OverDrive - Anthony Stolarz to the rescue | OverDrive: Oct. 1, 2026 - Hour 1

Episode Date: October 1, 2026

Join Bryan Hayes, Jamie McLennan and Jonas Siegel for Hour 1 on OverDrive! The guys discuss the Maple Leafs' win against the Islanders, Anthony Stolarz's statement performance, Easton Cowan's strong start and if he plays on the top two lines and Auston Matthews searching for a higher gear. Got Yer Back Podcast Host Jason Strudwick joins Connor Hellebuyck's future in Winnipeg, the Oilers' injury bug and Mike Babcock's mentality for the team.

This hour of overdrive is powered by Fanduil. Fandul, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. All right, here we go, overdrive, off and running. TSN 1050 on the TSN app, your home smart speaker, up on TSN4, up on YouTube live, Brian Hayes, Jamie Noodles, McClain. We got Jonas Siegel in here from the athletic. What's up, boys? What's happening?

How are we feeling? How are you doing, Jonas? Been down at the rink lately? A little tired. A little tired after back to back out of the gate. I just, why? Why, you're not in game shape already, or what's going on? No. Not at all.

Good thing I have 82 more games to go. Right. It's almost like now the season starts, right? What your body clock is telling you is you're used to 82 games and they snuck those two in. First time in team history, a back-to-back at home. Is that true? I believe so. That's what they were saying last night. I don't know.

Maybe Amazon doesn't know what they're talking about. But that's what was circulating first time. time in team history, back-to-back at home. Because they have done back-to-back to start the year, but usually they hit the road one of the two games. And now I believe they're off today, and they'll be back on the ice tomorrow, and then Ottawa and town tomorrow.

But first one of the year, Leaves through the wind column. What did you take away from it? You know, what did you make of it, Brian? There was some, you know, good storylines. Obviously, the goalie was really good. And I thought the Islanders were really sloppy. You're getting teams that, you know, they, like the Leafs had played the night before,

so you could tell they were a little bit sharper last night, and the Islanders just looked out to lunch early on, and then you hope if you're the Leafs, you're hoping you're going to do that to Ottawa Saturday night. Same thing. That's Ottawa's first game. Right. Which is weird, because Ottawa's been sitting there practicing all week.

Like, they haven't played a game, and they don't play until Saturday night. Yes, a bunch of teams play their first game tonight, tomorrow. There's a bunch of Friday games, and, yeah, Ottawa's got to be the last team in the last. league to play. And you're right. The least will be three games into their season in Ottawa is just getting started on Saturday. I thought Stollars was great, like really, really good.

He was moving really well, like post-to-post. Some of the stops he made down low in the third period last night, outstanding stuff. And that's big because we referenced yesterday. We did not talk about him a lot because he was a carryover player. You know, none of the carryover guys got a lot of attention. It was naturally all about the new guys, including Sergey Bobrovsky. But, you know, he's got to redeem himself. He had a really difficult year last year.

A lot of injuries. When he was healthy, he really underperformed. And, you know, Bob is going to play 45, 50 games, whatever that's going to be. That's going to leave a lot of opportunity for Anthony Stolars to factor in to the way this season's going to play out. And as I think we all collectively know, the easiest way. to stay in a playoff hunt is to get very good goaltending. You get very good goaltending, you're into hunt. What you do with it is up to everyone else.

Whether you're going to cruise to the playoffs, just make the playoffs, just miss. If you have very good goaltending, you do not finish with 75 points. It does not happen in the sport. So I thought that was the most significant thing last night that stole us look really good. The most significant. Yeah. Interesting. I thought he was, you know, I thought they were better than the Islanders,

but it's not like they were dominant the least last night. I thought he made some big, big saves. Jonas, what was your takeaway? You got something else? I thought there was lots more interesting than that. I've kind of just thought of him, like, if he's going to be healthy, he's probably going to be pretty good, like 25 to 35 starts. Last year you mentioned he struggled, everyone struggled.

Their goaltending, like, it's funny, like, their goaltending was actually, like, fine last year. If he looked statistically, I don't know how you feel about that. Based on whose metric? Team save percentage. Okay. That metric. I think they were like 17th. Like even with Montreal, they're like middle of the pack.

It's not, but okay. It's lower, weren't they? I thought they were. No. Anyway. Not the biggest problem last year, but certainly not a great thing that they had going for them. I was interested. There's lots that interested me.

I don't know if it's just because they have like 500 new players that there's lots interesting, but like I thought Cowan was really interesting. I think what's going on with that third line is really. really interesting and really intriguing. Their second line is a problem right now. Like a, I don't want to say big problems, two games. I knew you were going to say that. Why?

Because the expected goals right through two games. Forget about the expecting goals. The shot attempts last night were... I understand. 193 or whatever it was. I got it. It's one game. It's two games, but anyway.

Was that bad in game one? It didn't get outshot 19. No, they just gave up two goals. But anyway. Okay. They also scored to. I think their power play is interesting right now. I think, I don't know.

I just think there's lots interesting with what they're doing. But you have stores, not even in your top five. I had him. I thought he was outstanding. He was great. He's great. But like I, yeah, I had him really high. You can see, like, you can see,

noodles, like, I'm sure you guys watch this. You can see why the Leafs wanted to get Marchenko because you watch the Islanders. And it's just like, they need so, they need Markenko. They need someone who can score. Yeah, that Islanders team, man. I don't know what they are. I don't know. They got Schaefer, who is so good.

Yes. Like, you know what? He's so good. He's so good. He's so good. There were times last night where he started to play and wanted to end it, and he couldn't get him the puck. But there was a play in the second period where he started in his own zone,

jumped past the player and was waiting for a given go. And whoever the hell he gave it to, skated it basically into traffic and dumped it in. And Schaefer just looked at the guy going, I just needed that puck back. And I had a zone entry, and he was flying. The rest of them, they got older and snoburned. lower. You know, that's the

Palat, Laundre Palat. You look at Ernie Micelli was there last night. Ernie Micelli was there. Rick Micelli there. Listen, I thought he's a skilled guy, but he's a secondary skilled guy.

And when he's playing on your top line and your number one power play, it shows that you're missing Barzell, it shows that you're missing some depth and skill. But that was the one thing that I took away from the Islander side, the goalie's really good. Like he gives him a chance every night.

Like he's, he made some good saves when he needed to. But that top, like the pairing, that Poo-Lock's a really good player too. Like, no, is it, no, sorry, the partner, Pellick. Pelick is with, yeah, Adam Pellick is his partner. Adam Pellick is a really good partner to Shafor. Like, they're a good, that reminds me like McCartay's type of thing. They'll be really stable. But outside of that, not much to see there.

There's no redeeming qualities there. You're right, Sorokin is. a really good goalie. But Schaefer, like eventually they will get the same treatment that Chicago's getting with Bred, San Jose got with Celebrini, Edmonton got when they got McDavid,

Pittsburgh got when they got Sid. Like, he's in that caliber. He has the chance to be legitimately the best player in the game in the next two or three years. Or one of the most impactful players in the league. You got to build around him. You won the lottery. You got him. He's unbelievable. He was so good last year.

I think he just continues to grow and grow. I don't see a sophomore slump. But, yeah, I think, again, Stolar's putting him aside because apparently that, not relevant. I'm sorry. I need Jonas to weigh in here because it doesn't matter that Stolos was great. That was a great storyline for me. There are, obviously, there's a few concerns. But let's talk about the positive first, and then let's get to things that you would be.

Cowan was outstanding again last night. You know what's crazy? Did you look at the sheet? How much he played? 13 minutes. And it felt like he was out there so much more. But yet, I will say this. Like, we forget.

Hiller is of the Babcock family tree. Yeah. One guy hit 20 minutes up front. It was Matthews at 20 minutes and four seconds. Beau grew was at like nine and a half. Everyone else was in between. All the D were right around 20. He's not, he's a four-line coach.

And that's the Babcock way. And I think it makes a lot of sense. We'll see how long it sticks. Again, there's going to be exceptions to the rule where you're chasing games and Willie and Austin and them are going to have to play 24, 25 minutes. But I think if you get a lead, which the Leafs had last night, he is going to roll the lines. But you're right, Cowan has looked great through two games. Like he has been outstanding through two games.

I think Craig made some great points on Sports Center last night. You look at what he's been through the last two years. Two years ago in London, they win a Memorial Cup. He's outstanding from pillar to post that whole season. Last year, growing pains in the NHB. but they sent them down to the Marley's for the Calder Cup run, and that was hugely beneficial for him, clearly. That's two years in a row.

He has won championships and played a primary role on both teams. And now he's walking into a situation where you're not expected to be the man. You don't have to be. Third line, go out there, you're going to play 13, 14 minutes, and clearly he's up for the challenge. And I am not of the belief that they should change anything for Saturday, where I get the impression you see a different way. I think they are.

I don't think they're there yet. I'm not changing that second line yet. I don't think they're there yet, but I think the way he's playing is going to make it really difficult for him combined with, I don't think the fits on the other two lines have been like outstanding. But here's the problem that I have. Here's the issue that I have.

I'm not challenging you. No, you're right. There are problems. Like they knew when you put McKenna and Willie together, you were going to get some knights for that line. If they stick together, they are going to combine for ten. or 12 points. And they're going to, Willie's going to score three, and McKenna's going to have four

assists, and you're going to say, what a line. And there are going to be nights where they give up four goals. And you're like, I can't believe he's, they're still on the ice. Because neither of them are going to check. Neither of them are defend. And Tavares is trying to keep up with two guys that are burning, right? And he's going one way and they're going the other way. And like, John, I'm not as concerned as some people might be. He has had starts to seasons where you say it takes him a while to get going. I don't think that that's true. I think it's the opposite. I'm saying his skating. I'm saying his skating, I believe, again, I don't have the numbers to back it up. Yeah. But I'm saying, I'm sure he does. But we've had these conversations early in seasons over the last

few years where like, man, he looks slow. And then by eight, game, 10th game, you're like, you know, he's moving his feet more. He's caught up to the pace of the game. I think he can get there. But the other two together, it's a sink or swim play. It's always going to be. Like Willie and, and in McKenna are going to try to, they're high wire players. They're going to try to make plays. I think you got a factor. I think you're right. It was the Islanders.

And they were playing against like their third line. So what do you do then? I don't know. What do you do? You're playing those guys. You're right. You're going to give a time. You're right.

You're not like, John's the second line center. That's what's going to happen here. They don't have a replacement for them. I don't think it's, it's, I think my worry is that there's times again. and rightfully so because the kid is 18. That's really what it is. I've seen this all alone. He's playing with a 36-year-old and a 29-year-old.

I'm not blaming him at all. What I'm saying is if you have exactly what you know in Willie and exactly what you know in John, we don't know what we have in McKenna. We know what we think we have, but I'm saying he's got to get experience to get to that level. And it's just, let me ask you this. if he wasn't the first overall pick, if that was Easton Cowan there last year, how would we be feeling? A hundred. It's a great question. It's just, and that's my point.

He needs, I can't wait for Gavin McKenna just be settled into the league and be trying the things that he tries. I think he's a confident player, but I also think it just takes time to settle in. So I think they're going to be patient with him, and he's going to play and maybe miss a shift here or there if Cowan, you know, they did that game one. They found a few extra shifts for Cowan because McKenna looked a little bit overwhelmed. I think you can do that gingerly without hurting any type of confidence. But like Brian said, there is growing pains and you can see them on the fly. You can see where it's like, oh, he looks 18 on that play because he doesn't want to get hit, doesn't want to take a play, you know, hit to make a play, wants to get out of the way,

wants to try and force something. It happens. I'm not blaming anything on him. He just looks 18. And there's nothing wrong with that. He is 18 years old. 100%. No denying that, but what is the explanation for the 36-year-old and the 30-year-old then?

Like, that's the thing. You can't just say, and I'm not saying you are. You can't look at that line and be like, McKenna's the problem. But why are the other two guys getting cooked then? Yeah. Like, look at those two guys and say, how about you guys pull your weight and carry the 18-year-old? It shouldn't even be about McKenna. Should be about the other two guys.

Agreed. Go ahead, Jonas. I was going to ask you guys. So, can you think you would actually be protecting him more? by playing in with Matthews? Because the idea coming into camp was, well, you don't want to give him too much too soon, you don't want to play in the top line.

But could you make the case that it's actually more beneficial to him to play with Matthews and Marchenko just because Matthews is just a better defensive center? More responsible. More responsible. Like, do you know what I mean? And, like, I actually think his skill set fits better with those guys

than what's, than Roslovick. Like, I don't know. It's just something that rolled through my mind after the game last night. Realistically, I could see that, Jonas, by Christmas. I could see it by two weeks from now. All I'm saying is that maybe it is, but all I'm saying is you've got to give him an opportunity

to settle into the league and know the spacing, the pace of it, understand, and two games doesn't do anything. Short and training camp, not practicing a lot with these guys. Like, we're seeing it again throughout the league. Sloppy, garbage hockey. Like, last night wasn't an awesome hockey game to watch, but they got good goal-tending, they got good individual performances, and they achieved what they needed to do.

And that was two points to win on home ice and get a little confidence and get their game going. But there's lots of work throughout the league. So I pumped the brakes on everything, but it is, like I say, you have to take a look at it individually. And, Brian, you're not wrong. I'm not blaming McKenna because Tavares is a veteran, so is Willie. You think you would want to prop him up a little bit,

but the end of the day, if it's not working five games, then you might have to take a look. Well, sure. I mean, 100%. Obviously, things are going to be fluid. But here is my counter to that proposal. One, if he looks 18 on the second line, how is he not going to look 18 on the first line?

My argument is he would have better installation. They're not spending any time in the offense zone. They're defending the whole time. Right. Again, which isn't last night in particular. but I got you. I'm not disputing that. But again, I think it's more likely he goes the other way. Here's my- And plays lower the lineup?

Well, I mean, listen, again, he's 18 years old. I know. They don't have any obligation to play him 20 minutes a night or anything like that. And it's not like if they had an end, if their thought process was, we're going to finish with 70 points and we're tanking again this year, they'd just throw them out there and they'd play them. They're not. They want to win and they think they can be a playoff team.

So his development is going to be on a deal. different track than that of Bedard, Celebrini, et cetera, other first overall picks on bad teams. It's just the reality of the situation. But here's where I want to throw this out, because I know that top line, again, they have been buzzing, they've had the puck a ton, you look at the numbers, what was the last night, 86% or whatever it was.

Matthews has not got a point yet. He has four shots. He has four shots. Yeah. So if he was rocking, I'd be like, okay, you're right. He can take on McKenna. I don't know if you can go to him and say, but I need you to keep your eye on this kid right now. Like I got to think Austin is walking away saying, I'm skating well. Like he's playing well.

It's not that he's playing poorly. But he needs to prove he's not a 30-goal score 70-point guy. He has to be 45 to 50 goals and 90-plus points. That's who he was at his height. Couldn't you argue McKenna is going to help get him the puck and opportunities to shoot? I don't know. I don't know that against tough.

competition. I don't know that. That's the thing, Jonas. We don't know that because we only have 120 minutes of play. I'm sample size realistically because I'm not looking at exhibition. I'm sorry, exhibition was exhibition. And what we're seeing the last couple nights here, teams are playing for keeps. And so I agree. I just, I want everybody to breathe here because Saturday night, this guy could break out. And you're like, oh, exactly.

Hey, like, let's, you know, game three. the light goes on. Game four, eventually, you know, he is going to settle in and make some plays. And he's had some, like, he's made some good plays that just haven't been converted on. Let's not forget about that. There's been some passes on the back door and, you know, a nice little play through the middle of the ice. If you get a shot on goal or a redirect, you've got points on the board. So, you know, I just, when I look at it, I think the top line, at least Marchenko and Matthews look like they can put something together. Roslovick might be a placeholder until

somebody else elevates. And whether it's Cowan, Cowan might get a peak somewhere high in the lineup, just based on a couple of good games. I want to pump the brakes on that, because I also think having a good third line or some depth there is really going to help you along. Because we haven't seen that in Toronto in a long time.

It's been a discussion for a long time, right? We've talked about it. Yeah, depth scoring. Forever. And Cisons. And a third-ball center who can, like, defend and play regular minutes. Well, in between Cisons, Paul, you've got a right shot, a left

shot, they can take face off kind of all over the ice, you can kind of have yourself covered or feel like you're in a good position on both ends. Like everyone's trying to find it. You know, that's why I look at it, I think you know, Matthew's four shots on goal, no points,

I would not be surprised if he broke out soon. Like he looks like he is capable of doing that. And he doesn't look like he's laboring. It doesn't look like the knee is an issue for him. He looks healthy and he's skating well. And I think he's making some decent plays with the puck. And Marchenko and him, I think, have the real

possibility of being like an electric duo in the league. But, again, he's got to show it. Like, for two years, now he has been a 30-goal score, 70-point guy. Like, that's what Austin's been, more or less. And

he's played the first two games, like a 30-goal, 70-point guy who is very valuable, he's going to play all over the ice, who is going to have the puck a ton and make the other team very concerned, but again, I'm just, I'm waiting for him to really look like himself again, and he's two games in is not where you start to wonder, okay, exactly what it's going to be all year, but 10 or 15 games in, if he's not at the pace that we expect him to be at, or we know

he can be at, there's an uncomfortable conversation coming, is what I'm getting to, where, you know, the new reality may be the real and permanent reality. when it comes to Austin Matthews. Let's go back to our saying yesterday, it's only one game. Let's go to it's only two games. I hear you, noodles, but four shots in two games is not prime Austin Matthews. I understand. And if he buries the one on Dobish underneath the bar, you're like, okay, he's back, man.

Look at that. And I get it. But I also think there is, it's not even a learning curve, especially for Austin and all these guys. But there is a settling in amount here where, you know, you can see it everywhere throughout the league, whether it's new coaches, new players, new systems, no training camp. Like, excuses are everywhere. And I know they're for losers and all of that type of stuff. But it is a reality when you're looking at sloppy play and lack of systematic play and all of that.

There's been, you know, things where you're like, a month from now, that's not going to happen because things will be buttoned down. I think when we're talking 15 games from now, we're going to have an answer on Austin Matthews. We're going to have the progression of Gavin McKenna. You're going to see if Roslavik is really a fit in the top six. You're going to have some answers to some of the things we're talking about two games in. Yeah. Well, how much do you guys think the lack of camp preseason really hurts, like, especially veterans like Tavares? Big, for me.

Like more so than others, right? Well, John even is on record saying he would like to play three games, and I know that's just one extra game, but it is, you know, for guys who are all about timing and getting their legs going and feel, I think he will get going. Jonas, you know, that NHL Edge has him skating slower this year than he did last year. I get that. Austin Matthews has him skating faster than he did last year. So that's a good sign. So, you know, again, it's only two. games. But I think Tavares can get up to speed and I think a lot of veterans throughout the

league will get up to speed as they get more comfortable. They haven't even been on the road yet. They played two sports. Well, they went to Arizona. I don't even go to. You know what I mean? Like he has not. He has not jumped on like a plane and left and played somewhere else.

Yeah. Like that's how absurd this whole preseason is. Yeah. That they have been in camp now and together for three weeks. They have not packed a. bag for the road with the intention of playing somewhere else. So is where are we right now? It's actually a question for the fans and for us in the media and that,

are we happy they started earlier? Are they happy they had no training camp basically? Because we should have expected this type of sloppy kind of nonsense. Well, it happens anyway, though. We talked about it when they had 82 games and a three-word. It doesn't make a difference. Like, veterans, you were a veteran in the league. They don't care.

Like, they don't care about the pre. They do their own thing. You try to get a sweat in. You know, you try to get your routine going. It's just, I don't think it makes a difference one way or the other. And, again, I think through two games, the least have been the better team both nights. You know, I think they could easily have three or four points. They got two.

You're one and one. And you still got a couple of home games before you hit the road. And now everyone's in. You know, Storler's played, group played. He killed some penalties last night. So they're going to work a lot of different things out like every other team. but I think all and all through two games could it be better? Sure, could it be worse? Absolutely.

I think there's more positives than negatives in my opinion because they still need to get that power play going but I think it will. There's a lot of turnover there. You've got Marchenko and Radish playing prominent roles on that power play now. Well, Marchengo has not a practice with the first unit. Exactly. Legitimately. So you literally have not had a practice with a brand new power play.

It's going to take some time. There was a burning question for you, Brian. How did Radish, how was he last night? But he was more comfortable last night. Look more comfortable. Yeah, like he was more, I thought, definitive with the puck. It wasn't as glaring. You know, he didn't make any glaring turnovers for the most part.

Like that was the thing about night one. It was just so extreme. He had one up the wall in the second period where he kind of soft. He just floated it to a space where he thought, I think it was Paul was going to skate into it. Paul turned away, and I was like, oh, but he was able to close on it right away. And I kind of laughed about it because I'm sure he was like, hey, I led you with that play and the forward missed it. And I kept thinking, oh, I hope that's not labeled a turnover for him because it was actually the right play.

But I thought he looked solid. Yeah. It would be fine. It was hard to judge last night because that game was kind of a dog's breakfast because it looked like, you know, Islanders didn't have much and they didn't. They're not a fancy team or anything like that. They're just kind of meat and potatoes here, right? So it was tough to get anything going as far as flash and dash, you know? Yeah.

And again, a bunch of games in the league tonight, including Edmonton in Vancouver. Struddy's coming up and more injury news in Edmonton. Zach Hyman's now out for a couple of weeks. So we'll catch up with Strud and get his take on a couple of other games that went down last night. He's taking the leaves. The Oilers going tonight. Luke coming up Thursday night are the Browns of a Dron's. chance to lead the AFC North as of tonight.

Deshawn Watson on primetime, the chance to win his third straight game. And Owen Wilson on the clock tonight. So Luke coming up in just over half an hour. Overdrive continues up on YouTube live. All right, overdrive continues powered by Fanduel, bringing you more ways to play your game, your way.

Luke Wilson coming up in half an hour. Browns Steelers tonight. Who's going to be leading the AFC North after tonight? It could be the Cleveland Brown. Where did you see that on your bingo card? I did not. I did not see that, especially after the week one debacle where they just got demolished and Watson was terrible. But Cleveland's in a position to pounds tonight at home on a short week. So Luke coming up in half an hour, Struddy would join us here in just a second because we've got Oilers Vancouver tonight. Two teams, he's an

alumni of. He's world famous. That's right. They might have Jason Strudwick drop the puck tonight. He might be, you know, ceremonial face off, eh? All right, well, let's see if he's in his hotel, his penthouse suite in Vancouver. Let's bring in Jason Strudwick. Ah, you're at home, Struddy. Why are you not in Vancouver? Yeah, well,

there was an option, but I was pretty busy here, but honestly, what's going on? Do you guys have a new mandate this year? The boys in the back were pushing me so hard to be on video. Like, you, they want some sexiness on this? I know what it is, can't be the only people, like enough.

You know what it is? We're going to do like a slow time from like September to October to April. We're going to see where that hairline goes back. We're going to have a measurement throughout the year. You know, we'll put it together. And then we're going to have a salad rebuild and see if you and Kaber and all of our favorites, Todd Reared in. Because LeBron's out. I don't know if you know that.

He left the club strutty. He's gone. LeBron went Messier the other day. I saw that. So it's another guy who finally realized that the palm tree on top of his head has to go. So there it is. You know, maybe we could have like a giveaway, right? Myself and Kaber and Reardon can take, you know, three lucky listeners,

all paid expense to Turkey. I like it done, right? Slap a couple rugs on these things and look good. I like that idea. I like that idea. No, it's great to see it. And, yeah, Doogie and J.P. and Joe, they just love having you on. Our audience says it all the time.

We want to see strutty. You know, they don't really. really want to hear much from you, but they want to see you all the time. They're always looking forward to it. Strud, you know, we're a couple days into the NHL season. Collectively, are you seeing floppiness? Are you seeing entertainment value? There were some blowouts last night.

In Philly, the Flyers got roasted by Pittsburgh last night, roasted by them. Yeah, that's a tough night. You know, you start the season, you're feeling pretty excited. You put up, you know, minus seven in that game. That's a pretty tough one. But, yeah, I don't think this is a big surprise me. Most years, the first couple games, first couple weeks are a little bit sloppy.

And it's, you know, it's collectively you're trying to, if you have a new coach, you're trying to get a new system dialed in, or if you're a new player. Like, you know, either a rookie, like McKenna there in Toronto or a new goalie or a new player and a new team. So, yeah, I think it takes a little bit of time to work it through, but not a long time. Like, I'm not talking 20, 30 games. I'm talking, you know, five games to kind of get your game organized to some level. So, Strad, before we get to out east some of the games out here, let's talk about that Oilers game one.

Let's talk about them now having some adversity because it's not only R&H and Savoy, who else, name some other names. Dickinson. Dickinson. Now you've got Zach Hyman, so that's really three of your six top six forwards and your number three centermen. Now, is it excuse time or is it, you know, testing the depth? What do you make of it? Well, they don't have the toughest schedule. hit or start, right? And with all due respect to Vancouver and Seattle, you know, those first

three games aren't outrageous opponents like Carolina or Florida. So it does make it harder for sure. And I think what the challenge is, it takes it harder to get everyone on this, or makes it harder to get everyone on the same page as far as what Mike Babcock's trying to do. He wants you to play with pace. He wants you to force all the time, be quickly all over the ice. And those guys, you mentioned, they're big parts of this team. So it'll take longer for that group to fit in. Now, the side part of that is that there's a lot of other players getting opportunity. You know, you look at some of the new additions. Colton Dock is the second-line center, it looks like, for the Hamilton-O-U-Rs tonight.

I didn't think he was going to be playing center this year. I thought it would be a fourth-line left winger, and here he is at center tonight and Emden through all the training camps. So opportunity for sure makes it harder and maybe slows down the Oilers. But, you know, the way they played the other night, they could have had an all-star lineup. It wasn't the way they want to play. And I think the net minding would say the same. So I expect a much more focused and organized attack tonight for the orders in Vancouver.

Yeah, it's the classic insult to the opponent when you still get a point and you're like, man, we were so horrendous. What did Babcock call it? Ridiculous? Ridiculous? Yeah. And it's ridiculous. And it really, it is, you know, unfortunately a shot of Vancouver where if you lose to them,

it's completely unacceptable. You just, you can't have it. Yet with all these injuries, McDavid's still playing, Dry Settle playing, Bouchard still playing, but beyond that, Strud,

this lineup is not better than Vancouver's lineup. Like, it's not a great lineup, man. Like, on paper, and I don't know if Jari's playing or Levi's playing tonight,

but the goalie. Their D are better. Yeah, the D is pretty solid. They don't have any injuries on D. That's a good defensive core. It's just the forwards serve. You need Hockey D.B.

Yeah. So let's say, okay, so you know, hymen, no nuge, no Savoy. So that's all, you know, it could be your second line right there. And that puts guys in different positions. But I think what I would expect under Mike Babcock type situation, those three lines are going to fly. They got to fly and be disruptive and not give away some of the chances they had against. Like the other night, you know, two bad pinches by D

lead to a breakaway than a two-on-one. Like that, we talk about that when I'm coaching U-15, U-13 hockey, right? So those are areas that you can clean up, limit the chance of the other team, against off the rush specifically, and then let the big guys cook, you know, they didn't score on the power play. And actually they were taking some bullets on the powerplay. So I think that'll be better. I just see a much organized, much more organized team tonight with three lines really buzzing after the big line.

Okay. With Jason Strudwick, I love seeing McKinnon fight last night. I was unreal. I thought it was outstanding. He initiated it. Like Clark and him were whacking at each other and he was the one saying, let's go. I think it's great. It always leads to a discussion.

Do you want your superstars fight? I think it's great. I think it sets a tone early. They absolutely beat up on L.A. They won 8-4 last night. You know, they were the best team in the league last year. He's won everything. He's done everything.

He mauled him. And he beat him up. And I think it's great. I mean, I don't know how else to express it. I'm all for superstars fighting as long as it is in a situation like that. I have no problem with it. You know what I like about it? I like that Clark pissed him off.

enough the McKinnon wanted to fight him. Yeah, exactly. Like, I love that. I absolutely. So he's playing him hard. And, you know, there was some dirty little plays and such, like, not dirty, but like, there was some stick work and stuff. But just imagine how mad do you have to get someone that hasn't fought in four years

to fight you the first game of the year. So I think that, you know, L.A. is going to play hard. They're going to battle. I don't think they're as good as Colorado, obviously. But on the other side from McKinney, I think every now and then they're allowed to flex and go forward, as long as you're not fighting an absolute mauler.

I think it was retribution for McCar, right? I think Clark hit McCar, and it was later retribution. So to your point. Even better. Even better, right? Even better. There's your leadership, right? I was watching that game, and they got chippy, because

Colorado just crunched them. And really, you know, the game was a little bit close because L.A. was scoring goals. Like, they didn't get shut out. They put up four. Like, you know, and it was a sloppy, sloppy game, and it got chippy, you're right, McCar got hit, and

McKinnon is a fiery, fiery guy, and I don't mind it. Again, you have to pick your opponent, but that Clark plays hard. I really like him. I think he's a hell of a player. But L.A.'s in a really weird spot right now, you know, that they're turning over leadership with

Kopitar gone. They got a little older again in the off-season, which is, you know, surprising for me. I thought they'd get younger legs. But they're a fascinating case study for me. Yeah, they are. And listen, historically, LaVuette has been really good, like the first season he gets somewhere, right? He gets them to pop. And it's asking a lot, though, this year. Because obviously there's a lot of big boys in the central. If you believe Edmonton and Vegas are going to be

playoff teams, then, you know, you're running out of real estate in terms of the standings. As for the Dylan Larkin situation, I guess he's going to miss the first two games strud with an upper body injury. They have seven of their first eight games at home. Are you buying this? Are you thinking he's just buying his time and praying that they find a way to trade him between now and the next couple of games? What do you

see happening here with Larkin? The timing seems a little suspicious and I'm not around that team at all but you know, you don't hear a lot of upper body injury training in the off season and then he's unable to partake and now he's just practicing now he's out for sure two games.

There's a lot going on there. Or did you with, you know, an interim general manager and Sean Horcoff. You know, the D-Man is gone. He's gone back to Sweden. They're still talking to him. It doesn't even have a stall in their dress room. So there's a lot of things. Edmondson, you're referencing, right?

Yeah. A lot of stuff going on. So, I mean, at the end of the day, they have to sort some of these things out, get one back in and maybe move the other one. But again, like, it's, it's, it's, Larkin's got a pretty small list, as I understand, and then where are you going to go? And where are you going to get the value back for, I think,

a lower-end first-line center or a really good second-line center, guys? Well, I was going to ask you guys, who do you think gets traded first? Him or Halebuck? I think Larkin. Because there's just more of a market. Yeah. Like, you know, everybody's team,

there's probably a few teams that are in on Halebuck. I think San Jose should be, just because I, you know, Asker-off's a good young goaltenter, but Hellebuck could be a game changer for them. I look at Buffalo, I look at Carolina, I look at New Jersey. Like there are, but for Larkin, it's just shrink, it's just this list. I guarantee you there's 10 people calling, you know, Horcoph and going, I'll take him tomorrow and I'll make a deal,

but he doesn't want to go to X, Y, and Z team. That's really what it is, where I think Helibuck, as a goalie, we all know. And Brian, you talked about it. Like, it's just, I think the marketplace is so much different for a goaltender than it is for a, a centerment, a number one slash two sentiment. I think Montreal would trade for Dylan Larkin right now if he was willing to go there. I just don't think he is willing to go there. I mean, I think it would have been done by now.

I really believe that. And, you know, Hellebuck, you know, you didn't reference Edmonton there. I don't know if that's because we don't think Edmonton has enough pieces or if he's just not willing to go there. He might not be. Like if he wants to get out of Canada, Edmonton, they're not going to waste their time. Yeah, not going there. Okay. But would they have enough pieces?

I mean, because wouldn't that be a team that it's like, how do you not try to get Hellebuck if you're Edmonton? If you feel you have the piece. Well, the return. I mean, I think the return is a bit of a challenge, right? So you look around the youngish players that they might want. You know, it's Savoy. Okay. You know, I think he's a pretty good player.

Howard's not proven on the back end. Like, who's the young D-Men that you might want? And then as far as young goalies, is it Levi? Like, it's, I don't think they have the piece. Quite frankly, they already have three golies. Yeah. So there you go. So if they don't have it, then they can't get in on it.

Yeah. I just don't think they have the currency, Brian. I really don't know. I think you're right. No, I'm not arguing against that. I don't think they do. I think that was an issue that Montreal's run into. Like they don't have, they have a lot of picks and prospects,

but if you're looking for players who are going to help you right now, Montreal's not in a position to do that. You know, they're not going to trade Cole Cawfield to get Dylan Larkin, you know, if you were available or willing to go there. Like, obviously you're not going to do that. Is that what they should be doing, though? Sure, Montreal? Well, Detroit.

Like, shouldn't they be kind of rebuilding this thing again? If I'm Detroit, I should be, I should, you need to get younger and, you know, have a different look. So, yes, you got Raymond, you've got a couple really good young pieces there, and they're good. But are you trying to get another, what is Larkin 30? Is he 29 or 30? It's 29, I think. Okay, so let's just call it a 30-year-old. Are you trying to get another 30-year-old or should you be getting another 20-year-old or should you be getting another

23 or 24-year-old, somebody in the younger push type of thing. I think Smore Siders like 24-5, I believe. Yeah, so I mean, that's where you should be trying to line up in there. So I don't know. Who has that currency? Who has that, you know, a number two centerman. Doesn't Montreal? He's not doing it, though.

That's the thing. Like Larkin's not waving. When do you think he gets to a point where he's just like, okay, I got to make my list? That is very valid. Maybe as of the home opener tomorrow night, when they have to announce him and he is going to get destroyed in that building. Now, I'm assuming he's got to be there.

If you're getting paid, even though you're not playing, you've got to kind of go out there and do the wave. That is going to be remarkably awkward. Like incredibly awkward when he gets called out tomorrow night. But that might be what a team like Montreal is waiting for. Make it so awkward you say, dude, you just, you got to move. Like, you got to get out of there. But what about Winnipeg's mentality?

Like, are they, how different are they from Detroit, in terms of what they feel they have to get back in return. Like, should they not be thinking futures themselves, or are they a team that can ride with Colorado and Dallas and Minnesota? Strud, what do you make of that? I mean, I think that they're in a difficult spot. I think that without Hellebuck, they're not the same team, obviously. And if they get the young goalie back, he won't be the same in some other pieces.

They struggled last year. I recognized Hellebuck was out at times, but I don't think they're as good a team as they were two or three years ago, and there's a few spots to fill. So I would look at perhaps, you know, looking at a futures market. The problem with that is you still have some pretty good pieces there, especially Morrissey and, you know, Shifley and Connor.

Like, what do you tell those guys, though? Well, that's the problem. Yeah, if you don't make the right trade, are those guys the next ones out the door? So this is really tough spot for Shevall Day Off. I feel for him, but because I don't know, I think the return is better for the futures than it is for, for, for guys right now.

Right. I think that's a tough spot. I think he's in a really tough spot because I think it sends the team one way or the other, I think. Well, exactly. And they feel, and everything you hear out of Winnipeg is they feel like, you know, they had a bad year last year. They can get right back into the playoff race. But if you start going on, well, Helibuck for, you know, an up-and-coming kid that's a junior

and a high pick and all of that, what do you say in the Kyle Connor, you know, an American player that. And Connor said the right things. I liked his comments at camp saying, like, want to be here. If the guy doesn't want to be here, so be it. Shifley looks like he's a lifer there and wants to be, and Morrissey's same thing. But are you telling those guys, hey, we're going to retool or kind of retool on the fly with you guys here? It's a real balancing act for Chevy in Winnipeg.

No, it is. It is. And, I mean, Ottawa went through it to a lesser extent because Halaubuck is. just more of an impactful player and an important player than Brady was. But Brady had a huge profile, and they took the futures but then flipped them, you know, and got Eklund pretty quickly, you know, or at least one of the futures. And they, I think we're dealing with the same thing. We finally made the playoffs two years in a row.

Got to keep this going. You got, you got, like, how do you tell Jake Sanderson, you're in it to win it? How do you tell Stootsley, you're in it to win it? At what point can you keep this cloud around? Like, shot, I was going to ask you, like, what do you think it's like for a Winnipeg Jet right now who's not Hellebuck. It just must be really distracting. Well, I played with Vancouver, and the year before, Barry was with us, and then Pavel

asked for a trade, and he didn't come to camp. And, you know what, it was odd because you'd have to, you know, not so much me, but the leadership of the group had to deal with it a lot of times. How do you feel about Pavel not being? What's going on to Pavel? And eventually he was traded, and we got some good pieces back for him. But it is a distraction, and I think the worst part as a teammate is that you like the guy, but you know your team's not as good.

so you're kind of suffering because he's not here. But you understand the business and all that stuff, but still, you're still human. You want to win. And with Shevoldeoff or Pavel Burry, you're definitely better with even one of those guys on your team. Yeah, no kidding. But he's not even there.

Like Larkin's hanging around. Which is almost more awkward thing. Brian, I think that must be, it's got to be must-see-TV for him to walk. Like, because they announce everybody on the roster. They'll be there. I can't wait to see that. I think it gets booed?

Yes. A hundred percent. Hammered. Hammered tomorrow night. I believe it's tomorrow night they play. I don't think, if I'm PR, I don't put him out there. Like, I don't, I think he's doing. What do you do?

Like, it's such a blatant. I guess you could say, like, he's not here today. Or just not even mention him, but he's still on the team. And, like, after the two games, he's going to play, I think, unless he just continues to come up with some, you know, I got something else going on now. you know, all his shoulder, bad back. I don't know what he's going to do because they have seven of their first eight games are at home.

So you're saying put a sling on him. I guess. Yeah. I guess so. Giant sling on him and have him come out and like wave with the other hand type of thing. He must be calling his agent every 15 minutes. And the agent, I would guess, I don't know who he is, is probably telling him, dude, how about expand the list?

I can get you to Montreal tonight if you want. I can get you to a lot of places tonight if you'd like. I can get you to Columbus in an hour. You want to go to Columbus? You know, expand your list if you have such a problem. What if, I mean, I'd love to know the list. What if the list is this one team? He's like waiting for it.

Reportedly it was, I think, you know, Vegas, Florida, Minnesota, maybe Tampa. Anyway, all right, Strud, enjoy the games tonight, buddy. We'll do it again soon. Great seeing you. Yep, you're welcome for coming on video, guys. Take care. Jason Strud would join us here. and looking great, as always.

All right. Luke coming up in studio in 15 minutes, and Jonas has got himself a list, a very premature, but I think appropriate list. Thank you. Right? What needs to stick

and maybe what needs to change for the least through two games? Overdrive continues up on TSN. All right, Luke coming up Thursday night football tonight. We're already in a week four in the NFL. It flies, man. We're in October. It's October, Jonas.

Did you know that? I could tell. because it looked a little drearyer today. Yeah, it had a very October feeling today. Yeah. Almost like they knew it. Golf courses, are they done? About a month left.

But no playing today, I wasn't even thinking about it. I don't know how many more times they'll get to play. I mean, a busy time of year, it gets, get into frost delays soon as depressing. But what are you going to do? What are you going to do? October. Exactly. Yeah, you got hockey going.

You got football going. Great cup right around the corner. Contracts still being signed in the end. NHL, right, big ones. That one we got to get into that. Kristen Lunoz, yeah. He was on our, I think we might have coached against him at the Prospects game in Kitchener.

I remember saying that kid can play. And you said if you can sign him, sign him now. I wouldn't let that kid. I said, that's what I said. I wouldn't let that kid play 15 games in the league without signing him long term. He gets to 15. You're asking for trouble. So they sign him after 14 games in Anaheim.

And I got to think, Pat for beak, his head is just spinning out of control. He's on tilt. He doesn't know what the hell he's doing now ever since the Leo Carlson signing. You know, like, you call him and say, we need a deal. He's like, done, what are we doing? You get a contract. Everyone gets a contract. Oprah.

Yeah, I love it. It's a great deal. Great deal for Luno. Great deal for Luneau. Unbelievable representation on that one. Hour two coming up. Overdrive continues up on TSN4. You've been listening to Overdrive.

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