OverDrive - OverDrive - April 23, 2025 - Hour 2

Episode Date: April 23, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 2 on OverDrive! Got Yer Back Podcast Host and Former NHLer Jason Strudwick joins to discuss the Oilers in need of a bounce back against the Kings, Stuart Skinner's short leash in the crease and the Maple Leafs' solid series lead. They also go around the sports world in the latest edition of Role Play Level of Concern and the Blue Jays offensive issues against the Astros.

Hey, who invited climate action to the party? We did! Hey, I'm Shannon Burns. And I'm Sarah Christie. Together, we host the Earth Day Party Podcast. Where the guest list is full of climate experts sharing their advice on how we can protect our planet. Everything from avoiding microplastics to sustainable fashion to getting a prescription to spend time in nature. Plus, we hear from David Suzuki.

This is a party where everyone is invited. The Earth Day Party Podcast on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. Hour two Overdrive continues, powered by FanDuel, bringing you everything from the opening line of the final score. We've got Jason Strudwick coming up here in a few moments. Roleplay level of concern later in the hour.

Got a bunch of Stanley Cup playoff games tonight we got the NBA playoffs we got the NFL draft coming up and a lot of good vibes going on it's like what's the draft tomorrow yeah it's first it's like today a bunch of articles are coming out brutal top 10 talent level it's like, you waited till the day before to filter out those articles. Like the one headline, I think it was Deanna Racini, she was like, talk to one executive, the top end talent level in this draft is god awful.

I was like, what a pump up for the. That's harsh if you're projected to go to the top 10. But it's almost like execs. You talk about planting stuff where it's like, wow, we might blow this pick because we don't know if this guy's any good. So make sure you're right that the talent level in this draft is garbage. That is exactly what I think is happening. That's coming from someone picking seventh and they're like, there's a chance we fumble

this badly. Dude, this Deion Sanders kid is fascinating too because there's some execs where they're like, I wouldn't touch this guy. I could see him falling out of the top 10 or 15 because he's just not that good. And then Deion saying, oh, if this was anybody else's kid, he'd be the number one overall pick and I don't know. Somebody's going to pick him and they're going to be, and we're going to wait and see. One way or the other, he's got to play.

So polarizing because of who he is. Doesn't have a bra brawny vibe to it though. No, he's a legit player Yeah, he is a legit football player. Yeah, but I heard one play I forget who it was but the comparable was his high-end Comparable would be a guy like Andy Dalton. It was well, I hear you That's not you read that one where it was like and I've told is what this guy's gonna turn into that's what the quarterback crop here that's the anticipation you know the Ward kids gonna go first and you know we'll see what he becomes but it sounds as if next year's draft the next couple years there's some some studs coming out and that's when you're

that that's the question for teams at the top of the board that need a quarterback do you have the patience to wait or do you feel like you've got it you have to wait man you have to you're supposed to but if guys like Giants take that Sandra like there but everyone that's the team because everyone's like the GM and the coach have been put on blast by the owner saying you better turn this around you better find me a quarterback you do me into Danny Dimes and that stuff, but here's what they're going to do, go pick the next Danny Dimes. That's exactly what they're going to do.

This is the next higher profile Danny Dimes. Impossible. I mean, we'll see what he becomes. I think what is clearly complicating the Shadoura Sanders scenario is Deon because I'm sure there are teams that are thinking we are going to be competing with Deon Sanders when we're trying to coach him. Fairly or unfairly. Exactly.

It's very simple. We've heard Ross Atkins talking about weighing risk when it comes to contracts or something. You have to weigh the risks of this guy possibly turning into the next Danny Dimes, how damaging that would be for the organization. And the coach and the GM, they don't have a ton of time left. This might be their last hurrah. They screw this up, they're gone. Yes, they are.

The thing is though, you're right. You're looking at the player, but you're also looking at the package of what comes with the player. If Deion's kicking around the whole time and he's a distraction and that type of stuff like it's it's great to have you know kids of guys who were great and played before you know because they've been around those kids grew up and are pros a lot quicker you know with Jake Sanders and Ridley Gregg. Max Domi exactly Max Domi his dad sitting in the stand

He max grew up around it So he was a pro a lot easier than other guys because he lived it his whole life But sometimes the package if the dad's a pain in the ass or the entourage and like you got to take a look at that What comes with the kid as well that goes with every sport and every consideration like what what and it's not only for the the kids that have you know famous Parents or pro athletes, you know, like I was reading an article earlier this week from it might have been Rossini again doing great work Diana Who was talking with the GM? Howie Roseman in Philly about how much they rely on that big Dom big Dom

about how much they rely on that big dom big dom da Vinco or whatever is there is this guy's got a lot of input or whatever he profiles all the players and basically goes back to them and goes wipe him off the board wipe that guy off the board didn't like this guy's five met with this guy it seems like a lot but the GM's going on the record saying this guy is our secret weapon because he's going into the hometowns and he's digging up all this different stuff on players and He is doing it in basically the intangible check. Yeah, I don't like the vibe of this guy I don't like what I'm hearing about this that or the other. Yeah, but you're right I mean the guys a security guard at the side of them of the field and he's determining who is on your board It's it's a lot of pressure and it's a

lot of responsibility, but on counts it's working. They won the Super Bowl again. Big Dom's got two rings. That's like the security guy at TSM, the guy with the mustache that loves the Patriots, handing Duffy a document on what to do on trade deadline day. Jack. That's his name, isn't it? Jack.

I love that guy. He's such a great guy. He's the happiest dude. He loves the Patriots and I love him. I'm sorry I forgot. I didn't know your first name. Jack, shout out. And you're right though. Jack, I think he should have input on how Duthie operates. I think we need to apply. Handing a folder through the window. I don't like the idea of what you're doing here. I don't like that you plan on going here, there.

We're going to have the commercial a little bit early there, Jay. Well, we got it. Let's fix it. We need Big Jack in the house. We're talking about draft picks too. Did you see Seabass's face when he got asked that by... Cam Neely was getting grilled today, man. Getting grilled and he was not happy. He looked like he was going to come over the table.

Dude, we got to play it later. That might have been a... We got to play it later. Yeah, we'll talk about it later. Well, because there was a belief that afterwards he got all just out of the stock at stop I want to do it later I want a full I want the full presser man I need it I will play later alright we got the oilers in action get the Habs in action tonight joining us in the maple Toyota hotline here's our main man Jason Strudwick

what's happening struddy? What time was the ring sizing today? Two nothing's two nothing Strud. I don't see the Oilers in a two nothing spot right now. No listen man you being too old up on a team like that they barely you know made the playoffs and hadn't been in the playoffs in ten years that's an accomplishment. Let's get some rings side. It's a good start. Okay, here's a playoff question for you, Strud. What do you have more confidence in? The Sens making it back into the series or Stuart Skinner? Oh, man.

Peter. Yeah, who wrote you that one uh... i swear i don't like any i don't write anything go ahead answer the question what about without the security guard jim the security guard jack jackson about jadam already guard i love it i love it so that's a good question so i i would say that i i think it'll be easier

it's more likely it's skinner is because it's only one man And when I look at the sense the challenge they have is their penalty kill I mean their penalty kill everyone's in between right of what they're supposed to be doing They're always a half step away from being in the right place and a half step away from being in the other right place So I think it's one person I think it's easier to turn one person around rather than a unit of, let's I guess let's call it eight to ten people depending on how many people kill families. Yeah that's reasonable. Struddy Kane comes back tonight like he's been declaring himself healthy for a month like you feel like they you know there's been some insiders throwing it out

there that maybe the league was leaning on leaning on them saying hey you can't have them come back but matthew kichuck played last night that in the first game for for uh... florida what do you make of it and what do you think came can you know after missing a year of hockey can bring to this lineup well i mean it first off the idea of the the the salary cap no issues and i'll tell you i mean wasn't a coup drop in major made shirts yes said they're above the cap I mean I didn't see anyone I didn't see anyone you know in the league getting uptight about that if they did they just

did it quietly in there in their penthouse suite so I listen it's part of it I don't know that it's breaking the rules it's definitely gray area but this has been going on for a while so you know whether you're you know deli hamilton or or um segan down in dallas or kachak like i i just think it's a little late it's the precedent has been set in my opinion uh as far as cain the player the wildcard noodles i i have no idea what to expect i can only imagine what uh he feels he's one of the most confident athletes uh on the planet, but what could he bring? Well, I think for him, if he just keeps his game or his expectations for himself rather simple, like skate and hit, do those two things and bring swagger to this team. The first two periods of the

last game were so vanilla. It's so, it, it reminded me of how you eat noodles, no flavor. There was nothing to it. And then Leon snaps on the bench, and now people wake up like, oh, this isn't February in Columbus. We've got a plan, they got going. So I think Kane will inspire some emotion for both the owners and the Kings. And that's a good thing for the owners

because I think this year they've been very kind of monotone and they've been missing this element from Evander Kean. Yeah, it's a significant development. He's going in and it sounds like Dry Shutter will stay with McDavid at least to start the game. And yet for me, it does come back to Stuart Skinner because of the way he's played all year strut and what happened the other night,

the back breaking to no goal, the close it after they stormed all the way back Like what's what give us a vibe check in Edmonton. It's ten minutes into the game. He's given up two goals on five shots What are people thinking of Stuart Skinner? Well, my text machine was blowing up, you know I got I got all those five friends of me have mine texting me and one of them is doodles I got all those five friends of mine next to me and one of them is Noodle. I got a big friend group. I think the challenge for Skinner is he's been inconsistent all year.

People now, they're not expecting him to bounce back. That's just a fact. When you have a history of one way or the other, we'll go back to that. We haven't seen consistency from him. There was some good play before Christmas, but that got away from him here towards the end of the year. So now they have to figure out, okay, what does this look like?

You know, what can he do? And I think that he made some good saves the other night. The problem is the other guy made one more save because it wasn't like Kemper was an all-star either in that game. So if he would have won that game, come back, it's a different story. He did enough to win the game. Well, he didn't get it done. And I think that's

the challenge for him. I really think it's a huge opportunity for him to put, don't even worry about the fans, don't worry about the coaches or his teammates, confidence in himself by the way he plays tonight. If he comes out tonight and has a good, strong game, let's say he gives up two goals on 25, 26 shots, he feels good about himself, now I think he's heading towards going back. If it slides the other way, now the conversation is going to come back. Do they start him or do they go to Calvin Pickard? With Jason Strudwick, I'm curious how you would have handled the Stolarz-Ridley-Greg

situation last night where Stolarz, he gave it it to him and he gave it to Gregg and There were the Leafs on the ice were thinking like do we get involved or do we allow him to just do it? You know like Carlo was out there. I think Riley was out there How would you handle that as a defenseman? I guess it was Benoit Benoit and Carlo Do you just let your goalie like do it on his own? Would you have jumped in? How would how would you have handled Ridley Gregg? Yeah I think I love the way they did it because it was clear who is the aggressor. It wasn't like Ridley Gregg would do anything back. I know he'd fallen into him earlier

and I don't like when guys fall into the goalie so that's the time to react. Now if Ridley Gregg could turn around and engage with them, now you jump in. But I think it's good sometimes for goalie and Stolar is the big guy you can hack away at him. You don't need to jump in there. He's got it under control and you don't have to do anything more to get distracted from what you're trying to do is defend because you don't want to get distracted and leave someone else open. Well Stolar was playing coy after the game as if he didn't even know who it was. Come on.

I love that. I had no idea it was Ridley Grego. Was it that guy who ran into me the other night? He went off on him. The protection of the goalie in particular, that is something we've noticed here. I'm sure all 16 teams in the playoffs, they're trying to preach it, right, Strud? Protecting the house, making sure no one runs into your goalie, no one gets close to your goalie,

pushing scrums out even. A scrum in the crease can be dangerous at times. How important is that for every defenseman to consider that? Once the whistle blows, get ready, because you gotta push out. You don't want anyone even breathing close to your goalie. Well, it's about getting position.

And I never understood when when D-Man would hit players into the goalie. I mean, guys are more than happy to be accidentally fall on the goalie if you push them that way. So if anything, if you're if it's the goalie, then their player, then you, you want to grab them and pull them away. You don't want to cross check them into your goalie. You'll see that. Watch the game tonight.

You'll see guys cross check people into their goalies, which makes no sense to me. But the bigger challenge is you don't want to let people get to the net. Think about the other night was at last night's goal, I think the power play goal, where Knives gets inside position on Sanderson. And now Sanderson reaches for the puck, goes out the other way, the puck comes right back to Knives and he taps it in. Knives is doing a great job of getting inside position

on those D-men and now you're struggling. And I get we're trying to front, I get all that, but after you don't get it, you gotta get back on the inside so he has to work for it. Knives is just going to school. Oh no, sorry, last night was the one where if he still got inside position and Jansen had to get back and went off him of Mike, there's inside position so key around the

net when your team is determined to get pucks to the net. Strudy with your four other nerd friends that you hang out with in Edmonton, if you guys were having a conversation regarding the Maple Leafs, would it be, okay, they won two at home, let's see what kind of Maple Leaf team shows up in Ottawa because Ottawa is going to be desperate tomorrow night. They have to be. They know what happens if they don't win that hockey game. But the Maple Leafs, it's like, okay you won two home games against a wild card team, now let's kind of see if you can have some killer instinct going into Ottawa.

I think five on five, it's been fairly even, especially last night. It's been a pretty even series. And this is my worry for Ottawa. They're going to be so jacked up that they're going to come out and they're going to have too many penalties and they've been unable to stop it and they're going to score on the power play, the Leafs are. And now they're looking at two nothing and I'm not sure they can get back into it. If it's two nothing or three nothing, you you know like that that that's a real challenge I think auto Travis Queen really has to get those guys calm

and say play hard but stay out of stuff after the whistle and don't take that extra penalty let's try to play this game five on five see if the Leafs can do five on five against us yeah well that's what they keep saying I mean I think ultimately you got to score first I mean it's been the exact same first period two games in a row at least been up to nothing ten minutes in You have to score first tomorrow night if you're Ottawa and you know, the crowd will be electric. It'll be great I'm very curious to see what it's gonna look like I'm From Ottawa. I'm hoping it's 9010. I'd be concerned. It's

70 30 if there's 30% It's not going to be 90-10, Brian. It's going to be 70-30. You know what Ottawa means. Well, I know. That's what I'm saying. But if you're Ottawa, that stuff as a player, we can talk about it in the media and the fan bases and stuff.

The players can't go, jeez, you know what? Leaf fans made it in here. They've got to worry about trying to get back in the series. I think it's going to be 70-30, that type of thing. It might be more, it might be less, but you can't be sitting on the bench going, oh, you know what, look at this. You've got to play to try and get back into the series. But I think on the outside, in the business side, and us in the media, we're going to

be talking about it because Leaf fans are going to get into that building. Yeah it's an interesting layer. Yeah I don't disagree with that Noodle. So obviously it doesn't matter if it's a hundred percent Leaf fans they have to be prepared to play and focus. Yeah. But it's been a long time coming playing a home playoff game. You know like Brady's never done it, Batherson's never done it, Pinto, Sanderson, Shabbat and you know if the Leaf score first and it's loud I don't know Strutt I'm sure you've been in a situation like that that can be a little bit demoralizing I would think yeah but as a lot of a player you have

to understand like Leafs fans want to see something I've never seen before the Leafs got 3-0 in this series like that's exciting you know exciting moment but I'll say this, if you're a player and you're worried about anything about the fans in the stands, the color of someone's jacket or anything like that, you're already lost. You're already distracted. If it does, none of that matters.

You can't worry about any of that. You know, if you need to go play in a prison where everyone's cheering against you, who cares? You've got to be able to weather that storm and just think about what you have to do. So that's the message. Travis Queen, this group hasn't been in a playoffs before. They don't really know what's going on.

The emotion of the game won. It was exciting. It's gonna be recreated here again. Just come out and play your game. Get to the net. Get Stolar's uncomfortable. He's loving life right now. He's smiling, he's interviewing, his hair.

Like it's Toronto perfect, right? You've got to make that life uncomfortable for him as fast as you can, and that is what will get your fans cheering and make Leeds fans not quite so excited. Well, yeah, Stolars has been great. I mean, he's fantastic. Yeah, especially down the stretch and in these first two games. We had a question yesterday and Struddy I want you to weigh in on this. Who, what was it Hayes about Ovi and McDavid's nights? So the other night which one which one I guess will be memorable in the end you know McDavid doing what he did but then it ends in a loss or Ovi with two goals of assist OT winner in a win. I feel you're a little bit jaded on this possibly, Strud,

but where do you stand on that? Well, always biased, for sure. Yes. You know what? I'm gonna go with OV because they won. And ultimately, let's say the owners get swept, which I don't think will happen. Let's say they get swept.

Does anyone remember that? They know where the caps move on. That becomes a big part of their trip towards what they hope will be a static cup final. So I think it's about the W. And I'm guessing that Conor would probably say the same thing. Yeah. Well, that's valid too. I mean, McDavid is not his first rodeo. Like he's had, maybe not nights. Yeah, he's had nights like that. He's Conor McDavid. Of course he has. And he's been on the winning side of it but it is interesting like Edmonton's in one where

You feel like you've got to get one But if you're down to nothing in your Edmonton and your veteran team and you have belief they they can get back into the series I feel like Montreal's got to win tonight You have to win if you're the Habs you pushed it to overtime. You played well in the third. Doesn't Edmonton too? Yes, not far off. Absolutely. If LA's up 2-0, they're in big, big trouble. But there's still something about the Oilers and the aura of the Oilers. Montreal's just so raw and young. What do you see happening in that game tonight?

Do you think Montreal can carry over what they did in the third or do you think Washington will get back to what they did in the first and to say, we're going to run wild on this team and we're way bigger and way more physical and we're going to push them out of the rink? Yeah. Well, first off, for the owners and the Kings, I think for the owners, they never do anything the easy way, right? You think back to the play out, the final last year, they got down 3-0.

And then they got going. And they started playing like they've been through tough spots before. So yeah, I think tonight's a huge game for them. But I think they've been in tough positions before. So I think they know what it's like. Whereas the Canadians, this is all new to them. They're trying to figure it out. And they've had some good moments.

But the Caps are, I think they're a better and bigger team And that makes a difference In the playoffs so I think for the Habs they've got to come out and really Start their game well and not try to be the comeback kids Strati before we get you out of here. I was wondering the Masters just you know is behind us now the playoffs are starting the nicer weather Is here is there a date that you? The Masters is behind us now. The playoffs are starting. The nicer weather is here. Is there a date that you circle where you start showing a little bit more when you go to the grocery store?

Like a bit of a short shorts and tank top? Is there a date that you have circled that you start giving the people what they want when you leave the house? You know, I was actually, I went golfing today and I had just short fun and it was a little cold. I'm not going to lie. All my buddies, the four other buddies, not cutting noodles. He's not here. Obviously they were like, they were admiring the boldness of wearing shorts when it's like plus 10 out there. So what I'm trying to do, I got it. So what I'm saying is I got to prepare.

I got to get a little sun on these pins and then I'll release those things into Costco and the grocery stores. That's when the mommas really like it. That's a veteran move, man. Get a little tan on those legs and all of a sudden Costco will never be the same. No. You don't want to just wipe the yardage markers. That's the last thing you want to be walking around with when you're trying to find some

food for the family. They are pretty thin legs too though. They're pretty skinny. They're appropriate. They're sized appropriately. Come on. For a guy who's 181 pounds, not 230. He looks like Brew.

I love it. All right, well, send us a pic next time you're in Costco. uh... he looks like a real group uh... uh... uh... says that that's it next time you're in costco and i think you're ever at the grocery store was shorted out on we want to pack and we're going to post it and say this guy's out and about and and and so i'm comfortably short that's what i would go for uh... good luck straight good luck to your orders tonight

do it again soon thank you for this see you guys strutting there's jason strutting joining us here on the maple toyota hotline drive the built in canada fuel efficient fun to drive toyota rav4 guess our hybrid models available visit maple toyota dot com i think only the young people got like that movie grew was it despicable me yeah i know i know who you're talking about. Strutty looks like Groot. He's big up top, giant, and then these tiny little legs and Groot's bald. That's perfect.

It's perfect. That's Strut. Use that now as the avatar moving forward. That would be great. Although he started talking, I don't know if the timing on this or maybe Joe from the Bridge did that. Did you see there was a Spangler Cup banner? Yes, I did that.

I told Joe from the Bridge, I said put that up with Strud's. I was like is that right or are they just advertising for the Spangler Cup? That is Struddy. Somebody tweeted me and said can you please have this as Strud's picture. So I told Joe from the bridge when he started there, there's Struddy there. There's Kuru, yeah. There's Strud at the. There's Drew, yeah. There's Strud at the Costco in West Edmonton.

But the Spangler Cup thing was, I was like staring at it, I'm going, are they advertising for that right now? It's coming up. Is it Christmas? Right, it's right around this time. Strudy would have been preparing for that. No, that's, it's like, Spangler's at Christmas. Yeah, that's what it's at Christmas.

I'm thinking of the world, that's right. I'm thinking of the world championships. My apologies to the Spangler's at Christmas. Yeah, that's right. I'm thinking of the world championships. My apologies to the Spangler Cup. Yeah, all right. Well, you mentioned the Masters. You see your boy Rory is chuckling about missing two foot putts and he's, man, he's in good spirits down there in New Orleans. Oh yeah, he's loving life.

Let's take a little break, Casey, but the one I want to get to is Cam Neely. Okay, we got that. I think we're doing a little role play where one of us is playing the role of Boston Bruins. What a great way to tee it up by hearing the presser first. Okay, let's get to that and we will continue with role play. We got Jonas coming up. We got game three of the Oilers, or the Leafs and the Sens tomorrow. We got the Oilers in action tonight, the Habs in action tonight, the oil is in action tonight the haves in action tonight the J's in action tonight overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on TSN for you never ever ask me to stop drinking

you understand I do I really do. Alright, so roleplay level of concern. Oh, you're going to play the role of Cam Neely here in just a moment. But why don't we begin with, man, there's some good pressers going on around the NHL right now. Some really good pressers. NBA as well. You see the announcement that Chris Drury just signed a longterm extension. Yeah. With the Rangers like that. He's obviously him and Dolan.

He's Dolan's guy. I mean, Dolan believes in his vision clearly and the way that he operates and what he's going to do. He's a smart guy. He was a great player, smart guy, but that was an unmitigated disaster. Yeah. They had a terrible season. Like there's no way to get around it.

They had a terrible season and it started last summer when they tried to you know, the true but thing and then mark Haco They trade don't forget that. Oh, that's sorry. That's where it started Yeah, Gujo into Truba into CACO made a couple of decent moves, you know bringing in some players but you know that will Borgman but I made a couple of decent moves bringing in some players, but even the Shusterkin extension took a little longer than people wanted. It just wasn't a great year for them. But I didn't see that extension coming right now. He's got it.

Now they're looking for a new coach because Lavio Let's out. It's wild. you get these markets especially where there's been success and you know there's been someone that's kind of been leading the charge for a while and jury hasn't been there that long but cam nearly has been running it in Boston for a long time yeah and you know you miss kind of like the Nico Harrison thing not nearly as extreme clearly in Dallas but right if if you've had success or you've had kind of borders up around you where the media can't get to you, can't really turn on you, the

second they can, they will go at you. Like Nico Harrison, literally people are like, why should you not be fired? Tell me why you deserve to be standing there. They are guns blazing in Dallas and I wouldn't say it was the same. Just quickly before you get to Nealey, I think Dallas has to fire him for the organization to move forward you could be right you're talking about a vitriol for one particular person that is turning people off of your product yeah have to it's killing your brand yes Nico Harrison associated with your brand is

an absolute disaster unless he knows the skeletons in the closet that actually, okay, you want to fire me? I'll go and tell you what actually happened. The owner came to me and said this, that and that. So you got to be careful with that. But Cam Neely's been running the show in Boston. Obviously he's a Bruins legend. He's a Boston sports legend and he steps up with the owner, which is always a bit rare.

The owner's up there talking and Neely's talking and Don Sweeney, the GM. One reporter, Kevin, asked this question and here's how Neely responded. Okay, Cam. Question on drafting and development. Neither of them have really been up to expectations in my opinion. So can you just elaborate on that, Kevin? The drafting? Yeah.

Well... Where we've picked and who we've picked and how it's turned out. Okay, so then after that he goes on and on and then he stands up here at the end and it looks like he points at Kevin. I'd back i'd like to tell you in the back kevin that guy c bass you wanna hand him couple beers that's where you're going to have a lawyer that's actually it was coral uh... i was i was i was he's soon as i saw that finger pointy act like you didn't see it that over and i'd issues and then ran out the fact that

i will say this I watched the presser. He said, listen, Don had just started, we got those three picks. He goes, in hindsight, we made a mistake. He basically said, we made a mistake, we should have taken a timeout, all of that. But that whole transaction, Kevin, I give him credit for asking, but he should have followed up and said, well, in civil twenty fifteen yet three picks in a row and and let's take a look at it all together to you know you're right it was bad we all know we just talked about two or three days ago it with the rest of

the nation by and barcelon connor go right after i was a massive miss but that was it decade ago yeah you know like they went to the cup final in nineteen they've they've they yeah go to play playoffs every single year It's kind of amazing. They're still answering for that but Still you know it's icy down there because it's not only in the firing of Montgomery

And then the wheels fell off this year was a mess man like way worse than the Rangers As bad as the Rangers were like Boston was the worst team in the league the last 20 games I know, but I think it was the right play. Yeah, I think it was the right play to just gas everyone and get some assets and try to retool. It's not like they're going to say, oh, we're into a development stage. But you're not going to waste David Pasternak. You've got one of the best players in the world, David Pasternak.

They got an elite goaltender who was, I thought, terrible this year. Yeah, he couldn't get it going from the start. And their offense was garbage. And there was an opportunity there. Lindholm back, Charlie McEvoy back, and try to find some offense, some elite. They got to get some elite guys up front. They can't go bargain hunting. They can't go to the dollar store to get some guys.

They got to get some guys. They've got to get some guys. You're right. And Lindholm didn't play well. Like the Lindholm upfront, not the one who was available to them. Like he didn't, he wasn't playing well since he had that, since he played with Johnny Goudreau and Matthew Kachuk. That's just the plain truth. He went to Vancouver and was underwhelming, right?

And then goes to boston for a boatload of money good chunk of money but in the end you know you're right like i think they tried to i remember cam neely's comments right before the deadline saying we're gonna go one way and make the playoffs or not we're gonna make a decision and we would not make the playoffs and we're gonna turf and then they made the decision that he was't one camp like Brad Marchand you're gone thank you for and that was they got pennies on the dollar much a second round or its conditional pick if they make it to the cup final all right with

that in mind then oh you're playing the role of Cam Neely what's your level of concern you're gonna have another tough year next season I am Stevie Caldwell. A couple of Westies in five or six beers. Because I'm confident in my plan, but sometimes when you go down a path and don't have success, it's tough to patch work it all together and have success. As much as I just detail the plan, sometimes it's more difficult to do that. We're talking about they need to add some elite players, a guy to play with pasta, something in behind that. Like Lindholm, Zaka, and Coyle's gone, and who else is gone from that up front? Well, you're going to have Frazier Minton probably starting the season up the middle

of the ice. Okay, then you're crossing your fingers that Fraser Minton your third-line sentiment and he plays really well that's that's the kind of thing you would be hoping for yeah I also think too that can I weigh in this yeah go ahead absolutely so I'm higher I'm Rick Bushwood and here's it step aside I don't know if we can play it Rick Bushwood. Six Bushlight, six Budlight and I love them tall boys. Here's why. Outside of what you're lining up oh and I agree with you you get a healthy McEvoy you get a Swamen who is you know motivated and had a season where he's prepared for the season not worried about his contract you get

Hampus Lindholm back like you've got some framework there. But, I will say this, look at the division they play in, because the Atlantic, five teams made it from the Atlantic, right? And only three from the Metro. So if we're just doing like, who's coming out next year? Because Ottawa made it this year, Montreal's looking to take a step next year montreal was looking for growth next year the three teams at the top of the atlantic

i don't know if they're going i think they're going to have a counter i think they can execute and i think they could put themselves it wouldn't shock me if they executed and got some different players in there some real high quality ones and they were back in the mix at the top of the division. It was just a blip on the screen one year. I don't disagree, but again, we'll have to see what they do. That's basically what I'm saying because it's just not a foregone conclusion that you're

going to have that Atlantic is top heavy and bottom heavy. Those teams have now lumped up. The ones now, what does Buffalo do? What does Detroit do? Like that's the other the multi-million dollar question and if the Rangers get their act together now you're maybe looking from four and four from each division not five and what I just detailed about the Boston Bruins I think the Rangers have more work to do like I hated the Rangers decor that there's issues up front now and there's some pieces

that just don't look like they fit. There's some aging guys or some guys that just don't look like they have. I think they're a complete mess. I really do. I mean, you know, Keandre Miller didn't have a great season from Adam Fox looked like he dropped off. But if you expect him, maybe it's an off season and he has a bounce back. All of it though Jamie. I'm not telling you, we can go to individuals, but if you just said they're D-Core in their forward group, I don't like either of them. And I would predict that if there's any resemblance of that, both of those units returning next year, they're not making the playoffs. It's just, it doesn't work. Hayes, who are you going to play?

Well, I'm going to have gonna have noodles play Travis Green here Sorry, I just said trying to get on that one. Yeah, I think there's there's a lot of good commentary there I mean, that's the Bruins are in the news. The Rangers are in the news. There's a lot of these teams again It's we talked about yesterday It's a very different feel with those two teams in particular in the East like they have been mainstays in the playoffs for 15 years Yeah, you know, it's every year. It's a lock you're playing games at the get the go MSG Those two teams in particular in the East, they have been mainstays in the playoffs for 15 years. Every year it's a lock. You're playing games at the MSG and at TD Garden in Boston.

It's a lock every year. They're both out. It's amazing. All right, you're playing Travis Green. What is your level of concern that you can't rely on Al Mark to steal you a game? The way he's playing and the way things have been going you're a little bit concerned that maybe he he isn't gonna be able to lock it in I'm mad so I'm not Rick Bush would what's

the one below I guess Stevie call me Stevie I guess a couple of WS he's in five or six beers. Because they've seen two all marks. They've seen two all marks. Before the injury, even after the injury, and then he got cooking down the stretch. So he's had, I didn't think he was bad the other night, or last night, but I think he needs to steal one. So I'm in the Stevie Caldwell because you still have to believe that you have to do it.

And if you have a chance to get back in the series, he does have to do that. So that's basically that's where I'm at. I think it could be a little higher, but for me, I'm right in the middle there. Well, I think, yeah, I think that's reasonable. If you're green, you got to have faith in this guy. He's proven throughout the year that he and throughout his career, won a Vesta, that he's more than capable of being an elite goalie, but his playoff numbers are what they are. They're just, they have not been great recently. And I, you know, I agree with,

I agree with what you said about the goals and you know, they were tough goals and even the Domey one was a great shot posting in from right down Broadway, but it's, you're, you're in a big hole now and you need the cheat code in the sport is the goaltender. That's the cheat code. And it's one night he might have to make 40 staves. They have to win. And he has to be great. And yeah, I don't think it's pine on the patio. I don't know. That's why I went there. And also you add that in. Regardless how it like you have to say and and it's unfair

But you have to say well he had a better night than the other guy at the other end, right? That's because you know Struddy just said it like it's not like Darcy Kemper the other night in LA was lights out When David went nuts, but Kemper got the win. So you're not talking about went nuts. But Kemper got the win. So you're not talking about McDavid's tying goal, which I didn't think was a, it was an unbelievable play by McDavid. It's not a great goal against Kemper along the ice. But in the end, nobody's talking about that cause Kemper's up one nothing where the guy at the other end lets in a weird Muffin. Well, I was like Samsonov and Vasilevsky a couple of years ago where Samsonov was not great, but Vasilevsky was worse. Right. Andsky was worse and the Leafs found a way to win that series.

Alright, I'm playing the role of Beau Bechet which is my level of concern that the start to my season is costing me money and a chance to stay in Toronto. I'm going to play it. You can never, ever ask me to stop drinking. Now, you know, Bo, he's hitting for average. He's put, you know, I think he's got eight doubles on the season. He's never been a guy that's walks. He never, he never accumulates walks.

He's not doing it this year, but he, he has not hit a home run in over 230 at bats. And last year was a disaster for him. Now injuries, a lot of it was injuries. And we all said that, right? Let's see him at a hundred 100%. He had an unbelievable spring. He's 100%. He's just, his slugging is not there. His power bats are not, it's just not there. You wonder where it went Hayes because there was a time like right with Vlad, he was a power hitter.

Well you'd think he could hit 30. Yeah, he would hit it everywhere man. Yes, and listen he's an aggressive batter, he always has been, he's always had confidence in the box, but you know his numbers, he's got around a 700 OPS which is just not, it's okay, it's nothing, it's not, again he hasn't been awful, but this is a team that, it's very clear what they need. They need their three best bats at the top of the order to perform

and and both just not doing enough and now you're in the year two and it's not injury related you can't blame injuries you can't say well the calf for the quad or something i'll tell you what man i'm not pulling the trigger on any kind of even negotiation with the shed anything nothing like i'm sorry not even contact radio silence and it's that he's not him and as planned short in terms of the way he defends he's not gonna rock up seven or eight gold gloves in his career right so

you know for him to perform to a point where you say we need him we've got to pay him a lot he's got to be way better and you know the 24 games into the season now not it you know it's still April it's still early he can turn it around but it's more so what happened last year was the worst year of his career, it was a disaster of a season and for him to come back this year and start the way he's starting after a great spring, I would be very concerned if I was Bichette in terms of my reputation throughout baseball because that's what we're talking about.

If you're a free agent and you're looking for $250 million or something, you better perform better than the way he's been performing last year and certainly this year with full health So I'm pretty high on this Alright, oh you're playing the role of John Cooper the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning What is your level of concern that a healthy Panthers team is just simply too much to handle? Pines on the patio right now if there's one thing I know about this guy, he does not panic in these situations. Pete DeBoer, same thing. I wish we had a played Pete DeBoer's presser

after that game one loss. He was like, yeah, they got a good team and they're a little different this year. And it was like, he didn't flinch. He was leaning back. Yeah, he was leaning back like this. He's like, yeah, they got a different goalie. The goalie's good.

You know, they got a new goalie in there and we'll see what happens. And it was like, this guy knows he's been through the wars and Coops the same way. I don't think anybody's played more playoff hockey than those two coaches we just mentioned. He also understands the urgency that needs to happen next game because you drop two at home, you're as close to toast as can be but as for right now I'm a pint on the patio there needs to be a massive response and I've seen Tampa Bay do it Yeah, it's fascinating to watch I've been to a bunch of Tampa Bay games when I'm down there with my wife and kids and he just he's very calm back there

Man, he's just like yeah I love this team stuff after the game like, you know I love this team stuff after the game like you know They always give you effort and which is kind of a weird commentary when that is expected It's game one of the Stanley Cup playoffs I would like to believe you got an effort, but I get you know, it's it's obviously it's him thinking it through What am I gonna say to push people off to get people away? Yeah, you know and that's what all the coaches are doing and we reference you know even travis green where i think he doesn't want people talking about

his goalie or batherson or whatever he wants to go talk with the rest and go talk about you know how we're playing five on five it's all distracted tactics you know that's that's what good coaches do uh... and cooper did that last night i I found it interesting just the way it starts to be like, I love this team. It's like, he gets smoked at home. But yeah, he's cool, calm and collected. He is. And it's one, it is one game, but Florida, man, they, they're, they're a nasty bunch.

Yeah. Well, the concern is if you get smoked again, if you get smoked again on home ice, then you, then you start saying, yes, we've got've got plots coming back for yeah glad back for game three like yeah I mean could Chuck look good but Tampa didn't look good so that'll be interesting to see how Tampa's response in is that's the most fascinating series because they're both veteran teams they both have cop pedigree they both don't panic but it's kind of a chess match because you know both teams are really good like really Dallas Colorado situation yeah all right it goes into Dallas wins 5-1 you know last night Florida went 6-2 Dallas responds game 2 like I would anticipate Tampa

will respond in game 2 I gotta believe that they likely win that and if they do then you know all bets are off let's see where it goes all right roleplay will continue throughout the afternoon we'll get to our best bets coming up a little bit later on Jonah Siegel coming up as well Jonah's been in the building in the rooms around the team today before they took off for Ottawa tonight overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on TSN for all right Jonah Siegel coming up we'll get to our best bets continue with roleplay level of of concern, Big Night in the Stanley Cup playoffs, NBA playoffs continue. Big news, PWHL expanding to Vancouver as well, which is great to see. That league is blowing up obviously,

and expansion continues on that front. And the Jays in action tonight. Jays are 500, man. You don't want to sneak below 500 after you had some positive mojo going there. Man, that positive mojo went up and smoked quickly. Yeah. Well, it's the same old story. I mean, listen, Bassett was talking about a postgame. April was tough. We discussed it a lot coming in. They've had a tough schedule. They're playing really good teams. But if you're a really good team, you embrace that challenge and you put your stake in the ground.

The 500 could be a lot worse, could be better, but yeah, I mean, they've lost four in a row and the issue is the offense. Again, like last night, I think they had two hits. You're 29th in the league in team home runs and they just they don't generate nearly enough They don't hit for power and they don't the offense is just the two guys who got hits were Like Wagner and Ernie Clement last night your eight nine hitters So something's got to give here going into this game tonight. I mean it would easy be go. Hey How about the guy we gave 700 Canadian to 700 Canadian?

700 million Canadian oh yeah he has like we talk about ball this guy he was throwing his bat on the ground last night I'm telling you I just got a bad feeling don't go there yet we're a week into the snow and absolutely drives me nuts? Puff, who we've all worked with. Yes. I was getting pissy last night watching the Leafs game about Vladdy and the contract and almost to a man in the room with MJ and Duffy and they were like, yeah, they had to do it. You just had to give it to him. And I'm like, what the hell are you talking about, man?

To throw that phrase out there when you're talking about 7-hunge Canadian, you had to do it. Like, because you missed on Soto and you missed on Otani, so your third option, you had to hand that over. I think that's crazy talk, man. Well, I think if that's the viewpoint, and that is the viewpoint of a lot of people and I understand where they're coming from there should be an obligation for Vlad E to Have to perform as one of the five to ten there's no such thing as have to perform Hayes

There's never that guarantee in sports. Well, I get you and that's why you you know, the money does not come back now You know, they the money's done. So there's a reason why they gave him that much money They thought he's that he's got to be worth that he said run it. I know but noodles they wanted to bypass him twice on two different occasions and Kind of put him aside and he can go somewhere else because they wanted to bring someone else and then all of a sudden you change Your mind and say oh we got to hand this guy 700 Because the checks are coming in for 15 years change your mind and say, oh, we've got to hand this guy 700. I hear you, but they've done it now it's on him. Cause the checks are coming in for 15 years and he's got to perform.

Yeah. Final hour coming up overdrive continues TSN 1050 soon to be up on TSN two. All new, all Canadian, the best of our great nation. One song at a time. This is Justin Bieber. Hi, this is Terry Clark. We are Nickelback made in Canada on iHeartRadio. This is Justin Bieber. Hi, this is Terry Clark. We are Nickelback. Made in Canada. On iHeartRadio. Rock, pop, hip hop, and when it comes to country, it's the true north all the way. Loud and proud.

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