OverDrive - OverDrive - November 11, 2025 - Hour 1 - Connor Bedard

Episode Date: November 11, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jason Strudwick for Hour 1 on OverDrive! The guys discuss the Oilers' victory against the Blue Jackets and Connor McDavid's commanding performance, the Maple Leafs looking for redemption in the Bruins' matchup, Nico Harrison dismissed from the Mavericks and Joseph Woll nearing his return. Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard joins to discuss his impressive season start, the aspirations to make the Olympics and the Blackhawks' team performance.

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This hour of overdrive is powered by Fandul. Fan Duel, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. All right, here we go, overdrive, off and running. TSN 1050 on the TSN app, your home smart speaker. And up on TSNF, Niel, there he is, Jason Strudwick. Struddy, great to see you. Great to see you. How's everything going out there?

Good, boys. Good, I missed you guys. How's everything been? Oh, we've been great. We've been great on the East Coast, man. We've been great. The eastern time zone, it's buzzing out here. Strutt, it's a buzz.

Yeah, we like supporting NHL teams that don't get dummied 9 to 1. Oh, whoa. That took 30 seconds to come off the top robo-dog, sharpening up that elbow. We've left you alone, too. There's been some times where we've had opportunities to chirp, and we haven't done it. We just haven't done it. Well, so I'm here today. That's why you're here after a win, right?

You must have called in a win last night for the Oilers. That was good stuff. what, that number 97 last night, he must have been watching us because O claimed that some higher up here at TSN is trying to make a push for McKinnin being considered the best player in the league. I don't think he's, he was saying that he was looking for people to say that. He think, I think we, what we're just talking about is McKinnon just displaying it with his play. Yes, which he has been doing all year. But the two goals McDavid scored last night were absolutely gross

like absolutely nasty and necessary right Strutt I'm sure you were I know you were watching the game I was unfortunately watching the Packers game more than I was watching the beginning of the Oilers game and that was one of the worst football games ever played last night

but the Oilers were in one again chasing the game and they found a way to come back and Walman gets one of the luckiest bounces of the year to force overtime and Roslovick wins it on a breakaway in OT and all of a sudden it's positive of vibes, and you roll it over, the counterparts in Toronto in Boston, they got to do

the same thing tonight. Got to find a win. You do, and listen, like McDavid was unreal last night, and he was like, we're not losing this game, he did it. And as incredible those goals were, I think you reference the Walman goal. For those who don't know that watched the game, the owners actually took a penalty with just over two minutes left

and they killed about a minute, and then they put Connor and Leon out there. And those two guys four check like crazy on Columbus. And to be honest, I think Columbus obviously they misplayed it, but they felt the pressure. And that gave Walman the chance to pinch down, get that puck, and unfortunately, a really

bad bounce. But you know, the, Connor was in a factor in all those three goals, a huge factor. Then, you know, here they have the overtime and it's a nice play, and Rossovic, you know, gets a put a dagger into his old team. But Connor McDavid, there was no way

they were losing that game. And I think that when you're the leader, when you're the captain, no one's looking around saying, hey, Ty Emerson, you've got to do it tonight. And for those you don't know, ties like the six-empt defense of the Oilers. It's the captain. It's the best player in the world that took over the game and got the win for them last night, but they weren't good. Let's not

pretend that the Oilers played really well last night. They won the game. That doesn't mean it was a good game by the whole team, Mo Doug. They haven't been good, and there's been some teams where the big the big D-Day is coming with U.S. Thanksgiving where people have to decide what their

team is. Like, is Hyman going to fix everything? Or like, it's a tough thing to admit, but there's some teams, whether it be the New York Rangers the way they were playing, the Toronto Maple Leafs, do you think there's ever going to be a point where maybe it's the Evanton Oilers where you look around and your assessment is, maybe they're just not that good this year. Because I think some teams are going to face that reality come a couple weeks from now.

For sure. But it's a really weird year in the NHEL. I mean, there's like the top team. I totally get it strut. But it's almost like some of these teams are like, we're going to get a hall pass because we're the Rangers or the Leafs or the Oilers and we have. McDavid, but there's going to be some teams that have to look in the mirror and just say, maybe we're not that good this year.

And that's just a fact. I'm looking at Montreal. They're having a great start here. I'm looking at Anaheim. Fun team to watch, right? Even Stan Jose is on a bit of a run here after a really slow start. And so, you know, with the Oilers, the last two years, we've seen really poor starts. So I think you have to give this team a bit of breathing room to get going.

They haven't had their full roster yet. You know, Hyman is due to come back. I'm anticipating maybe the next little bit here. And he helps sort it out on that top line. He helps get it going for Connor and just pushes guys down the lineup. But now Nudja Hopkins is out. He's got Yanmark back. So to answer your question, I'm giving them another two, three weeks to see.

And to me, it's on the defensive side of the puck. They're going to score goals, but defensively, guys, it has been really, really ugly for them to knowlers. And these are the types of mistakes we're seeing are what I coach out of my U-13 son's team. They're the same conversations. don't puck watch stay with your guy don't turn the puck over at the blue lines like all these types of things and they're doing it and they know better I know but how do you explain it though strutty it's the best league in the world and all you hear every day from morning skates is coaches whether it be the Toronto coach or different coaches around the league it's such a stupid saying but they're so pissed and they're so right the details and the structure of our game

It's like, how do you not know that at the NHL level? Well, it's also like a filibuster in a way. It's like a cop out to get people off like the coaches back in the media room. Right. It's such an easy thing to say, wow, the details of our game. Like, Perubik got challenged a little bit the other night. Like, they asked him, well, what are you going to do? And he kind of just said, well, you know, we'll keep working on it.

Work on what? Like figuring out that you have to make a 10 foot pass properly. Or not give it away, like with five minutes left off of face off? Or not give up four or five breakaways in a period? Like, you guys played the NHL. Did you ever show up at practice? And the coach said, guys, we're working on not getting beat by stretch passes. No, do you know what happened when I played in the National Hockey League?

It was this. If you ever make that play again and it cost us a hockey game, you're not going to play. Yeah. Yeah, and that happened with Stephen Lawrence. Yeah, that was how it went down. It was like, if you're going to let your guy. go and just act like you don't care and let them go to the net with five minutes left, or you cough up a pizza, it's going to start with you missing a period, maybe four or five

shifts, and then if you do it again, you don't play. And that's how the message came through, and that's why it maybe happened a little bit less. I don't know. Listen, all these coaches are all got the same messages. And the end of the day, it's similar type of system. I truly feel, oh, and I know what you thought about it, but when I was challenged by a teammate to be better, it was a major wake-up call. And it's hard at times when you're a leader on the team

and maybe your game isn't at the level it needs to be. But that doesn't mean you can't still be a leader. Hey, you've got to be better. You can't have that happen. This can't happen here. This can't happen. And because the coach keeps saying it, but the players are ultimately the ones I think that push each other to be better

and to demand more of each other. Because when a coach says this one thing, you feel bad. When a teammate says it, man, that would always catch my attention. Well, and maybe that happens, you know, at some point, during the game last night in Edmonton. I saw the post game with Connor and Andy and you know, McDavid said, hey, you know, he looked he looked flustered. Like we wait until our backs are right up against the wall and we finally wake up. And I'm sure that they're hoping that last night

escaping with a win is a wake-up call. And you look to the Leafs tonight. There's no such thing as a must win in November, but it's as close as you can get, in my opinion tonight. Because you know, someone pointed this out to me earlier. today. They've already lost a home and home against Detroit. They had a home and home with Buffalo where they dropped three or four points. Now they basically have a home and home with Boston with Carolina mixed in and that game was probably the worst game they played all year and that's saying something.

Those are three teams that finished below you in the standings last year. Three teams you projected would be worse than you this year. And if you go into Boston tonight and you play poorly or you just get beat, it's difficult for you to continue to explain yourself or continue to show belief that you'll figure it out because it is 16 games. Like there are 17 games into the season as of tonight, the Leafs.

And yes, it's a long season. 20 game, Mark, about an idea. Like if these other teams, and you mentioned it, Strud, that it's a weird year, and it does feel like a weird year, And maybe it all balances out. Like, maybe everything works out in the end because there's still, again, a lot of games left. There's no disputing that.

And maybe in the end, the projections work out the way most people expected they would. But sports is cyclical. Like, at some point, the guard gets changed. You know, and I think we're seeing it on an individual player standpoint. Like, we got Connor Bardard coming up in 20 minutes. McDavid put a stake in the ground last night.

McKinnon's done it multiple times in the last week. Like, we're still the top two dogs. come get us. They're not going to be forever. These other guys are coming for them, and they're right on their heels. I don't think they're there right now, but when I'd be shocked if in two years someone is better than McDavid, no, I wouldn't be shocked. Better than McKinnon? No. Like if Bedard's 23, he might be better. Celebrini could be better in two years. And the same thing with teams.

You know, like you look at, you look at the Oilers, you look at the leaves, you look at, you know, the Tampa's and the Florida's and Vegas lost last night. Vegas hasn't been great. They've won a bunch of games. They've got extra points and shootouts and overtimes. And dude, it's not been a five or six year run. We're talking 10 years. Yes, exactly.

Like, there are teams that have been great, great, consistent teams for a long time. And they deserve a ton of credit for that. It's very difficult to do. It doesn't last forever. I know. Like, at some point, other teams are going to finally click. And that appears to be happening right now. I've got to explain that to some Maple Leaf fans, Brian, where they're like,

you know, they talk about this window. this magical window. And I'm like, do you understand that this has been, like these guys have been together? This is their 10th year. Ten years, man. They have the longest playoff streak in the National Hockey League.

There's some people in hockey that have watched an operation go on for three or four and just said, this windows, I'm closing it because these guys aren't going to win. And now we're going on year 10. Like, this stuff does not last forever. No. And very rarely does the window crack open after 10 and be like,

now's your time to do it. Washington Capitals, the Detroit Red Wings when Stevie Y was there, those are examples that people just always bring up. Those are once in a lifetime deals, man. Right. The New England Patriots, you know, there's certain teams you can point to that had incredible

runs. You're right. It's few and far between. And you just look at, Colorado notwithstanding in the central, Montreal, New Jersey, Anaheim, or the three other division leaders. Yeah. But hey, just quickly, I wanted to bring up Washington

in Detroit because it was those teams that in the 10th year they actually got it done, you know what I mean? Yes. Like OV and then Stevie Y where everyone was like, well, they don't win in Detroit and then finally they broke through. And that's obviously the hope and you know, these are again still good teams, competitive teams

but you look at it right now, Montreal, like if the playoffs were to start tonight, Montreal's in obviously and they were in last year but they snuck in, they barely got in. Philly's right there, Chicago's right there, Seattle's in, Anaheim's in, like these are not teams, Utah's knocking on the door,

these are not teams that have been in the conversation for years. They've taken beatings. Those teams have taken beating the last couple of years, right? And now they're on the top. And, you know, listen, I think what it is, we're taking a big look back. But in the short term for the teams that are both trying to establish themselves as top dogs and the teams like the leaves and others are trying to get going, I want to see the team trending in the right direction.

So, you know, the last four or five games before you get to 20, so let's call it the next seven to ten days. Are they playing better? Are they getting their details dialed in? And if you're not, you get to near the end of November, you're like, okay, well, when is it going to come? You know, does it take four to games? Well, by then, it might be too far out, guys. Exactly. Well, that's exactly it, man. And you look at it, every sport's got a different, you know, certain amount of games that you point to in the NHL, it's usually been 20. You know, it's usually been 20. And when you say, like Struddy, it just gets to a point. You just mentioned the phrase, it almost drives me nuts.

Getting your details dialed in. I think you're getting to a point where it's like they don't want to do it. They don't want to get their details dialed in. And that's the thing I believe. It's hard. How many times can you beg a team? Like if the Leafs tonight don't have their details dialed in after what they've been through for the last 10 games maybe, where it's been every other game or two in a row

or one of the 10 have been great, if they don't have dialed in details tonight, what are we talking about? They don't want to have their details dialed in. Well, and that's what Baroube said the other night, was that, like, checking, they didn't check. That's effort, man. Like, you guys can speak to that. That's not hockey IQ.

Well, there is some skill to it. Like, Patrice Bergeron and Guy Carbino, they could check. They could check your asses on. Like, those are greats of all times. But just paying attention and not being stupid is the bare minimum responsibility of, like, rubbing a guy out against the boards and not letting him beat you back

the net like that's effort stuff and if you if it gets to a certain point you just don't want to do it i can't means i don't want to a lot of the times yep but it's awareness it's knowing what's going on around you like i can't remember i think it was a taylor hall's goal where both defensemen were well above him in their own d zone they thought the puck was getting out there was there were three guys standing showing their asses to the bull line it was insane exactly and you're and so someone has to have awareness say you know what i'm just going to stay back i want to make sure there's no one behind me and they didn't and then there's a goal again against it. And to me, that that's the detail again. I work on as a U-13 team. And it's the same

thing. They know better. These guys know better. And it's just attention to it and being aware to it and getting it done, quite frankly, just getting it done and challenging each other to be better. Well, we'll see what the leaves have in store tonight. And they need one. Like, they need an effort tonight. Stolars is going in. I look at him first and foremost. He's got to have a game. Like Anthony stole ours. He hasn't been pulled a lot in his career. It's been a backup for the majority of it. Last year, I don't

know if he got pulled at all. Like he had such a good season last year. He got pulled because he deserved to. Yes, it was a jolt to the team on Saturday night, but this was the team that got him. Like, that's kind of the amazing thing is that you got pulled. Then you didn't play the next night. Like, I'm sure Barubei

went to him Sunday, so we're playing Hill to be again this evening. You better be ready for Tuesday. Like, you better have your egg game tonight. Crazy how he ripped his teammates or gave it to his teammates and hasn't been the same. He's been borderline terrible since. Wow. Like his numbers have really, really struggled.

For any young player that wants to be a hero and talk like that, don't even think about it. Yeah. Well, I burned him in the end. That's a lot of games he's played, guys. Is he ready? You know, he's been playing a ton, right? He's not used to that.

He hasn't been that true started. It bangs out all these games. I think that has something to do with it as well. The Hasey B special strutty, he gives it to me and noodles to wake up and stuff, and then he has bad segments. Yeah, it is true. It is true. I know what he's going through right now.

But you got to step up, man. Like he got his contract. He got his security. And I hear what you're saying, Strud, he's playing more than he's used to. But I always, I was always told by pro athletes, that's what you crave. Like, isn't that what every athlete says? Give me more ice time. Give me more starts.

I found it borderline crazy when Chief was like, we weren't even a month in. I don't think. And he's like, this has been a lot for him. Yeah. the rest. Like, it's October. Visibly doing media with icebags on his knees, I was like. Yeah, Ben Ruffisberger treatment.

Yeah. You know, I get it. But Joseph Wall, you know, I think he's playing tomorrow night. He'll probably play a full game for the Marley's. He might return by the weekend. Guess what's going to happen with Walt? Well, he didn't have camp. You know, he can't play him.

He's played a lot. He's going to play once every two weeks. Yeah, so you can have both guys who can't play? How is that feasible? But every athlete has their ceiling of what you can accomplish. I remember time I went in and asked for more ice time, the game more ice time. And after the game, I'm like, I think I'm good with my 15 minutes. Like, I'm not a 23-minute guy, right?

And I don't know how guys do that, but the coach knew. So, you know, I don't know if Craig knows for sure. The Storlarz isn't able to play a massive percentage of these games. Maybe he has the sense of it, and he's trying to back it off. But, you know, there's a few athletes that don't. But for the most, everyone has a ceiling and what they're capable of. Freddie, how much were you looking to play? Well, I wanted to get over 20, right?

And I felt that I was playing really well. And so Tom Reddy said, sure. So we went in and we got ahead. So he started putting me at every shift. And I was dead. I was so tired by the end of the game. And he walks in after he's like, how did that feel? I'm like, I'm good with my 15.

Give me 15. And not a second more. I'll take 15 and I top out. I pulled a hamstring. I pretended at the end of the game. Yeah, out of that. Well, listen, last night, the Oilers, big win.

Credit to that McDavid put on a clinic at football game. You talk about, you know, Coach is taking heat. We were talking about McDermott and Buffalo. Matt LaFleur is under the spotlight in Green Bay. And he's been like Teflon Don. He has been because publicly owned, you know, they're a generally pretty conservative organization that commits to a guy. And, you know, they haven't had a lot of coaches.

McCarthy was there for a long time. Mike Holmgren prior to that, you know, they're kind of like the Steelers. They just, they hire a guy. They trust him. And he's won a lot throughout his career. but that offensive play the last two weeks in Green Bay has been absolutely pathetic. Their offensive line gets torched.

Is it a flur call in the offensive place? Yeah, like he's an offensive-minded... Yeah, he's one of the super... Yeah, like he's... They have a coordinator, but he is the guy that's running the show in terms of what their offensive philosophy is going to be. And they spent a lot to go get Parsons. They gave Jordan Love a lot of money.

It's a pretty wide-open league right now. Dude, you were gushing over Jordan Love in the first couple weeks. I was. I was. I was. I mean, listen, they, I still think he's got capabilities. Like, you know, that fumble last night, that was a bad timing, bad play. But that offensive line is a disaster. That's what gets lost in the shuffle a lot is, you know, you want them to be more creative. You want them to throw the ball down the field more, which I do think they have to do. But their offensive line gets torched.

Well, all problems you're mentioning are not going to get fixed now. No, that's the problem. They're past the deadline, the draft, free agency. This is who you got. Jenkins got hurt last night and all pro center for them like their offensive line is depleted and that to me is very, very concerning and the Eagles are just going to keep plugging along.

Well, what's your credit to them? They found a way to win. Did you like Syriani? No, I thought he was a disaster. I thought he was a disaster last night too. Like Seriani. Them going for and not at least running the ball

and killing a little bit more clock and going for it, you're right. Like considering the way the Packers' offense was looking to throw, the ball in that scenario and give them pretty decent field position was crazy. Crazy.

Both coaches, I think, deserved to take a lot of heat. But generally, the guy who wins, he's not going to take as much heat, especially if you win on the road. Owen Wilson needs some heat, man. Yeah, you guys are down a baker's dozen. Oh. They're down 13 strud.

What? Yes. Halfway through the year. 17 game season, we're down 13 games. Yeah, there's only, maybe 50 picks the rest of the year. There's about five, six picks on average a week. What's gone wrong?

What's going wrong with you guys? We just can't see the board, blind. Your picks are horrendous. My parts he played in the league and I lean on him for the majority of the expertise and I'll just come with the truth. He's been flat out garbage. Wow.

Because he's been going with, it's his kill shot. Like he goes with it, man. Well, Struddy said earlier, it means more when you hear it from a teammate. And I got to think that's going to sting, hearing that from you. A teammate taking him to the woodshed with a comment like that. I think the kill shots have been garbage. They've been awful.

They've been awful. He'll look himself in the mirror and forget about his fat little buddy in Windsor or whoever that he was leaning on. Yeah, Pudge. And he's just got a man up and be better. Or we're going a different avenue, man. I can't disagree with you. The picks are awful.

I know he's in a dark place because he's not even chiming in anymore on the group chat. He's just gone quiet. Dude, he has gone dead. Notice how it was feathers last night? Yeah. Like I sent a picture today I thought he would react to and there was no reaction. Nothing. No reaction. I thought he would find humor in that and there's

not. There's been little pipsqueak comments like we're getting jammed here by the kicker. I know. And I'm just like, what a loser mentality. It's a loser mentality. You know who we're going to bring in a buddy of yours and a buddy of his whenever our next pick is? I don't even know if he's ever been

on our show. Jay Onwright. Yes, great call. You should have Jay make the picks. This Friday, Jay On Right will be a part of the picks. He needs to, remember you guys hired Rod Smith to take over the whole operation? Yeah. You need to hire Jay. He was. Rod Smith was the president of football operations.

Now it's Jay Onright. Jay Onright. So he's going to play the role of, like, Nico Harrison for your team. He'll be the new Nico. Is that confirmed Nico's gone? Nico's out in Dallas. Nico Harrison. Like, it's crazy that this guy traded Luca Donchage less than a year ago.

They stumble into the lottery and get Cooper flag. I think they're three and eight to start the year and he gets fired. And this is an example of how ownership, you can't fire the owner. You can't fire the owner. Yes, because we talked about it before the show. The ownership had to agree with the idea of trading Lucas. Yes. And I think this guy's out for the year this year.

they brought in street clothes. Yeah, street clothes is just not... I think he's done for the year. Yeah, he's not going to play. Street clothes was always a horrible decision. Always. Because he was, he's just never going to be healthy. But they're three and eight.

They're getting booed at home. You know, they have Cooper Flagg who has looked very good early, and you've got to believe he's going to turn into a stud in the future. But imagine getting gas not because of Luca because of the three and eight. Like if the three and eight was the actual reason. Right. Well, and that probably does factor in a little bit because if you're going to go to ownership, and again, ownership cannot be exonerated here.

They signed off on trading the face of their organization who had them in an NBA finals a year before. But if you have the courage to say, we've got to make this move, and then the next year you stink, you just have no way of getting out of it. Like there's a zero percent chance, and you don't see GMs get fired early in seasons ever.

You see coaches get fired. You never see GMs get fired. Well, that's a scenario where after the backlash of the trade. You don't know what the reaction is going to be. You're like, damn, I want to fire this guy. I can't believe he did that. I can't believe we let him do that. And one more thing, he's gone.

Yeah, that's what happened. Now, the owner's trying to play the role as if he's a man of the people. I get your pain. I'm with you here. He stinks. Nico's brutal. He's out. And, you know, they're saying, they're chanting fire Nico when Mavs are shooting free throws.

That's how ugly it was. It got to a point where you just had to rip the band. mandate off. All right. We've got the insiders coming up just after five. Lee Spruins tonight on TSM. We'll continue to tee that up. We've got MJ and Craig have got a new consensus team Canada for the

Olympic Games. You're going to be doing one, I believe, later tonight, or at least talking about it. Connor Bedard's coming up in like five minutes. We'll ask him because he's right on, he's got to be on the bubble. Guys, been phenomenal this year. He's been absolutely phenomenal. Chicago's been one of the great stories in the NHL.

8, 5, and 3, they've won 3 in a row. They're in a playoff spot as of now. Buddy, for Chicago, anything but terrible is awesome. It's a huge step forward. Huge step forward. And Baderd clearly leading the charge there. So Conner's coming up. We'll get his take on the whole season.

What's working for him? Why he maybe thinks he should be on the Olympic team. That more coming up. Strutty's in here. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on TSN4. My part sees text me and he's a pet. Watch.

I told him the truth. He said, parts, are you shredding me right now on the show, question mark? And then he wrote, you're Brandon Bean. Which would suggest he's Sean McDermott? I don't know. I mean, the bills are a good team. The thing is, you're not Brandon Bean. But you answer, you say, you're Matt Patricia.

Listen to me, is this true or false? I said, parts, I only said you're the captain and I'll follow your lead. That's inaccurate. No, you threw off the bus. That's false. that is misremembering exactly what you said. You carved them. But the thing is, him claiming to be Sean McDermott

and you being Brandon Bean, that's insulting to McDermott and Bean. You guys stink. Like, you're terrible. You guys are Fergie and Horacek. Well, let me ask you this. If we're the Leafs or a struggling NHL team, do we need to lock down on our details,

or what would you suggest we do? Like, you being our apart? opponents, what do you suggest? I think it's a scorched earth rebuild. I don't think it has anything to do with details. I think it's rotten to the core. It's over. And it's over.

You guys are horrendous. Rotten to the core is inaccurate. Unfortunately accurate. Like I really, like you could use Buffalo as an example, but it wouldn't be the bills. It would be the Sabres. You guys are the Sabres.

That's who you guys are. Yeah. You're out of it. Half by two the year. Unfortunately true We're a weekend away from being You're dorming Like you're Stephen Ames and we're Tiger

Yeah There we go That's like I could come up with so many different analogies None of them are flattering for you guys I don't believe so I do believe so Do we have a chance of coming back And taking the whole thing

I I don't believe so He believes so He believes so. What did you think of your coach there, Struddy? Well, I think he answered it very delicately. You can't throw your goalies down to the bus. I honestly, this is quickly,

I think that their defensive structure has been terrible, so it's hard to evaluate the goaltenders. But we already discussed that, Jason. If they get it going, I think it's a more fair way of evaluating the goalies. I know, but there's no defensive structure. Can't they both stink? Like, they both, they're both bad. There was a play last night where my guy, Nersie, who I love.

He was behind the net almost. I'm on a hand goal. Is that what you're talking about that? I think so. There was one play where he ended up behind the net. I'm like, how on earth can you be a big, tough defenseman? I love them. But you can't end up there.

No way, man. It's a bit of a different way of playing it for sure. But that's what I mean? Why don't you go on the ice and help them? Yeah, Struddy. I'm pretty busy with you 13 kids right now. Be a consultant, Strud. Dude, I'm serious, man.

You should get you. your gear on and go out there. And all you do in your stupid clinics in the summer is teach kids how to cross check in front of the net and throw it off the glass. But we call that the Alberta handshake, a cross check, right? You just say, hey, how are you doing? Right between the elbow pad and the shoulder pad. Yeah, I like that. The lower back is the one. Remember when they used to rake your lower back? Like how disgusting that felt? When a guy would just grab you right on the spine and just push down with a stick, it was so uncomfortable. It was like playing. xylophone it feels so good yeah

you're like you should have seen some of the tricks some of those old bastards had back in the day like that old Dallas decor Kenny Danico and Scott Stevens with a wooden stick too dude wood deary yes like those things did not have

any give to them dude I played with Kevin Hatcher and he used a wooden Hespler stick the thickest wooden stick you've ever seen and right in front of my face I saw him cross-check Scott Stevens on the back, no shoulder pads or anything, just to cross his bare back.

And that thing broke like a toothpick. And that's when I said, I'm never going near that guy again. Never. Kevin Hatcher, that guy's head was massive. Kevin Hatcher had the biggest hands and head in the National Hockey League. Yeah, the two of them. You imagine being responsible for raising those two guys and feeding them multiple meals every single day? I think Katch went to Dallas

and played with his brother. Imagine going the corners with those two guys? They were disgusting. They're huge. Huge. You know, it's crazy? We have a guy in the line here that rips home goals. I would guess he's never touched a wooden stick in his life.

Probably not. Like, maybe when he started as a kid. I doubt it. But I'm guessing... They have one piece, like, mini sticks. Yeah. You can't find them. Dude, my kids... My kids are six and they got one pieces. Yeah.

A full-blown one piece. Harder shots than their dad. Accurate. Accurate. All right, here he is. He's ripping the league up. The Blackhawks are one of the coolest stories in the league right now. Here's Connor Bedard.

Connor, let's begin with that. You can answer for us. Have you ever used a wooden stick in your life? Yeah, I think like road hockey a little bit, but never on the ice. So I'm pretty fortunate for that. I don't know if I'd be here right now with a wooden branch. Well, that's true. Like, if you ever think of that O?

Like, what it would be like if this era had to use? But he Curtis Joseph said it to Dregs. He's like, there's some guys that their shots have dramatically improved and they might be out of the league if the one piece didn't come in. And he brought up my name. He used you as an example. Yeah, it's a big difference, man. I thought my shot got way better using the one piece.

Yeah, the one piece is solid, man. It is solid. And you're off to a great start, Connor. I mean, take us through what's working for you. So obviously you had a really good, you know, first two years in the league, but your numbers are explosive. We played your goal from the other night where who was in net? We were talking about that.

And the goal, he didn't even flinch. Might have been Gibbs. Was it Gibson in net for that Detroit goal? Yeah, what's going so right for you this year? Yeah, I think overall as a group, we're playing really well. We're playing a competitive brand of hockey. And, you know, I think, you know, kind of found some chemistry with some guys. And, you know, obviously sometimes

Pucks going in, sometimes it's not. So a little stretch right now where it seems to be fine in the net for us and then hopefully that continues. But, yeah, I think just, you know, our whole group's, you know, playing good and we want to keep that rolling. Well, there, I'm sure you can see it up on your screen.

Here's the shot we were talking about. Like, that is a one piece. That, even with a wooden stick, is probably going home. I think that one's probably getting past the goaltender. But, I mean, you've been known, you know, ever since you showed up in the WHL as a guy who, you know, pure goal score, first overall pick, like all the hype that came with you. And, you know, the first two years, again, with the team kind of struggling, there were a lot of

eyes on you and wait for you to pop, like, were you always kind of, did you always have belief that you would get to this point? And did you always have belief that your teammates would grow with you and your team would be in a position like they are right now where you felt like you could be pretty competitive and competitive pretty quickly? yeah for sure i uh i'm always going to have confidence in and in myself and my game and um you know i think if that kind of leaves you then then it becomes tough um so i i felt that and i felt our team you know really at the end of last year uh we we got a lot younger and um you know guys came up

made a big impact right away so i mean it's so early still 16 games in you got to you know do it every night um but you know so far it's been it's been solid and uh we want to just keep growing Connor, what are your thoughts on being one of the best offensive players in the game, but I know it was talked about last year, and although your team struggled last year, you're the star of the team, just the defensive side of it. You hear coaches all the time talking about details and defensive structure, and for guys like you and myself, it's just kind of in-year, one out the other year for a lot of the times, but just what are your thoughts on that?

As a team and as being their best player, just paying attention to detail and focused on defense as well. Yeah, I think, you know, it is really important, you know, when you're kind of growing up and minor hockey, junior and stuff, you can get away with more, you know, because it's obviously easier. And I think Blash says it all the time, and I think it's true as when your top guys are doing it right, then it just bleeds through the whole group. So, you know, that's something that I always, you know, have wanted to keep getting better at. and, you know, I feel pretty good about that side of the puck right now, but, you know, I still think I can improve on that. And honestly, the better you are defensive, the more you're going to have the puck.

So it's about getting pucks back and being in the right spot and being able to get the puck on my stick and on other guys on a team stick that can make plays. So, you know, that's what we're trying to do, and it's been fun. We're chatting with Connor Bedard. You mentioned Jeff Blaschell, who's your head coach this year. You've had multiple coaches early in your career. Big fan of Blashe.

Yeah, and he's obviously. doing the right things you know it's it's early in the season like he keeps saying but what have you learned about blaschell that makes you believe that you know he can he can get you guys to where you want to get to yeah he's been he's been awesome i mean even in the summer just uh he was he's always reaching out to all of us and calling us and i think he had dinner with a good majority of us i think even myself and i was in vancouver he was in in tampa so um yeah it's a bit of a hype but just like little stuff like that really easy to talk to, you know what he wants out of you

and he's been a great voice for us and he's hard on us but in a good way and we all appreciate that and in the end he's he's a good guy and I think he's taught us a lot and we're happy to have him and keep kind of getting better under him Conrad I watch you play it feels like you're

able to create a little bit more space or keep more space between you and defenders so you'll get your shot off more Is there something you focus on in the off-season or be watched video to kind of find that just to be out of the range of those D-Men? Yeah, I think I try to kind of gain an extra step in the off-season. You know, we had a long off-season, which you don't want, but you can try to use that to your advantage a little bit. And I feel like, you know, I was able to do that. And also, I think for me, a big thing this year is just try to gain more of a level of consistency, figure out kind of routine.

and recovery and everything that works for you because, I mean, you're playing so much. We're just on a two-week trip where we play every other day and you've got to try to maintain what you are and how you're playing. So that's going to be something, you know, hopefully I can do it for the rest of the year and just be as consistent as I can be.

We're chatting with Connor Bedard. So, again, you're off to a great start through 16 games, nine goals, 25 points. You know, you're chasing down in Art Ross. It's still November, but you're right there. If the playoffs started tonight, be in it. And it's an Olympic year. And obviously

I know Doug Armstrong was in town. The last couple of days, all the GMs and coaches were in town for the Hall of Fame and they had a big meeting yesterday. And you're right there. Your name's coming up a lot. We're talking about it almost daily here on TSN. If Doug Armstrong, the GM of the team called you

and asked you why you believe you should be on the Olympic team, how would you answer that? Well, first off, I'm happy. in the States where I don't have to hear you guys talking about all the time. Yeah, I think if he called me and asked, I mean, that's not something that really, I don't know if that really happens, but for me, I just think, you know, I'm someone that can create offense, you know, really, you know, when I touched the puck.

And obviously, you say that, but there's so many guys in Canada that can do that. and, you know, but I think I'm, you know, someone that would kind of do anything to be on that team. And if obviously I'm fortunate enough to be there, like I said, there's so many great players that could be there. But, you know, I just kind of kind of give everything to it. And, you know, hopefully I get that honor. But it's something I'm not really thinking about right now, just trying to focus on what we're doing here and trying to help my team win and be the best player I can be. And obviously, that gives me a shot in the end.

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, there are so many good players. up here. Obviously you're aware of that, but just having your name in there, and some of the youth, like, you know, again, we're up here and we're obsessed with it. We're talking hockey all the time, and we're talking about the Olympic team, and, you know, your name comes

up, and Macklin Celebrini's name comes up, and Matthew Schaefer, and when you consider kind of the guys who are leading away right now, like Connor, you know, McDavid, like McKinnon, like, do you feel like that's kind of, like, the bar that has been set, like, for young Canadian

stars, like it's always about chasing down the next guy like McDavid chased down Sid and Sid chased down Lemieux and Lemieux chased down Gretzky, et cetera, et cetera. Do you see it that way or is that kind of put too much pressure on you if you look at it through that lens? I don't know if I

would say I see it that way, but I think those guys right now, obviously McDavid, McKinnon, Crosby, Marchand, all these guys that have been doing it and like you say, kind of setting that standard of greatness. And obviously, obviously you're not going to compare yourself to them,

but you see what those guys are able to do and the impact they have on their teams and on the game, and it motivates you a little bit, I think, pushes you even more. But, you know, we're all self-motivated and want to be the best we can be, but in the end, those guys are the epitome, and you want to get to somewhere similar for sure.

You watch those guys play McDavid-Crosby. what's like one thing you take away from their nightly performances that they just seem to bring every night? Is it like their intensity, consistency, just the flare for the dramatic? What's one thing you pick up from those guys? I think those two,

McKinnon as well. I mean, you guys know how talented they are the way they impact the game, but I just think kind of like the quiet confidence about them. You know, they know they're the best. best and even you see macdavid last night going to the third a game his team has to win and and he steps out there and kind of you know he would never say it but in his head i'm sure he was like i'm gonna i'm gonna get us get us a win and have an impact in that way and and they just know

what they're capable of and have so much confidence and belief and um in the biggest moments they all seem to you know rise up and i think that that's pretty cool because they're not you know telling everyone how good they are talking about it, saying it in the media, but you can tell when they're on the ice, you see it every night. So I think that's a cool thing. Everyone's different, but how much hockey do you actually watch, given your schedule? I try to watch a decent amount. I think, honestly, some nights, I'm like, I don't want to watch hockey right now.

you know, I was just, we had 30 minutes of video and practice and stuff. I might throw a movie on or something, but, you know, a good amount of days. I'm watching hockey and just, you know, mainly as a fan. I love the game and, you know, it's so fun to watch. You guys talked about it, how many guys we have in the league that, you know, you can see something every shift where it's like, you know, if that's unreal or even, you know, I can maybe add that to my game a little bit, but just more so as a fan. I just enjoy watching, and most nights, I'd say,

say I'll throw a game on there, or, you know, watching guys. With Connor Bedard, and, you know, there was about a decade there, maybe more, where Chicago was the epicenter of the league with Taves and Cain and Keith, and, you know, Duncan Keith went into the Hall of Fame last night, and they won the three Cups. And I remember going down to Chicago and going to a Cubs game in the summer and talking to a guy, an usher there and said that the number one ticket in town was the Blackhawks. That's Cubs, Bears, White Sox, you know, everyone else included.

it was the Blackhawks. And obviously, in order for them to draft you, we know what happened. They bottomed out. It was an ugly couple of years. But you guys are starting to cook again. Are you feeling like you're getting the full Chicago experience? Like, oh, Struddy, you guys always talked about best anthem in the league in Chicago, how cool it is. And it's a great building.

It's a great sports town. Like, how is the last month and a half felt being a Chicago sports, you know, athlete compared to maybe the first couple of years? Yeah. It's been a blast. Like, every day going to the rink, I'm so excited. We got such a great group. And, you know, we haven't, I mean, obviously we're on the road for a bit, but when we play at home, it's, you know, it's electric.

And I think the fans are really, really getting behind us right now. You know, we're a fun team to watch. You know, we play the game. You know, I think an exciting way, and we have a lot of speed and pace, and we're really competitive. And I think, you know, people here appreciate that. But, I mean, You know, it's unreal.

Like, this is maybe the best city in the league as well. And, you know, the sports, like you mentioned, how people get behind us. And we're so lucky to be able to play here and live here. And, you know, it's a blast. Well, it's been a great start for you individually and for your team. And we're watching you every night. It's been a lot of fun to watch. And we wish you nothing but success.

And we'll catch you when you roll through town. And we really appreciate you doing this. Yeah, I appreciate it, guys. Thanks. Have a good one. You got it. Connor Bedard, the Chicago Blackhawks.

Yeah, he's right, though. They play a fast, exciting style of hockey, man. And like, I was talking about it last night with Jay, I was on Sports Center, and we were talking about the immaturity term that Tavares is used and Barube is used.

And I said, the problem with the Leafs is they play immature, but you don't get any of the benefits of immature hockey, which is speed, craziness, personality, lead changes, you know, hits, playing to the crowd. There's only one comment to counter immature style.

You're one of the oldest teams in the league. Well, exactly. There's no excuse for it. How on earth could that term be associated with ourselves? But the point I'm making is with like the Blackhawks, they don't know any better. Like there are some vets that are playing well. Tyler Batuz he's been a lot better recently. Really good.

But there's a handful of players, young players on that team led by Bajar. They're just flying around. They're just flying around. Exactly. And they're like, all right, we try to win five four tonight, six, five. we blew a lead, whatever, let's go to overtime. You know, there's an entertainment value to immaturity

if they're actually young. That's right. But if they're an older team. Older teams that are playing immature is scary, frustrating to watch. Exactly. But that group of D is pretty young. You know, other than Connor Murphy and Rizzlick, it's pretty young.

But they are, they're a bit naive, but they're figuring out on the fly. And kind of got to credit to coaches. I mean, to play like that with that younger back end, it's pretty impressive. done a good job there they have they're off to a really good start and uh they're cautious like he was cautious it's early but it's a really good start for badard all right uh insiders coming up lees bruns tonight overdrive continues tsn 1050 and up on youtube live overdrive continues brought to you by fanduel bringing you more ways to play your game your way lees brunce tonight thanks again to connor badard and um yeah man they're a good they're a great story anaheim's a great

story. Anaheim 11, 3, and 1. They've won 7 in a row, and all they do is score 6, 7 goals a game. They might have a blip on the radar, but they're going to make the playoffs. They have a 5-point lead on Vegas, Seattle, L.A. and Edmonton. Yeah. Vegas hasn't been so hot lately. They haven't. I've lost three in a row. Yeah. I get it's... Because they went on their little run there where everyone was giving it to the Leafs, saying, oh, you guys suck with that barn. But they're scoring more goals Well, they can't keep it out of their neck. They're 7-4 and 4.

You know, like, technically they've left the rink losing more than they've won. So that's the thing. Like Florida, Vegas, the Leafs, Edmonton, Washington, Rangers, you know, there's a number of teams that were really good teams. Tampa, who's been better recently. But not off to like phenomenal starts.

Dude, no one was more happy. You could see it on their faces last night than the Rangers scoring some goals at home. Big time. Oh, my. That's crazy. How does that happen? I don't understand how that could happen, right?

You could just see it in their faces. They were like, thank God this is over. Yes. They needed Nashville last night. Like, come on down. What is Nashville going to do? Barry Trots. I don't know, man.

We'll see. Maybe the insiders can give us an answer on that. Confirm and deny coming up at 5.30. We'll get to that more still to come. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on TSN4. You've been listening to Overdrive, powered by Fanduel. Fan duel, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score.

I'm Luke Wilson. Join me each week for Film Never Lies. Since retiring from the NFL, I've had a lot of my mind, and now, I've got my own show. So if you're tired of lazy takes, if you want honest conversations, join us each week. Film Never Lies, available on all TSN platforms in the IHeartRadio app.