OverDrive - OverDrive - June 24, 2026 - Hour 1

Episode Date: June 24, 2026

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 1 on OverDrive! They discuss Canada's defeat to Switzerland in the FIFA World Cup, Canada's performance in the match, Mike Babcock's start with the Oilers and the next steps for Edmonton, Connor McDavid's future with the team, Alex Tuch's signing with the Capitals, Alex Ovechkin's outlook in Washington, the Blackhawks trading the fourth pick of the NHL Entry Draft and Bowen Byram's deal with Chicago.

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your home smart speaker up on YouTube live streaming later this evening up on Crave a little post footy match program here brian hazy o'dugg jeff o'neill jamie noodles mcclennon it's going on today folks well we're scrambling now man we're scrambling now after that match i don't know what the hell happened in that football match hazy like they had a hydration break in the first half and they came out and they dominated and then they went to break and they came out completely flat and it cost them the game. That's right. And it cost them the group is what it cost them. Yeah. You know, like forget the game. We all, we talked about it

for six days. What was on the line? If you tie or win the game, you stay in Vancouver, you play on July 2nd against a third place team. Now Switzerland gets to stay in Vancouver. Canada's playing on Sunday in L.A. Against a team that is going to be equally matched, possibly better than them. It could be South Korea. They got a lot of injury problems.

Now you're on short rest. Now you're leaving the country for the first time. It was a big miss, and you're right. I mean, they started horribly. They were really kind of chasing the game. They were lucky, I think, it got to nil-nil at the half. But 40 seconds into the second half, boom. One-nothing, Switzerland.

And at that point, you realized this is trouble. Then it was two notes. To their credit, the second hydration break. They love a hydration break, man. Our guys love a hydration break. They came out flying and promised Davis scored. They had a lot of opportunity and a lot of possession late. That goal he scored was one of the best goals I've ever seen.

Yeah, it was very much. It was unbelievable. And a beautiful goal. And I think, you know, there's a lot to get into. Kevin Kilben will join us. Kevin's coming up in a half an hour. You know, why isn't Davy's plan? like he just didn't I knew we knew he wasn't going to start and if the if the reasoning was what was

two nil at that point and we probably weren't getting back into it and we got to play on Sunday I can reason with that dude if he's not going to play in that game when the hell is he going to play but that's a legitimate question like are we dealing with a scenario where they know he's not going to play but he's there as a mascot you know like are they put him on the roster hoping eventually he could make it but by now they know he's not going to play I think that's a reasonable question and Kevin will answer that. Stephanie Ustockio didn't start the match

but came in late and called. Well, I think called it out appropriately. He's like, looks great. Why didn't he play? Why didn't he start? You know, like what's going on with him? So lots to get into from today. But ultimately, I think big picture,

we've been talking about this for four years, you get out of the group stage, that's a win, right? You're happy with that. They're into the group of 30. The round of 32. They're going into the knockout stage. But it was a real missed opportunity to win this group and put yourself in a very good position in Vancouver. But now they've got to dust themselves off.

Find a way to get healthy. Find a way to win a match on Sunday. It's that easy. It's that easy. So Kevin Kilban, in about a half an hour. Fred's percentages in an hour, right? Fred's coming up. Yeah, we've got Fred's percentages.

And my understanding is Fred is going to make an appearance. His debut. Yes. I love it. A debut for Fred. Fred will be bringing in Fred's percentages, and he comes in so hot. He's so gorgeous. And I looked at him, and I'm like, is there any chance that, like, this guy looks like a Jerry,

and that's where the mistake was. But talk to some associates, and they're like, he doesn't look like a Jerry. They're like, you totally butchered it, man. Yeah. If he's a friend yesterday, we went for lunch with Fred and Elizabeth and Oak called him Jerry and thought his name was Jerry. So Jerry's percentages is out. Fred stepping in today. Yeah, I got to tell you guys.

That's the backstory. I read some funny stuff online and I got some hilarious stuff this morning. I think there's actually a portion of Euler fans who I guess they were watching our clip with Johnny and we were talking. talking about the Babcock Presser, and there's a portion of Euler fans that are treating this almost like the Zach Hyman signing, where they're like, oh, you sore losers, you let him go, and now we got him, and now you're jealous. I was beside myself reading those types of comments, like, typical Toronto pissed off, you had a former guy and let him go. I almost had to write some obscenities to some people saying, are you actually crazy? First of all, we don't care who, if you,

If a player, coach, anybody signs anywhere. It doesn't buy, like, we just talk about it. We don't care. We don't care who wins. We don't care who loses. We just talk about the transactions and the results of the game. But that idea is absolutely nonsense. You actually want them and you want to act like you're just so lucky to get them.

Go ahead. I thought it was a great opportunity for Babs to come out and address people and say this is a fresh start. and I still think about the presser today. He didn't even, like the idea that his wife called him and said, get the hell out of there is complete lunacy. It's a weird one. It's a weird comment. Dude, yeah.

If I was in Columbus, like if I was running Columbus or somebody, I think Mike Commodore said this, he's like, if I was the owner of Columbus, like, if I heard that, I would just come out with the heat and just say, like, is this guy serious? Your wife called you and said, get the hell out of there? Maybe we sat you down and said, you need to get the hell out of here. Crazy stuff. Crazy stuff.

It is, you know, at the end of the day, anybody could have had him. I think his contract, when was his contract up? Last year? Yeah, oh, yeah, it expired, yeah, a couple years ago, I believe. Yeah, so, I mean, people just put it this way. When Mike Babcock came to Toronto, we tracked his plane, and we celebrated, all of that. when you know he's a different person are much maligned now i don't know fans will just always be fans that's the way i would say it to you oh fans will always be fans it doesn't matter you know what the

what the context of it is they will defend their organization and then they'll kick him in the ass if it's not in the organization i mean at the end of the day exactly right like there's no i have not seen those comparisons like zach hyman is crushing that toronto let him go like that is he's a Toronto kid. He grew up loving the Leafs. He wanted to be a Leaf, and they let him go. It's astounding that they allowed that happened. Yeah, that's so much different.

So much different. Mike Babcock, no one in Toronto care. No one cares about Mike Babcock. Like literally nobody, I haven't heard one, put it this way. As one of the great longstanding traditions of every Leaf fan is looking back into the history books and saying, man, you got to get that guy back. Never should have let that guy go. You know, I wish they didn't do this or why don't they do.

And Hyman would be an example of that. I hear that every once in a while. I can't believe they let Heimer go. Can't believe they let Cadre go. You know, and then even further down the list. Like, watch, in two years, someone will say, man, I should have kept that Simone Benoit. I like that guy. Nobody has ever said they should have kept Babs or get him back, like, not one person.

So go ahead, Edmonton. You got it. No, I know. But I think the fan base is like, okay, we've got this guy now. now we have to basically like support and forget the nonsense in Columbus and like this is our guy well of course because he is your coach and if they wait god forbid if they ever win with this guy it'll just be like you could have had him you have well that's just that's just sports and you know what's happening here i think what's happening in edmonton is people rallying around mac david because

you know he did an interview today and said this is what we want and he basically said you know i'm looking forward to being challenged because it hasn't had happened in a long time, which is a weird kick in the ass to Knoblock in the way out. You know, like, Knoblock, he's known for a long time. They've got the two cup finals. Again, it's a big boy business. You know, like these are big boys, and Knoblock made a lot of money and he's still getting paid. But, like, what was Knoblock doing, giving them snacks and putting movies on during practice?

Well, I don't understand. I don't understand the idea anyway. It's like these star players, you know, they've got everybody. heavily involved, whether it be agents, parents, whatever. And it's like, you better treat this guy good. It's his show and let him do it. And then it's like, don't leave me alone and let me do my thing. But then years later, it's like I needed to be challenged all this time, and that's what I wanted.

It's kind of a weird, it's a weird thing to say. I'm not going to lie. It is weird, but I don't mind. They haven't won. They're going to try something different. I don't mind him saying. I'd much rather a guy who's been close and tasted it, but how to, but how to, you know, hasn't got over the hump going, we're trying something different.

I want to be challenged differently. You can actually see or hear the desperation is the wrong word, but how much he wants to win. I think that's an appropriate word. I kind of applaud him. I think it's the right word. What's the right word? Desperation.

I think they're desperate. And that's not a bad thing. Like they are desperately trying to win. You know, there's a lot of athletes in pro sports that are like, I don't know. You know, we'll see what happens. Yeah, and desperate for him, too, because I honestly think that he's got this year and the year after, and if he doesn't win in Edmonton, he's probably going to go somewhere else to try it. I would say it's most likely that he will be assessing things very closely the next two years,

and there will be a Kevin Durant type situation where he's like, well, that was 10 years at Edmonton, whatever it was, I'm going to go jump on that moving train to see if I can make it work there. You can't deny that that's out there. Oh, it's 100% out there. Leon Drysidl said it in his post. Yeah, he did. If you go back and listen to the 15 minutes at Drysettle, that was absolute gold because he said, we're on the clock. And I would argue that Drysettle put himself in that conversation, just because you sign a long-term deal.

It doesn't mean you can't put your hand up and go, I'm leaving too. But it's, we just saw Brady, Austin Matthews, he's probably going to see what's going on here. 100%. Yep. Most of win. Detroit. You know. If people want to win, Dylan Larkin, like you're looking at it, I don't mind it in a sense that, you know, we are seeing guys that I think the one thing I was talking to a buddy today about it is careers are shardo.

Like you blink and it's gone. And these guys are a decade into their career and going, I haven't been able to get over the hump. What do I need to do here? I don't know how long you played, Jay. I played 12 years and I was it. I was done. Well, I played 13. I believe it.

It was same thing. And like it's a dozen or Baker's dozen, like it goes quick. And if you don't get a sniff, you're a hungry for it. Jerome McGill is one of my best buddies. You know, he never got to the day. They lost in game seven. They lost. Yeah, that's right.

But it just, it's, I don't mind. I praise the will to it. But again, like we said yesterday, careful what you wish for because, you know, this is a guy who will be hard on you. So let's see how it is on November. You know, in a Tuesday in November where he benches you or he says, you know, something about you. Well, I'll believe that when I see it, that he benches McDavid. Like that's, I'll believe that when I see it.

But, you know, if it happens, I feel almost as if it was like pre-planned, hey, I got to get you, you get a wink, wink, nudge, nudge. I got to jab at you here so everyone sees it. Seven nothing. I'm going to bench you in the other. Exactly. Well, I just, I think there is one thing. Sorry, Brian. No, that's one thing.

I think accountability is something that is. lost throughout this whole league. The whole league. And that's what, you know, whether you're Connor McDavid or anybody else. I don't, you, those guys, if they're having an off night, miss a shift here or there. It's not the worst thing in the world. So lots going on in terms of the rumor mill in the NHL. But there is, you know, one deal that has happened.

Alex Tuck has been traded from Buffalo to Washington, which means Washington has acquired Alex Tuck and Jordan Kairu I think that means Ovi might be Caput. That's what I'm wondering. Do they know that Ovechkin's done? And if they're both going to play on the right side, what does that mean for Tom Wilson? Like is Wilson playing on the left side

or is Kyru going to play up the middle at times? You know, I'm curious about that because you've got OVey who, he may have told them, I'm done. They may have known the whole time. You just mentioned Tom Wilson. you put Ovi back into that equation. You saw with the Nashville Predators how they had Forsberg in Stamp Coast in Marsha, so, and then you get on some special teams, and everybody wants to be in the same spot,

and it's just like this ain't working. And you would have the same thing there. Ovi is not moving at all from that spot, and Jordan Kairu probably wants to shoot the puck from there. Alex Tuck probably wants to shoot the puck from there. And there's only so much puck for right-hand. shots in the offensive zone. So it'll be, I think it honestly would mean OV would probably not be coming back. Yeah.

It's like one OVie gone, we've got to bring in two other guys. Moves would indicate that. And they're both, like, those are big players. You know, like, Kyru's a good player. Talk had a really good year, and it's had a really good couple of years in Buffalo. You know, Buffalo, I'm very curious about them. They have moved out byron yesterday, and we'll get to that in a moment. Talk today.

Castle Ring they traded. Like those are three everyday guys. I know. It's kind of weird after all the momentum they built up. Exactly. And Yarmal Kekalinen today said, we should talk all the best and said, we're going to be fine. And I'm sure they have irons in the fire. It sure feels like every team in the league does right now.

But I am curious. Like, you know, I look at Ottawa. Now that was kind of out of their hands because Brady pushed it. But they still went through with it. And then they jump quickly. They brought in Eklins. And I think they're going to be more active. and they realize we've got to keep going here because we've made the playoffs the last couple of years.

I think it's even more important for Buffalo after 15 years not making it. Yeah, it talks out who's kind of a local guy. Byron had a really good year. Again, Castle Ring, like, what are you going to do in Buffalo? Lost three quality veteran players. Yeah, you better get somebody here. Yeah, like quickly. Well, they've got lots of work to do there, but they do have some currency.

So it would be interesting to see because now you've got some money too. Like, who are you going to go and get? Again, I don't know if Zach Werenski will put his hand up, but like, you know, you're going to have to replace Tuck. You're going to have to replace Spiric. Jamie, we talked about it the last couple of days with Brady leaving Ottawa. They might have currency, but it's like changing locations around the world. What is the Buffalo Sabres currency as opposed to everyone else in the NHL? with guys not wanting to go certain places and free agency.

Like, they better make it work or be disappointing for the fan base to say, okay, we had one fun in the sun after 15 years, and now we have guys who move out, and now we can't replace them. I mean, I think Yarmo's a smart guy. I think they can do it, but they better pull it off. If you're a fan of the team, you're like, this better be somehow addressed. It's a great point, but let me ask you this. If Alex Tuck signed a eight-year extension at 10.85 million today, would you be going,

what a great deal for Buffalo? What, you know, geez, they should have, you know, like what a win for Buffalo? It's a big contract for a guy who literally was pointless against Montreal in the second round. And, you know, it was an aging winger. I like Alex Tuck as a player. I think he's a big body. I think he moves well. I think there's a physical.

Like, he's just, he's a big guy that can get you 30 goals. there's something about him. I like him, but I don't love him. And I honestly don't know if I'd be paying him that contract. I don't know if I'd be paying him 10.5, and I don't care about the salary cap rising, or this is the going rate, or that's the going rate. In the salary cap, allocated money is so important,

and if you've got that guy scoring 30 goals in having a disappointing playoff series, and he's allocated 10.5, 10.8 million. It's a big chunk, man. Yeah. So what you're saying is it's maybe smart business by Buffalo. Well, we just had this conversation for 38 seconds, and, oh, you're fine from them moving on from him. So I guess they've had these conversations probably for months in Buffalo going, do we keep him?

Do we not? He's a local guy. He's a captain. You know, it's kind of the, it's the chicken or the egg. They could have paid $10.85 million for them for them and kept him. And they chose a lot to so. It's all about the replacement now. That's my concern.

fan that, but you're right, and you're right to be concerned, but what I'm saying is they saw it more your way. They said, we don't see, you know, we think this deal might be poor at some point. They see something or saw something that they did not want to commit eight years to Alex Tuck, or maybe he didn't. At the end of the day, you're right, you've got to replace it, but they have young players that have pushed through. Benson pushed through.

Maybe that Quinn can be a 30-goal guy. him he's a good little player and I think that maybe they look at him as a guy potentially what was Ross's like growth from within was that one of his yeah growth from within that was Ross Ackin's movement that paid off in the end yeah so that way I guess that's my point is you know we're we're kind of flushing this out they probably viewed it a lot like you

oh going like these we like them but I don't know at that price or at that term and so you've got to move on and you're right now you've got to replace them you've got to replace those the big body, the speed, the goals, but they have some currency to do that. And they have young wingers, like you said. I think the Byron one is more interesting because, you know, Dahlene's the man, and he is a superstar.

He is a stud. He's so good. And power, I thought, grew as the year went on. So on power, they're committed to. They're committed to Samuelson. You know, like that's going to be their top three, I guess. So Byron was always going to be kind of four and be a little bit behind. them, I think they got a great haul in return.

Like Chicago giving up the fourth overall pick, and I know Greenway went as well, but that puts them in a position with that currency, like you said. Like it's not only cap space, but, you know, Byram was a really important player for them. So I'm very interested to see what Buffalo does because now they got the fourth overall pick. You know, they have cap space. they have got to be circling someone. And I'm not sure it's free agency because there are names out there. There are guys that can and will sign.

Feels more likely it would be trade. But it gets back to the point that everyone always brings up is Buffalo is on a lot of no trade lists. So can you acquire the players you really want to? But, you know, Chicago picking up Byram, and obviously that's going to come with an extension, but he has all the leverage now. Like you get to trade a fourth overall pick for that. guy you're going to pay them and keep them. Let me ask you guys a question, though.

I think they probably wanted to keep Byron, but what does that extension look like? I mean, double digits, right? Well. Like, are we talking 10 or 11? Like, it'll be probably 10 million. It'll probably be an eight-year deal at 10 million or something like that. And is he capable of getting to that number, you know, as a player? I'm not talking about getting the contract.

Like, I like, he's a good player. He's been traded twice now in his career. And I'm curious, obviously Buffalo looked at it and said, this isn't a guy that, you know, because defensemen, you can have three or four guys that you pay a lot of money to because they're all going to get 22, 23 minutes. You can find 23 minutes for your third defenseman, fourth defenseman who can have a huge impact on your team.

Obviously, they felt comfortable moving off him. And, you know, I understand what Chicago. I understand what they're thinking. I actually give them credit for having the stones to make the trade. Nobody trades top five picks. I don't know if it's going to work. I was shocked they gave up the fourth overall pick for Byram, but nobody doesn't.

There hasn't been a top five pick traded in like 18 years in the NHL. And they said, screw it, we're doing it, which means they either didn't love the draft or didn't love who they thought would be there, or they thought Byram's going to be better than whoever they were going to pick there. Or they promised Bedard, hey, we're going to get something going here for you, which is a pretty consistent theme throughout the last. league, star players kind of pushing their teams to be active and try to get better. I would think it's a combination of everything, Brian.

Because if you believe, let's say Carson Carls would have been the fourth pick, maybe Carson Carl's turns into Bowen Byron, and they just, they don't want to have three years until this kid arrives type of thing, and it comes and pushes out to be a stud defenseman. They're like, we'll go get one who's 25 right now. It's won a cup and kind of in the window now. And maybe, like, I don't know what Byron's ceiling is. They have 42 or close to that, I think close to 50 points.

And playing behind Dahlian. Like, Dahlian's an offensive dynamo. So he's going to get every PP1 you'd think, right, in Chicago and play more. So, yeah, it's possible. Like, can he be a 55-point guy? Like, that's a really good player. That's a really good player. But it's a steep price.

Yeah. And, you know, San Jose said two, and Mike Greer spoke today and said a lot of people calling about that pick. Like, we might see more activity in the top five. Matthew Nyes, his name is out there. I love it. I can't wait. Yeah, it's going to be a lot of fun.

I can't wait. All right, Kevin Kilban coming up from Vancouver. Canada losing 2-1 to Switzerland today. That means they finish second in their group. Switzerland gets to stay in Vancouver and play on July 2nd. Canada's got to get on a plane down and head to L.A. They play on Sunday, June 28, and likely playing South Korea, not determined yet, but a very tough matchup, and they're hitting a row.

They're leaving the country for the first time. So it was a pretty crushing defeat today. They were down 2-0 at one point. They scored late and then kept pushing, but in the end, not enough to get the job done. What did Kevin think of the match? Why didn't Alfonso Davies play? Why didn't Eustachio start?

What happens in the final, you know, as we move ahead to the knockout stage? That more coming up with Kevin and Fred's percentages coming up at 630. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and up on YouTube live. You've been listening to Overdrive, powered by Fand, Fan duel, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. Up close and personal. Winston Zach Myers.

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