OverDrive - OverDrive - July 14, 2025 - Hour 1

Episode Date: July 14, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes and Jonas Siegel for hour 1 of OverDrive! They discuss their takeaways from the Blue Jays’ first half, what they want to see from the team in the second half, Mitch Marner’s exit to Vegas, and whether the Leafs are worse off without him. OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford joined the guys to discuss McKenna leaving the WHL for the NCAA.

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All right. Here we go overdrive off and running TSN 1050 on the TSN app your home smart speaker up on TSN to Brian Hayes Jonas Segal of the athletic what's going on Jonas what's happening what is the story you haven't gotten to talk about that you are dying to talk about is there one well yeah there's a few man I've missed generally speaking I want to be here July 2nd 3rd 4, 4th, the following week. This is a week where it gets a little bit slow. We got the home run derby tonight.

I did miss out on the Jays sweeping the Yankees. I wanted to get into that. I'm not going to bore people with my opinion on that. Why? Well, it's uber positive. What about the record stuff with Aaron Boone? Yeah. Well, and him pretending as if they're the best team in baseball.

Is that what you're suggesting? Yeah, and there's also turning around. It was Michael K. Yeah, Michael K. Well, Michael K is the biggest Yankee fan ever, which is fine. But just admit that you're a fan. Like he pretends as if he's some objective journalist as if we all know the way the games played. Like if the network owns the team, which is the way it works up here, and certainly the way it works on Yes, right, the Yankees channel,

they're kind of pro Yankees. That's all right. And I think, guess what? I think a lot of people watching, that's what they want. They don't want someone that hates the team that they love or hates the team that's being covered on a daily basis. So, you know, Jamie Campbell's been doing the sweep thing for 20 years. Like, that's not some new thing. And Michael Cabe pretending as if he's on some high horse, like he's Walter Cronkite. Like just relax, dude. We get it, the Yankees aren't that good. And the Jays have passed them and guess what? The Sox have won 10 in a row.

Boston's right on your tail. It's right there. And it's amazing. Like I will give full credit to the Blue Jays. And listen, they stumbled coming home. They lost three or four to bad teams. And that is one thing that I'm anticipating moving forward that I was looking forward to getting to

is now that you've reset the table, now there's no more, hey, this is great, like good for you stuff, right? When you want 10 in a row, it was Uber positive and it deserved to be. And they've had a very, very successful first half. But now that you're in a position at the All-Star break where you're leading the division,

you better make the playoffs now. So if you blow two games to Sacramento or whatever the hell they're called, you throw away a game against the White Sox that was a very winnable game, that getaway game, you're gonna be held to account. So what you're saying is the expectations now have changed. I think what they are, well,

I think what the expectations should be is those of a first place team on July 14th. If you're a first place team on April 14th and you're surprising people, it's different. But if you're in first place at the All-Star break, the expectations I think need to appropriately adjust. But do you think the point of what Michael K was trying to say, I don't remember his comments exactly,

but was like, this is not a real first place team. I guess, like I want to ask you, like do you think there's- You know how stupid that sounds? But there's like- They're in first place. But I guess- That's a real first-place team? I guess, like I want to ask you, like do you think they're... You know how stupid that sounds? But they're in first place. But I guess... That's a real first-place team. How sustainable do you think it is? I'm not sure. I don't think the Yankees are that good. You think the Yankees are some juggernaut team because their underlying statistics suggest something? Do you like expected standings? Well, but he was talking about the Pythagorean..., I think he pointed to run differential because the Jays run differential is not that good reasonable and the Yankees is better I get it. But again, it comes down to wins and losses sure

I think he was trying to dig himself out because he realized he sounded like a sore loser Right. The Yankees are getting pummeled which they did the Jays beat up on them and it well if you look at the run different Okay, but what is that worth? And I think, conversely, if someone said that about the Yankees, when the Yankees had a win column that suggested you're in first, K would come over the top and say, this isn't about stats, this isn't about expected, this is about real life. The Jays are in real life leading the division right now. And their best player has been... He's got 12 runs.

Okay. Like it's interesting, like being off and I traveled a lot. And I traveled throughout Canada, which is amazing. I got out to Cabot, just an unbelievable place. I'm so proud that that's a Canadian owned and operated destination. Did you get chirped anywhere? Did you hear any hazes? You know what?

Yeah, I got a fraud question in Ottawa. We were at Byward Market. Walking by, a guy just stopped and said, fraud. And I said, yeah, good to see you, man. My kids were right there. My wife, like, yeah, and he started laughing. He's AZB and moved on. I got in Quebec City. I'll tell you what, old Quebec is one of the coolest places in the country, there's nothing quite like it. Anywhere in North America, in my opinion. Look at you, Mr. Canada. I'm Mr. Canada.

I'm here representing the flag. But as a result, being kind of around the country, a lot of people talking about the Jays, and I happened to be traveling while they were on the heater and I will say I have five things that I think come up the most one of them in no particular order is where is the power from Vladimir Guerrero jr. I want to guess the other four but yeah that's number that I was that is number one but it coincides has to be number one oh yes Mark Moore's completely separate he's like on a different planet.

We'll get to Marner in a moment. I got something to get, I got a few things on Mitch that I have been waiting to get to. But I do think when you have the build up of the contract negotiation, you sign the deal, your team's playing this well. Like last year he had a remarkable season but it didn't mean anything in

terms of team success. But it wasn't the start it was like the second half when they were out. Right but he started heating up in June. When they were out. Right. Oh so do you think there's a connection there? I don't know like it's always are bright body can't perform. No I don't think that's fair I mean the playoffs haven't been amazing but I don't know it just like that season feels funny it's like scoring 40 goals for a last place team is like cool yeah I don't know I don't baseball is such an individual it is like yeah like you get in the box and you're on

your own yeah but I guess like to your earlier point that's it's been the story though the entire year yeah our is not like he's got 12 home runs at the break yeah and and the reality is he's just not a power hitter. He had the one season where they started in Dunedin and then they were in Buffalo and then they got up here and he hit 46 that season and it was a remarkable season, but that's just not who he is. Like in reality, he's probably a 25 to 30 home run guy.

You know, we always talk about the exit velocity with him and why can't the launch angle match that and all of a sudden, like apparently you watch this guy in batting practice, it's outrageous the way he performs. But the power just isn't there and it's not like he's, like he's got like a 270 batting average, his OPS is under 800, I believe now. Like those are just not, that's not good enough. Especially with the contract. And now, well, I would see,

here's where I would separate those two. Once you're playing, the contract doesn't mean anything. The team is built, you are who you are. That contract technically doesn't launch until next year anyway. Now it's, I don't care about him matching the contract. I care about him performing for his team now because they're in a position to win. So you don't need to justify the contract. You got to justify your leadership role because your team needs you more than

ever. But that's why I'd look at the second half and be like, well what's sustainable? Maybe some of the clements and bargers start to slow down and your best player starts to heat up and that kind of makes up the difference like even Bushett. It's been fine. Yeah it's just been okay. But that's like if I'm the Jays I'm like that's actually a pretty good sign that you're in this position. Our two best players. That's a glass half full. The pitching staff has been fine-ish right? Like it's like okay Yeah, I mean I think that is the glass half full and I would, I would lean being optimistic that Vladie will catch a heater here at some point. And the question is, will it happen in September? But I don't agree with you. the contract is going to loom over everything it just well

it's a five hundred million dollar contract listen you're connected to your number like that's the reality of pro sports is that you're connected to it but i guess what i'm saying is you know like if he was if he was if you're fulfilling the contract what i'm quote individually but the team's going to win 70 games what does that do for any fan hey it's great that Rogers got their money worth

because he's he's playing like a 500 million dollar guy if you're a fan the importance is the win column like are you gonna win and be competitive so now I don't care if he's making five bucks or 500 million if you're gonna hit second or third in the lineup and play every day you better perform because you need to help take advantage of a great situation right now. Right. If the season proceeds like this for him and it's just the same in the second half and they fall out.

And they fall off, then it's go time for Vlad. Yes. Then it's like, and I think he should be thanking his teammates, maybe the rest of the division, like thanks for putting me in a position where I can come out of the all-star break launching And he's gonna have to do that at some point They're gonna need him because you're right like barters been great Clements been really good recently You know the Eric Lauer has given them quality performances, you know It's like if I asked you who is the best starting pitcher and who's the best position player so far?

How do you think they are? Well, the amazing thing is if you look at the three constants in the rotation, they're all the exact same. Yeah, it's just like, it's okay. Yeah, like Barrios is the best DRA, but they've all pitched within two innings of each, or six innings of each other, I believe. They all have a similar, like, whip.

They all have, I think they've two of them have given up 12 home runs the other ones given up 11 like it's it's almost impossible to distinguish between the three. Like Gossman, Barrios and Bassett they're all the same guy and they've been good none of them have been great but they're good and you know they're gonna pitch every fifth day. But you're right I guess Barrios has been their best starter. Um... Springer?

I think it's gonna be George. Springer's one of the other four questions that have come up. Where is Vladdy's power and the question of Springer's resurrection here? I mean, I thought coming into the season it was more likely he would be designated for assignment than performing the way he's performing I didn't think it was long off before they said we got to do something here about George like it's so bad He can't play if they were losing games. We got to put in a kid

We can't continue to justify him playing every day This guy's leading off like this guy's this guy is a significant performer that's hitting for power now He's gonna run hot and cold He cooled down a little bit coming down the stretch fine, but he is he is he has been a revelation for them Yeah, like Springer has been huge. What year is that of the deal for he's got this year and next left. I believe okay Yeah, I think he's got two more. Yeah Which I mean at this rate He's playing like he's playing.

Like, he's obviously going to perform for the rest of this year, and I have seen no reason why he wouldn't be a part of the team next year. Like, to his credit, man, it's been a great, great story. The other stuff that hasn't happened is, like, everybody significant they got in the offseason has just been, like, kind of not impactful. That's the amazing thing. Like, it's crazy. Ron Tondera's done nothing.

Imagine if I told you their best players have been just okay and Everybody they got in the offseason who was like important. Hmm hasn't really done anything Yeah, but they're gonna be in first place. He'd be like what way how would seem impossible and Varshall is barely played, right? Yeah, like he's barely play offensive outfielder Yeah And it's for pop and gives you some power and he hasn't played. He hasn't been available. Like Santander, the pressure's coming for him.

Sure. But that's another glass half full. Like first impression, not good. He has the injury and now he's on the 60-day IL, but prior to that he was terrible. Yeah. Like atrocious to the point where they took him out of the lineup. I think almost with a phantom, like we just got to get him out. This is so ugly we can't play him and we got to come up with some reason,

kind of like what they did with Bowden Francis, like just get them out of here and come up with something. But, you know, Atkins just spoke on it the other day, they're looking for a power bat. There he is, a switch hitter who can hit for power. Like there's your trade deadline acquisition, ideally. Yeah. Scherzer has been healthy in pitching. You know, we'll see what comes of that the rest of the way. Himmenez is as bad as it was in Cleveland. Basically a black hole at the plate. Yeah. They've got nothing out of them. It's wild.

Yeah. It's almost difficult to explain. Yeah. You know, again, you look at the running there the the hitting production Way better across the board. Yeah, they hit for average they get on base pretty well They're you know clutch hitting which has been such a concern in the past And bargers been good springer's been good Kirk's been great Alondra Kirk's been great new contract Yeah, and he's he's paying it off But that's why I think about

the trade deadline. And I hate this thing in hockey, where they talk about own rentals, drives me nuts, because I just think it's like spin by the GMs to not do it. We got this guy. Why would you trade, especially if you're a really good team, why would you trade the guy, even if he is an expiring contract? Right. But so the front office of the J's could actually be like, maybe we just actually have own rentals. And it's actually like not the stupidest, lamest. It's not, it's a reasonable explanation. The question is, will it land with the marketplace?

And is it actually smart business? It won't land. It won't land, but is it actually smart? Like how much of your chips should go into the middle here if you're Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro because that that's I think the third of the fifth five questions that keep coming up what are they gonna do between now the trade deadline because they don't by all accounts have a great farm system no like they got a they got a you know three or four guys with value they

drafted a kid last night. Clearly they're not going to flip him. I like that handle. Jojo Parker. Yeah, it's a great name. Great handle. But are you going to give up one of your two or three top guys?

Well, your team is, this is an old team. Really? I guess the young guys coming up has made it less old. But you're right. You kind of. You put Scherzer in there. Berrios, Bassett, Gosman, Springer's plan every day like Santana now when when he went yeah the question is do you think you're a piece or two away from winning

the World Series because ultimately that's why you go all in at the trade deadline it's not not to make it you have to be thinking we can win it but when are you when if it's not now when is it it's not not to make it. You have to be thinking we can win it. But when or when if it's not now, when is it? It's not going to be is it going to be next year? You're going to be better next year? I mean, I didn't see this one coming. So I think it's I think what it's proving is it's difficult to predict year in year out. Yeah. But I hear you. I think you got to be careful. I mean, at some point, you need a farm system. This feels like deja vu. We've had these chats with the Leafs but you have been a big proponent of galling every single year and and eight standby

i think you were wrong in retrospect was right though you were they didn't have anything they don't know why it doesn't matter who you acquired of austin matthews and mitch marner can't get it done in the biggest once it doesn't matter you pick up i can have this they're not wired properly how do you look back on the marner exit now that you know what you know? Well, I stand by two years ago when I thought they should have traded him I stand by last summer when I thought they should have traded him

Like it was what about it. I wrote about this at the time like it was like after last season not this past season I wrote my something at the end where you could see the entire season something isn't right he doesn't look happier and there they didn't do anything and it's like yeah but he was gonna stop it anyway how do you know because I think it was it became very clear that he blocked the ranting and deal clearly that was because it was in the middle of the season he's a pregnant wife at home like you were put I understand that if you're not wrong if you had forced a he was going to

Vegas and only Vegas man I don't think there's any questioning that let me ask you this if you go back to last summer and you force and like I remember writing this thinking this talking to people about this if you had forced a confrontation said you know what this is not working we need five teams and then like maybe you maybe you can figure something out maybe those teams don't give you anything you want I don't know but it's not like Nicholas Waa is like a great consolation prize like he's fine like I mean they were they were in a bind but if you had forced something last summer maybe

history plays out differently I have no idea like who knows but they didn't they thought the downside I guess was not worth it like they figured like if we go those teams, we have a list of teams, and they don't give us anything, and then we've already asked them for the teams, and now we're not going to trick. But by not kicking the hornet's nest, the hornet just hung around and then stung them in the end. Anyway, so it's like, you know what I mean? Yeah, I am curious. I'd love to get an answer on what Shanahan and Tre Living actually knew

this time last year. Like, did they know he was out? Because now you're hearing stories, I don't know how true they are, but, oh, everyone's known. Everyone knew Marner was going to Vegas. Like, if they knew that, then that is significant malpractice. If they knew this guy is out of here and you let him play it out without making him uncomfortable. What I think they should have known, if I could see that he was out, how did they not? And honestly, I actually think they did see it. They knew. I'm sure they knew.

They're not stupid. They knew it wasn't working, it wasn't happy here. But it's like, it's two years ago. It's 2023. But isn't it something about Marner too, that if you're so unhappy, why don't you go and and like they but it's like it's two years ago it's 2023 and there's doesn't it isn't it something about Marner too that if you're so unhappy why don't you go and ask for a change why is it on the why is it on the Leafs to make to force your way out decided I'm gonna play it out and I'm just gonna choose where I

want to go and I'm gonna be forcing anything I'm not gonna which is what he also play here and like maybe at that point he's not Like maybe he's like, maybe it looks to me as someone like who is there with the team every day, but like not behind the scenes. I see them an hour a day. Maybe part of him is like 40% of him is like, you know what, maybe it can still work here. Maybe we can have a great playoff run. I can be awesome. Things change, the narrative change, and I decide to stay and I decide to sign. What, like if it's like 60% it doesn't look like he's gonna stay, you gotta do something like... Yeah. But it's that whole, it's the whole, I don't know how we got

to leave set 419. Well I got some, I got it something that, I'll get to this a little bit later on, what I think the league should do with his return i remember when we were discussing it like the exit even prior to july first and he was being compared to vince carter and i'm like well wait a minute he didn't quit quit on this team he didn't demand out he did not stop eating quit he didn't demand out but that i think there is a very very good chance mentally he was gone and perception is reality

so if you're dealing with the mob and the way people get it feel about you because i i was making arguments and like eventually dust settles by guns and be by guns the probably retirees jersey in twenty years i don't know anymore because of the way this is being reported on the way out

you know with when he was in Vegas, he's like, yeah, well, yeah, at the Four Nations, we were talking about living in Vegas, and my wife was asking what it's like there. So you were in Vegas in February, you were gone? You were mentally gone. And is there a chance, is there a chance that maybe they could have brokered a deal last year,

and Vegas and Marner were like, why would we give up a real piece? Just wait a a year we'll catch you down the road. Not impossible. And then whose interest is he putting first the Leafs or the Gold Knights? If it was if there's any reality in that he was putting the Gold Knights as his priority over the Maple Leafs because to your point he was already out already not happy with everything and you know do I I don't think there's a chance he was vindictive enough to say I'm just I'm playing this out and leaving to leave you guys in my dust I think it's I don't think it's a zero chance I thought that way inconceivable not on that like I okay go ahead go ahead but what you're gonna deal with is your hometown is gonna

continue to look at you through a more and more negative lens, which he may not care about, but it's a reality. Toronto's still here. He's in Vegas, but the Leafs and Leaf fans in Toronto are still here. But let me ask you this. What did he do wrong? Well, like in his whole process. His performances, let's begin there. For sure is like a, the playoff performance. But isn't that the most important thing?

That's it. But in terms of like, why is he going he's gonna be a villain here like there's no doubt but why like what did he do that was wrong well I'm in the contract negotiation clearly I mean we don't we don't have to dig up the whole thing there's also there's this but you don't have to negotiate a con like he was under no obligation to negotiate a contract right you're talking about fans here and again you're talking about why they would feel the way they would feel. There's two separate conversations because I've had this argument before with Johnny and even Owen those guys. Players, it's their life, it's their business. Like I'm not naive enough to

say that you know you got it, like I get it, I totally understand why they're like this is my life, I want to get money, I want to get paid, I'm offering up a service. Like I understand that. But if that's your stance, this is like you're asking what the fans are thinking and trying to justify where they're at. They don't think of it as a business. It is a fantasy for them. You're living out the dream of millions and millions and millions of people in Toronto

and fans throughout the world who are not going to look at it through that objective lens. They're gonna look at it emotionally. And I think a lot of Leaf fans looked at it and said, you're a local guy, you should know better. And I think whether it was true or not, again, perception becomes reality, the perception was never with Mitch.

He said he loved being a Leaf and Dre, but he didn't act that way. You don't think so? Well, I mean, the negotiation's a perfect example, Jonas. You know how easy it would have been for him to pull a Matthew Nyes? Look what Nyes did. That kid grew up in Arizona. He's like, I want this done before July 1st. Let's get it done. Let's get something fair. But that's... I just want to be able to... How is it different?

That's the original sin, but that's a significant one. But that's a significant one. 2019. He's 22, I think. 23 at that point. It's still his, it's still his. Yeah, I mean, Nye's like, yeah. His legacy. Matthew Nye's a kid from Arizona said, I want to be a Leaf, let's get it done. Yeah. The kid from Toronto said, I'm not showing up until you pay me exactly what I demand. Fair. That's not the, like if you're asking for fans, fans are going to say, wait a minute, are you serious dude? Like, what are you doing here? I thought you were a Leaf fan, but you'd know better. Look how good you guys are. You got a chance to win here.

So that's how it starts. Then you tag on playoff performances that were simply abysmal in the biggest moments, not alone, and I always have to qualify that. It's not only him, I get it, there's other guys. But we're talking about Mitch and he's the one that's left. That's how you deal with what you're dealing with now. It's not hard to figure out. No, not it's not and I don't think the fans are being so crazy and Lou

Lunatics up there. What a stupid wild market totally reasonable for people and not everyone feels that way No, there's a lot of people from here that that are really damaged by the fact that he left wanted him here I thought I'm just saying part of that. that, if you want to split that into two, it's like looking at the team now and it's like, this team is worse. Do you think the Boston Red Sox are worse without Raphael Devers? That's not the thing. Why is it? Why? Do they not just run off 10 in a row? You're telling me the Leafs are better without Marner? I'm not sure. Look at their team. They might be. It's not... On paper on July 14th, Jonas, is not when you play hockey.

When Devers have a lip. No, but it's the truth, man. Literally. Now, again, we'll see what the Red Sox are in three or four weeks. Yeah. But they just ran off 10 and when Devers got traded, I thought and all the they stink now, you just got rid of your best bat, they're going to fall off. The team collectively is in a better position. I'm not predicting that that will happen on paper I'm not arguing against you on paper Marner is clearly makes them a better team but it's a team sport it's a game sure there's a lot of different things that go into it yeah I'm not convinced that they're gonna be awful because Mitch Marner is not on their team I don't mean awful but I don't know how big are they gonna have more points in last year I doubt it are they gonna be awful because Mitch Marner is not on their team. I don't mean awful, but I don't know how,

are they gonna have more points than last year? I doubt it. Are they gonna be better? What does that mean? Let me ask you, are they gonna be better offensively? No. Are they gonna be better defensively? Probably not. So like where, they're not better.

There's no, you can't, I know what you're saying, like you could take a piece out and like suddenly different things start to happen and like maybe they have a good season. Like they could have a good season, sure. But I don i don't know how you are you preparing for a much worse season because just one player is gone i don't know what what is much worse like could i see them being low 90s and barely making the playoffs i don't think it's impossible i would predict them in like i think that would be impossible if marner was still here Like do you think Marner alone is worth like 10 points in the Staniks?

Five to ten? I don't know. I don't know what he I don't know the war metrics in in hockey, but he's there He's there. He's probably their best defensive player at least their best defensive forward Mm-hmm, unless you want to count Matthews like one of those two Yeah, and he's if not their best offensive player that he's their second best or third best offensive player Yeah, so you take your best defensive player your best offensive player off the team. You're gonna be worse You just are he logged the most minutes on the team like they're not there's no way first penalty kill first power play like first line Come on man Okay, but but but like you also have to factor in,

it's like, well, that player, they didn't get that player in the playoffs. Like that's what makes his legacy so difficult is like you almost have to have two conversations. It's like the regular season player, unbelievable. One of the all time great leaves. Right, like one of the handful. Indisputable, yep.

But then like the playoffs is just, it never came together. Actually it came together like once or twice, but. Yeah, not in the biggest moments. And it seemed to get worse and tougher as it went on. Yeah, I'm just saying. I know what you're saying, like their goalies are still here. Whatever they want.

No, but in terms of team building, like they have both goalies. Are they gonna be as good next year? I have no idea. Are both goalies gonna play as much as last year? I have no idea. Well I mean okay but maybe Marner's here and he blows out his knee in training camp. Like if you're gonna if you know what I mean you gotta be reasonable with are they gonna well maybe they won't maybe they'll be better. They had like top 10 top 5 goaltending last year is that gonna happen again? I doubt it. Okay so maybe that and

with or without Marner. And they're gonna be is defensively because their best defensive forward is not the team No, I mean, I think you gotta be they've got they've got their six defensemen intact. Okay a full year Brandon Carlo Yeah, okay So are they better right now than they were this time last year on defense? Sure. Are there they not sure? You're not convinced. I don't know I mean we talked just because of Mitch more had a weird style of play that I don't know what it's gonna look like next year especially when they're not gonna be I don't think they'll score as much like so what is that? Yeah they may not although Matthew said the worst year of his

career last year. That's the big X factor. So what if he has the best year of his career? Maybe yeah 75. Maybe I don't know I'm just I'm not in a position where I get it on paper but I don't I don't think there's some garbage team now because Mitch Marner's not I don't think they're good But I'm sensing that people think that like that all they're awful. Now. You lost Mitch. How yes, you lost Mitch That's a big hit. He's a really good winger. It's like this the second biggest hit you can take on the team No, yes, it is after Matthews. No Matthews and then him We'll discuss that a little bit later. Get out of here. All right, Steve Phillips coming up. We got Keegan coming up. We've got Brian Crawford. So I am a CHL alumni myself. I'm concerned because the CHL, in my opinion, is under attack here.

Like, yeah, Gavin McKenna going to Penn State, allegedly make a, reportedly making $700,000. U.S. U.S. to do it. This new C CBA Frank Saravalli was reporting there's a provision in there that will allow one 19 year old to play in the American Hockey League per NHL team. Where like what is the CHL going to do about this? So Brian Crawford their commissioner will join us we'll get his take on that or the OHL's commissioner will get his take on that and more still to come and we got Keegan coming up we got phillips coming up jones is in here i got more on marna i got more than jay's

overdrive continues to yes and ten fifty and on tsn to unmistakably canadian the artists raising the bar brian and a moniker and some of the various signs The artists raising the bar. Hi, this is Brian Adams. Hey, my name's Brett Emmons. I'm from the Glorious Sons. Hi, I'm Nellie Furtado. Made in Canada, 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 iHeart Radio app. All right, Overdrive continues powered by FanDuel, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. Brian Hayes, Jonas Segal, got Steve Phillips coming up, home run derby. Your derby guy, Jonas. When I was a kid, I loved it.

And now I don't love it. They've just made too many rule changes, which sounds kind of silly, but I don't really follow like the pyramid of winning anymore. You know what I mean? It used to be a clock and you had to hit as many as you could, and then you just move on. That's not how it works anymore? No, now it's like you get unlimited pitches and you can stop the clock. I don't know, it's confusing. Bring it bring back the old days. That's what I'm that's what I'm calling for. I just like remember with Griffey backwards hat. Oh it was unreal. Back in the day was amazing. Although everything was when you're a kid

everything was different. The All-Star game meant so much more like now I'm so much more cynical. Yeah it's just a waste of everyone's time. All right so Steve Phillips in about a half an hour on the Jays kind of sputtering down the stretch but they are at the All-Star break leading the American League East. The Sox have won ten in a row. We'll get his take on that and more. Keegan Matheson coming up. Keegan's going to be co-hosting with us a little bit later in the week. So we'll put him through the wringer.

Look forward to that, seeing Keegan in here. But I am an Oichelle alum, barely, but am, and I guess for that matter a CHL alum, and this story that's been kind of building the last six months to a year has been concerning me quite frankly, and it really came to a head with Gavin McKenna. I think he came out last week, he's going to Penn State, reportedly making $700,000 with the NIL rules down there, so he's going, he's leaving the WHL. And Frank Ceravelli, among others others were reporting that in the new cba and a chill teams will be allowed to have one nineteen-year-old kid play in

the american hockey league so this year that could have been easton cowell if he doesn't go back to london he's playing for the marlins i believe it's somewhat of an attack on the only child the c h on curious what our next guest has to say about it here is the commissioner the original his brian cropper i don't brian

what you guys do all of your salt are doing very well uh... my overstating that understating that where where you stand on this yeah i mean way overstepping it you know i think that uh... it's you know it's been certainly a incredible time of change. The change to the NCAA back in the fall has led to kind of a complete overhaul of development and certainly this year we've been an incredible beneficiary of signing dozens of players from other leagues that have come to the OHL that perhaps have chosen a different path. As you know, a 15-year-old before had to make a decision about

where they were going to play and what they wanted their future to look like at a really young age. And now they have what is, we view, a great opportunity to play in our league and develop here and then have the opportunity to continue to pursue hockey and for some that might be at the NHL level, for some that might be at the HL level, for some that might give them the opportunity to move on to the NCAA. And you know I think that's a great thing for the development ecosystem, it's a great thing for our league and the quality of our league and just hockey in general. So when you hear the numbers thrown around again it's it's the early days of

this the nl stuff down in the states with the nc double a but but if if gavin mckenna who's a w h l player uh... is making seven hundred thousand dollars you know how's he gonna possibly turn that down he didn't sees off the penn state he's a phenom he's unanimously expected to go first overall next year but how do you how do you respond to those numbers and is it possible for you to compete with them or are you not thinking of it in the same way? Yeah, I mean I think first and foremost obviously,

you know, we of course want Gavin to kind of in the CHL, you know, a generational player and you know, he's going to be successful wherever he goes. But I think that he's unquestionably an outlier in that regard in that a player of his quality can have that success wherever he's going to go. He's going to be first round pick head off to the NHL and that's not every player, right? And that's not even the majority of the players. We know that the NCAA is a much, much older league and has traditionally been a much, much older league. You look at the pros and four, you look at the average age of the teams. So it's

not the best in development environment for, you know, most 18, 19 year old players because it is such an older league than the CHL is. So I think that that's a, that's a big factor in all of this as well. And the teams that are looking to win in the NCAA, they have a better likelihood to do that with older players. Now generational players like Gavin and some other players may have an opportunity to go down there and have success. But that's a little bit of what I think needs to shake out as well is to see that, hey, not getting top line minutes, not getting powerplay minutes, those sorts of things aren't actually the best pathway

for a player to develop. For us in the OHL, there are two players that have chosen to forego their 19 year old season at this point in time and head off to the NCAA early. We have quite a number of players that always, and those that have also graduated after being an overage player that have gone on which is now fantastic opportunity for them to continue to pursue their hockey goals. So that's where we are and we need to

see how things continue to develop and focus on for us you know what has made us the best development league in the world and the stats bear that out and you know we'll focus on continuing to improve the player experience doing more in the areas of sports science and strength and conditioning and nutrition and all the sorts of things that impact the player experience and also create better hockey players. That's actually what I was curious about, Brian.

What do you think the, like, do you think you need to adapt change? Like, how do you think the OHL, CHL, will, I don't know, like evolve, I guess, in light of all this? Well, absolutely, we have to continue to adapt. We have to continue to adapt and evolve regardless of this change. And this change is one that requires

everybody in the hockey ecosystem to adapt, right? Now being able to say, like, we'll truly have all the best 16, 17, 18-year-old players that are available and playing hockey. And the reality is we need to make sure that we're doing the right thing so that they continue with us as 18 and 19 year olds, continue to develop, that we provide all of the sorts of tools that are necessary to ensure that a player can reach their development goals. And so if we're not doing those things, then we are going to fall behind.

We are going to be left behind. We're just comfortable with sitting on, hey, we've had the most number of draft choices, the majority of players in the OHL, those sorts of things. Well, that's not always going to be the case. And certainly, we're competitive and want to continue to make sure that we maintain the pole position. With Brian Crawford, the commissioner of the OHL, and that's a point that I hadn't thought of, the idea that I remember when I was coming up there was great players that wouldn't play in the o h l i wasn't one of them but they were they wanted to keep

you know their their options alive i think of a guy like mike camilleri you know cam you went to michigan he clearly would have been in the o h l sixteen you would have gone first overall played at sixteen played at seventeen maybe goes you know to michigan after that based on where we currently stand but in terms of this provision uh... that was reported on last week and I don't know if it's a hundred percent confirmed from the league but it sounds as if the NHL and the NHLPA have

brokered a deal here where each NHL team so 32 current teams will be afforded or allowed one 19 year old CHL player to play in the American hockey league. If and when that comes to fruition, how would you react to that? Yeah, so first of all, not accurate. So there is a provision right now in the agreement between the NHL and the NHLPA, and then of course ourselves, the CHL and the NHL, that does allow the nineteen-year-old players to play a fixed number of games in the NHL, but does require 19-year-old players to play a fixed number of games in the NHL but does require them to go back to junior hockey.

So in this current round of negotiations with the collective bargaining with the NHL and the NHLPA, they've agreed to open that provision and look at what that might look like going forward and whether providing teams and general managers the leeway to do something like that is in the best interest of the league, in the best interest of the development environment. So as it stands today, nothing has actually been decided about mechanics or anything like that if it is even to go forward. And those are discussions that we actually are very much active in with the NHL in talking about how best to proceed and move forward.

We would certainly contend that the AHL is not the best environment for a 19-year-old, very, very few 19-year-olds in fact. It's not just about scoring 100 points in the OHL that decides whether that person should be moving on or not. You think about a 19-year-old, think about Easton Cowan coming back to the Knights this year, he's the man, right? He's the man, he's the man on the ice, he's the man off the ice in the dressing room, all around media, all those sorts of things,

the leadership qualities, all the pieces that make for a great NHL or a great perspective NHL hockey player that they can gather. The AHL is a man's league, right? There are men trying to make the NHL hockey player that they can gather. The AHL is a man's league, right? There are men trying to make the NHL. And we certainly contend that the environment in the CHL is much better suited. And it is also not just about that player,

but it's also about developing all of the future players so that next year's draft, the year after, the year after that, all are quality drafts because those players have been playing against elite players as well. With Brian Crawford the commissioner of the OHL and when I'm curious about this because you know there's three leagues three commissioners London obviously just won the Memorial Cup in your rookie season as the commissioner what what was that

experience like for you and how do the commissioners the three commissioners kind of handle the battle once you get to the finish line? Well, you know, that's the interesting thing. You know, all three commissioners are relatively new, really within two years. Mario Cicchini being the most veteran of the group, Dan Neer, and then myself. So all relatively new in our positions from different backgrounds, quite diverse from really the commissioners that were previously in the role. So the three of us along with Dan McKenzie, the president of the CHL, worked together

extremely well, extremely closely, on a big almost daily sometimes, but certainly weekly basis on all the matters related to the CHL and our respective leagues. And of course, there's the competitive spirit. I wanted the OHL to be hoisting the Memorial Cup at the end of all of it. You know, we might've sat next to each other to watch the game and we're definitely, definitely jabbing each other a little bit here and there. So, you know, it's a great collegial environment.

We, you know, we're, we are kind of lockstep in making sure that the CHL, you know, is the best league in the world and continues to grow and expand and go in new directions that make it an even better product for the fans and the communities that we're lucky to be in. Yep, I love hearing that. I love the OHL. I love the CHL. I think I speak for Canadians from coast to coast. I'm not telling you anything you don't know, Brian, but I appreciate your insight as always and enjoy the rest of the summer. We'll do it again in the fall. Thank you for this.

Yeah, thanks guys. Appreciate it. There he is, Brian Crawford, commissioner of the OHL. So interesting that, you know, he brings up a very good point about keeping your, I guess, ability to go to the NCAA. That was always an issue for a lot of 15 year olds, 16 year olds, 17 year olds. But now that the rules are completely changed, you don't have to play like junior B or junior A.

You don't have to, you can go to the OHL, you can go to the CHL and play, even if your intention is to leave. But you can get two years out of, you know, a kid that goes to college where you didn't get to, you get to have that in the past. And obviously what their attack plan is, based on what Brian's insinuating is get them in and try to keep them.

But you know, we'll see what happens with the NHL stuff if they open the door for a 19 year old to play. I like that rule. I got to be honest. To what allow them to go play in the American League? It's like every year at training camp, it like just covering the Leafs. There's always one, not always, but there's usually one player who is like, yeah, it shouldn't really be going back to junior.

Like he's probably too good for junior, but he's clearly not good enough for the NHL. And it's like, well, what do you do with him? Like Callum was a great example last year. It's like he had this unbelievable year, two seasons ago, and then he comes to camp and it's like, he's not ready. Like, it's very clear he's not ready and like what are your options like you can't put him in the nhl because he's not ready and you can't put in the ahl because he's too young so like so you just have to send him back and it's like that doesn't feel like a fair solution for him even for the player exactly like

i know i know what brian's saying like every league has like he's representing the ontario hockey league which he should that's his job percent, you know, but Yeah, I mean and I hear you and what I think what what will be interesting from a PA standpoint Is if that player is playing in the American League is his pro contract starting like his his entry level Officially should starting even though he's playing the American I would think no But if that's the case then there's no like we're just gonna start them in the American League and then bring them up. Like the thing is about going back to junior,

you're in junior, there's no calling you back up. What if you keep a 19 year old, plays in the American League, through 30 games, you're like, he's ready for the NHL. Can you bring that kid up? Or is there an agreement that he's got to stay in the American League the whole year? No, I would think so.

Okay, then if I'm the player, I'm like, I'm a- And then maybe it activates once he comes up. But then what does he get paid? But if the PA the player, I'm like, I'm a comes up. But then what does he get paid? But if the PA exactly, you're like, I'm a professional man. Like if you want me to play in the American League as a professional, I'm starting my NHL. I think honestly, like I haven't thought this through, but I would think a team would be okay with that. Like you want to burn one year the entry level just playing it like those are so valuable though, man, they are and they're not like because like he he's burning in a year he's not doing anything.

So he's like, you know what I mean? You're getting closer to becoming a restricted free agent with your next contract, but you haven't done anything. Like it's almost- So in terms of him building up his value and what case he's gonna make? Exactly, like I don't- I guess you could spin it either way.

Sure. But it's just a fascinating time. And he brings up a good point, the exceptional players are gonna have the opportunity to go down there, but he said there's two players in the O. I believe I've heard some rumors or reports that there's already players like committed after next year to go down, and it's about the money.

Like that's what you can't control. Like yes, it's tough if you're 18 down there. Yes, it's tough if you're 19. But if a college is like, I'll give you a million dollars. I'm willing to test it out. If I'm 18 and you give me a million dollars or five hundred thousand dollars, American, I'm going. I'm not I'm not playing in Peterborough anymore.

This may be a dumb question. I don't know anything about this. Could they pay players here like could junior teams pay players? They not make enough money. Well, you make you get paid, but it's like nothing. You get paid like I was I used to get 150 bucks a week. No but like could you play a player a hundred grand? That gets dicey because then then you're you then I don't know I don't think so. I mean then I guess ostensibly you could technically open the books to do anything but then are the players unionized? Do you have a salary cap? Like that's the thing about the NIL stuff in the states. It's just bedlam. There's, it's just all hell's broken loose. There's no limit on anything.

There's no cap. There's nothing. All right, Steve Phillips in about 15 minutes, Overdrive continues, TSN 1050N on TSN2. 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 iHeart radio app or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, Steve Phillips coming up in about 10 minutes. See your boy Yannick Sinner. Are you a Sinner guy? I watched that. It wasn't, it wasn't the best. Well, Sinner just kind of, he just like took over

and it was over. Dominated. He was unreal. That was much better than the women's final. Six love, six love. That was tough. Like we were up north and my father-in-law and mother-in-law, like huge tennis fans, they're running in and they're like, it's over. It's over. What's the... You can think of this throughout the show, what's the worst sporting event you've been to because of like the buildup and it falls flat. It's just, it's terrible. That one's gotta be up there. Right? Like that, like going to a tennis final,

like a championship match that finishes in that style and under an hour. Like I got dressed up. I paid a fortune for those tickets, Wimbledon final on a Saturday afternoon It's just over. It's over. Like find someone else to play Yeah, wouldn't you want to protest and be like get someone out here? Steffi Graf, come on. One of the challengers. Someone else like the ball girls can go out and play or ball boys I don't know someone go out there pick up two rackets and play I'm not leaving

What was that fight the big fight way back in the day that ended in like nine seconds or something was that a Tyson fight? I think so probably a Tyson fight. Yeah, those ones sting Those ones are bad to build up, but you kind of understand that can happen sure And I guess technically someone can lose six loves six love but was ugly our two coming up overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on TSN 4. Now, learn the details of how they came to be. All your pockets in the house tonight. 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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