The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast

• Hand-Pass Headaches, Hellebuyck’s Hurry, and Patrick Kane’s Climb. Plus, Ask Ray & Dregs Anything!

  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.

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• Olympic Ice Test, the Quinn Hughes Rumour Storm, McMann Melee, Avs & Stars are the Cream of the Crop.

  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.

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• Three Feet Short in Milan. Plus: Binnington Boils, Caps Roll, Leafs Look Up and Ask Ray & Dregs!

  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.

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• Sharks Rising, Jets Falling, and Team Canada’s Big Decision(s)

  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.

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• Ducks & Canucks Thriller, Vancouver Open for Business, Jets in a Funk, Matthews Returns, Ask Ray & Dregs!

  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.

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