OverDrive - Johnston on the Oilers and Panthers' battle, Marchand's contract expectations and Marner's league interest

Episode Date: June 9, 2025

TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston joined OverDrive to discuss the storylines from the Stanley Cup Final, the entertainment factors between the Oilers and Panthers, the matchups in the series, Brad Marchand's future next steps and his contract value, Mitch Marner's sweepstakes, Max Pacioretty leaning towards a return and more.

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Those first two games you've covered, I'm sure a lot of series, a lot of cup finals. Are those the best back-to-back game one, game twos you've ever seen in your life? back-to-back game one game twos you've ever seen in your life? Oh boy, you know it probably is you know it's tough sometimes to remember but certainly nothing jumps to mind as being better and and you know I think having this series where it's a rematch you know just from a neutral standpoint I'm not talking like wherever the Cup is played obviously in those cities it's a big deal but I think there are some advantages to rematch. People kind of have a sense of what the teams are about.

And there's a familiarity there. There's some built in storylines and then to deliver two games where you see the lead changing a couple of times and then overtime, double overtime game too. I mean, you're getting all you could ask for. You got the McDavid play on that dry settle goal. You've got the old guys, which I always like, and Marcian and Perry having some moments. I mean, this series has had just about everything through two games, and I hope they keep it up.

I love the scoring, CJ. Of all of the characters involved in this series, both head coaches, goaltenders, who wants the goals to stop going in the net the most? Well, I mean, probably the goalies, but the coaches would be close behind. But is it like Paul Maurice, like when he say this is just not our brand of hockey, like we've got to lock this thing down? Like I just got a scary feeling that Bobrovsky is going to stay, just say, you know, the party's over here. Well, it's definitely the Florida end of things if we're thinking of it that way. One thing I've heard consistently here being around the Oilers the last week or so is they're

confident even when they get behind, they got back down 3-1 in that game one and came back in one, that they have the horses to sort of manufacture a goal even though that can be so tough to do in playoffs. Look at the game seven these guys played last year, it was a 2-1 game. I don't want to be out here predicting we're going to get some of those, but it wouldn't surprise me if that's where it trended. But I'm with you as much as I can appreciate all that goes into a well-defended game, a

game where the goalies stand on their heads. I mean, I think it's exciting when you're seeing more exciting when you're seeing lead changes and lots of plays being made offensively, noodles cover your ears. But you know, I do think that a game with more scoring is probably the best version of hockey. I mean, maybe it's a stylistic thing that I preferred and I can't speak broadly for everyone who watches the game, but I mean, that four, a stylistic thing that I preferred and I can't speak broadly for everyone who watches the game But I mean that four three five four games. I mean those that that's that's some pretty exhilarating stuff

Yeah, and you know what no cover in the ears. I mean, this has been there been one goal games. They've been fantastic There's been lead changes. I think the goalies have made big saves Hayes actually references said it felt like a little bit of 80s style where it's like fill a shootout But the goaltenders make some great saves CJ you know where I wanted to go and actually want everybody to weigh in on it are you is it better that there was two days off in between with the long travel that you might not get a sleepy game tonight as opposed to you know one day in between and 3,000 miles travel and time change and all of that I think for the players 100% I mean

for the audience at home you might like the rhythm of just games every other night that that's probably preferable but you know keep in mind McDavid has 66 minutes of ice time through two games because we've had the long overtime period so I mean basically he's played the equivalent of three games in two and and you know he's not alone all the top players on both teams will have played a lot more. So when you factor in the travel plus the extra demands there, I think, I think it improves, it's going to give us a much better chance of having tonight's game be good.

And, and, you know, even moving forward, I do think some of that extra rest helps the participants to just might slow down some of the momentum around the series, just cause get that you know the people at home aren't aren't traveling across the continents themselves and playing in these games. With Chris Johnston, so Brad Marshann has just been phenomenal throughout the whole playoffs and he was exceptional again the other night. Put this in a perspective for us what this next contract looks like. He's a free agent term dollar amount the teams he'd be interested in what are you hearing on us in the perspective for us what this next contract looks like he's a free agent

term dollar amount the teams you'd be interested in what are you hearing on March and well what i'm hearing is he's in a position where he wants to maximize you know his earning potential here on on the next contract i think that you know just the way things turned out he did that eight-year deal with boston that's that's coming to an end here as of know, as of June 30th and you know, he did that deal just during the world cup tournament,

if you remember back in 2016, like clearly his career went, went up in a big way from the point he signed that. So, you know, he, he didn't probably make as much money as for, for how great of a player he's been and how great of a player he remains. So I think that he's one of the true free agents that I, I would consider a free agent in the sense that he's been and how great of a player he remains. So I think that he's one of the true free agents that I would consider a free agent in the sense that he's going to go to

market and see what's out there for him. And I don't think there's a lot of guardrails on that. I'm sure there's a few places he probably doesn't want to play and some things he's got to consider when it comes to his family. But you know, you know, the team will offer him $8 million. Yeah, I do and and I think he might even get four years I mean three years is probably the minimum I'll take but it wouldn't surprise me if he got that kind of money I mean we have to adjust our mind too we know the caps going up each of the next three seasons

by pretty significant margins as well so an eight million dollar player is on what that deal will be isn't what it has been in the previous system if that makes sense. And I just think you know what's really helped him is we all just wondered if you go back to deadline day right he gets dealt the Boston right it's right at the deadline basically we had a conversation that night we'd be like how's this going to work you know we spent his whole career like if one guy felt like a career brew and I'd say it's Brad Barsh and just the way he is he was the captain of that team here the last

couple seasons like like I would have had questions that night just about how you know is he gonna almost be a little heartbroken or lost you know going to a new place and and the fact he's been one of Florida's I mean I think he's legitimately if Florida goes to win the cup and he keeps popping goals in like he could get cons by consideration. I know for sure for sure. So he hasn't just been a passenger on this ride who scored a big goal or two and it's a nice story. Like he's he's been a game changer for them.

I mean them having that line like I guess Barkov there's a question today. Maurice, there's some you know, started to get a little of attention there, but the Barkov line has not dominated the way you're used to seeing it dominate. And one of the main reasons that Florida has been able to keep going is because Landau with Listerine and Amarshana has been so good. And so, you know, I think it's a long way of saying you've now seen him play somewhere else and you know it can work. He can be a culture changer, a difference maker of guy even you know outside of the place that

he was sort of born and raised as an NHL player and you know he's still playing at such a high level at 37. Obviously there's risk in giving him that next deal but I don't think he's gonna have any trouble getting to 8 million and something like three to four years on the open market. Yeah it sets up that way for sure because you know you bring up a good point. His contract, he's made good money in his career, but he didn't make massive money. Yeah, but a team's going to get in trouble where they're going to say, we're going to give you four times eight.

And they're going to say, Chicago's going to put them on their first line and say, you better get us 40 goals and 30 assists. And he's going to have 17 and 12. And they're going to be like, what did we do here? here so you got to be careful of what you're doing as good as he's playing right now big time like that's a part of it it's a fair point unless you feel like again back to that he's a culture changer too if you feel like he your organization give an example like Buffalo you know teams like that if you feel like he can help,

like his leadership, his work ethic can rub off on some of the players that need to get to the next level. That's where Jamie, his 17 and 12 might be valuable. Well, listen, you're right. Keep in mind, so he just turned 37 in May, so he's going to play as a 37 year old next year. But four years puts him at 41. So he'll be making 8 million at 41. That's

a lot different, you're right? Like that's, you have to be mindful of that. And again, there's managers, Hayes, you always say it, kick, you know, kick the can down the road, we'll deal with that when we need, when we will. But right now, I could see him being very valuable for many organizations for at least the next two calendar years. And with how hard he. I've told you guys this before Jerome McGinley told me when he got to Boston He said he was amazed at how hard that group worked Chara Bergeron Marchand. He said they were an unbelievable shape Unbelievable and and so that's a guy that I wouldn't worry about as far as the drop-off is Physicality, but he's a tiny guy. He's not that's the other thing. Well, it's not a big dude

It's always been that way though, right? That's right. He's used to yeah I just want to see they're winning puck battles with dry silo and guys that are physically bigger than I'm to you It's crazy sure is and if it is about money, you know, because if he's not going back to Boston He's got no reason to give anyone any discount you know endorsement money could factor in the a bigger market team would not to be able to find some money on the side for sure i think that's going to be part of the sales pitch of beliefs that

that's where you're winking at your own going yeah it was one of the other team the main look at i can tell you this is not going to be a discount kind of deal like that just at his stage in life. And look, he's earned the right to actually go to, to be a true free agent. He's not, he's not trying, he's not going to the market saying, I'm going to land in one of three or four cities. I mean, he, he's probably got a list,

but he's really going to consider the financial windfall that can be part of it. And he wants to maximize his earnings. I see no problem with that. And frankly, in a place like Toronto, can be part of it and he wants to maximize his earnings. I see no problem with that and frankly in a place like Toronto you'd think that there'd be more opportunities away from the rink to to make money. I mean he's already lining up these DQ uh you know ads during these playoffs like he's clearly doesn't mind marketing himself selling himself he's a great personality he's a great guy and um you know I think I think he's going to get it it for people that maybe are dialed into it thinking about this already he's gonna get it a bigger number i think in the average hockey fan would be expected on july one

i'm pretty sure you get him in a room with dot the in some producers and say camera crew there could be some kind of crafty rat poison ad with brad marsh and like there's money to be made by him and his personality and his creative nature. So you've been going back and forth with the media and the cup final and everyone's down there. What are you hearing on Mitch Marner? There's a lot of questions about it, I'll tell you that much, including one member of one of these teams in the dressing room the other day, like, Hey, what's going on with Marner? So I mean, it's, it's definitely, you know,

look at it, this will be the biggest free agent in a couple of years we've had for sure in the NHL. You know, everyone was at the combine, you know, last week. So that's, that's where a lot of the, the, the rumor game gets, gets cranked up a bit. You know, I don't have much to advance here. Like I don't think that there's, I don't have nothing in my mind has changed in terms of the likelihood that he tests for agency, all those types of things. But I don't think that that we've got to a stage where that's been officially communicated yet and really so the dance I'm interested in personally is, you know, as this thing goes on and it becomes

abundantly 100% clear that he's not likely staying in Toronto, is there a way that maybe we're looking at a sign-in trade as we get closer to July 1st? I mean, I think again, it's a little premature for that, but you know, the Leafs have to start to think of their options and maybe there's a world they turn them into some, at least some kind of asset of use rather than having them walk away. But I think we're still at the high curiosity stage with Mitch and it's going to be Marner Mania I'm sure for the last two weeks of June as we get through the cup final and get to the point in time where he's actually going to make a decision and can get talking to

teams and all those things. Yeah, it's going to be Marner Mania. There's no disputing that. Also, the Leafs have other UFAs coming up, RFAs. I think it was James Myrtle reporting that Asier and Patoretti may want to come back and maybe the Leafs would be interested in that. That'd be interesting to me because during the regular season, he didn't play a lot. Yet in the playoffs season he didn't play a lot yet in the playoffs he showed up but you know it would have to I would assume CJ if it happens

another one-year deal at not much money. Yeah I think that's the scenario where it makes sense I mean at his age that you can put some performance bonuses in there you know for well you can put games play bonuses too so you can structure things that way and he did have that kind of formula in this year's deal. Look I think there's a place if you're watching this final like there's a place for older players still in the game I mean the thing is is you might have to endure some you know in different play you might call it and this isn't a shot just at patch already but through the regular season and you're hoping that these guys can can

bring it in the playoffs I mean that certainly that thinking paid off for Max Patchouretti, I'd say last season in Toronto. But, you know, when I'm watching Corey Perry out there, like as long as, you know, this is probably the other side, the yin and the yang of the Marshand conversation. If you can get some of those older guys on contracts that aren't too steep, you know, I think that they can bring a ton of value on those types of deals. And, you know, Perry's done that in multiple cities and he's coming back next year. I asked him that question on media day before the cup and he made it clear he's still playing

next season. I think these kind of players in the right circumstances are still very effective. So Patoretti, I think it really is a family decision. He's got five kids and he mentioned they stayed in the Michigan area while he was living in Toronto this season. And I think that that was challenging. Maybe, maybe he changes something on the family front in terms of, you know, how that works, how much time he can spend with his family. I mean, we can all appreciate how challenging that would be,

but from a physical standpoint, it's pretty clear there's some game left there. So that makes sense. You know, and I think we've kicked around on this, but I do think, you know, that there's been more talks now on the Tavares front with the Leafs and, you know, still no guarantees he's back. But I think it's, it sits in a reasonably good, you know, position towards that happening. And so, you know, the Leafs might try to build a team like the Oilers have now, which is a pretty old team. The Oilers have guys in their 30s all throughout the lineup, and that might be the way things

end up looking in Toronto next year. All right, CJ, game three tonight. Enjoy it. We'll do it again soon. Right on, guys. Have a great day. Chris Johnston, our TSN Hockey Insider. The newest tracks.

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