Tales with TR: A Hockey Podcast · The Hockey Podcast Network

Jason Gregor returns to talk ALL THINGS NHL! - 289B

January 16, 2026·48 min·4 clips

Late-birthday NHL players make 51% more in salary than those born early in the year, thanks to an extra year of development.

Host Terry Ryan welcomes back Jason Gregor, host of The Jason Gregor Show and longtime Oilers reporter, for a wide-ranging NHL discussion. The conversation begins with an analysis of birth month advantages in hockey, referencing a study showing players born in the third and fourth quarters now earn 51% more in salary. Gregor cites examples like Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Taylor Hall, and Leon Draisaitl as successful late-birthday players who gained an extra development year before draft eligibility. He argues that facing early adversity helps these players more than the initial physical advantage enjoyed by kids born earlier in the year. The hosts debate whether NHL teams should carry three goalies, noting a new league rule will allow a salaried third goalie who doesn't count against the roster. Gregor explains that modern goalies face greater physical demands due to increased lateral movement and techniques like the RVH, making the position more taxing. Terry Ryan suggests the 82-game schedule is too demanding for a physically intense sport like hockey, though Gregor counters that today's players benefit from superior travel, nutrition, and training compared to past eras. A significant portion focuses on unbreakable records, with Gregor emphatically stating Glenn Hall's consecutive 502 games played as a goaltender will never be broken. He shares an anecdote about Hall avoiding training camp to preserve himself, playing without a mask for most of his career. The discussion shifts to contract strategy, where Gregor advocates for a rule limiting post-age-28 contracts to five years, arguing long-term deals often become burdensome for non-elite players. Regarding Team Canada's Olympic roster, Gregor expresses surprise at the exclusion of Sam Bennett and the identical defense selection from the Four Nations tournament. He speculates on who might replace the injured Brayden Point on Connor McDavid's line, suggesting Zach Hyman for his current production and existing chemistry. For the Oilers' trade deadline needs, Gregor identifies a top-six left winger as a priority, naming Jared McCann and Artemi Panarin as potential targets. The hosts criticize the New York Rangers' recent performance and management, questioning JT Miller's leadership and GM Chris Drury's tenure. A listener question about Aaron Judge leads to a discussion on baseball simulators and how modern technology aids hitters. They note elite athletes like Sidney Crosby and LeBron James are extending their primes due to advanced sports science, recalibrating what constitutes an athlete's peak years. Connor McDavid's 20-game point streak is highlighted, with Gregor noting only Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux have averaged more points per game during such streaks. Alex Ovechkin's goal-scoring consistency and durability are praised as unparalleled, with Gregor suggesting Auston Matthews' occasional minor injuries may prevent him from reaching Ovechkin's record. The episode closes with a lighthearted question about favorite 1980s bands, prompting a personal story from Gregor. The tone is casual and conversational, blending insider analysis with personal anecdotes and listener questions. Hockey enthusiasts, particularly Oilers fans and those interested in NHL analytics, contract debates, and historical comparisons, will enjoy this episode. Listeners seeking a tightly focused, single-topic discussion might find the wide-ranging format less engaging.

As heard by us

A conversational hockey chat that moves from birthdays and money to Team Canada calls.

The episode opens in an easy, conversational register, with birthdays, a return from Tulum, and a quick McDavid-Gretzky aside before it settles into the main thread.

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Why you'd press play

Want a blunt hockey chat that swings from NHL money to Team Canada roster calls?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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