OverDrive - OverDrive - December 12, 2025 - Hour 2 - Mike Johnson

Episode Date: December 12, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jamie McLennan and Jonas Siegel for Hour 2 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Analyst Mike Johnson on the biggest headlines around the NHL and the guys discuss Mark Shapiro's five-year contract extension with the Blue Jays, the best advice in Dear Hayesy-B and Bryan gives his FanDuel Best Bets.

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. Our two overdrive continues powered by Fandul, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. Brian Hayes, Jamie Noodles, McClennan, Jonas Siegel in here of The Athletic. We got Mike Johnson coming up in a few moments.

Leaves Soilers tomorrow night. I don't know if Tristan Jari will play. I don't know if it'll be him pickered. I'd like to see him play. I think that'd be pretty cool. Hockey night leaves. Hildaby versus Jari on a Saturday night. Doesn't get much bigger than that.

Doesn't get much bigger than that. You know what the weirdest part about all of this? And I know, this is the business of the game. It's happened to me, you know, so I can speak from experience. Edmonton plays Pittsburgh on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. Exactly. That's got to be a jarring game, right? You've got to play them in the return to Pittsburgh.

And you've got to play Skinner if you're Pitt. You have to play Skinner. But it just, it's a weird, like this guy, you know, Stuart Skinner actually played pretty well last night. and, you know, you're seeing videos of him and Pickard skating off the ice, and it's like, okay, play you next Tuesday type of thing. That is the weird part of pro sports. I've had to go through it. You've seen teammates.

There's a joke about, I think it was Dougie Waite, got traded, and it was literally they called it the shopping cart trade because it was like St. Louis and Edmonton were playing each other. They just loaded his gear up and took it to the next dressing room in a shopping cart. Something like that. it's a weird part of it keep in mind like skinner and these guys some of them are best friends so you're you're probably going to go for dinner monday night and you know they might be bringing stuff for him you might have a suitcase or who knows like that type of stuff it's it's all weird

same thing with tristan jari this guy's showing up in toronto you know it's been in pitt his whole career yep he doesn't know any different and i still think that's where i was trying to get and i was a little bit long winded when we're chatting earlier It's not a perfect science. Like, Tristan Jari is going to have to learn to play in a new organization, new defensemen, new systems, all of that. Like, it's, I think advantage leaves tomorrow anyways in a short-term vacuum because there's some chaos. Like, you know, there is, well, like there, too, right? He's a, you know, a utility guy.

I like him. I do like the moves that Bowman did because even the kid they acquired from Nashville, he's a young, Kulak. Yeah, like he's Stashney. He's a young Kulak. So it's, you could see what he's trying to do, but in the short term, there's some disruption there. And

you know, when you disrupt the team, you see how they react. Right. And Edmonton had been playing very well. You know, like they, outside of the Buffalo game where they probably didn't love their game, but they still got a point. They just had a very successful homestand. McDavid is coming alive. Four points

last night. He's got 12 points in his last four games. Hyman is healthy, you know, they're healthy and they look good. And I think it'll be a great game tomorrow night. I'm expecting that, but you're right. It's disruptive on their end. And we'll see if Jari ends up playing. But as I said in the last hour, like this is your big move. Now Tristan Jari is linked to the window of Connor McDavid.

They both have the exact same amount of years left on their deal. Two and a half years left. This is your play. And if it doesn't work and McDavid doesn't win and the Oilers don't win and McDavid walks, if that all happens. I think this will be the position people will look back on. And they'll say, look who he's played with. Kaskinan and

Jack Campbell and Skinner and Jari. And it's a bold move. I think it had to happen. Something had to happen. And it better be right that it's Jari. And Stan Bowman is putting his I think his job on the line here. This is it. This has got

to work. He has to play well. Can I ask you guys, was there any argument for just waiting? Like, just, like, letting it play out a little more. To see if someone else became available? Yeah, like, I don't know. Bennington, like, see if he plays better, I don't know. You're right.

Like, I think there was Bennington. I think there was Soros. I was in Columbus last night, watched Elvis get pulled on three goals on four shots or whatever it was. He doesn't look very good right now, but I think he's a talented goaltender. You know, I've always, and Hayes, you can speak to this. I've always liked Tristan Jari. Now, he's underperformed in his last whatever it is.

We'll call it 18 months or whatever. But there was, I think, back to back years where he was an all-star and pretty darn good goaltender. I like his mechanics. I do. I like him as a goaltender. And I said this, and I say with all due respect to Stuart Skinner, they're just different. Stuart Skinner is 6'4, he's big, and he uses his size to his advantage.

Jari is 6'4, but he's more athletic in the net. and that his style might suit Edmonton the way that he plays a little bit different. I've always said that I like goaltenders that are big and have a good butterfly. Prime example, he'll be. Gildobie. Gets hit by pucks.

He's six foot four and he's got a good butterfly. He's six, seven. Yeah, he's a big boy. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Yes, six seven. Yes, he's a monster. Same thing.

Stolar's six six. Wol's a big goaltender. Yeah, oh, here we go. Sorry, I had to do it. That's the last time. I'll never do it again. The kids love it, but you know what I mean. Jacob Powell last night, right?

That kid, man, and he looked comfortable. Like, I was impressed with his pregame and post game. Just the way he handles the media, and he looked really good. All right, here's Mike Johnson, our TSN hockey analyst, joining us here on the Maple Toyota Hotline. Johnny, go ahead. If you're Connor McDavid, play the role of Connor, how do you feel about this goaltending flip?

Jari and Skinner out. I mean, I think the question marks about goaltending are understandable or it's going to be hard to get a guaranteed massive upgrade over Stuart Skinner. Right? Like, just the way, the nature of the position and how it played right now. But if you're Connor, you've got to be thinking, my first guy reaction is, that's it? Like, that's, that's your guy. His contract sinks up with my contract. my savings, my $8 million discount, my commitment to try to win in the next two years.

Thank you, Mike. My window is tied to Tristan Jari's window. And there's no question Tristan Jari has been better than Stu Skinner this year. Trishon Jari could have had for anything for free. How many months ago? Seven? Eight? So that would be my concern.

It may work out brilliantly. And Tristan Jari's played really well. Give him credit. like he went to the minors he resurrected his career like it was over and now he's the goalie for the for stanley cup contender like that no one had that going happening a year ago but that would be my concern like yes it's different and then maybe the team and organization and maybe even me connor mac david as much as we love stew we've had so much success with him we wanted we we needed something different even only for different sake given how it has

been as of like you know last little while and the fact that we didn't win the two times we got there but if i took a step back that would be sort of my concern like this is so this is the guy like this is the guy that we're going to stake my ability to win us our ability to win a Stanley cup on um boy i hope it works because if it doesn't that is that is a spicy meatball hanging out there well can i ask you and and noodles a hypothetical if you could have the same let's say a similar package and you could bring back Bennington. Do you like that trade better? Only in that Bennington has been good.

I think Bennington is one of the worst goalies in the league this year. So you'd be betting strictly on history and nothing on present. Where Jerry, you're doing the opposite. You're betting strictly on the present and maybe not so much on history. For a guy who's never really won in the playoffs, hasn't been good. But this year has been, I would have concerns the same way if it was bidding. noodles, like there would be, I wouldn't feel, okay, we solved it for sure, whether it was Bittington or whether it was Jari, or probably whether there was any of the guys that they

can sort of afford to go get. I think, too, there is a scenario is if we go back, the only, the only recent moves that we could look at is what Colorado did. It was a year and two days ago that, that keep in mind, not a lot of people, McKenzie Blackwood wasn't on everybody's radar. right, good goaltender, right? And same thing, Scott Wedgwood could have been had for a lot of, you know, million dollars as a backup, all of that type of stuff, Canadian goaltenders.

I think it's the setting you look at, too. If you ask me just from, without winning pedigree and all that, and it's not fair because winning pedigree, I would take Bennington just based on what he's done and what he's capable of doing. Again, we talked about it. Four nations, what was going to be the Achilles heel? It was going to be goaltending, right? What did he do in the big game?

Stop Matthews a few times, like, you know, made some huge saves in overtime. Like, it's the situation you play in. You know, St. Louis isn't that great of a team. Pittsburgh hasn't been that great of a team. Edmonton struggles defensively sometimes. Like, the new setting, what I look at, and this is what I keep saying, it might take a little time to settle into your new environment. I think Jari's a really talented goaltender.

That's the thing. I think he's talented. I think he's a really good goaltender. Now, he has to play to that capability and settle in. But you're right. Underwhelming, I don't know what would have been the winner of a trade. But they are different there, and I think they're more talented in that spot, whether he lives up to it or not or can be healthy enough.

That's another thing that you bring to the table. That's another question. The other thing, too, lost in all this is I think Connor Ingram's a really good goaltender. And I think that they are. And he's in a minor. Edmonton signed him and they can bring him up at some point and then they're going to figure out what they do with Pickard. But, well, I mean, Edmonton's in town tomorrow and the Leafs last night.

They had that opportunity for two points and it got away from them and they ended up losing in overtime. But I think they dodged a bullet. Ekman Larson, it looked like he was finished for a long, long time. And it sounds like he could be okay to play tomorrow because they've taken so many hits. And like, where would he rank for you, Johnny, in terms of team MVP's this year for the Leafs? well he would be their most valuable defenseman I mean I you know I think you can make an argument

Tavares and Nylander early carried it offensively but I think he's been their most valuable and probably most consistent which is wild that I'm saying that that Oliverickman Larson has been their most consistent defenseman this year you think about their right side now I know OEL shoots left but he plays on the right a lot right so no OEL we thought and you're right A's like I'm like that looked like a torn ankle ligament he kind of like got stuck under there

and the way he went off like zero weight on there at all it wasn't a huge bend in the ankle but it was enough and the reaction felt very serious but you know if it's going to be OEL 10 Ev Carlo those are your three right side defensemen

that you play with so you know then because you know Riley McCabe and somebody else if he was gone long term I think it almost would have been they would have been forced to make a trade immediately. I don't think bringing up Marshal Rofi or Henry Frun or Villeneuve,

who everyone keeps talking about, I don't know if I've ever seen him play. Like that's not the answer for this team. This team needs sort of better than those guys because defensively, they still don't have the best system. They don't get out of the easiest. And so, yes, I think they're fortunate to look like he's going to be okay. But hey, you look at their numbers,

Jonas probably hasn't been in front of them. Last year, 37 times they were leading after two periods. They lost once. They lost in overtime once. That's it. I think it was 35, 1 in 1 when leading after 2. This year, Jonas, what are they, 5, 3, and 2? Like, it's already happened three times as many times as last year.

And it just, you know, their inability to score that next goal or their inability to defend was trouble. You love Hildovee. He played awesome. Another game against San Jose where when they play and it's gotten better but when they play fast skating

teams, it highlights the fact that they're not fast skating. And that's what last night was. I thought first period, San Jose was a better team. Second period was about as good as I've seen Toronto play. Toronto played really well in the second period.

Totally dominated and I'm watching and I'm like Nick Robertson, these chances like someone's got to shoot it in a corner and score a goal, right? Matthews was all over at five shots, maybe in the second period alone. You're like, okay, that was amazing. The fact that they left that period just two one and not two nothing or three nothing set them up to be no good at all in the third period. They tried to hang on and not play and San Jose just put it on them for 23 minutes and just they were on their heels the whole time. So it's just another example of why good steps, like

where Matthews was good, Nildebe was good, they got another point, all sort of positive stuff, but different than last year where a close game that they didn't get the result that they usually do. Well, Mike, you mentioned Matthews. Hayes is a little bit more

I'm going to take, speak for you. Yeah, go ahead. He's a little more glass half empty about Matthews of A, is that fair? No, well, I was talking about overtime in particular. Just specifically. Like everyone was ragging him for the back check, which wasn't great, but he was

gassed. I think the biggest he was dead, but my bigger concern there was that he didn't take the shot. Like, I know he was three feet inside the blue line, but you're at the end of your shift, you're dead anyway, and he's like he's always, this, right? Last year he rips that. Like, that's

off his stick. Yeah. And he's, he's just... You mean two years ago? Two years ago. Exactly. And instead, he's like, I've got to get five feet closer. I've got to make a play. And even if he made the play, I'm not convinced he wouldn't have passed it to Riley. like that that's the bigger issue for me johnny it's not the back check he was dead he couldn't get back it's riley puts it on a t-form the dalcovitch is screened to an extent he's five six feet inside

the book ripped that shot take it and he didn't do it and he hasn't done it for a year and a half go ahead i just i i would only add like he's got goals in three the last four games yeah last night back door that was that was the past last night like it wasn't that wasn't like a vintage. He was good last night. He played well last night. I'm not, I'm not taking that away from him. He had guys on his back. He was taken to the net, like the wraparound, the power moves, and, um, looking to shoot tips. Like a lot of the stuff that we do see when he's playing well. That was more of the good stuff. Um, I hear what you're saying, Hayes, but I got watched the spacing. I'm down there. The whole overtime, amazingly,

the Leaf felt clogged three on three and they felt like they had no space. It was so strange. Yeah. They just like, and even in that season, sequence, you're like, yeah, it was tight there, he leans into that shot, it gets blocked, it's also going to be a two-on-one going the other way. Like, now, maybe you don't think that way when you shoot as well as him, but, um, I think generally speaking, I hear what you're saying, but in overtime last night specifically, the whole thing felt off for Toronto. They just never had sort of the good spacing and pace that they're looking for, but,

and the other part is, when it's that late in your shift, you can either, like, pull her back and reload or shoot it and just change which is almost conceding possession as well which that's part of it. You don't want to just shoot you're thinking shooting to score he's thinking shooting if I miss or blocked I got to play defense I don't want to play defense

so I don't have any energy I sort of get what he was thinking last night I thought he was their best forward last night I thought up against Celebrini he is a wild to say he did well to saw Celebrini off like Celebrini is the second lead to score in the league

or third I guess now. Guy McDavid. And, you know, he had his own chances, as did Celebrini. I thought he was good. So there's been plenty of games where he hasn't been what he was last night. He was probably their best forward. Yeah.

Isn't it weird, though, just jumping? Isn't it weird that shouldn't we be hoping that Celebrini saws Matthews off? Yeah, sure. But not this year. Look at their points. One guy's got 45. One guy's not 25. I get it.

But, I mean, my expectation. And it still is very high. Austin Matthews is a superstar that is very effective in all situations. I don't know his health status. I don't know anything. But when he's at his best, other teams have to circle him on the whiteboard and go, you can't give this guy time and space. Do not give him an opportunity to shoot the puck from anywhere.

All of that type of stuff. We're talking about, yeah, he was able to saw Celebrini off. I look at it. The other way is I still expect. And this isn't Hayes, you can speak to the. This isn't me, Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City, going, eventually you're expecting the light go on. This guy is still in the prime of his career, and he's a top-tier player. I expect a little bit more out of him, even though I agree.

I thought he was excellent last night. There's nights where I just think he's unstoppable. I just haven't seen that consistently, and they need that. They're going to continue. I agree, Johnny. I'm not saying, but I still have that expectation. I guess that's where I'm an expectation. Well, that's what you're asking.

have the goalposts move where I went. That's the conversation. Yes. Really? Like tomorrow night, are you hoping he saws all? Like, it's different tomorrow's as McDavid. McDavid's cooking right now. Like, he is playing a video game the last week and a half. But it's on your home. You got last

change. It's your ice. Well, Tuesday. And Bedard's in town. Exactly. Like, would you sign off right now on Matthews and Bedard's song each other off? You take them out of the game. He's not a checking in the center, man. He's like, but I'm talking

in generalities. You just, you leave the game, it's not even about numbers, let's just use the eye test. You leave the game and you say they both, they balance, they were both good, you know, eight out of ten game, both players. What is my expectation? Well, I'm asking you, it's

your expectation. Why are you asking me for your expectation? I'm saying, I guess what I'm saying is like, no. No? You're not, you're not willing to sign off on that. Okay. Not for Bardard. For McDavid? Yeah. Yes.

But Badard, no. Because I think if I want Toronto to be good, I can't tolerate ties with Matthews. Yeah. So if that's where we're at, and that is the conversation, though. Is that where we are at? Jonas, I don't know if you know if that's what you think,

but if that's where the Leafs are at, then they're not in a good spot because he has to win those matchups, not just tie them. I think we've seen in the last two weeks, since he came back from the injury, he's looked better and better. I don't think he looked like this at all last year. I don't think he looked like this at all before the injury this year.

Yep. So like I think he's moving in the right direction, but is he there yet? No, I agree with you. I agree with you. I think he's played much better recently. Like I do. I'm not, I was discussing overtime in particular. And I was talking about people jumping on him for the back check.

And I said, I'm giving him a pass for that. I'm not jumping on him for that. I was talking about the previous play. But I think what you hinted at is like the bigger issue is like, that coming back, right? Is he going to take that shot and finish it in the game's over? And that's a legitimate discussion and, I think, concern at this

point. It's not even a question anymore. It was a question this time last year. It's a concern a calendar year later. But yeah, you look at it, like these are the best players in the league right now. Celebrating, yes, he's a kid. He's phenomenal. Like he's crushing teams every night. McDavid's McDavid, dry-settles, dry-settle. But Dard's top five in points.

But if you look at the division, which is again what we continue to discuss with the Leafs and trying to get a figure, trying to get a read on what's going to happen with them the rest of the way. If you bottle what we've seen out of Matthews the last handful of games, and I think we all agree he's played really well. How many centers in the Atlantic are better than him at this level? Not two years ago, Matthews, and I'm talking about this year in particular,

which means Barcoff's hurt. So he's out of the conversation right now. So let me name something. So point? No. Not this year. Not this year, the way points been playing, although he's starting to cook a little bit. coming off.

Yeah, but it didn't have a good start. Suzuki? Yeah. Who would you take? For this year? Johnny? Suzuki or Matthews based on this year's play? That's a tough one.

Suzuki has been better than Austin Matthews this year. Yeah. Now, if I were to take one of the two of them for next game, we'll give what I'm seeing like this past 10. I think I take Austin Matthews. I think the goal scoring and the physical play, I think it's still there. Not by a lot. But by a little, I'd still take Matthews.

I think I would. Stutzler or Matthews? Austin. Austin, for sure, yeah. Okay. Larkin? Larkin's playing really well right now. It still takes Matthews, right?

Okay, and then in Boston, who are we talking about? Sam Bennett? I'd take Austin during the regular season. During the playoffs, no chance. But I think noodles is what you're getting as, like, that we're having this conversation is, weird I just like you're saying the names

and I've watched them all recently Johnny you know we've seen them all live all of that it's just it should be Matthews and then but it's not now you're having this debate like you know Tim Stoetzl has taken another step this season like he's shooting more is his face-offs

now you see him you know over 50% that type of stuff like what's happening is these players now are maturing they've matured and now they aren't they aren't the 19-year-olds that we saw when Matthews was scoring 69 or whatever it was 60. These are guys

now that are on, they've come into their own. They're right in their wheelhouse. So the gap has bridged because the players have grown up around him, too. That's the one thing that I think we're losing sight of. Previously it was always Austin or

Nate McKinnon, Austin or Connor McDavid, Austin or Leon Dreissel Austin or Barkoff. That was the conversation. It was not Austin or no disrespect to Suzuki or Stutzler or any of those guys. Like that's the tier below, the tier above. And the question is

Austin is still a great, great player. But he's not in the top four or five guys in league right now. He's not. No. And again, he's down in that group below. And where he sits in that group, you can have that debate. He probably still sits toward the top of it. But he's

in the second group, not the first group. And to finish that point, if the Leafs have any ambition of winning something this year. He's got to get back to that top group. Because Tavares, John's going to be what he's going to be, and Nick Wall, like they don't have

that second third. Well, and they're missing their other superstar now, right? That guy's just gone. In Marner, you mean, yeah. I mean, they still have Willie, but you're right. Yeah, and Marner's not here. And, like, again, you look at the division, and it's not that point isn't a great player, he is. And it's not that there aren't other guys like Pasternak,

who doesn't play center, who's phenomenal. Brady Kuchuk, et cetera. Oh, and obviously a Barcove was healthy. It might be a different story. But you look at Edmonton, obviously McDavid's the king. But he's got Eichol in his division. He's got Carlson in his division.

He's got Celebrini in his division. Like he's got guys right on his tail. That any given night, it's like, man, I'm in one tonight. Like, I'm in Vegas. I better cook or Iico's going to beat me tonight. If I'm in San Jose Celebrini, like Matthews should be salivating.

Like, there is nobody in this division that can touch me when I play them. And it just hasn't materialized. Yeah, that's not, but that's where I keep coming back to is I still expect it. And I believe he should be there. And, you know, is it just a matter of time? That's the thing. Is it, is it health?

Is it timing? Is it the adjustment of not playing? I know, swear word, all of that. But Mitch's departure has left, you know, Johnny, you talked about it. The puck transporting the passing. What? Jonas, you tell me, historically,

Austin Matthews has scored at a higher rate without Mitch Martyr at 5 on 5 than with. So we can talk about missing Mitch Martyr, and I believe that on the power play for sure. For sure. But at 5 on 5 in a really large sample over the course of his entire career Austin has scored at a greater

rate without Mitch than with at five on five. But Mike you would acknowledge that was a different player like we, this is different right? Yes. And that's what we're on. But then again but yeah, but then you're saying the variable is Austin, not Mitch.

The variable is not that. Can it be both? Like he would be better. Yeah, of course it's, of course it's both. Of course it is. But you're like which one is the larger? is it Austin changing or is it the roster changing or is it also this system yes is different all that this system is not the same that those guys lit the league on fire got all their money got all their points where like the run and gun up and down rush chance crush teams in the five on five

numbers i test or whatever it's not that group that's not what they were last year either like this is not a new phenomenon this is this is a two year in the making thing, all in the guys to be better in the playoffs and more difficult to play against. And maybe that worked. Again, they were in game seven against the best team last year. The only team that got that team to game seven. So maybe it did work

at the playoffs. I don't know. But I do know that in the regular season, now it's been two years, it's been a hundred and ten games that they don't generate the way we would like to think Austin Matthews would generate, no matter what you ask him to do. He doesn't do it in this system.

And I think it's all those things. It is him. It is his teammates who may have left. It is all those things combined that make him a little bit less, a little bit less, a little bit less. And all of a sudden he's just great and not one of the best players in the world.

Yeah. Well, and yeah, listen, we'll see what comes of it as of tomorrow night and he's got a long runway here. The rest of the way and the Olympic Games, obviously, where that's going to focus, you know, there's going to be a lot of focus on him. He's likely to haven't announced it.

but I can't imagine. Now, I don't want to start, but I would think, whether it's Austin or somebody else, that players will be unwilling to sit out if they're not 100% healthy because of the Olympics. And that, you know, like, you imagine if whatever, OEL, it's got the bad ankle, let's just say that for now, not Austin and what, and he makes the Olympic team.

And like, he obviously would be better served by taking, in three weeks off. Obviously. But guys won't like that that around the league is going to be an interesting conversation because they want it so bad. These top players like I think teams will sort of be forced to let them go play even if they shouldn't and probably forced to keep them in the lineup to keep their Olympic eligibility case going even though maybe they shouldn't because they want it so bad.

It is sort of an undercurrent that nobody would talk about. Like would guys be better off playing the Olympics? physically for the regular season. The answer is going to be yes for a whole bunch of guys. And how many guys don't go? I bet there's almost nobody. Yep. I think you're right.

I think especially the older guys with a lot of miles on them. Look last year with Matthews Four Nations, but we talked about it. Yeah. Probably should not have been there. Same thing. But bigger, but like a thousand times bigger. Right.

All right, Johnny. Great stuff, buddy. We'll do it again early next week. All right, fellas. Have a good weekend. Stay warm. That's cold. Oh, man.

It's cold. I know. There he is. Mike Johnson joining us on the Maple. Toyota hotline, get in and go where adventures take you in a new 2025 Tacoma from Maple Toyota near Canada's Wonderland and the Maple Auto Mall visit maple Toyota.com. All right. Mark Shapiro's got a new five-year extension.

What's next? They built the building, right? The dome's been renovated. They built up Dunedden. They went to Game 7 in the World Series. What else does he have to do here? Win the World Series. There you go. All right. Maybe you answered it. End of discussion. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on TSN4. Every year it's the same. You 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.

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Football game days are better at BP. But a weekend of football, we've got Pats and the bills. We've got the Packers, Broncos, you've got the Cowboys still fighting for their lives, Phillip Rivers possibly playing at the age of 44. So, yeah, a lot going on there. Obviously, Lee Soilers tomorrow night. and the Blue Jays, you know, this was kind of anticipated. I think it's been reported on, you know, pretty extensively for a while now that Mark Shapiro was going to stick around.

I think there was some debate if Shapiro might look at becoming the commissioner someday. I know his name had been linked to that and Rob Manford will not be there for long. But he signs a five-year extension today. That's going to keep him here for over 15 years, presuming he makes it to the end. That's a long tenure. long time like he got here basically when shanahan and masai got here Messiah a little bit before him but not long and messiah's gone shanahan's gone and there's mark shepiro

like he he would have been if you ask me one too yes and messiah won a championship exactly like if you if we had a draft five years ago I'd say Messiah won clearly after coming off the championship shanahan too clearly Shapiro a distant third in the survival draft and he's still kicking and still the man and you got to give him credit we're credits too because obviously they had a great team this year

he did a really good job with the ballpark like the investment they made and I think if you're a fan what you want to believe and what seems to be the case is he's got the ownership's ear to spend that's what matters here how he handles

ticket holders and endorsement deals and big business and what they do with the clubhouse renovations that doesn't affect you if you're a fan can you sell this program to free agents and can you allow or force

wink wink nudge nudge the owner to spend money and he appears to be doing that let me ask you as a question whose reputation benefited more from the World Series appearance Shapiro or Vladi oh great question

that is a great question I'm going to say Vladi just because the player has to deliver when the chips are down. And he hasn't statistically had a great season the last couple years based on his expectations, correct? Yeah, 100%. I think you're right. I'd go Vladdy because once they won the ALEs, Shapiro's locked,

his reputation had spiked. You know, getting to a World Series, 11th inning of a game 7, it's a whole different category. but he also works in conjunction with Ross Atkins, like Atkins deserves credit too. Yeah, I guess we'll... Vladdy's a one-man show in terms of what he's doing. Yeah, if you're talking to the front office,

it's close, but I think what Vladdy did was launch himself into a different category of clutch. Like, by the World Series, he was being compared to Kauai, 19, like Doug Gilmore, 93. You know, it's one of the great playoff runs in the history of the city. I think you got to give it to the player. I think I agree, and I think there's still probably a segment, of the fan base that feels like it kind of all

went right for the front office? Like they got to do it again. Yeah. And that's the truth. The fickle nature of a sports fan could not be more evident than what we've seen in the last 24 months with this team. Oh yeah. I mean, we were talking about it like April and May. It's like what's going to happen? How does he survive? How does he

stick around? Shapiro and Atkins? How are you going to keep these guys? Decade and nothing. Yeah. And now all of a sudden it's like you get this, you get that, everyone's happy. Keep going. Keep moving. Keep shaking. You got Jeff Passing reporting on ESPN that they might get both Tucker and Bichette

and if they do that it's just this market is going to explode they sign one of them this market will explode if they signed both of them which I will believe when I see the cynic in me finds that very difficult to believe but I want to believe it to be great this market

will go absolutely crazy absolutely crazy but you're also right like you said everything went right to start the season last year, did we think George Springer was going to do what he did this year? Never. Never in a million years.

Addison Barger shows up, you know. Cerman Clement. My, yeah, you know, my grizzled veteran, the 29-year-old. You know, like, you look, it all, Shane Bieber shows up. Like, you know, Trey you Savage. I mean, this is everything fell into like this perfect wave. that's management like it all going well but you've got to follow it up where Vladdy's like that now there is a track record for Vladdy in the playoffs it's like

the expectation you've got to get there again that's right the bar's been set with him like that is a good point like he had such a magical run that now you've established yourself as a clutch player you were born for this moment those are his words not mine that if and when you get back you've got to continue it but I think what this is This also, what that World Series also established was like the ghost of Anthopoulos just left town. Like, because it was always hanging around Shapiro and Atkins. Understandably so, he left and won a World Series in Atlanta. And since he left, they had won a playoff game.

And those were his teams in 15 and 16. And Shapiro and Atkins didn't deserve any credit for what they did in 15 and 16. Because it was Anthopoulos that did basically everything. them get into the playoffs and now him signing this new deal Shapiro and I have to believe Atkins is not far behind like Ross I don't know exactly what his contract is but I don't think it's a long term

there's long term security and I think Schneider the same thing the last 12 months have allowed like the Anthopolis Beeston area it's like it was a great one good for you we love you Alex is an easiest guy to root for a Canadian guy but it's gone it's left and the Shapiro and Atkins

era in a way got like a new start right because of a playoff run and deservedly so like they put the pieces together for a team that had the greatest run in 30 years you deserve all the accolades in the world

yeah but now you got to do it again now you got to get back you got to keep going because if you sink or if it drops people will challenge you on that which is natural because I think if you're a fan of this team, you deserve for them to get to that next level.

Right? It's been over 30 years since they won. They did not win the World Series. To your point about Tucker and Bichette, like, you'd just be capitalizing on all the momentum, right? Like, the country has never been more hype for the Jays, ever? I mean, I guess back in the 90s. But, like, it's a different time. Yeah.

Yeah, and like, think about what they accomplished this year, 10 home playoff dates. Ten. Like, they made a fortune, man. a fortune. That's 45,000 tickets times 10 plus sweets plus merchandise. And tickets out like an insane market. An insane rate with every game and every series going up and up and up. Let me ask you guys a personal question. During the run, did you at all

buy any swag or any type of stuff? I did. I bought stuff for my wife and kids. I bought one shirt that I have not worn and I never will wear. It was such a stupid purchase. What was it? It was like an ALCS throwback. Remember in 93 or 92 or 93 where they had the tickets? I think it was against the Phillies. I think it was in 93.

Had that shirt. Yeah, that's exactly. Everyone had that shirt. Everyone as a kid had that shirt. And I saw it and it was a replicate of that. I think the AL, I want to say, maybe it was the World Series. Maybe it was with the Dodgers. It must have been.

And I bought it. It's cheap and it's boxy. And it's just a terrible shirt. And I bought it and I'll never wear it. I will never wear. I've already tucked it away in a different room. It's never going to be. be in the rotation.

I will give it away to somebody in about 10 years because I'll forget I had it. But I bought my wife a hoodie. I bought my kid stuff. Yeah. That's what I mean. I bought it for sure. Everybody, you know, for the most part, within reason, did something. Bought a hat, bought a jersey.

My son, you know, my wife, you guys know, Steph from here, grew up a Jay's fan, had to go get our son and daughter jerseys. who did you want calling from Sport Check? Well, we want Vladia on the back I said, I don't know, do you want Bo? Do you want You know, like that was the argument? You want George and that's what was cool. But those weren't cheap like just getting rinsed, $180 for a jersey or whatever it was.

I don't even know. So the amount of money they made and again, you know, on their merch, on can you imagine the concessions? The beer. Oh, it was crazy what was going on because the games, man, they were all in the weekends. Do you know how much, how more beneficial that is to sales when you're playing on a Friday night, Saturday night? Every game was a long weekend, Sunday night.

Like they played, they played the Yankees. It was Saturday, Sunday, beautiful weather, afternoon, dome open. Then they played the Mariners, and it was Sunday, Monday of Thanksgiving. Crazy. Everyone's in the mood. The World Series games were all on the weekend. It was crazy. Like, it was just, it was an amazing run, and it just shook out that way, and they earned it. That's what happens.

You go on a run, you win games, you make money. No one's disputing that. And to the credit of ownership, they have put the money back in. And if they are willing to give Kyle Tucker a massive contract, which is likely what it's going to cost to get them, they're going to more than likely be the second highest payroll in the game. Now, we'll see what the Mets do, the rest of the way. We'll see what the Yankees do the rest of the way. You're not going to catch the Dodgers.

the Dodgers are at like $360 million or something like that. But the J's, they could creep up over $300 million, especially if they sign both guys. And if you do that, what more can you see? You have to have an appreciation for that because the ownership, you couldn't completely pocket the money,

but they could have handed out a mandate. Like we had a great run. We made a lot. We've got a good team. You don't have to make crazy changes. They're going to open up the checkbook. And I think if you're a fan, that's what you want. And you're hopeful again that Mark Shapiro is going to poke in prod to make sure that happens.

Well, didn't we used to hear the word budget around this team sometimes? And there still is a budget within reason. But it's like, act like a big market team. Right. Well, that's J.P. Ritchardi, other guys back in the day, Gordash, you know, kind of complain off the record. What do you want me to do? I can't spend with the Yankees and the Red Sox.

And now they can't. And it appears as if they will. All right, Dear Hays, you be coming up, best bets as well. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and 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 detail. The lights are twinkling, the playlist, sparkling. I Heart the Holidays is here.

Canada's home for Christmas music with non-stop festive favorites, 24-7. Gifted to you by Sleep Country. Turn it up and unwrap the holidays everywhere you go. Just ask your smart speaker to play I Heart the Holidays. Or stream it anytime, anywhere, on the Facebook. Free IHard Radio app. Mail it in Friday, brought to you by Boston Pizza's NFL game day menu. Stop by your local BP for $7 touchdown pints, dialed in shareables, and weekly

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Busy time of year. I was actually offered a chance to go down on the game tomorrow. We've got a neighborhood Christmas party. So that's a priority. Great, got to be there, right, Jonas? That's tough. I think that's okay. Like, McDavid on a Saturday night, like you're okay to leave.

Well, here's my dear Hazy-B. I'll supply it to you guys. Let's do it. You guys, okay, dear Hazy-B, obviously brought to you by Boston Pizza's NFL game day menu Stop by your local BP for a $7 touchdown Pine Stiled and Cherables and weekly prizing up for grabs football game days

Better at BP How do you get out of the Christmas party With McDavid in town You get offered premium seats Saturday night Tristan Jari possibly making his debut as an oiler What a night Yeah

Tell me you guys Tell me how do I get out Jonas? Can I go first? Yeah please too Okay I'm going first You just say McDavid's

in town, Tristan Jari's first start. Tristan Jari's first start. That's going to be the selling point. No, McDavid in town, McDavid and Drysettle in town one time a year. I'm sorry. Like, we'll see you next year or whatever. Plan it better. Plan it on a Friday or plan it on a Sunday.

I don't care. Like, I'm sorry. McDavid's in town. Like, people know you. You talk for a living and you talk sports. If you go, hey, I got tickets to the Euler game, and they're here once a year. and the Leafs are, you know, trying to get on a roll here. I got better.

Trying to get on a roll here is probably not going to land. PSN wants me to go down to the game. I'm sorry. Okay, so while sports on after the game, are you coming up with Masters, are you coming up? Like, when are you doing your sports center? We'll see plans change. Okay, I got bombed.

Just don't get caught in the jumbo train. I got bumped. Sorry, guys, I got bumped. I don't think, listen, it's a great party. It's our really close friends. we love everyone. It's going to be a great time. I want that to be on the record.

I made the right choice. I can't wait to be at the Christmas party. I think there's a class of... Don't you think noodles is... Well, that's a mandatory that the game's got to be on. Well, yeah, but I just think there's a class of player where it's...

Sorry. Tristan Jari counts. I love about noodles. I'm trying to sell Tristan Jari's first start. What I'm saying is, if you walk into that party and the TV has the fake fire setting on it, are you going to throw a glass? at it or what are you going to do? Hey, listen, it's a festive

time of year. It's the most wonderful time of the year, right, Jonas? Sometimes you've got to make sacrifices. I'm okay with the fireplace channel. It does set a tone. I do like it. I mean, as stupid as it is, the fireplace channel is actually because it crackles.

Like if it's on mute, then you're like, yeah, but if you get the, if you have it like volume on, you're like, man, it's toasty. Have you ever done the sunset channel? Love it. Love it. Phenomenal channel. See that. I just, you know you're in trouble if the fireplace channel is on,

and some idiot is standing next to it trying to warm up. Yes. That's when you know that somebody's been overserved. I'm going to stand by the fire. It's a TV, you dope. That's when, exactly. Maybe there's edibles in play, and you're like, someone's got to leave. You're not allowed to be here anymore.

That's not actually a real fire on the wall. Yeah. On the wall. Yeah. But this is a big one, because it is Christmas party time. And you've got some big games. You got McDavid here. You got on Tuesday, Joe Bowen being honored down at the Scotch Bank.

That's going to be amazing. With Bard in town, right? Tuesday night, you can sneak in a Christmas party to get down on the game. Butard's only here once. That's the problem with the last few games. Celebrini's only here once. McDavid's only here once. McDavid's only here once.

We get one of these guys, maybe a couple of these guys to the Eastern Conference, right? Like Sid's going to be here in a week and a half. Is that his first game in Toronto? they played one in Toronto, one in Pitt. I think this would be a second time here, this season. I'm going down to that. That would be fun. Yeah, that'll be a good one.

Can't miss Sid, right? No. Got to see Sid. Can't miss Sid. All right. I'm not sure if we accomplished anything here. I think you've got to go. Yeah, you should.

Well, I'm telling you definitively it's not going to happen. And I'm happy with that. Yes. No, I'm very excited. I'm very, I can't wait. Fireplace, Channel. Are you ever the host? We've hosted get-togethers.

We haven't thrown like a party in a while. Because I feel like you would not love people coming into your... Not generally my wheelhouse. You know, like that's why a little get-together, I find more comfortable with a little get-together. You start throwing the party word gets thrown out there, then it's got a different atmosphere to it. Doesn't it, Jonas? Yeah, it's uncontrollable. It's very uncontrollable.

And you got to choose. Do you have the kids there? Do you not have the kids? Right? That's another whole dynamic. got one of those coming up. Kids not going to be there. So that's a completely different dynamic altogether.

Anyway, all right, there you go. Dear Hazy-B. See you at the game. Love it. I might see you down there, Jonas. Great seeing you, Jonas. Thanks, boys. All right, noodles.

Enjoy yourself in Minnesota. Good luck to the Sends tomorrow. Thanks to everyone behind the scenes for hopping out. We appreciate it. Everyone for tuning in today, TV, radio, podcast, web, and up on YouTube live, every show up on TSN's YouTube channel. Enjoy your evenings. your weekends. We're back Monday at

4 p.m. We'll chat then. Dear Hazie B is brought to you by Boston Pizza's NFL game day menu. Stop by your local BP for $7 touchdown pints, dialed in shareables, and weekly prizing up for grabs. Football game days are better at BP.

The lights are twinkling. The playlist. Sparkling. I Heart the Holidays is here. Canada's home for Christmas music with non-stop festive favorites 24-7. Gifted to you by Sleep Country. Turn it up and unwrap the holidays everywhere you go.

Just ask your smart speaker to play I-Hart the Holidays or stream it anytime, anywhere, on the free IHart Radio app.