OverDrive - OverDrive - February 24, 2025 - Hour 3

Episode Date: February 25, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 3 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston joins to discuss Mitch Marner's contract viewpoint, Mikko Rantanen's stance in Carolina and Matthew Tkachuk's injury concerns with the Panthers. They also chat about the Atlantic Division standings, potential playoff matchups with the Maple Leafs and Bryan hands out his FanDuel Best Bets.

Welcome back to Kids Played, where we break down school stuff, kid style, so everyone gets it. Today's topic, class sizes. Let's go to a call. Emily, what's on your mind? Hi, I love learning, but I need more one-on-one time with my teachers. My classes are just so overcrowded. Oh, I know that feeling, Emily. It's like being lost in the crowd. What we need are smaller class sizes. Want to help support students? Visit nomore.ca. That's

K-N-O-W-M-O-R-E.CA. A message from the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association. Final Hour Overdrive continues powered by FanDuel bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. Brian Hayes, the Odog, Jeff O'Neil, Jamie Noonels, McClennan now up on TSN2, Chris Johnston, our TSN Hockey Insider here at a moment. Best Bet's later in the hour Raptors coming off a win last night see Luca look pretty good for the rat for the Lakers last night too Luca looked pretty good and The Mavs are in LA tomorrow night. That is gonna be a circus when Dallas rolls through there This LA go to Dallas again this year. I believe in March. They're in there

LA go to Dallas again this year? I believe in March they're in there. I'm pretty sure that's the case. That'll be a bigger circus, him going home. I need to be there, man. If that's a Sunday afternoon, I'll think about it. It's going to be crazy because he had himself a night last night. Luca looked good and LeBron's playing well. They beat up on Denver, beat up on Denver last night.

They're legit. Can they defend? That's the question. Where's Lucas had is had a heads-at You know like he's is he into it is he not we talked about ranting in last hour It's tough man you get your world flipped upside down, and you didn't see it coming That's a shock to the system. Well. Yeah, you don't think that ranting in agent would have told them Hey, this is unlikely, but it's this could happen Like if you want to play this game, this could happen I guess crazy to think that it wouldn't happen

But I think you got so much ego that you think they're not trading me like I'm Miko ranting in I'm Luca Donchich like no Chance they're trading me. Would you start screwing around with Joe Sackett can Steve Iserman and these guys they don't care man They do not care. I guess you've got a reason the same thing in Dallas thing is you've got to This is where you come back to the Vegas model. You've got to do what's best for your organization and Yes, there's there's feelings and and you know relationships involved, but this is in the end, it's a business. So as much as we want to talk about, hey, Mitch Marner is a homegrown guy, all of that, if Bradtree Living wants him in the organization for the next eight years, they're going to do everything they can.

If Mitch Marner wants to test the market or Vladdy or you name it, it is pretty interesting, I would say. Oh, yeah, man. That Laddie and Mitch Marner are both like not locked in like those are two marquee massive names in this market that there could be change coming big two players to the caliber Jamie and like these players don't get to this position they're always locked up long term yeah but generally speaking generally a little bit shed in there too Bose not signed either yeah in terms of the kind of faces of the Toronto sports scene for the last you actually think that guy has any motivation to sign a long-term contract with the Blue Jays as

of right now they talked about how they want to be together the team's not gonna win if they do it's not gonna be a lot what motivation would he have to resign as a blue j mine zero I can give you a motivation my whatever what have I lost it and they're actually willing to pay me before I've lost what if I'm Matthew Wolf you know like what it is like the chef he had a terrible year last year man terrible season and he doubles down on that He's not getting some monster contract like he is Boba Shet and this probably applies to every athlete regardless of how great you are

If you if you are two years away from being completely Perceived completely differently two years away and double down on one bad season you're regarded as just a guy exactly and that and listen I'm sure he's uber confident I know he had injury problems last year I'd be willing to bet on him the shed but he's a year away from there's not that great of a market out there man like who no one knows who you are anymore are you a hitter are you not can you play short so that's them that would be the motivation is that the jay say we're thrown out last year we don't care

here's you know an eight-year deal two hundred and fifty million you think that jays would do that after the year that he just had i don't know i mean it's saying this is the problem i don't think that is they were proactive that's why the position there right now i think you know all getting to your comment if they believe in him, okay, so they know, they've been behind the curtain with this guy. If they believe that last season was just an outlier, then you are trying to sign him and trying to get him off of a bad deal.

Guys, if they believed in these two guys, they would have been signed. That's the difference difference You know, they don't believe in them and they don't think that these are two cornerstone pieces that you can build around or they would be signed Yeah, probably true their actions would suggest that now Chaperon-acus do they deserve the benefit of the doubt though that they can read the tea leaves What have they done to make you feel like they know what they're doing in terms of winning? Not a lot lately, you know, like they'll tell you everything, they'll break it down to you and tell you exactly what they're thinking

or why they're right, why you're wrong. The fact is they haven't built the winning program here. So I think you're right in terms of the way they feel about things. It doesn't mean that that's the way it should be. But nevertheless, I mean Marner, Guerrero, Pichette, Cornerstone, you thought 10, 15 years of those guys and I don't know how many will be around this time next year. Here's Chris Johnston, our TSN hockey insider.

CJ, in terms of Marner, how would you handicap the likelihood that something happens with the Leafs before June 30th? Well, you know, it's a tough one. I think a lot will hinge obviously on what happens between now and June 30th, how the playoffs look, how they feel. You know, I don't think one thing that hasn't changed is I do believe the Leafs want to sign Mitch Marner. I've got no reason to believe that Marner wants to leave, but you kind of are at this cross section where.

You know, we have the salary cap going up. I mean, this is a time of opportunity, um, for players and, and, you know, making all that come together where both sides see the same way is, it's probably a little more complex now than even it might've been had this been the scenario of the last couple years. So you know, I don't think that there's there's certainly nothing to suggest that they're not going to be together. But the fact that we're getting closer and closer, you know, to the time when Marner can be a free agent, I mean, you can't ignore that that possibility. And so, you know, if this ends up being a really successful playoff run, if Mitch plays

well, I think that the conditions might be there for the Leafs to, you know, open the books even wider, open the wall a little more to try to, you know, compel them to stay. But you know, as it stands right now, I think that they're comfortable kind of, you know, just feeling their way through this because, you know, they can still offer an eighth year, which other teams can't. And, you know, this is the only place that Mitch is from, you know, obviously he's got big tides to the organization. So I think there's still a, I think there's still a path here for them to make a deal, but it won't necessarily come in the next, you know, week or 10 days before the trade deadline. It might wait till after the last games played this season.

So CJ, do you not think that the, you know, Miko Rantanen situation, I know they seem completely different, but these are top tier players. Rantanen's been traded, now there's rumblings that maybe Carolina would be open to something different if they can't get it long term. Would there be any type of domino effect or is it just two separate players, two separate organizations, two separate situations based on no move clauses, all of that? No, I think if Brandon were to sign just for argument's sake, let's say he takes a big deal in Carolina and there's another number up on the board, I think that that would to

some degree just be more ammo potentially for the martyr camp. I mean, it depends where that number ends up. I mean, you've had Leon Dreisaitl sign a deal that surpassed the previous high, that Matthews' deal that kicks in next season. So that's one up there. I mean, really, let's face it, player contracts are trending in an upward direction, especially if you're a guy to the top of the league. But where that lands Marner is tough to say. Is he a 12 million? Is he 12.5? Is he exceeding what Matthews makes?

I mean, I think that that's, it's in those details where there hasn't been an agreement struck just yet. And so, you know, the more the marketplace takes shape, I think that that could certainly influence, you know, how those contract negotiations go. And so it's not as if by any means am I suggesting that Marner is waiting for Rantanen or the other way around but you know if you were to get one or both of those players signing it does just give you a little bit more of a guideline about the trend around the league and basically what Marner can ask for in the open market. Do you know what Marner's priority would be? Would it be like what would be more important remaining a Maple Leaf or being the highest

paid player on the roster? Well, I don't know that he set that as a parameter. I think, you know, like any player he wants to be paid fairly and fair in this case is probably up for negotiation, right? It's up for there's some subjectivity to that because obviously he's signing at a time when we know the salary caps due to blow past 100 million within the life of his next deal and so

You know, I I do believe Mitch wants to be maple leaf. He said that repeatedly I don't think anything has changed even though obviously the business Side of the sport right now is maybe creeping into his mind a little bit I mean as an impact at his performance on the ice maybe creeping into his mind a little bit. I mean, hasn't impacted his performance on the ice, you know, right among the league's leading scorers this year, you know, fresh off that, you know, pretty memorable final game for Canada, the four nations.

So, you know, it's, everything I'm seeing from him is he wants to be a Leaf. He's, he's doing his part by performing and leaving everything to, you know, his agent and to the Leafs to figure out where that number lands. But, you know, I don't think he's drawing any hard lines in the sand and says it has to be above this player and leaving everything to his agent and to the Leafs to figure out where that number lands. But I don't think he's drawing any hard lines in the sand and says it has to be above this

player or this number, at least not that I'm aware of. And so we'll see how this goes. I still think, well, I believe, of course, if he's willing to go this long and he's comfortable and he's still performing, there's nothing to suggest that this won't go into the off season for the Leafs, but ultimately, the Leafs can offer him more money in the total package if they give him an eighth year, which I would expect they would. So there's still some negotiating to be done,

and perhaps in this case, the best place to do that is once the final game is played this season. So CJ, explain this rent and transaction for me, because the only way I'm pulling the trigger on that move is if I've had conversations with the agent I know he's going to sign. You bring a guy in there, you shock the hell out of him that he moved from Colorado and then you just toss it out, hey, we got this deal for you, what do you think? And what if he's just like, I don't think so.

What on earth are they doing with him well I do know for sure that they didn't make the deal with the agent knowing ahead of time or Miko Rantan knowing ahead of time obviously it's it happened a month ago and here we are in this this moment now I mean then you know you do not think that that's bizarro world it's it's unusual for how teams you know, and I think Carolina is still banking on the fact that he might want to stay there. I mean, you know, it's, it's such a weird time though. He's played what?

Seven games with the Hurricanes. You know, he spent almost as much time with the Hurricanes physically since the trade as he did with Finland at the Four Nations. It's a hard situation with any city, any team, like this isn't disparaging what they got going on in Carolina, cause that team's been, you know, a really strong team for a long time now, but it's hard to make that kind of big life decision so quickly. And, and, you know, so we'll see how this, this all shakes out.

I, I don't think they have to have his signature on a contract by March 7th in order to keep him. But I suppose if he were to come to them and say, there's no way whatsoever. I'm signing with the hurricanes and extension. I mean, then they'd be left in a really interesting spot before the trade deadline. But yeah, I mean, look, this is, this was a different kind of move. It was a big swing.

I don't know that necessarily just because it started off, you know, a little little uncertain here. We're renting it out and put up the points yet. And obviously they're trying to have these contract discussions that haven't produced a new deal. You know, it doesn't mean it's going to end poorly, but yeah, this is this is not the way business is normally done with teams and big players. I think that's what made the contract the trade rather so shocking there on January 24th. Here we are a month later and we're still processing the fallout and I think the Hurricanes are still working their way through where things go next.

Well if it becomes available then I'm sure a lot of teams are going to call on them that are playoff bound. What are they going to get back to say? You cancelled out Rantanen and you also cancelled out Natchez and Drury walking out the door. I don't know, but Carolina's paying them what, $4.7 million or whatever it is? I think it was 50% retained. They'll use that cap space to do it all over again this summer. To me, something was up with Natchez. I think that relationship was strained anyways.

Don't you think that that was a pain in the ass? And seemed that way. But you know, if they were if they can eat rant and if they eat half of rent and it's deal and he's like 2.5 million on the second train between now and March 7th, that'd be pretty fascinating. But in terms of, you know, now that we've gotten through the four nations like we are rapidly approaching the trade deadline here it seems as if everyone's just conceded that the Leafs they got to have a third line center and you you likely need some sort of help on the the back end somewhere whether it's

depth or maybe you know four or five defensemen slotted in, so to speak. What is your understanding of how aggressive trade living's gonna be and do you think it's just a foregone conclusion that he'll certainly swing and swing pretty big? Well, I do think that those are still the areas they've identified and are focused on. I mean, unless there's some kind of unexpected injury or something that forces them to change course in the next 10 days, you know,

I would think you're looking primarily at, at the least getting that center and then, you know, adding some kind of depth piece on the blue line, you know, what they have to decide. And then I don't think this decision has been made internally yet is, are we going for a player that's on an expiring deal, a rental player, or, you know, do we want to, if we're, if we're expanding the assets, bringing someone who's, who's under contract and, you know, that's, that's where you get into the,

the Scott Lawton's or Braden Shenz or, you know, some guys are on the league that, that, you know, their teams, I think are willing to move them, even though they've got years left on their deal. If, if you pony up, I mean, that, that, that's probably, if, if they end up going one of those routes where they're bringing in a player that has some term left, that probably represents the bigger swing I would think, because obviously when you're getting rental players, by and large, the cost isn't as high, the risk is less because if it doesn't work out, I mean the player is most likely walking away anyway in a few months time.

And so that's kind of what I got my eye on with the Leafs is which direction of those two they pivot. And it's crazy how quickly this has snuck up on us. I mean, as we sort of thought, nothing really happened during that Four Nations break when it came to NHL transactions. And all of a sudden, here we are on the other side of it. And there hasn't been a meaningful trade made since February 1st. I mean, at some point, there's going to be an explosion here and the Leafs are on the other side of it and and there have been a meaningful trade made since february first i mean at some point is going to be explosion here in the least are going to be one of the teams

wanting to be in the next on on figure out you know what they can land and and yeah i don't think their objective that we've been talking about probably since november's change in terms of the positional needs they have been uh... announced out the boat bearing in a making a choice in and ultimately consummating a deal or two.

Well, let's hope that all happens on March 7th so we've got stuff to talk about. You know, CJ, is there a team that you kind of maybe circled or been trying to stay in touch with that may make some noise that we're not really focused on? I mean, you know, you look at the bottom of the standings and there's Seattle, there's Buffalo, there's Nashville, Chicago. You know, is Pittsburgh a team that everybody's in play or, you know, somebody else is the Islanders, the Blues, like, you know, where is there a surprise team or could be a surprise team that you think maybe will be all in or will be sellers? Well, certainly the Penguins, I think it's been clear are all out in a sense

that, you know, other than the big guys that are going to have banners and then the rafters there that everyone else is kind of in play to some degree, depending on, you know, what you're willing to offer. But, you know, they're obviously got a bit of a for sale sign hanging out there. You know, the team I'm most curious about where it goes is Boston. You know, we've seen Don Sweeney speak in the last 24 hours here about trying to keep Brad Marsh and, but obviously, you know, they kind of

are waving a white flag on the season to some degree. You know, injuries are a big issue. Hampus went home likely done for the year. Charlie McEvoy, you know, not clear when he'll be back, but it doesn't seem like the expectation is it'll be anytime soon. And so, you know, how deep do they want to cut in? I mean, it's one thing to try to trend Frederick, for example, who's a pending UFA, I think

is basically gone other than finding out where he's going to. But are they willing to look at the Brandon Carlos, you know, if things don't go the right way with Marsha and in terms of the contract extension, would they consider moving him? I mean, I think that that's a team that has some pretty nice pieces, you know, depending on how much they're willing to sell. And so, you know, I find them pretty interesting, but it's crazy right now. There's 10 teams that are on the wrong side of the playoff line that are within six points of a wild card spot in the two conferences.

And so, you know, I think a lot of those, the teams in that group, um, are, are a little undecided about which direction they're going to go, meaning if it's a two or three game winning streak in between now and next week, they might change what they're going to do. And so maybe that ends up making it a slower deadline. And, you know, it's tough to say. Um, but you know, I still think there's a lot of business to be done because a lot of teams out there in a situation like the Leafs that are trying to win the

cup are looking for upgrades, have the cap space and are ready to make moves as soon as more sellers shake free. Chris Johnston, we all debated what the Four Nations would look like and what happens if there's injuries in the fallout. Well, now we're through it and I'm curious what you're hearing around the league from your reference McEvoy who's out long term for the Bruins and Matthew Kachuk. You know Paul Maurice did a radio interview this morning in Florida said he will play again this year. It's not a season ending injury but it may take some time. Brady Kachuk didn't play the other day. What are you hearing in terms of you know the status of some of these players and the fact

that it looks like the American team in particular got hit the hardest? Yeah, I mean it's a tough bounce. And then I think, look, there's a general understanding when you ask these guys to play at the level they played, that there's going to be some injuries most likely. Some of those situations are unique. I mean the Bruins didn't come out and say it, but I can tell you that the truth is, is they had some concerns about the way McEvoy situation was handled. He suffered his shoulder injury in their first game, you know, took some kind of, you know, freezing shot,

played in the second game against Canada, developed infection along the way. I mean, they're not happy with how that was all handled, at least with Matthew Kachuck, Bill Zito was part of the USA management team. He's obviously his GM in Florida. So there was sort of a, there was a complete visual, you know, everyone that needed to be at the table making those decisions knew what was going on there. But I mean, it's an unfortunate reality of having these tournaments. I want to see them keep doing it, but it's, you know, it's some owners,

obviously, you know, it's, it's tough. I mean, the feeling around Matthew Kachuck is that, yeah, he might play again this season as Paul Murray said, I got no reason to doubt him there, but it, you know, that this is a significant injury that it's one that, you know, could keep them out for a meaningful amount of time. And, you know, maybe that's okay for Florida because I think they're, they're pretty safe when it comes to a playoff spot, but if he isn't in position to compete for them on the playoffs again, I mean, you're, you're certainly impacting their ability to try to make comes to a playoff spot, but if he isn't in position to compete for them on the playoffs begin

I mean, you're you're certainly impacting their ability to try to make it to a third straight final And so that's the delicate balance the leagues always watch walking When you when you're having these midseason breaks, it seems like they're right now bending more towards Doing them and living with the consequences, but you know, I can say there will be consequences If no one players go the Olympics next year, I don't I don't know it's going to be obviously but someone's going to get injured or a couple guys Are going to be injured I mean that's just the history of these tournaments and it shows how badly the players want to win and it is going to have Some impact potentially on these playoff races. I mean Boston, you know, they're in a really tough spot coming out of the break

They were touch and go to make it as it was and you know losing McAvoy potentially for you know They're calling a week to week, if it's multiple weeks, I mean, maybe by mid-March they're out of it before even even has a chance to skate or play again. I think it's an easy out for Boston to just say, look, Lindholm's out, McEvoy, it's just not our year, we've gotta just do kind of a quick retool and maybe sell off some assets,

try to sign some guys in the summer and go back at this. It's an easy out if they wanna do it. Right, and it seems like they're inclined to go that way. Oh, I mean, my sense is they're pretty realistic about where they're at. I mean, I don't know the exact number, but there was something like minus 25 gold differential. I mean, I know that they're right in the race,

but it's just, it hasn't been their year from start to now. And I think that with all the success they've had, you're right, it's easier there to retool than because the job, why can't they become like a Washington or some of these teams that have bounced back pretty quickly and are competitive after not having much of a lull? When you compare that to the three teams currently ahead of them, either in the wild card or pursuing it, Detroit, Ottawa, Columbus, the three of them ahead of them either in the wild card or pursuing a detroit Ottawa Columbus the three of them are So desperate to make the playoffs, you know

Ottawa hasn't been there in six or seven years Detroit six or seven years and Columbus has kind of been in and out over time But obviously, you know with everything the tragedy of the summer and everything the the emotions hanging around that team and the fact that they're right there. I would assume the three of them I mean they're going to be going for it and I don't think they'll get crazy you're not going to trade first round picks or anything I don't think just to get in but you know what's coming from those teams and the players and the coaching staffs in terms of their dogged mentality.

Detroit, Ottawa, Columbus. They're going to go all out down the stretch here. Yeah, and it's interesting. Columbus is a team we've had their players on the trade bait list the whole year and they've just hung around. I mean, I could see a world where they flip and even add, again, like you're saying, within reason but that they're adding something to their lineup versus attracting because they've hung in it. The players that are there that have done that job probably deserve that.

If you're Ottawa, you do have to. I would trade a first rounder for a guy who could make your team better now. They've got a young team. You look down the middle of the ice, they're 22, 23, 24, like a first rounder. Do you do it for an expiring guy? For a rental? Or it's gotta be a guy that's gonna be? I think it's somebody that, yeah,

maybe a little term on there that is gonna add to the depth of your group. Easier said than done, because who are those guys, right? Like, who are the guys that are gonna help your group get over that hump? But I think when you're in that, as we talked about, the second layer of that Eastern Conference, and you've got an opportunity to do it, this could be a year.

You've got to get over the hump. You've got a captain that came back and got a taste of what it's really like to play at a high level there. Like Brady, he was a man possessed. He wants to bring that back to the senator. I think he got a first taste of like, hey, this is what playoff hockey could be like.

Like that hockey was pretty good. And to me, I think the senators have to continue to try and add to that group. And you kind of retooled, you're past the retool. Now you've got to, I think you've got to spend those assets if you have them because it's, you're growing your farm, but yeah, great, but you've got to I think you've got to spend those assets if you have them because you know You're growing your farm, but yeah great, but you've got to get to the next level. They got a punch ticket now You played 57 games here there. You got to get in I gotta get in

Can you imagine Brady Kachak in a battle of Ontario? I mean that would that would renew things I think pretty good if those teams played in the first round. Oh big time man that would renew things i think pretty good at those teams played in the first round of the experiment days on that would be a credible theater yeah yeah well i think we're all rooting for that uh... but you still get to get their twenty five games to go for the majority of these teams

artsy jill even there thank you for this right guys have a good night chris johnston artisan hockey insider that's interesting like that you know the first round pack now you can put protections on it and i think if it's if it's a guy with term if I'm auto-wide definitely be open to doing that. You know if it's like a rental it doesn't have a protection I don't know I mean I'd be nervous of doing that but the same time like you said they've been through this for years and. Well seven years so you've got to find like the last time they went to the conference

finals 2017 so that's you got to you got to find a way to push through to me I they're gonna do it methodically they're not just gonna be crazy but I think you know they they made some trades in the offseason they've added some players that they believe we're gonna get them there and but they've got to continue to push through and if you're in that battle with Detroit and Boston and whoever else is in there, Columbus and that, you've got to feel like you've got to come out on top or at least try to. I loved what they've been doing, their fight. I loved what Greeny's brought to the table.

Now they need the guy in that to step up and the story. Bottom line is, yes, you you you traded for him, you extended him. He has to be your one and he has to play like it before the injury was eight oh and one since then, you know, oh, oh, three now. Oh, and three seems like eons ago. It's like it's March. Yeah, yeah, December. Yeah. Got to play better. Yeah. Oh, Mark, that's the expectation, man. They've acquired him they required him He's he's worthy of the money when he plays well, I mean he's capable of doing it It's just a matter of putting it together. I love all these guys give me the money I deserve the money and then when they start playing like garbage, it's the media's fault. We're a bunch of dummies

I know so that's the Elias Patterson right like Patterson is the highest paid guy on the team He's got an A on his jersey. He's got to be their offense. They can't score. Like, Vancouver cannot generate offense. And this guy has the audacity when asked about a question in response to what his head coach said. He goes, well, what's really frustrating is dealing with the media.

It's like, you've got to be kidding me, man. I am totally out on that guy. You guys know how much I've loved him in the media. It's like you've got to be kidding me. I am totally out on that guy. You guys know how much I've loved him in the past. I thought he was going to be snatching heart trophies out of Conor McDavid's hands. I'm totally out. I can't stand it. I feel sorry for Vancouver. I'm so out on him. I like that comment that he just looks like a whiny little sock when he's talking. It's just like, pop your chest out and play like a man. Do you remember that guy in the bubble, how good he played in the playoffs?

Yeah. He was a stud, a dominant player, physical, on the puck. It's completely gone. And now he's just a whiny baby. It's so embarrassing. I feel bad for him. You know the Charlie Brown, the guy with the cloud over his head

I can't remember his name. It's a pig pan or take down like yeah, but like he he Skates around like that you could see there's like his aura is off like his energy is off like I'm I know that's a weird thing to say but he's just He's not the player that we saw two years ago Not even a year and a half like that's not the player like we saw two years ago. Not even close. Like that's not the player. Like your watch, I watched him last night, I'm like that is not the player. Now Ray was right, he did. He was involved, even here in Toronto.

I thought he had a really good game in Toronto defensively. He was in on plays and was battling. He's a smart player, but he wasn't that force. And that's the biggest thing. Pedersen earned that contract because he was an absolute force to and to that's the biggest thing peterson earn that contract as he was an absolute force to be reckoned with every time big shot good vision competed on parks gated uses speed none of that right goes is there for those none of that

yeah it's too bad and yet again that there was still a playoff spot like their one point on calgary area they could make the playoffs see what they have to calculate guys is how long does it go before the expectation that what did you call them noodles a difference maker or a four-year call them to have a four what is the timeline on that just disappearing and not returning

that's what vancouver has to look at and they got to make a quick decision because maybe it's already that time It's like he's never returning to be it's gonna be that player They have to decide so we just talked about with Beau Bichette. Yeah, it's when you're at an elite level it's probably two years your two years removed from what is with this guy and Is maybe he's not the same guy, you know And the thing is with Vancouver cover as of july first is

is no movement clause kicks in so that doesn't mean it's impossible to move off him in the future he's got to be in on it he's got to agree to it it can get ugly like if they're gonna if they're just gonna cut bait and move on they have to do that between now and june thirtieth and honestly the way he's playing right now that contract it'd be tough like you know you we we were playing a couple weeks ago like who says no

right i think there'd be a lot of no's on the other end i think a lot of no's in the league would say i'm not touching peterson right now unless you're a team that is needs a jarring needs a a shakeup, right? Like it just, I don't know and I don't want to start rumoring. You think the Buffalo Sabres want to bring him into the fold? Like a meat guy that doesn't compete and it's like that's what they need to get themselves over the hump? That would be a bizarro world to make that transaction. I'm just saying what Buffalo has right now as a group

isn't working, right? So you need to shake that core up. And I don't know who that would be that would go the other way. But I'm just saying, if I'm an organization like that, turning a new leaf over, maybe the grass is greener on the other side. Pedersen's not going to play like this the rest of his career like there is going to be like and I don't know recency bias this Pierre-Luc Dubois just looks so different like I look at that guy and I'm like that's just a different player now it

took him three organizations and You know less responsibility all of that type of stuff like Pedersen is a hell of a player it's in there somewhere what i just understand jamie is if he did if he's just pissy in vancouver why did he sign the contract they didn't have a gun to on they didn't say you gotta sign it like he had an option he didn't have to do it

yet no i let's try to do it eleven point six on eight million that's why you do it there's a lot of money boatload of money and And you can control where you're going to go after July 1st like to me He wanted to be there and and probably still wants to be in that market be a difference maker like he was two years ago So I I I wish him the best of luck like I you don't want to see anybody struggle But I watched you could just see the aura you could just see him struggle on the ice for you Like that's not the Pederson I saw two years ago where he was a he was a handful good

Yeah, he was yeah, he was and I don't know I mean then you also got a question like how would he react to that? Would he be happier if he moved somewhere else would he be be unhappy if he if yeah if they forced him somewhere like the he's got Buffalo high on his list using them as the example or does he get there and say really? Yeah now I'm here for eight years or seven years. I don't know. I mean, yeah, it's sports though. That's it It's a business like it's a business when you negotiate and you get traded and you've got to deal with it And you got to figure it out And I would lean towards that not happening. I think if you're Vancouver,

you probably just got to get through this year reset and say come back next year and smarten up. Probably the way it's going to play out. But it's ugly out there right now and it's ugly for him and they just don't have any offense. Like you look at it with Miller out, they're struggling to score goals. Besser is a question mark too. I think his contract is up. Well, Besser is up too. Besser is 27 in a UFA. They've got big decisions to make in Vancouver still.

They signed Jake DeBroska. DeBroska is a nice support player there. He's played well, but that's what he is. He's a second line support player. He's not the the problem there they know they've got to sort it out I mean they signed the goaltender because they can't trust they can't trust the other guy that's really what it is you know you're trying to raise I feel bad for van guys they had we've said it before they've had one good year and then everything's up and pop like a puff of smoke it's just an absolute go on man the Miller's

out Patterson's a mess. Demko doesn't play It's like what are they doing? Yeah, like in 12 months. Yeah this time last year. Thanks guys. Thanks for the one year Yeah fun like it would be like this time although totally different scenario because Winnipeg's consistently good But Vancouver's the best team in the league last year up until New York passed him at the end like next year Hellebuck doesn't play and they've traded Kyle Connor and you know Shifely doesn't know how to score. And you're like what the hell happened? How could a year ago everything was breaking your way and now a year later everything's

a mess. Best bet still to come. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on TSN 2. Kyle's brother brothers back out this week with a fairly tickets if the guest worries hiding for your chance to win them is ready for uh... her first time here from else brother a couple weeks

yeah i was let's get to it haley bans were back with a bang after the four nations face off and i got another parent leaf tickets Hey OD fans, we're back with a bang after the four nations face off and I got another pair of Leaf tickets to hand out here. We're giving away tickets to Leafs and Panthers on March 13th, but you got to find out where is Al's brother hiding out this week in the area that I'm in. Bit gritty, but it's got lots of charm and is one of Toronto's most diverse neighborhoods.

Okay, there you go. I love the animation there, man. The budget. Yeah. Show through the roof. Tune in tomorrow for another clue. And the first caller through on Friday with a correct location wins a pair of tickets to see Leafs Panthers March 13th.

Finals brother brought to you by McAlpine Ford in Aurora. Our family, the Ford family and you That's a big game noodles. You're asking earlier. When do they play Florida? They I think they go play in Florida twice. I think that's yeah Joe from the bridge said and then the Panthers are up here in March So a lot of points in the line still between the Leafs and the Lightning and the Panthers Yeah, you're gonna control your own destiny against those teams, right? Cause they're probably all gonna,

they're all in that six, whatever, six-thirty winning percentage range. So it'll really come down head to head against those teams and those four point games, all of that type of stuff. So you could control your own destiny and see how it unfolds here down the stretch. That's it.

And Duffy was saying it a lot on the panel last night terms of who the least play points percentage very low quote-unquote easiest schedule in the lead to restore the second i told you about one of my coaches strategies we had ten games left in circles every team that we should be and we just got pumped in every one of those games. I hate that he said that. Yeah. Their schedule stinks coming down the stretch. As soon as he said it, I'm

like, no way, man. Did not need to be said. Well, I mean, listen, you look at this week, they're in Boston tomorrow, ripe for the picking. I know, but it's like Boston at home against the Leafs. Really? It's a cake walk for the Leafs. I don't think so not home against the Leafs really it's a cakewalk for the Leafs I don't think not the Leafs same thing Friday They're at the garden playing the Rangers Rangers aren't very good this year, but it's Friday night, New York You know anything's possible and like Matthews and Marner played over the weekend I would presume they played tomorrow night, but I do wonder if they're gonna give him any time off Doesn't sound like it again.

Like Barubei didn't sound like he was interested in doing that. But maybe practices or something. Yeah. I mean, you want to give them some days off, but. Of course. But it's like they're paid by the Leafs. It's like, hey, you want to go there? That's great. But when it's over, be ready to go. Yeah. Yeah. I hear you. I'm just saying they got a buffer and they're playing well.

Their boys are healthy. You know, I don't think you can sit both guys out the same night But I do think look it'll be an interesting conversation down the stretch load management With the division on the line. Yeah, like if it's a three-horse race and they're all going for it I can tell you Florida probably would do load management Tampa might to the Leafs I don't know if you can afford to because you haven't won anything yet. I think that top seed avoiding the Panthers and or the Lightning would be massively advantageous. I think all these three teams would be aware of that, but I don't know how you load manage if you're within striking distance of such a beneficial position.

Home mice through the East until you hit Washington if you hit Washington And again, I think you're gonna avoid the Florida teams in the first round that's the priority 25 games left do everything you can to play Ottawa or Detroit or Columbus or Something different and see what happens. You know, what's? Again, you know who's gonna get in? It's the Rangers. Yeah, they're only two points out. Two or three points out. But they are very inconsistent, Noodle. They got pumped on Saturday. I know they beat Pintloss. You get pumped on coming out of a break, but I'm just saying... Noodle, I know you've been pumping them up and you've been bullish. I'm not pumping them up. No, know you've been pumping them up and you've been I've not been published no I but you've been somewhat confident and I've just gotten

to the point where I've been confident in them too I'm like they're gonna put it together and she's Durkin's gonna go nuts here but there's just something about them where I don't have that confidence I just don't know what it is there's something really wrong yeah I don't disagree with that. Something has been off about them all year long. But again, teams scare me. You just mentioned there's Columbus, Detroit, Ottawa, like those guys I put in one bucket. The Rangers I put in a separate bucket.

Just like for what they did last year, for what the level of talent is, it's a superstar league, they've got a few on their team. You could argue like Shastrkin, Fox, and Panarin. That's a three pack, right? Boston the same thing. It's Swainman, McEvoy, Pastranak. Right. I guess my point being is like nothing is going to be... You want to give yourself

the best opportunity, but nothing is going to be you you want to give yourself the best opportunity But nothing is going to be easy. You know I I look at it I look at both sides you could win the Pacific and get the Colorado avalanche For your for the first round that's where they are They're in a wild-card spot the second spot right and or you could that could be waiting for you if you're the You know Winnipeg Jets or whatever like you could win like that's the scary part is Colorado hasn't had this world beater season but man they're gonna be scary at the you know at the yeah and I look at it and I think the Rangers could be one of those teams and it I just I wouldn't sleep on on them like maybe I'm wrong and they just

fall apart they don't make the playoffs but I also think that they're you know they might get their act together it might dangerous team I will say I can't picture a scenario where if you're a Leaf fan you'd prefer to play Florida or Tampa over New York at any point between now the playoffs personally like I got your New York number one Shuster can would scare you I get well just listen they pass history yes I think we know they have been playing well a year Shuster kids worthy of doing it a big thing we talked about it coming out of the tournament and this year Adam Fox has not been playing great like he has

not been this dominant number one defenseman and like Zbigniew Zadz Struggled. Trocek's a playoff player. Like he would probably show up. Kreider would probably show up in the playoffs but I Don't know. I'm not saying they wouldn't scare me over playing Detroit or Columbus I'd prefer to play one of those two teams if I'm the Leafs compared to New York but I'd rather play the Rangers than I would the Panthers or yeah I mean the Panthers both those teams have won and they know what it's like to New York all day over those two teams of course and that's why you want to get the one seat so you can possibly be in that position yeah honestly you

look at Winnipeg Winnipeg's got the best chance at anybody in the league you finish with the top seed You're gonna play Vancouver or Calgary They will be a massive favorite in that series mass like massive whoever they play there either of those two teams But I guess they're gonna live it but you're you're right, but and then this is a giant butt Winnipeg hasn't had a lot of success lately about us and you look at that vancouver team in your life uh... well maybe what if them could does come back what if peterson all the sudden looks different like you know i don't know and again this is why we play the games and i'm just

saying the what if the contrarian yeah i hear you but dot process here They're gonna be massive favorites but as we know in the playoffs it sometimes it just looks different and and You know Winnipeg still has lots to prove here. Like, you know, oh you and I have been on them for five years and you know, they've got a lot to prove here in the playoffs for me because you know, I had higher expectations and You know, I picked them again this year to go deep into the playoffs and who knows, you know I had higher expectations and you know I picked them again this year to go deep into the playoffs and who knows you know I I you cheer for for teams but in the end they've got to do it right for sure

listen that that is a reality but again like Vancouver gets in let's say it's Vancouver and they have 92 points and Lankenin's playing in net and Patterson's still moping around. If you can't beat them, then you might have to throw everything out in Winnipeg. Or at least completely readjust who you are and what you're doing to an extent. You have to to an extent. You have to win that series. You have to if you're Winnipeg. Alright, best bet still to come. We've got games in the NHL and NBA tonight and tomorrow the Leafs are in Boston and the Raptors are at home against the Celtics so it's a Boston-Toronto night tomorrow so we look forward to that. Tomorrow's's gonna be a fun show. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on TSN 2.

Alright, today's best bets are powered by FanDuel. Make your picks and assemble a same game parlay in seconds on the FanDuel Sportsbook app. Only a couple of games in the NHL. Winnipeg at home the San Jose tonight. Sharks by 2+. The puck line, their mind is 500 to win the game outright. The Jets have won nine in a row, the Sharks, they're tanking, they're young, they're getting rid of everyone. I mean, it's all about the future and the youth movement there. I think Winnipeg wins big tonight. I'll take the Jets to be up by at least one after the first period as well. That parlay pan, plus 130.

Today's best best bets powered by Fandel live same game parlays are now available for every NHL game in the Fandel sportsbook yeah please play responsibly 19 plus physically located in Ontario again Winnipeg could go for 10 in a row well they are going for 10 in a row tonight started the season 15 and oh yeah 15 and one to start and now this could be that could be 25 and one Just like different portions of the season, which is incredible And yeah, Winnipeg's on their heels man, like when it or

Washington is right there Washington and Winnipeg are fighting it out for the president's trophy Crazy pretty incredible. Well, which one in your opinion, is the bigger surprise? Washington. Washington all day. Last year I thought they'd be junk and this year I thought they'd be even worse. Every trade or acquisition they made hit. Like hit. Manjipani, Duhaime, like PLD, Logan Thompson.

Chikran's been great like just yeah Unbelievable. Yeah, believe across the board got the right coach to Carver's done a great job everything. Yes. Yeah. All right Thanks to everyone behind the scenes for helping out. We appreciate it everyone for tuning in today TV radio podcast web We appreciate that. We're out of here. Enjoy your evenings. Enjoy the games tonight. We're back tomorrow at Jordan Bennington. I Salute you my thanks guys. Hey, this is a fraud 4 p.m. Well chat and iHeartRadio is your ticket to the stars. The Juno goes to... Hosted and performed by Michael Pouple. Good evening, Vancouver!

Plus, a final performance by Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees, Sum 41, 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.