OverDrive - Strudwick on McDavid and Draisaitl's ability to elevate the team, the injury bug and the Jets winning the Presidents' Trophy

Episode Date: April 14, 2025

Got Yer Back Podcast and Former NHLer Jason Strudwick joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines around the NHL, the Jets winning the Presidents' Trophy and the best shot for Canada, the Oilers' injury bug on the team, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the roster, the Maple Leafs and Senators' possible series and more.

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Made in Canada, played in Canada. On the free iHeartRadio app and in i heart radio dot c out there was a bunch of guys in switzerland many years ago for the spangler that when one man stood up they were all the years they just handed the silver medal right over so i was only needed to be said for canada

this guy with the balding head stood up a tight pants delivered okay here is got your back podcast joining us here on the maple toyota hotline here's jason strudwick can you confirm and deny that stride that you were a leading voice a beacon of hope for your Spengler teammates? The voice of reason I think is what Pat Quinn called it. You start delivering silver medals for your country people listen up you know so I appreciate the buildup boys I'm feeling good about myself today. Yeah you should pal you should and and listen we're getting close to go time here and we just had a heated

discussion about which team gives Canada the best chance at winning a Stanley Cup. Strati be reasonable about this who is it Hayes at what phrase the question exactly how it's phrased. Well the way we've been phrasing it online is leading the witness a little bit because the Winnipeg Jets have secured the president's trophy they've been the best team in the league all the way we've been phrasing online is leading the witness a little bit because the winnipeg jets have secured the president's trophy they've been the best team in the league all year so we've been asking are the winnipeg jets canada's best hope to win the stanley cup this year or no if it's no who would you say is the best chance to win

now let's see yes i really believe that they're in a moment i'm guessing a couple of your going going to Toronto Maple Leaf Noodles there I wouldn't do that. I know I I said I believe it's Winnipeg, but they got to show me because they're you know The passing the playoffs haven't been great, but that being said in this market. It's the same type of thing You got to show me, but I believe Winnipeg. You know I picked them to be a finalist to star of the year I think they're a great team, but they still have to go out and show me that's

the biggest thing they do but the difference between Winnipeg and Toronto I like their goaltending better in Winnipeg and I like their number one team and better in Winnipeg and for me those are two huge things because one's on the ice all the time and the other one is not gonna be on the ice probably well in tight games north of 25 minutes. Yeah and that's Morrissey you're speaking of and it's a good question like who is the number one defenseman in Toronto? Like I'm not Morgan Riley. Is it Morgan Riley? I don't know I mean I think Chris Tana feels like he's kind of taking that baton. Well the Hayes you brought this up Struddy you can weigh in on it as well as oh like when you look at the Leafs they're the way they're

constructed they can certainly defend they can score all of that type of stuff but they don't get a lot of offense from the back end and that's what you're talking about Strud just the you know what Morrissey can bring to the table I think he yeah and just you know you look at him you know Pionk de Mello you know you know Sandberg took one off the inside the leg that hurts you know oh dog you never had that you got out of the way you're quick, you know, Sandberg took one off the inside of the leg. That hurts. You know, oh dog, you never had that. You got out of the way, you're quick. But, you know, for the guys that block shots, that really is painful. So I like the depth of their D. And listen, I love Tanev. I think he's fantastic, but he can't be your number one defenseman. Right. And that just isn't a recipe for winning a Stanley Cup. So I think someone else has to take it

and that makes me a little bit nervous for the Leafs. But Morgan, he's good. But again, is he as good as Josh Morrissey? Is he on some of these other teams who go around the league? Now the Olders are missing at Combs, so he's our number one and that's a concern, for sure, for that team. But everyone kind of has their own thing.

But again, I look at the back end and I always look at the D and the goalie and who are you number one in both those and I feel comfortable picking Winnipeg over Owen there's over Toronto because of those those two details they've been great all year and they're gonna have a they're gonna be in a position in the first round where they're expected to win which is something they haven't they haven't been in that position in a while right where generally they're playing the colorado they were the underdogs last year against colorado even with home ice i believe they had home ice um but you're right like they they have always been a team where it's like can they keep up with vegas can they keep

up with colorado and those are the two teams they faced in the first round last the last two years and they've lost. So shoes will be on the other feet when it comes to this scenario. But okay, putting Winnipeg aside, if they're the top seed, who's number two for you? Is it Edmonton? Is it Toronto? Is it Ottawa? Like which is the second favorite in the country? Oh, it gets interesting Strud.

Yeah, well, first off, sir, you threw me off of that saying the shoes are on the other feet. Right when I pluralized shoe, I'm like, I got to continue it now. I can't say shoes. What does that mean? Yeah, I don't know. I'm not quite certain where I'm going with that. I went to high school with a guy who had two thumbs on one finger. So he had two thumbs on one finger so we had a little bit of a good idea because i was on the wrong

hand and but no i'm not going to have to come so i had six fingers was what the high school which is a anyway that's right not trying to get back on track without one through me off the i think the question was who's next

uh... and i'm gonna go to waiters because of two guys contract but that one threw me off. I think the question was who's next and I'm gonna go with the winners because of two guys Connor McDavid and Leon Dreissel. Those two guys we've seen them do it in the playoffs time and time and time again I believe McDavid although he's not playing tonight he just rattled off nine points in three games playing with guys that haven't been his traditional line mates and then Leon I believe will be healthy as well and those guys can can really perform and get it going so I think the next one in line unfortunately for Leafs fans is the

Oilers. Okay, well go ahead. I was just gonna follow up on that study. Where are you at with all these like I'm sorry like on paper if everybody was healthy in Edmonton I think you'd feel comfortable with this team. But there is zero health here. Yeah, your boy Atcom's a big one. You talk about him all the time. The Atcom is a massive blow.

But is there some narrative that he came back too early? Like, you know, the guy that I'm trying to... Wallman, Jake Wallman? no date the guy they got from from boston general friend rick forever came back to her i got hurt for sure that's like so is there is there a bob narrative out there it's like okay what's going on here that you know the doctors under a practice is what's going on because

they're coming back and it's like they're too early and all the sudden they're hurt so it is a bubble wrap and everyone because they're coming back and it's like they're too early and all of a sudden they're hurt so is it bubble wrap and everyone because they played yesterday with a but five or six of their regulars not in the lineup how many of them are going to be available for game one well as people like to say the shoes are on the other feet and uh... you know for a long time some other guys feet you know for a long time. Some other guy's feet. That's where the shoes are. Continue. So the orders have been so healthy for many years, right? They've had, they've lost very few man games.

And now, you know, it's catching up and it's all caught up to them and they have all these injuries. And, you know, Trent tried to go to the sprain ankle. I sprained my ankle twice. And it didn't feel good for like a year. It takes forever. You think it's okay, then you go into an uncontrolled situation which is a game of hockey and you know, you just, it grabs you again and now you're kind of a setback. So I believe, you know, they're talking about maybe first game, probably not though, maybe second game of the playoff.

So what is that? Still, you know, a week away or so. But the injuries are for sure a concern for a couple reasons. One, you don't know who's going to be available. And then two, feeling good about your team's game. You know, like, Fredrick's played six minutes with his new team. And you know, people think it's easy to play with Connor and Leon. Well, yeah, it's fun, but it doesn't mean it's easy. Those guys, you know, playing for elite players, they want you to move and pass and get it back to them, all these types of things. It's not just ch doesn't mean it's easy those guys, you know playing for league players They want you to move and pass and get it back to Molly sites of things

It's not just chipped by the demon and run them And then Evander came the complete wild card He spoke today and he says he's close to being a hundred percent So he'd be a lift but who knows the guys in place for a year, you know It's it's you know, it's it's that's a pretty tall order and then the at home the at home one is it quite honestly It's devastating. Now coach talked about him being out for at least the first round. You know, is that coach talk for trying to just keep people guessing? I don't really know, but the reality is you're now down to four, what I would call kind of

top four guys, but they had five before. And now if someone else gets hurt, now all of a sudden you're down to three. And you know, now you're looking down at Troy Stet tie emberson you know clain bryan not sure where he's at and josh brown and you know it all do expect to live i was those guys even i was like i don't want to put this guy in the field we want to win this thing so that scary

uh... but did you ever say it to that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that Just seducing your coach into a healthy scratch. One night in Worcester, Strudy was minus three, we were ten minutes in, and Jimmy Roberts was yelling and staring down at the end of the bench and Strudy was just rattled. I mean, you remember you were sweating through your jersey and the last one on the third goal against you went to dump it in from center ice and you fanned on it and they went the other way. Dash three, it was ugly. It's awful. You're minus 3, you're not feeling too very good about yourself,

then an old man's yelling at you, telling you how much you suck. Well, you're confirming how it feels. Thanks for that. Yeah, very inspiring. Well, the other thing too is we had the... There was a guy that worked the training room, and he was standing there, and he said, Strudwick, that guy can shoot the puck harder

than you can. He was pointing to the guy, the guy who was pushing the shopping cart around in our dressing room. It was an ugly, ugly. Coach, Herb Brooks, your coach, what an inspiration. Man. I didn't feel too good.

I don't think I grew that day too much. No kidding, but you bring up an interesting point about the pressure on McDavid and Dry Settle and it's always been there and they've always lived up to it. They have always stepped up to the moment, like for the most part throughout their playoff career. They're the two most, I think, productive playoff players, the most clutch players. I think Dry Settleles number one on that list in terms of just knowing what he's gonna bring and how he's gonna dominate Right, but it feels like they're asking for even more this year strut Like based on the other injuries based on Hyman not having a great year

Nugent Hopkins not having a great year Bouchard being up and down Skinner and what he's gonna do in that I'm at the king a lot of question a lot of question marks Furthermore dry settles not playing down the stretch and McDavid's been in and out. When he's played he's looked great but is it asking too much? Like just blind faith these two guys can bring you to the promised land. You know it's an interesting question. I guess if the forward group is healthy it's a pretty good forward group. You know I think you have a little bit of everything. The problem is there's just so many question marks about it. So recently it's been Jeff Skinner, McDavid and Connor Brown.

So that's two guys that have been mostly in your bottom six are now playing with Connor McDavid and it's worked. They both scored. Connor Brown, I think he has four or five goals in his last five games or something. And then Connor, I think he had nine assists, which is a pretty good career for some guys. But then you go down, so if that's the case, then he can maybe put Hyman and Nuge

and Dry Saddle together. Or if Frederick gets healthy, he can put him with Dry Saddle and Hyman, and then Nuge is your third line center with maybe Paul Coulton and Arvidsson. So there's tons of options here for the coaching staff. The problem is just the questions about what it looks like and then who's passing you the puck from the back end.

So I have no doubt that these guys, Conor, Leon will be ready. You know, when I look around the team that, you know, Leon could miss a month or two and I'm sure he'd be fine to come out and just do it. He does. Same with Nick David. But it's everybody else are they gonna be able to step up and get it done uh... because it takes more than just one or two guys to maybe get by around

maybe be l a that way get to vegas i mean those p are getting tough that the big group of people baby get by that but to get by either dallas colorado with a pic at the murder's row here Yeah, it really is. Passway is just dangerous there. Very tough. And I Say this. Oh you brought it up or like LA is no joke. They're a hell of a team No, and that's the thing like I think the Oilers are they're gonna end up in third place

So they're gonna start on the road The biggest challenge for them is to try and win in that building because LA's lost what five games all year in that building. Now I know regular seasons difference so the thought processes go you got to steal one and get home ice. I get that. But there is just on paper if everybody was healthy Edmonton would be a different conversation but there's this giant if beside six or seven names. And I think that has to be concerning for people in Edmonton. It's got to be concerning the people that look at Edmonton and go, okay, can this team do anything?

There's just so many questions that need to be answered. They can be answered, but also there's just so many ifs, what if. And that's where you look at it and go, it might just be too big of a hill to climb. Yeah and then you look at you know Doughty and Joel Emerson like where are they at health wise? Yeah. Because that's that could be a pretty big thing and then the guy I love Quinton Byfield I think that his game is growing this year and he's gonna be a handful man that guy I don't know if he has 50 60 points this year maybe 22 goals but he's gonna be a real handful if not you points this year maybe, 22 goals, but he's going to be a real handful if not this

year for them. That's the wild card for me versus the winners. Yeah. Well, yeah, I mean, listen, we've got to get there first to find out exactly what's going to happen. We know those two teams are going to meet, but... And your buddy is going for 100 points, Strud. Yeah.

Where are you at with Mitch Marner? Mitch Marner, I don't see McDavid with a hundred points yet backside of his career out there well it's not your take no i don't mean it should be a fit if caribou gameplay fifty games are cannot get under point right now but that's a chocolate uh... but

no i listen i i i want to have to i want the least to do well uh... another people to be given a couple of jobs no issue i do i i like a lot of players on that team i think they put themselves in a position but just like the jet you got a show the you can get it done yes i'm going to end and they have some that's a nice road game but that when it was against capa there up with that

yeah last week there up to to nothing or do nothing else right away held on about yesterday carolina's a big win though big win in Carolina yesterday for sure. Yeah, that was a big one and then but then the show against Florida Maybe not quite as good so, you know, but everyone has off days, right? So we can't just pick and choose but I think they're going the right direction. I look forward to seeing what happens Yeah, and it looks like Battle of Ontario, you know the Leafs if they get another point or Tampa throws away another point Yeah And I'm curious where you look how you look at that from a far strut like you don't have you don't have any you know the Leafs if they get another point or Tampa throws away another point yeah and I'm curious where you look how you look at that from a far strut like

you don't have you don't have any you know chips on the table here when it comes to Ottawa Toronto the Battle of Ontario which which team do you think would be kind of salivating more at that proposition of those two teams playing each other well I think they're in different situations I don't think Toronto can care who they're gonna play I think they should think they can beat anybody. Like that's the attitude they can come out. We are going to play our game and that should be enough to beat any team we want to play. We've taken a step forward. Whereas Ottawa, I mean what do they have to lose? You know, let's imagine the first game, Ottawa wins it. How tight do the Pills get around

Toronto if that happens, right? Yeah. So that to me is a real big wild card and they, they have nothing to lose. They just wanted to make the playoffs. So I think that this is both teams have, you know, a reason to, to, to really be, you know, happy for their games at, but Toronto's got to come on and play their game, they cannot worry about what Ottawa does and Brady Kachak. Who's, who's going to slow this guy down? Which, which is that Carlo? Cause youak, who's going to slow this guy down? Which which? Is it Carlo?

You know, because you know he's going to come out and he's going to be all over Matthews. He's going to be all over Marner. He's going to be all over Morgan Reilly. And not to say they have to fight him, but someone's got to at least go over and, hey, that's enough. You know, slow it down, Brady. Well, you're right. Like someone, like if he comes in and is just bulldozer-ing over people and punching people in the head and causing scrums...

You don't think that will be like that? I would assume so. But the question is, does he take it too far? Is he a rabid dog out there? And it's like, go ahead, take two minutes. Yeah, he has to play, too. He's got to be careful. He can't be stupid. You've got to be smart. I would think... You know, everyone here in Toronto wants Ottawa. I think people in Ottawa want Toronto as well. I 100% believe that. Because, you know, you look at it because the, not because the Leafs aren't good, it's because of the alternative. What you're looking around the corner is going, Tampa's won, Florida's won as recent as last year. So you're

going, well the Leafs haven't yet, so okay, we'll take that team. And Sens three and 0 against the Leafs this year. Yeah but I still think regular season. I hear you but still it's better than being 0 and 3. You're right. You're right. You might as well have something to look towards. But in Ottawa I do believe that they think okay well we do match up nice against them but that team doesn't have a lot of experience.

Now that's why the Sens brought in Amadio, Perron, guys like that who've won and been there, cousins, like guys who've won Stanley Cups at the bottom, kind of in your bottom six. That's what they're looking to do, but those, you're right. Is Brady Kachuck going to be a difference maker in a positive way or a negative way? That's the biggest challenge. He's got to keep his emotions in check. Got to channel it, right? Right, but he is a handful. Both sides are going to have, right and but he is a handful like they're both sides are gonna

Have I think it'd be a great series. Yeah, but both both sides are gonna have their challenges. Absolutely Yeah, well that that's the question like from a physicality standpoint. It's gonna be very difficult for you to stop Brady But then you look at a guy like Stootslow who's never played a playoff game Can he elevate the playoffs because they're gonna be all over him right they can't answer Kachuk But you know someone's going up the Sto stutes and say I'm punching you in the head every night. What are you gonna do about it? You know, so it's a tit for tat. It's gonna go both ways, but anyway we're getting closer and closer Strutt. Enjoy your final week out there. Shoes on other people's feet and we'll do this

again before the playoffs start hopefully. I can't wait. Keep the sayings coming, reinventing the language. Thanks, Strudy. See you, buddy. There's Jason Strudwick joining us here on the Maple Toyota Hotline. Drive the built-in Canada fuel-efficient, fun-to-drive Toyota RAV4 gas or hybrid models available. Visit mapletoyyo.com. the quotes, the polls, and the momentum. That just happened with Vashikopelos. Canada decides 2025. Fresh every Friday.

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