OverDrive - Hellebuyck and Larkin trade destinations | OverDrive: Oct. 2, 2026 - Hour 2

Episode Date: October 2, 2026

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLenna for Hour 2 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Analyst Mike Johnson joins to discuss Gavin McKenna's ideal fit on the Maple Leafs, Aleksander Barkov hobbled and Connor Hellebuyck's future in Winnipeg. The guys discuss the Maple Leafs' matchup against the Senators, the OverDrive NFL Picks between Hayes and Bro and O'Win Willson for Week 4 and Bryan hands out his FanDuel Best Bets.

Power 2 Overdrive continues, powered by Fanduil, bringing you more ways to play your game your way. We'll get to some NFL picks later in the hour, some best bets. We've got hockey games tonight. We've got football games all weekend. We've got the CFL on TSN. I love it. It's amazing time of year. And Hasey, I forgot to tell you, well, I wasn't on yesterday, but since we talked about that place, PM, Toronto's, people have been talking about all the spots they went to after Maple Leaf.

I don't know if this is true, but people have been tweeting me saying there was a place called Gardunis. Gardunis. Like around the corner from the garden. Imagine what went on at Gardunis around the corner from Maple Leaf Gardens? Yeah, crazy. Outraised. Crazy, man. The gardens was just an ecosystem, right?

Like the whole vibe. I miss it so much. Dude, so do I. I love the gardens. There was something so amazing about. about like taking the TTC down and walking up. Dude, it was spiritual. Like you were from Toronto.

I was the kid that grew up in King City that it was like a massive thing. If we were taking the subway and getting off downtown and walking into Maple Leaf Gardens, it was like a religious experience. It really was. You get to college station and immediately you knew where you were. You'd be walking up the stairs and you could hear people already as you're walking up. And it was generally who's buying, who's selling. Yeah, yeah, who wants a program.

when you got closer. Immediately. And the buzz and you'd get through the doors and the hallway was old. It was a rink. It was a rink. Gritty rink, man. It was a rink, though.

You know what I'm saying? Like now it's stadiums and it's, you know, that was a rink. That was a hockey rink that happened to hold, you know, 16, 17,000 people or whatever it was. The old, you know, the queen was on the wall back in the day. It was wild. intimidating building, but it just, like, the, the, I'm trying to remember the away dressing room was a dump, wasn't it?

Wasn't it? Oh, it wasn't like two rooms you kind of have to, like, the Zamboni doors you'd walk through. You'd walk by, and it had the old Zamboni with like the thing that went across and just collected the snow. You could see it being collected. It was a gritty, gritty place, but I swear to God, playing a game there one time, I had a chair in the hallway. We couldn't fit into the room. So I was a young guy sitting out in the hallway, like outside the dressing room. Yeah, that's right.

My favorite thing about that, my favorite story about that visiting dressing room is we're not playing very well and we're having a meeting in Maple Leaf. In the visiting dressing room. Yeah. And Moe looks around and he's like, where's Riser, Stephen Rice? And everyone's like, we don't know where Stephen Rice is. And he was on the toilet around the corner with a video game. that made this noise and it was like, Dini,

Deney, Deney? Deney. I don't know what it was. It wasn't like a game boy or something. Teterous. Tetris. No, it was something that made a noise and he was like,

where the hell is this guy? And all he heard was like, dine, ding, tini. He was so mad. That would say. Oh, my God.

for a game. Yeah. I was playing a video game. Yeah. And it just was the stupid little thing where I guess he was just on the can. Oh, man, I'll never forget that. It's so great. And then Maurice is just steaming.

Oh, you wanted to just, oh, man, that was funny. Yeah. Well, that's the thing, man. You get coaches at any level, like I, you know, obviously I didn't play in the NHL, but I remember in junior, our coach thought he was going to be fired. and to be around him was insane. And he would yell things like, I'm taking you guys down with me.

We're a junior, you know, but like you get coaches that think they're on the, like the hot seat and they're going to be fired soon. They are not normal human beings. Dude, I know for a fact that Paul Maurice in Florida was going to get fired one night if we did not win. I scored two goals and we came in, and we were down, I think, in the game.

And we came in and there was like 40 beers on ice. And they were prepped for, if we lost, he was going to be like, guys, let's have a beer. I'm out of here. It's over. But we won. And he was like, let's have a beer and just like you back on track. And I was like, man, those were loser. Those were loser beers.

That's the anti-celebration. Dude, it was, it was beers for, he was gone. And it's like, I want to have a beer with you guys because I'm packing my stuff and I'm out of here. And it was, we had turned into a winter beer. Now, did he get fired eventually? or you guys hung on. Jamie, we went to the Stanley Cup final that year. So he thought he was getting fired.

He was, like he was. It was the end of the line. We stunk. He'd been there a long time. And if we lost that game in Florida, his march, he was getting fired. He's told me this before. Like, if I didn't get those two goals, he was gassed. We'll get him on, and he'll tell you one.

We won the game, and we hammered a beer with him after. And he was like, ah, let's just have a beer to get this thing going. And I was like, I said to the truth. trainer, Skippy Cunningham. I'm like, Skippy, what was with those beers? He's like, man, long story. Yeah. All right, here's Mike Johnson, our Tosn, hockey analyst,

joining us on the Maple Tudor Hotline. Ever around a coach where you knew if you lost that night, he was getting fired? I think we had for about a couple weeks in Tampa with Steve Luzick. We were not doing well. And so it all comes to a head hazy. We're in Chicago. We play on like a 5 o'clock afternoon game,

and then we have like two days off in Chicago. So we all go out. We lost again, and we're down to our division of Rushtown, where it's like 2.30 at the morning, there's about eight of us in some bar. And all of a sudden we hear like, rap, rap, rap, on the window outside the bar and it's Ludsy. And he's like this.

You know, giving this one of the guys, like, oh, man, this is no good. 7 a.m. the next morning, the hotel phone rings. get up meeting at 7.30 in the whatever ballroom. We're like, oh, man, we're going to get killed here. We're going to get, like, laid into. They fired Lundy.

It was the opposite of O's. Like, they did fire him, and we were like, oh, we got off Scott Free. No, it wasn't a big deal for being out so late. Oh, that's the worst, man, because that's his town, too. Ludsey was a Blackhawk, right? Like, he played in Chicago ever, too. What was he doing out at 2.30, though? That's what I'd be asking.

Like, what do you point back and say, what do you do it? Yeah, looking for his players. Yeah, I guess so. Maybe. I guess so. Maybe. There's a lot of us at the team, so he couldn't bench all of us. Yeah, well, that's true.

I was in, we were in Hartford. I got called up, and I was with St. Louis, and Mike Keenan was our coach, and we had an eight-minute pre-game skate, and then he stopped, and he started yelling. Him and Brett Hall had a full-on screaming argument against each other, and then we lost that night, and the next morning in St. Louis, they fired Mike and brought in Joel Quinville. He was there. But it was, like, awkward. Like, Holly was like, you're a loser.

And he's like, you're a loser. Like, it was just unbelievable, the two of them going. And I'm just sitting there going, what is going on here? Like, what kind of circus? But Joel came in. Rogers and McCarthy last night, Ben. Oh, my God. I love when McCarthy said, what an a-hole.

Like, just what an a-hole. Yeah. That was awesome. I mean, that's what you get, though. Like, Rogers, Brett Hall, there's certain guys that are like, I don't care who the coach is, clearly. You're going to hear a piece of my mind. Like, it's coming.

But that was Mike, though, right? It was. It was miced up because he was waiting for McCarthy to get the play call, and he's losing it on the guy, though. Like, losing it on the coach. That's where, like, one, you laugh at guys when they cover their mouth when they talk, as though, like, you know, it's top secret stuff. But in moments like this, like, that's,

why you cover your mouth because everyone's going to read your lips what you're saying about the guy and it's not a good look. So some guys that just do not care. They're going to say whatever they want and it's interesting dynamic, especially when they're good players. You're like, okay, here we go. Power struggle,

which one backs down? Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Well, Johnny, we've were two games into the Leaf campaign and we got Ottawa tomorrow night. We're trying to get a read on Ottawa because I think the Leafs will be ready to play. They've knocked some rust off. They're at home. It's a Saturday night. Always a kind of special vibe down there.

But Ottawa hasn't played yet, and they're going to step on the ice for the first time in eight years, I believe it is, without Brady Kachuk. What do you expect from the senators tomorrow night? Well, I talk about bad schedule. Like the last time of the season that you want an extra four days off to start the year is brutal. Give me those four days off in March and in February when I need them. But beyond that, I think they'll be fine. I think on some, level, and it's not meant to be a shot at Brady. Like, it will be a galvanizing motivator to not have Brady could chuck around. Everyone who's left there will be feeling we want to show that we can do it, that we're

good without him, we want to show why he maybe should have wanted to stay more than he wanted to leave, and we're pretty good without him. And I think that should be a common theme that will run through that team for quite a while here to start the year. I did read that Sanderson was back on the ice as well, which is significant. because they had the end been on the ice in a little while. Zub was back on the ice. He won't be playing. But they had some bodies come back on the ice because they were down some people.

And we know when Travis Green, who's a very good coach, has them playing well, they are stingy. They may be look a little different with the puck, but they're stingy without it. And they've given the Leaf's trouble. Like Shane Pinto plays Austin Matthews really hard. That's a tight, like you have a physical, strong, fast matchup guy for Austin. So I would expect them, even though they're rusty and they haven't played a game yet, They basically had a second training camp. They had six days, which is more practice than you get in training camp to try to get things organized for tomorrow night.

I would expect them be organized in a tough opponent. Johnny, we just had Chica on at 430, and do you think it's easier for him being a brand new GM and basically fresh eyes on everybody as opposed to a GM that's been here for some time with all the new bodies, and he'd just be paying attention to the new transactions. Instead, he's fresh on the scene and everyone's new to him. Like, John Tavares is new in Austin Matthews, just like Marchenko and the guys that he brought in. I think what it gives him, O, is a clean slate for everyone.

He's not really, I mean, I guess he's tied to Marchenko because he brought him in and some of the changes he made, but he just sort of doesn't have any past, no history, no biases, no extra ties. sort of gets evaluated with a clean slate, which I think might be easier, even though it's a lot. Like there's a lot of information you're trying to digest, try to get to learn and know people, trying to get to learn and know the way they play. We know that he loves to dig in the numbers, so he's not just sort of watching and saying,

hmm, it feels like this guy plays. He probably watches, but he dissects numbers for eight hours about what actually happens to see if his eye test matches the number test. So I would say it's easier because you can, you know, you're starting to try. or starting for scratch, which probably makes it the first evaluation a bit simpler for everybody. How much does resume factor into eye test scratch or slash numbers? Because apparently the nerds are going off on the scoring chances for and against for the Tavares line. Second line, yeah.

The second line, thank you for confirming that. Like if it was somebody that just got called up and they had bad numbers, their gas from the line with the reputation of John Tavares, is somebody turning the other way saying there's nothing to see here, don't look over there, or how does that factor in? I think the resume buys you time, a longer time frame to ride out a bad stretch of numbers, because you have history to show what you usually can do.

And if what you're doing is different, and you have eight years, 10 years, 12 years of information saying that you're usually different than this, then you won't panic. on two games and overreact. If you have no history, if these are the first two games you've ever been playing, then that's all they know of you.

Then you don't get three weeks a month to try to sort it out because they don't have any information proving otherwise. So I think that absolutely resume comes into play, as it should. I mean, if a proven player, Jeff O'Neill, goes six games without scoring a goal,

you're not going to sit him down. You know that he's going to score goals. But if a guy steps out of the minor has never played before and he's supposed to be a goal scoring, goes eight games without a chance, he doesn't get as much, as long a leash as Jeff O'Neill does because of what you've done in the past. So just following that up, Johnny, O talked about the second line and, you know, the numbers not being that glowing. What do you see out of Gavin McKenna?

And, you know, we had a really good debate about it yesterday because he's 18 years old. Shouldn't he be leaning on a 36-year-old and a 30-year-old in Tavarice and Nealander? But he's part of that line. And, you know, longer leash, do you switch things up? Do you pull a few shifts from him? Like, what do you make of that? Because it seems like the top line is going right now and the line underneath it with Cowan on it,

but that second line is struggling. Yeah, for sure. I know Gavin McKenna's special, but he's playing with two really good players. And he should be the third option when he started looking at who needs to make sure that that line is good on the ice. He's got to be part of it,

but he can't be the first reason. if he's the first reason you look to then William Nealander's having a real tough time and you should really shine the spotlight to him and then Tavara's at his age maybe we should not be surprised a little bit that the five on five play driving is not what it once was because it wasn't great

at times last year but this is where our noodle thing becomes tricky like how do you balance you have a couple extra bodies Cowan can certainly move up and play a bigger role maybe Nick Paul could maybe move up play a bigger role but do you do you take something that's working and break it up early on

to help something that might not be. I think as long as you're getting decent results, you let them ride it out and hope that they get a little bit better. And for Gavin, you know, I think it's the same as always. It's going to be the story for him all the time, noodles. When he has the puck and he's skating

forward with it above the blue, like out of his own end, he's in a comfort spot. He's going to make good plays, they make good decisions. It's not going to be perfect, but he's going to make things happen. If he doesn't have the puck, he's doing it in his own end, it's less comfortable for him. And so what your whole plan would be is to try to get him in the spots where he's

going to be able to show his best stuff and not in the spots where he won't be quite as comfortable. And that's on him, that's on the coach, that's on his linemates, that's on everybody. And I think we've seen that with the puck, offensively, very good, defensively, without it, not as strong. And that's not surprising to anybody. Yeah, and I'm glad you've mentioned that because I said the same thing yesterday. Like there's this sense of like, oh, the line's not going.

So let's talk about McKenna. He's playing with Neelander and Tavaros. If that line sinks, talk to them. Like, they should be taking pride in the fact that they've got them on their line. And we're going to drag you home here. Like, we're going to take you under our wing. And that's the way I'm sure Hiller's looking at it too. Like, you got a problem.

Go to Tavar's and Neelander and say, you guys got to be better. You have to be more responsible. But I also think with Neelander, you know, the line. last couple of years or last year we've been talking about matthews without marner to morner thomas at times without marner willie and marner didn't play really at all together like he has not had a winger like this that he's ever played with that i can recall that has the ability on a two-on-one to say actually it's coming back to you so be ready like i think you got to give them some time here and i think it could be very beneficial to nielander

in particular like if he can start getting a read on where mckenna's going and how he's seeing the game and think in the game, he's going to get some freebies. Like, he's going to get some easy tapping goals. He's just got to kind of calibrate to it, so to speak, because he's not used to. He doesn't generally play. I don't think he's ever played with a guy that has that level of skill and talent and ability like McKenna does. Yeah, and Willie's a smart player, a very smart offensive player. He will figure the stuff out his.

But what will be interesting to me is that when I watch them play on the office, office zone, Tavares, kneelander, whoever. The aligned's primary objective in the offensive zone, and you watch tomorrow's all the time is they get the puck, battle hard for it, where's Willie, give it to him, and then just get out of the way. And then Willie starts to create the time and space, and he's wheeling around, he's stick handling and cutting back and everything else, and then guys go to the front of the net and whatever.

Now you have Willie who wants the puck and space to go, and McKenna, who wants to hang on the edges and say, me the puck with some space over here and they haven't had sort of that cohesiveness of how to get it and how to find space with it because usually it's just really do it on your own and McKenna wants to participate in that as well and it just hasn't quite clicked but yes both are way too good and way too smart to not have it work out offensively now will it be great defensively that's a different question probably not so sure will ever be great defensively but it might not have to be and they're not counting on it being that's why they have third fourth lines and and austin matthews but

it should certainly be good offensively once they get some chemistry, get some continuity, and get playing with each other a bit more. You just said the word Austin Matthews, the words Austin Matthews. Like, if you were to watch a game in one of the first five they played two, like what would you need to see to say that guy's going to be like the old Austin Matthews? And I don't even know what version that would be, Johnny. Is it more realistic to think he would be the first? 40 goal,

Austin Matthews, the 50 goal, Austin, there's a bunch of different options because he scored so many. But what would you need to see for that to happen? Is it simply goals

or completely dominating a game? Like, what would you be looking for? So the obvious answer would be goals, right? Like, he's getting some shots, but having those shots that seem to find the back of the net, find the back of the net.

Like, don't miss the net, don't be blocked, whatever. That would be one option, and it would make sense. the other one to me is when he still is very strong on the puck, right? Like he can grab it, he can knock it off you, but what I would like to see this maybe suggesting my back

is if he can consistently do that and then beat that guy he took it from somewhere, not just protect it for possession, but then beat him with a stick handle, a hard step, a body position, whatever it might be, and beat him towards the net to create something else. I think that's what we haven't seen as much of, We see him get the puck.

He's still very good at battling and lifting the sticks and everything else. But then he doesn't, he hasn't turned the corner and beat that guy to create something with it. And I'd like to see that. And once you start seeing that consistently, you know, the point totals and the goals will probably follow. So we don't have a full explanation on what's up with Sasha Varkov after he left the game last night. But without him, you know, last year, obviously he didn't play. but Kachuk barely played, a bunch of other injuries took place. They were out of gas.

If you take Barkov off that team, how good do you think Florida still is? I think they're a playoff team, obviously, but they're not a cup winner without him. He's that good. He's the best two-way forward in the league. And what troubles me, I don't know if noodles or even you, Hayes had any this happen ever, but, like, you know when you get hurt and you're like, I'm either hurt, which is, nah, that's annoying. and it's painful or I'm injured.

I'm out. The reaction to this, the fact that he stood up and slammed in the glove, walking right off, that tells me he thought he was injured. He thought, I just did something that is not going to feel better tomorrow. And that's what's worrisome, whether it's

an MCL or a groin or a hip or an ankle. I have no idea, and I hope it's not the case. But that's troubling to see. But, you know, Sam Bennett's a good player. He's a great number two. Anton Lundell is a good player. He's a brilliant number three. Neither one are true number one centerman.

Bark off that for that team. That's how they all get slotted properly. That's why Ryan Hart's really good. That's why they work together based on the top down. And if he's gone long term, they're just not nearly as good. They're still good. I still think they make the playoffs. Even if he missed the whole year, which I don't think he will.

But if it did, but I would not have them as a cup favorite, which I do if he's healthy, if he wasn't. Johnny, how long do you think Connor Hallibol? is going to want to blow 39 grand a day or whatever it is. I know you would. This is it, right? Is that what it is? I think it might be 39 grand a day or something like that. I might show up and just have a bag growing until I get traded.

Dylan Larkin. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, bad. Brian, I did hear you this. I did hear this yesterday, Brian. Like, are they going to wheel out that Dylan Larkin in one of these home? Like, because of the guys that, no, I know,

are they going to point to the bench and say, Dylan Larkin and he's going to go like, like, now, if I have gotten. 71. I can't wait. Johnny, okay. What's the Jerry's? It's like, we're Walt going to tune in, but what is the Jerry's that they roll him out?

And he's in a suit and he comes on the bench and waves. I think both parties have to do everything possible for him not to be on that bench. Like, I think it's a bigger store if they don't put him there. I think it becomes more of a distraction. If they don't, you got, listen, here's my mini jerry's. 98% he's on the bench. No way.

95% of the fans boo him. Yep. And this is your lot. You made the call and you got to take it. Well, Brian last week said, you're from there. Brian last week said it was smart not putting Vladdy out there just to kind of have good mojo and you don't want to wheel Vladdy out there.

And now he says wheel larkin out there to just have. have everyone boo his ass. Totally different context. Vladdy was still around the team, and it was game 162. It was Scherzer's goodbye, Springer's goodbye. Yeah. Vladdy had already had the built-in excuse. It's the Detroit Red Wings home opener, home opener for this guy,

and you want to just have a guy on the bench to be like, 701, Dylan Larkin. What are you going to pretend he's not on the team? Like, if he's going to play in three games, he's got to be there tonight. But do you think he's going to play in three games? No, I'm not convinced he will. But then pull a hellabuck and don't show up. You can't claim you're part of the team.

But if he doesn't show tonight, Hazie, what is the next four days of conversation like for everyone in the locker room? Where was Dylan? Why wasn't he out there? Whose call was that? How does it make that? Like, just, he's got to take it. And it stinks. And like, even as a teammate, you will feel

for him personally because he's your friend. Yeah. But you won't be bothered by. You're like, listen, the guy made a call for whatever reason, and he's entitled to make that call, but you have to deal with the consequences. And one of the consequences is in for 30 seconds, it might be uncomfortable while people who used to love you, now boo you. That's okay.

That's what you've chosen and that's the path you've got to go down. I want to hear the voice guy, like how quickly he flies through. He turns to the next guy. Yes. Number 70, Mike Johnson, number 71, Dylan Larkin, number 72. He's an auctioneer. He's an auctioneer. Exactly. And the camera just goes like so quick right through.

The fastest pan ever. It would be so great. It would be so great. 70, 71, 72, 70s, like just the right through. His rifles through. So go ahead on Hallibuck, though. What is your read on Hallibuck and his standoff here with Winnipeg? He seems pretty dug in, right?

Like, he seems like he's not going anywhere, oh. Like, I don't think 40 grand a day, 250 a week, whatever it is, 500, two weeks, a mill for a month. Like, I think he's willing to. take it. Now, you can say he's got lots of money so it doesn't hurt quite as much, but it's still a boat load of money. I don't even know what the Jets want, though. You guys help me with this.

Would the Jets want him to come back to the team sort of half invested and quasi play? I would say no. Or they just prefer that he needs out there, the pressure that he'll feel and the money they don't have to pay him. Like if we're going to trade you anyways and you're not going to be fully invested here,

we'd rather not pay you and not have you around because it becomes a bigger destruction if you are? I don't know. I think they probably prefer him to stay away at this point. I don't think he needs to do anything. He just needs to sit and wait because if Buffalo has three or four more games where their goal tending is in question, that's where the pressure

point will change and they're like, pick up the horn and get them. Not for this. I watched that Buffalo game last night. That Columbus team was flying. They look pretty good. They look pretty good. Very nice. Very nice. It looks very good. I think

Buffalo is a good landing site. for Hallibuck, but ultimately, again, what is the, like, I watch the, I don't know if you watch the interview between Dregs and Shevoldeoff. Like, Chevy's playing his cards close to the vest. He's like, listen, we've got to do what we can. But he'd not make a trade-o just for the sake of making it. Yeah, sticking to that principle. If Buffalo was interested in Connor Hallibuck, which with all the rumors, they've got to be

somewhat interested, what kind of package would they put together? Peca Lucanin would be one. what's that Jack Quinn Well the guy that Winnipeg would want Would be that Benson kid They would want him included somehow Or don't or something

So here's their package, okay UPL the goalie Josh Norris or Jack Quinn up front Depending on which one they want And then some combination of No Oslin who just signed that big contract Uri Kulik Two young guys who've played in the NHL for a long time

There's just three or four pieces And they're all good NHELers and the young guys could be really good, solid second line guys, and you get a goaltender, and you get a proven NHL or Norris or Quinn. What if they said, Pekka Luka. What if Buffalo said Owen Power, Pekka Luchinen, and a first round pick? I don't think they can trade over in power. Not after they gave up Bull and Byron.

Like, I don't think, like, they need defensemen there. Yeah. Like, they need Puckoovers. And they have us, oh, their surplus, it feels like, is in prospects and lots of talent up front. I'm sure Winnipeg would probably ask that Costa Hellenius. But like there's enough pieces there.

If you're looking for three or four pieces and Buffalo might have five or six that they could kind of art with, feels like if you wanted to, you could make that deal happen. All right. You just mentioned that Bowen Byron and shoot. Him and his partner might be minus 700.

Tough start. Oh my goodness. Chicago stinks again, unfortunately. They might make our list, Johnny, next Friday. Maybe we'll do it. you we're going to we're going to do a list three or four items each could be NFL NHL it's going to be called it's early but I think this stinks could be a player could be a

team we're doing it next Friday we're doing it we're doing it very positive very positive and it's in gold setting yes yeah it goes without saying but this is tough like halibum dude they that's what they but I was saying Brian they don't have the currency they just don't they don't they don't they don't have nothing I agree with you noodles. You guys think Hallibuck would pick up and go to Abington? I don't think so. Maybe we wouldn't either.

That would be a kick in the teeth to Winnipeg if they did. That would be a kick in the teeth. Because Winnipeg is like, you know, lateral market movement kind of. Yeah, you're right. You're right. All right, Johnny, have a great weekend. We'll do it next week. All right, fellas.

Have you a weekend. Mike Johnson joining us here on the Maple Toyota Hotline. It's time to Toyota check out the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra pickup trucks, both available as hybrids. Maple Toyota near Canada's one. to land on the Maple Auto Mall. We're giving away Buffalo Bill tickets this hour. You've got to tune in and listen for your cue to call.

Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, huge game, huge game Sunday down at Highmark. So we're going to give those away, get to our best bets as well. Overdrive continues up on YouTube live. Unmistakably Canadian. It's the music that raised you. The artists raising the bar. Hi, this is Brian Adams. Hey, my name's Brett Emmons.

I'm from the glorious sons. Hi, I'm Nellie Fittata. Made in Canada, the station that champions Canadian music. Loud, crowd, and all yours. No passports required. Just press play. Tap into Made in Canada now on iHeartRadio.ca. Or the free iHeartRadio app.

Not sure if you guys touched on it yesterday. The brilliant piece of agent work from my agent, Ian Pover, yesterday. The kid from Anaheim. Yes, Tristan Luno. That is great. I wonder if his phone's ringing out the hook today. Some potential new clients. Listen, he's played 14 games in the league, and he got a monster contract.

And I said yesterday, Pat Brabeak is on tilt. Like, he got aces cracked, and now he doesn't know what the hell to do, because that Leo Carlson contract has spun him out of control. He's giving guys deals. And Lounow's a good player. He's Oprah right now. just deals for everybody. Right.

But Hayes goes yesterday, oh, he goes, couldn't wait for him to get to his 15th game. Like, to get him locked in at 14. Can't do it. But that is phenomenal work by Pulver. Phenomenal. I'll tell you what, I guess so. And Lou Now was on your team, you and Al's brother at the prospects game. Dude, I'm not kidding you.

I can remember, this is dead honest truth. I can remember looking down the bench without seeing Al's brother with that top hat, leaning over talking to him. Like, like, imagine, like, Al's brother saying, hey, like, try to back up five, six feet there. But I do remember Al's brother, like, tapping him on the shoulder and leaning down, like, I do not know if it was X's and O's, but I do remember that. Well, then he should get a piece.

Al's brother should get a piece. Because whatever information he got him, it led to Luneau getting a massive chunk of change. And, yeah, good for him. That's, I think, I'm playing tonight, right? And their lines are all out of whack because they've lost guys and they're moving off guys and they're relying on young players. They're like Lecombe's going to play a ton. Loonow is going to play a ton, clearly. And, you know, Carlson and Gochier, they've got their new captain, I think, playing center.

Like, I think Granlin's going to play some center. Yeah, yeah, second line, Senate. It got Seneca, like, they've got some players. We've got some players. Don't kid yourself. That's Seneca. He might rip home 35 goals this year. He probably got 30.

I don't know how many he got last year. Yeah, he's a really good player. He's a hell of a player. They did turn over to kind of a younger team, though. Right? They let Goudis go. They let Truba go. I know.

But that's one thing, and I get it, the money is one thing, but I don't know if that was something they really wanted to do. Like, how could you have wanted to do something like that when you've got all these great kids and you want to insulate them with that veteran type leadership and then all of a sudden everyone's just gone. I don't know. It just doesn't make sense. The only thing I would want to know to be a fly on the wall is like what was available

for Carlson earlier, like from the player to the organization. Like, hey, could we do this for 11 or 12 or something? Yeah, something like that. And if the organization was like turning their nose up on that. and then all of a sudden it turned into 18. Like if that did happen, that is crazy stuff. Well, that completely changes everything. We had check on last hour, and John, he told us they couldn't make the Marchenko deal until

Fantilli signed. You know, and that was Columbus was telling them. Like, we got to get Fantilli figured out here so we know what our books are going to look like. They signed Fantilli, and a couple days later, they make the Marchenko for Nye's deal. There is no chance they had, when they were thinking of the few. future, Carlson making 18. And Catergochier making 13 and a half or whatever it is.

Yeah. Like there's no chance in a completely screwed up the books. You know, they have to completely adjust. And that's why you lose guys and you move off guys. And that's why you get out in front because I'm sure they're looking at Loonow thinking, man, if he has a great season, we're going to have to pay him even more. Obviously, they've learned that lesson. And that's what the Habs, to their credit, they've established.

They're not the only team. A lot of teams have done it. But the HABs have really, they jumped, right? We've seen enough. We'll pay you. One or two years, we'll pay you because, as Jeff Gorton told us the other day, it always goes up. The contract always goes up. So what is that, what is that?

Like, just the number always goes up. Yeah. I mean, the cap always goes up. Like, unless there's another pandemic around the corner, it's going to continue to go up. And whatever you're willing to pay a guy today, or you have to pay him today, you don't have pay him more in two years. Like, that's just the way it goes. And players, it was a cycle

there for a bit, but I think, you know, when you look at the Carlson contract probably has teams spooked into it going, hey, we don't want to happen, you know, what happened to Anaheim to happen to us. I mean, Ottawa's another team that has, you know, for the most part,

their core locked up at reasonable numbers. Now, they took some heat when they signed those deals because guys hadn't made the playoffs, they and turned the corner, but, you know, you're looking at it, like, Sanderson at 7.9 or whatever might be one of the best contracts in the league. No question. No question.

I think the system, the way it's set up right now, and I love seeing the guys get paid because I think it's a long time coming since the NHL player has made as something comparable around other sports. But just to see the number so early, like when Jamie and myself were in the league, it was 31 and then you were unrestricted. Nowadays, that's too late because your career might be going downhill. It's got to be something like in the middle where you put in six or seven years and then you get your payday.

This is extreme. There are literally guys signing who have played 14 games in the league and they're getting monster. That's just good agent work. But like second year in the league, you could score 14 goals in 22 points and you're getting like a monster deal. I don't know. There's got to be some kind of balance where you've been around a little bit and you're promising you get paid. Yep.

So we have a pair of bills tickets to give away here. Bill's taken on New England this Sunday, Highmark Stadium. We want to send you in a friend to see it live. Call us right now at 416-870-1050. The 20th caller through to chat with JP. 20th caller through gets to chat with JP, which I think is even more substantial than getting the tickets. That's a win right there, yeah, big time. 416-870-10-50.

4-16-870-10-50. Caller 20 picks up a pair of tickets. Bills taken on the Patriots Sunday down at Highmark. Our home away from home. We love that stadium. It's a great stadium. All right. Time to get to some picks.

Doogie, like we have had every international game. It is absolutely ridiculous. Yeah, well, we get every Rams game. I know. Matthew Stafford. Yeah. I love that because do I even have to like ask Luke, what our pick is on that? I would guarantee

he's taking Rams. Well, we're on Colts minus three and a half against the commanders playing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Honestly, how is that game even on our radar? Couldn't we go to another game? It's a 9-30 kickoff. That's why. We're degenerates and we're looking for more action. That's your answer. Effectively. We're going to lay the points and take the Colts here

because I think they're a better team than Washington. They are a better team. They had a big win last week. get home against Houston. They've had a tough, they've had a tough schedule. And Daniels is out. Marriota looked good. Commanders are going to be coached okay. They'll be ready to play. I don't love the extra half point. But Danny Dimes, Jonathan Taylor, I think that Colts defense can keep the commanders in check.

We're going to lay the points. Don't love it, but we're laying the points. We're taking the Colts. All right, Rams minus three and a half at the Eagles. Go ahead. You taking the Rams? Like, is that it? I would assume you're taking the Rams. I thought there was a chance in JP. Maybe you can confirm this in the group chat

that we were on the Rams and we went to the Eagles. I mean, that's what I thought happened. I'm not sure. Because my boy, I think the line moved. I think Joe from the bridge sent a message out saying the line moved. But I think it's back to where it was. Rams minus three and a half. You got to make the car.

call you're the president of football operations. Taking the Rams? Yeah, we're taking the Rams. Okay, laying three and a half on the road. The Eagles have not been good. They were awful the other night. They're such a mysterious team. They can look like they're going to win the Super Bowl,

and then they can honestly look like trash the next week. Yeah, and like Sequin, two years ago, had one of the all-time great seasons. Dude, best player in the league by a zillion miles. Yeah, and he does nothing. How's that possible? Too many miles. teams have figured them out.

Offensive line. Or is it the Giants knew something? Because we were cursing at the Giants say, how could you do? They did win a Super Bowl, though, and he ran for like 2,000 yards. I don't think the Eagles are complaining about that signing. Don't get me wrong. But, yeah, Sequin is not a game breaker right now. Maybe he will be this week.

All right, Broncos, Niners, Niners laying two and a half at home. That's a tough game. It's a very difficult game because Brock Purdy has been absolutely exceptional. He has been so good. but the Niners are dealing with a lot of injuries. They've got a lot of injuries. It's not like the Broncos are perfectly healthy. But I think that Broncos comeback win last week is a huge moment for this team.

And I'm a big fan of the Broncos. I thought that defense in the second half was basically perfect. And I think Bo Nix and that offense, they have enough to put up some numbers. With the injuries to the Niners, we're going to take the points. We're on the Broncos. We're on the Denver Broncos plus two and a half. Dude, you love the Broncos, man. I like the Broncos.

By the way, those liners, Purdy looks pretty good, dude. Unbelievable. Like, his stats are legit, like, the best in the league right now. Yeah. And it's almost like everyone just right over his head overlooked him. It's just because he's like not that big guy. Yeah, exactly. But Purdy has been legit great.

Legit great. But they're 3-0. I think they're due for a hiccup. They've had a soft sked outside of the Rams, but that was in Australia where the Rams basically punted that game. we're taking the points. All right, you get the Sunday night are Lions minus 3 and a half at Carolina.

Dude, this is a lay-up Lions pick, man. I don't know. Lions, my party. He hated his time in Detroit because of Matt Patricia, but from my understanding, he's got some inside knowledge on what's going to go down there.

How do you not take the Lions at Carolina? Carolina's not very good team, man. No. Carolina's not very good team. They're one of those teams that can shock, yes, they can shock you. Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky. They are more capable of that.

Was it week one, they gave up 58 or something? Then they won week two. Right, I guess a tough team. Yeah, they're capable. I mean, well, it's a road game under the lights. Jerry Goff on the road. He's not at the safe confines of Ford Field here, but you're on the lines. Lay into points.

Okay, there you go. Picks are in. Mailing Friday, brought 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'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 of your local Boston pizza. Hockey games tonight. We've got baseball back in action tomorrow.

We've got football all weekend, hockey all weekend, lease sense tomorrow. We'll get to our best bets. Overdrive continues up on TSN. IHeart Radio is throwing it back. To the days of huge hits and unforgettable albums. A non-stop. stream of the biggest and best. Drake, Rihanna, Beyonce, Katie Gaga, the weekend.

And more. All your decade defining favorites all in one place. Hi, it's Katie Perry. Hey, it's Bruno Mars. This is Kesha. Find 2010's The Decade on the free I-Heart Radio app. Preset the station, so it's always one tap away. All right, best bets powered by Fanduel.

Make your picks and assemble the same game. Parlay in seconds on the Fanduals Sportsbook Gap. Looking ahead to the Leaf game tomorrow night. I won the Leafs in the Under. Leaves in the Under. I think Bob has a night. I just think Ottawa, they kind of got jammed up here a little bit with the sked. The Leafs, they've played two games, off day, practice today.

We've seen it. Like the Islanders, their first game didn't look great. Havs didn't look great. A lot of teams just don't look great. Their first game. I will say you're right about that thing. As far as like a rhythm, you got a back-to-back. You got to practice in.

It's like, okay, it's an NHL season now. You should be firing on all. cylinders on Saturday. Exactly, and that's where I'm going. More on the Leafs kind of, they should be ready to go tomorrow night. And, you know, first Saturday night, Bob back in net. I'm curious to see what Bob's got tomorrow. Best Bet's powered by Fanduel.

Same game, probably is available for every NHL and NFL game on the Fanduel Sportsbook. Yeah, please play responsibly 19 plus physically located in Ontario. I guess, like, pictures are coming in already of like Dylan Larkin and signs. the building and how fans are planning on reacting if they see him tonight and i guess that that's none of them are positive no he's demanded out he wants out no fan base ever likes that like it like it doesn't matter the reasoning even if you can objectively look at it and say i got it kind of makes some sense fans don't think that way no why would they correct why would you if you're a fan why would you be like oh i totally understand why you'd want to leave my favorite team but he's a and

And the other thing that's so awkward is he's local. Yes. That's his, like, he grew up there. That's his life there. Like, ugh. Yeah. Oh, boy. Yeah.

Yeah. He's a Michigan guy, went to Michigan. It's not good for Dylan Larkin. Really not good. So, but he's not alone. Like that Edmondson, he's still looking on it for a contract. He's back in Sweden, I think. Not the best.

So the Red Wings are not in a good place. I really like those guys down in Detroit, but something's not. I don't know if, like, I'm not an insider, but you just, you can talk to people behind the scenes or something up with that owner what he's up to. Like the Tigers, the Red Wings, it's, I don't. It's not going very well there right now. It's not. You know, they're not getting a lot of positive press either. Like the fan base, I think, you talk to people out of there, they're frustrated with the whole situation.

Big time. So hopefully they can turn that around. Big time. Yeah, it's been 11 years. Man, that's hockey town, you know? 11 years. Prior to that, they went to the playoffs for like 26 straight years or something crazy. Yeah.

It's pretty wild what's happened there in Detroit. All right, boys, good stuff. It's going to be a great weekend. Hockey, football, baseball, basketball. You get the wraps playing Miami in Quebec City. It's going to be awesome. So full breakdown on Monday. Thanks to everyone behind the scenes for helping out.

We appreciate it. Everyone for tuning in today. TV Radio Podcast Web up on YouTube Live. soon up on Crave. We're out of here. Enjoy your evenings. Enjoy your weekends. We're back Monday at...

Mr. Voldan, send this tape of this show in for my Masterton votes. 4 p.m. We'll chat then. 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 of sight 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. Hello, Canada.

This is Brian Adams Radio. Hosted by Brian Adams himself. We'll play a few of mine, a ton of my favorites, and some must-hear behind-the-scenes stories from the world of rock and roll. I'm coming to get you. One thing about doing rock and roll so long as you end up meeting a lot of the people that you admire.

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