OverDrive - OverDrive - December 29, 2025 - Hour 2 - Luke Willson

Episode Date: December 29, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jason Strudwick and Jonas Siegel for Hour 2 on OverDrive! TSN NFL Analyst Luke Willson on the headlines around Week 17 in the NFL, the Bills' missed chances against the Eagles and the Steelers and Ravens' matchup for a playoff spot. The guys go through Canadian players on the bubble of making Canada's Olympic team and determine if they make or miss a spot and Hayes gives his FanDuel Best Bets.

Every year it's the same. I get socks. You get socks. We all get socks. Not me. This year, I got more. More socks? More for less. Virgin Plus hooked me up with an affordable phone plan and member benefits on food, fashion, and entertainment. So while I'm knee-deep in snow and novelty socks, you're unwrapping deals all season?

Exactly. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Get more for less this holiday season with affordable phone plans and member benefits you'll love. Virgin Plus, obviously. Visit a Virgin Plus store or virginplus.ca for details. Power 2 Overdrive continues Powered by Fanduil Bringing you everything from the opening line

To the final score Brian Hayes, Jonas Siegel Jason Strudwick Look who we have in here We've got Luke Wilson in here Oh Looking good, feeling good How are you doing?

It's tough week Tough week on the spreads You know, it's been a tough year But I'd like to formally congratulate you We have been eliminated We cannot come back Yeah So congratulate

What do you guys go by HBO? Yeah, we go by HBO now. Go by HBO. That's right. Waiting on Doogie. I don't know if he's got something for me, but I would like to say... That's 19. Yeah, it's been a tough year.

You know, I feel like the Kansas City Chiefs. But, but... But... There's a big butt here. What do you have for us? You know, there's an athlete, you might know him, I believe his name's Michael Jordan. You know, and he goes by us saying, it don't mean a thing without the ring. Right.

And right now, you look at Al's brother. This man, and I believe yourself as well, has... has never won a Super Bowl in the spread calling. You guys have never won one. That's inaccurate. That is not inaccurate. I have not won one with him. I have won't.

When you and I were partners before you went. Correct. We wanted that year. Correct. Yes. Yes. I forgot about it. I have been in the winner's circle before. Al's bro has not won't.

You got, look at that record. I'll be honest with you. You guys have been phenomenal. We have been garbage. You're plus 19. I'll shake your hand. Thank you. Congratulations on winning the season.

That means a lot. That being said, it don't mean a thing without the ring. I agree to you. needs one. He needs one. He's Lamar. He's Lamar. He's Lamar. He's Josh Allen. He's Lamar. And I'll further this. I'll further this and say that you guys kind of remind me great regular season. I look at the 07 Patriots. Does anyone talk about them? No. Are they considered

one of the greatest teams? No, because they didn't win it. Can't be. The 2016 Golden State Warriors. Yeah. Yeah, LeBron got them. LeBron got them. I'm telling you right now, you guys won the regular season. I've conceded. I don't care if you win by I don't know how many games are left. Well, we're racing for 20 plus. Yeah, you're racing, and I'm walking in on the playoffs.

Okay. This does not mean the thing without the ring. All right. Al's bro goes another year without a ring. He does need one. He needs one bad. It's like McDavid, Judge, Lamar, Al's brother. I agree.

He needs one big bad. Like Al's brothers in the same company as Aaron Judge. And this is the year to do it. I mean, we're 21, 30 and one on our side. I have been, and I've caught some bad bounces, but I have been an abomination. We have seen the board very well. To be clear, like our numbers, if you've been riding HBO all year, you're plus money. You're on fire. Yeah, you're making good money.

Is there a way where we can establish, and maybe it's later in the week, but we can establish, because there's been some, you know, controversy on how we're going to do the playoffs. Yeah, I was thinking, I got some ideas. We'll let it percolate. We'll figure something out. We'll establish it. But again, congratulations. Thank you. Great season. Great season. Thank you. I love the concession. It's almost true.

It's true. You guys had a great season. You started yelling at Luke about something the second he came in. in here. Do you want to? Yeah. Yeah. So I was watching Bill's Eagles and I watched the post game with you guys and Luke was like hammering the bills for going for two and I was like, what?

Yeah, we're usually on the same page. I know. We're usually thick as these. It makes a lot of sense. Yeah. I'm like, what is he talking about? Of course they had to go for it. That was to win the game. So I don't know that I agree. Yeah. Can I try and sell this a bit? Yeah, because like I'm thinking they score

there. It's over. Yeah. if they take it to overtime, they've got to score again, they've got to stop it. It's just more complicated. Tell me why I'm wrong. So I get that train of thought,

and I also say that the fact that you missed a kick earlier, it kills you. And I'll also say, oh, was that in the decision? We don't want to put the game in our kicker's hands. To me, if you can't have,

if you miss one extra point that's shocking, you miss two that's an absolute utter embarrassment. You need to, this is the NFL. You guys don't like kickers. You should be making extra points. You can't be like, our guy can't make an extra point. That's ridiculous.

So I look at the game. This is where I think analytics fall short. I'm sure there was some analytics to say there's X percentage that they get this two-pointer and win. When I'm like, well, let's look at the feel of the game. Philadelphia starts the second half offensively. They get a five-play, 13-yard drive. The next four drives are three-and-out, three-out, three-and-out, three-out. Jalen Hertz threw for a total of zero passing yards in the entire second half.

Zero. Now you look at Josh Allen. Now they were tough plays. I'll be honest, they made some miraculous plays. But whole momentum, the run game was starting to come to life a little bit. Four drives out. They go right down to the goal line, fourth and goal. They get stopped.

Josh Allen's scramble. I think it was like two inches from scoring. Next drive they had the punt, I believe. The next two drives you go right down a field score touchdown. They're on the field a ton. They had dominated Philadelphia. I look at overtime, and I say to myself, Jalen Hertz is having a hard time completing a pass.

It's pouring there, right? It's pouring rain. He can't throw. They can't run. And you've gone back-to-back drives with a touchdown. I sit there and I say, if you really want to dig into the next level of analytics, you can't tell me that the percent chance of you winning an overtime

was not a better percent chance than one single two-point play. Doesn't more have to go right? When you go to overtime, then just to score on a two-point conversion? Yes, but I would almost say it's an argument in my favor. Because it's like more has to go right, but the chances of more going right are very high as they've gone for most of the game. Especially since the rule changes. Like I think you're living in an era where if you lose the coin flip, you're screwed, so go for two. Right.

We're not living in that world anymore. Everyone gets an opportunity. Yes, if there was coming down to the coin flip still, I'm on the other side of the same. I don't rely on a coin. But that still means I have to score and I have to stop them. Which, again, based on what the way the second half played out. And I would even argue the first half. Like, that was not an offensive performance by Philly.

It was a tough game to play it. Another counter to the counter. Yes. Alan just has to make that throw. For sure. Yeah, it wasn't a good throw. For sure. And he owned it.

But again, like, part of my point here on Jay Show, I'm not sure which one you're watching, but I'm like, so he misses a throw. This is overtime. It's second and 10. we're still alive, you know? And that's why I'm like, you have this do-or-die situation, and it was a great route, it was a bad throw, raining, where I'm like, to me, I always equate this to like being at the casino

when it comes to, like, playing odds. When you're the casino, you want people to play longer. Because the more time you were at the casino, you're going to lose. And it's like when you play a Josh Allen team and your defense actually shows up, which they did, the longer time you're going to lose. going against Josh Allen, at some point

you're going to lose. So did this game, what kind of an effect did this have on you projecting what the bills are going to do in the playoffs? It had a pretty large effect, and I think it's very clear cut. I'm not sure you guys know me, I will generally take a very firm stance, but with Buffalo, it's a bit more gray

for me because we talk about margin of error and the ability to come out and consistently win football games. I think they have the best football player on Planet Earth and Josh challenge. He can win any game any day of the week. He can make plays off schedule. He can make plays on schedule.

I think the world of the guy. But that being said, I think their margin of error is very small and it'll be tough to win if they can't run the football. And you saw that yesterday. They've struggled to run the football. I believe James Cook got a little banged up. He obviously played. He was fine. He only averaged 3.7

yards per carry. So now of a sudden it's like, hey, our go-to running back, who is leading the league in rush yards coming into yesterday is not having a explosive game, we need to throw the football and it was tough. I mean, even the plays they did make were Josh Allen making these miraculous throws. Cooks had a catch. Shavers had a catch.

They were pretty wild. Well, Shakir, I would say. Shakir, and this is where you guys don't me. I like to kind of point the finger of coaches a lot where I'm like, there almost needs to be a secondary style of offense out of Joe Brady where it's like, okay, the run game's gone, what are our core pass plays

that we don't necessarily need a star wide receiver to just get this thing done? Whether that's bubble screens, whether that's just quick outs, we need something like this so we're not stymied. And again, they relied on what they always rely on those situations. Miraculous plays. Well, I do think it sets up for Alan to be in a position

where he's going to be asked to do something that is completely unfair. That's... It's like Mahomes last year, right? Where it's like you look at the talent around him. But their defense was phenomenal. And they were at home. So the difference here is he's going to go on the road.

The defense has been very Jekyll and Hyde. Like you could make an argument. He's going to be asked to do something over a four-game stretch that no player has ever been asked. Yet I don't think it's impossible that he does it. You just summed up my thoughts, exactly. They can get bounced in the first round. They can win the Super Bowl.

But if they do win the Super Bowl, Josh Allen has got a not once, not twice, not three times, but four straight games play out of his mind. Out of his mind. And he's probably going to see some very good defenses, not in the first round, obviously, but if they, I expect Houston to be kind of a sleeper, they run into Houston at some point.

That is a nasty matchup for that. them. Denver is a very tough matchup for them. I would also say I know you beat New England recently. You split with them on the year. Let's take things in perspective. You're down 21-0 and then 24-7. I think if you're a New England fan

or in the New England front office, let's call it even coaching staff, and you watch that game, you feel pretty good about playing Buffalo again. There's a couple plays here and there. Again, I think they can do it. I don't love their chances, but if he does do it, I think it'll be one of the greatest

runs ever by a quarterback, any player. I'm waiting for it. But, yeah, I mean, Strud, you got anything for us? Yeah, last night's a pretty fun game. You know, when you watched the 49ers and the Bears. The 49ers, are they of the top teams in that side? Do they need to win that to get the top seat? And also, what's with Brock Purdy and those moves?

Like, he was really feeling it last night after every. You could toss. I've been a staunch Brock Purdy defender over the years. He looked good without weapons. The dancing is tough to defend, though. The dancing. The dancing, you know, as a white boy who played in this league, I always felt like, you know, we should keep the dancing to him in a minute. Yeah.

Just that was my friend. Come over the cool hand shake. Yeah, you know. But that being said, I mean, when you make plays like you're watching right now, that was shades of Russell Wilson in the younger days that I played with him. You know, making guys look silly. Oh, here we go. Oh, oh. Whoa.

Hang on. Hang on, Brock. Yeah, yeah. I'll say this, though, whenever you have a Shanahan-led offense where the run game is going and you have a quarterback that is cerebral, I go back to the Atlanta days with Matt Ryan. You know, I can go back to Mike Shanahan's father in Denver, you know. That offense is going to be so difficult to stop if you can establish.

the run. And for whatever reason, the last two weeks, they've been able to get that done. And you talk about Sam Fran, I'll be honest. If I had a vote, I don't. No matter what happens in this last game, I'm giving Shanahan the coach the year. I'm glad to bring that up because I was having a debate with buddies about that the other day, that it never comes up. It's been Vrable and Johnson consistently for six or seven weeks. You know, two new coaches, two teams that have not been very good the last few years, all teams winning their division. That's very significant. Bears have done it and the pastime.

Absolutely. So all of that kind of, the narrative is right there. It's on a platter for those two guys. But no Warner, no Bosa. Williams is another guy. Williams has been out who might be the best tackle in the league. Purdy's missed, what, eight games? Yes, somewhere up there, yes.

And they're playing for the one seed. I'm going to go even a little further where wide receiver room. You missed Tettle for, I think, six weeks. I'm not sure that yesterday was six or seven. I know this guy is, you know, there's a whole bunch of drama, but your true number one receiver is Brandon Ayuk. He's just not even around. Speeding around the facility.

Yeah. Your number two receiver, I would say, is Juan Jennings, who has missed time. Your number two B, again, assuming Ayuk was your one, is Pearsall, who I think is missed seven games. Yes, he has. Again, Mac Jones was a castaway that nobody wanted, looked awesome. It's a phenomenal job. Bosa and Fred Warner.

Those are not just like two good players. Those are two of the best defensive players in the league. And then to add to that resume, you're also playing in, and this is not even a question, in my opinion, the toughest division in the NFL. Right, exactly. Seattle and the Rams are legit. Correct.

This isn't the Patriots when they were rolling through 10, 15 years ago, the Jets, Dolphins, and Bad News bills back then. Like, you're playing arguably two other teams that are considered in the top four in the league. It's a phenomenal job. I worry about the defense, but they're doing enough. Last night they got cooked,

but they're doing it. But they made plays. You know, they don't have a pass rush, which they're not going to find. But there's a part of me that wonders if that, you know, this goes,

it's kind of counterintuitive to the way people mostly look at it. But once you, if you know that, you can game plan for it. If you know what I'm saying? Like, every team's like,

all right, we got to find a way to blitz. We've got to find a way to get a pass rush. It's almost, like Sala and Shannon have conceded, like it's not going to happen. Yes. So let's make sure the coverage is as a lead as it can possibly be. Let's make sure we attack

the offense in whichever way we can to take something away from them because they know it, we know it, we're not getting after the quarterback. And get a turnover. And find a way to get a turn. You got to get one. Yeah. Like, it's actually simplified things. It doesn't mean it's easier. It doesn't mean that it's something they wouldn't change if they could.

They'd want to pass rush if they could get it. But they're not searching for something because it's week 18 and they know it's not going to be here. And Brock Purdy, you know, I know there's a lot of controversy earlier in the year, but the last two weeks when they've needed it. He's cooking, man. He looks really good. Has looked like a $50 million

guy. Yeah, to his credit, he's been really good. But can I ask you guys, like which team would scare you more in the NFC? The Lions or the Niners? Or not the Lions, the Bears. Niners. Like, for sure? Yes. Yeah, me too. I just look at this offense. First off, CMC is another guy where I think we've talked about him

so much over the past, whatever, five years. I mean, he's incredible. And last He didn't have as big of a game catching the football. Yes, worked on. You know, you're like, man, what a tough game. He only scored once and had over a buck 30 on the ground. Like, that's where we're at with this guy. Hey, listen, Caleb Williams looked good last night too.

When he looks good, he looks great. And the bears have been impressive. But they've won a lot of tight games. They're young as well. Very, very young. Yeah, and there's been games. Like, they've won where Caleb has not been good, and that can't happen in the playoffs.

So, you know, Purdy, you can say the jury's, out on him, well, it's definitely still out on Caleb Williams in terms of what he's going to do in the playoffs. So, you know, it's interesting this week because we've got three divisions that are still up for grabs. And I've noticed... I don't even want to watch the NFC.

Shell, I'm sick of those. Well, that game's out of the way first on Saturday, right? Because if the Bucks win, that means an 8 to 9 team is going to host a playoff game. The Bucks who just lost to the Dolphins. Yes. And they can win, and they're going to be 8 and 9, and they're going to host a playoff game.

That game's at 4.30. Niners Seahawks at 8.30, I believe it is, on Saturday. I've noticed people freaking out that the NFL and NBC have chosen to flex Steelers, Ravens to the primetime Sunday night football game. Why are they freaking out about that? Because they're idiots. Win and you're in is always going to win out. In terms of like the more captivating storyline.

Yes, the Niners and Seahawks are playing for the number one seed. It's a big, big game. Yes. Win and you're in, losing you go home is the definition. of great TV. Absolutely. That has to be the game. I'm going to further this and this is a big controversial because I played for Seattle

and Seattle versus San Fran is a rivalry, especially on the West Coast. That was our big rival. But when you think of the NFL, you know, it doesn't get much bigger. I'd say maybe back in the day, Chicago, Green Bay, not as of recently. Maybe this year is better. But like

Baltimore versus Pittsburgh. Yes. This is the very fabric of this league. Outside of maybe the Cowboys clearly. Yes. Somewhat they represent. You're 100% correct. And now you put in there that Aaron Rogers is in the game and Lamar Jackson. Do you think he's going to play Lamar?

Yeah, I do. Do you think he'll be any good? That's not sure. I don't know. I'm concerned about Rogers though. Like, Metcalf completely jammed them. I agree. But listen, the last decade of his career, I'm telling you, I saw it up close and personal. Big, big

games under the lights, it has not gone well for him. For Aaron. For Aaron. That would be concerning for me That's very fair But I'm just going to put a couple more things out there Baltimore's secondary is really bad And they have some good players But whatever's going on there

I mean you saw yesterday They got cooked yesterday Or excuse me Saturday Malik Wilson looked like Mike Vic Yeah he's been on the football He's been good though Will it Yeah sure To his credit but to his credit

But it's like you look at the numbers of the secondary The yards they're giving up It's not an elite unit It is not the Cleveland Browns So that's one thing I'll say and I do think Aaron will adjust their, you know, the Achilles heel against going to Cleveland was going back to the MVS well. We kept treating MVS like he was DK.

And, oh, this is the matchup we want. I'm like, this is not a fourth and goal, a fade ball to MVS against Denzel Ward is not the matchup we want. That's not good. No. So I was pretty surprised. They went, Pittsburgh yesterday went 3 of 15 on third downs and 0 for 3, I think, on 4 downs. Every other part of their game was pretty solid. Their run game was okay.

Their defense played really well. Granted was Shudur. I actually think Aaron rebounds. I'm not saying he throws for 300, but I think that they'll kind of realize, you know, we can't go in here thinking MVS is DK and we'll have a new plan. But that's the thing.

I just don't know who that's going to be. You know, like Metcalf has really jammed them up here. Jammed them. Like a complete job. I was talking on Jay Show yesterday. I'm like the MVP for the Baltimore Ravens this year is some dummy fan. with a blue wig

who's holding press conferences like an absolute troll I know what a loser what a loser press conference like begging people to leave him alone when obviously something happened that guy I don't know what it was

like so excited this has occurred yes he cannot wait he can't wait to start doing it he's thinking he's gonna get when he showed up Kimmel yeah with the with the sport coat jeans and backwards Lions hat on I'm like

this is this is straight out of Saturday Night Live skit. Right in his element. Is it possible that that's going to be Roger's last game? Yeah? Like if they lose isn't it over? Possible, but I think he's coming back, man. I really, the way Tomlin talks about him, the way he's talked. I think they like, I think they like the

situation. I think both of them like, you've got to think of Tomlin too. Is Tomlin coming back? I would say yes. Because here, think about Tomlin and how he, since Big Ben, some of the names he's dealt with. Mason Rudolph. Mays, Kenny Pickett, Russ, which Russ is a lot to deal with Justin Fields

in there. It's the worst. I do find that Aaron is such a controversial figure that and everyone's guilty, myself included, we really ride this roller coaster with him week in and week out where it's like post the bills loss, this offense

has been really solid. Aaron's been good. You know, D.K.'s had a couple big games. So I think they sit there and they go, hey, you know, Aaron is, like, what are they going to do? Go into the draft. They've won too many games. Who are going to get in the draft? Pittsburgh. They want to be competitive

next year. Aaron has got it. Like, I don't know what other option they have. This is not the year. Mack Jones, for quarterbacks, possibly. I mean, they're going to pay him. Malik Willis? Malik Willis is going to, he's going to make some money as I wanted to ask you about that. I was shocked.

It was like, they're asking the floor if like, Willis is going to play out of love. It's like, are you serious? Like, he was really good last year, too, and love was hurt. He played well. Love has been playing great. That's embarrassing. It's an embarrassing question to ask that, like, Love didn't play because they're not playing for anything. Yes. They're the seven seed. They're going on the road. You're not going to see anything out of the Packers this week. They're not going to

show anything in their playbook. I think they're going to play at Chicago. I think that's the hope. And I think they got a real chance of beating them. But Love, obviously Malik Willis is not even on the radar of starting over him. But he's been a really good backup. To his credit, I would be reluctant to say, here's the starting job for one of the 32 teams in the league. But there's nothing wrong with being a well-paid backup in the league. You have a really good career doing that. And what's fun about Malik, and it's kind of a, you know, organizational thing.

And it's very interesting where a lot of times coaches want a guy to come in and run the same offense. You know, you've got a veteran guy in there. He's going to run the same place. Sure, it's not as talented, not as electric. He's not sure and love. And you've got to tip your cap to LaFleur. It's not the same offense with Malik in there, especially with, you know,

his ability to run the football. So if you have a guy that can operate with poise like Malik Willis is doing, it almost has that shock factor where you're like, man, we've had to prep for Jordan Love. We have all this film on Jordan Love. And now we've got a new guy in here. And it's much harder to prep because the offense is different. Now the flip side is when the offense is different and it doesn't work

because you can't execute as an offense because you haven't run this style of offense. I look at the opposite. Cooper rush this year, going in after Lamar was really tough. It's like the opposite. Correct. Very, very, very tough. So it does, it can come back and bite you, but clearly Malik Willis has got it done. Yeah. All right, we got Rams Falcons tonight. Yes. What is the spread here, Doogie? Is it still Rams minus seven, I think it was? That's what it is? You have no idea. Doogie's got no clear. All right, there it is. It's Ram's seven and a half. Thank you, Doogie. Rams minus seven and a half. That's tough. You guys are on the clock.

Is it? I mean, to be honest, like, again, I want to bring this up. It doesn't matter, I understand. But we want, we want 20. We want a 20. You're just building momentum. But, Duke, do you have the video? You don't have the video.

I'll get the video. I'll say, it's Michael Jordan. Don't mean a thing without the ring. I understand that. Al's brother has never won in the playoffs. But you referenced Jordan, right? In the 97-98 Bulls went 72 and 10. and then got a ring.

Yeah. If we go like 20 plus 20 plus 21 plus 22 and get the ring. Yeah. We basically push the bowls aside. Agreed. I agree with that. And the 72 dolphins, like all these all-time radios. But if you don't, you're the 2016 warriors.

Yeah, we'll be forgotten. I understand that. And that's all anyone's going to talk about. Another ring for LeBron. Yeah. I'm LeBron in this situation. You're LeBron. I won with you.

I've won with O'Don. Yeah, Miami. And now I'm going to win with noodles. Yeah, this is your Lakers chip. This is your Lakers chip. Dragging noodles to the finals. Dragging him to the finals. I haven't done much.

Okay, so tonight. Stafford, though, is playing for the MVP here, I guess. Yeah, I'm going to take the Rams. I'm going to take the Rams. I'm minus seven and a half. I don't feel. So if I was a betting, man, I would definitely bet the Falcons. Yes.

Because I'm probably good. Yeah, yeah. And I deserve what you're all about right now. But that being said, I'm guessing the Rams will probably miss three field goals and have a chance to, you know, cover this easy. I mean, they're just not playing for anything as a concern, too. Yeah. Like, it's Seahawks or Niners are going to win the division.

I'm a, you know what's a tough one for me? I kind of have a little personal one, and I hate to bring this out, but there's a pretty intense fantasy football group here at Sports Center, and I run my mouth quite a bit, not shocking in this group. And I'm in the final, and I was cruising. I was cruising. Guys, and then last night I had to play Caleb and Burden, and I'm up 39 points.

Burden was awesome. I'm up 39, and the gentleman I'm going against has Williams tonight and Pitts, and I've got no one left. Oh, no. It's going to be a sweat for me, boys. It's going to be a sweat. Well, Pitts, unless it's on fire that of late with cousins. In the state of Florida in particular, but yes, you're right.

Don't say that. Listen, it's in Georgia. I think you're going to be okay. It's a big ordeal for me tonight. I think you're going to be okay. Yeah. All right. Best of luck.

Best of luck. I need a bad. Go meet a thing without the Rams. I agree. Really? Got it close. Got to close. All right, buddy.

We'll catch you later in the week. Cheers, boys. There he is. Luke Wilson. Picks the Rams tonight. All right, something to chew on coming up. Leaves back in action tomorrow, Canada, Denmark, this evening overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and up on YouTube live.

All right, Best Betts coming up. Powered by Sandor later in the hour. Get to something to chew on here in a few moments. Olympic related. So less than 48 hours away from finally knowing who's going. going to make the team. Although we have a pretty good read on like 90% of what the roster is going to look like, right,

for Team Canada. But there are a number of bubble players, which is a testament to how great the talent is, how good this team is going to be. And I figured we'd run through some of these names, Struddy, Jonas. You guys can, I feel like you guys are going to see the world a little bit differently. Interesting.

I don't know. I'm glad about why do you say that. I don't know. I think there's a chance. Not everyone's going to have the same team, right? And again, we're arguing over or debating over, like, great players. But not everyone can make it. 14 forwards, eight defensemen, three goalies.

All right. Let me fire through some names here. You guys tell me if they're going to make it or I want to go and make it or break it or make it or cut. How did we, didn't we come up with something that was totally original? I can't hear yet because I got my. You're saying make or miss? Just come on the air, Dugge, and just speak. Make or miss?

Okay, there you go. Make or miss. Okay. All right. Got it. There it is. Make or miss. Sam Bennett.

Miss. Oh, wow. See, I told you guys. Why do you say he'd miss? I think he's had a tough start to the year. I think that they're, listen, I get that he sees them all the time, him being John Cooper, but I think they're going to. look, there's other players who have worked themselves in the conversation.

I'm sure we'll get to later. So for that reason, he's out on my book. Okay. Jonas, why is he a make for you? When the going gets tough, he plays hard and better. I needed a better phrase for that, but like... No, but he's clutch. Like, if you're a believer in the clutch, Gene, he's got it.

And they saw it at the four, like the Four Nations, obviously, Florida. He's won the cons might. Yes. He's making it. He has not, he didn't have a good start. He is coming on stronger recently. That whole team, like Florida, man, you had a, you had a, you had a, chance to just bury them and no one

could do it and now they're alive they are Michael Myers yeah could Chuck will be back in like a few weeks and I guarantee you Barkas rehabbing like Drago right now and he's going to return for the first round and we'll see what happens I'll hell's going to break loose but

I think he's I think he's going to make it I just I feel like this is a classic hockey Canada we love this guy so much type player that they'll find a way to find a role. He may not play every game.

He didn't start the Four Nations. Remember, he went in for the second game. Okay, Brad Marchand. Make or miss? Make. Make for me. To me, he should be a lock the way he's been playing. Like, and he can play with, I think he can play with anyone.

I don't expect him to have a huge role. I think he's a depth, he's obviously a debt player. Yeah. But I think he's probably a fourth line guy, he plays 10 to 12 minutes a night, can kill some penalties for, but he's also he's a vibes guy which is important he's someone that clearly has a great connection with the room and he's off to a great start this season again he's playing great um all right make or miss tom wilson make i've got him in there and let me defend my position listen he this guy has done everything

possible to make this team including showing some um understanding of when and when not to deliver a big hit And I think that was ultimately the biggest concern that I'd have by bringing them in. Because if he blows someone up at international hockey, it can be a big problem. Big time. So I think he's, I get a sense that he's dealt with that. And that is put for the side. So Tom Wilson, for me, is on the team, Jonas. I'm going to agree with you.

See, we're aligned. Oh, wow. Because I look at, like, the bottom of the roster. And, like, the guys I think he's competing with are Bennett, Sorrelli. Jarvis is hurt. So, like, I don't know what that means. Like, who is making? it ahead of him, I guess would be my question.

Like, I think Wyatt Johnson is going to make it. You could make a case he's not. I don't think Wyatt Johnson will make. Okay. I don't. I know he's having a great year. I just, I... Maybe Sirelli makes it ahead of him? I think Sirelli would have ahead of him.

Okay. I think Sirelli, I think Cooper would have a vote on that, and Cooper would lean towards Sorelli. I also look at, like, if Wilson and Bennett, I'm not sure they're both on the team. You need one? Yeah. I think you're probably picking one or the other.

If you're picking one, then it's Bennett. I would pick Bennett over Wilson. I just feel like this. You're right, Struddy, the way he's played, he has been so good this year. And that fear is, it has to be a part of the dialogue and a part of the analysis. If he blows up a guy on Latvia and gets suspended

or, you know, like, then what's the point of bringing him over here? I feel like they missed, he should have been there at the Four Nations, but the fact that they didn't put him there leads me to believe they're not going to put him here. Like if you, if that tournament and NHL rules, glorified all-star brawl didn't say we got to have Tom Wilson. How would the Olympic Games lead them to suggest, oh, we missed our opportunity. Like, we made a mistake. You won the Four Nations, right?

And there were guys that weren't on that team like Suzuki, I think will be on it. Shifley? I don't think Shepley. I don't think he's making this team. I don't think he is. For that reason. But I think Celebrini's on this team. So now we're getting away from the make or miss.

We're just having the conversation here. But you get to a point where if you put Celebrini and Suzuki on the team, which I think they're both on it. Then, okay, you take Kinectne off and you take Jarvis off. Who else is coming off for Tom Wilson? Who's coming off? I don't think Hagle's coming off.

Sorrelli? So, I took Sam Bennett out, right? Okay. So that was kind of my thing. I think you're throwing a Suzuki in for Bennett and then putting Wilson on the side. That's kind of how I put my group together. Okay. And you do have an extra forward

because they had 13 forwards, I believe, for the Four Nations. You have 14 for this one. But, you know, there's other names out there that we haven't even gotten to, like Connor Bedard, make your miss. Miss. Is that because of the injury? No, I just don't, I just don't know that he would find his way into the mix that he needs to to be able to make, to impact the team.

Does that make sense? Like, I don't know. Like, celebrating all the stuff you were talking about before, play away from the puck, competitiveness, doggedness. I don't know. I just think. Padar doesn't have the same elements to his game. Yes.

But he has been a true, like, game breaker this year. 100%. But they have a lot of game breakers. I think he's going to miss. Yeah, I believe he's going to miss as well. I don't think the injury helped him, but I still would have had, well, I didn't have either on my team in the summer. So here we are now.

I have Celebrating in the group. But I just, I look, and I, to follow up on it, Jonas said, where does he fit in? Like, what's his job? They have the high-end. Roll. trying to say. Yeah. That's a good word. So you got Connor and McKinnon as the top two centers and then, you know, if it goes Suzuki or whatever, you kind of have down the line, you know,

then they kind of have talent, oh, they have talent everywhere, but, you know, a bit of splash on the wings. Like, I just, I don't know where he fits in in this situation. His time is going to come, as is Matthew Schaefer's. Yes. Well, there's another one. Schaefer. Is he a miss for you, then, Strutt? He's a missed. Yes. Now, could I see him get in at the last spot? I suppose, but there are others just with more experience. And it's not that I don't think he's a good player. It's just, I think experience matters in those huge moments. You know, last year, Schaefer, you know, got injured in the world juniors.

And then, you know, it just, it makes the difference. I want to have someone who's been through a big moment before rather than kind of being that guy if there's an injury. Because if there's an injury, he might just watch the whole tournament, which might not be the worst thing. You know, you're still there. But, Jonas, I'm just worried if they need him. In a huge moment, is he the guy that you can...

That's the thing. There's always this argument where it's like, just bring him. Like, he can just be... But, like, you have to be prepared to play him. Like, you might need him. So if you're not prepared to play him, then I don't think you bring him. Like, is Travis Sandheim making the team? He's on the Four Nations.

Probably? I don't know. Yeah. But it's like, is Dowdy making the team is... I think Doughty's making the team. I think Doughty will be on the team. Make? Make.

He's a make. He's a... I'm projecting that he'll be on, and he would be on. on mine. Because these are two different conversations. Who I would maybe put on and who I think Team Canada will put on. I think you know, Sid is going to play the role

of the veteran, been there, done that guy up front. And I think it's important to have that on defense. And that's going to be Doughty. Like Doughty was there in 2010 and 2014. Yeah. A similar role to the one that Pronger and Niedemeyer played in 2010. You know, he's cool, calm collected. Nothing

gets to this guy. He's not going to play a prominent role, I don't think. He's more than likely a third pairing guy, you know, and I don't know who he pairs up with. Maybe it's Sanheim, you know, whoever it is, Harley, Sanheim, something like that. And that's your third pair. They play 14, 15 minutes. But I would put Dowdy on it, and I expect that he will be. Well, he's kind of the Brad Marshall of the D. He brings a certain, like, bravado to steal my grandpa's work, right? Like, that's what he brings. And he, he's been through everything. He's done everything, this guy. But I think your big horses are obviously Tays, Macar. Yeah.

And Theodore Morris They don't have To your point, Hayes Like they don't have Petrangelo anymore He was kind of like One of those guys who was there forever And now he's not there

Right And Dowdy was there before Petrangelo got there Man at the Olympics in Sochi He was unbelievable His coming out was in 2010 though In Vancouver And he was like 20 Yeah he was really young

And he was so good Well and that's where Schaefer comes It Schaefer is younger than what Doughty was But not by much and it was, wow, watch this guy play. How do we not put him on? Started the tournament as the seventh or eighth guy. And by the third or fourth game, Babcock was playing him 20 minutes.

I got to play him. He's got no pulse. Look how good he is. Did you say no to Schaefer, Jonas? Or what did you say? I don't remember. So I did a list before and I wrote yes, but now that I've talked it out, I think no. I think Team Canada will, it'll be a miss, but I would put him on the team.

just because I think he's the way he skates I think there's a chance you know like look at look at the way they're built pace is what they're building towards yeah it's not a rough and tumbled team well into your MVP it's McDavid McKinnon McCar Shaver these guys can fly man how do you defend that yeah you know so is he in your top six then if you were to draw the team if you get game one do you have them in your top six Schaefer there'd be something about him and Dowdy as a pairing that would be very close compelling to me. Wow. Very, very compelling to me. I like, so that means Sanheim and Harley, maybe you're coming out. Because I think your top four is, it's, it's, it's Thaves, McCar, Theodore, Morrissey, Theodore probably is your top four. What about Perako? Perico's not in a top four for me. Okay. You know, he'd be a, he'd be competing with Doughty to be, you know, unless they want to go left shot, right shot, then it's possible. Yeah, they do like that. You'd have Morrissey, Pereco, and maybe Theodore with Doughty. And then and Schaefer maybe comes out.

But these are all great debates to have because they're all like outstanding players. Like we haven't even mentioned, like is Mark Stone? He was at Four Nations. Lock. Stone's a lock for you. Strud. Who does he play with Jonas?

Do you put him with Connor? I actually put him on like their fourth. Did not have a good Four Nations. Yeah. No. Has been hurt this year at times. The kind of guy I'd want at that tournament. Really good defensively.

Kill penalties. So smart. So smart. Yeah. And Speed's never been his game, right? So that is a bit of a challenge because it was so fast that Four Nations was insane. That was the other thing, like Martian at the Four Nations, like, didn't look amazing. Right.

Well, he was injured. He had a weird regular season, and he just came alive in the playoffs. What about your boy, Zach Hyman, Strud, make her miss? I'm going to have a miss. I don't hear any of the insiders with their name on his lips. or whatever, you know what I mean. But I do think instant chemistry makes a difference. I would believe that he and Connor on the same line to start with would be great.

Then McKinnon Crosby and then McCar Taze, I'd feel very comfortable if I was John Cooper, because those are guys that are all going to play a ton, and they have instant chemistry from day one. I think that would make a difference, but I don't believe he's on the team, Jonas. I just don't know that he's playing ahead of, like, Reinhardt or point. Well, there's another, exactly. And points already on it. Reinhard I think it's a lot.

My top six, I had Crosby, McDavidi, McKinnon Point. Like, who is he playing ahead of? So where's Mitch Marner on your list? Third line. Which is kind of where he played for most of the four nations. With, I guess,

Sorrelli and Hagel is kind of where they ended up with. You think Sorrelli will play center for this team? I'm not convinced they play a 19-year-old up the middle of the ice. Jarelli. Sorry, I was, I've played out of celebrating on the wing. Okay.

I think Celebrating is the winger. Yeah, I think he should not. Because he plays. He digs. The guy works hard. Not that the other guys don't. I don't want to make it.

But he does get in there and get that puck back. All right. Seems like we've said make to too many players. I know. I know. We've got 20 guys on our team, 24 ones. Something to chew on brought to you by Boston pizzas. NFL game day menus.

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. We've been asking with this and mine, assuming celebrini's on the team, which I think we all are. Who do you believe will have a bigger impact on the tournament? Macklin, Sellebrini, or Sidney, Crosby? Crosby.

I just know that he's going to play. I know he's going to play a lot. I know he's going to play in big spots. I don't know that with Slaubbriny. Strud? Sid was unreal in the Four Nations guys. Unreal. It's not five years ago, right?

He's so smart. He just knows how to do. He's been through everything. He's still a really, really good player. Those guys, they do look to him. Like, they had his hockey card, right, when they were growing up. So I think he's going to have another strong, he won't probably leave it in scoring, but he's going to be a big part of this team, guys.

Yeah, I mean, he's going to be the captain. He can still move. Like, I saw him live. I was there in the 23rd. He didn't have a great game, but you still see him skating. Like, this guy's unbelievable. He looks like he's 25 still. So strong.

The way he skates, the way battles. But I would say, you're right, that the four-nees. was not five years ago, but five years ago, Celebrini was playing like AAA hockey somewhere. Like every year matters more for him. So what I'm saying is, like, this kid

is playing at a level. He's been better than Sid this year. Now, this is uncharted territory. He's walking into a room with legends. He's a kid. It's asking a lot. It's asking a lot. But we referenced the Dowdy in 2010. Jonathan Taves in 2010 was in a similar

spot. I think there's a real chance by the end of the tournament. Celebrini is a guy that's playing top six minutes, big minutes, a big role, possibly connects with one of the two big dogs, whether it's McKinnon or McDavid, and just continues to do what he's done

all year. But see, the challenge of that is it. He's a real chance. Listen, I hear what you're saying, but he'd have to figure out really quick how to play with those elite players, and Celebrini is. But when it's Connor and it's McKinnon, those guys drive the line. The Pucks on their stick, right?

And not that they don't want the other guys, but they want it, right? And they got to make plays with it. And he's a smart hockey player, so I'm not saying he can't, but can he do it in like four shifts. That's going to be asking a lot, but could you, like, wouldn't it be an amazing setup if he gets it immediately, if you have Celebrini with McDavid and Sid with McKinnon, like that's your top six and you just find appropriate wingers to play with them. you know, whoever that is, Reinhardt might be one of them, Point might be one of them, maybe it's Marner.

Yeah. And you just say, guys, go out there and do the grunt work, and these four guys, they're all going to collectively play a ton. I don't know. It's a good problem to have of you, John Cooper. If Celebrity goes from not on most people's list in August to a top six role within a couple games, that'll be... Amazing.

I mean, it'll be incredible. It'll be amazing. And it'll just be a continuation of what he's been doing. For sure. More on this tomorrow, of course. because we're not going to find out until the 31st. But I'm really looking forward to seeing it. There's going to be surprises, quote-unquote.

You know, there's going to be a player to where you say I didn't have him. Not that he's completely off the radar. No, but that was like Sanheim, I think, like, or trying to think back to Four Nations who made it. Maybe Jarvis. Yeah, or Kine was on that TV. You know? I hate the word snub, though, and that's going to be a thing. But it's like, who do you think the biggest snub will be equal?

Well, I think it's likely going to be a combination of like Bedard will be right. in the forefront of all this. Tom Wilson's getting a lot of play. Shifley, because of how he's playing, where he plays. He's a Canadian. Top 5 in the league in town. Playing for Winnipeg. Yeah.

If he doesn't make it. Yeah, I mean, I would think that's more than likely going to be the case. I don't see him. And then Schaefer possibly in doubty. Is the two extremes? Suzuki's a lock for you guys. He would be for me. I don't, I'm not convinced he's a lock for Canada, Strud.

He wasn't there again for the four nations. Like, he just. A year ago, he didn't make the team. So I don't, I can't sit here and say he's a log, but I think he should be. There's 14 better players than him. 14 better forwards in Canada? I don't think so. Is Bittington a lock for you guys?

Yes. Yeah, I'd be shocked if he's not on the team. Bennington, Kemper is, and Thompson is what I had. Is that, are you guys? Seems right. Yeah, seems right. Yeah. Seems light.

Yeah, it's not great. It's like the weakest Canada probably is around. It's not good. It's not good. It's incredible. Remember when it was like the Wongo? Yeah. Broder and like Joseph.

Yeah. Like Mark Andre Fleury was young as a third stringer and then Kerry Price. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, it's a struggle. Feels late right now for sure. All right. Best Betts coming up.

Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on TSN2. Something to chew on 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. rising up for grabs. Football game days are better at BP. All right, Best Betts powered by Fanduel. Make your

Picks and assemble at same game parley in seconds on the Fanduals sports book app. I'm going to lay the points here, Rams, tonight. I just feel like Matthew Stafford, I think he wants an MVP. Why would he not want the MVP? Is this the worst MVP race we've ever had? I know we recently, but I can't remember

one that's ever been this dull. Yeah. You're right. There's just not a lot of chatter. about it because a lot of it is because the big guys just aren't in it. If you don't have Mahomes and Lamar, Allen's in it, but it's in the peripheral. He's not going to win it, I don't think. It's going to be Stafford or Drake May.

Yeah. And, you know, Stafford's been around forever. Drake May's in his second four years starting. May was great the other day, though. Yeah. Man, was he good. But, yeah, you're right. Yeah, I think Stafford, probably in the driver's see right now. They're the Super Bowl favorites

at last time. And yet, they're going to go on the road. can't win the division can't be the number one seed tough it's completely up for grabs I have no idea who's going to win the super at all right like how could anyone possibly have a feeling you know what I mean

like I've had feelings in the pat where I'm like I feel like the chiefs I feel like the Eagles I feel like the pats or I feel like whoever I'm not right every year clearly but I have no feeling one way or the other best bets powered by Fanduel the Overdraft same game parlay available on the Fandual Sportsbook app please play responsibly 19

plus physically located in Ontario. All right, boys, good stuff. Great seeing you guys, as always. Stride, great seeing you. Jonas, thank you for doing this. Thanks to all the guys behind the scenes. Thank you for helping out, as always. Thank you for tuning in today. TV Radio podcast, Web, or up on YouTube Live.

We're out of here. Enjoy your evenings. Enjoy the games tonight. We're back tomorrow at 4 p.m. We'll chat then. 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.