OverDrive - OverDrive - February 20, 2025 - Hour 2

Episode Date: February 20, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 2 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun joins to discuss Canada and USA's Championship Game, the mentality of the teams in the game and the acclaim of the tournament in the league. The guys discuss the players who will have the biggest impact in the Championship Game on the teams and the Maple Leafs' lines in the return to practice.

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to the final score. Pierre LeBrun coming up from Boston in a few moments. Possibly the future home of Latt in a few moments. Possibly the future home of Vladdy Gros Jr. Possibly the Boston Red Sox. Maybe the New York Yankees. Because Vladdy, as we know, liked a post of some super fan in Boston about, you know, this was before Soto and Sine. Him and Devers and Soto. Him and Devers and Soto at Fenway, the big and there's Vladimir jr. liking it and now on top of a comment from our boy Steve Phillips because

Phillips is now I guess saying he thinks he's gonna end up in New York with the Yankees and there was a Photoshop of Vladimir in a Yankee uniform and there's old at Vladimir jr. 27 liking the picture. I would be just furious if I was the J's. And people talk about the old school and the way things are now. I respect the fact that if this happened back in the day, somebody would have came out to me and said,

don't even think about one more like, or on Instagram, it's so disrespectful. Like, you're a J for now. Obviously the contract didn't work out. But you want to talk about being a distraction. And you said you didn't want to negotiate during the season because it would be too big of a distraction. What about this nonsense as a distraction? Right. Please get it straight. I couldn't agree more. To me, it's such a childish move. I get it. It's Instagram and the argument will be well, you know, it's's young but that's why you want to know why?

Mark Chappar I believe hasn't been a full believer in him because he thinks he's childish and he thinks he's not he's not professional enough And it's sure it may be a negotiation. It's a business. I get it. Is it innocent? Maybe his argument will be someone else is controlling my account. I don't know. It's a very modern story I get it. But it's so unnecessary and stupid. And it's also it's the two teams we're talking about. It wouldn't be right if it was any team. But if it's Arizona or the Giants, you're like, all right, this is the Red Sox and the

Yankees. You say you love Toronto, you love the Blue Jays. You've been here for 10 years. You know we hate those two teams more than anyone else. This is the situation. It's just it's so so goofy. Amy. I'm pretty sure we sat in the same spot in the back of the bus This is where the old-school guys would sit back there and have a beer and be like Did you see what that ass clown like today? Yeah, like that's what guys would say like that He's really gonna continue this all season. That's what guys would say and the other thing too is

Like correct me if I'm wrong. This guy is getting how much is he making this year? you this all season. That's what guys would say. And the other thing too is, like correct me if I'm wrong, this guy is getting, how much is he making this year? It's 29 million or something. It's a lot of money. Yeah, it's 28 and a half I think it is. Let's call it 29. Like you're getting paid 29 million by the Toronto Blue Jays. You can't be saying, hey, I want to be on this. Like it is childish, but it's non-professional. Like, he's not going to throw away the check this year and go, sorry, you know, I wish I was going to be there. Like, you have to be all in on the Toronto Blue Jays until you're not.

And that's where I have a problem with it, too. Like, it is a giant distraction. Oh, you make a great point. Like, you don't want a distraction to the contract, but yet you're actually drawing attention to yourself by liking a post like that where you get in another uniform they're paying him 29 million this year to play for the Blue Jays play for the Blue Jays and either get something sorted out or move on with your life but in between don't be that distraction you're

actually drawing attention to yourself I don't like that don't light a fire on the way out I think he's not going one thing from one so those comments the day they got eliminated or lost the world series to the dodgers one so those said yes i could play with the yankees but there's going to be twenty nine other teams competing for he said that the act as soon as they got eliminated from the world series and i think laddie is just grab that comment and that notion and that idea and he's running with it because I

think he's fascinated with other 29 teams competing for his services obviously it's gonna be no more than 10 but well that's exactly it like he's not going to the pirate right it's just a term you toss it out there the whole league can have me if you want but you're really talking probably about four or five teams, if that. Yeah, if we're talking the big money. Yes. And listen. But I think he just loves that idea.

He heard that comment. He's like, I got to come with the same thing if I don't get this thing. I agree. I think he looked at it and said, listen, you listen, the Jays, they got to own it. They didn't they didn't try to get out in front of this. They were proactive in years past and tried to sign him last year or the year before that. And now he's a year away from free agency and he's entitled to do whatever he wants. Every pro athlete is entitled to that. But how you act getting there is, I think, imperative, especially with a fan base that has supported you greatly and that is

generally on his side, wants to see him get paid and play and stay with Toronto But you know, this isn't gonna help your cause like it's the it's the yank. I get it. It's Instagram It's so ridiculous to even consider this as a storyline, but it's true in the modern world This is something that's gonna trend people see it people get it and they know where he's going with it Yankees red sox. Yeah, that would be interesting, you know, and it's just, it's throwing it back in the face of Blue J fans, especially when you consider the teams we're talking about. And it's silly and it's unnecessary and, you know, again I don't want to hear afterwards, oh I love Toronto, all I want is Toronto. Well then stop this stuff. Like it's not, you haven't even played a game yet and it's a circus already. he's not alone. He's not guilty of that himself There's two parties involved here

But it just adds to the weird mojo around this team and what it's gonna be like in that clubhouse and such a distract It's just it's crazy. Yeah, it's crazy All right. We've got a big one tonight down in Boston throw him again late about an hour But peer LeBron's been down there, I guess since Saturday night, since Sunday, I guess. And he joins us now courtesy of the Maple Toyota Hotline. What's happening, Pierre? Well, I'm staring at TD Garden from my hotel room.

I sent you guys a picture of my view from my hotel room. And you'll- If it's not like a beach or something cool, bud, you can't send that. Dude, it's a highway. It's a great hotel, though. I or some cool but you can't send that back and i think it is a highway it's a great hotel though i don't care we don't know that we don't get a sense of that i don't want to see a traffic jam in the pit uh...

it is uh... it by the way you mentioned Jerome McGinley i still remember uh... being at the Salt Lake City Olympics and i could hear a young Jerome McGinley celebrating after Joe Sackett. I think it was Joe Sackett cemented the win for Canada in the US in the gold medal game. The media of the Olympics sits closer to the ice. We were third or fifth row center ice covering that event. And you could hear the celebration from ice level cementing that win. One of my favorite memories of covering best on best that's

for sure and we got another one playing out tonight for sure well with that in mind you know obviously either team could win it should be a great game what kind of celebration would you be expecting would you think it'll mirror what you saw in 0-2 and 0-10 gloves in the air helmets in the air crying on the ice like what are we expecting I think it's gonna be a pretty big deal especially if it's Team USA. I'm not saying that Team Canada, the wine is bad, they believe me. The look on the faces of everyone from Krausey McDavid on down the last two practices here in Boston. Oh my goodness it's all business for for Team Canada. It means as much for

each but it's clear You know even just in the reaction from from Matthew Kachuk and a number of American players last Saturday at the Bell Center Matthew Kachuk called last Saturday the biggest moment in his career next to winning the Cup in game seven There is a lot riding for this generation of Team USA. They want to take ownership of the sport they believe they're opening a window of winning best on best and being the kings in the Hilton hockey. I mean, that's what they want. And a lot of it is a tip of the hat to the development program in Plymouth, Michigan and everyone that's coming out of their program now. So there's a lot riding for USA hockey. I think for Canada, there's just this quiet confidence going into tonight that I think

a lot of people around the program are like, number 2010, the US beat Canada in the round round, but Canada won when it mattered. So it's just, the vibes are unbelievable to be around both these teams. You can paint a picture and figure out a script on why each team might win. I mean, I think Connor Alba is the best goalie in the world right now, and you don't have to go too deep as to understand why he might be the difference here tonight for Team USA. At the same time, there's 14 talent cup winners in Team Canada's dressing room, so only two for Team USA.

And I asked John Cooper about that this morning, and I said, you you know is that a thing like you guys feel that in your room he goes there's no question we feel it and the last 48 hours Cooper said guys have been there I love it know how to win on the big stage they're ready for games like tonight so in your opinion who is your X factor really for both teams like who do you get a sense of of could be difference makers for Canada and then over to the US side? Well, the captain obvious is that Conor McDavid has opened the scoreboard for Canada in two straight games and he just has that steely-eyed look right now.

But if you want a less obvious player, watch out for Sam Reinhardt. You know, I still think that because he plays in Florida, even though they won the cup, the details in his game are so insane. I just have a feeling he's going to have a moment tonight if Canada wins. You know, for the U.S., the player that, you know, he's already having an Oristropia-type season, but this has been a bit of a further coming out party as far as the rest of the world understanding where his game is that? Zach war in ski has been all world in this event between USA They miss Quinn Hughes for sure, but I'm telling you Zach war in ski has filled his boots like he is playing

like a guy that may not just be the conversation for the Norris this year, but honestly guys, and I didn't think I'd say this before the season started, I think Cale McCartney can use that conversation for best defenseman in the world. Yep. Yeah, I don't disagree. I hear you. Pierre, where do you think Coop kind of falls in this pregame? I know that he's just, he's got a vibe about him and I think he loves these moments and I think he loves the idea he told everybody the other day that he's had this speech in the chamber for a couple years now and he's looking forward to bringing it to the boys like he's probably got something special to give the fellas to get them fired up not that any of them need it

yeah you're still bagging on on that oh I I mean, this morning, both Shoggy and I noticed this, but when they were doing the stretch at center ice, they don't, they don't have a player go in the middle like you do for NHL skates, whatever reason, then who put in the middle after the stretch was almost over and tapped his stick. All right, we ready? That was it. Everyone nodded their head. There's just he's He's the perfect guy for this group. Oh, he's awesome. And I love him. He loves it and I love him. Yeah, he just Just the way he treats the modern player and his is social demeanor You can just tell the players

Reacting to him. I wrote a story last couple days and athletic guys in 2017 years reacting to him. I wrote a story last couple of days, an athletic guy. In 2017, John Cooper decided his international path. I mean, he's a dual citizen, right? He's born and raised in Prince George, but his mom was from San Francisco and he actually coached for USA Occi at the 2008 Ivan Hulinka as an assistant coach. Um, but in 2017, Tampa missed the playoffs, which is rare. And he was sitting by his phone and hockey Canada phoned him 10 minutes before USA hockey did about the world. And he went with it, you know, obviously the proud Canadian and he was hoping it'd be on Canada. But my point is 10 minutes apart and who knows what path could have been different.

What side he's coaching on. So and again, I don't want to misconstrue this. I mean, beyond proud to be coaching team Canada, that would have been his first choice for sure given where he was born. But there was certainly a world in which if I can, I never called and Brian Burke talked to me about this because Burke, he was trying to get USA hockey to land him If the reverse is true ten minutes apart in 2017, you know Who's coaching Canada tonight? It's kind of a crazy thing to think about with Pierre Lebrun So he John Cooper is putting

Seth Jarvis in tonight taking Travis connect me out. There are rumors That someone is really perpetuating on this show that Chris Crider is going in and Kyle Conner is coming out there are rumors that someone is really perpetuating on this show that Chris Crider is going in and Kyle Conner is coming out for the Americans have you heard those and what is your read on yes yeah I mean I'm wondering the same thing Mike Sullivan would not confirm his lineup neither yesterday nor this morning he just said everyone's available other than Charlie McAvoy of course he, who's been ruled out. Yesterday in practice, Kyle Connor was skating sort of as a placeholder where Brady Kachuck skates because Brady Kachuck took the practice off yesterday.

He was ill. So he was skating on one of the top two lines in practice, but he was also skating on one of the Pirate Play units. So you could easily see a world in which was he just a placeholder as the extra forward or why is he skating on the Pirate Play? So I think team notes they try to be coy but it has led a lot of us watching practice wondering if it's Kreider or Conor at the very least. That's a legitimate question. We'll find out soon enough here. Pierre, do you think it would be easier or there's more mystery involved for insiders like yourself?

Or would you rather they just come out with like, this guy's got this, because there's a lot of stuff where it's like illness, where you can tell the guy's not ill or he's not hurt. Like, would you rather just a straight truth, does it make your job easier or is there more mystery involved with this and more reporting to do when they do it like this? Yeah, I mean, oh, I don't mind. I mean, that's what I do. So I guess I don't want to take my job away from myself. So I don't

mind, you know, the whole 24 hours that the C.G. and I and Greg spent on finding out whether or not Quinn Hughes was coming from that group. That's what we do. So that's fine. And listen, I guess what I would say is I'm still surprised in 2025 that coaches and coaching staffs believe it's that big a deal to be co-ed by losing your lineup. Like it will not affect anything either team is doing depending on one or two players. So like, come on.

I mean, that's the part where I just, you know, coaches is told what names, their goalies come on guys. Like the game is so modernized beyond that, but, uh, but I don't care. But I'll tell you this, we should touch on this for sure. Before I go one, one of the major trade-offs lineup was, I don't think to get talked about enough, maybe because it's obvious, but Kail McCarr, we didn't play against the us last Saturday, Charlie, Charlie McAvoy out. That is some kind of huge. Huge. Like McAvoy changed the game. Forget the three fights in nine seconds. Of

course that was entertaining but McAvoy's hit on McDavid changed the game. Everyone within that team USA group told me that and I feel the same way. That was huge that hit on McDavid. He's out and as deep as their blue line is, and it really is, and they got a lot of talent there, they don't really have a player with his particular toolbox to replace him. Jake Sanderson comes in, he's a great two-way player, great puck mover, skater. He's not Charlie McAvoy. So that's big for them. Of course, just having the car back, I mean, they worked on the power play a lot this morning, by the way, for morning skate and

having the car back on that unit with Crosby, McKinnon, McDavid, Reinhardt, hello, I mean that's the difference maker. Well to follow up on the Quinn Hughes thing, can you confirm, like did Quinn want to fly and Vancouver said no? Like how did this play out? Because there's, I've seen different things and like you said there was all this confusion, like Mike Sullivan just goes, yeah Quinn Hughes is on his way. I'm flying in, which is a crazy comment, reckless in retrospect. But like was it Vancouver that said no? Was it Quinn?

What happened here? Yeah so Brian, great question and I think there was confusion. You know one thing I'll say just globally before I answer that question, if there's anything NHL and HLPA have to glean from this event, which has turned into an unbelievable success, but they need to clean up the roster rules and everything else for the World Cup in 28 when they host us, you know, a deeper event here. First of all, they need to go to 25-man rosters away from 23 for obvious reasons, and the league has the knowledge that behind the scenes. But to your question, I mean, I spoke with Queenie's agent, Pat Bichon, yesterday who

walked me through the whole process. And what's clear is that this isn't just about one person making the decision. There was a lot of interaction between the agent, the player, the Canucks, Team USA. There was a lot of group conversations happening here to get to a final decision. And what Pat Bresson said is, the bottom line is he wasn't clear to come back and play. So I would put Salmonis on the Canucks. But at the same time, as Pat said, if he's flying the bus and he's likely not even playing, I mean the US has six healthy defensemen and Bill Daly doubled down yesterday and said

he can't, Quinn Hughes can't play if they still have those six healthy D. Those are the rules. So I think he came down to A, Quinn Hughes hasn't played in 25 days. He just shed the non-contact on it yesterday. If he's coming to Boston, he's probably in the press box. Everyone just kept circling the wagon. Then the other thing I should say, Pepper Sonson, it was an unbelievably hard decision for Quinn Hughes.

I mean, he wanted to be part of this so badly. And the poor kid now has been through this twice. He had to excruciatingly withdraw before the event, which was hard enough, and then he went through this. So I certainly feel for the Canucks captain. But it wasn't one person make a call, I guess is what I'm saying. There were a lot of different people involved that helped get to this decision. So outside, I mean, tonight it's over, Saturday the league starts back up.

How nervous or I mean, nervous might be the wrong word but how frustrated or concerned are a lot of general managers where all of a sudden back to their club team and in limps some of their star players are not available to their team down the stretch? Yeah, no question. That's for sure an undercurrent and you say general managers, I say owners. Definitely some griping already that I'm hearing. But we'll see when the smoke clears, who comes out of this meeting a game or two. I mean, you know, Matthew Kachak is definitely not 100% going into tonight.

You know, does he play the next game for Florida? Sydney Crosby is playing with one arm. It's unbelievable what Candice Captain is doing for his country, but he's not 100%. Let's get real, because he play or not next week, maybe, I don't know. Austin Matthews suffered a different injury this past week. He told us yesterday, it wasn't the same one as earlier this year.

I don't think he's 100% going tonight. He feels better, he said, but, you know. So, list goes on. You know, Kale McCarr is not 100%. So yeah, it'll be interesting to see. And that's where I think, you know, as much as the NHL, the HLPA are 100% committed to having a February World Cup in 2028 in between the two Olympics. There are some who would rather see it in September, like the old Canada Cups and the World Cup in 2016. Absolutely, man.

And it's the players, by the way. It's the players that don't want it, the September World Cup. It may feel like extender season. But on top of all that, you may have seen some of Gordon Miller's postings. I mean, the double HF is also not in line right now with the February World Cup. And if the double HF is not in line, what does that mean? So still some, still some things to debate as we, as we move forward out of this. But no matter how you look at it, um, and obviously a very politically charged few days here and obviously Trump addressing the two USA this morning and players

being asked about that, this event will have taken on I think way more meaning than I think if everyone was honest when they announced this last year in Toronto the All-Star game I don't think anyone can imagine that the four nations will get this much attention. I'm telling you here in the States mainstream news non-sports talking about this game tonight like hockey is front and center. Yeah it's it's big man and we were wondering how many Canadians would be in the building tonight and I wonder... Well there's lots of my hotel. That's right I guess that's

what we're asking like through the streets of Boston how many Canadians are cruising around? Seeing lots of Maple Leaf Team Canada jerseys for sure and with Chef Jarvis said that his buddies have their flights canceled for Winnipeg so they drove 30 hours to come to the game tonight from Manitoba and to get to TD Garden and John Cooper was told that he could see the look on his face he was just beaming with national pride so I thought it's a you know when you have these best on best events, you don't, they don't always hit it.

Honestly, no one remembers the old four world cup that walked us into that lockout. It's one of the least remembered best on best events. 2016, outside of team North America and the kids, almost no one remembers, you know, Canada being Europe in that final. That's no one's fault. I'm just saying, Sometimes you get an 87 Canada Cup and a 96 World Cup Sometimes you get a nothing and this one is a something. Yeah, and it's because of the two teams involved clearly

I mean obviously that goes without saying if it's if it's not Canada USA Then it's the hype just simply isn't there even in the States if the states are playing sweden tonight it's not the same it's the fact that you're involved uh... and i think i would say you know one of the reasons for nation and not world cup i mean officially don't tell you the legal p l because they're not find it organized a full-fledged world cup but let's be real uh can't have Russia involved so they make it four nations for now to buy themselves time and I get it I do the same thing buy

themselves time to see what the IOC ends up doing with Italy and and you know sort of go from there well one of the reasons Russia's not here is of course is to eliminate the politics from the event. Well guess what we have? Yeah exactly. The entire time politics involved in the event so it's kind of happening. Well and that's the thing man it's unpredictable like what's gonna happen in the future like with with Russia when they get back in no one has that answer right now but and no one really wants to touch it but you know I wouldn't be shocked if Trump tweeted out get Russia back in and that's like What's Batman gonna do? How do you respond to that? You know, he might do it

he might be might tweet something out like that he might say something like that and Then I'd like to see the reaction from Bill Guerin and others But you know right now it is what it is and maybe that's the history of this event in some ways. I mean the Cold War backdrop of the 81 84 and 87 Canada Cups can't be forgotten in those classes between the Soviets and Canada I was thought was mixed in that was part of it And now it's you know, US Canada political tension. It is it is absolutely part of the story. Yeah, it's a huge huge part Alright Pierre. Well, enjoy yourself tonight man when you're walking over to that building It looks great in the photo

But when you get right now live hit live hit with shoggy and Chris Johnson inside TV garden at 605 for Sports Center So I'll do my usual sprint. I'll be my usual sprint like I did. Okay, get a sweat on before you get in there and get on TV Enjoy yourself. It'll be a fun one tonight. We'll do it again soon. All right guys. There's a Peelabront joining us here on the Maple Toyota hotline Speaking of Trump Tigers at the White House right now Tiger Woods black history month. Yeah Yeah, well, but I also think there was some golf stuff going on like I probably got back in You imagine if they had a simulator in the back well yeah I don't know if they were that wouldn't surprise me like if Tigers like all right bring your clubs you know if

he Trump said bring your clubs but I guess Jay Monahan the commissioner was there it sounds like maybe Yasser from PIF could have been there too and Adam Scott and now there's some reporting going on out there I think Rex Hoggard of the Golf Channel reporting, you could see live players playing at the players championship, which is in a month. Like that's how quickly this is moving, like the amalgamation of the golf world again.

Yeah, but there's a live event, that's gonna be dicey. I don't know how that's gonna work. There's a live event, and if, like Greg Norm, I don't even think Greg Norman's involved. Greg Norman's out, like he's involved in some way, but he's not like the commissioner. But they're gonna freak out if they're like, oh so we paid all you guys this money

to play in these events and all of a sudden there's a players, where the number one prize money is five million dollars and that's, like the fourth guy in the team makes that for a live win. It's asinine. I don't know how it's gonna work, I don't know how it's gonna look, but it does sound like it's moving faster.

And someone's going to have to concede. Like both sides are going to concede something. And here's another thing I'll predict. If Trump is this heavily involved, a tournament's going to his course. I guarantee you that. Oh yeah. The PGA's 100%. I just love that one.

He'll be like, I'll broker this, but we're going back to the trump door i love that disrespectful the canadians were booing the anthem in montreal or whatever and this guy continuously daily they're just rolling about this guy and it also a prime minister of the country the governor fifty-first day it's just so what child that's in troll yeah that's beyond disrespectful but we're a bunch of lunatics up here for booing the anthem. The sad part about it is it has crossed over into, you know, we always used sports as an escape, and now it's not, right? Like now it is, it's square involved in politics where it shouldn't be, but at the end of the day it sucks on both sides.

And I feel bad, I just want to watch the game, not have to weigh in on everything. But you know, that Doral, is it a good course? I feel bad I just want to watch the game not have to weigh in on everything but you know that Doral is it a good course I feel like yeah it's I mean it's pretty well revered like in Miami have you played it oh I have yeah it's it's a great golf course right I it's a great course because you remember all the memories from Tiger Woods yeah that's all my like memory bank for playing good courses I'm like I remember Tiger the memories from Tiger Woods. That's all my memory bank for playing good courses. I'm like, I remember Tiger being there, and Phil being there. I mean, Doral, I played it one time.

It was spectacular. You guys know me and golf, but I stayed at Doral, and I actually blew my back out there. Like, I actually, jumping into the pool. It's like embarrassing, but i hurt my back it was almost like a haze injury getting off the the couch yeah i

had a friend who's a member there and went to the pool and jumped in and hurt my back like my l four five or whatever i'd like back problems my whole career because of that jump in the hallway or out of bad pool at the route you should see you trump exactly retrospective suing No way. The bad pool at Doral. You should sue Trump. Exactly. Retrospective suing. 1994 or whatever it was. Ridiculous. During the NHL, it was like the lockout. Yeah, that would have been the lockout.

Yeah, it was down at Doral. Yeah, crazy. Yeah, we'll see. I mean, I don't know. Again, Tigers there. It sounds like Monahan's there. Something could be coming. I don't know what's going to happen. Listen, as a golf fan, you just want the best players playing. That's all I care about. That's true. All right, Jerome McGinley coming up just after six o'clock. We will get to Rashad as well from TD Garden ahead of the game tonight. All right, panel work tonight. It's gonna be a fun one. We'll catch you in the pregame post-it. Can't wait to break it down tomorrow, fellas. Can't wait. Break down tomorrow. Dear Hazy B, tomorrow it's gonna be a great one. Locker not tomorrow? Locker not looking to the Olympic Games. Coming off this. I mean there's gonna be a great one lock or not tomorrow lock or not looking to the Olympic games Coming off this I mean there's gonna be six guys that are auto locks

Yeah, possibly, but we're gonna go through the roster lock or not going to the Olympics. Okay isolate a segment for that We'll lock that in tomorrow Alright overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on TSN 2. Alright, Jerome McGinley in about a half an hour continues TSN 1050 and on TSN 2. All right, Jerome McGinley in about a half an hour. He obviously had a big impact on basically every big game he played. I mean, you go back to 02 when they won gold, he scored a big goal.

I remember he crashed the net. I think it was Eisenman that maybe fed him. Yeah. And typical of a Ginglet goal, like just barreling in, like office sticking in. It was a great, great play. And obviously he's on the ice feeding Crosby for the gold winner in 2010. That one was kind of the coolest one because, you know, the microphones near the ice,

you can actually hear Sid yell Iggy Iggy. Yeah. And Iggy pops it to him and then Sid beats Ryan Miller five hole in that quick little play. It was just an unbelievable kind of instinctual play, but it doesn't happen if Iggy doesn't pop it to him. You kind of have to have eyes in the back of your head, but I think Iggy's talked about him just, he heard Sid yelling so he knew kind of where he was and just popped it to him. So it'd be interesting to see.

Iggy's been involved in a lot of that. We had prongs on, what was that, last week or two weeks ago? And the stories they tell of kind of behind the scenes and the feelings they were going through. I think Iggy's talked about Scott Needmeyer stepping up and saying, we got a real opportunity here going into overtime. Like somebody can be a hero, like relax and play type of thing which is you know it's

pretty cool. Man if there's overtime tonight it is it's going to be incredibly nerve wracking like it really will be because of just what's happening you know in the last couple of weeks and the build up and all the smack talk from both sides and specifically the Americans. Well, here's a crazy one and I don't... When it goes to overtime in Austin Matthews score. Like that's a real... like in this city, right? Well, obviously it could.

Of course. I mean, like you're... there's so many Leaf fans in this city and follow the show and all that. But also you're guys on the other team right now like but you but use saturday he's playing for you want to score a hat trick on saturday you want him to be shut out tonight is that crazy i think it's the worst thing that could ever happen for a leaf and because and i mean that's probably a bit much but the point being it you'd be happy for matthews right it would be such uh... you know he's never done that the

game seven for the leaves to just know, crush the souls of the opponent. And then the first time he's up against you as a Leaf fan, as a Canadian, he buries you. Like it would, it would just be insult to injury. You know, that's what it would be. And you know, you're Austin, he's more than capable of doing it and hopefully doesn't believe some day i mean that's obviously the hope right but the idea that he would be the guy to bury you know over time and i just need it i mean it's a scenario right like a hundred percent of snow it is it is a

scenario and it would be you know for the die hard to like okay great i don't know i should have been you know what it would be like it's like where was that against? Yeah, exactly like I don't think anyone would be happy for him. Like let's call it what it is Nobody would would like it. Nobody wants to see it happen a because of who we would be beating but be again immediately leave fans who are Easily triggered have a lot of issues Because of the history would say really like now it now you're you show up now you put you punch your ticket now it happens you know and

that's inevitable probably on both sides if Marner does it tonight it's a different reaction because he does it for Canada it's incredible but you know it leads me to I've got a couple of options here let me run through okay all right who we think will have a bigger impact on the game tonight okay I'll give you two two players you got to pick one I'll pick one as well sure Brady or Matthew Kichuk Brady or Matthew who has a bigger impact tonight okay so my right away my instinct was Matthew just because we've seen, right?

Like we've seen this guy impactful. But the Ottawa bias in me, we haven't seen, Brady has not played a playoff game. Never played a playoff game. And this is the biggest game of his career. Like a flat out of his career. I think you could see a Brady game. Yeah. Like I feel like and it might be you know mucking in that 10 foot radius. They both are so good but Brady's a mutant. He's so big. You know it could be a Brady night and that might be more

the Ottawa bias. No I don't. My instinct is Matthew but it could be Brady. Yes my instinct actually goes Brady because of everything he said that it like Matthew will be hyped he's he'll play I expect he'll play well I think he's banged up I think they both are but you know he's been in two cup finals he played a game seven on home ice and won you know that this regardless of what he says you know and this will mean a ton because he's playing with his brother too which is so really cool and significant but this is it for Brady Kachuk like Brady because of Ottawa's you know failures in the regular season let's call it what it is he has success he hasn't had this

opportunity and I think in a game like tonight where I do think goals will will be tough to come by I don't know if he's gonna score necessarily, but I think you'll notice his impact in terms of forechecking, in terms of possibly fighting, certainly causing issues for Bennington and defensemen. So my instinct would go to that, yet, you know, like you said, big picture, Matthew's a better player. I think Matthew has the ability to put more

offensive production up, but I'm gonna go Brady Brady I'm gonna say Brady because I do think this guy is gonna be ready to run through a wall tonight like of all the players on the American team I think Brady will be frothing at the mouth he might be the most charge yes yes I think that that's very very likely all right who will have a bigger impact on the game tonight Austin Matthews or Mitch Marner Okay my instinct is Matthews because of where he plays in the lineup with Mitch on a third line It might be favorable because maybe he gets away from a top pairing all of that type of stuff So it could easily be Mitch based on we we'll call it the depth that he's

playing at. But keep in mind, there's eight number one lines in this. Yeah, exactly. I had a GM say to me the other day, he goes, you could take any line from both teams, and those are number one lines in the National Hockey League, so you've got eight playing against each other. So there's really, you could say, well, Mitch Marner's on the third line. That's not a third line. That's a one line. It just happens to be in the three hole for Team Canada.

And that being said, the shots were 25-24. Like it wasn't the shots were 60-58 because there was so much offense. I just think it's Matthew's just, he's a goal scorer. Mitch is a passer. To me goals carry more weight. I'm not saying Mitch couldn't do it. I'm just leaning more Matthews based on... Yeah, I would lean Matthews. I would lean Matthews again because of where like this is what we talked about yesterday. Marner just based on the reality of the depth of the Canadian team with the top end talent. The Americans are very balanced.

They got a great team top to bottom. But in my opinion, their best player, like on any given night, you talk talent and production and ability, would be Matthews. Now, in terms of playoff performances, in terms of big game moments, I don't think he's worthy of that mantle because he hasn't proven that throughout his career.

He's gotta own that. and maybe he changes that tonight It's a big opportunity for him But if we're talking and listen McDavid hasn't won anything either technically, you know, so you can look at McDavid compared to Sid It's not even a conversation. It's one way more than McDavid, but McDavid Best player on Canada Matthews in my opinion best player on Canada, Matthews in my opinion, best player on Canada or on the Americans and as the captain as a guy playing up the middle of the ice likely on the ice a lot on the ice and sure Sullivan will try to get him out there and better Situations and try to get a better zone starts and all that kind of stuff But at some point it's gonna be Matthews Mcdavid Matthews McKinnon, and he's got to step up He's got he's got a he's got to have the ability to do that

And I think if they win that will prove that he did that yeah, you know I agree I think you just might have more opportunity to do it as well where he's placed in the lineup. Yes. All right. Who will have a bigger impact on the game tonight? Sidney Crosby or Nathan McKinnon? I'm saying Sid.

I just, like this guy, Big Moments, we just talked about Sid Big Moments. Yep. And like not that Nathan, Nathan's having an unbelievable tournament as well I mean Oh talked about the sound of him skating up the ice like he talked about the other day I don't know if you were on the show or not. He was saying like Listening to him skate up the ice is like a freight train like it that noise that it makes it actually like feels like it rumbles Like the guy is so powerful He's such an absolute beast.

But I look at the moment and big moments and Sid is never disappointed. That's the thing, it's just gold, whatever's needed on that particular night, Sid just delivers. So we've seen it in the Olympics, but we saw it against Finland. We saw it against Finland. We saw it against you know

Sweden game one like you saw it like to me. I just I feel like Sid is the big moment guy and why wouldn't it? This is the cherry on top for him Yes, exactly and and hopefully next year as well at the olympic games and then that's probably it, you know, like right. It's a realist He's 37 I don't think he's going to be on the 2030 team, you know, like maybe the 2028 world cup is it possible? Yeah, I think it is because he's in such great shape and he's such a committed athlete But at some point, you know, it's going to dry up and he's just not going to be able to continue to do it

But he's still playing at such a high level and you know It's interesting the way oh describe mckinnon reminds me of seeing LeBron play like seeing LeBron play live in his prime. Power man. Oh man, when he would get the ball and drive down the court, you're like, look at this guy. Like that is a linebacker and he's so, and you could hear him stomping.

Like just the court was, it was just incredible to watch. Electric. Electric. And McKinnon's like that yet said, is kind of like Jordan in a way, in terms of the clutch, Gene, and in terms of what you can expect. But I'll lean McKinnon because of him still, you know, his ability with that speed and the fact that he has been so good the last two years. Sid has been great in this tournament. Sid has been unbelievable in this tournament. Everything we just said, I think everyone would agree with. He has still got a lot of game left. But McKinnon won the heart last year, he might win it again this year. He is so good, and he is rocking right now.

And as big of a moment as it is for McDavid, for Sid, McKinnon should be included in that group. Like he is a Mount Rushmore of this era for Canadian hockey. I agree. Like in the last 10 years McKinnon's got to be in that conversation. So it's he's been robbed of these these opportunities. So in a weird way as much as Sid has done it and he expected I don't think he'd ever take this for granted. I know he won't but I look at McKinnon and think he's got to be so desperate for this opportunity. Like just chomping at the bit because he got robbed.

He's been robbed for the last decade. He would have been a big part in 2020 and 2022 if they had a 2024. You know, this is just like McDavid. McKinnon is no different. Big, big opportunity for him tonight. I just, you know, I, I've got such this buildup and remember I talked to you remember I was at game seven in Florida and I just in my Heart, I was like there's no way 97 is just getting shut down Mm-hmm. I just felt like it was he had dragged them back into a game seven It was one game. We always say in one game

Who would you take and I felt like McDavid was gonna be a man possessed and he just couldn't get it going forward I just blanket him they you know they just and Brabovsky made a big save in that third period I just feel like we're building this all up and again. It's like gonna be the Anthony Cerelli show or yeah, Brayden point to one like shots or 1815 Exactly, and it's Chris Crider that gets one or or if it's Braden Point or Tony Cirelli or somebody like that, or it's a Josh Morrissey point shot that finds its way through. That's kind of how it is going to be because as we know, we build these games up and both sides, they almost cancel each other out.

Go top player versus top player. Okay, you're not scoring, I'm not scoring. So it's just like they just cancel, cancel cancel cancel until something breaks like that's how I feel I wouldn't be surprised at all if that were the case like if it does feel like a game seven cup final that's generally how they play out yeah height checking you know and it's it's difficult to find a break because a lot there's anxiety there's nervousness guys don don't wanna make a mistake, you know, so you play more of a simple game.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's how it played out at all. All right, Jerome McGinley in about 20 minutes, coming up to tee up the game tonight. Ryan Rishaw in Boston, I'm seeing video, the Americans walking in, I think the Canadians are there. We're getting closer to puck drop tonight. Overdrive continues, TSN 1050 and on TSN 2. All right, Jerome McGinlin will join us.

I got my five stories to watch list we'll get to as well. Yeah. Yes. And our best bets on the game tonight. And you know, there's some stuff going on around the league with practices happening. We talked about this last hour. This is how big this game is and how big this event has become that the Leafs are practicing daily and no one's paying attention to anything. Nobody.

Yeah, nobody, like including Max Patch already. He's already hurt. He's injured. He's not likely to play this weekend. But he was skating today. So it's like, it's not... Yeah, that's weird. Well, you might've just tweaked something or whatever, but you're right. Like, okay, you're fine to play next week type of thing.'s just a weird but we have to remember he's older yeah like he did we had a lot of bad injuries too right did we expect that he was gonna play 82 this year no but if you think okay can you get 50 to 60 out

of him but have him play at the most critical time that's what you're hoping you know the start of the season this guy was found money that's really what it was you know i don't know this short the one-year deal at no money but if i just wonder can you trust that he'll be available for you in the playoffs i don't know if you can that any are crocus back and i guess there you know he's practicing i think they're playing about the middle the ice of practice i don't know what that's all about. I've never seen him play center, but I'm aware of but

You know that there's gonna be some cap manipulation to write for the lead Yeah, when they like if yarn crow comes off. He's making three and a half. I think it is so Some deck shuffling for sure or they've got a if they believe the team They might have to move them they you know what does he have left on his deal off the top I think it's two years think this year next I think it was a four-year deal I think he's in his third year I so I mean you might have to find a spot for him somewhere else if you don't believe he is going to be a long-term fix for your group just at that price point yep you know that that that you know trees got some work ahead

of him early as you mentioned some cap manipulation where you got a you got to find a spot for people financially well exactly I mean you've got to fit under the cap you know ultimately that's that's the thing it's a finite number you know and and you got to figure out who are your best combinations, how do you get into the playoffs, which they're going to make the playoffs, but it's not as if the stretch run is completely just mail it in and wait until you get there. They're fighting for positioning, you want the one seed, you've got some tough road trips coming up.

Wow, and that's the other thing too, is you can't have this, you know, you can't have a five game awful strategy. No, you can't. You can't do that. So you've got to come back and hit the ground running or at least keep the train rolling. They didn't limp into the break, but it was, they won three of four, but before that it was like they'd won, what, four of 10 or whatever it was, it was six and four, four and six, whatever it was there were six and four four and six whatever it is it wasn't like they were eight and two so it's

you you got to continue to pick up and as you mentioned the schedule isn't super favorable it's tough they can get through it as everybody does but you got a you got to find a way get get back to your levels right away yeah and listen the luxury they have is Stoller's returned before the break he'll be on a hundred percent so you're you're coming down the stretch they have is Stoller has returned before the break he'll be on a hundred percent so you're you're coming down the stretch with Wall and Stoller is both healthy and you know we'll see what happens with Matthews and Marner. Marner's not banged up but Matthews is so you know we'll see where he's at but if you have a full lineup everyone's healthy you're in a

good position coming down the stretch but you got to close the deal and you got to figure out who's gonna play you know Yarncroak, Patcheretti, where's everyone going to go? They've got a lot of bodies, not everyone can play and there is a finite cap and the trade deadline is coming up quickly. You know, we're two weeks away. All right, final hour coming up, Jerome McGillin will join us. We'll get to our best bets as well. Overdrive continues. TSM 1050 and on TSM 2. and more. You can win an iHeartRadio 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