Off The Roster

Off The Roster

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Off The Roster episodes

  • Dysfunction in Toronto ft. David Pagnotta

    Dan Riccio and Cabbie Richards break down the dysfunction that defined the city, from the Leafs dropping a major front office announcement just before the Montreal vs Tampa Bay Game 7 and the Raptors’ own Game 7, to the confusing rollout of a next-day 1 PM press conference. The chaos in Toronto reaches a new level as Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors storylines collided in a wild 48-hour stretch. The Mats Sundin & John Chayka introductory press conference that Chris Johnston described as “uncomfortable,” raises even more questions about the organization’s direction.


    Plus, Dave Pagnotta from the 4th Period explains a big overhaul needed, building in free agency,

    an 8-10 week tight timeline, the vision for Auston Matthews as a Toronto Maple Leaf and how will Mats Sundin impact Auston's future. Additionally, Pagnotta is encouraged by John Chayka's approach to marry empirical data with intuition to evaluate players' performances. Finally, Dave theorizes the plan to improve Toronto's defensive core, which will be very challenging but might include a spicy trade with the Chicago Blackhawks and Matthew Knies.


    Dan and Zack outline the nightmare scenario for the Toronto Maple Leafs at tonight's NHL Draft Lottery.


    RJ Barrett wants to retire a Toronto Raptor, encouraging words from the hometown star at the Raptors media availability. Although Dan is optimistic about Toronto's future based on a tough 7 game series against Cleveland, Riccio delivers a list of addressable needs for GM Bobby Webster.


    1:20 Intro

    3:00 John Chayka + Mats Sundin’s uncomfortable press conference

    4:00 Keith Pelley did not give a “why” for John Chayka

    7:30 Fanbase’s reaction to Pelley evasive answers

    10:00 Steve Simmons hard questions

    14:15 John Chayka’s degree of difficulty + realistic expectations

    17:30 Toronto’s path to rebuild is incredibly narrow

    19:50 Auston Matthews vs Quinn Hughes situation

    25:30 Matthews future with Head Coach Craig Berube

    28:00 Fans are not satisfied

    31:10 David Pagnotta is here!

    32:00 There’s no clarity for the future

    34:00 Vision for Auston Matthews

    37:45 Better understanding Mats Sundin’s role

    41:00 Chayka’s hybrid approach

    42:45 Optimism from the press conference

    46:00 Overhauling Toronto’s defensive core

    49:00 A wild Chicago Blackhawks trade with Matthew Knies

    52:30 Nightmare scenario for Toronto at NHL’s Draft Lottery

    56:45 RJ Barrett Wants To Retire a Toronto Raptor

    1:03:20 Biggest Needs For The Toronto Raptors

    1:05:30 Bobby Marks optimistic about Bobby Webster’s roster

    1:07:30 ProLine Picks - Cole Caufield + Kazuma Okamoto

    1:08:45 Takeaways from Toronto’s loss to Tampa Bay Rays

    1:11:30 Toronto Maple Leafs Draft Lottery Simulator - Chicago Wins


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    #OffTheRoster #TorontoMapleLeafs #TorontoRaptors #NHL #NBA #Hockey #Basketball #SportsMedia


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    1 hr 13 min
  • Raptors Eliminated & Leafs Hire Sundin and Chayka ft. David Alter

    The season comes to a crushing end for the Toronto Raptors as they fall to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7, and on today’s episode of Off The Roster, Dan Riccio, Lindsay Dunn, and Cabbie Richards break down exactly where it all went wrong. From a promising start to the wheels completely falling off midway through the game, the crew dives into the turning points, what cost Toronto the series, and what this first playoff run revealed about the team’s future. What worked, what didn’t, and how close are the Raptors to taking the next step? Then, David Alter joins the show to react to breaking news out of Toronto, as the Maple Leafs officially name John Chayka General Manager and Mats Sundin Senior Executive Advisor, Hockey Operations. What this means for the organization moving forward, how the front office could be structured, and what comes next for the Leafs are all on the table.


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    #OffTheRoster #Raptors #NBAPlayoffs #WeTheNorth #MapleLeafs #LeafsForever #NHL #JohnChayka #MatsSundin


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    1 hr 3 min
  • OTR Interviews: Steve Simmons on Leafs GM Search, Chayka Concerns & Sundin Factor

    The Toronto Maple Leafs front office search continues to dominate headlines, and Steve Simmons joins the show to break down what’s really happening behind the scenes. From the growing number of leaks to the uncertainty surrounding leadership, Simmons explains why the process has become so chaotic and what it says about the current state of the organization. He dives into the potential pairing of John Chayka and Mats Sundin, questioning Chayka’s NHL credibility while outlining why Sundin’s decision could be the key factor holding everything up. Simmons also details concerns from around the league, the importance of relationships for a GM, and what the Leafs must fix on the ice — particularly their lack of puck-moving defensemen. With pressure mounting in Toronto, what direction will the Leafs take, and can this next hire actually turn things around?


    #LeafsForever #TorontoMapleLeafs #NHL #Leafs #SteveSimmons #JohnChayka #MatsSundin #Hockey #NHLNews #TheNationNetwork


    Chapters:

    0:00 Intro

    0:20 Leafs front office chaos & leaks

    1:10 Why Steve Simmons is surprised by the situation

    2:00 Reaction to John Chayka as a candidate

    3:00 Why Mats Sundin could be the key piece

    4:20 What’s delaying the Leafs announcement

    6:00 Chayka’s reputation around the NHL

    7:30 League feedback on Chayka (30+ sources)

    8:30 The “analytics GM” debate

    10:00 What modern GMs actually need

    11:30 Salary cap strategy & roster building

    13:00 Can Chayka redeem himself?

    14:20 Bill Zito comparison & second chances

    15:40 Leafs belief they can contend next year

    16:30 Biggest roster issue: defense

    17:30 Lack of puck-moving defensemen

    18:30 Potential targets (Radish, Tuch discussion)

    19:40 Can this roster realistically compete?

    20:00 Wrapping up with Steve Simmons


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    23 min
  • Raptors Game 6 Preview and Leafs GM Search Continues ft. Steve Simmons

    Dan Riccio, Lindsay Dunn, and Cabbie Richards tee up a massive Game 6 between the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers with Toronto's season on the line. The crew breaks down tonight's X-Factor, Brandon Ingram's availability, Donovan Mitchell potentially going nuclear, key defensive adjustments and what it’ll take for the Raptors to extend the series to a Game 7.


    Plus, veteran Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons is stunned by the leaks coming out of the Toronto Maple Leafs President and GM search. John Chayka’s credibility as a GM is questioned (controversial tenure in Arizona), which makes the Mats Sundin part of the equation, as potential Vice President of Hockey Operations, with his pristine reputation, palatable. Chayka’s reputation in league circles needs fixing, is a priority in order for him to operate as the Maple Leafs GM. Known for his analytics background, Simmons recalls a scathing story about computers in Chayka’s office. Finally, Simmons offers players would could quickly reshape Toronto’s Defensive core and forward group, which the Maple Leafs should pursue in the off season.


    Then, they shift to the Toronto Blue Jays after a brutal loss to the Minnesota Twins, diving into what went wrong, ongoing inconsistencies, and which player returning from injury will have the most impact: Alejandro Kirk, Jose Berrios and Addison Barger.


    0:45 intro + it’s gonna be Maaay

    3:15 Raptors vs Cavs Game 6 Vibe Check

    7:00 James Harden x Donovan Mitchell Are A Scary Duo

    10:00 Cavaliers Role Players Are The X Factor

    11:00 Kenny Atkinson Slick Back Hairstyle

    12:30 Slickest Moustaches in sports

    15:00 Biggest Worries Ahead of Game 6

    17:30 Brandon Ingram’s status

    18:30 Evan Mobley outplayed by Scottie Barnes

    20:00 OG Anunoby & Anne Hathaway

    22:30 Timberwolves dispatch Denver in the first round

    24:30 Boston vs Philly Game 7

    27:20 Steve Simmons is here!

    29:30 John Chayka is not a credible GM

    31:25 Mats Sundin weighs decision to join the Maple Leafs Front Office

    33:00 Chayka need to fix his league wide reputation ASAP

    37:30 Data centric front offices

    41:00 Second chances for GMs

    44:00 Maple Leafs immediate roster needs

    47:20 Steve Simmons is a foodie

    49:00 Should the Maple Leafs care about the public perception of the Sundin-Chayka hire?

    52:45 Dan’s optimistic view John Chayka as Leafs GM

    56:00 Barger, Kirk and Berrios returning soon to Toronto Blue Jays

    1:04:15 ProLine Picks - Raptors + Ernie Clement

    1:06:20 Dan’s Closing Dad Joke


    #OffTheRoster #TorontoRaptors #WeTheNorth #BlueJays #LeafsForever #NBAPlayoffs #MLB #NHL #SteveSimmons #JohnChayka


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    1 hr 9 min
  • Raptors Drop Game 5 and Leafs GM Search Heats Up ft. Scott Campsall

    The playoff pressure is on in Toronto as today’s episode of Off the Roster sees Dan Riccio, Lindsay Dunn, and Cabbie Richards break down a tough Game 5 loss for the Toronto Raptors against the Cleveland Cavaliers. With the series hanging in the balance, the crew is joined by Scott Campsall to dive deeper into what went wrong, how the Raptors adjust, and what it means heading into a pivotal stretch. Then, the focus shifts to the diamond as the Toronto Blue Jays erupt offensively against the Boston Red Sox, showcasing the kind of firepower fans have been waiting for. Finally, the conversation turns back to the ice with the Toronto Maple Leafs GM search heating up, the latest names in the mix, and what direction the franchise could take next. It’s a jam-packed episode covering the biggest stories in Toronto sports—don’t miss it.


    #OffTheRoster #TorontoRaptors #WeTheNorth #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #LeafsForever #TorontoMapleLeafs #NBAPlayoffs #SportsTalk #TorontoSports


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    1 hr 3 min
  • Trey Yesavage Wins Season Debut + Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 5 ft. Joe Casciaro

    Today’s episode of Off the Roster sees Dan Riccio, Lindsay Dunn, and Cabbie Richards back at it with a packed slate, starting with the Toronto Blue Jays getting a big win behind Trey Yesavage’s season debut. Blue Jays win 3-0 vs Boston and get a strong performance from Yesavage and the Blue Jays bullpen. What it means for the pitching rotation moving forward?


    Joe Casciaro from The Score unpacks the multiple ways the Cleveland Cavaliers are still favoured in the series against Toronto, but also rookie Collin Murray-Boyles’ impact for the Raptors is a major factor in Toronto’s competitiveness. Toronto’s disruptive defence is finding ways to mitigate James Harden and Donovan Mitchell’s superstar scoring ability, Casciaro notes. Two big questions, which version of Brandon Ingram will appear in Game 5? Why has Cleveland’s front court (Jarrett Allen + Evan Mobley) underachieved? Lastly, Dan, Joe and Cabbie trade Donnie Brasco references while revealing the best Veal Sandwich place in Toronto.


    Additionally, From there, the conversation takes a turn off the field as Mats Sundin sparks buzz house-hunting in Toronto — which neighbourhood would make the most sense for a Leafs legend — while George Springer’s home hitting the market adds another layer to the Toronto real estate conversation. Rumours of John Chayka (owner of Stathletes and formerly the Arizona Coyotes GM) joining Mats Sundin in the front office spark a compelling conversation about conflicts of interest, with Chayka's analytics company's data available to all 32 NHL teams.


    Over in the NHL, the Edmonton Oilers stay alive thanks to a gutsy performance with Connor McDavid logging heavy minutes despite being a game-time decision, while Minnesota Wild push the Dallas Stars to the brink behind a dominant night from Kirill Kaprizov.


    Then the crew shifts to the NBA to break down the league’s proposed “3-2-1 lottery” anti-tanking reform and what it could mean for team building. It’s a full Toronto-centric show with big performances, big questions, and major playoff implications across the board.


    0:50 Intro

    2:15 “Trey Day” Trey Savage’s season debut

    7:00 Worry-O-Meter update + Jays Bullpen’s recent success

    10:00 Louis Varland’s 4th straight save

    12:40 Tyler Heineman’s experience catching Trey Savage and Tyler Rogers

    14:30 Boston Bruins survive in OT

    15:30 Mats Sundin front office rumours

    17:30 John Chayka’s 2nd chance at GM

    21:40 Is Mats Sundin the right fit?

    25:00 John Chayka’s Stathletes a conflict of interest?

    28:50 Edmonton wins in Game 5

    30:30 Joe Casciaro is here!

    32:00 Casciaro sticks with his Cavaliers to win prediction

    33:50 The rise of Collin Murray-Boyles

    34:50 Best Veal Sandwich in Toronto

    36:50 James Harden blames himself

    39:30 An honest Brandon Ingram take

    40:50 “Donnie Brasco” moments

    42:40 Cleveland’s Bigs Are Unremarkable so far

    45:40 Likelihood of Toronto’s defensive efficiency stifling Cleveland on the road

    48:30 NBA’s proposed anti-tanking rules

    57:00 Dan lambaste’s the NBA new anti-tanking measures

    1:00:30 ProLine Picks - Toronto Raptors + Collin Murray-Boyles

    1:02:00 Buffalo Fans Sign Canadian National Anthem


    #OffTheRoster #BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MatsSundin #LeafsForever #GeorgeSpringer #MLB #NHL #Oilers #ConnorMcDavid #Wild #Kaprizov #NBA #NBADraft #TorontoRaptors #WeTheNorth #Cavs #TorontoSports #TreyYesavage #TreyDay #VealSandwich


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    #Leafs #Raptors #BlueJays #Toronto


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    1 hr 4 min
  • OTR Interviews: Garion Thorne on the Raptors' Chances, Darko's Impact, Scottie Barnes, and more

    Garion Thorne stops by to preview the NBA playoffs, focusing on Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 5, whether Brandon Ingram or Donovan Mitchell will ultimately swing the series, and what this run means for Toronto’s future as Scottie Barnes and CMB continue to emerge as foundational pieces. The conversation also tackles James Harden’s playoff legacy and whether Raptors fans are ready to buy back in.


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    20 min
  • OTR Interviews: Gabe Lacques on the AL East, the Red Sox Cleaning House, Bichette in New York, and more

    Gabriel Lacques joins to break down a lineup that simply isn’t producing beyond Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ernie Clement, and flashes from Andrés Giménez, with questions around Dylan Cease’s inability to go deep into games and what Max Scherzer’s injury means for the rotation moving forward. Also getting into the latest in Boston while the Red Sox clean house, how tight the AL East is, Bichette's struggles in New York, and more.


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    20 min
  • Jays Offense Disappears, Cease Takes Blame & Raptors Momentum ft. Gabe Lacques & Garion Thorne

    April 28th’s episode of Off the Roster dives into a frustrating stretch for the Blue Jays as Gabriel Lacques joins to break down a lineup that simply isn’t producing beyond Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ernie Clement, and flashes from Andrés Giménez, with questions around Dylan Cease’s inability to go deep into games and what Max Scherzer’s injury means for the rotation moving forward. Then Garion Thorne stops by to preview the NBA playoffs, focusing on Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 5, whether Brandon Ingram or Donovan Mitchell will ultimately swing the series, and what this run means for Toronto’s future as Scottie Barnes and CMB continue to emerge as foundational pieces. The conversation also tackles James Harden’s playoff legacy and whether Raptors fans are ready to buy back in. Plus, one week out from the NHL Draft Lottery, the pressure is on the Maple Leafs with franchise-altering implications depending on where they land, and the latest on Toronto’s front office search as Mats Sundin’s potential involvement could reshape how fans view candidates like John Chayka or Scott White.


    This video contains copyrighted material. All rights belong to their respective owners. We are using this material for entertainment purposes, not monetary and believe it falls under the “Fair use” Statute (Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976). We acknowledge and credit the artists and labels for the use of their material.


    Credits

    Clocks - Coldplay (Parlophone / Capitol)

    The Way It Is - Bruce Hornsby & The Range (RCA)

    Don’t Stop Believing - Journey (Columbia)


    #OffTheRoster #BlueJays #Raptors #LeafsForever #NBAPlayoffs #MLB #NBAPlays #NHL #NHLDraft #TorontoSports #WeTheNorth #BlueJays50 #ScottieBarnes #AustonMatthews #SportsTalk


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    1 hr 2 min
  • Raptors Even the Series Against Cleveland and Jays Host Red Sox

    Dan Riccio, Lindsay Dunn, and Cabbie Richards relive a massive weekend in Toronto sports, headlined by the Toronto Raptors evening their NBA playoffs series vs the Cleveland Cavaliers 2-2.


    Game 4 was woeful in shooting for both Toronto and Cleveland, but key defensive plays, standout performances from Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles and Jamal Shead lead Toronto to a 93-89 victory. Raptors Head Coach Darko Rajakovic offered high praise of his franchise player Scottie Barnes, who scored 23 points. Will the Raptors defence force another brutal shooting effort from Donovan Mitchell and James Harden where they committed 11 turnovers?


    Lindsay checks in with slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr to clear up his shooting skills recently seen at Scotiabank Arena (home of the Toronto Raptors). Additionally, a sobering conversation with Nathan Lukes as he battles vertigo. The Toronto Blue Jays won another series winning two of three from the Cleveland Guardians. Ross Atkins addresses the Blue Jays bullpen shake up, the crew dives into Eric Lauer vs Max Scherzer in the starting rotation as Trey Yesavage is scheduled to return on Tuesday, April 28th vs Boston. Kazuma Okamoto is starting to heat up, just in time for the Boston Red Sox who are in disarray after firing most of their coaching staff on Saturday, April 25th including Manager Alex Cora.


    Zack Phillips joins to unpack the futures of the Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings. Lastly, which NBA Playoff series is surprising us and funny or strange stories from the weekend.


    0:50 Intro + Weekend Vibes Check

    2:00 Raptors win + even the NBA Playoffs series 2-2

    5:00 Scottie Barnes is only at 60%

    12:00 Dreadful shooting by Cleveland and Toronto

    13:30 James Harden’s turnovers are problematic

    18:20 Confidence level in Toronto

    20:20 Lebron James defies logic + Orlando has Magic

    23:30 Can Vladimir Guerrero Jr hoop?

    27:05 Blue Jays Shake Up Bullpen

    31:40 Vladimir Guerrero + Kazuma Okamoto’s bats are heating up

    34:55 Eric Lauer vs Max Scherzer - who should stay in the rotation?

    41:00 Nathan Lukes opens up about Vertigo

    44:30 Red Sox fire Manager Alex Cora

    49:50 Ottawa Senators + LA Kings future

    57:15 LA Kings Should Trade For Auston Matthews

    58:30 Two runners break 2 hour marathon

    1:01:55 Achilles Tears For Players Wearing 0

    1:04:45 Brandon Ingram Answers For The Shade Thrown At His GF

    1:06:30 ProLine Picks - Mitch Marner + Parker Messick


    #BlueJays #Raptors #WeTheNorth #OffTheRoster #TorontoSports #MLB #NBAPlayoffs


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    1 hr 9 min

About Off The Roster

From the publisher's feed

Whether it's Leafs, Raptors or Jays, the Off The Roster podcast has you covered. Join Lindsay Dunn and Dan Riccio daily for their perspective on everything happening around the Toronto sports scene.…