OverDrive - Duthie on the Maple Leafs' possible playoff opponents, the Presidents' Trophy significance and the Capitals' team rise

Episode Date: March 25, 2025

TSN Host James Duthie joined to discuss the headlines around the NHL, the Capitals and Jets' matchup, winning the Presidents' Trophy and the meaning of the team, the Maple Leafs' potential playoff options, how the Senators will perform and more.

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Switch to Bell PureFiber, Canada's fastest internet, awarded by UCCLA. Starting from $60 a month. Visit bell.ca for more details and to check availability. Bell. Internet just got better. James Duffy's in here from Ottawa, Strudy from Edmonton. The rest of the country's been dying to say that, haven't they, JD? Like, he loves saying, like, if that was, if the command center was in Montreal, there's no way he says it that way.

I don't know. He was dying to take a shot at that is that a toronto guy reading a little too i don't think so sensitive i don't think that would be a good thing was that i thought that used to be new york they were out of when they made the calls right i believe that this was in new york i don't know i can't tell you but i was in new york is going to be careful with that place i don't know but i what was that even mean though we don't need to Yes you do. Like they're the ones that review it. Well he just basically was saying it was a stupid call on the ice and then they went to Toronto to look at it and they

reaffirmed the stupidity of it. Yeah I understand. He's saying what's the point of review if they're gonna screw it up on review. Well do you think Columbus saw it the same? I'll bet you Columbus was like great call. Great, like this is the way it always is. Half the fans and half the players and half the coaches are gonna be happy and the other half pretty much hated. That's the way it's always been. Marty Biron said something interesting

last night on SportsCenter. I guess that they, at the GM's meetings, they showed them 64 controversial calls. Yeah, cartoons, they were watching cartoons. And 60, 62, they agreed with the call that the NHL made, which is the NHL's way of puffing out its chest and say, we get this right most of the time but that would be that

would not be one of the 62 I think of the G there's no way all the GMs would have looked at that said they got it I don't think so and Pierre Lebrun told us yesterday that he he kind of challenges that based on who he's speaking with because you're right the NHL is trying to portray this element of unity and everyone sees it the same way and there's absolutely no subjectivity on a call like this, but it's 100% subjective and it sucks because the Islanders, they're a plucky team. Like they're fighting for their lives, man. And they lost a point last night to a team that's right behind them.

So what's your read? I guess we can go around the table on this because you got Montreal in action, they got St. Louis tonight, that's a big, big game. Every day we come in here and we readdress who we think is gonna make it as a wild-card team. I think Ottawa feels pretty locked in. I think that you know you were, I listened to you guys doing your little happiness scale last night, I think you're basically right with your list KCB, but the Ottawa's the more nervous franchise just because a that team if you look at their season the second half It's like five wins in a row six losses in a row six wins in a row six losses in a row

So they're one more of those streaks from being right back on the cusp. Oh, jeez think they're over that though And they see the finish line. Yeah, I know it's just when it's been like eight years. I think you have some scars I think they're over that though when they see the finish line and they're like guys let's close the deal. I know it's just when it's been like eight years I think you have some scars. I think they're definitely going to get there but there'll probably be one more little rocky road along the way where they drop three in a row and suddenly it's two points up. I think it's going to be Ottawa-Montreal. It's great for them though like that having every minute count, every shift count, that's exactly what this team needs right and whether it's new guy, Dylan Cousins, all the guys that have been there. Wrong'm ready wrong it's okay we

hate we talked about it and you were fixing your internet it's okay I smoke a team in the first round it's okay to cruise to the playoffs you know not everything has to be stressful in a learning lesson start spanking teams that's okay too that's a great learning lesson for the positive but for then you're not in that moment like I believe you grow through adversity as a player and as a team so you think there's been enough adversity in Ottawa strutting that's but you earn it then you earn your right to get in the playoffs but you have to have that feeling of knowing that when it's 3-2 with one minute left and you need to protect this one goal lead that we can

do it if you're 5-1 5-1 5- one then you get to the last game and you lose it because you didn't have that experience. I think this is exactly what this team needs. I think they need nail biter right down to the end because they'll grow more as a team no matter how they do in the playoffs. Okay so how does that apply to chasing the president's trophy because we got a big one in Winnipeg tonight. Jets, Cavs, one of these two teams is gonna win it. They're both in different conferences. You think either of them really want to win it? I would. Why would you not want to win that? Something all bad happens to the president's trophy. But that's stupid. But I agree with you. Hockey players are like that and they probably don't. That's the same, the

whole thing about not, if you, the whole not touching the trophy when you win the East or the West division, if you look statistically, historically, it's literally 50% you win if you touch it, 50% you win if you touch it 50% you win if you don't touch it which is exactly what math is there's no curse if you touch the trophy last team to win a cup winning the president of New York 2013 I think it was the Blackhawks and 13 or be the next one yeah exactly go get it go chase it I disagree so you don't want to win the you're telling me these two teams tonight are saying you take it. We don't want it tonight. Like

why would you not want a the accomplishment of being the best team in the regular season? I know it's not the equivalent of the playoffs, but it's still worthy of something. You've dragged your fans on this ride this whole time. Plus then you're guaranteed home ice advantage. Maybe you play them in the cup final. Listen to a great former defenseman. Strati explain why it doesn't matter. Yeah, because to be honest, it's nothing.

You have nothing to show for it. So I think what it's more about is beating another really good team. That's what I'd be worried about. I'm not worried about getting two points to win the president's trophy. I think that's the message from the coach and the players say hey let's beat this team so they know we're better than them i don't care about the president's trophy cuz at the end of day how many people say

uh... two thousand four president last told me that you guys i've stopped and you guys are set up that i was ever one one you you you're straight is never won a president's trophy right rocks do not know if there's anybody you know how up you know how everybody gets a little mini stanley cups when you in the stanley cup is everybody any eastern conference trophy does anybody have a president does anybody get little mini president of the state should if you didn't have

a heavy if you hadn't won anything else in your career would you get a little mini president's trophy that you have on your shelf behind you in your home office i mean it'd be something to show people when they come late iso like the hall of fame and the peak when i retired and i realize that i've won nothing i would make my own this is what you get out of winning the president's tried why is why what what are you take pride in that i would that's an accomplishment it's an eighty

two game season yes we're more obsessed with the stanley got a good little bit more bad happens to the president but it's total that's that's a little hot man that has that is nothing to do with the president. But it's total, that's a fluke man. That has nothing to do with the president's trolling. Who won it last year? The Rangers. The Rangers. They got spanked by Florida.

Still, they made it to a conference final. You don't think Winnipeg and Washington, I think both teams would sign off on that right now. That's a loser's mentality, I'll admit. But I think if you're in a private moment, you go to the Winnipeg Jets or Washington, you answer this Duffy. And I guarantee you, you go to the Winnipeg Jets or Washington, you answer this, Duffy. And I guarantee you, you lose Game 7 Conference Final.

Would you take it right now? No. You wouldn't take it? That means you're guaranteed you won two rounds. You won two rounds and you got to win. Well, they both think they're going to win the Stanley Cup. Do they? Do you think they both really think they're going to win the Stanley Cup?

They do. Well, when you have the record that they both do, of course you think you have a great chance to win. Give me a a president trophy and a game seven On earth I made maybe some fans would take that yes But if you're a never win, but if you're a player and I was never a player wouldn't you guys rather be? Instead of going that deep wouldn't you just rather get knocked out if you're gonna lose the conference final if you're not gonna At least go to the Stanley Cup at least when you get to the conference final you're bluff lose the conference final, if you're not gonna at least go to the Stanley Cup final. At least when you get to the conference final, you're bluffing it a little bit.

Yeah, you're accomplished something. You're gonna get a mini conference finalist trophy? Yeah, if there's such thing. Hey listen, Washington won a cup seven, eight years ago, so I guess they've raised the bar a little bit. Winnipeg, you get to a conference final, you're an all-time great Jets team. Like if they win the President's Trophy

and get to a conference final. They that one they did that against Vegas in 18 or what actually that that was the year Washington won the cup that was the year they would have been Winnipeg Washington and Stanley Cup final. That was the year that the jet we went there for those couple those games. That must insanity. Yeah and that was it was you know Vegas Vegas I don't think you can get any respect right the entire season basically every round everybody thought Kind of what people are talking about Washington this year Oh, they haven't they never been there before Vegas is gonna be fodder I think Winnipeg thought they were going to the Stanley Cup final and Vegas beat him in five. I think maybe

To get to the cup finals, so Yeah, but but look what do you think the Jets are worried about? Winning the President's Trophy or not being the team we saw in the first round last year? Well, obviously, but why can't you have both though? That's my point. Why can you, why do you only have to pick one lane? Why can't you win the President's Trophy and also then be in a position where you think you can pounce come playoff time?

Why can't you do both? It's about the process, right? It's about playing well, getting your game in order, then the byproducts win the president's trophy. Yeah, but you don't mind it as a byproduct. You're not one of these guys saying, I don't want to win because it's a jinx, because nobody wins it, right?

I mean, it's probably not, but I'd rather go into the playoffs playing well and be a sixth seed, rather than having the president's trophy and not have faced adversity like we saw like Boston a couple years ago. Boston got great regular season, didn't do anything. You need to have adversity I believe. That's how you grow as a team and being hardened, ready for the battle.

So based on that logic, you're saying you think it would be better for Winnipeg to lose the rest of the regular season games so that they face some sort of adversity and they play Colorado in the first round? What are we talking about here? I think when they close their eyes, I'm guessing they're worried about the first round because of what happened last year. I would agree with that. President's trophy or no president's trophy, it doesn't matter. They have to make sure their game's in order. And as a team and as a player, you know when your game's in order. You know when you're playing well and you know when when you're bluffing and winning games, you should

lose or vice versa. But that's what I think Winnipeg's focused on. So if they win it because of our byproduct gap, that's great. But if their game's slipping heading to the playoffs and they get that first game, how do you think they're motioning their field even though they have their little president's trophy shooter glass behind them in their stall? Yeah, that's, listen, that's valid. I hear what you're

saying like you I just think you can accomplish both. KZB what would you be more afraid of? What would you be more nervous about first night of Toronto's Stanley Cup playoffs? Dude we already talked about it. Game one versus everything. Game one versus Tampa, game one versus Ottawa. Where is KZB more nervous? I'll tell you, a order of our model goes he is deathly afraid of Ottawa you know why because if the least by auto on the first round and they go down in flames in seven games even what i doesn't matter the amount of games he is already said on this show

that will be the king daddy topper in the worst of all correct that's the correct answer auto has no problem while i would have no pressure they have no pressure but also listen leaf the maple leaves and leaf and some very very few things where they can hang hang it over a different opponent or different families

the one thing they own is the battle of ontario the one thing but they don't know how far she has to yes platform they have a battle of ontario the one thing but they don't know if was yes yes platform they have a battle of ontario trophy in their cats with a help they have a battle of ontario where they are literally perfect when they meet all the one that would you get a mini division champion trophy if they will prevail in the division and went out in the first i would promote the

idea of a banner racing next year they might promote it only one was it three and if two in 84 years? Yeah, they've never won anything. They never won any division. So I do think, like we had that chat earlier, like we're talking about Winnipeg and Washington, I think the Leafs chasing first. I don't know where you stand on that strut, but I think it's, I think it's very important. It's not the end of the world, but I think it actually speaks to what you're talking about here, because you're chasing Florida, you're chasing, or you're with them, you're not even chasing them.

You're all basically in the starter's line with 11 to 12 games to go between the three teams. Who can be the hottest down the stretch is going to get that first seed. So that's what I'm talking about, like kind of killing two birds with one stone. You get red hot down the stretch, perform well, you probably got to beat those teams, they play Florida twice and Tampa once, you win those games and you end up with the first seed, that's something very fresh for the Maple Leafs and very different in terms of their mentality going in. And no matter how scared you would be because of the possible outcome, it's still a better

and even though Ottawa's been a tough matchup on the Leafs, you still want them over Tampa all day or Florida. Yes, I mean based on the matchup, based on on playoff experience. Ottawa doesn't have a ton of it. You know the Leafs would be in the drivers. It's the truth. I mean the Leafs would be expected to win. I think you also want Olmark over Vasilevsky or Bobrovsky. Yes. Just in, he can be awesome, but he's also like one night he's great, one night he's awesome. Yeah, but none of those are easy though. No, they're not. None of those are. No, they're not.

But I think if you're, so I think there's two, the Leafs and let's say the Jets, is that the Jets get first place, that's great. It's a good thing. I think the Leafs need it. So they maybe don't have to battle quite as hard to get through those first two rounds. I would agree with that.

I agree with that. I think most people would. Do you think Hellebuck, how big is this game for him tonight in terms of chasing the heart trophy? In other words, big platform games spotlight, OVs in town, dry settles hurt doesn't sound like Leon's going to play all week. Like dry settles probably going to miss six, seven games down the stretch. You're saying like Hellebuck goes on a heater here the next two weeks he could lock it up. Yeah, like in a big one tonight you stone OV you win tonight two one three one he plays great. Yeah, like in a big one tonight. You stone Ovi, you win tonight 2-1, 3-1, he plays great.

It feels to me like it's a big, big moment for him. You see it the same way? Yeah, yeah. I mean, I hadn't really even thought of the heart. The oddsmakers have a dry settle favorite right now or Hella Buck? I think it's Hella Buck now. Like his dry settles injuries kind of taking him out of it. I have a licking in it.

I don't know why he is like, the guy's so good every night and people are like, nah, you won it last year, sorry. I'm generally biased against goalies for the heart, which I shouldn't be, but I don't know. It has to be a special season. I think Hellebuck would qualify here. Like the time that Theodore beat what, Aguila?

Yeah, don't ask noodles about that. Yeah, I mean, to me that was a travesty. It really better hair for sure. It was a hair contest. All right. No, no, because Theodore's hair was no but then he got busted for the Propecia. He was taking and it was it was a performance enhancing thing but it was the hair thing and that was the most shocking thing ever. It was goofy. You right man. I forgot about that. That was the most shocking scandal in hockey history The guy with the best hair in the league. Yeah was popping the pro. It was like I'm shocked. You never got busted for that We we just me and Hayes went to Turkey and just got the full Move man. We heard there's some guy in Calgary, world-renowned and apparently strut.

You're getting pushed down to Calgary or what? Are you going to take the jumper? I remember I looked at Propecia, but a friend of mine, Brian Burrard, used it and his hair felt like straw. I love how you used this name. He said, run your hands through my hair. So I did. It felt like straw and I was like, I'm not doing it.

I'd rather go bald than have straw hair. So I don't know, but there's some talk about going down to Calgary. I've heard he's really good. I had a friend do it. I'd rather go bald than have straw hair. So, I don't know, but there's some talk about going down to Calgary. I've heard he's really good. I had a friend do it and this guy is like a six at best. It took him to about a seven and a half. He looks so good. That's big, man. Point and a half. Big jump. Point and a half in your 40s or 50s. That's massive, man. Freddie, they could sponsor your pod. It could be a whole thing.

Everything. Might be a good investment for both of us, right? Or it could sink both businesses. You go to this guy. You show up on your pod with a straight line across your forehead and it's just all out of whack. You're a mess. Well, there were some guys who played in your generation

who did the transplants when transplants were first a thing, but then didn't follow up on them. And they had the old line across with nothing behind Not gonna name names here, but there was a few that were glass. It's a wild scene There wasn't much behind enemy lines. You know what I'm saying? It reminds me I knew a guy buddy of mine at college that took steroids and he didn't go to the gym He was taking roids and not doing anything. What happened to your body?

Not good things. Like it was really unhealthy. You just blowed up, don't you? He was so bloated and a mess. So we're talking like you mean he wasn't even working out at home? No, he wasn't doing anything. What happened? Well, he got he doing anything. What happens to him? Well, he got, he started, like he had this big plan. He's like, I'm getting in shape and I'm going to start taking roids and I'm going to start doing it. And he got in this program and he was so lazy.

He just took the roid. He just took the roid. Did you get like man boobs or whatever? Yeah, it was, it started to really, it was like a deformation that was really uncomfortable. Like there was some weird stuff going on, not like crazy, but like acne and all, like all the bad signs of Roy.

Without any of the benefits. Without the body. Yeah, without the body. Cause like the benefit is, all right, you're gonna actually work through it and you go to the gym and you can be there for hours and you recover quickly. Of course.

This guy was just basically taking Roy's and then boozing and smoking weed every night and doing nothing. Where is he today? I, it's a great question. I haven't heard from him in a while. Let's get an update. Get him online. I'll find out what his story is. Watch him be jacked. He's probably like an influencer. See that influencer that's going viral this week because he wakes up at 3 30 in the morning that's going viral this week because he wakes up at 3 30 in the morning and then he wraps up his day he eats a banana and then puts the banana peel on his face as some sort of I don't know what the purpose of that doogie maybe you can look up details on it that it's good for your skin I guess it's good for your skin and I don't know if he can it yeah he actually did have really nice skin

and then he goes to the gym at four in the morning is that the same guy yeah his routine? Yes, former football player I think. He gets up, he's jacked, he does like an ice bath. I would try the banana wipe though. Yeah. Yeah, I guess. Skip the rest, eh Duffy?

Yeah, I won't do anything else, but I will wipe the banana all over the place if you need me to. Exactly, no gym, no ice bath, but banana peels on your face. I'm gonna try that. I'll come in next week and see how it looks. Okay, we go let's do it. Do I have to do it on a constant basis like daily wipe? I get that. The inside of the banana peel or the skin of the

banana peel? I'm not sure actually. Probably the inside because the skin you can do it while the banana is still in there. Inside you gotta and you gotta eat the banana. That's not a problem. Apparently that's imperative. Okay. All right. Let us know keep us up to date on how that's going I will all right JD. What do we got a quiz tonight? We got the panel we got everything Yeah, we got a lot of games on TSN tonight. Oh, yeah, it's like all the regionals all over the place What studio is everyone gonna? We're in we're in the big six. Okay, we're we only do the big one Oh, and I won't show up if it's not the big Furious if we have to relocate we get so angry when the CFL kicks us out sometimes we literally do

they do you know who we are yeah and what games we are doing to each other and then done again Kate Burness looks at me and says get the hell out of my studio and I just put my tail between my legs and leave because she's all in mess our Kate no one messes with Kate crushing it madness the whole night she's on all the time looks great sounds great everything's coming together all right studio six tonight

we'll catch you then thank you these flyers there is james duffey all new all canadian the best of our great nation one song at a time this is justin beaver hi this is terry clark

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