OverDrive - Pounder on Marner's future move, the potential suitors and the Panthers creating a dynasty

Episode Date: May 29, 2025

TSN Hockey Analyst Cheryl Pounder joined OverDrive to discuss the Oilers looking to advance to the Stanley Cup Final, the importance of the depth in the series for Edmonton, playing without Zach Hyman, the Panthers creating a dynasty, Mitch Marner's future and his possible suitors and more.

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Some restrictions and exclusions may apply. See participating stores for details. Cheryl Pounder's with us. What's up, Cheryl? Not much, just got back from the PWHL, you know, the finals. So I was running around going back and forth, eating a lot of snacks. Every single game went overtime, so that was nuts. I saw that.

My boy Rob Pizzo, who I love. Oh, Rob's awesome. Pizzo's my guy. Yeah, he's awesome. I love Rob. He was bringing me snacks. No pickle juice or mustard, but we managed to get something. The boys would go, like you're triple overtime, right?

We had we had a triple three singles, but in the semis we went Almost the distance on a full four. Mm-hmm. So I wonder whether they'll table a different format going forward I don't know maybe five on five one then four on four and three on three. I mean as an athlete I kind of you know, I want, maybe five on five, one, then four on four, and maybe three on three. I mean, as an athlete, I kind of, you know, I want to say five on five, but then I do understand, you know. It's a lot. It's a lot. It's a lot.

So, Minnesota's won now back to back years. Like, how do we frame this in terms of dynasties and stuff? Like, the league is growing, but it's so early into the process here. How would you describe, like, have they clearly been the best team, you know, through the two years in your opinion? Well, they've clearly been the best when the time has mattered, right? So, because they've limped in. Yeah, I was gonna say, I thought I heard they weren't the best team, they just

happened to win at the right time. Exactly, but that's when you're supposed to win. Well, I mean, if you look at it, So there was a Super Saturday and I call it Super Saturday because the three and four seed which wind up clinching Ottawa and Minnesota they got in on that last day And then they were able to knock off the one and two and get to the final and then Minnesota going back to back But depth was critical for them. I think when you play that many over times your depth is fresh You're a fresher Shall I say and so Minnesota's depth got it done for them in game three and four in the overtime to win it But great goaltending back and forth goaltending

Good pace. I don't know how they had their legs, especially in game number four in the opening period But but they did so good for them. Yeah, it was great Do you agree with him we talked about it on our show. There was one, you know, series where the team chose the team Montreal chose Ottawa instead of Minnesota. Yeah. So basically with the PWHL, they say they've kind of written their own rule book. I actually like it guys, because they're saying, listen, we want to be entertaining. We want to recognize year by year, you know, what kind of changes we need to make.

And so they decided, yeah, the number one seed gets to choose three or four. And so there's a little bit of bulletin board material there, right? A little bit of, you chose us. I mean, Ottawa charge, the fans were chanting that when they won. You chose us. It was actually hilarious. But yeah, whether it's the jailbreak, you know out of the box if your team scores shorthanded. And then they also had a no escape rule this year, which they implemented, which basically was trying to generate a little more offense on power plays. So the offending team had to stay on the ice.

So the group that was on the ice. So let's say you have, it's your center that takes the penalty. Well, who's going to go in the dot? Or it's usually, it could be a defender. So now you've got three forwards and a D on the ice. And so, you know, at least to start. So it kind of changes, you know, the dynamic of the specialty teams and sort of the approach. You know, if you're in a delayed penalty, you give it to them. You know, you want those players to stay on the ice. Do you not? Where are you on the ice? So there's just so much to kind of lean into. How long do you think they'll test these things out before, you know, the PWHL and maybe filters

throughout the women's game in general? They go, okay, we've hit it. We got it. We like this formula. We're going with it. Well, I think it'll stay within the professional ranks. I think the only thing that would be up for discussion potentially would be sort of the contact and the physicality within the game because all of a sudden you get there and you know you're learning on the fly a little bit so i think that that could be something that gets broached at the highest levels underneath if they do decide to go to that but in terms of all of these other things jail breaks i think they'll they'll be housed in the pwhl because they've kind of got their own constitution they can do whatever they want but yeah especially with expansion with expansion, we'll see what happens.

But they've always said they don't necessarily want to play it safe. If they get it wrong, they can claw back. Yeah, exactly. Which I like, right? Yeah, it's your league, exactly. It's their league. And the first jailbreak was Emma Maltay last year.

And I had to remind myself, right? Because you're like, wait a second, she's out of the box. Yeah, what's going on here, yeah. This is this, you know, and everyone's going nuts and it's just a different approach now all of a sudden on the PK it's a little more aggressive depending on where you are in the game so maybe it's like a power kill mentality so yeah just just changes the dynamic of who you play on a KK too if you need a goal absolutely Cheryl Pounder with us around the table you and noodles and

dregs and doubt that you'll be on the panel tonight game five Oilers stars we haven't mentioned Thomas Harley coming out basically saying I'm happy Hyman's out not playing but he's just being honest I mean why wouldn't you be like I get that it's uncomfortable because the guy's injured now he's gonna be out and he's likely done for the year but if you're Dallas that clearly is a massive advantage that I'm is not playing tonight I mean don't you this is a top-tier players got the most hits in the playoffs like He is a guy that is an engine that drives the line. I mean the comments. Why don't we play the comments? Why don't we play? Let's let's play these this was Thomas Harley earlier today on Hyman not playing

He's a great player. He was playing Very physically which I think the defenseman noticed earlier today on Hyman not playing. He's a great player. He was playing very physically, which I think the defenseman noticed. And even when he's not scoring, he'd be affecting the game in that way. So, you know, I'm happy he's not playing. Obviously injuries suck, but you know, he's a good player and if he's not on their team,

they're a little bit worse. Yeah, 100% accurate. With everyone sinking. Yeah, what's wrong with that? Ray just says it out loud, right? I mean, you know, they're not little bit worse. Yeah, 100% accurate. With everyone sinking. Yeah, what's wrong with that? Right, he just says it out loud, right? I mean, you know, they're not a better team without him. So if you're Harley and you're paying the price down low because he's consistently hitting in the game,

you know, he's thinking he just said it. That's really the difference. Guess what? Just in or who's replacing him, not gonna run him over. Guess what they'd also like? McDavid to get hurt. Yeah. In warmup tonight, not play. And then dry settle they'd also like? McDavid to get hurt. Yeah. In warmup tonight, not play.

Yeah. And then dry saddle and then like that's what you want. Like I get it, it sounds weird but it's a massive competitive advantage and they need it cause they're down three one in the series. Well yeah and you know, depending on, you know Dallas, right? They're such a good team.

They're so fast, they can play off the rush and Edmonton's done such a good job negating that. But when you look at the physicality, I mean, you don't just replace Zach Hyman, right? You know, whether Corey Perry plays up there or not, you know, you can get net front, but you're not Zach Hyman, right? You're not bringing that game. He's not wrong.

It's just, and I just didn't hear Edmonton, you know, when hints was available. Well, they thought he was probably playing those game time decisions. Yeah, he did take the, he took warm up and then didn't play. But you know, and then Bouchard gave him a whack on the laces last game. That's right. You're right. It's a competitive. They won game three when hints didn't play. It was a good, it was good for them. It worked

out in the end. And they're trying, listen, they're trying. We were talking about it off air, like selfishly, we want Edmonton to get through so we can have a night off in the end I mean I think Dallas is gonna have a big push tonight and why wouldn't they in their own building? It'd be nice if they could get the good first goal though not chase the game I think that's been a big thing for them right chasing the game in every single game so so we'll see I think I hit the net yes right they've had that would go a long way 39 shot attempts 15 missed nets in the first period.

Yeah, in the first period alone. There's the analytics guy. You'd be... Yeah. I'm not... I just... I'm not an... Yeah. You're not an analytics guy. It's just with you guys, I'm...

We're such cavemen. Everybody's an analytics guy compared to us. Yes. Right? Like, oh, the guy who sits next to us. Yeah. Oh, in particular. Okay, but there is a time though, right, when you're like, oh, that was a miss. Oh, that was a miss. Oh, that was a miss. Like, oh, the guy who sits next to us. Yeah. Oh, in particular. Okay, but there is a time though, right, when you're like, oh, that was a miss.

Oh, that was a miss. Oh, that was a miss. And then you kind of look at it and you're like, okay, the eye test matches. A lot of the time you'll look at it and you'll be like, yeah, whatever. Or you'll be looking for a trend. But in that scenario, when they continue to miss, and yeah, especially when they're in high danger spots and had some good high danger looks. So. Yeah. Well, that might be the Skinner effect because like he's a monster right like you've talked about it

with big goalies when they're in the when they're in rhythm and they're playing well and they're that big yeah you feel like you got to be perfect and when you're shooting to be perfect it generally doesn't work a lot like yeah you do have to like sometimes I would rather and at the board kind of came out and almost stopped short of it the other night the 15 missed shots if they get seven more shots on goal that's even if they don't score that's rebounds that's drawing penalties that's doing yeah that's creating havoc right down at the net instead of missing the net and going off the glass and now you're chasing it and you're worried about 97 and 29 going the other way speed maybe picking up something off the glass and now you're chasing it and you're worried about 97 and 29 going the other way speed maybe picking up something off the glass so you know I

think that will be their focus there's slight adjustments it's these games haven't been six one I mean on the score sheet they have been but they from a chance standpoint they haven't been they've been a lot closer than you think yeah like a lot closer yeah and Skinner's been a big part of that yeah yeah he's been huge absolutely he's been huge Cheryl Pounder with us. So another truth is that Florida wants Dallas to win tonight You would think right just extend the series Where are you at with with Florida like this year compared to last or even a year before? I mean three straight cup finals. It's incredibly impressive

recency bias, but it feels like they're better than ever. And they're almost unstoppable. Up and down the lineup, right? I mean, up and down the lineup. Just watching them against Keynes, just the pressure they apply on their opponent. I mean, it's not just the first guy that pays the price. It's the second guy in. And then it's the third guy in. And I mean, imagine a young guy playing against that team, just going, what is coming at

me right now? Right, exactly. And I find that that's the thing, right? It's up and down the lineup. It's not just one or two guys. They've all kind of bought into what it takes and fighting for those spots on the ice, trying to win those puck battles, but it's that disruption right away.

So that second quick, that second guy comes in, next thing you know, he's hit too. And then the next one, and he's down. So I just find it's just a wave, but it's up and down the lineup guys. Yeah, they are. I mean, that's their line. Like it's absolutely incredible in the timing of the goals, even if it was, you know, the fourth line contributing. You know, just when you have a connected lineup like that, it's just saying something and they're going to be a tough tough out. I agree. And they're mean too. That's the one thing there was a,

they had a, the broadcast had a, you know, kind of a video montage of Every player that came off the bench would just take a piece of somebody You don't even at a whistle like a little little shot here a little punch there like it's just florida's got this mindset And it is to a man doesn't matter if you're marshall and kachak Or even a guy like barkoff given pusher reinhardt They're all in there like they're all like they've got pack, and I know it's such a cliché, that wolf mentality, the pack mentality, they have it. And they're in on everything.

Crazy. Yeah, they are. And this is where you need the combination of that and the skill and the talent, right? It's their DNA challenge. Oh, DNA. Oh, go. Yes. I think I'm going to be really tired of DNA in like two weeks.

Yeah, there was a lot of that chatter today. Yeah, what are you bracing for this offseason with the Maple Leafs? Things have changed. I mean if you're making comment about DNA, that's like fabric. Yes, you cannot paint. Yeah, when I feel when I and again, I mean, I'm not him, it's not coming out of my mouth, but if you were to sort of interpret it, when I interpret it, DNA, like when you're talking about a team, it's like the fabric of your team. And so I go right to sort of the bullets.

And so your core DNA, your core fabric, which would lead you to believe there's going to be some significant change. Because yeah, that's what it is, right? It's not necessary is right like it's it's it's not necessary I don't think it's a mindset that's that's completely different to me yeah it's you are it's it's it's yeah it's your DNA it's how you take it I just I would just be worried like that you swing too far the other way and you just go too intangibly which isn't a word but you know yeah no I understand what you're saying and that's on true living to make sure that there's balance I mean again

you're gonna have a lot of players still returning you're not turning most of the team over yeah exactly there's like 70 80 percent of your team is probably gonna return so with that in mind you know how much can you really change but it does it does seem like with what the Marner stuff is where we're going we've been talking about it for weeks. We're going to talk about it for another month. Um, you know, the idea of where he could end up next, like let's presume he leaves Toronto.

Um, do you guys have anywhere in mind? Ranking actually. You have a ranking? Yeah, let's hear it. Let's hear it. You got something on the fly here? No, I did this the other day. We were talking about it internally at the clinic, just batten around.

It's just old school. Here, let me just bring it down. You guys just old school journalism. What do you got for us? Here let me just write it down what I had in my thing. All right. What do you have a five pack? I had five teams. I'm trying to remember what the fifth team was. The five teams that I had and this is just me.

They make the most sense from order in which way? Because you make the most money, because you have a bigger role, because they can win. Combination of all of those things. Okay. What do you have so should i rank them in order now go just all right i'll just give you five vegas okay yeah campa florida colorado carolina what do you think of those oh and the other team was la yes see la i feel see it's interesting you say that because i don't see how he walks into a room in Florida like everything you just said why they all they'll be like you

can just be one of us this is not Toronto is not one of us here's the not one of them and your heads gonna pop off the only way he ends up in Florida is either low double digits like 10 million a year or something under that yeah exactly they're not, which will kill you if that happens. I have a question though. You got a winning formula there. Yep. And we talked about DNA. They clearly have a specific DNA. But that, so you want to just, but remember what did people say about Seth Jones before he went there? It's like this guy, analytics are terrible. And then he goes there and it's like, oh my God, this guy is amazing.

Whose spot is he taking there? I't know that would be my question I do net I'll never underestimate that front office because we look at them are like they can't do that and they're like yeah actually we can do that we'll just trade for bad March and it's like oh yeah but that's you're right but the rest of the league was stupid not to jump in on you're right including this the team in this town unless March and just told Boston yeah and that is very possible that is very possible but one thing i would say is if barner goes to florida

and takes less that will blow open this the state tax conversation in this week people and deservedly so because there's a split conversation is it a story is it not a story what about all those years were didn't work with florida if margo's in in goes all'll go to Florida for 10 because it's actually more money Then well, I just know hiding it. I'm the other way where he goes I know I can't win here, but I think I can win there now if that's the argument then okay

That is something that also people up here would be disappointed with because well Why do you show up in the big moments? Exactly to help them win you've had ample opportunity But it would go again. Then why did you demand all that money six years ago? Why did you hold out if it wasn't about money and winning all of a sudden? It's about winning when you leave. I feel like it's more like an anaheim. That's what I know. Yes Because they're an up-and-coming team joe quinceville just got there quinceville's a great coach Because they're an up-and-coming team. Joel Grinvold just got there. Grinvold's a great coach. You got some young talent. You gotta get to the playoffs. As far away from Toronto as you can get.

Then sign in LA at least. Well, maybe he will. Maybe he will. Maybe LA. What about Utah? Exactly. Why? I see Utah. I do. Utah is up and coming. If you actually look at their roster, they've got some good young players. They do. Yeah. And they've got some draft picks coming. Again we're looking at the team now. Bill Armstrong could have a really good summer and go I want Marner and because they've got money to spend and they've got currency to draft. What about this team? Nashville. They trade marshes so. I could see Barry's drawing stumbling down. I mean I guess it's what's important. Brian O'Reilly's there. They're not winning. I hear you. Maybe that's not important. I don't know. I don't know. If it is winning then those teams you mentioned

make a ton of sense. Colorado to me would make a ton of sense. Play with McKinnon. They have the money. But they weren't willing to pay Ranton. Why would they pay him? That's a good question. Anyway. Yeah, you're exactly right on that. I'm like, I'm going bingo. Anyway. Overdrive after hours. After hours. We'll pick this up next.

Good seeing you, Cheryl. Thanks for coming in. Thanks, guys. This is Cheryl Pound, your catcher on the panel tonight. The Hot Zone, right? You guys rocking the Hot Zone on YouTube. We're up on YouTube Live right now on the TSN YouTube channel. Toronto's iconic North by Northeast turns 30.

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