Garth Snow Interview! Laine hurt, Xhekaj response, pre-season injury woes

The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast

Ray Ferraro and Darren Dreger discuss key moments from the Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs preseason game, [4:00] particularly Cedric Pare's controversial hit on Patrik Laine. They debate whether the hit was malicious or simply mistimed, setting the tone for a deeper dive into player safety and league discipline.

At [12:00], Ray and Dregs focus on the fight between Arber Xhekaj and Pare, sparked by the earlier hit, comparing it to infamous incidents like the Todd Bertuzzi-Steve Moore case. They discuss whether Xhekaj deserved a suspension and how George Parros, head of the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, may have weighed in, given his own playing history. The conversation then shifts at [18:00] to the prevalence of preseason injuries, with examples like Patrik Laine and Drew Doughty sidelined. Ray questions whether the NHL preseason needs to be shortened to protect star players, especially as teams try to balance preparation with avoiding injuries.

The episode’s feature interview begins at [32:00] with former Islanders GM Garth Snow. Snow discusses his life after management, coaching his sons' hockey teams, and his rapid transition from NHL player to general manager. He offers a candid look at the challenges he faced running the Islanders, particularly during the financial difficulties and arena issues on Long Island. Snow shares fascinating insights on the evolution of goaltending at [44:00], reflecting on the trend of bigger goalies and some of the equipment tricks he used during his career to maximize coverage in net.

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