Inside Sports With Reid Wilkins

Brenden Escott and John Shannon cover some of the biggest stories shaping the NHL heading into the new season. The conversation touches on Ken Dryden’s legacy, the league’s decision on the players acquitted in the Hockey Canada case and what Kirill Kaprizov’s rejection of a record-setting $128 million deal says about his future. We also look at the Hughes brothers’ desire to play together, trade chatter around Rasmus Andersson, Calgary’s commitment to Dustin Wolf, and whether Sidney Crosby could actually finish his career in Montreal. Follow John on X (@Jshannonhl). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenden Escott sits down with Oilers play-by-play voice Jack Michaels to preview the start of camp and the storylines surrounding Edmonton. The conversation covers rookie action at home instead of Penticton, early expectations for players like Matthew Savoie and Ike Howard and lingering questions around Connor McDavid’s contract and Zach Hyman’s health. Jack also shares his outlook for Evan Bouchard after signing a big deal, before zooming out to weigh in on Sidney Crosby’s future in Pittsburgh and what it means for the league. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenden Escott opens the September 11 show with the latest from Oilers Rookie Camp as the youngsters hit the ice in Edmonton ahead of their clash with the Calgary Flames rookies on 880 CHED. Plus, the Toronto Blue Jays were in action early in the day and we look at where they sit in the playoff race following the result. Don’t forget to follow Brenden on X (@BrendenEscott) and subscribe to the show wherever you get your streaming audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenden Escott is joined by Matt Jones from ESPN Radio to discuss Week 1 of the NFL season, the highlights and standout and his expectations for a busy Week 2. It’s a chat you won’t want to miss as we learn exactly why the NFL operates on Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays and leaves Friday and Saturday alone. Jones brings a wide-ranging perspective and can be heard on ESPN’s NFL Preview Show on ESPN Radio, as well as the Cover 2 Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Brenden Escott sits down with Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson for an honest conversation about his 2025 season and the adversity that came with it. After missing six games with a knee injury, Anderson opens up about the mental and physical grind of rehabilitation, the people he leaned on during the toughest stretches and how the time away reshaped his approach to the game. We go beyond the box score, discussing what it really takes to rebuild trust in your body, the perspective gained from watching the game from the sidelines and how setbacks can fuel leadership and growth in the locker room. If you’ve ever wondered what recovery and resilience look like from an athlete’s perspective, this conversation delivers it straight from the source. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NHL offseason is loaded with storylines, and NHL Network Radio’s Mick Kern joins Brenden Escott to break them all down ahead of the 2025–26 season. From reports of Kirill Kaprizov turning down the richest contract offer in league history to Dustin Wolf securing his place as Calgary’s franchise goaltender, we explore how star players and organizations are shaping their futures. With NHL stars officially returning to the Olympics in 2026, Mick offers his perspective on how these developments will ripple across the league in the season ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The September 10 edition of Inside Sports begins with Brenden Escott discussing the latest on the Elks, Oilers and Toronto Blue Jays with their season winding into crunch time. Don’t forget to follow Brenden on X (@BrendenEscott) and subscribe to the show wherever you get your streaming audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenden Escott welcomes Sportsnet 960’s Logan Gordon for a deep dive into the big news out of Calgary: goalie Dustin Wolf has signed a new contract extension – and it’s sending ripples through the Battle of Alberta. What does this move mean for the Flames’ long-term goaltending picture? How does it shift the dynamic for their rebuild? And most importantly — what should Oilers fans make of a potentially rising star just down the QEII? From scouting reports to roster impacts, Brenden and Logan break it all down with insight, edge, and a little cross-province rivalry spice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode, CFL legend and TSN analyst Milt Stegall joins Brenden Escott to break down the Edmonton Elks’ recent surge and what’s suddenly clicking for Mark Kilam’s squad. With a huge Labour Day rematch win and growing confidence, the Green and Gold are heating up at just the right time. As the Elks set their sights on a massive road showdown with the Toronto Argonauts this Saturday, Brenden and Milt get into the X’s and O’s, the mindset in the locker room, and what fans should be watching for when the Elks hit BMO Field. Is this the turning point Elks fans have been waiting for? Get expert insight, bold predictions, and a whole lot of CFL passion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hockey season is creeping closer, and the buzz is building in Downtown Edmonton! This episode, Brenden Escott is joined by Oilers Inside the Game analyst Rob Brown to break down everything happening behind the scenes at the unofficial captain’s skates. Who’s showing up early, who's making noise, and what does it say about the mindset in the Oilers room? They also dig into the biggest question looming over Oil Country: What’s the latest on Connor McDavid’s contract extension talks? Rob and Brenden give their takes on where things stand, what it means for the franchise, and why fans should be watching closely. And – good news for fans of #18 – they discuss Zach Hyman’s wrist injury recovery and what his return to full health could mean for Edmonton’s top six heading into the season.

Brenden Escott takes you deep into the huddle as the Edmonton Elks gear up for a gritty road battle against the high-flying Toronto Argonauts. Can the Green and Gold keep their momentum rolling and shake up the East? Brenden breaks down the key matchups, player insights, and what the Elks need to do to leave Toronto with a W. PLUS – an exclusive dive into the buzz surrounding potential new third jerseys for the Edmonton Oilers! Could a bold new look be skating its way into Rogers Place? From leaks to fan theories, we’ve got the freshest takes and behind-the-scenes chatter you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you bleed Green and Gold or live and die by the Blue and Orange, this is the show that keeps you in the know.

Host Brenden Escott is joined by Inside the Game Analyst Blake Dermott from 880 CHED’s Edmonton Elks broadcasts for a full breakdown of the Labour Day Rematch game between Edmonton and Calgary. The Stampeders marched into Commonwealth Stadium riding the high of a Labour Day win but were quickly met by a forceful Elks resistance. Get all the details on a career day for running back Justin Rankin and what the win means in the context of the playoff race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edmonton Elks running back Justin Rankin joins Inside Sports fresh off a career-defining performance in the Labour Day Rematch, rushing for 204 yards in a statement 31-19 win over the Calgary Stampeders. Rankin reflects on the adjustments that fueled the Elks’ offensive surge, the emotions of thriving in the Battle of Alberta, and how the team has grown into a resilient contender over the course of the season. He also shares his perspective on working alongside Cody Fajardo, the role of leadership in the locker room, and the mindset required to carry the load in one of the CFL’s fiercest rivalries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The September 8 edition of Inside Sports opens with host Brenden Escott recapping the weekend in sports, which included Week 1 of the NFL season, an Edmonton Elks victory in the Labour Day Rematch game and some Toronto Blue Jays action as their season reaches a critical point. Don’t forget to follow Brenden on X (@BrendenEscott) and subscribe to the show wherever you get your streaming audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Brenden Escott is joined for another edition of the Other Side by CHQR 770’s Jock Wilson to break down the Calgary Stampeders’ 2025 season. They dive into the Stamps’ victory in the Labour Day Classic, what went right against Edmonton and how the team is preparing for the quick-turn rematch in the Battle of Alberta. Jock also shares insight on Calgary’s coaching, leadership, and what this rivalry means in the bigger picture of the CFL season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Brenden Escott is joined by show producer and the colour analyst of Elks action on 880 CHED, Dave Campbell, to help set up the Labour Day Rematch game between the Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders. A look at the team’s recent injury problems, quarterback Cody Fajardo’s pursuit of a bounce-back effort and what adjustments we can anticipate after the green and gold dropped the front half of the home-and-home series 28-7. Follow Dave on X (@Dave_CHED). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Brenden Escott explores the fascinating history of nicknames — from their origins in medieval “eke-names” to the way they’ve defined leaders, legends, and athletes across centuries. The conversation traces how nicknames shifted from practical labels to cultural storytelling, with famous examples like Alexander the Great, Ivan the Terrible and Richard the Lionheart. Then, the focus turns to sports: how nicknames evolved from locker-room jokes to media branding to fan-driven social media creations, with iconic cases like Babe Ruth, Wayne Gretzky’s “The Great One,” and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s “Greek Freak.” A lively deep dive into why nicknames stick, what they reveal about identity and how they shape the way we remember history and sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenden Escott starts off the September 5 edition of Inside Sports recapping the first game of the NFL season, which featured Dallas and Philadelphia in a rain delayed affair. The Blue Jays begin a huge series with the Yankees in New York and we ask you the question, “What’s your nickname, and how’d you get it?” Don’t forget to follow Brenden on X (@BrendenEscott) and subscribe to the show wherever you get your streaming audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Brenden Escott is joined by Sportsnet’s Nick Ashbourne to dive into the Toronto Blue Jays’ 2025 season and their pursuit of an AL East crown. The conversation explores how trade deadline acquisitions have shaped the roster, the impact of key players returning from injury, and which bats and arms need to step up down the stretch. Nick breaks down the development of Toronto’s young talent, the pressure on stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and whether this group has the depth and identity to make a serious postseason run. Plus, a big-picture look at Ross Atkins’ roster-building strategy and what this season means for the future of the Blue Jays’ competitive window. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Brenden Escott sits down with NHL insider John Shannon on Inside Sports to dissect a quiet yet fascinating 2025 offseason. They explore why big moves have been scarce, what’s holding up Connor McDavid’s contract extension, and the ripple effects on the rest of the league. John breaks down the recent September 3rd GMs meeting, the evolving strategies of NHL front offices and the long-term implications for parity, star players and the business of hockey. This conversation goes beyond headlines to reveal what’s really shaping the league before the puck drops. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices