OverDrive - Johnson on Berube looking for positives, Treliving calling out the team and Maple Leafs' skid

Episode Date: November 18, 2025

TSN Hockey Analyst Mike Johnson joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines around the Maple Leafs' losing streak, Brad Treliving calling the team 'vanilla' for their game, who the issues fall on, William Nylander needing to bring more, the Oilers' goaltending status and more.

Let go from your job without a severance package. You need employment lawyer.ca. Your employer is legally required to give you as much as 24 months pay when you lose your job. Call Leor Sam Fieroo and get what you're owed. Employment lawyer.com. Mike Johnson. Johnny. What's up, Johnny?

Yeah. What's up, boys? Listen, the fact that you're hoping that splitting a game down the middle against Chicago is the sign that they have figured it all out, tells you kind of where this team is coming from. We are digging deep for optimism because I think they expect a goal that did look. They're almost exactly the same in that game for both teams.

Yes, they were better. For sure they were better. But they didn't generate a ton. They didn't give up a ton, which is, I guess, a step in the right direction. But yeah, I don't know. I think if you're worried about Bennington setting on the head, maybe they're worried about Joseph Wall, St. Louis guy, playing against his hometown as well. Craig Barouba, going up his

former club, all those different things. Both teams are sort of mirror. They're like that spider man meme like you me you me because they're sort of the same not where they want to be. Goaltending and both squads have been pretty gruesome and they both need a win get themselves going the right direction of the standings.

Jay I what do you make of the comment calling the players vanilla? Like what does that mean to you or their play? Like what does vanilla mean to J.I? To me I was listening to guys in the way down and like you know talking about physical play. I think it

was more that they don't, every game, play the same. Whatever that is, like, you don't have to be physical to be not considered vanilla. Like, when they played under Sheldon Keith and were a rush team in attacking, that wasn't vanilla. It wasn't physical, but it wasn't vanilla. You knew what you're going to get, and it added an element that gave you a chance to win on a nightly basis. That's what I interpreted their vanilla as, that sometimes they play one way, sometimes it's

another way, sometimes it's good deal. defense sometimes it's not so good defense and it's just sort of meh meh and and you're not and not the same and that's where because vanilla it just sort of blend into whatever the game sends them they don't dictate what the game feels like which makes it sort of seem like vanilla to me that's what i thought so johnny you heard listen to tree talk um if everybody if there was a percentage of who has to wear all of this or where everybody's at we were talking about it it's you know, Brad Tree Living, built a team. It's Craig Brubi who's coaching, and it's the players who are playing.

Maybe assign some numbers. A mini-jerry pie chart. Okay, we'll keep it nice and simple. 50% I put on the players. The players are the players. They always have to bear the brunt because they've shown themselves capable of being different than they've been this year, and they haven't done it to the satisfaction of themselves or their coaching staff.

So they got to play different. even if it's not the way they want to play. They still have to play that way. Like that's how it goes in the NHL. The coach diagrams, the game plan. You execute it as well as you can. I don't think we've seen that execution. Now, if they were executing it and still losing,

then it turns to more on the coach. But they haven't executed it well. So 50% of the players, I would say 25 on Barubei, 25 on Tray Living. Because Baroube, part of his job is to get the players to buy in and do what you tell them to. It sounds simple, but that essentially it is. the way I'm telling you to play and don't worry about anything else but what I'm telling you to do hasn't really happened you've seen the breakdowns in coverage you've seen some oh highlights I'm sure you guys will do a great job of it tonight can't wait for the breakdowns hey he's on the telstrator

you got bad pinches bad decisions that you know you got to get the guys not to do that that's on the coach but I will give him a bit of a pass because this is sort of the way that Craig brewby is coached right like he coaches maybe not having the puck as much more defensive slant. Don't worry about tilting the ice. They worry about defending the hard areas. He's sort of been true to who he is. He just hasn't got the guys to do it. And then I give 25% to treat because

none of it related to martyr. Jess, you had flexibility with the money and you brought in players. And he said today, his word's not mine. The guys that have been brought in have a lot more to give. And so you're not, jury still out, but early

returns are they haven't been as impactful as you would have won. Now, Nick what I think was getting better. Now, he's hurt for a little bit here, but the other guy is Joshua, Machelli, and it just hasn't been what they wanted to do. So I kind of lumped 50, 25, 25.

Well, you know what's interesting is they lost twice to St. Louis last year, so Baroube has not got that win against his former team yet. They lost both of them last year, which again, should be inspiring for Barube, the group. I don't know how much that factors into tonight, and the bulletin board

material. I don't even, like, as long as these guys has been around. I don't think of them as a team that's fired up for anything. Okay. Doesn't mean anything in general. Johnny or this team isn't wired that way? I don't think it means much in general. Like, you know what? It's two years ago. They want to come

six years ago. Yeah, I guess we want to win it for him, maybe. We want to win it for us. We need it for us. Forget about him and him getting his former organization. He's moved on. He's done well. He's got other contracts. It's like, you know, I don't get too motivated when Noodle tries to play against his former team from seven years ago. Like, I want to win. It would be nice for him.

But, you know, we got bigger problems, bigger issues, bigger motivators than Craig Barube versus St. Louis. Well, you talk about motivation. Like, this is an opportunity for a guy or multiple guys to jump into the penthouse for Craig Barube. Like, he is dying for someone to show some life, dying for it. And, you know, Trey Living spoke to that today. Like, team hasn't played with a ton of enthusiasm. Like, here's an opportunity to do that. Like, if you walked in off the street and showed up and went out there and finished

a check, Baroubao will probably give you another shift. Like, at least another shift. He might double shift you. So, yes, Matthews, when he comes back, he's going to reinsert exactly where he always is. Right. And Chris Tan have the same thing. And when Stollars returns, he's going to get every other start.

But there's an opportunity, like, Scott Lawton's not guaranteed anything. Stephen Lawrence isn't guaranteed anything forever. Cali Yarncroke, and I'm not even giving you an answer on who it is. Maybe it's Cowan, like maybe it's Easton Cowan, who should be walking into the building tonight saying, I thought he played pretty well on Saturday, a couple penalties he'd want back, but I think he should be looking at this saying, Craig Baroubae will play me 20 minutes tonight, 25 if I'm flying.

I can play 25 minutes tonight if I work hard, finish checks, block shots, and battle. Because he's, like, Broubae is dying for someone to show some life. And who's going to salvage it? Desperate. Exactly. Somebody step up and show, give me a reason. And I said this other day. Like they have one line they're going to play all the time, no matter what, right?

Tavares' line is going to play 22 minutes. No matter what. No matter how they're playing, it's going to happen. The other three lines have 40 minutes to chop up. 40, including power play time, second power play unit, including penalty kill time, defensive responsibilities, you name it. And you're right, Hayes. I don't think whoever's down the middle has staked a claim that is unassailable, that they get that job.

the whole game or even for a period. So, yeah, you can look at it as they don't have any centermen or they can look at it as Jacob Quillen can play 18 minutes tonight. He legitimately could if he plays well and he might then give them something to think about as guys filter back in the lineup. There is on a team where there hasn't been a lot of opportunity the last five years. Like there's just not. Talk to Nick Robertson, right?

All he does is ever score. He can't find a way to crack the roster in a significant way for years and years and years. It's not the case right now. It's not the case this year. I, if I'm a individual player, I am looking at exactly like that is, it's my chance right here to make inroads on this roster in a meaningful way if I have a good game starting tonight. They've got to call him Jake Kualen.

Where are you at? Jay Kualin, where are you at? Jacob Kwellen, where are you at? He's got an opportunity, I'm right here. He's got an opportunity. So, Johnny, when you look at it, is there one thing, like one player you're circling that's saying, he's going to lead the charge tonight

I mean if there's one that I think could it's Willie right he's their most talented guy and I know he's got points galore and he's top five in the league and scoring and all the rest of it but there's game like the no shots thing

for two games is strange he's down a shot a game this year compared to last year they need him they need him so I would point to him as a hopeful candidate on the back end then you want to say Mo, but I would want to say given where their team is at right now, Jake McCabe, like that guy has got to be so steady, so solid, no bad reads, no bad turnovers, and just physical stuff he can do, not ask him to anything he can't.

I look to those two guys that have the capability of being instrumental if they play well tonight, but not guaranteed because they both have sort of fluctuated in their quality as the season's gone on. With Mike Johnson, what's your level of concern if you were the Edmonton Oilers right now? I had a little conversation with Troy Stetcher this morning. Just about, you know, I walking into the fire here a little bit. It's like, I just left the fire. It's exact same as in Edmonton, right? You know, 5'1 against Buffalo.

Buffalo, the pressure when you play Buffalo, or maybe St. Louis, is that you think you're supposed to win. That's not a fair assumption, but that's how it looks. That's how it feels when you don't. Like, how do we lose to those guys? And another sort of not great looking loss, even with Heimann back now, it's, it's, it's, it's not, it's not good. I'm concerned there. I still expect them to make it.

I expect Dry Sella McDavid because they're Dry Selle-McDavid to figure it out. But it doesn't look great. And, like, they're sort of getting, like, Jack Rostovic is sort of doing what he's supposed to be doing, right? He scored a bunch and been offensive. Dry Settle McDavid are doing what. what they do. Hyman just got back. They don't have a boatload of injury. I know Nugent Hopkins is out and everything

else, but he's wondering, K, where is the, where's the reason it's been so poor other than it's been poor? And I think that's the concern. And did you guys hear the Rob Ray clip about Sue Skinner? What a shot. Oh, my. Talk about catching a stray. You guys didn't hear it.

We have it. We have it. Let's hold it. J.D., let's play it. Let's play it. Because this is Rob Ray. Let's go JP. Roll it. JP on it. Activate. for Edmonton yeah it has been most of the night so it's a difference what a shot by Rob Ray it has been most of the nights

what's the difference I must not have been watching that broad that was MSG I guess I went out Marty Barron responded that was unnecessary but he honestly doesn't take shots like that very often he must have saw something where it was like well they it wasn't like Buffalo had 50

shots last night. No, but Edmonton did give up 22 high danger chances. They were no good defensively. Like, no good defensively. What a shot by Bob Ray. Who the hell are they going to go get it? Let's say they want a new goalie.

Like, who did they look at? There's a guy playing tonight that might be looking at. Bennington, yeah. Bennington. Saros. Yeah, Vinnington. And then in Columbus, Elvis.

Jet Greaves is playing more. Is Jet Greaves has taken it over? Yeah. I'm hearing Jet Greaves for a third. spot for Canada. That's how good he's been, so who knows. Grieves has been very good, but I think those are the three I have to look at, Johnny. Yeah. I'm just saying, if, like, Rob Ray has been associated with the Buffalo Sabers for a long time, and I'm not going to say anything too inflammatory about Rob Ray, but who is anyone associated with Buffalo to take shots?

I know. It's like, who are we kidding here? You are the worst organization in the last 10 years bar none. I don't want to hear, like, you don't get a shot at anyone until you make a shot. the playoffs and then this team went to the final twice in a row and you're taking strays I'd see it's just like it's Rob Ray so you can do what he wants but that's that's a bit that's a bit stretch for anyone from the Sabres

why don't you try kicking him in the junk next time you're between the benches with him and see what he does oh when he's in the benches I every time you see me when the puck comes around I'm diving out of the way I'm getting when the puck comes near here he sticks his chin out over the boards there is someone to bump into him yeah so it's outrageous he wants to get

hit he wants to be in the game i think he actually wants to fight somebody as a broadcaster do you remember when he got hit last year he got hit last year twice i think in a game and then the next game they put him up in the 300 level just as a joke like he's unbelievable in there i when i'm in buffalo beside him i can't see around him he is such a big man like he's got a head like a mascot and i say that with love but he's just a giant huge giant man and and he's great to be by john but it's just you in between the benches, you know, tonight. You don't have another guy there with St. Louis. You don't have Jamie Rivers there, do you?

No, one-man operation. I had rives as a roommate for a while, but not in here. Only room for one. Unless, of course, Hayes wants to come in because Hayes gets whatever he wants. Yeah, that would be good. So he could probably come down here and do his stuff down here if you wanted to. I might try to. I'll put in a request.

I thought today you were hosting. No. I heard the overdrive was taken over. I thought you were hosting while also being an analyst. I didn't know you were going to be just straight. I butcher a Harvey's commercial a couple years ago and they told them screw you, Matt. I got one

chance and they'll never have me back. You know what? We've got to ask MJ before he goes. The question we've been asking all day, how many Canadian teams make the playoffs? Yeah, hit us. Bruce Boudreau says five. I said five. I said five.

They're both wrong. I listen to you guys. You're wrong. Ottawa is going to make it. Winnipeg's going to make it. I'm not going to say all three of Edmonton, Toronto, and Montreal are making it. I don't think that's going to be the case. So I would say four.

One of those guys is going to miss it. I don't know who. I think that's true. I think you're probably right. You said two. This guy beside me said two. Two. Three max, man.

I'm giving three max. And I say four. I mean, I'm going to give Winnipeg and Ottawa a pretty good chance of both making it. So now you're talking about just one of those other three teams. It's not on a question of it. It's not ludicrous. Which, you know, like it's not craziness. I mean, probably two, but one is

we're a quarter of the way in. If the Leafs lose tonight, they're in the last, they're behind Buffalo. Rob Ray's Buffalo Sabres, they'll be behind them. That's right. So, yeah, it's getting late early. We're 25% of the way done. Well, they lose tonight and, you know, if it's in reg, St. Louis ties them

in points. And you're only looking down at Nashville and Calgary at that point if you're the leaves If they lose tonight winning tonight I just I don't know why With injuries

Yeah And six at a six game road trip Coming up or whatever it is Right Now What's that road trip by the way? Mystic Mike But I

It's Florida Couple wash pits Um Carolina It's not easy It's not easy Columbus in there too Yeah

Yeah And guess what happens When I go to Columbus They get pumped Like three years in a row Every time I go there do a game in Columbus, it's 5-1. It's crazy. Always.

All right. What are we waiting for with Mystic Mike? Like what your picks are tonight and who you think is going to win and all that kind of stuff? Or do you want to adjust this segment to debate him? No, he just said. He's like, you've got to wait until we see Mystic Mike. I'm curious what he's teasing. I'm just saying, I'm with noodles.

I am optimistic for no real concrete reason other than the nature of sports. You don't lose forever. And this team is better than they've shown. They're playing a team that's not so good. I get equal desperation. I think Toronto should win tonight as well just because they're due to win a game. Okay.

All right, there you go. A lot of optimism. Jake Wallin, first star. They're... Blackay, barely seeing Toronto a home favorite over St. Louis. Look at the numbers. Wow. I know.

Close. I know. Like, they're mine, it's basically a pickam at home against St. Louis on Fandle. Like that. Mark the date. You got to look at that and say, is this, you know, rock bottom, is this, you know, you find, you've got to find markers. Fork in the road. This is the, this is the weirdest thing.

This is the first time that this organization and this fan base has had to go through this in a long time. Yes. That's why it's foreign territory. I'm laughing because them Denoilers fan base, they, two, three years in a row, they've been doing this. This is what they do in October and November. Yes. It's different for the Toronto Maple Leafs this time around. and you're looking at the standings going that that looks weird

and those teams that are now like Montreal is near the top Ottawa is near the top you're like those teams I don't think are going away in the next year or two they're getting stronger you know that's that's what's weird for everybody that's I think what MJ I don't know if you feel that way but I feel like that's it's uncharted territory for this group in at this stage of the season so far

and that's a compliment to the last 10 years they've been really good they don't go through like this. They don't lose a lot in a row. It feels very strange. And it's probably overreaction from everyone around the team. But the problem with the fork of the road game, the rock bottom game, the turning point game, if you don't

get it, then where you're going? Right. That's the problem. That will be addressed tonight. A.A. Ron. Hey, Aaron. A. A.A. Ron. We're referencing Key and Peele. For people that don't know, it's a key and

peel skip. He is so funny. You got to find it. It's outstanding. All right. What were you calling them? J.I. J.I. Jay, Quillan.

Tonight. Big game for Jay Quillan. Big Quillan. Get after it tonight. We'll catch you on the pregame. All right, boys, have a great show tonight. I'll be listening. You got it.

We'll be listening to. There he is. Mike Johnson joining us from the Maple Toyota hotline. Get in and go where adventure takes you in a new 2025 Tacoma from Maple Toyota near Canada's Wonderland. In the Maple Auto Mall, visit Maple Toyota.com. It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas with IHart the Holidays. Non-stop Christmas music 24-7.

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