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The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast
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The 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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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.
The Penguins dominated Toronto for 40 minutes before collapsing in the third, as the Leafs flipped the script despite continuing to look out of sorts. Even Craig Berube is flummoxed as to why his team can’t piece together 60 good minutes. In St. Louis, the Blues edged the Oilers late, overshadowing Connor McDavid becoming the 4th-fastest player ever to reach 1,100 points - though he didn’t record a shot on goal, a concerning trend for a player of his caliber on a roster that still feels a forward short. Winnipeg about to get a major boost with Adam Lowry’s return from hip surgery, the Jets have jumped out to another strong start, even after losing Ehlers and their captain on the shelf. Jonathan Toews’ faceoff dominance and unexpected scoring touch have also been revelations. Out West, the Kraken and Ducks are a surprising sight atop the Pacific division, with Seattle unbeaten at home and Anaheim’s young, fast core surging ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, Pierre-Luc Dubois’ serious injury leaves Washington in a bind: last season’s magic isn’t repeating, and the Caps may need to dip into their prospect pool to find a 2nd-line centre... if one is even available.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Leafs were doubled up by Columbus in a rough night all around—Cayden Primeau struggled and the team looked disjointed. The fellas discuss the ongoing conversation surrounding Easton Cowan’s development amid Toronto’s perennially high expectations. John Tavares quietly hit 500 goals amid the loss, a milestone Ray says is best celebrated later. Elsewhere, Brad Marchand took a leave from the Panthers to support a grieving family friend—an act of compassion reminding everyone what truly matters. Meanwhile, Ottawa, Utah, New Jersey, and Pittsburgh—all praised on the last pod—promptly lost in Tuesday’s Frozen Frenzy, with chaos in Pittsburgh including disallowed goals and Crosby’s mysterious misconduct. In Vancouver, hard skating drills raised eyebrows as Adam Foote tried to jumpstart a depleted lineup as he saw fit considering the team's limited practice time. Plus, extensions for Thomas Harley and Logan Cooley, both 8 years north of $10M per, signal the new going rate for emerging stars in a rising-cap era. Then in Ask Ray and Dregs Anything... rapid fire featuring talking hockey on days off, impressive & underperforming teams, dog-doo conundrums and Hallowe'een hypotheticals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sidney Crosby continues to defy time, powering Pittsburgh to third overall in the league and second in the Metro under new coach Dan Muse, whose fresh approach seems to have rejuvenated the group. The Devils and Mammoth have become early-season storylines, each riding impressive win streaks and strong goaltending—Utah’s Karel Vejmelka leads the league in victories, with Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther driving the offence for new owner Ryan Smith’s surging franchise. New Jersey, meanwhile, keeps winning despite some major injuries, thanks to sharp special teams and depth scoring. In Ottawa, the Senators exploded for seven against Boston, with Drake Batherson stepping up in Brady Tkachuk’s absence and a lethal power play exposing a Bruins team in identity limbo. And finally, talk is heating up around Macklin Celebrini potentially cracking Team Canada’s Olympic roster—a debate fueled by his poise, preparation, and the growing feeling that he might just be “Crosby-lite.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brad Marchand’s emotional return to Boston as a Florida Panther stole the night. Marchand drew a penalty on his first shift, assisted on the ensuing power-play goal, and was visibly moved during a heartfelt tribute video. The guys agree his number will one day be retired in Boston. Elsewhere, the Devils are rolling after a 5-2 win over the Leafs, with Hughes and Hischier leading a team that finally looks like the contender Ray expected last year. Toronto, meanwhile, looked big and slow, Anthony Stolarz allowed five goals one game after publicly calling out his team's performance, and Dregs wonders if Brad Treliving’s offseason tweaks may have backfired as the Leafs search for a second-line center and miss Mitch Marner badly. In Calgary, scoring has dried up despite Dustin Wolf’s strong play, while Montreal’s Ivan Demidov is emerging as a likely Calder Trophy candidate. In Buffalo, Colton Ellis’s debut win over Detroit capped a feel-good story for a goalie who’s battled through the minors to reach the NHL.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jonathan Toews scores his first as a Jet and shows he’s still got plenty left in the tank, while Mark Scheifele looks like a man on a mission to make Team Canada. In Vegas, Jack Eichel’s new contract hasn’t slowed him down one bit—he’s leading the league in points as the Golden Knights roll to the top of the Pacific. Vancouver’s dealing with tough injury news as Filip Chytil lands in concussion protocol after a heavy (and possibly late) Tom Wilson hit, and with Lekkerimäki also sidelined, the Canucks may be forced to hunt for centre help. In Toronto, Easton Cowan sits while Max Domi gets a top-line look, and goalie Anthony Stolarz’s public comments about defensive lapses & effort spark some chatter in the room. Meanwhile, in Edmonton, the Oilers head into Ottawa suffering through another sluggish start to a season, with Evan Bouchard struggling mightily and Connor McDavid looking surprisingly human so far. Plus, Habs rookies, Dorofeyev, playoff salary cap and more in Ask Ray & Dregs Anything!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The fellas dig in on NHL Headlines, starting with Chicago’s 8–3 win over St. Louis as Connor Bedard notched three assists in his 29th career multi-point game, showing signs he’s entering another level. Buffalo exploded for eight goals to beat Ottawa 8–4, easing early pressure but not fixing their deeper issues, while the Senators clearly miss Brady Tkachuk and may have Steve Staios working the phones. Florida’s injury list grows with Kulikov and Nosek out, but Bill Zito’s team remains resilient. The Rangers’ odd 0–3 home record without a goal at MSG highlights their top-heavy lineup, and in Toronto, rookie Easton Cowan earned his first NHL point alongside Auston Matthews. Ray also previews Oilers/Islanders, where No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer has been an early bright spot for a New York team trying to avoid its first-ever 0–4 start. Plus, in Ask Ray & Dregs Anything... Stu Skinner's leash, are the Hurricanes different and best & worst travel hubs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Panthers are silencing doubters with a hot start despite key injuries to Barkov and Tkachuk. Nathan MacKinnon is near the top of the scoring race, thriving alongside Martin Nečas as Colorado expects important clashes with Dallas throughout the year... and faces looming cap questions with Cale Makar’s next deal. Newly paid stars like Eichel, Kaprizov, and Connor are backing up their contracts with strong starts, and Team USA is shaping up to be a powerhouse for the Olympics. In Montreal, Lane Hutson’s eight-year extension locks in another key piece of the Habs’ young core, while Buffalo languishes again at the bottom, leaving players like Dahlin and Tuch frustrated in a team without identity. Detroit, meanwhile, looks poised for a breakout behind its youthful lineup, and in Toronto, Craig Berube is calling for more consistency from William Nylander, drawing Ray’s comparison to the enigmatic Alex Kovalev.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jack Eichel inks an 8-year, $13.5M/year deal in Vegas, structured heavily with signing bonuses, while Kyle Connor lands an 8-year, $12M/year contract to stay in Winnipeg—a move the Jets had to make to retain one of their elite offensive weapons. In Edmonton, the Oilers stay active, adding Jack Roslovic on a 1-year “reset” deal and extending Mattias Ekholm for three more years, ensuring stability on the blue line. Ray shares notes from Pittsburgh’s perfect opening night, where Arturs Silovs earned a shutout and Crosby played with some large, new linemates. In Ask R&D Anything, the guys look ahead to milestones for Patrick Kane and Anze Kopitar, and discuss whether McDavid’s record-breaking speed bursts make him even harder to contain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the day Connor McDavid signs a 2-year extension with the Edmonton Oilers (and Jake Walman for 7 years) we look at the powerhouses in the Pacific Division. Mitch Marner could be the ticket to put Vegas back into contention. Colorado and Dallas expected to slug it out in the Central (don't forget about Winnipeg). Tampa Bay looks to still be very much in the mix in the East... their rivalry with the Panthers will continue to be a big story throughout the season. Carolina looks to make a play to top the Metro with their offseason acquisitions... but are they built for the playoffs? We'll know a lot about the new-look Leafs in the first 20 games of the season. Plus, Ray & Dregs Stanley Cup predictions and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The guys break down Luke Hughes’ 7x9M deal in New Jersey and how it sets the stage for future contracts like Lane Hutson’s in Montreal. They dive into NHL.com’s Super 16 rankings, with Vegas at #1, Edmonton sitting higher than Ray thinks they should be and Florida’s injury-driven slide. The Panthers lock up Niko Mikkola long-term after he flourished in Florida, while Carter Hart is expected to land in Vegas following his eligibility to sign. An NHL exec hints at possible expansion by 2–3 teams within three years, raising concerns about diluting the talent pool. Plus, the show reflects on the retirements of Eric Johnson, who leaves with a Cup and over 1,000 games, and Max Pacioretty, who finishes with 335 goals before moving into coaching at Michigan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week the guys break down Kirill Kaprizov’s massive 8-year, $136M extension in Minnesota and what it means for any other impending extensions this year or next. Meanwhile, Anaheim bets long term on Mason McTavish with a 6-year pact that could set him up for another big payday at age 28. The Leafs lock in goalie Anthony Stolarz on a cap-friendly deal, banking on him staying healthy after a career-best season, and the Panthers face a brutal start with Aleksander Barkov out until April and Matthew Tkachuk sidelined for months. Plus, the Penguins give Marc-André Fleury a perfect sendoff with a one-day contract and preseason farewell, cementing his place as one of the game’s greats on and off the ice. In Ask Ray and Dregs Anything, the fellas predict which non-playoff teams from last year make it to the postseason and opine on JT Miller's comments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode, the guys break down the scrutiny in Edmonton over McDavid and Draisaitl having a rough night playing on the same line, why it’s not time to panic yet and where the team’s forward depth still looks thin without Zach Hyman. They touch on the lack of contract extensions for Edmonton’s Chris Knoblauch and Calgary’s Ryan Huska and whether Vancouver’s new coach Adam Foote brings a fresh perspective or a continuation of the Tocchet regime. The Senators look poised for another playoff run under Steve Staios and Josh Green after slashing 47 goals against last year, though the next step needs to be boosting their offence. Then, Vancouver Canucks new bench boss Adam Foote joins the show to talk about settling into his new role, his belief of what Quinn Hughes' future with the team is, Demko’s return to health, Pettersson’s offseason work, and why Vancouver believes it has the pieces to close last season’s playoff gap.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode, the guys cover Alex Pietrangelo’s rehab in Vegas and his veiled suggestion that he might play again this season. Joe Woll takes a leave of absence from the Leafs and Alex Ovechkin enters his age-40 season with questions about how much he has left in the tank. They also look at PTOs around the league like Milan Lucic and Tyler Motte. How do the Montreal Canadiens make enough powerplay time for everyone after adding Noah Dobson to an already offensively gifted blue line. Plus, does Calgary has enough scoring punch, or could a Rasmus Andersson trade could be the key to adding more offense. In Ask Ray & Dregs Anything, the guys the discuss the possibility of Connor McDavid trade, players who intimidate with their words and expectations for Gabe Landeskog.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The boys are back! In our season premiere (beginning around 9:45), we look at Anze Kopitar preparing for a retirement tour after a Hall of Fame–worthy career, while big contract questions swirl around Kirill Kaprizov and Connor McDavid. Mitch Marner’s move to Vegas raises questions about fit and what the Golden Knights had to part with in order to fit him in, and in Toronto, Brad Treliving and Craig Berube face tough questions about replacing Marner’s production. We touch on Jonathan Toews in Winnipeg, the Jets’ looming Kyle Connor extension, and the future of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang in Pittsburgh as the Penguins try to stay competitive in the later years of their legends' careers. Plus, Ask R&D Anything!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A number of pre-deadline trades and signings took a little bit of the shine off of July 1, but the Rangers and Hurricanes swung a big deal that saw K'Andre Miller head to Carolina and then sign a big extension. Can Mitch Marner follow in Jack Eichel's path to finding another level to his game in Las Vegas? The Maple Leafs extended Matthew Knies and made a couple of trades but, much like Edmonton, they are left looking for scoring help to round out their top 6 forwards. The Edmonton Oilers cleared some cap space but also lost a number of players from last season without making a splash on Canada Day. The Vancouver Canucks surprised many by re-signing top UFA Brock Boeser, but some other moves may need to follow as they have a very crowded crease.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Sabres and Utah Mammoth kicked off pre-draft activity with a notable trade sending JJ Peterka to Utah for Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan, with Peterka then signing a 5-year extension. Buffalo’s next move may involve Bowan Byram, with several teams circling. Jamie Benn stays with Dallas on a 1-year deal, and their coaching search narrows to two candidates. Evander Kane heads to Vancouver for cap relief, likely filling a top-six role, while Trevor Zegras lands in Philly with low risk for the Flyers. The Leafs could eye Brad Marchand if Florida can’t re-sign him, though expectations should be realistic for the 37-year-old. Off the ice, future expansion is still a hot topic with Atlanta in the forefront of the chatter, a nearly-finalized CBA, and a possible 84-game season in '26-'27, though Ray would rather see more playoff games instead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Oilers fell to the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year, with Florida delivering near-perfect performances in Games 5 and 6 and showing superior depth, structure, and goaltending throughout the series. Injuries mounted on both sides, but Florida’s culture and cohesion carried them through, while Edmonton struggled without Zach Hyman and leaned too heavily on McDavid and Draisaitl, who couldn’t singlehandedly turn the tide. Sam Bennett earned the Conn Smythe with a historic playoff performance, and GM Bill Zito now faces the challenge of re-signing Bennett, Marchand, and Ekblad. Meanwhile, the Oilers enter a pivotal offseason with key extension talks looming for McDavid and Bouchard, major cap questions, and ongoing uncertainty in goal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Comments (6)

Herb Puffington

insane amount of ad reads

Nov 27th
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Adam Sage

the last 2 podcasts sound so terrible, like their in a submarine or something

Nov 14th
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Stewart Dyck

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

Oct 19th
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Steve Dato

Great stuff! More coach and player interviews/story telling sessions, please.

Oct 7th
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Baro280

cant wait for episode 1 today!

Oct 1st
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Ben M.

Looking forward for this podcast!

Sep 25th
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