OverDrive - OverDrive - December 10, 2025 - Hour 2 - Brady Tkachuk

Episode Date: December 10, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 2 on OverDrive! Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk on his season with the Senators, the Olympics with the US and the Wingmen podcast. The guys hand out the Lou Brown Awards on the top performers of the calendar in the world of sports and Bryan gives his FanDuel Best Bets.

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of the final score Brian Hayes, Zodo, Jeff O'Neill, Jamie Noodles, McLennan. We got Brady Kuchuk coming up here in a few moments. That mood meter, the coach's mood meter in Canada right now is a lot of flip-flopping

because... It's almost a race for last right now. Yeah, I'm trying to think of who would be... Who's the happiest? Might be Ryan Huska. They're playing better. Calgary's picking up wins. couple wins i i mean i adam foot has had i mean not adam foot no i was saying that this this these comments about hues like i mean he has to address it like it's just it's weird like there

i told you that stuff goes into the locker room it's like i started saying oh is it got is he gone yet like you get traded yeah like that's weird like that you know it's a real thing especially like i was trying to think about it i was asked the other day like you've ever had it i mean oh you had shanny asked for a trade guys like that i remember playing on the island kirk muller you know was like i'm not doing this with the islanders we were you know

milbury's running the show is like kirk muller was just like no check please type of thing and he's such a classy respectful guy but think of now social media like how everything like the the news is instantaneous

and then you get everybody weighing in on it back then it was like yeah you read it in the paper type of thing reaction like that's now it's like front and center and I can't you know I laid eyes last night on Jersey and that Luke Hughes is a hell of a player too like that's a crazy that's a crazy thing I was talking to Gord about it I mean if they go and get Quinn that pushes Luke Hughes to what the second power play like he's yeah I mean I guess like the crazy thing is if you're Vancouver you'd probably want him in the trade no kidding you know that's probably the guy that's the cornerstone of the trade you know you're like send

the brother over this way and that's obviously not going to happen but yeah um i don't know i i think adam foot is obviously not feeling great about things in vancouver might be baroube like it might be craig baroube is now the happiest coach in canada because the least have won games they're back in the race yet you know he's not happy about obviously bobby mcm getting suspended and And there's more injury news, and Dermis, who they are Mermis, Dakota Mermis, who they put in the lineup. Now, he's out for over a month after that knee-on-kneed collision. Yeah.

You know, Hildaby's going to play. I haven't heard anything on Joseph Wall. You presume he could be back as of Saturday night. Been skating, though? Like, have it, like, you know, has no update on it. No update on it, No update on it, No, so, you know, the Hildobie's story, you just play them, play them every game? Do you have to give him a breather at some point?

No. You've got to give him a breather because you've seen what happened twice now. Well, I know, but like right now, if he's the only guy that can play, then you've got to run him. The one thing, and I've been advocating for it, and I think it's probably here now, teams need three goalies. Like, you should be carrying three. Like, you actually need three NHL goaltenders on your roster now. You think it's going to get better next year with 84 games and no training camp? I really think that something has to change there.

Because I was thinking about it, we had, you know, the debate about Hildeby. Do you give him the net and tell further notice, all of that? And I felt like it came off negative about this guy, where I was more like Joseph Wall and Stolars are great goldenders. They're just not available to you. So really, in the end, it's like who's healthy, who's playing best? That's your net type of thing. Also waivers.

That was my only point about this HILDAB character. It was a good point, yeah. It was like, if you keep playing well and you want to keep pushing it, the other two guys, you can come back and wait and you can flip a coin to see which guy goes on the bench and which guy sits and watches because we're not taking you out of the net. I think he's earned it. Everybody says it's a result-oriented business. He gave up one goal. He had a shutout, and so he's going to play the next one. And if you play well again, you're going to get the next one.

That's how I would treat that. Well, and Joseph Wall skated before practice today. Wall lost the net due to injury, which has been his issue throughout his career. But he played very well. Stollars is much more complicated because he was playing so poorly. So his numbers have been awful. He wasn't playing well. Now he's been out, like it's been more than a month.

That Boston game was over a month ago. And. Well, was it November 11th? It's a month tomorrow. Yeah. I guess it was a Tuesday. I guess it was more than four weeks. but it was a Tuesday night game

because I remember they played Saturday, Sunday, Carolina, Tuesday against Boston. He left the game and they don't even get asked about him anymore. Like there's every once a week it's like any update on Stollars? Nah, hasn't skated, nothing going on. So Hilderby's got an opportunity.

It's like what we talked about in Montreal where it's not based on injury. It's based on performance but this Fowler kid's up he's going to play and the door is wide open. You know, this is not like a Winnipeg situation or a Tampa situation. When the big guy comes back, it's like it doesn't matter what you do. Helibuque's playing. Vasilevsky's playing. Wall, Stolars, Montembo, Dolbisch

are not Vesna-Canada goaltenders. Like, if you play well, please take it. I think teams are just begging for it. And it's same thing in Edmonton. Like, they don't have a third string guy that they would call up right now. But if there was a kid that they called up and he played and played well, go ahead. I think that's what they're looking at with that English. him get him back playing and all that type of stuff thing is though you don't lose your your spot if you're if you're brady kitchuk you don't you come back you step right and you start playing which is exactly what happened in st louis last week and uh yeah i mean he's back he looks good and you know ottawa coming off a loss last night you were in town for that and you said it noon it's off

the columbus now and the olympic games right around the corner and he's in commercials doing a new podcast They got commercials, media superstar. Here he is, the captain of the Ottawa Senators. There he is, Brady Kuchuk. How are you doing, Brady? Doing great, thanks. How are you doing? We're doing very well.

Do you find people ask you more these days about playing hockey or being a podcast host? Yeah, I've been getting a lot of remarks about the podcast and people enjoy it. So there's not been much hockey talk or positive hockey. talks since we've been back so uh no it's just it's been good no final way and uh no just just have to get back in the lineup just there's a long 20 games and i just love going to battle with the boys yeah before we get to you getting back off the injury how did the podcast come about you know obviously matthew is a big personality is one two cups in a row you know i believe you guys have a relationship with the kelsey brothers i saw you on the the podcast is that

kind of how it came about or what happened Honestly, a lot of things just kind of started, you know, spiraling into effect after Four Nations. And kind of after that, realized that there's going to be some opportunity, maybe to do something like this. And it kind of started around playoffs. Obviously, we just wanted to focus on playing, playing playoffs, and kind of figure out in the summer. And then, you know, kind of wave came about. And it's been a great experience. They've made life so easy.

We were very blessed to be, you know, working with them, and it's just been an awesome experience so far. Yeah, the podcast called Wingman with Matthew and Brady Kuchuk. So, you know, in terms of that four nations, like we've been talking a lot about the Olympic Games. And, you know, you guys, you set the tone at the Bell Center, those three fights in nine seconds, we'll go down in history.

No one's ever going to forget about it. And it was just, it was some of the hits you through were just crazy NHL-style hits. but we've talked a lot about how different the Olympic Games is going to be. The double IHF, very different rules. There will not be fighting. You throw a massive hit. There's a chance the ref instinctively says five in a game because they just don't know how to react to it sometimes.

So I'm curious how you, in particular, but your whole team, your brother, et cetera, how do you bottle the energy of the four nations but apply it to Olympic-style hockey? Yeah, I mean, you kind of hit the point. It's going to be a lot different than, you know, four nations, just with, you know, of course, there's going to be no fighting, so I know people were excited about that.

But, yeah, no, I think it's, you know, it's going to be different. Like you said, like, you know, a different refereeing, you know, a little bit of different rules, but I think what I like about, you know, our team is that kind of the versatility, you know, whatever group gets, you know, made up is, I know how special was, you know, last year. And, you know, I think, you know, losing that might be the best thing, you know, for us moving forward is to kind of have that taste be one shot away and now have an opportunity

to win gold in February is something that has been everybody's dream since they're a kid. So I'm really looking forward to getting all the guys back together and they'll compete and to be the best in the world. Brady, in that commercial you guys did with John Hamm, did someone give you guys the script or did you guys give someone else the script? Did you guys make up the script yourselves? How did that break down? yeah that was actually uh pretty cool experience you know john ham wasn't there uh when we were filming

it but now the five guys there we basically all had the same lines and and uh it was it was pretty tough to not laugh at some of that uh you know during the shooting but uh um yeah it was cool I mean just to be on a platform like that I think somebody at USA hockey said that they've never had, I guess, exposure this early going into an Olympics, on a big network like that. So you can feel that a lot of people are excited about it and, you know, building off that four nations that, you know, for us, it's an opportunity to grow the game even more than it is now. And I think that's what, you know, excites everybody. How did Ico get the Canadian Tears line?

Yeah, well, that was a tricky situation because, you know, three out of it. of the five guys are our Canadian captains. So we knew us three weren't going to be doing that because we didn't want to be in the doghouse. So he took it like a champ and took over on that and definitely a safe face for the three of us. Yeah, we figured that had to play into it because I don't think Austin would do it. Obviously, you're not going to it. Quinn's not,

Quinn, he's got enough on his plate in Vancouver. He doesn't need to add to it. I mean, that's for sure. But, yeah, you know, there's been a lot of chatter about the smaller ice, and I know you and Matthew were talking about it on your podcast. You think it's a little bit overblown or it's not going to affect you much? The fact that the rink is not even NHL size. Honestly, I don't think, no, guys really ever think about that.

I definitely do think it's blown way out of proportion. It's, no, I think, like kind of what we said on the podcast, I think any condition that, you know, they have for us, guys are chomping at the bit to go play. It's been, been too long since we've had, you know, NHL guys at the Olympics and, you know, to have that opportunity back that we don't want to, you know, waste it. And we just want to go over there, compete. And like we said in the pot, it's, you know, the smaller ice surface might be more beneficial for Matthew and I, not as much skating up and down the sheet. So when we saw the news, I think we're the one of few to be very happy about that. Brady, what about the cost?

I know it's everybody, you guys all wanted to play in the Olympics and be a part of it. It's been too long, but what about the price to pay? Like, the schedule seems like it's stupid. There's just, it's condensed. There's so many games. Every coach, every player is saying there's no time to practice. I know he's been out a while, but having the guy said it's ridiculous. Yeah, I mean, a lot of the guys just are, you know, it's the dog days right now,

and I think it's even more of an extreme just because we've had so much time. and I know I'm one of the few that I feel like this year's just gets started with all the time that I missed. But, you know, the schedule has been crazy, but I think with that it's every team is dealing with it. I don't think there's no disadvantage from one team to another. And yeah, I think this is kind of that one year where it's going to be crazy. And then with the new, no, schedule, you know, starting next year, I think obviously it's going to be more relaxed and more time in between. but I don't know, I think it's a small sacrifice for something really important that guys believed in and something that guys really, really were passionate about as having that opportunity to be in the Olympics.

Yeah, I mean, like what was talking, the sacrifice that you have, I mean, the condensed schedule right now, how hard has it been just on everybody, the lack of practice time, you know, travel, all of that type of stuff? I know you missed some games, so you're chomping to get back at it, but have you known? noticed a difference in the league just with whether it's the quality of the games or or how you know tired teams can be just based on how much you guys are playing in such a short amount of time i think the big thing for me that stands out is just the the mental fatigue um of i feel like there's a lot of definitely a lot more like five and sevens three and fours that you know usually don't you get a couple times throughout the year but um just way more

year and and to your point there's just not a lot of practice time to maybe fix some kinks and in your own game or no if you're no interrupt to kind of work your way out of it through practice and stuff like that so yeah it's just a lot of pregame skating and and just getting prepared i feel like every team's mindset is is making sure you're ready physically and mentally for the game because there's really no time to um i guess figure out the kinks where just got to be mentally strong and mature and, you know, find a way to address those during games. With Brady Kuchuk, so you had your first playoff experience last year, and it turned out to be the Battle of Ontario for the first time in 20 years.

Obviously, you were waiting your whole life. You mentioned it moments ago. You always dreamt the plane at the Olympic Games. Obviously, you always dreamt the plane in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Now that you're through it and the dust is settled, what was the experience like? Did it meet what you, you know, whatever your expectations were and how hungry are you guys now that you've had a taste of it to make sure you do it again. That was definitely one of the most special, you know, moments of, no,

I guess, satisfaction of getting there. And to your point, I think the hunger is not just getting there anymore. It's about, you know, being a force when we get there and compete and, you know, be at our best come that time. And I think it was just so special for, you know, all the guys that, you know, I've never experienced playoff hockey, but it was special for the city of Baltimore. as well and uh no it's i think it's what's awesome this year is is you know tying in with all the schedules how close um it is in the know especially the Atlantic but you know the eastern conference right now that i almost feel like you're playing playoff hockey right now so um now that's

something that now right now we're in a little bit of a tough stretch that you know every team goes through but i think that's what's going to really help us you know when we get through this that I'm going to help us kind of get back to that playoff shape and, you know, because kind of playing playoff hockey right now. Well, we love James Duthy. Duffy's a, obviously, a teammate of ours. He's got his book out, and his chapter on you and the prank he pulled on Claude Jureau. I would say it's probably got more life than any other chapters. There's a lot of great chapters in there.

Oh, you got a chapter, noodles. You have a chapter in there. And I know you addressed it on your podcast, like the fact that and those that aren't aware of it, I think you thought he had done something to you and then you cut his sticks for a practice. He didn't use them. It turns out he started using him in the game. They both broke back-to-back shifts and he was going nuts

and you tried to get rid of the stick and you got your trainer over there and he miraculously got the third one out before he used it. But I think Drew was speaking about it previously. Like, have you addressed it with him? I know now that it's got public, obviously he knows what happened, but like how often recently, now that it's a big

public story, have you and Drew yourself? talked about that prank that almost cost you actually in an NHL game. Yeah, it's, you know, ever since the book came out, it's definitely been brought up more. And we laugh about it. It's, he finds it funny. And, of course, at the time, that was not, not funny. And knowing, gee, that's, I think it was the perfect prank on the perfect guy. But I just, I couldn't believe I forgot about it.

No, we laugh about it, and we're just reliving at the other day and talking, you know, little details that we almost kind of forgot. It was like, no way, I said that to the ref that somebody tampered my sticks. I'm like, you for sure were screaming at the ref to bring him over. So, no, we were laughing about it. And I'm waiting for that payback. Now that it's come back to light, we went to a couple years without talking about it. I'm just, I know something's coming.

Oh, he's going to take your car and do something with your car or something, man. He's going to, like when you, when that gets public, he's got something up his sleeve that's going to be big time. And you know that. And you know that it's coming. Oh, I know it's coming. I've thought, but I know he wants to do something with my car. And I just always make sure I have my keys or keys around. So I don't leave him in the car.

I don't want to walk, no, 20 minutes in the cold and the snow to go find my car. So hopefully, hopefully it's something else. Yeah, be careful with that. And he's an intense guy. I mean, he, obviously, you know, you play with him, noodles, you watch him. He's a fun guy to watch play. And it's funny last night, was it Drake Batheson noodles that was asking for your help last night? Well, I mean, you know, he kicked it in or it went off his skate and went in off, off Marks from into the net.

And, you know, I'm right between the benches, so the monitor's right there. So Drake comes over, he's watching as I'm talking, and Gord goes, tell him that you don't have a vote. So I'm like, I don't have a vote, man. Like, if you want a goal, go ahead, but it's the league that's calling it. So it was an unfortunate because you can tell what you're trying to do. I think you put a skate up. I just don't understand, Jamie, how that's not like, what is the danger there? Like, I don't get it.

Like, why do you not want that to be a goal? Exactly. In front of the net? Like, it's just stupid. I guess the idea of kicking somebody, you don't want anyone getting cut with a skate if it's in front, but you want more goals. How is that play? It just should be allowed.

It's not just a homework comment because Brady's on. I just, you wonder why it's disallowed. It's a skilled play. Yeah. Yeah, I agree. I mean, obviously, Brady, I'm sure we know where you stand on that play last night, but how often do you lean on noodles for advice during the game? None.

I always love pop my head over. I had a front row seat to their conversation last night. So, yeah, honestly, I thought for that whole time it was going to be a goal. I didn't, honestly, I didn't even think it was. much of a kicking motion but i mean it takes some serious skill it's uh now he's a good sewer player so uh i know he was trying to kick it behind the net and you know when you get the puck luck sometimes goes in but uh he's a phenomenal player it's he's so skilled and and uh yeah i was i was definitely surprised that one didn't count well i mean you're a guy that lives around the net

markstrom was not happy with you guys last night and i'm curious you know how a guy like you the way you're wired, how you react to that. Because he was pretty animated. Noodles, you were there, obviously. I mean, he was pretty heated with the traffic and all that kind of stuff. And I think after he had made his case, like a shift or two later, you came blowing into the crease. And, like, how do you react when you see, okay, a goalie is flustered?

Do you take the gas off? Do you put the gas on? You know, how does that affect your mentality? Yeah, there's stuff. I mean, I understand his side of things. He got bumped a couple times, and if I was a goalie, I'd be losing it, too. So, yeah, and then a couple of shifts later, come, you know, roaring in, and I wouldn't say I made too much contact, but I ended up getting a penalty for it.

But, yeah, I mean, you got to respect the battle. It's, you know, once he took a couple bumps, it's, no, he stood on his head, too, made some huge saves after, and I think he's always been an emotional goalie, a great goalie for a very long time and, you know, had his number on us last night. So, you know, for us as, I think, no, players, you want to make life as tough as possible on the goalies, you know, no, definitely not made contact on purpose, but, you know, standing on top of the crease and, you know, banging in rebounds and creating offense in that front.

And, yeah, I think it's what makes hockey so special as the, you know, the battles in the game, and the competitive edge of the fire and, you know, how bad, not just the players on the ice, but goalies want to win as well. Brady, how often are you guys focused on the standings and stuff? I mean, we talk about it daily here in the media, and obviously, you know, fan bases just focus on all of that. I mean, you guys are in the fight. Is it something that is on the whiteboard?

Is it conversations at pregame? Are you just worried about, hey, we got two points tonight, and we just got to worry about that? I mean, it's, I'd be lying to say, you know, you don't check the standings, you know, every day. I think it's crazy right now that, you know, win three games, you're top of the Atlantic, you're lose three games and you're, you know, bottom three in the conference. So I think that's what makes, it's what's going to make this season so much fun is the battle, you know, that it's going to be all year right to the very end. and now, of course, you can't let that, you know, affect you with the, you know, the fluctuation of, you know, being up, being down, and you just kind of just got to go about your business

and really just take care of your own business. You just got to take care of, you know, every single night trying to get the two points. And if not, you regroup, reset, and get ready to go for the next one. The podcast is Wingman with Matthew and Brady Kuch. It's a Wave Original with new episodes releasing every Wednesday on YouTube and everywhere podcasts are heard. how's your brother doing it looks like he's he's getting close right how's he doing these days yeah he's he's doing well he's uh no back on the ice and um i don't know if what what

exactly his his schedule but no send some of the videos to our family group chat and uh looks good he's he's working no super hard and and uh no i know he's he's ready to get back he's now sick and tired of watching and uh they're working as hard as he can to get back. I don't know if he's got a set date of when he's returning. He's kind of just taking it as it comes, but knowing him, and I know he's going to try to come back as the quickest day possible. So I know from experience, not fun watching, I know he can really help that team. And I know he's just excited to get back and get practicing with the boys here hopefully soon and get back on the ice. Absolutely. Well, you guys back at it tomorrow

night and noodles will be there helping out right noodles you'll be there if anyone needs any advice noodles is right there between the benches uh so good luck tomorrow and the rest of the way really appreciate you doing this thank you brady thanks guys thanks for having me you got it brady kachuk captain of the ottawa senators and a big part of team usa at the olympic games you should have seen he got a penalty last night for that that contact on the goalie if we If we have it, we should go back and look at it, like, after the break or whatever. He hits his head on the post. I know.

I thought he, like, hurt his neck. Yeah, he was flying. He looked like it wrapped his neck right around the post. And, like, the trainer went over at the TV timeout, and he, like, came out of the family box and goes, I'm all right. Like, I could see him out of words. Like, I'm all right. I was like, oh, my God. Like, I'd still be laying there.

Yeah. 24 hours later. Like, it just, he's so big and tough. Yeah, Markstrom was going nuts last. like he was having flashbacks and he was like his stick was moving he was wild man he was that second period it was all marks him like he was the storyline but he the thing about it is he was making saves too like the third period he was unbelievable they uh he stopped the last 24 shots he faced like Ottawa really poured it on he made some big big saves like I had a good chat

with him before the game like we have mutual friend and stuff and like it's been an up and down season for him there same thing they'd lost five and out man yeah in and out crazy yeah like like brady said like now ottawa's lost three in a row they're their second last in the east now yeah like it's it just it happens that quickly there's yeah currently five teams from the metro three teams from the atlantic again it's early there it is yeah that hit on the replay it is insane like man but it was he gets up it's fine we had an angle of it i was like I don't think you're next supposed to wrap around the post like that.

It was... I don't think you can keep him off the ice right now. No. Just don't see it happening. All right, the Lou Brown Awards coming up. If you missed it, years ago, we'll reshuffle and we'll reset. And Best Betts still to come as well. Overdrive continues.

TSN 1050 and on YouTube live. Every year, it's the same. I get socks. You get socks. We all get socks. Not me. This year, I got more. More socks?

More for less. Virgin Plus hooked me up with an affordable phone plan and member benefits. on food, fashion, and entertainment. So while I'm knee-deep in snow and novelty socks, you're unwrapping deals all season? Exactly. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Get more for less this holiday season

with affordable phone plans and member benefits you'll love. Virgin Plus, obviously. Visit a Virgin Plus store or virginplus.ca for details. The northern premier hockey league metropolitan branch is hitting full throttle. In the north, the blitz are setting the pace with seven wins while the Iron Men and Coyotes

grind for position. Down south, the killer being. are undefeated and the Irish are pushing hard. Now the brightest stars from every roster come together for one night only. The NPHL All-Star game lands in Alveston, Ontario, January 10th. Expect the speed, the hits, and the best talent the league has to offer. Get your seats now at nphlhockey.ca. Let me think it over, will you, Charlie?

I got a guy on the other line about some white walls. I'll talk to you later. The Lou Brown Awards. Every time I see you hit one in the air, and you owe me 20 push-ups. I'd like to hang around and see if we can give them all a nice big burger eat. All right, the Lou Brown Awards.

Very exciting stuff. Brought to you by the College of Sports Media, turning your passion into your profession for 18 years, practical training with instruction from industry pros, book a tour at College of Sports Media.com. I love this. Now, the Lou Brown Awards, obviously was based on the Lou Marsh Awards, are now called the Northern Star Award

because we were never included in anything, which we still aren't, right? No one ever calls us and goes, how about you guys have a vote? Let's be honest. Like me and noodles are not doing it. But the fact that you haven't been invited to those, yeah.

I'm not in the in-crowd. I'm not a part of the in-crowd. So what are you going to do? What are you going to do? I got invited a couple years. Somebody sent me a message, a prominent hockey media personality said, would you like to be involved in the major awards voting?

I said, absolutely. Never heard from the guy again. Yeah, just checking in, but not going to continue with that. I do the voting every year. No, I know everyone else, but you're a big shooter, exactly. You're a big shooter. I'm a color guy. I think I get him thrown in there.

That makes sense. You're up close and personal. But that's why we said, screw. We love Lou Brown. I think the manager of the tribe, obviously for the movie of the Major League and Major League 2 and 3 and all that kind of good stuff. So let's come up with our own awards. All right? So here we go.

Let's start with the Jake Taylor category. I need to catch you, Jake. Somebody who can lead this team on the field. I want the absolute truth here. Are you 100%? Yeah, would I bullshit you about something like that? You better you want to make this team. All right.

So the Jake Taylor category, of course, is a grizzled veteran. who got the job done this season. I'm going to say the ultimate veteran who walked out, did not perform a lot, but looked like a caveman. You saw his dad bod, and that's Clayton Kershaw. Good one. The Jake Taylor Award. This guy had a body that looked exactly like Jake Taylor's.

With the just caveman beard, it looked like he hadn't shaved in four years. He's 46 years old, and he went out. there and he won a World Series. Not many appearances. That's my Jake Taylor Award. He pitched in that 18th inning crazy game three. Yes, he did. He came in for that. He did make an appearance.

Got a big strikeout, too, against somebody. Yeah, he did. Cursewale, yeah, he got the job done, which is exactly what Jake Taylor did. All right, Noodle, who do you have for the Jake Taylor category? Well, I don't know. You guys can shoot it down or not. I think I went with Ernie Clement, because it's kind of a journey man.

This can't be right. Ernie's like 26. It's 29 years old. Okay, all right, I like that. Okay. That's why I... 29 years old. Grizzled veteran.

All right, go with Ernie. But the guy wasn't an everyday guy. That was my thing. And then he had, he had like an epic run. He had an epic run. Great playoffs. Unbelievable playoffs. And this was a guy who wasn't an everyday major league baseballer.

That's why I went with it. That's, Grizzled vet. I get it. but it's more about this story. This thing is to each individual. It's how you perceive it yourself. Your own interpretation. Go out of my interpretation.

Even though apparently it ruffles other people's feathers, it's your own interpretation. Go with Jacob Fowler. Hey, Jacob Fowler is my Jake Taylor. I got you. Clements 29. I know. The guy's been a minor leagueer for years. That's why I went with them.

All right. I like it. No comment. No comment. I'm going to Brad Marshan. Brad Marchan. this is a guy who was so injured he barely, it was fourth liner

at the Four Nations, he was there because he was a part of the original six that got announced it feels like the old Charlie Donovan, the GM of the Indians in the movie, probably called up the Bruins and said will he come to Florida and he's like I guess, guy was unbelievable in the playoffs, unbelievable

grizzled veteran I think there was a ton of options for this category but I went with Brad Marshan that's my Jake Taylor. That's a good one man. That's a good one, very good one. Yeah. All right. Let's get to the Ricky Vaughn category. All right, Vaughn, they tell us you're a pitcher. You're sure not much of a dresser.

We wear caps and sleeves at this level, son. Get about the curveball, Ricky. Give him a heater. All right, so this category is an athlete that maybe went from prison to the penthouse, literally like Ricky Vaughn, right? Someone that has arrived as a star or superstar. Prison's a bit rich, like not literally, but in terms of out of nowhere and became a super start.

Guys, I went outside the box on this one, and there's a lot of recency bias. But Philip Rivers went from changing his grandson's diaper in the doghouse to being

in the NFL. That, to me, is the Ricky Vaughn. That's my Ricky Vaugh. The penthouse is, you're talking like the nursery back to the penthouse for Philip Rivers. I'm talking. This guy was changing

diaper. and he's like, oh my God, I wish I was back in the NFL, and all of a sudden, you know what? He is. And he's going to play. And you might not see it. Way outside the box. Way outside the box.

No, it isn't, man. All right. Mine might be outside the box then, too. I am terrified where this is going. No, I think I justified it. Did I not go with Sam Bennett? Did I feel like, was that the Ricky Vaughn one? Okay.

I don't know. It's your list. I did. I went with Sam Bennett. Here's why. This guy has never been a 50-point player. All of a sudden he wins the cons might in the playoffs. Brilliant. And to the point, especially in this market, if he was available, you know that he would have gotten an offer from the Toronto Maple Leaf, so how well he played. There was 31 other teams that would have lined up for him.

And keep in mind what he was to what he is now, perceived. That's a playoff performer. Yeah. He's got a Ricky Vaughn kind of out. attitude and vibe about him too, right? An attitude, I love it. For sure. Okay, I went with Drake May in my Ricky Vaughn category because that's to me. That to me is way outside of nowhere. You're right.

It's probably, I don't know if it's Philip Rivers territory, but it's it is not necessarily where noodles went. I think noodles hit the nail on the head on this one. Point being is this guy is a star now, right? In the year 2025, Drake May went from Project. What's he going to be? What's it going to look like? Not that he was an unknown, obviously.

I mean, the guy was the top three pick in the NFL draft, but he has arrived. He's number two on Fando in terms of MVP odds. This guy, he's going to win the AFC East. They might be pursuing a Super Bowl this year. Star of the show, Drake May. All right? Drake May.

All right, let's get to the Willie Mays category. Well, you may run like Mays, but you hit like shit. Nice catch, hey. Don't ever do it again. Ultimately, the whole thing should just be playing Lou Bowie. brown clips and we just react to them all right the most electric player in sports most electric player in sports i think i went with one that if you combined all the sports this guy's got to be in the top three of all the major categories it's josh allen love like the most electric player

he's one of the like you talk about him all the time he's he just goes into superman mode and he can throw it he can run it he can run people over he's i don't know he's just got that it factor, man. He gets the crowd fired up and buff. He's electric. I love it. I'll make it quick because I got Josh Allen, too. This is probably the only crossover. I'm going with Josh Allen as well, man. He's the most electric player in sports

for me. He is. I've said this before. More so the McDavid, McKinnon, Lamar, Mahomes. I can't get enough for watching Josh Allen play. Willie Mays Hayes. Go ahead, Noodles. Wow. Well, I'm going with S. GA. Yes. Shee Gillius, Alice, Alexander.

I mean, this guy is unbelievable and to me that that's what electric is and and the guard has changed at the NBA right it's it's not Steph it's not LeBron and that it's the young guys that have pushed through and a good Canadian boy absolutely man and he loves being from Hamilton and being Canadian like he loves it not that every Canadian doesn't but like he doesn't he can't wait to come home I love Shegildes Alexander and he is the man right now in Oklahoma City All right, let's move on here. The Lou Brown Award's continuing back and better than ever.

Everyone's so excited. The Roger Dorn category. Come on, Dorn did it in front of the damn ball. Don't give me this old label. All right. The Roger Dorn category, the player that drove you crazy this year. Once again, that drove you crazy. I thought outside the box on this one.

And this guy drove me nuts. It was Yamamoto, the pitcher for the Dodgers because you couldn't hit him. Good one. He honestly drove me nuts. Because you knew it, like, when he just kept nodding his head to his interpreter saying, I'm going back out there in Toronto, I'm like, they're screwed, man. You can't hit this guy. You cannot hit that guy, and he drove me nuts watching.

That's a great one. It's a compliment because he was so good. And as a Blue Jay fan and rooting for the Jays, like, there's no one more frustrating than that guy. Game 2, 6, and 7, he recorded three wins in the World Series. All of them at the dome. all three at the dome. What he did in game seven will go down in history.

All right. Yamamoto, I like it. Yoshi Yamamoto. Beautiful. No, so do you have. Roger Dorn category. Elias Pedersen.

Yeah, he is Roger Dorn. He has been a guy that... He's Dorn as a hockey player. You know what it is, though? The expectations, we've been loving this guy for so long and expecting, and then the trade

last year of J.T. Miller moving out and I expected a massive bounce back from him this year and it just in Vancouver it hasn't gone I mean he's at a better start but not this is a guy that drives you nuts because a couple years ago he's and he's almost a $12 million player a couple years ago he was a hundred point player and I keep repeating it Jamie I thought he was going to battle for heart trophies I love the way he played so much I thought he had like kind of Gretzky type movements the way he skated, slouched over, and he was so good with the puck, he could shoot it,

he could score. I was in love with his talent, and that drop-off, I find to be incredible. It's an incredible drop-off, man. Staggering is a good one. And, like, there's this, he's a polarizing player because Canuck fans, you know, they love him, they're connected to him, the underlying numbers and all that.

Fact is, he just, he gets pushed off pucks, the points aren't there, and they're losing all the time. He's got to be a leader. He's got to be, he's got to take some responsibility for that. All right, Roger Dorn category. I have Bryson to Shambo. I have Bryson.

There's just, I can't get with it with Bryson. You're not into the new YouTube stuff? No, there's a part of me that appreciates some of the forced humility, the connection with the fans to an extent. You look at him in the Ryder Cup, though. All about him, all about what he's doing individually. The team stuff, he'd storm off. He'd fist pump when he hit a put.

If his teammate did something, he'd be on the next team. he was into his own business totally into his own business and then you look at the Masters oh Rory didn't talk to me you're playing the Sunday round at Augusta it's the biggest round of your life he would have given Rory the worst cold

shoulder than what was given to him exactly if it was the other way around if he had a two or three shot leave and Rory was trying to get involved with him absolutely so Bryce and he's at live and I'll admit I still just bothers me it's been five years live see this report that Brooks Kepka may not even

play on Live this year. And if he doesn't, no one knows what's going to happen with Kepka because I don't know if the PGA will accept them or not. I bet you they'll welcome him back with open arms. I would. I would. Yeah. I mean, you might make them pay some sort of penalty or something, but that's a big, big name. You get Kepka back into the

rotation, that's pretty significant. All right, the final category, the Lou Brown Awards, is the Charlie Donovan category. Let me think it over, will you, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line about some white walls. I'll talk to you later. All right. So Charlie was the GM, and we're looking for the executive of the year.

Executive of the year in 2025 in pro sports. Guys, I'm going double, and it's not about championships. It's Mike Greer and Kyle Davidson from the Chicago Blackhawks. Wow. We were wondering for a couple of years, like there's a couple disasters on our hands here, or on their hands, and how are they going to dig out of it? And it's not just having the pick where you get a Salabrini or you get a Connor Bedard. There's been nice signings and adding around those guys to bring in different people,

and those organizations are on the rise. So good for Mike Greer and good for Kyle Davidson. Absolutely. San Jose, Chicago. Okay, I like it. They're moving in the right direction. Both teams. That's what I'm talking.

Positive guy. This is outside the box thinking here for these awards. It is. Very well read, very deep. I love it. All right, noodles. Where are you at? I went closer to home, Ross Adkins.

I mean, wow. Yeah, I can't argue that. hard to argue with what he was able to do and you know he did think outside the box and it almost like everybody he brought in had career years or he was able to you know even beber guys like that you just it was unbelievable moves this guy was an absolute rock star of an executive yeah and we got to give him love he deserves flowers ross and mark i mean you think about what a year does for you now it's like trust the process they'll figure it out They'll get their guy. Don't worry. Everything's going to be all good. Okay, Pete Alonzo in Baltimore, who cares? Ross and Mark will figure it out.

This time last year, it was the complete opposite, right? Like, they were the complete opposite. And that's what obviously winning will do for you. And the connection that fans have had with this team and the run that they went on. Yeah, Atkins had a great season. I'm going with Sam Presti, the GM in Oklahoma City. I mean, this guy, what he is built there, what he did to other organizations, the Clippers most, most, you know,

pointedly. It's just absurd. I hope they still have a million picks. A million pick. He's got like three in the first round this year and two next year. It's crazy. They got pick swaps. They have three or four more years of owning every draft that they want to.

And he's locked in their guys. He's got an unbelievable court. Imagine how good they could be, like the run they can go on, flipping those picks into like a premier talent at the deadline to just start crushing teams. Well, the question will be if they got the courage to move

off the guys who are in your core right now. I wouldn't, man. Not right now. No, I hear you. But you know what I'm saying? Like the 27 year old, it's like, okay, you know what? I'm going to pounce while he's still got stock that's that high. And I got picks coming and I'm just going to relent

like, Shea's not going anywhere. Clearly. Like, Gildes-Alexander's not going anywhere. Holmgren, maybe not going anywhere. But is there, I don't know. Who's your third guy? And do you move off that guy and bring in picks and allow for the next wave to just follow suit? He's got every option in front of him. What Sam Presti's done in Oklahoma City is incredible. All right, there you go, the Lou Brown Awards.

I don't know. Maybe we haven't done them in a long time. Last time we did the Lou Brown Awards, I think Philip Rivers might have still been playing football. There you go. It was a great. Philip Rivers was the selection of that whole segment. Yeah. I didn't see Philip Rivers coming in as.

Philip Rivers was changing diapers in jail, and now he's an NFL player. Think about that. He's a grandfather, Philip Rivers. No kidding. A 44-year-old grandfather. I know someone else like that, and so do you, Hayes. Yes. Absolutely.

Grandpa Tucks. Grandpa Tux. Times two. Congrats to the Tucker family. Absolutely. Second granddaughter in the family. Love it. I love it.

Yeah, I saw Tux online. someone's got a Darcy Tucker ornament, like some tree ornament, but he's in his golf gear, not hockey gear. Oh, yeah. You're at his house and saw that on his tree. No, I saw something posted online. Probably were. No, I did not see it at his house.

I saw something posted online. But it's interesting. Not the hockey players. He's a full-time golfer now. Yeah. But, all right, there you go. All right. Yeah, and a lot of people pointing out,

And I was leaning towards this. I was trying to kind of push for this, that Max Scherzer, how was he not, one of the Jake Taylor's? You know, Jake Taylor vote didn't happen. But next year, maybe next year for Max and everyone else. All right, there you go.

We'll come back with our best bets. Powered by Fandul Overdrive continues. PSN 1050 and up on TSN4. Every year it's the same. I get socks. You get socks. We all get socks. Not me.

This year, I got more. More socks? More for less. Virgin Plus hooked me up with an affordable phone plan and member benefits on food, fashion, and entertainment. So while I'm knee-deep in snow and novelty socks, you're unwrapping deals all season? Exactly. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Get more for less this holiday season with affordable phone plans and member benefits you'll love. Virgin Plus, obviously. Visit a Virgin Plus store or virginplus.ca for details. The northern premier hockey league metropolitan branch is hitting full throttle. In the north, the blitz are setting the pace with seven wins. while the Iron Men and Coyotes grind for position.

Down south, the killer bees are undefeated, and the Irish are pushing hard. Now the brightest stars from every roster come together for one night only. The NPHL All-Star game lands in Alveston, Ontario, January 10th. Expect the speed, the hits, and the best talent the league has to offer. Get your seats now at nphlhockey.ca. All right, best bets powered by Fanduel. Make your picks and assemble the same game parlay in seconds on the Fandul's sportsbook. Blackhawks

Money line. They're getting plus money tonight. Rangers have been a lot better recently. A lot better. A lot better. But I'm getting plus money.

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on the Fandrell sports book. Yeah, please play responsibly 19 plus physically located in Ontario. All right. So we've got Leaf Sharks tomorrow, Celebrity in town. A big Thursday night or two and got big games

in the NFL this week, man. Big, big, big games in the NFL. That's getting down to the wire, man. In the NFL, you either get it done now or you're in big, big trouble, man. Exactly. This is when it happens. How you play in December,

it's make or break, right? This is where the big boys separate. Good for you. You played well in September and October? Awesome. What do you have for me now? Well, you know what they say? Now you bro.

Because now we, bro, over, man. Now we bro. Now we bro. All right. So we've got Leefs and NFL action tomorrow. And Raptors licking their wounds. They got pumped by New York last night.

Four in a row. Yeah, it's not good. Like, they got injuries and quickly didn't play in portals a mess. It's not good. They're coming back to reality pretty quickly. They've got to figure that out. All right. And we'll see if the Jay is doing anything.

We're waiting, right? Any day now. Anything could happen? Absolutely. All right. Thanks to everyone behind the scenes for helping out. We appreciate it. everyone for tuning in today. TV radio

podcast web up on YouTube live on TSN's YouTube channel we're out of here. Enjoy your evenings. Enjoy the games tonight. We're back tomorrow at 4 p.m. We'll chat then. IHartRadio Everything holiday. All in one place.

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