OverDrive - OverDrive - December 30, 2025 - Hour 2 - O-Dog

Episode Date: December 30, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jason Strudwick and Jonas Siegel for Hour 2 on OverDrive! O-Dog joins to discuss Canada at the World Juniors, the gym rankings and Macklin Celebrini in the Hart Trophy sweepstakes compared to Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. The guys go around the sports world in the latest edition of Confirm or Deny and Bryan gives his FanDuel Best Bets.

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bringing you everything from the opening line of the final score. Brian Hayes, Jonas Siegel, Jason Strudwick, a little confirmed with an eye later in the hour. The O'Dog, Jeff O'Neill, will join us here in just a few moments. He's in Minnesota for the world juniors. And evidently, he's been in the gym a lot.

Yeah, what's going on? I don't know. He's tracking everybody else. Like, how much times he's spending in there? Tracking everyone else's workouts. I know. Isn't that aggravating? too. Wouldn't that be annoying if he's just

watching you and wondering? How do you know this? Fill me in. So he's been tweeting out every day his rankings for kind of gym warriors who's been putting in the hardest work, who's been showing up, and naturally he's claiming he's right in the mix, you know, every single day.

You know, and he's tweeted out a number of like former NHLers that are there. I think there's GMs and scouts and then TSN people. And he generally is indicating that no one else at TSN is doing anything. That's kind of the consensus, right, Stratt? Is that your read on it?

It is. He's the only guy with work ethic in Minnesota. But he'll put, like, Rich Peverly stretching routine, whatever, you know, this player doing this. And then Cheryl Pounder comes over the top and she's like, we're there early, oh, you're not awake yet or something. Like, I thought it was a great answer. But I want to know what his routine is. Like, I see him as a, you know, put his foot up on the bench, a couple of hammy stretches, then jog for 20 minutes. Definitely.

That's what I envision. Definitely. He's got the same routine that I have. Stretching is important. A little, you get the sweat going a little bit. And then you mix in a couple of weights and you get out of there. Like you got a job to do, right? Like I don't understand people that are like grinding in the gym.

When you're going to be at the rink all day, it's a long day. You know, get the heart rate going a little bit, but it's a tune-up. That's what it is when you're working. It's one thing if you're not working and you're actually trying to like drive for some sort of success in some area of, you know, know, exercise, but this is... Being healthy? Yeah, well, yeah, healthy, I guess.

That's a New Year's resolution, though. We're still in 2025. I'm not starting that for a couple of days, strud. But, yeah, I guess he's kind of like a hallway monitor down there for the gym, which is really, really... It's got to be incredibly aggravating for people. And we'll see. See what he's doing.

And we'll get his take on the game last night where... You played Denmark. You know they're going to win big. I thought the American game was really fun. Did you catch any of that? It was entertaining. There's always great games. Like I always, you tell how big this tournament is in this country. When you talk to people that say, hey, did you see the Finland game?

Yeah. You know, and you're like, and you can actually say, actually, I did have that on. What a game. You know, where it's one thing to watch Canada exclusively. It's another thing to track the other games where you know there's just bedlam happening all the time and there's lead changes and mistakes and Uber talents. Why is that? Why do you think it's so, like March Madness kind of? Yeah.

The nature of the, the age of the players, man. They're not, yeah. Well, that's a big part of it too, right? Like, think about how nervous these kids are. Yeah, and immature, right? They're young. They're young. Like, they're old teenagers, you know, so their game,

the elite elite ones, but a lot of them are, you know, still, they're barely, you know, they're barely in high school. They're trying to figure it out. They're trying to figure it out. All right, here he is. The hallway monitor of the gym down in Minnesota, the old dog, Jeff Honeil. So take us through this whole routine.

Like, when did you become the guy? who monitors what happens at the gym and, you know, what kind of hat are you wearing there, too? I can't really see it. It's a Toronto Maple Leaf hat, best hat in the world, best organization in the world. All right, continue. Anyway, the whole gym,

the whole gym system started with, I just went in there, I go in there every day at 5.36 in the morning, and then I started noticing Frankie was there one day. Duffy, was walking at level two and a level two speed, so he got some lower marks, and then some different people started filtering in. But it got out of hand quickly, because when I got to the rink for some games, some scouts were coming up to me saying, I was in the gym. Why didn't

you mention me? And I'm like, look, man, it's really not that serious of a thing. E.J. Raddick, who works for the NHL network, said, don't disrespect me. I work out at night. I said, okay, E.J. All right. And I thought, this guy's lying. And then last night we came home rather late, and we turned the corner and the gym faces right out front when we pull in.

And I'll tell you what, he was on the treadmill at 11 o'clock at night. So good for E.J. Radick. Oh, boy. Okay, well, there you go. How much do you know where this is going now, John? No, like, are you carrying a clipboard around and just marking people down? You sound like a nuisance. Like, you sound like you're bothering people with your reports.

A bully, a gym bully. A gym bully, exactly. I am not a gym bully. I just am having some fun with it. I like to put some different people in there. If I see some people getting a sweat on, I'll give them full marks. And other people, if they're being lazy, like there's a very high-ranking senior producer at Bell and TSN named Franklin Rubenstein,

who does a treadmill workout that he should be ashamed of. he walks like slower than a senior citizen for about 12 minutes and he gets off and goes and gets a coffee awful what's your routine i because i see you as a lot of stretch a lot of checking the phone and little action no i got to be honest study since i started with my trainer a couple years ago we do a serious and you can ask duffy if you get them on we do a serious circuit in about 40 minutes of cardio so that's what we do every day Is he there with you? Like, six days a week. Does he travel with you? No, you don't think I can do it on my own now? I don't know.

And I got to tell you guys one. Go ahead. I got to tell you guys one thing. You think you know somebody until you get into a rental car with them. Because Frank Carrotto to me has been a very dear friend, a guy that I like, I like talking to him. I like hanging out with them and I like working with them.

this guy's the worst driver in Canada and I don't know how it's affecting our relationship because I can't look at him like he's like have you ever got in the car with somebody you're just like yeah dude worst driver Canada's worst driver I'm telling you it's garbage and I it's affecting the way I view him man like I understand that that really it is a real game changer like you think you got to read on the guy like if someone's a garbage driver you got a serious problem and that guy has to drive me every day Yeah, that changes your whole perception of somebody. Go ahead.

What's the issue with, Frankie? It's just, I don't know. He's weaving through traffic, no signals, icy row. Everything about it is terrible. He's a really bad driver. And I had to look at him halfway to the rink on the first day, and I said, look, man, you're an awful driver. You've got to slow down, and you've got to stop this.

And we've got to learn how to drive properly. So he's smartened up a little bit. Okay, that's disappointing to hear. Well, in terms of what's going on with the tournament, I mean, that was expected last night that obviously Canada would win and win big. I think that top line, the Mesa kid, man, was he dancing last night? Like, that's got to happen, right?

If you get a taste of the NHL, he has got to dominate, right? Like, you got to expect Mesa to be maybe the best player in the tournament or certainly close to it. Is that reasonable to expect based on what you saw last night? I think this team Hayes is a lot like a lot of other gold medal teams that I've seen in the past where if they're going to get this done, they have a bunch of different players that can contribute. And I think Michael Mesa definitely has to be one of those guys. We've seen, you know, other guys step up on the first couple games.

And you're watching Michael Misa, who's quite the decorated junior player. And you're like, okay, when are you going to kind of take control? And he was motoring last night. I know it was a weaker opponent, but it was great for him to kind of get some confidence, and he can be one of those guys. I thought it might be one of those years where Gavin McKenna might pull a Burdard in Halifax, where he was kind of all over and just like the most dominant player. And he had a hat-trick last night, but it's not going to be a badard-like performance

where this guy steals the show and single-handedly wins them games every night. But I'll tell you what, they got a bunch of guys that are real good offensively, and they should be, you know, very serious contenders that put a gold medal around their neck. so doc they they unlocked the offense and my my criticism for the first two games was it looked like it was more individual i'm not suggesting they were selfish but they didn't know how to work together or more importantly work off each other um did you see a shift some over the course of the game last night that they could carry into their next game strutty i think it just gets to a point where you know they're trying to get this team together and play like a unit and sometimes it just

takes a little bit. And maybe sometimes it takes Denmark as an opponent where everybody kind of jails and gets comfortable with each other. And I think just the understanding that Dale Hunter does not screw around and it's kind of getting close to crunch time and everybody wants to put their best foot forward to make an impression on the coach that he knows who can be trusted and who can't be trusted. So everybody's trying their best to make an impression on the coach. And it's like, we might as well get it together now because we've got Finland and then elimination games. And it's like, you know what it's like during those games. Not everybody's going to be happy,

so they want to be one of those guys that's leaned on. Jeff, who has impressed you the most so far? I would say Zane Perak is one of the defensemen for the Calgary Flames, just the way he can pass the puck. And I mean, I'm not going to say, including the NHL, but I'll tell you what, I know what it sounds like, and I know what it looks like when a guy can make

just a laser 30, 40-foot pass that's on the tape, and he does it every single time. He's one of the best passers I've seen in this tournament, and the way he can see the ice and the way he can create offense, if he can, the way I described it the other day is if he can stiffen up in some areas of his game, like in the corners and learn how to defend a little bit better and get a little bit nastier, he's going to be a dangerous piece of work out there in Calgary. Whether that happens or not, I don't know, because he's not going to be able to pull out the skill moves he's doing at this tournament in the next level, but I'll tell you

what, he can zing that puck around, and his passing ability is quite impressive. And I don't get impressed often by passes, because I've seen some stuff that's pretty ridiculous. Every time he's on the ice. This guy's pretty... Yeah, he can play. Every time he's on the ice, he's just zinging it around. Yeah. It's a

big part of the discussion, right? Like, you talk about cohesion, a lot of his transition. Can you move? You know, we talk about on this town with the Leafs every single game. Can you get the puck out? Can you get your puck to, you know, talk to playmakers and Preck and do it. That Keaton Verhoff kid, he is a monster.

Man, he is a giant. Like, he looks huge last night. Did he do enough to stay in the lineup, or do you think that was just a gratuitous, like, get your feet wet, and we'll see you next year type of play? I don't know how you would take that guy out of the lineup, a right shot

defenseman that's big like that, that can make the first pass. He can create offense. He makes some creative little plays, inside the blue line. I just, like everybody we talk about in the game is just dying for that right-handed defenseman that can do all that stuff, so I really don't see how you take him

out of the lineup, hey, it's like... Yeah, I'd keep him in. Big guy like that. I know he's only 17 years old, but man, he's a man-child out there. He's a really good player. Yeah, it's going to be interesting. Like, McKenna, I don't know who you, I'm sure you're talking to a lot of guys out there. Like, is it a lock McKenna's going first overall, or is it possible he gets

passed? You know what? I always put a lot of stake into what Craig Button says, and he says, you know, there's, there's been a lot of Verhoff chatter about he's pushing for number one, but they still think Gavin McKenna is the number one guy, and he does some stuff where everybody is looking at his point totals and his goal totals at Penn State, and they're like, what's up with this guy? Like, this is not kind of number one overall material. But you watch him last night, he can make some plays that's, you look at it, and you're like, that's different than everybody else on the ice. And he's just another guy.

If you look at his upper body, he's got a lot of growth that needs to happen. But once he kind of puts that muscle on and he develops, he's going to be a dangerous player. He's so smooth through the neutral zone. His vision is incredible. And the passing ability and the playmaking ability on the power play is second to none. So I would still say that he would be the number one guy if I had to make a selection right now. The other kid, Verhoff, obviously looked good. There's a kid, Reed, on the U.S. team that Craig was raving about last night.

But I think Gavin McKenna is the number one guy. So you're in Minnie, and the Wild were in Vegas last night. They beat up in the Golden Knights. Is there like a Quinn Hughes? What's up with the Golden? What's up with the Golden Knights fellas? They got injuries. Big to Eichol and Theodore out, and Hart was brutal last night. Like the goaltending, that's going to get dicey there, man,

because they're all in on Carter Hart. Like, that's effectively their guy. But Eichol's been out for a few weeks, and Theodore's been out since, like, December 10th or 12th. take a number one center number one D man out you're in trouble you know like they're still in the they're still in a playoff spot right now but Vegas has not looked great man um but many went in there and just dismantled them last night like those top

three teams in the central they're clearly the best teams in the league right now you know Edmonton's been playing great strategy I'm sure you want to chime in on that Carolina continues to consistently plug along like you know they will but man it's it's it's an interesting time in the west because we were talking about it like san Jose won again last night they're in a playoff spot? Wait, I got to stop you there. Jonas, you can tell him, we've heard every take I've got, but I think

I might have slid in the best take of 25. This is going to shock you. He had a great take, and I want your take. I think I know what you're going to say, and I'm proud of them for saying it, but go ahead, Jonas. Go ahead. Well, Hayes came up with this theory yesterday, and I was like, this guy is out of his mind. He said

Macklin-Solabrini should be considered for the Hart Trophy, and might even have a case to win it. And I thought about it the last day or so. I was like, He might be right. Is he crazy or what? That might be the take of 25. Like right under the wire and now I own it.

It's mine. Celebrini's my guy. Driving the bus. My guy. What I'm looking at and the far left of my screen is possibly the best sports host and the smartest sports host in North America with that take because he's damn right about it. Maclin Celebrini, if they get in the San Jose Sharks,

Maclin Celebrini, I will start the hashtag. retweet Brian Hayes celebrini for heart all day long. He's been a fantastic story. I think Hayes was a little hesitant early on in the year because of what McKinnon was doing in the Colorado Avalanche. But I'll tell you what, if that guy keeps ringing up points

and the sharks get in, I'm all in on that take and it's a fantastic comment and I love him for saying. I love it. See? A lot of support now, Jonas. All of a sudden there's a lot of support. Are you telling me, Jonas, he said that and you questioned it? Both of them. Struddy's awfully quiet, too. Struddy poo-pooed it quickly.

He's like, well, let's not get silly here. Both of you guys jumped on me. Like, come on. Go ahead. So this is what we said. I said, or Jonas and I both said he could be in the top three because there's a case when Taylor Hall led the devils in scoring by such a dramatic market. Right.

Now, he won it that year. But so I think, Joe, I both, like top three, no problem. Winning it was another one. I think making the playoffs is a must. I think they must make the playoffs for him to win it. 100%. They have to. He has to, they have to make the, they have to make the playoffs.

That's a known. You don't win the Hart Trophy without making the playoffs. And he also can't get dummied in points by Connor McDavid and Nathan McKinnon because I think those are going to be your three finalists. McJesus, McKinnon, and Celebrini. And if he can stay within kind of a stone's throw of those guys as far as point totals and the sharks get in, I'm all in on Celebrini. I love it.

But I'll tell you what, there's another guy, Jason, Struddy, there's a, Another comment on the opposite end of the spectrum that that guy made. At the beginning of the year, he said Connor McDavid peak performance years are out the window, which is completely ridiculous. Well, that's why I'm all in on Celebrini here. I need Celebrity to win the heart here. Because I will get crushed if McDavid wins it. Hammer, go ahead, Strud. Dude, McDavid is making you look like a jackass right now.

But for Hayes, that's not the craziest thing he said to me. When he asked me if we have long weekends, what is it, the July or September Long weekend? Victoria Day. Yeah, Victor, that was a crazy thing. That's why this doesn't even register for me when you said that. You've been completely disarmed. When I asked you, do you guys get Victoria Day in the West?

That was absolutely like, does May 2-4 exist? You know, and you guys do extended a day? That was an absurd comment. I owe you an apology. That was embarrassing for overdrive. Yes. I know you would ever. West of the province of Ontario, a sincere apology, because that was remarkably ignorant.

But you're right, oh, like the amount of people, and I get, like, Nick David is playing at a level right now that is stupid. He is playing, he's outperforming everybody. He looks almost better than he ever has. Maybe he is. A revenge mission against you? Sure. He heard the, he heard it.

Maybe he heard me. He's wearing a haze as a fraud shirt. And again, let me clarify, I want to get this on the record, because when I say, When I made those comments, I said, I'm not sure he's going to win a heart again. It wasn't like... I remember this. I said, over under one and a half. You got to stop backtrack.

You got to stop backtracking on the comments because you did not say the words, I'm not sure. You said, Connor McDavid's not scoring 50 goals. He's not getting anywhere over 100 points and he'll never win another heart trophy. That's not. That is an act. That's what you're saying. No, no, no. I said he will never have a career year statistically.

I'm still going to stand by that. I know what he's done for the last 30 days. He's not putting up three points a night for the next 40 games. But I said, I don't think he's going to score 64 plus. That's a career high. And I didn't think he'd ever score 150 points again. I still don't. Maybe if he does, I will be the first one to say, I'm dead wrong.

You crushed it. You crushed me. And I looked like a buffoon. I did not shoot from the hip, though. I was looking at history. Crosby, Ovechkin, Gretzky, Lemieux. Usually they peak years, five, six, seven. That's when you have your big years.

He's in your 10. 10. And I also was making the comments before he signed the contract, and I was like, I don't know if that's hanging over him in the Olympic year. Listen, the way the guy's playing right now, what do you want me to say? Guy's the best player in the world. He's crushing it. He looks amazing. If this stays, if this keeps up, yeah, he'll probably win the heart. And he's going to win the Art Ross. And if he crushes his own records, then I'm in trouble. I'm going to get hammered for those days.

I think you should just start talking only about Celebrity. But that's why I'm pushing Celebrity. Push all and all your chips out Celebrity. going to start investing in this. I need billboards all over every major market, North America. Celebrini for the heart. I need McKinnon to keep rolling. And it's like I'm rooting

against McDavid, but I didn't see this coming to this extent. I've got to be honest, and the guy's just crushing it. There's no denying it. And look at Edmonton again. I'm sitting there chasing the top seat in the division again. Yeah, and Celebrity, as much as Hayes, you and I

both love what he's doing, and he should get the recognition and should be up for that award but it'll be tough to stop that mckinand train with the record the abs have it's like and mcjesus like if he keeps doing what they're like you've never had a tougher chore than then taking those two guys off the podium if he actually wants to pull this off he literally cannot take his foot off the gas for one week coming down the stretch now you're right not one week well it's an interesting question like dougie and i were throwing this around you know and we won't have the answer until the olympics are over but is there a chance that you're

the McDavid-McKinnon duo turns into the great, like could it pass Gretzky Lemieux in 87? Like, is it possible to do that? Remember Sid and Taves in 2014, like, where they were in their careers and you're like, how are you going to beat these two guys? Like, is it possible in two months we're sitting there saying we just witnessed two guys in their primes

connect and be the best duo we've ever seen in Canadian history? Because that, what's your mini-chairs on that? well i i think it's low because i think how many opportunities have they missed an international competition to be together doing it like is it two olympics now that they've missed yeah they would have been there in in 2020 and or 2018 and 2022 for sure yeah yeah they missed so it's just they've they've missed two opportunities to have those moments those you know if they were on the same line connecting for those magical moments they just haven't been there yet

can they make up for it, I'm not sure, but it would have to be some magic, both big picture winning, and then some individual moments either together or individually, that would be pretty special. But we'll think of that moment. You just think of the idea of throwing McKinnon over the boards and then McDavid. It's disgusting. It's gross, man. I don't really care what else is.

Yeah, it's gross. I don't care what else is out there in the world. Yeah, McCarr on the back end, who wants to play 28 minutes a night. I really don't care who's out there in the world, including the U.S., When you're throwing that kind of talent out there, dude, it's tough to, like, it's tough to even come close to that, man. But that one moment, guys, when Gretzky passes to Meryl instead of Larry Murphy, that's a special moment.

Was that 87? 87. Like, that's one of the greatest moments for me that I remember watching. Like, I love that moment. Greski jumps into his arms. Like, Larry Murphy's like, he may be just throwing a stick in the crowd. DECoy. Thanks for coming out, Larry.

I'm not getting that puck. But that's a great moment. decoy? As much as I love Larry Murphy as a player, there's no bigger decoy than going on a three-on-one with Gretz and Mario. You're just not getting it, man. You're not getting it. There's no chance. Just go

for a change. It might as well be a two-on-one. But you're right. I mean, they have that moment. They have the aura. You know, like Gretzky was established. He had won Cubs by then. Lemieux was young. But, you know, even if you look at Sid and Taves, it's different now because of where Taves is in his

career. But in 14, man, those two were at the top of their game. Like, sit at a cup ring, Taves had two by then. But that was the point that you've got to bring up with Macklin Salabrini that you made to me. You want to take it? With the Olympics and the heart?

I'm glad you brought that up. I'm just like teeing you up today. You're my hype man. You're my hype man. Salabrini can launch himself even further into heart trophy contention with a huge impact at the Olympic Games.

Like a huge impact. I totally agree with that comment. Right. If he fades away, Brian, and it just looks like a young kid in the Olympics, everyone's going to be, it's going to plant a seed where it's like, nah, maybe he's not ready for that yet. But if he steps in there and he's a primary player for them and a solid contributor and a big reason why they win,

that'll just go the extra mile for it. As far as people's perception coming down the stretch. Big time. Big time. Huge platform for him. Because you know what's coming with McDavid and McKinnon. They're playing a ton. And, you know, whether they get the job done or not is yet to be determined.

But they are going to get the opportunity to do that. If he scores a goal to beat the U.S. and the gold in the gold. Gold and gold by celebrating, just hand him the heart. Hand him the gold medal and the heart, right? Just a two-for-one package. I love it. All right, buddy. Well, get back into gym.

Let us know what's going on. We're looking for updates. We will chat in the new year. I'll speak to you at 4 p.m. We'll chat then. Yes, there he is. The O'Don, Jeff O'Neill, live from Minnesota. It's actually Central Time Zone.

So for him, it would be 3 p.m. Central. Yeah. But we're going to catch up with the O'Dog into the new year, and we didn't even bring up the football picks because we are plus 20. Yeah, that was tough. You realize that we are plus 20? I was thinking those guys should just go full Costanza, and just whatever they think they should do, just do the opposite.

It's crazy. Because Luke knows football better than anyone I've ever met in my life. and like he has been on some heaters the last few years on his show where he has been picking and you look at just the way he sees the board and he is ice cold right now and conversely Al's brother myself and the old dog we are 2020 vision like we are on fire in terms of the way we're seeing the board like what's going on

like I feel that's what happens talk himself in and out of picks strudia I've been there anyone that gambles anyone that play you know, specifically football spreads, you get into a place where you start overthinking... He's got the yips. He's got the yps. Yeah. He's got the yips.

And you start, you're like, well, this can't be true. And then, no, it's got to be that. And wait a minute, this team's got to win. And you lose sight of everything. And that's where they're out right now. But we're into week 18. Week 18 in the NFL, I can't believe it's already that deep into the season. We're going to be in the playoffs before you know it.

We're going to off to the Super Bowl before you know it. confirm or deny coming up best bets coming up brought to you by fando we'll get to that a little bit later in the hour overdrive continues tsn 1050 and on tsn2 i can neither confirm or deny that uh that this is in fact a signal austin trades andrew raycroft to trano in exchange for the rights touka rass it's been my honor and a privilege to serve as the general manager of the toronto maple league's hockey club It's time for confirm or deny. Do you regret giving all those gentlemen the no trades or no movement clauses?

Can either confirm or deny that? I can't confirm or deny that. All right, confirm or deny. Very simple stuff. Statements are made. We go around the table. We either confirm them or we deny them, right? Very easy stuff.

Very easy. You guys ready? Here to go. Here we go. Confirm or deny. Matthew Schaefer should be on Team Canada. Canada. I'll deny it.

I think his use and just relative lack of experience makes a difference. And I don't think he will be, although I think he'll star on that team for years to come. Yeah. I'm going to confirm that he should be. I don't think that he will be. I think they'll lean towards veteran presidents. I think they'll lean towards more of a predictable seventh and eight defensemen.

I would like to see them look at it. the opposite way. Like break glass, if need be, and unleash this guy. Right? Because he's a game breaker strut, right? Like, Sandheim is not. I know what he is. Sanheim's predictable and he's a big body

and he's going to make plays and get out of the way. This team is going to be built on speed, transition. Like the idea of Schaefer, McCar, McDavid McKinnon as options for John Cooper is crazy. I want him on the team. I don't think he will be, but I think he's played himself on it, too. You look at the numbers, watch him play. It's unbelievable what he's doing.

Kill him penalties as an 18-year-old. I'm confirming it. And I think a dark horse, you want to talk MVP? He's not MVP. MVP? But like they're kind of the same thing we're talking about with Celebrini to like a lesser extent where we didn't think the team is going to be that good. Yeah, they're in the playoffs.

This guy's playing 24 minutes a game. He's 18. We didn't get into the Barzell on Marchman thing. Yeah. How did he only get a fine for that Tomahawk chop to Mason Marchman? Like, how do you explain that if you're the league strike? Well, first off, are you guys trying to one-up each other here with your hot takes going into 2026? We got 24 hours, buddy.

So we got no time on it. Hayes wasn't a hot take. That was just a good take. Very reasonable room temperature, great take. I don't want to say. Shaefer for the heart is spicy. I'm not saying that, but he's like in terms of what you guys are saying with value. Look how value is.

Now we're getting crazy, Strud. Jonas, you know I love a lot of what you say. That one, I'm like, I just step back. I just slip back into the trees. Maybe like 12. The booze is kicking in, man. We're getting crazy. We're having a great time.

What happened at yoga today, buddy? Oh, my God. I just feel the flow. Yeah. I think that when you're laying on the mat, something must have creeped in your head because that is fairly bold. But what I think Schaefer's done it, he's breathed, life and excitement into that franchise they haven't had it for a long time as far as the barzell

slash i don't think he actually even got did anything that bad like he just barely got the guy on the it's a tomahawk job yeah but look where he gets them watch this video like he better attempted murder is still worse something isn't it it may not be life in prison well it's not murder like he just barely watch this he barely gets strut he kind of gets the front of his right foot like cut out hard if i'm going to slash guy want to get him right in the calf in the back when he can't even see it coming. We're really, oh, he won't be able to walk for a week. Look, look at Bairn. I think he got some

skate blade there, actually. It's Bobby Clark like in 72 on the Russians. It's not, it's in the range of it. That was on the side of the ankle. Barzell, I think he got his tuck. He got his blade tuck. He did get his blade. I didn't think what Marchman did on Schaefer

was that bad, personally. Like, they were acting as if he, he decapitated the kid. Like, yes, he got his way. Yeah, you're a young guy. You got a a price. Absolutely. You got to protect him. Got to protect him.

100%. Do you guys ever think a defenseman is ever going to win the MVP again, ever? Like if McCar isn't winning it, like what is it never, ever happening? Okay, I'm going to come over the top. There's a player now that can do it. Matthew Schaefer.

One day he'll do it. Right that down. May not be this year, although it could be, but one day he will. It should. It absolutely should be possible. But,

But, you know, it's just, it's been driven by mostly just Fanners, the occasional winger. But yeah, who's the most dynamic offensive player in the league? I think the car had 30 goals last year. He plays half the game. They're amazing. Yeah. I think he finished in the top five, but. I agree.

I agree. All right, confirm it tonight. Speaking of the MVP, Drake May won the MVP in the NFL last night with the poor performance from Matthew Stafford. Drake May is the MVP. Confirm it, then I. I'll confirm it. I think that, you know, especially because it's just that that idea of the last couple performances you have.

And then I'm not sure is Stafford even playing next week? Is he? I don't know because they're not playing for anything. I think a lot of guys are going to sit in week 18. Now, Drake May, you know, can they. Oh, he is playing. Okay. Stafford's going to play.

Okay, Stafford will play. So then I don't know, but it's like that last thing you kind of remember. that might just sway just enough of the boat. So I'm confirming for that reason. Jonas. Okay. I want to see who's... I'm going to deny it.

I think he's in the driver's seat, but I still think it... I still think Stafford can win this award. Like, Stafford's numbers have been phenomenal all year. May's been great. I'm just looking up about, like, who else is in the running? It's the two of that. It's not Allen anymore.

It's Trevor Lawrence. It's like... Yeah, it's been a really quiet, great season for that. It's 100% confirmed. You think is Drake May 100%? I don't think. I don't think Stafford's out of it just because of last night. He still put up great numbers this year.

They're going to the playoffs. They don't have anything to play for it. No, I know. But what is Drake May playing for? They've won the division. Can they get the top seat? I don't think they can. I think Denver's the top seed.

So I don't think May's playing for anything in particular. Like May's stats have been really good and he's a young guy. He's the Macklin celebrating of the NFL. They haven't been a very good team. Year two, as a starter, he looks great. But Stafford's been really, really good. I would think that May will likely win it. I just don't think it's a lock that he definitely did last night.

I still think there's going to be some debate on that. Maybe we'll see what happens week 18. All right, confirm or deny. Major League Baseball needs a free agent frenzy type day to spice up their off-season signings. A hundred percent confirm. Like, Kyle Tucker still isn't signed. Let me name the guys who still haven't signed.

Everybody hasn't signed. Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Cody Bellinger, Valdez, Pichette, Swaras, Bolswaras. You know, Golan still hasn't. J.T. Rilamuto hasn't signed. Like, there's a ton of big-name free agents out there, and I have no idea when they're going to sign. Yeah.

You know, and this is baseball. It happens all the time, and specifically with offensive players. But a lot of things have changed in baseball where they've realized the importance of, like, one big day, the trade deadline being the most significant example of that, where they realize we've got to have a drop-dead date here. I don't know.

I just can't do it in baseball. Well, why can't you? Because what are you going to say to teams? Like, you have to sign players on. Well, December 1st is this, yeah, I hear what you're saying. You're right. I mean, ultimately, it's a negotiation, and that's why it takes so long. Then why do other leagues do it so quickly?

It's a good question. Like, how do you, Stride, where do you stand on this? Well, I'm not confirmed, and I think my idea of putting a date down, it maybe builds the excitement and the hype. So the franchise is like, we've got to get this done. We've got to sign. But how would you do that? Like, would you just, what if you don't sign Kyle Tucker? Like, what if Kyle Tucker just doesn't sign him?

We're on December 1st. Well, and there are examples of in the NHL and NBA where they wait, the NFL, they wait, you know. But this is, like, more extensive than I can recall in the past in baseball, where it's like last-minute signings from really good players. You know, there was always some delay, but, like, I'll bet you a couple of these guys, and Bo Bouchette might be one of them. It's going to sign on, like, March 10th or something. You know, like spring training will almost be open or it will be open,

and then he's still out there on the market. I don't think that's good for your league. Like maybe what they need is the reverse of a free agent frenzy where there's like a last day, which, you know, it's like you've got to force people before spring training. Yeah, and I know that's easier said than done and it's probably pie in the sky stuff,

but I know it's unique, I know it's different, and I know it keeps you on your toes because guys could sign it any time, which is pretty captivating, but I don't think it's great that we're this deep into the season, and you've got a guy like Kyle Tucker, or we've been talking about for months, while it counts is nowhere closer to signing

than he was two months ago. Well, is there a pressure point? I guess spring point. Is, okay, so spring, so what are we like two and a half months away from that? Yeah, yeah, I mean, end of February, pitchers and catches are going to report, so two months away. Yeah. So the pressure, that's, I never really thought about it.

I just watched people sign. I'm never really thought about their process, right, and their free agency. and it does seem a little bit kind of unexciting. Yeah. It's, I guess a part of me is just you just know where he's going. Yeah, I want to see if Tucker's coming to Toronto.

Yeah. Well, what happens with Bichette? And the same thing. Yeah. Who would you rather have? Bichette or Tucker? Tucker. I would go with Kyle Tucker, but I think the contract's going to be so much bigger.

Yeah, and it's another great unknown. How does he fit in? You know, Bichette is a guy. They talked about that clubhouse a lot, which I think he's, dangerous to get too heavy into that belief. Yes. But, you know, Bichette's a, he's a big bat.

He's a guy that everyone knows and loves. Like, there's a lot of familiarity there. It would be, you know, it'd be tough to watch Bichette leave. But I think if the consolation is your signing Kyle Tucker, people are going to get over pretty quickly. Right, left-handed bat. I think the celebration, the marker would be bigger for Tucker, don't you think?

Like, as much as people are a lot of the bigger product, it would be like, oh, now they're really serious. I missed on Soto, missed on Otani, but we got this year's big prize. Yes. Which is what he ultimately is. So, yeah, I would agree with that. All right, we talked, let's move past the Yokich one. We kind of talked about that earlier.

Let me get to this one, Joe. Confirm or deny, the Buffalo Sabres will make the playoffs. When was the last time they made it? 2014 years ago. Wow. Longest run, I believe, in North American sports without making the playoffs. Aren't the Jets, I think, are the same? The New York Jets are right there with.

Maybe they're 14. The Jets and the Sabres are equally inept. Jets are much worse. Like, the Jets are a joke. Sabers have been a disaster, but at least they've won nine in a row. Will they make the playoffs? Confirm or deny. Stride, I'm denying it.

Like, they're nine in a row and they're still out of it, right? Yeah. But they've battled them. They're back in the race. 15 in a row? I don't know. Is it impossible to see that happening? Yes.

Fifteen in a row is impossible. Yes. Okay. You sold me. I like what Bruce said. Bruce said that, you know, there's often, you know, the opposite street coming after, right? And I always found that if you're on a heater, your last few games that you probably should lose, you win. And you can start seeing it coming.

So I think they're going to be on the outside looking in because of some of the teams in the wildcard spots right now. I believe in those teams more than them. Yeah. Yeah, I'm unfortunately going to deny as well. I want to see them get in. I think it'd be a cool story. That fan base certainly deserves it. But everything's breaking their way right now.

Do they have the goal tending to hold on throughout the course of the year? Do they have? Who do you guys think is the best team in the East? Like the favorite, like if you had to pick a team to make the finals in the East. Are you just picking Florida? I might pick Florida. Yeah. I'd pick them or Tampa right now.

Yeah. Not Carolina? No left for California. I don't trust Carolina in the playoffs strut. Like the goaltending is weird down there, man. Like, who are you going to use? Who are you keeping? Who's going to be your guy?

That's what scares me. But they play hard. They win every year. They're going to win that division more than likely. I hear you. They fooled me a lot many times. They signed as a few years ago. That's kind of what they represent.

Like, you know they're in the playoffs every year. They're going to run around and do it decisively. They did make the Eastern Conference final. We've done that a couple times. Yeah, for the year before. We've done that. Does Eelers make a difference? Does he make that much of a difference for them?

I like Eelers, man. He's a pretty, like he gets his nose stuck in. But I don't think he's had the best playoff track record either. Well, Winnipeg. Is that more Hallibuck? Is that Eelberg? No, like statistically. He set up Perfetti.

Remember that winner against St. Louis? Yeah. Or the tying goal that sent it to overtime? Was him. Yeah, I don't know. I think it's a legit question, though. Like in the West, you know, it's going to be Colorado. I think it's Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Edmonton.

Like, that would be my one through four. In the east, though, it's any combination of Carolina, Tampa, Florida. Who's your fourth favorite? Well, and that's why. Is it Detroit? I mean, Detroit, I don't know. That's why you get back to round to what we talked about before. Why, like, if you can find a way to make this season get on the right track, like...

You're the Leafs? it doesn't seem likely at all now. Feels like you've got to win tonight. Gotta beat a team like Jersey. Like you look at the Leaf Schedule coming up here. Again, it's going to be tough. You got Jersey tonight, Winnipeg on Thursday, against the Islanders on Saturday, against the MVP.

You know, Florida, who they played well in the regular season against. Yeah, but they're on a heater. They're on a heater, but still, you got them at home next week. At Philly, at home to Vancouver, like the next five, six games. You've got to win four or five. with them. You have to. Because then it's go time. Then it's at Colorado, at Utah, at Vegas.

It's going to get tough. You know? So they got to rack up some points here, and they've done a decent job the last few games. They've got to keep it going. All right, best bets powered by Fanduel. Coming up, we'll tee up the Leafs and Devils one more time. Overdrive continues. TSN 10-50

and up on YouTube live. All right, Best Betts powered by Fandole. Make your picks and assemble a same game parlay in seconds on the Fandual Sportsbook. App. Leaves are getting plus money tonight, plus 118. This is a classic, just when you think the Leafs can't possibly get it done, they'll find a way to win tonight. Joseph Wall will stand on his head. They'll get some sort of masterpiece from Max Domi tonight who will have three

points, and they're going to win the game. It just feels like it. It feels like a scenario where they've played a little bit better recently, the last few games. We'll see what that means. I think Matthew's playing will be very important. He's a game time decision. I guess we'll believe it when we see it. But Neelander out, Tannav out, Joshua out, Carlo out, stole ours out. Like all these guys out, and that's the big focus.

Jersey has not been playing great. They have not been playing great. I'm going to play the Leafs tonight at Plus 118. All right? I'm on the record. Taking the Leafs tonight. Best bets powered by Fandul. Every NHL game is available on the Fandul's Sportsbook app.

Please play responsibly. plus physically located in Ontario. All right. What else we got tonight? Well, the oil is one last night. I'm trying to look at who else we got going this evening. We've got the halves in Florida this evening. That's a pretty big game.

Because Florida is cooking, and the halves have found a way to keep their head above water. And I don't know if Fowler's playing or not. But, man, he's been a good story. You know, and what they do at Montembow and how they handle all that. and it'll be interesting to see how the lease go tonight without these guys without tanev without joshua without matthews without neelander put yourself in that room strud like if you're a guy stepping in and getting a chance to play

tonight what do you think of it's all you're excited you're gonna get more minutes so you take out nilander and matthews what is that 45 minutes up front at least somewhere in there i'm guessing so those no now two guys aren't going to get all those minutes but that's going to get sprinkled around. So the guy that maybe gets 12 is now getting 15. The guy that gets 10 is gaining 13. Like, it is exciting. And you don't wish for your teammates to be injured, especially long term, like Bruce

Brutro said earlier. But you want to play. I mean, everyone wants to play. Even your Meg's League Division 18, you're not there to play three shifts. You want to be out there wheeling and dealing. So I think there'll be some excitement in that room. They know if Matthew doesn't play, especially there's quite a bit of talent sitting on the sidelines.

But, you know, maybe for a couple of games, that excitement can trump. the town that is sitting on the chairs on the side. Do you know who I would like to see them play more as Cowan? Like I just don't. He played like nine something the other game. It's like I just don't get it. Yeah. Well, and like Robertson's a part of that too

where he scored the other night and then he barely played the rest of the way. Yeah. There's just. And like that's just the Broube way. Like I'm not surprised with Cowan because I think there's a protection element to it. Like they just,

they don't want to just unleash them and just say you're playing. regardless. They're going to be harder on him. He's going to coach him up more. I'm not surprised by that, but like you look at a game like tonight, he probably should play. He kind of has to play. Why isn't he playing like higher?

Like, I think he's on their third line tonight, but... He's been good. Like, he's pretty good. He's clearly one of their better 10 forwards. Yeah. And Robertson, again, can score, man. Like, he doesn't do himself favors because he makes mistakes and he turns pucks over at bad spots. And that's probably why. That's why he drives Burubing nuts. But if Matthews is out,

Neelander's out, you need a game breaker tonight. Like John Tavares cooled off. He's cooled off. He still works hard. You know, he made a beautiful play to Robertson the other night. That was classic Tavares. He just worked.

That's all it was. He just worked his way into winning a puck battle, put it on a T-form and Robertson scored. Nyes has contributed on the power play recently, but he's cooled off a lot five-on-five. Hasn't played a ton of minutes like he was earlier in the year as well. But those are the guys you look at tonight, right?

Someone's got to step up. And we'll see how it plays out. All right, Strud, great seeing you, man, as always. Likewise, boys, have a great new year. Yeah, have a happy new year. We'll catch you in 2026. Jonas, great seeing you as always as well. Enjoy the game tonight.

Happy New Year. Thanks to everyone behind the scenes for helping out. We appreciate it. Everyone for tuning in today, TV Radio, podcast, web, and of course up on YouTube live on TSN's YouTube channel. We're out of here. Enjoy your evenings. Enjoy the games tonight.

We're back tomorrow at 4 p.m. We'll chat then. 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.

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