OverDrive - OverDrive - January 21, 2025 - Hour 1

Episode Date: January 21, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jonas Siegel for Hour 1 on OverDrive! The guys discuss the Maple Leafs' victory against the Lightning, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander's performance in the game and the Blue Jays signing Anthony Santander to the team. Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Dean Evason joins to discus the Blue Jackets' overall season, the mentality of the team in the playoff hunt and Zach Werenski's impressive performances and O-Dog shows his winter jacket.

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Let's go. New year, new you. New you. New you. Explore it all. Feel brand new. At iHeartRadio.ca and on the free iHeartRadio app. New year, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you,

new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, new you, And up on TSN4, Brian Hazio, Doug Jeff O'Neill. There's Jonas Siegel of The Athletic. How's everybody doing today? How's my two of my favorite gentlemen doing today? I'd like to wish you a fantastic day. And I would also like to wish you the best of luck during this season. To those who celebrate, it's about a four week to five week stint. It is Windows Up Dart season and Windows Up Cigar season.

Yes, it is. You're right. You're right about that. To those who celebrate, embrace it. Enjoy poisoning the person next to you because it is cold out. It's freezing and this is it, right? Even the biggest hardcore, gotta be outside to smoke, you know, activist is like, forget it, man.

I'm leaving that at the door, right? I have to have it in my house. I'm just not even having a dart today. Or I'm not having a dart. I'm gonna have to avoid it altogether, but you're right, it is so cold that it's going up and down the East Coast. Like it's snowing in Florida right now.

Yes. Is it? Yes. There is a video that is circulating online just over the border where you can see the welcome to Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis, and it is snowing and there's like an inch or two of snow on the ground, which means the whole state is shut down completely

we have friends that live in uh... austin my wife was thomas got a text today austin texas it snowed overnight everything closed schools closed everything shut down no one leaving their house and again it's so cold up here. Yeah, but dude, you know the reaction down there

when snow hits? When I played for the Hurricanes, one of my best friends, it took their kids' bus 12 hours to get home. I know. They can't do it. They can't react. They can't do it.

They don't understand it. It's wild. And I get it that you're so ignorant to it because of where you live, you never see snow, ever see snow, but it's not harmful at all. It does nothing. Like I get you don't have, like they don't have salt machines down there.

They don't have salt pier. They don't have shovels. They don't have snow tires. They don't have plows. Like none of that is available to anybody south of what like North Carolina probably, you know, that's probably the line across the country down there, anything south of it you just you don't have it, but if it's just a little bit of flurries and that's not going to affect anybody, yet it completely paralyzes the whole society, like everything shuts down. And it's just accepted

like we're not leaving the house, it's snowing outside. But even in places like I remember being with the Leafs in Washington once, it was just like a little flurry and they're like, lights are all canceled, delayed. And I'm like, what's going on? I don't understand that. They probably don't have the de-icing machine. That's a big part of it is you don't have the infrastructure to get out of it where if it is freezing cold, you can't, you can't fly like they're obviously down in Florida.

There's the video right there. That naturally will completely shut everything down. Nobody knows how to live like that. No one's appropriate. You think it's AI? Now you never know. Right now you kind of never know. But I don't know.

I guess do you do a little bit more research? That is the video. Where is that from? I'm a that's somewhere in the state of florida. I don't know the northern border of florida I mean it is freezing down there like it is legitimately cold. I was looking at um For some reason so it popped up like raleigh. I was thinking of you Oh, and right now it's like minus three feels like minus seven in Raleigh, North Carolina. That is legitimately very, very cold. Do you guys have a line where if it says real feel, is this, you're not going outside?

Real feel is the only thing that matters. I don't know why we do whatever the standard temperature is. I don't care about that. No, I just want the real feel. Exactly. Like today it said minus 14, but feels like minus. I want minus 26 exactly get rid of the minus 14 That's a completely irrelevant number like nobody cares about that whatever the real feel is. That's the temperature Yes, that's what matters is the minus 10 like your cutoff minus 20 for what feeling comfortable. You'll go outside

Well, I'll go outside of it's sunny listen I'm we're Canadian and what I will know what I will say and I thought of this today I stopped to get some gas on the way here and Yeah nightmare too. It is because you realize you're like man. I jam myself here. Like it's so cold out I gotta get out of the car freezing And I have a winter jacket, like a quality Canadian winter jacket. No gloves, cause you're too cool. No gloves and no hat, cause I got the hair going,

cause we're coming in here, we're on TV. Gotta make sure everything's ready to go. But the point I'm making is, even with the jacket, it doesn't stop you from freezing. Like you talked to Canada Goose guy, Canada Goose Guy believes that minus 50, it's tropical because he has a Canada Goose jacket on. It's not. No, there was Canada Goose Guys walking around for a stroll today. I saw a couple joggers

today. They're not stopping. But it doesn't actually keep you from being freezing. Not yet, dude. There is no jacket, there's no technology that can keep you feeling warm when it feels like minus 25 outside I will say sorry you can't if you have like a thin pair of sweatpants on I've got a couple of jackets where my upper body is no question furnace like heating up I'm not no chance dude but if I don't have the same type of protection down below your legs are gonna be cold but my I got a

couple jackets man I'll wear one for the last segment of this hour this thing it's like pop a smurf on Roy's dude it's big it's blue it's puffy and you're not penetrating it no way I'm telling you go step outside with that thing five minutes do you need your free to see this thing i'm sure it's going to be very impressive i'm sure it's a very impressive puppy jacket

i i have to cut it by salute you for it i want to see it appears work but i i don't believe it is what i'm saying I just don't believe that there's technology one thing if you're layered That's another thing like if you have long johns on and then you've got pants and shirts and hoodies and sweaters and hats Okay, but simply the jacket like Canada goose guy thinks he can have nothing on under the jacket and just have the jacket on and he's Miraculously worn forever. Yes, that's true. No, he's not and just have the jacket on and he's miraculously warm forever. Yes, that's true. No, he's not. Dude, I swear.

No, it's not true. I got another one. I don't know, I hate jacket talk. I got another jacket that's called... Jacket talk. Do you get involved in jacket talk often? Why are you bothered by jacket talk? I got a jacket that's called a macage.

Okay? What? It's got a fur hoodie and I'm telling you, you could have no gear on top and bottom in just this jacket and you are cozy. I'm not buying it man. I'm not buying it. I don't know. I mean styles are wild. You know what I saw? I was at a rink last weekend I guess. I saw a guy decked out full fur coat. You never see that anymore, man. Apparently they're in fashion right now.

This guy, if, I think this guy's a trailblazer. Cause he, and it was the long one. It was a guy with a massive fur coat and it was down to like his ankles. And this thing was, it's a showstopper man. Like you're wearing a fur coat, people are gonna be like, wow, that's a fur coat. Like that's impressive.

Like and I understand, you know, we're living in a different era and there's a lot of people that are against that kind of stuff. This guy had, he did not care what anyone thought. Dude, you get a head nod of respect with that thing and people just, they're in shock. They're like, you are someone of importance with that jacket. Yes. Salutations. It is a showstopper, man. It's an absolute, absolute showstopper. All right, now I'm going to get

people coming at me about... Your take? Yeah. Well, what if you live in Alaska or the Arctic? There's got to be... You not layer up yeah late but that's different John that's what I'm saying that's not the jacket alone the jacket you know gives you some sort of insulation but you need more than that to really have any chance of staying warm that's what I'm so I want to know about this macash yeah we'll get to that later we'll make sure I'll have myage on. You guys will see this thing. It's gorgeous. Alright. I look forward to that. And I saw the Leafs, I guess, are putting together their plans of their annual outdoor practice, which is next Monday. I haven't looked at the weather yet, but I'm assuming it's going to be freezing. Do you think they'd cancel it if it was today?

I don't think so. I'm canceling it. Sorry. I don't think it's safe for people to be down I've been in some of them in the past and they're pretty cold like they're doing it in January all the time That's that is the catch is that you're planning on it being cold, but it's more it's not about the Leafs Like they're working out and all it's about like kids being down there and schools and no, you know, sorry It's about the players. Do you want some guy going out there in minus 25 and blowing his groin out? It can't happen. Like you gotta cancel it.

Yeah, I mean, I hear you. I guess you can consider both parties, the players and the kids. I think you can consider the kids and how cold it is. But yes. Look, if there's a charity involved, if there's a charity involved if there's a charity involved come on down to Scotiabank arena or the practice

rink it's right around the corner that's the way to do it you know we're gonna open up Scotiabank instead we're gonna it's like yesterday with the inauguration right they said forget it we're not doing it outside we're gonna do it inside right it's too cold outside so there you go. Alright. Where are we going here? We got the Leafs actually speaking of which that was an impressive win last night. You like that one Jonas? Yeah. Like now you look at it they got a five point buffer on Florida. Right? This time last week it was it's only three games who cares.

And now three straight wins and impressive wins at that. Comebacks against Jersey very Impressive comeback against Montreal and they were in the driver's seat all night last night Like 100% deserved to win that and played better and now you look at the standings five-point buffer on Florida nine-point buffer on Tampa and Yeah, you know Washington's got you right now, but You're chasing them. You know, you're within range and it's a little bit deceptive with the amount of games everyone's played. But

in terms of just pure points, the Leafs are second in the East right now. Well, imagine if you had told them all this stuff is going to happen. Matthews is not going to be healthy for the first half of the year. Stollers is going to miss, I don't know, half of the first half, a quarter of the first half. Tavares is going Tavares gonna miss time McCabe's gonna miss out like all these different things and they're gonna be first in the division and challenging for the conference they be willed be ecstatic with that right yeah I mean they and and what has happened now recently is they're starting to look like the offensive juggernaut that they're supposed to be sure and that's an

ender is outrageous right now i think he's like i think he's found the version of himself that makes the money that's the eleven and a half million dollar guy and if he if like if he can put together his a game which we've seen a lot of the last two seasons and he's bringing out to the table seventy times a year as pretty damn good oh yeah like he's gonna have his ten games where they're like okay

Willie what's going on you haven't scored a bit but for the most part like he plays so good the last couple games like I used to play right wing and I was a pretty good player that's as good as you can play right wing man like that's that's just elite stuff yes he's good he's against listen when when it comes to willy he's been connected to david pastin a kiss whole life yes they grew up playing together and there and there was a time it is that our eyes about that

while there was a time where i think a lot of people said it and i would agree that they were like the letter can carry pastor next bag into the rink i don't think that's the case right now i think he's better than right now but he's playing better than him pasta neck at his best i think you still gotta give it to me scored sixty in a season yes the guys had playoff performances that have been big a little willies we're good in the playoffs too

as of right now you look at even the last two years and you put them against each other who do you think is had more impact on their team's success during the regular season? It's William Nylander. Like at a minimum, he's caught up to Pasternak, which is really, really impressive because he got paid a year ago and he hasn't slowed down. This isn't an Elias Pedersen situation where Willie got paid and said, all right, thanks, you know, I'll see what happens now. This guy, he clearly motivates himself.

Barube had a great quote about him recently that he doesn't talk to Willie, he listens to Willie basically and tries to get a read on Willie. And Nylander's- He said he wants to hear him out. He wants to hear him out, yes. In other words, like Nylander's, he's thinking, like he's a gamer, he's a hockey nerd.

He's trying to figure out what's working and what's not working. And you're right, the last few games, William Nylander has played as well as you could possibly play. Yet I look at the top line last, I thought Marner was a wizard last night. Like Mitch Marner was a wizard last night.

And yet again, it gets back to a conversation that we've had many times this year. And I kept pointing out, and I'm not alone in this and this isn't a padding of the back. It all falls into place when Matthews is Matthews. Everything falls into place when the big dog is chugging the way he's chugging. And that goal he scored last night, like that's him in a nutshell. Like it's just, it's a driving downhill. I've got the puck at the blue line and there's no way you're stopping me here.

He's done it multiple times in the last week. He scores every single night again. He allows Marner and Nyes to find their role beautifully, which is what's happening. The opposition's like, okay, well now we got to stop this guy, which clears up Willie on the second line, whoever he's playing with. Like, Nylander's playing with Pontus Holmberg, and this guy's like, just jump on my back, I'll take you wherever we got to go. And I will say Bobby McMahon has done a great job of being like, I'm riding with you, man. Like, let me just go up and down this wing and skate fast and work hard and chip away and make the right

plays and be in the right position. That's what I like the best about William Nylander. He just goes out there and it's Bobby McMahon in home work. He doesn't say boo. He doesn't make facial expressions. He doesn't make a stink on the bench. He just goes out there and gets it done. And that wrist shot man, like that breakaway wrist shot, it is like it's just a side effect of scoring the goal. But when it just like goes in and it has the look of the goalie had zero chance of stopping it, that's a flex man. Yeah. Well can I just go down there and rip it and it's like that's in and out and you didn't even see that goalie you had no shot at

it and you're just not saving that. I was just gonna say like one of the things that I can see like from just being around the team every day that's probably underappreciated generally by people don't get to do that. Like he is working at his game constantly. Neal and I'm talking about like every day at practice like he is thereafter he's before like he's working on this he's working on that. Like it's not it looks like when you watch him like man this guy's just like cool he's laid back. Freak of nature the natural. Exactly but like he's dialed into like continually approving and i think that i was i love hearing that

i love hearing that i love hearing that's a professional and that is a professional and and not not that it necessary for the shrapnel but i think it's a good a comparing contrast bill kessel zia was a complete opposite there was the last time the ice the first one to leave, but he was a natural. He did his job.

He played every single night. But Phil was very different. The thing is, and guys I know this better than anybody, he's going to sit back and he might be fishing, he might be just sitting on his porch, and he's going to say to himself one day, whether he likes it or not, how much better could it have been? You know you can be the guy that says hey, I didn't miss games. I was you know in I never missed games I was the Iron Man leader. I was this I was that I scored, but there'll be a point where you look back and you're like

Why didn't I try to perfect the craft to best of my ability work on your game daily like you only got about 10 years If you're lucky to do it like he'll say that to himself Yeah, it's always gonna be the comeback like why didn't you just why didn't you give yourself the best chance to be the best player possible? Mm-hmm, and that is what is so Flummoxing about like these three players, because Matthews has a very similar reputation of being a guy who is uber dedicated to his craft, to his body, like knows everything he eats and sleeps and digest.

Everything he does is like Drago from like Rocky IV. You know, like that's what I've heard through the grapevine over the years. I've talked to teammates, they say the same thing. Yeah, like he is. Like in the summer, it's he's doing this at this time, this at this time. Very regimented, like textbook 2025 professional athlete.

And William Nylander is clearly like that. And I think Marner is like that. Marner is a little bit different because he's built different. He's not a beast, he's not a freak of nature. But he's- Tavares the same way? Tavares, exactly.? Tavares exactly like these guys are

great professionals and committed to their crafts and again, we bring it up all the time like it everything they've done has been exactly what you could ever ask for With the exception of the one platform like that's the only thing because they've been great citizens, they represent the city well, you know, they're charitable with their time, you know, they treat people well. Like that's always been what I've always heard. That these guys-

They've been incredible, all aspects of that. Everything about these, we didn't come in here with the intention of higher pumping. That's not what we're doing here. It's just, I think you say what you're saying is important because I don't think everyone understands that. Like what these guys are doing behind the scenes. I talked to Sheldon Keefe in Jersey in December. He brought that up. He's like, I don't think people understand how hard these guys work. And it's like you watch the league night to

night and you watch other teams. This is why they keep those guys, right? Like we argue about it after every playoff. It's like, how can you keep the team together? All these games where it's like nothing's going on nothing's going on Neal under Matthews Marner game over that's why you keep them together it just hasn't yet translated to the playoffs where it's like that advantage becomes an advantage in the playoffs yeah it might you know what I mean like we saw with me we've seen it with McDavid and dry saddle where it's like that series is over because those guys are just going into

like beast mode. And we've seen that with these guys in the regular season. We just haven't seen it in the playoffs. Yeah. And listen, they, they got to own that. Like clearly it's, and when we get to the playoffs It's a little Lamar Jackson-y It's very Lamar like where Lamar, he goes to the, listen, he's probably going to win his third MVP.

He is a phenomenon. Lamar Jackson is a phenomenon., he's probably gonna win his third MVP. He's a phenomenon. Lamar Jackson is a phenomenon. And at different times within the playoffs, you can look at it and say, that's Lamar. Look what he's doing. Look how he's impacting the game. That drive at the end of the game. Exactly.

And then you look at the fumble or the interception, you're like, what are you doing, man? That's not what you did in the regular season. That's exactly right. People watch it haze and they're like, how come 85% of the regular season games, you're far and away the best player on the ice? And how come you're not doing that more often in the playoffs?

Because that's where you're supposed to elevate and do more than what you're supposed to do. You're just supposed to do what you're doing in the regular season. It is tougher. There is less time and space. But you're still supposed to be the best player out there. You have to be. That's the expectation. Yeah, you're supposed to separate from the rest of the players still supposed to be the best player out there. Yeah. You have to be that's the expectation. Yeah, you're supposed to separate from the rest of the players and elevate and be the best and they've yet to do it come playoff time.

Right. And that's just a reality. And listen, they're going to go back for the ninth time. That's the amazing thing. They've never really stumbled there. I guess the Babcock like at the end of the Babcock era before COVID hit it was like young in that time. Right. But I'm saying there was some just debate like could they miss the playoffs like they're kind of on the border right now

I need 20. Yes, there was and then COVID hit and there's the play-in and you know Everything was kind of different But for the most part outside of the rookie year where they got in technically on the last weekend of the year was game 81 They punched their ticket against Pittsburgh on that Saturday night weekend of the year, game 81 they punched their ticket against Pittsburgh on that Saturday night. It's been a formality, like they're gonna get end up with 100 plus points and make the playoffs and let's see what happens and this year it's gonna be the exact same result. And tomorrow they've got Columbus in town, Columbus lost against the Islanders last night but they've been an incredible story and they've been playing great. Dean Evison will join us in about 10 minutes and we'll ask

Dean, we caught up with him before the season, right? And he was really excited for the opportunity and he did a really good job in Minnesota. Remember he was pissed off that many fired him and he said, I'm coming for the wild. And listen, it's worked out for both teams. John Hein's done a pretty good job in Minnesota.

Really good job. And Evison's done a really, really good job in Columbus, but the Blue Jackets are here tomorrow. So we'll set the scene on that game with dean that's coming up in about ten minutes mike johnson will join us later this afternoon confirmed that i come on up and anthony sent and there is in town he was revealed to the media earlier today by ross ackins look pretty happy up there

russia look happy writers and gives a good signing you gotta get a little more serious gap years i think about the signing of okay how come that dodgers had no interest in this can you explain that to me it's almost like i don't know is that the brahman of the dot i got a person doesn't have a lot of suitors tracking them down to be their significant other right you know i because they're ugly

why did this guy not have a bunch of suitors after him well i think he had suitors i'd really he had forty four home runs last year's but i don't know if that is in a world where every good player the dodgers want why did they not want this guy how come the nets weren't barking down his door how come it just why why the other guy they got it was like he failed two physicals and the Jays were like, we're gonna put on some black sunglasses when you go into that doctor's office

and then come on into the Jays team. It's just like, I don't know man, it just reeks of, we gotta do something to appease the fan base and I think there's still gonna be a bad team and it's like, yeah but we gave a guy $95 million. It's like, oh great. I I hear you I listen I understand that cynicism they've earned they've earned it they deserve it and and there is a a very real possibility they splash even more money around the rest of the season

offseason lose a bunch of ballgames everyone gets fired Vlad Ely's ball leaves and at the end end of the same we got a reset the whole thing and then they got a pay sent on their they got a payment you peter lanzer they got a nobody's somebody's heart of the look at it and say or is this like ross and marks like last gas that's what it is that's what we're experiencing right now but i'm not giving it in uh... management group a last gas because all you're doing is wiping your rear end with money because you just say i gotta get the go get this guy go get that guy and it's

just patchwork in its it's a waste of money but look at the a l e stu where they get a finish in that division here here's here's the thing on that okay here's no but in reality listen i i'm with you in leading the charge in terms of the p r in terms of how bad it was all the the deserve criticism all that is accurate i'm not here to change your mind on any of that if they've been science on tender what you said about hotman is correct to

show them i fall off if it's if it doesn't the guy is an elite bullpen arm which they needed help on hopefully it stays that hopefully stays away they acquire him and as to you know is not a great bat, but an A++ plus defender to play second base. They haven't had anyone to do that in years. It's been a revolving door at that position. Let's say they signed Pete Alonso. There's a report they might bring in Max Scherzer.

That's the report. I didn't see that. Is that right? Oh yeah, they're in on Scherzer, apparently. They're in on Scherzer? Yeah, fell apart physically last time. I understand that. Dude, that guy's 44 years old. Oh, yeah, they're in on Scherzer apparently. They're in on Scherzer? Yes. Fell apart physically last time.

I understand that. Dude, that guy's 44 years old. He's 40, he's 40 Scherzer. Listen, it's got a Joe Thornton, Hakeem Elijah one five to it. I got you. Alonzo Mourning? But he is a legend.

And all I'm saying is, from a team building standpoint, if you put all the noise and all the disasters and all the embarrassments and all the, they came in seconds and put it to the side and I tell you they signed Santander Alonso Scherzer Hoffman bring in him and us That's an active offseason. Is that a good offseason though? Just because you're active doesn't mean you're doing how is that a power? They worse but though with those signings those guys are all old Fontaine you know what it is Al lot of those third players get better at thirty it's a line that i want to try and see if that's what it is it's a bad guy

wearing skinny you guys are crazy like i get hating on them is he's i'm not like i don't care can't say that they're not a better club if all that happens but they're there are better to do i cannot sit here said they're going to division or even though make the plans but you can't argue if they make those moves you can say up actually those are that's a good active i think that's the only question i want to ask that this is the only question i would want to ask heading into spring training ross does his little gathering i would say with your offseason transactions

what exactly are you trying to accomplish that's a great question very good question because if it's i want to know what do you think with this roster that you've assembled what is the goal this year and what are you trying to accomplish i want to know that going into the season where you when regardless of how he actually feels he's gonna say we're here to compete for a world series that's a that's but that was gonna say to you that's what he's you think he's gonna say man i'm just

trying to say my job and get blood and this is a disaster is that i say that people don't want to show he's gonna say. Hey, man. I'm just trying to save my job I'm getting this is a disaster He's not I say that people don't want to show up and play for the Blue Jays They all end up going to the Dodgers or somewhere else But that's a guard if they think that team's competing for the World Series they're gonna say that they may not think it Publicly they're going to say that if they say that we're not talking about the Blue Jays the rest of the year No way, we have to go All right, Dean evison coming up Mike Johnson still still to come. Confirm it, deny it as well. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on TSN 4. All right. Overdrive continues powered by FanDuel.

Just looking at the Jack Adams odds and Spencer Carberry is a heavy favorite to win the Jack Adams right now in FanDuel, but Dean Evison is second. And I like like that man. If Columbus gets in, like what a story this is going to be. Like I don't generally just root for teams throughout the league or stories around the league. This is one I certainly support. I think everyone would support the idea of Columbus making it into the playoffs and it's a race and there's multiple spots up for grabs.

Like Tampa is not even a lock based on the way their standings are currently at. They've got games in hand. They've got games in hand for sure, but as of right now you've got a scenario where, you know, Boston's chasing it, Ottawa's chasing it, Montreal, Columbus is right there, and Columbus has been a great story. They've been a great, great story. But they're in town tomorrow night and least we're playing well They said one three in a row playing well Columbus coming off a loss last night against the aisle and they're in town

It's cold up here. It's hockey season up here, man. It is hockey season up here Here's Columbus blue jackets head coach Dean Everson. How you doing Dean? I'm good guys. It's not as cold as northern Manitoba. That's very true. Do you take pride in that or what? I do but I actually hate the cold now but when people talk about cold you know especially in in southern places and down in the states. You have no idea what what cold actually is. I know it's incredible man We hear it how soft we are here in southern, Ontario because we get it from guys in the prairies and you know, Manitoba

Saskatchewan even northern, Ontario they look down on us like how dare you complain about feels like minus 25 When it apparently is like fine. It feels like minus 50 up in Northern Ontario right now so that's been going on that's been going on for many years I believe me even when I when I played in the 80s that was always the ribbing going back and forth in Western Leaguers Ontario and Quebec obviously absolutely well we've been talking about your team a lot and how well you guys have been playing and you're in the playoff hunt here and uh... it it comes as i guess a bit of a surprise from the outside world but you know take us inside the room when you started the season dean and

how close to the expectations have you actually met here along the way and is this kind of what you guys were expecting the whole time you compete for a playoff spot this year well we are feeling for from my standpoint and the coaching standpoint, we did not have expectations. You know, I'm truly a guy that goes day by day and game by game and, you know, I know there's a lot of talk of what's happened in Columbus over the last few years as far as

the hockey and then clearly starting how we did with the tragedy with with Johnny Goodrell was absolutely, you know horrible and devastating and and you know just everything that went on with that but The guys have really come together what we've asked of them was to be a team first mentality or have the team first mentality play hard for each other each and every night. And we'll see where we sit at the end of the day. And when I first took the job or was given the job, fortunately, they, everybody talked about our young skill and we've got this and in the future and all that kind of stuff.

I thought it was a bit disrespectful to some of the guys that had been there. The Boone Jenner's and the Branson who obviously are both long-term injury right now. Guys that have been there for a long time, there was a good foundation there. People talked about changing the culture, changing this and that, and it was there. We just really had to come together as a group. Clearly, Johnny's situation brought the guys close together. There was a lot of healing going on at the start of the year but it allowed us that to bring that togetherness on the ice and fortunately played some good hockey

and we've got some good really good hockey players on our on our hockey team and and fortunately we've had some success and we're where we are today because of that dean what's the biggest factor in getting the guys to believe in the results? Is it about individuals feeling confident or you putting something in place structurally

that allows them to have success? Just getting some wins and getting in the mixture, what was the biggest factor in guys believing that they could have success and not just be one of those teams where it's like here we go again, we're going to get dummy dummy every night now they believe that they can do it. Yeah I think it's the belief that they're going to play hard for each other and we've tried to from day one just put aside all the outside distractions and obviously even before Johnny's situation it was forget you know, forget about what's been said and what's been, this is a completely different team.

Like I said, there's been a lot of chaos with the organization over the last couple of years or a few years with things going on and we can get into all the, you know, the coaching changes and all that kind of stuff. So sure, did we put some stability in our in in the systems? Yeah, of course, but every team every coach in the session in the national hockey league has a system and are dialed in and practice and your game plan to play games but the You know, you can talk to your blue in the face

But if the players don't believe it and they don't believe in each other and and what we're doing Collectively to move forward then then it doesn't matter right? So we've had a tremendous Leadership group in that room and I talk a lot about You know Johnny but not being in the room But but you know Boone Jenner not being there good branch and two of our you know, Johnny not being in the room, but, but, uh, you know, Boone Jenner not being there, good branch and two of our, you know, our, our leaders we haven't had all year, but it's allowed the Warren ski and, and Monahan's hurt right now, but they Olivier's of the world to step up and,

and be leaders on our team. And I could go through a lot. Like I obviously named three guys, but I could name a lot more that have stepped up in situations in leadership roles that wouldn't necessarily be leaders if other people were there. So, you know, it's a credit to the guys, it's a credit to our depth in our organization from the top down that we've got some depth in our hockey club and our organization to fill the holes that we have obviously had throughout the season. With Dean Evison head coach of the Blue Jackets Columbus in town tomorrow night playing the Leafs and O always jokes about when he was in Toronto Brian McCabe, Thomas Cavalier were

a pair and coaching staff would just instinctively say Brian Thomas you're up, Brian Thomas you're up. Tom Brian go ahead. Tom Brian go ahead. And I'm curious if that's applying to Zach Warenski this year because he's playing on average 26 minutes and 48 seconds that is more than a minute more than any other player in the league. Is that what you're doing Dean? It's just Zach you're up, Zach, you're up? Because man, he's playing well. Well, Steve McCarthy flips out the D on our team and I'm not sure why Zach's not around 30 minutes,

to be honest with you. That's why I bust on him all the time. How come he didn't get him more like 35 in this game? But yeah, we obviously play him a lot because he can and that's not just because he's a tremendous offensive guy he just he's dialed in in all departments he just is a big strong man that skates has an offensive side but doesn't cheat the game he anticipates it he He gets in on the rush. He gets in on the offensive sequences and what have you. But he doesn't sacrifice any defense game

or cheat the game in any way in order to get his cookies or what have you. So he's really stepped up in a massive leadership role on this hockey club. A guy that's quiet by nature, doesn't say a whole lot. But again, with the people out in our lineup, it's allowed leaders like him to step up and lead our hockey club in all areas. Dean, every time I watch your team play, I am intrigued with Veronkov

What do you think his potential is like? He just looks big and mean and skilled and where do you think his game can go? Yeah, he's all of that You know we because of the big body and he got hurt early in the year as well it's taking some time to get him into game shape and bigger guys take a little bit longer sometimes and he had, he goes to the net with benches. Like he, everybody talks about the dirty area, the tougher, which isn't that tough anymore

but the commitment to go there is, the commitment to go there is uh... the commitment to go there sent pocket by him but what he had is that you said his his stick skills and hand skills uh... many get up and down the ice uh... really well uh... and it's been a nice compliment him in and march in ko uh... march a colon and monahan and Monahan were aligned for basically majority of the year here and then when Monahan got hurt, Fantelis slipped into that role nicely.

But yeah, he has the skill set to score goals with his commitment to get to the net has been fantastic. He doesn't speak perfect English, but has a great presence in our dressing room as well with his teammates. He's a real fun guy to be around. He jokes all the time and so yeah it's been a nice he's been a nice fit for us here this year. Dean before we get you out of here being a former Hartford Whaler and some other coaches Q and Tip and even Randy Lattiser who I had Hartford and Carolina, they all rocked the mustache.

How come you're disrespecting the Wailers and you don't have a mustache? Ryan asked me like three years ago, he's like, what the hell is with these Hartford Wailer guys and their mustaches? Yeah, I can go Dave, Dave Babich, Clineden Do of doors had one I can probably go on and on Yeah, no, I'm not. I'm not rising go look silly and I told them that when I played with them Farro try he had one going there for a while too, right? Raise your hand you know pee we had a mustache cooking at Hartford. Well, that's just that's just because he can't grow any on his head cooking at Hartford too. Big time.

That's just because he can't grow any on his head. Come on. That is true, he's compensating for something there, I think, back in the day. Yeah, the mustaches on that Hartford team was just crazy, man. It was outrageous. It was insane.

It was great. You know, Paul, like I'm sure you know too, like it's, you know, the Whaler organization, it's still, it's uh... the you know the way organization it's still it's on it's unbelievable like they're still live the alumni and uh... and and the fan club and and whenever i talk to people every talk about the whale and uh... i'm very proud of i'm sure if you uh... you are to have uh... played for that franchise it was a lot of fun living there and uh... you know actually great friends from uh... from when i did play there

you know i was there my first two years in the league and then like there's all this talk it i mean you're a young kid you go to the rink in its packed in your like what's why is this organization being in question i i i love playing there was a lot of fun all the didn't know any different by the great time there as well anyway thanks for doing this deans the great great talking to you. All right guys we really appreciate it. You got it there's a Dean Evison head coach of the Blue Jackets

and yeah he was he was with Hartford for quite a while there. Six years yeah. Yeah 84-85 through the 90-91 season and then he was in San Jose I wonder if he was in the expansion. Dude those Whaler teams they had some like had really good teams back in San Jose. I wonder if he was in the expansion. Dude, those Whaler teams, they had some like, they had really good teams back in the day. Yeah, they did. I don't know, like, obviously I wasn't paying close attention, but man, they should have punched their ticket a couple of times, maybe gone in some deep.

They were good teams. Obviously, Montreal was good, and Boston. Pittsburgh, right? They run into Pittsburgh, and that was the thing like that you look at I just Randomly picked the year 89 90 Ronnie Francis on that team you got Francis Pat for B Kevin Dunneen Scott Young was a good player Do you want to talk about a trade that would irritate a fan base? They traded Ronnie Francis and Alfie Samuelson to pit

Like imagine giving that up yet like nowadays no kidding no kidding the grand frances you you know was consistently one of the ten best players in the league like every year of his life points all-time right and would have been in his prime when they when they move in his prime soon as he got to pity once used to the cops are pro what a trade yeah but you look at the the mustaches and even just that that you know what i do do get your from the bridge to start

tossing up wehler mustaches all after there's so good and even though the home towns alright susan perey sarnia clinton massachusetts i believe there's trail BC. We know that that's where race from Flynn, Flawn. That's Dean Evison. Most of them in Saskatchewan. That's where Dave Tippett's from.

You know, it's crazy to the way these guys sound like Ron Francis and Dave Tippett have been and Joel Quinville have the deepest like gravelly voice ever like like terrifying voices if you listen to Ron Francis and Joel Quinville Dave Tippett dude I just like gritty mustaches crazy my wife me and my wife went to a wedding this summer and we sit down and I looked at the nameplate I saw my wife's name right beside hers Joel Quinville yeah my wife does not know hockey at all. Does not know who Q is. Yeah. And just you're right. That voice would be terrifying. If he was at you or ever in the dock house, man,

terrifying voice. Yeah. Terrifying. And I'm telling you, Tipit Ronnie Francis, the same thing, you know, Ron, while he kind of soft spoke it, but he's got that gritty Sault Ste. Marie voice going too. I had to sympathize Ron Francis a lot of like bus trips to the hotel airport and I asked him several times I'm like how are you best friends with Alfie Samuelson like he seems like the biggest dirtbag that's ever played the game and Alfie was at the wedding too the nicest guy in the world.

Maybe the dirtiest player, one of the dirtiest players that ever played the game. He was so dirty, dude. That's a sign too, because we focus a lot on the modern game, how heavyweights aren't around and fighters aren't around. Disgustingly filthy, dirty players aren't around anymore. All if he was, man. Like, he would probably tell you. He was a competitor and he was a great defenseman, but damn was he dirty.

Yeah. He'd spear you and... Dude! Yeah, he was... A sneaky, dirty player too. Like, one of the best... Look at these guys. These guys were studs with these mustaches coming out.

Look at that mustache. Dude, is that a hockey player or what? Roaming around Hartford, Connecticut. Imagine trying to cover him, Jonas. Like he had a bad night, dash five or something, just terrible, got benched in the third, and you gotta go up to that guy and ask him what went wrong. Although back then he probably would have been like,

yeah, I'll tell ya, come sit, you know, whatever. What do you need? There wasn't any like PR back then or anything it was just dead doors open come on and and as you get you basically you can't be dirty anymore dot that connor garland play that was standard procedure in the eighties and nineties that's seven minutes for the penalties now right there's just there's yeah there is a tip there's a few tips it

uh... there's yeah there is there's deep tip it everything's just a like jet black hair and jet black mustache yeah yeah there's too many cameras there's there's two refs now right there's only one ref back in the day and they've taken away and I'm playing minor hockey as soon as you saw that ref turn north towards the play you would just absolutely tomahawk two time totime, two-hander right over some guy, the back of some guy's legs. As hard as you could, as hard as you could. And then the ref would look back,

and the guy would be lying on the ground, and he's like, I just wanna call a penalty. I know, because he knew you did something. He knew you did it, he knew you did it. Didn't see it, and he's like, I can't get you this time, but I'll get you, I'll get you. And you'd be on the wrong side of it sometimes too, you'd get clipped, and you're like, how'd you miss that? And the ref's like, I don't know, I'll get you. And you'd be on the wrong side of it sometimes too. You'd get clipped and you're like, how'd you miss that?

And ref's like, I don't know, I didn't see it. What do you want me to do? Like, all right, I got you. Now they got two refs and 4K cameras everywhere. There's no getting away from it. Look at Ray's mustache. Dude, that looks like an 18 year old mustache. Yeah, that looks like one that's been

like manicured for a long time brilliant all right Mike Johnson coming up in about 15 minutes confirmed with deny as well overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on TSN for all right Mike Johnson coming up shout out to the Ohio State Buckeyes tough one for the Bowen family and everyone that's of fighting Irish fan. Oh look at O's coat. Dude, what is that thing? This is the macage. That looks very warm. I will grant you that looks very warm but I still think you go out there with a t-shirt underneath in this weather, five minutes in, you're freezing. Here's what I want you to

look at, Hazy B. Look at the double the double layering you see this this is the interior part of the jacket this folds over top double layers all fur inside you're telling I could be naked I don't think so man dude I don't and I'd rather you didn't try that I don't want that test out but I don't think so man. I'm telling you Technology in terms of jackets could only go so far Jonas I think we should do a man on the scene thing Jeff should go outside call in and we'll see how long he lost What would be great is if you could set up like for the whole Mike Johnson interview? You're just outside in that jacket and see if you can survive I'll bet you you're freezing within five minutes and you're dying to get inside. It does look like a beautiful jacket.

Looks very warm. I appreciate that greatly. You know who makes a great jacket? TSN generally supplies. They have some great jackets, man. There's some great jackets around here. They have got a nobis TSN jacket. That's insane.

I love it. It's so do I. It's beautiful. All right. Keep the jacket on. Take it off. Do whatever you got to do. It is a very beautiful looking jacket. It does look warm.

I'll grant you that. All right. What do we have coming up? Mike Johnson will join us in the next hour. Confirm it tonight at 530. Back into the Blue Jays. I need some positivity out of you today, Jonas. I need you to come around on the idea of them salvaging the team building part of the off

season. Can't get you there. Trying to put my sunshine. Hayes, you hate them more than anybody. Why are you so good at this? I'm trying to put my sunshine. I'm trying to put my sunshine. I'm trying to put my sunshine. I'm trying to put my sunshine. I'm trying to put my sunshine. I'm trying to put my sunshine. I'm trying to come around on the idea of them salvaging the team building part of the offseason

Can't get you there to put my sunshine. Gaze you hate them more than anybody. Why are you mr. Positive? I'm not being positive in terms of the front office and their their reputation I'm just saying there's still moves you could make that would not be awful moves Every move they make isn't terrible just because it's Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro. That's what I'm saying. You gotta be realistic. Bearish. Bearish. Let's talk about it. Alright, more on that coming up. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050N on TSN 4.