In Tim Hortons headlines, Ray Ferraro and Darren Dreger dive into the Swayman deal and Ullmark's gamble in Ottawa. The guys make their team predictions for the 2024-25 season. Ryan Rishaug joins for Ask Ray & Dregs. 

In Tim Hortons headlines, Ray Ferraro and Darren Dreger dive into the Swayman deal and Ullmark's gamble in Ottawa. The guys make their team predictions for the 2024-25 season. Ryan Rishaug joins for Ask Ray &amp; Dregs.

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.

The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast

Predictions and Storytime: Swayman signs, division frontrunners, Ask Ray & Dregs

At the GM Meetings in Florida, Department of Player Safety was under the microscope following Radko Gudas’s 5-game suspension for the hit that ended Auston Matthews’ season, with many feeling the punishment was too light; George Parros suggested the door is open to changes, including potential third-party input. Ray feels suspensions are largely too lenient and called for a clearer, streamlined rulebook. Meanwhile, Doug Armstrong is stepping down as Team Canada’s Olympic GM - impacting future events like the World Cup - who would a worthy successor be? The NHL also confirmed a 2028 World Cup of Hockey featuring Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague as host cities (notably without a U.S. location), though questions remain about fitting the tournament into an already expanding 84-game schedule. On the safety front, mandatory neck guards for new players will begin next season, with logistics around enforcement still being sorted and roughly 40 approved models available. Finally, Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer is rumoured to have as many as 1,000 friends and family in attendance for his hometown game in Toronto, capping off a standout season as the 18-year old continues to make waves league-wide.

At the GM Meetings in Florida, Department of Player Safety was under the microscope following Radko Gudas&rsquo;s 5-game suspension for the hit that ended Auston Matthews&rsquo; season, with many feeling the punishment was too light; George Parros suggested the door is open to changes, including potential third-party input. Ray feels suspensions are largely too lenient and called for a clearer, streamlined rulebook. Meanwhile, Doug Armstrong is stepping down as Team Canada&rsquo;s Olympic GM - impacting future events like the World Cup - who would a worthy successor be? The NHL also confirmed a 2028 World Cup of Hockey featuring Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague as host cities (notably without a U.S. location), though questions remain about fitting the tournament into an already expanding 84-game schedule. On the safety front, mandatory neck guards for new players will begin next season, with logistics around enforcement still being sorted and roughly 40 approved models available. Finally, Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer is rumoured to have as many as 1,000 friends and family in attendance for his hometown game in Toronto, capping off a standout season as the 18-year old continues to make waves league-wide.

GM Meetings Highlight Player Safety. Plus, Armstrong Exits Team Canada, World Cup, Neck Guards & More!

Ottawa’s playoff push took a hit with a 3–2 loss to Montreal, as Ivan Demidov scored the winner and goalie Dustin Fowler stood tall for the Canadiens. On a night where Linus Ullmark only allowed 3 goals, the fellas argue it’s fair to question the Senators’ goaltending overall, suggesting even league-average numbers might have them comfortably in a playoff spot. In the West, San Jose sits just one point out of a wildcard with Macklin Celebrini already at 90 points in his second season, though concerns remain about the Sharks’ goaltending and defense, especially when compared to a similarly rebuilding Anaheim team. Tuesday also brought controversy when Nathan MacKinnon received a five-minute major for colliding with Oilers goalie Connor Ingram after a lengthy review; Avalanche coach Jared Bednar blamed Darnell Nurse’s initial contact, and Ray agrees the call was excessive—likely a minor at most. Looking ahead to the GM meetings, Ray hopes the league addresses the ongoing confusion around goalie interference and the frustration of lengthy offside reviews on zone entries that occur long before a goal is scored.

Then, In Ask Ray and Dregs Anything, we talk about good goalies on bad teams and what the Leafs offseason may look like... is anyone safe?

Ottawa&rsquo;s playoff push took a hit with a 3&ndash;2 loss to Montreal, as Ivan Demidov scored the winner and goalie Dustin Fowler stood tall for the Canadiens. On a night where Linus Ullmark only allowed 3 goals, the fellas argue it&rsquo;s fair to question the Senators&rsquo; goaltending overall, suggesting even league-average numbers might have them comfortably in a playoff spot. In the West, San Jose sits just one point out of a wildcard with Macklin Celebrini already at 90 points in his second season, though concerns remain about the Sharks&rsquo; goaltending and defense, especially when compared to a similarly rebuilding Anaheim team. Tuesday also brought controversy when Nathan MacKinnon received a five-minute major for colliding with Oilers goalie Connor Ingram after a lengthy review; Avalanche coach Jared Bednar blamed Darnell Nurse&rsquo;s initial contact, and Ray agrees the call was excessive&mdash;likely a minor at most. Looking ahead to the GM meetings, Ray hopes the league addresses the ongoing confusion around goalie interference and the frustration of lengthy offside reviews on zone entries that occur long before a goal is scored.
Then, In Ask Ray and Dregs Anything, we talk about good goalies on bad teams and what the Leafs offseason may look like... is anyone safe?

Ottawa’s Goalie Problem, Celebrini Keeps Sharks Alive, MacKinnon Major Questioned. Plus, Ask Ray & Dregs Anything!

The guys look ahead to a wide-open Atlantic Division race, where Ottawa’s playoff hopes may hinge on steadier goaltending, Detroit tries to snap a nine-year drought, and Boston faces a tough road-heavy schedule down the stretch. Buffalo, meanwhile, is surging behind a confident, free-wheeling style and a maturing blue line. Injuries are also shaping the playoff picture, with Brad Marchand possibly facing surgery, Jake Sanderson sidelined for Ottawa, and concerns about how a potential Dylan Larkin absence would impact Detroit. In Philadelphia, Matvei Michkov continues to draw attention as Tocchet experiments with him at right wing despite ongoing questions about his fit in Tocchet's system. Plus, a discussion about NHL front offices, debating the value and power dynamics of teams employing both a President of Hockey Operations and a GM.

The guys look ahead to a wide-open Atlantic Division race, where Ottawa&rsquo;s playoff hopes may hinge on steadier goaltending, Detroit tries to snap a nine-year drought, and Boston faces a tough road-heavy schedule down the stretch. Buffalo, meanwhile, is surging behind a confident, free-wheeling style and a maturing blue line. Injuries are also shaping the playoff picture, with Brad Marchand possibly facing surgery, Jake Sanderson sidelined for Ottawa, and concerns about how a potential Dylan Larkin absence would impact Detroit. In Philadelphia, Matvei Michkov continues to draw attention as Tocchet experiments with him at right wing despite ongoing questions about his fit in Tocchet's system. Plus, a discussion about NHL front offices, debating the value and power dynamics of teams employing both a President of Hockey Operations and a GM.

Predictions and Storytime: Swayman signs, division frontrunners, Ask Ray & Dregs

In 1 playlist(s)

The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips