OverDrive - Dreger and Johnston on the Maple Leafs' first line juggling, McDavid seeking goals and the Flames' potential rebuild

Episode Date: October 21, 2025

TSN Hockey Insiders Darren Dreger and Chris Johnston joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines around the NHL, the Maple Leafs under pressure to perform, Max Domi playing on the first line and options for the team, Connor McDavid looking for his first goal, the Flames' possibility to revamp and more.

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Had to do it. You have to play to the crowd. You have to. You have to. I was expecting Darren Dregor to be doing that himself. With a Vlady? Yeah, I can't. Either. Which one would be more likely for you?

Vladie. Yes. Yeah. I figure. Because, look, I'm not afraid now to call myself a fan, right? If I'm not working in an international event, I'm allowed to be a Canadian fan, a Canadian hockey fan. Do you want to change your quiz answer when it's who's the face of Toronto sports, Vladie or Austin Matthews?

I mean, I'm more likely to change it now based on what we know, but it was also an in-the-moment question. And if you look at the Toronto Sports Place 12 months of the year, I think it could be Austin Matthews. Now, if Vladdy helps the Js go deep into the World Series, or better yet win a World Series, all right, I'll renege. All right, C.J. Chris Johnston with us. How would you answer that question, C.J. Austin or Vladdy? Well, I mean, Vladdy's in the middle of building a statue right now. So, you know, the conversation is definitely shifted with the performance he's had in this postseason, signing the big contract that started the year. You know, I think I might be a prisoner in the moment, but I'm going to go Vladie. If you had asked me a year ago, I probably would have been, would have been easy for me to go with Matthews. but, you know, we remember moments like last night.

Of course, it's George Springer, but we're going to remember most about last night, but that's the stuff that sticks in your mind 30 years down the line when you're a fan. And so Vladdy's had a pretty special few weeks here to, I think, cement his place even deep. DJ, you're a big J-s fan. Were you in attendance last night?

I peg you as a guy that would have been there. Come on. Of course he was. I don't think you can hear us anyway, so we'll see if we can get them back. Do you follow on Instagram? the ground? I was coming in. What was the question?

I just said, CJ, I pegged you was a guy that would probably be in the building last night. Were you there? Oh, man. I was there. My feet haven't touched the ground since.

I have to be honest, that's the most fun I've had at a sporting event, maybe ever, because, I mean, I'm lucky to go at all sorts of great things in my job, but it's not the same when you're in the crowd with the people, hugging strangers,

high five and you know the whole bit it was this memorable night and I don't even know what they can do to top it now quite honestly it was that good well that's the amazing thing they still have the World Series that they're just about

to start I mean that's the beauty of it that it actually is going to get bigger and better and as crazy it was last night if they win the World Series it'll take it to an extreme that you know not many people can remember back in the early 90s now Friday night

are you traveling are you you traveling? No, I don't. They don't have the budget for that. Why would they? They, no chance. I don't know. You're a staple of the coverage. I mean, Hedge and Keegan and Hayes. I agree with that. I agree with that. I'm glad you said that. I wasn't going to say it out loud, but probably should be in L.A., but Hedge will be out there and Kegan will be out there. I'll be there for games one and two. And then if it gets

to six and seven, I'll be there as well. Nice. Yeah, it'll be great. I don't know why you just don't go. Take your machine. You can do overdrive, time change, and fire up the games out there. I hear you, man. I hear you. That'd be a lot of fun. Yeah, I mean, there's still lots of time to make it happen. I'm sure we can make it happen. We'll put some pressure on the brass. I think we put some pressure on the brass.

It should happen. All right, so speaking of pressure, we asked this question before you guys came in. Who's facing more for the Leafs tonight? I won't even give you options. Dregs, you go first. You're looking at the Leafs tonight. Which player has the most pressure to perform tonight? For me, it's Anthony Stollars.

I mean, you know, he doesn't have to pitch a shutout. Let's give the New Jersey Devils some credit in the. that. They're a very good hockey club. But he came out loaded for bear post game on Saturday, and he identified what we could all see is a weakness, right? You know, Neilander is probably one of the few

players in that room where it just rolls off his back. You know, and I when he talked about it on Monday, I think he was sincere. I don't really care. You know, I haven't even looked at it. However, you know, when you're talking about a softness in your team and how you play, Craig

Barubay wouldn't call the group soft, but I guarantee to you from day one, that's one of the many things he's preached. You have got to find a way to get to the opposition net. And you have to make sure that you protect your own net. And they haven't been doing either with any level of consistency. So yeah, I get the frustration of Anthony Stolars, but when you're specifically calling out your top score and then the indictment of the character of your team, you better be damn solid. Yeah, he better be on it. What about you, C.J. Let's take Stolars out. out of it. Or maybe you can go that route if you want, but is there another player that

has been brought into the spotlight, maybe more than they usually would, that you think has to have a big night tonight? Well, I'm implying to say Stolar's, but I'll say, look, the blue line I think is under a bit of a microscope now. Brandon Carlo probably specifically given, you know, his proximity to a couple of those plays that were in Stolar's grill. But I think, you know, seeing the way that the team rallies around Stolars will be interesting, and I look at those players in particular, especially New Jersey, you know, gets in the goalie's face, or is, you know, they're obviously going to be trying to set up position around his crease.

You know, is that an area where we see a little bit more pushback from the Leafs? I mean, look, I think ultimately what those comments were is about the team being more competitive. So we can probably go position by position and look at ways we might measure that. But I think that I'm curious just to see what sort of effort we see directly in front of Stolar's around his net, you know, from the guys that have to be there to protect them, because there's only so much he can do even as a bigger man as he is there in the crease. Greg, because they're going back to Domi on the top line.

It's not very common for a top player in the league to have a rotating right side and how it's like the fourth or fifth guy, second or third time for Domi. Like, how do you see this playing out? Well, you know, you're right. I mean, it's almost in audition form at this phase. And when Scott Lotton comes back early November, I mean, he might get a look up there on the wing. I think anything is possible at this point, but it

does speak to the need and the work of Brad Trow Living to acquire another top six. Now you're not looking for a top line winger because those players aren't available in season. I think that they believe that Domi is the right answer, but because of the

Lawton injury, you know, they've had to backfill up the middle of the ice as well. So I don't know if we're making a big deal out of Cowan being the scratch. I don't think that we should, This is just part of the management of a young player, but beyond that, you know, who else? Have you seen enough from Mitchelli to throw him back up there on a consistent basis? It's it's an area of need, and you might go as far as to say an area of weakness right now.

CJ, where do you stand on that? Well, what you'll say is that Domey and Matthews have had some good runs together in the past. I know we haven't seen it maybe in this latest iteration, the bit they were together in camp. you know, it's still pretty early. But, you know, I don't see a more obvious solution right now in front of them on the roster. You know, it's just, you know, I think this is with the injury situation, just with what they have at the deck. I mean, I suppose the other guy that might be fillet is yarn croak, but, you know, it doesn't even look like he's in a lineup tonight. So, I mean, it's not perfect.

I think this is why this season, you know, the Leafs are probably asking a little bit more of Austin Matthews than we've seen in the past. Um, you know, he, you know, one, one thing for all the opinions, we don't have to mention the guy's name was playing in Vegas now, but, you know, the Leaf never really had questions about that for a lot of years. Those, those two players played together and had tons of success together, um, on the regular season side of things anyway. So, um, you know, I, I don't know if it's ever going to change until maybe if they're able to make some trade at some point, but even if that happens, I wouldn't expect it to be anytime soon. And so it's probably going to be a rotating door unless Domi can

find the fit that everyone's hoping for and that unit takes off right now. Yeah, and that's certainly not ideal. It's not unpredictable based on Martin or not being here. Do you know what the solution is? Just play Nealander there. Like, what is the point of this? Like, if the top line's not good in this

iteration, what are you accomplishing? Well, I guess their argument has always been about balance and then who does Tavares play with? But what are you balancing? Like if you're... Right, like, you do that. Yeah, but you're not getting enough of the top line the way it is. So what are you accomplishing? So you would suggest loading up Nyes, Matthews, Neelander, and then let everyone else figure it out.

Their top line hasn't been very good. And you could say, rightfully so, like they have two other good players on it. But Machelli, Domi, like, these are not solutions. No, they're not top line players. No. Clearly they're not. But are they second line players? No.

Like that's another question. You know what the secret is? They need two top six forwards. They might. They need two. And is that reasonable to respect? No. Like, how are they going to get two top six-four? They might not be able to get one.

Well. Right. We got that going for us. Yeah, exactly. And, like, how does that drive, Dregs with Keith Pelly saying, hey, you know, you got that green light. Go, go get crazy leading up to the trade deadline. Yeah, look, I mean, we can appreciate what Keith was trying to do. You know, it's just an acknowledgement that ownership is fully behind Brad Trulliving, Craig Barouba,

and the decisions that they need to make moving forward. But again, we're retracing our steps here. It's not like Brad Trilving felt like he needed a board endorsement going into the trade deadline when he acquired Brandon Carlo and Scott Lotton and gave up a lot for both of those players. He doesn't have a lot to give up anymore. So unless you're tearing apart your roster. And look, the reality is, you know, Vancouver's in a jam now because of injury. There are teams around the National Hockey League that are looking for very specific needs up front.

20, 25 games into the regular season. Then teams know what they have and what they feel like they can part with. Right now it's just not happening. Well, and you look at it, you mentioned, you know, Vancouver, and obviously Heedel is now injured and who knows what's going to happen with him. He's had head issues throughout his career,

and, you know, he took a monster hit from Wilson the other night. But you got Edmonton and Ottawa tonight, and both teams cannot be happy with the way things are going. Like, both teams are struggling. Ottawa's got Kuchok out for an extended period of time post-surgery. McDavid doesn't have a goal. That's the crazy thing. Like, we talk so much about McDavid and the projections,

and now he wants to win the rocket again, and he's going to get this many goals, this many points. Bouchard has lost, which also impacts McDavid, right? Drysett hasn't been good either. So, like, I guess, CJ, you can start here. Of that game, Ottawa, Edmonton, who do you have your eyes on, and who would you expect to have a little bit more pep

and their staff going into the game tonight. You know, I'm more inclined to look at the Edmonton side of the ice just to see how they respond. Obviously, they spent a week in New York City. They snuck out a win against the Rangers and then lost the other two games they played there. You know, before going back home, I think they need a win. It's not to say the senators don't need one either.

I can see where they're spot in the standings. And, you know, the other side of it is Ottawa has given up, you know, basically the most goals in the league. So, you know, if you're looking for a spot on the Edmonton side of the ice, you know, who's going to get going? Is McDavid find the score sheet? You know, do we start to feel like the team were supposed to be? You know, it's probably decent conditions with the way the senators are started. They've had a real tough time killing penalties, haven't had, you know, great goal-thetting performances in the early going.

And so, you know, I think there's a little bit more on Edmonton to get their players going. And I think you have to start with McDavid because of all the talk, you know, that he was initiating, right? He was one talking about winning the rocket and, you know, trying to get back to where he's been in the past. And look, he's got tons of runway still to do it. But this is, you can't get around the fact. This is the deepest he's gone into any season without a goal yet. And so, you know, he's feeling that. It's not just us talking about it.

Yeah, no kidding, man. Like, and they seemingly do this every year, Edmonton, slow start, and they figure it out. They love to toot around the east and just get crushed. Yeah. And you think at some point they would snap. out of that. And like you're still, you're playing with fire and you look at that division. Vegas is off to an incredible start.

I don't know who else really scares them. Like L.A. is not off to a good start. Colorado's right up there. Sure, but they're in the central, though. I'm saying within the division. You're right. In the conference, Dallas is going to be Winnipeg's off to a really good start. But there's a lot of executives, guys, I would say that

kind of hate their hockey team off the start. Like we were talking about who hates their team the most. Like, who would you guys say, Drags, you can start. Who's hating their club the most right now in the National Hockey League? Oh, boy. Wow.

Yeah, that's loaded. The Rangers come to mind just because of the level of expectation. They got one yesterday. Early, too. Panarin scored the first shit. But, you know, then they go out and they bring in. I still have lots of time for the New York Rangers.

I'm backtracking a little bit, mostly because of Mike Sullivan. And you've got to give him a bit of time to put his fingerprints on this club, but they'd be up there. Can you imagine how Matthew Darch is dealing with Patrick Gua and the New York Islanders to the early guys here? That would be a challenge. Jan, look, we talked about what isn't happening with Matthews, and you look at who's who's playing on the right side.

I like Trent Frederick. I think he's a nice player. I liked him when he was healthy in Boston. Is he a top line guy? He's not a top line player. He's not a top-line guy, so Edmondson's probably feeling it as well. Yeah, and C.J., when does Calgary realize? Yeah, there's another one.

Well, like, they're one and six. They're getting shelled. Like shellacked. Like, shellacked. At what point, like last year was a magical year. They had a great start. Huska did a great job. Wolf was phenomenal.

They got the new building in a couple of years. Like, at what point do they realize they have to do some serious, serious, serious reworking of their roster and at what point does that happen and how reasonable is it to move off guys who are you know in their 30s and have a lot of term left on their deals yeah I mean

it's it's gonna be one of those ones I think is a real interesting one to watch this season my sense of Calgary guys is that they internally have been pretty I mean what's the best word I think they've been pretty realistic about what this season could be there you know even the fact that they've had this

Rasmus Anderson situation kind of hovered over, you know, September leading into the season, you know, his cap had shown an interest in potentially, you know, trying to get back to the table if there was an eight-year deal there for him or something like that. And, you know, they rightfully kind of like, yeah, we're not sure about that. I think that they wanted to see this season play out. And so it's not to say that they were expecting to be bad, but I do think that they kind of understood how much, you know, went right last year to get them where they were, you know, basically a tiebreaker way from making the playoffs

and that it wasn't guaranteed to go right again. And so I do think there's a bit of a bigger picture plan at place there. And as a result of that, you know, you're not blowing it up after seven games, but I think that they could be one of the teams if we look for when does the sort of trade freeze and it's not an official trade freeze in league rules, but when does it thaw?

You know, maybe it's a team like Calgary. That could be one of the ones that's out there, you know, stirring that up at a certain point, probably wouldn't be before November. But, you know, I think that they weren't expecting necessarily internally. I know the players were talking about making the playoffs, but I think that at the management level, they've had pretty realistic expectations.

And obviously, it's been a really tough goal here in the first few weeks. Yeah. Well, and you got, you know, like, what do you do with Huberto? There's nothing you can do with Huberto. Gadry? Cadry is a different story. Like, what would be the market for a guy like Caddry? Pretty solid.

I mean, again, with a change to the CBA and whatnot, more than ever, it's going to be dollar in, dollar out. So how do you make the pieces fit? You know, if you're Calgary, if you're trading players like that, you take a bigger look and a harder bite and just go, okay, we're going to the wood. You know, we're going to move Rasmus. If you're moving cadre, if you can find a taker for you. I'm with CJ.

I don't feel like it's way too early to say they're there yet, but what they've got going out of the gate obviously isn't working. That's it. Like one and six, and the roster is the roster. Like, it's not as if if this was Colorado that started this way you'd think they'll find a way out of it. Edmonton's done it before. It's not happening.

Tampa's not exactly lighting it up right now. Tampa's in a bad place. Yeah, they are. Dead last in the division right now. All right, boys. And getting outplayed, not just losing. Get no play. That's the thing that I think is more concerning. Yeah. Not a young team, though, right? Like, that's the thing. It's like

the Leaves and Florida, Tampa, and Florida and Tampa have actually won. But those three Bostons, a year ahead of all the other three. Like, they're over the hump the other way of being like, they had your window, you did your thing, you're an older team, and now you look at the halves. Like they keep winning, and they're fiery Detroit's off to a great start. Like full credit to them. They look good.

They're fast. They're playing pretty well. So we'll see. All right, boys. Good seeing you guys. Thanks for doing us. There's Darren and Chris Johnston, our TSN Hockey Insiders. And the next big thing.

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