OverDrive - OverDrive - February 19, 2025 - Hour 2

Episode Date: February 19, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 2 on OverDrive! Hockey Canada and Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong joins to discuss Canada's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, the build of the roster and the Championship Game against the USA. The guys go around the sports world in the latest edition of Gerry's Percentages and Tiger Woods' blunder in his TGL match.

Wow, you've got the latest model! Nice! Ah, you should see it run! Bell PureFiber? Yep. Sheesh, that's got power! It's Canada's fastest and most trusted internet service. Cool if I give it a test drive? Promise you won't share the password?

Switch to Bell PureFiber, Canada's fastest internet, awarded by UCCLA. Starting from $60 a month. Visit bell.ca for more details and to check availability. Bell, internet just got better. Hour two overdrive continues, powered by FanDuel, bringing you everything from the opening line of the final score. Brian Hayes, the O-Dog, Jeff O'Neil, Jamie Noodles, McClennan. You had Jerry's percentages in about a half an hour.

Doug Armstrong coming up here as well. A few moments from hockey, Canada and Richard Griffin will join us later this afternoon on Vlad E the Blue Jays the front office the PR it is wild man Like we've been doing this show for a long time and and I've you know Lived here my whole life and followed Toronto sports my whole life There's been a lot of polarizing management teams and a lot of bad management teams and GMs and presidents that people have turned on. I've never seen something this overwhelmingly negative directed towards

the front office. Dude, I was thinking about that today, Hayes. How do you do that? and you can't listen to the fans, the old saying, you listen to the fans, you become one. But as ownership of the Jays, how do you have people coming to the ballpark that might not come to the ballpark because of the management team? Like a disdain for management. That's bad for business, is it not? They represent the shield. They do. for management. That's bad for business, is it not?

They represent the shield. They do. But have you ever, now both of you can speak to it, but more you, Hayes, because you've been here your whole life and not been away, but have you seen a management team in Toronto sports that maybe people were pissed at but somehow found a way out of it. I'm trying to think. People loved Burke and then turned on him, but there wasn't winning involved, all of that type of stuff. Like right now, everybody is pissed at them.

If they end up having a great season, you've ridden out the storm. But it's a great if. I can't remember recent in the last whatever, 14 years I've been here where the management team has been under so much fire and they found their way out of the fire. I can't think of an example in Toronto. I'm not sure I can think of one in sports, like in general, where it's this overwhelming that it's tough to find a Shapiro and Atkins true believer like someone who really really believes in their vision. I've never talked to one person that said just give them some time. I know.

I was talking to someone that covers the Jays and it was like Hayes is right about the pain is coming And I said at least these guys have got a bunch of playoff success under their belt and we both had a chuckle at it it's like there's been no playoff success and There's nothing in the farm system and now your two best players are gonna walk out the door and now pain is coming after ten years How on earth is that? Allowable to have people come back

and turn it around again I think that's the worst part about a new season it's supposed to be fresh you know and listen they got a decent ball team it's not they're not a disaster they're not anywhere close to a disaster you look at their roster and what they're gonna run out there every day there they're a pretty good team they could win like maybe they win 85 games you know maybe 87 maybe a few years back It was like look at the Jays. They're they're 91 92 games. Well, look at the Jays They're not it's not like the Boston Red Sox and the Yankees are just like so dominant

They like they were right there what there were a lot of people consider them World Series champs. Yeah, absolutely absolutely, and now it's like Man, yeah now now it would be very surprising if they were competitive in September you know like that's how much it swung the other way and and that's what I'm saying when I look into the future it's it can be difficult to to actually be in a point in time where you can do it but I can hear the press conference from the next executive saying, listen, this is going to take some time. This is going to take some time here because we maybe have

to get off some contracts and we've got to build up the farm system and we've got to ... That is very likely to happen. That's what sucks here at the core of this is the fan gets screwed. The fans are the ones who love Vlade, you know, love the idea of Bichette. And listen, some things have gone awry that were unpredictable. You know, three years ago it looked like, and it felt like this will be Vlade and Bichette at the middle of the order for the next decade. Power hitting first baseman, shortstop that he's going to win a batting title and play with flair. And Al-Manolo is going to be, exactly, Man know it's gonna be your ace for the next 10 years

and wow like what what an incredible setup and now there's a very good chance Jerry's percentages maybe we should get to this in half an hour with Jerry that none of those players will be associated with the organization 12 months from now like Vlad E Bo Minoa none of them will be members of the Blue Chase organization 12 months from now. Not crazy. And that, yeah, that would have been shocking three years ago and to your point, oh, it's almost expected today, which is a crazy pendulum swing.

All right, finals tomorrow night, championship game, four nations face off down in Boston, Canada, USA. You cannot script it any better, especially considering the way the game played on Saturday night at the Bell Center. If anything, I would say I wish this game was being played in Montreal. Shout out to the Bell Center, Montreal. What an incredible crowd. Puts a lot of pressure on the Boston faithful to show up tomorrow night and bring some electricity. But I feel like it probably will be there. I think the anthem tomorrow night is going to be crazy.

But here's the GM of the blues, also of Hockey Canada heading towards the Olympics next year. He's overseeing the Four Nations faceoff back on overdrive courtesy of the Maple Toyota Hotline. Here's Doug Armstrong. How you doing Doug? I'm good gentlemen. How are you guys? We're doing well I mean we've been talking a lot about this experience and how much we've enjoyed the four nations How would you say the the games and the atmosphere and the energy have met what your expectations were for this tournament? You know what I had high expectations and it's actually exceeded them I think as think as I was listening to you guys intro here, the Montreal faithful did themselves very proud. The city,

you know, we were in the middle of a snowstorm, but it was just, it just was unbelievable the amount of energy around the building and then the games, not only the Canada games and all the games, but ultimately that game Saturday night was second to none. You know, it, you know, at a different level but it seemed a lot like I was fortunate enough to be at the 2010 gold medal game. A lot of hype around that game obviously and the stakes were higher than they are now but it was electric and then obviously the start got everyone's attention and I thought it turned out to be a great game, a 2-1 game that ended with an empty netter. Everybody, the top players

played well on every team. You know, it's amazing when you have 18 of the best players on each team, how little ice there is and how you have to take advantage of what's given and I'm expecting nothing but even a better event tomorrow night. So Armie, when you're sitting in a board room with your management team, where on the bingo card did it say that you were gonna have three fights in the first nine seconds against the US team? I mean, that could have been a surprise for you as well in the management side.

Yeah, we knew how their roster is built. Obviously, we knew that the Chuck boys were gonna be on there there and they play with what Berkey would call that truculence and we were aware of that but we wanted to put our best team together and I thought it was great. I was, you know, I hate to use the word proud because I'm not their father or anything, but I was impressed by the the determination of Hagel coming out with a much bigger player in T'Ch Chuck and hailing him very well and just Bennett and then Pranko, our guy.

It was great to see it. I know it's a look at yesteryear hockey, but I think every once in a while that's a view to what it used to be like. I think the fans enjoyed it. I think everyone enjoyed it. But more importantly, I think when that was finished, enjoyed a 59 minute and 52nd grade hockey game. Doug, how have you handled the transactional stuff? Like theater goes down and then it was like Harley was in Boston, where it was like Gary

and Bill contacting you from a bar saying, nah that's okay, and then it seemed like things were kind of on the fly. Like how challenging was that? And now the US is dealing with it. It seems like they got other players coming in and they're not sure. I'm sure there's been stuff that's been on the fly as far as your questions and what's allowed. Yeah, and you know, Bill Daley and the PA have handled this and they set out the parameters early and you know, you have to deal with them.

There was certain thing that's went on and there's an illness going through, there's injuries and they were great. We contacted them, we gave them our position with the Theodore thing and then the MacArthur situation and you know the rules are the rules and I feel for them because they have to make decisions that have to pass the other three countries. But all in all, we're going to get to tomorrow night. There's going to be great players on the ice. And I'm sure when they look back at this, they'll reassess and find out if there needed to be tweaks to the rules. But I don't want to, my personally, this is my personal thing.

I don't want any of that to override how great the event is and how luck we are to see players like the Tchucks and matthews and then we got uh... you know connor and uh... you know you know the the the list goes on and on sydney i don't start ripping off names will be here all night but it's just great to see the best players uh... play with emotion and passion for their countries with doug arnstrong of hockey canockey Canada, head of the championship game tomorrow night, Four Nations face-off. And I think what's really stood out,

we've referenced those fights the other night, is that we're playing based on the NHL rule book, which to me is very substantial in terms of team building and what you can expect with these teams and the games and how the events are gonna play out. Because as you know, I mean, you'll get to the Olympic Games next year, no one's going to be fighting.

Any hit that is even borderline, I find the international refs will lean towards five in a game. Yeah, like it's just instinctively five in a game. So I'm curious, Doug, you know, if you took that into consideration in terms of team building for this event compared to the Olympic Games, you know, the actual rule book and what's allowed for this event that won't be allowed once you get to the Olympic Games. Yeah, I would say that's, you know, we went into the equation on who you pick, but ultimately we were using this as we want to win the event and preparing for the next event and talking to our top players, they were adamant, like, make Team

Canada the best it can be and let teams adjust to us. It does not adjust to what they may or may not do. And as I said, it was great theatre the first nine minutes, but you guys know the level of players here. Nobody's intimidated, nobody's scared, nobody gets pushed around. And so it was great. It was great theatre, it was a great nine seconds, and then it was on best and that's how we built our teams are for best on best. Army where are you at with Bennington? I mean you know he's made some great saves, he's

maybe had a few that he wanted back but as far as you know the level of confidence you had in him coming into the tournament and his place so far and obviously you're going to have to try and deliver a win tomorrow night. Yeah I would say that's been the greatest spotlight on our team was how was the goal tenement going to be and you know at the end of the day we're playing in the final game and that's what we want to do and you're right he's made some you know you look at the overtime a couple of saves he made in that Sweden game and overtime like that that put us in this in this game tonight. So you you know he's at the point where he wants to be. He's had great success here in Boston in big games and I'm hoping he can replicate that again but

he's gonna need to be at his best obviously the US goaltenders played fantastic in his two starts and it's it's a one you know one game take all and I'm excited because that's usually when Bennington rises up. Army, you mentioned the possibility or the likelihood of a 2-1 score coming up. That seems like a game seven or a championship game, gold medal. The score is usually like 2-1, 3-2. What is it about players that have success in these type of moments?

Because you mentioned there's time and space. What is it about a player that has success in these games as opposed to a regular season guy where when it gets to the playoffs things tighten up and they don't shine as much? What about a player shines in a tight hockey game? Yeah, well I think that all the players here are asked to shine when the lights are the brightest on their club teams. You know, there's, you know, these are the, these are the best on best and Jordan Binnington said, uh, which I, you know, it makes sense when he said it, but when, uh, I never thought of it this way.

So like at the NHL, when you're playing a game and noodles can probably test to it, there's probably 60 to 70% of the players that you feel comfortable that you're going to be able to read what's going to happen and stop the puck. And then the other ones can score from distance and score different ways. Everyone in this tournament is in that, in that next to like bottom 20 to 30% where they can score different ways. So a 20 shot game against is, is probably like a 35 shot game at the NHL level, just because the likelihood of the guy being able to do what he wants to do is higher than ever. And for the scorers, these guys that we're asking to carry the mail, carry the mail on

their day teams, and so they're just accustomed to playing at that time of the game and when everything's on the line. Well, and the fact that you got Sid playing know, Sid playing for you as your captain, playing the way that he's been playing, you know, there just is no, there's no counterpart in the sport, period, for any nation. It doesn't matter if you're playing Sweden tomorrow, Finland tomorrow, it doesn't matter.

But you're playing the Americans and they don't have them. They just do not have a guy like Sid. How much of a cheat code do you think that is for you guys? How beneficial has it been just to have him in the room but also perform in the way he's been performing? I think it's beneficial. It's not just in the room, it's in the hotel, it's his preparation. It's the passion that he brought to this event.

Being able to share the stories of what it was like to play in 10 and 14 and 16 and, uh, and then what he does on the ice, obviously, you know, the, you know, we were reeling, let's be honest, against, uh, in that last game and he finds a way to have a, uh, a, a condom a collision there at center, right? And ends up with the puck and it's in the net and the game over. Like he, he's just a big game player, but he's also a big tournament player, Like just having him in our meal room, in our locker room, in our elevators everywhere. He just carries us. He has that presence of a Wayne, of a Mario. You know, McDavid's working into that. It's just special. They're not even generational. They're every two or three generations and we're just so fortunate to

have him as our leader. Well, it's going to be a lot of fun tomorrow night. What are you anticipating the energy in the building will be like in Boston tomorrow? I think it's gonna be great. I was impressed by the number of Canadian fans that made it down to the the Monday game. I don't know if they bought package deals and knew we were gonna be here but I think there's gonna be a good representation of Canadian fans here. I think it's going to be loud and they're going to be ready to go and the players are

going to be ready to go. And again, I'm fortunate to have been in this building for a game seven of the Stanley Cup finals and it was rocking and I really expect nothing less tonight. And I hope the visiting team has the same success as they did back in 2019 when I was here. Yeah, that was a fun one for you, I'm sure, Doug, I would think. That was a fun evening. Yes, it was.

That one in Boston where the Blues won the Stanley Cup. Well, we're pulling for the same outcome as well tomorrow night. Obviously, as Canadians, we're looking forward to it. We're rooting for you guys. Best of luck tomorrow, Doug. I really appreciate you doing this. Well, guys, I always enjoy spending time with you and thanks for your support and we're looking forward to tomorrow night.

You got it Doug Armstrong joining us here of Hockey Canada head of the championship game tomorrow night Four Nations face off here 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 and get $40 back visit maple Toyota comm Yes, Sid. I mean Sid his role in this is pretty wild man Like it is pretty well considering wasn't playing for the pens down the stretch wasn't really practicing a lot of uncertainty if he'd even be there Shows up that first game against Sweden the guys unbelievable and then he he punches their ticket quite literally on Monday. Yeah, one of the better empty net goals you'll ever see.

Yeah, it was unreal man. Like, and you never see that guy like celebrate any goal. He was jacked. He knew that that needed to go down. Yeah, that was a big one. And it's fitting that it was him. And you know, we talk about McDavid's role in this and McDavid's in his prime and Sid's not in his prime anymore but I'm not putting anything past Crosby tomorrow night like I would fully expect he's flying tomorrow and if I'm the Americans this is what's so terrifying and it goes both ways I get it but McDavid, McKinnon, Crosby if he's on his toes I don't know that's very very very tough to stop

Yeah, it is. You know what and this is probably a conversation for Friday or into next week Hayes, but Said getting a little taste of this and having to get on a bird and go back to Pittsburgh man Well, I mean that you know, no, no, here's the thing too. Like and we're we've talked about it that you know. Here's the thing too, we've talked about it countless times over the last 18 months. Get them out, put them in a winning scenario. I think it's a great point, Noodle's has got to go back there and be a leader and say the right things. We're in the hunt, we think we can still get it together. They're not, it's over, the Pens aren't going to make the playoffs. But the way they reacted to him in Montreal to Pretty crazy Crosby cross pretty

Crazy how much they loved him there. He grew up a Habs fan I just don't think the ha the Habs aren't in a better position than the pens right now for winning They are in terms of their future but I Don't know I I'm with you noodles. I do wonder if that story picks up a little bit of steam. Oh, you brought it up. A little insider, not insider trading, but you get, you get, he's sitting for two weeks with his buddy Nate. Yeah. Give and goes. Slappers from the slot into the net. Hugs. And it's like, man, going

out for practice, just the two of them little backhand saucies together I don't know if you're Sid you got to be thinking I could do this for two and a half more years with my best friend maybe it's time yeah I don't know that could be I got to give you guys a little nugget about Montreal James Duffy snuck a hot dog out into the catwalk and buried it right before the game. He stuffed it in his jacket and he brought it out to where we were sitting. And I couldn't believe my eyes. It's not allowed. You're not supposed to be bringing them out there.

I know, but MJ snuck one. That day we had MJ on. He snuck one out, took a picture of it, put it on Twitter, and I i saw that i'd swear there was ketchup or musterters both on that picture though he had everything that he had everything i guess it's gotta go into the jacket by the security guard and your well the only way i think johnny's explanation for the bravado was he said he's an alumni sec where they are i played for the team

yeah you know dot the didn't play for the Canadian He has no business stealing a hot dog, but he has a Canadian legend. He is a Canadian legend So Canadian legend, but I just I I don't understand like I feel like somebody at some point There's that picture of MJ like that. That's he he loaded that thing up So he must have brought the packets in his pocket or something. Yes he loaded that they got three must have brought the packets in his pocket or something yes but i i don't know man like i i don't know somebody must have thrown a hot dog from up there

and it's been bad i know as michael farber was close by dot the and he was giving him a stare that i've never seen before that's disgusting well i mean farber's been run in that building for since it's all i was an open right he's gone for back in the day I mean as you talk about legends Michael Farber in the city of Montreal it doesn't get any bigger and he probably thinks yes there's a code here right and this is the code that we're all supposed to abide by and unfortunately Duthie didn't do that and maybe Michael Farber maybe others you know take it upon themselves to let the masses know

that they weren't happy and so I wouldn't be shocked if Farber sent D others, you know, take it upon themselves to let the masses know that they weren't happy. And I wouldn't be shocked if Farber sent Duffy an email. Yeah, I would play. We don't do that. That was one thing I actually I witnessed on the trip and I I was sick to my stomach. We're waiting in line to get into this place. And there were two people in front of me and they were talking about how their trip advisors their trip advisors

uh... yeah which means they they write reviews of different places and i'm listening to these two that's a couple goons looking for a free meal i couldn't believe what i was listening to like all the all be advising because they call themselves advisors and i'll be advising i'm to be advising on this place. I don't love the lineup service. I don't know.

We'll see. And I'm like, this is what people are doing with their free time. Like they're launching Tripvisor accounts to bury companies. Dude, they love people go to restaurants and if it's like they don't get their meal in four seconds, they're like, gonna go on Yelp or whatever. I'm going to write a review. I'll be advising uh... excuse me i will be advising that uh... this took longer than i expected dude why would you wait in line at a restaurant in

florida of all places? Well for starters i wasn't in florida i don't know who gave you that idea i don't know why i didn't correct you earlier i was i was in the dominican i was in the Dominican I was I had no idea closer to the Sun I was as close to the Sun as you can get was 32 degrees and sunny every single day So and though the trip was longer. Anyway, we had a great time people are incredible down there. It was awesome

But that's what I'm saying the trip advising stuff I'm like, what are you talking about like say two Americans or two Canadians? Like I'm gonna write about this place and I don't like what do you and the sad thing is it actually holds some weight Oh, it does there's some people that go on the review. Let's see how this place isn't it? But that's who I showed up and my food sucked in the line and like people like that. I guess I'm not going I'm not going there It really does work. I don't trust those things. So because you don't know who's writing them. They could be complete lunatics Yeah, write those that write those You know, whatever their reviews and that's what it was. I was watching these two people be like, oh you're a trip advisor

So am I I'm gonna write about this And I'm like, this is a great experience. So I just think you've got it. You got to trust it because we go on trips all the time. And it's like, oh, this Trip Advisor says this. I'm like, well, who are you trusting? Right. Who is that person and what are their standards? And are they just miserable all the time? Exactly. You know, and yet here we are.

I guess, you know, we're kind of admitting that you can fall into the trap. You read it, you're like, oh man, only got two stars. That's not good. Yeah. All right, Jerry's coming up. Dreggs will join us as well. We got Richard Griffin in just over an hour on this flatty Shapiro-Atkins-Blue Jays scenario, where it goes from here and how they can possibly salvage this season that again

It just there's so much negativity hanging around this ball club right now. It is it is absurd So we'll get to that in just over an hour overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on TSN 2 You're gonna want to hear this Jerry's percentages. I don't love being commissioner as much as I used to I actually love it even more. That's the voice of a Jerry's percentages. I don't love being commissioner as much as I used to Actually love it even more. That's the voice of a Hall-of-famer. Are you kidding? Have you been out drinking? You're our pigeons filthy filthy pigeons

Jerry GERY All right Jerry's percentages. I'm sure Jerry's a very busy guy, very happy guy. Proud of himself. Yeah, he should be proud of himself. Listen, it's a good event. Do you think it was his idea? Like, who do you think said, let's do the Four Nations, the All-Star game? Who do you think came up with it? I don't think it would be Jerry. Like like I don't think he's he's a

Creator, you know, right like I don't think he's a guy with this size off on he signs off on things Yeah, thank you. I'm sure they have a marketing department or some sort of staff that I'm unaware of That probably comes up with this and owners would come up with this Maybe GM's pitch in on this and players players associations involved too right like the players probably said we want this clearly based on their actions um but Jerry's gonna bask in uh all the glory that's the beauty of being the guy at the top right yeah he's probably love what's going on Adam Silver's getting destroyed right now like you talk about commissioner rankings, Jerry's actually pretty high on the list. Adam Silver and the NBA are, they're in crisis mode. You want to give me a quick 12 second commissioner ranking?

In terms of the general public or in terms of the job they're doing? Just overall. Goodell's got to be one. Yeah, that's the thing. The NFL is so, you're right, Noodle's. People don't like Roger Gadel. It just runs itself. But it just kind of runs itself. So I guess Gadel would have to be one.

Bobby Manz too? I think Bobby Manz because honestly the moves they've made with the pitch clock and with some of the adjustments and baseball seems to be in a pretty stable position. I know contracts are getting crazy. But they dodged a bullet with Otani too. They did. Keep in mind like that.

They did. They dodged a massive bullet because if they unveiled that he was the guy gambling and like that happened right after the contract signing, instead it's the interpreter who goes to the claim. That little weasel got five years of prison he had a long time now that the audio is out right at him making the call saying show a I listen that fifty times like listen to this guy anyway let's get to Jerry's yeah let's let's get to Jerry would be probably three for me out of the number four at this point but uh... uh... by jerry we have force or

has people stop which means that i'm sure big screen tomorrow night will be played or cheers jerry's it's a great the business but it is a! It's a great bonanza. It is a bonanza Jerry. You should be proud of yourself. Way more cheers than booze is 0%.

0% someone's going to say look up and see Jerry and say, oh he put on this bonanza, let's cheer him. It's an NHL thing when his face goes up on a monitor it gets booed so it's zero percent. No I don't know man. I think that... Noodles come on man. Wasn't it, didn't he get cheered in Florida last year when he handed out the cup? Are you kidding me? No.

Did he? I don't remember that. I feel like I was ice level. Okay, there was some cheers I could be wrong like I might be wrong, but I remember there was a reaction where I was like That's not normal and it wasn't like the boo, you know, like it was Florida come get this Barkov I I want to say that I think people have warmed up to him Like the league is in a pretty good spot and heading in the, I don't think it's 0%.

I think he's, there'll be some boos, but not like raining out like he used to. You know, 40%. 40%. I think the important distinction here is that Jerry's saying cheers compared to boos. He may get no reaction. I don't know about cheering, right no reaction i don't know but she really

really i don't know people are up on their feet and i think that it is a good about this so there's jerry uh... no one is doing that now i don't think so like a c zero percent of that right like i just did i slaughtered a record there's jerry uh... that the other day but you're sam adams down Hey Rick, there's Jerry Yeah, hey put your Sam Adams down we cheer for Jerry dude, it's just not happening

It's one of the slam dogs of all time He may not get booed like it may not be 20,000 booze may not be 10,000 Maybe not 5,000, but there's probably gonna be a thousand booze and there won't be any cheers I just don't think cheering is gonna be a part of the process tomorrow night. So zero percent. Jordan Bennington will pull off a miracle and outperform Connor Hellebuck on Thursday night. That's a spicy meatball. I'm high on this boys. I'm really high on this. I'm 85% on this. Wow. Wow. Yeah. I have got a feeling that Canada rides tomorrow, and I think the Benner is going to be a main part of it.

I'm high. I'm high. I just, it's a gut feeling. I'm not going to like, Jamie breaks down goaltenders and what they do and what they can possibly do. This is simply a gut feeling. I'm 85% on the bin train. Wow. Noodles? I mean, we all know Halibucks is a better goalie. I mean, we all know that. I know you're going to try to upstage me and say 90%. I'm not saying anything. I'm not. No, I'm lower, but I am on the north side of 50, because I do believe Canada's going

to win. So a win puts Bennington in the winner's circle, regardless of what happens, even if it's 7-6. So I am going to be 58%, and I think that Benner can do it based on he's won a Stanley Cup In game 7 in that building. He's done it. So, you know, I think he's been Not the Randy Carla. I think you've been better than but but he has allowed at least one bad goal per game It's got to clean that up. He can't do that tomorrow night. What do you think of the Larkin goal on him?

The Gensel first one we referenced, you've got to stop that. Larkin, it's a two on one, he's flying. So a left-handed shot in that position, I still would like to see the goaltender when you... your job on a two on one is to get that save. Take the shot. But a left-handed shot gets inside the dot like he's he's coming down the slot like he's not he's not wide on that play right like that left we look where he releases there that's a pretty good it's pretty good shot and he places

it just over the right pad inside the post I didn't say it was a bad goal I didn't I don't know I I don't I didn't say that was I don't think that was a bad goal I just think that that was a bad goal I didn't I don't know I I don't I didn't say that was I don't think that was a bad goal I just think that that was a good shot by Larkin yeah I'd like to see a save there though of course yeah but it was kind of a messy a far post like right like that's a that's a pretty good shot I will say credit where it's due I agree I didn't think the Larkin goal I don't think you can hold that against Bennington but the first one he had to have. The Gensel, you have to have it.

I can't get the, I mean, listen, Hallebuk's got to have a game, he's played well in the two games he's played, and he's been phenomenal this year, phenomenal the last two years. It's not like this guy's got a Marty Bodeurr playoff record or anything. But that's the thing. Well, that's the playoff record, yeah. That's the thing. Like Hallebuk, you know, it could be a scenario where bidding to now plays on by default of hellbuck as a poor night uh... and i can see a scenario where technically

you know hellebuck plays better than bidding ten you know canada still wins if canada's just all over them and you know i would choose them forty to eighteen or something like that they went three to uh... forty nine percent them 40 to 18 or something like that and they win 3-2. 49%. 49% because I think I'm trying to reason with this because I'm on Canada tomorrow night too and what you said makes a lot of sense. If you think they're going to win then you have to believe that Bennington's going to play well but it's there's a lot of pressure on him man a lot of pressure on both these guys like we can talk

about McDavid and Sid and Matthews and the Kachuk brothers. If the goalies play poorly, it's over. Before the game even starts. Yeah, I agree. Guy doesn't have his A stuff, the game is over. So tons of pressure on both guys. All right, Jerry, what else do you have?

Gladdy Jr. will be playing in the AL East next season. Won't even be close close according to Ross doesn't even know what close is Yeah, the whole close definition or the fear of the word close was astonishing yesterday I don't know what the harm would have been if you don't sign and just come out and say we were We were actually not that close on numbers. Yeah, that's where's where we're at yeah it was just that's the thing like listen they had they've had years to sign this guy to a long-term extension they they chose not to do it because they didn't truly believe in him that's my that's my impression my opinion or or they like people have to need to understand this that Vladimir could have come up with a number that was just It was just a no way for them, right?

But what what I'm saying is their actions here looked so desperate to me because last year you weren't in a rush to sign Them through a long-term deal and now because the PR is such a debacle And you swung and missed on Soto and the Otani disaster and how embarrassing that was for everyone involved. Now all of a sudden you're like, well, we're really working hard to sign Vladdy. It's like they procrastinated on an exam. Dude, what are you talking about? They're now working hard.

He said it's before yesterday or they're not doing this. No, exactly. He did backtrack and say and say well if they came to the right number obviously i'm not dumb i would look at it yeah but it seems like yesterday's coming gone oh i know it's what i'm i'm saying what ross at ross said yesterday we did a lot of work on this i don't know what the hell that means in contract negotiations like what a lot of work is i don't really know but what i'm saying is they they uh... they put up an offer in front of them there was a lot of work is i don't really know but what i'm saying is they they uh... they

put up an offer in front of them there was a lot of money i don't know what it is i'm sure at some point will find out i think the leaks are coming on both sides we're gonna find out and i'm sure it was a lot of money i'm sure it was if you weren't willing to do it a year ago

or if you were willing to do it a year ago you would have been in this position do it a year ago, you wouldn't have been in this position. But a year ago, they didn't want to have that conversation with him because they weren't sure who he was, and they didn't truly believe in him. And then all of a sudden, you're really believing him up to a certain price. It's desperate. Like it just, the whole thing reeks of desperation. And ultimately, it doesn't end up concluding in a contract. And now they've got to play out this year, and it's going to be a circus between now

and the trade deadline. That out this year it's gonna be a circus between now the trade deadline because another thing that's common they come out of a bit of an awful april it's gonna it everyday you trade on the trade of where you get a trade of what are you gonna get what are you gonna do it's just gonna be constant uh... anyway what was the jerry's again that he's gonna play the a list yeah i think that's what i was

although it i'm gonna go 45% because I got a feeling that the Red Sox are just dying to get their hands on this guy with the green monster sitting there. Yeah. I really do. I got a feeling they're dying to get. And who knows? Maybe Soto is telling Cohen, just wait for my buddy because you can come up with a number and you can get him here too and that will start building our kind of power team here with the Mets. Yeah, that's right. I'm concerned about that.

It's just, didn't he like an Instagram post of a picture of him in a red socks uniform? Yes, he did. He did do that. That is accurate. That wasn't fake news, right? I always try to... I looked at myself. I went to the account and I was like, yeah, there he is.

That's Vlad. I'm liking it. It's a picture of him in another uniform and he liked it. I don't know, man. For forecasting. Exactly. Over you, what, 45%? 45, he's in the AL East.

I'm higher I think if he goes I think we're talking 70% line and it's really two teams that are just gonna write him a check and he decides where he's gonna go Yeah, I'm high on this too because listen the Mets at some point you would think Cohen would say I just can't keep giving out these contracts Like they spent so much money can't keep giving out these contracts. They spent so much money. Are the Dodgers going to pay him? Dude, don't ever count the Yankees out there.

Missed out on Soto, maybe he's our guy. Now he used to say, I hate the Yankees, I'll never play for the Yankees. I think there's some history there, maybe with his dad in the club or something happened there. But if it's all about the top dollar and the Yankees give it to him, I think Vlad would accept that. I think he'd be fine with putting on the pinstripes. I think the Red Sox, the same thing.

Yeah, I'm 75%. I don't think the Jays, I don't think the door is completely closed. It feels like it basically is, but maybe if he has a great year and they win, they find the money, kumbaya, everything works out. But I think it's, yeah, Red Sox, Yankees, at some point the Mets are going to stop, the Dodgers are going to stop. If you want the big money, those are the markets, those are the teams that have it. And that's what also makes this so possibly damaging for everyone involved.

If he walks to Boston and torches you for a decade. Imagine him like coming in that many times in a season. No you'll see him eight or nine times over a year at the Ryder Center and he loves Fenway he's been torching Fenway Park since he walked into the league. Yeah and Devers is his boy although Devers has got his own issue there. Devers has got his own problems that boston right now pregnant shown up but uh... yeah i i think that that would be the cherry on top is if you walked and got the money

and someone within the division paid if you just be you couldn't you couldn't possibly explain that to your average fan how that could ever make sense i jury what else do you have? The three package Shapiro, Shana Head and Yajiri will be in Toronto by the end of 2026. That's a good one Jerry. The three top dogs of the three big teams.

Leafs, Raptors, Blue Jays. No dude, end of 2026? Yep. No, not possible End of 2026? Yep. No, not possible in pro sports these days. They've been here, all three of them have been here a decade already. What's going to change? They've been here a decade. Something's going to change.

It seems like when they've all three have been here a decade, the next two years seems like another decade. Like what happens if Masai just pulls the plug on himself and says I'm not into this rebuild stuff and I've got an offer to go to an organization that you don't think that that's already out there floating around that guy. It could be. The amazing thing is he's the only one that's won anything. He's the guy that's actually won. You're right.

Where is the Blue Jays ownership with all of this? Well, guess who owns the other two teams, Noodles? Exclusively. The guy who owns the Blue Jays. I know, but I'm thinking out loud here. This is bad PR. if things don't go well, like to me, there might be a clean sweep. It's like, you know, I'm clearing this and I'm clearing that. You might see all hell break loose if they don't live up to the expectation that has been set out for their individual organizations.

You would think after a decade that that's not an overreaction or being harsh. Well and Keith Peli is is kind of newer on the job right like this is now he's got a lay of the land and there's big pressure from above him and from him probably going below him like he's not a guy who's just gonna sit on his hands he'll pull the trigger on some stuff too. Okay. So where are we at? By the end of next year, basically 22 months from now, all three of them are still here. I'm 10%. Yeah, I was going to say 18%, maybe lower, 12%. Okay. All right. I'm higher than that, man. I look at, I don't think Chapparro's going

anywhere. I mean, that's just my opinion You possibly say that like if Ross Atkins goes they're connected at the hip And why why are they still even here do the thing like if you think that pressure is gonna be on Roger You've got some funky pictures of something. I don't know what it is, but Yeah, exactly. And why is that gonna change between now and the end of 26? I don't have that answer. I don't know. Well, you're right. You would think if anyone looked at what's going on now with the lack of success, the garbage farm system, and this debacle with Vladdy, and things looking like it's going to be scorched earth a year and a half from now, how would anyone not say,

I got to do this right now? Yeah, well, exactly. And I think Shapiro, he may be granted the, I've only had one GM now how would anyone not say I gotta do this right now yeah well exactly and I think should pyro he may be granted the I've only had one GM bullet which is true you know his choice but it's true and they may say all right bring in somebody else let someone else run the program you stay you know you become more of the business side than the baseball side you know Shanahan I'm not even sure what his contract status is, Brendan Shanahan. He signs these deals kind of out of nowhere and I don't know how much term he even has left.

But, you know, I would think at some point it would be mandatory they win in the playoffs, I think. But it hasn't been an issue for a decade, you know. And so I'm going to say, I can say 55%. I'm way higher than you guys. Like these three, they've got the year of the owner. They've been here for a long time.

There's been ups and downs with all three parties. I don't know. How crazy is it going to get between now and the end of next year that one of them is going to be washed away or one of them is gonna be washed away Or one of them is gonna send one out I mean that's an angle too that I guess needs to be addressed like you said about Messiah could apply to someone else too Maybe Shannon goes I've had it's been great awesome run. I'm gonna go do something else who knows But we'll see all right there you go. Thank you Busy guy down in Boston. Thanks for taking the time. Stopping him in the streets of Boston to shake his hand on the bonanza known as the Four Nations faceoff. All right, Darren Drager

in 20 minutes. Richard Griffin coming up as well. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050N on TSN 2. All right, Darren Drager still to come. Richard Griffin, our best bets powered by FanDuel as well. I saw the Masters was trending online because we are 50 days away from the first round of the Masters. 50 days away. Which generally in Canada means, alright, it's almost time to get outside again. We've got 50 more days of this type of work. Dude, it seems like we have 50 more days of snow Yeah, it's overwhelming man. Like when you go somewhere like the Caribbean or whatever and you come up here It's just it's I know it's gonna sound so stupid, but I think everyone has the same reaction

Like places like that exist Every day of the year. It's 30 degrees and sunny and up here. It's sunny. It's a beautiful day outside today But just so much here it's sunny. It's a beautiful day outside today, but just so much snow. It's so cold But that's the beauty of Canada We get all four seasons and we got 50 more days till we get to the Masters And things start turning in the right direction So we look forward to that and I'm assuming tiger will be there, right? I would think tiger tiger had the most embarrassing moment. I felt bad for him He was playing that TGL last night. Yeah, and he had

195 yards the hole and he walks out there with a 56-degree wedge and he thought someone said like, you know, someone says what's the yardage and you say 95 but it's 195. Yeah So someone gave him 95 so he wheels out there with a sand wedge and he hits this thing a hundred yards on the screws and his playing partners were like dude what are you doing you have a hundred and ninety five look at this guy man yeah that's tough because that that is like catty lingo this is why you can't act like you're on a golf course. Like I honestly, I think Tiger's the one that has a gripe here.

Because we've played with caddies and the tour lingo is, when they say 95, that means 195. It's like this cool, you know, we're cool enough to know because we play so much that it's not actually 95. It's 195 Yeah, so they probably use the cool guy on course lingo and he's like well We're in a sim like how would I know that it's actually 195 when you said 95 and That is embarrassing for for tiger, but what are you gonna do tiger be fine in the end? I was just like

that's bizarre for that to happen to that guy tiger this is his baby and this happens that that was ridiculous yeah but that's the law watching it though did you know I'm kind of over it man like it'll only be desperation watching for me if there's nothing else I want to watch on TV. I'll go to that. I'll watch reruns of final rounds. I don't know. There's something about it. I just can't get into it.

It's different. It's very different. It's very, very different. They've invested a lot in it. It's not going anywhere. They're going to keep doing it. They hope it takes off. I'm a bit skeptical, but we'll see what comes in it. It's not going anywhere. They're going to keep doing it and they hope it takes off and I'm a bit skeptical but we'll see what comes of it. All right, final hour coming up. Darren Drager will join us. Richard Griffin as well. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 Vancouver on March 30th. And I Heart Radio is your ticket to the stars.

The Juno goes to... Hosted and performed by Michael Pouble. Good evening Vancouver! Plus, a final performance by Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees, Sum 41 and more. You can win an I Heart Radio experience with tickets, flights, and a three-night stay at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Head online to answer the daily Juno's trivia question at iheartradio.ca.