle of the stands and and we talk for three hours. They practice for two of it and and we talk and and watch. And Matthew Golden every single day made a play that you could audibly hear through the headsets. Uh made the fans say, “Wow.” And cheer because his speed is legit. At 428 or 429, I think it was clocked in at the combine at he has right now speed. And I think the uh reason and the trait that could be gamebreaking in the NFL is it doesn’t appear that he breaks stride to catch the football, right? There’s some guys that uh he’s a natural catcher of the ball. It doesn’t surprise him when the ball gets there, so he doesn’t have to slow at all. He’s got extreme acceleration. Uh it feels like sky’s the limit for him. And uh they I’m not going to say have tried to keep it a little bit of a secret, but I think the secret’s getting out that they may have really hit on this wide receiver from Texas. And uh pair that up with Jordan Love, who even though he was dinged up last year, uh and the counting stats were down because he missed a number of games, I thought had a a good year, not a great year, not a a rising year in terms of where he was at and elevating his status in the league, but he’s a top 15 quarterback uh at worst. And in that grouping, there’s some guys that can be ascending and more that look like they’d be descending. He’s one of the ascending players at that position and this year he’s got an opportunity to vault himself into a a tier that uh you only get to if you have team success and you got to be able to stop teams on on defense to be able to do it and you get guys like Micah Parsons to do that. Now Bella, unofficial prediction now. Who wins the division? Because the Lions, Vikings, Pack, all going to be competitive, the Bears, I would think improving. Does this give Green Bay the edge? Uh there’s a play Alberta tag that I heard before this, right? So there is legalized So there is legalized sports wagering uh where I’m speaking here in Edmonton. Yes, sir. Uh I I was I was in on the Edmonton Oilers and and I’m hopefully going to win that money that I lost during the Cup final back on the Packers. I’ll make the official prediction. I do think the Packers win the division. uh and I’ve said it for a number of weeks uh if not months on our show uh because I I believe that they have a roster that again has a large number of ascending players and even though I think Dan Campbell’s phenomenal, I I don’t believe that he gets the the credit that he rightfully deserves uh for one the offensive mind that he is and the insane motivator that he is at the professional level to get those teams to play pot play above their expected potential, but with the talent that’s on those teams, and they have really, really good talent on that Detroit Lions team. They’ve whooped up on the Packers in five of the last six appearances, if not seven of the last eight. And Campbell has a really good record against Matt Laflur teams because they’ve physically beaten up uh on Green Bay. I don’t believe that’s the case now. And uh I do believe losing two coordinators, even though Campbell’s good and really really good, I think they take a step back. I love Aaron Jones. He’s a Packers Hall of Famer. He plays 17 games again in Minnesota and I would be surprised. I think they take a step back with McCarthy. Uh and even if the Bears are better, and they were a good team last year, don’t get that twisted. They were in a ton of one-sore games and probably should have won more of them. you look at that schedule and find me 10 wins. Uh, and and I would I like to be convinced. I think they have a very very tough path to winning enough games to headline this division. I don’t think a team’s winning 15 like Detroit did last year. I think 13 does it. And I think Green Bay wins the NFC North. Micah Parsons to Green Bay. Cam Randall tonight. Wisconsin and Miami. Ohio jumparound’s going to hit differently tonight, I think. Lord, I hope so. Uh guys, I’m pulling up uh here in a few uh to camp Randall. I also do post games for the Badgers radio network and uh they need to get a good start, a fast start. Last year they played Western Michigan in one of these BUY buy games where you pay a team, you know, upwards of a million bucks to come in and hopefully get mollywoped. Well, the Badgers were losing when jump hit. So, uh they’re 17 and a half point favorites. Hopefully, they play like it tonight. And uh there’s a lot more people that want to talk Micah Parsons after the game than uh than the Badgers after. Well, I’m looking forward to it. This is the best time of the year. Bill, thanks so much for doing this today. Really do appreciate your time and we’ll have to get you on again later on in the season. Call anytime, man. Thanks for having me on. There you go. That is Bill Schmidt, Packers and Badgers, postgame host out of Wisconsin. And what a time to be a Wisconsin football fan. College season getting going tonight. Jump around for my money. best college football tradition. There’s some other good ones, don’t get me wrong, and I think sometimes it almost works against them because the opposing teams really get into it, but uh going to be quite the atmosphere tonight in Wisconsin. Now, we’ll take a break here. When we come back, we’ll get to more text, the Oil Report, and more on the Jason Greger Show brought to you by play alberta.ca. Listen up because you’re not going to want to miss this. Right now is your chance to get in on Play Alberta’s biggest offer ever. For a limited time only, new players can get up to a $1,000 casino bonus when they sign up. There’s never been a better time to join the fun. Visit playalberta.ca today to get started with casino sports and lottery all in one app. Must be 18 plus to play. Remember, if you gamble, use your game sense. Since 1963, Ashaw Concrete Products has been helping Albertans complete projects of all sizes. The highest quality ready mix and grow. Septic tanks made to last. Prompt delivery. 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All of Diablo’s boots have replaceable soles and heels for longer life. Sizes 6 to 14 E. Buy quality by Canadian and support Canada West and Diablo, the two best names in the boot business. So save on boots by Savon Foods. That’s Diablo Boots. 3340 Gateway Boulevard on the east side of Sabon Foods by Canadian. They’re terrific. Portion of this hour brought to you by Leading Edge Physio. We treat pain and injuries. head to toe and some other issues that might surprise you like inconvenience, vertigo, neuro neuropathy, and cognitive issues. We invest in the technology, techniques, skills, and people who know how to do what to fix. Life shouldn’t hurt. Leading physio.com. He’s not just another pair of glasses. It’s the Jason Greger Show. Thanks for checking out Edmonton Sports 1440, presented by playalberta.ca, Alberta’s only regulated online gambling website. It’s 5:46. Welcome back to the Jason Greger show here on sports 1440, Connor Hally, Donovan Paulson, Josh Fenwick with you here. The Jason Greger show brought to you by Playalberta.ca. Code word Gregor 50 with your deposit. That’s going to get you a free $50 bet. Hey, maybe you want to throw the badgers tonight. I don’t know. Not going to tell you how to live your life. Use your game sense gamesenseab.ca. Also tonight, it is the daily grand $1,000 a day for 20 years. That’s $7.3 million at playalberta.ca. Text line 183341440. We should tell you if you are out there and you want to go down to Laney Wilson tomorrow night at Rogers Place, we’ve got two tickets up for grabs auction style. Raising money for safe the Saint or sorry, Sexual Assault Center of Edmonton. Uh recently had some severe funding cuts and we’re trying to raise some cash for them. So right now, Goalie Greg Big $1,000 in the lead. Uh but if you want to go to Laney Wilson tomorrow night down at Rogers Place, you can make a bid at 183341440. phone call or text line. Um, raising money for say you’ll get free parking. Also getting a free dinner. You know, you don’t get that very often. So, if you want to go check that out, you can get that bid in quickly. Only got about 8 minutes left on the show. So, send those in. 1833411440. Uh, also here, I do want to get into the oil report brought to you by Volvo Cars Edmonton. Discovery sales. Discovery Day sales on now. Finance or lease a 2026 XC40 from 2.99%. Great vehicles, better service only at volcarmon.com. Uh Donovan, earlier in the show you asked the question about who could potentially be resigning for the Oilers and uh I think we all kind of were on the uh the Walman track after McDavid. If you are Jake Wman, are you in any rush to uh to get that deal done or are you kind of waiting it out like let’s see how I play. May maybe I earn a little bit more money. Uh if I was Jake Walman, I would be waiting on this puppy. I would be in no rush whatsoever. However, in saying that, like he is going to turn 30 during the season, right? So, um I’d probably wait it out because I think he realizes that he is going to get paid and the longer he waits probably the more money he’s going to receive. Um, and also of course like there there’s always that risk that you just absolutely stink the join up during the season and um, you know, things don’t go your way and you start to lose money and you lose value. But um, if I was Wman, I’d be waiting it out, but I fully expect um, Jake Walman to be an Edmonton Oiler past next season. Yeah, I I and I think it’s a good spot for him obviously like the goal is to win Stanley Cups. this is where you want to be. If the price is right, and I’m sure it will be fair value, you make that deal. Uh Vasili Pod Coulson, no rush if I’m him. Like you said, RFA um probably going to well, I would hope upgrade his offensive statistics if he can do so. I mean, and Leon Dry likes having him on the squad. No reason to uh to not make that deal and make that long-term commitment. Yeah, if you’re Villi Pod Coulson, I mean, well, this is that is the ultimate wait and see if he upgrades the offensive game by oh, I don’t know if he even scores 15 goals next year, Villi Pod Coulson earns himself an easy extra million, right? If he if he scores more than that, he might earn himself an extra two million. Who knows? I uh Pod Coulson is the ultimate I I know that there’s other guys that have called the ultimate wild card this off season. uh in respect to to doc and you know some of the the rookies coming in whether it’s Howard or or Seavoy but man I I look at Vil Pod Coulson as the as my wild card for this season like did he get a skills coach this off season did he um develop that that shot a little bit more the ability to pick a corner um the the finishing ability like there’s so many ways that Vasilip Pod Coulson can improve his game I love his defensive game I love the tenacity I love a lot of what he does he’s almost in my in my mind, he’s almost my favorite type of player. Like he brings the lunch pale, he works really hard, but he just needs to find that finish and find a little bit more of it. Even if he can score six more goals, I’d be happy. But I we we’ll see. He’s got a he’s got a lot of work to do and if he has a great season, he’s going to get rewarded. Oh yeah, absolutely. I mean, and that’s kind of those that situation where if you’re him, like why would you sound like you got to bet on yourself and we’ve seen that in the past many times. Uh PK Suban, bet on himself, got paid. Darnell Nurse a couple times took the bridge deal, bet on himself, he got paid. I think maybe the Oilers organization at some point probably said, “Maybe we should have given him a long-term deal earlier.” But hey, it would require Truth Serum to know that for sure. A couple more texts before we wrap up. Jordan says, “This guy’s a beauty.” Referring to Bill Schmid. Yeah, he’s awesome. And that was a big time for him to come on here. Breaking news out of Wisconsin. And he’s on his way to watch another football game, but gave us 15 minutes of time. So yeah, big big fans of Bill Schmid over here at Sports 1440. Wolfpack is Packers fan here. This feels like a Reggie White or Charles Woodson in their prime difference maker. Absolutely. I mean Charles Woodson when he went to Green Bay, I mean I think he was a little bit older. Reggie White before my time. I know the impact he had. One of the best to ever do it. But yeah, Parson is just 26 years old. Like that’s that’s ridiculous. 26 years old. Moving on from the Cowboys uh to the Green Bay Packers. Mitchell says it’s not like Bod Coulson wasn’t trying to be good offensively in his life. Thinking he’s working on offensive skill for the first time is wild. He’s a straight line guy with a decent brain. But I think the acquisition of the team bringing in a a skills coach doesn’t hurt. Like it it can only improve his game. You want to know the ultimate counterpoint to what he just said? What’s that? Chris Krider. Chris Crider went from a 20 goal scorer to a guy who scored 52. That’s what a skills coach can do at the very peak. Did you ever in your mind think Leon Triad will become a 50 goal scorer year to year? We’re not saying Pug Coulson’s that, but if you add 10 to 15 goals, 5 to 10, like that’s that’s money in the bank. Like a a a good skills coach, and I mean there’s plenty out there. There’s Adam Oats, there’s uh plenty of guys who have gone on record and said, you know, we’re skills coaches. We help develop your your game, your shot, whatever you need us to to help develop. I mean, listen, I’m sure Vicil Pod Coulson’s worked on it, tried to work on his offensive game by himself before, but there’s something different about going to his skills coach. There’s time and time again, there’s been multiple players over their NHL careers that you you listen to them talk. I mean, hell, I I mean, we’ve we’ve heard Rich Wy use the Chris Crider example with a skills coach before, too. Like, going from 20 goals to 52, that just doesn’t happen overnight. That is a lot of offseason work on your offensive game, going to the front of the net, tipping pucks, um, just trying to get your hands better. There’s a million things that I could critique about Vasili Pod Coulson’s offensive game. And if he even improves, let’s just say he improves his tipping. If he tips a couple more pucks in a couple better areas, maybe he scores an extra four goals. Like that’s that’s the difference is when you get that skills coach sometimes it can make you know 10 goals difference. Well and just a quicker release playing with Leon dry settle right taking pucks a little bit quicker half a second is going to make a difference and when you’re playing with Leon Dry settle your head’s on a swivel you’re ready to fire that biscuit. I mean it can make a difference. So we’ll have to wait and see. I mean, hey, this this guy, the bar is low, but adding five to 10 goals gets him a little bit more money and obviously probably secures his spot on the team for maybe a few more years, gets him that extension. Uh, great show today. Big thank you to all of our guests today for hopping on. Of course, we started off with John Hodgej back in the 2:00 hour. Uh, David Owens joined us from Sherbrook Liquer for Thursday. Of course, you want to go check our social media platforms. We got the pictures of all the beverages we had. former NFL, well still current NFL really still could get back in the game. Braden Foko joined us for a couple segments talking about his career looking around the NFL. Check that one out. Lena Becker from Sace. Terry Ryan, former NHL was there. Shank Ping from San Jose. We had Spec and of course Bill Schmidt joined us from Green Bay talking about the Michael Parsons trade. So busy show. Check it out on YouTube, Apple, Google Spot, Spotify, wherever you get your podcast from, you can do so. will end out right now unless we get a last minute text. It looks like goalie Greg is going to win the tickets for Laney Wilson tomorrow night down at Rogers Place Amalgamated Mining. Thank you guys. Huge donation for the tickets and $1,000 raised to say. So a big thank you to everyone involved in that for Donovan Paulson and Josh Fenwick also won Gretz. I’m Conor Howie. Thank you guys for tuning in to the show today. We’ll be back to do it again tomorrow before we hand things over to Foxports Radio. We will get to a sports 1440 update brought to you by play Alberta.ca. Lottoax 30 mil tomorrow. Today is the daily grand $100 $1,000 a day, 20 years, 7.3 million. Get it at playalberta.ca. This is a sports 1440 update. In case you missed it, the big news of the day, of course, Micah Parsons getting traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers on a 4-year extension, carrying an AAV of 47 million, 136 guaranteed, possibility of 188 million. MLB scores from earlier in the day. The Red Sox, they edged out the Orioles 3-2. The Dbacks over the Brewers 6-4. It was the Astros holding strong against the Rockies 4-3. The Cards over the Pirates 4-1 and the Giants edged out the Cubbies 4 to3. Your US Open tennis action. Felix Oali seemed currently up in his first set match and you saw Dennis Chappavalov advance past the round of 64. Coming up, it’s Fox Sports here on Sports 1440. I’m Bonan Pollson. That’s your sports 1440 update.
