OverDrive - OverDrive - December 15, 2025 - Hour 2 - Luke Willson

Episode Date: December 15, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 2 on OverDrive! TSN NFL Analyst Luke Willson joins to discuss Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons' season-ending injuries and the Monday Night Football matchup. The guys discuss Connor Bedard's injury with the Blackhawks and his impact for Canada at the Olympics, Tristan Jarry and Stuart Skinner's role with Edmonton and Pittsburgh and Bryan gives his FanDuel Best Bets.

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And I thought I earned my keep with my new parties, and they probably thought so too. 21 nothing for my pets, for my pets. and as soon as that rat Gabe Davis returned it to start the second half I text Hayes I said massive trouble right away It was it was

28 24 before you could even flinch Lucas with us Yeah for the record And I think I don't know if you were heavy on the pads As well or thought that they would have a decent performance It turned into a great game But it was awesome It was a great game

but, man, we're, and I can't sit here and lie to you guys. Like, when it was 21-0, even 24-7, I'm like, this is over. The Pats looked great. The bills didn't show up, and everyone had to chew on their words, but, man, did Buffalo. That's two weeks in a row. They've stormed back on teams. I'll tell you this, too, O-Dog. I'm sitting there, and I'm watching that start.

I'm like, where was this O-Dog on my team? This guy stood on the table. I'm like, how come he didn't have any of these plays for me? And then all of a sudden it says it's coming back. Then I turned into the old old O-Dog for you. Yeah, he did. Freedo dog. Like the guy just, I knew that I told you, man.

You're a sports guy. You're a sports guy. Shut up. I just have to say one, I have to say one thing. Go ahead. There was some ridiculous tweets out there with people claiming that the Pats are back on top of the league. Everything runs through New England again. It's all good.

And then after they were like, I have to chew on it. I can't believe I tweeted that out. That was insane, man. Five straight possessions. They had a TD, like, get serious, New England. You folded like a cheap Arter's Urbe suit. I'm like, dumb, I'm smart, and I want to spect.

I agree. And Odag, what's crazy about it, and you've got to give Josh Allen his flowers, but this is a very good defense. This is a very good Patriots defense. This is not some slouch unit that can't, stop anybody. Now, Grand, you can say, I haven't played anybody, whatever. This unit has done well pretty much against every team, and you give them a 21-0-0 lead, and then 24-7, and I'm like, there's no way. And on the flip side, the fact that the Patriots are running the ball,

rushing the ball basically at will, doing whatever they want, I'm like, there is no world in which Buffalo is coming back today. And Josh Allen, and I said it on Jay last night, But right now, Josh Allen is the best football player on planet Earth, and it is not close. It's just not close. Is he going to repeat his MVP or is the other kid? Like, does Drake May have a shot at winning an MVP? Now I would say no, but you look at Matthew Stafford yesterday. He did throw a pick early to Aden, but I think he ended with like 368.

So are those your three guys, Drake May, Josh Allen, and Matthew Stafford? Yeah, and I'd throw Phillip Rivers in there too, but. Oh, too. Hey, that was a great story. Dude, he's huge. Yeah, he looked, you know he's huge when they said to him, how much do you weigh right now? And he goes, ah, good question.

I don't even know. When somebody in like some sort of athletic field says, I don't know, it means they're a monster. Dude, he looked like Andy Reed when he was 13 at that kick punt and catch thing. Luke, you got to tell me, man. Like, I love Philip Rivers, like old school NC State guy when I was there. and it's how did you have to ask yourself how did he become the option that they wanted to go with so how that's that's the million dollar question it is a fun story you know he's 44

it's great but how is he the best option dude i don't know and that's just the reality situation is i i would assume there's obviously has some connections there et cetera with the coaching staff but when you work him out you know and beyond how big he is his arm was just weak so part of what happened yesterday. I thought his brain not surprising was very sharp. You saw him go to the line a lot. Check protections. He kept himself clean. But everything's underneath. And even when they were down,

it's like, hey, we're not going to push this ball down the field because he can't do it. And it's tough to win games in this league when you cannot push the ball down the field. And I'll tell you what's even more shocking to me. Is I believe they just announced that he's starting next week. Well, they've committed to him now, right?

I guess, but like... You're going to cut them. I wouldn't cut them. I'd be like, listen, and he's going home. I mean, Daniel Jones, I mean, Daniel Jones was under a one-year deal, had a broken leg and on his other leg of torn Achilles. So I don't know how they're going to shape that. I don't know what their plans are.

Yeah, Riley Leonard is a sixth-round pick, but he's your six-round pick. See what he's made of. See if there's something there. Like, why do you draft a guy in a sixth round if you think he's garbage? Which I don't think, I'm not saying they do. It's very reasonable. Very reasonable question, but I think if you get a grandfather off the couch, which he's coming back to play, and they've obviously made that commitment to him.

It's crazy to me. It's a crazy take. Their seasons over. Look at their schedule. They've got Sam Fran this week, who, by the way, needs to win. Sam Fran needs to continue to win in order to make the playoffs. Then Jacksonville. And there is a world, there is a world, depending on how things go,

that Jacksonville can be moving up that. Right now, obviously, they're in the division with the Texans, but I think they can also potentially get the two seed, depending on how things shake out here. So, Jacksonville, and then you end with Houston, I believe, which is the best defense in the league. Like, come on. No, it's not going to work. It was a Hail Mary of all Hail Mary's.

It was cool to see him out there. I think he's handled it, but it also would have been embarrassing if you won. Seattle, that was pretty telling. If you're Seattle, you're going back to the drawing board saying, what the hell was that? What happened with our offense? Yeah, that was troubling. But I want to get back to Allen and, you know, where he is. I think Stafford probably kept pace.

For me, Drake May cannot win the MVP over Josh Allen now. Like, I put that much stock into what just happened. Like, May has had a soft schedule, played really well, really well. Josh Allen is a one-man show. Sure. It's just, to me, it's not even close. And I think the same thing with Stafford, quite frankly, because he's been. What?

That he's not close to Josh this season? Yes. Come on. In terms of the value. The bills are not that good. I mean, I agree. I agree. human. You just said it. There's no one

close to him in the league right now. I agree. The interpretation of the MVP in the NFL, the same as the NHL, most valuable to their team. That's what it's called. I know, I get it. It's arbitrary. Like, let's say right now, and I, Hayes, everything you said is completely

valid, and I agree. Okay, but statistically speaking, Matthew Stafford is having an unbelievable year. Yes. And if they win on Thursday, which is a big if, that'll be a tough matchup. Short week, Seattle, that defense, etc., division game. But if they win, after

that, they're most likely going to get the one seed. So, yeah, because I believe it's two softballs. I think Arizona's in there, and maybe Atlanta, don't quote me on that for the Rams. He's been great. You're going to not give it to Matthew after he gets a one seat and Josh Allen

is going to be the five? Now, if you're looking at it, like, who's more valuable to their team, yes, it's Josh. But winning also matters. Not that they haven't won in Buffalo, but they're not going to win the most likely not going to win the division.

And I hear all that. I just, I look at Stafford, he's been great. I'm not trying to take anything away from him. He's got two weapons. Adams has been great for them. Phenomenal. And Pook is phenomenal. Yeah, he's great. I look at it similarly, different position to what Sequin was last year, maybe to what

Lamar was last year. Like, it's this Bill's team's worse than they probably, they were last year. This is, I would agree with that. I would agree with that. He's playing that well. He's unstoppable. I agree.

He broke, Rabel. Rabel's like, what do you want me to say? Six, five, two-fifty. We can't tackle him. He's too good. His arm is, like, it's just unbelievable to hear other coaches talk about the guy. Yeah, I mean, I watched that game yesterday, and the fact that they won that, I'm like, this is nuts. Nuts, man, you need a couple stops at games over.

Josh Allen, and the funny part is, like, Josh Axe after the game, like, oh, no big deal. What do you mean? I do this every week. That's incredible. I'm with you and I if you're as unreal if it's straight value value to his team yeah Josh Allen but unfortunately the NFL you know the one seed is going to matter now if Matthew loses the one seed I think now it becomes a little more of a question okay something to chew on brought to you by Boston Pizza's NFL game day menu stop by your local BP for $7 touchdown pines dialed in shareables and weekly prising up for grabs football game days are better at BP. With the news of Mahomes, which you can cycle into your answer here, it sucks. I mean, torn ACL, lost season, they're out of the playoffs. Now he's got to rehab and hopefully get back for week one next year. No guarantees. Can Josh Allen surpass Patrick Mahomes on the

all-time great list? No. Is it possible? No. It's impossible for Allen to do it. Sorry, right now? Like in one year? No, we're talking like by the end of their careers. Oh, yes. Is the door still open for Allen to catch them where you say that guy was better than Mahomes? Yes, the door is open. But it's a very, very, that door is far. I thought you meant when I said no right away. I thought you meant this season. No, no, no.

The guy, that to me is a long shot, man. It's a long shot. It's a long shot. Yeah. I mean, I've been to five of them. I'll say this. Yesterday we had a graphic on Jay Show that was basically the Chiefs like last X amount of years.

Eight years. I saw it. And it was like, even looking at it, It seems, I mean, I've witnessed all of it, you know, but it was unbelievable to even look at. I was in the league for some of it, and I'm like, no, there's no way anyone did this. It's just, I mean, it's generational. It just really is, and he's done it with different guys. He's done it in different situations.

Is it over, though, party? No, absolutely not. It's not over. Not over. Okay, what are they going to do? So, this is what I'd say right now when you watch the Chiefs, okay, this roster is not a bad roster. Is it the best roster? No. But here's one for you

guys. Outside of the running back, and let's call it the offensive line, I'm not sure there's a position you don't take the Chiefs over compared to the bills. Tight end, tight end, I would. Tight end, sure, you've got Kelsey's a bit

older. Kelsey's toast. King Kate, you know, I wouldn't call Kingade a top three, four guy right now. He's been injured. He has had moments where he's been great. But it's like wide receiver, room, absolutely not. What about the quarterback position? Yeah, so let's call that a wash.

You know, and you go to defense, you're taking the Chief's defense all day. All day. So my point here is like the defense is very solid still. Are they the best unit? No, but it's a good unit. They have a great coach in Spags. I think their wide receiver room is good. You know, Rishi Rice, obviously Xavier Worthy.

Both those guys are young. Why are they putting up so many low-scoring games? There's a combination of reasons for that, but one, you know, I call it bad ball, junk football, but like the chiefs to me played awful all year. And I think yesterday was a microcosm, and I get to the point where, and I don't know if it's similar in hockey, but you're so much better than your roster or than your record, you start pressing. Like, I look at yesterday's game, and it's third and 12, and you're down three, and you're, I think it was like somewhere around the 20-ish yard line, and Mahomes throws a jump ball

to Kareem Hunt, who's in man coverage. He has not opened one bit. He is not a jump ball running back. And it gets picked off. And right there, it's like, that's a field goal. And then, granted, so is it at Mahomes. But the end of the game, I'm like, you're pretty much in fuel goal range.

Granted, it was deep. You got Gardner Minshu in there. And Minchew catches a snap, stares directly at Travis Kelsey, does not look anywhere else. He is covered, and he throws it, underthrows it, even though he's covered, which is now the kiss of death,

because maybe you throw it, you know, and try to have Kelsey High point it, and the game's over. And it's like, you can sit there and be like, yo, what has happened to the Chiefs? I'm like, well, there's no excuses for these two plays. Like they're not. It's all under one umbrella. Like the roster, personnel, schemes, it's all under the one umbrella, which is underachieving. They underachieved across the board.

Well, I mean, obviously they're being compared to the Pat's run, and it is eerily similar where, you know, he has torn his ACL in year nine, the same year Brady did it. I believe against the same team. Pretty sure it wasn't against the same team. Really? That's creepy. I think so. Which is kind of wild.

But what Brady knew when he recovered was that Belichick was still going to be there for a long time. I think it's, I wonder about Andy Reid. Like, is Andy Reid going to stay on throughout his whole career? Is he going to coach him for the next 10 years? I don't have an answer for that, but he's not a young guy, not that Belichick was. But how do you, you know, get into that next stage now? If you're Mahomes, you got to recover from this, you got to get through it, which he will. But how does he look?

How skittish is he when he returns from an ACL injury? We're not going to have that answer until he actually shows it and we see it. But they're going to have to find him, you know, that next layer. He's not going anywhere. He's still going to be great. Yeah. But you got to trust your organization here. Like Brady had the ability to do it, and Brady had another 10, 12, 15-year career post-ACL.

that's the question with Mahomes. I'll say this, Hayes, like, again, what I think you're in a good spot with Kansas City is roster-wise, part of what's happening right now, they did bolster the offensive line, but they all got hurt. You know, they're rookie, they drafted, started, they went out and got the swing tackle,

I believe you were some Sam Fran. Both those guys got hurt, Simmons and more. But you probably go get an interior guy through the draft or through free agency, and you've got to address the running. back room because I'm not sure what's going on there. It's never really been a super focal point for an Andy Reed offense. He's more of a

plug and play guy. But I think with this knee injury, you're saying, hey, let's get a little more help here. And now of a sudden you roll out here, and again, you've got to figure out what's going on a tight end as well. That's probably another one. But it's like you're not that many pieces away from being

an elite elite team. And the thing I'll say about this, this year, too, if you look at all of their losses, we'll see how shakes out, but I think every loss they have, I don't know if Dugie can bring this up, is to an eventual playoff team. Again, there might be one in there that I'm

missing, but they, I mean, the bills, the charges twice. I guess it's a bit easier next year for them. What about Reed? Do you think Andy Reed's completely safe? It would be an automatic that he comes back regardless of it. It would be his call if he wants to retire. I'll say this, Hayson, to answer your Andy

Reed thing. Like, I don't know, Andy Reed. I've heard good things about the guy. but I do think for him there's probably a legacy motivation like yes he has nothing left to prove but like if Mahomes comes back and they can win a few more like you're talking about

best coach in the history of the NFL I think right now most people would say as much as it pains me to say this it's unanimously Bill Belichick where if Andy Reid wins a couple more with Patty Mahomes which I think they can you know now all of a sudden it's 1A 1B yeah that's got to be very motivating for sure

All right, Micah Parsons, torn ACL, he's done. Brutal. Is the door closed now in a Super Bowl for Green Bay? Not closed, but it's barely open. It's barely open compared to what it was. I mean, Hayes, I know you're a pack guy. Devastating day. First off, you go from the two-seed down to the...

I can't even watch this. I feel sick. He was talking last night, too, man. Like, he's been so good the last few weeks. He's been on fire. Yeah. And you go from the two-seed to the seven-seed. the next two teams you play

have very mobile quarterbacks in Caleb Williams and Lamar Jackson Jeff Hathley, the de-coordinator is going to have to change his entire, not his entire system, but a lot of play calling. We'll see how much the back end now because my guess is they're going to pressure a little more. It's a devastating

loss from so many different angles and an NFC that is loaded right now. When you look at the NFC West and the teams in there, you look at the NFC North. The Bears them and the lions. I understand the lions when the outside looking in. They took the Rams of the brink last night, or

yesterday afternoon, I should say. It's like this NFC is absolutely juggernaut after juggernaut in there. Philadelphia has the ability. We'll see what actually happens. Not having Micah Parsons in the playoffs is

I can't stress enough how big of an ordeal that is. I unfortunately think it just shuts the door. The whole defense revolves around them. They've been tougher. They've been good against the run, which they haven't been in years. He gets double-team basically every snap, and he still makes plays. He was so good the last handful of weeks. And I just, I don't know how you recover from that. And what it's going to do is put pressure on the offense, and Watson got hurt again yesterday. And that's another,

and if Watson's out, it's a huge loss, because they had that game. Like, I got to give credit to Denver, and Bo Nix was slinging it. yesterday, man. He had himself a game. He was really good. We lost another spread. That's right. You guys did. You had that game, man. We were there. We was on fire. We did well, though. We made up one. Yeah, we made up one.

We chipping away. Chip away, slow and steady. Well, what do we think tonight? I mean, this is a big game for both teams, Pittsburgh and Miami. I got to, can I kind of give you generally how my day works with these spreads right now? So I'm having the worst spread years of my life as everyone knows. So

I'm like, all right, you know, you can't. quitting's not in me here. We're obviously getting beat down. We take one back yesterday. So I'm looking at this thing. It's three. Correct, doogie for the Steelers? Okay, it gives me a thumbs up.

So I'm like, all right, games in Pittsburgh. So noodles, I'm going to ask you to steer the ship for me. I'm going to give you a lot of information. Yep, give it to me. Generally speaking on this show, we operate under one premise. The Finns are frauds. Okay, but then you're like, wait, the Finns are, you know, they've won some games in four in a row, five, their last six.

The only legitimate win in there is against Buffalo, obviously a great win. but the other winds are complete garbage, slop, trash. Now I think Tua in a cold weather game, and I'm like, there's no way we don't take the Steelers. But then we flip this around. You look at Pittsburgh's defense. They have been very, very bad.

I think their bottom six in yards given up. They have not been good against the run. They are not good against the pass. The defense has been a struggle all year. T.J. Watt, who is their best defensive player, has a collapsed lung and is not playing. Tua and cold weather should trump everything. Don't let, don't let noodles.

I agree, but I don't let, excuse me, don't let O'Dog sway us. We saw what he did this weekend. I understand, but I, listen, I just, what I'm trying to, like a lot of times when I sit back and listen. Yeah. So. Okay, finish your thought. I went to Dennis Barham, who is the biggest Steelers fan. He's like the Steelers whisper.

This guy, he's always right. You know, Dennis. I'm like Dennis I need a bone here man I can't see the board to save my life and he was very hesitant but he went with the Steelers covering but on the walking in here there's a gentleman out here his name's Norm

I'm not going to try and pronounce his last name it's a French last name Norm is my guy we also kind of joke that he's Dennis's son he's like his little minion at work I asked Norm Norm Decerono Norm went Norman Peterson you love Norm

Don't listen to Norm Norm Norm Norm said to me I think I I'd lean Miami. And now I'm in a blender. Now I'm in a blender. I'm going to, I want to just, listen, I always try and listen to the information and everything. The problem is, is, Norm.

Yeah, I'm not listening to Norm. Here's what it is, Luke. I think sometimes you're so smart you try and find things into both sides and go, I can see this, but I can also see this. Totally. Go with your instinct. Go with the Steelers for covering. I feel like.

I think Tua serves up a pick tonight. He leads a league. I think he's tied for first interceptions, and turnover-worthy plays, he's at 23. If I have to see that coach driving down the street in the car trying to be a hero or whatever. Remember, who was it against the bills? It was after the bills.

Yeah, I'm doing that in Pittsburgh, I guarantee it. He's not doing that. Somebody will sucker him, too, drag him out of the car. That's a blue-colored. I'll say his doodles, we have to stop the run, though. When I say the Steelers have to figure out a way to slow down a job. I understand it. I just relax relax in one way or the other we're talking it out we're flushing it out

we're flushing it out do you believe in this norm guy or not I I I feel like I know norm from work too but I just know norm norm Peterson we love norm it's not this last is up Peterson I know I'm sure it's John Peters is from cheers yes Normie and Cliff that's who you're relying yeah do not I think Dennis is a genius I do too I do too okay make the pick okay Steelers Steelers All right, Steelers, it is. Locking it in. I'm okay with that, Noodles. I'm okay with that O.

I'm okay with, I think that might be the right play. I got a tough, it's a tough read because Miami's been off the radio. They're just winning games and no one's paying attention. Agreed. Everybody else is like an overtime win against the commanders in Real Madrid or Madrid. I know. There's been some goofy wins, but they're still finding a way. How about this story quickly before we get you out of here?

The Cincinnati Bengals, I'm sure you guys saw this. put up a zero spot well yeah but the game was at home and it snowed and they didn't clear the seats yeah and that's weird yeah well this owner is the worst owner in sports paul brown is his name he's like it's a kick in the junk to the fan base isn't it team stinks you're not going anywhere you have a crate you have a brutal stadium you've played there luke it's terrible it's probably the worst stadium in the league and you get snow and they don't clear the snow They just left it on the seats and said, well, people can just sweep it off or the ushers are there to help. Outrageous behavior by a professional football team.

Get Joe Borough out of their police. And that's the thing. What's tough is like, don't run. The guys aren't going to care that much. But then when you go to a contract negotiation, when you think, like, hey, if you're a free agent, and given the rumors of how in the past they've had some issues, you know, And even this year, like in the division, and I get it, but you traded away your middle linebacker.

You know, that can't help. It's like, yeah, we're not trying to win here. Like, there's certain organizations you go to as a free agent and you realize that like when you go there, you're not, you're going there for whatever reason, but it's one, not to win a championship. And two, you know that you're not really going to get support from that front office. Right.

Like, it's a miracle they were in a Super Bowl. and they were. Ed Burrow was just so good that year, and he stayed healthy. Totally. But he just looks so dejected, and it's just a mess. It's a mess. All right, you guys are locking in. Steelers minus three tonight.

Noodles. Yeah. Again, we're in shambles, man, but next week, I believe there's seven games because there's two on Saturday. A lot of games. I think there's a chance. We'll be fine. What we need is, you know what we need is a little bit of luck here, holiday luck. Yeah, we need some.

We're getting jammed up with these spreads. They're getting jammed up with bad beats at the last second. Let's just relax. Let's get one tonight and then go back at it. Good luck to you, Pardsey. I'm thinking about trading back for O'Dog if we win tonight. Oh, man, he's a hot commodity. I like that O'Dong put his, you know, one on the table.

I think he's available. He might be available. Those two other two. We both hold them. The bills, man, you got Josh Allen in a desperate situation. You'd be quiet, dude. You knew that I made the right pick. I made the right pick, and they coughed it up.

Okay. All right. Like 21 Cobb. Give me a break, dude. I told you, do not bet against that freak in western New York. He ain't losing that game. There was no way, and he didn't. It was in Massachusetts.

Yes, I'm aware of that. Thank you. All right. Luke, best of luck tonight. Here's always. There it is. Luke Wilson. All right, back into Leaves Blackhawks tomorrow on Connor Bedard's injury.

Does that take him out of the Olympic team? We'll get to that next. Best bets, a little bit of. later in the hour Monday night a bunch of hockey games Tampa Florida playing tonight which you always have the circle I got to tell you guys on Thursday

I think it was Thursday the Quinn Hughes trade went down Friday Friday night yeah so Friday I sent Billy Garren a message because I needed I want to get someone when I'm at the World Juniors in Minnesota like if this got like a

RT Cairo like someone to look after my shoulder to continue my therapy while I'm at the World Juniors I just get feathers from billy garran i'm like it's kind of a dick move from billy not even to say like it was just feathers right right yeah and then this trade goes down i'm like now i know why that that guy has ghosted me for the past 48 hours yes yeah that was one he was staring out his phone and your name came and he went just get out he swiped it to the side what i originally thought why he wouldn't respond is i was thinking that he probably he might

have thought that I was sniffing out the trade or something and wanted to speak to him about that. But I never care about that. That's for Drake's and other people to deal with. I just wanted a chiropractor in Minnie. And then he finally got back to me. Oh, he hooked you up. Well, yeah, I completely understand why he ghosted me for 48 hours because there was probably

a lot of phone activity involved in that one. Absolutely. So funny. That would be great. You're just stewing Bill Guerin. What a flushed me. absolute goon move how could he what is he trading for quinn hughes or something is so busy that busy that big of a hero hey like you're you know he's just in your mind thinking bad things and then all of a sudden that's the reason why makes a lot of sense his his his media availability and even quinn hughes after the game their media availability was very genuine and honest and i appreciated it you know kidding it was more than just the old part of the business and got to move on he here you know what i mean like you just just some real type answers just real life stuff i got to be

honest there is i i was reading new jersey twitter i don't know how it came across my feed but quen hugh's comment hit a nerve in new jersey with how he was giving props to bill garrett just saying this guy sacked up and threw it all out there and i i won't forget that and people were basically saying they thought it was a shot at tommy fits yeah Yeah, because he did say, you know, some teams get scared off of what they had to pay for me. Yes, that's the backhanded comment of potentially other teams that were going to acquire his services. Yeah. Well, what do you think the jersey price would have been Nemmich?

Mercer and Pecks, you know. Like, I'm sure they could put together a good package. But it does make you wonder if New Jersey, again, regrets it. like thinking maybe they overplayed their hand. Especially being in a tailspin. Well, and they're struggling right now, obviously. They lost to Vancouver yesterday.

Like, shout out to Vancouver, and the kid had a goal and an assist in his debut. That was awesome to see. Great stuff. Yeah. But New Jersey is in a tailspin right now. And, you know, it could have been a scenario. I don't know.

This is all my opinion or speculation. That they thought, well, no one's going to pay that price because he's just going to sign here in a year and a half. So no one's going to step up. and we'll low-ball it because we can leverage this play because everyone knows he wants to be in Jersey. And if that was the mentality and he got burned, that's impossible to explain to an ownership.

That's a stupid mentality if that was your mentality. I hope it's not what happened, but a year and a half in pro sports is an eternity with what can happen. Jack Hughes could get pissed off in New Jersey and say he wants out. You never know what the hell can go on in a year and a half. That's right. And that's the thing. like Quinn Hughes is a generational talent, man.

He's a great, great player, future Hall of Famer 26 years old, and he's out there, and Garen was the one that paid the price. And, you know, I look at it. Yes, it's difficult because some teams are just in a different spot. And many feels like they've got a good team, which they do. You get a lot of good pieces, good goaltender. You know, Heinz is connected well with that group behind a bench. They want to try to win, and they put their chips in.

And not every team is in that position, so I get it. But there are more than just two or three. You know, there's eight, ten teams in the league you would think would be kicking tires on that. And obviously they chose not to, and the cap makes it complicated and all that kind of stuff. But still, credit to Minnesota. And now he pairs with Brock Faber, and you've got to believe that'll be a pair for the U.S. when they get to the Olympics. That Faber's a player, man.

Really good player. He played with Slavin at the Four Nations, but Slavin's been. heard but um the question now becomes what happens with connor baddard because that was a weird playoff the draw and braiden chen got him and it looked like a shoulder obviously the way it looked like a josh norris play with josh has fallen off a draw and his shoulders gone yeah oh you you you're the expert on two things draws and shoulders because you just had you've had your shoulder done five times five times okay that didn't look good We've seen our buddy Josh Norris with that type of look off of a draw heading to the bench.

Like, I don't know. I hope that the nature of the injury looks worse than it is. But, you know, if there's any type of massive injury to this right shoulder of his, I think it removes him from the equate. A hundred percent. I think he might be off it now because I think he was, you know, it was close and now he's hurt. and yeah it's a weird that injury that face off like just by looking at that play haze it didn't look like catastrophic damage could happen with that collision it was like right you could hit

10 times in a game worse than that but i guess it was just one of those things where something gave out i don't know if it was his labrum his rotator like i blew out his shoulder somehow who the hell knows how they haven't said anything specific they just said you know he'll be re-evaluated i believe next week but it's early january of the report Let me ask you guys this. Would they have announced, if it's a worse injury, and this is just, you know, I'm saying what-if game. If it was a worse injury, or if it is a worse injury, do you think they're slow playing it because of the Olympics? Yes.

Dude, do you not think that Armstrong, Dougie Armstrong, has not called him and said, what's up with this? We need to know right now. 100%. They are, I'm sure that you're allowed to share within the context. Keep in mind, Doug Armstrong is the GM of a number. another team but within the context saying what are we dealing with here do you think it's going to be four to six weeks whatever because they do have decisions to make and but i just that that reeked of like okay you know that you're not going to be available to early you know january 1st or

whatever that's not a date that seems that just seems weird in a timeline of something that looks really bad and obviously is bad enough where he's on the iR and he's not playing for a while right um you You know, and I don't know if surgery is in the cards. It's obviously not right now. They're hoping to rehab, and that's been reported. But if, you know, surgery is a possibility, you know, I can tell you this. If he makes Canada, that won't happen. You know, he's rehabbing.

If he's on the Canadian team, he is rehabbing. Right. Where if he's not, he might have surgery. Now, I don't know how that drives in Chicago, and it's this weird gray area in the sport right now, where you have an obligation to your club team, that's your business, that you're a professional, Yet we'd be naive to believe that it isn't happening throughout the league with players where they're fighting through stuff because they want to go to the Olympics. Dude, I've seen a lot of that hatred on Twitter where fans are like, oh, my guy just was healthy enough to play in the Four Nations. And maybe he'll just be healthy enough to play in the Olympics.

Like if that's just for what he's hanging around for, they'd be awfully pissed off. And understandably. And I would think the Blackhawks would be or any other team. And, you know, hopefully he's going to be okay and play. Obviously, it stinks. He's not going to play tomorrow because this was a massive marquee matchup, like Bedard in town. He's only here once. But it does complicate things for Canada because he's been so good.

You know, he was not a lock to make it anyway. It was not. But, you know, the idea that you might lose the opportunity based on injury. And it was a weird play because there was no time on the clock. It was very unlikely they were going to score. He was trying to get a shot off so you can't prepare yourself for it. but shen went kind of old man i'm fighting yeah like and i wouldn't be shocked if a felino shen tilt took place the next time they played and even though like because shen's like i'm

old school eric lindross dude but that's but i'm burying this guy but don't you think play it again don't you think the damage was done on the ice what i mean by that is in the draw when you're pulling back the shen pushing i don't think there had anything to do with it I think, don't you think the sticks click and something pops out like there? Possibly, yeah, possibly. Because the push down was already over. But look at Shen. He's not even playing the puck.

Like, he went kind of right through him. But I think when you see, again, oh, you can speak to this. When you go down and dig in a lot of times, like I've seen that Josh Norris injury or whatever, like when he goes to pull back the leverage, that's what's caused the injury, I believe. Look, we're not doctors, so let's not try to pretend them. There was a good chance that whatever was wrong with him because I knew I had my first labrum problem. I took a face off against John Madden from the New Jersey Devils and I just like locked sticks with him and my shoulder gave out. And that was just like, that was the trigger to say it's game over for your shoulder.

And I know old Lavie there was pissed off because I couldn't get traded because my shoulder was blown out. Right. And he asked me a couple days later, he's like, why aren't you playing? I'm like, I have a torn labor on my shoulder, and he said, so do I. And I said, yeah, but, Lavie, you're the coach. Right, I'm playing. Yeah, I'm playing. Like, yeah, you have to move pucks around and yell at people.

I have to play. Well, yeah, the, you know, like that Michael Mesa, this is a different story, but he's rehabbing now, so he's in San Jose. He's not with the Canadian team, right? Yeah. Like, every injury around this time, if you're a junior, if you're going to maybe go to the juniors, now with the Olympic Games, like, they're announcing the teams on New Year's Eve. I believe that was reported this weekend, which I find a little bit

strange. Like, why you would, it's kind of a news dump night, but, you know. New Year's Eve morning. Okay, but still, you know, you get it out. You know, people in a weird play, you know that week between Christmas and New Year's, it's not normal, man. You're going to... You die

hard hockey people. They'll just be sitting around them. It'll be a family event to sit around the TV and see who's on the team. That'll be cool. And I am really fascinated by this. Like, you know, Canada, I don't think you can go wrong. You could just be different. You know, like, they're going to put great, the team's going to be a great team.

It's just a matter of, you know, who's on it. I just don't understand why they choose it so early. Like, why are you choosing it like January 20? Yeah, and I guess plans and stuff, noodles, right? I'm sure the players probably mandate that. Let us know, are we booking a trip or are we not? you know are we going or not every player involved like i'd like to look at 30 minutes i was going to say every player involved probably makes north of 5 million a year yes i'm i'm being you know

conservative generous yes so i'm pretty sure they could book a flight or a vacation within two weeks i just feel like choosing it this early there's still always that one player that's like hey the hottest player in january not available like they fly over there on the February 8th or something, you know, it's like a less than two months away. So I hear what you're saying, but at some point you just got to put the gavel down and say, we're picking the team.

Like, you know, we got to promote it. We got to, like, they're not, they know who they're picking, too. I think all these teams are pretty aware of who they have and who they want and how they want to shape out the line. And this is an awful thing to say, but this in some way could have actually simplified the process

for them a little bit if they were I think you're absolutely right. It softens the blow of him not being on the team. Yes. We love him. Now we just feel, you know, you can explain your way out of it. Yes. Where if he wasn't on the team and there is a very good chance or a chance,

they didn't want him on the team. Not that he's not a great player. It might have been anything, but they just can say now we don't trust the shoulder and we've got to know everyone's 100%. But you could screw yourself if someone else like a big boy gets hurt. And then it's like, ah, don't worry about that. Nothing to see there. But that's a totally different scenario.

Very different scenario. You're right, though, because there is a body of work. I said this, I believe, on SportsCenter today. Sidney Crosby had a little bit of an injury or something. You're like, we know what he's capable of. Jamie had already happened at the Four Nations. Remember, his shoulder blew out, and he was like, no, I'm good to go. Right, he wasn't playing for Pitt down the stretch.

Yeah, that's right. Didn't play for two weeks or something. And then he just showed up and played at the Four Nations. That's true. Well, that's where fan bases are pissed because they're like, This guy doesn't want to play for our team, but no problem with the Olympics. Like, it's a different situation, but, you know, it was pretty convenient that Victor Headman's out right until February, right?

Like elbow surgery. Just before. Time for the Olympics. And Matthew could be back just before. Pretty sure Tampa could use them, but, I mean, it is what it is, right? You're right. Tampa, Florida tonight. Got Ottawa, Winnipeg.

Both teams need a win tonight. Both of them need a win tonight. So we'll get to that with our best bets. And tomorrow, it's going to be Skinner versus Jari. Edmonton was in Montreal last night. They're down in pit. Skinner's going to make his debut. Obviously, Jari will play for the Oilers.

So we'll start looking ahead to that as well, and Least Blackhawks tomorrow night. Overdrive continues. T.S.N. 1050 and up on YouTube live. Something to chew on. I'm 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 prising up for grabs.

Football game days are better at BP. you mentioned before we got to break about that Jari Oilers match up, and I haven't got a chance to speak on that. I have no idea why the Edmonton Oilers pulled the trigger on that. I would take Skinner over Tristan Jari.

I know they felt they needed to make a change and get a different look in there, and maybe there was lost trust or just a lack of belief, but that's just the king daddy topper of lateral moves. And I like Skinner. I like Skinner more than I like Jari. I don't.

Jamie, you could come at me and say Jari's a more talented goaltender, that's fine, but what has he ever done that makes you... The guy was in the minors a year and a half ago. Yeah, I know. I needed a reset, but he also played in the All-Star game a couple years back, too, twice. So it's Stuart Skinner. Once, maybe.

I think, I don't think so. I don't remember. I don't know. I guarantee Stewart Skinner's played an All-Star game. Took his team to two Stanley Cup finals. What has Jari ever done in the playoffs? Tell me. Nothing.

Listen, you get an opportunity. My point is, Jari is a better goaltender. On a better team, I think he'll be fine. He actually can move side to side, where I think Skinner struggles side to side. I think it's a stylistic change. That's the way I looked at it. Stylistic change. Like it's not, it was no slight on Stuart Skinner.

It's more about we need something different in there. Jamie, it is a slight on the guy when you. The team doesn't believe in you anymore. It's a slight on you. They wanted somebody different. I don't believe so. It's changed for the sake of change, but I think it had to happen. Like, Skinner couldn't play there anymore.

I get it. I get it, but we'll see what this Jari does come playoff time because I watched a numerous playoffs. And he gets heard a lot in his career. It's not a guarantee, but it's a, what I still believe they're going to have two new goaltenders there by the deadline. And the other one is playing in the minor. for them, and he's pretty darn good goalie at Ingram.

And I think that's where I do believe they're going to have a different look. I just, that's my belief, but I don't know. And again, there's no guarantee you're right. Like, it could be viewed as a lateral move because it is right now on paper. Six foot four goal tender for six foot four goal tender. That's really what it is. Well, longer commitment, right? Jari's got this in two more years left on his deal.

Which is cost control with the cap going up. but I think at the end of the day, Skinner's unrestricted. Kyle Dubas got two players that he can turn at the deadline here if he wants to, too. Keep in mind, I thought Dubas did well on the deal. Yeah. Because that Kulak is a good player, and he can move him. I've always liked him with the Oilers. I thought he was always a solid contributor back there.

But the Oilers went and got a younger Kulak under cost control with that Stashney kid. So, I mean, again, you got it, I don't know if it'll work out or not. We don't know. But I do like Jari's talent. you guys know that you've always said that yeah i like his talent but you have to to your point oh and i'm not arguing with you you have to produce and play and what he's done recently hasn't been good enough that's and i'm not arguing with you about that no there was some playoff series where the pens had some expectations shortly after they won those two cups and he stunk to join

out in that where it's like he had no chance to win yeah well and skinner did that too obviously yet they found a way to win which is kind of remarkable in those two runs were Stuart Skinner to the finals, Calvin Pickard had to play both times. Absolutely. Calvin Pickard played game five of the Stanley Cup final. Yes. Crazy.

Game five. That was like, so I do believe they needed change. I do. And I think it's a win-win for question. Is it the right change? That's the question. You're right. Is Jari the guy, you know, you give up a pick? Yes, it's four years down the road. You still gave it up.

You know, you've lost flexibility. You can look at it. Cost control. if he plays well or man he didn't play well and now we're stuck you know like the the contract there's no flexibility now a lot at stake man that's mac david's uh legacy that's the window now it's the mac david jari window which is crazy see i i i disagree with that you disagree yeah so all of a sudden you're tied to tristan jari whether who else is taking that guy he was tired tied to stewart skinner for two years and it didn't work so the point being is you need change it might be the connor ingram show that's right there might be something else

Maybe, but if that's the case, if you're banking on Ingram, why would you go get Jari? He's got two years left at that price. Because he's got to play. You need players. I think you need three goaltenders in the system. I hear you. I hear you. Right now, and you need three guys who can play.

Take a look at the team we cover every day. I know. You need three goalies. You got to have them. Although I think we believe that Joseph Wall might be. Well, I believe that when I see it. Yeah, me too. I think Baruba is trying to whirl that into existence.

I'm not sure it's going to work. No, I think he's playing tomorrow, guys. Okay, we'll see. We'll see. I'm signing the cross Let's hope so Best bets powered by Fandole Make your picks and assemble

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available on the Fandual Sportsbook app Please play responsibly 19 plus physically located Ontario. All right, football game tonight. Raps finally back on the core. We've got a bunch of NHO games, Leaves in Action tomorrow, Skinner Jari tomorrow. It's going to be a good one. Going to be a good one. Shout out to everyone behind the scenes for helping out. We appreciate it. Everyone for tuning in today. TV, radio, podcast, web, and of course up on YouTube live,

every show streaming live on TSN's YouTube channel. You can find all our clips on YouTube. Find everything wherever you download your podcast. We're out of here. Enjoy your evenings. Enjoy the games tonight. We're back tomorrow at Stu Skinner. Good luck. I hope you kick the Oilers ass. 4 p.m. 2023 All-Star, Stu Skinner.

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