OverDrive - OverDrive - May 21, 2025 - Hour 2

Episode Date: May 21, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 2 on OverDrive! TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button joins to discuss the Maple Leafs' organization next steps, Mitch Marner's future and Brendan Shanahan's direction with the team. The guys play the OverDrive Potluck featuring Confirm or Deny, Role Play Level of Concern and Gerry's Percentages.

Are you age 16 to 30 and ready to make a real impact? The Youth Thrive program, funded by Canada Service Corps and delivered by the Career Foundation, is your chance to develop leadership skills, connect with mentors, and gain real world experience, all while giving back to your community. Best of all, it's a no-cost program, available across Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, and BC. Thoughts are limited, so register now at careerfoundation.com. That's careerfoundation.com.

Join today and be part of something amazing. How do we prepare for longevity? And what does it mean to age well? An aging well plan should include five key conversations you should have with loved ones. To learn more about those five conversations, start a conversation with Kelvin the Money Guy. Kelvin will show you how to develop a personalized aging well plan to help you or left ones live safely, securely, and independently. Call 416-457-PLAN or visit askkelvin.ca.

Hour 2 Overdrive continues powered by FanDuel bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. Craig Button here in a few moments. We've got our potluck coming up in half an hour. People are very excited for that. And he should be. Very excited. You know who was excited?

Did we talk about this yesterday? He was excited behind the glass, but was it the best idea for Biebs to be right behind the bench? I'm sorry. We talked about it briefly and I think we glazed over it. I'm sorry, like I get it, he's a superstar. You know how I feel about Drake and all of that too. It just, this guy is a billionaire.

Go sit in a box. If he's my friend, this is Austin Matthews friend and Mitch Marner's friend and all that, and he's six feet away from them. That's weird ass stuff. Putting it on his Instagram and stuff. Listen, I think it's great that Star Power support teams, but there's also a time and place. That would have been so awkward

Matthews is in one trying to get his team and over the corner of his eye this guy's in there sunglasses and a weird toke and pass the be bopping his head like 20 sizes too big for him and he's bopping his head and wearing sunglasses though yeah like it and those seats are not good seats for the terrible see yeah you can't see you're staring at Craig Barube's head the whole time. Yeah. Yeah, it's a weird, I mean, I guess from a privacy standpoint, if you're in the seats, they're probably the best because there's no one in front of you looking back.

You know, like you are somewhat insulated there and he was getting up and going right down the stairs the second the period came to an end But he always came back to his seats like he always he was always in the seats and he was there until the end of the game He would have been able to get a box clearly But I guess you know, maybe that's what he requested. I want to be in the seats I don't know but it was it would you show up in gear like that Like you can't claim here. I would like some privacy. Like, dude, you got a fur hat on and sunglasses right behind the bench. I had a great message from my daughter, one of my daughters. My daughter said, me and

the sisters and our other friend would like to go to the game. And I said, I just cannot make that happen on this short notice It's almost impossible. Yeah, and then she wrote back Well, our friend's dad is willing to take us and drive and I said oh very that's very interesting how he's more than willing to Be the driver and actually go to the game, right? But that was the plan he's good he wants like he'll drive us and go to the game. And I was like, how convenient that the like what a sacrifice to get a parent to put out their hand.

It's like pulling teeth. He was more than willing to go down to that game. Guys got face paint on. He's like, I guess I'll take you. You know, whatever. If we're ready, ready. You know, there's Bebs. Well, you know what I found interesting, like over the course of the two rounds,

again, I've said it many times on the show. I thought the Maple Leafs game-offs did a great job, like a really good job. I thought the tailgating stuff was really well done, although I didn't really experience it, but I'd walk by it when I was going to the rink and always, you know, hyped up and all the all the different, you know, people on the mic and the emcees and the hosts and whatever you want to call them and They did a really good job of bringing you know legends out. It was tough because in game five Want to say was for nothing? I think Mika led just scored they bring out Darrell Sittler And you know he's there and you're bringing out Sittler, but it's tough because the crowds like well

Yeah, we love Darrell Sittler, but we're not really in the mood right now same thing in game seven They had Lanny McDonald coming out. So their plan, you know, is highlights and here's Lanny McDonald and everyone loves Lanny McDonald and it's like, well, it's five and one, you know, or four, nothing. And furthermore, what they were doing with wins was they were they were showing, you know, celebrities in the house, you know, like that they always do that at MSG, like Celebrity Row, here's who's here at the next game tonight, you'll see it tonight. And there were a bunch of

celebrities throughout the run and they would have done that if the game wasn't so out of hand. Because I think the plant, they never did it. I never saw it anyway, I don't think they ever did it because they're like, this is tough to show Bieber's there, that Adam Copeland was there, all the J- Vlad was there, like Vlad was in the house, there were a bunch of Raptors were there, TFC players were there, and the game was just so out of hand and the mood was so dark it's like we can't, we can't show celebrities. No one, everyone's gonna boo them, everyone's gonna lose their mind when they see these people because no one was in the mood for any of it. Didn't, read that Bieber like checked out in the third period, like left or something? Like I thought I read that he came back to his seat late in the third period and I thought

he had left, but then he returned. He was definitely in his seat in the third period. And I don't know if he lasted until the end. Not many people did. Yeah. But yeah, someone writing in pointing out that Drake bet a million dollars on the Leafs to win game seven. That was just a kiss of death from that guy. When people publish that. Yeah, I know. It seems more like that's that's about advertising the the

actual company that he's betting with because I do think he's got he might have a hand in that if you know what I mean. He may partially own and it could be one of those. Like it's not even a real ticket. It's just about promoting, you know, where he's betting. But still if he did, that's, that one stings. That one hurts. That one hurts. All right. Game one down in Dallas tonight. There's a lot going on in the hockey world. Here's our director of scouting and our CSN hockey analyst, Greg Button, joining us here on the Maple Toyota hotline. How you doing Greg? Now you said Bieber checked out well I mean he checked out later than the Leafs checked out. Yes he did he did he did make it further than they did

In terms of effort and making it interesting. There's no questioning that What do you make of the report? I guess Chris Johnston wrote this morning that What do you make of the report? I guess Chris Johnston wrote this morning that ownership was embarrassed by that game. And if you're working or criticizes or says what's acceptable or not acceptable, that's where it all emanates from. So when you look at ownership coming out and saying that that was embarrassing, well, I mean, it's not, their assessment isn't surprising. The is that they didn't surprise me the fact that they're ready to say it i think it's a good thing i think it's about saying what's not acceptable

not acceptable yeah i mean i was ugly man that was as ugly as it gets craig ready rethink it went wrong yeti i mean i know that's just a it's kind of a lazy comment or statement or question know that's just a it's kind of a lazy comment or statement or question, but it's just game game five I think we all acknowledge we can let you can live with a stinker and then they bet they came back with a game six a

solid really good team effort on the road Game seven like where if you had to start maybe one thing like what do you see? That just where it's no snowballed and how it all went wrong? Okay, so let me, I don't think it's an easy question. I don't think it's a layup. But when we talk about the Stanley Cup playoffs, and I use the term, who can go the longest, the hardest? So when you train for a marathon, you've got to run the miles. You got to run the miles to be able to get through a marathon. You don't train for a marathon by running 16 miles. You got to run 20,

you got to run 22. You got, you got to know what the pain feels like. So when you asked me where it started, like I don't think there's been any question that this least team can muster up enough for a game or two, but when it gets really hard, have they been able to train to push through the wall? Might've started eight years ago. Might've started seven years ago. You don't find out what you don't have

until you get there and realize you don't have it. And you go, I didn't train enough. Yeah, I didn't put in the miles to get through the marathon. Whatever analogy you wanna use. I didn't train enough. Yeah, I didn't put in the miles to get through the marathon. Whatever analogy you want to use. So I look at a team, and I said this, I look at a team that has had a fantastic regular season, they've got lots of skill, but they have not understood that the artistic ways of the regular season are not going to be the way of the playoffs.

Greg, there's two players unrestricted free agents. artistic way to the regular season are not going to be the way of the playoffs craig there's two players unrestricted free agents what would your approach be if you were the g m real simple were moving on both of them yeah that's more than two hours in the marner we don't know what his plan is if you want to stay john was the second one to stay. John wants to

stay though. I don't care if he wants to stay, Brian. He's not staying up on the manager. I understand. I'm not... Can I just hear your reasons? I know my reasons, Craig. Can I hear your reasons? Listen, they've been part of the malaise. They've been part of the thing. Mitch Marner's a heck of a player. Mitch Marner, we know he's a really good player. We know John Tavares and what he's done this year. The Boston Bruins traded Joe Thornton. He was the first overall pick in 97. And they felt that like they needed a change.

It wasn't about one player, it was about the team. And then they built up and then they ended up winning the Stanley Cup. I think that's exactly where the Toronto Maple Leafs are at, Jeff. And I'm not gonna say that I, like, in a different scenario, like, would you want John Tavares? Jeff. And I'm not gonna say that I, like, in a different scenario, like, would you want John Tavars?

Yeah, but I want Mitch Marner, yeah. Like, they're good players. I'm not focusing in on one player right here. I'm focusing in on what I need to do for my team. And I think they've been part of the lack of success, and I'm not blaming it all on them. A new environment, I think, benefits the Leafs, and I'm not blaming it all on them. A new environment, I think, benefits the Leafs and I think it will benefit those two guys.

Yeah, I agree. I think collectively we all agree and the reason I mention Marner is like that could be a different story. What I'm saying is John Tavares has made it very clear he wants to stay and yesterday he told people that he just had a very positive chat with Barube and tree living and is very optimistic that that he'll be sticking around what do you what do you make of that his his synopsis of that conversation and and why would they even be having that chat two days after they lost game seven like that's how quickly you evaluate or or what do you make of that yeah and again I can only I can only answer Jeff's question, what I would do. And again, I'm not, I'm not here to critique the players individually.

They're really good players. Mitch Marner is a top player in the league. We know that this is about the team now and it's about finding ways to, and exploring ways. I said the other day, nothing would be off the table for me right now. You know, Joe Thornton won a Heart Trophy and won a scoring championship, and Joe Thornton was a hell of a player. He's a first out Hall of Famer.

But at some point in time, you gotta look at it and go, this is what our team is about, and are we going to consider things that can change outcomes? And I think Craig Bruby tried, and I don't have any question that he tried. I think right now, back to when you said, when did it start? You know, a different environment, a different scenario for these players, I think, could see them

have success on a team level in the playoffs certainly but I think the goal for me is is looking at it with respect to the team so if Brad and John feel comfortable you know feeling that this is what's going forward then that's their call I'm just telling you what I would do. What did you make of Craig Barubey having to oh brought this up and made a great point yesterday, but what did you make of Craig Barube having to yell at his team and tell them to wake up halfway through a game seven? What did I make of it? Just stop and think about that.

You're playing game seven. You think about the play. You're excited about playing a game seven. Like he's telling them to wake up. You can't even have a nap in the afternoon because you're so excited about playing a game seven. The adrenaline is flowing through you and he's trying to tell a team to wake up. Like it's unbelievable.

It's hard to fathom. And that's why I say, I think we're the least that found themselves the last number of years. It has been a direct result of the environment they've been in, the environment that was created with the Shana plan and Kyle Dubas. That's how I feel about it. I think that Kyle Dubas settled my career on it.

That he thought that it would be all about artistic merit, come play off time. Not like that. You cannot have all wide receivers on your offensive line. You can't have all DBs on your defensive line. You better have different players that can play different roles if you want to have success. I also thought he could do it differently. With Craig Button, so the news today is that the New York Islanders have asked permission

to chat with Brendan Shanahan and MLSC has granted them that permission which would suggest Shanahan probably won't be here any longer. If that's the case, if it gets to a point where it's just Keith Pelley the president and CEO of MLSC and that's who Tree Living is directing, you know, or is going to for, you know, direction or to have whatever move he wants to make, okayed in the end. How does that change Trey Living's power, his abilities, and how do you think it could change what the Leafs do moving forward if Shanahan isn't here anymore?

Well, you know, Brendan came in and, you know, given Brendan his props, I mean, he came in a situation where he wanted to change fundamentally some of the culture around the Toronto Maple Leafs. And he was very successful in terms of, you know, making some hard decisions and making some significant changes and acquiring talent and getting the team into a place where they could be as successful as they have been in the regular season. But you know, what's transpired and now saying, okay, different eyes on the thing, different philosophies, you know, Brad comes in with a different mindset, even though he was hired

by Brendan. And now it gives Brad an opportunity to move forward with his philosophy. It gives Keith Pelley a chance to look at it and collaborate. It's a collaboration. It's not about I have all the power, I'm going to tell you what I need to do and here you go and do it. It has to be a collaboration. And I think with new eyes and new relationships, it creates an opportunity to consider things that are necessary. You don't have to hang on to your beliefs.

And there's nothing wrong with Brendan or anybody to hold on to what they believe in. But when it doesn't have success, you've got to be starting to think about different approaches. And I think this gives that opportunity to the Toronto Make Police overall. With Craig Button, one thing we discussed a little bit yesterday is the farm system of the Maple Leafs. And there's all this focus on July 1st and if Mitch leaves and John leaves, you've got to find these guys to sign or you're going to have to get active in trades. Ideally, you'd have some kids coming.

You know the organization well, you know every organization well, how would you describe the Maple Leafs farm system as of today? Well, when you trade first round draft picks and you trade prospects, it's not going to be as strong as other organizations and that's just the reality and there's no way you can you can count you you can describe it any other way. Easton Cowan to me is gonna be a good, solid player for the Toronto Maple Leaf. So he's shown the capabilities, grown in his game this year.

So when you start with that player and you know you have that guy, I think that that's comforting. Every organization, they don't have like five really good prospects. It just doesn't exist. They organizations that have been picking high, they might have three, maybe four, but they don't have five good prospects. So it's not like the Leafs are far behind.

I looked at the Toronto Maple Leafs right now and you look at players they have, I think the blue line is set. I think the blue line with Brad's living is done with the blue line is really good. I think the goal-tenning is set. So now you can start to focus in on the forward group. And I'm going to use a comparison. The Minnesota Wild. When Bill Garron made the decision to buy out Zach Parisi and Ryan Suter, he knew it was going to come with some real significant implications with respect to the salary cap and what you could spend.

If you let John Tavares and Mitch Marner go, it's going to come with some implications about, okay, where do you find these goals? Where do you find these? But at the same time, what Billy also found out was he could go and look at other players, even some of his younger players, and give them opportunities. And now with the cap space, he's going to be able to really take it to another level in my view. I don't think this is about one year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's about, okay, what do we start doing now?

And I'm not talking three years. How do we get ourselves into a position that a year from now we can feel a lot better about our chances going into the playoffs than we do now? And the blue line's good, the forward, the goal-tenning's good, Matthews is a good player, Nylander's good, Knives, you know, it's not like they're decimated. Now you look at where you can add some other players to fortify and strengthen your group. And I think that's the opportunity that exists for the Toronto Maple Leafs. With Craig Buttons. So we got game one tonight, Dallas, Edmonton, strengthen your group and I think that's that that's the opportunity that exists

for the Toronto Maple Leafs. With Craig Button, so we got game one tonight Dallas Edmonton this should be a phenomenal series where do you stand on this Craig how do you see this one playing out? Well you know the Edmonton orders offensively have been really good they're getting balanced scoring right to the lineup the Dallas Stars defensively have not been good. Jake Autencher has saved their bacon, literally saved their bacon. He has been really good. You add to it that they've had a number of players that haven't been able to be productive, haven't been able to produce, and now it sits on if you stop

Ratnick, you stop Grandlin or Hintz, who else is going to score? They need, they need to get a lot more productivity out of players, not named, uh, uh, Hintz, Ratnan or Grandlin. And they haven't had that. And if their defensive play doesn't improve and Edmonton can get to the, get to the goaltender, this series could be over in five games. That's what I see right now. I think Dallas has some heavy lifting and some real refinement to get to

To be a threat to the Edmonton Oilers because right now the Edmonton Oilers look like a wagon well, you talk about the Oilers Craig and the guy that's driving the bus is McDavid and Something switched in him. I don't know what year it was But it was against the LA Kings where he just realized that he had to take it to another level and he started doing it and he's basically been unstoppable. How concerned, like I'm trying to find a way to phrase this, how concerned would you be if you ran the Maple Leafs and their players, they don't seem like they want to, not that they want, but they can get to that level or they have it.

I think that the one thing that you just finished with is do they have it? You know, you want all the players to have it. You want to believe that they all have it. But do they all have it? And again, I'm going to... It's not always yes, as you know, as we all know. We all know. Okay, but so what can you do

to bring it out a little bit more? And I'm gonna give you an example, Jeff. And I saw it firsthand. Mike Medano had it. Was he the lead guy? No. So you look at Mike, you go, so how do we get the best out of Mike?

So you try to look at other areas to try to surround him, to try to get some players around him that can enhance it. They can, they can water it, so to speak, so it can sprout. And that's what we did. And it wasn't about, it wasn't about Mike not being a good leader or not being committed or not wanting to be a difference maker, but he needed help. He wasn't going to be that guy, he wasn't a Mark Messier type.

And I think you have to recognize it and then enhance it. And I think that that is a real big key. We've seen it with a number of players over the years. We're just a little bit of a boost. You listen, I listen to Adam Graze and Joe Murphy, Marty Jelena, Adam Graze, and they talked about Mark Messier. They said they were young kids and good leaders,

and they just said being around Mark Messier just allowed them to grow. I think a lot of players, Kevin Lowell, talks about what Messier meant to other players. And I think that if you're the Toronto Maple Leafs, trying to understand what do they have it and to what degree do they have it and what kind of help do they need so that we can maximize whatever they have. So this Florida Panther team just continues to dominate. They had a great game one last night.

What do you see in Carolina to try and get back into that series? I know it's only one nothing, but they came in third last night in that game. It didn't look very good for them. What do you make of them? I mean, is it an off night or what do they need to do to try and combat this Florida wagon here? Craig, before you answer, I just wanted to say great answer on the Modano. Thank you for that. Yeah, that was-

Oh, you're very welcome, Jeff. We know Carolina plays a relentless style of game. We know that they play like with this boundless energy and they try to create chaos. Well, Florida plays with relentless energy. They play with size and physicality and skill. And quite frankly, I don't think Carolina matches up. It's 13 straight Eastern Conference final games

they've lost. If Florida keeps playing like this, it'll be 14, 15, and 16. I don't know if Carolina has enough to come back in what Florida's doing. Florida's starting to look like they're just gaining steam. It's like the train is out of station, the train might have had a little bit of debris on the tracks. The tracks are clear now and they're

running. Yeah they are. Yeah they are. That game could have been in Toronto last night. They were in trouble at one time though. They were down 0-2. Yes they were. They were in trouble. They were and down 2-0 in that game. Jeff, let me ask you this question though. Go ahead. And Jeff, Brian. Yes, they were in trouble. They were and down to nothing in that game Yeah, let me ask you this question though Oh and and a Jeff Brian Jamie all three. Okay, so they're so they're down two games to nothing going back to Florida They're down to nothing and three won in game three. I Never sensed that Florida was in a state of panic No, did you know it never felt that way? No, it didn't whatsoever. I mean, that's the truth. They never even Yeah, I mean look at the way they played in game six like they like the Leafs played really really well to go down there

They beat them on home ice and then day of game seven Matthew Kachuk is like we're preparing for game seven the whole year We're ready for it. This is what we're built for. We're just gonna go show it tonight I'll tell you what i can ever sound really wants when you're up three one in a game where you're up to nothing in the series you can sure as hell put it on a team to make them panic i'll tell you that and it just didn't materialize that way but they and jeff i'd one hundred percent agree with you it's about squeeze in the tourniquet tightening the screws right yeah while they have that ability they don't have the ability.

That's true. That's where you need that because there's so much focus on so many different things depth and defense and goal scoring and all that and maybe it was a depth guy that needed to make it 4-1 or maybe it had to be Matthews. Maybe he had to say guys we're winning this game 5-1 tonight. Follow me. Here we go. And it didn't happen that way. And the rest is history. All right, Craig, enjoy game one tonight down in Dallas. We'll do it again soon. Thank you for this. Yeah, thanks, you guys have a great day. There is Craig Button joining us on the Maple Toyota Hotline.

Drive the built in Canada fuel efficient, fun to drive Toyota RAV4 gas or hybrid models available. Visit mapletoyota.com. Let's put that to bed. RIP.p. we can't discuss that should have what can't keep doing this yeah can't keep going no way although okay one more before we put it to bed more what do you think will be more what do you think will be referenced more in the future that game three where the Leafs could have gone up three nothing and they had it it'll be game five and seven yeah okay you have to pick one game in three in the future that game three for the least could have gone up three nothing and they had a lot of the game five and seven the okay yet pick one game in three five or seven pick one

sad sad sorry just get out of it in seven james seven co-chair i don't know why i was fixated on that but seeing the coach lucid on the team in a game seven where usually the guy has to take a time out and say everybody calm down you're running people through the boards you're taking penalties you're too jacked up like it was just

i mean i'm sure fans of a different experience of that debacle going into the building uh... i don't know they are probably going to remember because haze you said it before still polarized going into game five you like, this is a legacy game. This can be the difference maker. It's the pivotal game to go up 3-2 or down 3-2.

In that scenario, it pales in comparison to seven. Seven would have been a legacy game. Coming off six, you go down. Yeah, you have a stinker in game five. Everybody has a stinker. But they responded with six. The most jarring thing, which I would have, people would have bet their house that that would have never happened again. Game five would have never happened again. It happened two days later. Whatever, four days later.

It was worse. Four days later. It was worse. That's the one that people will remember. Yeah you're right. Because they won and played better in game six, game five, it loses some of its sharpness. Yeah. Valid. Valid. Alright. We got some roleplay, we got some mini Jerry's, we got some confirms coming up the potluck the pollock and we're starving starving get a plate yes and get a giant fork and a giant spoon and a knife yes and sit down and put a bib on and get ready to feed all right here we go overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on TSN 4 talking with duty and you, we're gonna do the potluck here.

We're gonna have some role plays, some mini jerrys, and some confirm. What's it smelling like in there? Because yesterday was, uh, it was like he repainted the walls with his cologne. The cologne was heavy yesterday. And then, actually, Doogie and I were on our way out the door and there was, there was a woman that works in here who had a perfume on and worlds were colliding and I thought doogie like there could be you know who knows what's going on around here and I think that's what doogie's doing there's all this competition with colognes and perfumes and all this different stuff

going on here and doogie's trying to make sure everyone knows what's going on that's the third thing we're gonna do we're gonna do a bunch of different things the salad rebuild I don't know what the other one was. What was the other one? Oh Mike Crapper. Was it Crapper? Yes. But that's not it. That wasn't it. Oh it's salad rebuild. What did we just talk about like an hour and a half ago? Salad rebuild and something else. I can't remember what we were. Yeah. Oh Lou Brown Awards. Yeah. The Lou Brown Awards. The solid rebuild and we have to just get people to to put their application in if they want to. We're going to do the final rows with Doogie.

Yes, Data Doogie. Date at Doogie. Maybe the Data Doogie is coming up at the Canadian Open. Doogie is going to be there and maybe if you want a rose you come to the Canadian Open to see Doogie. Yes, I heard this morning that the Rinkhole looks incredible. It's set up, it's dialed in, Osprey Valley TPC, it's ready to rock, can't wait two weeks. Today we're going to be up there. Two weeks today we're up there. Are we going to get the O'Dog hazy little private theater?

That's a good question. I haven't kicked tires on that. If anybody's involved in that, if me and hazy can do our little pre-tournament kind of a life to go and just serve like that we enjoy serving grounds when no one else is around a little bit last year with no cards but will fix that this year yes we will we will do whatever we have to uh... so we've got we got the potluck on but we didn't know what intro to play. And I think

it might be a good time for us to establish which one is our favorite. Do we like roleplay? Do we like Jerry's? Do we like Confirm? Which one, if you had to pick, the... Roleplay. Roleplay is your favorite intro. Okay? Noodles, do you have a favorite? I like Jerry's. See, I would say Confirm. i can't get enough of our lives all the potluck if not play fergie play play fergie play fergie to set the tone for what

we're about to get into play the program you can either confirm or deny that right now i can either confirm or deny that uh... that this is in fact i think that's not possible and i don't need any more than that okay roleplay let's get get cooking here all your plan the role of craig berube craig berube what is your level of concern that you personally can get austin matthews and william neilander to be

killers in the playoffs I am Stevie Caldwell. A couple of Westies and five or six beers. Because I like their talent, I love their abilities. Austin Matthews, he's a 200 foot player, he does all these great things, but it's not like Craig's been here and it's the third year of Austin Matthews and these guys. This is the ninth. So this is stuff where, you know, and people keep coming up to me and they're like, you know, they were close and they it was the Cup champs and I'm like, how many years can you keep saying that? Like how many years

can you keep saying, well, the other team's good. The other team's always going to be good. Yeah. And when the same guys do the same thing in the same game, it's a concern. But Craig kind of shined some light on it, where he was like, Mike Modano kind of got it done and he figured it out. So that kind of perked me up a little bit because I was down on the dumps. I'm not kidding. It's tough to do this like year after year. The same nonsense.

But I don't know, they got to switch up the mix. But he's got to be looking at that saying because guys it's gonna be the same thing next year and it's been like that for a bunch of years it's it's the regular season I could give a crap about a crap because I know it's fast forward to see what they can do in the playoffs yeah regular season has been meaningless they're a hundred points slam dunk team that's gonna get in and then it's like what are you gonna Do this year and it's always the same thing

But my question is then how are you Stevie Caldwell if you've seen nine years of it? That's right, cuz I'm concerned that it's not gonna change. It should be hired I I it should be Rick Bush with minimum. Yeah, I think I think Stevie Caldwell is enough concern Okay, I here's I would separate the two he used the Mike Medano analogy minimum. I think Stevie Caldwell is enough concern. I would separate the two. He used the Mike Medano analogy. That to me is Matthews. Now Matthews has got to get more of a killer instinct. He's got to. But you know, he referenced the injury. He's been hurt a lot in the playoffs. A lot of stats out there about takeaways and shot slots and all, you know.

Yeah, that's what Flachoff does. That's what all these guys do. No, I understand that. I'm left after that's what i said so i understand that i'm just saying it's not like it's awful what i'm saying is you're talking about an ingredient that he has to find neilander is what concerns me is willing to meet his attitude throughout the playoffs and afterwards is that is terrifying like them no crappy gay at that that is not the way anyone should approach that. And there was little snippets of it in that Ottawa series where I saw there was a bailout that was very similar to Tampa.

And I'm like, come on, dude, I didn't think you were... The fly-by in game seven when it's one... That can't happen. The bent over in Ottawa on his... with his stick on his knees in the middle of play. I'm like what the hell is this guy doing? Yeah, like that that one I think Austin you can keep pushing and poking and prodding and even if it's not raw rock killer I think he's he's got enough in his game To to be in the fight and kill in penalties and take and draws Willie doesn't kill penalties and he's on the wing like Like he's got to be, he's got to be a

guy that is constantly on you and making you uncomfortable and pushing you and more physical. That would be my exit meeting with Willie. I know you're a European player or European type of player with skill and you like to break loose. I'm going to ask you next year to change your game. I want you to become more of a power forward type. I want you to be physical and finish all your hits. And I don't care about working on your game and stick handling drills afterwards. I want you to be a finishing check, forecheck guy, and then your skill after that. See if you can do that. That's a 0% chance.

You know why? Because they said, hey, we're going to put you at center ice. We're going to try you at center ice. That's the stupidest thing anyway. If that happens get next year home i'm saying is that my these this is their ten going into ten and eleven th year right there they are

they can adapt their games and and i believe in the minute but modan o analogy and i also believe if you surround with different types of players it might draw something out of them so i'd I'm not firing darts at them but I just I don't think their overall games going to change the bottom line is as we call it it in the regular season Austin Matthews is the best goal scorer in the world in the playoffs he's got four goals in his last 20 what three games yeah what is it like I don't know what it is.

It's not good. It's like a fifth, a 12-goal pace or something. They have to find something and I think it's going to be through osmosis to it. If the team is different, built differently, it might, they might go, we're the only guys that can do this. We're going to do it. They might break through, but I just don't think they're going to change their game. You're not going to see Willie Nylander first on the forecheck put anybody through the boards. He's a very opportunistic player You know how he scares teams because he's always looking for a breakaway. Would he lead the league in breakways? He let the let the playoffs and breakways because he's always lurking around like that's really what What you need to do is build from there and go this is what you do

Well, this is what we need you to do more of that's that's what I would try and do you know all right all right we got the pot we're all stopped at the first dish right there's a lineup here was a good one though there was a very good like that must be a very solid first option in the potluck line just picked up a dinner roll that's all you've done. Oh no, that was like a... I think that was like a cornbread or something, man. That was something more substantial than a dinner roll. I think you went right, you skipped everything and you just went right to the carving station.

That was a burrata. That was a burrata. Just butting the line and right... Dude, have you ever seen a guy starving at a carving station? He basically wants the guy to turn around and he operates the knife. Anyway, next up, let's go. Yes, I've seen it. All right, Noodles, you're playing the role of the Dallas Stars. The Dallas Stars, what is your level of concern? Stopping McDavid and Dry Settle will simply

be too much to handle. I'm in that, you know, between Stevie Caldwell and Rick Bushwood. Is that the next step in there? Gotta pick one. Gotta pick one. Pick one. Steve Bushwood? Yeah.

Go Ricky. You always pick Ricky. I think it's the sound. Give me Rick Bushwood, please. Six Bushlight, six Bud Light and I love them. That's my favorite sound. That's my number one audio. That guy. It is.

I probably should lean Stevie Caldwell because I think the team, you know, Dallas is very structured and it's not like, if you look at it, McDavid and Dry Settle are what they are. They're two best players on the planet, really, arguably, but it's more their depth. It was Evander Kane. It was other guys, it was Connor Brown, it was other guys that were chipping in. So they don't have to do that. But I do think that they have to be difference makers in this series.

This is the one that they, if they're going to get to the finals, they have to rip it through. They have to break through. So I am, yeah, I'm Rick Bushwood then I'll give it that. I think, I think that's, but then I'll give it I think I think that's fine I think that's valid like I think in a way they were slow playing a little bit in Vegas, you know, like they they They won in five and they played well and they defended well and all that Mcdavid was all bent out of shape but people asking about their defensive play, right?

And that's gonna have to continue but I do think there's like another gear which is scary from those two you know and they're healthy and they're ready and I think it may be I could see McDavid absolutely flying tonight like flying in this game all right we'll move past my role play let's get to mini Jerry's we got to get past the app is here right now we're getting going here right mini Jerry's Mitch Marner will have the highest cap hit in the NHL next season what's your mini Jerry that Mitch Marner will have the highest I believe it's dry saddle 14 million 14 you're gonna pay this guy more than I'm not I'm not saying I am I'm asking you guys what's your Jerry's?

I'm sorry I'm going to Tortorella. You're abstaining from Jerry's. I'm going to Tortorella. You're not going to answer of many Jerry's. I'm answering and I am. It's going to be damn close because if he decides it like if you go Chicago if you decide Utah Chicago one of these teams Shani might just make a splash if he ends up with the Allenders and goes, come with me, I'll give you 14 sheets to play in New York.

14.1, so you're ahead of Dry Sato. Yeah, see, my number's lower, Brian, because I think the number 14, it might be 13.85, like it might be, you know, I don't know. Let me just interrupt here, Shani was in the crowd watching that performance too, you think he's just dying to have him on his team. He was also there against montreal in columbus and he kept

the cake ascent wouldn't get off of keep in mind he's the reason they stuck around for a this is the or if you're going to a new organization if you're the chicago blackhawks if you were some of these teams and mitch marner even looks in your direction it's blank check i'm sorry blighted you don't particular but you thought they get the new owner it's a new market they don't know better high-high for a star i'd think chicago yet i don't know i hear you but chicago's got history those my point noodles like i can i get it but like they want three cups last fifteen years there an original sixteen

yes they need help and they may but if they're smart they want the i'm chicago looking at this and we're not even close even with mitch marty they're terrible i keep on our on that team there still one of the three or four worst teams there are terrible team of my heart but yeah what if they but what if they start this is my point what if the starting point is marner and then it's three or four other players in free agency because they've got money to spend and they've got currency with draft picks.

This is the time where you start to surround it and it's not just guys around the, like I think they need to go big game hunting. I think Mitch Marner, I'm going to fall short at 14 though so I'm going to be lower on this like 28% but it's going to be a big number. It's gonna be a big number I'm with you. It's not zero Which again it it should be zero there like Leah He should not be anywhere close to Leon dry subtle. Well, he should like I'm sorry. It's a hell of a player He got a hundred points, but if I'm a GM and he said I'm next in line to set the market

I would say no, you're not you're not that're not that guy sorry yeah and i think a lot of james will i think there will be so all you need is one to push him ahead but i think a lot of them would i think a lot of like red and just signed for twelve ranting in and he's as good as marna the regular season and significantly better in the playoffs but you so i have been But Rantanen got eight years. He went to a tax-free market and signed an extension. Like, he went to a new organization with the extension. This is free agency.

There is, and the cap is going up. Yes, but that was effectively free agency too for Rantanen because he didn't have to accept the Stars offer. He would have said, no, then I'm not taking it. I'll go to free agency and sign somewhere else. agency to brand new because he didn't have to accept the stars offer it said no then i'm not taking it all go to free agency and sign somewhere else that could offer he decided to accept what dallas was willing to pay him guys are holding up the line fifteen percent fifteen fifteen percent uh... many jerry here scotty schaeffler completes the career grand slam by the

end of next season he needs a u.s. open in a british beloved to go for to cracks at both over the next two years scotty schaeffler will have the grand slam by the end of next year so two more u.s. opens two more british opens i've gotta go eighty percent

yeah it's a big number and it's sounds crazy, but he's kind of in a Tiger vibe right now where he might disappear for one or two, but he's got the PGA, he's got a Masters, and you'd think that he would be absolutely dialed in for US Open. Yes. Like this Oakmont track, I've played it, the premium on accuracy and I think Johnny Miller always said look, US Open winners, if you're a fader of the golf ball, you're going to have an excellent opportunity because things kind of keep in play. This is tailor-made for Scottie Scheffler. Like the guy hits bullet cuts 320, it's like what?

I don't know how you stop him. He's so down and he's putting now. Like that's the crazy thing. At the PGA, he was putting. At the Tru there and he's putting now like that's the crazy thing at the pg a was putting at the truest he was he's putting or not at the tourist at the uh... where he went dallas the couple weeks before the byron nelson and it was the guy like that's what's terrifying if this guy's like top twenty in putting he wins

and he's top ten he wins by six i don't know if I'm gonna get to 80 because he's only got, like we're talking this year and next and there's other great players. He's getting one of them. 100%, he's getting one of them. I'll say 49%, I'm just into the minority, but that's a massive amount of respect for this guy.

Deserves it. Deserves it because he is better than everyone else. As good as Rory is and and Bryson, and Xander, there's a bunch of great, Scheffler is a different animal. I will play the field then, and I'll go 38%. Okay, I mean that's reasonable. Like again, like the PGA, he had won the Masters twice.

This is the first time he's won a non-Masters major. So it's not gonna be gift wrapped to him. Things can go awry. He just feels like he's completely overcome the early season hand issues and all that he's back to being the the top dog all right we'll get to the dessert with a little bit of confirm okay we'll come back and we'll get to confirm or deny overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on YouTube live all right Darren Drager coming up. Steve Phillips will join us.

The Jays with a win last night. Padres, Jays again tonight. And we'll get to Juan Soto in just a moment, man. The Mets are starting to struggle. Soto's really struggling, taking some heat in that market. But we're going through role play, many Jerrys. Now we're on to confirm, okay? This has been a very very

i think exciting potluck that we've been taking part in here i confirm and denies thing we've done yes very creative stuff do you deserve all the credit uh... confirm or deny this one i feel like you know stain again and say i'm not doing that john to borrow us will stay with the leaves for a cap hit under $4.5 million per season. You called it.

No thanks. I'm doing it. Well, I'm exercising my Bob McKenzie, John Tortorello rights. Not doing it. I have the rights to just say this is nonsense. Yeah, okay. You're out. I like it.

16%. But we're not doing it. It's a confirmation. Oh, sorry. I'm exercising this idiot is throwing everything off okay yeah he's right I'm denying it I'm denying it okay I can either confirm or deny that I denied it because I'd again we got to figure out I think there's a pecking order there what's happening with Marner what's gonna wear who are the free agents they're targeting and all that yes Yes, it would be nice to get john Tavira said $4 million

on but what will happen is it'd be 4 million times a four year or five year deal. And then they'll they'll do the tan ev and who else is on long term deals that might not make it through it. You know what I mean? That's, that's what might you might go Yeah, I'll sign a five year deal at three million a year. And that's where you got your cap hit with John Tavares. And he might end up on Robodon Island near the end. That might happen, but I'm still... That's the only way I... Like, again, we've all concluded.

Or I've stated it. We've all stated it. I think it's time for them to just move on, cut bait. It's been a good ride Thanks for everything we need change But I'm not convinced that the Leafs are gonna see it that way But I would like to believe if John is desperately wants to stay in Valor County does again. He's got a young family here He's from here. I think they're all set up The Leafs have never used their leverage

They've always gone out of their way to be respectful to these players, overly respectful. Basically catering to them and saying, you tell us what you want, we're just going to do it. You have to lean on him here. You have to go, if you want to be here and we want to keep, it's $3 million on a one or two year deal. If you don't like it, no problem. But if you're not going to ever do that, the idea that you got to give them-

Guys, did you not hear what Craig just said? know that move on from the players get it you just need to get somebody else that doesn't mean they will different but I agree with that sentiment it doesn't mean they will that doesn't mean they will just think about the Vegas Golden Knights it's like they would it would just be like like oh they've been years ago so on the con smith and they're like thanks but yeah not happening I agree I agree all right drags coming up Steve it was not a year ago so on the cons might in their like thanks for your coming on as a mechanic yeah i agree i'd read coming up steve's coming on this more hot like

we have more we got more callia overdrive continues to use and then fifty and on tsn for just all your friends A full-blown pop punk revival. All Your Friends Fest hits Burles Creek, June 28th and 29th. Presented by Play Ojo Casino and powered by iHeart Radio. Headliners Avril Lavigne and Rise Against. It's Alpha! Plus Simple Plan, Boys Like Girls, Veronica's, Under Oath,

and so many more. Camping, parking, and all the emo nostalgia you can handle. Get your tickets now at allyourfriendsfestival.com.