OverDrive - OverDrive - May 7, 2026 - Hour 1 - Pierre LeBrun

Episode Date: May 7, 2026

Join Mark Roe, Jamie McLennan and Jason Strudwick for Hour 1 on OverDrive! They discuss the Maple Leafs winning the NHL Draft Lottery, top players departing Canada in the NHL, the Norris Trophy finalists, Evan Bouchard being snubbed from the award and Copetown Woods showcasing Snickers for O-Dog. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun joins to discuss Auston Matthews' future with the Maple Leafs, the outlook with the team and meeting with John Chayka.

This hour of Overdrive is powered by Fandul. Fan Duel, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. Not sure if one of my co-hosts requested this song, but hey, everyone, welcome to Overdrive. Mark Row in for Brian Hayes, joined alongside two of the finest gentlemen ever to come out of the province of Alberta. That's right, Jamie McLennan and Jason Strudwick. How are we, guys? I'm good. What's going on today? I found myself in this studio.

I guess Brian had better things to do today, but. But, you know, usually when he's not in, something big happens. I don't know if the market can take something big happening over the next two hours or not. Struddy, what do you make? I mean, you think something else can happen in Toronto in the next couple days or what? I don't know. I can't stop watching. I feel like I'm living in Toronto right now, right?

Like the press conference and then the news dropping about the first stuff or all, what was that Tuesday night? Like, even my friends who are here, they're, who are leaf fans, they're creeping out from underneath their hiding places, and they're getting a little bit cocky almost now with the big first pick. As someone who lives in the city of draft lottery champions, how do you feel about Toronto taking a few steps on your turf? You know what?

I remember the night that noodles, I think it was noodles and Hayes, and I can't remember who else is that, maybe O'Dog, the night that the orders won the golden ticket for McDavid. And I came on the show and, like, Hayes said, you know, how do you feeling about the orders get it? What's the community feeling? I said, I'm not as happy the order is getting it as I am the Leafs not getting it. And my Twitter exploded.

I got absolutely destroyed, and it was probably the best night of my life, how mad Leafs fans are at me. So you know what? Now he made up for it. Is it Gavin McKenna? Are we getting that statue built or no? I mean, listen, McKenna seems like the consensus won. But what I like this for the Leafs strutty is it gives them options now. because, you know, they had a tough couple days.

Like, let's just lay out the timeline, and Roe, you could probably concur with this. You know, the rumblings is John Chica and Matt Sundeen. And you're like, okay, is, you know, people are like, okay, what's that going to look like? What's that going to sound like? Is that the best they can do? You had a lot of people weighing in on that. So Monday comes to press conference. And, you know, Chris Johnston was down there.

And we had him on the show, and we just said, what was it like? and he just used the word uncomfortable, awkward, you know, like these types of adjectives because he was saying like it was a bit weird. And then Steve Simmons came with that heater question, which, you know, kind of painted them into a corner. And, you know, everything was just noisy after that. Now, that being said, the next day, they win the lottery. And in the next day, I believe that same day, correct me if I'm wrong, Roe, Chris Johnston

writes an article in the athletic saying that, you know, Austin Matthews not sure of his future, weighing out options or whatever it was. I'm paraphrasing. So there's just all this noise going on and all this angst. And I think Hayes summed it up best saying, you know, the Leaf fans haven't had much to cheer about in the last year, calendar year, when you look up really since they lost to Florida in such a terrible fashion on home ice. And then really never got their legs underneath them last.

and there was injuries, inconsistencies, and they needed something to, you know, put their hat on. So winning the first overall pick, I think, is something that's really positive for Leafland. And I think it's something that gives John Chike and his management group some options now. Depending on whatever happens with Austin Matthews and what you're going to do with the plan moving forward, you can't take that first pick away from them strutty. And that's kind of, I think, what people are like, okay, let's get up all. the mat here.

And if there is going to be a rebuild, having the first pick doesn't hurt. Now of a sudden that could maybe help accelerate things. And I think that's where people are at. The assets, right? That's a huge asset. So whatever we decided to do, if you add that in or, I mean, I don't know if they'd ever trade down. I'm not sure.

I mean, I still think the defense to me is really important. They need more puck movers, right? They've got some stout defenders. And I think they maybe went too overboard with that. because a lot of those guys can play, but you need people that can move the puck. You need complimentary players. So listen, I'm not suggesting you take a D-Man,

like D-Man or someone at one, but can you find a way to manufacture some of those D-Men for your back line? I wish you guys were in studio because about 15 to 20 minutes before Showtime, we had Doogie, JP, and Joe from the Bridge all in here workshopping about 12 different scenarios that all led to the Leafs winning a cup

in the next four years. So, you're missing out. You know what it is? All it entails is like, okay, in two years, McDavid's coming. Matthews is going to be here. Nate McKinnon's going to leave Colorado. They're all going to see. Yeah, McCar.

They're all going to sign for a million dollars. And you're going to trade for their rights for Troy Stetcher's going to get it done going the other way. Like that's the type of asinite stuff I have to listen to on a daily basis when, when Joe from the bridge and his cronies come in there and they start making things up. So at the end of the day, you know, what you do have is Canadian teams that there's work to be done. Outside, I mean, Montreal lost last night, and I thought they were kind of feeling their way through it a little bit. Buffalo deserves credit.

But there's a lot of teams either licking their wounds or have to get right back to the table and get back on the horse, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Evanton Oilers and the Ottawa Senators, the Winnipeg, Jets, the Calgary, Flames, Vancouver Canucks. You know, there's lots of teams that have work ahead of them, Strud. Oh, there's tons of work to be done and all over it. And everyone's got their own issues, right? Like the flames are trying to add as much talent as they can, you know, talent.

The Conchster may be a little bit further down that road, but they're, you know, probably obviously disappointed about not having that first overall pick. The orders are trying to get back on top, so they've got to solve some things, including a net. Yeah. And, Mark, that's a, the net binding for the orders is a pretty significant topic for any. You don't say anyone who's even watching. an order game this year.

So that's a big deal. But they all have their own. Every team has their own. Ottawa needs a, well, you know better news. Probably, I think they need a goal score, a guy that can plot 30 every night. Top six. And, you know, you got Nick Jensen coming off the books. So probably another right shot defenseman that can play in your either four or five role in that situation

because that Jordan Spence, I think, show that he can push up. But I look at it. Every team has a wish list. The problem is, is can you execute it with the cap going up? And a lot of these teams either don't have currency or they need some currency. So when the market is going to be clogged, I'll give you an example. Like, you know, the Toronto Maple Leafs put their hand up and say, yeah, we want four new defensemen. Where are you acquiring them from when you don't have a lot of assets?

And are you going to go scorched earth? Like, I think that's where I'll come back to. The options that the Toronto Maple Leafs have, everything should be on the table. Because now you've got the first pick. So if you are looking at a rebuild, you could maybe expedite a little bit with that first pick. If you're looking at a retool, you're going to have to move some players out and spend some money. The least don't have a problem spending to the cap. But I look at it, Montreal is a team that I think is probably best positioned, not only for now,

but for years to come based on the team they have, the currency they have, and the young players. They've got Anstrom and Reimbacher and the miners. Like they've got Fowler sitting on the bench. This could be the next carry price. So I think DEMadoff's just first year into the season. So first year in the league. So they've got lots of options, but just different types of options in the other teams. And I feel like they're the one Canadian team that this off season in a way will have their feet up

because they've done their work. And obviously the work never ends. But you look at Ottawa, as you guys point out, they're trying to take that next step while also deal with their captain potentially wanting to leave. I know that's speculation and there can be no truth to that, but that is a story that's in the nation's capital. We just discussed the Maple Leafs. Winnipeg.

Connor Hellebuck essentially telling the team, we better get, you know, we better start making some moves now or I might be out as well and get back to being a cup contender. And what they do with their pick is going to be fascinating. The Oilers strutty and Connor McDavid, we know that there's a timeline there.

Less urgency with Calgary in Vancouver, but it's going to be with a cap going up and some really big names that could be on the move, this could be a wild off season. Yeah, it could be. And, you know, it's funny, you think back to two, three years ago, and I don't know who,

maybe you guys would be able to kind of chime in, but I had a, I said on this show, I believe, that the Canadian teams have almost never been in better shape. You know, there's so much talent north of the border. Then I want to say is make Kachuk out of Calgary and then Johnny Gujarro, signs of Columbus. And then you just start, you know,

Mitch Marner leaving, Quinn Hughes, all these people that are, all this talent, you know, was for one reason, and now they're leaving, and now these teams are, you know, retooling, rebuilding, whatever you want to call it. So what a change a couple of years makes in, you know, for north of the border. Well, I think also we're not even, we're not even factoring the Hellebuck comments in, in Winnipeg. And I don't, you know, listen, they've got a core there. I really like that team. I think they're a couple pieces away.

Keep in mind, Kevin Shevoldeoff, this isn't been, you know, when you go to free agency, this isn't a number one destination spot. And, you know, Struddy, you and I grew up in Edmonton. It's sometimes it's not, you know, these cold weather places, you know, aren't the number one destination spot. So you have to pay, I'd call it either cold weather tax or tax to be in a Canadian market, all of that type of stuff. But Winnipeg's had a really good team. And if you think about it, yes, it's been noisy. Toronto, noisy in Edmonton, you know, a little bit of noise in Ottawa, but Winnipeg won the President's trophy a year ago and then missed the playoffs. Now, Halebuck hurt. They're, you know,

they've got a core there that I really like, but they, you know, Nikolai Ehlers left. They've got a scenario there where they, they've got some questions that need to be answered as well. So you have to, we have to throw them into the bucket with all these other teams that we're talking about, where they need to have a good summer to get right back on. the horse. And I'll throw one other thing into this mix, guys, when it pertains to the Toronto Maple Leafs. You want to be like Boston. You know, Boston had an off year.

They crashed and burned, and they came right back this year and made the playoffs. My question would be, and I know it changes from year to year, and I said it yesterday, who's coming out in the Atlantic next year? Like, that's the, you know, I would argue Florida's going to be right back into the mix. I don't know what that looks like. But you've got Ottawa. You've got Detroit that wants to have another offseason to get. get better and better.

You know, and the teams that we're talking about, Buffalo, Montreal. Like, these teams aren't going anywhere. So the Leafs are going to have to not only be dealing with themselves, but dealing with the division they play in. And the max is five teams out of that division. You know, that's really because three from the Metro have to make it. So that'll be the challenge that has to be factored in for John Chike and his group as well. Yeah, the Atlantic Division, it's not that pillow fight division that the Oilers play in.

Speaking of the Oilers, so we have Pierre LeBron coming up at 430. We have Peter Labieland at 505. And we have Evan Bouchard at 530, who is getting set now to play for Team Ken at the World Hockey Championship. And today, the Norris Trophy finalists were revealed. Is it a full-blown snub that Bouchard is not one of the three? It's Rasmus Dahlene, Kail McCarr, and Zach Rowensky. What do you guys think? What was your reaction when you saw that Bouchard was not one of those three?

Strud, do you want to go first? Sure. Yeah, I'll take this one and I'll sound like a homer. I do think it was a snub. I think he should have been a finalist. I don't have him as a winner, but I think as a finalist for sure. You know, you look at the points, so that's one aspect. It's not all of it.

You look at, you know, the way that he killed penalties. All the guys are kind of near the end or, you know, the top five or six. He killed the most penalties. So that was something that was out there that people talked about. he kills a lot of penalties for the Hamilton Oilers. You know, power play points is passing. I think there's a bias towards this player because often when you see the highlights, they're extreme, extreme highs of plays, and then sometimes you see plays that are, you know,

just poor, weak decisions, poor decisions at the other end that you may not see with some of these other guys. So I think there is a bias to these players or to this player, for those who don't watch every minute of his play, I agree. So I'm a voter, and I had him winning the Norris, and I can, I'll tell you why I did that. A lot of what you laid out, struds, you know, the points are one thing, offensively. But passes, like, I dug in analytically.

I talked to Mike Kelly from, you know, sport logic. I spoke to a couple other AGMs throughout the league. Like, the one thing that really stood out for me with Evan Bouchard is, is everyone, there's just this narrative about him. And you're right. I think his mistakes are always on sports center, glaring, where Zach Wrenskys aren't on sports center because nobody pays attention to Columbus, respectfully, in Canada,

because they're focused on the Canadian teams. So here was a stat that stood out for me, and I was given by a couple different companies, where turnovers that led to goals. And Evan Bouchard, I believe, had 13. So I guarantee you, all 13 of those would have led sports center or at least been on there. And here's a bad turnover here.

And, you know, Abbott Bouchard up to it. Zach Wrenski had 12. Connor McDavid had 12. You start to look in, you know, but you look at what Bouchard did defensively as far as killing penalties. He had 50 more minutes on the penalty kill than anybody else. That includes McCar, you name it, all of the top defenders in the NHL that were in that mix. his pass rate out of succession, it passes, all that type of stuff. So I know, hey, or O'Dog would probably charge the mound right now with me quoting analytics.

But I did. I already hit our quota for the two hours. I did dig into it. And I struggled with it because I think Dahlene had an amazing season. I think Werensky did. Like there's no, I don't use the word snub, but I think if there's five or six guys, Lane Hudson was outstanding in, Montreal as well. I believe I had him fifth or sixth, but the point being is I don't think

there's a bad choice. I think what happened is it had to be narrowed down. Now, I do agree with your strutty. I think there's a narrative around when you just say the word Evan Bouchard, people like, oh, great offensively, terrible defensively. But if you actually look at the way the game is played today, the game is about exiting your defensive zone. And he's probably one of the best first passes in the National Hockey League. Ask Connor McDavid. Asked Ask Nate McKinnon, who had McCar at the Olympics. And I think that was still one of the biggest mistakes that Team Canada make. McDavid should have had Bouchard, and I think McCar could have been there for McKinn,

and they would have been able to exit the zone a little bit quicker because those guys were passed. And I know I'm getting long-winded, but just think of this. Had that had been Evan Bouchard in overtime that did what Cail McCar did, you'd never live it down. Because Cail McCar pinched on that play and caused it. a rut and missed it. For sure. And he should have never been on Team Canada.

Well, people would be like, you look at this. So the point being, there is a stigma around the guy. You know, he's not going to win, but I think he's a lot better than people think defensively. And I also think that he's elite offensively, which is tough to do. You tell me a 95-point defenseman that they wouldn't build a statue for in most Canadian cities. They play for the Toronto, including Toronto.

Yeah. Well, they need him. They need a guy like that. That's what they need. They need someone to move to puck up. But again, I apologize for getting long-winded. I'm not upset that the other guys were right there because they're great players that had great seasons.

So I don't look at it as a snub. I think it's nice to be recognized. And I think it's nice that when you're in that conversation and you're 24 years old, I think Bouchard's now 25, you could be in that conversation for the next 10 years if you continue to progress in your play. So congratulations to the other guys. Add them on my list, and obviously a bunch of other voters did because they were the finalists, and they deserve to be there. Well, since you picked them to win, if you want, you can ask them the question about the Norris Trophy.

What do you want? Listen, I also love Lane Hudson. I love all the guys in there. I think we were talking about this a few weeks ago, just how great of a defenseman class this year is, and how that a lot of the awards are pretty tough this year, but it seems like maybe the Norris takes the cake with that, where you can make an argument. for five or six different defense men and just their value to the team. And again, do we make an offensive defenseman award and a defensive defenseman? Yeah.

Ro, I'm sorry to interrupt. That's exactly what I was going to bring up. I think there should be. There is an Art Ross where somebody just wins the points and then you go to the heart, you go to the Ted Lindsay. But what I'm saying is if you had just a defensive award for most points and then you had the Norris, I think you might see the Norris get different votes.

A guy like Jacob Slavin or Lecombe or like some of these guys who are actually complete defensive players that actually contribute offensively. So you don't just go, oh, that guy got 90 points, he's got to be in there. Or this guy's dynamic or whatever. I think you could have two separate awards, and it might actually shave off some of the bias towards the points as opposed to the word defensemen. defending.

I'm with you. I think that makes so much sense. It's way overdue. You like that defensive defenseman award, don't you, Struddy? I do. You know what? Just to recognize what they do, because, you know, it's funny. No one really talks about them in the playoffs.

Everyone's got to defend. Well, you see the guys that do kind of elevate their play defensively. And I think it would make sense to separate it. Because it's unfair. I think the Selke clearly makes the difference in that voting. I really think it does. All right, so looking forward to chatting with Evan Bouchard at 530. Again, Pierre LeBron and Pierre Lavillette are going to join us.

I should just dive in a little bit into the fact that I'm in for Brian. Obviously, O's not here. Struddy, you're filling in admirably for him. There's some golf competition going on at Cope Town Woods called the Lincoln Cup. Nuddles, I'm sure you got invited as a caddy and you said, no, no, I'd much rather work with Mark and Struddy. I would much rather work with you guys than here those who are playing on the golf course But like I've heard you know

I think Carlo and those guys were on the course this morning And Hayes and oh he's there And nobody called me They didn't even want to... No it's not a shame because they know that I would have accepted And they don't want to waste their time in my time Like why would I go and sit there on the course And waste their time?

I'd be on my cell phone or your personality Like we have for everything I don't have the day drink and be on air, so I mean, I'll just be sitting there. Well, day drink and have a couple snacks because apparently the Snickers, they have a few of them at Coptown Woods. This is what was waiting. Now, I don't know if this means that it's all this, and if you're not watching, there's like a glass case of about 20 Snickers bars, but there's like there's a lock and a chain around it. And I don't know if that's O's lock and chain and he's taking it home,

or that's Coptown Woods saying, hey, fool us once. Don't fool us a second time here. Oh, you can't take the whole basket. Well, the problem is, Stradi, I don't know if you know, but this guy will steal anything that's not nailed down. No, why? Because you know what guys are like. I played in so many dressing rooms.

Guys making $5 million a year, and a guy will walk in with a box full of free t-shirts that he got from Red Bull or something. And throw them in the middle of the room, and there'll be a dog pile for these three t-shirts. And guys would be stealing them and stuffing them or in their code and leaving. I've played on teams where, like, the trainers have had to lock up the razors because there's guys that steal, like, the Bick razors. Because anything that's not nailed down, guys are like that. And, oh, the other day, I don't know if you saw this strut.

He got caught. He got caught asking, this is awful, asking, like, the manager of the golf course for a paper. bag and then he walked over and loaded up the gift bag and walked out and didn't have no shame and doubled back to finish off and throw some chips in another chocolate bar in there so hayes was rattled now everybody's handing snickers out to to haze because he got jammed up by oh here's the video look at him he asked the manager can i get a paper bag and then he proceeds to walk into this is the best part strutty though he's in there by himself And people start walking in and saying, what is this guy doing?

He's stealing. And he loaded up his bag. And he's so comfortable doing it. He's so. Like, he's not looking around. Like, I'd be so nervous. Yeah, if you're stealing something, you've got this guy's walking up. And he's stealing.

And people start to walk into the room and go, is this guy taking all the food on that one table? And he loaded it up. So that's why everything is under lock and key at this other golf course. You think it's, he's so used. used to being an NHL player because I remember the first time I went to an NHL event. And I think it might have been with you noodles. And I looked at the table and there's all these things and you looked at me. I think it was you and you said the Never Hungry League, right?

Like everything is there. And I was almost like, are we allowed to, there's probably like chips and granola bars or something. But there's a status, right? Did you have a long drive home? Like, was it a 10-hour drive? Like, what's the loading up for? He's loading up because he, this is the thing. It's for his wife.

He said his wife likes a little late-night snack once in a while. A true gentleman. Yeah, he is. A great gentleman and great husband. But, I mean, come on. Like, take one. He loaded up a paper bag full of it. And now the big joke is they've got to put stuff under lock and key.

This guy will just load it into the back of his car. So I don't know what's happened at that golf course today. But I'm anxious to see the tape because I think they were looking at him walking out with a full bag. Just even flinch, trick or treating. No, not even high stepping or anything. Like just out he goes. But you know what? At the end of the day, so be it.

I would take some stuff, though. You see all these Trade Center shows and all of that. Like, they're all loaded up. You know what it reminds me of? And Struddy, you'll appreciate this, when Dallas Akins became the head coach of the Oilers, and he changed the whole media spread, and it went from like Snickers bars and donuts to fruit

and the uproar in your city. Oh, people were mad. People were mad. And I wasn't there every day, but then I was going a little bit more often and into those more. And the guys that couldn't believe it. They couldn't believe it. And that's a bridge too far. Like, let the guys have the donuts in the morning.

They look forward to it, right? It's like your morning coffee. You dunk a donut in there. You're on their way. Well, you know what? Free food is for everybody. And that's what the thing is, is Hayes was mad because there was nothing left when he went to circle back. He had his eye on it and it was gone because the place.

was empty. Well, I hope the guys are having fun. I hope they're doing well on the course and clearly someone's going home with some snickers. So, um, always great to fill it in for Brian Hayes. Again, if some major news happens, well, we should expect it. But coming up next, our hockey insider Pierre LeBron, who's in Buffalo for the Sabres and a Canadian series. So he was there for game one. We'll get his thoughts on that. As overdrive continues on TSN 4 and 5, the TSN app, your home speakers, and live on YouTube. Canadian. It's the music that raised you.

The artists raising the bar. Hi, this is Brian Adams. Hey, my name's Brett Emmons. I'm from the glorious sons. Hi, I'm Nellie Fittata. Made in Canada, the station that champions Canadian music. Loud, crowd, and all yours. No passports required, just press play.

Tap into Made in Canada now on iHeartRadio.ca. Or the free iHeartRadio app. Overdrive. Continue to Marco in for Brian Hayes today alongside Jim and Jason Strudwick, our Hockey Insider, Pierre LeBrun, standing by his in Buffalo. We're in between games one and two of that series between the Sabres and the Canadians. And noodles, we failed our audience a little bit last night. We were on the Canadians panel. We missed a really big part of the game that we did not analyze whatsoever.

And that was a leaf fan in the crowd, wearing a Gavin McKenna jersey because if Leaf fans can't get more obnoxious well here you go but why is he even there I don't understand like why like why why be a jackass and go to a

playoff game that doesn't include your team with a different jersey doesn't make sense like I don't I do funny things I guess now I don't I don't like I'm not down on him for getting a McKenna jersey that's pretty cool I mean I guarantee you those will be flying off the

the shelves. But you're asking for it, going into hostile territory. Like, that's one of your rivals. But what you do is shine a light on like, it's not a good thing. This team didn't make the playoffs. Like, you know, it shines a light on like, hey, I'm cheering for a team that's, you know, in the down trend right now. Last year, an Islander's fan going to a playoff game with a Matthew Schaefer. Right.

Like, I mean, it's great. Matthew Schaefer will win. He should win unanimous rookie of the year. but I guarantee you there'll be somebody in Montreal that goes Dobish or Demandolph. There'll be somebody in Anaheim that goes Seneca. But I mean, it should be hands down Matthew Schaefer. But as great a player and amazing of season as he had, they didn't make the playoffs. Not the crazy part.

No, that's true. Yeah. Well, speaking of Buffalo, we're going to go there now. We're hockey inside air. Pierre LeBrund, joining us on Overdrive. Pierre, we were just showing that Leaf fan because Leaf fans, they need the tension on them, wearing the Gavin McKenna jersey to game one of a series that does not involve the Toronto Maple Leafs. Listen, I respect the, you know, I respect that least fan being intrigued by coming to the series.

I guess he wanted to get a first-hand look at the two teams that will dominate the Atlantic in the next decade. Wow. I knew something was coming. I knew it. I love it. I mean, I don't blame it. them. It reminds you a little bit of the Giants and the Dallas Cowboys.

The Giants are on their eyes. You know that's true. Sorry, I have to slip that in there, Pierre. So now you're taking on two of us. You're taking on Pierre and myself, Roddy. So watch out. You're a Cowboys fan, too. I am.

So watch out. Keep the quarterback healthy in New York there, big guy. Yeah, let's see if you can get through a full. That's true. Before we get on to what should be a great series, I just, because you've been traveling and you've been in different cities, what has been the reaction to the leaves getting the number one pick and how much it changes the off-season surrounding that organization?

I mean, you know, it's been disbelief, I think, in a lot of markets that are tired of the attention that the leaves get all the time. And, you know, the juxtaposition of how brutal that news conference was welcome, I think in the Toronto market, and 24 hours later, the excitement for Lee fans of winning the draft lottery, that, I mean, that says dramatic, you know, a range of emotions as you're ever going to see, certainly in an offseason, I think, for a franchise. And, yeah, I mean, obviously, it's, you got a lot of people around the league talking about it, know that about it.

So, Pierre, last night's game, what did you make of it? Was it two teams trying to, you know, settle it? and feel each other out. Buffalo looked like they had a little bit more jump, a little bit more pop. Montreal might have had a little fatigue coming off that game seven against Tampa. But, you know, to me the way I looked at, I don't know how you felt, but Buffalo is such a different team than Tampa. Tampa tried to bully them and, you know, and almost take it to a back alley fight

where Buffalo just tried to skate them. And it looked like they were able to have some success just through their speed and skill. Yeah, bang on night and day. What a contrast for Montreal having to play a fast team like Buffalo now. And listen, Lindy Ruff will tell you, too, as you did today, that, you know, playing Montreal is totally different for the Sabres compared to Boston, too. So both teams kind of adjusting. I don't think game one was that great. I think it was kind of a tepid. Both teams, you know, putting their feet in the water and trying to get a read on each other. The most impressive part of the night for me was seeing the way the Sabers closed it down, the third. period. They had a two-goal lead and, you know, I don't know how you guys feel, but I think game

management is a rare skill among a lot of young players coming into the league in the modern NHL, and it feels like a two-goal lead isn't enough for a lot of young players. And the Sabres, and Lindy Rough talked about this after the game, the Sabres since December have learned to play the clock and to do more mature things. And that was a clinic class night in the third period. I don't know what the haves were smoking. They felt they could build after a third period. Well, of course, yeah, the buck. The Sabres were just sitting back and just pushing you out to the perimeter.

I mean, that was really impressive by Buffalo to see how they can close down a game like that again, and they've been doing it for a while. But I do think we'll see a better Montreal team. You know, that top line that has been scrutinized him in Cole Cofield today met the media for the first time in six days, and he's feeling it. He hasn't scored and even strength goal in the entire playoffs. a 51 goal score. He's getting, you saw it last night,

there was more space out there, there's more time with the puck. It was maybe almost a shock to that line after what happened against Anthony Sorrelli in the first round where they had no time. And I think you'll see a much better game from that top line in game two. Well, that's where I want to go.

The top line, you know, offensive they haven't had a lot of juice is what we come to expect from them. Is there any chance you think either, you know, for the next game we're moving forward? they might tweak that line again like they did a little bit in the first round? Yeah, Freddie. I mean, they did it late in that first round because they basically,

Marty St. Louis had no choice by the end of that series. I mean, Sorrelli and Hagle had dropped an absolute, you know, blanket on that line. And so they had to get Slavkosky elsewhere and they broke up those guys. I think they start the game together tomorrow night. I thought they had some good looks. Lofkoski, especially to me, looked really dangerous last night. Suzuki got the power play goal. So really, it's Cofield that to me does not look at his normal level of confidence.

He said today that he does remain confident. I should pass that on. But I like to look down between the TV timeouts and between the whistles and look at a player's body language. And there's a couple times where he went back to the bench with the shoulders slopped. He's going to need to pick me up. And honestly, it could just be a greasy goal and a redirect. I don't know what's going to take.

but he's not quite there right now for me, like the guy we saw score 51 goals. Join by your Hockey Insider, Pierre LeBron, and of course I should point out a lot of Sabres fans are big fans of this show. So let's give them their flowers. And you've been to a lot of big games at the Bell Center, and we always talk about how that atmosphere is second to none.

What's it been like? It's only been the one game, but what was it like last night in Buffalo and just where that organization has turned things around so drastically since, you know, a third of the way into this regular season? I mean, it was electric. Oh, boy, they are so pumped in this town for the Sabres. It's sort of like that passion for the Bills and the passion for the Sabres. And it's just colliding in this springtime moment right now.

And, man, if the Sabres win a Stanley Cup, I don't even know what the city of Buffalo is going to look like at the end of that night. It really is unbelievable. and you're right, I felt it in the first round in Montreal. I mean, again, in the rink, outside the rink, these are the two markets right now that seem to be living it up like no one else left in the Santa Rica playoffs. There's just, you know, in Buffalo, I think it's just the years and the pain

and 14 years out and, you know, losing in the 99-cup final toe in the crease, all these things, throw in some football heartbreaking moments with the bills, and it's all built up really tightly in this emotion right now, this market, it's unbelievable. And of course, goes without saying what it's like in Montreal where it's not just about a hockey team, but honestly part of their identity, you know, have fans in terms of what that team meet.

So this is a great series, I think, in terms of the two fan bases trying to duel each other. But I'll also say this, that I could tell from, you know, being part in the athletic and a group discussion with fans during the game last night, Arpin Bussu and I, there's a lot of respect, mutual respect between Sabres fans and Habs fans about sort of the parallel assent of their respective teams at the same time. I mean, this is really a series that represents the changing of the guard in the Atlantic Division.

It doesn't mean that it'll always be these two teams, but there's certainly a decent chance we're going to see a lot of Savers and Habs over the next several years here in the playoffs. I agree, and I love the fact that there is, you know, that mutual respect between fans, basis where it's like, hey, you know, we feel your pain, you know, same type of situation, but they're both very, very passionate. We know what the habs are like.

We know what their fan bases like. They're noisy in both languages. They're very passionate. I love that. Seeing today a lot of the questions, and Pierre, I wanted your reaction on this because it kind of fires me up. Because I look at Dobish, who was unbelievable in the first series. And I thought he was okay last night.

He wasn't tested a lot, but you couldn't blame those goals on him. There were two screenshots, but at the end he gives up four goals and 16 shots. And they're already going, oh, is it time to maybe take a peek at Fowler? And I'm like, okay, you know, is this guy not allowed to play game two without there being whispers? I mean, Hudson falls down at center ice. You know, Dobson sticks to the ice here strut. I don't know, what's he doing with a slide? You're supposed to slide?

He sticks to the ice, and it's a perfect pass by Benson back. door. So not a lot you can do for these goals against. But now you're hearing whispers of like, oh, what about Dobish? Maybe Fowler should go in. And, you know, what did you, anything today you take out of their media, Pierre? Yeah, so Martin Stanley was asked last night about Doeus' performance, and he absolutely vehemently defended his goal.

He pretty much the way he just did. I mean, he said he had no chance on the first two goals. And, of course, there were two parkway goals. One of the part of the player goals as a result of a failed clear. is coach actually backed his goalie. There wasn't much talk about it today. Nor should there be.

Four days ago, he's the reason they survived game seven. You're never going to have to win any shots on goal ever. In the next 100 years of the Santa Cup play, a team will never win a game seven again. Dolbeth stood on his head. And throughout that series, and I was at every game, stared at Andre Vasteleski,

former Vesnet Cholfofer winner, former Kahnstmyth winner right in the eyes, save for save, and said, I got this. So I don't know. Anyone who thinks they should change goalies after one average game in game one, to me, is smoking crack. I mean, it's still with his net for sure in game two.

He is our hockey insider, Pierre LeBron, outside of the highlight that we just showed of Lane Hudson falling in the neutral zone, it's been a fantastic postseason for him. It's been a great year for him. Not good enough to be a finalist for the, Norris trophy. We also have a guy coming up at 530 who had 95 points this year and Evan Bouchard, who also wasn't a finalist. It's a testament to how deep that position was this year.

It's Kail McCar, Zach Werenski, and Rasmus Dahlene. What was your reaction to the news of those three guys being up for the award? Well, for one, you could tell how much it mattered to Rosmas Dalyne. And I thought it was refreshing because hockey players are notorious for trying to deflect from individual spotlight and individual attention and Dalline allowed for the fact that you know what it's been he's grinded to this moment here in the seventh NHL season and and I think it's gratifying to him that he was recognized and and that is as he said it mirrors his team's assent that the sabers are in a great place now and so it allowed him to get this kind of attention but you know you mentioned some names there mark but in all the years I've voted on the Norris I've never had more difficulty than I did this year I took a long time researching it and putting in my votes.

I will share that the three guys who got nominated today were among my five guys that I put on my five-man ballot. But I believe that the Norris was eight players deep this year. You mentioned Bouchard, definitely Lane Hudson. Quinn Ews wasn't nominated today. Miro Heskin and never gets talked about. I mean, let's be real. He had another great year.

And Moritz cider, I think deserves way more talk than. gotten for his well-rounded game and what he meant to the Red Wing. So it was eight-deep for me, and it's going to be controversial. So controversy today, because some big names weren't among the three, but wait until all of the voting is revealed, as it will be, once the winner's announced, because there will be people upset about where even the rest of those guys ended up in the rankings. So, you know, Lane Hudson, by the way, we asked him about it today,

and he was really great, and the way he described why Dahlien deserved to be nominated, and what he loves about Dalline's game. Again, a lot of respect between these two teams and where they are. Well, Pierre, you've done a great job breaking down this series, breaking down the award, but you know, fill in for Brian Hayes, I have to finish this with a leave question. And I have to finish it with Austin Matthew. I just want to soften the blow a little bit.

But your colleague, Chris Johnston, reporting earlier this week that Austin Matthews, still isn't 100% sure that he wants to be with the Maple Leafs this year and that there is speculation that he could be moving on depending on what the Leafs do this off season. I only bring it up because, you know, former Hart Trophy winners and guys who almost scored 70 goals in a season aren't on the market at all.

So what have you heard from other teams hearing that report that suddenly they can go out and get a proven goal score like Austin Matthews? Yeah, well, let's start by, I made a few calls today knowing that I was coming on here. So let's just bring this up to date on where I think the Leafs are under new management. Number one, my understanding is that new GM John Dunchika is throwing dates back and forth with Austin Matthews and agent John Mildover to get some face-to-face and for him to go down to Arizona and spend time with Austin Matthews. and get a sense of where things are. And obviously from the least perspective, they hope they can, you know, sell their side of things

to a point where Austin Matthews is on board with the vision of this offseason and where it's headed. That's a big if, but that's where that side of the process is they want to get together at some point in the near future year. Number two, you know, John Chagena's going to meet with Craig Rube in the next number of days here, I think, by the end of the weekend, again, to see where the coach and the new GM are in terms of whether they're on the same page,

whether they share a vision of where things need to go moving forward. If I had the handicap that part of it, I think that John Chacon will be comfortable with keeping Craig Brubas as a coach, but that's just a gut feeling on Mike Farrell, we'll have to see how that meeting goes between the two sides. And finally, you know, depending where the Matthews decision goes, I mean, that may influence, you know, what happens at the draft with Toronto having the normal one pick

and whether or not the time. timing lines up for them to know what his decision is. This is where it gets tricky. I mean, John Chacon, they leave Arizona and not have a firm answer to get from Austin Matthews because maybe that Austin Matthews, as Chris wrote about this week, may need even more time. May he need to see more of the revealing of the offseason before knowing whether or not he wants to stay. And that's the chicken and the aid of this whole thing.

I think the least would like to know where he is before they get going on the offseason, but Austin Matthews wants to see how the offseason play. up before he decides where he goes. And ultimately, that's the most delicate part of it. But to finally answer your question, if Austin Matthews is available, this isn't a situation where teams are just going to call from Blackfield and say, I want in on this.

They don't have a say. Austin Matthews and John Moldover have the same. They have a full no move. So if they decide they want to move on, if it's going to be a list of X teams, I can't imagine it'll be that long, and they go from there. So that's different than suggesting that 25 teams get to hop in on this sweepstakes.

That's not how it would play out. It could be pretty wild offseason. We were like pointing out the names of Brady Kachach and Austin Matthews and what just specifically some of the Canadian teams are going to be doing this offseason in their respective situation. I feel like Freddie should be mentioning a name. I don't know. Like is it just me or? I don't know.

Yeah, the owners have some stuff they got it. To me, the goaltending pair is the thing they have to sort out, but that trade this off season made things a little tighter, didn't it? Yeah, no, there's no question about it. And listen, I think that, I think the important thing for all these hotspots, and there are a number of them, is that you get the sense from the agents involved and from teams involved. Everyone wants to decompress and take a deep breath before they rush into anything,

that they may regret. Remove the emotion from it. Take a deep breath. It's a long off-season. And when it comes to the bigger-name players, I can't see any of them rushing into any kind of decision. I think they want to see how things play out. Pierre, awesome stuff as always.

Enjoy the Sabres Canadian series. Hopefully it's a deep one, and you can enjoy the fine people of both Buffalo and Montreal equally. Oh, I already am. Looking forward to it. I'm actually driving the series. There's no direct flights between and Montreal, so we're going old school.

All right. I'm driving the series. All right. Road trip. Love it. Awesome stuff. All right. Thanks, Pierre.

Appreciate it. There's Pierre LeBron. Our hockey insider as the Sabre State game won over the Canadians. We're going to take a quick break in the 5 o'clock hour. Former NHL head coach, Peter Laviolette, and Evan Bouchard. We'll join us as Overdrive continues on TSN 4 and 5, the TSN app, your home speakers, and live on YouTube. and a guest on an epic rock adventure.

Live in Toronto with flights and hotel. Entry to the IHeart Radio sound check party and a thousand dollars. Cash. Who will you follow? Download the free IHart Radio app. Listen to IHeart Heavy Rock for 10 minutes for your chance to win. June 5th that don't miss the IHart Radio Evanescence Sanctuary album release party featuring their new single, Who Will You Follow?

Overjop. Continuing on TSN 4 and 5, the TSN app, your home speakers, and live on YouTube. Mark Rowe alongside Jamie McClain and Drason Stredwick, the Blue Jays. Back in town, they begin a series with the Angels tomorrow following a tough end of the road trip, getting swept by the race. But good news, noodles, your guy, Addison Barger is coming back. He had another home run in Singley, Dunedin yesterday. And I don't know if you saw the highlights.

It was A and no doubter, but also, I don't know. don't know if his jersey is getting smaller or he's working out even more like jack he is so big like he's just like he's very um like i feel like his shoulders take up the entire batters box he's thick man i love it though he's he's he's gritty yeah he is and he's a baseball player that's what he is like his parents i believe are like wealthy and built him like a you know field of dreams in their backyard and stuff. This guy's literally a baseball player. He's unbelievable. I love him. I still love the story. He slept on Schneider's couch before one of the playoff games. Yeah, like during the World Series. That's incredible. I just, I love that story. I love those two guys

about that. And I don't know if you get the commercials in Edmonton. I don't know if it's a local thing, but now they're on, I don't if it's like Leon to the Brick or one of those companies. It's David Schneider and Addison Barger. Like testing out, pull-out couches now, which I think is great but we're showing it on TSN 4 and 5. Look at that beast of a man just trotting around and south Florida. Going yard on some prospect who's probably a couple years away from the majors.

But good to see that he's back. John Gibbons is back in town with the Angels. Alec Manoa was making some comments today, but this is, it's a long season, but the Jay's need to get back on track given the start to the year. So looking forward to that series,

looking forward to chatting with Peter Laviolette and also Evan. Bouchard at 530 as Overdrive continues on TSN 4 and 5, the TSN app, your home speakers, and live on YouTube. You've been listening to Overdrive, powered by Fandul. Fandual, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. This May, IHeart Radio celebrates Asian Heritage Month. Discover powerful stories, vibrant cultures, and unforgettable music.

From inspiring podcasts to playlist that span east, south, Southeast and West Asian artists. We're honoring the voices shaping our world. Listen now on the free IHAR Radio app. And at IHARRadi.ca.