Claim OwnershipThe Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast
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Ray Ferraro & Darren Dreger, two of the biggest names in the game join forces for The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast. Providing expert insight, analysis and opinions on what's happening on and off the ice in an entertaining personality-laden style that you won't find anywhere else.
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Injuries to OEL, Brandon Carlo, and long-term absences like Chris Tanev have likely forced Brad Treliving’s hand in Toronto. Jackson Lacombe being named Seth Jones’ replacement on the United States Olympic Team may have raised some eyebrows—especially with Canada and Sweden delaying decisions—and sparked debate over why Lane Hutson wasn’t chosen instead. In New Jersey, Luke Hughes’ injury further complicates the New Jersey Devils season, potentially pushing Dougie Hamilton decisions to the deadline. The Anaheim Ducks appear back on track after a typical young-team swoon, while the San Jose Sharks continue their feel-good season after adding Kiefer Sherwood—though Ray cautions their defence may lag behind their forwards come playoff time. Buyers and sellers emerging in the West; Utah, Seattle, St. Louis, LA and Winnipeg all with big decisions to make. Ask R&D wonders about Kelly McCrimmon’s risk tolerance and why the Edmonton Oilers can’t string together three wins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Vegas Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon in conversation! A busy few days of trades saw Vegas land Rasmus Andersson from Calgary after extension issues steered the deal away from Boston, continuing the Golden Knights tradition of bold swings. Vancouver moved Kiefer Sherwood to San Jose for draft picks and depth, giving the Canucks five picks in the top 50, while the Sharks add energy and puck retrieval. In New York, Chris Drury told Rangers fans the plan is to re-tool, not rebuild, but trade protection for Panarin, Zibanejad, and Miller complicates matters, and Panarin appears unlikely to return on a new deal. Matthew Tkachuk had a wild first game back, highlighted by a heavy hit and a rare Bobrovsky versus Nedeljkovic goalie fight, while Florida faces a playoff squeeze without Barkov for the rest of the regular season. Then, Kelly McCrimmon joins the show to discuss the return the Flames got for Andersson, the impact that injuries have had on their season, the importance of Mark Stone, and the coming circus around Mitch Marner’s return to Toronto.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The New York Rangers’ problems deepened with an 8–4 loss to Ottawa, their fifth straight defeat and 30 goals against, with J.T. Miller carefully noting the Sens were “more ready to play.” Injuries to Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox don’t mask bigger issues — the team lacks speed, the defence isn’t good enough, draft capital is thin. Restless fans at MSG are surely being heard by owner James Dolan, with Artemi Panarin’s expiring deal looming large. In New Jersey, Tom Fitzgerald owned the Devils’ struggles before an OT win over Seattle, a small but possible wake-up call as trade speculation around Dougie Hamilton continues. Buffalo stayed scorching hot, winning for the 14th time in 16 games while raising questions about Alex Tuch’s future and highlighting ongoing goaltending issues for the Philadelphia Flyers. Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames appear headed toward a rebuild, with trade chatter surrounding Rasmus Andersson, Nazem Kadri, and Blake Coleman, and a growing need to prioritize future returns. Then, in Ask Ray & Dregs Anything... commish for a day, what else do broadcasters do while they're watching the game and colleagues on a desert island. Tough choices will be made!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brayden Point’s apparent leg injury has cast doubt over his Olympic availability with just a month to go, forcing Hockey Canada to game-plan potential replacements which will apparently be decided primarily by filling the same role as Point and there is an elite list of candidates. The Toronto Maple Leafs are surging with points in 10 straight, punctuated by an OT win in Colorado that snapped the Avs’ 17-game home win streak. The Eastern Conference is beginning to separate as hot streaks by Toronto, Tampa Bay, and Buffalo contrast sharply with the spiraling New York Rangers, whose brutal 10–2 loss underscored league-worst defensive play and looming roster uncertainty even for players with no-trade clauses. Coaching turmoil hit Columbus as the Columbus Blue Jackets fired Dean Evason after just 45 games and brought Rick Bowness out of retirement to stabilize a team undone by goaltending and late-game collapses, while the New Jersey Devils briefly quieted the noise by snapping a five-game skid with a road win in Minnesota amid ongoing debate over roster moves. Finally, renewed criticism of the NHL playoff format gained traction after Chris Mason highlighted how Western contenders are forced to eliminate each other early, a structure Ray argues undermines the regular season despite the league’s continued support of division-based seeding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bizarre scenes in Chicago saw Jordan Binnington being told to leave the crease after giving up his 7th goal, but he stayed put as backup Joel Hofer was nowhere to be found. New Jersey’s 9–0 loss to the Islanders came despite dominating shots on goal, with Jacob Markstrom left in for all nine goals. There are bigger problems for the Devils than just this one terrible outcome. Winnipeg’s stunning 11-game skid has last season’s Presidents’ Trophy champs sitting dead last at the halfway mark, with Ray noting the roster aged into one of the league’s oldest and visibly slower teams, exposing depth issues beyond their top line. In Toronto, Auston Matthews has rediscovered his superstar form since Christmas, inspiring the room after a baffling 35-game slump and underscoring how much influence elite players quietly carry. Finally, the Islanders’ resurgence has put 19-year-old Matthew Schaefer in the spotlight; while one player rarely flips a team, this kid’s infectious energy has clearly lifted teammates even at 22 minutes a night, injecting a new, faster identity into the club.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Former NHL coach Dallas Eakins steps in for Ray, as he and Dregs tip their caps to the David Branch & Bob Pulford who both passed away over the weekend. Pulford, the Hall-of-Famer who was a four-time Cup champ with Toronto and veteran of 800-plus NHL games behind the bench, and Branch, the OHL Commissioner who genuinely cared about shaping players into better young men. Then, we discuss Sweden's huge gold medal win at the World Juniors and support for Team Canada despite their much-discussed semifinal loss to Czechia. Eakins feeling that Canada always gets every opponent’s best, so no Hockey Canada summit needed. Discussion on how the NHL's current parity keeps fans invested, practice versus visualization, and how MacKinnon, McDavid, and Celebrini's elite seasons have the game is in great hands with stars who make everyone around them better.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brandon Hagel returns to the Lightning lineup. Mat Barzal gets 5 + a game for his slash on Marchment in defence of Schaefer. Canada captain Porter Martone earns unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after scoring an empty netter against Czechia. We're two days away from the Olympic Roster announcement. NHL standing parity. Sharks' Celebrini continues to produce. Oilers' Connor Ingram earns 3-straight starts. Leafs PP finds success - How much is credit to Steve Sullivan? Plus, Tim's Hockey Challenge updates and much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An abbreviated Headlines looks at the Maple Leafs 4-0 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday night. Head Coach Craig Berube held very little back post game as the team looks for answers on the powerplay, but also in the compete and consistency categories. Then, Ray and Dregs unveil their choices for the men's Olympic hockey rosters for both Team Canada and Team USA. Each team boasts an embarrassment of riches and yet, sometimes the answers seem so clear. Where will the differences lie?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A rough Monday night raised player-safety and Olympic concerns, starting with Brandon Hagel’s injury from a forearm to the head by Seth Jones—a play that drew no supplemental discipline, frustrating Tampa Bay and leaving Ray concerned about the message it sends and future tensions. In Dallas, Team Canada hopeful Darcy Kuemper exited after being clipped by Mikko Rantanen in what most saw as a hockey play with an unfortunate result. Vancouver stunned the league by trading Quinn Hughes to Minnesota in a rare in-season blockbuster, choosing the youngest package—effectively four first-round assets—signalling a clear youth-driven re-tool and prompting a subtle jab from Hughes toward New Jersey. Edmonton also made waves, moving Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry, change for change sake perhaps, as Ray doesn't feel this provides real stability in goal, though Jarry has improved since time in the minors. Finally, Toronto remains a puzzle: sloppy play and an inability to handle pace—exposed again against an all-world Connor McDavid—highlight the Leafs’ need for a scoring winger amid tight cap constraints and asset management. Plus, in Ask Ray & Dregs Anything: the Hughes haul, Central Division predictions and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A string of missed hand-pass calls leading directly to goals has the rule under the microscope, raising questions about why hand passes are legal in the defensive zone but not the offensive one. In Winnipeg, Connor Hellebuyck is back on the ice and facing shots earlier than expected, though Ray cautions that practice movements aren’t the same as game movements—and the Jets still need scoring help. Chicago’s Spencer Knight bounced back from a rough outing with a shutout and even said he liked his previous game, while Colorado and Nashville’s shootout chaos saw Mackenzie Blackwood pulled by a concussion spotter after a Forsberg collision, forcing Scott Wedgwood in cold for a potential do-or-die attempt. Patrick Kane continues his climb toward becoming the highest-scoring American ever and also sits three goals shy of 500—remarkably doing it without a single shorthanded goal. And NBC's Jon Hamm Olympic promo has fans laughing, even as the gold-medal game’s 5:10 a.m. Pacific puck drop poses a challenge for western viewers. In Ask Ray & Dregs Anything... How do they Jets play this season out? Which player has the most "punchable" face? And family getting chirped at school or on the streets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On-ice testing in Milan is set for early January, with the building's completion now targeted for Feb. 2. There are concerns about the ice quality during testing in a building that may not be 100% sealed, and frustration from NHL owners who built their schedule around the Olympic break. In Vancouver, Quinn Hughes trade chatter keeps escalating after he casually called Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald “Fitzy,” though Ray says that specific angle is nonsense even if a future trade might be real. The Devils look lost without Jack Hughes, and the ongoing speculation appears to be weighing on Quinn, who’s trying to do too much on a struggling Canucks team. Toronto grabbed a tight 2–0 win amid a wildly tight standings picture, but a messy melee might bring a suspension for Bobby McCann after a high slash on Bjorkstrand; Ray thinks it should be more than one game and continues to advocate for harsher discipline. Finally, Dregs’ informal poll of GMs rates Colorado and Dallas as the NHL’s model organizations, praised for consistent contention, strong drafting and front-office continuity rooted in past dynasty influences.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Confirmation that Milan’s Olympic rink has been accidentally built three feet short—an odd mistake Ray says won’t affect roster decisions, though the NHLPA’s threat to pull players if construction isn’t finished is seen mostly as pressure to keep organizers on schedule. In St. Louis, Jordan Binnington was pulled after two goals on five shots, leading to a heated bench moment Ray felt should’ve stayed in the room, but the guys don’t think it harms his Olympic chances. Washington’s six-game heater continued with a 7–1 rout of San Jose, but they face a tough balance between supporting Ovechkin and protecting young assets. Rasmus Dahlin’s major on Trevor Zegras was the right call, and the review process—and Zegras’ growing maturity under Rick Tocchet—earned praise. A healthier Leafs squad is grinding out wins behind a heavy third line of Nick Roy, Dakota Joshua, and Bobby McMann, who drove the result against Florida, while the Panthers look far from last year’s Cup winners as Toronto continues its road trip. Plus, in Ask Ray and Dregs Anything... should Brind'Amour have been considered for Team Canada? will Jay Woodcroft get another HC job? and a couple of amazing stories from Ray about coaches he ticked off.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Sharks have surprised the league by sitting in a wildcard spot 27 games in, powered by 20-year-olds Macklin Celebrini—now second in league scoring behind Nathan MacKinnon—and Will Smith, though Ray still sees Anaheim as slightly ahead with better defence, size, and young depth. Team Canada faces a looming Olympic question: with a month until selections, can Connor Bedard realistically be left off the roster, and shouldn’t he at least be one of the two extras over another depth checker? Meanwhile, new concerns surface about Milan’s Olympic rink reportedly being four feet smaller than NHL size, and Ray wonders how much it would affect play. Trivia of the week: Crosby has scored on 167 different goalies, Ovechkin on 186—so how many did Ray beat in his career? We may need to crowd-sourse the answer. Winnipeg continues to spiral without Connor Hellebuyck, getting torched 5–1 by Buffalo as poor secondary scoring may be forcing players to cheat offensively and worsening their defensive issues. In Toronto, the Leafs may be exploring trades despite limited assets, with Troy Stecher making the most of a fresh opportunity amid blueline injuries. And in Carolina, the Hurricanes’ three-goalie system rolls on, with Brandon Bussi now 7–1 while facing just 27 total shots in his last two outings thanks to the Canes’ suffocating puck control.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nikita Tolopilo stole the show for Vancouver with 37 saves in a last-minute start against the high-flying Ducks, whose fire-wagon style continues to delight fans and make coaches nervous. The Canucks also signalled they’re “open for business” on pending veteran UFAs. In Winnipeg, Scott Arniel says the Jets are “in a funk” in recent games without Connor Hellebuyck, highlighting the gap between good goaltending and elite. Toronto edged Columbus in OT with Matthews and company returning from injury, though Auston’s 24-plus minutes in his first game back raises some eyebrows. Joe Woll’s strong outing matters with no timetable for Stolarz's return. Edmonton suffered yet another home blowout, stuck in a defensive spiral where effort isn’t the issue—execution is. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay (five straight), Minnesota (six straight), and Colorado (one regulation loss by U.S. Thanksgiving) are rolling, with the Avs looking every bit like a wagon. Plus, in Ask Ray & Dregs we discuss personal space between the benches, will Ovi chase 1000 and the effectiveness of "players-only" meetings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The state of Florida seems likely to remain a proving ground for anyone chasing the Cup. The Panthers' recent offensive outbursts are somewhat surprising considering their slew of injuries. Tampa Bay tops the division despite their own IR troubles and some individual slow starts. Nashville’s struggles continue, they can't seem to find an identity despite big-name signings. How long will Barry Trotz wait before he starts to shake things up? Plus, AJ Greer’s dangerous takedown on Trent Frederic, Mikko Rantanen’s costly misconducts and hit that sidelined Romanov, and Logan Cooley’s four-goal eruption highlighting Utah’s impressive young foundation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Avalanche have won six straight and look every bit like a Stanley Cup favourite, Ray notes it feels like they are in a window right now with Makar's next deal 2 years away and last year’s bold overhaul in goal. Winnipeg extended captain Adam Lowry at five years times $5 million—a fair deal for a 32-year-old leader—though Ray is surprised by the league-wide trend of signing players into their age-36/37 seasons. The Oilers continue to struggle badly, losing to Washington amid alarming defensive breakdowns; despite criticism of the goaltending, Edmonton’s team play has been atrocious, they rank last in goals against and save percentage. The Rangers are dealing with backlash toward captain J.T. Miller after he appeared to quit on a play that led to Vegas’ 2–0 goal—an effort Ray compared to a preseason vibe and something New York fans won’t tolerate. Meanwhile, Patrick Roy was caught on a hot mic furious over Mikko Rantanen’s hit from behind on Alexander Romanov, who will miss significant time; Ray didn’t like the hit either and felt it warranted a suspension.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brad Treliving held a media availability in which he addressed the Leafs' inconsistency and lack of intensity. Could a change be on the horizon for his team? Florida's culture is the envy of the league. Brad Marchand riding an 11-game point streak. Is he a lock for Team Canada? Drew Doughty is out week-to-week as the Kings continue to grind. Jonathan Quick initiates a postgame brawl. Plus, how young is too young for youth ID skates? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Shane Pinto’s 4 X $7.5M extension in Ottawa earns praise as a fair, forward-looking deal for a rising centre and potential Team USA Olympian, even as the cap climbs toward $100M. In Toronto, the visiting Kings face a battered Leafs squad missing Anthony Stolarz and Auston Matthews, big voids for a team whose defensive commitment is again under scrutiny after back-to-back losses to Boston. Edmonton has rebounded with two OT wins—both courtesy of Jack Roslovic—though the play hasn’t looked right and the Oilers eagerly await Zach Hyman’s return. Boston’s surprising seven-game heater continues behind Pastrnak and an unexpected scoring surge from Morgan Geekie, while New Jersey rookie Simon Nemec stole headlines with a hat trick in a back-and-forth win over Chicago. Team Canada Olympic chatter centres on whether youngsters Bedard and Celebrini can both fit at the expense of veterans, weighing their experience against limited roles on the big stage. The Rangers erupted for a 7–3 win over Tampa as Vincent Trochek returned and a freshly shorn Artemi Panarin added four assists, though their bizarre home-ice struggles persist. The hockey world also mourns the passing of longtime Rangers writer Larry Brooks after a brief battle with cancer. Plus, Ask Ray & Dregs Anything!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A memorable Hall of Fame induction saw Duncan Keith thank his son for helping him rediscover his love of the game, Joe Thornton deliver an emotional speech, and a standout class featuring Zdeno Chara, Alex Mogilny, Brianna Decker, Jennifer Botterill, Danièle Sauvageau & Jack Parker. On the ice, the Oilers rebounded from a humiliating 9–1 loss to Colorado by storming back against Columbus, thanks to two brilliant Connor McDavid goals and Jack Roslovic’s OT winner, though their structural issues and Kris Knoblauch’s pointed post-game comments on goaltending (from Saturday) underline how far they still are from true contention. In Toronto, defensive lapses continue as the Leafs gave up three third-period breakaways in a loss to Boston. Craig Berube was visibly frustrated and the team's lack of speed is apparent as they search for answers. Meanwhile, Brad Marchand is having a stellar season with a five-game goal streak and nearing 1,000 points, stepping up for an injury-depleted Panthers lineup and strengthening his case for Team Canada.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Alex Ovechkin scored his unprecedented 900th goal on Wednesday, alongside 138 game-winners and 324 power-play goals, while Sidney Crosby continues his unreal pace toward a 21st straight point-per-game season and Evgeni Malkin stands as the highest-scoring Russian ever. All reminders of how lucky we are to witness this era’s icons. Jordan Binnington briefly tried to stash Ovie’s milestone puck, a light moment amid bigger concerns for a Blues team that simply doesn’t look right. A bizarre OT winner in Minnesota saw a dislodged net factor into a good-goal ruling that, while correct by rule, raised questions about odd one-off scenarios. Steven Stamkos forced OT with a buzzer-beater but has struggled overall, something Ray attributes partly to Nashville's roster construction. In Calgary, Nazem Kadri’s 1,000th game came with a goal and a rare Flames win, though Ray remains unconvinced about their playoff hopes. Macklin Celebrini’s hot start continues to shine in San Jose, as the league’s 18-to-22-year-old wave surges and potentially affects Olympic rosters. And in Seattle, Ryan Winterton’s first NHL goal offered a touching moment as he plays while his brother battles cancer, with strong support from the Kraken organization.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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insane amount of ad reads
the last 2 podcasts sound so terrible, like their in a submarine or something
Great start so far fellas, one thing I will say is there is already too much focus on the maple leafs. There's 30 other teams
Great stuff! More coach and player interviews/story telling sessions, please.
cant wait for episode 1 today!
Looking forward for this podcast!