OverDrive - OverDrive - March 17th, 2025 - Hour 3

Episode Date: March 17, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 3 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston joins to discuss the Maple Leafs' room for improvement, Mitch Marner's contract direction and the storylines around the NHL general managers meetings. NBC Sports Golf Analyst Johnson Wagner joins to discuss Rory McIlroy's impressive playoff victory at the Players Championship and Bryan hands out his FanDuel Best Bets.

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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. Brian Hazy, O'Doug Jeff O'Neill, Jamie Noodles, McClennan. We got Chris Johnston coming up here in a moment. Leafs Flames tonight. It's a big one.

Big one for the Maple Leafs. You got to get it together here. You got to play better. You know, Barube's saying today that they're not happy, that they're ready to show that, you know, they're gonna come out with some urgency tonight. That's what I'm looking forward to seeing. What does that look like for them? Like for them to absorb the message and be like, okay guys, part like jokes over, let's snap out

of this. Who is gonna dictate the urgency? we all know who it should be or what it should look like but what is the first ten minutes gonna look like where someone says this is how we're gonna get out of this that's what I'm fascinated to see yeah and it's got to be also consistent play and what I mean by that is you can't have a world beater game tonight and then lay an egg Wednesday and then hey we got to get it we got to have that urge like you can't have that inconsistency I think what you need to do is just have a consistent effort game and like that's where I think Craig Barube's been trying to build this team we want to play this way every night and you know some nights it's not going to work or whatever but

they haven't had that consistent game and we talk about playoff hockey or Borubi hockey we'll talk it talk about them they've been getting beat in that area too that's the problem yes not winning the board battles that's what they they want this team to win board battles they want them to because it's you know it's not Matthews or Marner or Nylander that's gonna win those but it's the other players like Wyzen McMahon and guys like Nyes. They've cooled off as well recently. So it's the template is what they're supposed to be playing like. It's not there.

So they got to figure out or not figure it out. They just have to execute it. Yeah, they have to. And that's it. Like, Borube is going to ask them to play a certain style. They have to prove that they can play it and that's it like the ruby is gonna ask them to play a certain style they have to prove that they can play it and play consistently right and that's a big part of it exactly is checking like you you have to be willing to get in there and check in push play and move

you know move bodies around and move the play on ice and as i talked about in the first hour people likes stop by saw some tweets about people questioning the coach or whatever this is their third coach this guy knows what the hell he's doing stop directing the mess it's almost like a part of being with Leafs Nation sign of trouble they go right to the coach like oh this guy what's this guy doing they come up with stupid it's just crazy and off and it's the coaches job to tinker to try and find the right formula that night how many coaches have stuff. And it's the coach's job to tinker, to try and find the right formula that night.

How many coaches have we played for? It's like, don't like what I see, switching it up. Like that's, you know, it's rare that you have, okay, one, two, three, four, and a coach just runs it through. You gotta find in-game adjustments. Jamie, we've seen it the last six years. Do you know why they have to tinker so much? It's because the top end guys make so much money that there's not much

left behind. So they're just desperately trying to find the right company. That's why there's so much line juggling. That's a big part of it. It is. And that's why again, when if it's not working, go to the star players first, because they're the ones that have to do the heavy lifting. They're constantly trying to get blood out of yarn croak and yeah like Nick Robertson get in there and give me some like that's what that's what they're doing. It all filters down because if you can't look at the top two lines and have a belief that they're gonna be lethal yeah it's easy to look at the third and fourth line and say well they're not gonna scare anybody

like those third and fourth lines get scary When the other two lines are pulling their weight and then those two can chip in exactly when you're looking at those two the third and the fourth Line to elevate the whole team is give us something. Yeah, it's not it's not reasonable. It's not gonna happen Something to chew on brought to you by Boston pizza Canada's favorite sports's favorite sports bar, enjoy a fifteen dollar lunch at bp where you get an entree, a side and a drink and you'll get it all in twenty minutes or less. a fast lunch doesn't have to be fast food, see if for a fifteen dollar fast lunch at your local boston pizza. i was looking at this uh... let me just finish this right here quickly.

we've been asking what has been your main concern over the may police recent stretch, fifty percent saying the star's performance, forty five percent saying lack of urgency and the rest Leaf's recent stretch. 50% saying the Stars performance, 45% saying lack of urgency, and the rest is goal-tening. So goal-tening is way down the list. But goal-tening could be a little bit better, but they also carried them in a lot of ways earlier in the season. Look at that game on Saturday night, like if they got a save here and there, like I didn't think they got completely dummy by the Ottawa Senators. They played, they were the better team in the third undoubtedly. The first was sloppy for both teams. I didn't like either team's first period really, it was kind of then they played they were the better team in the third undoubtedly the first was sloppy for both teams I didn't like either teams first period really it was kind of just sloppy they were waiting into it

was the better one of those second years where it's like a goaltender could have stolen the game and after the game they would have said oh we weren't that good tonight in our goalie one and they did that a lot the first 40 or 50 games of the year the goalies did that a lot for them yeah right Jersey yeah absolutely well the Ranger game a couple weeks ago Yeah, but that's that's the you know, the formula is you've got a you need contributions from everybody but it has to start at the top Yeah, and I would argue The players like the guys who are playing tonight

That looks like they're right that that looks like their playoff roster. Am I missing somebody? I Wonder if patch already gets healthy could he slide in yeah like with that ready-to-play time but i'm not really carlo mccabe tannin benoit acman larson i think i think they're committed to benoit over mires right and hawken part of but i was gonna play so i i think that's yours your six i think these are your forwards i mean i wonder if camp can play his way back in is not a lineup tonight and patch already, possibly.

But That looks like close to it. Yeah, I think you're probably right. Here's Chris Johnston, our TSN hockey insider. CJ you're down at the GM meetings and we'll get to that momentarily, but have to ask you about the Leafs considering the way things are going up here.

Are you expecting a show of urgency tonight? They got a big one with Calgary in town tonight. I would think so. I mean you can't guarantee a result but I think in a certain level of effort urgency is probably the best word the one you use that you know would be the minimum you'd expect because look there's not that many games left in the season. We're down to the last month or so. And you know, it's, it's, it's a truism. I mean, very few teams have a successful playoff run that don't find a certain level of their play

in that, that final stretch of the regular season. And I think that's really where all the focus is for the Leafs internally now. I mean, we can, on the outside, we can talk about the division and this and that seedings, but you know, I think for them, you know, where a lot of some of the, you know, the frustration of latest command is just, they haven't been able to get to their best level. And, and so naturally,

they've gone through this stretch with them and picked up many points in the standings. And so, you know, given that they've, they've been at home now, there's no sort of schedule related, you know, there's no, there's no excuses built in. I think that there's, this has got to be a good game for them and it's got to be the start of, of, you know, piling those one after another, because it's another busy week for them. DJ coming leading into the playoffs, like who, who do you think is in the spotlight? Like is it Austin Matthews?

Is it Mitch Marner? Like Austin Matthews, he is the captain. He got to sea this year He looks like he's dealing with something God knows what it is or what he's dealing with or why he's even playing But is he the guy that's kind of under the gun here for the Leafs? Like get your game together and lead this team into the playoffs Yeah, I mean there's a beautiful thing about Toronto. There's lots of spotlight to go around and obviously we could pick a few candidates. But I think for Matthews, he's the player where if he can get right physically and can

just rediscover some of his best form, I think that that could be a huge difference maker for Toronto. I mean last year, this time we were talking about him chasing 70 goals. You know, he's not yet to 30 and obviously that, you know, some things play into that, including the fact he did miss a bunch of games this season, but. You know, we, we all have seen him enough over nine seasons here to know that he can on his own, be a difference maker. He can be, you know, almost a goal, a game type of player. And he hasn't been that I think for a variety of reasons this season.

And so, you know, who, who cares about where his regular season stats end up? I think, you know, when I talk about just getting to a certain level over these next 15, 16 games before the playoffs begin, you know, he's, he's probably the top candidate where, you know, it's not as though he's been bad. He just hasn't been himself. I'd say he hasn't been the best version of himself. And I think a lot of that is the physical limitations. He's dealt with with with multiple injuries this season But you know the hope is that he can whether that ends up being some rest on the stretch

I don't know what that looks like But I do think that that that could be a huge Swing and momentum for in the positive direction for Toronto if he can get back there CJ are we through the whole Mitch Marner contract talk? You feel like it's gonna die down or is that still gonna be you know bubbling on the back burner here as we head down to the playoffs? You know tough to say like I don't think the story itself will change or be advanced any noodles in the next few weeks or until the season's over.

I mean, I'd be surprised if it was, but it doesn't mean that the conversation's gone away. I think it depends a little bit about what we see and read from Mitch's play to see if it's something that might be on his mind. I mean, to be fair, before any of us knew about all this, he's been dealing with some of this behind the scenes all season long and he's had in a lot of ways one of his best regular seasons as a Maple Leaf. So it does appear that he can obviously play,

compartmentalize whatever needs to go on with the business and then obviously what he needs to do to perform. But I think that there's certainly the chance it remains some kind of a talking point. But it can't be a day to day one. I mean, there's only so many ways for it to go. I mean, we kind of understand now that he was pretty serious about not negotiating during the season.

You know, there's no more trade deadlines to be concerned with really. It's about finishing the season strong and then obviously the business end will, I think, be revisited at some point once we get to the offseason. CJ, it seems like a pretty tough happily ever after though. You go through it, can you wave to go here and then to recover from that and end up in some long-term arrangement together, that seems kind of far-fetched, doesn't it? I just know personally from being a player, as soon as I found out that Carolina was sniffing around and players in warm-up were saying you might be coming on the bus

with us after, I was like, get me the hell out of here. It seems like it's a far reach to think of this as a kind of marriage after this, don't you? Well, I think that what's different in this case is it wasn't like, you know, this, the conversation started with the Leafs saying, we want to sign you. So, you know, I don't think that this was a case where the, the least, you know, sometimes I guess maybe as a player, when you hear your name and those kinds of rumors that might catch you off guard, you know, in this case, I think the Leafs really want to do whatever they can to keep Mitch Marner. I don't for a second believe that isn't, that hasn't been the case all along. It's, it's, you know,

they got to a point where, you know, they're approached by Carolina with an opportunity at a time when they just have an uncertain future with the player. So, you know, I don't know that it's a tough athlete ever after because you know, in this case, it's really Marner and his camp that are driving where things are going. Um, so, you know, I don't know how that, that conversation, the fact that it's public, I don't know how any of this may change anything. It probably doesn't mean two, two things remain true.

Mitch Barnard is playing for his hometown team. Uh, he's got a chance to be a legacy player. I mean, he probably already has a legacy already, but, but he's got a chance to do something special here if he wants to resign in Toronto and he's told everyone that that's what he wants to happen. So, you know, I still think that there's a way this all ends up in a place where the Leafs are happiest, which would be with him signing an extension, but it's got to be on his terms. And right now he doesn't want to negotiate as his season's going along.

Well, and it may just be a coincidence and he's not alone, but the last three games have been the worst three game stretch he's had in a long time like Utah Florida Ottawa Not good for Mitch And really put himself under the gun for the playoffs coming up too. Like I i'll be fascinated to watch every single straight Well, because he you know It sounds like the league he could sign a deal right now and then whatever happens in the playoffs has no bearing on his future He knows he's here and he's signed and he's choosing not to do that.

And you know, at times it gets referenced while his agent, Darren Ferris, he prefers to do that, get his players to free agency, et cetera. That's such nonsense, Hayes. If you want a team, like you've got a situation that you like and you're playing with players that you like. I don't know. I don't understand that comment. He likes to walk his players to agency.

That's ridiculous. And Sam to walk his players to agency. That's ridiculous And Sam Bennett's his guy right CJ and it sounds like Bennett may have told them actually give Bill Zito a call here Let's try to figure this out Like that's what it sounds like all of a sudden the player is dictating what's gonna happen and not his agent Which is generally the way it goes, especially with superstars Exactly. I mean and I say this with respect to a different agents work for players and exactly are obviously agents present players of the whole range of ways to approach situations but you know ultimately it's a player that called it and i think someone but miss

marners not a kid anymore we can we can sort of think of that way because we've seen them grow up here uh... with this team and then this organization but you know he's he's a veteran in the league. He's one of the better players in the league. He's going to be one of the highest paid players when all this is said and done. And he's got to determine while working with his agent and his family and everyone that's important to him, what's best for him. But I don't think that ultimately you can

hide behind an agent. I'm not for saying I'm suggesting Mitch is, but we can't pin this strategy on an agent. I mean, an agent can tell you a lot of things, but really it's the player that has to live with whatever arrangement he makes, wherever he wants to play. And so I think ultimately, we have to judge Mitch's intentions by what he does. And look at lots of players,

including last year Sam Reinhardt, who has a different agent, but played out the season in Florida, had a great year. They won a Stanley Cup and he managed to sign his deal in that five or six day window between game seven and July 1st. I mean, there's still, there's lots of those sort of stories that are at the ready here that lead me to believe there's still a really distinct possibility Mitch Zun is in Toronto it's just it's just hard to know at this time how it's going to play out because they're you know as we talked about last Monday I mean they

just they haven't really gotten anywhere with discussions because Mitch and his camp don't want to have those discussions. With Chris Johnston our TSN hockey insider so you're down at the GM meetings. Breakout groups. Breakout groups yeah you got everyone's got to break out. Make sure the morning group then you mix it up a little bit in the afternoon. The length of the season, my understanding is that's a topic of discussion, you know, with the Olympics and World Cups and all that. And this has always been a I think an evergreen chat like when should you start the year? When can finish how do you make tv partners happy um is there anything going to come out

of that is there any reason to believe that the league could shift in any way in terms of scheduling in the future well i certainly think it's possible i mean the big thing with that is that's an issue that has to be agreed upon by both the nhlpa and the league and you know we're at a time right now where collective bargaining talks talks with those two bodies are happening. And you know, you're trying to, you're trying to thread the needle. I mean, look, we, I think everybody that loves hockey loves that four nations tournament. And so no one's complaining about that break, but you know, the result of having events like that, of course, is you have more compressed

schedules. You just have more teams doing what the Leafs are doing this week for four games in a week Um, you know, which is a lot to ask of the top players and then You couple on top of that that they're talking about going to that 84 game season Um, you know, which I think is it can literally be interpreted as a straight revenue play I mean the nfl went to 17 games from 16 in the last few years Um, and and you know, we've done well shortening the preseason So, you know, it's not as though in the next few days, Um, and, and, you know, we'll be done while shortening the preseason. So, you know, it's not as though in the next few days, I think there'll be clarity there, but it's definitely a discussion point behind the scenes about what makes the

most sense. And I do think ultimately we'll probably end up in a place where there's, there's more regular season games, way less of a preseason. And, you know, they're going to try to find ways to stretch out the schedule where they're not taxing the athletes quite to the same degree. But I mean, that's a tough Rubik's Cube. It's hard to do everything by maximizing how many games you play, but not playing too deep into the summer.

You've only got the calendar you have to work with. But I do think that you're going to see some shift know once they reach those discussions with the players and the owners what about never mind 84 has there did anyone bring up? The idea there needs to be 70 games played like would that just be flushed down the toilet immediately? I mean the second part of question would be do you want to put you know, 14% of your paycheck? Taking off the top. I mean, you know as you know I mean players are only played for the regular season games that they're only paid officially that didn't do their job in the regular season so if you shorten the number of games and thereby limit

how much money is made by the teams in ticket revenue uh... i don't think anyone's lineup take a pay cut i know i wouldn't be i don't know how you're gonna add two games i think it's ridiculous we had one more at the schedule on watch how much hockey these guys the absence of such a physical sports and the olympics next year or so i had like it to me it's just a few ad games is too much but i don't

it's money though i i get it on the one again to a hundred twenty million dollar cap here in the next five what it would when you think it'll be a hundred 120 probably within the next 10 years for sure right I think it's supposed to be what a hundred and ten by three years okay so let's say seven years just to be conservative yeah they're not cutting games they're gonna add no I hear you but the I mean listen they don't care about the average viewers viewing experience clearly because it's if it's gonna be a watered

down league and they're gonna expand and they're gonna play more games in shorter time, you're just gonna get a worse product. You're gonna get players who are gonna miss games in the future. That's what's gonna happen. Load management. Load management eventually will arrive to some extent. Embiid is close. Yeah, Paul George is done for the year now.

Paul, now you can start podcasting again. I guess that's a positive these but uh... i don't know if you're going to be finding the team but they're in the nba for not dressing guys on certain night and things like that right which is a circus i mean the at the nba is it's it's gone too far the other way where the taking in the load management everything is a real concern in the

initials in dealing with that right now but that i get it is two different entities where the nL isn't dealing with that right now but then I get it it's two different entities where the NBA's TV deal is so exorbitant right like the NFL it's the same thing where the NHL is gate-driven it's more regional right so it's a business it's tough but I don't know I don't know how the fans benefit I guess is where I would be at like I don't see how the product is gonna be better and ultimately when the NHL pops CJ is in the playoffs, you need to make sure players are healthy,

ready to go, feeling good, cause you do not wanna mess with that part of your program. It's the best hockey going. I was gonna say not to open another can of worms, but if you're gonna add games to me, adding some sort of play-in or wild card, wherever you call it. To me, I would add a little bit more to the playoffs.

I know you can't go too crazy, but you know, I know when baseball gets around and like those wild card games are exciting at the start of the playoffs. I think, you know, in a 32 team league that might be growing again at some point in the near future, I mean, I'd be adding more playoff teams before I'm adding more regular season games. What's the update on that, CJ? Because if they bring two more teams into this league you're gonna be watching the East Coast Hockey League man like what the hell is up with that? More jobs for everyone. Aren't the

players supposed to like that or what? More? I'm talking about the quality of play. Yeah exactly. Like there's eight guys on every team right now that shouldn't be in the league what's it going to look like if two more teams are in the league i guess the good news is it's not happening in and anyone's foreseeable future but probably within five or ten years you look at a couple more teams uh... it gets you so much money when you look at what franchise they're going for

and if you're an existing owner that the way the way the league does the expansion fees and they split split those among all the current owners it's a lot of money to say no to and I think that's ultimately why they probably won't but you know there's nothing of that nature that I'm aware of coming anytime in the next you know two or three years how about sniffing around the reseeding or the playoff seating 1- one eight, all of that fun stuff, or even like go get crazy and go one sixteen. I know the travel would be crazy, but I mean, to me there has to be an appetite to at least look at it. You could do two three twos. Yeah, no you

could. I mean, I don't know. It's just been so traditional, but if you want to try and get outside the box, go one eight or one sixteen. And I know, hey, it could be LA versus Florida in the first round or whatever. But I don't know. I think the league needs a refresher, something there. I guess the appetite might not be there at the NHL level. I really think the fans are sick of the, like they wanted to build these rivalries up. I think the fan bases in all areas of the fans are sick of the like they wanted to build these rivalries up I think the fan bases in all areas of the league are sick of the same matchups in the first round. Well that's where the

like adjusting the play-in would come into play right like like CJ what you're saying is if if you're gonna have a 9 and a 10 seed play their way in right how that can't really jive with a divisional 2 versus 3 you'd prop probably be forced into a conventional 1 versus a right which i think would benefit the fans greatly exactly minimum you have to have two conferences or you could go crazy like noodles are saying and through the whole league in the same but i think there's too many

challenges logistically with that yeah i think it just makes sense but one of the great series of the first round is probably going to be Dallas and Colorado this year because there are two teams that loaded up that are great teams either could win the cup but it shouldn't be a first round series like that's at the end of the day like that teams that good like one of them being out at the end of the first round it just doesn't seem right when clearly some lesser teams are probably going to find their way through just because of the kind of the the janky way it works

with with the divisions you know credible would be if it was like no conferences one versus sixteen and i'll do you know what we would be what you get daily okay disorders it's not right now in a lot of this is point percentages and i'm just looking at the standings but matchups it could be edmonton toronto in the first round as like the cases nine while like that because that's the right there right now Edmonton's got 82 points the Leafs have 81 the right in the middle that could filter out any which

way but just as a right now but you could have a scenario where you're looking at it counting down the game saying there's a chance the Leafs play the Oilers in the first round who doesn't want that would be so phenomenal 232 yeah it would be so I just I yeah's food 232. Yeah, it would be so phenomenal. I just, I... Yeah, exactly. Go to 232, like the World Series, and you just, you take out the concerns of all the travel. I just feel like there's something there that could reinvigorate.

Yeah. Send them, get in there, CJ, and tell the GMs. Why don't you bring Overdrive down there for a breakout group? Do you think they would take us seriously if we wheeled in there and Jerry had a meeting and said, we're bringing in some guys for a secret breakout group and we walked in? We walked in. Yeah. Not happening.

That would be, that's what the GMs meeting need for a spice up. Forget the playoffs. That would be unreal. That would be great. Imagine the GMs in the league having to listen to us spitballing ideas I don't want to hear this Well Enjoy yourself down there CJ. We'll see what comes out of it news wise and a lot of activity

I'm sure on Sports Center and online throughout the next few days, so we'll catch you there. Thank you for doing this as always All right, enjoy the game tonight guys guys. Yep, you got it. Chris Johnson or TSN Hockey Insider. Again, the Insiders down in Florida at the GM meetings. Catch them on SportsCenter, tsn.ca. Yeah, I love the idea of mixing it up. Every once in a while, it should just be mandatory, right? Why, like politics, just flush people in and out.

We need to mix things up every once in a while. It would be nice, but I just, I feel like that seating-16 would be unreal. It would get people excited. Oh, it would be so incredible. Because the variety, like every night it would change. You could go from the 12 seed to the 9 seed in like two games and then you're playing like a completely different team and system. And the other thing too is the league has never expanded playoffs.

There's 16 teams. It used to be 21 teams in the league, now it's 32. You do need to expand playoffs. It might be 1 verse 18. It could be. Yeah, it could be. Or some scenario play-in, like 17 through 20 play-in to try to get in or some capacity to that.

Yeah, you're right. I mean, that's how teams, like the Leafs used to get into the playoffs in the 80s and they were under 500. Terrible teams and they'd be in because the Norris division. I love the old names too. The best. Yeah. Yeah. The best. The smite and the Norris and what else do they have? The Adams? The Adams Adams division and then I'm trying to remember the Lawrence was a clearance no Clarence Campbell because he was Campbell right was Campbell It was Wales and Campbell were the top conference. Yes, the Norris division the Adams division What was Patrick division Patrick and smite and smite? I think it was yeah

All right We sent Al's brother out into the city with another paralee tickets and yet the guess where he's hiding for your chance to win them here is al's brothers first clue of the week hey overdrive it's it's monday which means we got a new set of clues to help you get yourself a pair of leaves and flyers tickets for the march twenty fifth game

you gotta find out where in the city al's brother is hiding this week and here is your Monday clue now that the weather is warming up I found myself taking some nice strolls throughout the downtown core and this week I've stumbled into one of my favorite spring spots in the city what is this spring spot in the city all I can think of is Hy High Park to look at the trees. Yeah that could be it. You think Al's brother's sitting with the trees in High Park? No. Dude, I guarantee you he's that hard. That's what it is. It's a card shop. It's a card shop that's

popped up. King West or something. I guarantee you he's at High Park. That's the only spring spot I know. Yeah they love, I mean those trees are very impressive but yeah like Al's brother couldn't pick that out He doesn't have a clue what's going on in Hyde Park. I saw him post something today online He was out with his buddies getting gooned at like 1230 in the afternoon Yeah, he was having a great time good for him tune in tomorrow for another clue the first caller through on Friday with the correct Location wins a pair of tickets to see Leafs Flyers March 25th. Finals brother is brought to you by McAlpine Ford in Aurora. Our family, the Ford family and you full details at TSN 1050.ca. Johnson Wagner coming up on McElroy winning the playoff

today. JJ Spahn what he saw out of him, what he makes to the players and we are three weeks away from Masters week, three weeks away. We love it. Johnson coming up on our best bets later in the hour, overdrive continues, TSN 1050 and on TSN too. Something to Chew On is brought to you by Boston Pizza, Canada's favorite sports bar. Enjoy $15 lunch at BP where you get an entree, a side and a drink, and you'll get it all in 20 minutes or less.

A fast lunch doesn't have to be fast food. See you for a $15 fast lunch at your local Boston pizza. Alright, best bets later in the hour. I enjoyed Monday morning golf, man. Like I was jacked. I got my kids to school. I flew home. They had already teed off, so I missed the tee ball. I turn on Golf Channel this morning. It's on TSN too. And JJ Spawn is in the rough. His second shot I talked about a watching a guy step up there and just bomb a 347 drive that just lands center cut he actually got screwed by 10 yards because it went in a sprinkler That's right. No, I hit a divot a massive divot and it rolled in and out of the divot McElroy's Drive there on 16

What a t-ball man. I think that think the plan was over right now and i could hit that drive uh... here's guys one on tour we saw in montreal we see what the rvc canadian open every year it's great to have more from mvc in the gulf channel here's johnson wagner a doing johnson uh... i'm doing great guys that uh... nice to be back with the and i heard earlier you know we're having some conversation about time your shoe

on a urinal. I'd like to weigh in on that at some point. Dude, tell me it's okay. Tell us right now, is it okay? I absolutely think that is the most disgusting thing ever. And I don't know what would be, what's wrong with your head to think that that's okay? Well, great question. Johnson, I think you're my kind of guy we've locked eyes

we were guys guys if you're just putting your foot up there with the shoe on and tying your shoe there's no harm no foul you're not going into an area that's going to affect anything in your life man come on uh... agree to disagree on that one haha i think this is why johnson waggon he knows what he's talking about here exactly this guy he's a reasonable human being because that all supports that play we had a poll up online i'd say about

one in five support that place you gotta understand that johnson like every fifth person you meet in life they are a tire shoe on a urinal guy So keep that in mind as you move forward There they're probably not washing their hands when they come out of that bathroom either no chance no no chance We have a theory on this show that the playoff ended this morning when McElroy hit his first tee shot on 16 That he hit that so perfectly JJ spawn in my opinion looked at that and said I just got to get this off the tee and out there somewhere to keep up with

this guy and he was chasing him right off the hop do you think it could have been different this morning if spawn got the honor and possibly hit his tee ball first yeah I mean I think when McElroy had the honor he certainly set the tone of the playoff and and and basically said to JJ without saying it, you know, come and get me because I'm here. It was impressive. It was chilly. It was cold this morning out there and that was an absolute beast of a drive that he hit. What do you think happened on 17?

There was visual of JJ looking in Rory's bag and he saw that the 9-iron was in his hands Is that a simple case of Spahn saying? One of the best players in the world just grabbed the 9-iron I got to grab an 8 and he just flew it over the green. Is that what happened there? Yeah, I mean I talked to Rory about it he you know He took a lot of speed off of that 9-iron I said he was trying to hit a 147 shot and I think Rory generally hits his nine iron like 160 plus range.

And so JJ, I think JJ hit the right club. I just think he caught the wrong wind gust. Yeah, cause he was floored, man. Like he couldn't, he couldn't believe it. He was asking where the golf ball was. He looked confused. Yeah. And I mean, you mentioned it Johnson like the win like

him how serious is the win though to hit an eight iron on that hole like that's that's kind of crazy when he pulled that eight iron I couldn't believe I was not surprised he hit it in the water I guess is the best way to put it. It was a it was a hundred and thirty one yards and I actually went out and hit that shot a couple hours later hit an 8 iron and And it you know, I came up short short of the green I just think it depended on the type of gusts you got and and he got a bad one Yeah, we're watching you right now. You're out there with McElroy, which is really incredible

I mean we talked to you after the US Open when Bryson went out there with you and you guys hit that stand shot Like this is how cool is this Johnson like you're a guy you're a you're a tour pro you've won on tour obviously the players have a lot of respect for you but the idea that Rory sticks around afterwards and goes back to 17 T to hit golf balls with you how incredible was that experience? It was amazing and Rory and I've got a good relationship and I basically had our one of our ladies at the golf channel who's kind of in charge of getting players and stuff. I said, hey, if there's any chance when he comes to the set, is there any way that you can ask him from

me to come out and, you know, caddy for me while I hit his shot? And he said yes. And I was just unbelievably honored and surprised that he came out and it just says a lot about the kind of person he is. Do you think he might be favored going into the Masters, Johnson? I think that you know I think that putt was big for him on Sunday to go in to see that putt go in because it just got in the right side and for him to have two big wins like going into the Masters I have no idea why he hasn't had success there in the past, but do you think he could be the favorite over Scotty? I do currently.

I mean, I think both of them are intending to play the Houston Open here in a couple weeks and unless Scotty goes out and takes him down in the final group Sunday, yeah, I think the momentum's with Rory. I think he will be the favorite. With Johnson Wagner, yeah, in terms of Schefflerler, you know he's in the hunt to an extent. He's played pretty well the last two weeks. He won these two tournaments the last year and at that point it was like he's gone.

And then won the Masters, he won at Memorial, he won at Harbert Town. It was like he couldn't slow this guy down. Something's not the same though this year. Is it the surgery? Is it the late start? What is your theory on what's up with Scheffler? Yeah, I mean, Scottie's a, you know, he's a creature of habit and he works his his tail off in the offseason to get better and prepare and he had, I think it was three, four weeks where he couldn't

really touch a club and I think he's going to be fine. I'm not worried about Scheffler, it's just taking him a little bit longer to get into the winning ways. Yeah it's interesting I guess he was just such a beast last year that it set a tone that yeah almost impossible to replicate right like he had nine wins last year basically every elevated event Scheffler won it. Makes you think about Tiger, Tiger did that every year. Yeah that's true. I think we're still in for a big Scottie year. I mean, if I had to guess right now, I'd give him, I'd give him four wins, including a major championship this year.

And I think that'd be a heck of a year, obviously. Yeah, it sure would. With Johnson Wagner. Let me ask you before we let you go about Corey Conners, two really good weeks. T5 last week at Bay Hill, top 10 this week. Plays Augusta really, really well. Like what does he have to do in your opinion, in your opinion to get over the top? Like to go low on Sunday and find a way to win one of these. I think it comes down to the putter with Corey.

I mean, the way he played Sunday at Bay Hill, I mean, he made 15 straight pars before finally getting that birdie on 16. And it's with the putter, specifically, I think he runs out of pace. I think he's a little bit afraid of running a buy and having that three, four footer. So I'd like to see him get better from the close range, give a little more speed on those putts and to where he can, uh, you know, start, start running away with golf tournaments. If he can just hole a few more of those 10 to

15 foot range putts. Johnson, when you're in Jacksonville, did you get to the Bonefish Grill down there on A1A or where did you hang out? Yeah, I was busy. I was on the early show and the late show. I was hanging out at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel Bar When I got back about nine o'clock every night. Okay. Well, you got to get McGinley and Brandel out there.

Like you hit those two chip shots. Yeah, they were good, man. You're getting your groove back. Perfect, man. They cannot be chirping you anymore. You got to get them out there and tell them to start hitting some shots. Yeah, that's the plan.

I'm definitely going to make that. I try to make that happen at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, my hometown. I'll work on getting them out for one night and see what they got out there. Okay. Good luck, man. I know it's been a busy one, especially going back to work this morning. We appreciate you doing this and we'll catch up again down the road. I look forward to it.

You guys are the best. Have a good evening. You got it. Johnson Wagner. And he believes in us. He believes in us. Marriott Courtyard. Just hanging out. I love it. And he's a handshake guy too. Yes. Handshake guy and a no urinal.

He knows an old school hanging out too. He's a legend. He's such a good guy. Loves the Canadian Open. Him and DeLette are really good buddies. GD was down there. All the boys were down there doing a great job and when did GD get rid of the mustache I don't he didn't have a woman Montreal he looks better without it I like he looks 20 years younger without that yeah he does so much younger yeah like so much younger but in the mustache was like it didn't suit well it was yeah it was it was rolling fingers all that it was like the wider yeah who's the the picture rolly fingers yeah

no no I know I'm looking I'm thinking of another guy who was the guy Brimley or whatever Edward Brimley no I can't remember his name it doesn't matter but it had like the duster with the twist yeah he had the twist going like a wax kind of thing yeah now it looks better without it. It just looks different like he looks like a kid again. Interesting like McElroy and Scheffler and see who else can kind of kick around come the Masters because you know the live guys are gonna show up too like Bryson's gonna come in hot. Yeah, and Capcom's gonna be there. He's gonna come in hot.

I hope more Akawa shows up coming in hot and nobody wants to talk to him. Well, what I will say is I appreciate that once he said, I don't owe anyone anything, he doubled down on that. Yeah. Like I actually have an appreciation for that. I apologize to everyone that I said I don't owe anything to. He doubled down and said, I really don't owe you guys anything. And called out people. Rocco Mediate and Shambly and McGinley, your boy Paul McGinley. He just said, anyone that's got a problem with me, that's a you problem. I think he's in the wrong. I think he should speak. JJ Spawn just had his heart broken.

This was the biggest moment of his life. He stepped up and talked, did media, afterwards podium. And Colin Marcaar cause one multiple majors and when he's got millions in the bank you can stick around and talk i will say one thing about the the the view from more kawa it's like you saw what he did you're going to write what you write do you really need to ask him it's like i used to see in the maple leaf locker room the guy that coughed up the pizza in the third period that caught led to the goal, and all the media would go right to

him and say, what'd you see there on that play? And it's like, come on, guy, you saw what you saw. Did you really need me to say, I threw a pizza and I coughed the puck up? They need the sound bite though. I know, but do you really need the athlete? I think you need to hear it. I do think it's different though in hockey It's so fast, right and then the other guys got to capitalize on that pizza for okay for more cows

But he's they're gonna say you chunked the chip and you bogeyed 16 what happened on the chip and he's gonna say I chunked It no, I know but like it is him. He's the only guy who controlled it. It is else It wasn't a team sport. Yeah, like you could get into the weeds, which is golf nerd stuff, but you could ask him, what club did you hit? Why did you get it high in the air? Why didn't you try to bump and run that or whatever? Or furthermore, when Henley last week, when he Eagles there, do you think you're like, there are things you can ask him. I guess, I guess as a golfer, you could have a quick statement prepared if you really don't want to deal with anybody. And and i'm just gonna say this and

i'm gonna leave i didn't play well enough today i didn't have the feel with my wedges and i couldn't putt very well and i stunk the joint and a story and walk out and congrats to yes you know and that's nothing i guess but he bolted and then doubled down on it and then he's like i don't know anybody anything and then the next day they're like you sure you want to reset on that he's like now i'm not.

But they, like I actually credit the fact that he didn't buckle afterwards. He kind of stuck to it. PGA wouldn't have to, PGA PR probably called him and said, can you just, we're scared to do this. They can't do anything to these guys. Like, he's not doing it. Wilford Brimley was the guy who was looking for him.

Wilford Brimley. Look at that. Couldn't remember his name. That's Graham Dillett though You know that guy in that picture is like 48 years old Yes he is It's like B. Arthur man In reverse

Because you always thought like how old is Wilford Benjamin Buttons Wilford Brimley was not as old as you think Wasn't he in like Murder She Wrote Yeah Murder She Wrote Was he Magnum P.I.? Yeah, I don't know if he was in that. Murder She Wrote. Matlock, guys like that. Matlock was a great show. Great show. It was. Alright, best bets still to come. Leafs Flames tonight will tee that up. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050N on TSN2.

Alright, today's best bets are powered by FanDuel. Make your picks and assemble the same game parlay in seconds in the FanDuel Sportsbook app. Leafs Moneyline, William Nylander, anytime goal scored tonight, paying plus 205. Willie loves playing the Flames, born in Calgary, played them very, he's put up big numbers against the Flames throughout his career. I think he gets on the board tonight and the Leafs, like they've got to play better. We've been talking about it all day. The city's on edge. Like people are really not happy with the way things are

going with this team right now, because the division's right in front of you. Florida's, they're only four points up. Like they've blown two leads in the last, you know, three games they've played. It's right there. You still play Florida twice. You got 16 games left, snap out of it.

You're in a slump. That's what they're in. They're in a slump. It's a bad slump, but they got to snap out of it Today's best bets powered by fan to a live same game parlays Now available for every NHL game in the fan to a sportsbook app, please play responsibly 19 plus physically located in Ontario They're nervous. I told you the fan base is nervous. They're like, what are you guys gonna have in store? We thought things were different this year. You play different. It looks different. There's a different coach different captain Different captain and now we've had some big games in the last ten days and you don't look Different. Yeah, you got to snap out of it and Ultimately fans just want them to win fans are bracing for it to go wrong so that they can be prepared for it

Unfortunately, that's the reality of being a leaf fan. I told you don't want that to continue. No, I told you earlier I don't mind a little blip right now Yeah, I know there you can turn it around and go on to a heater leading into the playoffs Yeah, I would love to see it and it's a good spot to be in. Yep No, they can still salvage the division They can feel good about their game going into the playoffs. But you drop two in a row. You drop, you got a tough game Wednesday night.

You drop this one tonight, then you're going to have a full-blown game. I mean, the rest of the week you can make an excuse for everything. The thing is, is they need to worry about their game. Because everybody else has an excuse to play hard too. Calgary does, the Rangers do, Colorado, and as I said, Saturday I think is Nashville, they wanna play spoiler. What the Leafs need to do is go,

we have an opportunity here, what are we gonna do about it? That's really how it has to be viewed. Because everybody else has an excuse to play hard or play for any other type of reason. So you gotta have some games here. Well, and Tampa's in action tonight. Leaves are tied with Tampa, played the same amount of games.

You know, you're playing for home ice, you're playing for a lot of different things. And Tampa's at home against Philly. They're in a good spot to win that game tonight. Jersey, Columbus tonight, got LA and Minnesota. Minnesota's starting to fade badly. Like they're not out of the woods yet in terms of like St. Louis maybe catching.

They were right behind Winnipeg at one point. They were. That's right. And they're- They're gonna lose on the road. That's why they had that road street going and then they've hit the ditch, but- They got a minus 10 goal differential.

Yeah. That's not a good sign. Nope. Like that's, it all evens out there. Like, I don't know if you look at it, when the playoffs start It's rare that a minus goal differential is a playoff team rare Well, the Rangers are at even Ottawa's not the plus eight the Leafs are plus 13

You've got in the West st. Louis is even in terms of goal differential and they're right there. Yeah, so Yeah, we'll see. All right should be a good one tonight. 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 Shoes up on the urinal and get it done 4 p.m. We'll chat then We'll chat then. New interviews and newly unearthed archive footage make for a fascinating weekly deep dive. Stream Encore, the stories behind the songs you love on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.