OverDrive - OverDrive - February 13, 2025 - Hour 2

Episode Date: February 13, 2025

Join Aaron Korolnek, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 2 on OverDrive! Stanley Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Staal joins to discuss his international best-on-best experience, winning a gold medal with Canada and representing the country. They go around in the sports world in the latest edition of Role Play Level of Concern and Canada's victory against Sweden.

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Listen on the free iHeartRadio app. It's hour two of Overdrive here on TSN4, TSN 1050, the iHeartRadio app. I'm Aaron Kornick and for Brian Hayes, Noodles is here, the O-Dog is here. Eric Stahl will be with us in about five minutes. He played on a line with sydney crosby back in two thousand ten in vancouver which of course resulted in canada winning gold i think it was stall crosby in general if i'm not mistaken back in twenty ten and

the hell the top line all these years later somehow crosby fifteen years later is racking up three assists in the four nations face off playing with with McKinnon and Stone and you wonder what he's gonna do Ak when this is over like is he just gonna have some type of surgery or something and say that's check Please seasons over like what Wow, I don't know. I mean looks pretty healthy to me He looked healthy. I think you know, this is his Stanley Cup playoffs. this is his Stanley Cup playoffs this is his Stanley Cup. Never know noodles because I'm gonna present a scenario that might be interesting and fascinating too. I know what you're thinking already. This is what I

saw when I was a member of the Hartford Whalers. Brendan Chanahan left played on a line and played a bunch of shifts with Stevie Iserman and I think Stevie Iserman really enjoyed himself. Yeah went back to Detroit, talked to Kenny Holland and said, maybe you need to call Hartford and get Brendan Shanahan out of Hartford. Shani came back for two days and then he got on the private bird and went to Detroit. Maybe this is one of those things where they both go back to their teams and it's like, Colorado maybe you want to get this guy, maybe you want to get this guy. Maybe you want to get this guy.

Yeah. I mean, you could see that. I mean, now we're starting a rumor or whatever connecting. But how could you not deny it? Like how could you not, if you're sitting in Brosby's... Yes, they're playing on the same line. And they're best buddies. They train together.

You saw them getting interviewed. I thought the interview was hilarious and funny talking about how competitive they are. You know, to me, there are a lot of overlaps and you could certainly tie it to him, you know, wanting to chase a Stanley Cup with his buddy. I mean, man, oh man, would that... You talk about the ranting in trade, you know, that would be full circle going, okay, you know, Nate, we're going to trade out your right winger, you're one of your best friends that you've won a Stanley Cup with for the last nine years for your mentor and best buddy. I mean, that would be icing

on or a cherry on top. But again, that's just conjecture for sure but but I don't think that the idea of conjecture would apply to the reality that everybody who's a hockey fan would love to see him at a Pittsburgh I'm sure there's some Penguins fans who are still holding on there's some hope that Kyle Dubas can turn this around but if you're a hockey fan you want to see Crosby playing with a real team. It's two years of Pittsburgh just going down the tubes and playing meaningless games. Exactly. Who the hell wants to see him fizzle out like that i don't know no one does don't know what i want to but cross be it's it's his choice and the lead to this point that's the choice he's made and i

totally would implore cross be to look at the brendan shanahan model that you mentioned owen embrace that for the sake of the sport because we need to be seeing Sidney Crosby in Huge moments like last night and it sucks that when this tournament is over He's going back to Pittsburgh and playing on Tuesday night in a meaningless game against New Jersey as opposed to being in a playoff hunt Or Raymond Stanley Cup a long time took Raymond Bork a long time

And then he just finally said I I've been loyal to the Bruins I wanted to finish up as a Bruin but I gotta go chase it and he did and it was worth it so I don't know you gotta respect the guy for loving Pittsburgh probably want I don't know Pittsburgh has been everything to him that's where he's growing up that's where he's won cups and that's where he's become Sidney Crosby one of the greatest players that's ever played. But, I don't know, you just get to a point where you gotta be looking at it saying, do I want, like, when people are, I don't know how much he thinks about his legacy or how it's mentioned, but to think of him just being on a team that gets dummied all the time and they're losing and not making the playoffs,

because I would imagine that they're gonna to be out of it relatively early. They already are. I mean, look at the standings now. Technically, yeah. By Johnny's, Johnny always does the math and he says if you're that many points and you got to leap that many teams, you're screwed. You're done and you're out. Yeah, I mean, they're...

So who wants to see them play these games coming down the stretch? It's like, I don't know. The thing is they're only six points out that's the crazy thing there's six points out of a playoff spot and they got a leap six teams they do you're right but if you put him up against let's just say Pittsburgh versus Montreal would you would you take Pittsburgh right now on Jamie before we get into who who you're gonna take who's below them Buffalo no. No, Buffalo and Philly. Oh, Philly's below them too. Well, sorry, Philly is exactly tied with them. Exactly tied. But

what I'm saying is Montreal's tied with them too. Yeah, because I always think, oh, you can bring the positive, which is like, oh, they're only six points out. But the negative is they're just ahead of Buffalo and Buffalo is really out of it Well, yeah, they're a Buffalo. They're six points up on Buffalo and there's six points behind Detroit Like that's the thing that you you in their mind They're going if we go eight and two we can make up three or four of those points. So now all of a sudden you're there I listen I'm just making an excuse for it. Would I like to see all hell break loose in the National Hockey League and top players move? Absolutely. But I know, listen,

Kyle Dubas is there. Kyle Dubas is on management for Team Canada. So he's there with Sid. Like, he's in the building and guaranteed if McKinnon goes to him, hey, try and get my buddy there, like, you know, it is be an awkward conversation For sure and I understand why the McKinnon thing is always brought up Colorado's always brought up as a potential destination for Cindy Crosby But there will be a bunch of top teams around the league that'll be trying to get in there as well I think everybody if you're a contender in the NHL will make a pitch for Crosby if it ever comes to that But I don't know last Pierre Lebrun

What he thinks about that when we join says in just over an hour joining us now on the maple to the hotline a former teammate of sydney crosby at the olympic games a former teammate of yours as well uh... old dog we have stanley cup champ olympic gold medalist eric stall here on over drive eric what's going on uh... duty sleeping at the wheel and press the wrong pasted at that's best Eric, what's going on? Doogie's sleeping at the wheel again. That's too bad.

I'm completely up his ass. Maybe he was offended by our Cindy Crosby being traded talk. I doubt it. I think Eric, you know what? I guarantee you that they pressed the wrong button and cut him off or something like that. Or maybe we kept him waiting too long and he's like... No, it wasn't too bad. It wasn't too't too bad by the way I've been spending a lot of time with Dougie here the last couple days what a treat you guys are very fortunate. What do you think of the cologne?

The cologne it's potent. It's potent. It's potent. It is potent. Great guy though. Great kid. Big fan of young dudes. We will have Eric Stahl joining us in just a second but the Crosby stats I mean 22 straight

wins internationally as the captain of 10 is crazy is totally nuts 26 wins in a row and I don't know if that is in danger I think it definitely is in danger on Saturday night against the Americans But well, I see a lot of now you do see this like, you know, Mike Kelly's a good friend of mine he's sport logic analytic and and you know he on paper has the Americans as the the you know kind of the favorite the best players but but you know I look at it and you know what we'll ask Eric Stahl he believes you know Canada can get it done because it's certainly he's been there and done that he has he beat the

Americans alongside say to many others back in 2010 in Vancouver and Eric Stahl with us now hopefully on Overdrive. Eric are you with us? Hi. Can you hear me now? We got you. Were you tuned in last night to see your old linemates Sid do his thing in Montreal? I so I tuned in for the opening power play goal. Actually my middle son, he's 13, they had a game at 7.30 so I left a little gathering I was at right before their game started. So I watched actually just the first power play goal and then I immediately left and got to his game in time.

And then I watched the third period when I got home. So I watched what I needed to see right off the bat. I figured PP1 would be pretty good and it looked pretty solid in the first 12 seconds, scored a goal. So it was fun to see and just great to see that kind of best on best hockey again. And just the guys that are the top, top players in the league to get to see them play together

it's fun for fans and fun for me even watching last night so you know good start but they you know got a few more left. Stolle we've been praising Sid rightfully so he had three assists last night and he's informed everybody about how much this tournament meant to him you got to play on his line in the Olympics. What is the one thing that you saw that makes Sid go and kind of separates himself from everyone else? Well, I mean, I think it's obviously extreme high IQ and smart, but then to go along with

it is just his tenacity, his intensity on the puck. He's actually, I found pretty easy to play with. I mean he's a give and go kind of guy but he's a guy that is really really good down low in the kind of the gritty, dirty areas and around that net. I mean obviously puck skills, skate skills and he's got all the other tools but like you know that tight gritty game when it's a high competitive environment he just thrives. I mean that was 15 years ago I played on his line and he's still out there you know with the best right now in their prime so super fun, super cool to watch and see but also not surprised. The guy puts in so much time and effort into his craft and

to be, you know, who he's been for the last 20 years and to see it still on display is super impressive and fun to watch. So, you know, credit to him and the time he's put in and the effort that he puts forth every single day to be at his best, but it's fun to watch as a fan for sure. Eric, coming into these short tournaments, how tough was it for you and other players to develop chemistry right away with your line mates, guys that you certainly know and have played against and respect, but to drop the puck and get going and develop that chemistry, how tough is that to do?

Yeah, not easy. Not as easy as you think. Obviously, you want as much time as you can, but no short tournaments. You really have to make sure your best game is in the game that you need it to be the best game in. I mean, whether that's the semifinal, quarterfinal, or gold medal, you want to be the best game in. I mean, whether that's the semi-final, quarter-final, or gold medal, I mean, you want to be peaking, obviously, in those elimination moments. And, you know, fortunate at the Olympics

and some of the world championships, those tournaments are a little longer, where you can kind of get a little bit of a feel-out process. I think a lot more of the onus is going to be on the staff. I mean, the coaches, you know, if it's not working, and if you don't feel it, you either got to communicate with the guys as far as, hey, we need to change this up, what are you thinking?

Or just make those moves and make those changes because it is so quick and it is short tournament and there's so many great players that at the end of the day, whoever you're putting out on the ice, it's gonna be a great player. And there's guys that are gonna play less than normal, less than they're used to, but they got to obviously perform when they're out there. You got to try and find that balance.

But it's not easy to do. It takes a lot of ego aside type guys to commit to just winning the game and winning what you need to have done. That... you know that's kind of another part of the fun to watch when you watch it from the outside is if you know that develops in whether it comes to fruition and i think over the years i mean obviously it's been a while since it's been one of the tournament but that

that's i think the biggest thing that canada's done so well as having guys that are willing to commit to overall team play and that's what you know what achieved success for sure. Eric Stahl our guest here on Overdrive you hear some of the younger players for Team Canada talk about Crosby and watching him in the room and watching his preparation before games and you would already won a Stanley Cup by the time you suited up for Team Canada back in 2010 so you accomplished the ultimate goal but when you leave a tournament like the Olympics

playing with some of the world's best, do you recall perhaps being able to take anything away from that tournament that you learned from some of your teammates older or even younger? I think just I mean everyone prepares differently everybody you know prepares differently away from the rink even. I think it was just fun even as a younger guy then just watching how everyone took care of themselves away from the rink, how they approached every day whether it was in the village or at practice or just at meals and then just watching the pace and the intensity in practice. I mean, there's a ton of phenomenal hockey players, but there's little details and parts

of everybody's game that they're always trying to get better at, even the best in the world. They're doing extra, they're doing extra shots after, they're doing little drills to get better in a certain area. When you're at an event like that to be able to you know see other guys do things you kind of you know learn to hey this is I see this guy doing that and you're kind of picking up things as you go and and you try and you know add them to your own repertoire because you're you're thinking the same thoughts so you know I think with Sid and with guys that have been

through these things, the biggest thing is just the preparation. The biggest thing is just the continual work on their craft. I mean, I think that's the biggest thing, especially to stay as long as he has and being at the level he's been at is he's continually working to get better, whether it's nutrition, off ice, training, but even just puck stuff on the ice. I'm sure he's one of those guys that's fiddling around after practice, just shooting extra pucks, doing all those little things, but not overly taxing, but all details that matter in the game.

When you go to events like that, it's really fun to see those other guys because they're all the same, kind of have that same thought and mentality that you know I'd like to think I had over my career and and you know that's what makes it great. Stoller you have young kids playing in the States I would imagine you're living in the States right now is that not correct? Yeah we're in Edina Minnesota right now so it's nice and cold we got the outdoor rink going and all that fun stuff but yeah that's where we're at. So the USA Hockey program, I mean, it's been praised over the last several years as being a factory. What have you noticed about it where

they're producing teams and young talent that is second to none. I mean, it's right there with Canada. What have you seen from your view? Yeah, I mean obviously in Minnesota where I'm at it's it's about as close to you know I feel like it's as being in Canada I'm not that far removed from Thunder Bay Ontario it's a six hour drive and for me and ending up here you know obviously later my career we were here and we just my kids started school here so we just kind of they started planting roots and buddies in school and so we kind of ended up

staying here but the reasons we did or one because because of them and their school and sports but we just enjoyed getting to know people a lot of similar mindsets as far as approach to you know kids hockey youth sports and from what I seen it's just there's just a lot of kids that play a lot of kids that play a lot of people that enjoy the game and are passionate about it and are always trying to get get their kids involved you know obviously you run into I'm sure it is in many other areas you run into the the people that maybe do a little

too much in my opinion as far as youth hockey goes. I like to have some time off. We like to go back to our summer home up in Thunder Bay for most of July and a little bit of August. But there are other people that are grinding away all summer. But I think it's important to take that time away, especially for the kids. You got to have, if your kid doesn't have a passion or a love or desire for the game, they're not going to make it. And I think that's the number one thing that I've noticed here there's definitely a passion and love for the game and I think that You know has continued to grow and then they've got stars to look up to there's so many great American players these kids have

That are ahead of them, you know Matthew's obviously Kane are still going But they've got these stars that are they're them. You know, Matthews, obviously Kane are still going, but they've got these stars that are, they're not just great players, they are absolute stars in the league. And that's fun for these American kids to watch because they can dream to be the same. And there's definitely trending in that direction. There's a lot of ton of great players

that are moving up the ranks. So is that when the coach sends you an email and says, Mr. Stahl, make sure your son's at tryouts in July, and you write back and say, take a lap, you pigeon, we're not going, and we'll still be on the team. Is that how that transaction goes? Yeah, it's kind of similar to that. Go find a hole to throw a line in the water and do some fishing.

That's kind of where my thoughts at. I got to ask you as well, Stahl. It's tough. I got to ask you, you know they can play hockey down in Florida, right? Like why didn't you retire down in Florida? Did I not teach you anything? Or what are we talking about here? You are very correct. I hate to say, you know, we didn't leave it up to the kids, but I actually said to my wife, I said, I'll go wherever. You've been kind of following me over 20 years. I'm like, I've been different spots and I'm like, if you want to go wherever, I'm like,

I'm good. I'll figure it out. I'll find a couple of buddies, a golf course and sports and I'll be fine. And she really loved it in Minnesota when we came here. We ended up with a ton of great friends kind of outside the game and then obviously to drive back to Thunder Bay where we're both from. It's only six hours. Her mom's still up there.

My mom and dad are there in the summer. They're actually in Florida in the winter so they do that well. But we ended up here and it's just been a great fit for us to raise our kids and have that balance. So it's been good. But I bet you're right. They do know how to play hockey in Florida. We experienced that as well for a year and it was a blast.

I don't doubt it, man. I wanted to congratulate you, Stolle, by the way, on your jersey retirement. I don't know, I must have got blocked from the email list, but I wanted to congratulate you. It looked like an awesome night. Thanks, buddy. It was a special night and a lot of close family and friends that we got to celebrate with. It was kind of surreal, kind of all of it, but it was pretty cool for sure.

Thank you for doing this, Eric. We appreciate your time tonight. Alright guys, be good. Thank you. All right That's Eric stall who joined us on the maple Toyota hotline count on maple Toyota for the right winter tire package for your Toyota Trade in your old tires buy a new set get $40 back visit maple Toyota Calm he walks out on the ice and he was shaking guys hands that played three games on the ice and he was shaking guys hands that played three games with him. He didn't seem surprised that you weren't invited. He didn't go, oh my god, what happened there? He was like, oh yeah.

I'm totally over it. You're all good. You're all good. But when he says he has a 13-year-old son, you play with him when he was what, 18, 19, straight out of the O, right? Yeah, very first year. Yeah. Google Eric Stahl's first ever NHL goal

in the TD Bank arena and you'll see an assist, AKA. Go from the bridge, try to find it. I need to see this. Primary? Go from the bridge, try to find Eric Stahl's first NHL goal for me, please. Wow, that'd be great. You know what, the thing is, you enjoy a handshake.

I watched you on the Jay Show last time. Noodles, I don't know why I did that. I was on Jay On-Right's show and it was over and I looked at Jay and I go, thanks a lot, and I shook his hand. Shook his hand at the desk. It kind of caught him off guard. I think it did. I think he was like, I've known this guy for 15 years and he's shaking my hand after I hit. It was weird as I don't know why I did it. You did. You

did the haze. You're like, cause you do it to haze all the time. Like, you know, 500 500. Oh yeah. It's the funniest thing though. You reach across the desk and shake his hand. I don't know. It was a ner, I was tired and I lost my mind a little bit and I just shook his hand and I'm like I know he was thinking Why are you doing this? Yeah, I'll never do it again. Jay. I'll never do it again. It was great I loved it was stalled the last active NHL teammate you had like he retired a couple years ago He was floor. It was with Florida when they went to the cup final They played Vegas. He must have been the last guy who you would have played with in the NHL. No, probably so

Yeah, end of an era. You know who mine was Mark Gierdano. Oh, that makes sense. Yeah for sure and Gio just retired I mean, he's I don't know if he signed the papers He's in unbelievable shape like he could actually play for somebody at the deadline But I mean Gio I played or I backed up in his first ever any child game of seer in toronto he played against the leaves we're in calgary unbelievable that's wild man he's old i guess i'm a

that's that's what you know that either way you can look at it either way job in the bridges harder we're trying to find eric stahl first career sanay go i think we're gonna get it i think we're gonna get it we have roleplay level of concern still to come this hour. Pierre LeBron will join us live from Montreal following Canada's 4-3 win over Sweden last night. Overdrive continues here on TSN4, TSN1050. Pierre LeBron in 30 minutes from Montreal.

We have role play level of concern coming up in mere moments. But Joe from the Bridge, hard at work behind the scenes oh dog to find that dime you got over to Eric Stahl for his first NHL goal all right here we go here we go obviously there's no sound oh look at that dangle from Eric Stahl great dangle but that was that you passing it up the middle there I was pretty sure convert that was the first and it's all about the bridge over on one that that's pretty accurate okay that's where you are joe where the house that like tim thomas in goal for

boston there was an enemy thomas yeah i was an adventure in their man he looked like he'd be look like a beer league only but man that guy was good well he had the weird cage. Oh, the cage threw me off. Do you remember how goofy his setup was in Florida, Jamie, when he signed in Florida? He had red pads, or no, he had like some kind of black mask, and it was just, it looked like Archer's Urbein, that.

It was insane. It was ridiculous. And then he went, I think, to Dallas too. Same thing, like his colors didn't match. And the weird thing is he didn't have a mask. He had a helmet with a cage, but you could see his full face. And he wasn't a guy hidden. And it was just like, what the hell is that? But he arguably, if you go back, had one of the greatest 18-month stretches as a goaltender in the history of the game.

I'm fully aware of it. Like what did it, world championships or? Yeah, look, what I'm talking about is Stanley Cup, Vezna, Con Smythe, like I think he had it all. I'm not 100% sure what it was, but it was like that's this guy had a run. And I remember Edmonton brought him to camp as like a 30 year old because the weirdest part about it I'd never heard of him and Mika Kiprasov and I were sitting there and saw him on tv and Kipra goes I know who that guy is because for four years he was the best

goaltender in Finland and he's like that guy's unbelievable he's been in Finland for four years I'm like I never even heard of him and then all of a sudden he's the best goalie in the league like I'm you know ridiculous I think he spent time in the East Coast Hockey League like yeah, I think he's coast It was just such a weird and the thing is is he wasn't known as like the best guy in the world But they tolerated him I think because he was such an amazing Goaltender yeah, but the minute that the wheels fell off, that was it. He was gone. Like just gone, gone.

Like the league just flushed him out. And he took a year off. Remember, he took a year off and then came back and played for Florida and Dallas. That's what it was. Like the guy was, I think he was very political and people were talking that he buried himself in a bunker or something. Like he was a weird dude. But man, was he good.

Yeah, he had that stretch from 2009, 2010, 2011, where he was as good as it gets when it comes to goaltending in the NHL. It was definitely something special. Alright, let's get to roleplay level of concern, boys. You can never, never ask me to stop drinking. Do you understand? I do. I really do. I should mention that last Friday night, I saw Stephen Caldwell at an event, motion ball in support of Special Olympics, and he and I had ourselves a time.

We had a great time. I love Steven Caldwell, and JP, I'm hoping you could just play the drop for me, because I have an immense amount of respect for that man. We'll get to it in just a second. A couple of whiskey's and five or six beers. Yeah, that was... Did you have a couple of whiskey's and... Did we have...

Dude, that guy's... He's a machine. He is a machine. He's the best. He is. He's the best. I asked him if he knew what was going on on this show with the drop, and he's like, I'm not going to do the accent, but I said, yeah, people keep telling me about it, but actually

haven't seen it. So I did message him to let him know that it was coming up here today. So hopefully Stephen Caldwell, our good friend, is tuned in. You know how it works. We read out a situation, a person, a place, and we determine the level of concern for that person. And, oh dog, you're starting out and you're playing the role of Doug Armstrong and Don Sweeney, the architects of Team Canada, the Four Nations. What is your level of concern that Shea Theodore's absence could be a huge detriment to your chances of winning the tournament? Pint on the patio. It's a cool one beer at lunch. And the reason is because if you look

at the ice time from last night right at the top, you got 28 minutes and that guy's name is Kale McCarr. Yeah. So I'm throwing Kale McCarr and Tays out there for 28 minutes a night and everyone else just has to do clean up control and keep things under wraps. So that's be physical, get pucks in and out, and obviously you can't contribute to offense if you get the opportunity because you're that good. But there's some guys back there that can step up their game. I didn't love everybody's game yesterday, but the main reason is you're talking about the two guys that are going out there the most and that's a lot of half

the game, half the game. Kale my car is on the ice for you and everyone else just has to be solid and they're more than capable of doing that. Yeah, I agree with you. I think it's when you take a look at that decor, I think it just, it runs through Macar and Taves. And you know, Pareco I didn't think had his best last night. He got a couple blunders in the... No, too doubt he don't think had his best either, Jimmy.

I think he would tell you that. Yeah, but you know what? I think he was a little bit overwhelmed by the speed. Like everyone's talk about the speed but he's never been a burner he's always been really smart with the park so i think you'll just have to adjust but i i i agree i think it's mccarr enthase and then everybody else just does a little bit of cleanup

yeah and travis san heim will slot in or theater and he's been really good for philadelphia we have patrick charbon yesterday was talking about how great a season that's travis san is having Alright Noodles you're playing the role of Aiden Hill and Samuel Montembeau. What is your level of concern that you may not see the net at all during this tournament? Bennington only for Canada. It's Rick Bushwood. Six Bushlight, six Budlight and I love them tall boys. Because I think, you know, Bennington, to me last night proved to everybody that he's a gamer and made some saves when you needed him.

Now, that could change. If he gets blown out on Saturday night, then you will see maybe potentially a change. But you know, maybe it's a scenario where they just come right back with them and say, we've seen you do it before. We know that you can bounce back. But I thought when they needed him most, he was there for them. And I think that's what they've been relying on. So I'm somewhere in the middle.

I'm not, you know, Nick Cage or and I'm not at the bottom there, Stevie Caldwell, which is just a social drink. But Rick Bush would write in the middle because you know there is potential But I think Bennington bought himself some good faith if last night if Canada were to win in regulation on Saturday against the States I would think it would be quite likely you would see one of those guys know in that You're pretty much locked up to go to the final I guess depending on how depending on how the next couple of days go or the states and for sweden and you five points could very well clinch you a spot let's say sweden

is shot out by the americans and regulation in finland doesn't do anything in this tournament then the third game might not actually mean anything on monday afternoon in theory i hear you i hear you know what that's a great point and i didn't take that into uh... consideration that if if they end up winning in regulation Monday afternoon. In theory. I hear you. I hear you. You know what? That's a great point and I didn't take that into consideration that if they end up winning in regulation, then they pretty much have cemented themselves an opportunity to get into that. So that's where they might give one of the other guys an opportunity to play.

But I don't know. I think it's four games, short tournament, spaced out. I mean, they're probably going to run one guy. It's possible. And that is very much a possibility. They might just say, Bennington, you're playing all the way through. Monday against Finland and whoever you play in the final on Thursday, one week from tonight. I am playing the role of Toronto Blue Jays fans. What is my level of concern that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has not yet signed a contract

extension with the self-imposed deadline coming on Monday. Play it. You can never, never ask me to stop drinking. You're not buying this self-imposed deadline, oh? Dude, here's my thing, man. It's taken me a while to get to this point, but I've been around doing this job for long enough where it's like, oh, Vladimir doesn't sign? The worst approach you can have is how are we ever going to get on if that guy leaves? And you can't treat it like that.

Who cares if Vladimir Guerrero leaves the Blue Jays? What have they done with him? Nothing. Well, at least they've been competitive with him. That's fine. That's fine. The idea of letting a... I think the concern more so than not signing Vladdy would be losing him for nothing.

That is... Okay, but I just think you're a turkey. If you're going to hold the position and let a player say, nobody wants to sign here, I'm your franchise player, so I'm going to hold you over a barrel and you better give me what I want and if you just capitulate and give them money, I think it's an insanely stupid move. I totally understand. So if that's the case, how are you going into this season if you're the Toronto Blue Jays where expectations are not overly high.

So if you go in and you're in the playoff hunt and all of a sudden the trade deadline's coming around, you have Vlad and Bo on expiring deals, both of whom could leave as pending free agents. How do you handle that? Dude, you're not winning the World Series anyway. What, like, they squeaked in for the last two or three years and they get dummied in those two little three game series.

They just, this core and Vlad and Bo was supposed to be kind of what took this group forward and they have they proved that they whether they're not good enough or they haven't put good enough people around them I could care less if both of them walked both of them out the same door it's like what happened if you're very happy and you hope I could care less and because you you do have to hope that they get something in return, restock that farm system. If that's how it goes, that's how it goes. You can't sign the guys, then you need to make a move. The worst thing you can do is hold on and try to trick yourself into thinking you're

an actual World Series contender, which Mark Shapiro did say last year. He said that. He said that. Championship caliber roster. That's what we expect in 2025. Dude, he'll probably say the same thing again and i talk about trade value what if both of them are terrible in the offense just isn't there in like what what do you think you're getting for the man there's a question reason why that they have not

locked this guy up probably both of them they see something that they just don't want to commit to it i don't know if it's the fitness level, the total overall commitment to baseball and conditioning. I don't know. But you would think if they, like every other team in Major League Baseball, they get a young stud like this, a cornerstone piece of the organization. They're locked up years ago to a, Acuna Jr. in Atlanta, I always refer to him. They love the talent and they locked him up for a hundred million And everybody thought that they were nuts at the time that is the best deal in baseball right now

Paying that guy ten million dollars a year. Yeah, it's disgusting steal. I shouldn't be allowed. It's an unbelievable deal Yeah, so if it gets to the deadline and the deadline passes AK I could care less they can both walk out the door They don't win anything with them, so what's the value? Obviously, they sell jerseys, and people go to the ballpark to see Vladdy, but I don't know. My only question is, are they better today than they were at the end of the season last year? They are.

They're definitely better today, but I think the question is about the division, which I think has really improved as well. Boston is nasty this year. They just signed Bregman. They're really good. The Yankees are going to be really good. I know Soto's out the door but they did a good job of replacing him. Baltimore is really good. So that's three teams that are very likely. You haven't even mentioned Tampa. Tampa was garbage last year. They'll find some way after signing no one and paying a bunch of guys 750 grand, they might lead the division. Because that's what they do.

It wouldn't even surprise me. You're right. You're right. One team I don't think will be leading any division in 2025 is the New York Jets. And oh, you're playing the role of Aaron Rodgers, who was essentially said, all right, see you later by the Jets today, officially, what is your level of concern as Aaron Rodgers that your time in the National Football League is over?

Again, you got me out of pint on the patio because there's a bunch of dum-dums in pro sports, and somebody is going to look at him, some terrible team with brutal quarterbacking, maybe it's the New Orleans Saints, man. I don't know. Someone's going to look at him and say, maybe if we take a shot on that guy, and they have full understanding of what kind of personality and baggage is coming into the organization,

but I guarantee you somebody will do it. Somebody will do it. I could see Pittsburgh potentially replacing Russell Wilson. You think Mike Tomlin wants to put up with Aaron Rodgers? I don't, but I also think Mike Tomlin wants to win, and they haven't won a playoff game since 2016. I'm not sure Rodgers is an improvement on Russell Wilson, but you know, ultimately the team that I think

brings in Rodgers is the Las Vegas Raiders. Tom Brady, Pete Carroll, They have no quarterback there in Vegas They're looking to make a big splash. They draft six overall Maybe they take Chaudhry Sanders bring in Rogers to be his mentor, which I'm sure I would Want him mentoring anyone Mentor like he who knows what the personality because things can come across differently on TV What he says he does and likes and his thoughts and beliefs But why would you want that personality around? I don't know I think after the Achilles and the way he performed this year

I don't understand why he doesn't step away But cuz he wants to play he wants to play I think in his mind He just like there are things and Luke would argue for him saying his numbers weren't as bad as you know the win loss all of that type of stuff. I think in his mind he just believes he can help a team and he still has game left and you guys like that I don't know I don't think they fade into the sunset. I feel like they are like told to go away like I feel like he is going to play until he can't play anymore And and and maybe try and go out You know on top instead of the way it ended this year

I think that would chap his ass though any of the BB was done after this past season I think he wants at least one do over to see if he can get it done. Yeah, I'm with you I think he will be somewhere and I think it's gonna be a soap opera once again Like it was the last couple years with the Jets. All right noodles. You're playing the role of team Finland What is your level of concern that you will not record a single point in the four nations face-off? I Don't know I've been saying this all along that race of a Stevie Caldwell Well, let's do Stevie Caldwell right now a couple of season five or six beers, but that also much I'm gonna throw in a Rick Bush would as well

Maybe double a slight six bud light and I love them tall boys night Because I think what's happened is their coach has probably put up on the bulletin board or whatever somewhere in the room showing them a video of everyone just counting them out right no chance for Finland yeah they're gonna exactly it's a video of Brian Hayes going they're brutal nobody cares what someone in Finland thinks exactly like it's it's literally Hayes just going they're brutal they can't win one game. And to me, I think you can't sleep on Finland.

Like, last night everyone's like, Canada's going to win it, and all of a sudden it kind of got a little bit dicey. To me, I think Finland can win a game here. I don't know against two, but I think they can. And I think people are sleeping on them. So that's where I, I think they might be scared to play a little bit, but ultimately they might get some points. Noodles, I hate to disagree with you. I think Finland is going to get absolutely slaughtered tonight by the Americans. I can see like eight nothing. Honestly, look at their defense.

They don't have to. I know, but you said that through the tournament, not with one game. You're right. I guess maybe they could take a point off Sweden, but like their defense, I think you could argue Lindell Mikkela, Vakkanainen matton paulo mahi yokey harry you is worse than any nhl defense yeah i saw well dude all you gotta do is hack and whack and just absolutely be physical and gritty like their

and not exactly paul coffees back there and i want to hear that i was just starting out i have been be using saris you see saris is starting for finland Paul Coffey's back there. No, they're not. It's hack and whack time and be tough to play against. UC Saros is starting for Finland. You don't think Saros could steal your game? I think he could. Yeah, he might be. You talk about a guy who needs something. We talk about Sid playing on a bottom feeder team.

UC Saros is playing on a team that is, what, third last in the National Hotlip right now? Nashville is terrible. Which know the weirdest one this season for me but I mean Saros is a hell of a player to me I don't know I just can't sleep on this finish team all of a sudden Sebastian Ajo has a game Patrick Leinig rips in like O said what if the USA starts being heroes and hitting guys and taking penalties

and it's a five on three and Lani rips home two all of a sudden you know it gets a little tighter around there like what if Connor Hellebott... Proud's gonna be on Finland's side they hate the US you never know it could be a greasy game tonight it could I'm calling the mini Jerry's on an upset 10% very bold very bold I thought you're gonna say 40% even I'll go 25 okay there you go mini Jerry's 25% on the upset tonight that game at 8 o'clock Canada will play the Americans Saturday night in a game I simply cannot wait for that's gonna be a special one it really doesn't get much better than Saturday night Canada USA best on best and we're getting it coming up in

just about 48 hours Pierre Lebrun in about 15 minutes maybe some more role play level of concerns in our three this is our two of overdrive here on TSN for on TSN 1050 overdrive is brought to you by Fandl bringing you everything from the opening line of the final score Kuralnik,, McLennan, O'Neal, and our boy Joe from the Bridge has been hard at work digging into the archives here at TSN. We're going back to October 23rd, 2003. Oh, this silky pass. There it is. Oh, what a feed. Oh man. Yeah, like Eric Stahl's first goal. Yeah, it was very good That was a beautiful couldn't get an invite to his jersey retirement guys that played three games with him total were like great job

Brother Sammy capping in there or whatever that guy's name Sammy capping. I don't even there Maybe not even a quick little text, but I'm over it and all good That's where it stands. You got bigger and better things to do. Andrew Raycroft was in goal for that. Right there. A guy that I'm very good friends with from Toronto. We love Razor.

Yeah. Everyone always says, oh, Tuca Rask, this and that. I got to be friends with Andrew Raycroft and I'll take that over Tuca Rask anytime. Just an amazing guy. A really, really good guy over to Carrasque anytime. Just an amazing guy. Like a really, really good guy. Yeah, he's a good guy. Hey? Like, I love that guy.

He's funny too. I mean, he's funny on Twitter. Like he'll make a comment here or there. Yeah. I mean, he was invested in the tournament. I saw him tweet last night. Like, I mean, you have to be. Last night, I think it drew a lot of people in.

The league has to be happy with the amount of intensity in the way they played last night. To me, it just, I know it's a moneymaker and all of that type of stuff, but I thought it was a good showing for game one. And that's what I thought throughout the night. I'm like, what was going on behind the scenes? And it's usually money somewhere along the lines

or owners saying, I don't want my players getting hurt or going there I don't know but to deprive hockey fans of that kind of action and even the players like McDavid's comments he was like I've had to wait ten years for that Nathan McKinnon's face when he scored that goal you could tell he was saying I've waited ten years for that pass Yeah, if not longer. 10 years. No, it was an incredible moment. I think you're absolutely spot on, Noodlez. Last night, I think, exceeded even the biggest aspirations

and ambitions for Betman and Marty Walsh, the NHL, the NHLPA, who are the ones who put this tournament on. It was incredible. And you talk about momentum heading into Saturday. And I know, oh, you'll be in the building like I've had buddies like we should go down to Montreal for the weekend and try to get tickets for this game what are we doing Saturday night it's appointment viewing now and I wasn't sure if it was ever going to get to that but Saturday like I can guarantee you if you're a

sports fan in this country you are watching Canada USA and I wasn't sure that was going to be the case Three weeks ago, but it is an undeniable fact that's happening Saturday night, and it's going to be exquisite. I agree It's gonna be unbelievable. I can't imagine the feeling like just going to the rink early and I always loved the vibe in that building to be at the exhibition game I loved the vibe like any of my friends any of my my family that went to Bell Center, like they would always go there for warm up just to get a taste of that vibe. And it's second to none. It's just got a different feel to it. And it's hard to even really explain. All NHL buildings, they kind of all look the same, but that one's definitely

different. Yeah. And you know what? Like I thought about it last night. You know, what would the crowd be like if it was in Toronto? Toronto's taken a lot of heat recently, right? know what, like I thought about it last night. You know, what would the crowd be like if it was in Toronto? Toronto's taken a lot of heat recently, right? You know, the atmosphere of the building, a little quieter, all of that, you know. People are starting to call it like the corporates. They're like, the corporates, we hate them. Yeah, like, but it's true.

I mean, it is a quieter building as far as, you know, on a Tuesday night against November where in November against a team that maybe isn't a huge rivalry it is a little quieter it is more corporate closer down to the ice you do see empty seats because people are in that VIP club having a drink and then coming out and it is just a different dynamic but I I thought Montreal that opening night that was that was brilliant last night. They nailed it out of the park, the league did. Yeah, it was perfect. And again, having Mario Lemieux come out there was a great touch.

The way they introduced everything in the 25 minute ceremony or whatever. I mean, you could start the game at 8 o'clock, you could start the ceremony at 7.40, no? Like, I mean, seems pretty reasonable to me. Dude, I don't understand that. Be in your seats at 740, puck drops at 8, folks. We're on a tight timeline. It's not 825, it's not 827. It's dropping at 8. I would love that. I think everybody would love that. Oh, safe travels to Montreal, buddy. Guys, it's been a lot of fun. A.K.A. it's been a pleasure doing business with you, bud. Nice, likewise. Hopefully an invite out to Weston doing business with you, bud. Nice. Likewise.

Hopefully an invite out to Weston once the summer hits. I promise not to kill you. I don't know if that's going to happen, but I can't wait to see you on the CFL panel. CFL panel, yeah. Coming very soon. June, not far away. That's the ODOG Jeff O'Neil. Jamie McClendon will be with me for the final hour.

I'm Aaron Krollnick, in for Brian Hayes. Hour three is next. TSM Plus is taking game day to a whole new level with NFL Red Zone. Absolutely incredible. Hour 3 is next.