OverDrive - Strudwick on the Oilers inching close to the final, Hyman's injury impact and Skinner's solid turnaround

Episode Date: May 28, 2025

Got Yer Back Podcast Host and Former NHLer Jason Strudwick joined OverDrive to discuss the Oilers' commanding lead against the Stars, Zach Hyman's injury impact to the team, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' elite performances, Stuart Skinner's resurgence in the crease, the stars leading the way and more.

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What's up Strudy? I love that you didn't tip toe around it. The old press conference season. I can't believe it. So let me get this straight. Tomorrow's a scrum. tomorrow's a strong you tomorrow's a strong or no they'll find a table and and and i think uh... that they've been put over

top of that thing so the jams going to talk about the media had his boss will be different in the bosses talk previously did gather bach already had right is that kind of there is a writing out but i got it we got time to feel here right i mean the least got a statement in the interesting for the new cycle the other that's a press conference i saw that

you know what it was kind of a gutless tweet the other day cuz you put it out right at four o'clock right as our show was about to start and we know what to our credit we didn't acknowledge it did not show not doing it not doing it we will fall for that type of the delivery we're not doing it strutting we're excited for the press conference tomorrow it's going to be a great press conference

and we look forward to it uh... anyway what's life like out in edmonton i'm i'm guessing everyone's pretty happy at is the zack hyman news is that kind of a black cloud over things like how do you marry the two consider what happened last night yeah that's a really hard you know you saw the play it look pretty innocent um... i mean what you wouldn't want to guide it can score seventy goals when you're the next year have a hundred hits in you know to not play out from that on a line if you look at all of that guy

uh... but you know unfortunately for the older he's out. And it's, let's say the head coach talked about it's likely he's out for the playoffs. So upper body, is it shoulder or wrist? Doesn't really matter, he's out. So the older have quite a bit of depth, but he's a hard guy to replace.

Like let's just be completely honest here. He plays his side, Connor, he can score, he can hit. He's a good leader in that room. He's just everything that you want for a team that's trying to win the Stanley Cup. It really challenges Chris Alblock to find the right way of getting it done. I guess the question is, can the Orders win five games without Hyman? Well, there are a lot of people who didn't think that the Orders could win four games without their best team, and Matthias Echol.

That play reminded me of Kirby Dock and the World Juniors where he just avoided getting hit and he was missed the tournament. He hurt his hand. It was almost the exact same building, same hit. It's got to be his hand or something. But then you've got a feeling Strud that they'll just... I was telling these guys and they were adamant it won't happen, but I was claiming next man up it won't phase the Oilers. You say yes or no? Yeah, I guess I say yes. I'll say yes. They have a lot of guys that are... Not very convincing, Struddy. No, well, because it's hard. I mean, you look at the players you can lose on this team, he'd be at the top of my list.

I mean, Connor, Leon, Atcom, Bouchard, Nudge, there's Hyman, the next guy up there. So you're talking about one of your top, you know, five, six, seven players. That's not easy to replace. But you know, what Naubloch's done when he builds his line, I think he's trying to add speed, some muscle, and then another guy on top, like a smart guy, like a Henry or not to make David is and all those things, but a McDavid to every line. So you'll have to kind of move it around. So they have some options, you know, Kappen has played really well so far this year, or this last little

stretch. You know, Jeff Skinner, does he get a tap from the sidelines? We've seen've seen him one game you know can he come in and play some good minutes for the winners Arbuthin got back in there you still got Derek Ryan you got Max Jones you know another guy that they traded for with some having it's not even Trent Frederick can he handle more minutes I saw last night he was moving pretty well so there's options but you don't it's hard to replace Zach Hyman. Like let's just call it as it is. It's like Reinhardt not playing for Florida. He's back now it sounds like, but it's a big one.

That's a big thing. That's a big hole to fill. So Strudy, in looking at this, I wouldn't call it a turnaround now. They're 11 and two in their last 13, but is it, I would call it the chicken or the egg. Is it Skinner playing a lot better or is it defensive play or a combination of both because they seem to find a recipe regardless

of what it is every night to find that win? Yeah, it's incredible. You look at where's two Skinner's day percentages now and whether people believe that or not, you want the highest one you can. I think he's over 900, like 910 or something. percentages now and whether people believe that or not, you want the highest one you can. I think he's over 900, like 910 or something. Just last week or even two weeks ago, he was well below that. So I think it's the structure in front of the orders has gone more consistent.

And then when that happens, think for the goalie, your shots where they're coming from, the opportunities are coming from makes a difference. And Stu Skinner isn't great off the rush. And against and against Dallas two teams a lot going off the rush they've done a really good job of limiting those chances so you know that means you're coming up the ice as a forward and what do I do there? Do I turn it over at the blue line? Do I drive or deep? Do I trim it behind the G-man and go get it? And just not allow them to have the counter punch then when they do try to break out they get their daughters try to get their high guy then they back check hard and they're holding up so Stu Skinner has had to face a lot off the

rush chances the last couple rounds and that is kind of you know one of his kryptonite and that's everyone's got it so I think it's to answer your question there was I think it's that ability to understand how you have to play in front of them and then he's found his comfort level because right now he is not the same goal that he was in those first couple of games in LA. He looks so calm and way more poised. With Jason Strudwick.

So we were throwing this away earlier, throwing this around earlier and admittedly again we're getting ahead of ourselves to an extent but it does feel like we're looking at a rematch Edmonton, Florida in the cup final And I'm curious if that is something the Oilers would relish like they want that opportunity Do they feel like they want redemption need redemption? Could that be inspiring? The idea of playing the Panthers again in the cup final. How do you see that? I The idea of playing the Panthers again in the cup final. How do you see that? I think that this team would play against their own moms and beat them up to try to win the Stanley Cup. Like they want to win the Stanley Cup so badly they would take on anyone and what better way of doing it than to try to beat the team that or to beat the team that beat you last year.

For me I think that'd be a massive opportunity for them to get. It does look like we're on track for that. And this team, I think they're hopeful to try to finish this tomorrow so they can have two short series and be rested. They're getting ECHO'ed back. They got Pickard back. And I think that playing the team, you know really well.

I mean, there's been a few changes on each team. Steph Jones coming in there. I know here at the Winners, you got really well. I mean there's been a few changes on each team. You know, Steph Jones coming in there. I know here at the Witters he got Wallman. You know, a few tweaks but for a lot of it it's the same players, same coaches, same managers. You know, and can they be, you know, a team like Pittsburgh who lost and went to next year? Can these things happen? I'd want to beat the team to beat me because I want them to feel the same way I felt the year before. Strudy, what did you make of... I didn't have Evan Bouchard on my bingo card as the guy who's going to give Hintz a tap

on the laces, but what did you make of that whole thing? Well, I'm sure that there is a lot of morality police there talking about Darnell Nurse and his slash on Hintz to start with. I love it. I mean, they're in a battle and you slash a guy in the foot. He got full value. Two minutes and Hintz didn't play one game. That's a great deal. That's an unbelievable deal. And then seeing Boo Sharks get off and slashing him on the leg again, I was blown away. I couldn't believe it. I have tears in my eyes seeing

that someone did that. And you know, I don't know, Nils, you probably did a few times when you slash someone and hit them, you know, on that weak spot, you just know it feels different on the end of your stick than when you slash pads or slash stick. And it's such a good feeling. And you're not trying to make friends out there. This isn't the church bazaar. You're trying to raise money for new pews. You're trying to beat the other team.

You're not making friends. So you're not there to make friends. After, yeah, you shake it and say, great job. But during that series, no one cares. You're trying to win win not trying to make friends yep that's the truth with Jason Strudwick and then you know you look at the other side of things Florida they got a chance to close tonight Reinhardt's gonna return sounds like Mikko is okay AJ Greer is okay you know the Panthers

what do you see out of them this year that would stick out as a different characteristic than maybe the team they had last year? Is there anything in particular that might scare the Oilers if it gets to that point that they're built this way or playing this way compared to even how they played last year and they won it last year? Well, I look at their D. I think their D is better than it was last year. I think that Seth Jones, the situation with Eklat's suspension is probably good for him because he got to play a ton. Everyone got to know him, he got to fit in and figure it out.

I think he's big, he takes up space and he's different than who would have been their guy last year, it was Audilac Rolarson, probably been the other guy. I think Nico Mackle, I think he's improved, he's also kind of improved. You know he scores some some goals every now and then and he's in there too and he's a bit annoying and he plays heavy. So I think that D is you know either improved individually and or added a piece that's better what they had last year and that D was already pretty good. You look at some of the guys they had so that to me is gonna be a pretty big challenge. Now Brad Marchant presents a whole other way of doing it, but the owners are playing against those type of guys. And they have the cane, the nurse.

Trent Frederick I think has another gear to find in that kind of annoying style of play. So I think that would be okay. But that D, I mean, I don't know what you guys see, but that D is pretty good, pretty stacked. Yeah they are, yeah they are and that's it, go ahead O. Strudy, there's been a lot of like coaches or look-alikes behind the bench. There was a knob lock guy. If somebody from the older's organization or anybody in a National Hockey League rink had to hire an actor to replace Jason Strudwick to have

a lookalike, who do you think they would select? Well, probably pretty expensive to get this guy, but I know people are going to laugh, but I think I look just like Aston Kutcher. A little more muscular and better hair, but A little more muscular and better hair. But yeah, very similar. He doesn't have the shoulder musculature that I have. I swear, you look at us together, we're very similar. I was going to say Gary Busey. Gary Busey!

That would be a good one. Gary Busey behind the bench. you see here he is the only thing crazy here just if you had to carry buchanan short here that could be stride out of a yeah i can see the resemblance you see that what how do you respond to that story yeah i think that's his own security coming in and i mean like he's like that what that guy named buchanan? Steve Buscemi, that's me. That's me. Steve Buscemi. He was in Con Air. He was the creep on the plane.

Yes, that's me for sure. He's all over the place. He's all over the place, that guy. Yeah, I like that. Gary Busce. No, you didn't say Gary Busce. Who'd you say? Yeah, it was Busce.

Yeah. I saw that Gary Busce man. Charles Barkley had a karaoke man. I saw that Gary Busce man. Charles Barkley had a karaoke man. I saw that Gary Busce man. Charles Barkley had a karaoke man. I saw that Gary Busce man.

Charles Barkley had a karaoke man. I saw that Gary Busce man. Charles Barkley had a karaoke man. Charles Barkley had a karaoke man. I saw that Gary Bususey. No, you didn't say Gary Busey. Who'd you say? Yeah, it was Busey. Yeah. I saw that Gary Busey man. Charles Barkley had a karaoke man and that guy, Gary Busey, he got carried out before it even started. No way. Out of security, like complete, like he was sleeping with three security guards carrying him like he was sleeping. Into a memo and out he was gone.

He was out of there. Wow. Strudy's doppelganger. Actually Strudy, we had Raffy Torres on last hour and he said how amazing the alumni is as far as bringing guys in. Raffy flew in and they put him on the Jumbotron last year and he was raving how classy the organization was and how they pay for things. And then we said, with you, would they just give you a bus ticket to make it to the game instead of flying?

Like, what do they do for you? Because I don't think it's the limo or anything like they did for Rafi. So they make it hard. They send me through a bus via Red Deer. I got to go down that way. And then they let me listen to it on the radio outside of it, outside of the rig. Okay. That's not bad.

That's still decent alumni work. There's nothing wrong with that. Yeah. Trying to get into the Ring of Honor. I mean, I've probably a long shot. You know, maybe when I pass away, like Pete Rose getting into the Hall of Fame, you know, maybe that happens. Absolutely. You can make that happen. How about the home team, you know? Maybe that happened. Absolutely.

You can make that happen. How about the Kamloops Blazers? Is your number retired up there, Strutt, or what? It's a travesty, I'm not. I did more in two years than Tyson Ash-Jay. I think he played there like seven years. Seven years, 200 games played. I don't know how he's on there.

I'm not. Ryan Huska, head coach of the Flames? What are you talking about? He's on there? It's unbelievable. Just put the stars up there. Why wouldn't you put the stars up there? That's disappointing You should be up there. We need to start a campaign to get you up in the rafters and Kamloops You know what we need is study We were asking like would you go in and put a fake mustache and a hat on and go and dance in the moss pit?

Just to blow off steam. I don't know, I mean, I'm pretty noticeable in the crowd. My moves are pretty unique. Oh, we've heard. It gets pretty hot in there too. It's a sweat box in there. I guess I could go in there, you know, maybe a couple of beers to slide in. What kind of dancing are you talking?

Stratty, we have to ask you one thing. When you got all boozed up back in the day with Noodles, Noodles said you did a stretching routine on the default. Why did you do a stretching routine? Were you warming the limbs up? So a great actor kind of gets into character, right? And then they get people like, oh man, this guy's stretching. Like this guy must be really good. So I pretend I was stretching and then every now and then I pretend I pulled my hamstring and just keep the party going a little bit. But you try, you go to a wedding and you start stretching people on the dance floor like stretching on the dance floor you're like oh my god this

guy must be good so i think it raised your expectations only to completely deflate all of it once you actually start moving but i like that you're right man it's a vibe it's a vibe check that's what we're saying well it does get people excited it's like big david burning around in warm up. People are like, this guy means business. Yeah. This guy has serious moves. All eyes are on this guy. I love it. There he is. We got a snapshot of you and Gary Busey. Busey looked great back in the day. Yeah. Like he was... He's got whiter teeth-Kutcher. He says he's got piano keys. He's got piano keys. He eats an apple in one bite.

Sure does. Alright Strudy, well enjoy yourself out there and make sure you tune in tomorrow. We've got a press conference in Toronto tomorrow morning. What time is that? 9am Eastern time? I just want to make sure I don't miss it. 10am Eastern time. Yup, 10am Eastern. 10am. So are are they gonna tell us when the next one is or is this? That's a good question. I don't know. It's possible. Yeah, Brad, you're living maybe he announces the next one. Well, I guess we'll have to tune in. That's the beauty of this type of year, right?

That's the beauty of press conference season. You never know what you're gonna get. Cliffhangers. Plus Watch BC. Yep Yeah gotta have it. Thanks strutty 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 maple Toyota comm This May, iHeartRadio celebrates Asian Heritage Month. Discover powerful stories, vibrant cultures, and unforgettable music. From inspiring podcasts to playlists that span east, south, southeast, and west Asian artists. We're honoring the voices shaping our world.

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