OverDrive - OverDrive - March 13th, 2025 - Hour 2

Episode Date: March 13, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jason Strudwick and Jonas Siegel for Hour 2 on OverDrive! ESPN Hockey Reporter Emily Kaplan joins to discuss the biggest headlines around the NHL. They also discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract value with the Blue Jays, the team's perspective for a deal and Hayes lists the skaters on Canadian teams that need a strong finish to the regular season in the league.

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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. Our two overdrive continues powered by FanDuel bringing you everything from the opening line of the final score. Brian Hayes, Jason Strudwick, Jonas Segal, Least Panthers tonight. We got the Oilers in action down in New Jersey. Got a lot of games in the NHLL Ottawa at home against Boston.

That's a big, big game tonight. Tampa's in action. Columbus at home against Vegas. So in terms of the East and, you know, chasing wild card spots, a lot of games on the line in L.A. at home against Washington tonight in terms of what could happen in that Pacific division. So Emily Kaplan of ESPN coming up here in a moment. And Emily was a part of Trade Center and

I did a number of hits with Emily and one thing she said she was in Tampa and We were talking about how the state of Florida has has dominated the East now for five years They've had a representative in the cup final three straight from Tampa in the last two from Florida how they still collectively kind of feel like they don't get enough respect. And well, and the argument I'll ask her to, we'll flush it out with her, but I think the argument is, and it's one that they can't win,

is that there's still more focus on the hockey markets, quote unquote, and the original six teams. And that's not going to change, you know, like it's you've had a great run good for you, but you look at the Miami Heat. They've been a very successful team for a long time. They're not going to get the same amount of attention that the Lakers get or the Celtics get or even the Knicks get. It's just never going to happen.

It doesn't matter. And I think it's even more pronounced in Florida. Yet if they keep winning, it's impossible to look away from what Tampa and Florida do every single week. It's just never gonna change, they just don't have the same hands, right? Well, you can't catch the history, but let me throw this out.

You guys, I'm curious how you guys would answer this. So if you look at it, since the turn of the century, the state of Florida has four Stanley Cups. Tampa 04, Tampa back to back 2021, and then obviously the Panthers last year. Canada obviously has none. If we were to start today, the next 75 years, up until the year 2100,

who do you think will have more Stanley Cubs, the state of Florida or the country of Canada? Over the next 75 years we get to look at roster projections. Yeah. Well, he said what's your guess? I mean, I believe Sonny Marner No, no Cal. Yes. Well, we'll say yes. We'll say and McDavid's going back to Edmonton Oh, you can play that game. You're gonna get you're gonna get McDavid for the rest of his career Okay, then for sure, Canada. I think Canada, nothing's sad lasts the same forever. Listen, I love the history of hockey.

I love the tradition, but I look at what's happening now, and Florida's been really strong, as you just outlined, and they're a good team, but eventually those two teams won't be good anymore. Their players get older, they move on. That's just going to happen. Barkov's not going to play forever, nor are some of those good players in Tampa. But I think that in Canada, eventually, you're going to win the Stanley Cup. NHL is going to be the next thousand years without a Canadian team winning the Stanley Cup. And

I think when they do do it, you'll start unloading a few here and there. Because right now, Jonas, I'd be interested in what you think. I think that the talent on Canadian teams is as high or higher than it's ever been in quite a while. When I look at Winnipeg, Toronto, Edmonton, even Calgary is trying to find it, Montreal is young and up and coming, Vancouver like Ottawa. I think that those teams are up and coming. So I think eventually we're going to get them once we do. When I say we, Canada, we'll start rolling. rolling you guys think there's a jinx no I don't think there's

a jinx but it's been a long time man like our curse I meant to say a curse that I can get over yeah for sure yeah that one you just play the victim and you're like well we're cursed that it's just like a an easy explanation right where you don't have to go too deep into it. It's not that they just run their teams poorly. There's a curse. But he is right. Like you think of Toronto, they've never had as much talent as they have like the last few years. Edmonton, it's since like the Gretzky days, right? It's like Ottawa, I guess it's since... But again, Tampa could match the talent on all these teams Florida can match the talent two teams that's where the odds are that the

seven Canadian teams are gonna outperform the two floor the fact that it's a question though speaks to the times and also speaks to how kind of embarrassing it is that it actually is a question Bandel should do that okay well let me let me ask you this. So long for the whole century, for the 21st century, and Florida's got a four nothing lead. Like, so you got 75 years, I know it's ridiculous 75 more years, but Florida like in the 21st century, Florida versus Canada, it's four nothing Florida. You think Canada will catch them over the next 75 years? I think it's Florida, man. I think it's a crazy statement. One a decade, it the next 75 years. I think it's Florida man. I think it's Florida. One a

decade has been 32 years. This is just right now like what's it gonna be in 2060. But what if Florida Tampa over the next two or three years could knock out another one or two and then they're up five or six nothing. Who's running the Panthers in 2045? Bill Zito's kid. Whoever that is. Bill Zito Jr. Roberto Luongo. Or Roberto Luongo. Maybe Brian McCabe. Maybe Caver's there doing his thing. It could be anybody. Half-head hair. Barely, man. Caver is holding on for dear life.

Dear life. But I think the sunshine has helped him, actually. Because O asked for pics from him every three months. Give us an update. How are we looking? And it's progressing. He looks great. He feels great. And he's a Stanley Cup champion great. He feels great. He's a Stanley Cup champion

No, it's a big part of the Panthers program Alright joining us here on the Maple Toyota hotline. Here's our good friend from ESPN. Here's Emily Kaplan. How you doing, Emily? I'm doing great. How are you guys? We're doing well I was referencing one of your comments from Trade Center where you were down in Tampa And you said that you know Collectively the state of Florida the Panthers and the Lightning still don't feel like they get enough love or attention or respect. And I'm curious, you know, what would have to happen

for them to reach a level of respect that they feel is warranted? Do they have to keep winning? Is it that the original six teams have to continue to lose? Is it even possible for them to be on the same level in terms of coverage and hype as these original six teams have to continue to lose? Is it even possible for them to be on the same level in terms of coverage and hype as these original six teams or the conventional hockey markets? Oh great questions all around and I thought you were going to reference my Hayes as a fraud there. No I was gonna get to that at the end. But yeah I think it's probably funny for you guys to hear

because they're probably talked about the envy of the league in terms of the model franchise they've built as a destination, they've won X out of how many of the last cups and then to the last conference finals. But I think from their perspective, success can be measured in national TV appearances. And quite frankly, I cover both of those teams a good amount.

Tampa, like our first year, we were covering them a ton and I really haven't gone down there as much in the last couple years Florida's now starting to get more on our national TV schedule but often we'll see them paired against an original six team like I know I have another trip to the Panthers coming up but it's because the Toronto Maple Leafs we often have them against the Bruins even the Red Wings I had them earlier this year so I think they're looking for more respect in that way. And then when it came to the after games, both of those teams are like, we were in

position where we could have held these a while ago, or these big league events where we're celebrating our market. And I know they've had all star games, you know, and drafts and things like that, but they just feel like for as successful as they've been as big of a fan base and they've cultivated in their market. And really I've been to both those arenas and those are rabid really die-hard hockey fans nationally or you know maybe just across the league they just deserve a little bit more respect. Well listen they they continuously win they continuously

compete they make things interesting you know like what Florida's done over the last couple of weeks then bringing in you in Brad Marchand on his own, I think completely overshadowed everything else that happened on Friday in leading up to the trade deadline. Wait, wait, wait. Over Rantanen and Marner? Here's why. Because, well, Rantanen, Marner's very exclusive to this market. And obviously in this market, the Marner story supersedes everything.

The Rantanen thing, though, there was a buildup, is my point. And it's not necessarily that the Bruins traded them, Emily, it's that they traded them within the division to a team in Florida that's kind of punked the Bruins. They punked everybody the last couple of years and there's a very good chance if you're a Bruin fan, you're going to watch a guy that you've loved for 15 years fit in so perfectly there and possibly win a Stanley Cup like three months after they trade them. I'm completely with you and again from a US perspective that was the big splash headline that emerged even though as you guys mentioned like there are plenty of other really intriguing and surprising trades and trades that

didn't happen that went down. I think the most interesting aspect of it to me was yes you said like they've punked this team, but like this was their biggest rival and, and they couldn't get their number. And Brad Marchand has had these battles, like the Spam Bennett in particular. And when he found out that it was going to get traded and the, you know, the contract negotiations, we don't have to re-liquidate it, but like it didn't get to a point where both sides were comfortable. You know, the Bruins were talking to other teams and had advanced conversations with other

teams. I believe some in the Western Conference and they ended up giving him the respect of saying okay Like you've made your point clear you want to go to Florida the fact that Brad wanted to go to Florida I think speaks so much to Florida and the program and the culture that they've built that like game recognizes game He's like, yes, I absolutely hate to play you guys against on the ice But if I had an opportunity to play anywhere Those are the guys that I want to go to battle with and I respect them so much. That's the most fascinating aspect of it to me. Emily, it felt like Steve Sayles, the general manager of the centers, had a very targeted

type of player or specific type of player he was targeting. Do you think that he added the right type of player for what they needed to kind of finish, kind of round out their roster. Yeah, I think so. I think scoring depth, I think just anyone that could add to this group would have been positive because I think that they've shown so many signs of life and progress and they really are in control here in that cluttered Eastern Conference race where they've got a pretty cushy lead here to secure one of those playoff spots. So I honestly feel like it was just anyone for the room of just saying like, hey guys, I believe in you.

And I compared them to the Detroit Red Wings who also were looking to get over that hump and have this really long playoff drought. And Steve Iserman basically told his group, I don't really think we're quite there yet. And I'll give you a little patchwork here and there. You guys can get a goalie, but we're going to arrived with a group and and maybe next year when we really take that jump with our prospect so i think auto uh... you know i i like what they did and over i did not over another player that i would have loved to be go there

i mean i would love to be run down a bunch of different teams and i got from chicago right now but and then when i kept them and i want to keep up this disrespect train i love it i think we should do a whole disrespect show. I think the team that we're kind of disrespecting, myself included, is Washington. Everyone kind of is like, well, there's no juggernaut, and like, I'm one of those people. But like, you look at them in the standings, and they're like way up there. No one expected them. Are we disrespecting them? Are we being respectful, I guess is the way to ask. No, I think we are disrespecting their team just because

all we get so much the spotlight right now and like obviously like it is not that i want to get any spotlight away from all the this is a record that so many of us thought never would be broken unbreakable records in sports like again what they can america everyone talking about all the in the cold case but i cover a lot of capital games and i think that's been for carberry in the greatest young mind in the game. I think that the way he connects with these players is so fascinating, the way he puts them in the best positions for success. And they're

a team that didn't really need much at the deadline because they click on so many different cylinders. And you know, last year they scraped into the playoffs basically on the heads of their goaltending, like they couldn't buy a goal. And now like I cover capitals games where they core eight goals and OB doesn't have one of them. Um, you know, Alexa protest is probably the guy that everyone's starting to understand now, but like Spencer Carberry has his fingerprints all over that kid's development. Like he was with him in Hershey last year at the end of the year. He's like, look, I want to use you more. I want to use you in more situations.

You've got to extend your shifts. You got to work under conditioning. Now he comes back with that frame and he's an absolute beast out there. You know, offensively we see what he's doing. Defensively, I think his game of sound. Carberry told us earlier this year that like in his film sessions, he has to be careful of how many protest clips

that he shows because the rest of the room is just like rolling their eyes, like, okay, we get it. It's your favorite fun. Like calm down. All of this is to say, like, I just think they're an absolutely fantastic team. And we look at so many other teams that are trying to retool on the fly.

No one has been able to do it as effectively as Washington has. With Emily Kaplan of ESPN. And it feels like, like they've got kids coming too, right? They got Lane Hudson's brother who's on his way. They've got that Ryan Leonard kid who was the captain of the American team with the juniors. He's on his way.

Like they're loaded in terms of their farm system, yet it feels as if other teams now, like it's a copycat league, but that one in particular, Emily, I just don't think is that easy to copy. Like I think the Bruins are going to try to do it now and retool on the fly. And you're going to hear this a lot, you know, between now and probably July 1st when free agency opens. We're going to try to do what Washington did, but they took a lot of swings on guys. And it took them some time, right?

Like Dubois, one of the more significant ones, but Chikrun had to be available. They had to go get them. Strom was available. There's a guy, Chicago probably looks back and goes, what are we doing here? And you consider how he stepped in and the way that he has performed in the way that he's played. Logan Thompson, they've turned over their goaltenders. They took a gamble on Carberry. Like, I just don't think it's something that can be replicated. I guess is what I'm getting to is they've set this kind of pace for retooling

on the fly. But I think it's completely unrealistic for other teams to even try to replicate it because everything has worked out and they've got a farm system that's gonna replenish anyone they could lose in the next year or two. Yeah and I think the one aspect of it that like we haven't talked about maybe this is the disrespectful part to talk about but like they did get a little luck because they did have these big contracts of these guys like TJ Ocey and Nicholas Backstrom and you and they were able to kind of walk away with them because they're like, yeah, you're kind of unfit to play. And that definitely freed up some flexibility for them.

And it's good to see that Nicholas Backstrom and TJ O'Shea are still in the DC area. I know Backstrom apparently is like an incredible coach for his kid. Like his kid's team is sick. I think his kid is sick. I'd love to hear that. But because of that, they were able to add veterans to their roster. Talking to their GM Chris Patrick earlier in the year, I was like, what's the common theme of all these guys you brought in? He was just like their age. They just targeted guys in this mid-20s age range that were really good. But

they also found, I think they did a really good job pro-scouting. DuBois, for example, they were like, okay, we were watching him for a while and what we found was in LA, when he got top assignments, he did better. He was just buried on the depth chart of their center depth. So he wasn't getting to go up against these guys. And we knew if we put him in our system and we gave him the top guy every night,

we had a feeling that we could empower him for success. And I think those are maybe some lessons that other teams can take from just a right guy and the right opportunity. Yeah that's a huge part of it right and you're you're you're right in bringing up a point of like players getting off the books like right before they either run out of steam or they run into injury issues and that happened with Backstrom it happened with Oshie and you and sometimes those breaks just have to go your way. And then in other ways, you got teams that are gonna manipulate the cap,

and take advantage of it, not long-term, but at least between now and game one of the playoffs. And we started this conversation talking about the state of Florida, and we got the Panthers in town playing the Leafs tonight, and Matthew Kachuck's not gonna be a part of this, but what is your understanding, Emily, or what do you think is gonna happen with Kachuck in particular? Come the playoffs when

he can be activated again? Do you think he'll be ready come game one or might he have to ease into it? What's your read on Matthew Kachuck? You know, this is a hard one for me because they've been really secretive with information of like, you know, if he even got surgery, where he's doing his rehab, when he's expected back on the ice. And he's with the team right now in Toronto, I think maybe in large part because they were at the Hall of Fame, you know, and they got to celebrate by, you know, donating their stuff there. The one thing I do know about Matthew Kitschok, and I'd say the same for Brady, is just like whenever he gets the green light and whenever he's cleared, it's just gonna be like balls to

the wall. Like there's just no other speed for those guys, especially if it's playoff time. And so i think that you know the last official word we got with bill zito hopeful see him in the playoff i get the sense that if he's here like they want to play after whenever it is like you're gonna be an all-out effort from that guy and and all out from them is typically pretty effective yes pretty effective and i've fully expect that to be the case. You're just so envious. Hey, you're just jealous Chuck in Florida and the move and the LTI are you just yeah, it's pretty savvy stuff. Don't you think I'm hurt

What do you want him to do? Yeah, okay. Yeah, I get it But that's not the first example of this Jonas like Mark Stone did it Kucherov did it? Kane did it like there's, and those guys came off surgery, but how can you predict months out that you're not gonna be ready five games to go, ten games to go, it just, it's very convenient that you might as well wait, I'm not, I'm not downplaying the benefit of doing it, but like is it, is there a world where it's possible Kucherov could play the last two or three regular season games? So the doctor's like, actually, he's ready April 15th. They could ballpark it, but at this point, you're going to stay on long term IR.

I mean, it's, don't hate it. How do you really tell with the grind, right? Well, I guess he's going to have to test it out. Yeah. Yeah. I guess he's going to have to test it out. Oh, I'm better. I woke up this morning.

It was better. Like I, I don't know, the bad, whenever I hear back and grind, I'm always like, Oh boy, this seems a little suspicious. Emily, am I, am I off? Because it's not like a broken arm or I could take an extra this bad boy Right. Well, you're the one that played so I'm gonna defer to you here I would just say the one thing is you don't think he wanted to be out there for the end of that USA Canada game like trust me like I would play if you could so I do believe it to be a pretty legitimate injury in that sense if he could. So I do believe it to be a pretty legitimate injury in that sense, but just exactly, you know, except for being told it was a very severe lower

body injury. I don't have any other specifics. Yeah, no, and he, I'm not disputing you got hurt Jonas. You're just saying the timing is very convenient? Well, it could be. Like if he comes up flying game one, would you be surprised by that? He may or may not, but if he does, your radar doesn't go off like miraculously right on time it was perfect i just don't know what you want to do about it there's a lot of nothing you can do and i'm not i'm not blaming the panthers or anything like that you have no suspicion whatsoever

you're just a summer conspiracy theorist i guess it's a conspiracy theory jones let me phrase it this way i guess i have started april ninth would he be in the first game? As opposed to April 18th or whatever? Is that what you're asking? Probably. Well, if the answer is probably, then there you go.

Get on board with the conspiracy theories, Jonas. Figure it out. Join the crew here. Anyway, alright Emily. Well we appreciate you doing this and when you can see Ray Farrar again I gotta have words with because he texted me right after you said Hayes of fraud up here on Trade Center immediately I heard my phone going I'm like I know it's Ray and he's gonna claim that he had nothing

to do with it that's exactly what he did just such a weasel he moved by him such a classic right I know. I travel with that man every weekend and there's so many times he leads me wrong when he tries to recommend a restaurant or when he tells us we need to get to the airport three hours earlier. This is one instance though, he was very clear with me and I'm going to rat him out on that radio. He said, if you say this, it will go over well. So let's talk offline on how we can get some retribution. Okay, we will work that out. And it did did play very well in the studio with the audience it played

very well so I guess he did not lead you astray on this one in particular. For one. Yeah for once exactly. Enjoy the games tonight thank you Emily. Appreciate you guys. There's Emily Kaplan of ESPN joining us here on the Maple Toyota Hotline drive the built-in Canada fuel fuel efficient, fun to drive Toyota RAV4. Gas or hybrid models available. Visit mapletoyota.com. Yeah, big night in the NHL. Do you guys remember Rodney Dangerfield? Yeah, of course. My love one. How would we not remember Rodney? I think you need to do like a whole, you need to create something with respect, the disrespect rankings or something. That's actually a really good. That's a really good idea. Danger field disrespect. You know what I'm going to do? You're going to tweak your list. My pie chart next week will be on disrespect. I'm going to have are you going to do a pie chart with disrespect. I'm going to pick four or five teams that I'm going to say this team gets 50% of the disrespect this guy like 20 sure because the pie chart was a big hit and I've I've been told it's

mandatory and continues so I you missed that study I had a pie chart on Monday on Mitch Marner you would have loved it it was a Mitch Marner specific pie chart right up your alley and it's something it's something I'm gonna have to continue into next week, so I might do that. Good. But I don't know if Washington would be at the height of that list. Like I don't know if they're at the top. You don't think this season they're the most disrespected team? Well, I mean, I think you've got to separate regular season from playoff disrespect.

Like in the playoffs, in the projection of what they could do come playoff time, then I would say that that's probably the case but I don't think anyone's raining on the parade this year like they've been great all year the OV things an unbelievable story you know pro Taz showing up Tom Wilson's having a career year you know there's a lot of different things that are going the way Logan Thompson him not being on Canada I guess could feed to the whole disrespect thing but I think people are putting respect on his name because he's played so well I think in the playoffs that's gonna be a very different story but yeah I guess I don't know I'm not

sure who who else sticks out that doesn't get enough respect I mean there's only so much that can go around Right, they change that word and say overlooked. I think they're good Okay, you know like I just because I don't think I think they're a good team, but are they cup favorites? I think we're overlooking them with how I'd phrase that group Yeah, cuz like they'll be the favorites in their first round right? Yeah matter who they play Yeah, yeah, but like slight favorites, right like 55 45 I think probably more than that depending on They play Columbus or Detroit or something like that. Yeah, okay. I feel pretty good about that bet

Yeah, I think if they played the Rangers it would be scarier. What about Boston? Possibly because of their history and and you look at Swain the way he played last year in the playoffs in that first round In particular against the Leafs that that could scare you a little bit like on paper they'll be a better team they'll have home eyes they'll be favored but the the odds would fluctuate based on who they play but maybe that speaks to it because it maybe shouldn't like if you're a juggernaut right like it didn't affect Boston's odds two years ago when they played Florida like in Florida was a team that during the year people kept thinking they should be better than this and then they get into

the playoffs back door they barely got in and yet no one gave them a chance to win. Well and wasn't that series really close to like it? It was 3-1 at one point. Right, like they kind of barely. And it was an overtime in game five. Yeah. I think Reinhardt scored an overtime in Boston game five and Marchand had a breakaway that game I believe the old Matt Fratton

Matt Fratton, you get that reference study try to get that. I know isn't it? No, that is that is one that I would guess very few people would understand every leaf fan would understand what that means Of a certain age of a certain age. Yeah, like. It's not like a Gretzky high stick reference No, it's not like Matt Fratton breakaway. I think is a very even within the details of that game. Yeah But like truly fans that were on the edge watching that game every shift They know exactly what I'm sure people when they see him He still gets asked about you just couldn't slide on past hookah because it was four two I think at that point. I remember the score like Horton had scored to make it 4-2 and then he broke loose on a breakaway and you're like if he if it's 5-2 it's over. Sure. How pathetic is that? Sad. Like they're

up 4-1 and you're like just get it to 5-2 and there's no chance. Realistically even it was 5-2 the Bruins might have tied it up 1-6-5. It was rocking in there. It was quite something. Not frat and breakaway. Marchand had the same opportunity, game five against Florida. Now the shoes on the other foot or the skates on the other foot. Marchand, maybe, who knows, maybe they play Boston in the first round. Leafs-Spanthers tonight, we'll get to my list. We got some strutter duds.

I'm going to sneak in here as well. Specifically, Leafs versus Oilers, right? In terms of how you feel about their setup and going into the playoffs. So we'll get to that as well. Jonas is in here, Struddy's in here on Brian Hayes Overdrive, continues. TSN 1050N on TSN4.

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Alright, we'll get to our best bets powered by Fandua later this afternoon. Pierre Lebrun still to come. Dustin Nielsen coming up as well on the Oilers and where they're at is they're in the greater New York area for the next, I guess, three or four days. They got the devils tonight. I've got a list that I'm gonna get to here momentarily. This Vladdy Guerrero Jr. story is just never gonna go away now unless they broker a deal which is possible. Would you hold out hope for that Jones? Yeah when we were

talking about it on Monday with who are we talking about on Monday Steve Phillips is on I think and you think about it if the Jays are offering 450 the equivalent present day value and Vlad wants 500, don't you have to get a deal? Like if it's 50 million over 14 years, isn't that like potatoes for them? Like you don't have to do that? Yes.

It's a lot if it's like an overpay, but like they screwed it up. They waited too long. Yeah. And I think ultimately it's going to have to be the J's now. Yeah. Although there should be pressure on both sides because Vladdy, well Vladdy keeps telling everybody

I'm dying to be a Blue J for life. Yeah. Like if $450 million is really like you're gonna Your life is not gonna change for 500. But it will change for 500 if you literally have to move somewhere else and play somewhere else and possibly not love it there or be uncomfortable there or whatever. You're still going to have the money, but that 50 million over 14 years, if you're miserable, and maybe he won't be.

Maybe he goes somewhere else and he loves it. I don't know. Maybe he's got another team in mind. But I guess if you can get the extra 50 million, get the extra 50 million. And for sure. And why shouldn't he get it? The Blue Jays have been throwing money at everyone every summer except him. Yeah.

That's his argument. That's his argument. I think she's right though. I don't think it's right. Like I think when Tavara signed the Leafs, Marner and Matthews said we're better than this guy. We should get more than him. Like that's how it works as a player.

That's the way they think. Well, okay. But based on that logic, he shouldn't be getting this money then because he's not better than show. Hey, Otani You know you know what I mean, and that's what he's looking for that money. Yeah, well he is though He's looking for close. He's not looking for 700 million But the thing is the 700 million is very very deceptive because it's the furls They're gonna be paying them until like 2055 or something. So like that's the thing is,

yes, it's gonna work out to 700, but this is what is so stupid about baseball and pro sports and money and contracts. Now it's not about the actual bold dollar anymore. It's present day value, right? Because now deferrals are a part of the process. The negotiation is present day value. And what he now deferrals are a part of the process. The negotiation is present day value. And what he's looking at it as he wants 500 present day value, the

Otani deal was like 465 present day. So, Vlad is literally asking for more money than Shohei Otani in terms of present day value value which is an absurd ask and completely unreasonable yet as you pointed out Jonas the Jays have put themselves in the spot and Vlad is under no obligation to do anything but play out the year and if he leaves he leaves and maybe he leaves money on the table maybe he goes somewhere else next summer doesn't have a great year there's a gamble from here but still he can control his own destiny I guess I guess I'm answering the question that it is probably incumbent on the Jays to go to him and say fine Here's the extra 50 million. Yeah, it's like three and a half million a year for 14

Yeah, like put the ego aside you screwed this up Yeah You've now now that it's leaked out that you were willing to offer him this much Means that you're doing you're actually trying to get it done like this wasn't some bogus well we offered him 280 million which means he didn't really try to get them right it was completely disingenuous the offer if these reports are true that they offered 450 million dollars over 14 years then you're in business with vladigroup jr. but he didn't speak to the media today and he's going gonna have to he's going to have to

and I'm quite curious to see how this plays out with him because He's not a guy that Based on you know what I've seen out of him throughout his career. He's a happy-go-lucky guy You know English is his second language It can be a little bit awkward But he can also use that as a way to, you know, and go through my interpreter and I'm gonna answer how I'm gonna answer. But this could get awkward for him.

And it's never really been that awkward for Vladi. Like it's never, like the market and the media have never really poked and poked and poked at Vladi. And I think it's reasonable to challenge him, even with everything you said, that he's an athlete and the money's there, Rogers has it, they offered it to other guys guys you keep saying you don't want to be a distraction and you want to stay here 14 years 450 million dollars is a

remarkable contract that could check both boxes why aren't you doing it if you're Vladimir Oro Jr. what do you think is a better path for the Jays that let's say 14 500 or trade him I think keeping him is should be the higher priority interesting because well you got I guess I could make the case like if you could get back a bunch of really good futures you're not futures are all gamble I guess a year all gambles they're all gamble like where are you going with Ladi like this team is old where are you going with the futures he's 25 rebuild they don't have a farm system. You're starting over. Okay, then why would you keep all the

shit? Why would you keep any of these guys? Maybe you don't. Maybe you trade everything and try to get futures and start again. Like they have no farm system. I don't know if that's the best course. I'm just thinking about it out. But yeah, like their team is old. I can reason with that, but then you can't be half pregnant. You have to do that. I agree like it's not just well, Vlad. He wants too much. So he's gone It's if you're going scorched earth, then all of them have to go and you've got a bottom out and like that's they're not gonna do that Right, like they've made that it might just happen anyway, right? Like a couple years, but the thing is with Vlad Vlad is 25 years old like flatty You we just talked about the Capitals and retooling on the fly You can do that with Vlad you can go down both paths

They don't have a you just said like Washington has a really good minor league system The Jays don't have they don't have it when all these older players are shuffled out like what's coming? What's next? Well, that's why you would probably try to keep Vladimir and keep oba shed, but to what end? I don't know like I'm asking you like seriously. What what are you trying to do? Well, obviously That's why you would probably try to keep Ladi and keep Beau Bichette. But to what end? I don't know, like I'm asking you like seriously, what are you trying to do? Well, obviously they're trying to win, Jonas, but the point is pre-agency comes up every year

and guys are gonna filter in and filter out. You can have more money, you can make trades and you have a draft every single year. You've got to replenish your farm system. You have to, but they haven't been drafting properly. That's what's costing them. Yeah. You don't trade picks in baseball.

But you could trade players for good prospects and retool. You're not into it, it's okay. No, you could, Jonas. I get it, but again, you have to trade everybody almost. And even then there's no guarantees. How many guys that they have right now would garner any team in the league's first and third prospect?

Well, Vlade, the Shet would get you something. Yeah. Some of the- Who else? I guess you're turning over some of the pitchers too. Yeah, like Scherzer, Bichon. Scherzer's not getting you anything. Scherzer's not getting you anything.

They owe him $15 million. Marios, Gosman, those guys get you something. Marios has got, how many years left on his deal? Five years at $80 million. He's sticking around. Gozman doesn't have a lot left, I don't think. I don't know what he's got left in the tank. That's fair.

Bassett's not getting anything. Bassett's not getting anything significant for him. Like, you can get pieces for them. But you're not replenishing the farm system. You're also kind of making my point. Like, where are you going with this particular team? Well. Do you think this team can win the World Series No, I don't but you know, they've got the chance to be a playoff team on the border

Like they if everything breaks their way. Yeah, they're not an awful. No, they're not the white sox or something like that No, but listen, it's gonna be a challenge I don't trust the far the the front office to either that's a part of it and they picked their path They signed Santander. They didn't trade Vladi before. Right, exactly. And listen, if you're a fan, we're in the weeds because we talk about everything and we detail everything. The average fan is like, I like Vladi, he's been here for 10 years. Good player, wants to be in Toronto, sign him. Like there's a marketing element to it as well. They've spent 10 years building this guy up as the face of the franchise. And now $50 million if you believe the report is enough to completely change the history

of your team. Yeah, stupid. Like when you look at it that way, it's a lot of money. It's not my money. And the argument will be from ownership that you have a budget. Yes, you don't have a salary cap, but you got a budget. So if you're going to give that extra 50 to Vlad, then that's 50 that's not going to go to someone else. You know, so there there is a line because you can't just say, well, just give it to him. But it's what if you come

over 14 years? No, I know that. But who's to say he doesn't let's say you close the gap and he goes, actually, I want 550. Yeah, it's just like it's yeah, you know, like 50. But that but where do you draw the line? That's a good question. You just give them the money. Maybe the line for them was 450 and now they're doing it. Well, it sounds as if that's probably the case. But then you just lose them. So cool, you win the negotiation, but you don't get the player. That's why it's sticky right now.

But I'll say this, you cannot let them walk. You just can't. You have to get- I'm with you, Struddy. You have to trade them. Vladdy, if you don't sign them him then you're gonna have to trade him. Well we saw this with Shohei like remember the angels were like we're gonna try to sign him and like they were terrible and then he's like yeah I'm not staying and they got nothing.

Yeah but what complicates that is this front office the manager they're all under so much heat. Yeah. Let's say he's having a great season you know they're in a playoff spot at the trade deadline they're not going to trade him. You're, they're not gonna trade them. You'll be talking about that. Of course. If he slips, if he leaves and you've got nothing, now you're just, it's years of rebuild, right? Well, yeah, possibly. I think you gotta do it. Their argument will be, well, all that money we were gonna spend, and they're still spending, they're paying them like 29 million or whatever this year, is they'll use that money to replenish the system

and the team and bring in different pieces. You know, as long as ownership consistently is willing to spend a lot of money, and this owner has spent a lot of money, if Vladdy's deal comes off the books, Bichette's getting, what's he making? Bo's making 20 million, something like that, Scherzer's at 15.

Like, Springer's an issue. George Springer, they're paying a lot of money. He can, you look at his stats in the spring, they are horrendous. Like, I don't think he can hit anymore, period. Yeah, he was awful last year, and the year before he wasn't much better. Like, there's a real, real possibility here

that Springer is not a guy that's even at replacement level in Major League Baseball. So I don't know what they're gonna do with him, and it's a lot of money, but it's, this story's not going anywhere. And as much as I want to hear from Vladine, he's going to have to speak on it. Mark Shapiro should be speaking too. Like if these leagues are coming out and I think they're coming from the Jays, go out and speak on it. Like if now we know the numbers, what Vladine wants, term, the dollars, what the Jays were reportedly willing to offer, come out and

speak. Like don't run and hide. You think? Absolutely. It doesn't really work. This is the face of your team, and everyone's wondering what the hell's going on. Go out and answer some questions. You're down in Dunedin watching the team.

Yeah. Anyway. I think I agree, you have to do it once, and then it's done. Like you've done it. Right. You know, at this time of year. I think that's important to just face it. Is this then you're airing some of your dirty laundry and your

You're probably not gonna actually say anything cuz like you can't really not like the tree-living thing on whatever day that was Sunday With Martin didn't really like the damage control did not really contain the damage. It's just kind of like was like, okay But you understand why he came out, you know, he came out theory in theory came out to protect his player But it there was nothing he could say Unless he could have said something he chose not to because that's the way he operates the Leafs operate But if he doesn't speak it's a story also like why aren't you speaking on this? why aren't you answering on it and I guess you know, technically he didn't do that, but I Just feel like it's easy for the player to consistently go out

when the when the team is involved to like the player does that the players playing poorly that's on the player to speak on it if the player did something stupid like erin act like you get it you go answer for your say if the managers doing something stupid well should be not stupid but if you're involved in the story and the marna thing tree-living was he asked him to wave you're involved in that you get you should go speak on it and i'm saying the same thing with lati you're involved in the story and the Marner thing, Tree Living was. He asked him to wave, you're involved in that. You should go speak on it. And I'm saying the same thing with Vladdy, you're involved in the negotiation. The reports are out that you offered something. Don't make him just speak on

it. You get out there and speak because you're involved. Like it's not, you know, if Vladdy goes 0 for 10 to start the year, Mark Shapiro doesn't go out and speak for him. No one expects him to. You speak, Vladdy. But Mark is directly involved in these reports that are out there. Yeah. That's my point. That's fair. Like if the team is involved in whatever the story that's blowing up, you should have a responsibility to speak on it. But it's not like you can confirm, yeah we offered him 450. Why not? They won't, but they could. It never works that way. I know, but like they could do that. You should have a round table, just get both of them in here. We've asked them a million times. I think Mark Shapiro is gonna come on here and answer.

That'd be great. He's wide open door. Mark wants to come on. Vladdy can come on too. Bring his interpreter. You broke the deal. You got the deal done within five minutes of sitting down. You're right about that, Strud.

We could have a big, we could just broker the deal. Bring Vladdy and Shapiro in here and I will work this out for them 475 lock meet the middle the mediator. I love that idea. That's what I always do with my Facebook deals I always meet in the middle meet in the middle Facebook marketplace. I love that plan That's a great idea for a segment Meet in the middle you guys should do a segment where you play the role of one and then argue and then you be the litig The judge, okay

Meet in the middle in the middle. Meet in the middle. All right, we'll come back with my list. All right, I got five players playing on Canadian teams that have to be rock stars down the stretch for a variety of reasons. Pierre Lebrun coming up as well, overdrive continues. TSN 1050N on TSN 4. Wow, you've got the latest model.

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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. All right, so it's a Thursday and Hazy B's list has arrived. And the thing is with these lists is sometimes you have to kind of expand the reasoning and the circumstances to what the player is dealing

with, right? Because their teams are in different situations. But I've come up with a list here, players on or skaters on Canadian teams that need to have a great stretch run leading up to the playoffs. Not including? Not include what they're going to do in the playoffs, if they're even going to make the playoffs. But we're talking about a, you know the playoffs, if they're even going to make the playoffs. But we're talking about a five to six week run here where it's important these players step up for a variety of reasons.

All right? Is that straight? Everyone's with me on that? With you. Okay. At number five, I have Evan Bouchard at number five strut. Whipping boy out there in Edmonton, right? Hasn't had a great season, nowhere close to what he did last year

He's missing at home, you know at home hasn't obviously been healthy healthy recently But I think he's such an important piece and it's not about Getting this team into the playoffs. They're going to be in the playoffs but Bouchard last year was so good down the stretch and He elevated his game in the playoffs and he plays with like kind of a low pulse stride. You know his game better than anybody, but I think Bouchard, I think he needs to show something

before he gets to the playoffs. I think he's got to find his game because come playoff time, that's your number one defenseman or certainly going to be on your top pairing. And I think he's integral to anything they're going to do in the playoffs. So I have Evan Bouchard at five.

Number four, I have Austin Matthews. Now Matthews and Bouchard in a similar category. Both teams going to the playoffs, both teams, what this whole season represents is going to be based on how they all perform in the playoffs. But Matthews has not looked like himself all year. And what is different here is, and I guess Bouchard applies to an extent,

the Oilers can catch Vegas, but the Leafs are right in the hunt to that one seed. And it's his first year as captain. I think tonight's a massive game for him. You're back home, you're supposed to be healthy, you haven't been scoring lately, you've got Florida in your building, you're the captain. That doesn't come up enough either.

And maybe it's because the nature of the captaincy and the importance of it has been neutered a little bit, you know, over the last decade or so. But I think he's got, he's got to show signs that he can knock off the rust and look like himself and be himself come playoff time. And he's got 18 games to do that. I just don't know if it's rust.

I just don't think he's healthy. Whatever it is then. I don't think he's healthy. Then find, then you better show some health. Yeah, like he think he's healthy and find then you better you got some health Yeah, like you are compensate and find a way to be effective. Yeah. Well, you are looking this stretch. He's not scoring He does have a lot of assists. He's not he's still a very good player It's just like you look to him to scoring he's not scoring but like go to that team USA team Canada final he almost scored three or four times and overtime to assist great and overtime right great opportunities Yeah, so I got Matthews at four. This one might surprise you guys,

but I'm gonna have to flush this one out. Adam Henrique. No, Patrick Lina. Patrick Lina at three. Now the reason I say that is secondary scoring I think is gonna really be a factor for the Habs and whether or not they can get in. And they lost last night in overtime. They had a 4-2 lead, they blew it. But Slavkovsky's been playing better. Caulfield's scoring, that top line is gonna perform, I think, for the Habs. I think in order for them to get in, and they're right there, like they could get in.

This is a big, big stretch run. I think Lina is gonna be integral. I think him adding secondary scoring, him getting that power play popping is huge for Montreal. Also, the other guys are young. Like he's he's nine years into the league. It's a resurgence of his career. The market has really gravitated to him.

And I think he's got to score big goals and he's got to elevate his game. And he can't fade the way he's faded at different times this year and different times in his career. Yeah. So I got Patrick line of three. That's not one of them. I like that. See, come on. I may. I was going over it in my head, who is he gonna have on this list?

I did not have him. Patrick Lina of three. I got Brady Kachuck at two. Captain America, look what he did at the Four Nations. Never played a playoff game. Captain of a team that is currently in a playoff spot. As important astutely as now cousin, Sanderson's been really

good obviously you need Allmark but goalies aren't involved in this I look at Kachuk Struddy and I think he's got to play the best hockey of his career just to get in just to secure a spot and he's playing really well he scored you know what 30 seconds into the game or whatever the other night he he's healthy Stutzla's healthy they look, but I think this is kind of a legacy six weeks for Kichuck. And I think he's gotta be their best player and he's gotta be motivated, he's gotta hit, he's gotta score, he's gotta keep his emotions in check, but also evoke whatever motion is necessary

to get them over the top. I got Brady Kichuck at two, all right? Number one on the list, players on Canadian teams, skaters on Canadian teams that need a great stretch run leading up to the playoffs, I've got Elias Pettersson at one. Wow. Elias Pettersson who was really good last night. He was one, okay, go ahead.

He was really good last night, well here's the point, all right, that team can't score, they've really had struggles scoring. He's the highest paid player on the team, Quinn Hughes is back, Hughes looks great every single night. Like Hughes, I know what I'm getting out of Quinn Hughes every night. Pederson, the last two games has come alive.

He was really good last night. They can still make the playoffs and it feels like Pederson is the guy that can drag him there. Like they need Pederson and they'll, every market's fickle. Vancouver's no different. They will look past the first 65 games.

If you're a rock star the last 15 to 20 and you get us in so I got Pederson at one there's my list Jonas go ahead you have a chat who did I miss who do you think you missed you say Mitch Marner because of the contract contract is irrelevant the rest of this season in the regular season it pops in the playoffs playoffs all have a different list it's just like if he didn't know he's like he's great though this year yeah that's the thing like he's been great this year I guess you could say yeah you're not really the Oilers guys like McDavid like I was thinking McDavid but again McDavid's just gonna plug along and

well he's performing and you know he's what he's gonna do in the playoffs exactly yeah I love Petterson at one because he's the one who could get traded based on how he plays that's the other four aren't going anywhere So I think he's feeling it very good point to like he's got to perform Maybe for his his life in Vancouver, and they need him and he's heard Quinn He was talking about him after the game like they they know they need this guy So every player is different every team's different on the list, but those are the five guys I've got my eyes on down the stretch. We'll add to that list into the next hour.

Pierre Lebrun coming up, best bets still to come as well. Least panthers tonight, we're teeing that up. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on the TSN app. of our great nation one song at a time. This is Justin Bieber. Hi, this is Terry Clark. We are Nickelback. Made in Canada on iHeartRadio. Rock, pop, hip hop, and when it comes to country, it's the true north all the way.

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