OverDrive - Chayka on the Maple Leafs' roster + the Marchenko deal | OverDrive: Oct. 2, 2026 - Hour 1

Episode Date: October 2, 2026

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLenna for Hour 1 on OverDrive! The guys discuss the Oilers' win against the Canucks, Edmonton's goaltending problems in the crease, Igor Shesterkin's goalie goal for the Rangers, Aleksander Barkov's injury concerns for the Panthers and the Jack Hughes and A.J. Mleczko exchange on the ice. Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager John Chayka joins to discuss the Maple Leafs' roster look, the addition of Kirill Marchenko and Gavin McKenna's career trajectory and O-Dog being in the Chris Osgood' goalie goal game.

This hour of overdrive is powered by Fanduil. Fan Duel, 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, the O'Dog, Jeff O'Neill, Jamie Noodles, McClead. What's going on today? How are we feeling this afternoon? Masterton nominee.

Fighting through? Fighting through? I like it. Ken Bolden to send in a Masterton nominee for myself for this. Really? Yeah. What's the problem? I just had to grind through yesterday, and luckily, it's a combo.

I had to grind through yesterday. I woke up, and I was just, like, hot and sweaty, and every joint in my body was aching. I couldn't move. And my tooth started hurting. Uh-oh. No, no, listen. Wow. So I had to get through the garbage of yesterday, and I had a root canal at 1 o'clock, and now I'm ready to, Masterton, I'm telling you.

That is a Masterton type of behavior. I mean, I actually got to give you a lot of credit. I've actually won a Masterton. Oh, exactly. You've actually won one before. Yes. You shouldn't be alive right now. It's basic.

Exactly. I literally had, I was at desk door and had to reteach myself to walk. but the flu and a bad tooth. A bad jib. So, Mr. Valdon, sniffles. Mr. Redmond, put my name in this show. I'm submitting you, because it's early in the season? It is.

And I'm submitting you, and you grinded through, although you didn't. You missed yesterday, but was live tweeting. Weren't you texting me about stuff? I told Hayes, I'm like, Easton Cowan is the best player on the ice, and you guys were going on about stupid cars. You were Harry Dunn on the toilet or something, because we talked about him for 10 minutes. I know. Maybe I didn't see that.

You're a classic listener who tunes in when they get in the car and they go, why aren't they talking about it's like, dude, it's 538. You know, we've been on the air for an hour and a half. Maybe that was the case. Maybe that was the case. Hayes brought it up because he kind of gave us hack. He's like, oh, says we should have been talking about Eastern County. I'm like, we just talked about him for 10 minutes.

Yeah. Okay. We don't have to cover it off today then. He's been very good. He's been very good. and I don't know if we're expecting any significant changes tomorrow night. John Chico will join us in half an hour. Obviously, that's not his call.

Like Jim Hiller is the coach and will determine the lines. But John coming up in 25 minutes, and it's kind of crazy. We're preparing for the Leafs to play their third game, and Ottawa hasn't played a game yet. Like Ottawa is just sitting there. They have not played a game yet. Dude, it sucks so bad. I can remember the schedule a bunch of years ago,

where like jersey opened up and then they didn't play for like seven days they played one game and then sat for seven days it's like you couldn't have tossed in one tilt home or road in between now and or tuesday and saturday like give me a break find a game find a game somewhere come on considering it's a shortened training camp like they literally were able to probably have an extra week of training camp technically because they didn't play where other teams are like we got a back leaps are like we got a back to back. You know, Gavin McKenna is saving his legs for the back to back. I love that explanation, right? He came out today. He said the reason I did not take the optional skate is because it was a back-to-back. I got to keep this well-oiled machine well-oiled. Have at it.

But the point being is I guarantee you auto-o-law practice Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, like because they haven't played. So it's like, might as well come to the rink. And now will they be sloppy? Will their timing be off? I've told you guys this. There was more bad hockey again last night. There was some wild stuff in the league.

Wild-ass stuff. Like really wild stuff going on. The 80s Oilers, the 80s Oilers are back. And as Grant Fuhr once said, I'll give you seven, but you're not getting eight, nine, or ten. Grant would give up four, but not the fifth. Grant would give always, the Oilers always won seven-four. And Fearsie, they would get to, like, four, three, and then Fearsie would, like, he would make a big save and that would be it.

And the Oilers would just cruise. Last night it was 8-2. And I was fading on the couch. I'm like, ah, just see what the... And then it's like, man, it's 8-5. We got a game here. And I went to sleep. And I didn't go to sleep.

I watched the whole thing. I'm not watching that. When it was 8-2, I'm like, why am I watching this? I watched the whole game. Good for you. And then let's just strutty talk about it afterwards last night. I can't do it. And listen, again, what's so crazy about it is that Vancouver is, unfortunately,

so bad that even like again it's more about criticizing the oilers they won the game last night like they got three or four points and everyone's crushing edmonton because Vancouver's so bad the only reason mike babcock didn't go completely nuts last night because it was goaltending they allowed 22 shots on net yeah seven goals on 22 is a rough it's like i think he just laughed to himself and said how can i be mad at anyone or call it ridiculous or say that we need work on systems. When we got a guy in that's given a seven spot on 22 shots, I literally can't bluff that.

I can't make it up. You're right, but there was a few guys on D that should have taken their gear off. That Maca Madoulin and Jake Wallman should have taken their gear off halfway through the second period. Like outrageous plays. I hear you. But eight, too. And I guess that is something they're trying to snuff out that, hey, once you got a lead, you just cruise home and everything should be easy.

It should have been, though. If this was November at 8-2, games over. Like, maybe it gets chippy or whatever. It doesn't become nonsense. But the league, like, I watched the Sturkin score a goal last night. He's like, out of hell with that. I'm fired down the ice.

I love that. I love that. The goal is going through the line on the bench. It's so great. But you take it as a slight, like, I actually, I thought it was amazing. But going through the bench, like, that's tough, right? you're high-fiving. I saw at the end of the game Kutrov say something to him,

and obviously it was in Russian and their buddies, right? But they both kind of chuckled. But he went through the bench high-fiving. How do you feel if you're on the other team? I think that's totally reasonable because I'm going to give you the stats. That is the 21st goalie goal in NHL history, and there have only been 18 different goalies that have ever done it. It is more unlikely to see a goalie score a goal than a perfect game in Major League.

baseball. So, exactly. Like, if you, that's on Tampa. And I thought Cooper's post game was great. He's like, we thought it was still summer out there. The guy, like, Tampa just Eric Garbage. They were garbage. New York, to their credit, you know, they got shelved. They, like,

the only reason they lost to Boston was Swamen was unbelievable. Like, New York's actually had a pretty good start. It's early. But Swamen was great in Boston a couple nights ago. But if you score a goal and you're one of 18 goalies in history to do it, I don't care if you pull a tiger Williams down the ice.

I think we should try and find it. We should try and find it, though. Nadelcovic scored a goal, and I think he jumped into the bench. Sure. Like I... How would you react there? You can't play a cool there if you score a goal in the NHL. First of all, I was terrible in handling the puck,

and I tried to score one time in the minors, and I had a clear lane. It was a cross-corner dump, and it came right to me, and I wired it right up the middle, and Jamie Rivers was, skating back. My defenseman was skating back, and he turned right into it. I hit him right between the eyes, and I cut him for six stitches, and he was bumbling around. There was blood everywhere. I felt so bad. I was almost crying in the net. It was just awful. Shouldn't have been standing there. We almost

gave up a goal. The best part about it is Rives got called up that night. It was amazing to see a guy with six stitches or whatever on his forehead. I might have been on for a goalie goal. I might have been on for a I think Marty? No, Duggy, you might want to check this. If Chris Osgood scored a goalie goal in Hartford, I think I, like, was pressure. I could have been, like, pressuring him, and he ripped it down the ice and went in the net.

That's just a tough minus to chew on. It's the worst one to chew on. Oh, that's got to hurt. Like, reading the game sheet after, you're a minus because some goalie scored on you? I'm still consistent with this guys, though. The hockey, like, are you happy that the camps are short because the hockey's kind of stools.

You know what? It leads into what I want to do next Friday, guys. We're going to be a couple weeks into the NHL season, and we're going to be five weeks into the NFL season, and it's a playoff of it's only one game, ten games. Next Friday, we're going to play. It's early, but I think they might stink. I like that. You can combine NFL, NHL, and you've got to come up with a three-to-five pack, and we all

Okay, we've got to talk before because we can't have the same bits. So I want to see if Justin Hebert, Herbert, if they beat rebound. I can tell you that right now, hurdles. That guy. You got to wait until next Friday. You wait until next Friday. All right. We got another week, but I'm willing to jump the gun on that.

Listen, it's a bizarre world we're living in. The Cleveland Browns are leading the F.C. North. And they deserved to win last night. They played really well. Deshawn Watson played well. Do his credit. His notes said does Deshawn Watson? an MVP candidate early on?

That's outrageous. Outrageous, Douglas. Doogie suggested that? Yes, in his notes, he said, is to Sean Watson an MVP candidate early on? Oh, my God, Doogie. Please, I love you. That's got to be a chat GPT. There's no way you wrote that personally.

That's chat GPT. Fill out some notes for these bozos and send it to them. There's no way to do you. Because they're not going to read them. They're not going to read it anyway. Because that is an absurd decision. When you consider how Josh Allen's been playing, Brock Purdy's been unbelievable through three weeks.

But to Watson and the Browns credit, they're three and one. So we're living in that world. We got goalies scoring in the NHL. There's blowouts every single night. And yeah. And then you got the Barkov injury, which kind of the whole league is waiting on now, right? That looked bad.

It did. But it was the other knee, which I take that for once. what it's worth, not the one that he blew out last year. But when you get up, throw the gloves and walk right off. Yeah, obviously. You know something's up. Yeah, but it could be, it could be like his ankle kind of gives. Yeah, it could be a high ankle sprain, which is not great, but, I mean, if it's something

where he's gone for the year again, like, if you're the Florida Panthers, you've been chomping out the bed and you're like, we're back and we're going to do it this year. And if that guy goes out again, you got big time problems. Well, you just, that was like the first shift. last year of training camp. I remember talking to somebody in Florida, they were like, that was like an omen, because then it just all hell broke loose.

He, you know, he came back and looked really good in the preseason, settled right back in. I hope that's like a high ankle sprain or something where it's, you know, hey, four to six weeks and we'll see you soon type of thing. But if that is, you know, structurally awful, it's just a massive, you don't replace guys like that. You just don't, you can, your depth can, grab and and but barkoff you're not just you're not just replacing him you know sam bennett's a hell

of a player but it's just it's barcoff like yeah there's and he's the rallying call like as excited as i'm sure they all are that brady's there they're more excited that barcoff's back sure barcoff's the captain that won them two cups help them win two cups he's their leader he's the guy yeah he's he's he's you know he plays in every situation he's probably the best two-way player in the league um and it it can happen quick because they were down three nothing like last night. They stormed back and got a point, Florida. So they've had a good start, and they're going to be a really good team if they're healthy.

But, again, we're not even a week in. We're three days into the season, but things can change quickly. Like, things can change quickly, and it can get ugly quickly. And that is one where Barkov, like you said, day won a camp last year. You knew it. You could feel it.

You're like, Florida's got no chance now. Like, they've just played too much hockey. He's done. We'll have more of an answer on it tomorrow. I doubt he's done for the year because he got up and walked off and skated off and all that. And I feel like we would know by now. Like if it was catastrophic, I feel like there would be some leaking. Like, hey, this guy's done.

He's in big trouble. Yeah. But still, if you lose a top-end guy, four weeks, six weeks, eight weeks, a couple of months, that can snowball. Sure. And that is, that's when you know you're a serious player and a serious team when something like that happens at 11, 30. Eastern time and people are buzzing about it.

Well, what about this? Because how good he is and how good Florida is. How about that start to the season for them? They start in Carolina, five o'clock game the other day, and then on the burdo to San Jose for game two. Like that's a weird, weird schedule. Really weird setup. Really weird.

And Salabrini was buzzing around last night. They look good. That San Jose teams on to say. Yeah, they're going to be good. They're going to be good. So John Chike had coming up in about 15 minutes. Jersey's off to a good start. Jack Hughes is off to a good start.

I'll tell you what, man. Do we have the interview? Yeah. Go ahead and fire this up. So this is ESPN. And with AJ, you mean? AJ, you know, and AJ, you know, is a player herself.

And she's obviously a broadcaster, and she's been doing that for a long time. And Jack Hughes, as we recall last year, he had like at a stake joint or something. He had an accident. where it was a knife and he slid himself open and he had surgery and he was done and it cost him a lot of time. And this is a guy in Jack Hughes who misses 20 games every single year. Every year he gets hurt.

Every single year he misses 20 games. And he's off to a great start and Jersey's off to a pretty good start. And this was an intermission interview on the ice last night. We just got to keep building and keep going. We have 40 minutes to go. So we got to keep working at it. Well, it's great to see you healthy. It's a wrap you in bubble wrap and use plastic cutlery this year.

Don't sound good? I mean, I think that's a weird joke, big game. No sense of humor here in a big game, but I appreciate his time. Oof, awkward. I'm sorry. Incredibly awkward. That is ridiculous by AJ. She knows better than that.

When you use the term bubble wrap on a guy and then plastic cutlery, you guys know what I can get like. It would have taken everything for. for me to go tell her to stuff it because I thought it was awful on her end. I really did. You try and make a joke and it didn't land and obviously in a tough situation. Like I, you know, I do those interviews sometimes. Like I'm in between the benches.

Like you want to like engage with the person and, you know, Jack's a pretty affable guy pretty funny. But it just, it didn't land. No, it didn't. I thought it was ridiculous. And she deserved that comment from him and him skating away. And then on top of it, she claims he's got no sense of humor. Give me a break. Well, it's a tough one.

Give me a break. It's a tough question. Well, here's what I would do if I was in that situation. I would ask my producer to go and see them after the game. And just, you know, you say, hey, built bad timing. Poor comment. I apologize. That's it.

And you move on. Like, it just did. Yeah, it's not the end of the world. No, she's a veteran broadcast. She's going to, everyone's going to move on. But I thought that was trash. I thought I really thought it was trash. Here's a thing, though.

Jack Hughes. I'm sure he's sensitive to his reputation, which he has earned, again, that he gets hurt all the time. Like, that's his reputation. The guy, he's hurt all the time. So you're right. The bubble wrap, I think, would be more insulting to him. But, you know, what has happened in broadcasting the last couple of years, specifically in American TV, and I'm, this is a compliment. Biz, Paul Benz-Zennett has changed the way people operate down there.

Biz, chirps guys, carves guys. And I don't think if Biz made the same job, you know, if Biz made the same job, he's, he's joke, Jack Hughes would not have the same reaction. He would not. He would laugh about it or he wouldn't go about it the same way he did. I'm not saying it wasn't an awkward one. It didn't land. It was really strange. I think it's more likely

AJ has probably been told, hey, TNT's doing this. Like, we've got to have some fun here because we're not fun like they are. And she tried to say something and it didn't land. It was an awkward thing to say. But that's the, Jack Hughes has that vibe too. Like he's always too

cool for school. Like that's kind of his thing. You know, he's never, you said he's affable. I don't think he is at all. Like, I think he's point blank. Yeah, there's another video of him walking through the red carpet last number. He just barge through everybody. Right through everybody. And that's a fan of it.

He's like, see you later. I'm not doing it. He's not, that's another thing. You've got to kind of read who you're talking to. I'm not surprised he would, I think other guys in the league would have a completely different reaction. Look at him. See you later. Guys are stopping for picks and signing stuff.

He's gone. I mean, that's Jack Hughes. He's not this lovable guy that is going to play that game. That's not what he does. It's not how he operates. I think there are public and private personas. I'm not saying he's a bad guy behind the scenes or anything, noodles. I'm talking publicly.

I always find he's short. He's not willing to play the game, quote unquote. I mean, be talking and let's joke around. He's more of a serious guy. I find when it comes to interviews and being in front of the media and being out in public. That's always been the way I've kind of read him. And his brother's the same way.

Quinn Hughes is not a big personality. Throw this thing from it. I think they just kind of go about their business. I've met them a few times and always been nice, but you're right. Like there's a difference between, you know, in front of the camera, dealing with media, dealing with fans and that,

they seem a little bit more private. But, you know, it's just a tough, like it's a tough scenario. But a lot of times you just go to them afterwards and say, hey man, sorry about that, my bad. And I would hope that he would laugh about it and be like, you know, hey, I was in them. It caught me off guard. Weird joke, weird comments, not disputing it. It is strange.

Someone wrote, had a great tweet saying there is an example of how an Olympian responds to awkward questions. And this is the playbook. This is how you operate. When you can't get a read on what the person's asking, this is what happened. I'd say about 10 years ago now on NBC. It's not good, eh? No, I meant in terms of conditioning. Yeah, it's fine.

I mean, obviously, it's a fast game out there, and, you know, you just catch your breath and go back after that. It's been fun watching. Keep having fun, Phil. Thanks, eh? I can't believe that. How's your breath? That is a weirdly phrased question.

How's your breath? How's your breath? You know what it is not good at it? It's not good, eh? That's not good, eh? It's not good, eh? The best is the end. I can't believe that.

What do you do? I'm asking me that. You know what? What a beauty. Phil is the best. You know what? You miss Phil. Oh,

now you hear stories sometimes. Like, I'll just be scrolling and you know, somebody would be talking about Phil on a podcast, and they'll be telling some, like, crazy story of what he was like, you know, like drank Coca-Cola all the time. And one of the classic lines when any story attached to Phil or is this, Like every line of the, I ain't doing that. I ain't doing that.

Yeah. That guy should get into, like that guy I think could do, I don't know if he would, but some kind of TV or something, man. Good one, Randy. Good one. I'd watch that guy. Would you put him on a panel? Like, would you put him on a, like, he would be great on a channel.

I'd give it a shot. Yeah, I'd give it a shot. I would certainly place the call and say, what do you think about this? Once a month. Like, just say, can you come in once a month and do a panel for us? Like, I think it would be unbelievable, but I just, I don't think, he's a guy I think that never wants to see anybody ever again. Might be. Just his close family and friends.

He wants to tee it, play poker, and fish. Yeah, that's it. Yeah. That's what he does. There's two guys that I think in hockey that the game misses because of their personalities, and I would love to see them again. Dustin Bufflin and Phil Kessel. Like, Bufflin was the same.

That guy just said, peace out, I'm out of here. Like, it doesn't matter. I think he left a lot of money on the table, too, that bufflet. See you later. You'll never see him again. Yeah. And that's like Phil. You're right.

All right, John Chikey coming up. MJ will join us more NFL picks as well. Overdrive continues up on YouTube live. The music you love. Your favorite radio stations. Everywhere you go. The podcasts, everyone's talking about. All in one place.

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Download the free IHard Radio app today. Mail it in Friday is brought to you by Boston Pizza, Canada's favorite sports bar. Enjoy $15 lunch at BP where you get an entree, a site, and a drink, and you'll get it all in 20 minutes or less. A fast lunch doesn't have to be fast food. See you for a $15 fast lunch at your local Boston Pizza. Malad and Friday brought to you by Boston Pizza Canada's favorite sports bar. Enjoy $15 lunch at BP where you get an entree aside and a drink and you get it all in 20 minutes or less. So fast lunch doesn't have to be fast food.

See you for a $15 fast lunch at your local Boston pizza. We have a pair of Bill's tickets. We're going to give away at some point between now and the end of the show. So you've got to tune in to find out when we tell you to call in to go see Bill's Patriots. Big game down at Highmark on Sunday. So we're giving away Bill's tickets. Tickets, we'll do that over the next 90 minutes or so. More NFL picks coming up.

Another international game, Danny Dimes in London against Marriota. Who needs that? No one needs that. No one needs Indianapolis versus Washington in London. But we're going to get it. And that said, when I'm up on Sunday morning, I'm going to watch every single snap. And I will enjoy it. And I'm going to probably gamble on it.

So that is our pick. I was a brother and I have been going back and forth, and we'll get to that in about an hour or so. Mike Johnson coming up. John Chico will join us here in a moment. You see, Sergei Bobroski said he totally forgot about the rookie lap by McKenna. I honestly, it's like I understand that there's stuff the press and they need clicks and they need to talk about stuff.

I don't even like think about that. I don't even know why you would even need to acknowledge it. I think it's the dumbest thing. Like it's Sergei Bavroski. If that guy wants to go out there and skate around, I don't know. It kind of drives me nuts a little bit. Like he needed the whole end of the ice surface to skate by himself. I just don't get it.

I don't get it. I want to be crusty about it. But it's like, what are we talking about here? Yeah, it's a nothing burger. But, you know, I think people just pointed out as like, why is, you know, why did he go out and not let him? But you could argue it was his first game as a leaf. And, you know, he's going out as well.

I think you were just superstitious. He's like, I'm going on the ice and I'm going to go over here. You go and skate with no bucket on and fire it into the net. It wasn't a big deal. And I think he just kind of forgot, like you said, and he talked to him. It's weird that he's addressing that because you're right. It's nothing. Who cares?

And even McKenna's addressing not taking the optional skate. You know, and it's like who. No, sir. Okay, so just to hear me out. I was just going to say that. Hear me out and don't take offense to it. But those guys, welcome to Toronto moment for Gavin and for Bobroski. because I guarantee you, Bobroski, in his 15-year career,

has never been asked about anything like that. And Gavin, it's like everything's new for him. No, Gavin would be like you haven't got a point in two games. So what do you think about? Not taking that morning skate. Like, that would be a question. Yeah. Listen, the leaves, there's a lot of talking heads.

The three of us, we can't be hypocrites here. The three of us are a big part of this engine, right? A big part of the engine. and, you know, these are, they don't matter in terms of the big picture, but they are interesting. And listen, it was tied to the way McKenna played, and he's a young guy, and, you know, some people wonder what it's going to mean for the team and the culture and all that kind of stuff.

As for, you know, going into the game tomorrow night, they're healthy, which is big through two games for the most part, you know, healthy. And I would assume Bobrovsky plays tomorrow. Do you go Bob tomorrow and Bob on Tuesday, I believe it is, against Nashville? I don't know. Or do you play Stolars? I think the Stolars performance would make me, just for like rest purposes, would say Stolars, you're going back in after that just because you played well and I want to see another one.

And if you give me another one, then it'll be more, like, Stolars' performances, it's just like, you give me a good one, then your frequency is going to be a lot higher. and it can ease the stress off of Bob and we could be a two-headed monster until we need to pick one. Yeah, it's fair because he didn't do anything to hurt his chances for his next start. Now, if they have a schedule, the thing is they might want to get Bob into a groove and rolling too. Like, that's the other thing. You're also looking at a performance of Bob and go, if he plays well against Ottawa, then you might go back with him against Nashville.

If he has a few bumps or something, I think that's where the goaltender coach sits down with the head. head coach and goes, hey, let's look at the schedule and you adjust on, you know, gut feel and analytics. Yeah, there you go. Yeah, it's important, right? We are an analytics show. We are. We always have been.

We've been cutting edge for a long time. I think people always know that and always associate us with that type of conversation. So the Leafs are back in action to one night with Ottawa-Town. Here's the GM of the Maple Leaf. He's joining us here on Overdrive. Here's John Chike. How you doing, John? Doing well. How are you guys doing today?

We're doing well. We were just talking about your goaltenders, and you got two veteran guys. Nice. Yeah, and two guys who were familiar with each other, obviously had a lot of success down in Florida. You know, Bob's not a young guy. When you sign him and you've got Stolars here, did you have a game amount in mind? Specifically with Bobrovsky. Do you have a certain amount of games you feel like he should play in order to get full value out of him? Yeah. Well, first off, sorry for bailing on you guys the last time. Don Liddell and I got the deal done with about three minutes to spare. So I apologize.

We had to reschedule, but happy to be with you. You know, I actually did catch you at Tying this up, so you did a good job in terms of all the different, you know, people at the table. And I'd say where we've landed on is less about number of starts and more just thinking through rest. And, you know, the cadence of rest and, you know, how do you put these goals? tenors in positions to be rested when they do play. And sometimes that sounds like more games. And sometimes it's actually just the different set of games they play. And so, so Bob, obviously, you know, he's played a lot of games over a long period of time now. And, you know, we feel

it's important that we get him quality starts and starts where he is in a position to have success. And, you know, we have some flexibility to all that, of course, and depends on how he feels and how, you know, Anthony and Arthur feel and how that whole group works. But, you know, the goaltending group, the coaches, R&B, sports science, they're all, you know, continually having this conversation of how do we put these guys in the best position to stop the puck consistently. And, you know, so far they look good so far. So, John, throughout now you guys are a couple games in,

you've had a chance to kind of take a look at things, not only for your own team, but around the league, is, you know, looking back, Is it better that maybe a shortened camp or would you like to see? Because the level of hockey has been kind of bananas throughout the league. You guys' games have been pretty good, but there's been some wild ones. How would you view that through that lens? Yeah, it's a great question.

I don't really have an answer. You know, we've been talking about internally even. I mean, it's really like, you know, to me, this is almost, you call it regular season, you can call it preseason. This is everyone's third and fourth games. regardless of, you know, what their termed. And I just think it's, you know, there's still some guys working out the kinks. And, you know, I think there's some teams that are in different spots.

And, you know, with our group specifically, which is all that really matters to me. And we've got new coaches and new systems and a lot of new faces. So, you know, you're building the plane as you're flying it, no doubt about it. And, yeah, as much as we're trying to get in the minutia of all these little tactics and all these details, I think for now it's, you know, making sure we just have a consistent base that we're playing against and consistent effort. And if we can start with that, then, you know, as the season progresses, hopefully we can clean some things up.

But, yeah, it's definitely been a little bit more chaotic to start the season. I think it makes sense, you know. It's a new format for everybody. But certainly, you know, a little bit more disorganized and typically I see. Well, and I guess you in Columbus, you know, you really, you really were pushing the limits of change because he made that deal 24 hours before your first game on Tuesday. and Marchenko, you know, he's looked really good through two games. I think a lot of lead fans are still learning about him.

Obviously, you studied him, you wanted him, you went out and got him. What was it about Marchenko in particular that made him so attractive and, you know, kind of forced your hand to the point where you paid a pretty decent price to get him? Yeah, yeah, it was a part of the bigger picture, obviously. He was a player that we deliberately targeted. You know, we just felt like with our group, we needed a, another player that could dictate play, someone that could

transport pucks and be a bit of a dual threat offensively. And as we looked at our forward group, we felt we were one short in terms of ability to do those types of things and do it at the highest level. And Karell can do that. Make no mistake about that, though.

Matthew Nyes is a quality player and this was giving up a quality player to get a quality player. And, you know, obviously they're doing the same thing we're doing in terms of a new environment, a different fit and try to project what the player can do. And, you know, our goal is to not only acquire players for what they are, but the choir players that we believe, you know, can become something in our

group with our environment. So, yeah, Karel is a, you know, special talent. He's a guy that loves hockey. We think he'd be a nice fit with some of our compliment for some of our centers. And to get him in his prime, you know, it wasn't going to be easy. But I'd also add, you know, just the realities of the fantili situation. And, you know, Columbus trying to sort through their cap situation. Dalvedell was always up front about that being, you know, the first step of him even considering anything until that was settled. And then, you know, we had the ending point of opening season rosters.

And, you know, we both had cap situations to juggle. Those were kind of the beginning and endpoints that we were both, you know, I'd say forced to try to make this work. And we were able to do that. So, you know, it wasn't that we were sitting around waiting for things that there was realities that had to occur to try to figure that out. for you how much would numbers be a part of a transaction like that just marchankos versus nyes potentially what they would look like in the future or is that just i really like that player

and i think he'll be good with austin matthews and we're going to try to make the deal yeah well i hope it's deeper than the latter uh you know we definitely if we're going to make a decision at that level you know we think about everything honestly um you know you're trying to get as much information as possible you know we've talked to as many people throughout russia that we have connectivity to. I personally was able to see the player train and skate as a young player coming up. So, you know, had some ground intel on that.

Matt Sundeen was working all his avenues to just understand the type of person, you know, we were requiring. So I'd say that that would be table stakes, you know, if we didn't believe that this was a player that would be a good fit. And, you know, I was willing to come into a market like Toronto and, you know, really passionate about trying to win a Stanley Cup, then, you know, that wouldn't be on the table for us,

especially a transaction at this level. And then as you're working your way through, you know, for us, we have great pro scouting staff that's constantly evaluating the player, not only for what they are, but what they've done over their history

and what they believe they can become. And so then you marry that with some more technical data like you're talking about. And you try to form the best picture on the player. And then, you know, ultimately, you know, it's a bit of a judgment call, right? I mean, it's, you know, a hockey trade.

And, you know, these players are now going to change environments and go have different coaches and different teammates. And, you know, we hope that's something that works out well for Matthew and the Columbus Blue Jackets. And obviously, we feel thrilled about the opportunity to have krill. With John Chaka, and, you know, you mentioned it, that every deal is a gamble. Every signing is a gamble. Obviously, you do your research and you have belief.

But you have been guns blazing since you got the job, John. I mean, the amount of moves you've made, trades, signing. firings, hirings. Was that always your intention? Like from day one when you even pitched yourself to keep Pelly and everyone at MLSC? Like I'm coming in and you wait to see what happens? Or did they kind of materialize over time where you had to kind of turn left or turn right when maybe you weren't anticipating doing that?

Yeah, no, it definitely was not like change for change's sake. That's for sure. I think that's where mistakes can happen. Yeah, Matt Mats and I got together first day. We met with as many people as we could. And I thought it might take us a day or two to get through and talk to everybody. End up being more like a week, 10 days. So, you know, big staff, a lot of people, you know, a lot of the conversations.

And it was just listening to her. And, you know, through that we learned a lot. We learned that there's a lot of great people. There's a lot of great things that have occurred over a long period time here. There was a lot of things that, you know, our first question was, you know, what don't we change? And, you know, what's going well? What should we do more of? And, you know, again, small things, but like, you know, you had Bobby Hastings,

one of the best equipment managers, hardest working guys. Everybody loves them and brings, you know, energy and a smile to the rank. Like, those are important things to maintain and emphasize. But, you know, then there was opportunities where guys felt like there was things that were missed. There was things that, you know, got away from them in that season and or creeped over the number of years. And, you know, I think as a leader and a manager, you know, everyone wants to talk about stuff. I like to do things, you know, if they were going to be. complain or we're going to raise an issue that we think could be better like let's fix it and so

you know we just got to work trying to figure out ways in which we could you know improve the group not only for again a season but trying to have some foresight and trying to put together you know a group of people and then an organization that we think can be world class and as you talk about directive from ownership or you know any of those discussions from edward rogers it's it's always been just to to win and build the best possible team and and that's what matters. and I have kind of gotten to work doing so. And I think some of the change honestly was, we make a change and if you change the department,

then some change comes with that. So some of that was a bit of just more downstream effect than something purposely. And you know, I think my job is to try to, if we already make a change to the department, find a world-class person, you know, recruit them, hire them, bring them in and then allow them to do their job. And so, you know, if they had a different approach

or they wanted to, you know, change the philosophy or bring in different people, I was going to allow them to do that. That manifested, and I think it's a little bit more change. John, it's been a couple of games for Gavin McKenna. He's clearly a very skilled player, and he's playing with some good players. What do you think that the reasonable expectation is? Is it just like let him grow for 10 games and let him get his feet underneath them?

What do you think your expectations are for such a talented young player? Yeah, I think, you know, for an 18-year-old, it's tough to place too big of expectations. expectations on them. I mean, if you study it historically, even some of these top guys that have come on to be superstars, you know, it's a tough season. That's just the reality of it. I think what we've seen is, you know, it's just been this kind of natural progression for him, kind of a learning curve. You know, he comes in, has some skates. He's trying to find the washroom. And then all of a sudden, you know, it looks pretty good in those skates. And then, you know, training camp starts and, you know, he's learning some things. And then it looks like he's a pretty good player in training camp. And I thought, you know, regular season, or sorry, preseason, game one to two, took a big stage. And then obviously regular seasons, another ramp up. So, yeah, every test so far, he continues to, you know, show that he's a really smart, talented player that problem solves. And, you know, obviously physically, he's not at the NHL level that, you know, most people would be. But we still think he could be effective and play his game and continue to progress. So as you guys know as well, like it's going to ramp up as we get to, you know, past Christmas and then it'll ramp up again as you're going to go.

into the playoffs and, you know, he's going to have to continue to elevate his game and learn. And what we've seen is just, you know, he continues to learn every day. So as long as he does that, we expect to be, you know, an impact player for us. With John Chek, at least since tomorrow night, you know, he's stepping into a great scenario with veterans around him, including, you know, the defense corps, which is a topic of discussion daily for Leaf, for us, for Leaf fans. You've got one of the oldest collective defense corps in the league, one of the slower defense core is in the league. How can that work for you guys in terms of success?

You mentioned the playoffs. You know, get into the playoffs. You're going to need your defense to obviously defend, but transport parks, all that kind of stuff that obviously you put a lot of emphasis on. How is this going to work specifically with the defense core? Yeah, I think when you had Chris Tannen back from last season, I think he makes a, you know, substantial difference. Like you said, he's not, you know, he's not a young defenseman.

anymore, but I'll take him on my team any day. You know, he's one of the best defensive defensemen. I think he moves the puck incredibly efficiently, and, you know, he's playing up the game's top lines every single night. I think good Darren Radish gets acclimated and can play the way he can play. He brings a lot to our back end as well. So, so overall, you know, pretty bullish on our defense. You know, I think as we work through a season and we continue to evaluate different ways

which we can improve, we're always going to be open, you know, adding in different areas. And, you know, defense could be one. but at the same time, I think we need to leave this group at some time to show us where they're at and what they can do. And what we've seen from the first couple of games, and obviously it's early, we've been able to defend much more effectively than we have in the last few years. And so, you know, I think if we can continue to do that and continue to move parks and get them in the forward's hands, that would be a good recipe for us. You've mentioned you still have a number of assets if you were looking to make a deal.

and Matthew and I is was such a premium one because he didn't have no movement or no trade clause he was locked up and he's a really good young player you don't have your first round pick the next couple of years you know mechanic's not going anywhere I don't think Cowan's going anywhere

maybe he is maybe he's not but what else do you have that you think the league or I guess how does the league perceive the assets you're talking about like which how much collateral do you really believe you have to make a significant trade if it presents itself. Yeah, I guess that would be the key question is if it presents itself. But from our side,

you know, we always having conversations with different managers. And, yeah, I think everyone sees prospects differently. And, you know, there's some people that like prospects more or less. But as I have discussions with managers, I think, you know, one of the things we wanted to do this offseason was to, you know, add some prospects. And so 10 draft picks, you know, we'll add, you know, we had 10 draft players. And then we've added some draft picks as well. So we feel like we have, you know, enough future capital that again as much as we're trying to make you know push here in this season it's an important season for the entire fan base and an organization you know there's there's a there's a next season as well and my job is always to you know build the best possible team today

with an eye for the future so i think um i think we do have more than maybe what you're suggesting in terms of dry powder and at the same time you know if we end up using those players to be Toronto Maple Leafs and they evolved into being really good prospects and really good players. That would be a good outcome for us as well. So you talked about in your media last week of Austin Matthews being healthy and being quicker and all of that stuff. Just what do you make of the captain through a couple games and what you've seen through training camp?

Yeah, I mean, through camp he's been phenomenal. You know, moving well and buying everything that Jim's asked at him. And I'm just being a leader that he is. So, you know, everything's really positive. I think through the first few games, I've seen that line's been dominant. You know, they've really extended possessions and held play and they haven't really given up much defensively at the same time.

So, you know, I think if they can do that for a season, we'd be in a good spot. Obviously, that hasn't, you know, the outcome hasn't been a lot of goals at this stage. And, you know, over time, that's going to matter a lot. But as we say, here, two games, you know, I'll take the chances that that line's getting. And again, the overall play that they've, you know,

created if we can get that for a sustained period of time. It would be thrilled. Sends in town tomorrow night. Then you've got another home game. Then you hit the road. A lot of road games early into the season, as you're aware of. So, you know, it's been a pretty good start. Good luck tomorrow night, John.

Good luck the rest of the way. We'll do it again down the road. Thank you for this. Thanks, guys. Appreciate the time. You got it. John Chiker, the GM of the Leafs. And, yeah, I mean, again, I think it's been more positive than anything the last

couple, the first two games, two games, but I think they've played pretty well. You've got Ottawa tomorrow night. That's going to be a challenge. But Ottawa, they're going through some transitions too, right? Brady's not there anymore. We'll see what they've got without them. It's going to be weird not doing. I think they're going to come out of the gate, man.

I really do. I think Ottawa will be ready to play? I think they'll be ready to play. I have no doubt they'll be ready to play. But I subscribe to that everybody who's ready to play. The execution, you know, is the timing, all of that. type of stuff. Like, that's the thing I'm watching every night.

It's just, you know, guys trying to make a play, they're just a little off. They're, you know, misplay here, a little, like just everybody throughout the league has just been, and I think it's just, we're going to, two weeks from now, you'll see it sharpen up and tighten up and all of them. I don't know, that Ottawa team, they always, for the last couple years anyway, under Travis Green, they wheeled into Toronto, and most nights, they play damn well. They are, they are very well coached. They are very well coached. They are well coached and they have a great system and all of that.

But it's just, again, you can't replicate. You can practice as much of you want. Oh, you know this. You can't replicate a game until you play a game. I'll tell you what, Joe from the bridge, text me, and he said you were on the ice when Oz gets a school. Okay, we'll come back and play that. We've got to spot you, man.

This will be a full breakdown. Circle out of the way. MJ coming up, and more NFL picks as well. Overdraft continues up on YouTube Live. I'm Luke Wilson. Join me each week for Film Never Lies. Since retiring from the NFL, I've had a lot of my mind, and now I've got my own show. So if you're tired or lazy takes, if you want honest conversations, join us each week.

Film Never Lies, available on all TSN platforms in the IHeartRadio app. All right, so the date was March 6th, 1996. Is that your rookie season, oh? Second. Second year in the NHHO. Well, it might have been my first, 95, 96, so yeah, it was my first year. Rookie season. Rookie year. No helmet and warm up. I love that.

No bucket and warm up. up. No bucket in warm up. And again, this was based on what we saw last night. Chesterkin, Igor Shisterkin, scored the 21st goal in NHL history by a goalie. And this was Chris Osgood, who scored back in 96 against Hartford, and you're on the team. I'm on the ice, I think. I could have been on the ice. I don't know. Who's 94?

94. Shannie hated that goal so much after the season. He said, trade me to Detroit. Is that Shanahan chasing that down? Yeah, Shanahan was 94 for the whale. I just remember watching that, going, oh, my God. You went and jumped off just in time to avoid a minus. I wonder if you jumped off the ice. Just in time.

One of Joe or the producer, Doogie, check if I took a minus. You take a minus? Yeah, you do take a minus on that. Yeah, you take a minus for sure. For sure. Empty Netter, absolutely. Thanks, JP. J.P says I was minus one that night.

There you go. Just chewed on that. Yeah. That's a tough one. It's a part of history, though. It's a part of history. Yeah, I know. But, you know, embarrassing.

It is like Detroit was so much better than us. And they were just wheeling around with those Russians and Fedor off. And then the goalie rips one home. You can literally watch Shanahan ask for a trade as a skate. Dude, after that went in. He probably got into the dressing room on his side. phone to Jimmy and said, can we talk after the game? Yeah.

Those days were kind of debilitating, though. It's like it's the haves or have-nots. Like you look on their bench, and there's Laryana, Federoff, Scotty Bowman, and it's like Lidstrom, and it's just like that team is so serious, man. You played on a team that doesn't exist anymore. Like to put that into perspective. You were in Hartford, Connecticut. The unies are still strong, though.

best. They played out of a mall. The rink was in a mall. That's bizarre. It was tough. I can remember a couple snow-ins like you go to the bar after and the other team was there and they're like, man, this town blows. It's so embarrassing. Next time we have prongs

on, I think prongs got arrested. Spend a night in the clink there at that Jim house bar. He doesn't care. He'll be dying to bring that up. He didn't care. It's probably in his book. Yeah, it probably would be. Never forget prongs coming out of the courthouse with a jean jacket and he's like this. All right, hour two coming up, Mike Johnson will join us.

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