OverDrive - Johnson on Tanev's injury impact, Tkachuk's tough stretch and McDavid's chase to 2000 points

Episode Date: October 13, 2026

TSN Hockey Analyst Mike Johnson joined OverDrive to discuss Connor McDavid's race to 2000 points, Sidney Crosby's chase to the mark, the Maple Leafs' win against the Avalanche, Chris Tanev's injury issues, John Tavares on the first power play, the Panthers' rough start to the season, Brady Tkachuk's cold stretch and more.

Bring in Johnny. I want to ask him. Don't tell him the topic. All right. Here's Mike Johnson, our TSN hockey analyst, joining us here on the Maple Toyota Hotline. Go ahead. Johnny, let me ask you something.

If me, you and Hayes and we're stiffs as far as travel status, if we were going somewhere and you went through and you went into the private lounge you guys hang out in, would you invite us to go with you? Or like, would you say, hey, I'm in here? Would you guys like a bite to eat? I'm allowed to bring a couple people in here with me. Of course I would invite you in. Of course.

That doesn't mandatory. It'd be absurd not to invite some win. But if you don't have status and I got to wait an extra hour for you clowns to get through security. No, dude. That's true. No. I will meet you. Meet you.

I will meet you. That's reasonable. That's, and I'll bring you in what you get there. That is the key. You go in and do your thing, but a simple tech. saying, hey, right near the gate is this VIP area that I'm in having a cigar, a wine, and a yogurt, you're more than welcome to come in. And I mentioned to Brian, in Minnesota, James Duffy left Sean Cameron knocking on the

door outside of the lounge and he wouldn't let him in. Yes, yes. That's sad. I don't believe it. Dude, I'm telling you, ask Puff. He'll tell you. It was so sad. Yeah, that's unfortunate.

that's embarrassing and it's tough and it's ruthless but listen that VIP status man sometimes you worry that you bring in other people they're going to ruin it for everybody right that can be a concern I understand that mentality Johnny what's your status are you super elite are you like super elite yeah you got to be

you got to yes I am yes for sure I am all whatever status you can have I have well do you think answer this for me do you think Gordon Miller who has been flying more than anybody on earth for the last 30 plus years If he wanted to and had to, he could get, like, the CEO of Air Canada on the phone within an hour.

Is he the McDavid of flying status, Gordon Miller? Who's ahead of him? I mean, I'm sure some people might. So I've been doing this for what? Coming up on 20 years, pretty consistently. I still don't have a million total miles of miles flown. Gord blew through two million ages ago. Wow.

He's Gretzky. He's gratsky. He's gratsky. Yeah. Now, I will say this about Gord, and I mean this is a compliment. He probably could get the Air Canada CEO on the horn, not because he has status just because he can, because that's the kind of people he can get hold of.

But, yeah, he can get you just about anywhere. Like when we both get a fight canceled, we somehow call the same concierge number, and yet somebody picks up for him first all the time. Like, he just has earned priority status even over other super elite people. That is status. Could Gord walk into the V. IP area and say to anyone working in there, clear this place out at like some quiet time.

I don't know that one, but Gord could make a call if he was running late and say, hey, have someone meet me before security. I need a free pass. Let's go. And have someone expedited item through security. He could do that. Okay, with this in mind, because Gord is officially the Gretzky of flying. Something to chew on brought you by Boston Pizza.

Canada's favorite sports bar. Enjoy $15 lunch at BP where you get an entree of a side and a drink and you 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. Connor McDavid playing his 800th career game tonight. Only Gretzky and Lemieux

have more points at 800 games. Only Gretzky has hit 2,000 plus points in his career. Do you believe McDavid will hit 2,000 plus points in his career? He is currently at... He's currently at...

He's currently at... 1,223 points. That's what he's at. 1223. Okay. I think he's for sure getting... So he's 750 points short. That's only 500 games for him at this pace.

At his pace. Yeah. At his pace, which will slow down, I guess. But he's going to play more than 500 games. That's seven seasons, not even. He's going to sign another eight-year deal. So, yeah, yeah. I say, I say, provided he is able to play physically,

like he doesn't have a... career-ending injury, it's almost a certain he gets to 2,000 points. Because you've got to get to 1,500,600 in the next couple of years. So now you're looking at 400 points over seven years. Please. For him, that's a cakewalk. Yeah. Yeah, it is.

How do you see this two-year deal? And I got absolutely, I got every Edmonton-Oiler fan that wears an orange wig, like right in my Twitter account. Like, how do you see this two-year deal? stay for McDavid. Do you say, I got a win in this two years, or do you think this is the two years that he just wants to see

improvement? Basically, how do you see him handling this? Because I said he wants to win there, and if he does win, he might want to go experience something different, and if he doesn't win, he definitely might want to go experience something different. Both ways. Yeah, both are reasonable.

Both are reasonable. Because if he does win, I did what I sit out to do. I gave it to you. I paid back to city. I fulfilled. my obligations and now I want to try something different, that would make sense that people couldn't complain. And if they didn't win, they're like, okay, I want to win. I want to try something else. That would also make sense. I would say this, though. I think what these two years are, are a window for the Orlers to show that they can be a competitive Stanley Cup contending team longer term beyond these two years. And I think if he sees that, then the Oilers would

be lumped in with a hometown advantage because he's been there. All the other teams that might be good two years from now because if he's picking a different whatever team he's picking two years from now is a team that he believes has a chance to win a stand-the-cough. Not guaranteed, but believes one of the top eight teams, whatever. If the Oilers are that, then he has lots of reason to stay because he's so settled in there. If they are not that, then I think he leaves. I don't think he has to win a cup to stay, but they have to show that they are good. If they're terrible, if they're barely making the playoffs and have bad transactions, bad cap

set up, then he probably goes. But as long as they show they could be competitive, and with him, that might be the answer alone, that they will be, a cop contender, then he would have, you know, probably equal opportunity or more to stay. Johnny, I'll ask you this question. My dad asked me at 6 o'clock in the morning, and I want you to answer it now. He said, really impressive by the Leafs on Saturday night, but I don't know if they're for real or not, or really what they are. What do you think they are? Yeah, it's still a work in progress. I mean, I think at this point, they look like a team with some super high-end players.

They look like a team that can get good goal-tending. Stop me, we've heard this before, like two years ago. That was sort of the recipe. They won the division, for that matter, that year. They did not look great against Vegas and Colorado. No. Now, a lot of teams don't look great against Vegas and Colorado. Those are two of the best teams in the league.

You're going to be in your own end. I think the biggest concern for Leifes is the first few games they sort of defended relatively well and they didn't have give up too many shots. Unlike last year. The last couple games, kind of like last year. And they do not want to play anything like last year without the puck.

So, oh, I didn't say to your dad, yeah, I'm not so sure either. Because you like some of the stuff you really like, but there are still some concerns with the defense core, getting puck's out of our own end, staying healthy, Taneves injured now. That is a legitimate concern, and if they have, if they can't answer those concerns, it's going to be a grind of a season. There won't be easy games.

If they can answer those, then they'll probably be a playoff team. Yeah, I don't picture them at any point being considered like a juggernaut defensively. I just, I don't think they have the players to do that. I don't think they're offensively minded players are willing to sacrifice anymore. You know, I think they think go, go, go. And I think Jim Hiller is kind of advocating for that. I feel like their formula that they are believing in is the formula from a couple years ago,

which is high-end talent. And they might think they have more high-end talent now. The Marner was here two years ago. So, you know, it might be a wash. But with McKenna here, Marchenko fitting in, Easton-Cowin looks like he can contribute something offensively. Like, that was a beauty goal he scored the other night. That's a tough one-time.

They think their formula for success, is score a lot of goals, get good goaltending, and have good special teams. It's possible, though. It's scary, Brian, listening to you say that, because it's been 11 years of, oh, our guys are so good, they're going to outscore you. And Derek Jeter talked about the Brewers last night where it's like, this is playoff baseball, that's how you win. So for everybody that's fascinated with the long ball and all that other stuff,

and although the Dodgers had won the last two World Series, It's crazy to hear you say this is their philosophy. I'm saying, obviously, they want to be, everyone wants to be a strong five-on-five team. To win a championship you're going to have to be. I'm not, I'm not, we're talking about where the goalposts are here. I'm just saying, I think the formula. Isn't it, Hayes? Exactly.

Isn't that it? It's the goalpost conversation. Because three years ago, it's like, we need to be a Stanley Cup winner. How does that happen? And, oh, it's probably right to poke holes. and like, well, hang on, just outskilling teams, doesn't win Stanley Cups. But that was the objective. Of course that's the objective.

But reasonably speaking, I think it's more, we got to make the playoffs. Those are two different things. Trying to make the playoffs, it is reasonable that they could do it the way they're doing it. To win a Stanley Cup? No, it's unlikely. But I don't think a realistic goal for the year for the Leafs right now as they're set up is to win a Stanley Cup. Yes, it's what they want, but it's not sort of. feasible in the way that they're built right now.

So, finally, the success. Last thing about this, guys, is that this may mean nothing. This is the ultimate eye test, all right? The ultimate eye test, which you know I'm such a big fan up. Last year was an awful year. It was quiet. It was, you know, around the rink, around on the ice. It was a slog.

This morning, I'm at morning. It was a slog. But the whole year, even not just the end, a slog, it just looked like, just felt heavy. I was at the rink this morning, morning skate. I heard laughter. I heard guys chirper at each other and having fun on the ice. And that may mean nothing when it comes to results. But as far as the vibe check goes, at least early, it is a little bit different.

There is a different energy about the group. Not the way they play or whatever else, but there's a different energy about the group, which I think is probably a good thing relative to last year. what do you think of Jim Hiller's response to him revealing that John Tavaros is going back in the first power play? McKenna's going to the second, how great McKenna looked the other night on the power play. And Hiller effectively just, you know, like swished at people. So get out of here. He's John Tavar.

He said a great career. Didn't put thought into it. Of course he goes back there. Are you buying that? Like how much of that is performative because he's got to do it because it was a paternity leave? and he is John Tavaros, et cetera, et cetera. How much of Jim Hiller is actually thinking, man, I wouldn't mind

seeing McHenna on that first power play? I think he is being sincere in that he didn't give a lot of thought to starting the game with that power play formation. Putting Tavar's back on there, trying to

get it going. But what he's shown also hazy in the last few games is that when the lineup needs to be juggled, he is not shy about juggling it. early and often. So while it may seem really important that Tumar's starts there, and of course it is, but if it goes to power plays where it's not going or Gavin's having a game where he's cooking with a puck a whole bunch, then he'll find his way on that unit. And so it doesn't really matter as much as it used to. It is in years past, the five guys in the power play were the five guys

in the power play. They never changed. No matter what happened, no matter how they're doing, they never changed. It's not the case this year. So I don't think it matters quite the same. So I believe him, but I don't think it's permanent by any stretch. If it's not going well, he'll make changes. How concerned are you with the TANF news, Johnny? And, like, how do you possibly move? This doesn't sound good. Yeah, I mean, we'll wait and see what the official word is.

He's still with the team here. So it's not like he's flown home, which generally is positive, right? Like, when it's quite serious, they get you out of there and get you home for tests and everything else. One of the real wild cards of this season was, can Chris Tanev be, back to the defenseman he was before he was hurt, and can he play 70 games? Because you're going to give him 15 off for nicks and bumps and bruises. And they need him.

They need him to do that. Even Jim Hiller, who's quite a positive guy, admitted, Darren Radish is not brought in to play the role he's going to play tonight, which is filling some of the minutes and the responsibilities that Chris Anab was eating up. But behind him on the right side, they got Troy Stetcher, Nick Blankenberg. Those are not either one sort of proven heavy minute, heavy load guy. So yes, I am very, if I'm the least, I'm very concerned.

I mean, I want to Chris Stav to be healthy for himself. But for your team, for the way it was set up supposed to work, it had to have McCabe and Tanna being good. And that means Tannab being in the lineup. What did you make of Montreal Canadian fans chanting, we want Larkin on Saturday night. I mean, they should want him. I don't know.

It seems like a reasonable take. They need a second line center. They're off to a bit of a slow start. They got assets. They got caps based. Everybody in Montreal knows they are interested in the second line center. The best second line center that seems to be available right now is Dylan Larkin. So I don't know if they're trying to say, listen, don't be shy of it.

about Canada, don't be shy about this kind of market. We will treat you very well and embrace you and your family. I don't think it's not thought out. It's just saying they know it's almost exacerbating the sore that it is in Detroit by saying you don't want them because you're getting booed at home. How about getting cheered on the road? How would that feel, Dylan, just sort of quist the knife a little bit in Detroit's dysfunction more than any big statement. But they do, they should want him because he's really good and he would help them immensely. Johnny, I'd like to get your comments on these particular comments earlier in the show. Brian Hayes said the Florida Panthers are fraudulent.

No, I said fraudulent watch. I said fraud watch. They were handed the Stanley Cup by everybody. Everyone handed them the Stanley Cup. You said the Florida Panthers are fraudulent. Johnny, good thoughts. It's awfully early for a fraud call. That's what I told them.

That's what I told them. They were frauds last year. Credit card hasn't even haven't even got the statement. I'm already protesting fraud charges. I know. So that is an issue. They lost their best player.

They lost their best player. And so, and like that would obviously have an impact on what that team looks like. I think for Florida, it's more about getting to the playoffs than when doing great in the regular season. And so I think that's where they get a bit of grace

because of their past, because of their personnel, it's not about they have to look amazing. They just have to come on the top eight. And so they have to show that. Now, admittedly, they haven't been great. Markstrom leaves the game with tightness. You got Barkoff out. You got Marshand out.

You get guys getting hurt. They are an older team. That was a concern. We all verbalized. And I think a lot of those Stanley Cup predictions haze were couched with so long as they stay healthy, which is a big couch. That's a big if because it's not happening right now. If they don't stay healthy, if they don't have Barkoff in the playoffs,

I don't think they're the Stanley Cup favorite. But if they do, we'll see how they do. I think they'll be a pretty tough over seven games. They've shown that as a group over a few years now. I still think they deserve that courtesy. Yeah, I guess my thought is they're older, they're slower. You know, like that. It can happen quickly.

The whole band came back for the most part. And, you know, you're right about the Barker of injury, and we presume he will return in a couple of months and be okay again. But that has such a trickle effect because, you know, can Reinhardt score 50 again? No, I don't think he can. Like, they had to play in center at times, you know, recently. And Sam Bennett, we all love Sam Bennett in the playoffs. Sam Bennett is your number one center for 84 games is not a good place.

Everyone talks about Anton Lundell, untradable, can't move them. Guys are still on the third line, you know. It's just, it's a big, like the reality is, Barcov is hurt. So, yes, you know, you can say, well, what do you want? Okay, he was hurt last year and they were terrible all year. So I'm just saying, at what point do we ask the question? Like, when do they have to prove we're the big bad Panthers again? Sure.

I'm not saying it has to be two weeks in. But Markstrom, Bob's not there anymore either, right? Like Markstrom, we'll see, man. We'll see what that guy's got when they really need them down the stretch. So, you know, Ottawa's off through a good start. And there's some pretty good teams in the division, pretty good teams in the conference. Brady is not either. Brady has not had a great

not a very productive start to his time in Florida, which would pain him. But I remember you talking about it, just a different dynamic where he went from being the guy or one of the guys to he's like the fifth best player on their team. It's a different dynamic for him. And then the other part about guys for Brady,

when you are the driving personality of a team, right, you guys know what that guy's like. You were that guy in the room. you're the alpha, you're the big guy, captain or not, you're the guy. Then he goes to a team where he's not that. And not only that, his brother is that. Like, that's a weird transition to make

where you've got to try to find your way to find in that room. So we'll see what happens there. But I would not still today, Hayes, want to play Florida in the first round if Barkoff's in the lineup. I want no part of that matchup right now. Yep. And I'm sure that applies to a lot of teams.

I hear you. But we're a long way, from the playoffs. And that can be spun both ways. All right, let me book in. We asked the McDavid question, hitting 2,000 points. Sidney Crosby is 237 points away from 2000. Johnny, this guy thinks he's going to play for five more years. I think he's going to hit 2,000 points because I do think he's going to play a lot more.

He's going to keep playing and he's going to keep putting up 70 or 80 points for another. I honestly think he plays this year and next year and he packs it in. You think if he's within 100 points of 2,000, he's going to bail? That's kind of like an OV. scenario where you got to pass Gretzky at that point. You've got to hit 2000. Johnny, what do you think he's doing and settled this? I think he probably

plays more than one more year. I think he probably signs a two-year extension. And that would require basically a pointed game or a bit more, we'd say it's 270 away. 237. So he's going to play 250. 237. If he plays every game at a point of game, he's going to get 250 more games, that would be enough if he can

do a point of game, which he's always done. Of course, we know that. It's going to be real close. I just I can't put my mind in my head into his. Like I don't know what an athlete of his caliber thinks. If I get to 1980, do I really need to come back to get to 2000 to validate what for a round number? So it ends up 2036. Like, who cares? I wonder, my take would be who cares?

If I'm done, I'm done. I don't need to chase an arbitrary number after my career unless it's a thousand games or something like that. But so, yeah, I think he probably plays though two more years. And if he does, he's going to be really. really, really close to that number. Yeah, I think it happens. I think him and McDavid hit 2,000 points. That would be great.

That would be great. Let's see. All right, Johnny. Have a great call tonight. Stay up late. Oh, we'll see on the panel. A couple hours. Absolutely.

Don't forget to bring your friends and relatives into that VIP area. Oh, when we go to, where are we going for the World Juniors this year? Edmonton, you can come in the VA. You can come in the lounge with me every time. There you go. Everyone in the lounge. Even Duffy. Even Puff. Everyone can get in there. It's going to be great. Thank you, Johnny.

It was Mike Johnson, joining us from the Maple Tudor Hotline. It's time to Toyota. Check out the Toyota Tacoma Toyota Tundra pickup trucks, both available as hybrids. Maple Toyota near Canada's Wonderland, the Maple Auto Mall. I'm Cynthia Lois, and I'm Josie Dye. And we're done pretending we have it all figured out. Each week, we laugh, cry, and talk our way through life's messiest moments. The things you think about but would never say out loud. The questions you are always too.

shy to ask. Relationships, regrets, awkward moments, and the stuff no one warns you about. It's honest, it's funny, and sometimes it gets a little uncomfortable. But that's kind of the point. This is Cynthia and Josie's Unmentionables. Listen on the free IHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.