NATION RADIO: HAVE YOUR SAY

I’m not sure why management at TEAM 1260 hasn’t seen fit to give me my own radio show yet, but until they correct that oversight, I’m happy to ride shotgun twice a week as a co-host with Jason Gregor and thankful for fill-in gigs like the one I’ll have Saturday on Nation Radio.

With Lowetide taking tomorrow off, I received a directive from Wanye Gretz at Oilersnation’s palatial downtown headquarters the other day telling me to get my backside over to the studio in the west end between noon and 2 p.m. to fill in for everybody’s favourite friendly uncle – there was also some sort of reference to "try not to screw it up so bad this time."

Needing the dough and wanting a break from thrashing on my latest hotrod project – the bitchin’ but broken down 1960 Biscayne that Mr. Bowling Shoes keeps razzing me about every chance he gets – I accepted, so I’ll be occupying the big seat and trying not to push the wrong buttons for two hours. Could be the start of something big, no?

Aside from having a solid line-up of guests, I’d like to toss out an invitation to our readers here, at least those I haven’t banned yet, to get involved with the show and call in during our final segments of each hour and have your say about anything that’s on your fertile minds related to the Oilers.

Be it your take on the pending announcement of GM Steve Tambellini’s contract extension, the status (limbo) of Tom Renney, what the Oilers should do with a third consecutive first overall pick (skip the goofy talk and select Nail Yakupov) in the 2012 Entry Draft or anything else – "Brownlee, why don’t you have your own show yet?" – I’d like to hear from you.

Aside from having a good hockey gab, it also provides me the opportunity to put a voice to the fake names that show up on this website on a regular basis, be it John Chambers (bogus name if I ever heard one), Quicksilver Ballet or Dipstick.

Whether you’re a knucklehead, an armchair GM or both, I’d like to hear from you – yes, even if you disagree with me (forcing me or the producer to cut you off in mid-sentence and then ridicule you without the courtesy of letting you defend yourself). We’re looking at 10-minute segments for your takes at 12:45 and 1:45.

We’ll kick-off the big show with exclusive interviews with Wayne Gretzky and Gary Bettman, spend 40 minutes talking about the Bronte 5000’s analysis of relative Corsi and then follow that up with a conversation with chief scout Stu MacGregor, who will make it official the Oilers will select Yakupov with the first overall pick . . . *

— Gregor is going to slide by to talk about the topical issues of the day (he’s gonzo the first time he slips in a Biscayne cheap shot) to open the show, including the status of Tambellini and Renney, potential coaching candidates and anything else that’s creating a buzz in this corner of the NHL.

— In the second segment of the first hour, I’ll have a chat with defenseman Ryan Whitney about the season that was, the off-season that is and what he sees looking down the road at 2012-13. He’s a sharp guy who always offers an honest take.

— We’ll talk with Vancouver Province beat man Ben Kuzma, who’ll offer his insights about the Canucks coming off the tracks in the first round and all the consternation that’s followed. Kuzma doesn’t toe the company line, and never has, when it comes to his thoughts on the Canucks.

— In our second segment of the second hour, we’ll talk with David Staples of the Edmonton Journal. Staples isn’t just the engine that drives the popular Cult of Hockey blog, he’s an excellent writer with a better handle on what’s going on with the arena project than any other reporter in this city. We’ll talk about what’s happening, and why, with the project.

— In the final segments of each hour, I’ll take your calls at 780 426-8326. Or not.