OverDrive - OverDrive - March 12th, 2025 - Hour 2

Episode Date: March 12, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jamie McLennan and Dave Feschuk for Hour 2 on OverDrive! NHL on TNT Analyst Eddie Olczyk joins to discuss Mikko Rantanen's move to Dallas from Carolina, Auston Matthews' goal scoring skill and the playoff close race. The guys go around the sports world in the latest edition of Role Play Level of Concern featuring the Canadian Stanley Cup drought and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Wow, you've got the latest model! Nice! Ah, you should see it run! Bell PureFiber? Yep. Sheesh, that's got power! It's Canada's fastest and most trusted internet service. Cool if I give it a test drive? Promise you won't share the password?

Switch to Bell PureFiber, Canada's fastest internet, awarded by UCCLA. Starting from $60 a month. Visit bell.ca for more details and to check availability. Bell, internet just got better. Hour two overdrive continues powered by FanDuel, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. Brian Hayes, Jamie Noodles, McClennan, Dave Fest,

Chuck Lutrono's star. Role play level of concern a little bit later in the hour. And Eddie Olchuck coming here in a a coming up in a few moments with his take on in the playoff races in the east in the west washington winning big last night all the passing up on an empty nets yeah passing out right but what a setup and uh... by me a hatchet was on the line for his team a so you gotta give credit where credits's due. But that protus kid can play man.

Well, that's his first career hat trick. He's likely is that 30 for him or he's creeping up on 30. And that's the beauty of Ovechkin. Like he's he's so excited when teammates score. Yeah. Yeah. It's amazing that he scores. He's excited. But when his teammates score, he's equally as excited and this was kind of a layup form and that's what you have to do you're the captain of the team you've literally scored 895 goals or whatever your career 85 goals in your career you got to hook up the kid I know you have to be what if

he misses it this year by one goal. All I can think about watching that last night, if he turns and fires and that Prodish has got a wide open net and laying for a breakaway, people will be like, ah, he's a selfish bad leader and all that. It was a great play, but I don't think Prodish would be upset if Ovi turned and fired that into the net based on what's at stake right now I hear I hear you but at the same time if you go for it and you miss if you're OV Yeah, then protus is like dude. I was wide open for a hot trick to end the game here Like yeah, that's true that you know

And I think you still got to be a team guy and a leader Like it's an interesting conundrum down there in Washington because their First place in the East they've been a juggernaut all year. Yeah, and OV story is clearly something that's very compelling It seems very motivating for them. Yeah, yet You know it is a team sport right captain of the team the betterment of the team is the whole thing It's you know the name on the front instead of the back You know how you how they've managed to juggle both has been very impressive. And I think that last night is an example of why, because if you're a veg can or anybody else in a scenario like that,

you have to be thinking team success first. Yeah. And then on top of it, I get to have all this individual success. I think if, if the other one goes first that's when it can get ugly and you know that's what other guys concern and like this isn't the ovechkin show like ideally you you you have your cake and you eat it and i think i still will i think they still will they have i mean i did come into the season everyone with thought it was just going to be the

ov show it's like a you know the team are not sure what's going on there. And they've been the biggest surprise. Like I've had a tough time. You start to think about awards now, right? Like coach of the year, like Dean Evison's got to get a little love. I think if Columbus gets in, he's got to get a lot of love considering what they've been through this year in Columbus. Scotty Arneal, like win a big. You look at Spencer Carberry, like you know and it's not just the hey it's the new coach it's the sexy thing or whatever like there's some coaches that have had really good seasons and they're not going to win because only

one can come to the forefront. Yeah that's the interesting part about all. I would think those three that you just mentioned have to be leading the charge. I think Carvery favorite. Carvery, I think is likely the favorite, but Dean Evison again, with everything that happened, the tragedy in September or in the off season and going into camp, they've had injuries in Columbus. There were not much, there really wasn't any expectation. Their goal-tenning hasn't been very good.

But that's the amazing thing. A lot of times when you see a team surprise and they find a way to get in, it's because their goalie has just stood on his head and been incredible. That has not been the case in Columbia. And a lot of times they're winning in spite of goaltending. They're outscoring those problems. So I think you could make a very compelling case for Dean Evison. But yeah, Washington keeps plugging along and it's kind of amazing. You look at the goal scoring race, Dry Settle's got a 10 goal lead on William Nylander and he's going to hit 50.

He's going to win the rocket. But it seems very likely only one guy scores 50 this year. Which is kind of deviating from what's happened in the past. And here's a guy that knows what it's like to score goals and a lot of them in the NHL. Here's a long time NHL or former Leaf, our buddy from the NHL on TNT. Here's Eddie Olchuk joining us here on the Maple Toyota hotline. Is that surprise you at all, Eddie? That looks and sounds and feels like only one guy's gonna score 50 this year. Well good day guys, thanks for having me. Always great to jump on with you all.

Yeah, I guess, Brian. I mean, you know, you think about, you know, the league and, you know, like we talked before about, you know, the national football league and really, you know, tightening up the rules and opening up the game to, you know, to the lent more offense. And I don't think that the, you know, the league has certainly done that, but you know, sometimes it goes in cycles and what have you. And I would agree with you. I was looking at it the other day and it, you know, it smells like there's

only going to be one guy that hits the 50 mark now. I mean, you know, you can get the, you know, any of the guys sitting, you know, two, three, four or five and know that some of those guys can get, you know, eight and five or, you know, 10 and six or whatever. And then all of a sudden they're, you know, they're pounding on a door. So, um, and the lead that obviously dry subtle had is, it has is, uh, is pretty darn impressive. So yeah, I mean, I am, I am a little bit surprised, but you know,

it is Jamie to tie him in the goal thing in this league, you know, for the most part it's pretty, it's pretty darn good. And, um, you know, you get to this time of year, it sure has seemed to me, at least, watching a lot of games and doing, and that wasn't silly on the weekend for Jersey Flyers. I mean, Utah tonight, what a game and what a season they've had. I mean, they're only three points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. You know, they have Anaheim. it seems here recently, at least for me, it's, uh, you know, the rinks gotten a little smaller here as we get down the stretch and you know,

teams battling for home ice or, uh, securing a playoff spot or teams just trying to get in. So I think that the games have become a little snugger, a little bit more defensive and, you know, maybe that lends into as well as when you ultimately at the start of this by the question you know maybe only 150 goal scores that you know teams are pretty good without the puck and maybe you're not getting as many you know many freebies as maybe you know you're accustomed to over the course of regular season. Yeah absolutely.

Go ahead. So Eddie you know we were going through the trade deadline fallout. You're sitting watching from afar. Was there some big surprises or what team maybe surprised you out of nowhere after the trade deadline to try and either make themselves better or wave the white flag yeah well i gotta go back little uh... maybe you know i can take a few hundred but the one i think it's all uh... at that time is i did i i did rent it up in carolina to begin with

now i mean not great question any like like but it would be correct How did Rantanen end up in Carolina to begin with? Great question Eddie. Look, Mico Rantanen, he's an unbelievable player here, no doubt. And any team would call up and go, hey, what the hell do you want to get Mico Rantanen? But knowing the situation, knowing the contract, and Marty Natchez is pretty, I mean he's a pretty darn good player. Look, there were talks last year, remember Vancouver and Carolina were talking about Natchez and I think Pedersen was a part of that and then all of a sudden like three days later Pedersen got the you know the eighty $88 million extension or whatever. So, I mean, if you're gonna make that call, you want, I would wanna know, we, would you sign an extension with us?

If it's maybe, if it's no, if it's I'm not sure, If it's maybe, if it's no, if it's I'm not sure, and you still wanna bring them and use them as a rental, I'm okay with that. But when you're moving out a guy that has terms, as the nature does, and you can't get the assurance of that, I just don't know how you make the move. And again, then you flip them.

And he says, well, I'm not sure, well, we think that Ajo convinced them to stay and we're going to... That's the one I still just don't understand that how we even ended up in Carolina. And again, maybe Colorado, I don't know all the particulars, maybe you guys do, maybe Colorado said, no, we're not gonna let you talk to him or whatever. I don't know.

I mean, but I just don't, for him to even ended up in Carolina and then you hear Rob Bryndamore's comments the other day, it just seems to me like that this one was, the hand that was played. I just, I don't, I just don't understand how it got to this point. And look, Logan Stengel, who's going to be a good player for a long time in his league, even, even on the surface of bringing rampant and into Carolina, I

heard somebody talking about, wow, you know, his play was affected because they played man on man. And I'm like, this is man. they play man on man. And I'm like, they play man on man in their own zone. This doesn't have anything to do with him offensively and how they play offensively because as you guys know, I mean, they play straight ahead, they throw everything up block, they're really not a, you know, they don't, I don't want to say they don't try to make plays, that's not the right way, but they're just more funnel everything to the net. It's not a, you know, that's not the style that Ranton has played for, you know, his NHL

career. So that one to me is just, I, you know, I don't know how you, I don't know how you bring bring them in without having any kind of an okay he's gonna be there long term But again, then if you're gonna bring him in and you're okay with using him as a rental and saying we're gonna go try To win the cup and if he doesn't sign here, we're okay with that. That's fine That that I'm totally okay with it Maybe you trade them five days before free agency and maybe you get a second rounder form or something and then you dump them off there. So that to me is where I just don't know how it ended up being the way that it was. But look, they got a good young player out of it and they got a couple of drafts.

But Carolina has the ability that they can go on a run and they've proved it over the last couple of years under this coach is that they do have the ability to go on runs and they could be a danger as a playoff team and you know we all know what health is come playoff time so that would be the one noodles to your you know long-winded I'm sorry but I just you know so having a tough time trying to figure out how are you and then stopped in Carolina for the 12 or 13 game. Eddie you're not the only one of the guy even more head scratching today when ranting comes out and says well i would have been happy to you know to consider signing in carolina after

brindlemore claim that he showed up there and said as four teams i'd sign with the you're not one of them who you know exactly but it seems to be a bit of a communication breakdown there it's it's a yeah for whatever reason but what do you make of the fit? Yeah, there's been a lot of propaganda and a lot of lobbying here on what did and didn't

take place. But that's, I mean, that's, yeah, that makes it even more intriguing here. But I don't know, I just, I didn't seem to fit with him playing as far as when it came to the offensive part of the carolina that again uh... go back to what i said earlier is that if i don't have any assurance that i gotta be uh... i gotta be just saying okay well we're gonna you know will pass right now but thanks for your time about the keep nature for that year

you know maybe will make it somewhere else or you just make a run with him and then worst-case scenario got him for another year well and the beauty of this one uh... eddie is if it keeps up, you know as it stands today First round of the playoffs. We got Dallas, Colorado How do you like the rent and fit in Dallas and and what do you make of that matchup? Yeah Sure, it sure looks like it's it's gonna be a collision course and then it makes me just think it again I it would be it would be great I mean to go back to you

know one versus eight two versus seven and you know I know it goes in cycles like we talked about the 50 goal scores or whatever or maybe you do something where you know divisional play is obviously important but it's not divisional play I look at it little you know we kind of you know we crossed over for a period of time and the I like you it's not like you're playing eight times against somebody in your own division anymore you know like you're just playing the three or four or whatever it is depending on the numbers but I'm almost like, okay, two divisions per conference,

the two division winners get the top two season and the next two highest point totals get three and four. And then you go all the way down. And then if you wanna do something with the wild card, and maybe if you wanna have a play in for the last spot or something, I'm good with that. But I just kinda feel that, but I just, I just kind of feel like we shouldn't be,

this has now been a couple of years here and I know if you look at the points and whatever some people have said, well, probably end up being the same way or whatever, but it just seems like we're gonna lose a really, really, really good team in the first round that maybe you could argue, you'd look at on paper, could maybe get to the conference final and then, you know, who knows from there.

So, but that, I mean, that, that has a chance. I'm actually for TNT down here in the States, we're actually going to be, uh, I will be in Colorado on Sunday and that will be rampant in return, um, to Colorado for the first time. And that will obviously be during the regular season and you know, maybe a little appetizer to what the hell we're going to see come playoff time. But I guarantee you it's, it's, it's going to go seven games, but it's going to feel like nine or 10. Cause I think both those teams have that ability to, uh, you know, to play that type of style and play that type of game. Because look at Colorado,

I'm the two, like if you go back and just do a, a quick little cliff note version of, of, of what they've done in Colorado this year from, you know, the goal-tending part of this whole thing. And then, you know, what they don't upfront, especially with the Ranton and deal. But then you look at the center ice position when you look at who's look at who's playing behind Nathan McKinnon and who's patrolling the center-ice position, they've really, really changed their team on the fly. I mean, Chris McBarlan and Joe Sackick, they deserve a boatload of credit.

If Dallas can get healthy and obviously get Hasek in back because he's so crucial to what they want to do. So, um, I mean, I'm, I'm my hands up right now raising if I can get a couple of those games in a playoffs, cause I think it's got a chance to be a one hell of a series here. If indeed they do end up, uh, you know, having this collision course, but I'm looking forward to the game on Sunday in Denver when the Ransom makes this return to Colorado with the Dallas. Yeah, it's going to be a wild one, Eddie Olchuk and you know we're having a similar

conversation here in Toronto and in Tampa and Florida, right? Who's going to win the division and then who's going to be stuck playing each other and it just to your point it doesn't feel like you can catch Winnipeg but over here in the Atlantic it's wide open right now like it could be any combination of those three teams and I'm curious which one you think needs that first seed the most to feel the most comfortable would it be Toronto would it be Florida Tampa where do you stand on that Eddie? Yeah I mean I would probably lean more towards the Leafs than I would you know with with with Florida or Tampa I was in guys, I've been all over the place. I was in Vegas last Wednesday when the Leafs were there. And that game, we stood right off the top,

I was doing the game with Kenny Elbert and Brian Busce, and we talked to Craig Barube, our former teammate at TNT for a period of time there when Chief was doing television. for a period of time there when Chief was doing television. Obviously, the schedule was just very, and everybody has it, we understand that, but at this particular time, it hit the lease where they really had nothing that night in Vegas. They really didn't. I think they were on the road for four

before they came home for that Monday night against San Jose, I believe it was, and then they went right back on the road and were in Vegas two days later on that Wednesday. And then obviously they got a couple of days off before they went to Colorado and then eventually here in Salt Lake. I like, and then we talked about in the summer,

I mean, my expectations for the Leafs and you see what they did at the deadline. And, you know, there's no reason why, you know, why they can't make a run. I mean, I, I still believe that I, I do. And again, but it does come down to matchups. If you can win the division and you can, you know, and then you can avoid and there's no other way to say it.

I mean, you can avoid Tampa or Florida in the first round. You, you probably like that. No, no, there's no guarantee. I mean, they get Otto in the first round. I mean, oh yeah, like that's going to be, you know, I mean, Jamie, you know, that's going to be can't ask for anything better than that. That could, that could easily go seven games. I mean, that there's, that's just, that's

just the way that it is. But, um, you know, you're going to get in, uh, but Florida, Tampa, I mean, all, all, all respect to the Napoli fans in Toronto. Like, could you imagine considering what Tampa's done and Florida's done here? And all of a sudden, yeah, welcome to the playoffs and you're going to play the defending Stanley Cup champion or a team that's won the cup here twice in the last five years or whatever it is for Tampa. And then, you know, we're going to, you know, somebody's going to be at home, uh, you know, probably way earlier than they ever thought, but it just makes it take theater. So between the three, I mean, I would say it would obviously be much more beneficial in my opinion, you know, for the Leafs to somehow find a way to win

the division and then take their chances from there. But I still, I give them every chance because I do like their team. And I think the world of Craig Berubi as a coach and as a coach and you know we'll see how it all plays out and I do like the additions at the trade that that line that Brad made as well on the back end and up front at the center-right position with Lawton and Carlo respectively. Eddie you know one of the areas of concern in Toronto obviously along with the fact Chris Tanev's stale out, the lynchpin defenseman is obviously Austin Matthews right I mean he's got three goals in his past 15 games he's he's fourth on the team in

goal scoring I mean you're a guy who's led the Maple Leafs in scoring more than once I mean what are you seeing when you look at Matthews that differentiates the 69 goal score of last year to the guy who's on pace for about 30 this year? No, it happens. The guy, I mean, he gets chances. Just even go back to the Four Nations and the championship game there obviously against Canada. I mean, he had a couple of of different chances and over time to win it. And it just seems like, you know, he's, he gets chances there for the most part. You know, again, like I'm not watching every second of every Leafs game, but I like to think I do watch, you know, more than enough to have a pretty good feel.

And then even talking to Craig Berube last week, you know, talking specifically about Austin is just like, you know, again, these are my, I'm breaking down coach speak, is that he's been pretty happy with the chances, he just hasn't been able to, you know, finish like he has in the past. And it's gonna happen. I mean, you know, the guy had 60, what, 69 last year, whatever the number was, and it's just, it's gonna happen. And as long as you are, and I know it's kind of an old saying, and I remember my late mother, you know, kind of telling me, you know, oh, that was a young boy, and maybe I didn't score,

maybe for, you know, a couple of games. And, you know, she'd always say, well, you're getting the chances, and, you know, it's when you don't, then you gotta start worrying, you know? I'm like, oh, say thanks, mom, you know? And I would try to remember that when I was playing in a national hockey league,

where, you know, you go, you know, sometimes you go four or five games, and, you know, you go you know, sometimes you go four or five games and you know, you wouldn't score but If you knew that you were getting the chances and you were doing it well, I mean his 200-foot game is like, you know I just think he's He just turned into a terrific player and you know, but look for the Leafs are gonna out like it Let's just cut to the chase like come April like the big boys got to show up there there is there is absolutely no doubt about it and but I just think for right now is it's just not going in and you know if he's not getting the chances and I'd be a little bit more concerned but talking to Craig Barube and you know and just watching what I have is

Craig Barube and just watching what I have is... That's the guy that can get 10 in 4 games. You guys all know that. You just hope he gets hot here and obviously help out and then they can finish as high as they can and then make sure you're carrying it over into the playoffs. So Eddie, we were talking before you came on about how it's so jammed up on both sides. I mean, as far as playoff spots, you know, we talked about the potential first round matchups, but you know, if you had a crystal ball, I mean, who do you like near the on

either side? Who do you know, if I had to say to you, you know, Utah, St. Louis, Calgary, Vancouver, all for that one spot. I mean, that's a, you you, Utah, St. Louis, Calgary, Vancouver, all for that one spot, those are teams that are almost like they are trying to, like you take it, I don't want it out west, that's kind of what's happening. And out east, you can make a case for five or six teams. I don't know if I've ever seen it that close in the standings, this deep into the season in a long time. Yeah, yeah, I think Noodle's, you know, obviously the, you know, nobody should be surprised just

because of the three point game and how close that the league is. So when you put those both in the blender, you know, you're going to have, you know, the, it's going to be very tough to get the, you know, to get the separation. But you're right. You've got three, four teams battling, I would say, pretty much in the West where you've got three or four teams that are battling probably for the final spot. And then in the East, you're right. You've got the five or six.

I just say this because it made me think about, think about the job that Joey Sacco has done with the Boston Bruins here. Now I know that they got up to a great start when they made the coaching team and then obviously you know they kind of went back to what they were for a good stretch there and played some probably a little bit 500 hockey and then they had a dip. But let's not forget, no McEvoy, no Linholm, I think now it's, I mean, Linholm is going on north of 20, some 25 games I believe. McEvoy has been banged up prior to the foreign nations. Benny obviously, you know, with the shoulder issue at the tournament, they make all the moves and they're right there, you know?

Like, I mean, I give them, I think a lot of Joey Sacco is a hockey guy and a guy that did a good job in his first job in Colorado and then gets put in this situation here, like guaranteed when all these moves have been made by Boston and pretty much just saying, you know, we're looking to move on and, you know, whatever happens, happens. Well, whatever he's selling, the guys are buying inside that locker room because they're right there. So it is so close now that can speak to maybe, you know, at the

bottom part of the, you know, the wild card in Eastern conference and you go look at the Rangers, what that streak the Rangers had earlier in the season guys, that was like 17, 18 games, right? Where they only won two or three, where they just, they couldn't get out of their own way, but they've kind of found their game and they're, you know, and they're back and it looks like Sisturken has kind of, you know, found their game here. I know they blew that game the other day in Ottawa, right? They had a 3-1 lead I think in the third if I'm

not mistaken and they ended up losing. I think Brady got the OTGWG. So I'm not surprised but when you look at maybe a couple of the teams and the spoons that they've had or maybe the sell-off, you sit there and go, like I would hope that most hockey people would sit there and look at the standings and go, how in hell are the Boston Bruins only four points out? Like the last time I looked, I think it was yesterday or the smart game, I remember. But you know what I mean? How are they only four points out of a playoff spot with all of those guys I mentioned that are hurt and then all of the guys that they moved out of the out of the

lineup for trades or whatever is like they're right there too so look I'm not saying that they're gonna make a run in the playoffs I'm not saying it at all but I think that you know the guy behind the bench that has an interim tag deserves some credit here for rallying the troops and selling whatever he is and the guys are buying it and you know they're right there too and that mix of what four or five teams that still within a you know an arm's reach of making the uh making the playoffs in the east. Absolutely well it's uh it's gonna be a crazy race down the stretch here Eddie and we're getting closer to the triple crown too

so we get both of them coming up in the next two months. Do you believe it? We're less than two months away from the derby. I love it. Pucks and ponies man. Pucks and ponies next time you're on Eddie. You know what we'll be doing both. Right now, right now, the name of the horse that I'm leaning towards right now is a little early bird here. So yeah I got a little action on Celtic Thunder NBA final back in July and I got a nice little 12 and a half to one on that thing there Brian so you know what I'm talking about. They're playing tonight Eddie. They're playing tonight. I know they are. I know. Okay. I got that I got that sitting in my coffer but the name of the horse for the derby right now that I'm again this is not official picking but I but I like the horse

out of California by the name of journalism, so keep that one on the roll of decks at the front there and then maybe get your feet wet here in a couple of weeks. I like it, journalism, that is not fake news. Not fake news, man, journalism, we're tracking it all the way up until Pucks and Pony. All right, Eddie, next time we chat, we'll be doing both, both men we can't wait for

that i was working either have a happy to be a town next week for the ad elite game on duty pnp on wednesday at the book about no on center of the you got a very is that he'll chuck maple leaf alumni jacket possibly next week really have journalism journalism out of california see how happy Eddie gets when you mention the ponies? He just comes right through the phone and he's got an early lean and he wants that to be on the record. That's not an official pick. He's just saying it's an early lean. And he

got an OKC Celtics final at 12 to 1. That's a great bet. Really good bet. Although I saw Windhorse this morning on ESPN saying that like no teams in the West are scared of Oklahoma City no like and I guess that's reasonable because they've just never done it before there's such a young team and well Dallas knocked him out last year I think there's a feeling that Shea can be had in the playoffs as right he's he's been in the regular season he relies on drawing a lot of foul not getting the line nearly as much in the playoffs tough to do right like I saw that with DeMar DeRozan doing that in the in season. He relies on drawing a lot of fouls. Not getting to the line nearly as much in the playoffs.

Yeah, it's tough to do, right? Like we saw that with Demar DeRozan doing that in those years where it was the Kyle Demar show and Demar couldn't get to the line as many times. Harden ran into that at the time in his career too. Yeah, Harden, same thing. Yeah, we'll see. I'm not sure I believe in that,

but I can see why people doubt them. Well, I mean, they're lapping the field in the West. Like they're the pace car, clearly, but I also, I look at teams in the West, I'm like, I'm sure the Lakers, maybe they don't, they're not scared. Is Denver scared? I think they probably should be.

Like Oklahoma City has just been so clearly the best team in the East, or in the West. And then in the East, it feels like it's either Boston or Cleveland. Like it just feels like it's two teams are gonna make it. And you know, you figure it out from there. But I think so. Yeah, just it doesn't.

They separate. There's so much better than everyone else. There's a real separation. But that's a big game tonight. Big game Oklahoma City and the Celtics, possibly a precursor of the NBA finals. If it is, Eddie Olchuk is a very happy man. Yes indeed.

And Eddie joining us here on the Maple Toyota Hotline. Drive the built in Canada fuel efficientfficient fun to drive Toyota RAV4 gas or hybrid models available visit mapletoyota.com role play level of concern maybe one of us will play the role of a horse maybe you'll be playing the role of journalism all right overdrive continues TSN 1050 in on TSN 2 Wow you've got the latest model nice ah you should see it run $150 in on TSM 2. fiber, Canada's fastest internet awarded by Ucla, starting from $60 a month. Visit bell.ca for more details and to check availability. Bell, internet just got better. You can never, never ask me to stop drinking. Do you understand?

I do.? I do. I really do. Come on, bourbon. Come on, Scott. Come on, beer. Alright, roleplay level of concern. We haven't played this in a while, it's always fun. Alright, we go around the table, someone's gonna play the role of... either a person or a thing, and then a scenario will be presented and you either go from somewhere between a pine on the patio, which is no concern whatsoever, all the way to Nick Cage and leaving Las Vegas and everything in between.

Right. All right? Noodle, so you're going to play the role of the Canadian Cup drought. You are the Canadian Cup drought, which is now 32 years old. What is your level of concern your streak will continue this season rick bushwood six bush light six blood light and i love them tall boys

so i'm i'm not nick cage but i'm not a pint on the patio like that you know let's is it four teams could be five right yet there's there's three three for sure auto off feels like they're in a really good position and then you know one of calgary vancouver very well going into so you just do the math and i think you know that over do the math

but i i i think it can have a pop you want to have some pop but i think that would be aick bushwood answers but i am going like you do the math maybe somebody can have a deep run but you know you also look at they're going to be playing each other some of these teams and you know it gets thinner and thinner i am concerned i just i look at it and not because i don't like the teams that are involved winnipeg you know winnipeg from pillar to post has been great so far. Edmonton up and down.

I think the Leafs have been pretty consistent, had a good trade deadline, but now you start to look at while the teams around. We just talked about it, Hayes, you and I on Friday. The teams around Edmonton got better. The teams around the Leafs got better. The teams around Winnipeg, and then and then you know whether it's Ottawa, Calgary, or Vancouver, you know those teams are in a different spot than the other three. So I just, that's my biggest concern and that's why I said I'm more Rick Bushwood as opposed to a

Pine on the Patio, you know, a six-pack. Well that's just not feasible, not in this country. I think it's a lot closer to Nick Cage than Pine on the Patio personally. Oh yes. Right, right. Because I am concerned, you know, the least recent play is concerning who they could play in the first round. The Oilers' recent play is very concerning to me.

They do, they look flustered, man. It's not a good scene, what's going on with Edmonton. And Winnipeg's been great all year. But I think if you're the Canadian cup drought and you don't have a specific dog in the fight what you're hoping for is Vancouver or Calgary get in Ottawa gets in first wild card least win the division then you're guaranteed two tickets into the second round I give it to Vancouver Winnipeg in the first round a Canadian teams in the second round if it's Toronto Toronto, Ottawa, another teams into the second round.

And then you got Edmonton playing LA where they would be the favorite to win that series. Like if you're looking at it from that perspective, that's how you want to see the chips fall. Leaves win the division, Ottawa second wild card, one of Calgary, Vancouver getting because whoever gets in is going to play Winnipeg in the first round. So you're guaranteed a canadian least two tickets into the second round of that happens yeah probably three if you feel good about edmonton against l i which i would that all the senders eight teams left

you have three of them canadian then your rick bush would are possibly a closer to a part of the party and i would go for a beer i mean i'll have sex that i mean i didn't do that matter i think you know that i know those kind of do the math about it but i've just as more is that they can't take a time bush what is closer to nick kate as i got on the paddy so i got that's why i have but i i do believe that

the teams that we are talking about a good teams and you could make a case for all of them does you know to have a run so that's why I'd leave me there. Can we get that guy back on the terrace? I need to hear that. Yeah, has he changed beers to like a Canadian beer? That's what I'm wondering. Your tariff, you know, how much am I paying for steel now? Do the math. Do the math on steel tariffs. All right, Dave, you're playing the role of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Vladimir Jr. what is your level of concern that you will not find a better offer than the one that Jays reportedly offered you this offseason? Oh come on now this is like a non alcoholic pine on the patio. Really? That's my level. You're convinced you'll get a better offer when you hit pre-agency? Yes, I am because the market has been set by Wants Soto at 765 did he set it or did the lunatic owner down there in New York? Well, that's that's possible that seems more reasonable I might might have a tinge of concern about that

But my agent has reformed me otherwise and my agent is a for me if I do my thing this year I for me otherwise in my agent is a for me if i do my thing this year to put up some reasonable facts in the way what i did last year i got more protection a lot of this year that at the set on their when i hit free agency at the winter meetings next year i'm going to be the toast the baseball there is going to be a bidding war for my services

and i'm going to make the blue jays look foolish for not locking me up years ago uh... at a much lower number that i'm going to make the Blue Jays look foolish for not locking me up years ago at a much lower number that I'm going to get this off season. Okay, that's a lot of confidence. Yeah. Ladi, I'm a little bit surprised because you're not Juan Soto.

You're not anywhere close to Shohei Otani. That's what's astonishing about this. And I get it, markets change. What's different here is this is not a salary cap scenario. No. You're hearing that in the NHL. Well, it's going up 8 million and then 16 million. Okay, we get it. Nothing has changed in terms of baseball financing,

yet Soto being as unique as it is, and I think it was Steve Cohen in particular, just an absolute outlaw of an owner saying, I'm not going to be outbid and I'm gonna pay you whatever I have to pay you. And then Boris, that's music to his ears. He's like, well, it's not going to be outbid and I'm going to pay you whatever I have to pay you and then Boris, that's music to his ears. He's like, well, it's going to have to be this and he signed it. I'll believe it when I see it that the market has changed that drastically to the point

where two years after Otani signed that deal, show hey Otani that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is going to get more present day money than he got because Because there is, that is absurd to even contemplate. And I get it, we say all the time, your house is worth whatever someone's willing to pay for it. And maybe the Red Sox pay Vladimir, maybe another team pays him, who knows? Maybe that happens. But the idea of him making $500 million plus,

and not in deferrals, when Shoaoaib Otani had to deal with deferrals and less money in terms of current price it's just completely unjustified yeah like it's just absurd to even contemplate that it is right buddy am I wrong I get it you're a confident guy but like come on here noodles before I pass no one like all I would say is yeah look there's not many guys that can do what I do I'm not Juan Soto but I'm not far off I'm about the closest thing that's going to be on the open market next summer so or next winter so like yeah you're right the present-day value of that show Otani deal was something in the range of 465 I've already been offered 500

million and maybe I'm crazy for not taking it but I got a lot of swagger. I've got a lot of self-belief and I do know that the AL East is an arm race. The Dodgers pay, the Mets pay, a lot of money floating around baseball and I'm gonna get mine. Okay. Now a lot of it will depend too. We're talking five months from now, what type of season this guy's had. If he lights out, then he's writing himself a blank check. I don't know. Would the Jays ever think of trading this guy?

I think it's a real possibility if they get off to a bad start, for sure. I mean, now, it's difficult to really juggle that when you consider there's so much pressure on them to win. So let's say you're a 500 club at the trade deadline. What are you going to do? Like, let's say you're, you're three and a half, four games out of a wild card spot on July 30th. What are you going to do? Are you trading them or are you going to keep them and hope he gets hot and you get into the playoffs? I don't know how they would handle that. I don't think we have an answer on that right now, but I think you bring up a very important point that if we're talking this type of money, he has to have a great season. Yeah. Yeah. It can't be good or he's not getting

$500 million. Like there's no chance I get your 25 year free agent, you're going to be the best guy available. You still have more to go in terms of even getting into your prime. Maybe you're in your prime now. But if he, if he hits 25 home runs and has a 800 OPS plays 145 games playing first base looking like he's transitioning to a DH, he will, there was no chance he's getting 500 million. You're right. Like zero percent chance. So there is pressure on him to perform. And I'm curious how he's gonna handle that. Like he doesn't seem like a guy that would be affected by pressure,

but he's also, he's never been in a position here where what adds to the fact that you gotta go earn it is that you turn down something already. Yeah. Like some athletes are like, all right, you don't wanna pay me fine, watch this, I'm gonna go show you. The Jays are like, here's five hundred million dollars, and you said no

No, now you're risking the Jays two or three months in saying we're rescinding this it's off the table. Oh, yeah Yeah, like and then what do you do you start slow? Yes, and look you're right like this guy You know he's had his inconsistencies But I think what he's I think the point that's being made out of camp this year And this is an optimistic point and this is the very Vladdy friendly point is that this guy has a renewed professionalism is aware of the fact that you know he's shown up and maybe less than great baseball shape

in the past but he's committed to making him the best Vladdy possible and I think that's a scary thought yeah but for the rest of the the it's a positive for the blue jays this season you've got to get into your blue jay fan your your rooting for him to have a great great season and then hopefully cooler heads prevail find a way to sign a month i'm not sure that's gonna say we're talking about a half a billion dollars yes third amount of money

absurd amount of money deal i don't know i thought i read a quote josh allen said that he could have got more for the site and you know i was fine and like to me i i don't know i just at some point is there any athlete that just as like puts his hand up and go out happy with what was you know we we came to uh... an agreement that work for both

sides of happy that like i feel like i haven't seen that recently yeah it's tough to it's it's tough to say like i would you're right it's always about digging in and i i get it it's a it's a business it's a professional it's big money and if the players are going to get the money that means the owners are going to keep it and i'm not rooting for the owners to keep all the money but it is it is a very valid point they've got the money, man.

Yeah. And look, the players are under a lot of pressure, Noodles. You know this, like the players, especially in baseball where there is no cap, they're under a lot of pressure from their peers, from the players' union, to make those stands and say, hey, we know you've got the money. We know you can pay me.

You just showed you can pay Soto. You just showed you can pay Otani. I need to get paid to because you know the the the rising tide lifts all boats in the act yeah i agree there is certainly a of you know your your your represent the shield right but at the same time it's also your life in your career

and actually like i just i go back to this and it differently it's different like me go ranting in at some points Got to be laying in his bed In Dallas now in a hotel room or wherever and going what the hell just happened to me in the last month of my life You know, I could have taken probably Eleven and a half twelve million in Colorado and called it a day at eight years and now you, I've gone to Carolina and now I'm here and I'm sure he's going to be happy. I'm sure he's going to be very productive there.

But sometimes you got too many voices in your ear. Like I hope this is what he wanted because it, you know, and this is when it comes to Vlad, what does he want? Not his agent, not what the? Association and all of that what is fladdy want to wake up doing two years from now and who where he wants to live and where? He's playing because I think sometimes it gets convoluted because you get you got parents and wives and Cousins and you know everyone in your agents and the play like in your area. Like you said, the peers, sometimes the players just gotta go, I'm gonna do what's best for me and what I would like to do.

And I don't know if these guys are doing that. Yeah, it is tough to tell. And there's a bunch of examples of that in this city right now. What's he gonna take? What does he wanna do? Where's the team at? And it's exhausting. It can be very exhausting. Also as a fan, you're like, are we, the J's going to win

or lose. Yeah. But it's got to be about Fladdy and the contract. Are the Leafs going to win or lose? But it's got to be about Marner. And is he going to wave? Is he want to sign? What's the deal going to look like? And I'm fascinated with all of it, but I could understand why a lot of fans are like, I just don't, I don't have enough time for all this. Like, are you going to win or are you going to lose? Like, how are you going to actually play? And we'll find out, you know, with both guys over the next couple of months.

All right, we'll get to some role play after dark. I've still got a couple more in the bank here. We've got the players starting tomorrow. There's a video circulating of Rory McIlroy during this practice round today. This is a wild scene. We got to play it. We'll come back. We'll get into it. And Darren Drager still to come as well.

Overdrive continues. DSN 1050 and on DSN2. Wow, you've got the latest model. Nice. Ah, you should see it run. Bell Pure Fiber? Yep. Sheesh, that's got power. It's Canada's fastest and most trusted internet service. Cool if I give it a test drive? Promise you won't share the password? Switch to Bell Pure Fiber, Canada's fastest internet, awarded by UCCLA, starting from $60

a month. Visit bell.ca for more details and to check availability. Bell. Internet just got better. All right, Darren Dreger coming up. Our good friend Lawrence Applebaum as well from the players. Bunch of Canadians in the field this week. Scottie Scheffler, the defending champ in the house, and Rory McIlroy. A weird scene with Rory today during the practice round. We'll play the video, we'll get into it into the next hour. but we have sent Al's brother out somewhere into the city with a pair of Leaf tickets and you have a chance to guess where he's hiding for your chance to win them. Are you guys ready for Wednesday's clue? Yeah. Hey Overdrive fans, happy Wednesday to you. I'm back with another clue to get you one step closer, defining out where is Al's brother and scoring yourself a pair of Leafs and Avs tickets for March 19th. Here is your

Wednesday clue. As a bit collector myself, this place is a hockey heaven. It's got a tremendous display of collectibles. You can get some cards, you get some paraphernalia, but they've got the greatest and best hockey memorabilia on planet earth. Okay, there you go. Tune in tomorrow for another clue, the final clue of the week. And this first caller through on Friday with the correct location wins a pair of tickets to see Leafs Avalanche, March 19th.

Find out his brother brought to you by McAlpine Ford in Aurora, our family, the Ford family and you. So we've got some big games here with Florida in town tomorrow, Ottawa on Saturday, Calgary in town, Colorado in town. Like the Leafs are finally home for an extended period of time, which is big. And it's go to, I can't wait for the game tomorrow. We'll spend a lot of time tomorrow teeing it up,

but every year you have different games that are lit missed tests or different games that have more meaning these three against Florida are just so massive Yes, and I I would expect some electricity in the building tomorrow and and I think some nerves and You know Florida's coming off a game last night. They blew a two-nothing lead in Boston So the least least have a chance to catch him and points tomorrow They have a game in hand so you can leapfrog them in the standings tomorrow night it's a massive massive game uh... well it's going to be passed to see you gotta be i mean that's going to be an idea great game great game great great game play like you know one loss

aside like they're the best offensive team in the league since new year's day florida yeah yeah they're playing there really ramping it up they are and that's without kichuck and without marshawn. And now Eklad. And now Eklad. Those are three massive pieces that aren't even playing and you still can't take them lightly. Final hour coming up, Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on TSN 2. iHeart Radio is taking you backstage

with Kane Brown in Quebec City. Y'all get ready. Girl, let's go put some miles on the road. Meet him, interview him, an iHeartRadio experience you'll never forget. Turn up the night like that radio. With flights, hotel, and $500 included. Be like that. How we feelin' tonight?

For your best chance to win, enter daily at iHeartRadio.ca. Thank y'all so much, yeah. Kane Brown's new album, The High Road, is available now.