The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Olympics Recap, Trade Speculation, Coffey Returns to the Oilers Bench, Tim Hortons Hockey Challenge Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

Olympics recap, Gold medal overtime goal analysis, Hughes brothers class, Tkachuk brothers swagger, Matthews has his moment, trade speculation heating up including: Flames Nazim Kadri, Predators Ryan O'Reilly, Canucks' Evander Kane and Elias Pettersson. Paul Coffey returns to the Oilers bench. Plus: The Tim Hortons NHL Hockey Challenge is back.

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Gold for USA, Heartbreak for Canada Feb 22, 2026

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Ray & Dregs react to USA's OT win over Canada for Olympic men’s hockey gold.

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Tim Hortons Team Canada Olympic Report. Plus: Rishaug from Italy, Stone impressing, Celebrini stellar, Wilson a unicorn. Team USA report card. Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Ryan Rishaug calls in with Tim Hortons Olympic updates from Team Canada practice.

In Canadian Brewhouse headlines: Mark Stone impressing, Celebrini stellar, Tom Wilson a unicorn, has Binnington has surpassed expectations? Team USA report card, including Auston Matthews' performance, and the Tkachuk brothers chirps. Who will play for Gold?

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Tim Hortons Team Canada Olympic Preview. Plus: Closed Practices, Head Contact Debate & Daily Leafs Rumours. Feb 10, 2026

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Frankie Corrado sits in for Ray Ferraro for our Team Canada Olympic Preview. The fellas discuss Jon Cooper’s tendency to mix lines early, the intriguing fit of Tom Wilson alongside Connor McDavid and how McDavid, MacKinnon, and Crosby down the middle could pose matchup nightmares, especially for teams with a number of non-NHL defencemen. Canada's defence looks strong, though minutes behind Cale Makar remain a question, with Drew Doughty seen as a potential x-factor. Jordan Binnington is still the presumed Game 1 starter in goal and the guys think the schedule supports this assumption. Headlines include Cooper closing practice to media (likely much ado about nothing), Charlie McAvoy’s social media comments reigniting debate around head contact rules and your daily Maple Leafs rumours as Toronto weighs pushing back into the playoff race versus re-tooling around pending UFAs. Plus, Frankie's observations from a lacklustre Sens/Flyers game before the break and the growing Michkov discussion in Philly, with the Olympic pause framed as a clean reset for struggling players and teams.

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Panarin Picks His Spot, Draisaitl Holds Nothing Back, Playoff Bubble Team Predictions. Plus, Ask R&D Anything! Feb 05, 2026

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The Rangers dealt Artemi Panarin to LA for former first-round pick Liam Greentree and a conditional third, a return shaped largely by his trade protection, which limited the market. The Rangers retained 50% of his salary for this season and extended him for two years at $11M AAV; Ray understands the move for LA’s scoring and power-play needs but questions why New York rushed the trade with time still available. Penn State star and projected 2026 top pick Gavin McKenna is facing serious assault charges, with few details known and no speculation for now. In Edmonton, a 4–3 loss to Calgary made it three straight defeats, leading Leon Draisaitl to publicly criticize the team — including himself — with Ray agreeing this looks like the weakest Oilers group of the past three years, plagued by goaltending uncertainty and a lack of depth beyond McDavid and Draisaitl. Looking at the playoff race, Ray doubts Toronto can find sustained consistency, and in the West expects one of Anaheim or Seattle to drop out, with LA the most likely Pacific team to sneak in ahead of Nashville and San Jose.

In Ask Ray & Dregs Anything we talk goalie fights, Moritz Seider's case for the Norris Trophy and players whose personal hygiene (or lack thereof) was weaponized on the ice.

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Spectacle in Tampa Bay, Olympic Injury Concerns, McDavid Speaks & Trotz to Retire. Feb 03, 2026

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Sunday’s Tampa Bay vs Boston outdoor game delivered a true spectacle — great hockey weather, a goalie fight, and a wild Lightning comeback from four goals down — though not without controversy, as Boston bristled at the penalty disparity and power plays that swung momentum, even if, as Ray notes, the Bruins are among the league’s most-penalized teams. The game also raised Olympic questions with Anthony Cirelli injured and Brayden Point’s status looming, highlighting the rigidity of Olympic rosters where changes can’t be made once the tournament begins, prompting speculation about potential standby players flying to Italy, while Sam Bennett is banged up but expected to be fine and Zach Hyman’s name creeps into the conversation given his 50-goal-pace production and versatility. Meanwhile, Connor McDavid gave fans a rare, heartfelt glimpse into his mindset with his Players’ Tribune piece “Dear Canada,” a raw expression of his love for the game and a clear signal — especially to Oilers fans — of his desire to win a Stanley Cup in Edmonton. Barry Trotz announced he’ll step down as Nashville Predators GM at season’s end for family reasons, with the organization hoping to have a new GM in place by the draft, marking the first time in franchise history that neither Trotz nor David Poile will be involved. Plus, Ryan Rishaug checks in from Milano Cortina to talk facilities and schedule in advance of the Olympic Hockey tournaments.

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Rangers Put Panarin on Ice, Leafs’ Reality Check, Ottawa’s Surge & 3 Games for Rust. Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Artemi Panarin appears to be headed out of New York, with the Rangers reportedly shelving him through the Olympic break to protect the asset, and his no-trade clause giving him significant control as teams like LA, Washington, San Jose and possibly Dallas circle, with the expectation he wants an extension wherever he lands. In Toronto, the Leafs sit eight points out a wildcard position and face hard questions about whether it’s time for Brad Treliving to cut bait on depth pieces, with a critical western road trip looming. Ottawa, despite months of negative noise, has suddenly surged with statement wins over Vegas and Colorado, while the Avalanche’s recent skid feels like a natural correction ahead of a needed reset and healthier lineup. Meanwhile, Bryan Rust’s three-game suspension for elbowing Brock Boeser surprised some, with Ray arguing the length of penalty should be the standard for that type of play, regardless of a player’s reputation.

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Blue-Line Hat Tricks & Finger Fines. Buffalo Believes while Jets and Canucks Fret. Plus Ask Ray & Dregs! Jan 27, 2026

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The Edmonton Oilers made history with back-to-back hat tricks by defencemen; Bouchard and then Ekholm, the former now sits among the league’s top-scoring blueliners, after a typically slow start to the season. In Toronto, William Nylander was fined $5,000 for an ill-advised gesture toward a TV camera, a minor distraction but not enough to hide the Leafs’ returning inconsistency, raising questions about whether Brad Treliving needs to make a move with the Olympic break looming. Buffalo continues its surprising surge behind the league’s hottest goalie, Alex Lyon, forcing tough decisions on players like Alex Tuch as playoff hopes feel real for the first time in years. Winnipeg’s playoff fight hit another low after a 5–1 loss to Detroit, prompting a harsh postgame from Scott Arniel and renewed debate about whether the Jets should re-tool on the fly. Meanwhile, Vancouver’s injury woes deepen with Brock Boeser and Zeev Buium sidelined, in addition to growing concern that Thatcher Demko may be shut down to ensure he’s fully healthy for next season.

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Leafs D Decimated, Lacombe over Hutson, Ducks are Back, Buyers & Sellers Emerging, Ask R&D Anything! Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Kelly McCrimmon Interview: Inside the Andersson Trade. Plus, Sherwood to SJ, Rangers to Re-Tool & A Goalie Fight! Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

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.

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