OverDrive - Dreger and Johnston on Matthews' future commitment, the Maple Leafs' selling status and the direction of the team

Episode Date: January 27, 2026

TSN Hockey Insiders Darren Dreger and Chris Johnston joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines around the NHL, the Maple Leafs' possible trade options and if they become sellers, Auston Matthews' impact to the team and his outlook on the roster, the commitment to Toronto and more.

Darren Dregger in here. Yeah, I mean, I would think. What's the biggest surprise? San Jose or Pittsburgh? I would say. Or Anaheim, maybe. Yeah. Although, conversely, I might look at Winnipeg.

They won the President's Trophy last year. And they're not even close to the play. I can go spin both ways, I guess. Right. But then look at like Detroit's in, Boston's in Buffalo. Maybe Buffalo. A lot of turnover. Islanders are in.

It might be. It's a lot of turnover, actually, when you think about it. Organically, at the starting this season, if you said Pittsburgh Pank, they were the only team that was open for business. And we, you know, many in media were speculating on where is Sid going to land?

Right. You know, is he going to be, he's going to say, yeah, I'm not in this. Right. I want to chase one more Stanley Cup. And the Montreal connections were made, and, I mean, go down the list. And every once in a while, that still pops its ugly head up there. But come on.

I mean, Kyle Lewis has creatively done a decent job, but at the end of the day, it's still about crying. Osby and Malkin and LaTang and the goaltending and all of that. So he's backfilling with some young, I don't know if we'll call him developing pieces, but younger players that are NHL quality players, right? So in that sense, he deserves respect, and he's not done yet. There's still a lot of time between now and March 6th.

Sure. Well, that's the question. We'll bring in Chris Johnston as well. Like the freeze is what? Just over a week away? Yeah. I guess a week tonight, is it? February 4th.

February 4th is the trade. freeze. So are you anticipating deals before the freeze dregs or, you know, I mean, I guess anything's possible, but how many teams are like, well, we'll just get there, let it breathe, and figure it out afterwards? Yeah, and I mean, there are some sellers that are, you know, have recently jumped into the market, but that does mean that they're selling off imminently. You know, why wouldn't you wait until post-Olympics? And I think that that's probably where we'll see the glut of the trade activity, but that's not to say we're not going to see. something between now and February 4th.

I keep looking at the Vancouver Canucks as being another team getting business done. If the deal makes sense, then any team that's chopping pieces like Vancouver, St. Louis, go down on the list, then they'll do it. So it's possible. C.J., in terms of the Leafs, like everyone's trying to get a

read on what happens here. Do they try to buy? Do they could they become sellers? Do they stand pat? What do they do at McMahon and Lotton, etc.? What is your read on when we might get answer on that and how much is actually on the table for the Leafs in terms of both ends of the spectrum, buying and going in and trying to make it or being, you know, full-blown sellers and

realizing this isn't your year? I think crazy as it might sound, both ends are very much still open as possibilities. And look, the Leafs have 11 games, including tonight before the deadline. It's not, there's a lot of time between now and March 6, but there's not a lot more that the front office is really going to learn about this team before the big, decisions need to be made. You know, I think they're going to let this, this five-game stretch before the Olympics play out, you know, barring something unexpected. I don't think they're going to make any moves in the near term before that period of time. And then they're going to assess over the break, you know, what the best path forward is. You know, let's look at both ends of what

you're projecting their haze. Buying, I don't think, will ever be that aggressive. That's just my feel. Like I don't think we're going to see them if it leans towards buying, do anything crazy. I mean, we've been over this. They don't have tons to sell or to buy with. And I think there is probably a little reticence about how much they can really do to this roster right now. The selling end could go a little bit more dramatically. They do have pending UFAs. But that's going to take them likely losing a bunch of these games between now and the deadline.

And so I really believe it could go both ways. And they're just going to wait and see and make a call. probably over that Olympic break and enact in the 10 or 11 days before the deadline afterwards. Yeah, and look, I think all that is fair, but you also have to really analyze the next five games, right? Starting tonight against the Buffalo Sabres and where you're at. Because as we've talked about, and you guys shared yesterday on the show, I mean, if this trip doesn't go well, the answer might be right there, then Brad Trilving can't turn away from, right? I mean, if it doesn't go well, you know, what do you do directionally?

and where is that pressure coming from? Is it coming from above the general manager's office? It feels to me like, and you guys weigh in on this, it feels to me like this team needs a spark. But as players, does it have to be a meaningful piece? Or can you just make a trade where you get a depth defenseman to bolster what you've got, and that's a shot in the arm. They already got the stature?

Yeah. But I brought that up yesterday. Does that count those? Well, he's been good for them. waivers and he's been good. But what if you're just nibbling around the edges and you find somebody in the league and it just adds to your group? Exactly right. I don't know. I don't know. I understand because we talked about this yesterday. But what if, you know, what if somebody just slides in that helps everybody, helps the process along?

That's the thing. It's not going to change. Austin Matthews still has to be the best player. When Willie's healthy, he's got to be the best player. John has to get his game going, consistently. McMahon, all of those guys. Yeah. But maybe it just helps the balance on the back end. And you don't have the assets to do anything bigger than that. Right. Potentially. If you did, and there was that player

available, and we know that Trilliving is still, you know, eyeing the defenseman. Well, if there was a piece that he could bring in, he would have done that by now. There's nobody available that moves the needle. That's why I say, from the player perspective, sometimes it's just a little injection, just a little

bit of a difference. Because Look, the coach has done everything, right? He's had blowups on the bench in the first half. Well, that didn't seem to get a message through. He's called out William Nealander publicly. All right, you know, can't blame Willie now. He's not playing. He has a leadership meeting yesterday.

Well, everybody's focused. Everybody knows what they have to do. Okay. Let's see tonight. The message got through. One thing we did is they fired the power. Power play coach. They got a spark out of it.

point though, and CJ, you can jump in first, Dregs, we can go around the table? Do they, can they no longer live in a world where they don't have assets? And that's where I wonder if sometimes you've got to take advantage of, like, acute moments in the schedule

to accumulate those. Even though it's not comfortable. And, you know, you look at it, you might be able to trade some pieces and get back in the game in the summer if that player comes up. Yes, the right shot defenseman isn't there right now. You don't have the assets anyway. No. But if, you know, but

If you decide I'm going to trade player X, Y, and Z, now I have them and I can get in the game in the summer. Like there's only so many opportunities, C.J., where you can't accumulate assets. And the trade deadline is one of them. And I know it would be uncomfortable for the 25, 26th, season, but it might be in the best interest for the 26, 27 season, and beyond for them to simply use this deadline, not about wins and losses right now, but finally restocking the cupboard so you can get back in the game. a little bit. And if, CJ, that is the scenario, how does 34 factor into that? Like, does he, no, I'm not talking about him exiting states. I'm not saying, I'm trading him for the asses. No, but I'm not. I'm asking what were, what would his thoughts be on a punted season? Like, that's got to be a question asked. Yeah. Well, I'm sure he would share the disappointment of

others, but I will say this, my impression of awesome Matthews is, you know, I don't think they need to do anything and be really gentle around him. Like, I think he's still very committed to being a leaf. I think he loves being the captain of this team. Obviously, he's been front and center here in a lot of conversation the last few days, but, you know, I don't sense at all his commitment waning. And in fact, I think if they were making decisions that made sense that they were, you know, if it's properly messaged to some degree in terms of what the plans are, like he wants a chance

to win, too. And I'm sure, you know, he's sitting there feeling a lot of the things everybody is like, The numbers don't lie at a certain point, right? We're more than 50 games into this season. The Leafs have rarely, to their credit, they did have a great stretch after Christmas and into early part of January. But other than that, most of this year,

they have not looked the part of what they expect to be, which they started this season thinking they're a contender. You know, I think the truth is staring them in the face. Maybe they can save it here and change some minds, you know, with a hot finish right before the Olympic break or what have you. But honestly, I think we, we're being honest, they have to be looking towards at least a soft little retool, maybe add some of those assets you're talking about Hayes, and not with that idea they're blowing everything

up, but just basically taking a small step back with an idea of trying to take a few forward starting next year. And be okay with having uncomfortable conversations, right? Brad Trillivin is willing to do that last year, not to go down the Marner path yet again, but you talk to Mitch Marner about waving his no move at the time because you acquire Miko as part of that process, all in. We're all in one here, and we're going to go, okay, it didn't pan out. And now you're in a completely different stratosphere if it doesn't play out the way that Leaves Nation is hoping. But don't be afraid to go to Morgan Riley and go, we're coming to you in the summer.

You know, you're protected by your trade coverage. No problem if you want to wait. But, you know, we're having this conversation now because it can't just be about managing the asset of Bobby McMan is an unrestricted, or what you do is Scott Lotton, who's a pending unrestricted. Have uncomfortable conversations, which I think they have to be and will be willing to do in the time. Don't you think everything should be on the table if you are heading down that pathway? Yeah. Regardless, there has to be, I don't even think it's just plan A or plan B.

I think you have to kind of throw everything out there and go, okay, what does this look like? Because these managers, as you guys know, talk all the time. Yeah. So there might be a call out of left field that goes, I really like that player. Oh, I didn't think about that. Yeah. That's the kind of stuff that gets percolating and then a deal comes together. It's fair.

And so do both of you, you know, CJ and Dregs, is the chatter there? Like, are we going to see something? Or are they kind of waiting until after the Olympics to see? Are you talking on a bigger picture? No. Because, like, I think it's important. I mean, obviously it's up to the Leafs to figure this out. But you'll notice, you know, we all interact with Leaf fans all the time that it's like, well, you just got to blow it up.

just get rid of these guys. I don't see that. I don't, like, I think it's important. You just said what you said, C.J. Like, Austin Matthews, and there's always been this concern. Well, he's been in the playoffs every single year of his career. What about Willie? Well, Willie, possibly. Maybe you trade him.

You don't move, Claus? Yeah, and maybe that's the conversation you need to have to really spark something different. But, like, I don't, they have good, some good pieces here on the NHL team. They got two goal, they got three goalies. They've got to figure out what they're going to do there. You have Austin Matthews. you've got Willie, you've got Nyes, like you've got them locked in, you know what they are. Like, yes, it will be uncomfortable.

Yes, it sucks. It's on the GM to pitch it and sell it to a guy like Matthews and say, listen, it may not even be just an offseason, maybe two, but we want you here for the long term and we're going to make it work. It just, it might be two years down the road. Dude, he's got two years left on his contract. So be it, though. Like, again, you know, Boston just didn't, Pastor Nack didn't just say,

get me out of here because you unloaded everybody. said, all right, let's figure it out. Macavoy, all right, let's figure it out. There's other examples in the league where they had to reset and retooled. That guy didn't say, I want out of here. And why is it so awkward or uncomfortable for people to talk about the reality of 34? It shouldn't be. Vancouver just went down the same path with Quinn Hughes. You don't think they wanted to keep their captain long term?

Of course they did. But they got to a place, two years out, by the way, where they believed and knew he wasn't going to extend for a myriad of reasons in Vancouver, which are all his own. Two years out. Yeah. So find that out. Because what Vancouver got in return for Quinn Hughes, that's a significant package.

I thought it was unbelievable. Now, that's a blow-up, though. That's the thing. Like, they're awful. If you're getting into the off-season and we're willing to have those type of conversations, why do you take 34 out of the mix? No, I'm not saying that, Treks. I'm saying, and to that point, hey, I'm going to be honest with you,

this may take two years. might take three. Are you in it? Are you a leaf for life or not? Because I can't care... I don't respect, that's what you have to do. Yes, I can't guarantee you. We're going to retool this in one off season, whatever,

and you're a cop contender this time next year. Are you in or not? He may say, I don't have the stomach for that. Then it opens the door to a completely different chat. I agree. But if he's like, I'm the captain, I'm a leaf, I'm here, let's figure this out. And if I have to win in 30-32, let's do it. Then that's a completely different avenue you can go down

in terms of what you can do. I think it's fair, though. CGA, you weigh in. I think it's fair. The one thing that should be brought with all this is the lines of communication. Austin Matthews is the captain. He's their best player. And he has been, for how many years has he been here?

Nine, this is year nine. Yeah, this is his 10th year. 10th year. So 10th year, and he's got a couple more left. This is a decade plus that he's put in. So he's pot committed. He's invested. Yeah.

So these conversations, whether they're difficult or not, you can include him in it, you know, at some level, because he does move the needle. He is a star player. I've said this all along. You know, we were looking at the coach, looking at the GM. If the best players play to their capability, maybe they're not, you know, in this situation, you know, consistently.

They've been banged up this year. You know, goaltending, you haven't had a full roster. When's the last time they've had a full roster? Now, Tampa would say, come take a look at us. And look what we're doing. You know, there's a lot of teams. Go ahead. DJ, get in there on this.

Well, I mean, look, look, I can only go on the history. First of all, I think there's an active dialogue between Austin Matthew, his agent, the team. Like, I don't sense any issues there. And this guy signed a year out the last time he could have been a UFA. Even when he was coming in an RFA, like they got that deal done well in advance. As much as I think people wanted to love it. link like his birthplace and just assume he wants to play other places i just think the history shows that's not the case um you know he's getting he's mid career though now like he's he's he's where

mc david is except mac david's been to the last two cup funnels and not one but like he you know he's got to the point where yeah he's won an mvp he's won some goal scoring titles he wants to win his stanley cup yeah and so i think as long as he feels like he's on a path where that's a possibility for him in toronto i i don't think there's going to be an issue again this this season is not great for anybody. The Leafs did not expect to find themselves here. You know, that's from ownership to Keith Pelly to Brad True Living to Austin Matthews and everyone else in that roster, you know, Craig Barouba. Yeah.

But I just think that they may, especially if this, like tonight's game, it sounds crazy. I think it's a huge game. Sometimes we build up games that don't really deserve building up, like whether or not they can at least get one win on the back end of this homestand, go out on the road and get some work done. Because to me, their season is hanging in the balance in these next five games. If it doesn't go well and then they have whatever, almost three weeks off, the conversations that happened during that three weeks behind the scenes

are going to be pretty stark in terms of the direction of the team. Yeah. Listen, it's going to take some salesmanship, right? Like about the plan and how you can execute it and where you're going to take it? The plan is sitting right in front of you. What are you going to bluff it and then lie to yourself? And then you're going to have that team. If you want to lie to yourself, we've seen it with Phil and Dion,

oh, we're going to compete, we're going to be good. And you're not. So, yeah, I hear you. I guess what I'm saying is if that if that is a reality and it's set in at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, right now, the way this is going, can't win a Stanley Cup. And I think that's safe. They might make

the playoffs. They don't feel like a Cup contending team. This team is not winning a Stanley Cup. But I'm saying, if you're a player X in that room, let's say it's Matthews, who would be obviously, they would be, he'd be the guy they'd want to talk to. You got to sell like, hey, this is my plan on how I'm going to get you

into the Stanley Cup final. Now, He's got to carry the load, too. You've got to look at him and say, if I build this team, you better show up in the biggest games. Because he hasn't done that in a lot of times throughout his career. So there's got to be honesty both ways. But that's what I'm pointing to is, like, you might have to go to him and say, we're going to have to retool.

We've got to get some picks. We've got to get some proscouting going. We've got to find some players that are out there that are going to come here and pop. And it's on him to accept it or not and be like, all right, I believe in that. And let's see where it takes us. Keep in mind the one thing you said yesterday, Brian, This is uncharted territory for a lot of people tied to this. Yeah.

Usually in January. January, February. It's a lot of fun of being a league fan. Who are we playing round one, you know, like that. That's been, and that's not only just for the organization and the players, but it's the fan base, it's the media. Like the last nine years have been in the regular season quite, you know, not massive storylines.

Great storylines. Hey, Matthew's going for 70. all that type of stuff. This is uncharted territory. So there is some crossroads, but I still believe there's time. Like maybe I'm wrong. No, I hear you. There's time to an extent.

Moving forward. From here at this point on for the pathway to be charted. Yeah. Yeah. And it's on everyone involved to figure it up. Don't they have to win like 20 of 30? Yeah, I think they... mathematically, something along those lines.

I think they need like 40 points. It's... And most of those games are on the road. Yeah, it is. They've had the easiest. Like, yeah. Yeah. Two-thirds, those games are on the road left. Yeah.

And they haven't played well in the road. They've had one of the easiest schedules. Which is, again, something you've got to consider when you're evaluating them. Correct. You know, like they are, maybe this is the way it is. All right, boys, good seeing you guys. As always, thank you for doing this. We'll do it again soon.

I feel like we're getting radioed for this one. You think so? Not sure. And what would you say would stick out the most? Here comes the repo. Kind of feels like CJ really put it out there. Yeah, it's CJ's fault. Yeah, okay.

Duggy in the headline, what Chris Johnston says. It always goes well. It always pops when that happens. Thank you guys. All I said is the guy wants to stay here and he wants to win. Maybe you didn't say that. Who knows? That one will pop.

He could screw anybody over. Doogie might. Doogie could formulate anything. All right, boys. Great seeing you guys. Chris Johnson, Darren, Degger, TSN, Hockey Insiders. Seasoned Gamer. Or just video game curious?

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