OverDrive - OverDrive - November 11, 2025 - Hour 2 - Darren Dreger/Pierre LeBrun

Episode Date: November 11, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jason Strudwick for Hour 2 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Insiders Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun join for the Insider Roundtable diving into Canada's Olympic roster, the construction of the team and the Maple Leafs looking for positives on the roster. The guys go around the sports world in the latest edition of Confirm or Deny and Bryan gives his FanDuel Best Bets.

My name is Maria. Okay, I lied. It's Mary. But I just got back from a European-style holiday on MSC Cruises. And it made me want to be more European. Oh, the restaurante. I mean restaurants. Nightlife and shops in La Galleria.

Sorry, sorry. Even North American stuff like water slides and a sports bar and the views were bellissima. Okay, this is a problem. Book and save. Get drinks and Wi-Fi included. Visit MSCruises.ca, or contact your travel agent. Let's holiday.

Restriction supply ships registered in Panama and Malta. We're going to start with some fan interaction here. I like to interact with people at home on their couches. Oh, torts, Darren Dregor's phone's going off. I have a tweet that says, I know you say Strudwick is ugly. Is that why you made them blurry? But now you're not blurry anymore. Jeez.

It's a little bit blurry, but I think it makes them look pretty good. Yeah, that was from Murph. Out of Burr-Ref Raelic. It's like a witness protection type vibe that we're trying to send out, right, Strud? Just make sure everything's all good with you. It's not fair to you guys if I'm at my very best. I'm a nine. What do you guys roll in at?

Well, that's very true, man. It's a bell curve. We need you to come down towards us, make us pop a little bit. Oh, and I earned 4K, and we're like six out of ten. We're seven. Stretti's low, low-deaf, and you're still eight and a half out of ten. I'll take it. Yeah, eight and a half.

Struddy in 4K is 10 out of 10. Wow. The receding hairline bakes him a seven. Right. It's distinct with Shardier. It's kind of the look, right? It's kind of an aging gracefully. Okay, I like it. You just can't do the Brian McCabe, though, and start spiking the little hairs you have at the top. It's so pathetic. It's hanging on for dear life. We've got to get in touch with Caber and get a pick.

Yeah, we need a caber update. Because I think there's a chance he might have went a little bit Messier. Didn't he send one pick of his hair? No, I think the cup wins actually revitalized the hair in South Florida. I think Kaber, last time we checked in with him, he said there's been a resurgence. Like a significant comeback. I don't think so. Like Patriots down 28 to 3.

That was his hair. He was down 28 to 3 and he's storming back and possibly going to win. No, he sent me a pick of his bald spot. All right, we'll see if you can get us an update. All right, let us know on Pierre. We've got to bring Dregs in. He's just sitting here. We'll bring in Dregs and then if we can bring in Pierre, we'll bring him in.

Darren, a TSN Hockey Insider. We'll get to Pierre in a moment, I'm sure I don't want any part of this conversation No, it's just, you don't want to control it? Well, look, I mean, I was asked by A former executive TSNN years ago To do something about the touch of gray I refuse, there is

Flatto refused, and I'm not doing that Good for you. What was you talking about? Hey, that's not a forehead there, buddy, that's a five head. Richard, you're on the set tonight. Someone brought up your gray hair and said maybe touch it up a little. Yeah, can you clean that up Probably 10 years ago pushing it, but it was a legit request.

It wasn't a command, it wasn't do it or else, but it was, hey, we need to have a discussion about that situation. You know how dangerous that is, though? Because if you go with the wrong tint, then it looks horrendous. Furthermore, once you commit to that, drags, you can never turn back around. Like Bob Parker. Yeah, exactly. Or Gino. Exactly.

Whoever it is, we don't need examples. Gino went, oh, natural, no. And he looks like, 10 million bucks. Yes, but you're right. If you look a while, if you go overnight, you go attention. I'm so mad at you that you said that. You were thinking it. No, I was, I never was ever thinking that.

No, if you overdiot, though, it can go blue, it can turn purple. Stop taking the color. That's what I've been told. And then it's still your full, right? The same executive will say, well, why'd you do that? Well, the worst is, I know some NHL coaches, and I'm not going to name names. They dye their hair jet black, and they're going to get a Giuliani situation going on one day. I say they are, where they're going to start sweating and they're melting,

and it's going to come down the side of their forehead, and it's going to happen. There's a story in the NBA, and this is where I'm always reluctant to bring these up, because I swear it's a parody. He's Jalen Brown. Jalen Brown on the Celtics has been like getting defended and he'll like turn and rub his head on someone's jersey and there was a streak of hair. Come on. Yes.

But the paint. The paint. It's not real hair. I saw the tweet. Somebody was like, you've gotten five people now in the NBA. Yes. Side swipes and marking off.

He's taking people out with his fake hair. He's marking up their jerseys with his hair. It's like patron paint at the race. That's right. And LeBron, I think, was famous for that too. But anyway, all right, Dregs. I'm done? We're just getting started, man.

Thanks for your contribution. We're just getting started. Well, we had Connabed Dart on about a half an hour ago. Yeah. It was great to catch up with him. And they've been a great story. And we didn't reference the MJ, Craig Button, Olympic team projection,

because Connor Bedard is not on their projected team. We don't know that yet. No, we do know that Craig and MJ do not have him on their update. list that was just revealed. It's a mock team. That's been an hour ago. Yes, it's out there. But like Doug Armstrong and the whole crew, they were in town for the Hall of Fame. And they're down to, I think it was Pierre saying like 35 or 40 players. That's still a lot of

players. It is. Yeah. But dude, you know the deal. 35 or 40 players. There's some players there that basically are not going to. So what's the point? Like what's the point of having 35 or 40 still? I mean, just guys that have played their way into the conversation. And prior to the start of the year, we even talking about Connor Bedard being in the mix? Probably not, right? Macon-Colabrini may be but a bit of a long shot, but now Celebrini to me looks like he's probably a lock.

I think he should be the way he's played. Yeah, for Team Canada. I mean, we know that predominantly it's going to be the Four Nations roster, but, you know, there's some interpretations that have to be looked at and scenarios that can't be overlooked based on the way guys are playing now. So, I think that's why keep the extended list, then if you have an injury in the regular season

on the National Hockey League, it's quick to adjust. My thing is the goaltending. Like, they didn't even invite anybody else, right, to the summer camp. It was the same three guys that were there. And, like, for me, I don't, Montembo, Dobish is the starter, basically in Montreal. How does Montembo make the team?

How do you put him on the team based on marriage? And is Benner still like what people say, like the lock starting goaltender for the team? I wouldn't call him a starter yet. I think that's debatable because he hasn't played well. St. Louis. I'd have him as a lock as a tandem.

I think it's Logan Thompson and Jordan Bennington. Yeah. And maybe that's a little spicy if you look back to the Vegas situation with Aden Hill, who's in, he's hurt,

so is he allowed to be in the conversation right now in November? He is. You've got Darcy Kemper, but Sam Montemam, based on the way he played last year, not the start of this season is why he's in the mix.

Canadian goaltending, frankly, is not that good. No, it hasn't been. Now, it was good enough because Bennington stood on his head. Yeah, so Thompson's been good this year. Yeah, he's been really good. He's been really good.

You know, Dregs, other than the young guys, Connor and Celebrini, which player do you think has pushed enough to get into that lineup that wasn't in it last year? Yeah, for me, it would be Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens. And this one is a bit of a spicy one. He's earned his way just based on the merits of his game, and you can envision what he can do when he's not generating offense.

he's a well-rounded player, and he's very versatile, so he can play in different situations. But he has turned down Team Canada a number of occasions. We're talking about World Championships. It kind of matters when the hierarchy of Team Canada, the brass, the makeup of Team Canada is looking at that, and they want to see these guys internationally play. But he's played his way into a position in my mind where he's got to be there,

and I put Mark Sheifley close, but maybe not quite on the same level of Suzuki at this stage. How much say, like there's the management team, Coop, like Coop's got, that's a big say. A lot of say. A lot of say. He's the guy that's got to put them on the ice in situations that are critical, and he in the decision-making process has got to be big time. Absolutely.

And, you know, Brandon Hagel, to me, again, he's a good player. I would have no issue. And many have them as a lock on the Olympic team. Many do. Anthony Sorrelli, is he a lock? not according to MJ and Button but it doesn't feel like he should be

but again when you look at the influence of John Cooper and everything that those two players specifically have done in helping him win championships you know part of the four nations face off when it comes down to those final decisions both on forward and defense

I think that John Cooper has a trump card I do and we shouldn't be surprised by that all right let's bring in Pierre LeBron into this conversation Pierre you've been reporting a lot on you know, Team Canada and the discussions they've been having, how would you answer that question in terms of John Cooper's, I don't know, if he's got a veto card, if he's got the Trump card,

how you would want to describe that, but how much say will Cooper have in the end results of what this roster might look like? No, we can't hear Pierre. In Canadian hockey history, in putting together best on best team. There's no question about that. That's been laid out pretty simply clear to me.

And that's the way Doug Armstrong wants it. I mean, John Cooper has to coach his team. Might as well like it. So he does have a big say. There was a coach in the Team Canada meeting yesterday here in Toronto. Team Canada met for nine hours from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pete DeBoer was in the room yesterday. Of course, he's not coaching in the NHL this year, but he remains an assistant coach.

He coaches the D for the Olympic team. He was there and all the GMs that are part of Team Canada. And as I reported, Steve Isamon was invited into the room yesterday, guys. Of course, the GM of Team Canada for 2010 and 2014. And Doug Armstrong asked Isamon to come in so that the GMs in the Team Canada room could ask him questions about the process in 2010 and 2014, and particular at this delicate juncture, right? You guys have been talking about it, all the bubble guys and the decisions.

I mean, in those nine hours yesterday, they cut their list from 90 plus. They had 90 plus names on it in September to between 30 and 40, 35 and 40 now heading into the final six weeks. So a pretty big meeting yesterday. Pierre, in your opinion, how much of an appetite does Hockey Canada have for this tournament to stay as close to what happened in the Four Nations or the roster at Four Nations as possible? Do you think that that's a big thing for them or they're very open to just saying who's ever playing the best right now? just what are your thoughts on that yeah i think that's your raise a really important point oh because i think people when they go through their exercise right now i'm not criticizing anyone's mock team can that's a lot of fun to do and there's no right or wrong you these guys aren't

starting with a a blank whiteboard right they're actually starting with the four nations roster and then saying well which guys are we actually willing to take off and which guys are coming on so that's a different process than Four Nations when they really did start at zero. So the Four Nations matters in many cases. That's the tiebreaker. If they're really close between a player they had at Four Nations where they want and a guy they're trying to bring on, well, you know who's going to win the tiebreaker. So, you know, Team USA feels the same way, by the way, if not even more so.

Bill Guerin has been up front about that. He loved this Four Nations team. So, you know, there may not be quite as much turnover as people would like to see in terms of media and fans, but there will be turn. over for sure. And I think for Canada, you know, you guys and drags touched on it, you know, from talking to the people around Team Canada, there's no question that Suzuki, Celebrini, Shifley, and Tom Wilson, as I wrote with Chris Johnson in the Athletic yesterday, those are the four forwards that have probably raised their stock the most since the Four Nations

last year. Honestly, on Tom Wilson, I think they would have liked the Mulligan there last year at four nations i think they wish they had taken them yeah pierre let me just follow up on that quickly that's it that seems like a reaction just after what happened with all the fights if the fights didn't happen would we even having this conversation i think so it's got you know what i mean i know that's the same thing i thought oh but it's got nothing to do with the three fights in nine seconds there won't be any fights in milan i i do understand that and i by the way let me just say this i love tom wilson yeah no listen he leads him in school scoring, but he also, in terms of your bottom six on Team Canada, I think the team Canada management

see a bit of a unicorn, a guy whose physicality brings that different dimension. And so, you know, he's not a lock. I'm just saying he's very much in that bubble conversation, you know, so it's very interesting. And listen, we spent a lot of time over the last week, Celebrini, Bedard. Bedard has improved his stock tremendously this year. I mean, Doug Armstrong said to me before the season. Connor Bedard. of Macklin Celebrini have to pop, quote unquote, have to pop. They have more serious into our conversation. Well, they have.

They have. They both popped. And as I, you know, I interviewed Doug Armstrong yesterday after the meeting. And he goes, yeah, they both pop. So now we're, they're debating those guys all the time. I don't know that they could take both. I think the inexperience, you know, is unfortunately a drawback for each guy. but I definitely see at least one of them making it.

And right now my money would be on Celebrini. Yeah, that makes sense. Yeah, this feels somewhat consistent with what we do with the world juniors every year, Dregs. Can't bring that guy's too much skill, can't play on the fourth line. Can't bring that guy. He's 17.

It's a 19-year-old. Can't trust that guy. Exactly. And you're like, well, if Bedard's Celebrini, Matthew Schaefer, if they're just better, then why wouldn't it be? Like, this Schaefer kid is phenomenal. You know what we said at the end of the old junior's playing.

man, it would have been great to have a guy to score a goal and a big moment, because they had all these philosophies and all these ideas about, we're going to have a team to beat the USA and have this player for that. They couldn't score a damn goal. That's the risk that they're playing. Like, they go over there and they bring a bunch of guys who are all very good, they're all great players.

They're all very good players. But if they don't get the offense or, you know, if it turns into a shootout and they can't keep up, which I don't envision being the case, but there's always going to be second-guessing. That's what they've got to be thinking. Yeah, and that's why I'm curious, and Eisenman would never tell you what he said to that group in the meetings. Maybe some inside that room would convey what his message was.

But again, I remind you back in 2010, Eisenman and Mike Babcock wanted to win one goal hockey games. They didn't care whether it was a 2-1 game or a 3-2 game. They were happy to play that way, and they picked their roster accordingly for Amelie centers up front, right? it's about how you match up not against team USA but some of the other powerhouses as well but I think it's neglect if you're not looking at the best players in November, December

and right until that final line where you've got to declare you're going to agree man I totally agree who's ready to pop and you mentioned Pete DeBore a moment ago like is he the guy that Treggs you would suggest if someone's going to make a coaching change I don't see who that would be in the league right now But is DeBoer at the top of the list?

Like, is the board the card that every GM in the league can possibly play right now? And how much of an appetite does he have to get back in the game? Well, it's so tight across the league right now, right? It is. And I don't get the sense that anybody's contemplating that. And I also think and believe that, you know, Pete DeBore is deeply invested in the preparation work that's going into Team Canada. He is.

Now, if the right opportunity, at the right owner-manager called, and there was an opportunity for him to dive into a situation back in the National Hockey League where he feels he could win with his team. If not this year or the next year, of course he's going to listen to that. So he'll take calls, but I think he'd heavily scrutinize what that opportunity looked like. Just again, I respect to his role and what he wants to do with Team Canada. That's pretty good coach. Yeah, pretty good coach.

Go strutty. Go ahead. Yeah, frankly, I'm not surprised we haven't talked about the most important part of the team with this group of all-stars here. but the D men. So when I look at the back end, Pierre, is there any way that Harley isn't in the starting six here, the way he played with so little preparation?

I thought he was unbelievable, considering wherever he was, Mexico or the D.R. Stunning his buns. Yeah. My sense of it right now is he's a lock. They play in penciled in. And in fact, yes, yes. I agree.

In fact, if you remember, they actually ended up, you know, because of the injury to Shea Theodore and the illness to kill McCar for one game. They ended up using AD at Four Nations. A.D. is what they're bringing to Milan. That position, the D position to me has a chance to see the least amount of turnover of all three positions. I mean, the goaltending is a, is completely wide open. Logan Thompson has played the best, and I think he's on right now, and Jordan Bington's a lock because of body of work. They just hope that he

gets through his early season struggles here. But the D they like all their D they had of Four Nations. That doesn't mean they're bringing back the exact eight. I'm not saying that, but going back to what we said about, you're not starting with a blank board here. You're starting

with Four Nations and saying, who do we take off? They liked a lot of their D from Four Nations. So you know, that's the question here. Now, Evan Bouchard, since you're asking strutty. They haven't Bouchard debate internally what I'm told is, you know, it's what you think it would be. It's what you guys have talked about. Over is what you're saying. You know, well, there wasn't one. Yeah, he was one of the 35 guys that got left on the editing board.

Is that what you're saying, or the editing floor? Go ahead. Yeah, I mean, but the reason, I think if he makes the team, I'm not saying he will, but if they'd bring him, it's insurance for Kel McCarrow on the bar play. It's, you know, probably not playing if he goes to Milan, but if something, and listen, McCar missed a game at Fort Nation, so it's not like it's completely unrealistic to think about these things and to plan ahead. Now, I don't know if they'll take Evan Bouchard, but if they do, it's absolutely because what, if something happens to Gil McCar, he needs someone else to quarterback your power play at the Olympics.

Pierre LeBron, Darren, Dregor, so this week I have felt the shift here in Dregs with the Leafs and what they need to possibly acquire to holster this. team because we have been obsessed with a top six forward. Who can play on the right side with Matthews? That ship has sailed in this town, as you guys know. Now it's this six-pack of defensemen. Now, maybe you can tell me that the Leafs don't see it that way. But they made a bold decision to bring back the exact same defense score,

something you do not see often in this league. And let me just throw this in, something that shouldn't have surprised anyone the way they played in the playoffs. Right. And their veteran team, they're all under contracts. their contracts are all pretty reasonable, too. It's not like anyone's, you know, killing them in terms of the, you know, the cap numbers.

But is that, for my money, that's what they have to address here. Like, where do you see the Leafs going with that? Well, if it doesn't improve, then they might be forced into a scenario where, yeah, they have to address that. But the reality is they need that group to play better. They need basically everyone in Toronto Maple Leafs uniform to play better.

I think we forget how close the Maple Leafs came to beating the Florida Panthers. in game seven. And if they win that series and advance, are we even having this conversation? We're probably having it because they haven't played well, but you look at the group that you have, you go, okay, well, they just have to find a way to play better. And then you look at what they had to give up for Brandon Carlo, as an example, Fraser Menton, in the first-round draft, Scottie Lawton, for Grabenkin and a first-round draft pick. They paid a

premium because they thought they were a top Stanley Cup contender. They don't have the assets to go out and swing for the fans. Who are you taking off of your roster because if you're looking for a top poor defenseman if there's one available guess who they're asking for Matthew Nyes I mean legitimately right

you know Ben Danford is you know you throw him in the mix East and Cowan a first in 28 I mean they don't have a cupboard full so I those two guys you just mentioned might not even do it Darren no probably not probably not well that's yeah that's what's kind of scary

Pierre go ahead like where do you stand on the Leafs and there's struggles and how desperate maybe they have to be. Yeah, I mean, I tell you what I sense. And I think Dregs and O touched on this on the panel in the Hall of Endgame Sunday night, but Craig Barube has been so patient since the day got here last year, kind of remarkably, really. And that is almost out of patience right now. I mean, I think what's going on here a realization by him and this is just my read on it it's not what anything the leeks have told me but i think it realizes that his intentions his hope of to some degree changing the DNA of this team and of playing a certain way that he

believes the teams have to play to succeed in the playoffs i think there's a realization that the task is a lot taller than he thought it was when he got here and that's troubling It's not a task here, though. Let me interrupt you. It's not a task because they just don't want to play that way. It's a will. You're right.

You can't ask these guys to play some hard grinding style when that's just not the way they play. They just, how many, they had Mike Babcock here for a bunch of years, and they just basically told him we're not doing that. And that's one of the best coaches to ever coach in the game. They're just, they're not wired for it. So there's enough. My point is, yeah. But my point, oh, is that, like, Hayes is asking, and it's a great question.

I mean, do they need to bolster the D? These things are all secondary to me if you're still asking the question, how does this team want to play? Yeah. Like, that's a problem. Yeah. Yeah.

You know, and for a veteran team, too. That kind of overtakes everything. Well, where does that start then? Like, where do you start if you're the coach and the team doesn't want? God, I'm glad I don't have that job. To migrate towards the way that they have to play to win. Like, that'd be pretty concerning if I was the coach of the GM at this time.

Yeah, and you can't change. right? I mean, we would talk about adding. Sure, they'd like to add a top six forward. But, I mean, have a look at the core pieces that you could envision down the road, not too far down the road, actually moving. And I'm talking one of the big dogs here, again, right? Who's waving there, no trade, there, no move, any of that in season? You went through that last year with Mitch Marner, right through the trade deadline, and how did that play out? So there's all kinds of challenges in this for Brad Turlewing.

Yeah, there is, man. That's why tonight, it just, it feels like such a massive game. It does have that feel. It's a huge game. Yeah. And it's November. All right, boys. Well, we'll see what comes of it.

And as always, we appreciate you doing this. Thanks, guys. Where they are, Pierre LeBron and Darren Dregor, TSN Hockey Insiders. All right, confirm with the night coming up. We've got to play some audio from the Hall of Fame last night. A little video and a little audio from the Hall of Fame. We'll get to our best bets later in the hour as well. Overdrive continues.

TSN 1050 and on TSN4. I can neither confirm or deny that this is in fact a segment. Austin trades Andrew Raycroft to Toronto in exchange for the rights to Tuka Rass. It's been my honor and a privilege to serve as the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club. It's time for confirm or deny. Do you regret giving all those gentlemen the no trades or no movement clauses? I can either confirm or deny that. I can't confirm or deny that.

All right. Confirm or deny. Very simple stuff. Statements are made. We either confirm them or we deny them. Struddy, you know how this works. Oh, you and I, we've all done it a bunch. I had one in particular that I was going to use, but we've already kind of addressed it. I think it's to confirm that this is kind of as much of a must win in November as you could possibly get for the leaves. I think we'd go around the table on that. Feels like it.

So we'll move past that one. But let me start with this one. All right. Confirm with Deny. One of Connor Bedard or Macklin Celebrini will be a top three finalist for the Hart Trophy. 100% confirm. 100% confirm. I know this is not Jerry's percentages, but this is a lock.

There is some new sheriffs in town and you better deal with it. And I think one of these two guys is going to lead the league in scoring. And you're going to have to talk about them as the league. leader in points and a heart trophy contestant. I'm denying that one. It's a long season. They are young. They're going to put up points, but can they sustain this the whole time?

Are the Hawks going to be a playoff team? It's a young man's league. I get it, but, I mean, it's not like McKinnon is that old, right? This isn't, you know, old man winter. So I think McKinnon's in there. I think Connor McDavid could be in there. I think you look at Kel McCarr could be in there. So, you know, those are three elite players

are fighting with. Their time will come. I'm not sure it's this year because, well, they better sustain this for the entire year. I'm denying it because I still don't think either team makes the playoffs, and you have to be in the playoffs to be nominated for the heart. Like, unfortunately, that's just been a reality for a hundred years.

I never thought about that. You'd kind of trick me. That's an angle that you have to consider. That's why I go last, Strud. You don't think maybe San Jose can back door in there? Listen, I've been impressed by both. That division Kind of stinks. You already said Anaheim, you think, is in?

They're in. Okay, so if Anaheim's in, I think Vegas and Edmonton are going to get in. I believe those two will still get in, I think. So that being San Jose's got to be a wild card team or close to it, and they're fighting with Seattle, they're fighting with L.A. I don't know. I mean, that's a tough challenge. Chicago, the same thing.

I mean, Colorado, Dallas, Winnipeg, I think we're all going to get in. So, you know, Chicago's got a shot. Chicago and San Jose, I think they got a shot at a wild card, but as of now, it's still too early for me to commit to that. They could fight with each other for a wildcarts now, right? And if one of them gets in, then it's a confirm. Whichever, if either team gets in, and both, you know, Celebrity's got 104 points,

but Dard's got 52 goals and 105 points, they're 100% get nominated. 100% because of the new blood, because of the great story, that's going to be a lock. But they got to get in first, and I'm not convinced they will. All right, confirm and deny. The Oilers will have a goalie not currently on their team starting game one of the playoffs. I have to confirm this. We saw our boy, Chris Knoblock, with the legendary comment.

I. can we hear it buddy can we hear it chris knoblock come on jp let's hear him i i don't believe so that is not convincing no and i think craig button has a saying about the players know first you know if your goaltender is not going to be the guy they've been to the finals twice and maybe the seat has been planted he can get us there but maybe he just can't get us over the top mind you they have a lot more problems than him going in like they're i think i don't think Evanton's very good. Much like I don't think Toronto's very good right now, I don't think the Oilers

are a very good team. They've got good players, but they're not a good team. I don't believe so. Thank you. They're just not. You can't argue it, man. But they're definitely going to have a new goaltender. The question is, who in the hell is it? Well, like, who do you think you're going to

pluck? I mean, you'd have to look at the league. Go ahead and give me one. Give me a garbage team that has a great goaltender where you're like, wow, I'd love to get that guy. Gordon Bennington. What would you pay for Bennington? I know he hasn't been great right now, but he's a winner.

St. Louis, they stink. Like, St. Louis is going to start dumping, guys. I think, if this continues, I would think they'll probably commit to reshuffling things. They always do this. Who wants our guys? What about UC Soros? Would you pay for him?

Like, if Barry Trots, I don't know what is no movement looks like, no trade. I don't know. I'm just throwing out of name. For saying this, but I'm not a UC Soros fan. I think he's too small. Okay.

So, okay, let me jump. I'm going to confirm this. I'm going to come out from a little different way. The Oilers are heavily invested in their skaters. They're not very heavily invested in their netminders. They're less than $4 million for both their goalies. So I think what we'll see, we'll see another player like Skinner come in. So it'll be a partnership, and Picker would be the one bumped down.

Going out and acquiring a UC Soros, so I think he's at 7-7 or something like that, somewhere in there. So you, how much is National going to hold? They're not holding half of it, right? They're not going to keep that for the next number of years. What is a partner? Like, what is another Skinner going to do? Well, I think that it's a competition.

And so, because I guess what I'm saying, I don't think they're going out and be able to get that elite goalie, A, for cap reasons, B, for assets, because they might have other areas they have to address. If they're serious about competing for Stanley Cup, they need another top six forward, a Alex Tuck. I think he'd be fantastic with this team. So if you have to add a goalie, well, you're not getting two elite goalies. So is there a stolars out there that someone could, you know, a guy like that is what I'd be looking for if I was Stan Bowman.

Well, yeah, I mean, I thought he was going to do it in the summer and he didn't. And I still don't understand why he didn't. Like I thought at the end of the year, it was pretty obvious based on his commentary that the goaltending was going to change. Instead, they got a new goaltender coach and it was, well, that can be a big difference. It hasn't done anything. like with all the respect it's early but it hasn't changed anything I guess from that standpoint I'll deny it you know like it's what did George Bush famously say fool me once

shame on you fool me again you can't fool me again because I thought they'd move off one of these guys a year ago two years ago and they haven't and it's not that you can't do it look at the Colorado just rolled through town Joe Sackick woke up one day and so we're getting two new goalies. Like we're just going to get rid of two guys

and it went out and two goalies. Jersey said we want Markstrom, we want Jake Allen. Remember that? A couple years ago, they were a disaster. Oh, yeah. They were a disaster at net. And their management said, we're getting two new guys. And the oilers just keep talking about it. They don't do it.

So all George Bush is. Yeah. AP, play it. There's an old saying in Tennessee. I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee. See, there says, fool me once. Shame on. Shame on you.

It fool me, we can't get fooled again. Exactly. That's poetry. That is poetry right there. That's the poet of our time, George Bush. And that's Stan Bowman, as far as I'm concerned. That's the way the oil is operate. It fool me. We can't get fool again. That's right.

All right, here's a perfect way to transition into fool me, get fooled again. Now, they didn't get fooled on this, but they might get fooled in the future. Confirm it, deny the Blue Jays should re-sign Max Scher. I'm 100% denying this. Like, although it's intriguing when he says I don't feel like I've thrown my last pitch. You know how many people want him back in Toronto? Like Blue J fans are so

emotional right now, and I get it. I totally get it. You love this team, and it was amazing. He might have parlayed that playoff performance into a $20 million pay? You think he can get two years? That's the question. You think he can get term? I don't think here, but someone else might do it. That's what I'm

asking. I think someone else might give him 40 over two. That's crazy. That would be crazy. Do you think somebody would do it? I don't know. I can't say definitively no in a world where... He'd text Steve Phillips if somebody would do that. That seems

extreme. He's not getting a pay raise. He got 8.15 this year. He's not getting, he's not getting... Okay, 17 times two. Would some team do 17 times two? I don't know. It's not going to be in Toronto. Like, I just, unless it's a retirement tour, come out and sell tickets,

the Great Max Scherzer. But I'm denying this as well, because I just feel like if you're in management, you cannot become victim to nostalgia and, hey, the good vibes. Just somebody better and younger. Yeah, exactly. And I get he was

important for the clubhouse and all that. You've got to rely on Struddy, you can speak on this. He planted the seeds this year, and now it's got to grow without him. He can't just have Scherzer with your team forever because he was great in the clubhouse one year. And we're not in the clubhouse. How do you know the impact

he had in a clubhouse? You presume it was great. I'm sure it was. He's a competitive guy. He's a leader. He's a future Hall of Famer. His story was incredible. But in my opinion, if you're the J's, you exhaust every other option. Maybe at the end of the offseason you circle back, but you've got your savage here now.

Bieber's opting in. You've got Gosbin. That's your one, two, three. If you can add on that end, that's where you get greedy. Not on the back end and supplementing it. Try to get a guy who's maybe better than the three guys you currently have. And sure there's not that guy right now. Yeah, I'm going to jump here tonight. I think the challenge for him is going to be how many, and he's going to pitch. Right? That's a big concern. Now, he wasn't able to pitch for a good chunk of the year and he was kind of arrested and he came back and he was competitive, but, you know, can you count on him to be, what is it, 25, 30 games starter?

It's not going to happen. No chance. So just off of that, and I like him, but I'll be like it. It's been great, Max, we appreciate everything, but we're looking for this. We're looking for 30 starts out of someone. So unless he comes back on a really much lower deal, and you're going to say, you're not going to pitch all the time. You're going to take time off.

We're going to play you whatever number starts half. the year, so you're fresh for the playoffs. I just can't do it. So thank you, Max. It's been great, but it's time. Yeah, I was I guess I'm not surprised, but Jay, Onry posted it online last night, like a poll asking

people, do you want to see Scherzer return? And overwhelmingly, yes. I don't doubt it, man. And I get it. If you're a Blue Jay fan, you're like, bring Scherzor back, bring Bichette back, bring everyone back. But if you're in management, you can't think that way. Every season's a new we just learned that. They won

74 games a year before. You know what Spurkey says about the fan's ideas, right? Do what they say, you'll be sitting right with them. Yeah. Well, they've got to get better. That's the goal. How can you get better with that 16 or 15 million? How can you allocate that to make us better?

Yep. That's the thought process. Exactly. And that's ultimately what the fans really want is win. That's what was proven this year. 100%. Whoever it is on the team, it doesn't matter. Just find a way to win.

All right. Last one here. Confirm a deny. the Maple Leafs should kick tires on Stephen Stamco's. Kick tires on Stephen Stamcoast. Can you neither confirm or deny that? I might have to go Fergie, and I don't know if I can confirm or deny it. I can neither confirm or deny that.

It's disappointing to hear. I'll confirm it, because maybe you can squeeze some juice out of it. I'll confirm it. You're going to confirm it. Yeah. He's got... Put them down low on the power play. He can interchange with William Nylander.

Power play type specialist. He might get you a 25. I would sniff around on it and kick tires, if that's the question. Is the question kick tires? That's the question. That's the question. You're sniffing, you're taking a peek, all these things. Okay, let's...

Stapcoast is a really good player. I think that Nashville has been a poor fit because they don't have sediment there. They don't have someone. It's a big deal having the center. Now, Toronto does have the centers. But when I look at Toronto Maple Leafs, I don't think they need a forward.

They need a puck moving defenseman to have transition that puck out of their zone. So, yes, it'd be nice. Stamcoast probably wants to come home and play in Toronto, just like every person who even visited Ontario does. But I just, I can't, this isn't the piece you need.

So this isn't so much about Stamco, this is about what the team requires. They need a puck-moving D-Men, so I am denying this one for the good of Maple Leaf Nation. You're welcome, Leefe. We did forget to ask Connor, but Dart, if you ever wants to be a leaf. We forgot to ask that. I forgot to ask him if he's ever been to a game when he was a kid, and he remembers a 43 skating around. Oh, yeah.

Big strud? Yeah. Out of Vancouver. I'll bet he was your biggest fan. He's a huge Canucks fan going up. He took some pieces out of my game, right? He stole a couple, I'm sure. That would have got awkward, though, if he said, I don't ever remember.

a stradwick don't i i don't believe so who he's like who strutty you remember strud i i don't believe so well he probably runs in the statue of me at the united center chicago every now and then well that's true you were an alumni of the blackhawks who is my time there was like kawai leonard in toronto yeah for the raptors it was short but sweet man as sweet as sweet as it gets and he he i recall him giving interviews on this. Spangler Cup favorite tournament every year for him as a kid. So you hit every single, checked every box for Connor Bedard. I better check my DMs. He probably wants an autograph.

That's right. That's why I was so nervous. I could pick up on the nervousness. It's because you were wrong with him. I'm denying this as well. All right. It's not 2015 anymore. That's when you wanted to get Stamcoast. When he turned down the option to be a Maple Leaf, it's $8.5 million. I think this would go without saying Nashville would have to eat a lot of money. He's got two years left after this at 8.5. You can't pay that for a guy like this that's playing like this. But I'm with you, Strud. You have some flexibility if you're the leaves. You have to utilize it properly. Their offense has not been an issue. Would it be great for them

to add someone else, you know, a top six forward? Yes, it would be great. And maybe they need to get there if they really want to be competitive in the future. But I'm looking at whatever I have right now, I'm thinking I might have to attack this score. Like, you might have to roll over a couple guys. We've gone through the hurdles of what they would have to do to bring in new people, man. Not easy.

No, it's not easy. It's not easy. It's not easy making people go away and not easy bringing other people. Well, and that would be the thing with Stamco's, like, they're not playing from a position of strength if you're Barry Trots and the Preds. Like, it would kind of feel like almost a contract dump. Or maybe you can get them for nothing. You know, you got to eat some of the contract.

we'll give you, you know, a mid-round pick, and we'll take him. Now, will he waive? That's another thing. I'm not sure he will. Will he wave to come here? I don't know. But we'll see. That story's going to get louder and louder as the year goes on.

All right. There we go. Confirm with tonight. Good stuff. All right. Least Bruins tonight, TSN4. Beauty. Panel.

Look forward to seeing the panel tonight. Stridey, you and I with some best bets and we'll tee up the game. We'll get to that next. All right, best bets powered by Fandu. We'll make your picks and assemble. same game, partly in seconds on the Fanduil Sportsbook app.

All right, I'm on the over tonight in this Leaf game strud where I know the leaves say they're going to really, you know, hunker down here, and they're going to pay attention

to detail and they're going to defend. I'll believe it when I see it. I'll believe it when I see it. You're getting plus money on the over tonight, six and a half total goals. I'm on it. Havs getting plus money at home against L.A. I'll take it.

Like, if you give me plus money with the Habs at home, and same thing, Dallas getting plus money, plus money in Ottawa tonight. I think Dallas is going to get cook in here. They're starting to play a little bit better. Andres and net tonight.

That should be a good game. All marks in net for the Sons. That parley paying plus 750. Best bets powered by Fandwell. Same game. Parlay is now available for every NHL game on the Fandual Sportsbook app. Please play responsibly 19 plus physically located in Ontario. Yeah, these Canadian teams, man,

the Eastern Canadian teams, there's been up and downs, but like Montreal has been thoroughly entertaining to watch play. They sure haven't. I sit trusting here. You guys talk about the Leafs De, like the overall defense. We can play in the coach and say, well, the system's not right, but it's the individual play within the system, and it's about being in the right place, making sure you stay between your man and net, and make it hard for them to get there.

And as I watch these Leafs play, oftentimes it's fairly easy to get to the Leafs net with or without the puck. And these guys, that's what they should be good at. I know Tana is out, but that's what that group should be pretty good at. They've been through it, and all the Rick Larson did it with Florida. He should know what it feels like to be a really hard team to play against. That's why they all were brought back. You know, they're all veteran guys.

They all have size. Like they're a big, physically big defense. You know, they don't play that physically strong. But you're right. Like Jake McCabe has really had a struggling start, you know. And I think Tanna being out and Tanna not playing great when he was in probably affected him. but Ekman Larson you're right you know like it's Brandon Crowe's a big boy

like he isn't rough and tumble but he's a big boy that's got to use his body properly and it's a combination of everything that can go wrong like you played defense in the NHL like it's their their gap control they're getting beat on stretch passes all the time which I don't know if that's them not reading the play if it's a communication issue

they don't protect the front of the net their puck movement's an issue like it's literally everything is problem. There's not one area of their defensive play that I think they feel sound about right now. And it's tough when, you know, the group is struggling. If it's one guy, then okay, well, maybe box this guy out for a bit and let him get his feet underneath him and go again. But when I wash him, it just feels like everyone feels uncomfortable with their game. And that's a real problem, especially with Tanabout, who's supposed to be, you know, one of the defensive

anchors of that group. Yes. Well, it's the same thing in Edmonton, is it not? Same to say, it's crazy. If you've watched one team or not the other, they're very similar in that way, right? I think the orders, at times, their D-Corps has been really guilty of the big mistake, right? A really big, you know, bad pass or bad read, and they're trying to get that under control because I think that group should be a lot better than they've played. I think I thought it was a really good group they put together. Also, same as Toronto, ran it back.

So it would be interesting to see which group gets on track because it's not all on the D-E-Men, but it does start back there within the confidence to play the right way and keep that pocket away and out of your own net. Yeah, that's it. We heard Knoblox say the other day. It should start with McDavid and Dry Settle. Then their top six should be the identity of the team.

It was the same thing here. It was going to be Matthews and Willie and Tavaroso factor into that, Nizer factor into that, but they brought back the same six D-Core and they're committed to them. They all have years on their deal. You know, they've all,

and Brad Trilliving has been responsible for a lot of that. you know, in terms of bringing guys in and signing guys and keeping guys. And I think the early part of the season, and it happens every year, young, fast teams come out flying and it's chaotic and it's crazy. There's breakdowns. Both the Leafs and the Oilers, they have to believe because there's just not enough ability to make changes because of the salary cap restraints, because of the fact that they don't have a ton of assets.

You've got to believe these guys are going to figure it out, and the game's going to slow down, right? and they're going to start controlling the pace, and you have to, because that's why you committed to all these guys, and there's no turning around from it now. Two to three weeks. Let's see what this looks like in two or three weeks. I'm really interested with both the teams on top and the team's trying to get there.

Let's just see what happens. What is that? Nine games, Hay, see somewhere in there? I think you're right. Yeah, I think let's wake up when everyone's played 25. Let's see how the dust settles. Let's see where everything goes. And as the season progresses, generally, you know, the games get tighter.

The neutral zone tightens up, defensive plate tightens up, lower scoring. That should benefit a veteran team that has proven they know how to win in the past. And I'm sure that's what they're hoping for in Toronto and Edmonton, respectively. All right, Strud, great seeing you, buddy. It'll be a good one tonight. Enjoy all the games, and we'll do it again soon. Can't wait, guys. Thanks for having us. There is, Jason Strudwick joining us.

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