OverDrive - OverDrive - July 10, 2025 - Hour 2

Episode Date: July 10, 2025

Join Jim Tatti and Dave Feschuk for hour 2 of OverDrive! YEG Sports Talk host Tom Gazzola joins the show to discuss McDavid’s future in Edmonton. Gazzola and the guys look at how Ike Howard fits into the Oilers’ roster. Tatti and Feschuk play Yes Guy and No Guy, and talk about whether Marner’s hometown heritage impacts the fanbase’s perception of him.

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The station that champions Canadian music. Loud, proud, and all yours. No passports required. Just press play. Tap into Made in Canada now on iHeartRadio.ca or the free iHeartRadio app Overdrive our number two Jim Taddy and Dave Festrecker the Toronto star subbing for the regulars who have the week off Overdrive is brought to you by FanDuel bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score in a couple of minutes Tom Gozola will stop by we'll talk about the Edmonton Oilers

We had that board for you in the last couple of minutes before goes on will stop by will talk about the evidence of others with that board for in the last uh... couple minutes before the top of the hour break the ins and outs uh... three forwards in five forwards out and the defenseman out so uh... and i looked at the grid i mean if they're already you know it's it's there so i'm just looking for extra pieces there on terms of baseball we had that nice conversation with keith law at the

bottom of the last our and uh... he's talking about the draft which happens Sunday eighth overalls where the Jays are expected to select and he may change his mind but looks like Billy Carlson high school shortstop but he was pretty adamant about a shortstop wasn't he? Seems to be yeah and there's plenty of good ones in this draft that Ethan Holliday who Keith has ranked number one in his rankings of the prospects. He's a short stop, six foot four, I believe the son of Matt Holliday. Really good player apparently. So yeah, there's plenty of talent in this draft at the top end and

why wouldn't the Blue Jays with a really good draft pick like that look at a premium position like shortstop? Hard to find them. Yeah, absolutely and you know there's a build there I mean the the Major League baseball draft can be like the NHL draft it's not gonna have immediate returns but it doesn't take that long anymore does it no you got it hey you got to get them into the system to have a system right and this is a great opportunity to start building it so the trade deadline is exactly three weeks today 21 days today July 31st, where did that go?

And six o'clock, I always am intrigued by the different leagues in the end time or the deadline time, six o'clock Eastern, three weeks today. The Orioles traded right-handed reliever Brian Baker to Tampa today, and I think Keith was talking about that for the 37th overall pick, the pick on the draft Sunday in the Major League Baseball draft. And he was actually trumpeting the pick too as a pretty good ball player. Yeah, that's interesting. I mean that's the kind of movement you're going to see here.

And I guess if it's starting now, we should have a pretty interesting few weeks here. But ultimately, this is going gonna be a fun run right the Blue Jays are hot even though they just lost to the White Sox that ending the 10-game win streak that everybody was excited about and but the Blue Jays are also shopping you got to believe it right well the and some a competitive market they're not the only team out there so you want to hope that the Yankees don't elbow one of their players out that they're after you know it's like a free auction that way a live auction so the price could go up.

You know, we talked the other day about the three pieces, what would be the most important, but I really think that, you know, that the quality may differ, but I think they need a utility catcher. I think they need a bat and I think they need a reliever and starter. Would you agree? Do you think four players? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, of some sort. Yeah. It would be good to have depth of catcher.

That's been discussed quite a bit around this table right here, and it makes sense, right? You need that depth. I mean, an injury would really decimate you. I mean, Rich Griffin made that case that Alejandro Kirk essentially is the J's MVP to date because he's essentially irreplaceable. Like right now, you can't,

where are you going to find a catcher that can hit like that? It just doesn't, they don't, they're not available. So here's the thing, I mean we talk about the analytics of pulling a pitcher in a playoff game after his pitch count. So I just wonder, I mean somewhere in that operation they're going to have what everybody's achieved to the all-star break and they're going to have an idea of where that goes. And I wonder what the difference is between where we think it's gonna go and where they project it to go. Well, I mean, that's the art of projections, right?

Like, I guess that's why there's been so much talk about run differential, right? And Keith Law, you know, I like Keith Law. He used to be a Jays executive back in the day in the JP Rashardi regime, and he's been around baseball a long time and his point was you don't get too excited about a two-week stretch which is essentially you know reference to the 10-game win streak right let's not get too excited about a about two good

weeks now you can argue that Jay's have been hot for more than two good weeks they've been hot since the end of May right they've been hot for six weeks really so it's a bit longer sample size than just the ten game win streak which was sort of punctuation mark on their most recent round of success but but ultimately i mean you look at the the yankees are a plus one oh five jay's are plus twenty and the jay's are fourth in the american east and run differential you know the first in the stand

you take that for what you will but you know that that sort of projection is generally how people do projections as pivot to the uh... edmonton oilers as bring in time is all in our y g sports talk host on welcome are you today and get jamal what's up david's rami our pleasure so uh... i'd power day right I'm good Jim. What's up Dave? Thanks for having me. Oh our pleasure. So I coward day, right?

Yeah, it's been I coward week I would say around here a lot of other fans very excited about the trade and the signing and Obviously a lot to prove but yeah, that's a it's a nice way to put it because people around here are pretty excited Well Tom when you look at this kid, I mean, he's a Hobie Baker trophy winner. He's played the US developmental team, represented the US internationally more than once, put up some really good numbers at Michigan State. 21 years old I mean when you think about what this team needs and what he might be able to give how do you see the fit? I like it and I'm usually cautious, that's just me personally. I do understand what the Oilers are doing.

I mean, lots of talk last season about how Edmonton was older. There was a lot of discussion obviously around here, especially in the early parts of the year that this was the oldest team in the league. So now I think there's a recognition. We saw Stan Bowman and Jeff Jackson recognize this, and they're addressing it. So their youth injection, right? We're going to potentially see Matt Savoy come in.

But essentially, what they've done is flipped a couple of prospects. And Sam O'Reilly, who was first rounder that they traded up for because they really liked him, they kind of sacrificed him to kind of speed up the process and get a guy that they think can step in right now. And if they put him into a position to succeed with a dry saddle or a McDavid, they obviously have a belief in mind

that this guy could have some success. So it's a youth injection and they need guys that can step in and play right away. Now, we know that contending teams generally have solid n.h.l. veterans and you know july tenth of this year we're looking at an oiler squad that yes it's getting younger and less experience but the hope is that these guys with isaac howard or ike howard as he wants to go by uh... steps in and

uh... can take off right away so as i look at the starting grid grid, and obviously everything's subject to change, but on the left side they've added Howard, Mangiapani, and Frederick was added during the course of the season at the deadline and signed on the right side, Kaepern was added, so he's penciled in and Savoy is there as well. I mean, there's five different wingers that that a year ago weren't there when they when they diagnosed Why the team fails in the Stanley Cup final that they just that they feel that they had to be younger They had to be maybe a little more exuberant in their play

Yeah, I think that's fair. I mean although Florida all do Respect to them. They were outstanding from top to bottom Especially with the the guys that they got back going into the playoffs and they were just an absolute juggernaut by the time they got to the cup final. Yeah. And listen, the Zach Hyman injury going into the cup final after he got hurt with that collision with Mason Marchment, that obviously hurt them, especially on the right side.

And it kind of exposed the lack of depth on the wings for the Oilers because Corey Perry played game six on the top line with Connor McDavid. He played game five on the fourth line. And when Corey Perry at 39 years old, despite how great of a season he had, he had an outstanding postseason as well, is your top line right winger. I think that's a bit of a tell. And obviously Chris Knobloch and his staff tried to do everything in their power to kind of stay alive in that cup final. But I think it did show that the Oilers needed to get some youthful exuberance in there and obviously high end talent on the wings and also find guys that would be right for the mix because with Arvidson coming in last year, people heralded that signing thinking that

he would have a home beside Leon Dreisaitl. It didn't really work out. It was a rough fit from the get-go, and they had to move on from them. And then we saw with Jeff Skinner, he played 72 games. He was a healthy scratch at times. I had to fight to get into the lineup in the playoffs and fought to be on the roster. Like there were some things last year where these veteran signings didn't work out. And, you know, we saw the mix change up in the off season here and maybe it is, you know, a youth and then B guys that might be a better fit for the top guys in

McDavid and dry sell, obviously Nugent Hopkins Hyman when he comes back to the time there's a, there's always an elephant in the room. Anytime the best player in the league does not have a long-term deal attached to his name what is the level of unease in Edmonton at the current moment that Connor McDavid's future is still up in the air to a degree well okay Dave I'll say this I think Oilers fans are getting riled up by Leafs fans right now on social media and I'm sure you guys are shocked to hear that But I'll get that out of the way, right?

All those McDavid in a Leafs jersey Means and pictures that are going out there get people riled up Obviously the Oilers fans want to protect their star player and and Riley so I think there's a little bit of concern And and the more this drags on, it gets people talking. They want Conor McDavid to be secured and locked up here in Edmonton for a handful of years at least. And then hopefully long term, we'll see what happens with the negotiations and all that.

Yeah, I can't deny the fact that there obviously is chatter and discussion among the fan base in regard to McDavid's future. But I think most people understand and recognize the situation he's in and also believe that he'll probably be signing on for a bunch of years more. But yeah, I mean, it, well, as fans, it doesn't take a lot to get them going and when they do look out because they have a lot to say. And I think Leafs fans recognize that. Other fans from other markets as well. But legitimately I think, you know, McDavid with Dry Cytle signing last year and him having

some seeds planted here in the business community as well, probably a good indicator that he's sticking around in orange and blue. So I don't have fan dual odds on this, but I mean, what works in that marketplace? Is it a five-year deal or does it have to be eight? Well, I think at this point to be eight? Well I think at this point anything Jim but I think most people would probably say hey we want an eight-year deal for McDavid lock him up long term even a five-year deal I remember the years when like a three-year contract was it was a long

term contract for guys and I know that was the NHL of yesteryear but if they get them for five I think there's an understanding that the the last day opinion a child is changing when it comes to the money in the profit and the revenue sharing in an opportunity to make even more money so that has to be factored in uh... i don't think it would be taken as a slight of mcdavid opted to go shorter term like a five-year deal but i think you obviously the what would be for an eight-year deal. But I think, you know, obviously the want would be for an eight-year contract.

And then if you settled for five, I think, you know, it would allow A, the Oilers as a franchise to breathe a sigh of relief and then you'd probably hear a loud sigh of relief from the the faithful of the team. But what if, you know, some of the some of our analysts, Tom, have have hypothesized that maybe McDavid wants to go even shorter than five and take a two or three year deal in some ways to obviously benefit from a rising cap as it continues to go up and re-sign down the road for a bigger number, but also to put some pressure on the oil is front office and say, look, you know, I've been here a long time.

This would be my, my 10th year. I want you to make sure that you are maximizing my cup winning window here. And I'm going to do that by the leverage of having a short term deal. I'd be a power move. I'd start with that. And I could recognize and appreciate that. I think that would come down to his relationship with the franchise. And I think, you know, Jeff Jackson, having been brought in as CEO of Hockey Ops, probably

helps ease any potential tension if that were to be something that does come up. I wouldn't be surprised if, you know, it is discussed. I don't know to what extent, but I understand why McDavid, you know, in theory would do that. I wouldn't blame him. I mean, you're trying to, you want to put your stamp on your legacy and you've got to do that by winning a Stanley Cup. And Edmonton has come close, yes, but they haven't gotten there. I think if he would do that, it would be to ensure obviously that this team is competitive, keep management on its toes, keep ownership on its toes, and maybe it would be a sign

that there's a belief that the management side of things isn't taking care of its end of the bargain. But I think we're seeing some little things here and there, like the Howard pick up and guys coming in. I know there's some discussion about David Tomasek, what kind of player he's going to be after leading the SHL and scoring last year. I think there's enough signs for him to recognize that the intent is good and the management team is going to do everything in its power to make sure that this team is

a contender for a good chunk of McDavid's remaining years in the NHL. So let me preface this by saying if the edmonton oilers had not lost the last two stanley cups i probably wouldn't ask this question but with your goaltenders at the combined three point six that that's a bargain is edmonton the only place not concerned about their goaltending all this concern uh... fan absolutely, no doubt about it.

We talk it locally amongst the media here and certainly listening to Stan Bowman and his end of your press conference mentioning that he's going to be looking at goaltending. So it is not something that's being overlooked. Lots of discussion about who the goaltending coach going into next year will be. There's been talk about maybe looking at someone who brings in a new voice and maybe a different method. And certainly, Stu Skinner has taken a lot of heat. But guys, after three, four years in the NHL, two cup final appearances, were they

great? No, not particularly. The end result, again, they didn't get what they wanted in the Stanley Cup. But Skinner has also been an All-Star. Skinner's also been a Calder Finalist. For a 26-year-old having that on his resume so far, even though it isn't a perfect blemish feet resume, it is still pretty good. I think there's a guy in Stu Skinner that can still improve. He did take a step back last year. I don't think anybody can shy away from that. But I also wouldn't be someone who would say it's time to give up on him. He's going to be 27 next year at some point. And I think there is a goalie there that can be steady, reliable. And as

we've seen in the league over the years, you don't need a superstar. And only a few teams have them between the pipes to win a Stanley Cup. So I think, you know, Stu Skinner has done a pretty good job thus far. Needs to be better next year. That's the bottom line. Hey, Tom, circling back to Ike Howard here. I mean, kind of funny that this was a kid that was the property of the, or the drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning and, you know, Tampa Bay Lightning in a, in a

sunny, no tax state, uh, with, you know, without the crazy Canadian media coverage that Edmonton brings in the cold winters and the mosquitoes in the summer, and yet he chose Edmonton. This to me is an underplayed storyline here. What do you make of the fact that this, an American kid from Wisconsin had an opportunity to play in a no tax state in Florida and chose Alberta. Yeah, to me it's opportunity Dave. Obviously, you know, you look at the lineup of the Oilers and the star power and I think that's enticing and then obviously I think that there's probably some sort of understanding between the team and the player and his camp to make sure he's on the NHL roster at the

start of the year and gets a full opportunity to make an impact really quickly. And listen, in Tampa, they have a pretty damn good team as well. There's a lot of veterans there and maybe that opportunity or that willingness to provide it without having played any games in the pro level wasn't there. So I think the owners were willing to go to that point and say, we'll ensure that you're getting games with the big club. And I don't know what they said about the minor league team, but I'd be champion at the bit to take that opportunity.

And yes, you can handle the Edmonton winters and the Northern Alberta cold. I think a kid from Wisconsin will be just fine in regard to handling that. The summers he can go wherever he wants to enjoy, although the summers here are great. And the fact that we have seen American kids turn a cheek to Canadian franchises in the past, I think of Rucker McGroarty last year when he went to Pittsburgh from Winnipeg, this is kind of the reversal of that. So that is a good sign, and I think that's gonna endear Howard to Oilers fans and maybe show people that not every American kid coming out of college hockey

just wants to play in the US in a tax-free state, pardon me, and on a really good team, that there are other opportunities, and here's an example of that. So Tom, as you, I'm sure you know, the Maple Leafs just bid adieu to the core four era here with Mitch Marner departing for Las Vegas. And there's been some talk that, yeah, there's, there's no core four core four in Toronto

anymore, but there, there is one in Edmonton, especially when McDavid gets his raise, I mean, dry sidle at 14 million, uh, Bouchard at 10 and a half on his new deal, Darnell Nurse at 925, and then whatever McDavid's going to make, we assume it's gonna be north of 14, probably 15, 16, 17, who knows. What do you make of that, the fact that these guys are gonna have four players gobbling up

the bulk of 50% of the salary cap. Yeah. Well, I'd start with, thankfully, the caps going up and significantly, and I think the projections probably internally are that it's going to continue to trend that way. But you're right. It is a significant sum of money, Dave. That is not lost on the fan base here and us in the media. That means that the pressure is going to be on the scouting staff to find good pros,

to fill out the NHL roster, to make sure the amateur side of things is digging up good players in later rounds because they've traded away a lot of their first round picks. And then to develop these guys that they do bring in. And that's something that this franchise has kind of been spotty at in the last couple of decades. They have had some hits. Obviously, losing Broberg and Holloway last year is a perfect example of that. Kind of a game of chicken there between the Oilers and their former players and the Blues coming out on top in that regard. But yeah, it's going to come down to finding different ways to acquire and accrue talent. And we're witnessing it.

We did see it this week in that trade for Howard. We saw it last year when Edmonton traded for Matt Savoy, who I think is going to factor in here next year. And they've also gone after some college free agents as well. And they dipped into Europe, like I mentioned earlier. But yeah, you're going to have to have your thoroughbreds getting the big chunk of the money. And then obviously, you get some pressure release

when the cap goes up. But I think it's on the scouting staff, both pro and amateur, to really find good players. And it's going to kick into high gear here if it already hasn't for them. You would hope it would work because there's two forwards and two defensemen unlike what we live through here. This one is retrospective.

Based on Skinner and Jeff Skinner and Arvidsson not working out, was there any kind of wanting to relive Broberg and Holloway? Oh yeah. We hear it every day Jim. I mean the the Broberg Holloway thing and it's interesting too because at first the the loss of Broberg was what really you know drew the ire of Euler fans but watching Holloway do do what he did last season 60 point guy I know he got banged up again late in the season but that that really kind of irked all his fans. So it also cost Stan Bowman, not Stan Bowman necessarily, but more so Jeff Jackson, some

trust from the fan base. We would see it on our station, people talking about how Jeff Jackson did not have a good July 1st last year when in actuality everybody was praising him. So you know it's easy to have that revisionist history you know kind of commentary but yeah it did sting especially the way Broberg started the season and the way Holloway played while he was healthy. It was a surprise that that Holloway did get left to go to St. Louis. We thought that they would match on him at least because Broberg's price point was a bit steep considering he hadn't played a heck of a lot of hockey

in the NHL, but yeah, that still comes up. I don't think it's gonna go away for a long time. People here in Everton remember things. They bring up stuff from the 90s for crying out loud. From the 80s, surprise, surprise. Here it goes further back. Yeah, yeah. The thing about the Oilers fans is the, the 80s were good memories,

not so much for the Leafs. I mean, that's, that's, that's the difference. Tom, but you know, you look, just going back to the goaltending, there's been some talk that maybe the oilers haven't had the infrastructure of a goaltending department, like some other teams in the league have built out. I mean, is that a fair criticism? And do you do you sense any? Sort of any sort of movement to to rectify that if it is indeed fair It's interesting with these like goaltending excellence departments

I know we're look Roberto Luongo heads up, Florida Sean Burke Vegas, and it's a copycat league. So if that's working for those franchises, two obviously really good franchises, then I think we could see something like that implemented here at Everton. It's really just been Dustin Schwartz for the better part of the last decade, and he had Sylvain Rodrigue for a little little bit and it really was a two-man show. So that might be something that the Oilers and management looks at investing in. I think at first when we heard about Luongo heading up the goalie department of the goal, not the Golden Knights, the Florida

Panthers and Sean Burke taking over in Vegas, it was new, it was different. It's like why do you need a department for a goalie coach? But we're watching hockey ops evolve. I mean, every team's got like seven assistant GMs these days and you got cap specialists and this and that. So yeah, that might be something that does happen here and maybe a new voice and some different opinions on how to play the position helps out the goaltenders here in Edmonton and then on the farm and then the guys that they plan on bringing up eventually that are in the system. So, you know, it is a copycat league and I wouldn't be surprised if we see some semblance

of that here in Edmonton. Tom, thanks for your time. Thanks for having me, guys. Appreciate it. Our pleasure. Tom Gazzola, sports talk host in Edmonton. I like that point just because if you think of it uh... now with the uh... under the new cba with every team having the emergency

backup and we don't know how that's going to play out but most teams have three might not be on the roster but the number three guys sort of floats uh... and most teams have three pro goalies to in the american league sometimes three and some is also in the ECHL, and then you've got two or three, maybe even more, working the way up either through in the NCAA or in in junior hockey. I mean, probably seven or eight deep when you when you're dealing top to bottom. Yeah, to have a department to and because it's a slow build for goaltenders

to have a, you know, more than one guy, like sort of a unit that deals with this. I think that's a smart move. Seems like it would be. Yeah. It seems like, and obviously some teams have already committed to it for quite a few years now. You know, the idea of the oilers haven't, I mean, it's not to say that's the reason they haven't had

what was any depth, but you know, like why leave that stone unturned in a in a world where they don't cap your off-ice spending they don't cap your coaching spending they cap your your roster spending that's it right so I think if you got the financial means I'm not sure why you'd want to be pinching pennies on on that front the most what can be the most important position in the sport if you don't have it the other thing I like about what they've done is they've had some youth and I'm sort of a fan of that. I'm going to say

I'm a big fan of that just because when you're building you go heavy with youth and then you add in the veteran pieces to guide you know to sort of get you through the tough moments. But sometimes on rosters like this, the least would be the same. Not enough youth... you know referring to the the guy the missing peace guy i kinda like i was a young league i don't know why all teams wouldn't go that way

yeah as a young we for sure but you know the florida panthers you'd you know made their linchpin move at the trade deadline at thirty seven-year-old badmarshad right well that the turn back the clock at least he was about thirty he. He looks 30, at least. Which isn't young either. But certainly he looked young. He has that youthful mischievousness of a young guy, of the young Brad Marchand, maybe without the brain cramps of the young Brad Marchand, which is a nice combination. But I don't know if age matters as much as energy, right? Well, you've got... Well, that's what I'm after. Give me somebody with some energy.

Like they say, you know, this like Howard plays with some energy and with some edge, which you like, and that can't hurt. So, I'm with you. Like, you know, and, you know, Corey Perry was on that team and God bless him. He's been on a lot of Stanley Cup Finals teams but Well, obviously it didn't work so whether you want to blame him or not there was time for a change. You got your value out of him and you move on. Same for Evander Kane. It worked for a while but didn't result in the Cubs so you move on. You gotta try something different. You gotta change the formula and hope that you hit on something and and Yeah, that here they go

But then I'll feel good sign and when you know when you know a kid chooses Canada an American kid chooses Canada now I understand there's there's reasons for it and Probably one of those reasons is a guaranteed NHL roster spot of some sort well And I look with McDavid and and Hyman not a bad line. Not a bad ground floor, not a bad ground floor start. The best player in the world and a really good player, Zach Hyman. Up next, going to play Yes Guy No Guy, then talk some baseball top of the hour as Overdrive continues live on YouTube, TSN4, and TSN1050. Seasoned gamer, or just video game curious? This Week in Gaming is the podcast for you. We break down the latest in the world of video games,

from basics to beyond. The hottest gaming news, insight and industry leaders, and more, weekly. Join me, Naomi Kyle, and stay ahead of the game with all the latest updates. Even if you're a total newbie. Stream This Week in Gaming on the free iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Overdrive, Jim Taddy and Dave Fest, the Toronto Star.

Today and tomorrow, top of the hour Chris Rose, host of baseball today. Talking, of course, Major League Baseball baseball that he had more but will be by six thirty see about his analyst no Thursday at football but plenty of stuff friday saturday sunday uh... time now for yes guy is the boys and girls drivers and passengers and all those in tv land time

now for yes guy no guy and uh... we have right off the top This is an interesting question because it sort of gives you the difference in markets yes guy no guy Isaac Howard will finish 2025 2026 the next season guy with more points than Easton Cowan Did you mean I coward yes, then I say yes guy I didn't interesting because really they're kind of the same prospect, aren't they?

Same kind of prospect. I mean, it's interesting. You got the most decorated in some ways US college player and Ike Howard, the reigning Hobie Baker trophy winner. And you've got one of the most decorated junior players out of the CHL in Easton Cowan, who was the best player on the

team that won the championship the Memorial Cup but I'm just you know having just had that conversation with Tom Gozzola and Edmonton you know the reason I would pick Howard if I had to bet on this a Howard's a year older he's 21 and Cowan's 20 which is a you know in development that means something right a year is a big deal well also NCAA yeah a year is a big deal and and the other there the reason is they're gonna give Ike Howard it looks like an incredible opportunity out of the gate that's my point why why are we not talking about Easton Cowan being in the top six and one of those two spots he might be better open but

nobody seems to go there do they I've been saying it, like the easiest way for Brad to solve Brad Treeliving's problem of a new top six forward that he doesn't have yet is for Easton Cowan to become that guy, right out of the gate, right out of the training camp. I think if you don't do that from the start, you almost dig yourself into, or paint yourself into a corner.

Well, he's gotta become it though, Jim. Like you can't just give it to him. I'm not anointing him but I want to see him there Yeah, and much like I did with knives you start them up top you drop them down and then but but I think you want to Take a look at him there. Don't you oh, he'll get a look Yeah sure He'll get a look in training camp and in preseason games and he might even get a handful of regular season games

And he might get more than a handful if it goes well But it looks to me like you know know, Icoward had negotiating power, right? To sign, to choose to leave Tampa and sign with the Oilers. There was a negotiation there, as Tom pointed out, and it appears that part of that negotiation, although I'm sure it's a very fluid thing, is that we're going to give you a chance to play on the NHL roster right out of the gate, and guess what? Given your track record, we're going to give you a chance to play with some of our best players right out of the gate. Well, I mean, as soon as they acquired him and signed him, that was the word, he's going on that line. And the Easton Cowan thing is no.

Well, I don't know if it's a no, I wouldn't call it a no. I think he'll get opportunity. I think it's smart, now, personally, I would not anoint a 21-year-old kid as my first-line left winger. I'm just sort of talking about the difference in marketplace and how two guys who are quite similar in terms of their ceiling are viewed differently

in two different marketplaces, to some. Well, how about this? How about the difference in the leverage that a college kid has who had the ability to become a free agent and choose his destination if he so chose. That's another that's another piece of the file. Yeah.

As to why that that's probably I'm not gonna say a better route but but an interesting option. It's a good option if you want a little bit of power over your situation and guess what this could work out really well for Reich Howard and it also could work out really well for Easton Cowan and I look I think it should work out for both of them. Yeah they're both really good players with really good motors and I but if I had to bet I'd say hey the guy playing with McDavid might get more points. So you said yes guy and I agree with the yes guy.

Now to set up the next one there's some talk about Mitch Marner's the fact that he's from Toronto sort of added to the criticism hometown kid and playoff failure by the team we have to underline that so Ryan Reeves got into this let's take a listen and Mitchie earned the right to go wherever he wants and you know he's dedicated a lot of his career his whole career to Toronto and a hometown guy, he's dedicated a lot of his career, his whole career to Toronto and home time guy and he's poured everything he had into it. And you know, sometimes it's just time to move on. Yeah, there's not much else to say about that.

You know, I'm happy for him. He deserved the contract he got. I wish him the best here for sure. Do you think he gets like unfair treatment from the fans? I mean, he's getting rocked pretty good. By. Yeah. I mean, I think they can be a little ruthless to him.

I guess just because he's the hometown guy and sometimes fans want to point fingers at somebody and but yeah, I think, yeah, I, I think there's two sides to the fans in Toronto. I think there's the ones who just want to win so bad that they're willing to drag anybody through the dirt. And then there's just, you know, the loyal fans that just want to cheer on a good team. Uh, unfortunately there's a lot of fans there, right?

So you get a lot of both. A lot of concerns, the best way to sum that up. So the yes guy, no guy question is Mitch Marner's hometown heritage Led to an increased led to increased criticism from the fan base. Yes guy no guy That's a massive. No guy. Yeah, I'm with you. No bigger. I mean, I don't see how that has anything to do with it I mean no guy. It's a big no guy. Thank you JP That's a put it make play it louder. it louder. I couldn't play it any louder. No guy.

There we go, okay, yes guy. I like that. No, no guy. Big no guy. Look, that's a crazy argument to me. It's got nothing to do with where he's from. It's got nothing to do with anything to do with his address, his, where he comes from and where he is now.

It's got everything to do with, you know, the, the acrimony in the contract negotiations that happened when he was with the Maple Leafs that led to him playing on a number that a lot of people didn't like for a core four that was overpriced, that hamstrung them from adding the pieces they needed to become a better team in the playoffs. And then it's also this, Jim, it's very simple. Three numbers in 18 games, five, six, and seven in the playoffs, zero goals, six assists, six points. Those three numbers, zero, six,

six. Yep. Okay. That's, that's what this is. It's, it's about not performing when it matters. And that's why people were hard on him. Cause he was making money that suggested he should have performed when it mattered. That's the open and shut case. There's mean people out there that go way overboard.

I understand that, but it's all about not coming through in games you needed to win. Well, they didn't win them. And the sample size was large enough, more than large enough. That's 18 games. I mean, it's not, I'm talking about years. Well, yeah, nine years, right? Nine years, nine different chances. I mean, there were a few ups, but a lot of downs. There's just, there's just no way that you could after that nine years sample size, return to the scene of the crime with

the core four. Well, they wanted to, Jim. I know. The team wanted to. I know, but it just doesn't make any sense. Well, you can tell that to Brad Treelovey. they wanted to Jim. I know. The team wanted to. I know but it just doesn't make any sense. Well you tell that to Brad Treelovey. He wanted to re-sign Mitch Marner. It was Mitch Marner that decided not to re-sign in Toronto and not the Leafs. Well we wish them well. Yes. Both sides of that.

It was a tough view. Yes Guy No Guy number three, Major League Baseball should introduce a salary cap to increase parity in the league i'm a no-go in this why we are in agreement are we yeah i just this no salary cap is is i understand it i'm not a big fan of it i don't need the economics of why my team has to do certain things i have my own set of

accounts and and and you know my bank book and i do that at home i don't need to do that uh... for entertainment purposes either uh... and you know and my bank book and I do that at home. I don't need to do that for entertainment purposes either. And you know, and there's always a way around it anyway. Yeah. Unless you've got a flat cap. You know, and in this marketplace, when you're reducing Toronto to what Arizona or Utah can do or Carolina, you know, a less market, how does that sell in this market? Maybe it's great over there, but it's not here. And say for baseball, if you've got the Yankees and you've got the Dodgers, those two cities alone have their own set of economics that don't apply anywhere else in the world,

really. Why do you want to reduce them? I'm with you. Look, the salary cap's a big reason why Mitch Marner got the blowback he got from making the money he felt he should make, right? The salary cap in the NBA right now, Jim, now that they've hardened the cap, it's not completely hard, but it's a lot harder than it used to be with this first apron, second apron system that no one wants to hear about,

but every team is responding to. I mean, that's been a nightmarish scenario. Look at the Celtics divesting themselves of players because of the salary cap. You know and you're essentially penalizing a well-built team that did the right things to procure the good players that won them a championship and now they got to divest. I don't understand why you want to penalize the really smart teams so that the really dumb teams and there are plenty of them can kind of have a level of playing field that doesn't make sense to me I think in the NHL all we talk about is the math most of the time that's not great for the game I hope the major league baseball does not go down that road even though obviously the

commissioner and the owners he works for would love to see it well and that's a union that union has fought tooth and nail for pretty well everything over the last 40 or 50 years I don't see any collapse there by the way and i don't usually do this but i was brother who i thought was atlantic city bound has has wants to participate in on the mariner issue he says no guy marners contract negotiation was the issue hyman was a hometown kid who was revered even after he left good point good point else brother house brother rolling down interstate eighty one as we speak hometown kid who was revered even after he left. Good point. Good point, Al's brother.

Al's brother rolling down interstate 81 as we speak, chiming in via YouTube Live. You have to love it. Yeah, I mean, there he is. He's all wired up in the back seat or maybe he's in the front seat. Maybe he's driving. Let's hope he's not driving.

Oh, look out. What else do we have here? Oh, yes guy, no guy. The Blue J should trade for Zach Gallin. 7-9, 515 E one thirty five whip with arizona starter you know what this guy's intriguing and i've he's got to be a yes guy or among the yes guys that they could trade for absolutely that gallon

uh... there's a lot of speculation that obviously arizona their hover around five hundred that one of their like nine and a half games out of the NL West lead right now with the Dodgers obviously in the driver's seat there. But the interesting thing about the Diamondbacks, Jim, and I think the fact that the deadline is only three weeks away,

will the Diamondbacks be motivated to make trades if they had, like if they come out of the All-Star break and win a few? They go on a bit of a run. Right now they're only four and a half games out of a wild card spot. We've seen Zach Galen quoted in some publications saying he doesn't want to be part of the trade talks. He wants his team to get back in the race. And so I think there's a lot of those teams

that have really attractive trade pieces like Zach Galin a guy who can Absolutely mow people down. He had what do you have the other night 10 strikeouts the other night He had a stretch where he played the mitt the Yankees and Mets with phenomenal stuff and was just striking out guys by by the half dozen And yet will he be on the market? There's some speculation he will be, but it's not yet determined. I think there's a lot of those teams that are, should we sell or should we keep the status quo and hope that we can make a run here?

That might hurt the Blue Jays chances of getting all the guys they want at the deadline. The thing I like about the Blue J acquisition list is nobody cares what the cost is. There's no concern at all. Well, not us. No, but in all the narratives that are around, nobody's really worried about what goes out, but in all the all the narratives that are that are around, nobody's really worried

about what goes out. This is a desperate situation here. The Pirate Atkins are approaching what their 10th anniversary run in the place. There's another sample size. Yeah, they haven't won a playoff game. So they might want to win one. Yeah. Good point. Yes, guy, no guy.

And this will be number five. Despite the one and four start the Argos will still make the CFL playoffs I'm gonna be a yes guy on this because I believe that Chad Kelly can be the savior even though you know there's some there's maybe some evidence that it might not be looking too good for Chad Kelly because it's been a while since he's played he obviously broke the leg in the big game last year and it's still bothering him and he's played. He obviously broke the leg in the big game last year and it's still bothering him

and he still hasn't emerged as the force that he once was when he was the most outstanding player of the league a couple of years ago. But I'm sure the Argos are hoping that he can really be the savior here. And if he gets back to something resembling, you know, top Chad Kelly, then they're a plaf team

without a doubt aren't they? Well they sort of are now you know they're one and four with Ottawa I mean three get in unless there's a crossover. Yeah it's I mean the East is you know Montreal is so far in a way the best team in the East that you're really not too worried about a one and four record you know Hamilton's two and two they're both Ottawa and Toronto about a one and four record. Hamilton's two and two, they're both, Ottawa and Toronto are both one and four. I think maybe the better question would be the Argos could still finish second,

which I'm gonna say no guy to. I think that's Hamilton's. Well, I mean, look, it's not exactly, not exactly an insurmountable lead here. Hamilton's got two wins, Toronto has one. I just like the cats. Do you? Well, Lawler's is a great ad.

Yeah. Boy. Yeah, and look, the Argos are, it's not just about the quarterback, right? Like, obviously they've reconstructed the defense and it's been having some problems. Like, they've given up more points than anybody in the league right now. Albeit, it's not, you know, it's early in the season, but that's not a great start to the year when you've got to reconstruct your defense.

But if they can kind of find some semblance of form on the defensive side of the ball, and Chad Kelly gets back, I like the chances. Yes Guy No Guy number six, the Leafs should be aggressive buyers for a top six forward. I'm a yes guy. I don't see why you wouldn't be. Now, what are they gonna trade for one, is the question.

Would Easton Callen be part of that? We've been talking about could Easton Callen be that top six forward? What are the chances of that? This is where you have to rely on your instinct as a management group and you have to make that call about can this kid help us now or is the best route just you know to sell this kid and find somebody they can't help us now maybe there's another route an in

between route there where they you know part with whatever else they have a meager list of assets right now for a team that's been throwing first round draft picks out the window for quite some time and doesn't exactly have the the most robust prospect pool in the game after Fraser Minton went out the door last year at the deadline. So I don't know how do you see it Jim? Do you like the aggressive buying? I dispute the word aggressive. Okay. I think they should be pursuing but I wouldn't I All the chips don't go into the middle of the table for me if it's there it's there. You've got some time

You've got cab space. You've got time. So it wouldn't be like you have to have this guy by September 1st I wouldn't do that. Okay, I like that. I want to see Easton Cowan too. I want to see what we have there I agree that the easiest route to a Good top six forward would be if they got one in-house in mr. Cowan. Yeah, I mean they've traded enough Prospects away, maybe maybe time to live and die with one Yeah, not unless he can play I don't want to he's he's only Sticking around for me if he's not a prospect, he's a pro. Okay, I agree with that. We'll step out, come back and refresh if you will.

The Silver Drive continues live on YouTube with Al's brother watching. TSN 1050, TSN 4. Seasoned gamer or just video game curious? This Week in Gaming is the podcast for you. We break down the latest in the world of video games, from basics to beyond. The hottest gaming news, insight and industry leaders and more, weekly. Join me, Naomi Kyle, and stay ahead of the game with all the latest updates. Even if you're a total newbie.

Stream This Week in Gaming on the free iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Short segment to get us to the top of the hour. And then at that point, Chris Jones will join, Chris Rose will join us. And then, you know, Moulombo will stop by and talk football. So just, I'm not going to do it in yes guy, no guy format, but, but Dave Hunter will be the, the coach of the world juniors and Mark Hunter, the general manager. And that's a great combo. So that'll dictate that we get success. Yeah, the reigning Memorial Cup champs

get their management team and coaching staff on the bench for Canada at the World Junior. I think that's a logical move, right? Yeah. Makes sense to me. Absolutely. And sort of to go back to the Easton Cowan situation or where he plays in the Leafs. Yes Guy, No Guy, you see a Leaf team with Easton Cowan and Nick Robertson

on it. Yeah, Robertson's an interesting one. I hesitate to give it an enthusiastic Yes Guy just because of the fact that there's been so much back and forth between Robertson and this team over the years and and such a lukewarm sort of feeling about Nick Robertson as good as he's been at his best and as much as we all know he can score goals if he's given opportunity there clearly has been you know a lack of belief from the coaching staff at key moments

that he can really be a that the two-way player they want to be uh... it's not it's not an effort thing it's just uh... it's a fit thing and you know his strengths may not be align with the with the objectives of the coaching staff so uh... i'm i'm not a i'm gonna be a no-go and that i got you know i think it i think it's a possible guy yeah but if i had to bet I'm gonna go no guy. I would agree with you. I just think that Nick is a is it NHL player? There's no question about that, but they've had a long look here

Yeah, and and I think they they need more physical play Yeah, that would help but then again Jim if if the trade market proves fruitless They may need them like there's been moments They've needed them Brad tree-living last last offseason was saying we need Nick Robertson to be a good player for us If they don't add more now, they still need Nick Robertson in my view. I'm just a big guy for more change So it's not just the one missing piece. I'm with you if you're gonna change the DNA You've got to make more change Well Brad tree-living's we're getting that change the DNA comment because it hasn't changed

yet. Talking baseball next, TSN2 and TSN1050. The biggest songs in the world. You've heard them countless times. Now learn the details of how they came to be. Join Ruby Carr for Encore, the stories behind the songs you love. New interviews and newly unearthed archive footage make for a fascinating weekly deep dive.

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