OverDrive - Strudwick on the Oilers' rough stretch, McDavid's rocky run and Hughes' injury impact

Episode Date: March 5, 2025

Got Yer Back Podcast Host and Former NHLer Jason Strudwick joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines around the NHL, the Oilers' leaking amidst the rough stretch, Connor McDavid not at the highest level, Trent Frederic's addition, Jack Hughes' season-ending injury, the Maple Leafs impending deals and more.

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I take emails and e-transfer later. Got a Crown Royal bag full of change. That would be great, you e-transfer late. Sorry, what's your Venmo? I'll get to you a little bit later. I don't have any cash on me. Anyway, good catching up with you Strutt. It's too bad we're catching you after the Oilers are all of a sudden, what are they, tanking for a draft pick here?

What's going on out there in Edmonton? Yeah, yeah, it's been tough. I mean, tough all around, right? You got the Tampa Bay Lightning there loading up. I think the pills got a little tight there in Ontario. I heard them squeak, squeaking from me. Yeah, there's some concern. There's some concern.

Some concern. Oh my God. Pill on pill squeaking. That's all I heard for the last two hours. Oh, and Florida too, right? With Seth Jones and Vanecek, the modern day noodles. You don't want to bring that up? Yeah, I know.

It's not good, man. Not good. You don't want to bring that up, but no, I'm sure it doesn't matter. You just got to play your own game, right? It's only what other teams are doing, obviously. But no, you know what? The winners, they're in a tough spot. They didn't win the game, but they're in a tough spot.

They're in a tough spot. They're in a tough spot. They're in a tough spot. They're in a tough spot. They're in a tough spot. They're in a tough spot. They're in a tough spot. They're in a tough spot. They're in a tough spot own game, right? Don't worry about what other teams are doing. Obviously. But no, you know what?

The owners, they're in a tough spot. They didn't really... The best defensive game for, let's say, part of that is over the break. So the timing's maybe a little off. But I think that since Knobloch come in, they've been very respectful and fully aware of playing a good defensive game. If you look at last night, some of their top end players, they were kind of getting touched up for what I'd call some poor defensive play.

It's been others too, but specifically last night. So Knobloch's got to get those guys back dialed into that. Is it fatigue? Is it a bit of a long season of dog days? Well, it could be any one of those things. But reality is, they've got a really good chance to get first place in Pacific, but defensively they've got to dial it in. Because getting the same defense isn't really skill.

It's about just the desire to do it and to be attentive to it the whole game. So Strahd, say you walk into the dressing room tomorrow and where do they start? And even, let's go a step further, is there moves to be made to help this group maybe round out? We saw the Frederick trade yesterday and I thought it was a good trade as far as what's coming in. It's a top tier player who's really hard to play against and it's pennies on the dollar.

It comes from what, 575 grand or whatever on the cap. But if you had your choice, is there more to be added to this group or what do you think they need to get it back on track? So I really like the Frederick move and they need a guy like that, a guy that he's going to bring right now because he's unable to play. And then that's, that's a big concern.

You know, a they don't have it right now because they could sure use them against my child just to kind of get the party started. When I, when I looked at this team, I don't think there's, I think there's a lot of good professionals, good professional hockey Not eyes enough get going and will light up a room or light up You know just run someone for no reason I think that Frederick can bring that So I think that they need to solve that and until they sort out this Savannah Kane situation They probably aren't really sure what they can or can't do. I don't think John Klinberg You I've been on here before saying it was a big risk to take and it was a worthwhile risk and I don't think it's worked out.

When the puck's on his stick, everything seems to be okay but then defending and the skating has been a challenge for him and he hasn't been able to get up to speed yet and I get he hasn't played for whatever, it's 400 days. You're kind of chasing the game. So I'm still focused on that spot beside Darn on Earth, the second right pairing defenseman. But you know, you got to sort out Kane first because if Kane thinks he can come back,

then the money might not be there. Money in, money out. And not to mention Jeff Skinner. You know, how is he feeling? You know, he really hasn't been embraced by this coaching staff. He's got 11 goals. Does he want to stay here and be, I think today he was on the fourth line.

If you're not going to get a chance, if you want to go somewhere else, you maybe get a chance and then the problem is, does someone else want to give you a chance and try to get that money off of the orders books on to someone else's? With Jason Strudwick, Connor McDavid scored a beauty last night, man. He was flying through the neutral zone and scored a beauty but couldn't celebrate because they were losing 6-1. That was the 6-2 goal. That was the 6-2 goal.

So he almost looked at guys like, don't even ski it over to me. It was kind of a wild scene. But we've been talking about Austin Matthews here clearly in Toronto and he he hasn't, you know, he's on pace for 33 goals. That's unheard of for him. He just he isn't scoring at the rate that he has been throughout his career. And Connor McDavid, the idea that he's, you know, battling to be in the top five for points in the season is unheard of for him. I mean, he's just always it's been a formality. He's going to win the Art Ross. What is your read on him? Is it is it he's tired? Is he slow playing it for the playoffs? Like what what is your read on what's going on with McDavid? Well he sets such a high bar you know it was cool. But he's far so high for him that you know, you mentioned he's still in put out points, but it's not what we're

used to. We're used to him just tearing, tearing the league in half, right? Three, four games with multiple points, you know, each game. I do think he's tired. You look at his last three weeks there on the road and the four nations cop and then on the road again, and then home, you know, I hadn't seen his favorite dog there. Lenny for a long time. Um, unfortunately, you know, he's not going to take one. I think there's others on the team.

I can, I call him, could use a break as well. He's been sick. It feels like for a month. Um, so, you know, for, for McDavid, I do feel like at times he puts a lot of pressure on himself to do it. You know, I've got it, I'm gonna do this. And when Knobloch came in, I think one of the best things he said was that

we don't need 29 and 97 to win by themselves, we have other players. So I think that'd be a good reminder for both Connor and Knobloch to tell the other players and tell Connor and Leon that it's okay. You know, it's okay. You don't have to do it all. Let's just take a deep breath to help you because, you know, last year when they were

rolling everyone was... And right now we're not seeing that as much. And then the pressure Connor's put on himself to skate and to do it himself or to force stuff, maybe it's not there. So I think it's a good chance for both coach and captain to maybe have a talk and kind of review what worked well for them in the past. Strutty, I know you're at a Motel 6 on the road, so maybe try and stick your head out the window because you've been in and out on the phone. They might not have service at these poor hotels that you stay at, but I wanted to follow up on the the goaltending situation. It's obviously the hot button topic.

And you know, I've defended the goaltending to a point because you laid it out. Like last night, you can't lay that on goaltending because that was just poor play being connected, defensively, offensively, all of that type of stuff. But the noise is there and it's been earned because Stuart Skinner has not had a great season. He has been up and down, he's been inconsistent, it's a

guy who they relied on a lot. I think Pickard's been up and down as well but he's been more consistent. What do you make of it and is it something that they believe in and they're just gonna power through and let him find his form or do you think that they will you know at least grab somebody here before the deadline even for depth because the number three goaltender is Oliver Rodriguez yeah no it's not ideal it might be the e-bug so this is what I believe I think that he needs time to get his game in order I would have actually started Skinner so I wouldn't start Skinner last night or tomorrow night against Montreal I'd go with Pickard and allow him time to have time

to goalie coach. He hasn't had that. You need to keep your game sharp as a goalie. And then the defensive play in front of him hasn't been good. And I think Skinner thrives under more consistent understanding where the shots are coming from. Kind of like Marty Boudreau. He knew where the pucks were coming from. When you don't and it's unpredictable, it's harder to read. So I truly, I would have given Pickard the starts both games and let Skinner find his game in practice with the coaching that they have there because that's what goalies need. They need tune-ups and refining every now and then. With Jason Strudwig. So Jack Hughes done for the year shoulder surgery today. We asked you if you're in the room in Edmonton

What if you're in the room in Jersey like how do you possibly overcome an injured your best player with 20 games left to go? Well, it isn't Dougie Hamilton. He's he's did they say far. He just got her last night He was out top 50 top 50 Dougie. He is a top 50 guy, but he's out week to week. He's out too. Yes Yeah, So that's a big issue so you know they're looking for there now are you looking for two centers and it's a challenge right I think I've challenged the devil's about the size up front you know you need size and that play with Jack I call I don't know I don't think it was that dirty I know Sheldon Kief didn't like it but it's

it's hard overcome and now not one but two centremen you're looking for. So is that even possible? And then quite frankly, is it worth it? If we do get, you know, let's say whoever said they try to get Brock Nelson in another centre, are you as good with Brock Nelson as you would have been with Jacque and someone else? So it's that, I really feel bad.

I feel bad for that type of situation, but I've said it before and I mean, size matters upfront front it really does and you got to be able to move that puck quickly and then not get touched up heading into the playoffs. So when you look at this group now down the stretch I think they're at home they got a pretty favorable schedule you know they've been out East a few times they had that the five game road trip they ended with the know, the win in Carolina, which I thought Pickard was fantastic. Like that game really wasn't a huge win by the Oilers from a team game standpoint, because Pickard made some huge saves.

But if it's a reset, if it's rest, I'm not only looking at 97 or 29. Like is it Hyman? Is it R&H is it you know guys that are depth in this this team. How do they find their game? How do they get to that next level and back to the what they're capable of playing and that that's the biggest concern I think for a lot of people outside of Edmonton Yeah, it is and I listen I mean again a lot of you guys, I wasn't the most offensive players. I don't think my stats lie, but I know what I hated when I played against players that drive the blue paint all the time. And if you're watching the owners, are they getting to the blue paint enough? Whether that's it. And it's not just the default passing it back

to the D man and letting the D man shoot it. What I like about Corey Perry is he'll take it from below the goal line, attack the net. And as a D man, I hate that because now is he passing it? Is he attacking the front of that? What's he doing? I'd like to see more guys do that. So I'm looking at Henry, who's really good around the net. I'm looking at Brown, who definitely has that in his game. Hyman, Nugent Hopkins, who may not be naturally inclined to do that, but he's got to do it as well. So that's just a few of the forwards I'm thinking. Kapan in uh... po cold and drive the puck from the boot from below the goal line to the net and create chaos and then you get into that habit of going there um... and i think you'll you'll score a couple

more goals that way and maybe get a bit lucky and then i'm maybe unlocks the game for twenty nine ninety seven well strutty will see what comes of it over the next two days. Getting closer to trade deadline, you mentioned Montreal's out there. Montreal's won five in a row. Like, they're only a point out and we're curious to see what they're going to do and all these Canadian teams. And we'll see what comes of it, Struddy. It's always great to catch up with you, buddy.

We appreciate you doing this. Leafs fans, don't worry. What Florida and Tampa does, it doesn't matter. You've got this. They'll figure it out, right? They got right they got someone coming out that they deserve the benefit of the doubt they really do and i have no doubt the figure it out they'll be fine i'm sensing sarcasm but i don't care i don't share that literally at a motel

six yeah i don't know karen's the bigger motel eight more totally there's no shampoo i've been watching her for three days or motion here Motel 8, Motel 8. You know, there's no shampoo. I've been washing my hair for three days. There's no shampoo here. They didn't put any in your room. They saw you when you walked in. You can save a bit there. He doesn't need it. Just, like, I gotta go down the front desk and ask you sound like a dab Come on come on get said send an email out strut please CCS if you have

I'm tweeting I'm tweeting at Motel 8 right now Good luck with that keep us posted There's Jason Strudwick. Talk out with queens of every sound. And take a trip with hits through herstory. Plus empowering podcasts by women for women. Stream now and celebrate the power of women everywhere with the free iHeartRadio app.