Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Monday, September 14, 2009 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Stephen Brunt
Guests: Darren Rovell, CNBC sports business reporter; Globe and Mail tennis expert, Tom Tebbutt; Al Morganti from Comcast SportsNet, and Neil Smith, former NHL general manager; Buffalo News reporter, Jerry Sullivan; Bert Sugar, boxing historian.

Kanye West and Serena Williams have NOTHING on Doug MacLean.

Absolutely insane numbers here at the 'review from the MacLean/McCown argument. Welcome and howdy everyone! Stick around and feel free to contribute to the discussion.

No discussion about Heatley or the Heatley trade early on. This was the trade that so much of us (well from Ottawa and maybe Edmonton anyways) were waiting for, for months. This was a day where Prime Time Sports really showed it's Toronto-centricity, which I find it doesn't display regularly. Perhaps it's the fact that our local sports radio station was completely absent on the weekend, choosing FOX Sports radio to be aired instead of analysis. The conversation with Morganti and Smith on the Heatley deal was simplistic and void of any detailed analysis, which again is rare for their weekly segment.

Can't wait for the Sundin speculation to begin on a daily basis on Prime Time Sports.

Brunt's new book on Gretzky is coming out shortly. In non-Bobcat fashion, he wants to actually READ this one before he talks to Brunt about it. Usually he talks to the author first and reads second. Wonder why the switch on Brunt's book?

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown: Tuesday, September 1, 2009 (6:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Guests: Sports Illustrated football writer, Don Banks; Lester Munson from ESPN.com; GM of the Toronto Argonauts, Adam Rita.

Only 1 hour for the review today as the podcast was reduced due to the Jays doubleheader.

Kelly appearing on tomorrows show in his first and so far only interview after being fired from NHLPA.

Bobcat stated today, "While they are the most likable, most approachable of all professional athletes, NHL Players are collectively the most stupidest group I have encountered and demonstrated this (their lack of business knowledge) repeatedly through the years."

I simply don't understand this move. In the era of professional sports, so much is kept hidden from the people that pay the bills. Why does Heatley *really* want out? What does the NHL *really* find objectionable in Balsillie? ...and why did the NHLPA *really* fire Kelly? I'm not sure it serves everyone best by not divulging these issues, as in the age of the internet, sports radio and the wider fan interest in sports, rumours and speculation carry with it more legitimacy than ever before.

In this case, the NHLPA and their constituents (by their silence) look completely unjustified in firing Kelly. Perhaps more importantly it leaves a downright scary glimpse into what the future of the NHLPA and collective bargaining with the NHL could be.

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown - Monday, July 20 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown

Co-Host: Bruce Arthur

Guests: Daryl Jones, Research Edge LLC managing director; Toronto Blue Jays radio play-by-play announcer, Alan Ashby; roundtable with Bob McCown, John Shannon, and James Deacon.

(My opinion on the Heatley situation, which continues to be ignored by Prime Time Sports:)
There is a parallel between the Heatley-Sens situation and the Halladay-Jays situation. As Beeston said a couple of days ago (paraphrased), "If someone wants Doc, it's gonna have to *hurt* them with the pieces they are going to give up. He's a quality pitcher and you are going to have several quality pieces to get him".

I applaud Murray for 'standing pat'. What's the worst that could happen if Heatley is forced to return? Or if Heatley accepts the move to Edmonton, but the Oil don't put up any more compensation to deal with the 4 mill the Sens dished out? There's no way Heater would sit out on the Sens, especially during an Olympic year. This decision will be as pivotal for the Sens as is the Doc decision is with the Jays. It will set the Sens up well for the next few years or set us back a few if the decision isn't the right one. If there are no suitors, I say wait it out and bring Heater back.

OK Bobcat, let's can the baseball discussion and get to the story behind you and Watson... What happened? Why is he such an a-hole?

EDIT: Reader Sensfan commented that Heatley was discussed to death while I was away...apologies to PTS and Bobcat. Well, what did the glassed-eyed-one have to say on Heatley??

Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown - Wednesday, July 15 (5:00-7:00)

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Bruce Arthur
Guests: CNBC sports business reporter, Darren Rovell; Alvin Williams, Toronto Raptors assistant coach; David Murphy, senior director of athletics at Simon Fraser University; former LPGA player, Gail Graham; the Golf Channel's Iain Page.

Been waiting for some semblance of discussion on the Heatley situation on Prime Time Sports
but for whatever reason, there hasn't been any. I'm sure there will be once he gets dealt. In the meantime, I'm being bored to tears with the golf discussion.

Did Obama short-hop his pitch to the mound in the all-star game? You decide!
...and Obama is a "lefty"...who would have guessed?

Wouldn't Carleton look good in the NCAA Final Four Tournament?

Prime Time Sports: Wednesday, March 31st, 2009

Host: Bob McCown
Co-Host: Jim Kelley
Guests: Pat Brisson, Don Banks, Jack Armstrong
2010 - the year the cap in the NHL will drop a minimum of $5 million...The cap will hit no team harder than the Sens with the 7 year deals for Spezza/Heatley at 8 million+ per year. Check these numbers out:
2009/10 - 35 million on Heatley, Spezza and Alfie
2010/11 - 23 million on Heatley, Spezza and Alfie

2009/10 will be ok for the Sens as the cap should remain above the $50 million mark. What the hell are the Sens going to doin 10/11 if the cap goes down to $45 million (according to Pat Brisson on Prime Time Sports this afternoon)? 1/2 the salary on 3 players? In 2011/12, the Sens have committed 30 million on only 6 players….YIKES! ATTN: OTTAWA MEDIA…you may wanna get on this story!! To see your team and how brutal the next few years will be, click here.

Monday, February 23rd - 6:00-7:00

Well, both Kelley and Brunt are part of the mini-roundtable tonight. (For the record, Kelley kept the co-host chair, and Brunt took the 'guest' chair!)

Tom Renney was discussed and the relevant merits of him as a Coach. I agree with discussion that surrounded Tortorella as incoming Head Coach. As far as cashing two cheques goes - in the rare times it happens in ones life, I say TAKE IT! :)

The boys discussed the trade deadline and how it's more for show then anything else. Bobcat brought up the point that he brought up in his book saying that the trade deadline is all hype and even the busiest teams never materializes into anything significant in the standings.

I tend to disagree - the pressure on GMs to make a deal only occurs twice during the year - the draft and trade deadline. Other than these times, it's virtually quiet during the NHL year. The media scruitny on GMs will push them into actions they normally wouldn't make. I predict there will be a blockbuster deal this year (lecalvier/spezza.)

They then proceeded to do a cross Canada tour spending (shock of shocks) considerable amount of time on the Leafs. Kelley continues to have a major axe to grind on Murray as he's a feverish Muckler supporter. The reality is Murray has had one draft. There isn't any decision Murray has made that has been questionable at the time he made it. The age-old scare tactics of PTS really came out when they spoke about how viable the Sens would be if they were on the decline. Even in a brutal economy, the Sens are 2nd in attendance (source). The Sens have built a solid base here and this team isn't going anywhere...

In terms of the Spezza-Heatley debate, it's sad to see the 3 wise men not take note of Heatley's NTC. Heatley simply can't be moved anywhere, unless he waives his NTC. Spezza is the only option for the Sens. Not sure why this point is missed so much by the media (not only PTS).

In summary, here's how they broke everything down:
Sens - buyers/sellers - who the heck knows?
Leafs - sellers
Habs - buyers
Flames - buyers
Oilers - not sellers
Canucks - buyers

The worst Coach in the NHL according to Bobcat - Wayne Gretzky.

Parting shots:
Kelley - 99% of trade rumors you hear are false, so calm down...
Brunt - Jays are screwed
Bobcat - yep, Jays are screwed

(Just a quick edit - I worried a lot about agreeing with everything the Bobcat said, but this inaugural post makes me feel much better!)

ps. what do you guys think?