OverDrive - OverDrive - March 13th, 2025 - Hour 3

Episode Date: March 13, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jason Strudwick and Jonas Siegel for Hour 3 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun joins to discuss Mitch Marner's contract outcomes with the Maple Leafs, the matchup against the Panthers and the Eastern Conference landscape. Edmonton Sports Talk President Dustin Nielson joins to discuss the Oilers' season overview, the form of the lineup and Connor McDavid's overall performance and Bryan hands out his FanDuel Best Bets.

And you're all set! Enjoy your new phone on Bell! Thanks! Whoa! What is happening? What is this feeling? Are you feeling giddy and bouncing with energy? Yes! Yeah, I like to call that new phone vibes. It's that time of year at Bell. It's so good! Get in on those new phone vibes. Switch to Bell, Canada's fastest 5G plus network, and save over a thousand dollars on amazing phones with eligible trade-in. Visit a Bell store or Bell.ca slash spring for details.

Bell, getting a new phone just got better. Final hour overdrive continues, powered by FanDuel, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. We'll get to our best bets later this hour. Least Panthers tonight, Pierre Lebrun coming up. Edmonton down in Jersey, Dustin Nielsen later in the hour. And the Oilers, the West. A lot going on in hockey tonight. A lot going on in baseball too I guess Dougie said. Rafael Devers down in Boston now he's okay with being a DH where when

Bregman came in it was somewhat of a sticky... I'll never not play third base. Yeah through his interpreter he's like I'm not moving. It's like cool I play third base. Yeah it's interpreter. He's like, I'm not moving. It's like cool I play we write the lineup. Yeah, it's like well actually Alex Cora makes the lineup and you're making 300 and something million So you'll play wherever you're told to play that's ultimately the way it generally goes in pro sports So yeah, Devers, I guess is cool with that. We're waiting for Aaron Rodgers and I couldn't tell if this was a real reporter not Because someone spotted him on a beach somewhere. I if this was a real reporter or not because someone spotted him on a beach somewhere. I guess there was a picture of him like gazing into the ocean and you know being all philosophical

and everyone's wondering like is he really thinking about where he's going to play next year and it's as if he's holding up the whole process which is exactly what he wants to do. Like he knows if he's going to play or not. And he just has to make a choice on whether or not it's going to be in Pittsburgh. Sounds like Minnesota still kicking tires, maybe the giants, but we're all waiting for Aaron Rodgers.

And I think that's exactly how he wants it. He wants the whole world waiting for him. Where would you like him to go? Not New York giants. That's my team. We do not want him there. Who do you want? Who are the Giants though to say no to Aaron Rodgers? Like with all the respect strut. Who is the kid? Tommy DeVito? Yeah, I think they resigned him. Tommy Cutlets they

like to call him. No, this is my thought process. The Giants aren't very good. So you bring in someone like Aaron Rodgers who was a great quarterback but still has a big personality. It just promotes dysfunction amongst that franchise. Just bring anyone in. Anybody you want to bring in, just hold it until you figure out who your quarterback is through the draft. I'm hoping we get Eli Manning's nephew, Archie, next year.

I think it's the next year. So I hope we lose every game go out and lose actively lose. I Appreciate that greatly. I think he can declare after this season. I believe I think he was like a row I don't think he red-shirted I think he was like a pure freshman and then he was a sophomore last year and I think after his junior year He can come out That is a guy worthy of tanking and people will be tanking like they Like they will be trying to go 0-1-17 for Arch Manning, just because of the name, the way he looks,

the way he plays. If he wins a Heisman and he drags Texas to like a national championship game, it'll be absurd the hype around him in that draft. But I understand what you're saying. And that is accurate. My point is like the idea that the Giants, you know, are too good for Aaron Rodgers or something is also outlandish.

They're too bad. They probably are. So I guess the answer would probably be Pittsburgh. The most compelling story is he goes to Minnesota and he's back in the NFC North. Well like that's the most compelling story and they're the best team. They're a Super Bowl contender. They're a very good team. What about JJ? Is he he there? JJ McCarthy? JJ McCarthy. But what are you getting out of him? I don't know. He was a good college player, but he blew out his knee or whatever it was in camp last

year. He hasn't played a game in the NFL. I agree. Yeah, that's a dicey one if you're the Vikings. But we'll see what happens. Yeah. At least you're not like the Cowboys who paid that much for Dak Prescott and then Josh Ellensman could finally mess the year. Thank God I'm not a Cowboys fan. I know. Not a great coach. like uh... the cowboys who paid that much for that press cut and then josh i was like it finally this year

like thank god i'm not a cowboy spent now you know i'm not a great coach they are a great coach well let's let's play this josh allen interview i don't recall who he was doing the interview with do you look that up you because all reference that i want to make sure that i you know give a credit but here's josh allen uh... being asked that question he just renegotiated his deal.

He's gonna make 55 million this year, DAC makes 60. And he was asked the question, like, why didn't you make more than DAC Prescott? They renegotiated your deal. You clearly could have demanded that and the bills would have given it to you. Here's how Josh Allen responded. It didn't seem like it's in my perspective

I was taking a whole lot less But when the only the way that I make sense of it when when you start getting these Fairly big numbers throughout the entire league You know, I it's weird to say this but what's what's five more gonna do for my life that I can't already do right now Right. So like it it's not that crazy to me. Right. Like I live a pretty good life. Got a house, got a car. We're good.

But I wasn't looking to absolutely kill them in every every chance that I could. And I told my agent that I was like, hey, if this this has any impact on the pack or impact on the cap, I should say, let's figure out a way to not do that. So that was a zoom call with the media. I could love this guy more. That is a masterclass. I could not. Like it is so easy to play that card. And like there's two guys in Toronto right now going through it that can't get that through their heads. And I'm just, I'm astonished by it. And I get the responses, well, it's not your money

and all that, I get it. But Josh Allen in a cap world, and it is different when it's a salary cap, because there's a finite number of how much money you can use. It's a little bit different with Latty in baseball because he'd say, well, you could spend 300 million, 350, 375, you don't need to have a strict budget. And he'd be correct in that.

But everything Josh Allen said is accurate. And it plays so well and it plays even better in a blue collar town like Buffalo where he already owns everything. Like they're gonna rename, that's a guy guy rename schools and streets and all that and if he punches a ticket on a Super Bowl which I still believe he's gonna do at some point they're gonna play that like that'll just be

played on a loop at schools in Buffalo and in Western New York for the rest of time when it's all he took 20 million he took yeah what is it 55 million but it's like you frame it in a certain way and it's like yeah well great guy you know what I mean what a guy great so charitable brilliant matter what brilliant you're not a Cowboys fan sitting with a 60 million dollar quarterback is probably a dollar quarterback right isn't that's it's not the amazing thing take away that somehow this is basically throwing a dagger at Dak in the Cowboys. Yeah, because I believe the direct question was, and I might be paraphrasing here.

You're better than Dak. Can you believe that Dak is making 60 and you're not making the same amount? And it is- You're better off having Doug Flutie. Yeah, it's staggering. It really is. Doug Flutie instead of Dak.

It's staggering. Here's Pierre Labr the bar tsn hockey insider pierre does it not discussed you that josh allen's less money than that press cut uh... and then

out of the when dot restarted the lot three to give the tablet more than thirty billion capitol the play with the sheer about big give me some really i will pay that okay uh... pretty good at thatcott to have done that. And I will also say that Prescott's a great quarterback. He's not Josh Allen, that's for sure. But he's a great quarterback.

And Struddy, it sounds like you're a Giants fan, am I right? Struddy is a Giants fan. Yes, he is. So, is Doc Prescott, I believe he's 13 and one in his career against the Giants. That has nothing to do with your, that has nothing to do with the Giants. Oh, we lost Strud I believe he's 13 and 1 in his career against the Giants. That has nothing to do with your...

That has nothing to do with your... We lost Stretty, he's going quiet. You actually finally got Stretty to stop talking. We gotta reset his whole thing. Well, I mean, Doc has owned... No. Doc has absolutely owned the Giants. That is true.

Like I mean destroyed them. That is true, Stretty. So I think we're getting some bias commentating here. And the reality is all of these dollars, the NFL is so weird. I don't cover it for a living so I don't totally understand the end and end of the CBA. But I don't even understand what it means when what Prestop just did restructured so that the Cowboys have more than 30 million to play with this year on the cap. I know it's how do they like how does it all work? It's incredibly confusing because Allen did the same thing make no mistake like he's it's pushing guarantees around

and down the line it's incredibly confusing um I like half the time I feel like they're just making it up you know they're like wow we're just going to move some money around. Like, what money and where is that going? But listen, Strati has a point. Dak Prescott is no Tommy DeVito. He's no Tommy DeVito. Well, I want Tommy to be our quarterback this year so we get Archie Manning. That's our arch. Well, listen, the Cowboys will help you out by once again going 2-0 against the Giants.

We'll at least do that. We finally agree. Look at you guys coming together here we've got a bond yeah brokering deal fans did they get a running back here well they find your bond see Williams who who's had a lot of injuries he I think he'll be their number two and I do you know they're gonna drop a running back in the draft is what everyone is who covers the team seems to think we shall see okay Alright, we got a big one here in Toronto tonight here. I'm sure you're aware of this How do you because this is the biggest regular season game?

I can think of certainly this year for sure and there's been other examples in the past, but not with the same You know with with the same status on the division was never on the divisions never been on the line they've played Tampa where you know they're gonna play them in the playoffs or Boston we know they're gonna play them in the playoffs but there's never actually been multiple stories on the line here where it's not only how do you match up against this team but if you beat them and you beat them in regulation you're gonna surpass them in the standings I really I don't think you can hype this enough.

The question is will the Leafs meet the moment? Or do you think the emotions could get to them? Could they try to go over the top and be a little bit jittery tonight? What are you expecting from them? No, I don't think they'll be jittery. I worry more that they're coming off the long road trip. Sometimes teams are asleep and the Leafs are asleep early on in those games. Not to mention that they're playing the quietest arena in the NHL on days not named Saturdays. But this game is so big,

I went to the morning cases for it, that's how big this game is. I mean, I had to go down and get a feel for this. No, I think the Leafs will meet the moment tonight. And I know MJ's been big on this and you guys have to you on the show But you know the carrot to win the Atlantic and avoid each other between Tampa, Florida and Toronto is so big I will say with the caveat of this I mean if the least win division there's a real chance they could play Ottawa for whatever reason the Senators

and by a lot of success against Toronto. So, you know, I'm late. So it's not like it's guaranteed first draft win for the Leafs either in the Battle of Ontario, but I do think you want to avoid Florida and Tampa at all costs if you're Toronto. And, you know, this is an interesting time for the Panthers too because you know the suspension to Ekblad you know kind of it throws a wrench into their plans of wanting to get a look at how their top four looks with Ekblad and Jones on the right side so they won't get Ekblad back to the second game of the playoffs and that's not nothing because I think they really want to get a good chunk of the season at the end here together and look at that top four and they won't be able to do that

now. Jare, you know, looking a little bit ahead and I know they recognize that Kachak, Saud and Marchand, but let's assume these guys meet and they're all healthy at some point, maybe in the playoffs. Who or do the Rupey police have the ability to rise up and take on some of that gamesmanship that we'll see from Florida? So, you know, here's the interesting science experiment that the police have been here the last 12, 18 months.

You know, under Brad T. Living, and that includes the hiring, obviously, of Craig Blue, but the police have, you know, not so suddenly tried to transform themselves into a team that can better handle the heaviness of a playoff game. But hopefully for them, not at the expense of scoring enough. And it's not easy to do, but of course the template is Florida themselves. You guys have talked about this, I think. But the Florida Panthers made a coaching change after winning the president's trophy

and leading the league in gold. It's like unheard of a couple years ago. And the reason they did it is that Bill Zito wanted Paul Maurice to come in and transform their team into the, to play a style that is more successful compared to us. And the rest of they say is history. But that's what the Lees are trying to do transform their team into the to play a style that is more successful come playoff time and The rest of they stay is history But that's what the least are trying to do in the Brad tree living very similar philosophy

And Chris Tanna was a magnificent addition that way last offseason. I love the Brandon Carlo trade They are better suited I think to to to wait for those waters come playoff time they're not scoring organically like they have and and i guess what i'm saying that i won't know what the least here than none of us will but have we struck the balance or have they gone too far one way i don't know with the path is in town tonight there was some thought that can have ch, Chris Tanev, would be a game time decision.

He has been activated by the Maple Leafs, Jonas. So that would suggest he's playing tonight. He's playing tonight. Go ahead. So I was curious, Pierre, obviously you mentioned the playoffs and scoring. Obviously one key component in that is going to be Mitch Marner. So I wondered with everything that went down the last few days, do you think there was any healing that has to be or had to be done has to be done between him and the front office

or or is it just now water under the bridge? Do you think I'm really surprised that I'm being asked about this on overdrive? I'm just kidding. I'm not sure. I couldn't think of anything else. Fear. I'm not surprised. So let me, knowing this would come up,

I was collecting my thoughts and I talked to a lot of people. You know, I think the first thing to start with is to understand that from what I have gathered, when Brad Trulium in the least front office approached Mitch and his camp about this whole Carolina scenario, Let's stress this again. The first words out of their mouth was, we want to sign you. But because there has not been a meaningful negotiation this year, it

was presented to them as, well, you know, we haven't negotiated this year. Is this an option that would interest you? I.e., you know, the trade to Carolina and getting ranted in back and the Leafs would have signed ranted in and so on and so on. And obviously the answer was no, which is absolutely in Mitch Marner's rights. I love when players use their no move

because that's why you negotiate for them. That's part of your contract. But I don't think anyone, like I don't know why it's upset some people that the Leafs did this. I'd be more upset if our Leafs fan, Brad Truling, didn't look at all his options when he's managing his assets. Like the guy that, you know, they've not been able to negotiate an extension. So you're getting to the trade deadline and you got to look at everything. And here's

proof of why other teams have done the same. Boston, a couple years ago, David Pasternak and his agent JP Barry were legitimately concerned that if they didn't sign an extension, they ended up signing a really good deal, but if they didn't sign by the trade deadline, that he could be traded. And Boston wasn't first place at the time.

But I remember at the time talking to everyone involved and there was a legitimate threat. And who who knows it could have been a bluff but there was a lot of tension around that negotiation that the Pashnak wasn't signed and he signed just before the trade deadline and maybe they would look at what the market was for him. Fast forward to this year if I would have told you in September that the Colorado Avalanche who were trying to win a cup this year would have traded Meekle Rampson in in January you guys would have told you in September that the Colorado Outlands were trying to win a cup this year, would have traded Mikko Rantunen in January, you guys would have thought I was on crack.

But this is what happens with players of this magnitude when teams still threaten that they don't control the asset past the trade deadline. But there's one key distinction there, Pierre, is the no movement clause. Correct. Like Rantunen did not have full control. And neither did David Kastner. Right. Yeah, you had to modify it. Yeah, that is a key distinction. And so this goes back and we have

these discussions, Brian, on this show. The day July 1st, 2023 came, which is just a few weeks after Brad Treuland took over from Kyle Bubas, was a major day in this whole story. And it's not like we just realized it now. We talked about it at the time. When his whole move went to 100% and Mitch Marner stayed put, the leverage changed that very day. Yeah, and it was horrible negotiating,

but there's nothing you can do about it. I mean, that happened, and the deal was brokered. And you're right. Mitch has got, he's got the keys to the car, but it still doesn't answer whether or not Marner really wants to stick around, whether or not the Leafs mines, can they change? Like it, it sounds as if to your point and you're reporting, like they want to sign them, they want to sign them.

Does that mean what happens the rest of the year is completely irrelevant and they're just going to try to sign him up until you know midnight June 30th or whatever it is or now do the leaves have to reset and possibly put some pressure on Marner that let's say he wants to stay maybe they don't want to keep them like is that is that option even available anymore is it just a hundred percent Marner has to make the decision and if he wants to stay then that option will be there for him. Well first of all what happens the rest of the year is definitely not irrelevant. I think what happens in the playoffs might be 90% of what happens on this file.

Like Mitch Marner being the scapegoat for another first round exit if he doesn't put up numbers could greatly affect the outcome of this thing. Mitch Marner leading the Toronto Maple Leafs into the conference final could greatly affect how this ends up. The playoffs are everything to me in terms of where this goes. So there's that. You know, here's the other thing that I've been saying all week about this, just from a human being perspective.

If I'm Mitch Marner, there are two ways you could react to what's transpired, even though again, I believe at least we're really diplomatic in how they approach this. You either lose trust in the organization because you feel slightly betrayed that they thought about training you, or it's scared the living crap out of you that that could actually be a thing, you could no longer be a leaf and he made you wake up the next day and say you know what I don't want to leave so it could be one of the other which are extreme opposite reactions by the way but I don't know that there's much in the middle it has to be one of the other in my mind. When you look at the work that Craig

Barube's done so far this year, what would you like to see him get done or what do you think his agenda is these last 20-something odd games? For me, the number one thing for me is having Morgan Reilly get to where he needs to be in his game and find comfort with Brandon Carlo. That would be, if I'm Craig Brubay, that would be the number one item on my wish list. It's feeling good about that tandem heading into the playoffs. And I think they will feel good about it, but you have to see it. And so the last bit of the regular season air strategy is really important to me on that because you know what you have with that.

know what he had with that. And so if you can get that high profile pairing in a place where the trust is through the roof entering the playoffs, I think that's the game changer. Yeah, and I'm not sure how much of that is, like how much Barube can control there. You're gonna play him with Carlo, he's played with a lot of different defensemen over the course of the year.

At some point it's just on Morgan Raleigh to do it he's just got to play better he's got to defend better in particular or you got to pick a lane if you're gonna defend the way you're defending you better get up in the play you better create offense you better make the opponent feel uncomfortable at times when you're on the ice and I just feel like he's in this and maybe that's how Barube can can approach it maybe he can go to him and clarify this is which way you gotta go here and he's probably been doing that you know it's not like you're you talk about a rookie defenseman or in carlos

case a guy who just got here and you can you can kind of bacon someone comfortable scenarios that you that you know are coming i mean riley's the longest standing leaf and we're still having these kind of things. But I think the one wild card in it is now you've thrown a new partner into the mix. Now you have 18 games to like suddenly figure out how to play together, right? Yeah. And again, it's on him, I guess, to do it though, right? Like, and I guess how

you use them and like the zone starts and who they're going up against. But if you're a second pair... They're playing hard competition. You're going to play really good players and you're going to play a lot of minutes're a second pair, they're playing hard competition, you're gonna play really good players. And you're gonna play a lot of minutes. And there's gonna be uncomfortable times. And the other thing that's probably obvious is, I wonder if Craig Rubish tipped his hand a bit tonight

at Stowell Riders' game of starting at Florida. And you listen, he's playing his old team, so that's probably a big part of it. But, and he's also, he's been lighted out when healthy this year. So I think most people that you would ask would probably think so large as the game when starter come play outside but I do think like this is one of the biggest games of the year and he gets a start so that's the only thought that you know it's crossed my mind this morning that is good yeah that's a big one well

in terms of the Canadian teams on the border of making it in, Ottawa's in a pretty good spot, right? They got a big game tonight, Boston in town, and the Habs, they picked up a point last night, this kind of Western road trip, they're picking up points and they're staying. Although that stung. That one stung because they were up 4-2 and they had it. Although they were down 2-0 also, right? Yeah, okay.

It was 2-0 then 4-2, but they blew it in the third against the Seattle team. They were lucky to get a point I stayed up and watched that game and they were thoroughly outplayed for a lot of it and and managed to get timely scoring including Klaskowski second goal where the stick goes over his head and they come back he didn't even celebrate because the body would get way back and come out right they called it a goal but they still got a point and say what you want, but the Habs, whether it's winning or not, they've been a plucky bunch in the second half of

the season and they're still in the race. But they were lucky to get a point last night. How about that overtime goal, Pierre? That's a tough learning lesson for Hudson there, right? You're looking around and you know in that situation you kind of got to look at the center the winger is someone talking here is there something going on and he had no idea Montour blasted right by him and that's D-men on D-men that's not forward on D-men right so that's that's a tough one you could see his reaction hammer to stick into the wall five seconds well how often do you see up the draw three guys lining up like

that though Strud? No, I don't like that lineup, but as a D, you know, it's a D on D and you kind of think, okay, what's up here? Yes. Is something possible here? But that's just youth, and I love Hudson. I love the way he plays, but unfortunately sometimes you learn lessons like that that are really hard to see that are on SportsCenter every two seconds.

And he was amazing again last night, otherwise, oh my gosh. What a year he's having trying to win the Calvert Trophy. But yeah, that was a crazy way to end an overtime game. Craig Button, who did color honors, he has an half broadcast, nailed it after he goes, whoever kicked a free step for Seattle backs off, because that was totally pre-planned. And by the way, Brandon Montour finished the year in that two game set with the Habs with five

golden two games against Montreal. I love that. Yeah that's pretty good and you look at it like he's leaning like you there's a still shot that was circulating online like before the puck drops he's kind of already cheating a little bit and if you're not cheating you're not trying but usually in overtime you see the two forwards line up and the defensemen both kind of concede, we're back here, like you do your thing, I'll do my thing, let's try to win the draw and slow play it, and I'd have to go back and look at it. I wonder if it was Montour that lined up first and then Hodgson was like, all right, I'll line up with you, see you later, see you later, and show time for Montour, but it's still a big point.

To answer your question, I feel bad right interrupted you but the can't be i think that i look at the app schedule uh... this week that they got a pretty tough schedule you know especially the rest of march anyway a lot of old games still and uh... so i think they'll don't continue that they show people wrong if they i think if they stay in it but uh... they've already won the season anyway not not that Habs fans want to hear this,

but Habs wanted to play real games in March. That's what they're doing. But I really like where Ottawa is at. And I think the Rangers will join Ottawa as the two walkers. Yeah. That will be my pick right now. Well, then last night, three-point game, Vancouver, Calgary, and one of those two teams with st. Louis utah won last night

Like you look at the odds. It's like 20 it's out for utah. Yeah, it's out for utah. They're finally healthy You know both the lees and the abs were through there recently. They're playing some big time hockey men I mean they that game was closed last night against anaheim, but they tilted the ice actually most of that night I was watching a lot of that game and they have depth, their blue line is healthy, getting goaltending, that place is jumping. It wouldn't shock me if Utah, Utah slips in. I could see that too. They were good against the Leafs the other night. Like not the first,

but second and third period and in overtime, they outplayed them. All right, Pierre, we'll leave it there. Enjoy the games tonight. Go Cowboys. Go Cowboys. Well, even though I felt a tack coming on air, that fresh shot, I leave in peace. Peace out. Peace out. There's Pierre LePron, our TSN hockey insider. I don't know who I'm kidding to. I'm a Packer fan. Jordan loves making like $53 million. He didn't really pull his weight this year at that that kind of price you know if you compare in contrast he should be making he's way less than Josh Allen he does but again if you're looking if Josh Allen is the bar it's like well Allen's making 55 then Jordan Love should be making 30 million yeah like you're he's just not in the same ballpark as Allen

um you hope he he gets close to it. I don't think he'll ever reach that level, but he's making a lot of money. Lot of money. He should have taken 47 or 45. He should have. He should have thought of the people of Green Bay and guys like me.

Why does he think of guys like me? Yeah, exactly. All right, Least Panthers tonight. Jonas, you're heading down there to cover the game. Good luck with that. Thank you for doing this as always. Struddy, you'll stick around. Dustin Nielsen coming up.

I'll grind. On the Oilers, we're grinders. We're going all the way to seven before the game tonight. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 in on TSN 2. And you're all set. Enjoy your new phone on Bell.

Thanks. Whoa, what is happening? What is this feeling? Are you feeling giddy and bouncing with energy? Yes Yeah, I like to call that new phone vibes. It's that time of year at Bell It's so good get in on those new phone vibes switch to Bell Canada's fastest 5g plus network and save over a thousand dollars on Amazing phones with eligible trade-in visit a Bell store or Bell.ca Spring for details Bell getting a new phone just got better.

All right, best bets coming up, least Panthers tonight. The Oilers are on the East Coast. 5 p.m. start out there, eh? Strut, I mean, that's, I must challenge some people in Edmonton, trying to get home in time to see the game tonight with them and Jersey, but that's the way it goes when you're on the East Coast.

Nothing you can do about that. Yeah the time change makes it tough and it's snowing here in Edmonton. You're kidding me. It's snowing there right now? Yeah it's snowing. Well it's good for my lawn right? I always see the bright side. I planted a bunch of flowers last year they could look great. I'll send you a picture in May or June. Please do. Yeah but this is a big one man like they started this trip in Buffalo it didn't go well for them They have been losing a lot of games recently Losing ground on Vegas and you got LA right behind you, you know in terms of the Pacific and that two three seed and

At home not on the trip. It's a lot going on with these Oilers and Generally speaking I'm rooting for them. You know that strut. I'm rooting for the Oilers. You don't mean that. I do mean that. I do mean that. And that's okay. That's okay. I don't feel it's genuine. But what I see about this team is you got to keep in mind the player they traded for, Frederick, isn't ready to go. Not even playing yet. At home, not on the trip. Walmen has looked really good, right? And there's a good Ontario guy. Right? Love Jake Walman. Always out.

Looks really good. Really good. And a sneaky pickup. I'm not sure he was on anyone's radar prior to the trade down that I was aware of. I'm with you on that. Maybe Dustin Nielsen can tell us about that. Maybe he knew that it was coming. He is, of course, the president of Edmonton Sports Talk, host of the Nielsen Show.

You hear him on TSN calling CFO games all the time. Here's Dustin Nielsen. Did you sniff that one out Dustin? You knew that Jake Wallman was on the radar for the Oilers or what? Well, I just like how Struddy's already laid out excuses for the loss tonight I don't want to talk about it for three hours tomorrow But you know woman I mean for what we've seen from Walmen so far. I don't want to talk about it for three hours tomorrow. But you know, Wallman, I mean, from what we've seen from Wallman so far, I like them. I mean, not tough to upgrade some of the guys that they're rolling in there. So, he's looked good so far. I mean, he looks insanely physical in the first game. And I don't know if that's because he actually is or because the others just haven't played physical so far this

year. But I mean, early returns on the deadline, not so bad just yet. Okay. Yeah. And you mentioned Frederick, like as Strudy points out, Frederick hasn't played yet. So I'm curious, like in terms of the roster that you would expect to see come game one, like how much of it is solidified?

How much of it is still up in the air in terms of how, you know, all these different roles could shake out? According to our show this morning. Nothing's locked in just yet. So people people are We're trying to figure out who's gonna play with Leon dry settle in this city, right? And as of this morning, I have people suggesting Trent Frederick He's never played a game for this team could possibly play on the wing with Leon dry settle

So I mean the bottom line is Frederick's gonna come in and provide something that they don't have or at least they haven't seen yet this season which would be some physicality. Can play center, could move him over on the wing and I mean Jeff Skinner's getting to play the wing tonight with Leon Dreisaitl and if he scores he might be scratched next game. He's had a hard time staying in the lineup so we'll see see what happens on that front. But I mean, and Nugent, Hyman have been locked in with McDavid, it hasn't worked as well

as it has in other years. So as somebody pointed out today on one of our shows, if you don't know what your lineup is, 65 games into the season, you might wanna start getting a little bit concerned. I don't know if they should be there just yet, but I'm also not sure what the answer is to that lineup question. So Dusty, you know, Skinner, Jeff Skinner gets the chance to play a dry saddle but it seems like no matter what he does he is like the ugly step kid who's just pushed out all

the time, right? He's 11 goals, 12 goals. He's had some good moments. He's had some tough moments, but I think he's gone better. So what is it about his game that has drawn this bad love from the coaching staff? I mean, I think it's a start to a season that he just sort of hasn't won them over from. Because since January 1st, he's like plus five, plus six. and I know a lot of people point to his plus minus He was not good to start the season like he was not playing good two-way hockey to start the season I still don't know if I described him as a good two-way player right now either But the bottom line is since January 5th, he scored five goals He's a plus player the other guys in their bottom six of as a group combined for five or six goals

So it's interesting with him getting a look at dry south tonight because we were trying to talk about this this morning. They started the season game one with Arvidsson and Skinner alongside dry subtle by the third period of game one dry subtle was with Connor McDavid and I don't know how much they've gone back to these two guys since and these two guys were brought in to be top six wingers. Arvidsson has done it sparingly, Skinner really hasn't got a consistent chance at all and I'm still wondering if maybe the plan at the beginning of the year could somehow come into focus maybe by playoff time because in limited offensive opportunity, Skinner's actually

produced a little bit. We'll see where it goes from here though. We're chatting with Dustin N Nielsen the Oilers are on the East Coast playing the Devils tonight And when knob luck, you know came in last year Chris knob luck the noise We talked about it extensively like alright You're bringing in his junior coach like McDavid's junior coach Jeff Jackson knows him and liked him when he was a coach back in junior In Erie, what is this guy? What is he going to bring to the NHL? And there was some skepticism on our show anyway, of exactly what would happen. And the guy, he every button he pushed was the right button.

Like it was incredible the way he he triggered that second half in Edmonton. We know what happened come playoff time. I'm curious what you seen out of Knobloch this year now that he's settled in. Is there is is he showing different different years is he showing a different style any different any difference in terms of his disposition before the game after the game because by this time last year the orders were the hottest team in the league

and they're nowhere close to it this year what gives you hope or believe that not like you know will be able to push the right buttons this time to get them back into a cup final. I will say the disposition has not changed. He's as straight as a line after every game. Like you don't see much frustration, you don't see much excitement and you know, they, you know, they got on a great run last year and from

mid to late November to mid to late January, they had the best record in the league this year. It's just the rest of the season, they played like a non-playoff team. So this is one of the hardest teams. I've been doing the show for like 15 years. This is one of the hardest teams. Like when they sucked, we knew they sucked. And when they've had good teams, we knew they had good teams.

This team is confusing me quite a bit. And the thing with the thing with Knoblock, who just surpassed Jay Woodcroft's 133 games coached. So he's accomplished something that Woodcroft didn't accomplish, and that's getting to 135 games as head coach of this team. But Struddy can probably chime in on this one as well,

is that I feel like he's falling back into the same sort of pattern that a lot of other coaches had here. And that is, when things start to go bad, you automatically put McDavid and Dreisel together and hope that it works. It hasn't worked as much this year as I think as it has in the past. And I say this morning, and I should watch your guys' show or some other shows more like

coaches and Edmonds just blend lines all the time. Like I know Winnipeg is rolling lines, like, the same guys over and over and over again. Washington leaves a lot of those guys locked in. Strudsy Weathers just, I mean, it's a different set of line combinations almost every two or three games, which I didn't think Woodcroft would fall back into, but that's the same thing that happened with all the other coaches here. Yeah, and I think that, you know, your points were all made. I think the challenge for him is he's trying to find a spark, right?

Like, when's the last time we thought, man, look at these two guys, there's a real spark there. And we saw a spark last year, we haven't seen it this year. And I think part of it, Dusty, and we watch all the games, watch a lot of games on the league, these guys aren't having any fun. It does not, and I know that they're paid, but they score, there's just nothing, there's no juice out there to their game. Is that the cup hangover?

That drives a few guys crazy here. Like it's just, it's okay to be excited to score and to be excited after you win in overtime. I think you make, what were you going to say there, Hazy? I've noticed that in terms of the cup hangover is something that comes up every single year and I remember talking about it in September. I'm like, it's a cup hangover is something that comes up every single year and I remember talking about it in September I'm like it's it's a cup hangover without winning. So, you know what? Yeah, it's the worst kind of hangover and it's understandable that they're miserable in September and maybe miserable in October and it's a long season You got to do it again, but I'm with you guys like having seen them even and I get it off losses

But there's been multiple occasions where like shots have gone viral with, you know, dry saddle losing his mind after a loss. And it was McDavid the other night in Buffalo, I think he broke a stick going off the ice or something like that. And like those guys, they're showing their frustration constantly,

but you guys are intimating that even when they're winning, it's almost as if they're not willing to fully engage. And I'm curious if you've, what is your theory on that? Is it because they feel like the regular season's irrelevant? Like, is that possible that they're gonna get to the playoffs and just snap out of it? I don't know, that's a dangerous game. I almost feel like they're annoyed.

Yeah, it could be. It's like they're annoyed. They're annoyed with the regular season. It's like, man, like enough of these games. And that's a scary game to play because, you know, they're going to be a playoff team. And we saw last year, you know, when they face some critical moments in the playoffs, they managed to come through. I know they didn't finish to come back, but being down three and nothing, of course, they gave seven in the cup

final. It's not easy to do. So they might just be waiting to flip a switch but how many of these guys can actually do that and that's where you could run into trouble where it's like wait a second the switch didn't flip and it's game seven against the Kings and a better flip tonight or else it's gonna be a really disappointing season absolutely with Dustin Nielsen so where does where does the big guy come into play on all this and that that being McDavid where you know he's still having he's still having a great season but based on his standards outside of his rookie year this is probably the worst year he's had of his

career guys would you say that I mean in terms of he's been healthy for the most part banged up here there he had the suspension but he's not like he's not gonna win the heart he's not gonna be nominated for the heart he doesn't deserve to be in my opinion he's not gonna be one the hard. He's not going to be nominated for the heart. He doesn't deserve to be in my opinion. He's not going to be one of the three finalists for the hard trophy. Not going to win the Art Ross. He's not going to win the Ted Lenz. He's not going to win the rocket.

Like this is the first time I can think of in year probably since his rookie year where all of these are a reality. How is, how is the market kind of handled the season that that McDavid's had this year? Well, I mean, dry Settle set such a good year that some of whether still gonna be involved in all those. So, but it's just, I mean, his wingers aren't producing

Nugent Hyman are, I mean, Hyman scored 50 plus goals last year, he's gonna maybe get 50 points this year. Nugent had 100 points two years ago, he might get 50 points this year. And McDavid, it was years ago. He might get 50 points this year. And McDavid, before the Four Nations, we were sitting around going, man, something might be wrong with this guy. Like, is he sick? Is he banged up? What's going on? And then that first game against Sweden at the Four Nations, he was absolutely buzzing. He looks like he's in a different league than even the best players in the world. And then he's come back here and he's been

a minus player. He's barely above plus minus zero this year. He's usually like a plus 20 guy. And then he had the first two periods against Dallas on Saturday. He looked like Conor McDavid again. And then it's just something just seems slightly off this year for him and the connection with his with his wingers. Yeah and it's so true and I can't put my finger on it like because it that no one's really going at their best like we said which Euler has had a great or lived above their expectations or played above I think there's Leon you know after that maybe Ty Amberson. Corey Perry. Yeah Corey Perry so we're talking about a top player then two you know no disrespect kind of bottom of

the lineup guys. And I think that's the challenge. So how do you get out of that? So is it, Hayes, to your point, is it the hangover? Is it, okay, we're going to wait for the playoffs to start. The problem is if you're not going by game 83, you could be out game 87. Right. That happens quick, man.

It happens quick. And that will be staggering because of where they were last year and coming into this season, everyone was picking them to do what Florida did, right? Like go back to learn from your mistakes or learn from the, you know, being shaken up in the cup final and go back and do it. And like, based on what you guys are saying

and what I'm seeing from afar, I don't feel great about that happening. Like it just, it seems like in the West it's you got Winnipeg Dallas Vegas Colorado Edmonton like is Edmonton fifth like that's probably appropriate odds right now in terms of who's gonna represent the West in the Cup final I Think that's fair. I think I think that's probably where they fall right now We were asking people on our show this morning like have you lost faith in the Oilers as a cup contender? Like they're gonna be a playoff team. And a lot of people said that they had.

I view it right now that I think they could come out of the Pacific. Like even with their plan, I think they could flip a switch and navigate their way through Los Angeles and Vegas. But whoever comes out of that central, it's gonna be a tough out. So they're gonna have to work on that

if they're gonna take that next step back to where they were last year. And it all, you know what it really does. It just makes me that much more impressive with Florida did last year. Oh, like we've seen, we've seen more teams go the way of the Oilers after losing the cup final, then go the way of the Florida Panthers and climb right back up. Absolutely. It's so tough to get back on the horse, man. It's so tough.

And then you look at Tampa, they did it three years in a row with COVID in between. I mean, it's, it was staggering what's happened, you know, in the state of Florida in particular. Here's Dustin Nielsen. You hear him and see him with the CFL on TSM president of Edmonton Sports Talk and host of the Nielsen show. Great catching up with you, Dustin. We appreciate you doing this, man. Enjoy the games tonight. Yeah, thanks a lot, buddy. You got it. There's a Dustin Nielsen. I don't know what's up with Strud. Shrugs out in Edmonton. He's swimming right now. Um, we'll come back with our best bets powered by Fandel.

Chris Tana in the lineup tonight. He will pair up with Jake McCabe. That means Morgan Riley going with Brandon Carlo. This could be about the lineup. You can expect from the leaves when it comes to game one of the Stanley Cup playoffs. This is as big as it gets. Least Panthers tonight. You can watch it on TSN4 tonight. We'll come back with our best bets.

Tee up that game one more time. Overdrive continues. TSN1050 and on TSN2. And you're all set. Enjoy your new phone on Bell. Thanks. Whoa, what is happening? What is this feeling? Are you feeling giddy and bouncing with energy?

Yes. Yeah, I like to call that new phone vibes. It's that time of year at Bell. It's so good. Get in on those new phone vibes. Switch to Bell, Canada's fastest 5G plus network and save over a thousand dollars on amazing phones with eligible trade in. Visit a Bell store or Bell.ca slash spring for details.

Bell, getting a new phone just got better. All right. Al's brother hiding somewhere in the city with a pair of Leaf tickets. You have to guess where he's hiding for your chance to win them. This is the fourth clue of the week. This is a big clue. We ready with Al's brother? Let's get to this fourth clue of the week for Al's brother. Hey Overdrive fans, it's Thursday and it's time for your final clue to find out where is Al's brother

and get yourself a pair of Leafs and Avs tickets for March 19th. Here is that final clue. This establishment is home to hockey's holy grail and is known as the Museum of Hockey, but to some it's known as a hall with some plaques in it. What kind of an idiot would say that? That's so disrespectful to call it a hall with some plaques in it. It's a hall with some plaques in there. Excuse me, I'm trying to get a read in here. When you hear the cue to call tomorrow, the first caller through with the correct location wins a pair of Leaf tickets. Leaf's Avalanche March 19th. Finehouse Brother brother, brought to you by McAlpine,

Ford, Inaurora, our family, the Ford family, and you. Context, Struddy, don't allow that clip to distort what you think I was saying. It's a hall with some plaques in there. Not playing it. It's not true. There was depth to that commentary. The context. Context. Cont context context very important

I love the Hall of Fame always have people always know that always been a big supporter Today's best bets powered by Fando make your picks and assemble a same-game parlay in Seconds on the Fando sportsbook app. I am going big game hunting here strut Scott lot and his pink plus seven hundred anytime goal scored tonight It's his first game as a Maple Leaf at Scotiabank Arena. He grew up down the road in Oakville. He went to games as a kid.

He grew up a Leaf fan. It's gonna be, I think, a very emotional night for him. I'm gonna parlay that with Austin Matthews four plus shots on goal. Carter Verhege four plus shots as well. Verhege's a local guy, loves playing the Leafs, was in the Leafs system at one point. They dumped him for, who did they trade him for?

It was something ridiculous with the Islanders. Lou Lamarello, it was like a five player deal. It was awful. Anyway, that parlay, lot in any time. Matthews four plus shots, Carter Verhege four plus shots, paying plus 4,369. Plus 4,369.

That's a payout. Today's best bet's powered by FanDuel. Live same game parlays are now available for every NHL game on the FanDuel Sportsbook app. Please play responsibly. 19 plus, physically located in Ontario. I feel good about the Leafs tonight. Michael Grabner, that's who he was.

They acquired Michael Grabner and Carter Verhege was a part of that trade. That one hurts in retrospect. How are we feeling about your Oilers tonight? Michael Grabner and Carter Verhege was a part of that trade. That one hurts in retrospect. How are we feeling about your Oilers tonight? You think they get a win in New Jersey or what? Oh man. You know what?

I want to be able to say that they're trending in the right direction. I thought they maybe were after they went through Tampa and Florida and Carolina, but then they come back and have a good couple of periods against Dallas and they lose against Buffalo. So I can't say they're trending in the right direction. I think that's what you want to see just even when you're losing, if you're just getting back on track, then you know the wins will come. So maybe tonight, tonight they start that against, you know, a bit of a depleted team there in New Jersey. Absolutely. They're wounded down in

Jersey for sure. So big one for Edmonton, big one for the Leafs tonight. Ottawa's in action tonight. Tampa's in action. It's going to be a great night in the NHL. Big games in the NBA tonight. The players continuing as well. Bunch of Canadians sitting there looking good. Hadwin played well today. Pendreth, Corey Connors all in the red. So that's a good sign for the Canadians down at the players as well. All right, Shred. Good seeing you, pal. Thank you for doing this. Appreciate it. Anytime, guys. Talk to you soon. Appreciate you grinding it out until 7, unlike my friend Jonas. Yeah, Jonas

He's a diva, right? He's he's a diva. He's got he loves warm up. He loves warm up loves warm up has to be there for it All right. Thanks to everyone behind the scenes for helping out. We appreciate it everyone for tuning in today tv radio podcast web We appreciate that we're out of here. Enjoy your evenings. Enjoy the games tonight. We're back tomorrow at 4 pm We'll chat then all All new, all Canadian. The best of our great nation, one song at a time. This is Justin Bieber. Hi, this is Terry Clark. We are Nickelback.

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