OverDrive - OverDrive - December 29, 2025 - Hour 1 - Mark Masters

Episode Date: December 29, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jason Strudwick and Jonas Siegel for Hour 1 on OverDrive! The guys discuss the Maple Leafs' matchups against the Senators and Red Wings, Toronto's perspective on Auston Matthews and his viewpoint of his era with the team, Connor McDavid's impressive season with the Oilers and if Macklin Celebrini is in the Hart Trophy sweepstakes. TSN Maple Leafs Reporter Mark Masters on Canada's underwhelming start to the tournament, looking for positives on the team and Gavin McKenna's strong role and the Raptors' win against the Warriors. 

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All right, here we go, Overdrive, off and running. TSN 1050 on the TSN app, your home smart speaker, up on TSN2, Brian Hayes, Jonas Siegel, and Jason Strudwick. How are we doing this afternoon? Good, good, how are you guys doing today? Doing very well, very well. I'm in a bit of a haze. Oh, a storm haze?

Yeah, it was off last week. I don't really know what the hell is going on. I've never missed a show. I've never been late for a show, but this would have been the one that that would have happened. Also, what happened? Not just lots of, you know, family time, lots of good times, lots of plans, lots of, you know, booze and food. And you know what it's like. A lot of different activities, a lot of different hosting, and then you're hitting the road.

and you just get lost. Like this time of year, this week is the most confusing week of the year, I find. In terms of trying to just get your balance, and my kids are at home. Anyway, it's good to be here. Struddy, do you think Hayes is a New Year's Resolution guy? Oh, yeah, yeah, I should laugh that hard. I'm going to say no. Yeah, you know what?

I don't think he is. I think if Hayes decides he's going to do something, he just does it. But I don't think he needs a date, like January 1st, which is a fairly arbitrary date. in my opinion. But I think if you make a choice or make a difference, you're going to make a difference or make a change. Am I wrong? Yeah, no, you're right. I'm not a resolution guy to answer your question. I don't think anyone really is. Like, who is actually stuck to a resolution? I know people try to change their lives in some capacity. I agree with Struddy. It's completely arbitrary.

And I understand why, you know, represents a new year and like that type of mentality. But name me, are you a resolution guy? Name me someone you've ever met in your life that started something drastically different on January 1st. But that's not the thing, right? People do it, like they say they're going to do it. Yeah, but it's completely empty calories stuff. Well, sure, you can make them. Do you have one in mind?

No. I'm like strutty. If I want to do it, I do it. No, I'm with you, exactly. But I can't recall the last time I made like a major change in my life, period. Forget a New Year's resolution. you know, do you have anything in particular? I've known you a long time.

You're the same guy for the last 15 years. I can't think of one thing that's changed. And I haven't either, really. I haven't done anything differently in 10 years. Yeah, I'll tell something out there. So I went through about two years ago where I felt I didn't want to be that guy like, you know, he can't teach an old dog new tricks. So I took on some new things.

I decided I was going to stretch every day, which I've kept pretty much up for the last couple years. I want to learn to play the guitar, and I did. I was like, I'm not great. and I'm not going to go around the campfire and, you know, everyone's going to be like, oh, my God, this guy's amazing. And then, you know, those are the kind of two things I tried in

because I don't want to be that guy that's at 60 or 70 years old, like he didn't do anything last 20 years. So I'm trying, trying to change a little bit. Okay. But that was just like, it was just a random conversation with the buddy. He was doing him, and he was doing other things like,

you know, and I shouldn't laugh, but he's like, I'm going to try to have more intimate talks to my wife, and I respect that. But I know. Intimate. And I know he should laugh. It's a great idea. And I think it's helped him.

And, but I don't know that, you know, I have that in me right now in my, in my, and I should. Okay. But, you know, I mean, I think it's okay. But I think that's the danger, right? Because we all are second who we are. This is who we are. We don't really change. I think after your, I want to say 35, maybe.

Yeah. Yeah, I'd say so. So intimate talks with his wife. Like, what was, was that him opening up about himself? Or are we talking, you know, like some sort of. Yeah, so, we all have these conversations with our partner, right, where it's like she's talking and you're just kind of like, is she still talking, you know, like you're not really listening?

So he, so I know we shouldn't be laughing, and I'm sure he's listening. So what he's trying to, you're trying to do is you're trying to really be present when she's talking. Okay. And say, okay, I am listening to you. And he says it's really helped their marriage, not that they were in a bad spot, but he's, and so I chose not to try that. I think I'm a pretty good listener when needed, when required. Yes.

So I went with stretching and learning guitar. I like that. You might keep me alive a little longer. Right. You know, I don't know. I love that. No, listen, you're in it for you, Strud. Like, that's what it should be, man.

You've got to consider that. And I like that. I like that it's to find this intimate talk when it's really just, I'm going to listen a little bit more than I usually do. Like, I'm going to just perk up a little bit more than I generally do. about 10% more listening. Some interest. Yeah, I might try that.

I'll give that a shot. I'm going to go 10% more listening. Yeah, so his thing was five minutes. He's shooting for five minutes. Okay. And for some, one of the listeners, though, is something like the hard 90 or something. You have to do something hard for 90 days, and it clicks in. Okay.

And so it's essentially three months, and he thinks it's made a difference. Good for him. That's all the matters. I'd like to hear from his wife. Like, I wonder if she's sitting there saying, I have no idea what you're talking about. Like, you know, he never mentioned it to me. I haven't picked up on anything that's changed. So it's great that he feels we're in a better position.

But I think it's good to announce it, right? Yeah, oh, you have to. It's like you get a little credit. Yeah, for sure. Oh, if you're the guy, you're in it for that. You have to announce it, right? You've got to announce it. I'm doing this so that everyone's aware that you're committed.

And then I'm out. But exactly. Anything beyond five earmuffs. Like, don't even think about it. I am not listening. No. But he did have a rule that you couldn't have. this conversation. Once you hit the bed, there's no talking. No, no intimate. And I actually have

that rule with my wife. Like, if you want to talk about something serious, it's got before I hit the bedroom. Once I brush the teeth, you know, and hit the book, I'm not, I'm not having these, because I don't want to get worked up about a conversation. Yeah, totally. That is a no TV zone and no talk zone, in my opinion. If you want to chat, how's your day? Good. But don't say, hey, we've got, you know, I don't like the way your hair is growing or whatever. Like, I don't want to have that intimate conversation on the bet very reasonable very reasonable so again i don't know if we've established exactly where we're going in 2026 but stretching is something i might look into i feel like i probably should do that good investment that's one of those stretch yeah you're a stretch i really like you're a stretch

you're a stretch you're a surprise i really like yoga likewise i'm not surprised at all there's a zero percent surprise that's on my bucket list for i started it you don't do yoga or you're I'm intending on getting used to it more. Okay. Well, how much you do it now? Like once a week? Yeah, and I'd like maybe like two, three times a three. Okay.

We'll get you. We'll get you going on now. How much more do you want, man? You're going to be a yogi pretty soon. Yeah. It's too tough for me. I've tried it. Couldn't do it.

Hot or cold? I've only, uh, I think I've only tried the regular room temperature. And I am the least flexible person on earth. So, like, I can't stretch. But it's not really about the stretching. It's more about the breathing. Is it? Yeah, it'll calm you down and it'll make you more sensitive.

Okay. Better listener, better listener, more sensitive. I think that's good. I'll give it a shot. Tell your wife, you're going to listen more and you're going to do yoga. Okay, I will. And it'll change our lives. Do you have a sports resolution that you've thought of that you want to apply to maybe the team you follow?

Is there a Maple Leaf resolution? Stridey, you could think of an oiler one? That's a great question. If you could choose one thing for the Maple Leaf. believes that your wish is coming true for that team, what might that be? If I were them? No, like this is from your viewpoint.

You are personally, you have one power, you're going Thanos here and you're like, this is happening. What would that be? I need to think about that. That's a really good question. I mean, what would you say? I'd say get in the playoffs. Like that's more

of a wish than anything else. But I would say find a way to get into the playoffs. Which now all of a sudden they're only two points back. If they don't make the playoffs, that's catastrophic. Yes. And now, is there any context to that? If they battle back and miss it by a point? No. So it's very black and white for you.

100%. You think there's black and like, I don't know. I would agree with that. I think they, that was their intention. If they don't make the playoffs. Was it really their, like, yes, that was their goal. They have stated on the record that that's their goal. I understand that.

But doesn't every team say that? No. No? No. You don't think. Edmonton does, but like. I would say at least. At least 15 teams in the league would have said their goal is to win the Stanley Cup.

You gave them true serum and said, like, do you actually think you're winning the Stanley Cup? It's like seven or eight of them think. Yeah, like we could do it. And I don't think the Leafs were in that group. I think they're like eight or nine. Yeah, they had to be. If they're not thinking they're winning the cup, what are they doing? What have they done in a decade that would suggest this was the year they were going to actually win the thing? Like we were both in the building for game seven. We both saw what happened, game five and seven against Florida.

It still had to be their goal. Come on. But again, that's my point. Like, I guess that's the goal, but Columbus had a goal. Like, Jersey has a goal. Do you think, like, New Jersey probably was like, we're going to win the Stanley Cup. Based on what? Based on what in New Jersey?

Talent, I think. But exactly. Talent. And that was probably the least for a decade. That's what I'm saying, I guess. Our talent was going to put us in that position. But the way they actually play, the way that they're wired, would never allow me to believe Jersey was truly a cup contender.

Or, you know, the Leafs were closer than Jersey in my opinion. They have been a cup contend to the last five, six, seven years. For sure, they have. They haven't gotten close. Yeah, I would agree with that. I'm not saying that it's been a decade of completely bogus expectation. There were reasonable expectations and reasonable opportunities for them to prove they could win a cup based on what they had. And based on maybe the way they had played throughout the regular season.

But I don't know. I'm not sure that they really believe. What percent would you give them today to win the Stanley Cup? 1%. Strud, how would you answer that? Yeah, well, I'll agree with you. Hey, just Jonas, I think that, you know, you have to have a bit of a, three or a few teams go from nothing to Stanley Cup winner.

So I think there needs to be a bit of a build up there. And some say, hey, they got really close. I don't think they have, so I agree they probably are saying they could make the Stanley Cup. I don't know if they really believe that. They could win a few rounds in there. But if I'm the least, you know what I want? I want a power play that's clicking because for the skill they have, they should be scoring way more.

I know they made the change and all that stuff. And it's a little bit better this past weekend. But, I mean, the specialty teams are so important. They're so key. And they suck momentum out of you when you aren't doing it, when you're not doing well, especially on that, well, I guess both, but in this case, the power play. Well, you see the oilers all the time.

They're like 35%. That's outrageous. I looked at it at a time. today, McDavid has 30 powerplay points. Guess how many Matthews has? 12? 6. Yeah. Oh, my God. So it's like you look at his numbers, you're like, well, man, his numbers aren't great, and it's like, well,

that'll do it. Any power play points? And that's the thing with him and McKinnon, like, he's blown past McKinnon. Not blown past. He's three or four points up. Yeah. But McKinnon's got like 12 less power play points. And he's got 13 more even strength points. Yeah. Like McKinnon, based on 5 on 5 has still performed at a much higher

level than McDavid, but their power play is just on fire right now. And that's a really good one. And let me actually revise my answer because it's too easy or too, you know, all encompassing to just say make the playoffs. I would like the debates

over the future of Austin Matthews to come to an end. That's what I would wish for in 26. Yeah, what is the debate? Well, I'm sure you're unaware of Leaf fans that want them traded. You're unaware of Lee fans who are speculating that he's finished here. He's done.

He doesn't want to be here anymore. Do you not live in the city? I guess I just don't see it. But what is that based on? Well, he's not having a very good season. The team's terrible. You just wrote an article today. He's chasing history and no one's talking about it.

Would that not indicate that people are turning on him? I don't know that that, do you think they're turning on him? I don't think they're turning on him. I get the impression. There's a lot of people doing it. He's not having a great year. The team is not having a great year. Absolutely.

I think it's the way the city is wired, the way the fan base is wired. And I get it. I understand it. It's been a tough run for six decades. And Marner just left, and people are still kind of reacting to that. But I don't want to see this guy go anywhere. No, North Shore. Like, I do not want to see the end of the Austin Matthews era in Toronto until he's basically ready to retire. A hundred percent.

That should be the goal here for that guy. Now, he's got to be better. We've all criticized his play this. him at 75% is still what is he a top 10 like he's at 12 he's not he's not a 12 no not at 75% not player I'm saying center

yes he'd be high on the list but you remember what it was like like you do straight like before matthews it was like who's their number one center it's like him it's that guy really a big center that can score whose talent is really it's a dangerous game when you start exporting

elite players from your lineup it's other other lineups like it's it's a really scary thing to happen. You think about, you know, the last one is it Joe Thornton, the last major one that kind of left in his prime? Yeah, I mean, Quinn Hughes playing a different position, but yeah. Yeah, yeah, and yeah, that's, yeah, for sure. And that's elite, that's elite, man.

Like, I just, you know, Marner leaves, he's a top player. Then if you talk about Matthews leaving or getting traded, my God, that's a lot of talent. That's how many points is that, 200 points going out of your lineup? Yeah. You've got a lot of cap space, but Cap Space doesn't score points like those two guys we know they do, right?

So that's a scary proposition. Exactly. And I guess the way to answer this is not worrying about how people feel is get him back to where he's supposed to be. And he's looked like at the last two games. Now, we've done this a lot in the last year and a half. Wow, that's really good two games from him and then he goes cold for 10.

So true. So it's on him to do it. I just, at 28 years old, I refuse to believe he's just fallen off a cliff and he's done. Like last year was injury riddled. It wasn't a good year. This year has not been a good year. And the team is struggling. And I think he's having a difficult time trying to figure out exactly what's going on with himself,

with the team. We've discussed this a lot, uncharted territory. It's almost the new year. They're in last place in the division. That's never happened in his career here, ever. So they're trying to figure it out. He's trying to figure it out. But he's five goals away from setting a new goal scoring record.

he's what a couple hundred points away from setting the point record 240 or something like that I want to see this guy hit a thousand points a thousand games as a leaf I'd love the idea of him retiring as a leaf now he's got to pull his weight for that to be a reality because if the team struggles if the window is closed quote unquote if management can't figure this out if the coaching staff can't figure it out and if he doesn't start improving his play then it's inevitable the market is going to turn. Fans are entitled to victories, to winning,

to ambition, to the idea that their team's going in the right direction. That's natural. Every fan base in the world is going to say that. We just went through it in Vancouver. A lot of Kinnock fans that are like, yes, move off Quinn Hughes. There's team stinks. They need to bottom out. It's tough.

Sundin went through it. There's been other guys that have gone through it here. I just think it's premature to do it with Matthews now. A year or two down a road, it could be a very different story. but we're not even 40 games into this season. I'm already seeing it. I know you are too. You're playing a loop here, but you're seeing it and hearing it from Lee fans that are like,

trade this guy, he's not this, they stink, they need to reload, they need to reset, fire everybody. I mean, that's a separate thing. I don't think that they can really do that. I think they're in. I'm talking about the view of the fan base, though. I get it. Like, I understand for fans. Which is very important, Jonas. Like it ultimately dictates Where a lot of this is going to go If people turn on you It's very difficult to get it back on the rails

But see I actually challenged that a little bit I think that the role of a manager Is to safeguard the organization Against emotional swings And what I think you're talking about Although I'm not in that market I can read social media There's emotional swings right now

Away from the once beloved Austin Matthews Right And I think he's still a really good player But you've got to be careful if you're the manager, you can't have those emotional decisions happen. You have to say, this is our guy, we're going to build around it, we're continuing to do it, because those guys, like, you just said it, are there 10 other centers better than him? No.

You don't know, maybe, I don't know, Joe, that's my, let's just say, let's say within whatever the number. But yeah, he's in that 10 to 12, even at his 75% of what he used to be. So now you're trained, and are you getting something back? Like, I guess Quinn Hughes, you know, they got that Ziv Bulliam, good young defenseman, But I know what Quinn Hughes is right now. You know, Ziv might become that. He might become that guy. And I hope for the Canucks fans he does.

But I know what Quinn is right now. He's arguably the top two, three defense in the world, in the world right now. And Austin Matthews, when he's at his best, he's in the top five, maybe players in the world, for sure, top five centers. Well, and you have to be so careful, Hayes. Like, you can think, like, oh, you get rid of this guy. You can just be bad forever. You can just be Buffalo, right? Like, it's not that hard to do.

Like, you make a lot of bad decisions and you're just irrelevant forever. Like, look how it was after Sundin. Was it? Yeah, it was very, it was awful for seven, eight, nine years. The franchise took a beating. Yep. It was ugly. And, like, I just think they have to do whatever they can to maximize this.

Part of that is him. Part of that is, like, their power play. That can help. Part of that is who he plays with. Like, he went from Marner to, like, well. He's got, like, man and domy on us. Right.

Like, those guys were. The line played pretty well. Fine, but like... It's crazy that those are your two wingers. You went from two guys who were basically third liners last year and okay, like not great to now they're on your first line, like Marner and Nyes to... It's a drop-off. Systemically, like the way that they play, I think, has impacted him.

Like, there's just all these different factors. And physically, like, he hasn't looked like he used to. He's looked better of late, but like, you said it. Like, we've said that so many times you're like, man, like, he looks great. And then it's like, it just doesn't last. Like, what percentage? do you think it like if you had to say like he's going to get back to top 10 player in the world I'd still be high on this me too like I just again I I get it looks try it feels shocking

it looks shocking the last year and a half to watch him go from chasing 70 where every single night it was insane the way this guy was playing yes like it was absurd what this guy was doing every single night to this is just wild and I refuse to It would be one thing if it was, I'll give you the George Springer analogy. If George falls off next year, no one will be surprised. Spring will be 37, I believe, and you'll say it's age. He had a magical year. He turned back the clock.

Everything worked for him, and now he's coming back to reality. If Matthews was 38, I'd say, guys, you've got to be realistic. It's over. He's 28. You know, I just, I can't, I do not believe that this is just who he's going to be for the next decade of his career. career where he falls way down the list of impact. I think there's something going on with the guy. I don't know what it is.

No one seems to have that answer. Hopefully he does. Hopefully they can rectify it. And hopefully this is just a year and a half, two-year blip on the radar where he gets back to superstardom. But if you look at it, his linemates do matter. Think about Connor McDavid. Start the year he was okay.

I think Jonas, you just went through where he's at with points. He didn't have Hyman to start the year. And Hyman came back. Nuge got hurt. Nudgeon Hopkins. was playing, got hurt, and came back. I don't know. You might know it off top of your head, Jones,

but I almost say McDavid has like 32 points in December or something, like, insane. Crazy what he's doing. And, yeah, there's some power play points in there for sure, but they still count the same. Yep. So he got his two guys back, his guys been Nugent Hopkins and Hyman, and those two guys are flying, and so is Connor, right? So now you put it with Austin, and, you know, you surround him with guys that are the same, maybe speed

of play and skill level, it does make a difference. So those line mates, I think, do make a difference. Well, I don't think. I know they do. Yeah, for sure. Listen, McDavid, man, is he on a heater right now? He is on a heater. And he is playing, like, the last

month you said at Strud, every night he is embarrassing people. Yeah. You know, it's at a level that is, it shouldn't be surprising because he's been so great for a decade now, but to watch him every night put on a clinic where it is

unstoppable. It really looks like he's playing at a level, you know, almost a sport against guys that just are not capable of being on his level. He's had so many plays where I'm just like literally out loud, oh my God. Yeah. Like how did he do

that? End to enders flying through the neutral zone, Deakin got, making plays at high speed. It is amazing what he's doing right now. But what's incredible about him when I've seen him doing it now the last month is how fast he's going but it looks like it's happening slow you know what I mean like he just it looks like he's going slow motion but he's flying by guys and that and it's I maybe I'm doing the best job explaining it but it is

incredible how fast he's doing things so slowly if that even makes sense in the english language well even no you're right though struck because I think you've got to like break it down the most basic possible way the car is going so fast and yet he's able to like steer it and go around the corners and you're like how can you do that how can you go that fast yeah it's incredible no it's true and like you mentioned that power play how many times he's made a pass down to hyman heiman over to dry settle but he's flying at a guy and you can feel the defender panicking and then you know he lifts his stick up and pucks past him and it's on hyman's stick it's incredible what's going on right now like it just it is amazing like he's he's taken over

the ross race now mckinin's still there and i don't think mickin's dead yet you know like McKinnon is still rocking. He had a few points the other night. What's McDavid on a 12-game point streak, I believe it is right now? Somewhere in there, yeah. Yeah, and listen, McDavid's alive. You mentioned Hyman coming back is significant. Nugent Hopkins. Like, now they've got a loaded line

that is causing havoc every single night. And he's talked about the he's talked about the schedule in a positive way, which is unlike what a lot of guys are saying, I think, privately. You know, that it's too much, there's too many games, and obviously McDavid's like, I don't want to practice, I don't

need to practice, I just want to play. And when you're red hot, Strutt, I'm sure you can attest to this. That's all you want to do. When you're playing at this level, of course, that's all you want to do is play. Personally, I've never actually been red hot, but I've been on teams that red hot, and you can't wait to get on that ice. Now, I think what, you know, and what McDavid and a lot of the guys are talking about is that you have to frown the right blend of games, off ice preparation.

That includes kind of rest and practice and working out, eating, and then feeling good for those games. And if you can kind of space at every other game and you're feeling good, you can really hit that groove and nothing feels out of whack. But I think as a team, you need team practice. I know I've talked about this before, but I think

every now and then you do need a good team practice to get everything back tight and then you attack again as a group. Can I ask you something, though, if you had to vote for the heart today. So McDavid, you just mentioned it, Hayes, do you know how many regulation laws?

as Colorado has? Yeah, it's still McKinnon for me. Two. Yeah, it's still McKinnon. So it's like how, what will make David have to do to win the heart? Well, I would think they got to win the division, which they're knocking on the door, right?

I don't know how much of it is team success, what everyone else is doing. Like, I think what could hurt him, which is a strong term considering it, right now it feels like a two-man race. I do think Celebrini needs more love and attention. Yeah, but it's two-man race. I know, but what if San Jose gets,

in. It doesn't matter. These are clearly the two best players. I get they're the best players. Most valuable, whatever you want. Are they, though? Like, how can Salabrini, if he drags his team into the playoffs and he's within 10 points of these two freaks, which he is right now, how can that not be considered at least a possibility that he gets some votes? Fair point. I don't know. Like, he's got to be within realm of third, fourth. Yeah, and it's more than likely it's a battle between these two.

But I think, you know, with McDavid, it's the power play points can hurt him in the voting like this because he he gets labeled unfairly but you get labeled you're a power play merchant and the power play and how many second assist do you have on the power play and if Colorado ends up with 132 points in McKinnon's

within 7,8 points of him in Leart Ross, I think he'll win it. And I can't really argue against that strut. Like McKinnon's been unbelievable. He's been as good or better than McDavid over the course of the year. McDavid's just on a heater right now that no one can, he looks like Gretzky in his

prime. It gets like Lemieux numbers every night. It's incredible. It is absolutely incredible. So, Jonas, you'll probably remember this, but remember the Taylor Hall won it? Of course. So, yeah. So that just, I think two things, well, I know for sure, one thing, his separation between his number of points and his next teammates'

points. I want to say it was 20 or 30, and I might be wrong, but you get the idea. That was a stat that won him the MVP. Yes, but who else was he against? Because maybe, you know, like, let's assume that Celebrity does have some gap between him and the next group, a player on his team, gets into the playoffs, and he's against Connor and Nathan.

Is there enough there to have a haul-like win? Well, let me ask you this. Okay, Will Smith is second in points. How many points behind McKinnon do you think he is? Behind, you mean? Or the behind Celebrity. 25? Strud?

Yeah, I want to say 20, and we're half a two of the year. 28 points behind him. Yeah, so. He's got a 28-point lead on... Let's say it's 45 at the end of the year. They make the playoffs. Is that enough? Because I do think that the...

I would think about... Do you take the player off of that team, what happens to that team? So that's how I would think about the Harttroping. I don't get a vote, so no one really cares. But that's how I would do it. So if you take Celebrini off the sharks, are they a playoff team? Answers no. No, the answer is definitively.

If you take those other two out, are they a playoff team? I think they are. Yeah, I think Colorado, I mean, it's tough to argue. They have two regulation losses, like you said. The goaltending's been great. You know, McCar has obviously been phenomenal. Nate Chess has been great. But, I mean, dry sidels right there.

If McDavid's out, I think Edmonton would have a more difficult time making it, clearly. They're both incredibly valuable. But I do think there's a strong case for Celebrini. Like a very strong case. It's a long way down. You're still 40-plus games away. but San Jose's been the worst team in the league for two or three years. Didn't we think that they would be bad again?

Yes, and look at Chicago. Like Chicago is bad again. Now, Badaard's injury has obviously factored in, but Chicago, they're bad, and they're going to be bad. If San Jose gets in, if Celebrini's got a 45-point lead on Will Smith, and he's within 10, 15 points of the top two, come on, Jonah. I can't see it. You still can't do it. I could see him being third on, like I get about it, so you guys can try to it. Okay, so you will not be swayed.

I mean, I can't say, probably. They're clearly, like, in their own stratosphere, I think. It's like Yolkitch and SGA. Like, they're clearly one and two. And I don't know the order. But it's incredible that we're talking about Celebrini, about his team making the playoffs. I didn't have him make the playoffs.

No. Being on the Olympic team and that his point production, like those three things, I didn't think what happened this year. Crazy. They would happen, but not this show. I'm blown away. I just can't believe by him. It's incredible what he's doing.

juniors back in action tonight Canada Denmark will head down to Minnesota catch up with Mark Masters set the scene on the game tonight Luke Wilson coming up just after five Hayes it's not Hayes and bro I guess O's involved in it too I got he's not around so he's a helper Hayes bro and O

HBO we're on fire we had another great week and we are set up for playoff dominance but Luke coming up on a number of things in the NFL's we've only got a week left after tonight and then it's go time in the playoffs so Luke just after 5 o'clock overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on TSN2

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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 Virgin Plus.ca for details. All right, Luke Wilson coming up in about a half an hour. Leaves back in action tomorrow and Canada back in action tonight. Taking on Denmark down in Minnesota. And you see, they struggled against Latvia.

Ended up winning that game. And then Latvia got pumped by Finland. So now people are like, what does this mean? Canada is not that good we're going to do this again any more handshake controversies forthcoming

it's been kind of a crazy few days already for the Canadian team but that's generally the way it goes and of course you can watch the game on TSN and head down in Minnesota now set the scene here's our main man Mark Masters joining us here on the Maple Toyota Hotline how you doing Mark?

I'm doing great yeah it's been two games it's felt like two weeks with everything that's been going on around Team Canada Yeah, no kidding. I mean, how do you evaluate the team or how are they evaluating things, considering what I just said, Mark, the fact that they go to overtime against Latvia, and then Latvia gets pumped by Finland the next day. Should we read anything into that? Is it too early to do so?

Where do you stand on it? Well, I mean, it's a short tournament, so it's not too early. I don't think Canada's thrilled with how they've played through two games, the opener, very leaky defensively, quite a roller coaster ride. You know, the Latvia game, they didn't really generate much. You know, at least last year when they lost the Latvia, I think it was like 58 shots. This year was 37. They struggled to generate any sustained offense. And really, they only have one line clicking right now.

The Michael Hage line, the Canadians prospect, with Gavin McKenna, the projected first overall pick in the 2026 draft. And Brady Martin, who's been excellent all throughout this process on the right side. And they were really trying to find something everywhere else in the lineup, basically. So they still have time. thing that's interesting is that no one really has looked all that great here, to be honest. The Americans, the Swedes, I guess the Finns have had a couple of blots, but they haven't been tested. No one is feeling particularly unbeatable or like they're in a group. So Canada still likes where they're at, but they got some work to do.

When I watch this group, they're obviously very skilled and I was something that people really wanted to see, but they don't really look too connected, Masters. It looks like it, I get it, and you're kind of watching me, and then maybe I lose it, you go get it, and I'm watching you. I thought with Hunter, like I expected it would be flowing. The offense would be flowing. And maybe that's unfair expectation in a short time. But what are you seen or hearing from the players regarding kind of being more connected?

Yeah, they've talked a lot about that the last couple of days. They talked about being too fancy going for the high risk plays rather than just the given goes, right? Talking to Michael Hage and Gavin McKenna, they love that they've been doing the given goes. They've just, they get the puck, they move into space, they get the puck. back and they're able to really make things happen and confuse the opposition, whereas the other lines, it feels like maybe they're trying to complicate things. But yeah, I was expecting a lot of offensive fireworks, and we certainly saw seven goals, one empty net or on boxing day, but then not much against the Latvians. And you're talking about a forward group that includes 13 first

round picks and a guy in McKenna who's going to be probably the first overall picks. So yeah, you're expecting a bit more firepower. The top line has struggled. It sounds like they're going to keep them together. Michael Misa spoke yesterday. He has only got three shots on goals. he's got to shoot more. Tija Ginlan, I think maybe on that top line has been the best. Porter Martone spoke today about how he has to get his game to another level. He wants to be more dominant, show that power forward game that's allowed him to make a pretty smooth transition to the NCAA this season.

But, yeah, it's been lacking so far. Mark, is there one player you've watched so far where you're like, that guy is much better than I thought he was? I haven't seen a lot of Michael Hage playing down in the NCAA. He's maybe been Canada's best player. He's been incredible. The speed he plays with. The only thing he hasn't been able to do is win face-offs.

He's like 36% last game, 16% in the first game. But other than that, there's a lot to like. I'm impressed by his personality. He's having fun out there. It doesn't feel like the pressure's got to him, and he hasn't really played for Canada before at an international event. So I've been really impressed the Canadians. Maybe at least fans won't be thrilled to hear that,

but it looks like the Canadians have another good one there in Michael Hage. With Mark Masters, live from the World Juniors, again Canada playing Denmark tonight in terms of you know the carryovers from a year ago where they couldn't generate offense and that was a big concern last year and you just referenced that

it seems to be a lot of disconnected lines at this point them trying to figure out exactly the style of play they want to apply here you get the impression you know that nerves would start to kick in you know that the deja vu is starting to arrive here and if so how can they thwart

that and how big of a role does Dale Hunter have to play in avoiding that. Because when we had him on a week or two ago, he did not want to talk about the past. Like he had no interest, and I understand why. But it feels like the past early in this tournament is starting to show up a little bit. So how do they shut that down?

Yeah, a couple of players mentioned flashbacks with that Latvia game. It felt eerily similar with Lodvia tying it late and then going overtime. The difference, of course, this year is that Canada finds a way to get the win. They get the power playing overtime. and the power play, which was such an issue last year, comes through and has been converting.

So maybe that's a bit of a difference this year. But everything felt very similar, even, you know, coming off an emotional Boxing Day win just like last year where the tournament started good. And then all of a sudden, the Latvians give you some humble pie. So yes, it will be a lot on Dale Hunter. And if you look, if you think back to his 2020 World Juniors, there are some similarities there where they lost 6-0 to rush in the preliminary round, which was the most lopsided loss in the history of Canada at the World Juniors, lost Alexei Lafranier to an entry in that game. And there was a lot of adversity.

Barrett Hayton, the captain of that team didn't take off his helmet during the Russian anthem. It was very chaotic to feel. And then he was able to settle things down. Tonight's an important night. Denmark is a team that they should be able to hang a crooked number on. If we don't see that tonight, I think you'll see some stress and some nervousness build for that game against Finland. Because they dropped the point to Latvia, we'll see what happens in this Finland-Cechia game. But it's still on the table that Canada could finish third in the ground.

group with mark masters and keaton verhoff is going to make his debut tonight is that right and what do we expect out of him and does he have a chance to do enough this evening to stay in the lineup or is this one of those gratuitous you're going to play so you're a part of it but then you're back out of the lineup once you get to the next game yes i had forgotten that hunter doesn't give lineup changes uh when i think back on 2020 but this year you're like what's the lineup he's like oh we'll see and then verhoff comes down he's like i'm so excited to play tonight. So it's a big night. It's a big night for Keaton Verhoff, right? Like, I got to tell you, the upside of this kid is amazing. Right shot, big offense. But every time you hear someone from

Hockey Canada talk about him, it's the balance of the defense and can he be trusted in the puck management. And even today, Dale Hunter was asked, you know, what do you want to see from Keaton Verhoff if he's in? And he said, sound defensive play. So that's what he's got to show. He's got to bring the spark from the back end because this is maybe his only opportunity. It's a chance to experiment a little bit You know, you're facing Denmark And can he show that he can bring the spark from the back end While also being reliable defensively

He's got some work to do to kind of prove that He's young, 17-year-old He's only four days older than Carson Carl's Who's like the fifth youngest player on defense To play for Canada at the World Junior So he's really young, it's not easy to make this jump As a young defenseman And he'll be in the spotlight here tonight

Gab McHen obviously has a big spotlight on him He's delivering, he's getting quite a few points But every year, you know, there's Badaard, everyone's watching him or going back to Connor McDavid or everything, all these guys. So what are you seen from him, you know, probably going to be the highest pick in the draft this year? I think he's off to a good start. I mean, there was a lot of pressure on him. He acknowledged on the first day of camp that there's been a lot of chatter he called it about his start in the NCAA. He knows people are doubting him.

They don't think he's made a good transition or as good, I should say, a transition to the NCAA in terms of his production. he's got four assists so far probably would like to see the puck go in maybe once or twice here just to get that going a little bit and round things out but four assists as I mentioned playing well with with Michael Hage doesn't seem to be having any stage fright with the kind of the kind of the stage here seems to be kind of embracing everything that comes with it so I think it's been a good start for Gavin McKenna and that's important for Canada because he's got that game breaking ability and it feels like they're going to need them once they get to the business end of this tournament absolutely all right Mark great stuff buddy enjoy it down there we'll do it again soon. Thank you for this. One last note for you guys. Justin Morno at the morning skate today. Minnesota Twins legend firing up Team Canada, so we'll see if they get the Morno bump here tonight. I love it. What a beauty.

That's great. Get the MVP in there, man. You can't beat that. The Memorial Cup champ, too, Hazy. He was the third goalie on the Portland Winter Hawks back in 1998, which I did not know. I had no idea. We just have the hockey connection there. Wow. That's amazing. That's awesome. Okay, there you go. Get Morno in the house.

Canadian royalty. I love it. Can't wait. Thanks, Mark. Appreciate it. Thanks, guys. Mark Masters joining us on the Maple Toyota hotline. Get in and go where adventure takes you in a new 2025 Tacoma from Maple Toyota near Canada's Wonderland, and the Maple Auto Mall visit Maple Toyota.com. Yeah, there's a bunch of guys.

Like him and Joe Mauer are really close. Obviously, there are teammates for a long time. I think it's more now, but it might be Mower. One of them builds like basically a professional hockey rink in their backyard. And there's a bunch of guys, former baseball players, hockey players, football players that live in the air, and I guess they get together all the time and play and Mornow. Like I met him,

I played like nine holes of golf with him a few years ago. Awesome guy. And obviously a big hockey guy. Joe Mauer. I think Mauer was like a really good hockey player too. Well, he's, I believe he's from Minnesota. He is, yeah, Mr. Minnesota. So it's a pretty good setup.

To connect to the MVP thing, to give you guys some love, Crosby won his first MVP when he was 19. Celebrini. I think it was his second year in the league. Yeah, it must have been. Yeah.

Probably similar situation. The team had been terrible forever. Can't believe they made the playoffs. Look at Sid. Now, Sid had more hype than Celebrini. Yes. But, and he wasn't competing with these two freaks. Like McDavid and McKinnon are just crazy.

But back then, I would have been 06, 07. 6.07? Like, there would have been, like, who else? Like, he would have been competing. with Ovechkin at that point. Yeah. He had just gotten in the league too, right? Right.

Okay. I think the doors are open. Like you look at the odds on Fandual. Well, he led the league in scoring. Sid did that year? Yeah. Yeah. Like 120 points or something?

Thornton was second. Okay. McKinnon is a favorite, like minus 180 on Fanduel. McDavid's a slight underdog plus 165. And then McLean-Colabrini's third at like, plus 2,700. So it's basically those two guys and then a serious amount of distance between...

You can get plus money on McDavid. Pretty good. Seems like a reasonable play. I think the Celebrini play, though, makes sense too. Because you're an injury away, in this case, two injuries away. Knock on wood, you hope it doesn't happen. But if either of these guys missed three or four weeks

for whatever reason, and he blows past them, gets the team into the playoffs. Like there is an avenue for Celebrini to win the heart. There's an avenue, Jonas, I'm telling you. Well, it's, it's, let's a bit of a reach, I think. I think just him getting into the final three would be huge. All right.

And to me, it'd be a big surprise. I didn't see that connection. I'm with you. It's not a surprise anymore, though, in August. Right? Like, it's not a surprise now. No, it's not. But go back to August.

Yes, 100%. To your August question? Do you think he's 100% for Team Canada now? Like, not even question on the team? He should be. I wrote down all the forwards, and I think... It would be impossible for Doug Armstrong to explain this guy not being on the team. He's been one of the five best players in the world this year.

Yeah. Like he is... And what he does without it, too? It does away from the puck, right? Like, what was the goal the other day? He, was it Saturday or Sunday? I forget that he missed it. Something happening off the one.

He back checked, got the puck back. Like, coaches love that. That is, like, hockey porn for GMs, right? Seeing an elite player doing that. Totally. It's huge. Like, to me, that's the play. He knows the points, but there's a lot of guys that get points.

That's the play that I think is a separator. I agree. He's dogged. He's a competitor. Sticks up for himself, his teammates. Not that that's a huge priority, but, like, you saw that a week or two ago, Will Smith got smoked, and he came flying in. And I love seeing that.

Like, he's 19. It wasn't like I'm looking for a fight, but I'm going to let you know I saw it, you know, and I'm not going to let you get away with it. He is a lock. I'd be shocked if he's not on the team. Shocked if he's not on the team. I have no idea how they could possibly explain that he wouldn't be. And I think he's got the chance to play a huge role in the team too.

Like obviously it's McDavid and McKinnon, McCar. Like those are the big three and then whoever's going to start net. But I think he's got a chance to be like the fourth most impactful player on the team or close to it. Like top six for sure? Yeah, I think so. We'll get into that more to the next hour. Luke Wilson in about 15 minutes. Overdrive continues.

Send 1050 and up on YouTube live. European flavor. How would you describe it? Rich, savory, hearty? How about yummy? Yummy Market is your destination for authentic European foods. From comfort foods and artisan baked bread

to decadent cakes and pastries. Yummy Market skilled chefs prepare everything from scratch, honoring generations of traditional European recipes. They also stock a vast selection of rare European groceries. Yummy Market, a European food experience. In North York at 4,400 Dufferin Street, and Vaughan at 1390 Major McKenzie east of Dufferin. Visit yumemarket.com for their holiday menu.

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. All right, overdrive continues. Powered by Fandul. Bringing you more ways to play your game your way. Luke Wilson in about 10 minutes. Monday night or tonight. Raptors back in action after a thriller last night. And man, it's fun when Steph rolls through town. And Scotty Barnes, like his stat line was...

25 rebound? Third. Crazy. I just saw a Yakub. portal update. He's not going to play for at least another week. And he hasn't played since before Christmas. He's been dealing with that back issue. But it's always fun when when Steph rolls through town. Like there's not going to be many more. Not going to be many more.

Unfortunately, like we're having that conversation about LeBron, right? Like the last time he was here, what, a few weeks ago? And who knows if he'll be back? Maybe he keeps playing. Maybe he doesn't. Maybe there's some load management. Same thing with Steph Curry. He's on that list of like, I want to see that guy

play? Yeah. Like, how many guys you think there are in each sport where you're like, I need to see him or her? Like, it's not that many. Like, in the NBA, it's LeBron, it's Curry. I think Yokic is in there. Yokic is in there based on the absurdity of his numbers.

But he's also weird to watch. Yeah, but he doesn't have the aura that those other two guys have. Maybe it's just two. Like, Steph has an aura about him. Yeah. And, like, when he was at his height, like 10 years ago, it was absurd to watch him play. And, like, that's really cool that, like, the Raptors played Golden State in the final. You know, if you're lucky enough to be in the building for any of the games, games one, two, or five, I was there for all three.

Like, I was thinking about that this morning. Like, I've seen LeBron play in the playoffs. I think it was an 18. They played them in the final, conference final. I'd seen them other times as well. Steph Curry in the final. This year, if you're a Blue Jay fan, you went to Sierra Judge play. Shohay Otani play.

I think those are the two in baseball right now. I think in hockey, it's McDavid, it's McKinnon, Crosby, Ovechkin. Those guys are a different, like moving into a different phase, but I don't think there's that many where you've got to see that person. It's a good question. Like if you're using Toronto as an example, like a Toronto sports fan in the last 15 years,

the Leafs have played a lot of playoff series. You know, you've seen Kutrov in the playoffs. You've seen Barcov in the playoffs. Different. You've seen, yeah. He did see Ovechkin in 16, but he hadn't won yet, and it was still kind of wondering what it was going to look like. But you and I would have been in the building for those games.

Judge, Shohei, Steph, LeBron, I guess Ovechkin. Like, those are your five legends of the last decade that you've seen in the playoffs. Ovechkin peak, like, Strattie, you remember, like, he was unbelievable. Because he didn't just score. He was, like, he was physical. Oh, yeah. He was like a linebacker playing hockey. plays with such exuberance.

Like so much fun to watch play. A showman. Incredible. All right. Well, Steph, nice seeing you, man. Big win for the Raptors. So, Raps Magic tonight. Hour 2 coming up. We get to something to chew on, brought to you by Boston Pizza.

Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on TSN2. You've been listening to Overdrive, powered by Fandul. Fandul, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. I'm Dylan Playfair. And I'm Tyler Smith. We're putting loneliness in the penalty box by talking to some of our favorite athletes about the importance of friendship. This is Bromance.

Bromance is brought to you by Charm Diamond Centers, proudly Canadian-owned and operator. Charm has been part of your love stories and bromances for over 50 years. And you can find Bromance on the IHeart Radio Network or wherever you get your podcast.