OverDrive - OverDrive - April 29, 2025 - Hour 1

Episode Date: April 29, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 1 on OverDrive! The guys discuss the Maple Leafs' matchup against the Senators, Rick Tocchet's departure as head coach from Vancouver, the Panthers' lead in the Battle of Florida, Andrei Vasilevskiy's performance in the crease and Aaron Ekblad hit on Brandon Hagel in the game. They go around the sports world in the latest edition of Confirm or Deny and the Maple Leafs' roster viewpoints.

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What's going on? Finally started fighting back against the stupid comments in public. Oh yeah, people chirping you in public? Oh. What type of comments? Just listen, like, you know that I like to engage, right? I like it, but I'm just at a point now where I have to call people out with stupid comments. I'm in Costco and this little Geppetto comes over to me and he goes, hey, oh dog, your

beard's white, huh? And I go, I go, what kind of stupid comment is that? I go, what do you want me to say back? Honestly, I go, I go, what kind of stupid comment is that? I go, what do you want me to say back? Honestly, I go, I don't know you. What do you want me to say back to that? Yeah, man, it's really white. I'm like, I don't know. I finally, I had to say something because this was just,

hey, your beard's really white, eh? And I go. That's a guy that panicked in the moment. Yeah, he was just trying to tell you. Why are you building an excuse for the Juneto? excuses I'm giving you I'm explaining what happened he saw it because no one expects to see you walking around you walking around and he probably spotted you two miles over who knows what you were up yeah where you had the free samples probably at the sample station well I got let me before

you keep going I do look around in the grubby t-shirts because sometimes I just need a grubby. Yeah, it's a great time. I don't want anybody coming around saying, Hey, what are you doing? Looking at the grubby t-shirts. That's a catch and release, right? You want to be in and out quick. You're in and out quick when you're when you're in that. Everyone knows that aisle. It's a disaster in there. By the end of the day, people picked up stuff. Everything's unfolded. Everything's all over the place. It's great clothes there. It's a great spot, great spot. You gotta get there. We've all been in that situation. What I'm saying is that guy spotted you and he took a minute and he said, how do I break the ice? Exactly. Now I'm not suggesting

it was a good icebreaker. I know, but dude. Why wouldn't you say, do you think the Leafs will win tonight? There you go. So you went from defending him and then you stopped your own self and said, there was a way better avenue to go to than saying, hey, your beard's white, eh? Yeah, I know that. I can't justify why he would go there. Yeah. But he overthought it and thought maybe you'd start cracking back at him. The kicker is this guy was 65 years old. I'm sure your whole hair is white. Like everything's white on your head. Just start roasting him at Costco I don't know. I just had to fight back a little bit and I just said man

I don't even know like what kind of stupid comment is yeah, it is white. I know buddy He's right. He's just trying to engage you and go hey, but he probably should have said hey, oh, how you doing? Well now you're toast. Yeah, cuz now it's everywhere. Oh, yeah haze is a fraud I hear your beard is white that is you're toast. Yeah. Because now it's everywhere. Oh yeah? Now Hayes is a fraud. Hayes is a fraud. Your beard is white. That is, you're going to hear people yelling that past you while they drive. Whitey beard or there's going to be some sort of...

You're getting that out the window, off the lakeshore, downtown, by the house. Go ahead people. You want to, one more white beard comment, it comes off. Let's get this trending. No, who has it? Get it trending. No it's not. The Leafs are in the playoffs and I decided to grow my Leaf. I like it.

I think it's a good call. If one more person comes up to me and they want it off and says because they're if they win tonight. It doesn't mean it's negative. No if they win tonight they go on to the next round but I don't even care. One more person comes up and says hey white beard it's off and it could be a thing be a got the Gandalf look right now You are a thin John Daly Isn't John Daly? He does have that beard. I saw him. He's had it for a while now, but yeah, you're right I saw him hit a ball on beer can yesterday on Instagram. That's his play man. No shoes Yeah, no shoes ripping dark again thin cuz I thought he was gonna say like a Clooney type. Yes, I'm thin John

Talking to white beard. Yes, you got the right beard. You do have you seen Clooney decided to dye his hair Yeah, he dyed his hair recently and did an interview. It's very off-putting Like Jim Benning type. Yeah jet black basically jet black That guy's gotta be for gotta be for a movie I would assume it's gotta be for a movie because he all he owned the salt and pepper Yeah, like Clooney brought that into style and that's what I'm trying to go for so on off And now he thinks it's more John Daly Way worse than the Costco like can you know let people know that are watching on television what this man just compared me to and post some kind of

John he said a daily and a can of daily which is important I was talking about the beard because the beard it actually off put me because I hadn't seen daily in a bit and all of a sudden he's got this Santa beard yeah he's rocking it yeah he owns it he looks unhealthy and looks really tough. Yeah. But the beard, all I was pointing to is that's a famous person with a white beard. Yes, I'm sure there's other examples you could use, but John Daly is a good one. Santa?

I don't know. You tell me. Who is a famous white beard? Santa, that's better. Look at this guy. There's the old dog on the panel tonight. No, I think that guy is so tired right there in that pick. Yeah, he's been through the wringer man. I say a thin John Daly, not that guy right there.

All right, well we've got a lot of action to get to. We've got game five tonight, we'll be talking about it extensively this afternoon. Mike Johnson coming up in studio at five, confirmed with a night later in the hour. We have some breaking news. It's official now, Rick Tauke not returning in Vancouver. That is an issued statement from the Vancouver Canucks. Rick Tauke has decided I'm out of here.

I'm not sticking around. That, think that guy last year, he won the- Coach of the year. Coach. That guy, last year he won the coach of the year. Last year they won the west. You just started the comments saying that is an issue that, it's just an issue. That's a big issue. This coach has decided. I gotta get out of here. I like how bad it is in Vancouver.

I like how someone leaked yesterday, he doesn't happy with the practice facility. There are so many other things down the line. You just look at what that roster has taken on. Like, you said they won the West, they were the best team in the West. Yeah, they had the most points last year. Yeah, they had the most points, and Pederson falls off a cliff. JT Miller's gone to New York to play for the Rangers.

They brought in Hiddle, who's not a bad player, but he's not JT Miller. He's just a young... It's just like everything went to hell in a handbag. Like it's gone. And I can tell you what Vancouver Canuck fans are gonna... Cause they're gonna spiral out of control. Dude, they're gonna hate that guy's guts now. Well, no. They're looking at this and thinking Quinn Hughes is gone. He's out. That's the fear.

He's out. Because it has been well reported that quinhus and rick tocket are very close rick rick tocket is quinhus's guy and this would suggest to me tocket knows it's like the magic johnson he's not gonna be here yeah like quinhus is like I got a couple years left and then tocket did the brian winhorst now why would he do that yes I was pointing fingers sitting on the beach and I think this is terrifying if I'm a Vancouver Canock fan. Rick, terrifying if Rick talk, it shows up at associate coach of the New Jersey Devils. Now watch yourself.

Yeah, watch yourself. Sheldon Keefe. Watch yourself. But also, if you want to talk about bottom row, bottom right, if Keith is informed that Rick talk, it's his new assistant. Look out you might as well start making the trade right now. Like you might as well if you're Jim Rutherford just call Tom Fitzgerald up and say let's work it out.

Like I know we're jumping to a crazy conclusion. I'm I'm kind of joking but I'm not I'm not really joking. And I'm telling you if you're in Vancouver this is where your head is going that Rick Tauke doesn't want to be there it was a disastrous season Elias Pettersson who knows what he's gonna turn into that's your Demko who knows if he's gonna play again Brock Bester's out of there and Quinn Hughes may be looking at this and saying I'm in the real estate business in New Jersey and that's where I'm going in two i bet you the one thing no haze i give you can pick one thing

because if it was sydney cross we that was the guy down the middle he comes back if it was anybody else that was kind of that automatic number one centerman and he's probably so concerned of what he's seen in the lab when he comes out and says stuff like the peterson stuff where he was like it was very concerning in the preparation needs to get better that was probably the number one thing where he goes I don't know if I want to get behind that guy and I just don't want to

do it I don't want to see what the hell happens six more months from now you want to be responsible for that guy's career it just there's so many things there to unpack because you laid out some of the stuff the the unfortunate things that went wrong on the ice you've had jim rutherford come out and it acknowledge we had a tire fire behind the scenes that we actually had to dispersive took too long to disperse

and the season got lost by you've got the coach the coach who has been one coach of the year and he kept it all together the previous year. It fell apart this year and he goes, I'm not coming. When does the coach ever leave? Well, it's rare. Like actually we should research this. When is the last time a coach just threw in the towel? I'm out of here. I'm leaving. Because they want to keep him. i'm breaking up with you yes you're not breaking up brother ford is on the record he was a week ago said we'd love to have them were hopefully going to work this out in rig talk it's like i'm

out of here and you gotta believe he's got another job there's a lot of vacancies in the league he's probably got his eyes on something i can't imagine he's going to be out of the job for long did i feel sorry for the van koon i do not do i guess we talked about their not about their philosophy or they're saying that they must have said this year it's like we can't have nice things. We just went from one gong show where it was like, you know, Brucey was out there and then they got rid of Brucey and the team was a mess. And then they finally got things together.

They they become a quality team. He wins the coach of the year. And then all of a sudden one year later it's a gong show again. It must be like, why do we deserve this? Why? Well they don't. I mean clearly if you're a Canucks fan,

you have all the right in the world to gripe and just look at the whole scenario and say how did we get to this point? So yeah, Rick Tocket, he's out. My dear friend, who is the biggest Vancouver Canucks fan. He lives the Vancouver Canucks, just writes two words. I'm out. Yeah, done. Shoot the deployment. He's frustrated. He's been a guy that's been banging the drums that they never did the proper rebuild. They never, they should have, they went all

in on this player instead of doing this. Like he's always been banging that drum but he loves Quinn Hughes, loves the the situation loves what went on last year But he had always said like it's it's a thin You know we could see it going off the cliff this way or this way they kept it on the rails Last year it went off the cliff and he's like he's pissed. Well, you can't do that with Quinn Hughes No, you can't go to Quinn Hughes and say you got two years left But for the record we're tanking for Gavin McKenna. Like that's not gonna work.

So yeah, it's a fork in the road in Vancouver, man. And it is an emotional powder keg that just continues to explode. I mean, every couple of days, something else happens. Someone pointing out that, I guess, Paul Maurice. But that one was, I think, a, I gotta was that one was I think a I gotta leave but we kind of want you to leave scenario in Winnipeg. Like that kind of felt like they were okay with him leaving. I agree. And it worked out very

well for Paul Maurice. It worked out but it was still was a weird because what he left behind Rick Bonus comes in and goes hey at the end of the year he's calling people out going I don't like this. I don't like something's wrong Remember what was bonus is fame famous comment something about? Cold after the Vegas game. He carved the some players and then all of a sudden Wheeler was gone Yeah, like leadership or something was gone, but it just you're right Paul Maurice That's the only recent memory where it was like, okay, they're mutual or like- And Bill Belichick. According to Bill. According to Bill, it was mutual, right?

According to Bill and his girlfriend, it was mutual. It was not a firing in New England. I got caught down a rabbit hole last night. Oh man, I am into wild stuff with Bill Belichick. This guy, I don't know, I mean- Apparently the CBS interview, there's 30 more minutes of footage that is some of the wildest stuff you've ever seen.

It's a Netflix special, that's what it is. Yeah, like his girlfriend stormed out and expected him to follow her. And they were talking about football. Yeah. And she tried to interject and then stormed out. And she looked back like, Bill, are you coming? And he's like, no, I'm not.

Well, they did confirm, they couldn't confirm or deny if he followed her or not. Right. That was the thing I read. There will be some confirmation at some point. Like that is it. That is but you're right Paul Maurice is a unique thing and it went on and it worked out but man oh man this this Rick Tauke thing I feel bad for Vancouver. I feel bad. I mean Rick Tauke is going to land on his feet but there's lots of good like there's lots of good teams out there We should put a list of what what team would you pick if you're Mike Sullivan or or Rick Tauke? Those are two pretty darn good coaches that are available. Yeah right now. They're available and

You got to believe they're gonna get jobs, you know relatively quickly. I would think with all these vacancies So anyway, we'll get into that later on. We've got a game tonight. I mean, this is the thing about what's going on. We got game five tonight in Toronto. And I kind of like the approach of Greg Borubei was asked about Joseph Wohl today and the fact that he hasn't played, which is a weird question when you consider how well Stollars has played. But he immediately jumped on it and said, I'm not even thinking about Joseph Wohl. Like I'm thinking of Stollars and the fact that he's playing right and that is the appropriate answer because you need somebody ask him about

Wall yeah, there was a question about the fact that wall hasn't played in a while Listen if things go awry tonight, I don't want to you don't want to put the car before the horse But if Stoller struggles tonight, it's gonna be a topic between game five and six Is is he running at a gas right? That right that's the question yes not is he capable of playing we know he's capable of playing but he's just never done is he running out of gas right is going to be a question with a why wasn't the question asked of all mark after two games all marks the guy because all our kids actually played close to 50 games in a season I just think it's a lot of point thirty-one guys words like you're the number one

goalie and you're going to be treated as such it's like if you want to bring in all these built-in excuses you i don't know i just find it to be goofy really but it stems from the quite like it's not chiefs problem the question was asked about to him and he goes i'm a bigot about it kinda swipe that i got that's the that's the scholars like i our guy. And Stollers is that's he's their guy like right now Yes, things can change injury inconsistency what you're trying to do if the other Toronto Maple Leafs win one game right now That's all your focus. We haven't even talked about that that Florida series is insane There's a bad hit every now like there's yes,. And I, I love that John Cooper, somebody said

after the game, because he's frustrated. And there's politicking all the coaches are, but this happens every year, specifically in the first round, right. And it takes away from in my opinion, the greatness of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the unpredictability, the lead changes, the pace, the beautiful plays. And we all get caught up in this myself included, I'm not else the unpredictability the lead changes the pace the beautiful plays and we all get caught up in this myself included I'm not pretending as if I don't play the game but it's every night it's like well what about this hit

should be a game should it be two games and it's it's aggravating to me it's extraction because the games are great yeah like there were fun games last night there's there's ebbs and flows there's a lot to discuss in terms of who's actually gonna win and who's gonna lose. But when you have major hits like that, you have no option but for it to be a topic. I understand. For a coach to be asked about it.

That's the thing, like Brandon Hegel. Well, and he's out tomorrow, and Cooper said that. He got out in front of it, like. Like I think that's one of the worst ones yet. It's like a direct elbow to the head. But is that a bigger story than the fact, like here, I was going to start the show today. You came in yesterday guns blazing, justified, demanding apologies towards Jerry Bettman. We got to apologize to Bettman because we were complaining about the seating in the

playoffs and it's been spectacular. Again, justified, playoffs have been great. Jonas Segal deserves an apology. From who? From him? Both of you. Why? What did I? His Andrei Vasilevsky take is 100% accurate.

No, it's not. That's that Jones goal last night was brutal. It was. That's way bigger of a story than that. Did Jonas say something today? No, I'm saying that in the, remember this year he was like Vasilevsky, his playoff stats not that great and his numbers are brutal. Yeah.

His numbers in the playoffs have been terrible. That's a bigger story than an Eckblad hit. The fact that Florida's up 3-1, the fact that Florida came back and stunned them last night and stole that game. Yeah. The fact that Tampa now likely is going home and you know, even this one, I don't know. I mean, I'm just saying Vasilevsky is a bigger story than if Brandon Hegel is going home and you know even this one I don't know I mean I'm just saying Vasilevsky is a bigger story than if Brandon Hegel is gonna

play or not if Vasilevsky is gonna play the way he's been playing the last few years in the playoffs it doesn't matter if Hegel is gonna play. Well that particular goal right there. You owe an apology. No I just want to tell you one thing and I'm the voice of reason on this show. Jonas wouldn't know goaltending. He couldn't tell his ass from goaltending if he had his hand in his back pocket. The stats speak for themselves. Masolowski in the playoffs recently has not been good. Look, I gotta tell you something. I'm a known goalie hater. Yes.

And on that Eklad goal, you got two all-star players that have their head up their ass right at the blue line and Gensel and Braden Pointe staring at the guy that filled in for the point position and Ekblad's wide open in front of the net banging in a rebound. Look at this, Gensel, pointe, where's the puck? And Ekblad makes a smart play going across the body like that. And it's a bad rebound by Vasilevsky but he's trying to find it. He finds it right here, goes by, you need to make that save or control the real Jonas would suggest it should have been so Jonas I love the way I sewer Mike John you look at this all though that that's a brutal goal. No, it's not

Okay, what show who it redirects off the right skate of 27? Okay. All right All right. I don't know what else to say. It's 27. McDonough That's McDonough and it hits his right skate and changes direction. It sneaks through him and listen, his stat, what does he have? An 884 save percentage, I believe. Again you gotta look at context. That game winning goal is not his fault. They scored 11 seconds after giving him a goal.

How about win and draw, control the game and get it back? That would be great. Veteran team. It's 2-1 in third. It's a lazy argument argument from the host what he's trying to do is go ah it's a goalies fault I think there's been some bad goal-tenning laser beams every time there's a loss you all you do is say the goalie stunk no that's not true it is it's your first it's your go-to I say you owe an apology to Jonah Siegel I don't know when yes you do mean the guy who's up for the Vezna that that good for him. So it's hella buck

Has he been good? No, he hasn't been awful. But in the end Like those guys are still there. They deserve the credit that I'm not there in the regular season Of course they do but that doesn't mean that they just get a cloak of invisibility for the rest of time in the playoffs I have to rat Bob Here's to prove my point for you. This is how stupid you've been. In game two, it was 1-0 Toronto I think, and you were at the game or whatever and you sent me and him a note and you're like, I don't know about Omar. Omar Klobjaki. You know why? And you know what? He was dynamite the rest of the game. You know I had the right to say say that you two didn't? Who was in the building that night? You! Yes! I'm watching him. We don't have eyes? I watch. I'm watching. You know what it's like in between whistles in between I know you. I was interacting with people. But the rest of that game he was fantastic. Well I wouldn't say he was fantastic.

After one goal you sent us a text, I don't know about on mark, not looking. I was like this guy in the first period. Because he was brutal in game one, it was a serious storyline. Game one. There's no you gave him off the hook. Game one gives up six goals. You're like, no, I was not on him. I was on him, but he was being contrarian on the panel. I was just calling it as I see it. I mean, the fact of the matter is hasn't been good enough. Hasn't been.

Listen, when your team is down three one and you guys didn't respond to that text, which I found hurtful because we didn't believe in it because you're not there I'm watching myself in the game I'm watching the game I'm watching him interact I'm watching him whether you're in your basement or in the building and I'll be doesn't mean it can't be stupid what you didn't like and I I would you remember he went and bought time yes at the bench and he was milking something over his milk that's what you didn't like. That's what I was referencing I texted you like right after that something's going on with this guy and and I didn't respond but I was busy

That's what it all right. No problem. Yes. I don't I guess a stupid comment what in the first period I forgot to respond. I watch commercials. I'm in that I'm in I'm in the building. You're right. And I'm a journalist and I'm in the building like reporting laying eyes on it Sometimes you do pick up a little bit extra. Okay, right there should have responded. I apologize. Oh, it's all good. It's all good I'm glad I'm glad you guys spoke your truth. Well more I know more goaltending commentary for me. Believe me I want it because it's if it's warranted. It's warranted Tampa Bay didn't lose last night because of Vasilevsky. They lost because there was a lot of missed assignments.

Yes, I didn't like the second goal. Bad rebound, the third goal, I didn't blame on him. That's a redirect and change direction. But their team didn't find an answer on Bobrovsky. They had power plays. They got unraveled. It's unfortunate, but that haggle hit hurt them. And I will say this this this Florida Panther team

They're mean man, and they're here to play and this is what is available to the leagues now again You can't put the carpet before the horse because they got a they got a close right you got to beat Ottawa first But if you if you can get through Ottawa here, it's likely Florida's waiting for you. And what do they represent? They represent? Obviously a juggernaut, right? you know they're on the verge of possibly dynasty I didn't think I'd see a team like with what Tampa represented for three or four years I didn't think a team could come and compete with that anytime soon Florida's on the verge of doing that they're right there you keep like if they go on a cup run and win one you could make the argument that they're they've had a better run than what Tampa

did for those three or four years but Florida the last time you won the only time you've won in 20 years if you ran into Florida Florida beat you in five games that's two years ago on top of that Brad Marsh and is now on that team the face of the team that really represents horrors for you and nightmares for you the Boston Bruins have supplied more nightmares for Maple Leaf fans than any other team and Florida Beat them a couple years ago, too And they're married together right the face of the Bruins with the Panthers waiting for you the second round Let me that's what you beg for it's not gonna be easy

But if you double-headed boogie man, I mean through Ottawa you beat that let me pay and you're really dancing at that point Let me paint a picture for you that's Forearm shiver from act blad last night picture for you. That's forearm shiver from Ekblad last night on Hagel. That's on William Nylander. And then the other hit, I thought that he's going to get suspended for the Mekala. Well, I thought that was way more dangerous. I thought that was greasy. Very. He squashed his head into the board and he was in a very popular. He knew what he was doing. Like he literally that gurgensons or whatever that was he knew

what he was doing like hey i'm going to like that's a hard hit yes that's a that's a greasy like you talk about all the time that one could have went sideways for that mikala and gurgensons obviously but you get a guy like that that's like news that was my point is is like

these are because the sun doesn't shine like we don't focus on that series as much if that was a Canadian series those hits everywhere and those are Florida's not gonna stop playing like that but people can complain and whine all you want they're not gonna stop but the point Ekblad is gonna you think he's gonna get a game I think he'll get a game but that's like that's a star but I think it's worth a go got a game for like these are star players hitting star players Well, that's what's coming. I think it might be too might actually be too. This guy just served the 25 Ped I thought about that. I don't think they care. I thought about that though. Is that 20 theater to repeat offender?

No, but I just think I think it's the idea of You stated a repeat offender. No, but I just think that... I think it's... I think the idea of the intentional elbow is something more than just interference. Like a hockey play. You know what I mean? That interference play when Hagel smashed Barkov. It was like that was interference, but this is also like a little elbow that just spices

it up a little. I don't know. Yeah, I agree. No one's taught to hit like that. Like you're in the national league. You're you're it was it like like a bushwhacker Dude, it was a forearm shiver. There's no other way to describe. I'm shiver right with a jaw some intensity right to the jaw Yeah, it's worthy of the suspension for it is I think he gets a game I don't know if it's to it might be if that's regular season. It might be more it might be three whatever But in the end, you know know and then he scores the goal I mean and he had the one pull back

winner like they Florida they I don't want to say they deserve to win because I thought Tampa played very well but in the end they win the difference is is two goals in 11 seconds it's crazy rebound by the goalie and then a redirect no I don't I disagree with I, I disagree with that. I speak. I disagree with that. You know me. I try to just tell the truth. That's precisely what I do. No, you have an angle for it. We owe an apology to Jonas Segal. Well, I mean, I was forced into one yesterday for Betman and I thought that was justified. Listen, I owe Peter DeBoer an apology. You're damn right you

But then but you also picked Dallas to win that series I did so I'm covering that's smart play I'll tell you my bed that that's a list that Dallas team. They look great last night great Why Johnston was flying around? Colorado did Colorado didn't have their ace stuff either they didn't have one like you said feels like it's gonna go I think probably goes to heaven's going to go, probably go seven. But who knows? I've been wrong. I keep telling you this. Yeah?

I'm like, oh, no problem. Tampa's going to tie it up. They fall apart. I got to know better. I doubt it. Colorado's going to be like, we shouldn't doubt Pete DeBoer ever. I just found the text, game starts 725, 746, Brian Hayes. All marks in his head dude the game started at 725

yeah that's 20 minutes message at 746 that's like 1214 probably absolute that's feathers yeah right back then no that message is me sending the goofy guy jogging and I took a bit of it There's no response to your message, which is flushed I got followed guys and I knew I got flushed because you guys don't want to hear the truth Yeah, that's what it is. You don't want to hear the truth. You don't know how to break down hockey plays We're NHL analyst Like how the goalie stinks, let's go. Well, that's a big part of it a lot of times. It's played better in net. That's a fact. Okay. There's just a lot of other elements and I'm a golden

hater. I've got to go back. The thing is, is going back through our text. Oh, you see some stuff that's really uncalled for and unnecessary. The guy farting into the microphone. Oh yeah. And who was that in relation to? Oh, that was Shadour Sanders, I think. Which I was watching. He am calling Shadour Sanders. There was the guy at Walmart. Shadour Sanders talk is still so prevalent on ESPN.

I was watching first take. They were debating today on if he'll start game one. And I'm like, did we not learn anything? No. That this guy is there's a better chance he gets cut I honestly believe that you think so the NFL just told you he's not a starter yeah he went in the fifth round on they drafted another guy a quarterback yes in the third round right yes yeah he's not starting I would be shocked if he started week one.

We just went through this and it's like, do you think he'll start week one? And there's like these debates over what could happen with this guy. Maybe that's what organizations are saying. He moves the needle. I understand that. We didn't want that circus in our organization. If he's a good quarterback, what organization would you have circled and said he needs to be there like if he was actually like if he if his talent matched the hype if he was

Dion like if he was Sanders well yeah he on that then he's a at that position you're going first overall and you're but what what organizations like I need him is it down I think I mean Dallas is crazy, but I think, you know, Tennessee needs a quarterback. They took one. Yeah. Pittsburgh needs a quarterback. Pittsburgh would be one.

They've got stability. They just need a quarterback. That would be the one. That's where a lot of people looked at it and said, clearly the Steelers are going to take them. Like we're not doing it anyway. All right. Mike Johnson coming up at 5 p.m. Johnny will be in studio.

Confirm it. Then I coming up. We got game five tonight, Leafs sends. We got the that i come up with a game five tonight we sense we get the oilers in kings tonight game five out in l a we got the jays at home with the socks in town lots going on more apologies i will or apology i'll jonathan apology i thought that you do quite a bit as a share friend don't we love jonathan dear friend but he doesn't know goaltending from his back pocket in his ass uh... he called out saying all that i thought you hammered it to it wasn't a

you know was it Chris Farley one no it wasn't I don't need to hear that the butchers ass yes yeah I didn't give him that one alright send me one goaltending message I mean I want to know I'll block your head once I know you're also gonna get a full breakdown of everything somebody put O's face in daily All right, well, we'll break that sound as well Overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on TSN for I can neither confirm or deny that that this is in fake the signal Austin trades Andrew Raycroft to Toronto in exchange for the rights to Tuca Arras.

It's been my honor and a privilege to serve as the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club. It's time for Confirm or Deny. Do you regret giving all those gentlemen the no trades or no movement clauses? I can neither confirm or deny that. I can't confirm or deny that. I can't confirm or deny. All right, confirm or deny Based on tonight's action among other things throughout the league. There's a lot going on Stanley Cup playoffs. The Jays are back home. People very excited.

See the bats explode down at the dome tonight. I gotta admit man. I don't want to be like Bad attitude to where I don't want to be haze with goaltenders versus Jays Hey, I love goalies that play well. Yeah. I love goalies that play well. True. I don't like goalies that don't play well. Okay I think there's, I think what your problem is is you blow by things that happen before it actually gets to the net. Okay. You've got your read on all that? You're watching it all? I hate goalies and for you to trump me and send messages 14 minutes after the game starts, it's insanity. Well that's, I thought we'd get a little dialogue going for the game. Watching the game, what do you think? I openly admit, I think I was watching

the game and I didn't have my phone right beside. I'll talk to Masters and CJ and focus on the game tonight. Who do you sympathize? Those two? Last game it was, Korolynik was down there, we had a little dialogue going during the game. It's very enlightening, very fun stuff. How many floaters from the media just show up when it's playoff time? Man, it's packed up there.

It is packed. I mean, I'm one of them. Yes. Like, I'm not down there every single game. But you're working, you're actually doing sports so I'm down there for the game. Yes. I'm doing sports centers and Jay and stuff afterwards That's where it gets awkward because I get down there late the games at 7 I'm gonna miss the first few minutes and I have a feeling I'm gonna get down there and there's not gonna be a seat Available for you. You're gonna be standing and I can already picture looking around and be like who's here?

Okay, where am I? Where am I supposed, okay, where am I supposed to go? What am I supposed to do? But, whatever, that's the first real problem. We'll figure that out when we... Call your boy Tux and see if he'll get you into the alumni box. I should send him a note. He's probably gonna be down there tonight.

Penny Pesto. Yeah, although I haven't seen him that day. You know my main man will take care of you down there. I'll shoot him a text if I have to. Really? Just to pop in. Very uncomfortable when you're not actually there with an alumni. But you know some alumni in there. I know. Mark Osborne you can go say hi to him. Ozzy could be in there. I've seen Ozzy in there. Yeah. Lou Franceschetti will he be in there? Lou's down there.

I've seen Lou Abans down there. Yeah. Yeah he's always kicking around. There's only one guy you need to know and that's your main man Tyler Tyler. He will fuck you up. Tyler's the king. He is the man that runs the whole operation. I think you could probably do an alumni box, maybe drive by. I might pop in and say hello. We'll gotta growl on after that.

We'll see what happens. I might pop in and say hello. All right, confirm or deny, Craig Barube should shorten his bench tonight to really push for the win shorten the bench tonight i'm gonna deny that i think the recipe that's been tossed out

or what he's been going with it gives the team and their best players the best chance to win and i think what it does haze is i think it takes pressure off of Austin Matthews and Mitch Marner and William Nylander where they do have to have their moments in the game But it's not like years past where it was you guys need to go out there and grab the pocket go end-to-end Because it seems like that's what they tried to do

So it seems like their team game is better to do. So it seems like their team game is better to help them have success where it's like power plays and if you do get in on the forecheck you are the guys that have to make things happen. But if you just shorten the bench then you're basically trying to lean back towards the idea of, yeah you guys got to go get the puck and go end to end again. I'm going to deny it. I'm confirming it and here's why. Uh oh, two analysts disagreeing, two hockey analysts over here. I disagree. I'm giving my view just like you gave your view and I apologize for not getting back to you. No, it's fine. Don't worry about it.

Here's what I'll say. You do whatever you can to win the game tonight. And if that, if you see something, okay's let's take the fourth line out of it Although the fourth line is played. Well, you see a lot of teams playing three lines now like Kings playing three lines three lines Okay played 4d the other day. What you're doing. I know but this is an elimination game if You feel like you can find your top players on home ice with matchups in maybe here's an extra shift for william neil and let's find an extra shift for mitch and austin with somebody with patcher ready

you know or or find matthew nice an extra shift farther down they are more about a bit for yeah i'm all about finding a guy a shift here there but just the why don't you know that shortening the bench, is it not? Is it not finding more ice time for players to give them an opportunity? If there is a dagger there, go and get it. That's what I would say.

Yeah, I feel like I could Fergie this because I I would both make good point. Well, and I would confer. I don't think you're starting the game with that intention necessarily, that this line's getting six minutes and that guy's going to play 25. Right. But if it's tight in the third one way or the other, I'm closing the deal. So I would confirm it from that standpoint. You know, if you're if you're let's say they're up three, two in the third period, I'm I'm

trusting my best players and my leaders to play to bring it home, so to speak. Because you do have to play the long game. And listen, I think there's an element of Barube's approach here where he is very consistent. He doesn't want to come off as panicky and I don't think that's in his nature. I think if you do start changing the way you've been running your bench when you're up three one,

I don't know what kind of message that sends. I think they do have visions of a long run. I think, you know, you mentioned LA. I think they got, they've been burned in the third period before. I think Minnesota's shortened their bench at times and they burned them in overtime the other night. So I, and I think you look at Florida and Tampa in that series and you can't think of that necessarily when you're in the moment, but the hope was that could go seven, maybe have your feet up for a while if you close it early that's probably not gonna happen now like if the Leafs win tonight and Florida wins tomorrow the second round is gonna start on Saturday probably like it's gonna

come at you quickly yeah so I'm gonna I'm gonna confirm it that if it's within if it's within reach in the third period you should do it yeah and you got to trust your best players to bring it home and I would agree with though big picture because you're spacing time you're spacing guys out and you're giving them the opportunity for that that rhythm all four lines you trust all of that type of stuff I'm just saying in a vacuum in a one game scenario you're treating this like it is a game seven treating it like because there is an opportunity that can you do that because what you're trying to do if you win to You're treating this like it is a game seven, treating it like, because there is an opportunity.

Can you do that? Can you do that? Because what you're trying to do if you win tonight is give your players extra time. So if you find, like again, find two or three minutes, which is a lot. Oh, you had three minutes to a guy. That's four or five shifts. It's a lot. It's recovery. But ultimately, if's a lot, it's recovery.

But ultimately, if you get it done, they rest. Well, don't you think that's why Matthews like hasn't been out on the ice the last couple of days? They've had extra time here because they played Saturday. No travel, Ottawa to Toronto, they were at home at midnight the other night. That's the best thing about the playoffs, you hardly practice.

Yeah. Just get out there for the game and go nuts I think it's like I understand why I think people are a little bit suspicious when it comes to him because of his season well that's that's that the eye radar went up yes and I think that's understandable but at the same time who cares right what any of these guys are doing when they're not playing the game that's true like just get to puck drop and be prepared to play. And I don't think he's, he has not in my mind looked as if he's lagging or he's lost a step due to injury.

It's available to anybody. I'm sure if Stevie Lorenz said, you want me to play my best game? It's just no, it's not on the ice. It's available to, nobody cares if you practice at this time of year. Right. You're not working on systems or anything else it's just whatever you need to be at your best come game time is what you get that's right the way it goes okay confirm with an I Anthony Stollers needs to be the best Maple Leaf tonight no I'm gonna go with 34 I'm gonna go with 34 when I was a moose I read this quote, okay

And the quote goes if nothing changes nothing changes Yeah, what I'm saying, I was told you that who where'd you read that I was just asked I'm being serious right now I was just asked I'm being serious right now You read that in like the stall of a bathroom or something I was reading like motivational quotes and I think maybe my trainer said it to me because we were talking about my body Changing diet changing and he might have said or I read it in one of those I follow a bunch of motivational spell Okay, so one of the quotes was if nothing changes nothing changes, right? So with the team they haven't had playoff success So if nothing changes and one of these guys doesn't step up in one of these moments you mentioned the record What is it one in 12 in 12 in closeout one on 12 for these in closeout games?

Look at that board throw that board in the fire. It's disgusting it's a disgusting accurate one so if nothing changes nothing changes okay I'm looking at one of these guys to take control so what does that look like in your is that scoring like he's got to score a goal in order for you to walk away and because that seems obvious you know what it is it's making an impact in the outcome of the game because if you look at those two those two Psychos out in Edmonton 29 and 97 are all over the map when it comes to the outcome of the game for the positive for Edmonton It's just they have the puck on their stick. It's dry silent overtime. It's big David setting up plays Impact in the game on the winning end of it

You know if that means scoring a goal if that means giving Mitch Marner a tap-in it's like Your name's gotta be in the games are this close You're looking for separators in the Maple Leaf separator in this series as they have elite talent that Ottawa death doesn't necessarily have so go ahead and that that's what hasn't happened in the past They haven't used it as a separator. I was a long-winded answer. But it's a good answer. The difference for me, the overtime goal for Benoit, Matthews wins that draw.

And he had a great game in the face-off circle. Yep. That game, I think it was like 13 and 4. I can't remember, I mean... And he scored the go-ahead goal in the third period but it just that game was a detail it's like that that's the impact I'm gonna deny I don't think Stoller because if the team plays well all he has to be is good like like he had had game one he made the saves that he you know he made he outplayed Almark game two I think he was

good you know like he didn't have to steal the game. You don't have to steal the game. You just can't, you can't allow that goal to deflating, the timely goal. I didn't think, he didn't have his A game last game. But he didn't have an F game. He just, one couple trickle through him. He doesn't see the game winning goal.

Just that happened to Almark the game before. He doesn't have to steal the game. So he doesn't have to be the best player on the ice. He just can't cost you. Yeah. And I would deny it for that from that standpoint, too. Now we have talked about, you know, in the past, Leaves getting a game seven and general, it's not the goalies that have been the issue in the past. It's not, well, there've been games where it's like five, four, right? You know, I think in 18, they It's not, well there have been games where it's like 5-4, you know, I think in 18 they lost like 7-4 or something like that and Freddie didn't play well. But those are scenarios where you look at the goalie, he does have the ability to say, I don't care how everyone else plays for the most part, I'm closing the door tonight, we're going to win and we're moving on. And ideally though, you don't expect that, you don't need that, you certainly shouldn't

expect that. Like obviously Ottawa is starving tonight, they have to be, they lose, they're out. They are going to be a motivated group. If there was ever a scenario where a team was up 3-1 in a series where they would match that desperation, it's this Leaf team and it's specifically their best players because of the history that they're trying to change. And that's why I look at it. And I do think it's reasonable to look at Austin Matthews and say, yes, you got to score a goal tonight. Like, sure, you want to get four assists and a blowout, that would be great too.

I'd accept that. He has two goals in his last 14 playoff games. That's not good enough for the best goal scorer in the world. He's got to score. Yes, you got to also defend, win draws, kill penalty. There's a lot that goes into it. That's what Dry Settle is expected to do. That's what McKinnon is expected to do. McDavid, everything that comes with it. Play 24 minutes, pick up your check, back check, neutral zone pocket evil everything but you also are

more than capable of scoring goals a contributing often in those thirteen potential closeout games there are many goals mitchess zero you're i don't see jonas writing about this stuff jonas i don't know why i don't know i don't know i don't know i brought jonah and is one of my good friends. We love Jonas.

I told you, it's dear to mind too. I didn't realize it was going to lead to such a... Jonas really likes to get after Vasileski. Why doesn't he get after Matthews and Marner? Well, I'm sure he's written about that. It's a valid question. I don't think so. Maybe he hasn't.

Doogie, look for the articles. The Vasileski comment by Jonas was somewhat of a throwaway. It was, but we brought it. The Vas lot of asking common while i i coax them into that like six months ago because i said noodles is in here let's go to town of some goalies and that's why i don't know if you don't have to do it that was six months ago and any apologize near the end of the year and they're going to create your battle as a great year but

but there's a down here once the three best winners could be out in the first round yes Hellebuck Kemper Vasilevsky yeah yeah there's a mini Jerry's how many get through to the second round it's not even a mini Jerry I guess it's you just lesser minus 1.5 I'm under you're under you say one I don't think Vasilevsky is gonna do it and Kemper and or Halliburton. I think I think Winnipeg wins tonight tomorrow. They're sorry tomorrow. Yes. I'm on that panel I think the Kings are gonna respond tonight. I think the Kings are gonna respond

They played very well man, like they had they've let it get away from them Yeah, and they've made some mistakes that have caused one get it out away from being up Yeah, and even in game three, they had a four or three lead going into the third period, I believe. They did. And then Jim Hiller, there's a lot to take out of that game, but still. Okay, we got more confirmed denies.

We'll continue to sprinkle in. Mike Johnson will be in studio ahead of game five tonight. Overdrive continues, TSN 1050 and on TSN four. Somebody just sent a tweet saying you're Hayes Kiper, Jr. When it comes to gold I'll take that Hayes Kiper, Jr. Oh, he went off that he did go off He started yelling and screaming about how the NFL they have no idea what they're doing I know but I have no idea how to evaluate anyone and I said that for years because I think John Elway pops up in a bunch of different quarterbacks. But when you have that position, like have you ever in all of

Bob McKenzie's work at a draft, you think he gives a rat's ass who goes where? Never once. Well, he's never once said, I can't believe that guy didn't get drafted. He's like, wow, this guy's a good player. Listen, he might say this guy's still on the board. Yeah. Kipers is showman. Yeah. And Kiper in many ways kind of built the draft like with his approach in his you know Yelling and screaming about things. That's that's how he made his don't you think he did a disservice to him? I thought this week in particular was very strange to like hang your hat on that to the extent where it's like He's in the fifth round. It's almost like you missed it.

There was no sex appeal in the draft so he had to just keep going back to that. It's a part of me that kind of feels like that was a part like hey we got nothing here this draft isn't that great there's not a lot going on. I'm going to cause a stir. Let's you know it kind of saved the programming because it became such a compelling story. That's true. All right Mike Johnson coming up in studio, Leafs and Sens, game five tonight.

Overdrive continues, TSN 1050 and on the TSN app. You've been listening to Overdrive powered by FanDuel. FanDuel, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. That just happened with me, Baschi Kapelos, Canada Decides 2025. Stay informed with my exclusive iHeartRadio podcast available Friday afternoon straight through till election day and beyond.

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