OverDrive - OverDrive - June 19, 2025 - Hour 3

Episode Date: June 19, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 3 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun joins to discuss the biggest headlines from around the NHL. They also revisit their discussion with Panthers Director of Player Personnel and Former NHLer Bryan McCabe on winning the Stanley Cup, the Panthers' successful roster and the celebrations with the win and Hayes hands out his FanDuel Best Bets.

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We're up on YouTube Live on TSN's YouTube channel. Every day up on YouTube Live. You can find us podcasted, the iHeartRadio app. You can find us everywhere. Get to our best bets later in the hour. Game 6 NBA Finals tonight. Pierre Lebrun here in a few moments on Matt Duchenne signing a new deal, an extension down in Dallas. Four years, 4.5 million per. And that takes the sentiment

off the market, right? Like we're kind of waiting to see if Sam Bennett just re-signs in Florida. I'm expecting that. I think most people are. I wouldn't be surprised if it happens relatively soon. Yeah. Like just work it out, find out what the number is. I don't know what that number is going to look like. I'm assuming it's a long term deal. What does he make right now? Is he made like six? No, not even. No, because he's coming off a deal in Calgary, right? He signed it. And again, when he came into the league, he didn't put up big numbers. 4.425 on a four-year deal. Just an unreal contract to pick up.

And he's worth every penny. He's going to double. I think he doubles that. I think he gets something with an eight in it in Florida. And if he becomes a free agent and go somewhere else that that pushes it up into nine or ten because you know you get a bit of bidding wars he could probably get a two-four again i'm

without any knowledge but i'm i'm assuming he get you know if he wants to stay within the packing order and and and they want to make it work with the cap slightly going up all of that type of stuff i think he could probably find something with an eight in it at eight years. So he gets the extra year. That's the other thing. If he wants the term and all of that at this age and this is his final contract at 28 years old, eight puts you to 36.

That's a great career. What'll be interesting is does he get the no movement clause, the no trade clause? That's where it can get sticky too. Because if Florida says, well, we'd like you to take a discount and we're not giving you any of that because we might need to flip it. That might be a deal breaker to be honest with you. Yep.

Like if I'm Bennett, I might say I'll take a little bit less, but I'm moving here and never leaving. Yes. So it's full no move, full no trade. And that's when the rubber could hit the road, you know That that's where it gets dicey because Florida may be thinking I want this guy for another two or three years for sure So I want him for five six seven eight I don't know like I might need to be able to move off him in a little something point

Yeah, yeah, and that that'll be very very interesting cuz i i don't remember if reinhardt that ron are get a full no move for no trade inside it you know inside for eight years at eight point six million or whatever but i don't recall what the details of root his contract for uh... i would assume that it's probably full but let me out the air generally speaking here you are saying status that's just they had that stuff out like candies in the NHL of course they do like

there's third fourth line guys with limited no trade clauses which that is insane like that is just how the managers collectively throughout the league have been like yeah it's a good idea to sign a fourth line guy give him ten teams he can't be traded to like what why guys on the fourth line Why would you give him any power over what could happen in the future did Jerry Angball have I? Don't I wouldn't know that that's why they might have waved him right possibly like I believe David Camp has a limited No trade, I believe David Camp has a limited no trade I believe. Okay here's Sam Reinhart, no move clause through June 30th of 2030, modified no trade clause

16 team no trade list after that. So 2030, so another five years. Another five years where he's not going anywhere then maybe at the end you know could move off you never discussed paul merese to have a handshake line the area for you it was a present there so can the finals well

here's my take on this you guys tell me if i'm crazy i think he realized within twenty minutes of leaving carolina Carolina that he should have never told Rod Rendemore what to do. Right. And I would guess he went back and said, I took it too far there, like lecturing Rod

on the ice after we beat him. Because I think he looked at Knoblock and was like, what do you want to do? Like not I'm going to tell you I don't think we should do this and it's for the players as if as it should be yeah ready to not block said i'm going in and we are whatever and we lost but this is the way it's going to go in disparate more has been to the rounds and said yeah it is was a happy past yes not happy and again it like i get where marisa's coming from like i can reason with hit with his stance.

But you just beat them. Brenda Moore is so intense and you're like lecturing him on why he shouldn't go on the line. That's insane. That was crazy. That was a crazy look. And I think Paul probably realized, I need to shut up on that one. Like we're beating all these teams two time cup finals if the coaches want to go through then we go through you know that that would be my guess. Here's Pierre Lebrun our TSN hockey insider. What's going on Pierre? Back to the handshake line are we? Well believe me sitting in the press box the other night and Noodles was there I was making sure to take attention to that. Wanted make sure that the homer is got in that Antigua and yes, and he did he did

Yeah After telling Robb Brindle more that he shouldn't that's the thing though when you win It's all easier like I can handshake not handshake like that's why I think Brindle more was so pissed It's like this guy who's one is dictating what's going on and I believe Brindle more like a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a that Britain was like, what are you going to do? I'm going to get in line. Do you want to go at middle ice? Like whatever you want, I'm lining up. I love it.

I will tell you this, uh, having spent the better part of two weeks writing a lot about the Florida Panthers, including the other night and check it out. Some of the comments, uh, on my athletic columns from non Panthers fans, there are a lot of people around the hockey world, hockey fan wise, that can't wait for Florida not to win another cup. Like, I don't remember Tampa getting the same kind of hate that other fan bases seem to have for Florida. And I get to understand it, the way the Panthers play.

Everyone hates them here. But I mean, I love what they put together, I gotta say. And with someone with no skin in the game in terms of fanhood, I don't know, I love the way they go about things. I mean, I think you can. It's the greatest compliment they could have. Yeah. And everyone hates them. It's a great compliment.

And the thing I love the most in some ways, and I'm not, listen, I'm not old school to the point, I embrace all data. I understand where we are in 2025, but one of the things I love the most, because they're big, by the way, they're big on data themselves. They use all the modern tools that are out there. But this idea that the game should be played a certain way and that's the way the team should be built. And then Florida just goes out and smashes you right in the mouth when it matters.

I mean honestly, like that's the first thing you should think of when you're talking about the Florida Panthers. Yeah. Yeah. And now they go back to the drawing board. You know, Bennett, Ekblad, Marshawn. What happens here in the next two weeks in Florida? Yeah, I mean, listen, Bill Zito's gonna try to sign them all

is what he said after the cup was won. I think there was some emotion at the moment at play there when he said that. I mean, I believe him when he says he's gonna try. I don't know how real it is. I mean, Marshawn has always felt like more of the rental, even though he's become maybe the greatest rental ever. But they've got a tight cap situation.

You know, then it's the number one priority has to be, there's a number where he can stay and then there's a number that his agent that's told me can definitely get him on the market. And it's going to come down for me, me comes down to what is Sam Bennett want I talked to Sam right after they won the cup on the ice and again the emotion of the moment I'm sure but he couldn't see himself in another uniform is essentially what he told me but he also just want a cup so you know it to me comes down to the player because I think his agent Darren Ferris has told him that if they go to market He can go get him 10 million a year somewhere else

but There's no 10 in Florida. So You know, how much is the extra dough matter to him? Especially when you consider tax free in Florida He kept referring to his teammates as his brothers that night. If you really listen to him, you know where his heart is. But he's also never made big money. So you keep kinda in your head going back and forth

as to what's gonna trump what here in terms of the decision. But Zito went until June 30th at midnight to get Reinhardt resigned last year you guys remember I was tracking it and he went right down to the wire as far as being able to get Reinhardt eight years and I suspect this one will go down to the wire either way as well. Pierre I know Jerry our buddy doesn't really think it's an issue but like you mentioned numbers for Bennett elsewhere like what are other GM saying about the tax like it's it's gotta be a

factor no I mean it honestly depends on the player oh like there are players that get here and realize that a million here a million there, but do I have a chance to win a cup? You know, I mean all those things play into it and So one of the interesting things that's happening now is that a lot of the non State tax teams are also teams where you can win a cup. So they're intertwining Which is why they populate so many lists or these reagents. But I don't know that I'm ready to say that's the number one thing for every single player because it does vary when you talk to agents from conversation to conversation.

It really depends what a guy's looking for. And I'll give you an example. I think if Brad Marshawn leaves, I think in his case, and I think we all agree during his peak years in NHL, he ended up being pretty underpaid for the kind of player he became. He signed that extension too quick years ago in 2016. And so I think for him, even though he just won another cup, I think for him it'll be more of the total dollars. Like who's ready to really step up here?

And so if he can get a four-year deal at north of eight million a year at the age of 37 I think he'll take that in a lot of different places. Not just the places where I was here, but So Matt Duchenne signs that deal Do you think it'll have a lot of impact on John Tavaris's deal as far as them being the same age? All of that type of stuff I mean, what do you make of it i'm sure that you're living with the that were true i i i know for a fact that unless there was a lot of term attached to it there

is no way to verify to five million here with the leaf it's gonna have to be more than that now we can be creative like it if you're willing to true term of an aging player, that brings down the AED for sure. I mean, it's all, again, the total dollars matter more than the AED when it's your last

crack at it, trade wise. But on a normal contract, what I was told last week is that five was too low from the Tenerife Camp Barnaby. And I think, yeah, you have to understand that, you know, Duchenne in Dallas, no state income tax, blah, blah, blah. A bit of a different situation there. What's interesting, though, is that I would not have anticipated Duchenne was the first extension done in Dallas. I would have thought it would have been J.B. Ben

who I still think will resign in Dallas. But what it's done now is if you take into account that you think Ben is staying and Dushane's already signed, and Graham is also USA, but the stars need to move money. They're right at the cap. In fact, they're the team with the least amount of cap space right now, the entire league as of today. I think they'll try to trade Madamba, who has a year left in his deal at 3.75 million.

He didn't play in the playoffs but given how desperate teams are on defense you know maybe there's a market for him to reset his career and be the better version that we've seen from him over the years but they got to move money now, no question about it. Yeah I'm curious about the Tavares youres stance because I believe they have the same agent. I believe Bresson is Duchenne and Tavares' agent. So, John can't play, well, my agent, because Bresson signed off on Duchenne by 4.5. And again, they're both the same age, neither of them have won a cup, Deshane had a really good season. I just, I don't quite understand how Taurus...

Well, but what's four and a half in Dallas? What's the same as Cleveland? I don't know, five million? Is it five? Five and a half to six million? Is Deshane getting endorsements in Dallas like John is, as it may believe? But I'm being honest,, like that's the truth. Like, and this is what bothers people in Toronto is now it's state tax, state tax.

And then again, like, oh, said he asked Batman, it doesn't matter. Obviously it does. And for John, you just answer the question, Pierre, like he's. What's it worth here? Like, and that's the whole thing. Like why, why would the Leafs or any of these other teams not, like why play by those rules? And why not just say I don't care about the tax and all that. We're the Leafs.

You want to be here. You're from here. Matt Duchesne's at 4.5. So are you. Why would they not take that approach? But it's not just about the 4.5. Duchesne did get four years. Yes.

So that's not nothing. Okay. So, what is it? Do you get the impression, well let me ask you this, quickly, do you get the impression the Leafs are comfortable with a long-term deal with Tavaro? So do you think they prefer short? I think they would have preferred short

when the conversation began, but the longer they're willing to go, the AED comes down. And so this is easy for me to say because I don't have to live with the contract, but if I were the least and I'm trying to maximize the next couple of years, I would go longer and bring the AED down so you have more cash space to play with, which is basically what they did with Chris Tannin. I mean, I don't know that everyone expects expects Tanna to play the final year of that deal

But you never know we might You know, we're seeing players play longer and longer. Corey Barry is gonna come in for another year But but my point is I would go as long as I feel comfortable with on Tavares to bring down the A.D. For sure, and that's how you bring it down I think that the various camp are ready to do that if there's more term and that's what brought to Shane's AB down if you Shane sign a two-year extension today if you wait or at the for now I mean the total dollars matter here at that age when you're 34 years old, right? Yeah. Yeah, so that's 18 million total Yeah, maybe a six-year three million per for John that makes sense. That makes a lot of sense

I'm joking here. I'm not gonna I was I was letting yourself hang with the dead air LeBron RTS on hockey insider so McDavid spoke today And you know his contract That's gonna break. I would assume set new records in terms of a cap hit, you know And he can you talk about a guy that can write his own ticket. Obviously he can he'll get whatever he wants Where is your like when does the radar start going off for you between now and game one of next season if and when he hasn't or has signed a contract extension? Yeah, I think that's the conversation of the day for sure since he spoke to it today really

for the first time because it was never really appropriate to talk to him about the future when he's trying to win a cup. But today was the day and I thought he addressed it pretty well. My understanding from making other calls, everyone involved there is no predetermined timeline on how this gets done or not. That's number one. It's not like they met three months ago and said this is you know this is our target date. None of that has happened. Obviously there's been dialogue but they all agreed they would wait till the playoffs would end before they got going.

It's similar to what happened with Dry Side all year ago, if you remember. So my point is July 1st is not very significant, even though that's the day that McDavid could sign extensions legally for the CBA, that should not be circled by Orlers fans or any Octi fans, because I think this is going to be a multi-layered conversation before they ever even get to a number or to math on a new extension. They're going to have lengthy discussions about the vision for the team going forward. You know, McDavid and his agent John Moldova are going to want to hear how are they going to, you know, like, what are the ideas to make this team better and

get over the final hump? Those are really, really, really important discussions that first have to be had over the coming weeks before they even get into phase two, which is what does a new contract look like? Now, I will say my sense of it is that McDavid is looking for reasons to extend and not for reasons to leave. But he still has to have that first conversation and you never know how that conversation goes.

What does the reasons mean though, Pierre? Like does that mean he wants to see what the roster or the GM's gonna do with the team coming up? That's a lot of pressure on Stan Bowman. Well, best player in the world. He's gonna wanna know what he's committing to. So and because of that, Oh and Brian, like, I don't like, if he shows up to training camp in September still not being extended, I don't think people should freak out.

Like I'm not saying it's going to take that long. I'm also not guaranteeing that he extends at all. I'm just saying that if he does extend, everyone involved knows that this may not be one of those things that happens in July, that this may take a while. And I don't know, and listen, we know the agents jumbled over, he didn't get Austin Matthews extended until August,

a couple of years ago. Dreisle didn't extend until September 3rd, took all summer. And like I said, if McDavid shows up to camp still not extended, that's not out of the world. That could be in play here. So it'll be fascinating. There are other teams watching with incredible interest

in the matter, waiting to see how this plays out. I think that it's not everyone that gets to get in that conversation if that ever came to be. I think they're talking LA, New York, Chicago, certain sexy big market teams. I don't know, maybe Tampa, maybe Dallas, but it's not like 20 teams will be able to get into that conversation if it ever came to pass. But for now, my sense is this is about extending with the Oilers at some point in time here if everything they hear is what they wanna hear. How proactive do you think the Oilers management will be

in dealing with their roster immediately or do you think they'll sit back and kind of let things unfold? They've got some decisions to make with their goaltending, addressing some of the holes. And you think McDavid's camp will be at least kept abreast of some of those moves or thought processes along the way? For sure they will be. Yeah, no, I think there's no question.

I mean, obviously, having Bouchard is a very important contract to get done. I mean, you don't want to get off a sheet to get an agreement in summers in a row. You know, so what's the number that makes sense there? You know, the goal-setting is an interesting one. I mean, I think philosophically, the Eulers this year were comfortable basically only having $4 million spent in goals so that they could spend the money elsewhere. But now that, you know, they had two different goalie switches and it sounded like a final and didn't get the saves they needed, which by the way, I don't think is the meat of the

story there in terms of Florida beating them, but it's certainly part of it. I think they have to ask themselves if they're comfortable and goal and if they're not, if they want someone to push Stuart Skinner and to a higher degree, that's going to cost more money on the cap that you hadn't budgeted for last year. So some pretty pertinent, I would say, soul searching questions for the Orlers who are close. I mean, there's not a team in the league that would have beat Florida in a cup final, in my opinion. I mean, it sounds silly to say because obviously they're back to these reach in the final.

But I mean, if they would have had some weird exhibition series where everyone gets a crack at them, I think Florida beats them all. So I think you have to be careful you don't overreact if you're the Edmonton Orlers that you got outclassed in the final and yet there's some important questions to answer. Yeah, there's a lot of that reflecting going Edmonton, Carolina, Toronto, Tampa, you know like Florida just kind of went through them all and they're all really good teams, they all had cup aspirations and they all left early.

You know, it's funny, we always say this, cup or bust, right? So define bust. Like does that mean you blow things up or do you just tinker and go right back at it? Well, and you know, I hate to make it all about the Leafs but I am on overdrive. Um, you know, the Leafs end up being the only team to push Florida the distance.

Right? I'm sure that came up with you guys. That's the new respect in the handshake line. That's the new, we put up the biggest fight. Well, I mean, not much of a fight in game five and game seven. Never lost a beat in Panthers three times, which no one else was able to do. I'm just saying retrospectively, if you're the Leaf, now, you're being forced to play a certain hand with Marner anyway, so change is coming,

but if you, I'm asking you three, like if you were Rod Tree Living now, having seen how Edmonton got this mantle even more easily than your team, what does that tell you? Where you are at the least? I think you can look at a number of things. One, maybe you feel good about the coach, you feel good about you got your two goalies,

you got your defense relatively set. We always focus on core four, core four, core four, but this is where it'll be intriguing to see if they lose Marner, which they're going to, and if Tavares, it doesn't come to terms, and they move off him. And then all of a sudden you get a lot of money, a lot of flexibility, and a team that will look and feel different. You know, whether they'll be better or not, we don't have that answer. I don't know. But, you know, the Leafs were a really good team good team like they've been a really good team for a long time

Like they you know, they got through Ottawa. Like you said, they started the series great against Florida We had Brian McCabe on McCabe said after game six flying back to Toronto. He was nervous like that Right least played really well in that game so I Don't know. I mean Florida Florida humanized McDavid, Dry Settle, Kucherov, they did the same thing to Matthews and Marner and Tavares and Nealander, but they're still going to be there next year. So, that's the problem. You could argue that Bobrovsky had three bad games in the playoffs, one was against Carolina and two were against the Leaps.

Did he have a bad one against Edmonton? Not really. Yeah, he had a couple of bad goals, but probably not bad games. Yeah, but like those first two games against Toronto, I mean, he was not good. He didn't play well. Yeah, no, Stolars got knocked out too. If you want to play that game, you can play the Stolars didn't play and maybe Stolars makes big stops in game seven and it's tied and you know, that's the, I don't know.

Like I don't think we're going to have a full understanding where the Leafs are as a team for next year by the end of our show on July 1st of Grazier Frenzy. I think that's fair. I think the Leafs are an example of a team that's going to need the entire offseason to see what the opportunities are. So they may do something more significant in August than they do in the next month, depending on how things play out here, given how active I know Trela is on the training market and calls, these things don't really have a deadline. These things may need to play out. But you know I think the goal and this is gonna sound funny to say this but I think the goal for the Leafs is to show up at camp and believe that while they may be a less talented team without

Marner, maybe they're a better team by the end of everything they've tried to accomplish this summer. Whether or not they can accomplish that, I'm not really going to guarantee, but if that made any sense the way I put it, I think that's the goal and you know I tell you one guy, I would have no problem again going back to term and overspending. I would bring Bart Marshaan to Toronto. I would do everything I can. I know there is interest within the Lease Run office to explore that. The problem is you know lots of teams are going to be phoning but but again that's you know what you're getting with that guy.

Well and hanging over all of it too is that Matthew Knives you know is going to need a deal and you know in two weeks technically he could sign an offer sheet. Who's his biggest comparable in the league right now? Oh, weren't you talking about, who was it? Was it Mercer? No. Was it Mercer's deal? Well, Dawson Mercer is a guy that would be a comparable type, but he's probably like

the hell with that guy. It's like any other thing, Jamie. The team's going to have some comparables on the low end and his himself Is gonna have some that are skyrocket right? What is high-end comparables are I'm not sure but I guarantee you They're not making like four to five or four seven five whatever Mercer's making well and ironically enough It feels like Tavares factors into this again You know he signed first and then it was willy mitch in austin said well you give him eleven

and if you give him six or seven knives is probably like one better than this guy right now you know i'm gonna be more important than him why would i take less than john to bars it's feels like we're going full circle here yeah i mean i didn't are paid our fate at USA and there's all those different. So are the other guys. Yeah. Yeah. So are the three of them

seven years ago. And if I'm the least, I want to go eight years of neither if I can just to not deal with this for a long time. But yeah, I don't know. I don't know if they'll be able to do that. I, you know, I get where they're contenders sometimes that do bridge deals to sort of punt the ball down

the road and allow them to be more competitive in the moment. But I'll give you an example. I understand why the stars did Thomas Harlan a two-year deal last fall, but that already looks like a scary negotiation. You've got a year left now before a million Thomas Harlan and he might be on the Olympic team in February. Yeah, he's going to make some money money that kid. He's a good player. You might be better off bridging Nice just based on What do you think his ceiling is? That's the thing. He had 29 goals this year, right? So is his ceiling 40 or is his ceiling?

35 32 like that type of thing because he wasn't he wasn't a prolific scorer anywhere Really other than now he's gotten to the NHL and been more of a power forward that can score. So is it a product of some great passes from Marner and all of that? He's going to have somebody different pass into the puck this next year. Yeah, those are all important elements to this conversation, for sure. All right, Pierre. Well, we'll see.

We've got a couple of weeks coming. It's be a fun two weeks thank you for doing this as always right on right on yeah we'll do it again next week you got it there he is Pierre LeBrunner TSN hockey insider best bet still to come and we'll revisit our chat with Brian McCabe overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on TSN 2 with Virgin Plus you get an affordable phone plan and member benefit discounts on food, fashion, and entertainment, which means your life gets... This meal is delicious. And...

Love that I'm out shopping more. And... This concert rules! And even... What was I even doing with my life before signing up with Virgin Plus and getting to do all this fun stuff? And who doesn't want that?

Get affordable phone plans and so much more with Virgin Plus and getting to do all this fun stuff. And who doesn't want that? Get affordable foam plans and so much more with Virgin Plus, obviously. Visit a Virgin Plus store or virginplus.ca for details. All right, best bets later in the hour. Jay's losing today, but they got the white socks coming up, which is always, always a pleasant idea and always something that's very welcoming. So we'll get to our best bets later in the hour on game six of the NBA final

The Stanley Cup was handed out game six down in Florida The team picture was gorgeous and our boy Brian McCabe was right in the middle of it basically holding the Stanley Cup More or less as close as you can get and we love Kaber and he joined us earlier today I know you began by asking him that how did you get so close to the middle of the team picture? Oh I think well last year I made the corner of the book there right on the edge where like the last part of the picture was just my face so I had to kind of squeeze in a little closer and get this big fat head in there this year. I love it man, it's got to be incredible.

What has your last 48, 72 hours been like? How much can you remember? How many people are asking you what it's like down there? What has life been like for you the last couple of days? It's been crazy, a little surreal. It still hasn't sunk in. I honestly cannot believe we just went back to back and you know, all the credit goes to this group of guys, man. What a team and I was a different feeling this year. You know, last last year

we're on the edge of our seat to one game, game seven, they're all over us. The goalies pulled so it was different emotions, anxiety and stuff. And this year, man, the boys just dominated. Like it was like they just frickin' willed their way to this thing the last two games. And it was obviously special. Had my whole family here this time, which means a lot. Had my mom or brother fly down. All my kids and wife were here this year.

So it was nice to be able to enjoy it with them this time around. So Kaber, you just said the domination, especially games five and six, where you really took control. Was there a point where, maybe anywhere through the playoffs, that you had a little bit of doubt where you're like, God, I don't know if it's all going to come together, or even maybe near the end of the season, where you guys were resting and had some players that, you know know you had to move around and all that type of stuff was there any doubt at any point to until obviously everything came together against Edmonton. I was nervous the whole time because obviously you guys know it's worse sitting up in a freaking

press box than it is being on the ice so I'd say there was some definitely anxious nerves after the Leafs came in here and beat us in game six. I didn't know what was going to happen going back there. Obviously they have a good team too. But like I said, our team, they just go about their business. They figured it out. They know how to win. They're well coached and they obviously love each other. just this has been Such a special team to be a part of the last few years Ugly when you say they know how to win Can you explain to a viewer somebody driving around what that means?

Like what does that mean to a guy that this plays beer league? I'll tell you what like remember the year we won the president's trophy and then lost we were winning games like six, four and seven, five and you know, you can win games like that in a regular season, but we didn't know how to win in the playoffs because you can't go outscore teams in a playoffs. It's just muck it up and do what you do. And, you know, I've just felt like since the last, I guess, probably three years, like that, they've known how to buckle down and we can win games any which way you gotta win them. You know, close games, tight checking games, physical,

you want us to score goals, the guys can do that too. So I just think that they have just turned a page and they just know how to do it against different types of opponents. And it's just like old hats of them now. It's really awesome to watch and be a part of. With Brian McCabe and you're in player development, so I guess a primary role for you is to try to find those characteristics in players. Now that you've seen it twice with your own team, how does that apply to younger players coming out?

You have that Charlotte team that's been unbelievable too. Is there a characteristic you feel like you've found as an organization that has helped you here? Because there's a lot of talented players in the world, but you guys have winners, talent with the winning pedigree. How have you managed to find that ingredient in so many players? Well, I just think from the top down, it's just a trickle down effect. And, you know,

I give Jordy and his staff in Charlotte a lot of credit for basically playing the same way that the Panthers play. It's like we don't really have one genuine superstar in Charlotte and we're playing for the Calder Cup right now. And they've done that from sheer will and structure and just outworking teams and grinding teams down in series, just like our team's done here. And it's been a lot of fun to be a part of. I couldn't be happier for that. That team in Charlotte, uh, that staff there worked so hard. And as you guys know, we haven't had a ton of draft picks over the past few years

trying to build this team up and they they've had to sign college free agents and develop guys and They've done a fabulous job and we're in the mix to hopefully win another championship big game tonight in Abbotsford So hopefully they can tie that thing up to to with Brian McCabe You look at what the Panthers did to superstars throughout this run, like completely neutralized Kuturov in the first round, Point in the first round, Matthews and Marner in many ways in the second round, Ajo in the third, and then McDavid and Dry

Settle games 3, 5, and 6, you know, effectively were kind of blending into the series. Like how impressive is that to watch it live and to know like what's going on with the secret sauce behind the scenes to prepare for it, but like beating McDavid at Dry Subtle and back to back cup finals. Like how is that even possible? It's a total group effort.

And I know a bunch of the guys spoke on this during the interviews the other night, but the depth that we have in this team and organization is and everyone playing the same way and there's no drop off and no one cares about accolades or points and stuff they're all in for one goal and it just shows like the way they played and just shut the best players in the world down as a group. It was really, really special to watch. Kaber, you're in that managed group with Billy Zito. As you mentioned, you win the President's Trophy, but you didn't get to win that year.

It's a build. But Billy Zito has been a guy who's been not shy to be proactive and think outside the box and take big swings I mean you feel like that's a recipe as well to you know to Not just safe as death type of thing like he's made some big trades that have been organizationally changing and even you add at the deadline this year, you gotta bring in a guy like Marshand who was a difference maker. Do you feel like Billy's found an aggressiveness to him that pays off?

Yeah, like 100% he deserves a ton of credit here. He showed some serious balls in some of the trades that he's made. Like the two truck trade obviously started this whole thing, bringing him in and then you know we got freaking jonesy we got rhino we got uh marshy at the deadline like those are some of those trades weren't easy to make like you're getting rid of a lot of really good players or draft picks and stuff and it it it takes some gohanas to to like put it out there and and

actually go through with it. We can talk all we want in the rooms about it, but he actually, he's the face of the franchise and at the end of the day it's his call and he's put a lot of these pieces in place to make us successful. As you've seen, the proof's in the pudding, everyone's clicked and gelled together. I think Marshy was just the icing on the cake. I think everyone agrees, like, he fits the way we play. Like it was like a seamless transit.

I don't think there was any better fit in the history of the world than him coming to our club and the way he embraced and our guys embraced him. I think it just, you know, it was spectacular. You mentioned started with Kachuk. Like what, what about him coming to Florida other than his hockey skill set was so important in the development of the team. The biggest thing for me, like, as you know, there's a lot of different. Hockey players a little different nowadays and stuff. First thing Chuckie did when he got down here was took the whole training and equipment stuff out for a big dinner and night out.

Old school style like we grew up doing. He was brought up like that, you know, Big Walt and did a great job with those boys and I think he just brought that energy and that old school mentality and you treat everyone, especially those guys, you know, the heart and soul of every team, the trainers and the guys that are hanging bags at five in the morning. I think it started with him just bringing

that group together. And I think it took a little pressure off of Barky. You know, Barky's a quiet guy, but he shows up every night and leads by example. And I just think that their personalities meshed well together. And the other group just jumped right on their backs and just kept going from there.

With Brian McKay, we were talking about the elbow room prior to you coming on. What's the rules, regulations with management in the elbow room when the players are there partying? Were you jumping in on that or what's the deal there? Well, as much as God knows, you guys know I'd love to be there. I kind of feel that it's the players time They they did the work they went through the grind. Yeah, we're a small little piece of that But you know, we got to enjoy it obviously the night out with the group

But let them go crush the elbow room. They deserve everything the next Couple weeks to let them have their fun. I'm sure we'll have some staff fun here on the sides, but You know, I couldn't be happier for them. I love the fact that they were there at nine in the morning and they're doing it up right. They deserve it. Yeah, absolutely. And we always talk about days with the Cup, and I know you had one last year and you'll

have one again this year. What does it deal with like the Philip Pritchard or the keeper of the Cup? While you're having your day, are they involved? Are you offering them drinks? What comes with the cup when it shows up for your day with the cup? Oh my God, those guys are unbelievable. You think looking at it looks like a great job to have, but when you've been to a couple of these cup parties, it's a tough job, man, dealing with a bunch of hooligan friends from Canada

that, you know, like, it's basically they're babysitting every day. But those guys are unbelievable. I had Mario and Glenn for my cup day and Mario made himself breakfast and cooked a family breakfast and they hung out with us all day. They are unbelievable guys, that whole staff, the keepers of the cup. Just to be a part of having those guys around. That cup day was really special. I think I had 200 and some people. I didn't leave any stone unturned because it took 50 years to get here.

We did it up right. It was certainly special. Those guys are the best, man. Honestly, those guys, the best man I honestly those those guys they go through a lot and they get to see a lot but they're the salt of the earth crew and I can't wait to see them all again okay you said your brother was at the celebration who has possibly the best nickname in the NHL how did snake enjoy the cup? Snake enjoyed it. It was nice to have him here this year.

Like last year was kind of a gong show. I had him there game four. We got pumped, 8-1. And then unfortunately, during the process of the cup final, I lost my father-in-law before game six. So there was all that to deal with, the funeral and stuff. So none of my family could be here. So it was special to have Snake and Barb, my wife and kids here, and he was on the ice and got to have some fun with all the festivities. And we actually had a laugh. We had dinner last night with my mom and brother, Noodles. To this point, we were talking about this because I said I may go on with you guys tomorrow.

The most my brother has ever laughed in his life, we're at Stampede Week 1 here and Noodles went on the dance floor and pretended he had a club foot and I've never seen my brother laugh so hard. I think he almost peed his pants and we were sitting at dinner last night and he was laughing his head off again, giggling and I said I'd give him a showdown today but noodles I'm sure you remember that night. I do remember something like that I don't it was a late night. It was something like that. Stampede night I know those type of stories. Stampede, those are for books. I've gone every year since I was 16 so we've done some things there that you know we talked about even Jason Strudwick dancing on the

dance floor. Yes, we've all had our moments on the dance floor at Stampede. As you should. Hey, but I noticed you got a hat on. I haven't seen you guys in a while, O-Dog. I got to say something sincere, buddy. You look fabulous. You look unbelievable, like playing weight, O-Dog. So cheers to you, buddy. I've never seen you look so good. Can you do me a favor for just what I've done in the gym? Can you show the boys your salad like did you go full mess wearing a hat?

Hey, I'm riding this till she bucks. I'm going 90s Messier. We just went back to back Hey if it ain't broken, don't fix it. I'm going to ride this wind wheel right until she stops working, boys. As you should, man. That's a salad that's won two cups, K-Rick. Do I get the leather straps on the hat now or no? Should I get the old wind wheel leather strap? Cone it in a circle.

Just comb it in a circle. It'll work. It'll all blend together. Everybody'm glad that i have a lot of skin younger better-looking antennae i'm just getting i just heard fifty balder father just uh... i'm going the opposite direction so here in the best pal things are going to win a regular rate to your teeth looked great with phenomenal now i know phenomenal Anymore man, they look awesome They're beautiful now

You guys are the best boys great catching up with you Kaber congrats, man. Thank you for doing this All right, boys. Thanks. Cheers There is the great Brian McKay man. He's just he's the best love having him back on and congrats to him the Florida Panthers and We'll see if the Oklahoma City Thunder could take a page out of the Panthers book tonight, game six. This time it'll be on the road though in Indiana. We'll come back with our best bets on that and more. Overdrive continues, TSN 1050N on TSN2. With Virgin Plus, you get an affordable phone plan and member benefit discounts on food,

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What was I even doing with my life before signing up with Virgin Plus and getting to do all this fun stuff? And who doesn't want that? Get affordable phone plans and so much more with Virgin Plus. Obviously visit a Virgin Plus store or virginplus.ca for details. Alright today's best bets powered by Fando make your picks and assemble a same-game parlay in seconds on the Fando sportsbook Yeah, I'm on the Thunder money line tonight. I think they win. I don't know if they cover the number Halliburton will play but I think Thunder went tonight Gilderos Alexander 6 plus assist. Jalen Williams 20 plus points. That parlay pan plus 175. It's shorter odds because you're playing the favorite but I just I like where the Thunder are at tonight.

Feels like Indiana's just kind of run out of steam and today's best bets are powered by FanDuel. From the first basket to the final buzzer, live samegame parlays are available for every NBA finals game on the Fandall sportsbook app, please play responsibly 19 plus physically located in Ontario All right. Well, we'll see what comes of the game tonight. Jay's in action tomorrow and Travelers day two of the Travelers tomorrow. We got Canada back in action at the gold cup on Saturday We'll see if anything comes from this Jesse Marsh situation

Many Jerry's on another signing before we start tomorrow 38% now I'm 7% and I don't think there's a Friday's new Friday news dump on a signing I don't know. There's a lot of Ufas and Rf a's out there man 55% there's oh, yeah nice Yeah, get your ufas taking care of that's happening too man a lot of teams like we got to keep our guys But I'm gonna find a way to make that work All right good stuff. Thanks to everyone behind the scenes for helping out We appreciate it everyone for tuning in today TV radio podcast web and of course up on YouTube live on TSN's YouTube channel we're out of here enjoy your evenings enjoy the games tonight we're back tomorrow at 4

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