OverDrive - OverDrive - April 24, 2025 - Hour 3

Episode Date: April 24, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes and Jamie McLennan for Hour 3 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun joins to dive into the biggest headlines from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Maple Leafs' mindset against the Senators and Avalanche and Stars' battle. CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston joins to discuss the becoming the commissioner of the league, the outlook of the progression and the leadership of the CFL and Bryan hands out his FanDuel Best Bets.

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Join today and be part of something amazing. Final Hour Overdrive continues, powered by Fanduil, bringing you everything from the opening line of the final score. Brian Hayes, Jamie Noodle's, McClennan will catch up with Stu Johnston, the new, the commission, the new commissioner of the CFL. Oh, about a half an hour catch up with Stu rail him Oh, this would be a grilling now that he's not our boss. Yeah, exactly. He's been the man at TSN for a long time You just lean Wow, you just lean into him. Just make it very uncomfortable no reason

Like he's such a wonderful boss like yeah, he's a great guy But if you just lean into him for no reason, yeah, like where this come from? Sorry Stu I just wanted to bring this to your attention just start grilling him. No it'll be good to catch up with Stu get his take on you know taking the job it's a big deal it's a big job his Canadian Football League's in a really good place and now it's his responsibility to take it into a new era. Well I didn't know this about him and I should have, but when people are your boss, you dig into their personal life a little bit, not really. But when he decided to leave,

our boss Sean Redmond was talking about how he's been the biggest football guy his whole life. I did not know that. Mr. Football, yeah. Yeah, so this is like a dream job for him. I always envisioned he was multi-sports guys, but apparently, like the CFL was like his die-hard league. Like he loved that league.

The big passion for him. Exactly. And that's why it's a dream job. It's a great job, and we're excited for him and for the league, and we'll catch up with him in about a half an hour. Presuming I'm still gonna be able to talk at that point. I am starting to sweat.

I didn't realize, well you said this to me. I made a massive mistake. Four seconds before we go on, you go, hey, I didn't realize there was sauce on the wings. You thought it was that Doogie was dipping it into the heavy sauce. Yeah, so Boston Pizza came in here with a big food drop ahead of game three.

We got all these games tonight and everyone's jacked up. You got the NFL draft too. I mean,'s when you think pizza and wings you think football, you think the Stanley Cup playoffs, you think Boston pizza. Yeah. And they have this new atomic hot streaker sauce and they had cups of sauce. Yes. Doogie was dipping wings into. I went out for a drive-by thinking mild wing you have to apply the sauce Yes, so I pick up the wing and I bite into it and immediately I realized I have made a massive mistake What are you supposed to do when you have like you're just supposed to drink milk or something isn't it something? Yes, but I can't drink milk. I'm saying but is there an anti, you know, I think milk is a is part of it I think was it Harry and Lloyd that were using the mustard and ketchup

container? Yeah like there's just I feel like there is an anti-wing you know if you if it gets too hot yeah there's a serum. Yes I started mashing you know like there's celery in there I started eating that drinking a lot of water but I'm starting to sweat it out here but it is a phenomenal sauce I will say that if you you're into spice and you're into supporting Canadian hockey, you gotta get after it. I've lost the beat. You know BP is my Friday. That's our go-to.

So I'm, the weird thing is. Push it up to a Thursday, get after it tonight. Well I'm going to, but then tomorrow, when the kids are like, hey are we getting our, I'm gonna have to double down. So that's the thing. I might, I'll go, I'll go a pasta or something from there. The kids can have pizza. I'll have to do something else. All right. They got a great lasagna. There's a lot of options.

We'll figure it out. We'll figure it out. All right. Pierre Lebrun's coming up here in just a minute. Pierre has been traveling with this Colorado Dallas series. So he was there last night for Gabriel Lanska coming out. Didn't they like that? He, I think he did a bit of a rookie lap. I believe he did, which is really cool for the captain of the team. Well, they ran a board last night. And it was, yeah, I mean, look at the emotion.

There's his wife and his kids. Amazing, it's such a great- He had a great comment after the game where he said his kids probably think he's been lying that he actually plays hockey. Yeah, I used to play there. No, no, knock it off, dad. Yeah, sure you did.

Oh, yeah. I'm going to the Avalanche. Uncle Rico could throw that football over a mountain like he but but the best part about it is like it's post war. Was it there's only two captains that have missed laps. And I can't remember who the other guy was. It was still absent somebody else. Sit Abel or so. And those guys missed because of war right they were literally in Europe

Yeah, a thousand days, and he's you know because I mean it and it was a freak injury. That's the crazy part It was mccarr that injured him like that that cut him for that the initial injury, but you know what it's a great story I'm you know what? It's a great story. I'm, you know, I couldn't choose. I thought that's a coin flip, whether it's Dallas or Colorado, because you can make a case for either one of them. Well, I picked Dallas to win the Cup before the year, and then I just decided coming into the playoffs,

I'm like, I'm gonna stick with Dallas because I'm not gonna flip now, but I have to be honest, I was very fearful. They were awful down the stretch. Yeah, they struggled. They lost eight in a row, I believe. late in a row on jurors were not good not agree and then robertson gets hurt heist and it doesn't return on time i'm like this third there

in a drug that they get pumped in game one yeah and then for them to battle back in when game two in over uh... that gave to it over time and i was read over your call blackwell lakwad back-to-back overtime winners for dallas another up to one uh... here's our tsn hockey insider pierre lebron uh... pierre you're in the building last night in in colorado i guess paint a picture for us in terms of the emotion of of landis gog out for

the skate men uh... just his his introduction his play what was it like being there yeah i was back? Yeah, it was a grease pump time, honestly. It was, you know, 30 years of doing this. One of the, probably a top five moment in my career to witness that. I talked to someone who has worked in the arena for like 40, well, ever since the Avs got to Denver

and he said that is the loudest he has ever heard the arena, including winning Stanley Cups, including all that. That is the loudest he has ever heard the arena, including winning Stanley Cups, including all that. That is the loudest he's ever heard the crowd last night when they welcomed Lannis Cogg back. And it was electric, but you could also feel the pure love that fans had for their captain. You know, I mean, listen, Lannis Cogg has said it himself. No one's hiding from this. No one was sure this would ever happen. I mean there are times in the darker times of his three year comeback that this looked

like it may not happen. And for him to play last night and for the way the crowd reacted, it is absolutely one of the great, great moments that I'll always remember for sure. Well Pierre, the fact that Colorado doesn't get it done though that's the I mean I thought they were so brilliant in game one you knew Dallas was gonna have a response but you know now all of a sudden Dallas is kind of calmed down a little bit what are you seeing from Colorado I know it was emotional and both of those games could be coin flips I mean there was a four minute power play that they I mean they had a wide open net they pretty much should have got it done. Was there

some nerves or is just bad luck or what are you seeing from that because you know in my mind Colorado should be up in the series. Yeah I'm with you Noodle. So I'll tell you what I've seen so far being in this series. Colorado was the better team for the opening five periods of this series. They were the better team for five periods. And then at the start of the third period in game two, and remember if Colorado hangs on, they're up three, two in game two to start third. They're, you know, they hang on to win that they're coming home up to nothing. And as Pete DeBoer himself said after the game, like that's, we're not coming back from that. I was kind of surprised you said that after the game but and I'll tell you what happened at the start of

that period. Captain Jamie Bennett of the Alistars put the team on his shoulders, put the team on his back. His first couple of shifts which didn't make the highlight reel, his first couple of shifts in that third period on Monday night changed the series. I mean he just he had a couple of rushes where he took the puck ran over a couple of defenders on right to the net and Mackenzie Blackwood must have been happy that he put the brakes on at the last second and that was it like the rest of the team set off Jamie Ben from that moment on and this has been a different series since now Jared Bednar himself

after the game last night said he was surprised that his team didn't get more of a more juice out of the, you know, the atmosphere and the emotion for their captain being back. And you know, it's hard to predict how these things play out, but they really didn't. They were pretty flat in the first period. And then you mentioned that they get a four minute power play and really only got a good look at the end with Luckinen Had a great day and just missed but uh bednar is not happy with his power play right now. Um

That's got to change I mean that's a power play that's been among the best in the league for a long time And so I think that will change but I gotta tell you guys I heard you guys talking just before I came on I pulled 13 coaches slash team executives before this series and took Colorado, only three took Dallas. And I was surprised how lopsided that was. By the way, same group, 12 took Toronto, only one took Ottawa. We can get that later. But I was surprised how lopsided the Dallas Colorado poll was just because to me, this

is like a mini Stanley Cup in the first round. Two great teams, but I think it spoke to Miro Hyskinen still being out, especially. Jason Robertson hurts to some degree, but they're so loaded up front. I mean, why Johnson's on the third line right now, if you call it that, they're still very loaded up front. They're hanging on right now without Miro Hyskinen.

Like Thomas Harley's playing out of his brains. Ljubuski is playing too many minutes but he's playing well. Like they're they need number four back for Dallas but they're up to one. Yeah exactly. So it's been an incredible series so far and I tweeted this last night. There is so little free ice in this series, guys. You know what it's like when you're watching game seven of a cup final and it's like zero, zero forever, and you're waiting for that first mistake? That's what this series has been.

Like, think about all the talent offensively on each roster right now. I'm telling you, there's not a lot of great A's to be had out there. They are grinding this out right from the outset of the playoffs like the Stanley Cubs on the line. With Pierre Lebrun our TSN Hockey Insider. Alright Pierre let me let me off you up this hypothetical okay. You have you have the option to have an exclusive sit down interview with

one of these two coaches and they have promised you 100% candor, 100% honesty in terms of how they're feeling and what they're seeing out of their team. Would you choose Chris Knoblach, the head coach of the Oilers or Marty St. Louis, the head coach of the Habs? I think I would choose Chris Knoblach because I think no matter, I saw some of the emotion post game there. I saw the clips from Montreal. Like come on, at the end of the day, regardless of how that series finished, they made playoffs.

Like. Yeah, that was big for them. Yeah, like let's just be real about where Montreal is. This is all gravy for them. It sucks in the moment, they're competitors, but Chris Knobloch all day. Like the Oilers are so fascinating to me right now. It sucks in the moment, they're competitors, but Chris Naublok all day. The Oilers are so fascinating to me right now.

They've never had really their team together all year, right, with injuries and everything else. It's like this moving target about what their roster should be like. The loss of Ekholm, I mean we just talked about the loss of Eastkid and man, I mean we just talked about the loss of Easton and man I mean we knew at home has been a great player for them, but boy they can't defend without them and it's really hurt them but You know who would have predicted that they'd be losing the special teams battle the Oilers I mean they feasted on special teams the last three years in the playoffs So there's there's a lot going on there with Edmonton and I would to answer your question

I think the truth serum Chris Knobloch was the most entertaining. I agree. Yeah I think it would have to be man because it is shocking they've given up 12 goals in two games in Edmonton and they had that moral victory comeback in the third the other night and then just completely flat again last night and everyone looks at it myself included it's like well you got McDavid and Drysuttle so you're fine this is proof that it like it's not this isn't the NBA man like you can have two great guys you have players the thing is

is they've got our an agent Hyman like they've got players like those guys have been quiet they've Darnell nurse $9 million, you would expect players to step up. Like that's the difference. Like I agree. People can say Stuart Skinner, Stuart Skinner, Stuart Skinner, and he needs to be better. And I would think that, I would bet anything that Calvin Pickert's playing tomorrow. And rightfully so in just for a change of atmosphere but Evan Bouchard was an absolute beast in the playoffs last year I don't know where his game is gone Darnell Nurse like you're asking guys

to punch above their weight a little bit farther down in the lineup but you know Evander Kane looked rusty a little bit last night you know Frederick same thing because they're coming in. I mean, John Klingberg, I thought he actually, I thought he looked decent. He was alright. Dick Waldman's been a little... But that's the thing, the point being is

play to your capabilities, and then maybe you don't have to have those two guys try and go nuts every night. Now, Arvidsson gets a goal, which was a bonus for them, but then he literally turns it over, whatvidsson gets a goal, which was a bonus for them, but then he literally turns it over, what was it, five minutes later? Yep. And that's where it's like the timely saves. If Stuart Skinner bails them out there, that's 3-2.

And you've got a game. Curtains. 4-2, 5-2, curtains. Over. But, you know, but Noodle, and I agree with everything you said, but I think we're also all guilty of this. I know I am. Especially when it comes to Canadian teams, we look at what's wrong with the team that's losing.

We really give credit to who's up to nothing. And I got to play like, I've had a couple of people for the playoffs that watch out for LA. They are no one's paying attention. Yep. They are, they were about to play their best hockey they have in this rebuild. And, you know

Clark and by the young guys the next wave has stepped up and the old guys like copa Tara still coy You know Darcy Kemper You know what a trade where two teams went out, you know, do what for Kemper LA is This is as good as they look since they want a cup. No joke. And you know what? You're 100% right. And we actually said in the last hour, as much as we're, you know, kicking Edmonton in the junk, we're not looking at LA like LA is a hell of a team. There's a reason why they finished above Edmonton.

There's a reason why that they want they lost what five, six home games all season long. Like that's, know they're they're a very strong team they've got depth they've got speed they've got some bite and they've got you know a good mix they can't they remind me a little bit of Dallas they got the older guys but the younger guys the wave that have pushed through the older guys are still doing it but the byfields and guys like that have pushed through. Clark scores last night. Right so you know you're right as right. As much as you're going, what's wrong with Edmonton, you should be going, what's right with LA?

Like give them their flowers as well. Yeah, no question. And listen, it's their fourth year in a row playing Edmonton. And listen, I know how good the Willers have been. You know, they have the best player in the world and another guy with top five. But at some point in the league with this kind of parity, are you not pushing your luck that you're just gonna keep being the same team every year that's a good team? I mean, like,

it just might be LA's turn. Like, they're not meant to be just a team that's a speed bump before you get to the second round every year. That's too good a team in LA. Yeah, I agree. Yeah, it's valid and um... listen it hasn't been four years in a row consecutive but the battle of ontario it's uh... this is you know the fifth incarnation of it knowing what happened back in the early two thousands where beliefs one all for those series another up to nothing going in ottawa tonight

you reference the haves you know a moment ago and i think that's a very sensible viewpoint again from the outside looking in that hey you you barely got in you you got in, you're ahead of schedule, it's amazing, you're up against a beast in Washington. Do you have a similar viewpoint of Ottawa that they're playing with house money or do you see it differently for the sense? I think, listen, the Leafs should win this series, but I think Ottawa, again, going back to your truth serum question, Brian, I think Ottawa is again going back to your truth serum questioned Brian I think they'd be a little disappointed You know their lack of discipline You know their lack of execution at times and there's first two games now

Given props like they're down to nothing and they force overtime the other night like that was that was that showed some moxie, right? But at the end of the day even though the Leafs are favored and again all in that poll I did pretty much everyone picked the Leafs I still think people expect Ottawa to give the Leafs a push on this series and if this isn't a long series I think there'll be a lot of disappointment there in Ottawa again they're not supposed to win but there's there are different ways in which you can lose a playoff series. And this is huge tonight. We'll see what the crowd looks like in terms of the mix of the white and blue and the Ottawa jerseys.

But Ottawa, this can't be a sweep because that will feel pretty empty though, is what I'm saying. Yeah, I'm having people send me messages from outside of the rinks saying, it does not feel like your standard sends Leafs game like there's Leaf fans there but what I'm seeing and what I'm hearing is there there is more Ottawa Senator fans than usual in this matchup yeah then a then a November January but those are always big there's Saturday night games you know what I mean like and and yes you it's different obviously the pricing

and all that kind of stuff, but this is big for the Sens, I agree. I mean, this is a massive moment. Like you've been waiting for this for a long time. We've been having the Brady Kachuk chat for years. Like, what's he gonna look like in the playoffs? He scored a goal the other night. I think he's been fine.

I think Stutzel's been fine. I like Jake Sanderson's game as it went on the other night, but that's the future, that's the core. Yet I think you look at a guy like Claude Giroux, 1st Ontario, second most famous 1st Ontario alumni. Is he the second most? Yeah, he's number one. Absolutely. He's number one. Giroux is number two. I'm not even number 50. Okay. But I think Giroux's got to have a big night. Like they brought him in, veteran guy,

you know, you got to, he, I look at him, I'm like, he's got to do something tonight, man. The thing, and before you jump in Pierre, the thing with Claude is exactly what we've been talking about with Dallas and LA. He's the veteran guy that needs to be pushed down when the team pushes through. So like, Greeny's giving him a chance there, you know, top line, right wing, all of that type of stuff. But I would be shocked if Greeny doesn't find that Zetterlin more ice time and a better look. And it sounds like Zetterlin's going to be on the, I think on the second line.

He is moving him around. But that's where the game within the game is all about. If a guy doesn't have it that night, it's not like, hey, legacy player, you've got to be here because it's our first home game in seven, eight years. It's like, if you're not bringing it, somebody else has to go there. David Perron I saw is on the fourth line. Perron was on the second line left wing and you know what he's been heavy along the wall but he hasn't been super noticeable so hey let's try and move some guys around. You've got to be creative to try and combat a Leafs lineup that you know we thought Craig

Borui was going to go with the same lineup but it's Max Patcheretti and for Robertson because he's looking for something a little different on the road. So this is the game within the game, the adjustments. As much as we love Claude Giroud, if he doesn't produce, it's somebody else that has to push him down the lineup to try and do that. Wow, I predict a pretty important moment for Claude Giroud tonight. I know I'm unbiased when I say that. Well, I love the guy too. But you know and remember conversations I've had with Claude over the years, remember why he signed in Ottawa

It wasn't just to go back to his what has become his offseason hometown over the years. He moved to Ottawa and he was 14 from Hearst It's also because he truly felt that Ottawa was going to be that they were arcing in the direction of being that team that was going to make the playoffs and the reality is it didn't happen as quickly I think as he Probably would have wanted or or where do you get Chuck or anyone else in that team But now they're finally here. So this is huge This is why he signed a USA USA deal on July 1st years ago Go to Ottawa because he thought this moment was coming. So no question there now I just want to say this about the lease

I know you guys would have touched on every single angle of the lease last couple days But one thing that's playing out so far that I think everyone thought might be playing out is the poise of that team. And when Ottawa ties a 2-2 down the ninth and third period, I don't know what went through your minds. That's the kind of moment in years past where this core has sometimes fumbled the ball, where they get agitated and start pressing and I'm telling you, this team feels different. Again, I'm not getting radioed, but I've been saying all year that I thought they were finally going to, you know, maybe this team goes deep.

They didn't sense the other night. The rest of the game played out like they were just, they kept believing the system, believing the next shift, just stay within yourself. Honestly, I've not seen that in back to back games from Elise team to Klaus in a very long time. I agree. And I think you're referencing especially the reaction to the goal, I would argue the way even the goal happened,

the buildup to the goal was very different because in years past, it was like they're on their heels 15 shots on net goalie standing on his head it's inevitable Ottawa was gonna score it did not feel inevitable Ottawa was gonna score no it was literally their first shot of the period like the Leafs really controlled the play in the third or pushed things to the outside now I will say this after that goal the save on Dylan Cousins was huge. That's a massive save because maybe like you know

what you're pointing to Pierre and what you've been talking about Brian maybe in past years that that one goal that tied it all of a sudden leads to that's a loss because that puck goes in top shelf and cousins picks it and hey Ottawa finds a way to win that one so it comes back to big save yes timely save too right like that. Brad Marshand last year remember he did that he scored late top shelf and that's curtains right like that's over. But Stolarz is part of that he's part of that change he's part of that. I mean he's out playing Almark right now and right, you know And I just want to quickly bring up Kristana because I'm here with Dallas and Colorado

And I don't know if you guys saw a couple days ago Pete DeBora was asked by another reporter about the the differences in this year's Colorado Dallas series compared to a year ago when they played the second round and You know, he talked about a couple things, he finally said well here's the big difference we don't have Miro Iskander right now and Chris Tanev's not here like out of the blue mentioning Chris Tanev and I'll tell you why because and that they miss him like Chris Tanev fit like a glove here in Dallas after they picked him up last year and he was an unbelievable matchup guy in the first round against Joguy in the second round against Nathan McKinnon

You don't replace a Chris Tanniff and the Stars dearly miss him and again What's different about the Leafs this year? Listen, yeah, it's Tanniff is the this is why Brad Trulon brought this dude here. You're seeing it right now Absolutely. I'm on Wikipedia right now Hur Hearst, Ontario. Notable people. Reginald Belair. Reginald Belair. Don't know Reggie. Renée Fontaine. From there.

There you go. Politician. Eric Sorensen. Journalist. Claude Giroux. Pierre Lebrun. Love it. Whatever. You're in there. Notable people from Hearst, Ontarioun. Love it. Whatever. You're in there. Notable people from Hearst, Ontario. Everyone knows it. You wrote me in. That's what happened.

You just wrote me in while we were on air. Yes, I did. I do have that ability to do that. With Wikipedia, you can't edit on the fly. One of our viewers do it. But you're in there, buddy. You're in there. Good catching up with you.

We'll do it again soon. Right on, right on, boys. There he is. You got it. Pierre Lebrun, our TSN hockey insider, who will be watching the NFL draft tonight of course as well See if the Cowboys do anything see if those Cowboys get anything tonight Oh, Jerry Jones right in the thick of it. How is Jerry Jones? I say 80 now I think he's got to be 80 or he's high like high 70s or 82

So I thought about this they picked 12 tonight for the record. Lou Lamarello gets his contract not renewed the other day. I think Lou's like 82 years old. Yes. Like that guy has worked probably since he was 20 years old. Yeah. In hockey. That it'll be weird for him not going to the rink yes is that guy lives at the rink like that's uh... it is just a little pick him up as a lot of salt absolutely and they should he's a you know he's a uh... a brilliant mind and you know some people don't agree with a lot of this stuff but he's eighty two years old

i think you would be a one you know who should pick him up as a consultant buffalo sabers not a bad idea help Help Kevin Adams out, turn that situation around. Yeah. You know, just another... Kevin Adams probably wouldn't want that because it's like, does that mean Lou's coming in next? Yeah, but it's a smart hockey mind who's seen and done it all. I agree with you. Yeah. So I'm going to pick Lou up though. Yeah. For sure. If he wants to do it, you'd think he'd be like, maybe he'll go down to Florida and just hang out. I don't think that guy's wired that I don't

think he is either all right the new commissioner of the CFL Stu Johnston coming up we'll get to our best bets later in the hour overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on TSN 2 all right we'll get to our best bets powered by Fandu later in the hour little same game parlay for the Leafs battle of Ontario tonight Leafs ends and again people are sending in picks outside of the arena but right now it looks like a lot of auto senator fans which is what you expect it's a home game for them but I like I say it's more for us to worry about like and talk about because it's a great topic but I

just it might be 70 30 it might be 80 20 but in the end these that market has been dying for playoff hockey for eight years yes I think there's probably die hard season ticket holders are like we're going to not miss the we're keeping our tickets have to be a part of the s night absolutely uh... so good to that we get the nfl draft tonight on tsn i love night one of the nfl draft it's going to be great and that means we're getting closer and

closer once you get to the stanley cup playoffs you know baseball's back at the nba playoffs that means the canadian football league right around the corner the standard cup playoffs. You know, baseball's back at the NBA playoffs, that means the Canadian Football League right around the corner. Right around the corner. Right around. I've got a new commissioner. They do. I mean, are we bringing the heat or not? Do we not bring the heat for our former boss?

Do we just start grilling Stu Johnston? Larry King in the death. Just immediately make it uncomfortable. There he is, the new commissioner of the Canadian Football League, Stuart Johnston. Stu, congrats, thank you for doing this. How we feeling this afternoon? Hey fellas, I'm doing great and I just say bring it on. See what we got for you here. We've been prepping for a while, it's great to have you. You've only been waiting for years for this opportunity. Exactly. Do you remember when we met a decade ago? I don't think the audience really cares that much about it. But anyway, I saw your introductory press conference today and I saw you last week in person when you were still here and Noodles was referencing your

passion for football. But take us through this. This is a big, big gig, man. You're the commissioner of the Canadian Football League. What was so appealing about this and why did you pounce on it? Well, it is a big gig and it all still feels, even after today, a little surreal. Obviously, growing up, spending more than half my life with you guys and with Bell Media and TSN, that was a big move and it took something

pretty special for me to think about making that move. Noodles, you mentioned, my passion for football probably starts there. I like you guys. I love all sport. I wish we were doing this interview on the golf course, but the passion for football has been there since I was a kid. And then I think the league's in a really good spot. There are a lot of great metrics

that are showing growth and momentum. So I feel like there's excellent, there's a lot of reasons to be optimistic about the league, and yet I think there's a lot of growth left with the CFL. And part of that is really the ownership group, guys. We've all been around the CFL for a long time. There's been a mix of great owners in there, but to have nine really strong ownership groups

all at once, I think that was a big part of the appeal as well. Well, in terms of growth, we've had this conversation on our show a lot with every league league or you have your die-hard Long-term fans that love the sport love the sport the way it is right now They're protective of the sport. They're protective of the history But at the same time you've got them they're in they're gonna be a part of this ride for a long long time How do you marry, like respecting that,

respecting the history, respecting the diehard fan, with maybe doing things different or having a bit of a different vision to bring in new fans? How do you marry the two? Well, I think you do it with a lot of thoughtfulness. You do it iteratively. It's continuous improvement. It's not wholesale change.

And you do it with a lot of communication. I'm looking forward to a lot of communication with GMs, with team presidents, with owners, with the league office, with fans and with players. And then you wanna take that input and you understand kind of where, what will it take to kind of push this forward and create more interest. So as you think about, you know, kind of changes to the game itself. Look, I love Canadian football and I'm telling you in 2025, the Rouge is here to stay. But, you know, I think that we need to gotta, we've got to think about entertainment, how to constantly improve the

entertainment value of the product we're putting out there. We know we have the players. What is it going to continue to make it entertaining? And, and, you know, this comes from my, my time with you guys. It is how do we get that content into the right hands? So how do you, you know, how do you expose it to folks that may actually like football, but they don't know it yet. Uh, and of course, a lot of that is about the younger viewers and ultimately guys, the long,

you know, I know you've got kids, uh, my daughter played her first flight football game, grade nine, all girls and loved it. You know, I I'm a big believer that if we can just get kids playing football, touching football, learning the basics, you're gonna find people are gonna fall in love with the game and that can only help with the fan base. So taking over, you have a unique skillset

because you know the broadcasting game. You know, you were just talking about the entertainment. I mean, this is where you're coming from. Is that where you feel like you can, your strength is, you can step into the league and go, Hey, I've been on the other side here and you had the rights deals and, and done a lot to sell the game. So now you're running the league, you know, the other side,

is this kind of where you can marry the two and help grow the game? Yeah, Jamie, I think so. I think that that's, you know, my comfort zone is certainly anything related to, to the media business where that's, uh, negotiating rights deals to, um, driving, um, distribution strategies of content. And then, and then ultimately the second piece, Jamie is revenue. Uh, you know, I've been leading the ad sales team for the last eight years

across all Bell Media platforms, led the distribution revenue team. I think every business wants to improve their bottom line through top line growth as opposed to cost cutting. And that's where I wanna come try and try and help this team, push us forward across all the different commercial avenues where we can, where we can grow revenue. But I've got some, I've got some weak spots. I've got some gaps, you know, in this, in my,

I've got a learning curve to on football operations as much as you and I, and we all love football, like football operations is a complicated beast. And so there's areas where I need to make sure I'm listening, learning, actively studying, and then eventually participating. With Stuart Johnston, the new head, the new commissioner of the Canadian Football League. And that'll happen quickly.

I mean, something's gonna happen likely in the preseason, certainly into the regular season where you're going to have to be judge, jury, and maybe executioner. I don't know if it'll ever get that far, Stu. But the commissioner, from a fan perspective, you're talking about the money and the profitability and growing the game. And obviously, fans can benefit from that. But they're going to see their quarterback get hit in the head and say, what's the commissioner

going to do on that? Like like where do you stand on on your role in in taking on that role that's very something very different I mean you're you're gonna have to possibly suspend players and find players and find coaches and like how do you prepare for that well you're absolutely right Brian the good news for me is that we have an outstanding operations team already. And within that, there are very clear protocols and guidelines. Basically, almost every play you can think of, illegal, slash legal, slash suspension worthy, fine worthy, is actually all documented and there is a process. So I think as you know, I'm going to lean heavily on the operations team, but I also

want to bring my own judgment. And so, you know, this discipline you've seen in other leagues disciplines carried out in various ways, we're going to land on the right way to launch our discipline program. But at the end of the day, the buck stops with me, especially on anything that's egregious. And I can tell you, protecting star players is an absolute priority. If we want to have the most entertaining product on on the field, protecting our players and having them continue to play is incredibly important.

So so that gives you a glimpse of kind of my mindset. With Stuart Johnston, the new commissioner of the Canadian football league, you were introduced today, same day as, as night one, round one of the NFL draft tonight, as you know, at TSN, we have CFL, NFL, anything football that's on TSN. I'm curious your approach, you know, cause when you're in your previous job, you understood the importance of the NFL, the popularity of the NFL. How do you look at it in the in the chair that you're in now? Is it is the NFL a competitor with you?

Do you appreciate the growth of the NFL? Because then that means ostensibly, you would believe the growth of football is there like we were talking about a few moments ago, any way you can get people into loving the sport, is that a viewpoint of the CFL? Take us through your viewpoint of the NFL, its popularity specifically in the greater Toronto area but throughout the country and how it factors in how the CFL looks at it. Well I'll start and say your last point is a starting point for me. Anything that drives the interest and fandom in the game of football of any kind, I'm in favor of.

I think passionate football players and passionate football fans will not be forced to choose which brand of that football that they want to watch. It's open for business for everyone. We have, I think, the NFL is the biggest sports league in the world and I have great relationships with many players, many of the corporate folks in the executive at the NFL and it's my belief that we should have a strong

relationship with the NFL. It doesn't mean a partnership necessarily, but a great relationship. Lines of communication can only help. We actually are trying to achieve the same thing, which is the growth of the sport. Uh, and I know at an operational level, our officiating operations crew, great, really strong relationship with the NFL. I think that's important. I don't see them really, to answer your question, maybe more succinctly, Brian.

I don't see the NFL as competitors. I see them as having similar objectives as we do. Which is amazing. Before we get you out of here, I mean, do you envision yourself at some point because of where you've come from? Are you going to storm into the production truck or into production and get after Eddie about something that he ran, maybe a bad viz on a team or something like that? Is the old Stu Johnston pretend potentially coming out from the

TSN side you just have to keep it professional on the other side. Oh I'm gonna be a bigger ogre than I ever have been. Oh like it's on speed dial into the truck anything I don't like so I know the the the crew that we have you mentioned Eddie I'm sorry for the inside names for your listeners, but Eddie and Heinze, and they're just, I've talked about this a little bit throughout the day in a number of other calls where it said,

this is not a world-class professional production crew, but they could not be more passionate about this league. And that is really what I think TSN and RDS have brought to the CFL for so many years and I think they would tell you I haven't had to call them hardly at all. Well that's a good sign and we haven't got to games yet so we'll hold you to that once we get there and the Great Cup is in Winnipeg this year. You'll actually you'll have to work this Great Cup week Stu because I'm sure you've been doing it for a long time.

And PSN, they get out there and they have a good time. We put on a good show. Maybe you can bring in the harmonicas from LA. That's right. Maybe you can lean into harmonicas for the, maybe for the anthem. That would be great. I like the idea. Yes.

I like the idea. All right. We're going to have a lot for you, but we're obviously really happy for you. And we couldn't thank you personally us on this show for all the support over the years and we'll continue to do this down the road so good luck with the new gig. The same to you guys it's been a pleasure working with you all these years and I'm looking forward to staying in touch like this. Absolutely there he is

Stuart Johnston the new commissioner of the Canadian Football League and he really is he's a great guy he's a great guy. He's a great guy. We'll miss him dearly here at TSM, but CFO's got a, they got a good one. And yeah, I'm curious, you know, we'll see what comes of it. And he spoke earlier today, they get asked about expansion all the time.

They have nine teams, would you like to get to 10? And Stu said, you know, sure, of course. They love to get to 10, but it's not a high priority. You gotta have the right spot, the right ownership, the right market, the right stadium. There's a lot that goes into it. Take care of the nine first and then continue to grow. And 10, but it's not a high priority. You gotta have the right spot, the right ownership, the right market, the right stadium. There's a lot that goes into it. Take care of the nine first and then continue to grow. Exactly.

It's just, technically, we'll call it first day on the job. You gotta, he can say whatever he wants, but as he was mentioning, he's gotta get in there and get his hands dirty and kind of understand the whole complex part of the business side of being the commissioner. It's going to happen quick. He's going to add his name on the football.

He'll be there with the great cup. It's going to be a thing of beauty in Winnipeg this year too. The Bombers are in the great cup every single year. There's a shorts guy out there. Remember? Yeah, remember shorts guy? He had been going to Blue Bomber games forever in between their great cup droughts. He said, I will not wear pants

until they were like a school teacher or something. Yeah. We're like 30 years or whatever. The guy was wearing shorts in Winnipeg. Yeah. Minus 30 out. He's wearing shorts. Crazy.

Yeah. All right. Game three tonight. Leafs sends will tee that up. Jays are off tonight. They're in New York playing the Yankees starting tomorrow. We got NHL games. We got NBA playoff games, we got a lot.

And of course, night one of the NFL draft on TSN tonight. We'll get to that as well. Overdrive continues, TSN 1050 and on TSN too. All right, today's best bets powered by Fando. Make your picks and assemble a same game parlay in seconds on the Fando Sportsbook app. Brady Kachuk, four plus shots. Nylander, three plus shots.

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19 plus physically located in Ontario. If you were on Fando and you bet Nate Schmidt would have three goals. Is that leading the playoffs? It might be. He scored two in game one he's already scored in this Panther tightening game tied for the league somebody else has to have three but I mean of ours got to anyone on LA

Bifield's got two I believe yeah but there I mean man goes got to there's somebody from that Colorado Dallas there's been some big scores you can scored a couple Washington Oh he's got to. I don't know I think Nate Schmidt's leading the league in goal scoring. Yeah well I mean there you go or tied with it. Shia Flees got a couple, Connors got a couple. Yeah either way anyway nobody had that on the bingo card put it down. No I mean if you told me you know Shia Flees got two, Connors got a couple I'd say yeah that makes sense. Yeah. Tavares, Nate Schmidt with three. The defensemen who was kind of wouldn't say an afterthought

But he was a pickup where they lost Montour they you know, I can't malarce. He was the Echman-Larson replace Yeah, basically, he's your number five. So Boldy McKinnon and Kempe have three there you go. There you go. Boldy McKinnon and Kempe. Okay. Wow And I am a Schmidt don't H man sell him short JP Boldy, McKinnon, and Kempe. Okay. Wow. Diane Nate Schmidt. Don't sell him short, JP. I can include Nate Schmidt. Well, the Panthers off to a quick start though, again, like I said.

What's up with your boy Vassie? I don't wanna go Jonah Siegel on this, but Vasileski in the playoffs, man. No. I don't know. We'll see. I mean, narratives change, right? Like you, Hellebuck looked good the other night.

That's the biggest thing is, you know, let's see what Winnipeg has going on the road. And I did read today that St. Louis was working on, in practice, a lot of screenplays. Because that's what Colorado did to Hellebuck last year. Hucks in front of the net, finding lanes to get it down to the front of the net. So we'll see, see how it unfolds.

Well, absolutely. And tonight Max Petruetti's gonna be in the lineup. So he's making his debut for the Leafs in the playoffs. And this is a big one for Winnipeg and for Toronto tonight. Like this is a chance for you to go up three nothing in the first round when you think the other series is going to possibly be long and crazy. Yeah. We'll see with the battle of Florida.

I still think Tampa can come back and win this. Dallas, Colorado, that feels like it's going seven. Yeah, I feel like that'll be a seesaw and lots of over times. So Winnipeg can get through in four or five and you put your feet up and let those two teams beat up on each other. And you know, you're at home They got to travel up to win a pay It's a big advantage to have it and the least are in the same spot. Yeah, like it's you know I don't think though. I don't think this is gonna be a sweep. I don't think either series would be a sweep

I think the Blues are gonna win I think I think Ottawa's gonna win a game pivotal game, but it's got to be tonight the night's a pivotal game if you're Ottawa Yeah, it's mandatory. You've got to get a night tonight And I think all mark the pressures on all mark not to be perfect But it may be two two in the third and you might have to make a big stop But that's the difference is like you've got a you've got to win that battle Yeah, the Lars is to nothing on that battle head-to-head. He's won that one. Yeah Exactly and Stoller's making his debut as a road goalie in the Stanley Cup playoffs

It's very lots of first tonight'll have a fun one this evening. Full breakdown tomorrow. Thanks to everyone behind the scenes for helping out. We appreciate it. Everyone for tuning in today. TV, radio, podcast, web, we appreciate that. We're outta here. Enjoy your evenings.

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