OverDrive - OverDrive - January 29, 2025 - Hour 2

Episode Date: January 29, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 2 on OverDrive! NHL Network Analyst and Former NHL Goaltender Cory Schneider to discuss Canucks playing through the noise on the team, the goaltending mentality in the league and the experience in the 4 Nations Face-Off. They go around the sports headlines in the latest edition of Gerry's Percentages.

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Brian Hays, Zodog, Jeff O'Neil, Jamie Noodles, McClennan, Jerry's percentage. Later in the hour, not many Jerry's, the real Jerry's percentage later in the hour. Not mini Jerry, the real Jerry's. We've got a full Jerry's in half an hour. And Cory Schneider coming up here in a moment, get his take on, we'll play JT Miller today. You see, the scrum was asking him about Jim Rutherford's comments. Well, you knew it was coming, right?

Of course, absolutely. Of course, obviously. I didn't see anyone ask Patterson. I didn't see it go viral anyway. I didn't see it go viral anyway I don't know if he spoke with the media or not, but that's coming too, right? You got asked this Patterson is why you want this to be dealt with one guy two guys, but the other guys Playing in the best league in the world trying to focus on their game and team wins and doing their business Imagine happen to answer that daily. Yeah, it would be painful.

Painful, man. It's a distraction. And, you know, there's guys in that team, I guarantee, are buddies with JT, and they're sitting there watching this guy get grilled every day and then looking at Pedersen, are you going to talk? Like, it's a giant distraction even if you're getting hit by it because you're in the room. Like, to me, it just, there's like a cloud over that dress room and I keep coming back to that feel bad for Quinn Hughes It's guys been unbelievable this season and you know, I don't know where they're gonna end up. I still think they're a playoff team

Yeah, they're hovering right now. Obviously. They're certainly in the mix Yeah, Calgary is right there look out there Washington won again. Look all they do They never lose Washington to to their credit again a low scoring game they gave up nothing and uh... they just give carboridig jack out of stroke the lot of this is so that no one has to do that deal that way give it to him and let it be over with yet logan thompson is twenty three wins two losses and three three o t loss

local may ask you guys because we were gonna have our top twenty five stuff coming out right where we do the halfway mark it's a bit beyond the halfway mark you're gonna ask noodles if he should be in the top twenty five of course he's gonna say yes and you know what i'm gonna say yes to obvious i would hope so i i would hope we all have logan topson at top twenty five do we all have a lot of time to do all where you go i read this there's some kind of jerk element because i know i don't know what i was gonna ask you about all of the art you have twenty

i don't have all the of my top twenty five i do not i was just wondering how high up the list it could possibly be like where would you rank let logan topsons season we bring everyone else in the fold could possibly be like where would you rank let Logan Thompson's season when you bring everyone else into the fold. You don't have to give your exact answer but has he has he been top 10 in the league for you top 15 top 25 like I think with a record like that it's got to be kind of between 15

and 20 doesn't it. Okay. I had him I had him at 19. 19 all right. Boom goes the dynamite. Boom goes the dynamite boom goes here right now life, but I mean I had a tough time with that list because I think There's people that it may not be having the greatest season, but they have to to me They're still on that list they can't be on the list though

It's got to be based on what they've done so far do you have JT Miller on that list no Elias Patterson No, Austin Matthews. Yes. I lost to Matthews. You didn't put Austin Matthews on that list? And Poon goes to Dynamite. No. It's based on how it's recalibrating what they've done so far this year. I don't think he's been a top 25 player in the league. Well, I beg to differ on that. I just, I'm sorry. Like Austin Matthews for me, because of injury, that's not because of him not playing well. Well, you have to sit there though.

You don't think he's in the top 25 noodles? I did. I had him in the top 25. I didn't. Yeah, that's where I struggle with the list. What? I'm telling you, based on the- This guy's crazy over here.

Dude, something's wrong with you. The two weeks you've been blurted out stuff That's crazy how many games has he played this year? How many games has he played how many times have we said man this guy just doesn't look like himself Here's another thing. I don't have McDavid at one. Do you have McDavid at one? I had it McDavid at one Yeah, how best he has in the world of course, but that's not that's not the practice It's the practice the best player player i see the list the way i want to see it dot okay so we can just interpret it anyway okay i'm going to put darrell sittler on my next no no no i love darrell what are your

what are the parameters from this made-up lacy gilmore that i can i'll give you that i'd like to get to what was the parameters of this may have recalibrating based on what we've seen so far this year. Who have been the top 25 players of this season based on the way they play? Guys, let's get, we got a guest on the line. Can we, I want to dig into this list a little bit later. Oh man, I am flabbergasted by your approach to this list and I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed.

Let's get, you know what, why don't we get Doogie to come up with some type of mock list and we'll discuss and maybe have it out then. Maybe I misinterpreted the rules. Let me clarify. I don't think you did. It could be on me. Maybe I did. I apologize.

I'm not apologizing to anybody. You don't have to apologize to anybody. Like to clarify, do I think Matthews is one of the five best players in the league in the world? Absolutely. Of course he is. Not apparently on your list. But not because this year hasn't been a great year for him.

Dude, I get it. But even not, get the guest on, man. Alright. Here's Cory Schneider of the NHL Network. I just had my popcorn here just listening to you guys squabble. That was fun. Yeah. Just yelling and screaming Let me ask you this to start off. Yeah start off this interview if you had a

Like a list of the 25 best players in the NHL leading up to this particular day right now Would Austin Matthews be in your top 25? Yeah, you would be at aft on there very much top twenty five yeah you would be at after that very much i don't think it is right the way twenty healthy you had a good idea exactly where that's not the practice to that's not what we're talking about now we are of course not a record this it's not about

if everyone's healthy and you're starting a game tonight who's in the who's the best player matthews i would have as probably number three baby number four on that list and i don't make dav number one. It's who's had the best year up until this day like from from game one through to today that's what we're asking and and listen if you see that way yeah I mean listen if you see Austin that way listen go ahead but I don't I I don't know I don't I don't think he's been one of the 25 best players because I don't I I don't know I don't I don't think he's been one of the 25 best players because I don't Think he's played enough. I think he's been injured and when he has

Our team would be his team. What's up? I thought I bet your team would be your team Possibly Possibly. All right. Well you guys listen you two are goalies. I'll tell you who I had at number one. Go ahead Connor Hallebuyck Bucket number one. I think he Connor Hallebuck. Wow. I had Connor Hallebuck at number one. I think he's been the best player in the league so far up to this point. That we can agree upon.

Oh, there we go. We've got an agreement. There we go. See? I like it. See, now you're back in the good graces with Cory. Now Cory's my guy. And Cory, what you do also have to understand is this guy runs the show, he runs this operation,

and whenever there's an exercise like this, he believes that his list is rock solid, and anyone that has an argument with him, he thinks that they're certifiably nuts. That's his problem. He's a control freak. Well, you know, Jamie, one day when I get my show with my name on it, I can make my own list. There you go. See, it's not, but see, I'm not the one running the show.

It is Brian Hayes, because I i'm gonna pass it off to him because my list it just i thought like i had to have reputation in there as well because i'm like a minute for me i'm like i'm a day was a best player i don't know what i was like i was like i guess is i i must have missed intervall of the top is not the best goalie though this is the thing And now we're yelling and screaming. Yeah.

And we'll ask you, Corey, like where would Logan Thompson for you rank in terms of, like if you're starting a team today, is he one of the five goalies you'd choose? One of the, is he in the top 10? Like where would Logan Thompson be? Dude, that's a great question. If I was starting a team today and you factor in everything, not just this season might crack the top ten like the lower end of the top ten it's just not a big enough sample size yet for me he's having a tremendous season he's doing it's unbelievable like in full marks for this year but you know I'd

rather take a Schusterken or a Hellebacher or Vasilevski or you know you can go down the list until you get to him, but he's his way up there. I think he might be in the bottom part of the top 10. Quick follow up on the goaltending, Corey. Like we see now there's only a few standalones of guys who are going to be on pace to play north of 60. Do you just believe that that's the trend of the league with sports science, all of

that coming in or is it just that we're, you know, there is a cycle where guys aren't wired to play 65 to 70 now, it's just more a starter is 55 games. I think it's a bit of both. So I don't know if that's copying out. But I think two things can be true at once. I think the game and the pace and the importance of every game now, it's the coach is trying to win every single game there aren't any more, you know, let's pencil in the back up here Let's throw our guys, you know, you can't just count wins on the schedule anymore

I think like you could maybe 20 years ago if you were a good team now you you got to win every night. So You know, it's it's you want your goalies fresh you want them rested But the same time I do agree that it is a bit of a mentality thing that fewer guys have that Marty Broder, Patty Wong mentality where it's my net and I want to play every single night, you know, fatigue or whatever sports science has be damned and I'm going to go out there and will myself to win. So I think it is a bit that, you know, I don't know how many kids and juniors are playing 50, 60 games a year.

It's tough to do. It's hard to do until you do it. I think teams are scared of pushing guys too hard and burning them out or have them not be ready come playoff time. But in order to do that, Corey, you talk about the playoffs. Toronto here, Joseph Wall, if he's decided to be the guy come playoff time, he's got to figure out a way to play every night. So sooner or later, you got to just throw yourself in there or have somebody throw you in there and say we need you to go and you got to get used to going or you'll never be able to do it.

It's true. Yeah. Cause again, I think, uh, I think teams that try to do tandems and the playoffs just don't work like the Brewers are doing it. And it's just, you got to have one guy who's conditioned and able to do it. And it's hard to ask of that guy, you know, I'm going to put you playing every other night for potentially two months in the most important part of the season when you've never done it and I feel like you know you got to condition guys to get into that mode and that mentality and because that's for it all matters is come April and May so I agree that you know you got at some point you got to be the guy and you got to be ready and

willing to do that and able to do that and I think more it's more mental than physical when you get to that point We're chatting with Cory Schneider and and we began the hour like we have countless times this year talking about this Vancouver Canucks scenario and Why don't we play this clip JT Miller? I'm sure you're I know you're aware of this Cory about you know Jim Rutherford speaking with the Globe and Mail yesterday and yeah i know you're aware of this corey about you know jim rutherford speaker the global mail yesterday and basically saying it's come to a head it it's untenable it can't continue these guys they have an issue peterson and miller they've got a change

and miller was asked about that in a scrum earlier this morning is what he had to say your reaction to the general comments yesterday uh... or this week the situation you know how many comments still or this week on the situation with you and PD? I don't have any. You don't have any comments? No. Is there still all good between you two guys?

No comment. No comment. Okay, so no comment from JT. You're very familiar with the market, and what do you make of this story, JT Miller, Elias Patterson, the Canucks, the season imbalance balance and how do you think what do you think an ideal world would look like for the Vancouver Canucks you know by the end of the year what's reasonable here? Yeah I'm not exactly sure it's very confusing from afar I mean again I've played there and not many people are still there from when I played but again

knowing the market and knowing the temperature of the fan base it's I'm not sure what's going on it's it just seems like it's always something you know going on there whether it was both or that his contract and then he gets traded and then you know Patrick Demko's injury situation kind of a mystery and now this is simmering for over a year now you know Bruce Boudreaux how he got let go it just always seems like it there's something going on in part why does it happen there Cory like it just looking like it if something going on in prior to why does it happen there core like it it just seems like that i think i said it yesterday it's like they finally get it right they get talking there they have a great season

the almost won the president's trophy they take edmonton to the brink and then all the sudden is back to a gong show like what is it about the market that that has to happen i don't get it i don't either. It's a coincidence or just what it is because it's different management now than when I was there with all that stuff. But I mean, I know that people love a good story

and they're gonna grab onto the juicy story. So I understand that. But I think it comes to all levels of the organization. As a player, you have to be an adult and learn how to play with a guy. If you have, I didn't get along with everybody I played with and I'm sure not everyone got along with everybody I played with, and I'm sure not everyone got along with me,

but you find a way to figure it out like adults and play together. So that's on JT and Elias, potentially the coaching staff talk, it's his team. So he's got to set the standards. So here you guys, here's what's acceptable and here's isn't. Can you get over this or can you not? Like that's the coach's job. Then management, you knew what JT Miller was like,

you know what Elias Pedersen's like, you don't commit that much money in years without knowing exactly who these people are, so you knew that this could be an issue. You kept them both, and then you fan the flames by saying stuff like this, like when you're in that market, they're gonna ask you about it, and now you put your players in a tough spot.

So now they gotta answer questions about what you said about the drama, it's like, hey guys, let's get on the same page here and let's have a clear message for the organization that this is what we're gonna do and how we're gonna do it. And they just can't seem to do that right now and I can't understand why. Yeah, it's wild, man.

And yet again, they're right there chasing a playoff spot. And if everyone's healthy and they get in and everyone's kumbaya, I mean maybe they can do some damage. That is the crazy thing Brian They do have a pretty damn good record with all this nonsense Yeah, Quinn Hughes could be the MVP to like he's having outstanding year and it might go for waste, you know, absolutely Absolutely guys been phenomenal All right. We're chatting with Cory Schneider in terms of that mentality. We reference with the goaltenders like the old school

It's my net and I want it curious how you think it applies to the upcoming four nations face off where like click? I would I would have to believe it's a lock. Hellebuck is the guy for the American team I don't know what else he could possibly do But would you expect him to have to lobby for that would he have to go in there and be like I want to be the Man, I'm gonna be the man. I'm playing every single night you know what do you anticipate happening at a tournament like this that is it's manufactured we're not quite certain what it's gonna look like what it's gonna feel like he plays so much for Winnipeg how do you expect Hellebuck in particular to handle

his role with the American team at the Four Nations face-off yeah I mean I would think it's his net to start. It's yours to lose. Maybe we filter in either Swamen or Audenjur in one of the round robin games just to get him a look in case. But it's yours until you prove otherwise and that's the hard thing about a short tournament. You don't have a lot of time to reassess and make adjustments. But the way he's played he's left no doubt that it's his net. Swamen's been average, better lately, but lack of experience and Ander has been okay. I've always waited for him to take that next step into that top

five and he's doing fine, but he just hasn't quite elevated himself there yet. So, based on my own experience playing the 2016 World Cup, we had a talk. John Tortorella sat us down, me, Quick and Bishop, and said, here's how it's going to go. Quickie, you start, it's your net. Bish, I want to maybe get you in. And Schneids, like you're basically the number three. Like I'd love to get you in. I don't know if you can or not. So I think that has, that discussion has to be had.

We, the Billy Garan or the coaching staff, just to set expectations. But you want guys to be ready. You don't want guys checking out or saying, I'm just here for a vacation. I'm not going to play. Cause that did happen a little bit on our team. There were guys who weren't playing and were kind of annoyed

that they had to come here and do this when they weren't going to play. So you have to make sure that did happen a little bit on our team. There were guys who weren't playing and were kind of annoyed that they had to come here and do this when they weren't going to play. So you have to make sure that everyone understands the expectations and then you go from there. But I think absolutely it's, I don't think Halibut should have to lobby. I think the first discussion is, hey guys, Helly's the starter. You know, I'm going to put one of you guys into one of these games and be ready in case he gets hurt or something happens. That's the first discussion that should be had with the goalies.

Corey, we were talking and we have been talking all week about, we'll call it the level of commitment from the players that play in this tournament. You just mentioned you play in the World Cup. How was that from an intensity level compared to NHL playoffs? And do you believe here at the Four Nations faceoff that we we're gonna see that same type of intensity maybe even more You know not just like an NHL all-star style type of play Yeah, I'm I'm hopeful and confident that it'll be really good this year I think we haven't had best on best in eight or nine years a lot of these guys are doing it for the first time You know that generation of player who hadn't played in the Olympics, McDavid, Matthews, those

guys, this was their first crack at it. So I think they're going to be fired up and they're going to be ready to go. It depends as the tournament goes on, if you're 0-1-2 after the first two, how's that third game going to look for that team? Are we going to give it everything we have? Are we looking at their vacation and the rest of the bye week heading back into the season? So I think to start though, those first few games are going to be as advertised and guys looking at their vacation at that uh... you know the rest of the by week and i can see yourself i think i think it's part of those first few games are going to be

uh... at the advertising guys are gonna he going full-born to be okay i think you have played with these guys before it's not a lot of time but in systems that uh... get familiarity so it could be a little chaotic but i think you're going to see energy and passion to start for sure that's what we're hoping for thank you korea for uh... putting up with us man next time it'll be a hard-hitting journalism

i'll get my referees in with a lot next time absolutely thanks for doing this appreciated i guess i course not a journey through the maple toyota hotline uh... let's make a pact we're never going to be storing guys say like he said old dogs said this sir but never again between the three of us. Yeah, never again.

Between the three of us. Not with Jonas, not with Schneider, anything. Never again. Well, it's been, yeah, there's been a sewer ring here the first whatever, 80 minutes of the show. I love it, man. Just left and right. Just down in the gutter.

Finger pointing. It's just gritty. It looks crappy today. So back to this top 25 list, Hayes, your interpretation of the list is, because Noodles, I did have a problem with one thing you said. You said you're bringing in reputation. I don't think that's any part of the list. I understand what, like I must have, I think I misspoke.

I just have a tough time leaving a guy like Austin Matthews out of the top 10 because what I would this is injury that's injury that's not poor play like it was like so I was like okay when he's playing and when he's playing well he is a top 10 player for me and that's what I and I understand you can you can dip I just interpreted I think a different way than Hayes I'm not disagreeing on the fact that if we're doing it based on who's had the best season, then you look at Travis Koneckni, he's got to be right up there because he's had an amazing season, right? But I would argue, you know, in a vacuum, do you put Koneckni ahead of Auston Matthews? I don't personally. That's just I have a tough time with that. That's why I don't love these lists because I find that they struggle with

them because I sleep on it and then I go and redo it again. Like I get too invested in it. I hear what you're saying. I think that's the beauty of this. We've established why TSM loves doing it because everyone's got a different viewpoint and it's a great, I think it's great exercise. I find this one different because well the top 50s of projection before the year you project how you see the season plan out right and it's a formality everyone starts with McDavid you know one because that's where he should be the best player in the world and that's it and then you can debate will be McKinnon

to McCarr Matthews who knows but then you play the games and you get to where we are like through 45 games 50 games and you Recalibrate you have to because the games have been played and like you said you got Logan Thompson in the top 25 He's not one of the top. He's not one of the 25 best players in the world He's not even close with all the respect playing great. He's not a 20 He's not one of the 25 best players in the world But this year he has been one of the twenty five best players in the league yeah no question he has been

that's my point that's where i'm at with matthews it's not a it has nothing to do with how i feel about as a player is that he's played thirty five games he's got thirty eight points prior to this most recent comeback he was never himself but you never we never look like he wasn't dominant Austin Matthews. That was my consideration. Do I think he'll be one of the 25 best players for the final 32 games?

Absolutely, he will be. Might he be the best? That wouldn't shock me. Top three for sure. Top five. It's about looking back at what you've seen so far. Yeah, I just... And that's where I stood on it. No, it's a good point and it's a good exercise.

I mean, dry sidle should be right there at one. Oh, for sure. Because he's, you know, like... Of course. Quinn Hughes, Nathan McKinnon, like I had all those guys in my top five. Like that's what I put it... Well, let me ask you this, because we've had this conversation. I think if you had a vote tonight for the heart, would you give it to Dry Settle?

Yes, yes I would. So how do you think about the goalie from Wash, to be honest with you? For the heart? Yeah, right now. Wow. That's a take, man. I love that take. I'm going to send him a text right now and say, hey Logan, I got a guy who's going to

help you out for the heart. Well, they have the best record in the league, and it's an unbelievable story, and he's 26 and 2. How can you not look at that? If that was Vasileski, we'd hand him the heart trophy. Well. So why are you ignoring him? Because it's Logan Thompson.

I hear you. Like, I'm not doing that with Hellebuck. Like, I think Hellebuck is getting that kind of love. Well, obviously, Hellebuck's in there, too, with his performance. Yeah. Well, you had Hellebuck at one. I had McDavid at one, and you're having Logan Thompson at one. Logan Thompson at one. I don't have Logan.

You guys are idiots, man. Well, if he's up for the heart, he's got to be in the top three. I'm not saying he's up for the heart, but all I said was I'd have to think about the goalie from Washington. Those are my exact thoughts. Very reasonable the way he's playing. In all seriousness, the guy has been phenomenal for them. Unbelievable. You know what? It is a great accident. I think where I struggle with, and

this is where if you take it to heart, you're trying, you're looking at guys going, okay, I know what this guy's capable of. I know what I've seen from him. I know there's been injuries. Okay, I know what this guy's capable of. I know what I've seen from him. I know there's been injuries like you're I think you overthink it sometimes too much and that's right. I because I leave people off my list I'm like, okay, where's Sam Reinhardt in my list? My god, I got to find a spot for him Yeah, Zach Baranski has come into my list because I'm like he's having an amazing season I so know where to I know but where do I find him in my list? You know Capri soft I him in my list? You know, Kaprizov, I had in my

list now this injury. He's been injured a lot too, but I think when he's been playing, he's been playing as well as anybody in the league. Top tier. Yeah, the guy was a heart trophy favorite 30 games into the year. Yeah. And now, you know, he's obviously been hit with the injury bug, but he's technically played more games than Matthews. I think he has 20 more points than Austin. Yeah, Kyle Conner. Conner's a phenomenal man. Like this guy. I don't know if he gets enough love.

I don't think he does. He doesn't, man. I'm strapping him on a line with Jack Hughes down on the store with like Eichel maybe on that second line down there, and he is gonna rip home serious goals. What about Kyle Conner, Matthews in the middle, Eichel on the right side? Dangerous.

Dangerous. That USA's roster, man. They're going to be dangerous. I'm telling you, it's dangerous. It's damn dangerous. They're real good. Well, here's a question for you guys. Where would Matthew Kachuk still land?

Because he's had kind of a quiet year. Yeah, he's had a down year. You can't even dispute it. Yeah. Yet he still would scare you in big moments, right? But that's... If the playoffs started right now, you would say, pick me an X Factor and I would go right to him first. Yeah. Even with a down production.

Yeah. So he doesn't make your top 25, he's you know he's got 44 points in 46 games 15 goals you know he's but it's Matthew Kachuk like that's where I think I struggle with like does he make your list or not make your list like that's in a one-game scenario you're like I want that guy can't make your list like it's just a very unique anyway we'll get to that I don't even know when they're rolling not out so here we are yelling and screaming about it

uh... i can't wait to unveil your list your list is gonna send shock waves to the hockey community man i don't think i lost our main public are they are typically i want haze list you want my list you want mine public i got the stones to put my public go ahead but when it's all said and done i wanted up there and we will do the whole show, three hours breaking it down. I want to bring it down. Dude, I want an insider, I want the quiz master and I want Lainsey to look at your list and break it down and say, what did this guy do? I want a whole show on it.

The quiz master will be going nuts over his list because Hayes is being a contrarian on certain things. So it's like I can't tell you. I don't think so. But I think the Quizmaster has respect for that. He has respect for a guy to have conviction on certain elements of it. He would drive to Hayes' house and buy a mistake dinner because he'd be like, that is the greatest list I've ever seen.

Yeah. That's what the Quizmaster would do. I got quite the list, man. I'm looking at it right now. I love my list. I love where my list is at. that's just that's what the quiz master by that quite the list man i'm looking at a right now i have a lot of stuff that i have a lot of work i have a lot of that i feel like that now i have a good struggle to wake up tomorrow morning be trying to adjust my list now terrible i've i have quite the list uh... right jerry's percentages coming up overdrive continues to use intent if

the other two years of four you're gonna want wanna hear this. Jerry's percentages. I don't love being commissioner as much as I used to. I actually love it even more. That's the voice of a f***ing Hall of Famer. Are you kidding? Have you been out drinking? Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!

You're all pigeons. Filthy, filthy pigeons. It's Jerry. G-EE-R-R-Y. All right Jerry's percentages on a beautiful Wednesday here in Toronto with the Leafs in action tonight lots of hockey action we get the Four Nations coming up Jerry's a very busy guy but we appreciate him finding some time for us today you ready hit it up that jerry

because and okay is a spartakat fan and he and he's got Ottawa sticking in the top three in the Atlantic. No wild card for Spartacat. First of all, Jerry, I'm 100% on the Sens staying in Ottawa. I think this was all a little shot saying, let's get this thing moving, let's get our ranked downtown. I don't know.

As far as top three in the Atlantic, this is what I call a double Jerry. I'm also going to go 70% because I saw their number one goalie skating around this morning in some clips online. I think he had some different type of equipment on but I'm not sure. I don't even want to speculate on that but if he comes back and he's dialed in because this guy is good when he's on his game Jamie you know that as good as any he's a top end goaltender if he gets in there and says this last chunk of the season this is what they really brought me for and I'm real hesitant and even saying that because I have no idea if this is possible

And they just keep the train rolling the sends are in Okay, you know top three spot top three It's a double Jerry staying in Ottawa and staying in the top three in the Atlantic, okay, so Staying in Ottawa. I'm a hundred percent. That's that's no non-bono. I'm lower on this. I'm going to be 20%. I just think they're going to be in a dogfight. I think Tampa is a team that has got a bunch of home games coming up. I think they're going to climb into a spot in there. So I think Florida has just been kind of cruising along. They're one point back of the leaves so to me i i see i see them in a playoff spot but i see them in a wild card spot for me

personally uh... yeah hundred percent auto of course hundred percent support of sparty the cat right we all love spartakat uh... i'll be honest boston's in trucking in trouble here there there were a good party Boston. They're in serious trouble. Like they're in serious trouble.

Tampa has just been very inconsistent all year and I think you've got to give them the benefit of the doubt that they're going to flip the switch with 25 games to go or whatever, get to the break and then come out and just start flying. I think that will likely happen. But they've leaked some oil here. I'm going can say 40%. Like I would I would lean Tampa. I guess Boston's still in the hunt. You know, they are in the Habs are still technically kicking around. Yeah, they go the one goalie that we haven't talked

about who signed the big contract is Swainman. Yeah, what's he up to? That's the I'm telling you, I've watched Boston play a bunch of times. They're a mess in their own zone. I know his numbers are inflated, I get it, but you cannot blame that on Swamen. That game against New Jersey, where all the focus was Marks from getting injured, New Jersey dummied them in the second period. They had two on O's. It was just, it was nasty. Like Swamen's actually hung them in and I talked to Andy Brickley the other day. I talked to Bobby

Beer, some of the guys who do the Off-White stuff, like do what I do. Like they've been, like Swamen's not the problem there. How do you have those big bastards back there and it's a clown show with your own end? I don't get it. Okay, so, and this is what's brought up to me, not by those guys but by a scout that night. Take your top two defensemen off any team and see how you're going to fare. They're missing McEvoy and Lindholm. Like that's some significant minutes.

Now again, they still... He pays Zadorov a lot of money. He pretty good not fit in well but since the door off not a number one though I understand but but I I'm just saying my my thing is is let's see what they do if they get those guys get healthy apparently Lin homes skating apparently McEvoy skating like if they get healthy at least is going to help the defensive side of that team. But it was asked, I was sitting, I saw a scout in between periods and he's like, man, like look at this team.

And I asked him, what's your opinion? He goes, well, take any team that you could name off. And he goes, name a team. And he goes, take your top two defensemen off. And those minutes and how they play. And he said, like, that's what that team's having to go through. And they're not super deep. I think it's a valid point.

Yeah, no, for sure. But that speaks to why we're saying what we're saying. Like Boston's a legitimate trouble, like big, big trouble. And Tampa has not looked great or dominant really all year. So Ottawa's got a chance. They got a chance to not just get in, but maybe get into that three spot in the Atlantic. All right, Jerry. What else do we have? Javi's worst nightmare is going to come true because one of Tampa or Boston will miss the playoffs Jerry was listening to our little commentary there One of Tampa or Boston will miss. Yep. I'm kind of high. I think one of them misses.

I think it's like 60%. Just because the simple fact of life is not everybody just says, oh, I'm this, so I get that. Sometimes just for both of them, one of them just says, not this year. And I would obviously lean Boston more Tampa. I'm going to say 60% one of them misses. Okay. I'm lower on this because i have to stick with my prediction i thought tampa's gonna win the atlantic

i still think they can but you never know how old and they're going to do that but yes they're in the where they've seven points back seven back yes six back for yeah so point being is i'd i'd think tamp Tampa's fine. I think Boston is the one that has struggled, but I'm not going 60. I'm going 25%, one of four. Yeah, I mean, their history would suggest they deserve the benefit of the doubt over thinking Ottawa can finally do it or Columbus is going to do it or Montreal. You know, like got to think who they're competing with here. Detroit or the Rangers looked like they were

cooking now they've lost two in a row and hasn't been going so well. So did they really figure it out or did they get red hot red hot for two weeks? Yeah I'm gonna say I'm gonna say 49% 49% just on the inside of that number. And it's more so because of the teams competing. And I'm with you at Tampa. I think Tampa will figure it out and get in. Boston, because the injuries, and again, they haven't been playing great.

And now without Olmark there, you've got Swainman. And then you're not going back and forth the same way. Well, Corpo Salo's given them some minutes. but just, you know, at the end of the day, they've got to play better. Like, you know, you can't defend it. I wasn't making excuses for it. I just watched them play the other day, and I was like, okay, what are they missing? What's going on here? Then you start to dig in, you're like, okay, there's some injuries here, you've got to sort that out. But at the end of the day, the one thing, too, guys, is I don end of the day, the one thing too guys is

I don't think the rain like I think the Rangers are a playoff team So if you if you believe that or you you close or they're close to it, something's gotta somebody's gotta come out, right? Exactly. So you're right. Like there it is. Everything's on the table. That's the thing I keep saying and then we're gonna say it daily You're gonna scoreboard watch and schedule watch cuz you're like Everything's on do you lose five games in a row? You're you're yeah, yeah, yeah, Boston's like 52 games, too They got 30 left. Yeah, there's not need to go You don't have a lot of wiggle room, you know any of these games like Columbus Detroit, Ottawa all of them

You only have so much opportunity here to stay in the fight or possibly win it. Yeah. All right, Jerry, what else do you have? Leon Dreisaitl will win the Heart and Art Ross. Ooh, a little double shot for Leon according to Jerry. In case you're wondering right now, Nathan McKinnon is leading the league in points with 78. Leon Dreisaitl in second with 75, three points behind them i'm gonna go seventy percent on this i'm just because on double shot it's a double shot in one combo jerry

and i'm gonna go seventy because he's done it before i think he's done it twice before as any well he's won the heart once uh... the art ross he wanted that year i believe I don't know if he's won the Art Ross. Well the guy's done it. I know that. I'm just confident he's going to do it again. Yeah, I mean, who's in the heart conversation for you guys?

I've got Dry Cytl, I've got Quinn Hughes, I'm missing a few. Alebok, McKinnon. Alebok, McKinnon. Like they're all in there, right? Maybe Kucherov. McDavid, he's still got time you know Yeah, I mean I think dry saddle is is has been great, and they're both within striking distance, so I'm gonna go Playing the field I'm gonna go under 50% but like in that 47% type of thing

I think he's got the inside track, but the players he's up against I mean They're all special too so they all can go big time and there's the odds courtesy of Fandall right now the heart trophy I was Leon dry Sutta plus 170 Nathan McKinnon plus 260 hell about his leapfrog McDavid, which is interesting How about plus 350 McDavid plus? 550 does that go up and down daily? Yeah changes all the time it's based on people betting. And the markets, exactly. Who are people putting money on? I'm going to say 25% just because it's a double shot.

I think he's probably in the driver's seat to win the heart right now. That's reasonable. Again, we just saw the odds. But you're chasing the Art Ross here. Kuturov's a point behind him. Kuturov could easily win that. McKinnon could win it McDavid still could McDavid's what is he nine points behind him and ten points behind McKinnon McDavid could still win the Art Ross. That's a big

wake for him. Yeah exactly exactly listen Mitch Marner's in the hunt for the Art Ross. Marner's got 68 points he's ten points off the mark so So he's in the hunt ranting is in the hunt Kyle Conner's up there I guess there's a lot of a lot of Canadian content the top 10. Yeah Alright Jerry, what else do we have? You just heard me say dry side of will win the heart Well, how's this for a new ballot shoe flex from Jerry? The other two nominees will be Connor Hallebuck and Quinn Hughes.

Wow. New balance shoe flex. Dude, if you are familiar with a new balance shoe flex. It's a heavy lean, man. It's a heavy lean. And Jerry's a heavy lean and Jerry's got dry saddle, Hallebuck and Hughes as your three nominees for the heart. That is gotta be it can't be that high to get to get all three right. I'm going to say there's 30% chance that those are the three left. I just think if Vancouver season somehow goes up and smoke, it's, it's going to be hard for

Quinn Hughes to get votes. And that is my reason for 30%. You're right. But the scary part is if it doesn't say they like they can make the playoffs, you know, they'll be in a playoff spot in a week, potentially, I know Calgary's pushing, it'll be a dogfight for that spot. But they make the playoffs. I think Quinn Hughes really pushed himself into that conversation.

He's been the only constant on that team. Lanken has been really good in that. They've had some other guys, but it's been Quinn Hughes that has dragged that team to a playoff spot potentially. That to me is the definition of MVP, right? I totally agree. I'm a little higher, right? I totally agree. I'm a little higher, oh, but I agree. I think there's other guys that are just going to slide in there down the stretch

or whatever. McDavid goes crazy or whatever. But I'll say 47%. I mean, the thing is the rarity of a goalie or a defenseman being up for the heart. Like, that is something you got to consider. But I think from a narrative standpoint, a narrative drives this a lot with the voting I think Quinn Hughes has the potential for a narrative explosion here where they maybe make a deal and then they take off and Hughes is unreal and he leads the league in points by a

defenseman he was the guy that kept the whole operation together screams narrative for him so I kind of feel good about that. And Hallebuck, I think, has been the best player on the best team this year. And his stats, you know, you have to go back and look at the Kerry Price year when he won it or when Shusterkin was up for it. I don't think this is much different than Shusterkin. Like, put it that way. What Shusterkin was a couple years ago.

That Rangers team was really good. He was great. He got up for it you plan the field in these are two random positions generally speaking i'll also a fifteen percent the if t but those are those are three of the seven or eight guys that are going to be up for it right like they're they're in the running for sure

uh... one more here jerry what do you have the uh... one more here jerry what do you have another double shot here jerry i get that's a hundred percent on both like those of the code to guys obviously the quarterback is the focal point when it comes to the MVP of the winning team but it seems like Barclays the guy for the Eagles where he's

He's the guy that stirs the drink man for the Eagles It's I mean hurts could still have a great game and still get the MVP, but I think the odds on would be on Barkley I'm a hundred percent on this though. Okay. Wow. 100%. Well don't you think if the Eagles pull it off, Saquon Barkley gets three TDs? It seems that way. Yeah. And he's been the guy. Yet, you know, Hertz, like what if Hertz has just the game of his

life. Well dude, Hertz had three TDs the last game they played in but so did Saquon Barkley but nobody's taught, nobody talked about Hertz. No, exactly. And now Hertz was like a tush-p push kind of thing. I get it still three TDs, man I'm lower, but I believe barker Barkley, but I just Hurts could I mean he could be the story because now you're going head-to-head against my homes if you beat my homes That's the storyline and The QB always gets the love. Always gets it. Always gets the love. I'm a little lower on this, O, than I'm going

to go with 60%. Okay. And listen, Travis Kelsey, could you see him winning and retiring like on the field? Are we going to do this again with the will he propose to Taylor Swift on the field after the Super Bowl? I think we'll do'll do that again Let's say I don't think he's that cheesy to do that man. I got a little close No, I don't pretty corny man with his like every is chant, you know, you got the right to find it's like alright man We got you like he's always chanting out and singing the songs to the crowd But he could do it Pacheco maybe Worthy maybe AJ Brown maybe hurt like there's just other guys. I'll say 51% It seems very likely it's either my homes of Berkeley, but the field is out there

All right, Darren Drager in 20 minutes Leafs and Raptors in action tonight Raptors have now won four in a row They're a favorite five and a half point favorite on FanDuel Against Washington tonight. What are they doing? Are you trying to win now? Are you trying to lose? Scotty Barnes has been on fire recently. That's certainly a positive. We'll get into that around six thirty.

Best bet still to come as well. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on the TSN app. All right. Darren Dreger coming up for a TSN hockey insider. His take on Brandon Sod being bought out by the Blues, I guess, mutually agreed upon. What kind of market is out there for sod could he be linked to the maple leaves? He played for Craig Barube and st. Louis in the past. So we'll get to dregs on that and Also the Leafs and wild in action tonight and Lisa at home tonight You're not gonna see them at home for a couple of weeks with them hit the road of go through western canada they've now is possible stop in

seattle and then they've got the four nations face off so it's gonna be a while before you see them play again at home so take a look at our tonight yeah as far as sock goes haze obviously i think they might like the player how can you not like what brian and saw it's been all about might not be the player he was in Chicago winning cups But they they would have a body problem. I believe if they like you know what I mean? There's something have a lot of bodies up front. Yeah, they got a lot of guys

Yeah, that would be a body problem like you you you would have to do something about that It's that's where you wave somebody or that's where you move somebody out like you know question I'm just saying that would have to that would have to be done yes if you believe if you believe the player you're bringing in is an upgrade on player X that you have then you do something with player X and like I think there would be some candidates you know I don't know where Connor DeWar fits in on their their depth chart of how much they love him or not. He's a nice player. I think he's good.

You know, there's Homburg. There's all of these guys. Camp, all of them. Like if you believe somebody is an upgrade on that, that's where, I mean, if you're trading for, let's say at the deadline, a centerman, somebody's got to go out. That's another thing. He's got a great room, right? If Sod's coming in to play the wing and you're still seeking out a centerman, then that's

two bodies that would be coming in. But I would argue, Brian, like this is what we were talking about with the Klingberg situation in Edmonton. Like that's a free look. It's a free body, right? If it doesn't work out, guy makes a million bucks, you wave him, you move on, and he still doesn't take up that coveted spot you're probably looking for at the deadline. And Saad's became available

So if trees looking at him, that's kind of a free look if if you like them it is But as oh sand a free look is gonna cost you somebody likely having to go right like you got to give up a contract to get them and there's only so many guys you can have under the cap and on your roster and There's so many guys you can have under the cap and on your roster. Obviously they've been scouting him. I'm sure he's been available via trade and no one wanted to trade for him. Why wouldn't St. Louis trade him if they could? I do wonder, there'll be a market for him, but teams I'm sure have a pretty good read

on what they think they're getting. You got to risk that. If you bring him in and you move off another guy, that's the question. We'll ask Dreggs about that more coming up in the next hour. Overdrive continues, TSN 1050 and on the TSN app. Absolutely incredible! Subscribe now for every touchdown from every game every Sunday afternoon. NFL Red Zone available on TSM+.