OverDrive - O-Dog on Canada steaming up at WJC, gym power rankings and Celebrini's Hart buzz

Episode Date: December 30, 2025

O-Dog, Jeff O'Neill joined OverDrive to discuss Canada's undefeated start to the World Juniors, the team gaining steam in the tournament, Zayne Parekh being a standout on the roster, Gavin McKenna as the number one pick, Connor McDavid's season and the duo with Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini's shot for the Hart Trophy and more.

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I can't really see it it's a Toronto Maple Leaf hat best hat in the world best organization in the world all right continue anyway the whole what's up gym the whole gym system started with I just went in there I go in there every day at 5.36 in the morning. And then I started noticing Frankie was there one day. Duffy was walking at level two and a level two speed. So he got some lower marks. And then some different people started filtering in. But it got out of hand quickly because when I got to the rink for some games, some scouts were coming up to me saying, I was in the gym. Why didn't you mention me and I'm like, look, man, it's really not that serious of a thing.

E.J. Raddick, who works for the NHL network, said, don't disrespect me. I work out at night. I said, okay, E.J. And I thought, this guy's lying. And then last night we came home rather late and we turned the corner and the gym faces right out front when we pull in. And I'll tell you what, he was on the treadmill at 11 o'clock at night. So good for E.J. Raddick. Oh, boy. Okay, well, there you go. How much, do you know where this is going now, Jonas? No, like, are you carrying a clipboard around and just marking people down?

You sound like a nuisance. Like, you sound like you're bothering people with your reports. A bully, a gym bully. A gym bully, exactly. I am not a gym bully. I just have having some fun with it. I like to put some different people in there. If I see some people getting a sweat on, I'll give them full marks.

And other people, if they're being lazy, like there's a very high, ranking senior producer at Bell and TSN named Franklin Rubenstein, who does a treadmill workout that he should be ashamed of. He walks, like, slower than a senior citizen for about 12 minutes, and he gets off and goes and gets a coffee. Awful. What's your routine? Because I see you as a lot of stretch, a lot of checking the phone, and little action.

No, I got to be honest, study, since I started with my... trainer a couple years ago we do a serious and you can ask duffy if you get them on we do a serious circuit in about 40 minutes of cardio so that's what we do every day is he there with you like six days a week does he travel with you no you don't think i can do it on my own now i don't know i got to tell you guys one go ahead i got to tell you guys one thing you think you know somebody until you get into a rental car with them because Frank Corrado to me has been a very dear friend

a guy that I like, I like talking to him I like hanging out with them and I like working with him this guy is the worst driver in Canada and I don't know how it's affecting our relationship because I can't look at him like he's like have you ever gone in the car with somebody you're just like

yeah dude worst driver Canada's worst driver I'm telling you it's garbage and it's affecting the way I view them, man. Like, I understand now. That really, it is a real game changer. Like, you think you got to read on the guy. Like, if someone's a garbage driver, you got a serious problem. And that guy has to drive me every day.

Yeah, that changes your whole perception of somebody. Go ahead. What's the issue with Frankie? It's, it's just, I don't know, it's, he's weaving through traffic, no signals, icy row. Everything about it is terrible. He's a really bad driver. And I had to look at him halfway to the rink on the first day, and I said, look, man, you're an awful driver.

You've got to slow down and you've got to stop this. And we've got to learn how to drive properly. So he's smartened up a little bit. Okay, that's disappointing to hear. Well, in terms of what's going on with the tournament, I mean, that was expected last night that obviously Canada would win and win big. I think that top line, the Mesa kid, man, was he dancing last night? Like, that's got to happen, right?

If you got a taste of the NHL, he has got to dominate, right? Like you can't expect Mesa to be maybe the best player in the tournament or certainly close to it. Is that reasonable to expect based on what you saw last night? I think this team Hayes is a lot like a lot of other gold medal teams that I've seen in the past where if they're going to get this done, they have a bunch of different players that can contribute. And I think Michael Misa definitely has to be one of those guys. We've seen, you know, other guys step up on the first couple games. watching Michael Mesa, who's quite the decorated junior player, and you're like, okay, when are you going

to kind of take control? And he was motoring last night. I know it was a weaker opponent, but it was great for him to kind of get some confidence, and he can be one of those guys. I thought it might be one of those years where Gavin McKenna might pull a Bardard in Halifax, where he was kind of all over and just like the most dominant player. And he had a hat-trick last night, but it's not going to be a baddard-like performance where this guy steals the show and single-handedly wins them games every night, but I'll tell you what, they got a bunch of guys that are real good offensively, and they should be, you know, very serious contenders that put a gold medal around their neck.

So, Doc, they unlocked the offense. And my criticism for the first two games was it looked like it was more individual. I'm not suggesting they were selfish, but they didn't know how to work together or more importantly work off each other. Did you see a shift over the course of the game last night that they could carry into their next game? Struddy, I think it just gets to a point where, you know, they're trying to get this team together and play like a unit. And sometimes it just takes a little bit.

And maybe sometimes it takes Denmark as an opponent where everybody kind of gels and gets comfortable with each other. And I think just the understanding that Dale Hunter does not screw around and it's kind of getting close to crunch time and everybody wants to put their best foot forward to make an impression on the coach that he knows who can be trusted and who can't be trusted. So everybody's trying their best to make an impression on the coach. And it's like we might as well get it together now because we've got Finland and then elimination games. And it's like, you know what it's like during those games. Not everybody's going to be happy. So they want to be one of those guys that's leaned on.

Jeff, who has impressed you the most so far? I would say Zane Perak is one of the defensemen for the Calgary Flames, just the way he can pass the puck. And I mean, I'm not going to say. including the NHL, but I'll tell you what, I know what it sounds like and I know what it looks like when a guy can make just a laser 30, 40 foot pass that's on the tape and he does it every single time.

He's one of the best passers I've seen in this tournament and the way he can see the ice and the way he can create offense, if he can, the way I described it the other day is if he can stiffen up in some areas of his game, like in the corners and learn how to defend a little bit better and get a little bit nastier, he's going to be a dangerous piece of work out there in Calgary whether that happens or not I don't know because he's not going to be able to pull

out the skill moves he's doing at this tournament in the next level but I'll tell you what he can zing that puck around and his passing ability is quite impressive and I don't get impressed often by passes because I've seen some stuff that's pretty ridiculous every time he's on the ice this guy's yeah he can play well and that's every time he's on the ice he's just zinging it around yeah it's a big part of the discussion right like you You talk about cohesion, a lot of his transition.

Can you move? You know, we talk about it in this town with the Leafs every single game. Can you get the puck out? Can you get your puck to, you know, puck to playmakers and preck and do it? That Keaton Verhoff kid, he is a monster, man. He is a giant. Like, he looks huge last night. Did he do enough to stay in the lineup, or do you think that was just a gratuitous,

like get your feet wet and we'll see you next year type of play? I don't know how you would. take that guy out of the lineup, a right-shot defenseman that's big like that, that can make the first pass. He can create offense. He makes some creative little plays just inside the blue line. I just, like everybody we talk

about in the game is just dying for that right-handed defenseman that can do all that stuff, so I really don't see how you take him out of the lineup, hey, it's like... Yeah, I'd keep him in. Big guy like that. I know he's only 17 years old, but man, he's a man-child out there. He's a really good player. Yeah, it's going to be interesting. Like, McKenna,

I don't know who you, I'm sure you're talking to a lot of guys out there like is it a lock mckenna's going first overall or is it possibly he gets passed you know what i always put a lot of stake into what craig button says and he says you know there's there's been a lot of bear hop chatter about he's pushing for number one but they still think gavin mckenna is the number one guy and he does some stuff where everybody is looking at his point totals and his goal goal totals at penn state and they're like what's up with this guy like this is not kind of number one overall material but you watch him last night he can make some plays that's you look at it and you're like that's that's different than everybody else

on the ice and he's just another guy like he's if you look at his upper body it's he's got a lot of growth that needs to happen but once he kind of puts that muscle on and he develops he's going to be a dangerous player he's so smooth through the neutral zone his vision is incredible and the passing ability and the playmaking ability on the power play is second to none so I would still say that he would be the number one guy if I had to make a selection right now the other kid very Heardoff obviously looked good. There's a kid read on the U.S. team that Craig was raving about last night, but I think Gavin McKenna's the number one guy.

So you're in Minnie and the Wilder were in Vegas last night. They beat up in the Golden Knights. Is there like a Quinn Hughes? What's up with the Golden, what's up with the Golden Knights fellas? They got injuries. Big to Eichol and Theodore out, and Hart was brutal last night. Like the goaltending, that's going to get dicey there, man, because they're all in on Carter Hart.

Like, that's effectively their guy. but Eichel's been out for a few weeks and Theodore has been out since like December 10th or 12th Take a number one center, number one D-man out, you're in trouble You know, like they're still in the playoff spot right now But Vegas has not looked great, man But many went in there and just dismantled them last night Like those top three teams in the central

They're clearly the best teams in the league right now You know Edmonton's been playing great, Struddy I'm sure you want to chime in on that Carolina continues to consistently plug along Like you know they will but man it's it's an interesting time in the West because we were talking about it like

San Jose won again last night they're in a playoff spot wait I got to stop you there Jonas you can tell him you start every take I've got but I think I might have slid in the best take of 25 this is going to shock you he had a great take and I like I think I know what you're going to say and I'm proud of them for saying it

but go ahead Jonas go ahead well Hayes came up with this theory yesterday and I was like this guy's out of his mind he said Macklin Celebrini should be considered for the Hart Trophy and might even have a case to win it. And I thought about it the last day or so I was like

he might be right. Is he crazy or what? That might be the take of 25. Yes. Like right under the wire and now I own it. It's my. Salabrini's my guy. Driving the bus. My guy. What I'm looking at and the far left of my screen

is possibly the best sports host and the smartest sports host in North America with that take. Because he's damn right about it. Maclin Celebrini, if they get in the San Jose Sharks, Maclin Celebrini, I will start the hashtag. I'll retweet Brian Hayes. Celebrini for heart all day long.

He's been a fantastic story. I think Hayes was a little hesitant early on in the year because of what McKinnon was doing in the Colorado Avalanche, but I'll tell you what, if that guy keeps ringing up points and the sharks get in, I'm all in on that take and it's a fantastic comment. I love him for saying it. See? A lot of support now, Jonas.

All of a sudden, there's a lot of support. Are you telling me, Jonas, he said that, and you questioned it? Both of them. Struddy's awfully quiet, too. Struddy poo-pooed it quickly. Like, well, let's not get silly here. Both of you guys jumped on me. Like, come on. Go ahead.

So this is what we said. I said, or Jonas and I both said he could be in the top three because there's a case when Taylor Hall led the devils in scoring by such a dramatic market. Now, he wanted that here. But so I think, Joe, I both, like, top three, no problem. winning it was another one. I think making the playoffs is a must. I think they must make the playoffs for him to win it.

100%. They have to. They have to make the playoffs. That's a known. You don't win the hard trophy without making the playoffs. And he also can't get dummied in points by Connor McDavid and Nathan McKinnon because I think those are going to be your three finalists. McJesus, McKinnon, and Celebrini.

And if he can stay within kind of a stone's throw of those guys as far as point totals and the sharks get in, I'm all in on Celebrini. I love it. But I'll tell you what, there's another guy, J. Sturdy, there's another comment on the opposite end of the spectrum that that guy made. At the beginning of the year, he said, Connor McDavid peak performance years

are out the window, which is completely ridiculous. Well, that's why I'm all in on Celebrini here. I need Celebrity to win the heart here. Because I will get crushed if McDavid wins it. Hammer, go ahead, Strudge. Dude, David is making you look like a jackass right now.

But for Hayes, that's not the craziest thing he said to me. When he asked me if we have long weekends, what is it, the July or September Long weekend? Victoria Day. Yeah, Victor, that was the craziest thing. That's why this doesn't even register for me when he said that. You've been completely disarmed. When I asked you, do you guys get Victoria Day in the West?

In Victoria Day. That was absolutely, like, does May 24 exist? You know, and you guys do a That was an absurd comment. I have, I owe you an apology. That was embarrassing for overdrive. Yes. I know you, you and everyone west of the province of Ontario, a sincere apology.

Because that was remarkably ignorant. But you're right, oh, like the amount of people, and I get, like, Nick David is playing at a level right now that is stupid. He is playing, he's outperforming everybody. He looks almost better than he ever has. Maybe he is. A revenge mission against you? sure he heard the he heard maybe he heard me he's wearing a haze as a fraud shirt and again let me clarify

i want to get this on the record because when i said that when i made those comments i said i'm not sure he's going to win a heart again it wasn't like i remember they have i said over under one and a half you got to stop backtrack you you you got to stop backtracking on the comments because you did not say the words i'm not sure you said connor mac david's not scoring 50 goals he's not getting anywhere over 100 points and he'll never win another hard trophy that's what you're saying. No, no, no, no, I said he will point of game player now. I said he will never have a career year

statistically. I'm still going to stand by that. I know what he's done for the last 30 days. He's not putting up three points a night for the next 40 games. But I said, I don't think he's going to score 64 plus. That's a career high. And I didn't think he'd ever score 150 points again. I still don't. Maybe if he does, I will be the first one to say I'm dead wrong. You crushed it. You crushed me and I looked like a buffoon. I did not shoot from the hip, though.

I was looking at history. Crosby, Ovechkin, Gretzky, Lemieux. Usually they peak years 5, 6, 7. That's when you have your big years. He's in year 10. And I also was making the comments before he signed the contract. And I was like, I don't know if that's hanging over him in the Olympic year. Listen, the way the guy's playing right now, what do you want me to say?

Yeah, he's the best player in the world. He's crushing it. He looks amazing. If this stays, if this keeps up, yeah, he'll probably win the heart. And he's going to win the Art Ross. And if he crushes his own records, then I'm in trouble. I'm going to get hammered for those stakes. I think you should just start talking only about Celebrity.

But that's why I'm pushing Celebrini. Push all and all your chips out, Celebrity. I'm going to start investing in this. I need billboards all over every major market, North America. Celebrini for the heart. I need McKinney to keep rolling. And it's like I'm rooting against McDavid, but I didn't see this coming to this extent. I got to be honest.

And the guy's just crushing it. There's no denying it. And look at Emerton again, sitting there chasing the top seat in the division again. Yeah, and Celebrity, as much as Hayes, you and I both love what he's doing, and he should get the recognition and should be up for that award. But it'll be tough to stop that McKinnon train with the record the Aves have. It's like, and McJesus. Like, if he keeps doing what they're like, you've never had a tougher chore than taking those two guys off the podium

if he actually wants to pull this off. He literally cannot take his foot off the gas for one week coming down the stretch. No, you're right. Not one week. Well, it's an interesting question. Like, Doogie and I were throwing this around, you know, and we won't have the answer until the Olympics are over. But is there a chance the McDavid-McKinnon duo turns into the great?

Like, could it pass Gretzky-Lamew in 87? Like, is it possible to do that? Remember Sid and Taves in 2014, like, where they were in their careers? And you're like, how are you going to beat these two guys? Is it possible in two months we're sitting there saying we just witnessed two guys in their primes connect and be the best duo we've ever seen in Canadian history? What's your mini-cherrys on that? Well, I think it's low because I think how many opportunities have they missed an international competition to be together doing it? Like is it two Olympics now that they've missed?

Yeah, they would have been there in 2020 or 2018. and 2022, for sure. Yeah. Yeah, they missed two. It's just, they've missed two opportunities to have those moments, those, you know, if they were on the same line connecting

for those magical moments, they just haven't been there yet. Can they make up for it? I'm not sure, but it would have to be some magic, both big picture winning, and then some individual moments either together or individually, that would be pretty special. But, well, think of that. You just think of the idea of throwing

McKinnon over the boards and then McDavid. It's disgusting. It's gross. I don't really care what else is. Yeah, it's gross. I don't care what else is out there in the world. Yeah, McCar on the back end who wants to play 28 minutes a night. I really don't care who's out there in the world, including the U.S. When you're throwing that kind of talent out there, dude, it's tough to, like, it's tough to even come close to that, man. But that one moment, guys, when Gretzky passes to Mario instead of Larry Murphy, that's a special moment. Was that 87? 87. 87. That's one of the greatest moments for me that I remember watching.

I love that moment. Gresky jumps into his arms. Larry Murphy's like, he's just throwing a stick in the crowd. Decoy. Thanks for coming out, Larry. I'm not getting that puck. Dude,

there's no bigger decoy. As much as I love Larry Murphy as a player, there's no bigger decoy than going on a three-on-one with Gretz and Mario. You're just not getting it, man. You're not getting it. There's no chance. Just go for a change. It might as well be a two-on-one.

But you're right. I mean, they have that moment. They have the aura. You know, like Gretzky was established. He had won Cubs by then. Lemieux was young. But, you know, even if you look at Sid and Taves, it's different now because of where Taves is in his career.

But in 14, man, those two were at the top of their game. Like, Sid had a cup ring. Taves had two by then. But that was the point that you've got to bring up with Macklin Sal Brady that you made to me. You want to take it with the Olympics and the heart? I'm glad you brought that up because. I'm just like T and Yovie. you're my you're my hype man you're my hype man salabrini can launch himself even further into

heart trophy contention with a huge impact at the olympic games like a huge impact then i know that's not totally agree with that comment right if he fades away brian and it just looks like a young kid in the olympics everyone's going to be it's going to plant a seed where it's like nah maybe he's not ready for that yet but if he steps in there and he's a primary player for them and a solid contributor and a big reason why they win, that'll just go the extra mile for it. As far as people's perception coming down the stretch.

Big time. Big time. Huge platform for him. Because you know what's coming with McDavid and McKinnon. They're playing. They're playing a ton. And whether they get the job done or not is yet to be determined. But they are going to get the opportunity to do that. If he scores a goal to beat the U.S. and the gold... Gold and gold

by celebrating, just hand him the heart. Hand him the gold medal and the heart. Right? Just a two for one package i love it all right buddy well get back into gym let us know what's going on we're looking for updates we will chat in the new year i'll speak to you at four p m we'll chat then yes there he is the odd dog jeff o'neill i'm dylan play fair and i'm taller smith we're putting loneliness in the penalty box by talking to some of our favorite athletes about the importance of ship. This is Bromance. Bromance is brought to you by Charm Diamond Centers, proudly Canadian

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