NHL Wraparound Podcast

NHL Wraparound Quick Takes - Spring Cleaning - Columbus Blue Jackets

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:56:00 -0400

For the sixth consecutive spring, the Columbus Blue Jackets are out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. What started poorly was replaced to an incredible run to playoff position after a coaching change, only to falter at the end for the second straight season.

Vic and Neil, look back at what went wrong and look ahead with plenty of decisions for GM Don Waddell.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #ColumbusBlueJackets #DonWaddell #JohnnyGaudreau #RickBowness #DeanEvason #DetroitRedWings #WashingtonCapitals #ZachWerenski #KirillMarchenko #AdamFantill #CharlieCoyle #SeanMonahan #JetGreaves #ElvisMerzlikins #ColeSillinger #MasonMarchment #BooneJenner #DantonHeinen #ErikGudbranson #BrendanSmith #EgorZamula

Stanley Cupdate - Mental Toughness of Pens, Sens and Ducks Being Put to the Test - April 21, 2026

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:21:00 -0400

While the Stanley Cup Playoffs are a two month physical battle of attrition, the mental component plays an equally significant role in determining the fate of clubs.

Monday, Pittsburgh, Ottawa and Anaheim all went down in very different ways and are going to be challenged to get themselves back in their respective series.

Elsewhere, Dallas avoided a 2-0 hole against Minnesota and we look ahead, to four games on the games on the Tuesday schedule where the Lightning, Bruins, Mammoth and Kings will try to even their series.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - No Playoffs in 15 Years, No Problem! - April 20, 2026

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:48:00 -0400

Let the plots begin to unfold as the Stanley Cup Playoffs opened over the weekend with seven of the eight series beginning to tell their respective stories. Perhaps no tale was better than in Buffalo where, after a decade-an-a-half of waiting, fans in Western New York were treated to a stirring comeback at the hands of the rival Bruins.

Elsewhere, some favorites held serve as expected while a couple of others stunned their hosts.

Finally, the number of hits more than doubled from that of a regular season game according to stats compiled by the NHL. Really? Let's get to the definition of a hit and go from there.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Quick Takes - Spring Cleaning - New York Islanders

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:36:00 -0400

The NHL Wraparound Spring Cleaning series continues on Quick Takes with the New York Islanders.

Primed to make the playoffs in late March, the Isles collapsed and that cost head coach Patrick Roy his job.

While some improvements were made in 2025-26, much lies ahead for Mathieu Darche in the off-season.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #NewYorkIslanders #MontrealCanadiens #MathieuDarche #MatthewSchaefer #NoahDobson #EmilHeineman #IlyaSorokin #BoHorvat #BrianLeetch #KylePalmieri #AlexanderRomanov #AndersLee #MathewBarzal #ChicagoBlackhawks #PittsburghPenguins #RickardRakell #TonyDeAngelo #JoshBailey #DavidRittich #SemyonVarlamov #BridgeportIslanders #LouLamoriello #MaxShabanov #MattGatcomb #AdamBoqvist

Episode 97 - The 2026 Stanley Cup Preview Show - With TSN's Craig Button

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:11:00 -0400

After over six months of play, the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs have arrived and, with that, Neil and Vic are pleased to welcome back TSN's Craig Button for another round of analysis of all eight opening round series.

Lively discussion about the series, some GM news and a few other burning questions will get listeners primed for the most intense competition in sports.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:43] - Carolina vs. Ottawa

[07:54] - Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia

[12:51] - Buffalo vs. Boston

[16:52] - Montreal vs. Tampa Bay

[22:43] - Two pieces of GM news with Patrik Allvin out in Vancouver and Sunny Mehta installed to run the New Jersey Devils.

[29:52] - Colorado vs. Los Angeles

[33:36] - Dallas vs. Minnesota

[39:24] - Vegas vs. Utah

[43:54] - Edmonton vs. Anaheim

[48:33] - The Playoff Salary Cap: Significant or much ado about nothing?

[50:24] - Coming out parties, teams and players with most pressure and picks for the Final.

[1:00:29] - Wrap up segment with TV schedule for first weekend of the playoffs.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 16, 2026

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:52:00 -0400

The final installment of Smith's Pix is here for the 2025-26 regular season.

Only one game of significance on Wednesday as Neil correctly picked Vegas to clinch the Pacific, doing so with a win over Seattle.

With three games in the Pacific Division deciding the final two opening round matchups, Neil puts a 573-317-124 record on the line.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 96 - Reviewing the 2025-26 Regular Season - With Jeff Marek from The Sheet

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:56:00 -0400

With the regular season coming to close, Neil and Vic welcome Jeff Marek from the Sheet back to review predictions made back prior to the start of start of the 2026-campaign.

Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To updates what's at stake on the final night of the season with a potential TV schedule for the first playoff week while the show wraps up with stat leaders and a couple of personnel notes.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:47] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[06:51] - Jeff Marek welcomed to the show to go over predictions on our preview show from back in October. Some fun banter and then the expert thoughts from items covered six months ago starting with the Kirill Kaprizov contract in Minnesota.

[14:02] - Predictions starting with coaches and further to discussion to upper management.

[28:57] - The Breakout Players.

[32:56] - Team Power shifts.

[36:44] - Playoff shifts from a season ago, would the Panthers repeat and revisiting picks for the Stanley Cup Final.

[39:01] - Biggest surprises of the 2025-26 regular season.

[43:15] - Personnel notes.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - All Over but the Final Opening Round Matchups - Apr. 15, 2026

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:34:00 -0400

The sixteen playoff teams have been determined with only some final positioning and matchups left to be determined.

Vic and Neil go bring the latest on how the final three berths were wrapped up on Monday and, in the process, sent five teams home for the summer, including the defending Presidents' Trophy winners and a team whose coaching was seething mad at his teams' season finale.

We'll also bid farewell to a future Hall of Famer and a broadcast legend and who knows with Ovi?

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #TageThompson #LindyRuff #MarcoSturm #NikitaKucherov #TysonFoerster #DanVladar #ArtemiPanarin #KevinFiala #JohnTortorella #DarcyKuemper #RayFerraro #DJSmith #AnzeKopitar #LucRobitaille #KenHolland #JasonRobertson #PeterDeBoer #RickBowness #DonWaddell #LeonDraisaitl #ZachHyman #JasonDickinson #MaxJones #SeanDurzi #RoopeHintz #CaleMakar #NathanMacKinnon #BradyTkachuk #SteveYzerman #ToddMcLellan #JohnGibson #JamesvanRiemsdyk #DylanLarkin #AlexDebrincat #PatrickKane #LucasRaymond #MarcoKasper #MoritzSeider #JustinFaulk #DavidPerron #TravisHamonic #CamTalbot #SimonEdvinsson #JimMontgomery #RobertThomas #JordanKyrou #JordanBinnington #JoelHofer #BraydenSchenn #OskarSundqvist #DylanHolloway #JonatanBerggren #MattKessel #AlexSteen #DougArmstrong #LaneLambert #DanBylsma #MasonMarchment #RyanLindgren #FrederickGaudreau #JaredMcCann #MartyBeniers #ShaneWright #PhilippGrubauer #JoeyDaccord #RonFrancis #JasonBotterill #DaveHakstol #OliverBjorkstrand #JadenSchwartz #EeliTolvanen #BobbyMcMann #JamieOleksiak #JoeBowen #SamRosen #JonathanQuick #MikeRichter #AlexOvechkin #JohnBuccigross #ESPN #WayneGretzky #JeffMarek #TheSheet #CraigButton #TSN

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 15, 2026

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:07:00 -0400

Neil posted a 2-2-1 mark selecting only meaningful games on the schedule. With two days left in the regular season, his mark stands at 572-317-124.

Only Seattle at Vegas has post-season significance on Wednesday. Check out who Neil picked.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 14, 2026

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:06:00 -0400

Looking to finish strong, Neil checked in with a 5-1-1 mark in the meaningful games on the Monday schedule to bump his season record to 570-315-123.

Although all sixteen spots in the post-season are now secure, five of the nine Tuesday games will have some impact on positioning so check them out.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 13, 2026

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:50:00 -0400

Deux, deux, deux for Neil Sunday taking his mark for the season to 565-314-122. Only seven of the 10 games Monday have significance to the league standings so check them out.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Three Seats Still Left at the Playoff Table - Apr. 13, 2026

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:39:00 -0400

Four more in, four more out and three spots remain up for grabs with eight teams vying for them.

Vic and Neil have the latest on the races, including the astonishing collapses of Detroit and the N.Y. Islanders, and a special weekend for Alex Ovechkin as the Capitals have managed to stay alive heading into the final four days of the regular season.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 12, 2026

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:47:00 -0400

Due in part to a couple of teams that surprised with the players that were being held out, Neil managed only a 6-6-2 mark in the fourteen games picked.

Sunday's six-pack all has some meaning either through trying to gain a spot, improving playoff position or just trying to avoid elimination. The season mark stands at 563-312-120.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 11, 2026

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:52:00 -0400

Only a dark Friday could quiet Neil after posting an 10-3-1 Thursday. That's 22-3-3 over the last three game nights for an overall mark of 557-306-118.

Saturday's slate has 15 games but Neil will select only 14 with the Florida-Toronto game having no standings impact.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Short Shifts - Your One-stop Guide to the Final Regular Season Weekend - Apr. 10, 2026

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:33:00 -0400

The final weekend of the regular season has arrived. While Colorado clinched the Presidents' Trophy Thursday and Pittsburgh and Utah joined the playoff party, there are still tangled webs in several other races around the NHL. Vic and Neil will walk you through it.

On the flip side, we'll have spring cleanings for two teams eliminated earlier this week: New Jersey and Calgary as well as some significant personnel updates from around the league.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #GordMiller #TSN #CoreyPerry #RyanHartman #Presidents'Trophy #NathanMacKinnon #MartinNeces #DanMuse #MikeSullivan #BillArmstrong #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #KrisLetang #ErikKarlsson #ColtenEllis #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen #AlexLyon #JurajSlafkovsky #TaylorRaddysh #ColeCaufield #StephaneRicher #NikitaKucherov #JoshAnderson #CoreyPerry #VictorHedman #MatthewTkachuk #LaneHutson #PeterDeBoer #ArturAhktyamov #MatthewSchaefer #BrianLeetch #IlyaSorokin #TorontoMarlies #WilliamNylander #MitchMarner #JohnTavares #AustonMatthews #MorganRielly #DeanEvason #RickBowness #AlexOvechkin #DylanLarkin #MoritzSeider #PatrickKane #JoshMorrissey #JonathanToews #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #ZachHyman #MacklinCelebrini #JohnTortorella #JohnCarlson #MikkoRantanen #QuinnHughes #ConnorBrown #EvgeniiDadonov #ErikHaula #BrianDumoulin #CurtisLazar #NathanBastien #JesperBratt #JackHughes #TimoMeier #DawsonMercer #OndrejPalat #JacobMarkstrom #TomFitzgerald #SheldonKeefe #DougieHamilton #LindyRuff #TravisGreen #DanielSprong #ZackMcEwen #DennisCholowski #ArsenyGritsyuk #PaulCotter #SimonNemec #CraigConroy #JonathanHuberdeau #DevinCooley #DustinWolf #DanVladar #DonMaloney #MacKenzieWeegar #NikitaZadorov #RyanLomberg #VictorOlofsson #JakeBean #JohnBeecher #RonFrancis #JasonBotterill #GeorgeMcPhee #RomanJosi #MiroHeiskanen #JohnGibson #OwenTippett #CamTalbot #NazemKadri #AnthonyStolarz #DakotaJoshua #BrandonCarlo #ConnorIngram #JasonDickinson #ConnorDewar #SethJones #LukeHughes #ThomasChabot #JTMiller #IlyaProtas #AliaksaiProtas #TomWilson #ColeHutson #JamesHagens #FrozenFour #KentAnderson #JohnnyHicks

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 9, 2026

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:01:00 -0400

Neil took the show to the road Wednesday and Buffalo, Washington and Edmonton all deliver to move the overall to 547-303-117 (.626).

12-0-2 over the last two nights, let's see what how he'll do with a 14-game schedule Thursday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 95 - Down the Stretch with Noodles - With TSN Analyst Jamie McLennan - Apr. 8, 2026

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:06:00 -0400

The Ottawa Senators have emerged as one of the great surprises this season. After sputtering early, the team has managed to overcome injury and adversity to put themselves in control of their own destiny in the final week of the regular season. TSN Analyst Jamie McLennan joins Neil and Vic to discuss the Sens as well as a couple of other topics.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, we have clinchers, a playoff matchup that is set and the peril of the three-point games for those trying to make up ground.

There's also a new GM opening in New Jersey as well and some scrutiny around a penalty box attendant in Buffalo.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:42] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[09:48] - Jamie McLennan joins the show with discussion of the Ottawa Senators and their battles through adversity and injury to own a wild card spot heading into the final week of the regular season.

[14:52] - Further elaboration on the injuries the Sens have had to deal with on their backline and the job Travis Green has done to navigate the team through it.

[19:18] - Neil brings back some historical data to underscore even legendary coaches often get overlooked for the jobs they have done.

[22:16] - Despite the troubles in net this season, signs the playoffs may yield different story.

[25:49] - Many Canadian teams have had a hard time in 2025-26. Neil gets Jamie's thoughts on Vancouver.

[30:11] - Shifting to Toronto. Just Mitch Marner's departure or more to it?

[33:33] - The question of whether Craig Berube's style was truly the right fit for the Maple Leafs.

[36:21] - Thoughts on a firm being brought in to find the next head of hockey ops in Toronto.

[42:20] - The former goaltender offers up why he believes save percentages around the NHL are at a 30-year low.

[47:41] - Wrapping up the chat with Jamie McLennan.

[49:30] - Standings Update.

[52:50] - Tom Fitzgerald out as President/GM in New Jersey.

[56:47] - Spring Cleaning: Florida Panthers.

[1:01:22] - Personnel notes and an odd injury involving an penalty box door in Buffalo.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JamieMcLennan #TSN #PatrickRoy #PeteDeBoer #TravisGreen #JonCooper #IlyaSorokin #Andrei Vasilevskiy #ThomasChabot #NickJensen #JakeSanderson #DennisGilbert #TylerKleven #CarterYakemchuk #JordanPence #CameronCrotty #BradyTkachuk #TimStutzle #DylanCozens #ShanePinto #DrakeBatherson #RidlyGreig #LinusUllmark #JamesReimer #LeeviMerilianen #DanMuse #RickTocchet #JaredBednar #Lindy Ruff #SteveStaois #RickBowness #AlArbour #ScottyBowman #JackAdamsAward #BryanTrottier #MikeBossy #DenisPotvin #BillySmith #BobNystrom #GerardGallant #BruceCassidy #JohnTortorella #JeremySwayman #ThatcherDemko #ArtursSilovs #QuinnHughes #JTMiller #EliasPettersson #BrockBoeser #ConorGarland #KevinLankinen #ZeevBuium #MitchMarner #AustonMatthews #CraigBerube #BradTreliving #JosephWoll #AnthonyStolarz #ChrisTanev #BrendanShanahan #KyleDubas #LouLamoriello #WilliamNylander #JohnTavares #DougArmstrong #KeithPelley #NeilGlasberg #PBISports #JeffJackson #HaroldBallard #TravisYost #SteveValiquette #GrantFuhr #MartinBrodeur #EdBelfour #DominikHasek #ArizonaCoyotes #TomFitzgerald #RayShero #TimoMeier #DougieHamilton #OndrejPalat #JackHughes #SheldonKeefe #JacobMarkstrom #JakeAllen #AlexsanderBarkov #SamReinhart #MatthewTkachuk #SamBennett #BradMarchand #AaronEkblad #TomasNosek #MackieSamoskevich #JustinSordif #SethJones #AJGreer #VinnieHonostroza #LukeKunin #NoahGregor #PaulMaurice #BillZito #SergeiBobrovsky #DaniilTarasov #NikitaKucherov #JakeGuentzel #KirbyDach #JustinFaulk #VladNamestnikov #NinoNiederreiter #ZachHyman #LeonDraisaitl #PontusHolmberg #PeytonKrebs #ZachBenson

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 8, 2026

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:20:00 -0400

If you took Neil's advice Tuesday, you did real well as the record for the night was 9-0-2 with the only losses coming as a result of the Red Wings and Oilers failing to hold late leads and falling after regulation.

A light night of only three games comprises Wednesday's schedule. The overall record stands at 544-303-117.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 7, 2026

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:09:00 -0400

On the right side of the ledger on a quiet Monday which saw Neil go 2-1-1. Eleven games on the Tuesday schedule as the jockeying for spots and positions continues. The season record entering play is at 535-303-115.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Dizzying Playoff Races and Roy Shown the Door - Apr. 6, 2026

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:07:00 -0400

You'd think the longest playoff drought coming to an end would be the biggest news over the weekend? Nope. How 'bout the two-time defending champions being officially eliminated? Negative.

Sunday, the N.Y. Islanders dismissed head coach Patrick Roy and replaced him with Peter DeBoer with the hopes of still securing a playoff berth in the East.

Beyond that, Vic and Neil update all of the playoff races and also offer up Spring Cleanings for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #PatrickRoy #MathieuDarche #PeterDeBoer #LindyRuff #ThomasVanek #SergeiBobrovsky #AleksanderBrakov #MatthewTkachuk #AaronEkblad #SethJones #PaulMaurice #BillZito #SidenyCrosby #SteveYzerman #RickTocchet #PorterMartone #JeremySwayman #AndreiVasilevskiy #JakeSanderson #TravisGreen #JordanStaal #JordanMartinook #PatrickKane #QuinnHughes #KirillKaprizov #AlexDebrincat #JonathanQuick #GabePerreault #WillCuylle #MikaZibanejad #JTMiller #JoelQuenneville #JackEichel #JohnTortorella #CarterHart #ClaytonKeller #AndreTourigny #ArizonaCoyotes #BillArmstrong #QuintonByfield #RobertThomas #DylanHolloway #JoelHofer #JordanBinnington #KyleConnor #ZachHyman #StuartSkinner #ArtursSilovs #VictorHedman #BrandonHagel #ScottSabourin #ValNichushkin #DamonSeverson #ZachBolduc #MichaelRasmussen #JustinFaulk #AliaksaiProtas #NicDowd #MorganBarron #RyanStrome #MitchMarner #MatthewKnies #MaxDomi #NicRobertson #BradTreliving #AustonMatthews #BobbyMcMann #AnthonyStolarz #WilliamNylander #CraigBerube #KeithPelley #BrendanShanahan #SheldonKeefe #ScottLaughton #NicholasRoy #NikitaGrebenkin #CalleJarnkrok #TroyStetcher #MatiasMaccelli #JeffBlashill #ConnorBedard #NickFoligno #JasonDickinson #ConnorMurphy #FrankNazar #TylerBertuzzi #RyanDonato #SethJones #IlyaMikheyev #SamLafferty #MattGrzelcyk #KevinKorchinski #TylerBetuzzi #RyanDonato #JamieMcLennan #TSN

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 6, 2026

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:50:00 -0400

Similar to Saturday, Easter Sunday started strong and fizzled late for Neil going 3-4-0. A tidy four-pack awaits on Monday with a 533-302-114 overall mark.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Quick Takes -Roy out, DeBoer in on The Island - Apr. 5, 2026

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:52:00 -0400

For the second straight Sunday, a head coaching change in the NHL.

Last week, John Tortorella took over for Bruce Cassidy in Vegas and now, with four games left in the regular season, Peter DeBoer has replaced Patrick Roy in an attempt to get the struggling Islanders into the post-season.

Vic and Neil drill it down examining, among other things, if this change comes too late.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #PatrickRoy #PeterDeBoer #BruceCassidy #JohnTortorella #MathieuDarche #JimHiller #LaneLambert #MatthewSchaefer #PaulMaurice #NewYorkIslanders #MontrealCanadiens #VegasGoldenKnights #FloridaPanthers #NewJerseyDevils #SanJoseSharks #DallasStars

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - April 5, 2026

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 11:46:00 -0400

In the collective, the 9-6-0 Saturday was quite good, but the taste went a bit sour with four regulation losses in the late games.

Still, Neil's overall bumps to 530-298-114 with an Easter slate of seven games.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 4, 2026

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 07:16:00 -0400

Big night for the road teams as the Flyers and Blues won much-needed games at the N.Y. Islanders and Anaheim respectively.

Neil takes a 521-292-114 record into a whopping 15-game Saturday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wrapround Short Shifts - Two More In, Two More Out and Three-way WC Ties - Apr. 3, 2026

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:14:00 -0400

Fourteen days left to the regular season and the chase for the Stanley Cup is down to 28 teams while two more teams can officially start pointing towards next season.

Vic and Neil bring the latest in the playoff push which now sees three-way ties for the second Wild Card spots in both conferences.

We'll also discuss the possible re-emergence of Macklin Celebrini for MVP and ponder whether teams wearing alternate jerseys change the perception of how you view a team.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 3, 2026

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:14:00 -0400

Finally, a good night on a heavy schedule with Neil posting a 9-5-0 mark Thursday to move to 520-291-114 on the year.

Just a pair of games Friday, as the Flyers and Islanders are in survival mode while the Ducks look to hold first in the Pacific against the Blues.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 2, 2026

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:24:00 -0400

Talk about unpredictable. After potting nine goals against Calgary Monday, the Colorado Avalanche managed to give up eight to the last-ranked Vancouver Canucks at home in a Wednesday loss.

In San Jose, the Sharks trailed Anaheim in the final 90 seconds before scoring twice to steal a win from the Ducks and put a second regulation loss in that column for Neil. Good thing for him the Kings salvaged their game in OT against St. Louis.

That disappointing 1-2-0 mark drops him for 511-286-114 with a packed 14-game schedule on tap for Thursday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 94 - Rolling the Dice with Torts - With VGK President of Hockey Operations George McPhee - Apr. 1, 2026

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:43:00 -0400

Sunday afternoon, the Vegas Golden Knights made a late-season coaching change dismissing Stanley Cup-winning coach Bruce Cassidy and bringing in John Tortorella in the hopes of jump starting a team that has underachieved all season. VGK President of Hockey Operations George McPhee joins Neil and Vic to discuss the move.

Among the Three Things you Need to Pay Attention To, guess who is within one point of a wild card spot in the West?

Also, we'll have a full playoff race update, discussion about various acts of pugilism around the league and what did we learn - or not - from the Keith Pelley presser on Tuesday?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:11] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[11:21] - Golden Knights President of Hockey Operations George McPhee joins the show. After briefly touching on 1994 - which saw McPhee as part of the Vancouver Canucks organization - Neil notes from experience the difficulty letting people go, something McPhee did with his head coach Sunday.

[13:56] - Neil follows up with George noting the decision to make a coaching change is something that builds over time and not an impulse decision.

[17:30] - Vic draws a comparison between the stellar run to the Stanley Cup in 2023 to what the numbers have said about the Golden Knights since January - a sample size large enough to support the concern.

[21:46] - On to Tortorella and his recognition to evolve in that the game and the players are vastly different from the Stanley Cup team he coached in 2004 and four other venues since.

[24:06] - The key personnel on the Golden Knights that will be counted on even more since the coaching change.

[26:59] - When the Golden Knights made the surprise run to the Final in 2018, the inaugural team was hard, fast and smart. Many of the those signatures were part of the 2023 team. What type of style will Tortorella need to employ to ensure success with the NHL's third oldest team?

[28:25] - A brief look back at Torts first game behind the VGK bench.

[30:57] - Wrapping out the chat with George McPhee.

[32:57] - Standings update.

[41:46] - Three very different types of pugilism played out Monday and Tuesday, including a goaltending bout at MSG.

[49:29] - Personnel notes - Injuries, returns and milestones.

[53:56] - A long-time AHL play-by-play man gets a tribute in Buffalo.

[55:57] - Notable birthdays.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 1, 2026

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:33:00 -0400

In the April Fools Edition of Smith's Pix, let's see if the prognosticator can avoid getting tripped up with a quiet schedule of three games. A 6-4-0 Tuesday on a tough card leaves the season mark at 510-284-114.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Quick Takes - Treliving Out in Toronto - Mar. 31, 2026

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:47:00 -0400

Monday evening, it was announced Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving had been relieved of his duties. A series of questionable trades combined with the underperforming of the Leafs this season no doubt accelerated the move.

But where to go from here? Vic and Neil address the present but also look back to the past before hitting on the type of environment which needs to be part of the Leafs DNA before that next step can be taken with a new man running the show.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 31, 2026

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:14:00 -0400

Only an overtime goal by John Tavares prevented a perfect Monday for Neil who turned in a 4-0-1 mark to bump the seasonal to 504-280-114.

The schedule doubles up on Tuesday with 10 games on tap, nine with playoff implication.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Golden Knights Turn to Torts - Mar. 30, 2026

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:39:00 -0400

Falling short of expectations, the Vegas Golden Knights pulled off a stunning move Sunday dismissing Stanley Cup-winning coach Bruce Cassidy and replacing him with John Tortorella. Vic and Neil look inside the move and the impact that may come to not only the Golden Knights, but teams around the Western Conference.

We'll do the deep dive into the races in the respective conferences and look ahead to key games ahead - including whether injured Radko Gudas is able to suit up against the Maple Leafs in a rematch of their March 12 game in which saw Gudas take out Auston Matthews for the remainder of the season.

Also in the show: the second installment of our "Spring Cleaning" series which features the N.Y. Rangers, eliminated March 25th.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - March 30, 2026

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:49:00 -0400

Neil reached the 500-win mark for the season with a 3-1-2 Sunday.

He offers up his handful of winners for Monday with an overall mark of 500-280-113.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 29, 2026

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 12:02:00 -0400

When the number of games on a single night gets into the teens, the challenge of a big night increases as well.

Just the case on Saturday with Neil pulling a 7-7-1 mark. The season record now stands 497-279-111.

Closing in on 500 wins, a Sunday six-pack awaits.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 28, 2026

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 12:33:00 -0400

A light schedule Friday where Neil's choice of home cooking landed him a 1-1-0 mark as the Rangers defeated Chicago while the Sabres fell to Detroit.

Heavy lifting Saturday with 15 games, many being played in the afternoon. The big slates haven't been kind but let's see if that trend reverses itself with a 490-272-110 overall mark.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Intrigue in Western Mediocrity - Mar. 27, 2026

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:20:00 -0400

Like a car wreck, it's just hard to look away. We're speaking of the Pacific Division and the Western Conference Wild Card race. The Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights were looked upon to be heavy favorites to be 1-2 in the Pacific but are now in a position just to see who will gain home-ice advantage in a potential opening round matchup.

Meanwhile, just as it appeared Utah and Nashville were getting comfortable in the wild card spots, they put out the welcome mats to Los Angeles and Seattle.

Vic and Neil break it down plus check in on the East where we have some leapfrogging in the Metro and Wild Card battles along with a few other odds and ends mixed in.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 27, 2026

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:23:00 -0400

A 13-game card wasn't particularly lucky Thursday as Neil's selections were over the map with the +60-minute gremlin showing up again in a 5-4-4 evening which moves Neil to 489-271-110 for the season.

Just two games on tap Friday - one very important in the standings, the other...not so much.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 26, 2026

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:37:00 -0400

Only two games on the Wednesday schedule. Neil held his nose and picked a winner with the Leafs while settling for the loser's point with the Sabres OTL.

Perhaps a 13-game Thursday will be a lucky one with a 484-267-106 overall mark.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Capital Gain - Mar. 25, 2026

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:09:00 -0400

The Ottawa Senators were tied for last in the Eastern Conference on Jan. 11. They were nine points out of a playoff spot on Jan. 24 and exited the Olympic break still a half dozen points from one of the coveted position.

Overcoming injuries to the backline and showing true grit, the Sens woke up on March 25 in a playoff spot thanks to a pair of road wins and so good fortune on the out-of-town scoreboard.

Vic and Neil break it all down and also do their first installment of "Spring Cleaning" with the Vancouver Canucks having been eliminated from post-season contention.

Finally, a salute to just the second NHL head coach ever to reach 2,000 games behind the bench.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 25, 2026

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:21:00 -0400

After four days of blazing the trail, Neil cooled off a bit with a 6-7-2 mark. Two games, one with playoff implications and one without, make up Wednesday's schedule. The overmark stands at 483-267-105.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 24, 2026

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:04:00 -0400

Just a single game on Monday but they all count towards the overall mark.

Like shooting fish in a barrel, the Ottawa Senators held the Rangers to just nine shots on goal despite playing most of the final two periods with only four defensemen in continuing to move towards a wild card spot.

Neil gets put to the test Tuesday with a beefy 15-game schedule taking a 477-260-103 (.629) record into play.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 93 - March of the Penguins - With Radio/TV Analyst Phil Bourque

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:20:00 -0400

One of best stories of 2025-26 has been that of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Assumed to be largely in a re-building phase, the team has been in the hunt for a playoff from opening night under the stewardship of first-year head coach Dan Muse.

Two-time Stanley Cup champion and current Pens radio/TV analyst Phil Bourque joins Neil and Vic to discuss not only this season but the future of the team while sharing some stories of his own career.

Also, in Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, the first two playoff spots have been grabbed while one officially waits until next year. Meanwhile, think about one player scoring 1000 goals. Alex Ovechkin reached that mark Sunday while Nikita Kucherov joined some elite company of his own.

Finally, the standings update, a couple of notable player items - one good, one bad - and remembering a member of the NHL media family lost too soon.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:31] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To.

[08:43] - Neil welcomes Phil to the show with the discussion with how Bourque, raised in Massachusetts, wound up advancing his hockey career in Ontario.

[13:57] - Neil recounts other connections he shares with Phil going back to days in Kingston.

[16:00] - Arriving in Pittsburgh, a place that's still home, through generations of superstars playing with the Penguins.

[19:19] - The renaissance in Pittsburgh in 2025-26 led by a first-year NHL head coach who has defied expectations of what was expected from the club.

[23:02] - Having seen so many coaches over the decades, what has Dan Muse done that has been so effective among a mix of veterans, youth and journeyman players?

[26:07] - Selling Muse to the veterans that he was the right man for the job. Or did a sell to the stars on the team need to be made at all?

[27:29] - One of the most lopsided trades of the season - as of now, was the acquisition of Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak from Edmonton for Tristan Jarry.

[30:48] - The story of Neil trading Phil to Ottawa at the deadline in 1994 after signing him two years earlier. But the story doesn't end there.

[37:04] - Bourque shares stories about his book, published in 2019, and the special relationship with the Penguins late Hall of Fame play-by-play man, Mike Lange.

[41:24] - What the Penguins need to do to secure their first playoff berth in four years and best wishes continue to be extended to Craig Patrick, recovering from a stroke.

[47:02] - Putting a wrap on the discussion with Phil Bourque.

[49:39] - Standings update with a beef from Vic.

[57:21] - Some props for a Buffalo player who's toughness epitomizes the grit the Sabres have shown with them on the verge of ending a 14-season playoff drought.

[59:29] - Discussion on the AJ Greer suspension for his act against Connor Zary of the Flames Friday evening.

[1:04:36] - Remembering Minnesota Wild nhl.com correspondent Jessi Pierce.

[1:05:40] - Personnel notes.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #PhilBourque #AlexOvechkin #WayneGretzky #NikitaKucherov #BrianEngblom #MarioLemieux #SteveYzerman #ConnorMcDavid #BernieNicholls #MarkMessier #BobTindall #JeanRatelle #JimmyMorrison #KingstonCanadians #RikWilson #MikeStothers #ShawnBabcock #KirkMuller #JaromirJagr #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #KrisLetang #ErikKarlsson #RickardRakell #BryanRust #DanMuse #KyleDubas #ParkerWortherspoon #YegorChinakov #TommyNovak #BenKindel #ConnorDewar #AnthonyMantha #BobJohnson #MikeSullivan #DeanEvanson #RickBowness #RodBrind'Amour #StuartSkinner #SamGirard #BrettKulak #NoelAcciari #StanBowman #TristanJarry #EdOlczyk #MikeHartman #MikeGartner #RogerNeilson #IfTheseWallsCouldTalk #JoshYohe #MikeLange #PaulSteigerwald #StephaneMatteau #CraigPatrick #CaleMakar #NathanMacKinnon #JoeQuenneville #ArizonaCoyotes #UtahHockeyClub #SeanMcDonough #RayFerraro #ZachBenson #BraydenMcNabb #JoelEdmondson #SamCarrick #RasmusDahlin #AJGreer #ConnorZary #EliotteFriedman #RadkoGudas #JessiPierce #NikoMikkola #MackieSamoskevich #UvisBalinskis #RyanStrome #RyanReaves #GarrettWilson #DennisGilbert #OliverEkman-Larsson #TravisGreen #RyanPulock #AnthonyDuclair #GabrielLandeskog #NealPionk #JoelArmia #MichaelCarcone #MikaZibanejad

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 23, 2026

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:17:00 -0400

Neil's sizzling weekend concluded at 6-2-1 with a 19-2-4 mark dating back to Friday. He even overcame his nemesis: overtime and shootouts winning five of six on Sunday.

He takes a 476-260-103 mark into the lone contest Monday as the surging Ottawa Senators visit Madison Square Garden.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 22, 2026

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 11:57:00 -0400

That recent dry patch for Neil is long in the rearview mirror as he followed a 5-0-0 Friday with an 8-2-1 Saturday for a season record of 470-258-102.

An usually busy Sunday with nine games on tap. Check out the selections to see if the good times continue to roll.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 21, 2026

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400

We'll never hear the end of blind squirrels finding nuts or broken clocks being right twice a day after Neil delivers a perfect 5-0-0 Friday to bounce the season mark to 462-256-101 (.626).

Eleven games on tap for Saturday with a heavy afternoon concentration giving way to a U.S. national audience for Boston-Detroit at 8pm et.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Bubble Shake in the East & Does Anyone Want the Pacific? - Mar. 20, 2026

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:42:00 -0400

After holding a playoff spot for more than 100 days one team is out of an Eastern Conference playoff spot while a club in last place in the conference in mid-January is now in. However, that's only part of the story as six teams are separated by one point with two other making a charge to join the party.

In the West, a Wednesday showdown between Central heavyweights Colorado and Dallas was as good as advertised while on the flip side, the "race" for top spot in the Pacific is at a crawl.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 20, 2026

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:48:00 -0400

Only one game went beyond 60 minutes Thursday - which, of course, Neil lost. However, the rest of the evening treated him just fine as he won seven of the other ten games to move his seasonal mark 201 games over .500 at 457-256-101.

A handful of Friday games kicks of the weekend.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 19, 2026

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:58:00 -0400

If not for those blasted ovetimes!

After winning two of the first three games Wednesday, Neil managed to be on the wrong side of all three late games which went beyond 60 minutes to finish the night 2-1-3 for an overall mark of 450-253-100.

Eleven games on the Thursday docket. If Neil can avoid overtime, has the earmarks of a good night.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 92 - Hot Button Topics With TSN Analyst Craig Button - March 18, 2026

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:50:00 -0400

Every so often, NHL Wraparound checks in north of the border. Nobody is better to opine on the doings in Canada than long time TSN analyst Craig Button.

Neil and Vic will talk Oilers, Maple Leafs and the Department of Player Safety among other things.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, another superstar is out, one makes a big return from suspension and the team pacing the field all season plays it's biggest game of the year.

[01:27] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[09:59] - Craig Button from TSN joins the show with some brief reminiscing with Neil about Craig's legendary father, Jack.

[11:06] - Let the Canadian scrutiny begin. First up, the myriad of issues in Edmonton and Button makes a comparison to Neil's Ranger teams in the early 1990's.

[15:44] - Neil poses to Craig perhaps Oilers ownership is too hands on for the good of the club.

[17:11] - The suggestion the Oilers can somewhat re-invent themselves for the balance of the regular season with Leon Draisaitl out of the lineup.

[19:10] - Next up at the carving station, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[22:35] - The change in the look and feel of the Leafs with Mitch Marner gone to Vegas - in the eyes of Craig.

[25:22] - Player safety next up and Vic visits with Craig, his proposal of a schedule for meting out supplemental discipline coupling severity of the incident with number of times a player has been suspended previously.

[29:23] - Addressing the gray area of goaltender interference.

[34:23] - More talk on video review and who is actually making the final decisions.

[37:40] - One more area for Craig to untangle, the enigma that is Elias Pettersson in Vancouver.

[40:57] - Rejoin and wrap on Craig Button discussion.

[42:48] - A scrub on the standings in both conferences.

[49:05] - World Cup of Hockey officially scheduled for February 2028.

[52:27] - Personnel notes.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #CraigButton #TSN #LeonDraisaitl #OzzyWeisblatt #EvgeniMalkin #RasmusDahlin #SidneyCrosby #DarrylReaugh #GlenGulutzan #DaredBednar #NHLonTNT #DavidPoile #ConnorMcDavid #StanBowman #ConnorIngram #TristanJarry #PhilipBroberg #DylanHolloway #RyanMcLeod #Warren Foegele #CodiCeci #ViktorArvidsson #JeffSkinner #JakeWalman #CoreyPerry #MarkMessier #DaveTippett #JayWoodcroft #KrisKnoblauch #MaxJones #BradTreliving #CraigBerube #BrendanShanahan #MitchMarner #NathanMacKinnon #MorganRielly #WilliamNylander #NazemKadri #MatthewKnies #MikeBabcock #AustonMatthews #HaroldBallard #DarrylSittler #LannyMcDonald #JoeThornton #HarrySinden #BobGainey #DoughWilson #RadkoGudas #NHLDepartmentofPlayerSafety #GeorgeParros #GaryBettman #BrianO'Neill #IgorShesterkin #AnthonyMantha #VilleHusso #PatVerbeek #PierreLeBrun #ColinCampbell #BrettHull #EliasPettersson #DonMaloney #CraigConroy #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen #RickBowness #MathieuOlivier #NickDeslauriers #BobProbert #WorldCupofHockey #KirbyDach #JeffreyViel #FilipChytil #NickJensen #JakeSanderson #BrandonMontour #AdrianKempe #JoelErikssonEk #ZachBenson #BraydenMcNabb #SamBennett #SethJones #PaulMaurice #NolanFoote #AdamFoote #CalFoote #NickFoligno #ArtemiPanarin #AnzeKopitar #JonathanQuick #TorontoSt.Pats

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 18, 2026

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:01:00 -0400

The Colorado Avalanche have been treading water after 28 games since their torrid start. So, too, is our resident prognosticator. Some risk yielded some reward Tuesday but not enough to end up flat at 4-4-1.

448-252-97 record with a six pack on tap for Wednesday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 17, 2026

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:20:00 -0400

Much like Sunday, Monday had a good start and rough finish for Neil. After winning the first three games, who'd have thunk both Colorado and Dallas would get whipped at home by Pittsburgh and Utah respectively?

A nine-game St. Patrick's Day schedule awaits. Let's see if luck will shine on today's selections with a cumulative record of 444-248-96.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 16, 2026

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:18:00 -0400

Sunday started with a pair of wins but flattened out with a 3-3-0 mark by the time the day was done.

441-246-96 overall with a handful of games on tap Monday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - March Madness Amidst Matthews Injury Fallout - March 16, 2026

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:12:00 -0400

In a season which is has been highly entertaining on a nightly basis, the weekend excitement ran neck and neck with the fallout of the Auston Matthews/Radko Gudas incident last week. Many are calling for a review of the NHL supplemental discipline policy, most notably, the game's biggest star.

What does that look like though? It's one thing to call for change, it's another to have a plan. Vic and Neil offer up a framework of a step forward. Not perfect but something perhaps the league can work from.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 15, 2026

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Though the margin was slim, Neil on the plus side following a 7-6-1 Saturday, including three of four games which went beyond 60 minutes.

A six pack awaits on Sunday with an overall mark of 438-243-96 (.625).

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 14, 2026

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

If you think this is easy, Neil won the early game taking road underdog Los Angeles at UBS Arena while the Edmonton Oilers, in need of finding some consistency, managed to blow a two-goal lead in St. Louis in the final eight minutes before falling in overtime.

At 431-237-95, a 14-game slate awaits on Saturday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Untimely Losses and Some Feel Good - Mar. 13, 2026

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:29:00 -0400

As the regular season moves towards its final month, big wins are part of every day on the schedule. So, too, are big losses. Vic and Neil look closer at four of them from Thursday plus the potential fallout from Team USA's captain leaving his game due to a leg injury.

We'll sum up the playoff races, add some backtracking on a pair of decisions by the NHL and end with a feel-good story born from tragedy.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AustonMatthews #RadkoGudas #MorganRielly #WilliamNylander #CraigBerube #BradTreliving #BradMarchand #JoelQuenneville #SidneyCrosby #MarcoSturm #DavidPastrnak #PavelZacha #MorganGeekie #CharlieMcAvoy #JeremySwayman #RickBowness #DeanEvason #AlexNedeljkovic #WilliamEklund #MarcoRossi #FilipHronek #JakeDeBrusk #ConnorMcDavid #JustinHrychowian #TristanJarry #StuartSkinner #StanBowman #BrettKulak #JasonRobertson #WyattJohnston #MiroHeiskanen #JamieBenn #IvanDemidov #JacobFowler #JakubDobes #SamMontembeault #BrandonBussi #MartinSt.Louis #GeorgesVezina #JacquesPlante #KenDryden #CareyPrice #PatrickRoy #JoseTheodore #GumpWorsley #BillDurnan #StevePenney #JakobChychrun #TageThompson #AlexOvechkin #JackHughes #BradyTkachuk #JakeSanderson #KyleConnor #MikaZibanejad #Alexis Lafreniere #GabePerreault #YanicPerreault #IgorShesterkin #AdamFox #VincentMercoglinano #ConnorHellebuyck #DanMuse #RasmusAndersson #MacKenzieWeegar #NazemKadri #BillGuerin #NathanMacKinnon #ConnorIngram #EvegeniiDadonov #JohnMoore #RyanKesler #PierreDorion #SteveStaois #DylanLarkin #AndrewCopp #MarkStone #KrisLetang #NickSchmaltz #WayneGretzky #MarioLemieux #MarkMessier #ColinDorgan #BlackstoneValleyCo-Op #IlyaSorokin

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 13, 2026

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:22:00 -0400

Some bad OT/SO luck coupled with favorites falling short late in games contributed to a 4-6-4 Thursday for Neil dropping the overall mark to 430-237-94. He's looking to get back on the rails with his offerings on the two Friday games.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 12, 2026

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:30:00 -0400

Two nights on the skids for Neil after dropping both Wednesday games. A chance to right the ship with a packed 14-game schedule Thursday and a still-impressive mark of 426-231-90.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 91 - Final Charge to the Top - With Lightning TV Analyst Brian Engblom

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:43:00 -0400

When a team is hot, the last thing they want to do is stop playing. When the Olympic break arrived, the Tampa Bay Lightning were on a 19-1-1 heater. However, after winning the first game back from the break, the club has gone 1-6-0 since. Longtime TV Lightning TV analyst Brian Engblom joins Neil and Vic to do a deeper dive into the recent play, battling through injuries and how head coach Jon Cooper plans to have the team where they need to be when the post-season opens in less than six weeks.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, Who wants to be in the playoffs? Teams are both conferences are making their cases...some better than others.

Also, Connor Bedard has been given the "A" in Chicago with team captain Nick Foligno dealt to Minnesota and alternate captain Jason Dickinson now in Edmonton. The hosts discuss the what should be most important when naming a captain in the NHL.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[03:08] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To.

[15:32] - Brian Engblom joins Neil and Vic and jump right into the recent struggles the Lightning have had since the second game coming out of the Olympic break. Oddly, getting healthier has played a part in the downturn in play according to Brian.

[23:30] - Neil adds in on several of Brian's points, having been a defenseman himself. A query on Jake Guentzel's productivity follows.

[27:22] - With two Stanley Cup rings, could this be Jon Cooper's best coaching job with the Lightning given the rash of injuries he's had to navigate through? Brian offers up what he sees as some of Cooper's best attributes in how he assesses teams and personalities.

[33:51] - Brian goes deep into discussion on one of the most compelling personalities and talents in the NHL, Nikita Kucherov.

[40:42] - Neil circles back to Cooper, never a Coach of the Year but certainly among great company - with a little trivia question dropped in.

[43:42] - Some thoughts on the re-acquisition of Corey Perry by the Lightning.

[48:17] - Despite the recent slide, the Lightning record remains strong. Still, there's a team in Buffalo which is pushing for tops in the Atlantic and two recent head-to-head matchups with the Sabres have been revealing for Cooper's charges.

[55:45] - Putting a wrap on the discussion with Brian Engblom.

[58:04] - With Connor Bedard becoming an alternate captain in Chicago with captain Nick Foligno having been dealt to Minnesota and alternates Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson now in Edmonton, how long will it be before number 98 gets the "C"? To that end, does every team need a captain and what does that title require both on the ice and away from the rink which fans don't see?

[1:04:13] - The Maple Leafs are having an off year. It's not hard to see. But when Matthew Knies says "we'll be back better and stronger than ever," does he realize how low that bar really is?

[1:07:10] - On a two-game schedule Wednesday, is it possible the Canadiens Senators matchup is the most significant regular season game between the clubs since the Senators rejoined the NHL in 1992?

[1:08:29] - Personnel notes.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 11, 2026

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

An unusual off night for Neil. A couple of risky selections coupled with teams not being able to hold leads landed a 5-7-1 Tuesday. Only two games Wednesday with a 426-229-90 overall record.

A 13-game Tuesday is on tap with the season mark at 421-222-89.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - March 10, 2026

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:51:00 -0400

On the right side of NHL .500 but should have been better in a light Monday which saw Neil go 2-1-2. Columbus and Utah fell short in overtime adding to the long list of teams that failed to close the deal after 60 minutes.

A 13-game Tuesday is on tap with the season mark at 421-222-89.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Hockey Day in America is a Beauty! - Mar. 9, 2026

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:55:00 -0400

After exhaling from the trade deadline, did fans ever get a show this weekend capped by a Hockey Day in America to remember. While the stakes weren't quite as high as two weeks earlier in Milan, the drama was simply off the charts Sunday in Colorado, Pittsburgh, Dallas and Buffalo - where we likely witnessed the game of the year.

Vic and Neil have their work cut out with where to start.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 9, 2026

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:15:00 -0400

A huge weekend for Neil (17-4-4) capped with a 6-1-0 Sunday raises his season mark to 419-221-87 (.636). Check out his handful of selections for Monday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 8, 2026

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

A big Saturday for Neil going 7-1-3 with the lone regulation loss coming from Carolina in Calgary. The overall record is 413-220-87 heading into Sunday's seven-game schedule.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 7, 2026

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:25:00 -0400

A tough card on Friday saw Neil notch a 4-2-1 mark including road wins by Colorado in Dallas, Minnesota in Vegas and Carolina in Edmonton.

The season mark rises to 406-219-84 heading into Saturday's 11-game slate.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound 2026 Trade Deadline Recap Show

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 20:37:00 -0400

NHL Trade Deadline day generally ranks among the favorites for fan and media. The players...not so much.

Now that deadline 2026 has come and gone, Vic and Neil take a step back and review who's best primed to make a deep run, a surprise run or are running in the direction of the future.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 6, 2026

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:40:00 -0400

WIth the trade deadline in the rear view mirror, Neil takes a 402-217-83 mark into the weekend after a 5-3-0 Thursday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 5, 2026

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:52:00 -0400

The inability of Toronto and Detroit to hold onto late leads turned a 4-1-0 Wednesday into a pedestrian 2-1-2. With a season mark of 397-214-83, Neil serves up his Thursday eight-pack.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 4, 2026

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:21:00 -0400

Neil followed up a 5-1-0 Monday with a 7-3-1 Tuesday. He takes an overall 395-213-81 mark into a handful of Wednesday titls.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 90 - California Dreamin' - With Eric Stephens from The Athletic

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

California Dreamin' has different meanings for the teams in the Golden State.

The Ducks have dreams of winning the Pacific while the Sharks and Kings both have dreams of making the playoffs, despite both being in very different places five months ago.

Eric Stephens covers the California teams for The Athletic and joins Neil and Vic to share his insights as to where he sees these clubs heading into the final quarter of the regular season.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, we get into the trade deadline and how this year sets up for activity in relation to recent seasons. We'll also discuss already consummated deals and chat about the obstacles some outsiders are facing.

Bookending the Stephens chat, we return to the trade deadline where Neil shares players he believes will have new addresses by weeks end.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:30] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To.

[13:28] - Eric Stephens from the Athletic joins the show to talk the California clubs starting with the Kings, clearly the most underwhelming of the three and a team which still may be suffering from the hangover of the loss to the Oilers in last spring's opening round.

[16:49] - The possible effect captain Anze Kopitar's retirement may be having on the Kings.

[18:29] - The effects of the trade to acquire Artemi Panarin coupled with the loss of Kevin Fiala.

[20:41] - The realistic ceiling for the series...and it's not good according to Eric.

[23:10] - Going sharking and diving in to San Jose where Tuesday's game with Montreal displayed both their offensive prowess...and their defensive shortcomings.

[27:07] - Eric offers up his thoughts on the work of head coach Ryan Warsofsky.

[29:41] - Neil notes, and Eric agrees, how great the atmosphere is in San Jose when the product is worth seeing.

[31:46] - Talking some Ducks, a team that was in the Sharks position a season ago and is a mix of young, budding stars surrounded by experience.

[35:29] - Neil points out the difficult of seeing hockey in the Anaheim market compared to Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

[38:50] - So what's the realistic expectation for the Ducks according to Eric?

[42:03] - Coming full circle back to the Kings and whether attendance has suffered amidst a disappointing season.

[45:55] - Neil offers up the players he sees most likely to be dealt by Friday's deadline.

[49:35] - A trade involving a defenseman rumored to be moving on from Vancouver.

[52:22] - Personnel Notes.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #EricStephens #TheAthletic #MamasandThePapas #Mugwumps #CassElliot #BradTreliving #KevinCheveldayoff #ConnorMurphy #MichaelMcCarron #RobbyFabbri #BillGuerin #VincentTrocheck #ColeSmith #MathieuOlivier #KenHolland #JimHiller #RobBlake #ToddMcLellan #LucRobitaille #DJSmith #ArtemiPanarin #KevinFiala #AndreiKuzmenko #LiamGreentree #MacklinCelebrini #WillSmith #MichaelMisa #PavelRegenda #CollinGraf #MikeGreer #RyanWarsofsky #KieferSherwood #SamDickinson #PierreGauthier #BrianBurke #PatVerbeek #MightyDucksofAnaheim #ChrisDrury #ChrisKreider #JacobTrouba #JoelQuenneville #AlexKillorn #RadkoGudas #CutterGautheir #MasonMcTavish #TroyTerry #BecekttSennecke #LeoCarlsson #RossJohnston #JeffreyViel #JacksonLaCombe #OlenZellweger #LukasDostal #ErikHaula #EvanderKane #GustavNyqquist #LukeSchenn #LoganStanley #ScottLaughton #BobbyMcMann #NickFoligno #JasonDickinson #IlyaMikhevev#SamLafferty #JohnCarlson #TrevorvanRiemsdyk #TylerMyers #JimNill #BrettKulak #SamGirard #RyanO'Reilly #CharlieCoyle #ZachBogosian #RyanReaves #MattMartin #JamieBenn #CraigMacTavish #ZachWerenski #BooneJenner #JTMiller #ArtturiLehkonen #MarkStone #MarcusJohansson #DarrenRaddysh #JohnGibson #JakeWalman #CurtisLazar #TomasNosek #EthenFrank #MatthewSchaeffer

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 3, 2026

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:04:00 -0400

Bitter beer taste from Sunday's six-pack was replaced by great taste with a 5-1-0 mark from Neil going with all road teams Monday. Now 388-210-80, an 11-game slate awaits him on Tuesday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Hiller Out in LA and Statements by Backup Goaltenders Mar. 2, 2026

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:31:00 -0400

The second coaching of the season took place on Sunday when Jim Hiller was replaced by DJ Smith - a day after a win.

Also, who made a bigger statement over the weekend: The Buffalo Sabres completing a road sweep out of the break in Tampa or backup goaltenders on Sunday?

Let's not forget the trade deadline is Friday at 3pm et. Is speculation really that much fun?

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JimHiller #KenHolland #DJSmith #MattGreene #ArtemiPanarin #BernieSaunders #MichiganStateBroncos #KalamazooWings #QuintonByfield #EvanBouchard #RobBlake #LucRobitaille #DeanEvason #RickBowness #JarmoKekelainen #KeynAdams #AndreiVasilevskiy #LindyRuff #CraigBerube #WilliamNylander #AustonMatthews #JohnTavares #MatthewKnies #MitchMarner #OliverEkman-Larsson #BobbyMcMann #NickRoy #ShakirMukhamadullin #PaulCoffey #JayWoodcroft #DaveTippett #KrisKnoblauch #StuartSkinner #TristanJarry #ConnorIngram #MichaelMisa #WillSmith #MacklinCelebrini #JacobTrouba #ChrisKreider #CutterGauthier #MasonMcTavish #TroyTerry #LeoCarlsson #ArtursSilovs #ArvidSoderblom #QuinnHughes #MattBoldy #BrockFaber #JohnHynes #BillGuerin #JoelHofer #PavelBuchnevich #DavidRittich #AndersLee #MatthewSchaefer #AndersLee #BrianLeetch #DevinCooley #DustinWolf #IvanDemidov #CalderTrophy #SergeiBobrovsky #IlyaSorokin #VezinaTrophy #BoHorvat #TylerMyers #EliasPettersson #PatrikAllvin #JimRutherford #AndreiKuzmenko #MarkStone #KrisLetang #TylerSeguin #JimNill #DominicJames #MarcusFoligno #ColtonParayko #DmitryKulikov #AleksanderBarkov #PaulMaurice #TyeKartye #PierreDorion #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #ValNichushkin #MartinNecas #BrockNelson #JohnGibson #JuuseSaros #ElvisMerzlikins #IgorShesterkin #PatrickRoy

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 2, 2026

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:15:00 -0400

Sometimes you buy a six-pack and, for some reason, it's bitter. Let's leave Sunday at that and see if Monday's six-pack leaves a better taste with Neil's with his season mark at 383-209-80

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Mar. 1, 2026

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 12:17:00 -0400

You know how much Neil dislikes daytime hockey to the point which he passed on the Penguins-Rangers game at 12:30 et. Add to it that he struggled in the other afternoon tilts. Ah, but when the evening arrived, he was back on the beam and ended the day 7-4-1 and takes a 382-205-79 mark into Sunday's six pack.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition - Mike Gartner

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:01:00 -0400

He is one of only eight players to have scored 700 goals in the NHL. He established an NHL record of seventeen 30-goal seasons. In short, Mike Gartner was born to score goals.

Currently the chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Gartner joined Neil and Vic for an in-depth conversation covering numerous topics from learning to become one of the game's great skaters to being traded near the deadline on three different occasions to his admiration of two present day legends.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:08] - Neil welcomes in Mike Gartner to NHL Wraparound's Hall of Fame Edition. Some small talk includes Vic interviewing Mike back in 1984.

[02:47] - Neil recalls a first for him when it came time to doing a contract with Mike - an historic deal from the N.Y. Rangers perspective.

[06:56] - Neil recalls the short-lived players strike in 1992. With Mike being head of the NHLPA, it did present an awkward situation with the Rangers en route to the Presidents' Trophy with aspirations of a Stanley Cup.

[08:26] - Neil shares with Mike that both of them played for the same youth team, albeit at different times.

[10:57] - One of the great skaters in the history of the NHL, Mike takes us all the way back to the beginning, where natural ability and power skating school were key elements to defining himself. This served him well not only in the NHL, but in international tournaments as well.

[15:53] - Aftercoming up through the junior ranks, Gartner signed with Cincinnati in the WHA and had a pretty renowned teammate in advance of being drafted by Washington in 1979.

[17:10] - Mike shares the players who were helpful to him upon his arrival with the Caps in 1979.

[18:43] - A few words on Brian Engblom, who was influential on prior Hall of Fame Edition guest, Scott Stevens.

[20:24] - Discussing the three deals involving Mike at or around the trade deadline from Washington to Minnesota in 1989, on to New York the next year and from the Rangers to Toronto in 1994 - a deal Neil still regrets having had to make despite the ultimate prize finally coming to the Rangers after 54 years.

[23:00] - Further discussion between Mike and Neil on the trade.

[24:14] - The brief stop in Minnesota before the trade to New York.

[26:40] - The speed becomes legend after Gartner's performance in the 1996 NHL Skills competition, only broken recently by another legend. Mike speaks about the amazing skating of Connor McDavid and where he separates himself from all others.

[28:50] - Mike notes how his offensive game might be different in today's NHL.

[31:14] - From speed and skating to goalscoring, Mike comments on the greatest ever, Alexander Ovechkin.

[34:39] - Mike's career wrapped up in Phoenix with the Coyotes and was a teammate of Keith Tkachuk, who's sons are certainly household names in the NHL.

[36:47] - The new role as full chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame succeeding Lanny McDonald and what Mike hopes to accomplish during his term.

[39:02] - Some closing words with Hall of Famer Mike Gartner.

[41:47] - Vic and Neil close with some final words.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #QuickTakes #MikeGartner #HockeyHallofFame #WashingtonCapitals #MinnesotaNorthStars #N.Y.Rangers #TorontoMapleLeafs #PhoenixCoyotes #WesJarvis #GusBadali #RickCurran #NHLPA #TorontoYoungNationals #TorontoRedWings #HapEmms #NiagaraFallsFlyers #BobbyHull #GuyLafleur #CanadaCup #IgorLarionov #SergeiMakarov #VladimirKrutov #MarkMessier #GlennAnderson #WayneGretzky #MarioLemieux #CincinnatiStingers #RayBourque #RyanWalter #RodLangway #BrianEngblom #UlfDahlen #SergeiZubov #DinoCiccarelli #LarryMurphy #BobRouse #JackFerreira #DylanLarkin #ConnorMcDavid #AlexanderOvechkin #AlKoken #KeithTkachuk #BradyTkachuk #OttawaSenators #MatthewTkachuk #FloridaPanthers #ShaneDoan #JeremyRoenick #KrisKing #TeppoNumminen #LannyMcDonald #JeffDenomme #JamieDinsmore #MikeRichter #AdamGraves #JohnVanbiesbrouck #RogerNeilson #ScottyBowman #PierreTurgeon #SteveYzerman #CraigPatrick

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Feb. 28, 2026

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 14:55:00 -0400

A pedestrian 2-2-0 night for Neil with Florida and Washington both falling a goal short Friday. He's 375-201-78 heading into a busy 13-game Saturday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Feb. 27, 2026

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:22:00 -0400

7-3-2 Thursday and 14-4-2 for the two days exiting the Olympic break. 373-199-78 with a four-game on tap Friday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Back in Business - Feb. 27, 2026

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:42:00 -0400

After a 19-day break, the NHL resumed play Wednesday and Thursday with 20 games. In this show, a bit of editorializing at the beginning as the players and coaches were celebrated upon returning from the Olympics.

We'll also look closer at three teams whose trade deadline strategy may have been sealed in a matter of 48 hours and we'll also note several notable achievements which includes the most heroic performance coming from the Thursday slate.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Feb. 26, 2026

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:28:00 -0400

A 7-1-0 mark for Neil out of the Olympic break, only disrupted by the Kings inability to hold a third period lead against a Vegas team sitting a handful of Olympians. He takes a 366-196-76 season mark into Thursday's 12-game slate.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Feb. 25, 2026

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:39:00 -0400

Neil takes a 359-195-76 record out of the break and on to audio. Check out his selections as NHL play resumes with eight games Wednesday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Quick Takes - Crosby Out at Least a Month - Feb. 25, 2026

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:14:00 -0400

The risk of NHL players at the Olympics has taken its toll on, perhaps it's most decorated player as Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby is expected to miss at least a month due to a lower body injury suffered in the quarterfinal game with Czechia. Vic and Neil discuss the potential ramifications.

Elsewhere, the Penguins were involved on the trade front swapping defensemen with the Colorado Avalanche and we'll have a few other items including the passing of one of the originals at NHL Network Radio.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers

#SidneyCrosby #RadkoGudas #PittsburghPenguins #MilanCortinaOlympics #KrisLetang #DanMuse #ColumbusBlueJackets #WashingtonCapitals #ColoradoAvalanche #SamGirard #BrettKulak #StuartSkinner #SamMalinski #GlennAnderson #MikeGartner #JonCooper #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #CarolinaHurricanes #JimGordon #BoomerGordon #NHLNetworkRadio #ThePoint #JakeHahn #RonDuguay

Playoff Math & Deadline Strategies - Pacific Division Part 2

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:07:00 -0400

As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Los Angeles, San Jose, Calgary and Vancouver with snapshots of the bottom four teams in the Pacific Division exiting the break.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Playoff Math & Deadline Strategies - Pacific Division Part 1

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:33:00 -0400

As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Vegas, Edmonton, Seattle and Anaheim with snapshots of the top four teams in the Pacific Division exiting the break.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Playoff Math & Deadline Strategies - Central Division Part 2

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:26:00 -0400

As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Nashville, Chicago, Winnipeg and St. Louis with snapshots of the bottom four teams in the Central Division exiting the break.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Playoff Math & Deadline Strategies - Central Division Part 1

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:48:00 -0400

As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Colorado, Minnesota, Dallas and Utah with snapshots of the top four teams in the Central Division exiting the break.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Playoff Math & Deadline Strategies - Metropolitan Division Part 2

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:34:00 -0400

As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Washington, Philadelphia, New Jersey and the N.Y. Rangers with snapshots of the bottom four teams in the Metropolitan Division exiting the break.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Playoff Math & Deadline Strategies - Metropolitan Division Part 1

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:13:00 -0400

As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Carolina, Pittsburgh, the N.Y. Islanders and Columbus with snapshots of the top four teams in the Metropolitan Division exiting the break.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Playoff Math & Deadline Strategies - Atlantic Division Part 2

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:32:00 -0400

As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Boston, Ottawa, Toronto and Florida with snapshots of the top bottom four teams in the Atlantic Division exiting the break.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Playoff Math & Deadline Strategies - Atlantic Division Part 1

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:01:00 -0400

As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Tampa Bay, Montreal, Detroit and Buffalo with snapshots of the top four teams in the Atlantic Division exiting the break.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 89 - Olympic Gold for the U.S. and All in the Family - With Trevor & James van Riemsdyk - Feb. 22, 2026

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 16:25:00 -0400

There's a long history of brothers playing in the NHL. One of better known siblings currently in the league are Trevor and James van Riemsdyk, currently working to get Washington and Detroit in the playoffs respectively.

Neil and Vic had the opportunity to sit down with both late in the Olympic break. The brothers shared enlightening stories from their past and present...and even gave a peek into their futures as pending UFA's.

Before the interview, in Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to, Vic and Neil break down the gold medal game in men's hockey where Jack Hughes took the US to the top of the podium for the third time.

On the back end, our usual personnel notes - and not all of it injury-related...

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:44] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To.

[17:14] - Welcoming in Trevor and James van Riemsdyk.

[18:33] - The brothers share their preparation to resume the season Feb. 25 after having 11 days off.

[20:25] - With the van Riemsdyk's being American, where's Trevor's loyalty should Canada and the U.S meet in the final with two Capitals teammates playing on Canada - and one on Slovakia as well, the Americans opponent in the semis.

[22:27] - James talks about playing with current teammate and 500-goal scorer Patrick Kane. The pair first played together 20 years ago prior to them being selected 1-2 in the 2007 NHL Draft.

[23:48] - When JVR was a rookie in Philadelphia in 2009-10, it was Kane's heroics which defeated the Flyers for the Blackhawks first Stanley Cup since 1961. After 17 seasons in the league, that experience has provided perspective on how difficult it is to make a Final.

[25:47] - Growing up in Middletown, NJ, Trevor shares his path to the NHL was considerably different from that of his brother, but influenced by him as well.

[27:57] - Parental influence.

[28:50] - Competitiveness between the brothers, which extends to younger brother Brendan.

[34:22] - Playing against each other in the NHL and the awareness when on the ice at the same time.

[36:03] - Neil takes James back to earlier in his career when he was playing the AHL.

[38:11] - Some words on younger brother Brendan, who's looking to make some inroads in the coaching circles.

[40:59] - Could the older brothers play under the younger one?

[42:22] - Trevor shares his experiences playing in Chicago, Carolina and Washington, including watching Alex Ovechkin break the all-time goal scoring record last spring.

[47:55] - James his thoughts about the pressure of winning in Toronto, being on the 2017 team which made the playoffs of missing the three previous seasons, and now trying to help the Red Wings into the post-season after a nine-year drought.

[53:30] - Trevor speaks to the challenge facing the Capitals this season. Tops in the Eastern Conference a season ago, struggling just to get in this year.

[56:16] - With James and Trevor pending UFA's, thoughts of joining forces as, perhaps, a final NHL stop?

[59:30] - Wrapping up the chat with NHL Wraparound's first active players.

[1:02:15] - Personnel notes and what's ahead.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JamesvanRiemsdyk #TrevorvanRiemsdyk #MikeEruzione #JackHughes #QuinnHughes #JordanBinnington #SidneyCrosby #ConnorMcDavid #MattBoldy #CaleMakar #DevonToews #ConnorHellebuyck #JakeGuentzel #BrandonHagel #MacklinCelebrini #NathanMacKinnon #MatthewTkachuk #SamBennett #ZachWerenski #BradyTkachuk #BrockNelson #BillChristian #RogerChristian #DaveChristian #JohnnyGaudreau #MatthewGaudreau #GuyGaudreau #TageThompson #KevinFiala #TomWilson #JoshMorrissey #MikkoRantanen #GlenGulutzan #JimNill #MitchMarner #MarkStone #AlexanderOvechkin #DylanLarkin #TomWilson #MartinFehervary #PatrickKane #MarianHossa #BrentSeabrook #DuncanKeith #NiklasHjalmarsson #JonathanToews #JohnnyOduya #PhiladelphiaPhantoms #JohnPaddock #ClaudeGiroux #BrendanvanRiemsdyk #NewJerseyGenerals #SpencerCarbery #RodBrind'Amour #NicklasBackstrom #GeorgeArmstrong #AustonMatthews #MorganRielly #WilliamNylander #MoritzSeider #LucasRaymond #ConnorMcMichael #AliakseiProtas #JustinSordif #QuinnHughes #JackHughes #LukeHughes #LukeSchenn #EvgeniiDadonov #JamieBenn #LarsEller #RyanMcDonagh #DavidPerron #BrendanSmith #IanCole #MikaelBacklund #PaulCoffey #LeonDraisaitl #ArtemiPanarin #FilipChytil #JTMiller #MattRempe #RyanReaves #PetrMrazek #GavinMcKenna #KennyAlbert #AlMichaels #EdOlczyk #BrianBoucher #BruceBennett #MeganKeller #ClaireThompson

NHL Wraparound Quick Takes - The Dream Match Up for Gold...Twice

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 20:44:00 -0400

The USA and Canada were favorites entering both the men's and women's tournaments and the script has played out according to expectation.

Following the USA Women's stirring overtime win against their arch rivals to capture gold Thursday, the men of both countries had to punch their tickets Friday.

For the second time in the elimination phase, Canada used late heroics to advance to the final over Finland while the Americans put a beat down on Slovakia.

They met in the Four Nations Final last year and now do an encore - for Olympic gold.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #QuickTakes #WinterOlympics #SidneyCrosby #MikkoRantanen #SebastianAho #ErikHaula #SamReinhart #SheaTheodore #BradMarchand #JordanBinnington #JuuseSaros #NathanMacKinnon #ConnorMcDavid #NikoMikkola #MacklinCelebrini #JackHughes #ZachWerensky #DylanLarkin #JackEichel #TageThompson #BradyTkachuk #HilaryKnight #LailaEdwards #MeganKeller #ClaireThompson #Ann-MarieDebiens #WayneGretzky #JamesvanRiemsdyk #DetroitRedWings #TrevorvanRiemsdyk #WashingtonCapitals

NHL Wraparound Quick Takes - An Olympic Day for the Ages - Feb. 18, 2026

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:50:00 -0400

And then there were four. But how it got there was drama multiplied with three overtime games required to decide the semi-finals.

In the end, the three group winners and the top second place team all made it through but Vic and Neil share their unique takes on how each advanced.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #QuickTakes #WinterOlympics #QuinnHughes #JackHughes #JacobMarkstrom #DylanLarkin #MikaZibanejad #LucasRaymond #MikeSullivan #ConnorHellebuyck #MartinNecas #MitchMarner #LukasDostal #JordanBinnington #St.LouisBlues #FourNationsFaceoff #DougArmstrong #OndrejPalat #RadimSimek #TomasHertl #NickSuzuki #DevonToews #JordanBinnington #SidneyCrosby #RadkoGudas #MacklinCelebrini #SanJoseSharks #DamienRiat #NinoNiederreiter #SebastienAho #MiroHeiskanen #JonasSiegenthaler #ArtturiKehkonen #AntonLundell #EsaLindell #PavolRegenda #LeonDraisaitl #TomasTatar #SamuelHlavej #PhilippGrubauer #JamesvanRiemsdyk #TrevorvanRiemsdyk

NHL Wraparound Quick Takes - The Quarterfinals are Set - Feb. 17, 2026

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:34:00 -0400

Finally, the rubber meets the road at the Men's Olympic tournament as four nations with lighter NHL representation have been cast aside and the heavyweights get back on stage.

Elsewhere, while NHL players return to practice, the expected gold medal game for the women is set for Thursday with the USA taking an historic shutout streak into the final with Canada.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #QuickTakes #WinterOlympics #LeonDraisaitl #TimStutzle #PhilippGrubauer #Pierre-EdouardBellemare #LukasDostal #RomanCervanek #RadekFaksa #PhilippKurashev #RomanJosi #NicoHischier #LeonardoGenoni #WilliamNylander #MikaZibanejad #GabrielLandeskog #LucasRaymond #DetroitRedWings #ConnorHellebuyck #JacobMarkstrom #PierreCrinon #TomWilson #NathanMacKinnon #FrenchIceHockeyFederation #Marie-PhilipPoulin #HilaryKnight #BrandonBussi #CarolinaHurricanes #BostonBruins #FloridaPanthers #WetsernMichiganBroncos #ProvidenceBruins #JeffSkinner #SanJoseSharks #LosAngelesKings #ArtemiPanarin #KevinFiala #KenHolland #MoritzSeider

NHL Wraparound Quick Takes - Olympic Preliminary Round Complete - Feb. 16, 2026

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 20:37:00 -0400

The eighteen preliminary round games in the men's Olympic tournament have been completed. No surprise Canada and the U.S. were a perfect 3-0 in groups A and C respectively. However, who saw Slovakia edging out both Finland and Sweden to win Group B?

Vic and Neil give their thoughts, add in a few other nuggets and look ahead as the elimination phase begins Tuesday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #QuickTakes #WinterOlympics #LeonDraisaitl #DaliborDvorsky #St. LouisBlues #ConnorMcDavid #MacklinCelebrini #JurajSlafkovsky #SidneyCrosby #AustonMatthews #DougArmstrong #WayneGretzky #MarioLemieux #NathanMacKinnon #MatthewSchaefer #N.Y.Islanders #KevinFiala #LosAngelesKings #TomWilson #JoshMorrissey #MadsSoogard #KenHolland #JimHiller #ArtemiPanarin #FosterHewitt

Dallas Stars Coach Glen Gulutzan: Beating His Old Team, McDavid Years & Adding Grit

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Dallas Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for comprehensive discussion on unique rehire 13 years after being fired by Jim Nill, Vegas Wranglers ECHL days with midnight games for shift change workers and rowdy 1:30am fans, coaching evolution from chief cook and bottle washer in ECHL to managing massive NHL staffs, seven years in Edmonton building NHL-record 32.4% power play with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Calgary years with Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk filling gap working with younger stars, exploiting Dallas weaknesses in playoffs now helping him fix them as head coach, two great power play units creating internal competition with Neil Graham running it, needing one degree more grit and physicality like Florida's blueprint, Panthers playing playoff hockey from October never changing for postseason, and Hudson Bay Saskatchewan vs La Paw Manitoba birth confusion. Plus working with legends like Tortorella, Hitchcock, Tippett, and why 82-game preparation matters for game 83.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome: NHL Wraparound training camps opening week

[01:00] - Summer coolers: blanket coverage throughout NHL continuing

[02:00] - Dallas Stars: last three springs well positioned, something went wrong

[03:00] - Glen Gulutzan: looking to change narrative spring 2026

[04:00] - Probably main reason: change in Dallas, couldn't push over goal line

[05:00] - Taking over 106-point team: been to Final Four three years in row

[06:00] - Don't usually get that: usually rebuild, especially for guy like myself

[07:00] - First time Dallas: Texas Stars AHL coach, brought up

[08:00] - Made management change: second year, led to leaving Dallas

[09:00] - Conversations with Jim Nill: still same guy you fired few years ago

[10:00] - Walked into same room: fired in when came to interview

[11:00] - Dawn on me: walking into that room, situation little different

[12:00] - 13 years ago 2013: only worked with Jim

[13:00] - Joe Nieuwendyk GM hired me: Joe here, when Joe let go

[14:00] - Jim came in: about three weeks Jim Nill and I met before let me go

[15:00] - Contract was up: month left, either gonna resign or let go

[16:00] - Talked three weeks: players and team, young coach back then

[17:00] - Tuesday after long weekend: hey I'm gonna let you go

[18:00] - Bring in somebody else: at that time right decision

[19:00] - Just young coach: needed little bit more experience

[20:00] - Don't know that back then: certainly happened

[21:00] - Little rapport with Jim: 13 years later see each other Dallas

[22:00] - I was in Edmonton: opened his door bring me back

[23:00] - Little surreal: come back my old office, few chuckles

[24:00] - Reminders from previous stay: everything looked same

[25:00] - Most striking: development camp on, Dennis Suart second equipment guy

[26:00] - Now head guy: Jason Bradman head team ops, great relationship

[27:00] - Mark Janko, Scott White: assistant GMs, rapport with them

[28:00] - Scott White GM in Texas: real good rapport

[29:00] - Poke head in development camp: Jordie Benn had in Texas rookie

[30:00] - Verne Fiddler: alumni, had Verne here

[31:00] - American League staff: Max Fortunus, Travis Morin assistants

[32:00] - Had both guys Texas: Toby Petersen, had him here Dallas

[33:00] - Surrounded by guys: been around, players coached, moved into coaching

[34:00] - Felt very comfortable: all these people around, at some point coach

[35:00] - Four head coaches: Neil, could have seen rehiring somebody let go?

[36:00] - Think so: especially if hired young guy

[37:00] - Problem in my time: got hired 35 GM Rangers

[38:00] - Everybody hire: older than me, Roger Neilson Hall of Fame

[39:00] - Got me through first few years: wouldn't have lasted more than couple

[40:00] - Mike Keenan one year: everything went right, Colin Campbell, John Muckler

[41:00] - All guys older: I was young guy, much same way Glen young coach

[42:00] - 13 years hone skills: could see that happen

[43:00] - Jim Nill asked gazillion people: even though knows him, reconnaissance

[44:00] - How been since with team: what people think

[45:00] - Guarantee: got very good input or wouldn't brought back

[46:00] - ECHL: favorite franchise Las Vegas Wranglers

[47:00] - Manager Billy Johnson: quite character, stuff you guys did Vegas

[48:00] - Playing games middle of night: orange jumpsuits Vic night

[49:00] - Play games starting really late: casino people could get to game

[50:00] - Unique things: midnight game, imagine morning skate 6:30pm

[51:00] - Midnight game quite hit: shift change, night workers 11pm

[52:00] - People done at 11: come to game, watch midnight game

[53:00] - Last game before Christmas: other teams playing till 2:30-3am

[54:00] - Evolved into midnight: over 18, over 21 game

[55:00] - Threw whole thing out of whack: sign waiver bring kids past midnight

[56:00] - Anything kind went: screen or stands, 1:30am hockey fans rowdy

[57:00] - Lot unique things: outside box, unique and fun

[58:00] - Think Vegas get NHL team: would NHL work Las Vegas?

[59:00] - Didn't know if would: don't think thought could or would

[01:00:00] - Did know if did: thought be very successful

[01:01:00] - Vegas local people: really looking for something their own

[01:02:00] - Not really big college town: Austin Longhorns, UNLV no professional

[01:03:00] - Local people big desire: something could call their own

[01:04:00] - Averaged 5,900 fans: Orleans Arena beautiful facility, Michael Gaughan built

[01:05:00] - Lot hockey fans Las Vegas: transplants especially out east

[01:06:00] - Appetite for hockey: people coming see games, locals call their own

[01:07:00] - Thought really could work: been tremendous

[01:08:00] - ECHL doing every job: recruiting, coaching, travel, per diems

[01:09:00] - American League: player development more than anything

[01:10:00] - National Hockey League: evolved to understand role within organization

[01:11:00] - ECHL chief cook bottle washer: immigration guy, flights, per diem, bad guy

[01:12:00] - Everything: American League all drops away, primarily coach

[01:13:00] - Players still need you: nobody around critiquing, left own devices

[01:14:00] - Fantastic place: hone skills coaching, attentive group

[01:15:00] - Need you get next level: very enjoyable place to coach

[01:16:00] - NHL dealing elite athletes: business side, agent side

[01:17:00] - Two biggest adjustments: schedule how demanding, how many games

[01:18:00] - How big staffs: how many people around, add in media

[01:19:00] - Go from doing everything: managing bunch of people

[01:20:00] - Strength guys, conditioning, medical: three equipment guys, sports performance

[01:21:00] - GM, two assistant GMs: big entity, combine with demands schedule

[01:22:00] - Like three different leagues: three different skill sets

[01:23:00] - Not sure how much prepares: East Coast prepares work

[01:24:00] - American League: allows coach little bit, manage and coach highest level

[01:25:00] - Calgary two years: 2016-17, made playoffs one year

[01:26:00] - Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett: transition helped now Dallas

[01:27:00] - Good transition: lot really good young players

[01:28:00] - Helped me: stint got me look at new player almost

[01:29:00] - Dallas older team: Jaromir Jagr, Ray Whitney both my age

[01:30:00] - Young Sam Bennett: rookie Matthew Tkachuk, Johnny Gaudreau young star

[01:31:00] - Sean Monahan: helped work with younger stars

[01:32:00] - What their mindset: compared to Morrow, Jagr, Whitney

[01:33:00] - Filled in gap: see great young stars, how viewed game

[01:34:00] - Really helped: even went on Edmonton, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl young

[01:35:00] - See development path: young players, where could go

[01:36:00] - Could benefit: older players coached Jagr, bringing experience

[01:37:00] - Bringing to Dallas: see full spectrum

[01:38:00] - Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Duchene: great players mid-thirties side

[01:39:00] - Great young players: Wyatt Johnston, Thomas Harley

[01:40:00] - Mid-range guys: Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskanen

[01:41:00] - So many good players: experiences working with young, working with old

[01:42:00] - Anytime get experience: valuable thing, very fortunate

[01:43:00] - Sedins: worked with great older players, great younger players

[01:44:00] - Watched development: Dallas real blend of player types

[01:45:00] - Worked with all genres: helps go locker room, know what each player

[01:46:00] - Different age groups: kind of thinking, what might need

[01:47:00] - Edmonton: joined after finished last power play 2018

[01:48:00] - Seven seasons: top five five times, best three times

[01:49:00] - NHL record 22-23: 32.4%, McDavid Draisaitl Bouchard

[01:50:00] - Dallas different dynamic: abundance of riches

[01:51:00] - Truly able: send out two very proficient units

[01:52:00] - One thing done: had really good guys show me way

[01:53:00] - Tortorella, Hitchcock, Tippett: Chris Knoblauch, Jay Woodcroft, Mike Sullivan

[01:54:00] - Edmonton power play: Todd McClellan coach, all coaches let me do thing

[01:55:00] - Evolved into: changed little bit way teams penalty killed

[01:56:00] - Young guys: McDavid Draisaitl Bouchard so dynamic

[01:57:00] - Neil Graham: young coach, spent lot more time minors eight years

[01:58:00] - Ready for challenge: ran great power play American League two years

[01:59:00] - He's in charge: players at disposal, two great units

[02:00:00] - Hope for: internal competition between two units

[02:01:00] - Drive numbers up higher: so many good players

[02:02:00] - Hope two units: competing against each other, quiet healthy competition

[02:03:00] - Allows coach: push them more, gonna get internal push

[02:04:00] - Whenever internal push: young players pushing old, old want hold spots

[02:05:00] - Younger players: coming up American League, putting heat want take jobs

[02:06:00] - Internal push important: drives these guys, they're competitive

[02:07:00] - Lean on competitiveness: you get results

[02:08:00] - Beat Dallas Stars: found weaknesses during long series

[02:09:00] - Exploited weaknesses: gonna help know what need to fix?

[02:10:00] - Think it does: do know what we feared Dallas in Edmonton

[02:11:00] - Know what didn't fear: information alone

[02:12:00] - Moving forward: certain things need do little bit better

[02:13:00] - Have so many great pieces: one degree of physicality

[02:14:00] - Don't want people mixing up: not talking just body checks

[02:15:00] - Talking about: ability grind people down come playoff time

[02:16:00] - Look at roster: how many great players, also like best players big

[02:17:00] - Big guys: playoffs really about big people, big trees

[02:18:00] - Have to have right skill: Robertson, Duchene, Benn, Hintz all big

[02:19:00] - Asking: told all players already, little bit more word grit

[02:20:00] - One degree: little bit that grind

[02:21:00] - Look at Florida: got something really special, been finals, won two Cups

[02:22:00] - Success leaves clues: certainly have success there

[02:23:00] - Team as close as Dallas: need really take look, add one degree

[02:24:00] - Never gonna be somebody else: can steal piece, need do that

[02:25:00] - Watched Florida carefully: last three years, Keith Tkachuk on show

[02:26:00] - One thing Florida: play playoff hockey right from October

[02:27:00] - Don't ever change: go playoffs playing same game March and April

[02:28:00] - Don't see many teams: easy predict who gonna win

[02:29:00] - Saw same thing: all season long

[02:30:00] - Edmonton doesn't play that style: different style, thoughts on that?

[02:31:00] - Think that's so right: alluded to press conferences

[02:32:00] - Can't be foreign concept: playoffs become little bit more gritty

[02:33:00] - Everything dad told you: when kid, requires almost no talent

[02:34:00] - Dad told you: come back hard, back check, finish checks

[02:35:00] - Get to net: shoot puck, play hard, win battle

[02:36:00] - Have to add: into 82 games, can't be foreign concept

[02:37:00] - What comes forefront: Game 83, becomes hand-to-hand combat

[02:38:00] - Farther you go: more becomes wrestling match, three minutes

[02:39:00] - Have to wrestle: if haven't through year, got by on skill

[02:40:00] - Hard: might as well start training through 82 play Game 83

[02:41:00] - Born La Paw Manitoba: raised Hudson Bay Saskatchewan

[02:42:00] - Mom visiting sister: born there, raised hour and half south

[02:43:00] - Town 1200 people: work hockey school 17 years, 130 kids

[02:44:00] - Grief from mayor: everyone thinks from La Paw

[02:45:00] - Saskatchewan guy: from Hudson Bay, people choked La Paw gets mentioned

[02:46:00] - Setting record straight: mother from Winnipeg, taught hockey

[02:47:00] - Thought had common: Manitoba thing, moved Toronto after World War II

[02:48:00] - Number players: born place parents just happened be

[02:49:00] - Mikael Kesselring: southern place, dad playing ECHL

[02:50:00] - Ryan Hartman: born Hilton Head, didn't learn hockey there

[02:51:00] - Two kids born Las Vegas: conversation starter, on roll call

[02:52:00] - Play Golden Knights: old Wrangler fans come see?

[02:53:00] - Run into all time: great fan base, remember old Wrangler days

[02:54:00] - Thanks for doing: happy for opportunity, heck division

[02:55:00] - Competitive division: really fun watch coach this year

[02:56:00] - UBS Arena: hopefully meet up say hello, at every Islanders game

[02:57:00] - Glen clearly understands: can see end game for Stars

[02:58:00] - Question: whether players can execute it

[02:59:00] - Understands what's got: walking into, usually don't get opportunity

[03:00:00] - Coach let go: everything failed, taking over good team

[03:01:00] - Put more pressure: expected win Cup, exciting opportunity

[03:02:00] - Compliment Jim Nill: fortitude rehire guy fired

[03:03:00] - Very interesting season: expectation deep run, final step Cup Final 2026

[03:04:00] - Play tough division: summer cooler, interesting, fun

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #GlenGulutzan #DallasStars #JimNill #EdmontonOilers #PowerPlay #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #EvanBouchard #CalgaryFlames #JohnnyGaudreau #MatthewTkachuk #SamBennett #SeanMonahan #VegasWranglers #LasVegasWranglers #BillyJohnson #MidnightGames #ECHL #AHL #TexasStars #FloridaPanthers #JasonRobertson #RoopeHintz #MattDuchene #JamieBenn #TylerSeguin #WyattJohnston #ThomasHarley #MiroHeiskanen #NeilGraham #JohnTortorella #KenHitchcock #DaveTippett #ChrisKnoblauch #JayWoodcroft #MikeSullivan #ToddMcLellan #PlayoffGrit #Physicality #InternalCompetition #HudsonBaySaskatchewan #LaPawManitoba #JaromirJagr #RayWhitney #VerneFiddler #JordieBenn #TobyPetersen #MaxFortunatus #TravisMorin #DennisOuart #JasonBradman #MarkJanko #ScottWhite #JoeNieuwendyk #NHL #2026StanleyCup #CentralDivision

NHL Wraparound Quick Takes - A Few Early Olympic Thoughts - Feb. 12, 2026

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 19:20:00 -0400

After a brief respite while awaiting the start of the Milan-Cortina Games, Vic and Neil offer up a few early thoughts on action thus far.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #QuickTakes #WinterOlympics #BradyTkachuk #MatthewTkachuk #KeithTkachuk #BrockNelson #ConnorMcDavid #SidneyCrosby #NathanMacKinnon #MacklinCelebrini #JordanBinnington #JonCooper #ConnorHellebuyck #JakeOettiner #JurajSlafkovsky #MikkoRantanen #ZachWerensky #JackEichel #AdamJohnson #IIHF #TJOshie #JamesvanRiemsdyk #TrevorvanRiemsdyk @QuinnHughes #JackHughes #LukeHughes

Scott Stevens: Devils Captain on Open Ice Hits, 3 Stanley Cups & Playing Clean

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Devils captain and Hall of Famer Scott Stevens joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for comprehensive career discussion. From greatest open ice hits in NHL history to remarkable stat of only four elbowing penalties in 22-year career, hear about three Stanley Cups with three different coaches (Jacques Lemaire revolutionary system, Larry Robinson fired Robbie Ftorek late season, Pat Burns enforcing not changing). Kitchener Rangers Memorial Cup winner number retired, Washington Capitals fifth overall 1982 scoring first goal first shot on Eddie Mio at MSG with parents there, Brian Engblom mentorship sitting down every game going over roster, free agency compensation awarded to Devils for Brendan Shanahan (Curtis Joseph and Rod Brind'Amour equalization), never wanting to leave St. Louis but Lou Lamoriello at airport with car seats, Bruce Driver captain awkwardness, learning from 1994 Rangers loss in Eastern Final (best Devils team personnel wise), 1995 sweep Detroit in lockout season feeling invincible, Eric Lindros hit 2000 Game 7, Slava Kozlov and Paul Kariya hits, leading by example hitting guys with head down in practice, 13 All-Star games 908 career points never minus player any season, and first number retired in Devils history. Plus Three Stooges fan, growing up with three brothers competitive, and Dwight Schofield tough protector.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome: Hall of Fame Edition Scott Stevens

[01:00] - Long history great open ice hitters: Eddie Shore to Jacob Trouba

[02:00] - Perhaps greatest open ice hitter: Scott Stevens joins

[03:00] - Honor: got to know each other 1996 Team Canada, did TV together

[04:00] - Rangers nemesis: Devils great rivalry so many years

[05:00] - Great hit given out today: guy has to fight after clean hit

[06:00] - Delivered lot great hits: caught guys head down, ever have to fight?

[07:00] - No don't remember: hitting big part of game

[08:00] - This day: would just turn cheek if good clean hit

[09:00] - Almost let them take penalty: try to swing game

[10:00] - Get it wanna stand up: good clean hits shouldn't happen

[11:00] - Bothers me too: find it very interesting

[12:00] - Sometimes might be free passes given: when does happen big news

[13:00] - People want retribution on hit: my feeling on it

[14:00] - In my day: used to finish all hits

[15:00] - Guy working get red line dump in: make him pay

[16:00] - So few and far between: especially big ones, everyone gets up in arms

[17:00] - Connor Bedard hurt rookie season: Brendan Smith clean hit

[18:00] - Nick Foligno credit: automatically fought Smith, stepped up on Bedard

[19:00] - Clean hit: happened in New Jersey

[20:00] - Do research: even as well as think you know somebody

[21:00] - Scotty Bowman on: 92 years old, sharp certainly sharper than me

[22:00] - Looking at your life: never realized been with Capitals

[23:00] - Kitchener Ranger: yeah for one year

[24:00] - Numbers retired by Kitchener Rangers: wonderful year, great team

[25:00] - Lot players went on NHL: fortunate win Memorial Cup, very special year

[26:00] - Moved on some stayed back: wanted to fast track as quick as possible

[27:00] - Tremendous year: still keep in touch, reunions, great group

[28:00] - One strongest teams ever seen junior hockey

[29:00] - Wore number three Kitchener: number three Washington

[30:00] - End of number three? Number two St. Louis

[31:00] - Devils couldn't get three: Kenny had that, Lou sort of gave me four

[32:00] - Miles O'Connor might have four: took four, great number

[33:00] - Looked good on Bobby Orr: not Bobby Orr but special number

[34:00] - Fifth overall 1982: first game first goal on first shot

[35:00] - Remember it: only one really remember

[36:00] - Just outside blue line: parents at Madison Square Garden, against Rangers

[37:00] - Won draw: came to me, took slap shot at net

[38:00] - Don't have Al MacInnis slap shot: somehow beat Eddie Mio

[39:00] - Pretty special: parents there, big part of my success getting to NHL

[40:00] - Coming up as rookie: extremely gifted but very emotional also

[41:00] - First 12 seasons: over hundred penalty minutes, 200+ four times

[42:00] - Emotional component: outright scary as rookie

[43:00] - Intensity, ferocity never left: where was point?

[44:00] - Players influential: channel emotion, maintain effectiveness

[45:00] - Couple things: Brian Murray my coach, great coach, late Brian Murray

[46:00] - Pulled me aside: Scott I like way you play, like intensity

[47:00] - But need you on ice more: can't have you in penalty box

[48:00] - Thought about that: yeah makes sense, I'd like to play more

[49:00] - Ice time's fun: started there coming from him

[50:00] - Still found way play on edge: still be effective

[51:00] - Goes with maturity: find way if can, play on line physical nasty mean

[52:00] - Without crossing it: fine art, over years learn as player

[53:00] - Found that: able to walk that line pretty well

[54:00] - Last 10 seasons: eclipsed hundred only twice, 101 and 103

[55:00] - Speaks exactly to what you're saying: no question

[56:00] - If in box five minutes: power play, PK, I'd rather be on ice

[57:00] - Wanna help team: not helping team in box

[58:00] - More important: stayed on ice, liked to be on ice

[59:00] - Play all different situations: definitely factor as grew older

[01:00:00] - Common: most guys sort of mellow bit, get bit of reputation

[01:01:00] - Hopefully can keep: still gotta stand up once in while

[01:02:00] - Young guys coming up: wanna take advantage of you

[01:03:00] - For most part: established yourself bit to certain extent

[01:04:00] - 18 years old Washington: Stevie Yzerman 18 Detroit

[01:05:00] - Similar questions: who was mentor at 18, somebody saying kid do this

[01:06:00] - Fortunately when arrived: drafted Capitals made big trade

[01:07:00] - Rod Langway, Brian Engblom, Craig Laughlin, Doug Jarvis

[01:08:00] - Lot people thought: big trade, not lot room for myself

[01:09:00] - Two incredible defensemen: actually helped me slide in, make team

[01:10:00] - Look at those guys: Mike Gartner, Rod really influential

[01:11:00] - Brian Engblom biggest guy: took me under wing

[01:12:00] - Made I believe partner for bit: took me before every game

[01:13:00] - Sat down together in stalls: went over other team's roster

[01:14:00] - Veteran player: told me every guy what to look for, every forward

[01:15:00] - Put lot time in: showed me ropes, helped me lot

[01:16:00] - Along with other veteran players: lot on team when made trade

[01:17:00] - Brian was pretty special: great story, didn't know that

[01:18:00] - Know Brian Engblom: how insightful he is

[01:19:00] - Captain St. Louis one year: didn't remember that

[01:20:00] - Then Devils: not captain first year Bruce Driver is, then become captain

[01:21:00] - How figure out how to lead: being leader something in leader

[01:22:00] - Also have to figure out: obviously great leader for Devils

[01:23:00] - Where influence come from: who watch and try to take after?

[01:24:00] - To be honest: don't really say lot, will speak when feel necessary

[01:25:00] - Always felt: leading by example best way to be leader

[01:26:00] - On and off ice: how carried myself, what did, how prepared

[01:27:00] - How came to practice: how practiced, that's all that counted

[01:28:00] - By far most important thing: words are words, like said there was time

[01:29:00] - For most part: didn't have to say anything, if upset in practice

[01:30:00] - Would look for guy head down: wouldn't be afraid to hit him

[01:31:00] - Same way would hit opponent real game: guys knew that

[01:32:00] - Knew I didn't like to lose: bit of sore loser, about winning

[01:33:00] - That's why we're there: didn't like to lose, guys knew that

[01:34:00] - If wasn't happy in practice: someone could be in trouble

[01:35:00] - Knew that: came ready to play, pretty much how it was

[01:36:00] - Didn't really have lot to say: best way to lead is by example

[01:37:00] - First eight seasons Capitals: signed free agent St. Louis 1990

[01:38:00] - After Brendan Shanahan signed: awarded to Devils as compensation

[01:39:00] - St. Louis city: never wanted to leave, wanted to settle there

[01:40:00] - Held out for bit: how difficult adjustment coming to Jersey?

[01:41:00] - Not desired location: probably tougher than wife and family

[01:42:00] - Just had baby St. Louis: 16-month-old, just bought house, just sold house

[01:43:00] - Lot going on: as player just play, that's all thought about was playing

[01:44:00] - Lou Lamoriello really good: really wanted me and family there

[01:45:00] - Put lot into it: get me, make sure we were settled and happy

[01:46:00] - Means lot: general manager very excited about you coming there

[01:47:00] - St. Louis phenomenal: great team, great city, great place to play and live

[01:48:00] - All wonderful: as hockey player just move on play

[01:49:00] - Lou came airport: picked us up, put car seats in with kids

[01:50:00] - There when first arrived: pretty classy, meant lot

[01:51:00] - Made sure: looked after find place, we were comfortable

[01:52:00] - Goes long ways: on team always starts with ownership

[01:53:00] - Then general manager: trickles down if good ownership, great GM

[01:54:00] - Cares about winning: can do good things, makes everybody feel important

[01:55:00] - Acclimation with new teammates: Kirk Mueller holding out also

[01:56:00] - Seemed bit fragmentation: how easy and quickly able to fit in?

[01:57:00] - Wasn't too bad: being captain little bit thing for me

[01:58:00] - Bruce Driver great captain: that was little awkward I thought

[01:59:00] - Talked with Bruce: Bruce I still need you lot

[02:00:00] - Very organized individual: scheduling this and that

[02:01:00] - Made him well known: really need your help still in that capacity

[02:02:00] - Wonderful: especially stepping in first year second year being captain

[02:03:00] - Probably biggest adjustment: other than that thought team was good

[02:04:00] - Looked at team on paper: kind of excited about that

[02:05:00] - Not wanna leave somewhere: gotta move forward, look at positives

[02:06:00] - Sort of had to build: find our identity, we did that

[02:07:00] - Became difficult team play against: all worked out

[02:08:00] - Captaincy biggest little adjustment: just coming in here

[02:09:00] - Lot guys been there while: take it from, didn't take it

[02:10:00] - Given C by Lou from Bruce: all worked out

[02:11:00] - Bruce great friend: still, Bruce great guy

[02:12:00] - Played for Rangers while: when I was there, can attest good guy

[02:13:00] - Take back: explain Group Two free agency era

[02:14:00] - Group Two when left Washington: nobody that never happened

[02:15:00] - Got signed: compensation so overwhelming

[02:16:00] - Remember David Volek: decided take compensation, not match offer

[02:17:00] - Stunning: people just didn't do that

[02:18:00] - If ever Group Two signing: very few, team almost always match

[02:19:00] - Get to that era: Blues Group One opportunity

[02:20:00] - Group One meant: if signed player, got him, no matching

[02:21:00] - Brendan Shanahan, Adam Graves: if knew rules you had them

[02:22:00] - What happened: team he came from, had to work out deal

[02:23:00] - Couldn't work out deal: went to arbitrator for equalization

[02:24:00] - Team signed player: put up what felt was equalization

[02:25:00] - Team lost player: put up what thought was equalization

[02:26:00] - Argued in front arbitrator: arbitrator's decision

[02:27:00] - Obviously this case: decided what Lou and Devils put up

[02:28:00] - Player Scott Stevens: more equal, better equalization

[02:29:00] - Than Curtis Joseph and Rod Brind'Amour: Blues had put up

[02:30:00] - At what point: first became aware even part of this?

[02:31:00] - Whole fiasco: going on Brendan Shanahan equalization

[02:32:00] - Believe kind all came down: Canada Cup that year

[02:33:00] - Actually Brendan was there too: interesting, all playing out

[02:34:00] - That was little odd: yeah that's when sort all came down

[02:35:00] - Wasn't expecting: be compensation

[02:36:00] - Package Lou asked for: adamant about having

[02:37:00] - Right: did put up couple pretty good players

[02:38:00] - Curtis Joseph, Rod Brind'Amour: first find out told awarded to Devils?

[02:39:00] - Know that might happen: can't even remember where it was

[02:40:00] - Just remember: training camp I believe Canada Cup

[02:41:00] - Like pins and needles: what was gonna happen

[02:42:00] - Then it came to head: all worked out

[02:43:00] - Explained it perfectly: as hockey player just wanna play hockey

[02:44:00] - Move on: not gonna drag feet, nothing can do

[02:45:00] - Rules are rules: worked once St. Louis, didn't work second time

[02:46:00] - Fortunate: win some Cups New Jersey

[02:47:00] - Sometimes say: everything happens for reason

[02:48:00] - Speaking those Cups: win 1995, 2000, 2003

[02:49:00] - Conn Smythe Trophy winner: overtime Dallas Jason Arnott goal

[02:50:00] - 2003 Anaheim Ducks: always intertwined 1994 Eastern Final

[02:51:00] - Series for ages: fan myself of game

[02:52:00] - Thought Devils team 1994: best club personnel wise I've seen

[02:53:00] - To this date: even though didn't win Cup

[02:54:00] - Maybe just weren't ready: how see 1994 up against three Cup winners?

[02:55:00] - Right: big year for us, put up lot of points

[02:56:00] - Very high all different categories: goals against, even think goals for

[02:57:00] - Really good hockey team: obviously very disappointing

[02:58:00] - Maybe we're little young: I'm not sure, maybe could be it

[02:59:00] - Sometimes learn from mistakes: learn from losing

[03:00:00] - Don't think anything to be embarrassed: felt whoever won that series

[03:01:00] - Probably win Cup: turned out that way Rangers against Vancouver

[03:02:00] - If learn from it: become better, most important thing

[03:03:00] - Think we did as team: able to go on win three Stanley Cups

[03:04:00] - Way I look at it: obviously like to win them all

[03:05:00] - Had chance win back-to-back: believe after maybe 2001

[03:06:00] - Lost to Colorado Game 7: that hurt, we were there

[03:07:00] - Really good team: little mini dynasty could say, maybe not enough

[03:08:00] - Talk about first Cup against Detroit: ended in sweep

[03:09:00] - Regular season wasn't great: truncated season lockout

[03:10:00] - Managed get in: once in everything started roll for club

[03:11:00] - Lot distractions that year: lockout, made very difficult make playoffs

[03:12:00] - Win that year: Mark Messier said that's hard

[03:13:00] - Look and put asterisk: might been one harder years win Cup

[03:14:00] - Didn't have great regular season: shortened season

[03:15:00] - Having experience from year before: playing Rangers and losing

[03:16:00] - Kind of knew: no such thing as switch

[03:17:00] - Think all knew: when had to batten down hatches could do that

[03:18:00] - Because what went through year before: just started to win playoffs

[03:19:00] - Got better and better: as playoffs went on as team

[03:20:00] - Got back to where were year before: played Rangers and lost

[03:21:00] - Felt: never said this but felt invincible as going through playoffs run

[03:22:00] - Watch finals: pretty much dominated very good hockey club Detroit

[03:23:00] - Shows you: knew we were good, kept getting better and stronger

[03:24:00] - Had that great feeling: weren't gonna lose

[03:25:00] - Can't say had feeling: against Rangers, but had feeling that year

[03:26:00] - Weren't gonna lose: ready to move forward and win

[03:27:00] - Because what learned 1994: learn lot, just experience

[03:28:00] - Can't put finger on it: gain experience, learn from mistakes in life

[03:29:00] - Everyday life: not just sports, why not in sports?

[03:30:00] - How it works sometimes: not fun, hurts

[03:31:00] - Maybe that's what you need: pain and hurt to move forward

[03:32:00] - Take next step: as team and as individuals

[03:33:00] - Three Cups New Jersey: three different coaches

[03:34:00] - Most memorable: Jacques Lemaire changed game that era

[03:35:00] - Larry Robinson: came in late season, guided to Stanley Cup

[03:36:00] - Pat Burns: dearly departed, great hockey man

[03:37:00] - All products Montreal Canadiens: talk about three different coaches?

[03:38:00] - Pretty amazing: when Jacques and Larry came, Jacques Caron goalie coach

[03:39:00] - Special guy: great trio, all brought something different

[03:40:00] - Systems: way taught us to play, showed certain things on ice

[03:41:00] - Felt like little kid: man never learned so much in my life

[03:42:00] - From gentlemen: especially Jacques, his footprint, his stamp

[03:43:00] - Foot here two feet there: stick position

[03:44:00] - Don't think means lot: but does, big part of game

[03:45:00] - Positioning: keeping people where wanna keep them

[03:46:00] - Keeping in dangerous area: excited, learned so much

[03:47:00] - Could see how worked: practiced, some failures trying it

[03:48:00] - How play two-on-one: before long kept, honed skills

[03:49:00] - Became really good: system, playing certain way

[03:50:00] - Put into game situations: start winning, like rejuvenate second shot

[03:51:00] - My 13th year: had lot good coaches, learned lot

[03:52:00] - Learned by far most: that year Jacques Lemaire

[03:53:00] - Other guys felt same way: wow we're winning, seems so much fun

[03:54:00] - Things are working: how play two-on-one, come back own zone

[03:55:00] - Positional: take this way, take that away, give goalie this

[03:56:00] - Fun: took little bit, Jacques was good, awesome

[03:57:00] - Learned most: I learned in 13 years

[03:58:00] - Skip forward Larry Robinson: that year Lou fired coach late season

[03:59:00] - Robbie Ftorek: yeah Robbie Ftorek

[04:00:00] - Had Larry take over: guided to Stanley Cup win, unheard of

[04:01:00] - Coach relieved that point: replacement guide team Stanley Cup

[04:02:00] - What think about GM doing that: takes lot doesn't it?

[04:03:00] - Stick neck out: believed need another voice

[04:04:00] - Didn't like way: going towards playoffs

[04:05:00] - Felt Larry was guy: everyone held so high, so much respect

[04:06:00] - Get everyone's attention: get us back where need to be to win again

[04:07:00] - Worked out beautifully: still some ups and downs Flyers

[04:08:00] - Critical position: until Larry came in, had speech

[04:09:00] - Don't know what team: you guys are, what doing, that's not us

[04:10:00] - Not even close: who are

Sports Betting Addiction with Dr. Lipi Roy: Dopamine, Competition & Self-Inflicted Crisis

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Addiction medicine physician Dr. Lipi Roy joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for critical discussion on gambling crisis in professional sports. From NBA betting scandals (Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, Damon Jones arrested, Jontay Porter permanently banned) to NCAA allowing athletes bet on pro sports despite Fresno State basketball conspiracy, hear comprehensive analysis of behavioral addiction science. Dr. Roy explains dopamine triggers, why competitive Type A athletes are high-risk, how male brain doesn't fully develop until 25, prop bet dangers enabling fixes, Swedish study showing 15x suicide rate for gambling disorder, American Heart Association research linking problematic gambling to 50% arterio sclerosis rates, and profound shame leading to depression. Plus treatment options including medications (not FDA approved yet) and cognitive behavioral therapy, why NHL Player Assistance Program needs separate gambling category, 2018 Supreme Court ruling allowing $120 billion legally wagered 2023, 10-year-old kids seeing DraftKings FanDuel ads at Madison Square Garden normalizing behavior, and why regulation matters when genie can't go back in bottle. Toronto-born hockey fan since age 9 combines medical expertise with deep sport understanding.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome: Pro Sports Self-Inflicted Problem with Dr. Lipi Roy Encore Episode

[01:00] - October 23 NBA rocked: Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, Damon Jones arrested

[02:00] - Rigged poker games: connections organized crime, insider betting schemes

[03:00] - Jontay Porter: Toronto Raptors forward permanently banned from NBA

[04:00] - Betting scandals over century: 1919 Black Sox throwing World Series

[05:00] - Pete Rose: Cleveland Guardians Luis Ortiz, Emmanuel Clase under suspicion

[06:00] - Throwing intentional balls: first pitches of innings since middle of summer

[07:00] - Basketball 1951 point shaving: CCNY, NBA referee Tim Donaghy 2007

[08:00] - Football several players suspended: violating NFL gambling policy recent years

[09:00] - Hockey two years ago: Shane Pinto suspended 41 games

[10:00] - Friends bet for him US while in Canada: claims did not wager NHL games

[11:00] - Gambling and addiction: problem continues to fester in society

[12:00] - Major leagues in bed with casinos: only matter of time

[13:00] - Young people drawn into gambling: knowing much more than I will

[14:00] - Dr. Lipi Roy: addiction medicine physician, international speaker

[15:00] - National media medical commentator: MSNBC, NBC News, CNN, News Nation

[16:00] - Forbes contributor: founder CDA Med health speaking company

[17:00] - Host YouTube show: Health, Humor and Harmony, Health Hockey and Leadership

[18:00] - Hockey and Mental Health gala: met in New York City

[19:00] - Diehard hockey fan since 9 years old: born and raised Toronto like Neil

[20:00] - Later years studied medicine: lucky to be physician, addiction medicine specialty

[21:00] - Addiction like heart disease: can affect absolutely anybody

[22:00] - Not moral feeling: sports betting form of gambling on rise

[23:00] - All sports pro leads: hockey not any different, clearly health consequences

[24:00] - Can be really serious problematic issue

[25:00] - Gambling addiction: brain gets addicted to, not something you ingest

[26:00] - Adrenaline from gambling: what happens in brain?

[27:00] - Glad you brought B word: brain most complex machine known to humankind

[28:00] - Explain to patients and public: how I kind of explain it

[29:00] - Think of addiction: think drugs, alcohol, cocaine, heroin

[30:00] - Substance use disorders: drug alcohol addictions true

[31:00] - Another type category: behavioral addictions

[32:00] - Gambling, gaming, pornography: work, social media, devices, food

[33:00] - Behaviors: still falls under big umbrella diagnosis addiction

[34:00] - Any type substance use or behavior: causes compulsive consumption

[35:00] - Effect adversely impairs day-to-day function

[36:00] - Joke about addicted chocolate: not really addicted

[37:00] - Not consuming chocolate cake tiramisu: unable to go work, pay bills

[38:00] - Good friendships and relationships: addiction behavior harming day-to-day

[39:00] - Gambling most US Canadian adults do: no harm, enjoy and move on

[40:00] - Similar alcohol: most people drink glass wine or beer, not problem

[41:00] - Small minority with risk factors: go on develop addiction

[42:00] - Undeveloped brain: male brain doesn't fully develop until around 25

[43:00] - Gambling allowed 18 and above: harder thing with younger people?

[44:00] - Great question: expand how brain is involved

[45:00] - Addiction chronic disease of brain: addictive substance or behavior

[46:00] - Affects parts brain: control decision-making, cravings, habits

[47:00] - Basal ganglia: emotions, irritability, amygdala primitive part of brain

[48:00] - Executive function: prefrontal cortex, clearly impairment of brain

[49:00] - Brain disease: chronic condition, no one's addicted just one day

[50:00] - Good news treatment available: we'll talk about that

[51:00] - Studies showing: gambling addictions affects more men than women, far more

[52:00] - Sports betting: trend again mostly men, lot research happening

[53:00] - Need far more research: age very key

[54:00] - Addiction world advise: parents young children and teenagers

[55:00] - Wait till maybe at least 16 onwards: before experiment

[56:00] - Young kids preteens: experimenting with weed, drink alcohol

[57:00] - If can wait till late bit later: reason brain still developing

[58:00] - Neuronal connections: very vulnerable time

[59:00] - Studies very clear: younger you start, more likely higher risk

[01:00:00] - Develop harmful use: addiction later in life

[01:01:00] - Addiction to gambling associated: other addictions including substance use

[01:02:00] - Increased rates drinking, smoking

[01:03:00] - Saturday NCAA permits athletes bet pro sports: despite their own issues

[01:04:00] - September 10 three Fresno State basketball players: conspiring gambling scheme

[01:05:00] - NCAA acknowledges problem: allow athletes bet pro sports

[01:06:00] - Speaking out both sides of mouth

[01:07:00] - 2024 gambling trends: traditional gambling casino, internet unlimited

[01:08:00] - Sports betting exploding: now legal well over 38 states

[01:09:00] - 20 years ago: legally bet sports, go Atlantic City or Las Vegas

[01:10:00] - Now don't get off sofa: mobile technology and legal changes

[01:11:00] - 2018 Supreme Court ruling: allowed sports betting

[01:12:00] - American Gambling Association: $120 billion legally wagered sports 2023

[01:13:00] - Pointing out obvious: sports betting deeply embedded in culture

[01:14:00] - Every commercial broadcast sponsorship: live game, social media feeds

[01:15:00] - Pro athletes promoting advertising: betting companies

[01:16:00] - NCAA these athletes: teenagers right, young people

[01:17:00] - Brain more developed than 10-year-old: haven't fully, so much pressure

[01:18:00] - Very unique stressful time: spikes certain mental illness bipolar, schizophrenia

[01:19:00] - Allowed sports betting: gambling, addictive behavior

[01:20:00] - Doctor addiction medicine: find that deeply concerning

[01:21:00] - Permit athletes bet pro sports college: percentage become pros

[01:22:00] - No way given addiction: turn switch off, bigger problem sports leagues

[01:23:00] - Don't wanna alarm people: most adults gambled without problems

[01:24:00] - Don't wanna over-pathologize: enjoyable activity

[01:25:00] - Sports betting deeply embedded: 10-year-old kids Madison Square Garden

[01:26:00] - United Center Chicago, TD Garden Boston: large arenas

[01:27:00] - Massive ads: billboards screens, DraftKings FanDuel

[01:28:00] - What's more normalized: young children going basketball games, NCAA games

[01:29:00] - Really concerning: young kids 18-year-old NCAA, call 19 17 20 21 22

[01:30:00] - Already being normalized: going into DNA at pretty young age

[01:31:00] - Hit pros: see money, wanna talk another addiction and pressure

[01:32:00] - Goes back to brain: gambling triggers dopamine release

[01:33:00] - Patients first hit heroin: first drink, tobacco

[01:34:00] - Addictive substances and behaviors: release dopamine pleasure neurotransmitter

[01:35:00] - Once get that hit: brain wants more and more

[01:36:00] - Not pathologize: most people sports betting not problem until becomes one

[01:37:00] - If pro sports NCAA: introduce and allow clearly addictive behavior

[01:38:00] - Need other measures in place: make sure doesn't become problematic

[01:39:00] - Identify at-risk behavior: know signs and symptoms

[01:40:00] - Get ahead of it: before becomes major problem

[01:41:00] - When does: will for certain some people, tools in place

[01:42:00] - Evidence-based treatment and care

[01:43:00] - Prop bets: seeing fixes, NBA case last year

[01:44:00] - Player pulled out after two minutes: said sick or injured

[01:45:00] - Bunch buddies bet under: flagged, bets nullified

[01:46:00] - Prop bets micro bets: mentioned Cleveland Guardians pitchers

[01:47:00] - Larger problems: singular plays, singular events within game

[01:48:00] - Easy to bet on: also easy to fix

[01:49:00] - Ease what's really concerning: supply side analogy

[01:50:00] - Parents public elected officials concerned: too much drugs in community

[01:51:00] - Analogy applies gambling and sports betting: make something so accessible

[01:52:00] - Devices social media addiction: now imagine amplifying addictions

[01:53:00] - Use one addictive tool: attain another potential addictive behavior

[01:54:00] - Don't have to get up: people with gambling addiction have other health problems

[01:55:00] - Studies showing: poor diet, heart disease

[01:56:00] - American Heart Association study: three years, 10,000 people aged over 50

[01:57:00] - Problematic gambling: over 50% arterio sclerosis

[01:58:00] - Plaques blood vessels: leading to heart, arteries

[01:59:00] - Over 50% developed heart disease: people over 50, need studies younger people

[02:00:00] - Physical health problems: bad diet, bad exercise, heart disease, stress

[02:01:00] - Hypertension and other problems: mental health problems

[02:02:00] - Increased risk: depression, anxiety, suicidality

[02:03:00] - Swedish study: gambling addiction 15 times rate suicide general population

[02:04:00] - Paint picture: gambling, have problem, don't talk about it

[02:05:00] - Don't talk to wives, sisters, parents, colleagues: gambling quietly silently

[02:06:00] - Discovered when blows out of proportion: gambled off grandmother's jewelry

[02:07:00] - Best suits, mortgage: have to tell spouse, siblings, parents, lost everything

[02:08:00] - Profound shame and guilt: depressed, stressed, probably drinking

[02:09:00] - Don't happen in silo: so depressed, become suicidal

[02:10:00] - Can see this becoming major problem

[02:11:00] - NHL players: gambling component to mindset

[02:12:00] - Nevermind sports betting: just meaning take gamble

[02:13:00] - Commercial flights before charters: players bet with each other anything

[02:14:00] - Whose luggage comes out first: bag came out first won pot

[02:15:00] - Dollar bill on string: waiting for plane, see who next guy tries pick up

[02:16:00] - Bet with each other: so competitive entire life

[02:17:00] - Trophies in life: not just Stanley Cup, car Lamborghini

[02:18:00] - Biggest fastest nicest car: biggest house, nicest stereo system

[02:19:00] - Goes into relationships: trophy wives heard term before

[02:20:00] - Think gonna stop competitiveness: because you met him?

[02:21:00] - No more challenging: get next best whatever

[02:22:00] - Matter of time: with competitiveness, some not all, not many

[02:23:00] - Matter of time before brain: wants to go down gambling road

[02:24:00] - Make money for them or friends

[02:25:00] - Keyword: betting whose luggage come up first, competitive

[02:26:00] - Competition: something I can relate to, physician

[02:27:00] - Hockey my sport: diehard fan since 9, not pro athlete

[02:28:00] - Talked about speech: Hockey and Mental Health gala

[02:29:00] - Common traits: doctors and pro athletes, specifically hockey players

[02:30:00] - Type A people: competitive, may not be pro athlete

[02:31:00] - Typical Type A competitive doctor: mindset served me well

[02:32:00] - Four degrees: trained Duke, taught Harvard, done okay with life

[02:33:00] - Pro athletes gifted physically and mentally: competitive attitude mindset

[02:34:00] - Served them well: downside though

[02:35:00] - Distinguish who develop problem: competitive streak, sense of accomplishment

[02:36:00] - Dopamine high euphoria: not in check, can become problematic

[02:37:00] - Built to be competitive: win, get next award

[02:38:00] - Behavior drives achieve and succeed: for most part good thing until it's not

[02:39:00] - Addiction or addictive behaviors: can happen to anybody

[02:40:00] - Not moral failing or weakness: can happen Neil, Vic, can happen me

[02:41:00] - Dr. Lipi Roy: patients have law degrees, PhDs

[02:42:00] - Indian, Chinese, white: all walks of life

[02:43:00] - Like heart disease, lupus, cancer: addiction can affect anybody

[02:44:00] - Typically some type trauma stress: can increase one's risk

[02:45:00] - Grief, loss: behaviors of life experiences common and universal

[02:46:00] - Right circumstances: trauma repeated, happens young age

[02:47:00] - No support treatment medications therapy: trauma ongoing, genetics

[02:48:00] - Risk factors: predict why some develop addiction and others don't

[02:49:00] - Can happen anyone any time: certain risk factors

[02:50:00] - Important for hockey players: good sense of community

[02:51:00] - See problematic behaviors: themselves, teammates, friends, coaches, colleagues

[02:52:00] - Need to talk about it: glad we're talking in this podcast

[02:53:00] - Doctor and hockey fan: care deeply about people in general

[02:54:00] - Patients, family, everybody: care deeply about hockey, hockey players

[02:55:00] - Glad having conversation: reduce stigma associated all types addiction

[02:56:00] - Chance get genie back in bottle: sports, particularly NHL

[02:57:00] - Already given advice: if see something do something

[02:58:00] - Somehow get cow back in barn

[02:59:00] - Sports betting and pro sports: ship has sailed

[03:00:00] - Money, language is money: money talks

[03:01:00] - Seeing massive profits: all about making money and profits

[03:02:00] - Need regulation: that's what key is

[03:03:00] - Decision makers top levels: if genuinely care about players

[03:04:00] - NHL league follow most closely: care about players and fans

[03:05:00] - Need regulations: rules in place, evidence-based care and treatment models

[03:06:00] - Support systems in place as well

[03:07:00] - Player's Assistance Program: whole assortment of health issues

[03:08:00] - Needs to include: separate category addressing gambling addiction

[03:09:00] - Sports betting addiction: positive person, science hockey nerd

[03:10:00] - Medical nerd: believe in positivity, ending on positive note

[03:11:00] - Good news help available: need understand and recognize signs and symptoms

[03:12:00] - Problematic gambling: person can't stop, constantly chasing

[03:13:00] - Constantly preoccupied: gambling when distressed, lying about gambling

[03:14:00] - Lost opportunities: seeing signs symptoms get help

[03:15:00] - Medications available: not FDA approved yet

[03:16:00] - Psychotherapy: cognitive behavioral therapy CBT

[03:17:00] - Gamblers Anonymous: 1-800-GAMBLER, intense outpatient resident programs

[03:18:00] - Help is available: genie out of bottle

[03:19:00] - Opportunity make difference: if care about players, take action

[03:20:00] - Action is available

[03:21:00] - Follow or contact: love talking about health and medicine, hockey

[03:22:00] - Merging two: reach me Instagram @LipiRoyMD

[03:23:00] - TikTok @LipiRoyMD: Twitter X @LipiRoy

[03:24:00] - YouTube health show subscribe: posting videos

[03:25:00] - On air News Nation, CNN: write Forbes articles

[03:26:00] - SITAMED company: S-I-T-A-M-E-D LLC.com

[03:27:00] - Could go on two hours: find intriguing, just lucky

[03:28:00] - Get on lot good guests: famous people, Hockey Hall of Fame edition

[03:29:00] - Scotty Bowman: won 14 Stanley Cups

[03:30:00] - Have you on honor: hope people listen, get information, get help

[03:31:00] - Known people addictions: agree, one can lead to other

[03:32:00] - Alcohol, drug, gambling: all rolled into one

[03:33:00] - Call it addictive personality: explained so well, thankful

[03:34:00] - Hope NHL Wraparound: help some people out there, get help because your advice

[03:35:00] - Hockey nerd and medical nerd: been around NHL so long

[03:36:00] - Lot health issues: affect hockey players

[03:37:00] - Talked about in speech: love health and medicine, get people better

[03:38:00] - Love hockey: addiction still misunderstood, misdiagnosed, undertreated

[03:39:00] - Help is available: we'll make it happen

[03:40:00] - Thank you having me: had great time

[03:41:00] - Hard to overstate importance: discussion just had

[03:42:00] - Gambling and addiction today: unfortunately where it's headed

[03:43:00] - Not headed good place: gave outlines things can do

[03:44:00] - Society now speaking: where it's headed

[03:45:00] - Never get genie back in bottle: if leagues continue allow sports betting

[03:46:00] - Participate in sports betting: all we can do be on guard

[03:47:00] - Those around us: look for signs somebody developing problem

[03:48:00] - Extraordinary guest: some point do show head trauma

[03:49:00] - Welcome Dr. Roy back: for sure

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #DrLipiRoy #GamblingAddiction #SportsBetting #AddictionMedicine #NHL #BehavioralAddiction #DopamineTriggers #PlayerAssistanceProgram #PAP #PropBets #NCAA #JontayPorter #ShanePinto #ChaunceyBillups #TerryRozier #DamonJones #1919BlackSox #PeteRose #TimDonaghy #Basal Ganglia #Amygdala #PrefrontalCortex #TypeAPersonality...

Episode 88 - Who's Laughing at the Sabres Now? - With Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 18:21:00 -0400

They started 0-3-0 and were still three games below .500 on the morning of Dec. 9. Simply put, 2025-26 was shaping us the same way as the past 14 seasons have for the Buffalo Sabres.

28 games later, nobody's laughing at the Sabres any more. Though there's been a slight cool down over the past week, Buffalo News columnist Mike Harrington returns to the show to share what's been behind the stunning turnaround.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to, the Olympic break is upon us, the Panthers and Lightning were at it again and Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl calls the coaching staff.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:19] – Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To.

[11:49] – Mike Harrington from the Buffalo News makes an encore appearance and immediately dives into why the Sabres have done such an about-face - without moving any players.

[15:16] - Neil poses the question as to when team owner Terry Pegula got an epiphany to finally make moves within the front office - moves which have quietly altered the culture of the franchise.

[17:31] - The difference in the on-ice product under the guidance of head coach Lindy Ruff.

[19:34] - Further elaboration on the Sabres depth and potential damage they could do if they qualify for the post-season.

[21:41] - Mike shares a pattern he sees with the 2025-26 Sabres and the one coached by Ruff in 2006 which reached the seventh game of the East Final.

[23:29] - Will pending UFA Alex Tuch remain with his hometown team beyond this season?

[25:56] - As the trade deadline looms, the holes which need to be filled in order to secure that elusive playoff spot.

[30:30] - Wrapping up the discussion with Mike Harrington.

[31:48] - With the Rangers trade of Artemi Panarin to the Kings, Neil looks at the moves made by GM Chris Drury since taking the team over in 2021.

[35:59] - Top NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna charged with in connection with an altercation Saturday evening that left a man with a broken jaw.

[39:30] - Matvei Michkov's playing time has decreased under Rick Tocchet in Philadelphia. The GM isn't moving the player and head coach is in the first year of a five-year deal.

[42:19] - Plaudits for the offensive defensemen, two of which hit the 20-goal mark over the past couple of days.

[44:00] - Personnel notes with best wishes to Hall of Fame Craig Patrick, who is recovering from a stroke.

[46:21] - What the Olympic break means for NHL teams...and us.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #MikeHarrington #BuffaloNews #BraydenPoint #SethJarvis #Milano-Cortina #MatthewTkachuk #BrandonHagel #J.J.Moser #GustavForsling #PaulMaurice #JamieKompon #BradMarchand #EvanRodrigues #AaronEkblad #DaniilTarasov #JulienBrisebois #AleksanderBarkov #QuebecNordiques #LeonDraisaitl #KrisKnoblauch #ConnorMcDavid #ZachHyman #JeffJackson #KenHolland #WayneGretzky #MarkMessier #JarmoKekalainen #KevynAdams #JasonKarmonos #RasmusDahlin #MattiasSamuelsson #OwenPower #BowenByram #MorganRielly #AlexLyon #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen #TageThompson #TerryPegula #MarcBergevin #JoshFlynn #StacyRoest #LindyRuff #AlexTuch #JackQuinn #ZachBenson #JoshDoan #PatrickKane #BoBichette #TorontoBlueJays #ArtemiPanarin #ConorTimmins #MichaelKesselring #JacobBryson #JoshNorris #JordanGreenway #ChrisDrury #BarclayGoodrow #ChrisKreider #RyanStrome #JacobTrouba #Urhovaakanainen #FilipChytil #JTMiller #K'AndreMiller #ScottMorrow #AndrewKopp #KaapoKakko #JackHughes #WillBorgen #RyanLindgren #ReillySmith #IgorShesterkin #AdamFox #MikaZibanejad #VincentTrocheck #WillCuylle #NoahLaba #AlexisLafreniere #GavinMcKenna #MatveiMichkov #RickTocchet #DannyBriere #JakobChychrun #ZachWerenski #DarrenRaddysh #EvanBouchard #JonathanHuberdeau #Pierre-LucDubois #LoganThompson #CalebJones #SethJones #CraigPatrick #HerbBrooks #JeffMarek

NHL Wraparound Quick Takes - Panarin off to LA - Feb. 4, 2026

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:00:00 -0400

After being held out of the Rangers lineup, star forward Artemi Panarin has a new home on the left coast having been dealt to the Los Angeles Kings for a prospect and a draft pick.

Vic and Neil chat about the impact to both clubs and also discuss a smaller deal which took place between the Blues and Devils.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #QuickTakes #ArtemiPanarin #LosAngelesKings #LiamGreentree #WindsorSpitfires #OHL #ChrisDrury #NickBjugstad #StLouisBlues #ThomasBordeleau #NewJerseyDevils #DougArmstrong #TomFitzgerald

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Lightning Strikes Again! - Feb. 4, 2026

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:56:00 -0400

He's won two Stanley Cups. In fact, he's won everywhere he's coached. Still, Jon Cooper has never won the Jack Adams Trophy as Coach of the Year. That may have to change in June as Cooper as has led the Lightning to the top spot in the Eastern Conference despite dealing with a decimated defense all season.

Coming off the dramatic Stadium Series Sunday, the Lightning had more late heroics in store Tuesday on a night where all but one game was decided in the third period.

Vic and Neil break it down and also chat about three controversial game winners on Monday, Steven Stamkos moving up the all-time goal scoring list and Olympic replacements.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #QuickTakes #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AnthonyCirelli #NickPaul #JoshDoan #DarrenRaddysh #JakeGuentzel #NikitaKucherov #JonCooper #JackAdamsAward #VictorHedman #RyanMcDonagh #ErikCernak #NHLStadiumSeries #JulienBriseBois #WarrenYoung #MarioLemieux #EvanBouchard #FilipHronek #AlexLyon #JohnGibson #SteveYzerman #MarcoKasper #LucasRaymond #MathieuOlivier #ElvisMerzlikins #SheldonKeefe #RickBowness #DonWaddell #JackHughes #JordanStaal #BrandonBussi #JakeSanderson #FrederikAndersen #PyotrKochetkov #ProvidenceBruins TheAHL.com #MaineMariners #ECHL #WilliamNylander #MatiasMaccelli #AnthonyStolarz #LeonDraisaitl #ClaudeGiroux #ErikKarlsson #DanMuse #DaveJackson #KirillKaprizov #JoelErikssonEk #NickSuzuki #ConnorHellebuyck #MiroHeiskanen #MarkScheifele #ThomasHarley #FrancoisSt.Laurent #MartinBiron #TSN #AndrewBrunette #JustusAnnunen #JuuseSaros #StevenStamkos #DinoCiccarelli #BobbyHull #BarryTrotz #RyanO'Reilly #LukeEvangelista #QuinnHughes #CaleMakar #MatthewTkachuk #AleksanderBarkov #TomasNosek #BradMarchand #SethJones #DmitryKulikov #AntonLundell #MorganRielly #ZachBenson #NickPaul #FilipChytil #AdamFoote #DevonToews #SamBennett #BraydenPoint #JoonasKorpisalo #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen #MikeHarrington #BuffaloNews

NHL Wraparound Quick Takes - Barry Trotz to Step Down in Nashville - Feb. 2, 2026

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 17:03:00 -0400

Monday morning saw the surprise announcement that Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz would be stepping down, though he would remain in his current role until a replacement is found.

Vic and Neil so a quick look into what impact this has on a team that has bounced back after a rough season-and-a-half and are looking to squeeze into a Wild Card spot in the West.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #QuickTakes #BarryTrotz #DavidPoile #BillHaslam #AndrewBrunette #RyanO'Reilly #StevenStamkos #BradySkjei

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Trotz to Step Down and a Wild Night in Tampa - Feb. 2, 2026

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:27:00 -0400

The first night of February brought perhaps the wildest outdoor game we've ever seen in a furious comeback win for the host Lightning.

That was followed Monday morning by the surprising resignation of Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz.

Vic and Neil have the latest along with along with a couple of strong takes coming out of Saturday's games along with the possibility of the playoff field flipping by 50% by the time we get to April.

All that plus some odds and ends including Linus Ullmark's return to the Ottawa net, the run by the Blue Jackets and the struggles taking place in Vegas.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JohnSaunders #BarryTrotz #DavidPoile #StevenStamkos #JonathanMarchessault #BradySkjei #AndrewBrunette #NHLStadiumSeries #ESPN #ABC #WinterClassic #TNT #JonCooper #MarcoSturm #PavelZacha #EliasLindholm #VictorHedman #AnthonyCirelli #MarkKastelic #BraydenPoint #JulienBriseBois #OliverBjorkstrand #RayFerraro #DonSweeney #NikitaKucherov #JakeGuentzel #DavidPastrnak #AndreiVasilevskiy #JeremySwayman #DaleHunter #PierreTurgeon #SteveLevy #MarkMessier #PKSubban #NathanMacKinnon #ErikJohnson #PatrickKane #TomBarrasso #ChrisChelios #BrianLeetch #PhilHousley #BobbyOrr #MikeModano #SteveSimmons #BrettHull #PatLafontaine #QuinnHughes #AustonMatthews #JeremyRoenick #MakrHowe #SidneyCrosby #BobWischusen #ChrisDrury #GeorgeCostanza #ArtemiPanarin #MikaZibanejad #HartfordWolfpack #GerardGallant #MikeSullivan #PeterLaviolette #BillGuerin #VincentIorio #JeffMarek #ConnorHellebuyck #NikolajEhlers #MitchMarner #LinusUllmark #JackHughes #RickBowness #DeanEvason #ConnorMcMichael #MattRoy #MartinFehervary #LoganThompson #CharlieLindgren #ClayStevenson #GarinBjorklund #CarterHart #BrettHowden #WilliamKarlsson #MasonMcTavish #TroyTerry #LeoCarlsson #FrankVatrano #BrockMcGinn #JoelQuenneville #RobertThomas #MartinNecas #KrisLetang #MorganRielly #AlexTurcotte #BradMarchand #AntonLundell #WilliamNylander #AnzeKopitar #TrippTracy #TonyGranato #ShaneWillis #DarylEvans #CammiGranato #CatherineO'Hara #Schitt'sCreek #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #MatthewSchaefer #CalvinPickard #ConnorIngram #TristanJarry #MikeHarrington #BuffaloNews

Kenny Albert on Rangers Struggles, 1994 Stanley Cup Radio Call & National Jewish Hall of Fame

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Kenny Albert, Rangers radio voice and one of sports broadcasting's most versatile talents, joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for an in-depth career discussion. From 2025 National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame induction to his autobiography "A Mic for All Seasons" now available on audiobook, hear about calling the 1994 Stanley Cup Final on NHL Radio when Rangers-Canucks matched his two favorite teams, Barry Trotz fake arrest prank in Baltimore Skipjacks days, growing up with legendary father Marv Albert, and preparation differences between 20-30 hour NFL weeks versus NHL games. Plus comprehensive Rangers analysis on inconsistency and JT Miller trade impact, Washington and Winnipeg surprising success, Detroit and Ottawa turnarounds, Islanders injury plague with three waiver pickups, Devils inconsistency despite upgrades, why all three New York teams making playoffs raises excitement, radio versus TV call differences working with Dave Maloney and Eddie Olczyk, Twin Rinks Port Washington skating instructor origin story where Neil first saw Kenny's name, and humbleness making journey to top more fun than being there. Broadcasting legend shares 40 years of career insights.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome: A Man for All Seasons with Kenny Albert joining NHL Wraparound

[01:00] - Great privilege: reminiscing with good friend Kenny Albert

[02:00] - 2025 National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame induction: great names inducted past years

[03:00] - Hall of Fame located Commack Long Island: big honor to be included

[04:00] - Madison Square Garden press room: sitting with mom and dad after Rangers games

[05:00] - Neil scouting for Islanders: innocent days for all of us

[06:00] - NHL this season: things didn't see coming or surprised you

[07:00] - Two biggest surprises: Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets

[08:00] - Washington last year playoffs: tired, old, slow against Rangers

[09:00] - Retooled: Pierre-Luc Dubois, Logan Thompson, key players during off-season

[10:00] - Alex Ovechkin amazing season: Spencer Carbery a lot of credit

[11:00] - Winnipeg: Scott Arniel great guy, assistant coach with Rangers

[12:00] - Head coaching opportunity Columbus: long time assistant, takes over where he played

[13:00] - East Coast doesn't pay attention: tremendous goaltending Hellebuyck, terrific players

[14:00] - Flip side disappointments: Detroit, Ottawa, Buffalo on the rise

[15:00] - Todd McLellan coming in: terrific record since took over

[16:00] - Ottawa finally next level: challenging for playoff spot, still time left

[17:00] - Montreal rough start then great stretch: right in mix as well

[18:00] - Pittsburgh impressive without Crosby and Malkin: leading up to break

[19:00] - Not many teams really out of it: three-point games, 25-26 games remaining

[20:00] - Players get to refresh: 100 players Four Nations, others recharge

[21:00] - Doing color with Kenny at Joe Louis Arena: Detroit on Versus/OLN

[22:00] - Over-preparer: tend to do even more than probably need

[23:00] - Learning tricks of trade: what to do and what not to do through years

[24:00] - Keep all game sheets: file cabinet to my left, could pull it out

[25:00] - 1994 Stanley Cup Final: NHL Radio, looked through sheets recently

[26:00] - Grew up Vancouver Canucks fan but also Rangers fan

[27:00] - Working Washington doing Capitals home games cable 1992-95

[28:00] - Also WTOP radio station: Rangers-Devils conference final happening

[29:00] - Howie Rose and Mike Keenan: 1993 Final NHL Radio, Los Angeles-Montreal

[30:00] - 1994: Howie supposed to do NHL Radio final, unavailable if Rangers got there

[31:00] - Got call day of Game 3 Rangers-Devils series: would you be interested?

[32:00] - 26 years old: of course I'd be interested, Rangers and Canucks my two teams

[33:00] - Opportunity call final with Sherry Ross: Howie and Mike busy that stretch

[34:00] - Preparation: hockey and football done most, identified with

[35:00] - Also basketball and baseball through years: similar but different time

[36:00] - Football 20-30 hours per week: practices, players, coaches, production meetings

[37:00] - Each team one game week: every game big, all national games

[38:00] - Week 16 team haven't seen all season: catch up on entire season

[39:00] - Hockey different: teams playing 3-4 games week, all watching, reading, paying attention

[40:00] - Rangers game on radio: not nearly as much preparation as football or national hockey

[41:00] - Know Rangers like back of hand: don't have to do that much preparation

[42:00] - Still going practice talking guys: listening coach, doing lot of reading

[43:00] - Reading every article out there: never know when pick up little tidbit

[44:00] - Studying other team: watching previous game if can, read week's worth articles

[45:00] - Back in day internet didn't exist: no cell phones, reading weekly publications

[46:00] - Articles faxed to us by PR staff: lot different those days

[47:00] - Now click of button: read anything, watch any game

[48:00] - National games TNT with Eddie Olczyk and Brian Boucher: week's worth articles both teams

[49:00] - Try watch previous game: get in there, talk to coaches, go to practice

[50:00] - Story about preparation working out: last Wednesday Rangers-Bruins TNT

[51:00] - Craig Lockland open heart surgery day before: wanted to wish well on air

[52:00] - Picture Ovechkin wearing Locker Strong t-shirt: had ready from Capitals tweet

[53:00] - Third period commercial: good time to send well wishes to Craig

[54:00] - Something goes off in head: look down ice, see Zach Jones

[55:00] - Scratch for 18 consecutive games: playing first time in two months

[56:00] - Registers: Zach Jones' father equipment manager Richmond Renegades ECHL

[57:00] - Craig Lockland owned team with Rod Langway: where Zach learned to skate

[58:00] - Tie-in just by accident: happened to be playing, happened to be on ice

[59:00] - Example of preparation: things learn through years talking to people

[01:00:00] - Schmoozing at morning skates: pick up little tidbits of information

[01:01:00] - Turning something you know into moment that works well on television

[01:02:00] - Preparation local game different than national game

[01:03:00] - Go back and forth radio and TV: much different call

[01:04:00] - Descriptive on radio: time and score lot more often, allow color analysts key moments

[01:05:00] - Dave Maloney former captain: our 20th season together

[01:06:00] - Not as much time on radio: calling action for most of time

[01:07:00] - TV with Eddie Olczyk: more time for him to talk during play neutral zone

[01:08:00] - Definitely different perspective: TV versus radio

[01:09:00] - Baltimore Skipjacks: 1990-91 and 1991-92, Adirondack Red Wings

[01:10:00] - Little square building: stage on one end just like Rochester Americans

[01:11:00] - Enjoy trivia: millions of pieces of useless information

[01:12:00] - Have to love attention to very slight detail: drive friends and family nuts

[01:13:00] - Sign wasn't there yesterday: guy wearing different helmet tonight

[01:14:00] - Kenny's brain works same way: morning skate noticing banner that wasn't there

[01:15:00] - Sixth sense: minds work in pretty similar way

[01:16:00] - October 2023: autobiography "A Mic for All Seasons" released

[01:17:00] - Audio book just been released: those who have time to kill in car

[01:18:00] - Dad Marv Albert legend: model and mold for sportscasters

[01:19:00] - Two uncles Alan and Steve also in industry: besides immediate family most influential?

[01:20:00] - Uncles come to house: felt like listening first all-sports radio station

[01:21:00] - Telling stories: learning via osmosis sitting around table

[01:22:00] - Didn't have cable until 17: big radio listener every sport

[01:23:00] - Picked up Chuck Katen Hartford Whalers: one radio in kitchen

[01:24:00] - Hockey was favorite: loved all sports but hockey little bit ahead

[01:25:00] - Howie Rose, Doc Emrick, Sam Rosen: definitely the three

[01:26:00] - Barry Landers, Jiggs McDonald: Islanders great announcers back in day

[01:27:00] - Larry Hirsch first couple years Devils: Fred Shero on Devils games

[01:28:00] - Howie huge influence: Neil and Howie close, mutual friends way back

[01:29:00] - Worked for Howie during college years: associate producer Mets Extras

[01:30:00] - Out at Shea Stadium with Howie until midnight: learned so much being around him

[01:31:00] - Had just started doing Rangers play-by-play at time: right up there

[01:32:00] - Listening to Doc and Sam: getting to know both 30-40 years ago as friends

[01:33:00] - Traveled with Rangers 29 years: sitting next to Sam on plane

[01:34:00] - Together other night coming home from Columbus

[01:35:00] - Doc Emrick colleague: worked several Olympics together

[01:36:00] - First Olympics opportunity: Doc pulled out 2002 when dog got sick

[01:37:00] - Didn't want leave wife home alone: my first opportunity Olympic hockey

[01:38:00] - Grew up listening to: big influences through years

[01:39:00] - Skipjack days: favorite stories in book, used in proposal sent to publishers

[01:40:00] - AHL time: on bus with team, Barry Trotz road roommate two years

[01:41:00] - Assistant coach: third winningest coach NHL history now

[01:42:00] - Joel Quenneville on team first year: second and third winningest coaches history

[01:43:00] - Quenneville wrapping up playing career: Washington traded as depth defenseman

[01:44:00] - Rob Laird head coach, Barry assistant: every year play prank on somebody

[01:45:00] - Interview with Barry early in year: something came out wrong, he flubbed word

[01:46:00] - Didn't use on air: made mistake playing tape for some players

[01:47:00] - Word got back to Trotz: roomed together to save money on road

[01:48:00] - Broadcaster and assistant coach: two years road roommates

[01:49:00] - "I'm gonna get you back one day, don't worry"

[01:50:00] - Recipient of fake arrest prank: landed Sydney Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Oilers

[01:51:00] - Got off plane: pulled into small room, questioned

[01:52:00] - Put in police car: drove around 15 minutes asking if passport valid

[01:53:00] - Anything illegal in bag? Know anybody in trouble?

[01:54:00] - Pulled up to team hotel: "One more question, do you know Jimmy Wiseman?"

[01:55:00] - Late Jim Wiseman: longtime security officer Capitals, great guy

[01:56:00] - Brother was police chief Sydney: set up whole thing

[01:57:00] - Barry Trotz still loves talking about story: lunch Nashville month ago

[01:58:00] - 23-24 at time, Barry 26-27: three decades later still laughing about it

[01:59:00] - Those are memories: things you go through

[02:00:00] - Three decades: seen so much, lived so much

[02:01:00] - Biggest change as broadcaster? Industry continued to evolve

[02:02:00] - Vic at it 40 years: seen many changes early to mid-eighties

[02:03:00] - Technology probably biggest change: everything available click of keyboard

[02:04:00] - Any article want to read, any game want to watch

[02:05:00] - Back then preparing: couldn't watch team's previous game unless national TV

[02:06:00] - Graphics on games: didn't have score and time upper left entire game

[02:07:00] - Came into play mid-nineties: technology biggest thing we've seen

[02:08:00] - Teams use it: players, coaches, video, iPads on bench

[02:09:00] - Who would've thought: watching video previous shift while on bench

[02:10:00] - Circle back to hockey: Tuesdays typically New York centric

[02:11:00] - League schedules shut down until week from Saturday: baking in New York centric

[02:12:00] - Rangers: know them like back of hand, inconsistency defending President's Trophy

[02:13:00] - Won two outta three: beat Boston TNT call, listless Pittsburgh, trailed Columbus

[02:14:00] - Why so inconsistent? Only react when asses on burner

[02:15:00] - Every season different: President's Trophy 1992, missed playoffs 1993, Cup 1994

[02:16:00] - Unbelievable swing: three season swing Rangers went through

[02:17:00] - This year whirlwind: start 12-4-1, then 4-15 stretch

[02:18:00] - Stretch pick up point 10 straight games: last week plus three in one

[02:19:00] - All three wins trailing heading into third period: resiliency

[02:20:00] - Came back trailing after second: Vegas, Boston, Columbus

[02:21:00] - Pittsburgh game: probably would want that one back

[02:22:00] - Set franchise records wins and points last year: race for playoff spot this year

[02:23:00] - Along with nine other teams: two wild card spots

[02:24:00] - JT Miller trade: certainly adjusted way team plays

[02:25:00] - Zibanejad and Panarin on his line: playing little bit differently

[02:26:00] - Zibanejad real good stretch: eight points last four games

[02:27:00] - Pick up big late goal from Cuylle: beat Columbus, real positives heading into break

[02:28:00] - Six players going Four Nations: four Americans, Zibanejad, Panarin

[02:29:00] - Huge win Columbus: if lost regulation, pretty big gap

[02:30:00] - Narrowed it with win: see what they could do coming out of break

[02:31:00] - Islanders: where Kenny raised and grew up, not as fan of local team

[02:32:00] - Injury plague season: lot of guys on shelf, lot of defensemen

[02:33:00] - Lou Lamoriello: picked up three this season on waivers

[02:34:00] - Barzal out until don't know when: knee surgery

[02:35:00] - Beat Vegas 2-1 Tuesday: Sorokin amazing at that game

[02:36:00] - Fall short Winnipeg 4-3: out-shot Jets 19-6 third period

[02:37:00] - Saturday back-to-back: Winnipeg to Minnesota, fall 6-3

[02:38:00] - Will you be there February 25 UBS Arena? I'll have radio call

[02:39:00] - Grew up Long Island: didn't necessarily root for Islander teams

[02:40:00] - Lot of respect: wound up working games Dennis Potvin, Bobby Nystrom

[02:41:00] - Great guys personally: really enjoyed working with them

[02:42:00] - This year's Islander team: credit for way played January, early February

[02:43:00] - Seven game win streak despite all injuries: Patrick Wahlstrom playing really well

[02:44:00] - Three defensemen: DeAngelo, Perunovich, Dobson off waiver wire

[02:45:00] - DeAngelo coming back from Russia: core pretty similar

[02:46:00] - Back-to-back conference finals Barry Trotz: bubble Edmonton, next year Tampa

[02:47:00] - 2021 nothing Game 7 Tampa: if win that game, they're in Cup Final

[02:48:00] - Real good stretch with core group: battled make playoffs last year

[02:49:00] - Right in mix again despite injuries: have to give lot of credit

[02:50:00] - When all three area teams make playoffs: hasn't happened lot recent years

[02:51:00] - Raises excitement level: amount of people paying attention to hockey

[02:52:00] - Back page newspapers: people talking about it on radio

[02:53:00] - Great for sport when all three teams in area doing well

[02:54:00] - Devils shoe-in to make playoffs: win two outta three this week

[02:55:00] - Win shootout Pittsburgh: two-nothing lead let get away, Timo Meier goal

[02:56:00] - Out-shot 40-15 by Vegas: real flat effort, 3-1 loss

[02:57:00] - Shut out Canadiens 4-0 Saturday: Jake Allen fourth shutout season

[02:58:00] - Upgrades Tom Fitzgerald made: coaching change Sheldon Keefe

[02:59:00] - Almost locked into 2-3 with Carolina: hard time finding consistency

[03:00:00] - Need to raise level: once get to playoffs in two months

[03:01:00] - Agree on that: upgrades made big part of it

[03:02:00] - Bringing in Jacob Markstrom: huge upgrade in goal, didn't have goaltending last year

[03:03:00] - Veteran defensemen: Brett Pesce, Dougie Hamilton

[03:04:00] - Young defensemen: Luke Hughes and Jonas Siegenthaler up on first or second pair

[03:05:00] - Luke Hughes taken major step this year: played really well offensively and defensively

[03:06:00] - Having veterans around: Pesce, Hamilton, Markstrom in goal major factor

[03:07:00] - Superstars up front: Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier

[03:08:00] - Pretty set offensively: defensive part, goaltending issue last year

[03:09:00] - If Jersey-Carolina first round: gonna have real good team go out round one

[03:10:00] - Too bad can't be later in playoffs: should be two high-level teams postseason

[03:11:00] - Story before recording: first time heard about Neil Smith

[03:12:00] - Young hockey player growing up Long Island: Twin Rinks Port Washington 10 minutes

[03:13:00] - Spend all day weekends: five-hour public skating sessions

[03:14:00] - Intramural hockey four o'clock: puck shooting, goalies in free

[03:15:00] - Twin Rinks all the time: right around 1980 Olympics Lake Placid

[03:16:00] - So many more kids started signing up: boys and girls

[03:17:00] - Mid-level amount kids to didn't have enough space: boon in hockey Long Island

[03:18:00] - Walking in one day: big sign up front like it was yesterday

[03:19:00] - "Welcome our new skating instructor Neil Smith, New York Islanders draft pick"

[03:20:00] - First time ever heard name: went home looked you up NHL guide record book

[03:21:00] - Drafted 1974: signed up as skating instructor Twin Rinks

[03:22:00] - Met couple years later: press room Madison Square Garden

[03:23:00] - Became friends: together with Rangers for many years

[03:24:00] - All goes back: rink hasn't been there since mid-eighties

[03:25:00] - Twin Rinks Port Washington: where we were first connected

[03:26:00] - Those were fun days: climbing ladder often more fun than being on top

[03:27:00] - Journey try to get where we've all been: Kenny still there by the way

[03:28:00] - So much fun: enjoyment looking back at journey thinking how great

[03:29:00] - Stanley Cup Final this year: calling Stanley Cup Final

[03:30:00] - We'll be watching: enjoying your call as we always do

[03:31:00] - Something personal before you go: what makes you great human

[03:32:00] - Dad Marv: humbleness, good person, humble person

[03:33:00] - Often said about Neil: "He's such a nice guy"

[03:34:00] - Should I be a dick? Pride myself on being nice guy

[03:35:00] - Outside assume: high and mighty ego guy because of accomplishments

[03:36:00] - Great broadcasters: yourself, many others, Eddie Olczyk on Ranger team

[03:37:00] - Get to talk: oh wow what a nice guy

[03:38:00] - Watch on TV or from afar: assumption they feel as great as you think

[03:39:00] - When talk to them: just great people, you're one of them

[03:40:00] - Really appreciate kind words: crew fortunate have Cup Final again this year

[03:41:00] - Worked Cup Final 2021 NBC with Eddie: 2023 in Vegas

[03:42:00] - Every other year now: Eddie, Brian Boucher, Jackie Redmond there this year

[03:43:00] - Can't wait: two games Four Nations next Monday in Boston

[03:44:00] - Canada-Finland matchup: United States and...

John Davidson: Rangers to Blues to Blue Jackets - Career Insights & Playoff Talk

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Columbus Blue Jackets Senior Advisor John Davidson joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren to discuss the young core emerging (Adam Fantilli, Marchenko, Mateychuk, Kent Johnson all popping at same time), Johnny Gaudreau's tragic legacy galvanizing team identity, Sean Monahan's underrated leadership, and why Columbus is positioned for genuine optimism despite missing playoffs. Hear JD's heartfelt tribute to Sam Rosen's 40-year Rangers career and charity work raising tens of millions, the white-knuckle 1994 police car ride to Canyon of Heroes with million people and zero arrests, Rangers implosion analysis with best players falling backward simultaneously, Mike Sullivan's unrelenting coaching impact, Will Cuylle smart business from Lias Andersson trade, Alexei Kovalev Mike Keenan shift story, Rangers not built for playoffs playing east-west, and comprehensive playoff predictions. Plus Doug Armstrong planting trees quote, Gabriel Landeskog's remarkable Masterton Trophy comeback from cartilage transplant, Connor Hellebuyck inexplicable struggles, goaltending lineage from Giacomin through Shesterkin, Lundqvist's first practice impact, and why NHL playoffs are completely unpredictable making them fantastic theater.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome: From Blue to Blueshirt to Blue Jacket with John Davidson

[01:00] - Three Things: UBS Financial Services, playoff updates

[02:00] - JD back on NHL Wraparound: 1994 special with Glen Healy cathartic

[03:00] - Jogging memory: very special time, makes your day

[04:00] - Paul Maurice: trade deadline podcast, called away for Toffoli trade mid-show

[05:00] - Happy for Paul: looked out of gas Winnipeg, revived in Florida

[06:00] - Life expectancy with coach in certain city: runs out, doesn't mean bad coach

[07:00] - St. Louis Blues: JD president years ago, Doug Armstrong hire by Larry Pleau

[08:00] - Doug's edge: nice man, understands business, no fear making decisions

[09:00] - 2019 Cup: 10 of 20 players JD brought in when with Blues

[10:00] - Doug quote: "Somebody plants trees, somebody else enjoys shade"

[11:00] - Draft and develop takes time: 2-3-4 years battle, everybody loses minds

[12:00] - Columbus same thing: team coming, gonna be good, well coached

[13:00] - Young players JD drafted: Marchenko, Fantilli, Mateychuk, Kent Johnson

[14:00] - All popping primarily at same time: self-satisfaction seeing them succeed

[15:00] - Montreal nosing out Columbus: frustrating not getting there

[16:00] - Week or two prior: weren't scoring, weren't very good

[17:00] - Analyzing after disappointment: Columbus in good position, good shape

[18:00] - Scoring talent: two or three areas need shoring up, Don Waddell working

[19:00] - Genuine room for optimism: Fabbro picked up waivers, fit with Werenski

[20:00] - Werenski best season: top three defenseman in game for sure

[21:00] - Sean Monahan: tutored Fantilli, underrated very good hockey player

[22:00] - Jeff Gorton: when Monahan healthy, we were much better hockey club

[23:00] - Missing Monahan with wrist: when in, leadership with young players

[24:00] - Boone Jenner leadership group: fought through tragedy and adversity

[25:00] - Washington series: skill versus grit and grime, would've given very good battle

[26:00] - Not a chance they would've intimidated us: toughness when needed

[27:00] - 2024-25 behind, Johnny Gaudreau tragedy: spinning forward to next year

[28:00] - Not taking anybody by surprise: how work this forward into mindset?

[29:00] - Young players know they're pretty good NHL players now

[30:00] - Understand how much stronger they have to get: summer to work on it

[31:00] - Instead of shocking feeling after Gaudreau tragedy: team galvanized

[32:00] - Johnny's wife spends time in Columbus: team rallies around her, very special

[33:00] - Next year players older: know what to expect from coaching staff

[34:00] - Won't be predicted last in league: earned expectations, good pressure

[35:00] - Tre joined halfway through: top four defenseman already, just a kid

[36:00] - Better goaltending: Jet Greaves in Cleveland couple years, doesn't stop puck

[37:00] - Air of excitement: expectations good pressure, team earned it

[38:00] - JD in St. Louis twice: goaltender, team president

[39:00] - Columbus twice: same role both times, exit to Rangers back

[40:00] - Neil's 11 years together: Rangers season absolutely remarkable

[41:00] - President's Trophy to completely imploding missing playoffs

[42:00] - Majority of best players: all fell backwards at same time

[43:00] - Figure out why that happened: spent time trying to go through that

[44:00] - Mike Sullivan head coach: gonna help, gets it, deals with top heap players

[45:00] - EF Hutton: when he speaks people listen, will be very helpful

[46:00] - Strong summer: Sullivan's presence, smart, unrelenting

[47:00] - Players throughout league have off years: they had a lot of off years

[48:00] - Self-reflection strong summer: Sullivan will make world of difference

[49:00] - JD shouldn't say for sure: smoke means fire, lot of talk

[50:00] - Got to know each other Four Nations: relationship there

[51:00] - Chris Kreider important decision: staple of organization, terrible year

[52:00] - Banged up number of different ways: best players fell back

[53:00] - Knowing number of them: compete, will battle back, make noise

[54:00] - Rangers style: east-west, side to side, not built for playoffs

[55:00] - Need North-South: Laviolette tried, Peter Laviolette as well

[56:00] - Will Cuylle: north south player, plays hard, can score

[57:00] - Lias Andersson didn't work: Jeff Gorton traded for 60th pick

[58:00] - Smart business: first round pick to Will Cuylle, hindsight first rounder

[59:00] - Two or three more Will Cuylle's: complement Panarin type player

[01:00:00] - Alex Ovechkin lived with it: frustrated but skill, holy did he frustrate

[01:01:00] - Alexei Kovalev: Mike Keenan made him stay out, extending shifts

[01:02:00] - No whistles: came back three or four times, Kovalev thought doing well

[01:03:00] - Sam Rosen stories: working all those years together

[01:04:00] - Off ice charity work: New York area, Jersey, Long Island, all over

[01:05:00] - Days off or off season: runs auctions, raises funds

[01:06:00] - Tens of millions of dollars over 40 years: helped people who needed it

[01:07:00] - New York institution: not play-by-play, what he's done to help people

[01:08:00] - Never says no, never gets tired: just does it and loves it

[01:09:00] - Always got time for people: subway, restaurant, anywhere

[01:10:00] - Ranger fans everywhere: Key West Florida, recognized multiple times

[01:11:00] - True friend, family friend: kids grew up together, not just working relationship

[01:12:00] - Years of play-by-play: really good, helped understand game

[01:13:00] - Taught us the game: Sam was leader, true pro, big hearted human being

[01:14:00] - Sam always late: early years, good later on

[01:15:00] - Fighting debates: Sam hated it despite calling boxing

[01:16:00] - Sam came around: understanding sometimes players had to take care of business

[01:17:00] - Had fun: dinners on road, talk hockey, always good mood, always energy

[01:18:00] - Broadcasters build relationships: John Cooper Tampa Bay, Rick Tocchet Vancouver

[01:19:00] - Sam recognized rightly so all season: you could see it was real

[01:20:00] - Sam's Night at Garden: Tocchet with jersey, gift card, wine

[01:21:00] - Where's he putting all the stuff? Drink all wine couple years

[01:22:00] - 1994 Canyon of Heroes ride: JD steamed, not happy

[01:23:00] - Wanted to be where stuff happening: not studio at Madison Square Garden

[01:24:00] - Miserable: Sam always good mood, working along

[01:25:00] - Two New York's finest: pack your stuff, you're going downtown

[01:26:00] - White knuckle wide open eyes: slam turning, sirens, hit back and forth

[01:27:00] - Yellow Submarine: looked out, all you saw were faces

[01:28:00] - Million people down there: not one arrest in New York, not one

[01:29:00] - After game, at parade: other cities bomb and break, not one in New York

[01:30:00] - Special: sat back, watched, soaked it in, only in New York

[01:31:00] - One cup 16 teams eight great series: compelling in unique ways

[01:32:00] - Goalie injuries captivating: banged up, backup has to come in

[01:33:00] - Montreal, Carolina, Washington: resiliency of teams to battle back

[01:34:00] - Jersey without best player: amazing how many teams have injuries

[01:35:00] - Plan to have best players back start of playoffs: certainly helpful

[01:36:00] - Loved watching every day: can't make it all way through night

[01:37:00] - Montreal-Washington: reminds me of old time series

[01:38:00] - Tom Wilson hunter: out there hunting, lived that with Columbus teams

[01:39:00] - Alexander Wennberg hit: almost killed him

[01:40:00] - Montreal not backing down: David Savard blocking Ovechkin shots power play

[01:41:00] - Special to watch: good games, battles, love controversy in playoffs

[01:42:00] - League knows it's coming: when controversy, means intense

[01:43:00] - Players and coaches giving everything they have: only first round, fabulous

[01:44:00] - Rangers goaltending blessed: Giacomin, JD, Vanbiesbrouck, Richter, Lundqvist, Shesterkin

[01:45:00] - Sam broadcasted 40 years: never big question there, pretty good

[01:46:00] - Edmonton years: Fuhr, Moog, Billy Ranford, great goaltending when winning

[01:47:00] - Benoit Allaire goal guru: helped situation for number of years

[01:48:00] - Lundqvist first practice: stood at ice level, within five minutes "this is something"

[01:49:00] - Didn't get fanfare: first day showed up, you could see there was something

[01:50:00] - Vanbiesbrouck and Richter: imagine having two at one time

[01:51:00] - Decisions had to be made: where do you go, what do you do?

[01:52:00] - Tremendous goaltenders: Vanbiesbrouck to Finals Florida, Richter won with Rangers

[01:53:00] - Connor Hellebuyck: best goaltender statistically, won Vezina last year, this year

[01:54:00] - Can you explain it at all? No, I don't think I can either

[01:55:00] - JD's first playoff: St. Louis 19-year-old, so young, so nervous

[01:56:00] - 1979 Finals: shoulder injury, didn't play last two weeks, starting playoffs

[01:57:00] - Charlie Simmer partial breakaway: flipped puck, hit post, stayed out

[01:58:00] - Went to Stanley Cup Finals: if that gone in, would life been different?

[01:59:00] - Need little bit of luck: help get where you wanna go

[02:00:00] - Analyzing goals on Hellebuyck: weird deflections, something can't see

[02:01:00] - Three guys in front: all of sudden top corner, hope he battles back

[02:02:00] - Consummate pro: committed to Winnipeg, wanna see success in playoffs

[02:03:00] - Can make your career: loved playing playoff games

[02:04:00] - Philadelphia battle: Islanders battle, he's gotta find way and soon

[02:05:00] - Playoff paths: Carolina rested and healthy will help them

[02:06:00] - West tough: Vegas pretty good, Tampa showing winners there

[02:07:00] - Don't know if easy path: teams down ladder if healthy can battle

[02:08:00] - Montreal giving Washington everything: won't be easy to knock out

[02:09:00] - Minnesota: Eriksson Ek, Kaprizov changed dynamic of whole team

[02:10:00] - Sit down front room, game gonna fire up: no idea who's gonna win, that's good

[02:11:00] - New heroes: Hartman Minnesota stepping up, love watching that

[02:12:00] - Edmonton battle back: tremendous series, goaltending situation

[02:13:00] - Pickard replaced Skinner: goalie coaches asked hard questions, better have answer

[02:14:00] - Pickard found way, team found way: can't figure it out sometimes, just can't

[02:15:00] - Makes NHL playoffs so much fun: try to predict, so darn hard

[02:16:00] - Jersey beat up high-end players: Siegenthaler played 28 minutes after long time out

[02:17:00] - What you got left for next game? Unpredictability of NHL playoffs fantastic

[02:18:00] - Appreciate JD joining: insight in so many different areas

[02:19:00] - Mike Sullivan Rangers rumor mill: shouldn't be reading it

[02:20:00] - Unpredictable playoffs: don't have to feel bad about picks

[02:21:00] - Love to be involved: prediction to see whether can do it or not

[02:22:00] - Not forced straight every series: wouldn't be any fun

[02:23:00] - Game four Sunday quartet: St. Louis-Winnipeg biggest takeaway

[02:24:00] - Winnipeg can't handle adversity: none all season, President's Trophy

[02:25:00] - St. Louis nothing to lose: Winnipeg being frightened

[02:26:00] - 2011 Final: Canucks-Bruins, Vancouver can't win in Boston

[02:27:00] - Blues can win five or seven in Winnipeg: Jets can't go to St. Louis and win six

[02:28:00] - Carolina-New Jersey: most bland of four games, building quiet

[02:29:00] - Jacob Markstrom not particularly good: sharp angle Slavin goal, bad clear fourth

[02:30:00] - Freddie Andersen run into by Timo Meier: left early second, Pyotr Kochetkov in

[02:31:00] - Should have been penalty: Meier not pushed in by Nikishin

[02:32:00] - Anderson reevaluated Monday: injury problems in past, playing great

[02:33:00] - Special teams decisive: Carolina 4-for-13 power play, Devils 0-for-12

[02:34:00] - Washington-Montreal: atmosphere Bell Center beyond phenomenal

[02:35:00] - Tom Wilson theater: Josh Anderson comparisons, Demidov situation

[02:36:00] - Logan Thompson back from injury: didn't miss game, volatile Montreal

[02:37:00] - Original Six: galoshes thrown on ice showing displeasure

[02:38:00] - Jakub Dobeš: great story North America, US Junior League, Ohio State

[02:39:00] - Wanted it, pursued it: in NHL playoffs, hasn't embarrassed himself

[02:40:00] - Canadiens 2-1 lead third: Ylönen, Hutson, Caufield scoring lines

[02:41:00] - Present and future: young captain Suzuki, high picks, making right picks

[02:42:00] - Next year hard: gonna wanna make more advancement, temper expectations

[02:43:00] - Third period Washington: vintage regular season comeback wins

[02:44:00] - Goals four and five empty net: Montreal horrible job six-on-five

[02:45:00] - Tom Wilson blew up Carey center ice: screwed up line change

[02:46:00] - Andrew Mangiapane game winner: 3:37 left, Tom Wilson second empty netter

[02:47:00] - Being Montreal fan when 43 scores: oh my God what awful day

[02:48:00] - Wilson unbelievable player: admitted dumb things early career, dangerous

[02:49:00] - Fast, great hands, really good hockey sense: GM wants, everybody hates

[02:50:00] - Wanna see handshake with Josh Anderson when series over

[02:51:00] - LA-Edmonton: Oilers drop first two, come back even series

[02:52:00] - Kings showing holding leads difficult: mental thing for Kings right now

[02:53:00] - Play lot differently home in LA: always do, Edmonton different on road

[02:54:00] - Kings can skate with Oilers: counter, transitions really good

[02:55:00] - Out-shooting Edmonton 28-15 through two: 48-41 final, 33-13 third and OT

[02:56:00] - 7:51 third Evan Bouchard goal: muffed clear Drew Doughty

[02:57:00] - Joel Edmundson unforced icing: trying shoot empty net, not accurate

[02:58:00] - Quinton Byfield fatal error: tried go through Bouchard instead chip boards

[02:59:00] - Young guy: lot different in LA, just do

[03:00:00] - Leon Draisaitl overtime power play: Grzelcyk tripping McDavid deserved

[03:01:00] - Darcy Kuemper phenomenal: Calvin Pickard hot hand but will steal game LA

[03:02:00] - Tampa-Florida: championship pedigree Tampa, Matthew Tkachuk suspension

[03:03:00] - Skill versus grit and grime: equally good in far different ways

[03:04:00] - Chirping between coaches: "only players we hit are ones with pucks"

[03:05:00] - Paul Maurice sense of humor: he'll love it

[03:06:00] - Florida targeting Kucherov: getting under his skin despite three assists

[03:07:00] - Colorado-Dallas: Gabe Landeskog goal assist plus-two, relentless attack

[03:08:00] - Dallas missing Jason Robertson: don't know if Heiskanen back

[03:09:00] - Like Colorado: don't mind them on road, looking three-two lead

[03:10:00] - Tyler Tucker injury: right leg crumbled under him third period

[03:11:00] - Gabriel Landeskog human side: 34 months not playing NHL game

[03:12:00] - Last time fans saw: hoisting Stanley Cup 2022

[03:13:00] - Initial injury 2020 bubble: Kale Makar skate clipped right knee

[03:14:00] - Small procedure: felt pain 2021-22, cleanup March smoothing cartilage

[03:15:00] - Returned playoffs: felt pain first round, still hoisted Cup

[03:16:00] - Fall 2022: same procedure as March, still not seeing improvement

[03:17:00] - May 2023: unique cartilage transplant never done NHL player before

[03:18:00] - Jack Eichel comparison: Buffalo procedure dispute leading to Vegas trade

[03:19:00] - Club on hook for contract: if surgery doesn't work, still owe money

[03:20:00] - Colorado and Landeskog in it together: no dispute about procedure

[03:21:00] - Journey documented: TNT True TV Clean Sheet, ups downs, toll on family

[03:22:00] - Wife kept him in line: withdrawing when things not going well

[03:23:00] - Robotic hockey life: same thing every day, routine with teammates

[03:24:00] - Normal life not robotic: really hard for professional team athletes

[03:25:00] - Two-game conditioning stint Eagles: back game three, overamped beginning

[03:26:00] - Game four two-point effort: drop pass Brock Nelson, wired shot Jake Oettinger

[03:27:00] - Free flowing skating: couldn't think incredible journey, looked fabulous

[03:28:00] - Mario Lemieux comparison: missing whole year, best player again comeback

[03:29:00] - Kids at glass big sign: "Daddy we're so proud of you" game three

[03:30:00] - Masterton Trophy: dedication and perseverance, Bob Masterton only death NHL injury

[03:31:00] - Every club nominee: this story, work put in, 32 years old

[03:32:00] - Don't know how respond after adrenaline rush: but to get to this point

[03:33:00] - No better definition for trophy than Gabriel Landeskog

[03:34:00] - Devotion to craft: hope everybody recognizes, wins Masterton Trophy

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #JohnDavidson #JD #ColumbusBlueJackets #SamRosen #NewYorkRangers #1994StanleyCup...

Kane Reaches a Milestone...And So Do We! - January 30, 2026

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:48:00 -0400

Thursday had to have been one of the best nights we've seen all season. Throwback uniforms, multi-goal comebacks and notable personal achievements all on a night where Patrick Kane becomes the all-time leading U.S.-born point scorer.

On a day where we celebrate our two-year podcast anniversary, it's also our 250th original show! Where did that time go?

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #WayneGretzky #QuebecNordiques #HartfordWhalers #PatrickKane #MikeModano #BenChiarot #AlexDebrincat #NicDowd #CharlieLindgren #LoganThompson #JohnGibson #DylanLarkin #ClayStevenson #BarrettHayton #NikolajEhlers #AndreiSvechnikov #ShayneGostisbehere #JordanStaal #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #EvanBouchard #ZachHyman #TimothyLiljegren #JacobTrouba #DrewO'Connor #NikitaTolopilo #RyanPoehling #KevinLankinen #JoelQuenneville #MitchMarner #MikkoRantanen #NikoMikkola #JimmySnuggerud #AleksanderBarkov #JakeNeighbours #JordanKyrou #BradMarchand #NickSuzuki #TravisKonecny #AlexTuch #AlexLyon #KevynAdams #JarmoKekalainen #JasonKarmonos #MarcBergevin #MikeHarrington #BuffaloNews #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #ConnorDewar #AnthonyMantha #BenKindel #BlakeLizotte #NoelAcciari #DanMuse #MikeSullivan #DavidPastrnak #MorganGeekie #CaseyMittelstadt #FraserMinton #ViktorArvidsson #PavelZacha #TannerJeannot #MaratKhusnutdinov #MarcoSturm #OndrejPalat #CarsonSoucy #MatthewSchaefer #ErieOtters #OntarioHockeyLeague #BobbyOrr #PhilHousley #BrettLindros #ArtemiPanarin #DavidRittich #IlyaSorokin #JackHughes #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen #BlakeColeman #DanVladar #RyanDonagh #VictorHedman #RickBowness #NHLStadiumSeries

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Falling Leafs and Kane Ties Modano - Jan. 28, 2026

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:38:00 -0400

On a night where the Maple Leafs honored legend Darryl Sittler as the 50th anniversary of his 10-point game nears, the team completed an 0-5-0 homestand in advance of kicking off a 6-game road trip which may seal their fate for this season.

Elsewhere, Patrick Kane and Mike Modano are now tied among U.S.-born players for most points, the Islanders pull of a pair of deals with their Metro-area rivals and Vic and Neil do a deeper dive into the success of the Penguins in Bruins this season.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Marner Returns, A Half Dozen Hats and Some Second Guessing - Jan. 26, 2026

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:03:00 -0400

Mitch Marner's return to Toronto has come and gone with the expected mixed reaction amidst his acrimonious departure to Vegas.

Vic and Neil discuss Friday's saga and also get into some second guessing surrounding happenings in that game as well as one at UBS Arena Saturday.

Six players notched hat tricks over the weekend, three others ended long droughts in helping their respective teams to key wins and the Ducks are in seventh heaven.

Sam Rosen Final Season: Rangers Voice on 1994 Call, 40 Years & Kenny Albert

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Rangers broadcasting legend Sam Rosen joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for an emotional interview during his 40th and final season as Voice of the New York Rangers. From the iconic "No More Curses, this one will last a lifetime" Game 7 call in 1994 to surviving ownership changes at Madison Square Garden, the beer incident with Alan Cohen, wine collection from NHL coaches, league-wide sendoff overwhelming him, and Kenny Albert's natural succession. Hear about the 1980 OIHL with Neil, working with Phil Esposito and John Davidson, advice for aspiring broadcasters to express love of the game, Bruce Connal hiring him at ESPN, Rick Tocchet gambling story in Phoenix, why 1994 remains the greatest moment any broadcaster could have calling Game 7 at home arena, and the emotional reality of his final game Thursday against Tampa Bay. Born Samuel Rosenblum in Ulm, Germany, this is the story of 40 years at the World's Most Famous Arena.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome: His Calls Will Last a Lifetime - Sam Rosen final season celebration

[01:00] - Broadcast legend brings down curtain Thursday: Rangers host Tampa at MSG

[02:00] - Engaging energetic gentleman off camera exactly same as on air

[03:00] - Three Things: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Montreal Canadians for final Eastern spot

[04:00] - Jet Greaves incredible run: 120 of 123 saves last four games, two shutouts

[05:00] - Adam Fantilli 30th goal: could be best player from that draft

[06:00] - Blue Jackets tragedy: Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Gaudreau, Sean Monahan joining

[07:00] - Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues capture wild card spots

[08:00] - Calgary Flames eliminated but Adam Huska deserves credit for job done

[09:00] - Ducks and Flames: reason for optimism in seasons coming ahead

[10:00] - Toronto Maple Leafs take Atlantic: Mitch Marner 100 points, Austin Matthews 400th

[11:00] - Craig Berube blueprint exactly what playoffs require

[12:00] - Seven of eight matchups set: Washington waiting for Columbus or Montreal

[13:00] - Sam Rosen interview begins: old friend from around 1980

[14:00] - OIHL: first rotisserie hockey league, fantasy before anybody else

[15:00] - 35 years old at Garden: always on edge, how long can this last?

[16:00] - 1984-85 first full-time Rangers TV season, backup years before that

[17:00] - 40-year run at Madison Square Garden: phenomenal under MSG umbrella

[18:00] - Different owners: Paramount, ITT, salary freezes, four ownership groups in 11 years

[19:00] - Never thought of it that way: loved what I was doing so much

[20:00] - ESPN September 1979: first college football games, Hartford Whalers, Washington Capitals

[21:00] - Train rides to DC: scouting and aspiring broadcaster traveling together

[22:00] - 1977 February: Jim Gordon sick, recommended Sam for Knicks-Nets radio

[23:00] - 1982 Joe Cohen: first contract, three-year deals throughout career

[24:00] - Most nervous moment: fan dumped beer on Tom Watt's head, Sam said stop selling beer

[25:00] - Next day: Alan Cohen's office, "Sam, we make a lot of money selling beer"

[26:00] - "Please be careful what you say" - thanked him, left timidly, still had job

[27:00] - Next season: stopped selling beer in third period after second intermission

[28:00] - Wine collection: John Cooper Tampa Bay, Plum Jack Cabernet and Merlot

[29:00] - Bottles from LA Kings, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers

[30:00] - Thursday night: bringing Plum Jack to booth, Cooper might watch from booth

[31:00] - League-wide sendoff: overwhelming, heartwarming, tears come to eyes

[32:00] - Professional associates, friendships in every city: former players, executives, GMs

[33:00] - Salt Lake City: brand new to NHL, fans amazing, lined up for selfies

[34:00] - Phoenix game with Neil: Rick Tocchet gambling story national news

[35:00] - Rick Tocchet: favorite people, wonderful wherever he's been

[36:00] - Gambling then touchy subject, now accepted money stream in sports

[37:00] - Authorities trying to get New Jersey state trooper, Rick pulled in

[38:00] - Kenny Albert succession: natural course of events, grew up with Rangers

[39:00] - Kenny: stats for dad on Rangers radio, own person, didn't rely on dad's accomplishments

[40:00] - Minor leagues in Baltimore: Barry Trotz still good friend, became national broadcaster

[41:00] - Outsider would be difficult for fans: Kenny part of Rangers family, easy transition

[42:00] - Kenny done radio 25+ years, knows Rangers as well as anybody

[43:00] - Aspiring broadcasters advice: don't be afraid to express love of game

[44:00] - Great plays: exhilarating, athletes skilled and talented, show appreciation

[45:00] - Be versatile: never know where job opportunity comes, grab it

[46:00] - Scottie Connal ESPN: women's field hockey, Australian rules football, "anything you can't do?"

[47:00] - "Probably is, but I'll find out how to do it" - love hockey but grab baseball opportunity

[48:00] - Love of game: even 5-1 score, great play is great play, get excited

[49:00] - Sports and entertainment: people can't afford ticket prices, let them know why you love it

[50:00] - Bruce Connal: Scottie's son, worked many games together, great producer

[51:00] - Bruce hired Sam at ESPN 1987: smart man, miss him dearly

[52:00] - "Watch out, the bulls are coming" - running joke on headset

[53:00] - Neil arrived 1989: Roger Neilson coaching, serendipity building Rangers

[54:00] - "Gotta be good to be lucky, gotta be lucky to be good" - 1994 culmination

[55:00] - Greatest moment broadcaster could have: championship of team you grew up with

[56:00] - Game 7 home venue Madison Square Garden: ending long drought

[57:00] - Rangers-Devils Eastern Conference Final: best series ever involved with

[58:00] - Stanley Cup at MSG: hardest to win, four seven-game series

[59:00] - Magical time, magical moment: adversity, ups and downs Neil lived through

[01:00:00] - Team won only one championship 85 years: Neil and Mike Keenan achieved it

[01:01:00] - Shining moment: nobody can match that, will always have it

[01:02:00] - Hall of Famers: Mike Gartner traded, Glenn Anderson sixth Cup

[01:03:00] - Messier, Leetch, Zubov, Lowe, Kovalev: great players, great team

[01:04:00] - Honor calling Messier games: greatest leaders, kid from Edmonton embraces New York

[01:05:00] - One of greatest athletes ever played in New York City: huge accomplishment

[01:06:00] - Wayne Gretzky comes later: first year with Messier magical

[01:07:00] - "This one will last a lifetime" - favorite phrase, lifetime moment

[01:08:00] - Making everyone feel part of it: JD, Joe Whelan, office people, contributors

[01:09:00] - Thursday finale vs Tampa: hard to go out without playoffs

[01:10:00] - Last year: MSG first round only, radio second and third rounds with Kenny's TNT conflicts

[01:11:00] - Last four years: conference finals three times, not quite good enough but good

[01:12:00] - Players so special: great to talk about family, trips, things they like to do

[01:13:00] - Memories: Panarin, Chris Kreider lifetime Ranger, Matt Rempe huge wanting to be player

[01:14:00] - Encouraged Rempe: "You've come long way, don't stop now, reach high as you can"

[01:15:00] - Kids have great stories: enriched my life, Hall of Famers will stay with me forever

[01:16:00] - Celebrated league-wide: honored at Garden March 22, game with JD on TNT

[01:17:00] - Thursday night it's real: last time in, last time out

[01:18:00] - Tried to focus on games: quiet time, realization it's end of an era

[01:19:00] - September 2025: everybody getting ready for training camp, I don't need to go

[01:20:00] - Plus to that: enjoyment of other things, but hard to walk away

[01:21:00] - Realization: what I've done, what I've committed my life to, accepted and acknowledged

[01:22:00] - People appreciate what I've done, what I've tried to do, means awful lot

[01:23:00] - Jake Maurice (Paul's son): 25, aspiring broadcaster, East Coast League, spent period in booth

[01:24:00] - "If I can help you in any way, don't hesitate to call" - mean that to young people

[01:25:00] - Emotionally difficult: try to keep it together, great run, very proud

[01:26:00] - Thankful for all acknowledgements received

[01:27:00] - Kenny Albert: wonderful human being, humble despite exposure, Vancouver jersey kid

[01:28:00] - NHL great people: honored to meet, treasured friends, humble after fantastic things

[01:29:00] - Sam: good human being for all these years, what should be most proud of

[01:30:00] - Respect for contribution to NHL and Rangers: thank you Neil for kind words

[01:31:00] - Love for game: give everything heart and soul, appreciate all Neil accomplished

[01:32:00] - No one can match what you did in 1994: GM of only championship 85 years

[01:33:00] - Grateful: worked at World's Most Famous Arena, great sports franchise

[01:34:00] - Great run: thankful to everyone who helped along the way

[01:35:00] - Next year: 100th anniversary Rangers, events remembering championship years, great players

[01:36:00] - Neil part of that: look forward to seeing you then, stay in touch, cherish friendship

[01:37:00] - Same guy: decades together, accolades haven't changed him one bit

[01:38:00] - Energy infectious: just loves what he does, did not disappoint

[01:39:00] - ESPN and TNT anxious: six Canadian teams possible, four Original Six US teams out

[01:40:00] - Networks don't pick dance partner: get what you get, supposed to be equal league

[01:41:00] - Great hockey regardless: nothing like first round Stanley Cup playoffs

[01:42:00] - PWHL rules poll: jailbreak goal rule (shorthanded goal ends penalty) - 30% favor

[01:43:00] - Neil doesn't like it: shouldn't reward and punish, serve two minutes or until scored on

[01:44:00] - 3-2-1-0 point system: 24% favor, Neil doesn't want three-point games

[01:45:00] - Top seeds pick opponent: 17% favor, Neil likes reward but league won't allow

[01:46:00] - Repeating players in shootout: taking away from team game

[01:47:00] - Removing trapezoid: 13.5% favor, would like to see game with it removed

[01:48:00] - Player notes: Gabriel Landeskog recalled from Eagles, two-game conditioning stint

[01:49:00] - Nikolaj Ehlers out week-to-week: collision with linesman, apparent foot injury

[01:50:00] - Darnell Nurse one game: crosscheck on Byfield, misses finale

[01:51:00] - Yaakov Trenin no discipline: sucker punch Derek Forbort broken orbital bone

[01:52:00] - Marc-Andre Fleury sendoff: John Hynes puts him in overtime, five saves, 575th win

[01:53:00] - Ducks lined up shaking Fleury's hand: wonderful scene in Minnesota

[01:54:00] - Robert Bortuzzo: Blues saluted after Utah win, 10 seasons St. Louis, may be last game

[01:55:00] - Subculture in NHL: doing things high class manner, wonderful to see

[01:56:00] - Human side: Neil known Sam since late 70s/early 80s, friendship better with time

[01:57:00] - First met: 1980 Rangers press room, Neil scouting for Islanders

[01:58:00] - OIHL: five or six of us including Jay Arbor, Rich Tory, Howie Rose, goal scoring draft

[01:59:00] - Sam just one of guys: all trying to hone our craft, buddy not just broadcaster

[02:00:00] - Born Ulm Germany: Samuel Rosenblum, dropped BLUM, moved US age 2

[02:01:00] - Great baseball player: captain of college teams, rather stay college than minor leagues

[02:02:00] - Off camera discussion: 1994 Game 7 call, two icings final minute, 1.6 seconds left

[02:03:00] - First words "The waiting is over": waiting for icing calls, puck drop, to win it

[02:04:00] - "No more curses": 1940 chant, burned mortgage in Stanley Cup

[02:05:00] - Greatest moment: Madison Square Garden home arena Game 7 championship

[02:06:00] - Local broadcasters today: networks take over after first round

[02:07:00] - Hundreds of play-by-play men: never come close to calling championship game

[02:08:00] - Never with team good enough: dying to get there, be part of championship

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #SamRosen #NewYorkRangers #KennyAlbert #MSG #MSGNetworks #VoiceOfRangers #1994StanleyCup #NoMoreCurses #MadisonSquareGarden #HallOfFame #40Years #Retirement #FinalSeason #MarkMessier #BrianLeetch #MikeKeenan #PhilEsposito #JohnDavidson #JoeMicheletti #MarvAlbert #JimGordon #HowieRose #ESPN #ScottieConnal #BruceConnal #JohnCooper #TampaBayLightning #PlumJackWine #RickTocchet #TomWatt #AlanCohen #JoeCohen #OIHL #SamuelRosenblum #UlmGermany #RogerNeilson #MikeGartner #GlennAnderson #SergeiZubov #KevinLowe #AlexeiKovalev #WayneGretzky #ChrisKreider #ArtemPanarin #MattRempe #JakeMaurice #PaulMaurice #GabrielLandeskog #ColoradoAvalanche #NikolajEhlers #WinnipegJets #MarcAndreFleur #MinnesotaWild #RobertBortuzzo #UtahHockeyClub #StLouisBlues #AdamFantilli #ColumbusBlueJackets #JetGreaves #MitchMarner #TorontoMapleLeafs #CraigBerube #PlayoffPreview #BroadcastLegend #HockeyBroadcasting #SportsHistory #RangersHistory

Claude is AI and can make mistakes.

Please double-check responses.

The Great One: Wayne Gretzky on Ovechkin's Record Chase, Matthews & TNT Career

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Wayne Gretzky joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for the very first NHL Wraparound episode. The Great One discusses Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers' remarkable 22-3 turnaround in their last 25 games, Connor Bedard adapting after Brendan Smith's legal jaw-breaking hit, generational players from Bobby Orr through Sidney Crosby to Austin Matthews potentially reaching 800 goals, and Alex Ovechkin's chase of 894. Hear about playing at 147 pounds in Indianapolis, learning from Bobby Clarke to play behind the net because Phil Esposito could stand in the box, why today's players are better than the 80s, Gordie Howe's class when records get broken, Edmonton's four-line success with Paul Coffey coaching defense and Mattias Ekholm's impact, Kenny Holland's patience at 2-9 not trading for a goalie, and transitioning to TNT with Liam McHugh, Anson Carter, Henrik Lundqvist and Paul Bissonnette who studies more than people realize. Plus the only wraparound goal Gretz remembers, steak vs salmon game day meals, playing against Mark Messier in Edmonton, and teaching Coyotes kids to be pros on a $25M payroll.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome: First NHL Wraparound guest ever, Wayne Gretzky, The Great One

[01:00] - Only wraparound goal Gretz remembers: Vancouver 1997 hat trick third goal

[02:00] - Darren Blake traveling secretary: ordered salmon in Vancouver, Gretz wanted steak

[03:00] - Steak and potato game day meal entire career, never eaten salmon on game day

[04:00] - That night scored three goals, last one wraparound against Cloutier

[05:00] - Today's kids: Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, practice tricks, get excited

[06:00] - Gretz not comfortable with skills competition: nothing to gain, everything to lose

[07:00] - Connor Bedard jaw injury: Brendan Smith legal hit coming through middle

[08:00] - Smith answering the bell: showed teammates toughness, respect for game

[09:00] - First day Indianapolis training camp: 147 pounds, Blaine Stoughton "this is our savior"

[10:00] - Playing against bigger competition entire career: 6 vs 10-year-olds, 11 vs 12-year-olds

[11:00] - 14 playing against 20-year-olds, 16 playing against 20-year-olds, never big

[12:00] - Learned to protect myself through years of bigger competition

[13:00] - Age 14 junior B coach Dean Pappas: Phil Esposito greatest center

[14:00] - Esposito 500 shots one year, middle of box on power play, nobody could move him

[15:00] - Coach: go home watch Bobby Clarke, played out of corners more than behind net

[16:00] - Started playing behind net and corners because of size, copying Bobby Clarke

[17:00] - Couldn't stand in middle of box: would've been on rear end, guys knocked you over

[18:00] - Generational player definition: combination of skill, talent, consistency, championships

[19:00] - Gordie Howe retired, Bobby Orr retired, Guy Lafleur retired, Mike Bossy retired

[20:00] - Along came Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Steve Yzerman, game survived

[21:00] - Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin: consistent every year, Crosby 37 having best year

[22:00] - Both won championships, great for NHL, wonderful in communities

[23:00] - Helping people less fortunate, helping kids who want to play hockey

[24:00] - Not just on-ice, combination of ice, Stanley Cup, fitting into community

[25:00] - Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, Mitch Marner, Austin Matthews, Connor McDavid next

[26:00] - Great players, great for league, great in communities

[27:00] - Never say we were better in 80s: these kids better than we were 40 years ago

[28:00] - Progression: 20 years from now kids will be better than today, how NHL grows

[29:00] - Impressed how kids handle themselves, play hard every night, show up competitive

[30:00] - Winning Stanley Cup big part: MacKinnon and Makar won, Sidney won, Ovechkin won

[31:00] - Would be nice Matthews win Cup, would be nice McDavid and Edmonton win Cup

[32:00] - Alex Ovechkin chasing 894 goals: another player with better metrics

[33:00] - Austin Matthews ice coverage and diversity in goal scoring

[34:00] - Will Matthews reach 800 goals? Absolutely, metrics at this stage better

[35:00] - Gordie Howe traveling when Gretz broke record, felt guilty breaking it

[36:00] - Dad: Gordie classy person genuinely happy, won't you be same class when someone breaks yours?

[37:00] - Gretz response: "Can I get it first?" Dad knew someone would come along

[38:00] - Hard to score 800 in NHL, Austin's metrics wonderful player

[39:00] - Hard to play in Toronto under microscope, hard for McDavid in Edmonton

[40:00] - Love what Pettersson, Miller, Hughes doing in Vancouver, markets demand you play well

[41:00] - Austin Matthews shows up every game, plays hard every night, will have chance barring injury

[42:00] - Edmonton Oilers turnaround: amazing to watch from beginning to now

[43:00] - Do you think this is reality? Real Oilers or somewhere in between?

[44:00] - Won 8 in row, lost 3, then won 14 in row: 22-3 in last 25 games

[45:00] - Last year: carried completely on power play, this year different

[46:00] - Winning 2-1 games, 3-2 games with team defense and structure

[47:00] - Keith Gretzky (brother): Derek Ryan 20 shifts, Connor McDavid 22 shifts

[48:00] - Playing more as a team: need four lines to be successful in NHL now

[49:00] - Vegas and Colorado last two winners: played four lines, six D

[50:00] - Game too hard, too fast, big man's game, can't play two guys 26 minutes

[51:00] - Coach brought in four lines, comfortable with six defensemen

[52:00] - Kenny Holland tremendous trade: Mattias Ekholm from Nashville last year

[53:00] - Ekholm gave size, toughness, meanness, defensively really solid

[54:00] - Stuart Skinner started shaky: hard when first good rookie year, expectations high

[55:00] - Goaltender nervous at beginning, team structure wasn't great first 12 games

[56:00] - Since then goaltending with team structure tremendous, no more trade talk

[57:00] - Patience of good general manager: didn't panic at 2-9, could have

[58:00] - People hollering trade first-round picks for goaltender, he didn't do that

[59:00] - Stuck to guns, believed in organization, they've turned it around

[01:00:00] - Legitimate contender: not only make playoffs but maybe finish first in division

[01:01:00] - Barring Vancouver breakdown, sky's the limit playing this way

[01:02:00] - Little bit older now, couple years playoff experience

[01:03:00] - Beat Calgary in series, know how difficult to win in Colorado, beat LA

[01:04:00] - Edmonton legit, Vancouver legit, Colorado legit, Dallas strong, St. Louis coming on

[01:05:00] - All you gotta do is get in: eight teams evenly matched, LA won finishing eighth

[01:06:00] - Two years ago Jay Woodcroft: improved defensive structure, conference finals

[01:07:00] - Paul Coffey coaching defense with Chris Knoblauch head coach

[01:08:00] - Is this sustainable to win 16 playoff games in spring?

[01:09:00] - Difference from two years ago: more of a team, playing four lines

[01:10:00] - Young guys feeling confident and comfortable being on team now

[01:11:00] - Paul done really good job with six defense: Darnell Nurse best I've seen him play

[01:12:00] - Nurse simplified game, moving puck, not worrying about 15 goals, strong defensive force

[01:13:00] - Legit team this time: not just relying on 29 and 97

[01:14:00] - Guys like Ryan McLeod playing well, Derek Ryan, more in tank with Evander Kane

[01:15:00] - Two years ago playoffs: Kane was their best player, if he gets back to that level tough to beat

[01:16:00] - Four lines, more structured defensively, goaltender playing with confidence now

[01:17:00] - Toughest task: facing Mark Messier after leaving Oilers, coaching Coyotes, or TNT analyst?

[01:18:00] - Analyst thing kind of easy: can talk hockey all day long, great group

[01:19:00] - Liam McHugh: never seen guy more professional, fun working with Anson Carter

[01:20:00] - Henrik Lundqvist tremendous, boys said "Dad you gotta get Paul Bissonnette hired"

[01:21:00] - Asked why? "He's unreal" - when called back, nobody knows already hired Biz

[01:22:00] - Bissonnette showman obviously good at it, knows more about game than people realize

[01:23:00] - Really intelligent, studies it, watches video and games, been a pleasure

[01:24:00] - Wouldn't say easy but transition I've loved

[01:25:00] - Playing against Mark Messier really difficult: never got comfortable going back to Edmonton

[01:26:00] - People there 10 years treating me like their own son, really hard

[01:27:00] - Coaching Coyotes interesting challenge: $25M payroll vs $75-80M other teams

[01:28:00] - Knew we were in different mode, different lifetime than other teams

[01:29:00] - Priority: teach kids the game, how to be professional, deal with media

[01:30:00] - How to be in community, help other people, not just about winning Stanley Cup

[01:31:00] - Youngest team, unrealistic expectations, wanted them to learn to be good pros

[01:32:00] - First guest on show about hockey: thanks for giving us time

[01:33:00] - Gretz: thank you Neil, thank you Vic, good luck on show, pleasure to be first guest

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #WayneGretzky #TheGreatOne #ConnorMcDavid #EdmontonOilers #AustinMatthews #AlexOvechkin #ConnerBedard #GenerationalPlayers #SidneyCrosby #BobbyOrr #BobbyRClarke #MarioLemieux #GordieHowe #PhilEsposito #MarkMessier #PaulCoffey #KennyHolland #StuartSkinner #MattiasEkholm #DarnellNurse #LeonDraisaitl #NathanMacKinnon #TNT #LiamMcHugh #PaulBissonnette #HenrikLundqvist #AnsonCarter #ArizonaCoyotes #VancouverCanucks #BrendanSmith #ChrisKnoblauch #JayWoodcroft #ColoradoAvalanche #VegasGoldenKnights #StLouisBlues #DallasStars #IndianapolisRacers #SaultSteMarie #WHA #NHL #HockeyLegend #894Goals #800Goals #StanleyCup #PowerPlay #FourLines #TeamDefense #GoalieControversy #PlayoffExperience

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Let's Hear it for the Non-Playoff Teams of 2025 - Jan. 23, 2026

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:52:00 -0400

If ever there was a case to be made about one season having nothing to do with the next, it came over the last two nights. We'll look at four teams from each conference which missed the post-season a year ago and are right in contention while two others who will likely miss again had notable wins.

With 60% of the league schedule having been played, we'll give the projections heading into the weekend, the latest personnel notes and, did you hear Mitch Marner is playing in Toronto Friday?

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Toews and Tkachuk Make their Returns - Jan. 21, 2026

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:15:00 -0400

Two significant returns headlined the NHL Monday with one taking a back seat to the first goalie fight the league has seen in almost six years.

While a fair amount of attention will be going to the Atlantic Division, plenty of items will be sprayed around the rest of the league. That includes a "Figures" segment noting three games which highlight the unpredictability of the league and why the single season empty net goals against record is likely to gall.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Quite the Hockey Day Saturday and Andersson on the Move - Jan. 19, 2026

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:10:00 -0400

The closeness of the NHL standings shows no sign of changing as the logjam in both conferences continues into the third week of the month.

With the Olympic break approaching, GM's are evaluating rosters with upwards of 30 teams having some post-season aspirations. In fact, a major deal was consummated Sunday evening.

But in New York, a second letter to fans in eight years as "re-tool" is the catchword in the Big Apple. However, unlike 2018, Chris Drury's memo comes off as damage control - with the damage already having been done.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Katie Strang: Hockey Canada Verdict, Gary Bettman, CTE & Systemic Hockey Issues

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The Athletic's investigative reporter Katie Strang joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for an unflinching discussion of hockey's unseemly side. Six weeks before training camps open, the July 24, 2024 London Ontario trial concluded with five former NHL players found not guilty of sexual assault. Katie explains the circus-like proceedings, two discharged juries, inadmissible evidence, and split public opinion. From her personal connection to the Larry Nassar case to scrutinizing junior hockey's billeting system, Gary Bettman's eligibility decisions without codified policies, NHLPA labor battles, and the media's responsibility covering systemic abuse. Plus insights on CTE, concussions, Kevin Lowe's brain injury, and why loving hockey means holding it to higher standards.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome: Pulling Back the Curtain - hockey's unseemly side July 24, 2024 London trial

[01:00] - Katie Strang: investigative writer with The Athletic, top of class with Rick Westhead

[02:00] - Rick Westhead: dogged journalist exposing underbelly of sports, dear friend

[03:00] - Investigative journalism not initial career plan: Athletic empowered pursuit

[04:00] - Larry Nassar case: purpose-driven work, indelibly imprinting personally and professionally

[05:00] - Personal connection: competitive gymnast, coach went to jail for sexual abuse

[06:00] - Michigan State: knew victims, attended court every day, heavy difficult assignment

[07:00] - Processing toll: supportive husband gives grace, kids' joy providing perspective

[08:00] - Wanting world safer for kids: every story like potentially my children in crosshairs

[09:00] - July 24, 2024: five players found not guilty by Justice Maria Caria

[10:00] - Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart acquitted

[11:00] - Witness "EM" found not reliable or credible after 2018 World Junior incident

[12:00] - Circus from start: most generous interpretation of how trial went

[13:00] - Two juries discharged: deeply problematic, offensive, upsetting

[14:00] - Juror misconduct allegations against defense counsel not tested with rigor

[15:00] - Both juries dismissed: treated jurors disrespectfully after entrusting them

[16:00] - Escalated concerns kind of dismissed when warned to report any issues

[17:00] - First mistrial set tone: bizarro developments almost every day

[18:00] - One hour timeframe: someone arrested for recording with smart glasses

[19:00] - Public observer explodes on reporter, banned from premises same hour

[20:00] - Delays with tech, AC, clocks: weird mundane things derailing justice

[21:00] - Strange experience: lives at stake but technical issues constant

[22:00] - Bench trial after juries discharged: public opinion very split on verdict

[23:00] - Acquitted of criminal wrongdoing: crown didn't meet burden beyond reasonable doubt

[24:00] - Moral component: what happened in hotel room, power dynamics at play

[25:00] - Inadmissible evidence: people not constrained by court parameters considering

[26:00] - Neil: disgusting even for former pro/junior/college player, cringe-inducing

[27:00] - Words Katie had to write, actions taken by young lady, things done by players

[28:00] - Players knew better than going to hotel room: stained for life

[29:00] - Victim "EM" initials only: five names public, what happens from here?

[30:00] - Pre-verdict speculation: would any play again? Not surprised by acquittals

[31:00] - Evidence ruled admissible/inadmissible: judge ruled for defense on every matter

[32:00] - Katie not interested in "will they play again" conversation in her work

[33:00] - Missing important step: NHL and Gary Bettman weighing in on eligibility

[34:00] - Bettman immediately after decision: players not eligible, incredibly wide latitude

[35:00] - No codified sexual abuse/domestic violence policy: legitimate criticism

[36:00] - Bettman wants wide latitude: judge and jury, case-by-case basis

[37:00] - NHLPA emphatically pushing back: interesting in broader labor context

[38:00] - Marty Walsh and Gary Bettman: strong working relationship, lack of enmity

[39:00] - Interesting battle: period of relative labor peace being tested

[40:00] - CBA collectively bargained: those powers afforded to NHL

[41:00] - PA pushing back whether powers actually afforded or not

[42:00] - NHL's own investigation: complete totality of evidence plus more

[43:00] - Nothing prohibiting considering inadmissible evidence: NHL privy to additional details

[44:00] - Will union push back hard? Will clubs want this on roster?

[45:00] - Stan Bowman example: after Chicago situation, would he sign Carter Hart?

[46:00] - Teams with domestic assault players: people outside with protest signs

[47:00] - Neil: can't see clubs signing guys who did bad stuff even if acquitted

[48:00] - Katie: what happened in room not in dispute, just whether consent

[49:00] - Teams will take cues from Bettman: if he clears them, teams will consider

[50:00] - Don't see owner taking on Bettman over Carter Hart who hasn't played meaningful games

[51:00] - Neil in 2025: wouldn't want that around, attitude changed from 1990s

[52:00] - Joel Quenneville and Bowman: turned blind eye vs players taking actions themselves

[53:00] - Can't criticize Pat Verbeek or Oilers: don't know what you'd do until that situation

[54:00] - Governing bodies responsibility: Hockey Canada, NHL with abuse history

[55:00] - Graham James 1990s: Theo Fleury and Sheldon Kennedy assaulted, served two jail terms

[56:00] - 2018 Katie piece: David Gove and Chris Weiss abused by Boston-area coach

[57:00] - Bettman and Marty Walsh connection: what's responsibility with awareness now?

[58:00] - Systemic issues acknowledgment: not reductive to condemn all hockey culture

[59:00] - Patterns dating back decades: ritualized hazing, sexualized violence, group assaults

[01:00:00] - Harms players too: not just community, players being harmed by system

[01:01:00] - Junior hockey billeting system: American perspective as outsider

[01:02:00] - Kids isolated from nuclear family during formative development

[01:03:00] - 15-16 year olds living far away with strangers, teammates could be 20

[01:04:00] - Team becomes central support: wonderful when healthy, corrosive when toxic

[01:05:00] - Pattern with junior hockey: requires all stakeholders to address

[01:06:00] - Reflexive defensiveness when critiquing hockey culture: sport central to identity

[01:07:00] - Reframe criticism: when you care about something, hold to higher standard

[01:08:00] - Larry Nassar and Michigan State: because loved place, criticism incumbent

[01:09:00] - When you love something, want it at its best iteration

[01:10:00] - Media role: Rick Westhead's "We Breed Lions" book coming November 2024

[01:11:00] - Dressing room attitudes, billet families: underlying problem still exists

[01:12:00] - Can media do more? Yes, with caveats about commitment from outlets

[01:13:00] - Rick and Katie's work: intense commitment, resources, not cheap or easy

[01:14:00] - Exhaustive editorial and legal review: 10 stories, two cross finish line

[01:15:00] - Constricting budgets, slashing staffs: hard to criticize reporters without support

[01:16:00] - Concussions: coming into focus when Neil was GM in 1990s

[01:17:00] - Kevin Lowe brain injury: brain tells you when wrist ready, but what tells brain?

[01:18:00] - Reporters laughed thinking Neil joking: totally serious about brain injuries

[01:19:00] - Sports world doing enough? Football and hockey addressing brain damage

[01:20:00] - Kids in leagues and up-and-comers: concussions at 12 years old

[01:21:00] - Attitudes evolved in 20 years: Neil ahead of time on Kevin Lowe response

[01:22:00] - Cultural shift takes more than scientific evidence: different factors involved

[01:23:00] - Gary Bettman still not acknowledging connection between head blows and CTE

[01:24:00] - Until connection acknowledged: long way to go

[01:25:00] - Echo of trauma: depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, substance use disorder

[01:26:00] - Holistic awareness: unfortunate byproducts of head injuries increasingly important

[01:27:00] - Retired NHL players: require great care, support, resources, really struggling

[01:28:00] - Dynasty Islanders at current games: memory loss being discussed

[01:29:00] - Katie: enjoy wrong word, find work intriguing and illuminating

[01:30:00] - Offbeat episode: usually hockey person, GM in Katie's seat

[01:31:00] - Listeners finding this interesting: heavy stuff pulling back curtain

[01:32:00] - Katie doing job most wouldn't want: reporting truth creates enemies

[01:33:00] - Feels good about work: important to stop this behavior, does it well

[01:34:00] - Katie and Rick Westhead: two people making impact as hockey evolves

[01:35:00] - Hope there's always platform for investigative journalism to get information out

[01:36:00] - One of most revealing interviews in almost 20 months together

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #KatieStrang #TheAthletic #InvestigativeJournalism #HockeyCanada #LondonTrial #2018WorldJuniors #GaryBettman #NHLPA #MartyWalsh #RickWesthead #LarryNassar #MichiganState #SexualAbuse #HockeyAbuse #JuniorHockey #BilletingSystem #GrahamJames #TheoFleury #SheldonKennedy #StanBowman #JoelQuenneville #KyleBreach #BradAldrich #Concussions #CTE #BrainInjuries #KevinLowe #SystemicIssues #HockeyCulture #MeTooMovement #MediaResponsibility #WeBreadLions #ChicagoBlackhawks #CarterHart #MichaelMcLeod #DillonDube #CalFoote #AlexFormenton #NHLCBA #LaborRelations #SportsJournalism

Bobby Valentine: Texas Rangers, Mets, Red Sox Manager Tells All - Disguise, Japan & 9/11

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Baseball Hall of Fame-caliber manager Bobby Valentine joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for the premiere NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series episode. The former manager of the Texas Rangers (7 years), New York Mets (NL pennant), Boston Red Sox, and two-time champion in Japan shares a lifetime of stories. From playing for 17-year-old Lou Lamoriello in Cape Cod to the iconic 1999 mustache disguise, managing Mike Piazza's emotional 9/11 home run that healed New York, pioneering American success in Japanese baseball, teaching ballroom dancing exhibitions, and calling Shohei Ohtani the greatest athlete in a baseball uniform. Plus the 40-15 prediction he nailed exactly, George W. Bush partnership, Tommy Lasorda's influence, Sacred Heart University athletic director tenure, and philanthropic work with Special Olympics. This is Bobby Valentine uncensored.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome to NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series premiere with baseball legend Bobby Valentine

[01:00] - Fifth franchise: stepping outside hockey to learn from sports icons across disciplines

[02:00] - Bobby joins from Valentine Sports Academy in Stamford, Connecticut on exercise bike

[03:00] - 1994 Stanley Cup photo at Shea Stadium: Rangers or Devils cup with Doug Romano

[04:00] - Age 17: playing for Lou Lamoriello in Cape Cod League 1967

[05:00] - Lou's baseball background: Providence College coach, Pan-Am League player at 23-24

[06:00] - First-generation Italian parents: couldn't spell Cape Cod, Bobby spent summer in Yarmouth

[07:00] - Lou's discipline from day one: couldn't ride in trunk of car to road games

[08:00] - Baseball vs hockey management: everyday grind, respect of opposition and teammates

[09:00] - Accountability on ice same as diamond: only difference hockey players drink more (Canadian thing)

[10:00] - Texas Rangers: seven years as manager with George W. Bush as GM/owner

[11:00] - Bush made change 1992: "good idea, I was there long enough, time to move on"

[12:00] - Japanese GM's mission: finding first non-Japanese manager for professional league

[13:00] - Going to Japan: "right-eyed and bushy-tailed gonna teach everyone everything"

[14:00] - Learning while teaching: rewarding experience understanding Japanese baseball culture

[15:00] - Spectacular Japanese players: Ogasawara and others, closed society not up for change

[16:00] - Hideo Nomo: first real MLB player, threw no-hitter when Bobby won championship

[17:00] - Cross-section working: 1934 Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig exhibition to modern day

[18:00] - Cooperstown Hall of Fame: Ichiro Suzuki induction, US-Japan baseball exhibit

[19:00] - Shohei Ohtani: best athlete in baseball uniform ever seen, either side of Pacific Ocean

[20:00] - 2006 draft: wanted two-way player, first baseman/pitcher threw 95 mph, drank beer instead

[21:00] - What Ohtani's doing is really tough: unprecedented two-way excellence

[22:00] - Chiba Lotte Marines: attendance doubled, hosting ballroom dancing classes

[23:00] - International ballroom dance champion: teaching chacha to community before games

[24:00] - Exhibition in tuxedo with partner: full ballroom dress on field before national anthem

[25:00] - Changed costumes during anthem, came out to manage game immediately after

[26:00] - 2005 return to Japan: bringing American fan-friendly atmosphere post-1995 MLB strike

[27:00] - Kids running bases, autograph sessions: opening up Japanese baseball culture

[28:00] - June 1999 Mets: eight-game losing streak, GM fired three coaches instead of addressing players

[29:00] - Predicted 40-15 in next 55 games or would quit: media ready to hold feet to fire

[30:00] - Catcher's balk: Mike Piazza stepped outside box before Pat Mahomes (Patrick's father) released

[31:00] - Randy Marsh call: read about it for years, never seen it called until that moment

[32:00] - "You can't throw me out for what I'm thinking, can you?" - told him anyway, ejected

[33:00] - Real shit show: GM's moves, pressure from media and New York

[34:00] - Players came to clubhouse: "Coaches don't know who's in bullpen, win this for us"

[35:00] - Famous disguise: glasses, hat, t-shirt from players, mustache Bobby's idea

[36:00] - Eye black stickers: one here, one there, Robin Ventura "oh they'll never know"

[37:00] - $10,000 fine and three-game suspension later: "I realized they knew"

[38:00] - Oral Hershiser protecting from top step: third base camera caught angle into dugout

[39:00] - Announcer: "Oh look, there's Bobby Valentine in disguise" - not disguise if he knew

[40:00] - After 54 games: 39-15, reporter hoping for last game, won to make it exactly 40-15

[41:00] - Joe Namath Super Bowl prediction gets credit: "greatest prediction ever, I hit right on"

[42:00] - 24 years since 9/11: both Neil and Bobby living in New York during attack

[43:00] - Great moments in New York sports: Reggie Jackson three homers, Joe Namath Jets

[44:00] - September 21, 2001: first Mets home game 10 days after 9/11 attack

[45:00] - Metal detectors at ballgames and airports: everyone worried, scared, nation attacked

[46:00] - George W. Bush struggling: thought baseball opening back up in NYC proper

[47:00] - Atlanta Braves convinced to come from safe haven to "wild wild East" in New York

[48:00] - Ceremony put together haphazardly but extremely well by city and Mets

[49:00] - Mike Piazza two-run home run bottom eighth: superhero for good guys over bad guys

[50:00] - Frowns turned upside down: crying, hugging, getting back to normal

[51:00] - Moment that turned tide: healing still ongoing but began process for city and country

[52:00] - 20th anniversary: Joe Torre and Bobby throwing first pitch to fire/police commissioners

[53:00] - "We will never forget": commemorative events reminding people

[54:00] - Philanthropist: 100+ charity events as auctioneer or organizer

[55:00] - Special Olympics Connecticut: creative fundraiser arrested and held for bail

[56:00] - Bail set high, money raised, lives changed through donations

[57:00] - Parents instilled giving back: worked church fairs, gave time, love and energy

[58:00] - Tommy Lasorda: charity man personified, raised money for different causes

[59:00] - Following in Lasorda's footsteps: learning from Dodgers legend

[01:00:00] - Two restaurants in Connecticut: Stamford hometown, Windsor Locks near Bradley International

[01:01:00] - Sacred Heart University: Bobby Valentine Athletic Center, raised money for naming

[01:02:00] - Sports academy started 1977: little baseball school teaching kids game and life

[01:03:00] - Evolved to 40,000 square feet: soccer, baseball, lacrosse taught daily

[01:04:00] - Great people surrounding himself: passing on knowledge to next generation

[01:05:00] - Neil: "one of most interesting people I've ever met" - learning outside hockey world

[01:06:00] - Wonderful night in Anaheim with Bill Carroll: honor to host Bobby Valentine

[01:07:00] - Bobby at Mets-Angels game Citi Field: Bill Carroll attending as guest today

[01:08:00] - Vic: stepping out of comfort zone into celebrity realm, Bobby's storytelling outstanding

[01:09:00] - Neil: fascinating sports individual, baseball icon, learned so much

[01:10:00] - More celebrity episodes coming: actors, performers, different sports icons

[01:11:00] - Summer coolers franchise: tentative drop dates August 20, 22, 25, 27

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #BobbyValentine #CelebritySeries #NewYorkMets #TexasRangers #BostonRedSox #Japan #ChibaLotteMarines #BaseballLegend #ManagerOfTheYear #1999Disguise #MustacheDisguise #MikePiazza #911Memorial #September11 #ShoheiOhtani #IchiroSuzuki #LouLamoriello #NewJerseyDevils #GeorgeWBush #TommyLasorda #JoeTorre #RandyMarsh #CatchersBalk #RobinVentura #OralHershiser #PatMahomes #PatrickMahomes #AtlantaBraves #HideoNomo #BallroomDancing #InternationalDanceChampion #SacredHeartUniversity #StamfordConnecticut #ValentineSportsAcademy #Philanthropy #SpecialOlympics #BaseballHallOfFame #Cooperstown #MLBHistory #JapaneseBaseball #NPB #CapeCodLeague #ProvidenceCollege #DougRomano #BillCarroll #StanleyCup #CrossSportLearning

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - A Night Fitting of Vegas - Jan. 16, 2026

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:55:00 -0400

The much-awaited first game between Mitch Marner and his former Maple Leafs teammates did not disappoint in a night rife with terrific storylines.

In Boston, #33 was raised to the rafters while the Sabres did some honoring of their own in winning for the 15th time in 17 games. The Jets and Blue Jackets are showing signs of life while the 20-game point streak of Connor McDavid comes to an end.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 87 - Broadway Blues - With Vincent Mercogliano from The Athletic

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 17:41:00 -0400

From Eastern Conference Finalists in 2022 and 2024 to NHL bottom-feeder. The New York Rangers fall from the NHL’s elite has been stunning with much of the blame being heaped on GM Chris Drury.

Vincent Mercogliano covers the Rangers for The Athletic and joins Neil and Vic to do a deep dive into the current state of the franchise, how they got to this point and where they go in a 100th anniversary season that has been anything but memorable.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, it took more than half of the season but we finally have a head coaching change. Also, the Lightning remain on fire while guess who’s back in a playoff spot?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:43] – Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[13:10] – Vince Mercogliano joins the show and delivers a very extensive breakdown of how things have fallen apart at MSG. The on ice product is visible to all but much of the issues of today have their roots going back as far as two years with several episodes taking place off the ice.

[22:25] – Further elaboration on the acquisitions made by GM Chris Drury and why hasn't there been greater accountability from ownership?

[26:04] – Perhaps equally distressing for the Rangers organization is an equally weak team in Hartford with three prospects continuing to struggle at the NHL level. Add in the underwhelming career of the first overall pick in the 2020 Entry Draft.

[31:06] – Perhaps one of the biggest rubs with GM Drury has been his treatment of players. This coming from a former player, captain of the Rangers and a Stanley Cup Champion in Colorado.

[34:10] – The future of Artemi Panarin.

[37:13] – The positives Vince sees in the immediate amidst the mess of the 2025-26 season.

[39:44] – Updates on Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin

[40:21] – More on Fox. Injury aside, the reported pursuit of Quinn Hughes in New York and the not getting a call for the Olympics has been a double whammy.

[43:36] - Putting a wrap on the discussion with Vincent Mercogliano.

[45:35] - Coaching updates on a milestone for Jon Cooper and a health scare for a former NHL coach working in the KHL.

[51:36] - 2026 NHL Draft to be held in Buffalo.

[55:00] - The ongoing drama at the main rink at the Milan-Cortina Olympic site.

[58:00] - Personnel items.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #VincentMercogliano #TheAthletic #DeanEvason #SteveMcCarthy #RickBowness #DougMacLean #ScottHowson #JarmoKekalainen #DonWaddell #JohnnyGaudreau #JimMontgomery #DrewBannister #LukeRichardson #NHLonTNT #KenHolland #BooneJenner #BraydenPoint #CamYork ##ChrisJohnson #TSN #ConnorBedard #SamBennett #WyattJohnston #MarkScheifele #JulienBrisebois #WilliamNylander #MitchMarner #PhoenixCoyotes #DylanGuenther #ChrisDrury #JackEichel #IgorShesterkin #HenrikLundqvist #MikeRichter #MikeSullivan #BarclayGoodrow #JacobTrouba #ChrisKreider #JeffGorton #JohnDavidson #VincentTrocheck #VladislavGavrikov #JTMiller #FilipChytil #KaapoKakko #RyanLindgren #K'AndreMiller #MikaZibanejad #TylerMotte #AndrewCopp #AlexWennberg #EliasPettersson #JimDolan #RyanStrome #PeterLaviolette #GabePerreault #BrettBedard #BrennanOthmann #AlexisLafreniere #ArtemiPanarin #AdamFox #BradenSchneider #NoahLaba #QuinnHughes #KieferSherwood #PierreLeBrun #MatthewRobertson #DavidQuinn #BillGuerin #JonCooper #ScottyBowman #AndreiVasilevskiy #BobbyOrr #GlennHall #NoelPicard #JohnTortorella #BobJohnson #MarioLemieux #JaormirJagr #RonFrancis #NikitaKucherov #StevenStamkos #VictorHedman #CraigBerube #GerardGallant #ShanghaiDragons #TomRowe #NHLEntryDraft #EricLindros #VincentLecavalier #AustonMatthews #GavinMcKenna #BobClarke #MacklinCelebrini #StanFischler #ChrisJohnson #TSN #MapleLeafGardens #CharlieConacher #GordieHowe #HartfordWhalers #WayneGretzky #JoeLouisArena #TroyTerry #LeoCarslsson #CutterGauthier #LukasDostal #MiroHeiskanen #TristanJarry #JakeWalman #RomanJosi #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #EvanBouchard #DougieHamilton #SimonNemec #JesperBratt #OndrejPalat #JacobMarkstrom #ErikKarlsson #BlakeLizotte #TomWilson

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Rotting at It's Core - Jan. 12, 2026

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0400

When a team loses, it's one thing. When it gets blown out, it's another. When that blowout comes in the form of surrendering 10 goals in front of a national TV audience, you're in pretty hot soup and that's exactly what the New York Rangers are in following one of their most embarrassing losses in recent memory.

Vic and Neil break it down and also look at the reversal of fortune in Toronto, the first steps taken by Winnipeg in an attempt to get back into the Western Conference playoff picture and some unrest in New Jersey as the slumping Devils sit a veteran defenseman.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Philadelphia Flyers Dynasty: Bernie Parent & Ed Snyder's Son on 1974-75 Championships

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Bernie Parent and Jay Snyder join Neil and Vic to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia Flyers' back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships in 1974 and 1975. From Ed Snyder's vision after being brutalized by the Blues to Fred Shero's revolutionary coaching, this is the story of how the Broad Street Bullies became the first expansion team to win the Cup. Hear Bernie describe learning from Jacques Plante, the Terror Squad's impact, Bobby Clarke's leadership, and beating Bobby Orr's Bruins 1-0 in the ultimate Game 6. Jay shares his father's passion, Kate Smith singing live, and why Bernie's 1976 injury cost them a three-peat. This is Flyers hockey at its finest.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome: Special Edition reliving Cup on Broad Street 50 years later

[01:00] - Jay Snyder (Ed Snyder's son, former Flyers president) and Bernie Parent join

[02:00] - Bernie: "50 years ago we won, I'm only 55" - where does time go?

[03:00] - 1967 expansion: Flyers finished first but Blues pushed them around in playoffs

[04:00] - Ed Snyder's decision: "I'm not letting one of my teams get pushed around again"

[05:00] - Noel Picard coldcocking Claude Laforge: seminal moment requiring change

[06:00] - Ed Snyder building winning culture with right people: Keith Allen, Fred Shero

[07:00] - Bobby Clarke drafted 1969: smallish player, diabetic, questions about holding up

[08:00] - Fred Shero hired 1971-72, growing pains but building towards something

[09:00] - Gary Dornhoefer goal 1973 quarterfinals: immortalized in bronze

[10:00] - Bernie traded to Toronto: learning from Jacques Plante about reading plays

[11:00] - WHA stint with Blazers: "if it doesn't work, I'll come back to NHL"

[12:00] - Returning to Philly 1973-74: whole team ready, whole city ready

[13:00] - Goaltender living in moment philosophy: goal goes in, move on immediately

[14:00] - Reading defensemen: left-hand shooter vs right-hand, studying positioning

[15:00] - Team construction: Terror Squad (Schultz, Kelly, Dupont, Van Impe) with skill

[16:00] - Broad Street Bullies coined 1972-73 by Jack Chevalier, Philadelphia Bulletin

[17:00] - Jay on Bernie returning: "this is the piece we're missing, a lot of excitement"

[18:00] - Ed Snyder philosophy: build team from goal out, back end first

[19:00] - 50 wins, 112 points regular season: longest losing streak only three games

[20:00] - Nationally televised Montreal game February: Dave Schultz one-punch knockout John Van Boxmeer

[21:00] - Bench-clearing brawl: team vilified but best draw in league

[22:00] - Bernie on Ed Snyder: "great ownership, great individual, loved him dearly"

[23:00] - Successful people surround themselves with right people: Keith Allen, Fred Shero, players

[24:00] - Jay witnessing Bernie's physical strength: arms black and blue from 70+ games

[25:00] - Bernie: old days more about studying game than protecting yourself

[26:00] - Playoffs: sweep Atlanta Flames, then Rangers seven games - adversity

[27:00] - First expansion team knocking out Original Six team

[28:00] - Dave Schultz-Dale Rolfe Game 7 fight: Rangers didn't jump in, heart taken out

[29:00] - Third man rule in effect: Rolfe told teammates not to jump in

[30:00] - Neil's Ranger friend: "disgraceful to Rangers, not Flyers" - lived on 20 years

[31:00] - Barry Ashby career-ending eye injury Game 4 OT from Dale Rolfe shot

[32:00] - Team getting closer: "somebody has to pay price" - team rules

[33:00] - Fred Shero bulletin board material: saying Rangers tougher than Bruins

[34:00] - Bernie: Freddy was my driver to airport, Columbus joke after California trip

[35:00] - Strategy against Bobby Orr: cover him without puck, dump puck his side

[36:00] - Bernie searching for weakness 12 hours: "couldn't find one, just kidding"

[37:00] - System was the team itself: beating Orr, Esposito, Cashman, Hodge 1-0

[38:00] - Jay on Fred Shero: upside-down sticks practice, Clarky saying "wasting time"

[39:00] - Revolutionary thinking: dump puck Orr's side to wear him down, not avoid him

[40:00] - Red Army game strategy: standing at red line making Russians come to us

[41:00] - Hadn't won in Boston in 19 trips: Bobby Orr winning Game 1 with 22 seconds left

[42:00] - Moose Dupont tying Game 2 with 52 seconds left, Clarke OT winner

[43:00] - Jay: Clarke jumping in air, trophy made of that scene - most consequential moment

[44:00] - Hold serve at home Games 3-4, lose Game 5 in Boston

[45:00] - Fred Shero chalkboard: "Win today, we walk together forever"

[46:00] - Kate Smith appearing live: 36-3-1 with her singing, taking flowers to assistant

[47:00] - Bernie standing next to her: "Good job buddy" - beautiful times

[48:00] - Neil on expansion team winning: surreal, slaying dragon like Rangers 1994

[49:00] - Jay at 17: caught up in moment, certain confidence from Ed Snyder

[50:00] - Tom Brookshire story: Bobby Clarke seeing pool - "there'll be no swimming"

[51:00] - Boston Garden: fans throwing coins at Jay and brother, Bobby Kelly watching

[52:00] - Mike Keenan on 1987 Canada Cup: Messier stood up, took charge of room

[53:00] - Bobby Orr glove at Clarke, Clarke breakaway, Orr penalty box frustration

[54:00] - Game plan executed to perfection: dumping puck, wearing down, frustrating Orr

[55:00] - Bernie's concentration: world doesn't exist, crowd just sound you hear

[56:00] - Kenny Hodge save with two minutes left: classic split save

[57:00] - Buzzer sounds: Bernie shoveling crease first thing with stick

[58:00] - Fans all over ice: Bill Clement pushing them away, angry they took moment

[59:00] - Moose Dupont: "I think I'm gonna jump over bridge" in French

[01:00:00] - Bernie: togetherness, having fun, dinner together on road

[01:01:00] - 1975 second Cup: Buffalo in six, beating Roger Crozier

[01:02:00] - Bernie: Boston was better team, but Buffalo French Connection special too

[01:03:00] - Jay: opened door for all expansion teams, NHL no longer Original Six

[01:04:00] - 1976 Finals: Bernie neck injury, Wayne Stephenson in goal, swept by Montreal

[01:05:00] - 2019: Bernie finally got day with Cup after 45 years - seeing name on it

[01:06:00] - Jay: Bernie injury cost three-peat, confidence of team in front of him

[01:07:00] - Montreal expansion rules: first two French Canadians every year - unfair advantage

[01:08:00] - Neil on Ed Snyder: trying to win every single year, didn't care about money

[01:09:00] - Jay: "team was him, he was the team" - his passion through and through

[01:10:00] - Bernie: "mystique when we get together, beautiful life, thank you Lord"

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #PhiladelphiaFlyers #BernieParent #JaySnyder #EdSnyder #BroadStreetBullies #1974StanleyCup #1975StanleyCup #50thAnniversary #BobbyClarke #FredShero #DaveSchultz #BobbyOrr #BostonBruins #PhilEsposito #KateSmith #ExpansionTeam #TerrorSquad #PhiladelphiaSpectrum #KeithAllen #JacquesPlante #RickMacLeish #BillBarber #RegLeach #AndréDupont #EdVanImpe #BobKelly #JoeWatson #BarryAshby #DougFavell #WayneStephenson #RogerCrozier #BuffaloSabres #MontrealCanadiens #FrenchConnection #OriginalSix #NHLHistory #StanleyCupChampions

1994 Rangers 30 Years Later: Players, Media & Fans Reflect on Stanley Cup Legacy

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0400

he final episode of our 1994 Rangers series celebrates three decades of memories and impact. Hear from team members like John Davidson calling it "a roadmap for life," Glenn Healy on family sacrifice for getting a last name on the Cup, and Steve Larmer on incredible teammates. Barry Meisel shares his Daily News coverage balancing fan and reporter, while fans reveal how the championship changed their lives - from holding up 1-year-olds to fighting cancer to selling season tickets. This is how 1994 became forever, touching everyone from MSG employees to dentists to fans who waited 54 years. Neil Smith reflects on the greatest gift: bringing joy to millions of New Yorkers.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome to Episode 5: Reflection - how 1994 impacted lives 30 years later

[01:00] - Once Rangers get in DNA, becomes lifestyle and emotional part of being

[02:00] - Neil Smith and Barry Meisel join Vic for final episode

[03:00] - Neil growing up 1960s Toronto: could never have imagined being part of this

[04:00] - Barry's first memories: blue seats, crying after '72 and '74 Finals

[05:00] - Vic walking out seeing Oakland Seals 1968: hooked immediately

[06:00] - John Davidson: bigger than just hockey, loyalty of generation after generation

[07:00] - JD's family: daughters hugging Cup, scrapbook photos, roadmap for life

[08:00] - Barbara Danfarcey: executive assistant to Neil, front row seat to roller coaster

[09:00] - Lynn Markey: MSG employee, what it did for fans who stuck through frustration

[10:00] - Don Solomon: team dentist 39 years, cohesiveness and inclusivity making everyone feel one unit

[11:00] - Matt Lare: director of team operations, 30 years blink of eye, memories last forever

[12:00] - Mike Hartman: Neil taking time when he was 15, winning Cup with idol Mark Messier

[13:00] - Amy Kay: VP Human Resources, one of few women executives treated like counterparts

[14:00] - Neil on all-inclusive culture: motivating everyone at MSG to be part of wins and losses

[15:00] - Every single person important: without Mike Hartman might not have won Cup

[17:00] - Barry Meisel: Daily News writer, kid wanting Rangers to win vs reporter staying objective

[18:00] - Dad in sixties never seeing Cup, 18 million New Yorkers feeling same intensity

[19:00] - Biggest challenge: getting story right, objectivity from training not from heart

[20:00] - Neil respecting media doing their job: as long as story correct, had to be told

[21:00] - Don't lie philosophy: credibility more important than bad story or opinion

[22:00] - Embracing New York City chaos: honking horns, running between cars, Post's flamboyance

[23:00] - Best of times standing in hallway talking to writers: really loved it

[24:00] - Frank Brown: 71 years old, only Cup in lifetime, Gary Bettman presenting at 72

[25:00] - Joe Whelan: MSG producer, best team ever covered, Cable Ace award

[26:00] - Kenny Albert: first Stanley Cup Final call, met wife Barbara after Game 5

[27:00] - Steve Levy: ESPN rights holder, in dressing room missing ice celebration

[28:00] - Adam Graves: "I realize how important this win was for you" - greatest moment thinking of reporter

[29:00] - Levy drinking from Cup 2 AM, unprofessional but worth it

[30:00] - Howie Rose: fell in love 1966, practicing play-by-play with tape recorder

[31:00] - Dentist drilling: closes eyes thinking final seconds Game 7, drinking from Cup

[32:00] - Mark Halbert: WFAN broadcaster, going between NBA Finals and Rangers

[33:00] - 54 years thinking most people wouldn't see during lifetime, extraordinary

[34:00] - Neil on relationships: best friends when arguing over who pays for pizza

[35:00] - Barry on balancing pressure/excitement/nervousness: New York all in it together

[36:00] - Vic keeping dad from Game 7: three losses together, couldn't live with fourth

[37:00] - Getting dad press pass Game 4 Vancouver through Neil and John Saunders

[38:00] - Barry's unique stories: 13 people with 8 tickets, not revealing sources

[39:00] - Offered $5,000 per ticket, wouldn't sell - thought it would be jinx

[40:00] - Barry's pregame story: Keenan's dalliances with Red Wings on Game 7 night

[41:00] - Favorite sentence: "New York Islanders have not won Stanley Cup since 1983"

[42:00] - Neil in fog of worry and hopefulness: Al Young getting him with 5 minutes left

[43:00] - Bure stopping skating on icing: Leetch stick in air before whistle

[44:00] - Neil calming everyone: "1.3 seconds, they never score" - saying to himself

[45:00] - Remembering those who've passed: Benny Patrisse, Mike Volga, Joe Murphy, Alexander Karpovtsev

[46:00] - Ceil Selsam: fan club member lost during Capitals series, Officer Steven McDonald

[47:00] - Neil's mom: got him into hockey, great love passed from her dad

[48:00] - Vic's dad: first game 1968, wonderful career covering NHL for ESPN

[49:00] - Sal Gallo: fan since 1964, Islander smugness cut down, 1940 chants went away

[50:00] - Mark Schumann: 20 years old, didn't understand 54 years then, certainly does now

[51:00] - Driving Manhattan 1-2 AM, everyone on streets honking horns

[52:00] - Bobby Nickle: older brother introduced 1968, beat Chicago 4-0, 26 years heartbreak

[53:00] - Paul Sveinson: Long Island Islander torment, bringing sons to games, pictures on Jumbotron

[54:00] - Dan Hoo: jersey for bar exam and CPA exam, good luck charm

[55:00] - Messier leadership lessons off ice, looking back brings tears

[56:00] - James Beal: 17 graduating high school, energy of MSG amazing

[57:00] - Woody Flowers: 82 years old, grandfather sharing radio broadcasts, framed NYT article on desk

[58:00] - Ron Franzia: thyroid cancer during playoffs, hoping don't need cancer for another Cup

[59:00] - Paul McDonald: 76, first game 1957, Mark Messier jumping like kid

[01:00:00] - Bill Carroll: 1-year-old son, "this might be only one, take it in"

[01:01:00] - Arthur Zel: season ticket holder 50+ years, woman's "Now I Can Die in Peace" sign

[01:02:00] - Glenn Healy: erased three generations of misery, last name on Cup forever

[01:03:00] - Family sacrifice for last name on Cup: dad, granddad, brother

[01:04:00] - Bruce Lai: masseuse didn't follow hockey, walking Cup down Main Street traffic stopping

[01:05:00] - John Raco: "one brief shining moment, there was Camelot" - captured what team meant

[01:06:00] - Steve Larmer: privilege playing with Lowe, Messier, Leetch, incredible teammates

[01:07:00] - Ticker tape parade through Canyon of Champions, stories get better every time

[01:08:00] - Eddie Olczyk: lived and loved together, any time see Ranger sweater fans say "thanks for 1994"

[01:09:00] - Small part feeling special, greatest accomplishment making people happy

[01:10:00] - Nick Kypreos: didn't play big role but felt part of something special

[01:11:00] - Check ego at door, whatever it takes to help team win

[01:12:00] - Being Stanley Cup champion opens doors: people want to be around winners

[01:13:00] - Kevin Lowe: first cup always stands out like having children

[01:14:00] - Rangers 54 years, original six, doing it with roommate Mark Messier

[01:15:00] - Neil as architect: blessed with getting job 1989, lot of blessings along way

[01:16:00] - Blessed to be in position at right time making right moves

[01:17:00] - Support above, terrific fan base, acquiring Mark Messier major piece

[01:18:00] - Kid from 1960s street hockey, mother pushing along after father died young

[01:19:00] - Looking in mirror: was that really me? Bringing joy to New Yorkers

[01:20:00] - Greatest gift: making others happy, what better thing can happen in life

[01:21:00] - Vic on behalf of everybody: thank you Neil for making us happy

[01:22:00] - Series serves as go-to for years to come, 1994 is forever

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NYRangers #NewYorkRangers #1994StanleyCup #NeilSmith #Reflection #30YearsLater #MarkMessier #GlennHealy #SteveLarmer #KevinLowe #EddieOlczyk #NickKypreos #JohnDavidson #HowieRose #KennyAlbert #SteveLevy #BarryMeisel #FrankBrown #AdamGraves #BrianLeetch #MikeRichter #54YearCurse #1940 #MadisonSquareGarden #NewYorkDailyNews #RangerFans #StanleyCupLegacy #1994Forever #RangersHistory #ThisOneWillLastALifetime #CanyonOfHeroes #BroadwayBlueshirts #OriginalSix #GenerationsOfFans

Episode 86 - 2026 Team USA Architect with General Manager Bill Guerin - Jan. 9, 2026

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 18:07:00 -0400

Talk about an abundance of riches. One half of your job is running one of the top teams in the NHL while the other half is assembling the best American players in the world for the upcoming Olympics.

GM of both the Minnesota Wild and U.S. Men’s team headed to Italy, Bill Guerin joins Neil and Vic to talk about both teams.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, an American Legend reaches a milestone, a future legend puts on a virtuoso performance in Hollywood and what’s more stunning at this point of the season, the Sabres run or the Jets nosedive?

We'll have other items of note and pay tribute to "Mr. Goalie," Glenn Hall before celebrating Neil's birthday.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:30] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[13:39] - Team USA/Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin is welcomed to the show pleased about the selection process being done and the success of the Wild in a city once again in going through unrest.

[16:03] - Guerin shares it's the people around him that is making it possible for him to take on the leadership role of both teams.

[17:30] - Construction of Team USA in relation to playing style needed to succeed.

[19:06] - The calls to those who make the team and those who did not...and the second-guessing from media and fans that comes with those decisions.

[21:00] - Neil draws off on his own experience sharing with Bill that it was easier to sleep at night knowing decisions being made were in the best interests of the team. Bill adds a point about the importance of how people are treated.

[22:37] - As a three-time Olympian, the advice Guerin can share with Team USA about the upcoming experience, something only two of his 25 players have known.

[24:52] - Shifting to the Wild: In 2024-25, the team started hot and struggled to make the post-season. This season, a sluggish start followed by a major about-face which actually started prior to the acquisition of Quinn Hughes.

[28:35] - More on Hughes, who has not committed to staying with the Wild beyond the end of the season.

[30:23] - The NHL-record Kaprizov contract and the reception within the Wild.

[32:05] - Even with a large chunk of the schedule remaining, the Wild appear on a collision course with Dallas for the opening round of the post-season. Where is Guerin looking to upgrade?

[35:14] - Putting a wrap on the Bill Guerin discussion.

[35:59] - A few random items of note.

[47:01] - Personnel notes.

[48:44] - Tribute to Glenn Hall.

[53:15] - Happy Birthday Neil

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BillGuerin #MatsZuccarello #PatrickKane #MikeModano #KeithTkachuk #JeremyRoenick #JoeMullen #MikeBossy #MarkMessier #RickTabaracci #MikeGartner #GuyLafleur #MacklinCelebrini #WarrenFoegele #AdrianKempe #WilliamEklund #NathanMacKinnon #ConnorHellebuyck #LindyRuff #PeytonKrebs #MattiasSamuelsson #JonathanQuick #MarkStone #ConnorMcDavid #ChrisKelleher #ChrisDrury #TomFitzgerald #BillZito #StanBowman #JohnVanbiesbrouck #PatKelleher #MikeSullivan #TageThompson #ClaytonKeller #SethJones #QuinnHughes #JakeSanderson #BrockFaber #JohnHynes #KirillKaprizov #MattBoldy #JesperWallstedt #FilipGustavsson #JoelErikssonEk #SteveYzerman #BrendanSHanahan #KenMorrow #JoshManson #GordieHoweHatTrick #TylerKleven #LeeviMerilainen #LinusUllmark #MadsSogaard #JamesReimer #AlexandreTexier #MartinSt.Louis #DougArmstrong #BrandonSaad #ScottLaughton #EastonCowan #JohnTavares #JacobMarkstrom #JakeAllen #SheldonKeefe #HenrikLundqvist #NHLonTNT #PatrickRoy #RonaldCorey #RejeanHoule #PierreLacroix #JakeAllen #JimMontgomery #JordanBinnington #JoelHofer #SidneyCrosby #CarterHart #TravisKonecny #CoreyPerry #AdamHenrique #EvgeniMalkin #SimonNemec #JTMiller #NathanWalker #GlennHall #WayneGretzky #JacquesPlante #ErnieWakely #VicHadfield #TrevorZegras #AdamGraves #StephaneMatteau #BrianLeetch

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Offenses Take off While Ducks Continue to Dive - Jan. 7, 2026

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:30:00 -0400

An abbreviated show with Neil traveling so Vic handling the updates and storylines from the past couple of nights as 77 goals were scored Tuesday including a surprising blitz at UBS Arena.

Speaking of being blitzed, it's becoming a regular occurence in Anaheim whey are no longer outscoring mistakes.

Some key injury news - particularly in New York - is noted as well as penalty shot happenings in three games, two of which were rather unique.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Amidst Utter Chaos, a Playoff Series is Almost Set? -Jan. 5, 2026

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:18:00 -0400

A tick past the midway point of the season and there have been some truly remarkable trends in the NHL in 2025-26.

How else to explain, the flip-flop in teams' play from game-to-game, elite teams struggling while former also-rans flex muscle? And then there's the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have gifted late standings points to division and conference rivals at a rate which - if not reversed quickly - will keep them out of the playoffs again.

Is it parity or parody? Out of all of this uncertainty, one of the first round playoff series almost appears guaranteed a month out from the Olympic break.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #NHLWinterClassic#MikaZibanejad #SergeiBobrovsky #TylerToffoli #DavidPastrnak #NHLonTNT #DaniilTarasov #NathanMacKinnon #LukeHughes #TaylorHall #JakeAllen #JacobMarkstrom #MatthewSchaefer #AustonMatthews #MatsSundin #JosephWoll #MorganRielly #AdinHill #AlexPietrangelo #BraydenMcNabb #SheaTheodore #JakeOettinger #WyattJohnston #JasonRobertson #GlenGulutzan #TylerBertuzzi #ConnorBedard #FrankNazar #JeffBlashill #DanMuse #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #NikitaKucherov #DarrenRaddysh #DanBoyle #VictorHedman #RyanMcDonagh #ErikCernak #JonCooper #JulienBriseBois #NicolasHague #StevenStamkos #FraserMinton #LoganStanley #BradyTkachuk #NoelAcciari #TommyNovak #RickardRakell #SidneyCrosby #DeanEvason #GaryBettman #NormGreen #MinnesotaNorthStars #MackenzieBlackwood #GabrielLandeskog #JaredBednar #DevonToews #QuebecNordiques #HartfordWhalers #TrentMiner #SethJones #TomWilson #SpencerCarbery #BoHorvat #IlyaSorokin #DavidRittich #JTMiller #WilliamNylander #TageThompson #ClaytonKeller #QuinnHughes #AdamFox #ChrisKreider #BillGuerin #MikeSullivan #PatrickKane #ColeCaufield #AlexDebrincat #AlexTuch #MatthewKnies #LaneHutson #MatthewTkachuk #WorldJuniorChampionships

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Olympic Rosters Getting Plenty of Scrutiny - Jan. 2, 2026

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 15:13:00 -0400

The rosters for the Milano Cortina Olympics have been announced with no shortage of second guessing, particularly in Canada. Vic and Neil start the New Year with the over-hype more than a month out from the games.

As the NHL schedule moves towards the mid-point, two hot teams are on very different missions in 2026: the Avalanche in their march towards history and the Sabres who are looking to change theirs.

Then there's the flip side where the struggles for the 2025 Presidents' Trophy winners continues.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BillGuerin #JackHughes #ClaytonKeller #TageThompson #SethJones #AdamFox #MatthewSchaefer #SamBennett #ConnorBedard #MarkScheifele #WyattJohnston #BoHorvat #DougArmstrong #JonCooper #AnthonyCirelli #BrandonHagel #TomWilson #GordieHoweHatTrick #NoahLaba #SamCarrick #BradMarchand #MacklinCelebrini #JordanBinnington #NathanMacKinnon #ValNichushkin #JimMontgomery #WillFerrell #RickTocchet #RyanHuska #DustinWolf #DevinCooley #JonathanToews #PatrickKane #ConnorHellebuyck #GabeVilardi #JoshMorrissey #KyleConnor #Presidents'Trophy #KevinCheveldayoff #ChrisDrury #ConnorMcDavid #VladislavNamestnikov #ColePerfetti #MasonAppleton #NikolajEhlers #StevenStamkos #BraydenMcNabb #JackEichel #MarkStone #MitchMarner #GlenGulutzan #KenHitchcock #LindyRuff #PeterDeBoer #JimNill #ColeCaufield #NickSuzuki #MartinSt.Louis #MikeMatheson #JoshAnderson #JohnnyGaudreau #ZachWerenski #PyotrKochetkov #FrederikAndersen #BrandonBussi #AdinHill #FrankVatrano #AustonMatthews #WilliamNylander #ChrisTanev #BoHorvat #BraydenMcNabb #ConorGarland #MarcoRossi #AlexLyon #Ukka-PekkaLuukkonen #ColtenEllis #MilesWood #OndrejPalat #ConorSheary #AdamFox #IgorShesterkin #ErikCernak #NoahPhilp #DantonHeinen #YegorChinakov #EgorZamula #PhilipTomasino #SidneyCrosby #KyleDubas #ErikKarlsson #WorldJuniorChampionships #WinterClassic #SteveMayer #KylePalmieri

1994 Rangers Stanley Cup Final: Messier, Leetch & Graves on Ending 54-Year Curse

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 12:45:00 -0400

Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, and Adam Graves join Neil and Vic to relive conquering the curse - the 1994 Stanley Cup Final against the Vancouver Canucks. From the pressure of ending a 54-year drought to Game 7's heart-stopping final minutes, this is the story of how Broadway's finest delivered a gift to millions. Hear Messier explain why going home between Games 6 and 7 was crucial, Leetch describe becoming the first American Conn Smythe winner, Graves reveal what Mark said after his goal, and Neil share his emotional moment in Mayor Giuliani's office. This one truly will last a lifetime.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome to Episode 4: This One Will Last a Lifetime, Stanley Cup Final vs Vancouver Canucks

[02:00] - Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, and Adam Graves join Neil to relive conquering the curse

[03:00] - Messier on Devils series: tested in every way, gave confidence Rangers could dig deeper

[04:00] - Learning limits under pressure: most important factor in winning Stanley Cup

[05:00] - Adam on 1990 Edmonton experience: watching Mark in Chicago Game 4, learning toughness

[06:00] - Life's greatest teacher: experience, ebbs and flows, blocking shots and taking hits

[08:00] - Vancouver had heck of a team: Kurt McLean out, already a rivalry from physical regular season

[09:00] - Brian on first Finals: prepared by having Mark for years, wanting to win like Richter and Graves

[10:00] - Watching Mark prepare: "He's gonna have a huge game today" whenever Rangers needed one

[11:00] - Neil's confidence: knew Rangers had better players, couldn't compare to Vancouver's team

[12:00] - Game 1: two-one lead late, third time in eight games giving up goal in last minute

[13:00] - Rangers dominate with 54 shots, 17 in OT, Leetch hits crossbar before Greg Adams wins

[14:00] - Game 2: anxious final 10 seconds, Mike's save, Brian's empty netter

[15:00] - Game 3 turning point: Jay Wells high stick from Pavel Bure, Bure suspended

[16:00] - Adam on Bure's edge: skilled scorer but tough player, major penalty opening opportunity

[17:00] - Five-one Game 3 win with Bure out of equation

[18:00] - Game 4: two-nothing Vancouver first period, Bure penalty shot against Richter

[19:00] - Brian on penalty shot: if Bure makes move, Mike saves it, worried about five-hole speed

[20:00] - Messier: leave goalie alone, epitome of one-on-one battle, Mike's mental strength

[21:00] - Neil on catwalk in old Pacific Coliseum: praying during penalty shot, no control

[22:00] - Vancouver's 10 power plays, Leetch setting up Verville, Larmer-Kovalev goal off Babych

[23:00] - Up three-one, Neil walking off thinking teams down 3-1 rarely come back

[24:00] - Mark on 1987 Philly series: parade route set, more pressure on home team than road team

[25:00] - Game 5 distractions: planning for parade, expectations of ending 54-year drought

[26:00] - Tikkanen offside goal called back in first period - potential game-changer

[27:00] - Adam on family superstitions: members who came for Game 5 wouldn't return for Game 7

[28:00] - Down three-nothing, storming back with three goals, momentum shift

[29:00] - Dave Babych goal 29 seconds after tying it three-three: deflating building

[30:00] - Brian on Babych goal: roof about to come off after Messier's goal, then disbelief

[31:00] - Six-hour flight back to Vancouver, never felt like two goals from Cup in Game 6

[32:00] - Keenan's Lake Placid suggestion: leadership group unanimous - go home

[33:00] - Messier on embracing moment: why do something different, comfortable at home

[34:00] - Don't shy away from energy: kids' schools, local grocers, signs everywhere

[35:00] - Brian on NYC energy: Knicks in NBA Finals simultaneously, watching another team go through it

[36:00] - Adam on home preparation: banged-up team needing facilities, strength from fan base

[37:00] - Neil holding family together: mother biggest hockey fan on earth, confidence in group

[38:00] - Oilers by design not accident: winners available, you gotta get them

[39:00] - Gravy first acquisition, then Messier, Beukeboom, Tikkanen, Lowe, MacTavish, Anderson

[40:00] - Every person important: Mike Hartman to Eddie Olczyk to Mike Richter

[41:00] - Game 7: Mark's two previous Finals Game 7s (1987 Edmonton, both down 3-1)

[42:00] - 1987 Philadelphia: simple mindset - our best is better than their best if we execute

[43:00] - 1994 same scenario: missed playoffs year before, renewed purpose, well-coached hungry opponent

[44:00] - Focus crystal clear: execute like all year, every time needed big game Rangers delivered

[45:00] - Keenan negotiating with Detroit sidebar: million distractions, didn't affect players

[46:00] - Mike's passionate speech: you're best team in hockey, absorb every second

[47:00] - Character and experience overcoming everything: NY market size, 54-year history

[48:00] - Brian's first goal: Mark up wall, Zubov passing instead of shooting, Graves taking out net front

[49:00] - Adam's goal less than four minutes later: Valle to Zubov setup, finally on scoresheet

[50:00] - Mark congratulating Adam: both banged up, wanting to contribute to brothers

[51:00] - Messier power play goal: greatest weapon all year, Hall of Fame defensemen on points

[52:00] - Mark hoping NHL overturns to give Noonan credit: belongs to his family legacy

[53:00] - Richter two-pad stack on Ronning: carrying three-one lead to third period

[54:00] - Tikkanen penalty on Bure, Trevor Linden's second goal: three-two

[55:00] - Intersection of tragedy and jubilation: 54-year curse on the balance

[56:00] - Messier on energy shift: crowd taking breath - "is this happening again after 54 years?"

[57:00] - Brian on one-goal cushion: more comfortable, mistake doesn't cost whole series

[58:00] - Posts: Nathan LaFayette slot shot (MacTavish save), Kevin Lowe nine minutes left

[59:00] - Martin Gelinas wide open net, LaFayette over Richter's glove banking off post

[01:00:00] - Adam: longest two minutes in NHL history, couldn't have happened any other way

[01:01:00] - Final faceoff: MacTavish spinning early, Messier laying wood on Bure, Larmer pinning Brown

[01:02:00] - Buzzer sounds: waiting is over, New York Rangers are Stanley Cup champions

[01:03:00] - Messier on reach transcending hockey: human interest story, daily reminders 30 years later

[01:04:00] - Relationships with fans: approachability, immersion in community elevating experience

[01:05:00] - Brian's Conn Smythe: embarrassing to be singled out, uncomfortable at time

[01:06:00] - Asking Mark on ice: "Can whole team come up?" First American-born winner

[01:07:00] - Graves screaming "1940!" into cameras: never have to hear that year again

[01:08:00] - "Now I Can Die in Peace" sign in stands: what Ranger fans felt

[01:09:00] - Adam on cultural change: Mark teaching team to talk about being Stanley Cup champions

[01:10:00] - Neil making history: only GM to lead Rangers to Cup in 84 years

[01:11:00] - First four Russians on Cup: Zubov, Kovalev, Nemchinov, Karpovtsev

[01:12:00] - Neil on recognizing good deals: Leetch and Richter already there, adding pieces

[01:13:00] - Sather offering Messier: "Of course I'm interested, I'm not an idiot"

[01:14:00] - Signing Graves first: Troy Mallette trade, doing what he could do

[01:15:00] - Islanders foundation: Al Arbour and Bill Torrey teaching culture and expectations

[01:16:00] - Mark changing culture: logo different from him being there

[01:17:00] - Parade: Keenan showing 1986 Mets video in September, now living it

[01:18:00] - Setting expectations early: anything less than Stanley Cup not acceptable

[01:19:00] - Canyon of Heroes: 2 million people, testimony to franchise history

[01:20:00] - Brian on parade: unexplainable, need professional writer to describe how cool it was

[01:21:00] - Families on floats, over in blink of eye, always talk about going around block again

[01:22:00] - Adam on special bond: generations of families on journey with players

[01:23:00] - Celebrated more than other championships: New York Rangers fan connection unique

[01:24:00] - Neil on zero arrests: so much love in air, proud to be New Yorker

[01:25:00] - Crying in Giuliani's office: "I just wanted to make New Yorkers happy"

[01:26:00] - Emotional about delivering enormous gift: 7 million people thinking it impossible

[01:27:00] - Every Ranger fan says same thing: "Thank you" - as if you gave them tremendous gift

[01:28:00] - Gift that keeps on giving: legend grows every year, 30 years later still resonating

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NYRangers #NewYorkRangers #1994StanleyCup #MarkMessier #BrianLeetch #AdamGraves #NeilSmith #StanleyCupFinal #VancouverCanucks #PavelBure #TrevorLinden #KirkMcLean #MikeRichter #SergeiZubov #AlexeiKovalev #SteveLarmer #CraigMacTavish #KevinLowe #GlennAnderson #MikeKeenan #ConnSmythe #Game7 #54YearCurse #1940 #CanyonOfHeroes #TickerTapeParade #MadisonSquareGarden #PacificColiseum #RudyGiuliani #GregAdams #DaveBabych #NathanLaFayette #MartinGelinas #CliffRonning #1994Forever #RangersHistory #ThisOneWillLastALifetime #BroadwayBlueshirts

Greatest Playoff Series Ever: 1994 Rangers-Devils Conference Final with Mike Richter & Stephane Matteau

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Mike Richter and Stephane Matteau join Neil and Vic to relive the greatest playoff series in NHL history - the 1994 Eastern Conference Final between the Rangers and Devils. From three double-overtime games to Mark Messier's legendary guarantee and hat trick in Game 6, this seven-game war had everything. Hear Matteau describe both overtime winners, Richter walk through his Game 6 brilliance while down 2-0, Neil's fury at Mike Keenan's benching decisions, and the pure joy when "Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!" became the call heard 'round New York. This is the series that defined championship hockey.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome to Episode 3: A Series for the Ages, Eastern Conference Final vs New Jersey Devils

[02:00] - Mike Richter and Stephane Matteau join Neil to relive the greatest playoff series ever

[03:00] - Neil as historian: few series stand test of time like Rangers-Devils 1994, Montreal-Boston 1979 caliber

[04:00] - Two rivals, first vs second overall, both chasing first Cup, Hall of Famers on both sides

[05:00] - Regular season dominance: 6-0 against Devils, Mike in 5 games allowing only 6 goals total

[06:00] - Mike on confidence heading in: trade deadline bolstering lineup, 8-1 through two rounds

[08:00] - Stephane's arrival: no idea what was coming, surrounded by greatness and leadership

[09:00] - Kevin Lowe and Craig MacTavish whispering to Mark what to say next - soldiers behind captain

[10:00] - Game 1: three separate leads, Larmer goal with 9 minutes left, Lemieux ties with 43 seconds

[11:00] - Stephane Richer OT winner: Adam Graves forced to play defense, poke check fails

[12:00] - Mike on momentum shifts: 8-1 doesn't look good when you're 8-2, must-win Game 2 immediately

[14:00] - Game 2: Mark Messier putting team on shoulders - Scott Stevens on his ass, Ken Daneyko hit, goal in 73 seconds

[15:00] - Neil on Mark: "I didn't know he was THAT good" - confidence he gave everyone by his actions

[16:00] - Stephane on Messier's glare: witnessed it from Calgary side losing Game 7 to Oilers

[17:00] - Great players don't get shut down twice in a row - Mark leading by example

[18:00] - Mike's fourth shutout: two-man advantage survival, Bill Guerin glove save, complete team game

[20:00] - Game 3 greatness lost in context: three double OT games total, this one often forgotten

[21:00] - Neil's memory: watching with team doctors, jumping up and down when Steph scored

[22:00] - Mike having a blast: fun slug fest, two best teams seven miles apart, zoo atmosphere

[24:00] - Tommy Albelin consecutive saves: Glenn Anderson crashing into Mike, both making save together

[25:00] - Momentum shift importance: save taken back, then Steph scores the dagger

[27:00] - Series getting nasty: Bernie Nicholls crosscheck suspends him, fever pitch ramping up

[28:00] - Stephane's Game 3 OT goal: "I was just warming up obviously, it was my first double overtime"

[29:00] - Puck in skate, whacking at it, red light, realizing "I scored" - biggest goal of my life at that moment

[30:00] - Claude Lemieux's stick fling against boards: Devils' frustration as series builds

[32:00] - Game 4 unraveling: Devils score twice quickly, Mike pulled in under 17 minutes by Keenan

[33:00] - Mike on Keenan's MO: benching everyone, Jay Wells dying, Leetch off power play

[35:00] - Game 5: Bernie Nicholls shorthanded goal, never feeling in game, losing 4-1

[36:00] - Neil's fury: "unconscionable" pulling Richter, benching Karpovtsev, self-inflicted wounds

[37:00] - "Friendly fire" - five-year project about to blow up at the last moment

[38:00] - Neil on Messier's guarantee: "Thank God, the one guy who has control just guaranteed we're gonna win"

[39:00] - Messier's October 1991 arrival: whole reason for acquiring Mark - slay the dragon moment

[40:00] - Stephane never reading papers: didn't hear guarantee until months later, focusing on must-win

[41:00] - Mike not reading press either: "No problem, we got Steph Matteau"

[42:00] - Context of guarantee: crisis of confidence, press blood in water, Mark walked there by questions

[43:00] - Locker room laughing: "What the F is he thinking?" - even Tikkanen smiled, room exploded

[44:00] - Game 6 reality: down 2-0 first period, on verge of being blown out to New Jersey Turnpike

[45:00] - Keenan moves: putting Kovalev on Messier's wing, Devils' forecheck lightening up, Kovalev scores before second ends

[46:00] - Stephane witnessing greatness: Mike's saves keeping them in game 6-10 times, one more goal would've been over

[47:00] - Mike refusing to look at bench: "Do not pull me, I felt great, stay the damn course"

[48:00] - Messier's hat trick: first goal changes complexion, third goal - turns around, throws puck straight down

[49:00] - Neil being taunted at Meadowlands: "Back to the drawing board, Neil!" - guy disappearing after comeback

[50:00] - Neil witnessing greatness: Joe Namath Super Bowl, Reggie Jackson 3 homers, now Messier guarantee hat trick

[51:00] - Game 7 setup: Frank Brown's Daily News column simply saying "Thank you" before the game

[52:00] - Brian Leetch's spin-o-rama goal: seeing Billy Guerin do similar move, pulling it out of nowhere

[54:00] - Quick whistle controversy: Billy McCreary with 15-18 seconds left, Mike clears puck but whistle already blown

[55:00] - Valeri Zelepukin goal 7.7 seconds left: blood rushing to head, seconds from Stanley Cup Finals favorite

[56:00] - Locker room between regulation and OT: silent first 5-7 minutes, Kevin Lowe turning it positive

[58:00] - Stefan Richer save before Matteau goal: disappearing puck, ping-ponging in front, getting possession back

[59:00] - Stefan Che shot from left circle: spectacular save, puck leaking out right side of net

[01:00:00] - Kevin Lowe in OT intermission: "If it wasn't so hard, it wouldn't be so much fun when we win"

[01:02:00] - Heavy team advantage: greasy goals from guys like Steph able to get territorial advantage

[01:03:00] - Eddie Olczyk good luck ritual: Game 3 touching stick in hallway, Game 7 dancing with it making Steph relax

[01:04:00] - The goal: good jump, Niedermayer hook turning body toward net, no plan - "pure luck"

[01:05:00] - Hole between Brodeur's glove and post: "I didn't know if I scored or Tikkanen scored, didn't care"

[01:06:00] - Tikkanen claiming he touched it: "I don't care Esa, we're going to Stanley Cup Final!"

[01:07:00] - Mike's perfect view 180 feet away: "Oh my God, did that actually go in?" - slow motion eruption

[01:09:00] - Neil's perspective three stories above: Matteau's reaction told him puck was in before red light

[01:10:00] - Joy equal to final buzzer vs Vancouver: different place in time, same pure elation

[01:12:00] - Soldiers being rewarded: guys doing hard work all year, Steph integrating into veteran team

[01:13:00] - Stephane's gratitude: "Neil had the guts to pull the trigger" - best series ever experienced

[01:15:00] - Neil's final point: take one person out, we don't win - Benny Patrisse to Mike Richter

[01:16:00] - Every single person important: Mark Messier teaching that lesson to entire organization

[01:18:00] - Neil and Steph's first meeting: Bon Jovi concert in Detroit when Matteau was 18, pre-draft

[01:19:00] - Mike's thanks to Neil: "You could have traded me, you made it happen after 54 years"

[01:20:00] - 30 years later: still rock stars in New York, Steph as proud ambassador meeting fans daily

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NYRangers #NewYorkRangers #1994StanleyCup #MikeRichter #StephaneMatteau #NeilSmith #MarkMessier #NewJerseyDevils #EasternConferenceFinal #MatteauMatteauMatteau #MessierGuarantee #BrianLeetch #MartyBrodeur #ScottStevens #ClaudeLemieux #ValeriZelepukin #BillGuerin #SergeiZubov #AlexeiKovalev #BernieNicholls #MikeKeenan #DoubleOvertime #Game7 #PlayoffHistory #GreatestSeriesEver #HowieRose #MadisonSquareGarden #Meadowlands #BrendanByrneArena #1994Forever #RangersHistory #54YearDrought

for Youtube first

4:33 PM

YouTube-Optimized Show Notes - 1994 Rangers Episode 3:

Mike Richter and Stephane Matteau relive the greatest playoff series in NHL history - the 1994 Eastern Conference Final between Rangers and Devils. From three double-overtime games to Mark Messier's legendary guarantee and hat trick in Game 6, this seven-game war had everything. Hear Matteau describe both OT winners, Richter's Game 6 brilliance while down 2-0, and the pure joy when "Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!" became the call heard 'round New York.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Episode 3: Series for the Ages vs Devils [04:00] - First vs second overall, Hall of Famers both sides [06:00] - 6-0 vs Devils in regular season, 8-1 through two rounds [10:00] - Game 1: three leads, Lemieux ties 43 seconds left [12:00] - Momentum shifts: must-win Game 2 [14:00] - Messier puts Stevens on his ass, 73-second goal [18:00] - Richter's fourth shutout, complete game [21:00] - Game 3 OT: Tommy Albelin consecutive saves [28:00] - Matteau's first OT goal: "Just warming up" [32:00] - Game 4 meltdown: Richter pulled, Keenan benching everyone [36:00] - Neil's fury: "Self-inflicted wounds, friendly fire" [39:00] - The Guarantee: Messier moment arrives [42:00] - Locker room laughing: "What's he thinking?" [44:00] - Game 6: down 2-0, verge of elimination [47:00] - Richter refusing to look at bench [48:00] - Messier hat trick: backing up guarantee [51:00] - Game 7: Leetch spin-o-rama goal [54:00] - Quick whistle controversy [55:00] - Zelepukin 7.7 seconds left [58:00] - Richer save before Matteau goal [01:03:00] - Eddie O good luck ritual [01:04:00] - THE GOAL: "Pure luck, no plan" [01:07:00] - Mike's view: "Did that go in?" [01:09:00] - Neil three stories above: Matteau's reaction [01:18:00] - Neil and Steph: Bon Jovi concert connection [01:20:00] - 30 years later: still rock stars

#NYRangers #1994StanleyCup #MikeRichter #StephaneMatteau #Matteau #MessierGuarantee #MarkMessier #NewJerseyDevils #DoubleOvertime #Game7 #PlayoffHistory #1994Forever

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Farewell to 2025 - Dec. 29, 2025

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 15:48:00 -0400

After a three-day break, plenty going on around the NHL for the final show of 2025. A bunch of items from to hit on for our 165th program of the calendar year.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Rangers 1994 Eastern Conference Run: Kevin Lowe & Steve Larmer Tell All

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 03:15:00 -0400

Steve Larmer and Kevin Lowe join Neil and Vic to relive the Rangers' dominant start to the 1994 playoffs. From back-to-back 6-0 shutouts sweeping the Islanders to conquering the problematic Capitals in five games, this episode reveals how championship experience kept the team focused. Hear about the "1940" chants at Nassau Coliseum, Esa Tikkanen's legendary kiss to Keith Jones, Mike Richter's redemption after the Kevin Hatcher goal, and why winning quickly mattered for an older team. The Rangers went 8-1 through two rounds—this is how they made it look easy when it wasn't.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome to Episode 2: Quick Path to Eastern Conference Final, first two playoff rounds

[02:00] - Steve Larmer and Kevin Lowe join Neil to discuss Islanders and Capitals series

[03:00] - Neil's perspective: NY media wanting Rangers to fail, keeping the 54-year drought narrative alive

[04:00] - Kevin Lowe's first Nassau Coliseum game: "What the heck is 1940?" - learning about the curse

[06:00] - Steve Larmer on Norris Division wars: Chicago battles with Detroit, St. Louis, Toronto, Minnesota prepared him

[07:00] - Game 1 vs Islanders: complete 6-0 thrashing, not even close from the opening faceoff

[08:00] - Game 2: Richter's 13 saves in first 10 minutes, stonewalling Islanders' comeback attempt, another 6-0 win

[09:00] - Kevin Lowe on playing in front of Richter: "Never heard two goalies talk more" with Healy

[10:00] - Championship goaltending culture: "Never anybody else's fault" - taking responsibility over finger-pointing

[11:00] - Walking out of Nassau after sweep: Islander fans yelling "You're too old! You won't get anywhere!"

[12:00] - Steve Larmer on zero finger-pointing: calmness from Oilers champions keeping room level-headed

[13:00] - Kevin's 1986 Vancouver lesson: "Something didn't feel right, it was too easy" - staying on guard

[15:00] - Neil's perspective: 8-1 through two rounds, but only thinking "we" not celebrating personal accomplishment

[17:00] - Special teams dominance: 6-for-21 power play, 15-for-15 penalty kill through first three games

[18:00] - Game 4 vs Islanders: spotting them 2-0 lead, Messier breakaway exclamation point finishing sweep

[19:00] - Steve on being surrounded by Cup winners: warmth and welcoming from Oilers group teaching him

[21:00] - Neil's philosophy: acquiring winners who know how to handle playoff pressure and keep team calm

[23:00] - The Oiler collection strategy: Mark, Kevin, Mac T, Anderson, Tikk - loading up with championship DNA

[25:00] - Championship experience value: keeping Brian Leetch and others from panicking when adversity hit

[26:00] - Kevin on Mike Keenan: never practicing penalty kill once all season, talking in meetings, #1 in both

[27:00] - Mark Messier overruling Keenan: "Are you crazy?" when Mike wanted to go somewhere else before Game 7

[28:00] - Steve on keeping routines normal: trusting veterans to handle themselves, see families, stay balanced

[29:00] - Neil's double-edged sword: President's Trophy great until you lose, then it becomes ammunition against you

[30:00] - The depth advantage: Gilberts, Lidster, Wells - trust in third and fourth lines, not wearing out top six

[31:00] - Kevin on sweeping Islanders importance: 34-35 years old, needed rest and regeneration for long run

[34:00] - Washington Capitals history: problematic opponent since 1974, defeating Rangers in 1990 and 1991

[35:00] - Neil's staged anger in 1991: protecting Roger Nielsen, sending organizational message about first-round losses

[36:00] - That 1991 loss spurring everything: signing Graves, trading for Messier, changing from losing to winning culture

[37:00] - Seven days off between series: concerns about rust vs benefits of rest for older team

[39:00] - Kevin on Capitals series: more leery of them than Devils at that point, history of playoff success

[41:00] - Esa Tikkanen becoming focal point: game-winning goal on delayed penalty, three-nothing control in Game 3

[42:00] - The famous Keith Jones kiss: Kevin's story of Tikk hitting on owner's daughter on playoff flight

[43:00] - Steve on Tikkanen: could play every position except goalie, speaking five languages fluently but none well

[44:00] - Kevin on 1991 Calgary series: Tikk's hat trick in Game 7 including OT winner against Mike Vernon

[45:00] - Neil hating Tikk before trading for him: agitator who was also skilled, pissing you off while scoring

[47:00] - Seven straight playoff wins: whispers of 16-0 sweep starting to circulate in NY media

[48:00] - Kevin Hatcher 150-foot goal: bouncing past Richter, shades of Ron Francis goal from 1992

[49:00] - Neil's Mike Keenan story: "Are the pucks frozen here?" - first words after winning series instead of congratulations

[51:00] - Steve's perspective on fluke goals: "Nothing really surprises you, put your work boots back on"

[52:00] - Brian Leetch late third period winner: under 4 minutes left, Richter huge save on Hatcher with 13 seconds

[54:00] - Quick series importance: older team needing rest and juice for longer run ahead

[56:00] - Steve on first-round upsets: toughest round for favorites, getting through unscathed with energy preserved

[58:00] - Setting table for Devils series: 6-0 against them in regular season, second-best record in NHL

[59:00] - Neil's reality check: all division rivals (Islanders, Caps, Devils), can't lose to these teams or get killed

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NYRangers #NewYorkRangers #1994StanleyCup #SteveLarmer #KevinLowe #NeilSmith #MarkMessier #MikeRichter #BrianLeetch #NYIslanders #WashingtonCapitals #EsaTikkanen #PresidentsTrophy #KeithJones #KevinHatcher #GlennHealy #CraigMacTavish #AdamGraves #SergeiZubov #NassauColiseum #MadisonSquareGarden #1940Curse #PatrickDivision #RonHextall #DonBeaupre #PlayoffHockey #OilerConnection #ChampionshipDNA #1994Forever #RangersHistory #PlayoffSweep #EasternConference

1994 Rangers Championship Team: Messier, Leetch & The Season That Changed NY

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Neil Smith, Glenn Healy, and John Davidson reunite to relive the 1994 Rangers' legendary Stanley Cup run. From Mike Keenan's controversial hiring to the franchise-altering trade deadline, this is the untold story of how the President's Trophy champions assembled. Hear about Mark Messier's leadership transforming the culture, the Butch Goring comparisons, the expansion draft chess moves that brought Glenn Healy aboard, and Neil Smith's calculated gamble trading beloved stars Tony Amonte and Mike Gartner. This is Part 1 of a 5-episode series celebrating 30 years since Broadway's greatest parade.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome to 1994 Forever: 5-part series on the Rangers' 54-year championship drought ending

[02:00] - Neil Smith, Glenn Healy, John Davidson: three generations of Rangers history united

[03:00] - 30 years later: erasing three generations of misery for grandfathers, fathers, and sons

[04:00] - John Davidson's playing career: 1979 Finals heartbreak against Montreal, losing 4 straight after 2-0 series lead

[06:00] - JD's broadcasting evolution: watching championship teams league-wide, telling Neil "You're the best team"

[08:00] - The tense Game 7 moment: Neil on a crate backstage, JD saying "This thing isn't done yet"

[10:00] - Steve Larmer's last face-off: pinning his man against the glass even after time expired

[11:00] - Glenn Healy's Islanders comparison: first day of Rangers camp realizing "This team is 10 times better"

[12:00] - The depth advantage: death by committee, games decided in 30 minutes, Richter making 27 saves to close

[13:00] - Mark Messier's arrival in 1991: the glue that transformed individuals into a championship team

[15:00] - The Oiler connection: purposefully acquiring Edmonton champions, "Who better to get than winners?"

[16:00] - Stanley Campbell's famous quote: "No more Oilers!" Neil's response: "What do you want, Sharks and Senators?"

[17:00] - John Davidson as sounding board: not just a broadcaster, a crucial voice without emotional investment

[18:00] - Benny Patrisse story: World War II veteran towel boy, Mark Messier ensuring he got a championship ring

[20:00] - "Everybody mattered": from the stretch guy to the color commentator, complete team culture

[21:00] - Mike Keenan's April 1993 hiring: handling elite-level players, the only available proven championship coach

[23:00] - 1993 expansion draft crisis: protecting Mike Richter over John Vanbiesbrouck, the pressure of getting nothing back

[24:00] - The Pat Quinn trade: Vanbiesbrouck to Vancouver for "future considerations" Doug Lidster with 5 minutes to deadline

[26:00] - Glenn Healy acquisition: secondary expansion draft, getting the Islanders goalie who "beats us all the time"

[28:00] - Greg Gilbert free agent signing and Paul Broten waiver loss for Mike Hudson depth addition

[29:00] - Alexander Karpovtsev trade: Pierre Pagé asking for Mike Hartman, Krister Ström's scouting gem from Quebec

[31:00] - Steve Larmer holdout: the Iron Man refusing to play for Chicago, Pulford refusing to trade to Keenan's team

[32:00] - The Hartford three-way: James Patrick and Darren Turcotte for Larmer and Nick Kypreos bonus

[33:00] - Training camp in London: French's Challenge vs Maple Leafs, complete roster bonding from day one

[34:00] - Mike Keenan's kindest act: 5 days off in London, team bonding at 100% body fat together

[35:00] - Nick Kypreos singing "Brandy": Mark Messier's reaction - "This little puke better be able to play"

[36:00] - Alexander Karpovtsev shirtless: "Did we just sign a plumber?" - Dean Martin body, championship player

[38:00] - The corporate culture shift: London trip bonding suits with players, no longer cold corporate Madison Square Garden

[39:00] - Mike Keenan disappearing act: Neil searching for him on London flight, he flew to Chicago without notice

[42:00] - Alexander Karpovtsev's 9-minute shift: Keenan punishing long shifts, Karpovtsev scoring and celebrating - "message not received"

[44:00] - Sluggish 4-4 start: culture shock with new coach, group figuring out Keenan's torture together

[46:00] - Once the wheels got going: steamrolling the NHL with complete depth at every position

[47:00] - Adam Graves' 50th goal: Mark Messier predicting "He's gonna get it early" - second shift at Edmonton

[48:00] - Adam Graves falling asleep on beach: sunburn panic - "Please don't show me on TV, my father will kill me"

[50:00] - From enemy to family: Graves sticking Healy, threatening to kill him, then moving Glenn into his house

[51:00] - Esa Tikkanen character moment: driving on wheel rims after Cup celebration, no tires left

[52:00] - Nassau Coliseum return: Keenan refusing to start Healy against his former team despite beating Rangers 16 straight

[54:00] - The profanity-laced tirade: cameras catching everything, team bonding through Healy standing up to Keenan

[55:00] - Neil's romantic gestures: Messier's "C" reveal, Larmer's Chicago return, making moments special

[57:00] - Mike Gartner post-Cup class: ensuring Mike Hartman and Eddie Olczyk got names on Stanley Cup

[59:00] - Trade deadline approaching: President's Trophy team, what could possibly need changing?

[01:00:00] - Taking away excuses: Neil removing all reasons Keenan could cite for not winning championship

[01:01:00] - Tony Amonte for Stefan Matteau and Brian Noonan: trading potential star for third-line depth

[01:03:00] - Craig MacTavish acquisition: the shutdown centerman, face-off specialist, penalty killer filling the gap

[01:04:00] - Todd Marchant to Edmonton: trading speed for MacT's leadership and defensive responsibility

[01:05:00] - Mike Gartner to Toronto for Glenn Anderson: quality gentleman traded, Oiler depth piece arrives

[01:06:00] - Keenan telling Gartner directly: robbing Neil of the chance to handle the trade properly

[01:07:00] - Four players in, two players out: depth mathematics making the Rangers demonstrably better

[01:09:00] - Mike Gartner's legacy: Hartman and Olczyk's names added to Cup bottom because of his CBA negotiation

[01:10:00] - Center ice solidified: MacTavish taking draws when Messier doesn't, size and depth for playoff war

[01:11:00] - MacTavish's sacrifice: Oilers captain playing 5 minutes, accepting role, winning final face-off clean

[01:12:00] - Todd Marchant's 7-second shift: "Mr. Olympian, you've done squat tonight" - never playing again that game

[01:13:00] - Empty Calgary bus: optional skate after massive trades, looking around wondering "Did they like our team?"

[01:15:00] - President's Trophy engraver already called: eerie morning at the Corral, faith in the process

[01:17:00] - The Corral boards: 16 feet high, pulling Mark Pavelich over, one-row bench stacked vertically

[01:19:00] - Luck and skill combined: Karpovtsev, Lidster, Healy, Larmer all falling into place at right time

[01:21:00] - Conference Final preparation: Healy's Islanders experience, seeing what semi-final team requires

[01:22:00] - Marty Brodeur pulled 5 times by Rangers in regular season: October struggles, Game 7 brilliance

[01:23:00] - Devils' "0-5" trap system: no forechecking, standing at center, "Rover Rover, Rangers over"

[01:24:00] - Mike Richter's Game 6 masterpiece: 2-0 deficit, keeping Rangers alive with impossible saves

[01:26:00] - Brotherhood forever: love fest reunions, gift of seeing teammates again after championships

[01:28:00] - Setting the record straight: JD defending the tight-knit group against social media nonsense

[01:29:00] - Miracle Mets video: Day 1 of camp watching ticker tape parade, Game 7 watching it again

[01:30:00] - Parade perfection: Over 1 million people on Canyon of Heroes, not one arrest celebrating Rangers

[01:31:00] - Neil crying in Rudy Giuliani's office: "I just wanted to make New Yorkers happy"

[01:32:00] - Al Trautwig's deli story: Family talking to deceased father through pipe at graveyard - "Dad, we finally got it"

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NYRangers #NewYorkRangers #1994StanleyCup #NeilSmith #GlennHealy #JohnDavidson #MarkMessier #BrianLeetch #MikeRichter #MikeKeenan #AdamGraves #SteveLarmer #CraigMacTavish #StefanMatteau #BrianNoonan #GlennAnderson #MikeGartner #TonyAmonte #AlexanderKarpovtsev #DougLidster #NickKypreos #EsaTikkanen #SergeiZubov #KevinLowe #JeffBeukeboom #PresidentsTrophy #TradeDeadline #MadisonSquareGarden #54YearDrought #CanyonOfHeroes #1994Forever #RangersHistory #BroadwayBlueshirts

Episode 85 - Frozen Moments - Inside the Lens of Legendary Photographer Bruce Bennett

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 18:24:00 -0400

Chances are, if you have seen a memorable hockey photo over the past half century, it can through the lens of Bruce Bennett.

The legendary photographer and recent inductee to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame stopped by to join Neil and Vic sharing memories, his preparation and the inside scoop on getting the perfect shot.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to, it's an upside-down world heading into the break, three teams put up five-goal periods on Tuesday and what's going on with the Kings at home?

Also, there's been a coaching dismissal in Toronto, some ornery play between rivals, an infamous anniversary and some encouraging numbers for the show as 2025 comes to a close.

IN THIS EPISODE

[02:14] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[17:01] - Bruce Bennett joins the show and a light-hearted response to the questions he's been asked during the course of a half century of covering hockey.

[18:31] - Bennett's love of hockey and desire to become a photographer had roots close to home.

[19:43] - Bennett shares thoughts on photos which capture the essence of what he looks for in a shot: The contrast in emotion.

[22:22] - A typical day from set-up to break down at the arena.

[25:18] - The Alexander Ovechkin goal to become the all-time NHL goal-scoring king.

[26:27] - After all these years with his status, does Bennett need to call ahead to get a spot to shoot a game?

[27:44] - The evolution in the development of photos and the role improved lighting has played.

[30:23] -Other hockey photographers who influenced Bennett's career.

[31:58] - Possible to go to a game without thinking about shooting it? Bennett shares a story from his past and how he still has angst in the present.

[33:40] - The remaining bucket list is...short and to the point.

[35:19] - Pointers for aspiring photographers. Vic shares a story from 1992 that proved he was not cut out for shooting live events.

[37:17] - Having shot so many games - a large number in the New York area - does Bruce have a team he cheers for?

[39:30] - Dovetailing off his previous answer, Neil queries whether Bennett has ever been emotionally affected by seeing a player get injured close up.

[40:52] - Finally getting around to the all-time best photo.

[44:38] - Wrapping up the discussion with Bruce Bennett.

[47:08] - The Toronto Maple Leafs can't fire their power play unit, so you know who takes the fall.

[50:15] - Rivals get into it before the break on an infamous anniversary for the Bruins.

[56:31] - Personnel update.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BruceBennett #DylanLarkin #BowenByram #StevenStamkos #AdrianKempe #KevinFiala #AlexLaferriere #QuintonByfield #LucRobitaille #KenHolland #JimHiller #PheonixCopley #FrederickGaudreau #GettyImages #U.S.HockeyHallofFame #BobNystrom #LorneHenning #BobDaley #MelBridgman #HenrikLundqvist #ZachParise #AlexanderOvechkin #ESPN #DenisBrodeur #MartinBrodeur #GeorgeKalinsky #DavidBier #HersheyBears #TeddyBearToss #Barcelona1992 #GailDevers #WayneGretzky #MarioLemieux #EJHradek #MikeKeenan #ColinCampbell #DickTodd #CanyonofHeroes #NewYorkStateHockeyHallofFame #MarcSavard #WilliamNylander #AustonMatthews #MatthewKnies #JohnTavares #MorganRielly #OliverEkman-Larsson #CraigBerube #MitchMarner #RogerNeilson #MikeKeenan #BradTreliving #MaxDomi #BrettKulak #StuartSkinner #TrsitanJarry #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #ZachHyman #ConnorIngram #ZachBolduc #ColeCaufield #NickSuzuki #StanJonathan #Philesposito #GerryCheevers #GreggMadill #AndersHedberg #UlfNilsson #MikeMilbury #TerryO'Reilly #JeanRatelle #ChrisTanev #MatveiMichkov #BrandonMontour #ZachBogosian #TomWilson #RasmusSandin #RyanLeonard #JacobTrouba #AlexisLafreniere #ConnorBedard #MacklinCelebrini #TaylorSwift #MorganWallen #ZachBryan

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Sid Stands Alone in the Steel City - Dec. 22, 2025

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:48:00 -0400

In a weekend which offered up storylines several different areas, one stood out as one legend passed another in Pittsburgh Sunday with Sidney Crosby tying, then passing Mario Lemieux atop the all-time Penguins points list.

Elsewhere, both Toronto and Carolina had lost weekend but the narratives are vastly different.

We also have a pair of trades to report while the front office turnover in Buffalo continues.

Finally, which team is the most dominant in pro hockey thus far? If you guessed Colorado, you'd be...wrong.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #SidneyCrosby #MarioLemieux #RickardRakell #JaromirJagr #EvgeniMalkin #LarryMurphy #KevinStevens #PaulCoffey #LucRobitaille #WayneGretzky #LindyRuff #JackHughes #CraigBerube #AustonMatthews #WilliamNylander #MatthewKnies #RayFerraro #BradTreliving #MorganRielly #JohnTavares #MitchMarner #BradMarchand #SamBennett #SamReinhart #EvanRodrigues #SethJarvis #JakeGuentzel #JaccobSlavin #EliasPettersson #JTMiller #QuinnHughes #CalderTrophy #PatrikAllvin #JimRutherford #MorganGeekie #DonSweeney #Tri-CityAmericans #DavidPastrnak #ConnorIngram #TristanJarry #NHLPlayerAssistanceProgram #CarterHart #JohnLeonard #RyanLeonard #ArthurKaliyev #GrandRapidsGriffins #ClevelandMonsters #CharlotteCheckers #AHL #JamesvanRiemsdyk #TrevorvanRiemsdyk #PhillipDanault #ToddMcLellan #JimHiller #MasonMarchment #BryanMarchment #TieDomi #JasonKarmanos #JoshFlynn #MarcBergevin #JarmoKekalainen #KevynAdams #PeterKarmanos #HartfordWhalers #TrippTracy #TedDrury #JackDrury #IlyaSorokin #MarcusHogberg #DavidRittich #MatsZuccarello #ThomasChabot #TylerKleven #JTMiller #NickSeeler #GabePerreault #MattRempe #FrankNazar #JordanSpence #JeffBlashill #ConnorBedard #JakeEvans #JustinBrazeau #ZachWerenski #TroyTerry #JackRoslevic #ReidSchaefer #ScottMorrow #RyanJackson #DaveJackson #RickTocchet

Islanders Legends on Beating Gretzky's Oilers & 4 Championships

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 03:30:00 -0400

Captain Dennis Potvin, left wing John Tonelli, and defenseman Ken Morrow continue their celebration of the Islanders dynasty with Part 2. From the exhaustion of overtime to the relief of Bobby Nystrom's famous goal, the legends share what happened after May 24, 1980. Hear stories about defending four straight championships, the brutal 1982 Pittsburgh comeback, dominating Gretzky's young Oilers with defensive strategy, Billy Smith's battling mentality, the controversial 2-3-2 format that ended the dynasty in 1984, and why 19 consecutive playoff series wins will never be matched.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Overtime exhaustion: fear as the greatest motivator, never doubting the heart of champions against Philadelphia's 35-game unbeaten streak.

[01:00] - Ken Morrow's head between his knees: missing Bobby Nystrom's winning goal because of complete physical exhaustion.

[02:00] - Afternoon game disruption: how the unusual 3pm start on CBS threw off routines and added to the difficulty.

[03:00] - John Tonelli's celebration: nobody jumped and celebrated like JT in those days, the famous jumping moment.

[04:00] - Dennis Potvin's flashbulb memory: tasting the lead from old-fashioned camera flashes exploding throughout Nassau Coliseum.

[05:00] - Fans storming the ice: security couldn't hold back the celebration, Bobby Trottier never touching the Cup on ice.

[06:00] - The moment it sinks in: "Holy fuck, we've won the Stanley Cup" - processing what none of them had ever done before.

[07:00] - Relief before joy: Ken Morrow's first feeling was relief from not having to practice or play another shift.

[08:00] - John Tonelli's exhaustion: slow-motion pass to Nystrom, going home to bed after 20 minutes at Bill Torrey's party.

[09:00] - Dennis Potvin's Jean Beliveau moment: thinking of his childhood hero raising the Cup, then giving it to Clark Gillies first.

[11:00] - Defending champions 1980-81: best record at 110 points, sweeping Toronto, beating young Oilers in six, Rangers in six, Minnesota in five.

[12:00] - Butch Goring wins Conn Smythe: the catalyst from March 1980 carrying through, Neil Smith joins the organization.

[13:00] - Barry Beck's famous quote: "They know what we're gonna do before we do it" - Islander scouting and preparation.

[14:00] - Bill Torrey's genius: surrounding himself with great people, letting them do their jobs, the hallmark of championship organizations.

[15:00] - The Putsy Tonelli trade: Bill sending John's brother away, then bringing him back to win two Cups together.

[16:00] - Putsy's locker room presence: nobody better than John's brother for team morale and support, the intangibles that matter.

[17:00] - 1982 Pittsburgh collapse: up 2-0 in series, 3-1 late in game five, owner tells Penguins fans not to come.

[18:00] - The Al Arbor warmup trick: pulling Billy Smith on power play to buy time, rule changed after this game.

[19:00] - John Tonelli's quick release tying goal: puck jumping over Randy Carlyle's stick, Michel Dion standing on his head.

[20:00] - Tonelli's overtime winner: reaction shot that caught everyone off guard, vintage Bossy-style release.

[21:00] - Ken Morrow's desperation slide: taking away the 2-on-1 pass, Mike Bullard hitting the post instead of scoring.

[22:00] - Mike Bossy's parallel-to-ice goal: flying horizontal while backhanding the puck, greatest goal Kenny ever saw.

[24:00] - 1984 Finals vs. Cocky Oilers: Gretzky, Messier, Coffey, Kurri getting all the headlines as the new machine.

[25:00] - Billy Smith's Game 1 masterpiece: 35-save shutout, greatest goaltending performance in NHL history according to Morrow.

[26:00] - Raising the level: Islanders' ability to meet any challenge and play just a bit better, matching Edmonton's intensity.

[27:00] - The Gretzky strategy: taking away his options, not attacking him but eliminating passing lanes to Coffey and others.

[28:00] - Dennis Potvin's assignment: rushing Gretzky to make early passes, forwards tracking back to eliminate targets.

[30:00] - Game 4 clincher: 4-2 victory, Ken McKenney empty-netter with 1:09 left, Billy Smith wins Conn Smythe.

[31:00] - The lesson Edmonton learned: walking past the Islander locker room, seeing exhausted champions with ice packs instead of celebration.

[33:00] - 1984 controversial 2-3-2 format: Dennis Potvin still believes the fifth Cup was stolen with unfair format.

[36:00] - Travel excuse hypocrisy: played Vancouver in finals before with no issue, why suddenly too far to Edmonton?

[37:00] - Game 5 at home belief: confident they would've won with Nassau crowd, momentum shift that never happened.

[38:00] - Injuries and age catching up: older team, key injuries, but still no excuses for a great Edmonton team.

[39:00] - Billy Smith's suitcases story: whether or not Battlin' Billy brought luggage to rink expecting to go home.

[40:00] - Playing in front of Billy: stick guys with his stick, push and shove, part goalie part defenseman.

[41:00] - The Lanny McDonald fight: Billy pushing Bob Bourne away to fight McDonald himself, refusing protection.

[42:00] - Billy's taped stick weapon: keeping the knob extended to jab guys skating by, rule changed after his career.

[43:00] - Public Enemy #1 in Edmonton: newspaper front page with Billy's photo full of bullet holes after slashing Gretzky.

[44:00] - Game 5 final push: down 4-0 after two, Pat LaFontaine's two goals, Dave Lumley's empty-netter ending the dynasty.

[45:00] - Ken Morrow's devastating loss: never having lost before from Olympics through four Cups, learning how opponents felt.

[46:00] - Kenny's book: "A Grateful American" about winning at every level, the preface written by Dennis Potvin.

[47:00] - It all felt normal: winning games, winning series, winning Cups - just what they did, period.

[48:00] - The group hug moment: Potvin, Tonelli, Nystrom, and Morrow after 1983 clinching goal, "I love you guys" over and over.

[49:00] - Growing appreciation over time: not fully understanding the accomplishment until many years later through the lens of age.

[50:00] - 19 consecutive playoff series wins: the record that will never be touched, accomplished against great competition.

[51:00] - John Tonelli's training camp fear: looking at Potvin and Nystrom thinking "How the hell am I gonna make this team?"

[52:00] - Calgary's 1986 run: Tonelli getting past Edmonton with Steve Smith's famous own-goal, losing to experienced Montreal.

[54:00] - The Montreal Forum lesson: Calgary learning they needed more than talent, needing grit to win two years later.

[55:00] - Comparing Olympic gold to Stanley Cup: Ken Morrow loving both equally, different meanings, thanking the hockey gods.

[57:00] - Playing with Gordy Howe at 18: John Tonelli's "Tonto" nickname, Gordy rubbing his sweaty head into JT's jersey.

[59:00] - Dennis Potvin's greatest pride: being captain of a Stanley Cup team, sharing victories as true champions.

[01:01:00] - The dynasty's lasting impact: an honor for all hockey fans and historians to hear these stories 45 years later.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NYIslanders #NewYorkIslanders #DennisPotvin #JohnTonelli #KenMorrow #BobbyNystrom #StanleyCup #IslandersDynasty #BillySmith #MikeBossy #BrianTrottier #ButchGoring #ClarkGillies #AlArbor #BillTorrey #EdmontonOilers #WayneGretzky #MarkMessier #PaulCoffey #JariKurri #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #CalgaryFlames #MontrealCanadiens #MichelDion #RandyCarlyle #PatLaFontaine #DaveLumley #GlenSather #KevinMcClelland #GlennAnderson #GrantFuhr #SteveSmith #GordyHowe #MarkHowe #MartyHowe #ConnSmythe #NassauColiseum #1980sHockey #HockeyLegends #19StraightSeries #NHLHistory #HockeyDynasty #AGratefulAmerican #PlayoffRecords

NY Islanders First Stanley Cup: 45th Anniversary Special Interview

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Captain Dennis Potvin, left wing John Tonelli, and defenseman Ken Morrow join Neil and Vic to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the New York Islanders' first Stanley Cup championship. From a 12-win expansion disaster to hockey immortality, these three Hall of Famers share firsthand accounts of the 1980 playoff run that launched a dynasty. Hear stories about the Butch Goring trade, the brutal Boston series with Clark Gillies vs. Terry O'Reilly, dominating Philadelphia's power play, and Bobby Nystrom's legendary overtime goal that changed franchise history forever.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Bobby Nystrom's overtime goal against Philadelphia: the moment that launched the Islanders dynasty in 1980

[02:00] - Welcome to three champions: Captain Dennis Potvin, John Tonelli, and Ken Morrow sharing memories 45 years later

[04:00] - The Bowling Green connection: Ken Morrow's college days and the 1984 Falcons national championship vs. Western Michigan's 2025 title

[05:00] - Do the stories get better with time? Dennis admits some details fade, but the important moments against LA and Philly remain vivid

[06:00] - The 1980 team faced the NHL's best: why playing Philadelphia in the finals made the championship even more special

[07:00] - The practice that won the Cup: Al Arbor's crisscross drill that produced Nystrom's famous goal, practiced daily for weeks

[08:00] - John Tonelli's game-winner setup: the split-second decision to pass instead of shoot when Moose Dupont committed

[09:00] - Ken Morrow's Olympic gold to Stanley Cup: joining the Islanders after Lake Placid and practicing against Bossy, Trottier, and Tonelli

[10:00] - The welcome from veterans: team character from Bill Torrey and Al Arbor down through the entire locker room

[11:00] - Building the foundation: 1975's Cinderella run beating Rangers and Pittsburgh, then heartbreak against Montreal (76, 77) and Toronto (78)

[12:00] - The Butch Goring trade: filling the second-line center void after Brian Trottier, Goring's "Do you know how good you are?" speech

[13:00] - Brent Sutter at 20 as second-line center before Goring: the depth issue that needed solving at the deadline

[14:00] - Bill Torrey's masterpiece: Goring, Gordie Lane, Anders Kallur injecting speed, grit, and talent into the lineup

[15:00] - Dave Langevin's addition: 6'4", 240-pound defenseman completing the puzzle alongside Morrow and Potvin

[16:00] - Round 1 vs. LA Kings: Ken Morrow's overtime winner, a 48 mph shot along the ice that deflected off a skate

[18:00] - Morrow's three playoff overtime goals: scoring the occasional goal while playing shutdown defense

[19:00] - The Boston series: Clark Gillies vs. Terry O'Reilly defining moment, 16 fighting majors and 248 penalty minutes in game two

[20:00] - Dennis Potvin's respect for O'Reilly: knowing him from junior hockey, watching Clarky beat him repeatedly but Terry never backing down

[21:00] - John Tonelli on Clarky as Big Brother: sitting on the bench watching your protector take care of Terry O'Reilly and Stan Jonathan

[22:00] - Bobby Nystrom's fight with Wayne Cashman: inspirational toughness from a finesse scorer showing he could go toe-to-toe

[23:00] - Ken Morrow's "Welcome to the NHL": watching street fighting in the small Boston Garden, toes sore from tight corners

[25:00] - The bite heard round the league: Ken watching Bob Nystrom's fist under Wayne Cashman's chin, seeing Cashman bite down

[26:00] - Down to three defensemen: Potvin, Lewis, and Persson surviving overtime after injuries to Morrow, Lane, and Nystrom

[27:00] - Dennis almost having to fight: Bobby Nystrom standing up and saying "I got Cashman" - the relief throughout the room

[28:00] - Stan Jonathan's threat to Potvin: "You're mine" - expecting to fight from junior hockey history but it never happening

[29:00] - Buffalo series: Nystrom's double-OT winner against Bob Sauve, then blowing 2-0 lead in game six before rallying

[30:00] - Clark Gillies' white shoes prank: teammates signing his brand new white shoes, Clarky's silent fury, new shoes next day

[33:00] - Dennis Potvin's first-ever playoff power play overtime goal: the perfect pass from Tonelli in the Finals opener

[34:00] - Fear as motivation: Philadelphia's intimidation factor with Bobby Clarke talking trash and the physical presence throughout the lineup

[35:00] - Al Arbor's consistency: keeping the team together after brutal 1978 and 1979 playoff losses instead of firing the coach

[36:00] - Power play dominance: 15 goals in the Finals, 40 Philadelphia penalties, Bossy-Trottier-Persson execution under pressure

[38:00] - The power play weapons: Stefan Persson's elite passing, Potvin's shot, Bossy's sniper ability, Trottier's two-way game, Gillies in front

[40:00] - Mel Bridgeman's famous photo moment: looking at the ref hoping Nystrom's goal wouldn't count

[41:00] - Ben Wilson's threat to Wayne Merrick: "Cross my blue line and I'll break your arm" - Wayne's deep laugh at the absurdity

[42:00] - Mel Bridgeman to Ken Morrow: "I'm gonna break your face" - the intimidation tactics that failed against battle-tested Islanders

[43:00] - The toughest opponents: Paul Holmgren and Terry O'Reilly combining skating ability with punishing physicality

[44:00] - Holmgren's anticipation: catching Potvin coming around the net, the scariest guys were the ones who could pursue you

[46:00] - The interference era: holding, grabbing, giving defensemen extra seconds to make plays that would be penalties today

[48:00] - The art of taking a hit: staying close to boards to soften impact, John Tonelli's elbows-up corner technique

[49:00] - Jay Wells and Nick Fotiu rattling bones: the hits that made you feel it in your skeleton

[50:00] - Gordy Lane's skinny frame and piston right hand: "The King of the Spear" getting away with the dirty work

[53:00] - Game 5 in Philly: 6-3 loss bringing series back to Nassau, the Spectrum's intimidation factor intact

[54:00] - Dennis Potvin's "high stick" goal: chest level contact on power play, refusing video replay that would've confirmed it

[55:00] - The famous offsides non-call: Dwayne Sutter's goal from Clark Gillies' drop pass a foot outside the blue line

[56:00] - Leon Stickle's missed call: watching Sutter instead of the puck, allowing Gillies to bring it back inside quickly

[57:00] - The makeup call theory: Bobby Clarke locking Potvin's stick under his arm on 5-on-3, leading to Philly's first goal

[58:00] - Second intermission overconfidence: high-fiving after 4-2 lead, losing focus for a split second

[59:00] - Bob Dailey and John Paddock tie it 4-4: the terrifying reality of possibly going back to Philly for game seven

[59:00] - Bobby Nystrom's promise: "I'm gonna get it!" - rallying the troops before overtime, refusing to return to Philadelphia

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NYIslanders #NewYorkIslanders #DennisPotvin #JohnTonelli #KenMorrow #BobbyNystrom #StanleyCup #1980StanleyCup #ClarkGillies #BrianTrottier #MikeBossy #ButchGoring #AlArbor #BillTorrey #PhiladelphiaFlyers #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #LAKings #TerryOReilly #BobbyClark #PaulHolmgren #MelBridgeman #BenWilson #StanJonathan #WayneCashman #StefanPersson #GordieLane #AndersKallur #DaveLangevin #BrentSutter #BobDailey #MooseDupont #PetePeeters #JohnPaddock #ReggieLeach #LeonStickle #NassauColiseum #IslandersDynasty #HockeyLegends #1980Olympics #MiracleOnIce #NHLHistory

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Holiday Blues - Dec. 19, 2025

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:07:00 -0400

With a three-day break coming up, some overachieving teams in the early going are clearly leveling out while others with high expectations are still spinning their wheels.

Meanwhile, there's a pulse in Buffalo...for now.

There's also the continuing brilliance among some star NHL backliners but, not so much in goal, where we have seen the understudies usurp the headliners in many cities.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 84 - The NHL According to Ray - With ESPN/Sportsnet Analyst Ray Ferraro

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0400

He is one of the top analysts in hockey and is never shy about voicing his opinion. Neil and Vic welcome ESPN/Sportsnet's Ray Ferraro to the show to discuss the recent trades and other league news.

We'll hit our usual Three Things You need to Pay Attention to at the top of the program with a nod to the latest to the 1000 point club and, after speaking with Ray, we'll hit on a couple of offbeat items - one having to do with a team record book and the other focusing on how you may begin to see the NHL differently as soon as next season.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:28] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[10:12] - ESPN/Sportsnet analyst Ray Ferraro is welcomed to the show and opens with his love for what he does post-playing career, both as a TV analyst and podcaster.

[15:45] - The rise and fall of the Vancouver Canucks - from two seasons ago where the team was a division leader to one now on an apparent re-build.

[23:26] - The Vancouver media is one of the loudest around the NHL and its potential impact on, perhaps, advancing the urgency of the trade of captain Quinn Hughes.

[26:25] - Looking at the deal from the Minnesota side. Are they truly going to be able to compete in April with the heavyweights not only in Western Conference but even in their own division.

[30:18] - Neil backs up one of Ray's points about the timing and types of players a GM looks for at during certain times during the season.

[33:37] - Ray weighs in on the Edmonton-Pittsburgh goalie swap.

[36:52] - What the hell's going on in New York? Ray adds to the hosts earlier discussion on the Sabres first.

[40:39] - Ray speaks on another team trying to find its way, the Rangers. Is there a true strategy there?

[46:22] - Another team that periodically looks lost, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ray offers a theory.

[49:31] - In praising John Tavares, is his replacement as captain, Auston Matthews, really the leader that is going to move the needle in Toronto?

[52:53] - Moving from a lot of negative critiquing, Ray notes his most positive stories during the first half of this season.

[57:17] - Wrapping up the discussion with Ray Ferraro.

[58:41] - Injury/Personnel report

[1:05:00] - Winnipeg Jets owner Mark Chipman looking to have the records of Jets 1.0 and 2.0 consolidated.

[1:07:49] - The NHL looking at more dark-on-dark uniform matchups in its future.

[1:12:07] - "Holy Mackinaw Night" in Toronto.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #RayFerraro #ESPN #Sportsnet #LeonDraisaitl #WayneGretzky #MarkMessier #JariKurri #SidenyCrosby #MarioLemieux #TristanJarry #StuartSkinner #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #ConnorMcDavid #MacklinCelebrini #DustinWolf #JarmoKekalainen #ScottyBowman #KevynAdams #ScottyBowman #GerryMeehan #JohnMuckler #DracyRegier #JasonBotterill #JohnTortorella #RamusDahlin #TageThompson #AlexTuch #LindyRuff #CraigSimpson #TonyHrkac #DarrenDreger #Ray&DregsHockeyPodcast #RickTocchet #JTMiller #EliasPettersson #ThatcherDemko #BrockBoeser #BoHorvat #AatuRaty #FilipHronek #BruceBoudreau #CaseyDeSmith #ArtursSilovs #KevinLankinen #FilipChytil #TeddyBlueger #ConorGarland #QuinnHughes #CammiGranato #MarcoRossi #LiamOhgren #ZeevBuium #AlekseiMedvedev #PatrikAllvin #JimRutherford #JackHughes #JohnHynes #BillGuerin #VladimirTarasenko #RyanHartman #JoelErikssonEk #MatsZuccarello #KirillKaprizov #MattBoldy #RobBlake #RayBourque #StanBowman #BrettKulak #SpencerStastney #MichaelPeca #RyanMIller #MikaZibanejad #ChrisKreider #AdamFox #MikeSullivan #ArtemiPanarin #KenHolland #GabePerreault #MitchMarner #BrendanShanahan #KeithPelley #CraigBerube #JohnTavares #WilliamNylander #DylanLarkin #RonFrancis #OliverEkman-Larsson #AustonMatthews #DakotaJoshua #MatthewSchaefer #ConnorBedard #LeoCarlsson #BeckettSennecke #ScottNiedermayer #PatFlatley #DarcyKuemper #PheonixCopley #AntonForsberg #WillSmith #PhilippKurashev #EmilLilleberg #VictorHedman #RyanMcDonagh #ErikCernak #JonCooper #PaulMaurice #MatthewTkachuk #AleksanderBarkov #GustavForsling #SimonNemec #BrettPesce #AlexeyTorpchenko #ArtyomLeshunov #JacobTrouba #MarcusFoligno #RasmusRistolainen ##IvanDemidov #TysonFoerster #MarkChapman #DaleHawerchuk #HardfordWhalers #QuebecNordiques #AtlantaFlames #MinnesotaNorthStar #QuebecNordiques #ArizonaCoyotes #AtlantaThrashers #GregWyshynski #JoeBowen #WendelClark #JimRalph #HolyMackinawNight #FosterHewittMediaGondola #Bowen'sBooth #DavidBowen #SudburyWolves #BruceBennett

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Wild About Hughes - Dec. 15, 2025

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:55:00 -0400

Wild GM Bill Guerin made a statement with his record extension to Kirill Kaprizov in late September. Friday, he put the rest of the NHL on notice with a blockbuster trade acquired Vancouver captain Quinn Hughes for three players and a draft pick. Vic and Neil have the analysis.

Among the other happenings since Friday's show, a big injury, a big return and, if the Pittsburgh Penguins get nudged out of a playoff berth, they'll look back at this weekend and call it the big whiff.

And guess who's returning to MSG Monday? For that matter, will Crosby, McDavid and Draisaitl be the secondary stories to the potential goaltending matchup Tuesday?

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Pierre Turgeon: 500-Goal Scorer on Hall of Fame Career & Life Lessons

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Pierre Turgeon, 2023 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and one of only 48 players in NHL history to score 500 goals, joins Neil and Vic for an intimate Hall of Fame Edition conversation. From representing Canada in the Little League World Series alongside Stefan Matteau to scoring 132 points in his best NHL season, Turgeon reflects on his remarkable 19-year career. He shares memories of the Dale Hunter hit, the emotional closing of the Montreal Forum, playing alongside legends, and the personal tragedy that changed his perspective on life and gratitude.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Pierre Turgeon joins as the latest Hockey Hall of Fame Edition guest, one of 48 players with 500+ career goals.

[01:00] - The quirky connection: playing for the Granby Bisons in junior hockey, then getting drafted by the Buffalo Bisons (Sabres).

[02:00] - Early comfort in Buffalo: Jacques Cloutier as a fellow French-speaker helping ease the transition to the NHL.

[03:00] - The incredible 1985-86 junior season: 114 points as a 16-year-old despite the team having four different head coaches.

[04:00] - The meditation of hockey: being in the moment on the ice where nothing else matters - pure presence in the bubble.

[05:00] - Little League World Series glory: representing Canada with Stefan Matteau, both 11-year-old pitchers alternating, finishing fourth.

[06:00] - Playing at 5'11" as an 11-year-old, pitching in front of 25,000 fans, and the hero's welcome at the airport back home.

[08:00] - Life in Colorado and Florida: visiting three kids and grandkids in Denver, spending time in Vail, embracing the Rockies and sports culture.

[09:00] - The Dale Hunter hit in 1993 playoffs: scoring the series-clinching goal against Washington, the controversial blind-side hit, and Hunter's later apology.

[10:00] - Al Arbor's leadership magic: making the Islanders believe they could beat Pittsburgh in 1993, winning Game 7 on David Volek's overtime goal.

[11:00] - Dressing for Game 7 with one shoulder, ready to play overtime despite the injury, learning from Arbor's wisdom.

[12:00] - Junior hockey connections: playing with Stefan Richer and Stephan Quintal, now skating together in Florida.

[14:00] - The hilarious Stefan Richer story: "Can't tell" his name at a Boston diner leading to confused locals with heavy accents.

[15:00] - Clark Gillies' impact: the intimidating beard in Buffalo, later becoming a great friend and storyteller on Long Island.

[16:00] - Six years with Benoit Hogue: playing together in Buffalo, New York (Islanders), and Dallas - lifelong friendship.

[17:00] - The Clint Malarchuk incident, March 22, 1989: witnessing hockey's worst accident, the army medic trainer's quick response saving a life.

[19:00] - Hall of Fame journey: first eligible in 2010, inducted in 2023 - the platform to thank people who helped along the way.

[22:00] - Playing only 104 games for the Canadiens but being honored with the most memorable moment of his career.

[24:00] - March 11, 1996: The closing of the Montreal Forum, the seven-minute standing ovation for Maurice Richard, walking the red carpet.

[25:00] - Being the final Canadiens captain to exit the Forum: receiving the torch from Butch Bouchard, Jean Beliveau, and the legends.

[26:00] - Family sacrifice: time away from family, the support system, coaching kids' hockey after retiring.

[27:00] - The unimaginable tragedy: losing daughter Jenna at 18 in a car accident in 2010, two years stuck in mud, learning to live with loss.

[29:00] - Giving back all the highlights: the Hall of Fame, the goals, the captaincy - all of it for one more moment with her.

[30:00] - Living in the moment: appreciating birds, branches, trees, mountains, water - finding beauty in small things and embracing gratitude.

[31:00] - Golf as connection with nature: competitive but appreciative, playing a few times a week, understanding how good the pros really are.

[32:00] - Brother Sylvain Turgeon: 1983 second overall pick to Hartford, now in Calgary, the biggest influence on Pierre's career.

[34:00] - Gratitude despite tragedy: the poignant exchange about living with loss while remaining thankful for what remains.

[35:00] - The wisdom of living in the moment: advice for anyone listening - happiness comes from presence, not past or future.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #PierreTurgeon #HockeyHallOfFame #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BuffaloSabres #NewYorkIslanders #MontrealCanadiens #DallasStars #StLouisBlues #ColoradoAvalanche #GranbyBisons #AlArbor #DaleHunter #ClarkGillies #BenoitHogue #JacquesCloutier #StefanRicher #StephanQuintal #DavidVolek #SylvainTurgeon #SteveYzerman #PatLaFontaine #BrianLawton #MontrealForum #MauriceRichard #JeanBeliveau #ButchBouchard #BobGainey #ClintMalarchuk #LittleLeagueWorldSeries #StefanMatteau #500GoalClub #HallOfFame2023 #WashingtonCapitals #PittsburghPenguins #DetroitRedWings #BrianTrottier

Scott Stevens: Greatest Open-Ice Hitter & 3-Time Stanley Cup Champion

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Scott Stevens, the greatest open-ice hitter in NHL history and three-time Stanley Cup champion, joins Neil and Vic for an unforgettable Hall of Fame Edition conversation. From his early days as the fifth overall pick in Washington to becoming the first player to have his number retired by the New Jersey Devils, Stevens reflects on his 22-year Hall of Fame career. He shares stories about learning to channel his intensity, the legendary 1994 Eastern Conference Final, winning three championships with three different coaches, and the art of delivering clean, devastating hits while never finishing a season as a minus player.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Scott Stevens joins as the latest guest on NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition, introduced as perhaps the greatest open-ice hitter ever.

[01:00] - The modern fighting phenomenon: why players have to fight after clean hits today versus Stevens' era when hitting was just part of the game.

[03:00] - Stevens' philosophy on clean hits: turning your cheek and letting opponents take penalties rather than engaging after legal contact.

[04:00] - The Nick Foligno-Brendan Smith fight after the Connor Bedard hit in New Jersey - automatic response to clean contact.

[05:00] - Junior hockey glory: winning the Memorial Cup with the Kitchener Rangers and wearing number three before switching to the iconic number four.

[06:00] - The number evolution: three in Washington, two in St. Louis, and finally four in New Jersey (Kenny Daneyko had three).

[07:00] - NHL debut magic: first goal on first shot against Eddie Mio and the Rangers at Madison Square Garden with his parents watching.

[08:00] - Brian Murray's pivotal advice: channeling emotion to stay on the ice more and finding the fine art of playing on the edge without crossing it.

[09:00] - Penalty minute transformation: from 200+ PIMs four times in first 12 seasons to barely exceeding 100 in final 10 years.

[10:00] - The mentorship of Brian Engblom: sitting together before every game, studying opponents' tendencies, learning what to watch for on every forward.

[12:00] - Leadership philosophy: leading by example, not with words - showing up ready to practice and compete every single day.

[13:00] - Practice intensity: hitting teammates with their heads down when upset, making sure everyone knew winning mattered above all else.

[14:00] - The difficult St. Louis departure: holding out after signing as a free agent, buying and selling houses, having a newborn and 16-month-old.

[15:00] - Lou Lamoriello's class: picking up the family at the airport with car seats, making sure they were comfortable and settled in New Jersey.

[16:00] - The awkward captaincy transition: taking the "C" from Bruce Driver and asking for his continued help with organization and scheduling.

[18:00] - Group Two free agency explained: the stunning compensation system and how David Poile chose not to match Washington's offer.

[19:00] - The Brendan Shanahan equalization: becoming the compensation award over Curtis Joseph and Rod Brind'Amour during Canada Cup training camp.

[21:00] - The 1994 Eastern Conference Final: that Devils team as potentially the best personnel-wise, just not ready to win yet.

[23:00] - The 1995 championship run: learning from 1994's pain, getting better through the playoffs, and feeling invincible against Detroit in the sweep.

[25:00] - Learning from losses: gaining experience from mistakes and using that hurt to take the next step as a team and individuals.

[26:00] - Three coaches, three Cups: Jacques Lemaire's revolutionary systems teaching, feeling like a kid learning positioning and stick detail.

[27:00] - The Lemaire revelation: learning more in year 13 than all previous years combined, understanding two-on-ones and positional play.

[28:00] - Larry Robinson's gutsy late-season takeover: Lou Lamoriello firing Robbie Ftorek late and Robinson's speech that sparked the comeback against Philadelphia.

[29:00] - The defining moment: Robinson's anger at how they were playing, needing to win three straight against the Flyers with two in Philadelphia.

[30:00] - Pat Burns' intelligence: not changing the system, learning from assistants how the Devils played, and enforcing accountability within their structure.

[32:00] - Three memorable hits, three championships: Slava Kozlov (1995), Eric Lindros (2000), and Paul Kariya (2003) - changing games with physicality.

[33:00] - Playing physical to unlock offensive game: when hitting and finishing checks, everything else came easy.

[34:00] - The stunning stat: only FOUR elbowing penalties in 22 seasons and 2,785 career penalty minutes - testament to clean, devastating hits.

[35:00] - Taking pride in clean hits: never wanting to put the team down or create odd-man situations with bad positioning.

[36:00] - Three Stooges fandom and growing up with three brothers a year apart - competitive household where mom waited to finish decorating.

[38:00] - First number retired by New Jersey Devils: the honor of being number one, and Devils fans who still thank players for their hard work.

[39:00] - The Dwight Schofield connection: Neil's defense partner in Dayton who later protected Stevens and Langley in Washington.

[42:00] - Statistical excellence: 13 All-Star games, 908 career points, and NEVER a minus player in 22 NHL seasons.

[43:00] - 2007 Hall of Fame induction with Ron Francis, Mark Messier, and Al MacInnis - arguably the greatest class ever.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ScottStevens #NewJerseyDevils #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #HockeyHallOfFame #StanleyCup #WashingtonCapitals #StLouisBlues #JacquesLemaire #LarryRobinson #PatBurns #LouLamoriello #BrianEngblom #BruceDriver #KennyDaneyko #BrendanShanahan #EricLindros #PaulKariya #SlavaKozlov #KitchenerRangers #MemorialCup #DetroitRedWings #AnaheimDucks #PhiladelphiaFlyers #MarkMessier #RonFrancis #AlMacInnis #JimGregory #BrianMurray #RodLangway #CraigLaughlin #DougJarvis #MikeGartner #RobbieFtorek #JasonArnott #DavidPoile #CurtisJoseph #RodBrindAmour #DwightSchofield #ConnorBedard #NickFoligno #JacobTrouba #BradMarchand #OpenIceHits

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Oilers Swing a Pair of Deals - Dec. 12, 2025

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:10:00 -0400

As the Edmonton Oilers continue to emerge from their first quarter slumber, the team swung a pair of deals heading into the weekend with Pittsburgh and Nashville. Vic and Neil have the latest.

Coming off Tuesday's last second thrillers, more comebacks were in store on Wednesday and Thursday but, not to be outdone, two notable goalie performances and and handful of four-point games, including the second four-goal game of the season.

And, once again, can teams stop insulting our intelligence when it comes to injuries?

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #TristanJarry #SamuelPoulin #StuartSkinner #BrettKulak #SpencerStastney #PeterStastny #AntonStastny #MarianStastny #PaulStastny #StanBowman #MitchMarner #CraigMacTavish #FrederikAndersen #CalvinPickard #KrisKnoblauch #JacobFowler #SamMontembeault #JakubDobes #BostonCollegeEagles #LavalRocket #KenDryden #PatrickRoy #CareyPrice #GeorgesVezina #JacquesPlante #BillDurnan #GumpWorlsey #JoseThoedore #WesternMichiganBroncos #ProvidenceBruins #BrandonBussi #LoganStankoven #JacobMarkstrom #NikitaKucherov #TimoMeier #EvgeniiDadonov #SheldonKeefe #ElvisMerzlikins #JetGreaves #BooneJenner #StevenStamkos #LoganCooley #JimMontgomery #DavidPastrnak #AndersLee #BoHorvat #DrewHelleson #PatrickRoy #KellyMcCrimmon #ConnorMcDavid #ZachHyman #MarkStone #GavinBrindley #BrentBurns #GordieHowe #MarkHowe #MartyHowe #RayFerraro #AntonLundell #MartyBeniers #VinceDunn #JohnKlingberg #AlexanderWennberg #OliverEkman-Larsson #AdamGaudette #ChrisTanev #BrandonCarlo #DakotaMermis #RoopeHintz #MiroHeiskanen #VictorHedman #RyanLeonard #MatsZuccarello #JacobTrouba #JakeMiddleton #BillArmstrong #AlexTuch #BowenByram #CharlieMcAvoy #DillonDube #SpringfieldThunderbirds #CarterHart #AkiraSchmid #JoePavelski #ScottGomez #ZachParise #TaraMounsey #BruceBennett #VladislavGavrikov #IlyaSorokin

Episode 83 - Nothing Fowl About These Ducks - With Anaheim TV Analyst Brian Hayward

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:18:00 -0400

Anyone have the Anaheim Ducks in first place at this point of the season with the likes of Vegas, Los Angeles and Edmonton residing with them in the Pacific Division? If you said no, you're not alone but there they sit. Long-time Ducks TV analyst Brian Hayward join Neil and Vic to discuss the "whys" to their first-half success.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, the Toronto Maple Leafs are surging - in part due to a rookie goaltender and despite a power play which sunk to the depths of the NHL. We also hit on a wild Tuesday with four games being sent to overtime in the final seconds.

Also, Neil goes back into the GM chair as we look at three teams that have very different scenarios facing them as the season moves forward.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:45] - Three Things You Need to Pay attention To.

[13:44] - A veteran of over 2000 games behind the mic as TV analyst for the Anaheim Ducks, Brian takes us back to the very beginning of his broadcasting career in 1993-94 and brings it forward.

[17:50] - Reasons why goaltenders make such good analysts.

[19:32] - Brian unpacks the wild finish in Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh kicking off a five-game Metropolitan Division trip for the Ducks.

[22:14] - Talk about the offensive prowess of the club, though the defense still needs work.

[23:43] - The added veterans - particularly from the Rangers - who have added a vital presence to compliment the youth.

[26:37] - Others veterans brought in over a year ago may have raised some eyebrows at the time. Not anymore...

[28:10] - The changes and evolvement of head coach Joel Quenneville, returning to behind the bench after almost four years away from the NHL.

[32:12] - Does Hayward see any similar trajectory to this Ducks team under Quenneville and the start of the Chicago championship run which started in 2010?

[33:33] - Goaltending update with injuries to Lukas Dostal and Petr Mrazek, which has forced Ville Husso into the number one role. A follow-up on Dostal, who made long-time vet John Gibson expendable.

[37:13] - In the opinion of a former goaltender, why are there so many injuries to goalies now than in the past?

[42:15] - Wrapping up the discussion with Brian Hayward.

[43:44] - Neil goes back into the GM chair to assess what he sees the immediate future paths for Colorado, New Jersey and Vancouver.

[54:56] - Injury/personnel update

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BrianHayward #DennisHildeby #NikitaKucherov #BryadenPoint #JosephWoll #AnthonyStolarz #CraigBerube #MitchMarner #AustonMatthews #WilliamNylander #JohnTavares #MatthewKnies #MorganRielly #OliverEkman-Larsson #PavelDorofeyev #EmilHeineman #BoHorvat #CarterHart #CaleMakar #RyanO'Reilly #ConnorMcDavid #AlexTuch #BeckettSennecke #ErikKarlsson #LeoCarlsson #VilleHusso #BrianEngblom #KennyAlbert #EdOlczyk #DennisHull #AnaheimMightyDucks #PatrickRoy #MartinBrodeur #JakeAllen #ChrisKreider #CutterGauthier #JoelQuenneville #PatVerbeek #JacobTrouba #OlenZellweger #AlexKillorn #RadkoGudas #RossJohnston #LarryPleau #PatBurns #PatrickKane #JonathanToews #LukasDostal #PetrMrazek #VilleHusso #CalleClang #VyacheslavButeyets #JohnGibson #SudarshanMaharaj #DamianClara #GlennHall #BrianBurke #RandyCarlyle #JenningsTrophy #ChrisMacFarland #MikkoRantanen #GavinBrindley #MIlesWood #CharlieCoyle #BrentBurns #BobGainey #JackHughes #TomFitzgerald #JacobMarkstrom #ThatcherDemko #EliasPettersson #JTMiller #BrockBoeser #PatrikAllvin #QuinnHughes #KieferSherwood #JakeDeBrusk #NorrisTrophy #KirillKaprizov #DavidPastrnak #FraserMinten #MarkKastelic #MarcoSturm #MorganGeekie #CharlieMcAvoy #JackAdamsAward #JGPageau #LoganCooley #AlexeyToropchenko #EvgeniMalkin #BlakeLizotte #JasonZucker #MatsZuccarello #VinceDunn #JakeMiddleton #JordanKyrou #BobbyMcMann #OliverBjorkstrand #TrentFrederic #GageGoncalves #ScottWedgewood #MackenzieBlackwood #FilipForsberg #StevenStamkos #GabrielLandeskog #IlyaSorokin

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Panthers Pick it Up Over Weekend - Dec. 8, 2025

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:42:00 -0400

The first weekend of December continued to roll out strong storylines as the two-time defending champs won in a pair of games in very different ways, with controversy surrounding one of them.

Their opponent for those two Cup wins hung another big score on Saturday and appear to have regained so mojo.

Elsewhere, a pre-season favorite is in the midst of a five-game slide with rumblings they may be seeking trade partners and two superstars spin some OT brilliance at MSG.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #EetuLuostarinen #BradMarchand #SamBennett #MatthewTkachuk #AleksanderBarkov #AntonLundell #DeanEvanson #ElvisMerzlikins #YegorChinakov #BrandonHagel #JakeGuentzel #NikitaKucherov #SteveSimmons #TomFitzgerald #QuinnHughes #JackHughes #KieferSherwood #ElliotteFriedman #BeckettSennecke #MatthewSchaefer #MasonMcTavish #LeoCarlsson #TroyTerry #CutterGauthier #CarterHart #JeffBlashill #ThomasMilic #ScottArniel #NathanMacKinnon #JackEichel #WillBorgen #IgorShesterkin #CaleMakar #ValNichushkin #MartinNecas #RobertThomas #LinusUllmark #JoelHofer #JordanBinnington #JimMontgomery #BrandonBussi #PyotrKochetkov #FrederikAndersen #MacklinCelebrini #KyleConnor #TrevorZegras #MackenzieBlackwood #RyanLeonard #JacobTrouba #JakobChychrun #CharlieLindgren #ShanePinto #MikaZibanejad #JosephWoll #CraigBerube #OzzyWiesblatt #JordanKyrou #StephenHalliday #LoganCooley #EliasPettersson #VictorHedman #AndreiVasilevskiy #EvgeniMalkin #NoelAcciari #JustinBrazeau #MattDuchene #NilsLundkvist #MikaelGranlund #DavidPastrnak #CamYork #RasmusRistolainen #ScottLaughton #NicholasRobertson #PhilippeMyers #NHLBoardofGovernors #BillDaly #IIHF #IOC #2026WinterOlympics #JasonRobertson #JacobMarkstrom

Special Encore Interview With Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek

Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:45:00 -0400

Pat Verbeek, General Manager of the Anaheim Ducks and Hall of Fame player, joins Neil and Vic to discuss the franchise's exciting transformation. Fresh off a 21-point improvement in the standings and the blockbuster hiring of three-time Stanley Cup champion Joel Quenneville as head coach, Verbeek shares his vision for building a playoff contender. From his playing days alongside Quenneville in Hartford to assembling a roster with former Rangers talent and developing young stars, Verbeek provides insight into the Ducks' path forward and the lessons learned from near-playoff misses.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Pat Verbeek joins the show to discuss the Anaheim Ducks' exciting offseason moves and franchise trajectory.

[01:00] - Comparing Brad Marchand's playoff performance to Verbeek's Hall of Fame playing style and competitive edge.

[02:00] - The 21-point jump in the standings: Greg Cronin's first-year impact on accountability, discipline, and work ethic.

[03:00] - Building leadership with veterans Alex Killorn and Radko Gudas to set examples for young players.

[04:00] - The coaching change from Cronin to Joel Quenneville: special teams struggles that cost six wins and the need for improved goal scoring.

[05:00] - Expectations for young stars Trevor Zegras, Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Jackson LaCombe, and Pavel Mintyukov to take major offensive strides.

[06:00] - Why Joel Quenneville is the highest-profile coach in Ducks franchise history, surpassing Mike Babcock and Randy Carlyle.

[07:00] - The Hartford Whalers connection: playing with Quenneville and talking hockey on bus rides with future coaches Dave Tippett, Mike Liut, Rod Brind'Amour, and Kevin Dineen.

[08:00] - Quenneville's "video camera mind": his ability to process matchups and make real-time decisions on the bench.

[09:00] - The "Doug Armstrong move": learning from St. Louis's quick coaching change to hire Jim Montgomery after firing Drew Bannister.

[10:00] - Exit interviews with players that revealed themes and concerns, leading to the decision to make a coaching change.

[11:00] - The excitement in Anaheim: Quenneville's instant credibility and respect from players throughout the league.

[12:00] - The New York Rangers pipeline: Chris Kreider joins Jacob Trouba, Ryan Strome, and Frank Vatrano to create familiarity and comfort.

[13:00] - How having former Rangers teammates made it easier for Kreider to waive his no-trade clause and join the Ducks.

[14:00] - Jacob Trouba's adjustment from Manhattan to Anaheim and the transition from being captain to playing alongside captain Radko Gudas.

[16:00] - The Anaheim advantage: a quieter life in Orange County compared to the intense spotlight of playing in New York City.

[17:00] - Trevor Zegras beyond the Michigan goal: developing physicality, jam, and two-way responsibility to become a complete player.

[18:00] - Learning from Florida's formula: even elite players pin and seal checks, block shots, and do the details required to win.

[19:00] - Free agency plans with significant cap space: making phone calls, improving the roster, and pushing for the playoffs.

[21:00] - What the Panthers and Oilers teach: every player competes at a 10, willing to block shots, take hits, and play with discipline and grit.

[23:00] - Verbeek's playing career: proving doubters wrong about being "too small" and winning the Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999.

[24:00] - The critical lesson from last season: losing key games against St. Louis (3), Calgary (2), and Vancouver (2) that cost playoff position.

[25:00] - The Dallas blueprint: learning to handle pressure and expectations, losing to Colorado and Detroit before finally winning the Cup in 1999.

[26:00] - The message to the team: winning games that matter when they need to be won is the next step in organizational growth.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #PatVerbeek #AnaheimDucks #JoelQuenneville #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #ChrisKreider #JacobTrouba #RyanStrome #FrankVatrano #TrevorZegras #MasonMcTavish #LeoCarlsson #RadkoGudas #AlexKillorn #JacksonLaCombe #PavelMintyukov #GregCronin #NewYorkRangers #HartfordWhalers #DallaStars #StanleyCup #BradMarchand #FloridaPanthers #EdmontonOilers #DougArmstrong #JimMontgomery #DrewBannister #StLouisBlues #MikeBabcock #RandyCarlyle #DaveTippett #RodBrindAmour #KevinDineen #MikeLiut #DougLidster #SergeiZubov #FreeAgency #NHLDraft #OrangeCounty

NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition - Scotty Bowman Encore Episode

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The legendary Scotty Bowman, the winningest coach in NHL history, joins Neil and Vic for the inaugural episode of NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition. At 91 years old, Bowman shares remarkable stories from his seven-decade journey through hockey, from his childhood in Verdun to building dynasties in Montreal, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. He discusses his mentorship under Sam Pollock, the evolution of the game, coaching superstars, and the challenges facing teams trying to rebuild in today's NHL.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Launching NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition franchise with hockey's greatest coach, Scotty Bowman.

[03:00] - Bowman's Scottish immigrant father arriving in Montreal in 1929 as a blacksmith for the CNR railway, and growing up in Verdun.

[06:00] - Learning French naturally on the streets of Verdun and perfecting bilingual skills coaching French-Canadian players in Ottawa.

[08:00] - Growing up as a Boston Bruins fan, not a Canadiens fan, listening to games on radio with his father writing down scores.

[11:00] - How his father worked on building the Verdun Auditorium in 1939 - the same building later named after Scotty and his brother.

[13:00] - Transitioning from playing to coaching after injury, and the pivotal mentorship of Sam Pollock beginning in junior hockey.

[14:00] - Sam Pollock's genius as a GM: learning the business from the ground up in Ottawa, selling ads, arranging housing, and understanding hockey operations.

[16:00] - The evolution from coaching junior hockey to scouting, and how Sam Pollock brought Bowman into the Canadiens organization.

[19:00] - Sam Pollock's brilliance: 8 Stanley Cups in 13 seasons as GM, master of trading draft picks with expansion teams, and later success with the Toronto Blue Jays.

[21:00] - Why there should be a Sam Pollock Trophy for GMs - the greatest general manager in hockey history.

[23:00] - Pollock's draft pick wizardry: how he acquired picks that became Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt, and Bob Gainey.

[25:00] - The challenge of coaching today's entitled generation versus the players of previous eras.

[26:00] - How Florida's Bill Zito works closely with Paul Maurice to get specific types of players - size, strength, and physicality over soft skill players.

[28:00] - The difficulty of complete rebuilds: why stripping teams down to the girders (Chicago, San Jose) makes competing nearly impossible.

[30:00] - The problem with half the league missing playoffs - how can you sell tickets when fans know their team has no shot?

[32:00] - The infiltration of European hockey into NHL systems, and how taking a gamble on Russian players changed everything.

[34:00] - Acquiring the Russian Five: Sergei Fedorov's defensive brilliance, Vladimir Konstantinov's tragic injury, and the Lou Lamoriello connection that brought Slava Fetisov to Detroit.

[36:00] - Adding Viacheslav Kozlov and Larry Murphy to complete the puzzle - parallels to Neil's Edmonton Oilers acquisitions for the 1994 Rangers.

[38:00] - The entitlement problem with today's young stars drafted 1-8: they feel they've already made it before proving anything.

[40:00] - Communication with superstars: never sugarcoating, always telling the truth even when players don't want to hear it.

[43:00] - Buffalo's 13-year playoff drought and the challenge of selling tickets when your team can't compete.

[44:00] - Guy Lafleur's difficult start: the pressure of being ordained as the next Jean Beliveau and transitioning from center to wing.

[46:00] - Steve Yzerman's transformation: convincing a 150-point scorer to sacrifice offense, become a checker, and embrace defense to win championships.

[48:00] - Florida's threepeat chances: the importance of the Seth Jones and Sam Bennett additions, and managing goaltending with 37-year-old Sergei Bobrovsky.

[50:00] - The challenge of defending championships: celebrations, weddings, and keeping focus while other teams hunt you.

[51:00] - Roger Neilson stories: The pioneering "Captain Video" who coached four teams simultaneously, delivered papers, and recorded pep talks for games he couldn't attend.

[55:00] - Neilson's incredible work ethic: only sleeping in 2-hour naps, available in a 15-minute window between 7:30-7:45pm, and making every player better.

[57:00] - Mike Keenan's rise: Roger Neilson's recommendation led to Keenan's Calder Cup in Rochester and eventual NHL success.

[59:00] - The 1989 moment when both Bowman and Neil Smith interviewed with Jack Diller - Bowman stayed in Buffalo, Smith took the Rangers job and won the Cup.

[01:01:00] - Bowman at 91: staying sharp by keeping busy and never sitting around - the secret to longevity.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ScottyBowman #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #HockeyHallOfFame #MontrealCanadiens #DetroitRedWings #PittsburghPenguins #BuffaloSabres #SamPollock #RogerNeilson #MikeKeenan #SteveYzerman #GuyLafleur #RussianFive #SergeiFedorov #VladimirKonstantinov #SlavaFetisov #IgorLarionov #VyacheslavKozlov #NickLidstrom #LarryMurphy #FloridaPanthers #BillZito #PaulMaurice #SethJones #SamBennett #SergeiBobrovskiy #ConnorMcDavid #NathanMacKinnon #SidneyCrosby #WayneGretzky #StanleyCup #Dynasty #ChicagoBlackhawks #NewYorkRangers #EdmontonOilers #JackDiller #LouLamoriello #CliffFletcher #BobClarke #HarryNealeClaude is AI and can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Big Night for the Underdogs - Dec. 5, 2025

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 14:50:00 -0400

How often do you hear "on any given night, any team can beat any other team?"

Let's just say if you were siding with heavy favorites Thursday, you didn't sleep well.

And the misery wasn't limited to the top teams a couple of rising clubs in California got taken to school on Wednesday.

Vic and Neil break it down and get set for the first weekend in December which includes an update on the status of the Olympic hockey facility in Italy.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - A Successful Return - Dec. 3, 2025

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:55:00 -0400

Though scored upon early and victimized by his own turnover, Carter Hart's return to the NHL was a successful one.

Vic and Neil discuss that plus a myriad of other storylines from the brilliance of Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini to other highs and lows in the goaltending world to a special night for two youngsters in Nashville.

By the way, can the Avalanche clinch a playoff berth next week?

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Will the Thanksgiving Playoff Benchmark Hold Up? - Dec. 1, 2025

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:35:00 -0400

45 Games worth of action in a brief window since the last show. Vic and Neil offer up their thoughts on whether they believe a greater or lesser percentage of teams in playoff position on American Thanksgiving will qualify by the time we reach mid-April.

Also, some significant injury news and an upcoming season debut for a player who's been out of the NHL for almost two years.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Jeff Blashill: How to Develop Superstars & Rebuild the Chicago Blackhawks

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Jeff Blashill, head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, joins the show to discuss his mission to rebuild one of hockey's most storied franchises. After proving his ability to develop young talent during his tenure with the Detroit Red Wings, Blashill shares his vision for turning around a Blackhawks team that has missed the playoffs five straight seasons. From his philosophy on building a winning culture to his approach with superstar Connor Bedard, Blashill provides an inside look at the foundation being laid in Chicago.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Jeff Blashill joins the show and reflects on the privilege of coaching two Original Six franchises - the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks.

[02:00] - Growing up in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and being a Lake Superior State Lakers fan before playing at Western Michigan University.

[04:00] - Blashill's playing days as a goaltender and how that position influences his coaching perspective today.

[06:00] - Western Michigan's national championship victory and the years of foundation-building that led to that historic achievement.

[09:00] - Blashill's first message to the Blackhawks: focusing on culture over immediate wins, drawing parallels to Dan Campbell's Lions and Jimmy Johnson's Cowboys.

[11:00] - The game-to-game approach: building defensive fundamentals while leveraging the team's speed and offensive talent.

[13:00] - How developing Dylan Larkin in Detroit prepared Blashill to work with elite young talent like Connor Bedard.

[15:00] - Improving Bedard's two-way game and why every young superstar must learn to defend - examples from Jack Eichel and other elite players.

[17:00] - The role of assistant coach Michael Peca, a two-time Selke Trophy winner, in teaching defensive fundamentals and two-way play.

[18:00] - The veteran leadership pieces: Nick Foligno, Connor Murphy, Tyler Bertuzzi, and the young defensive corps with size and skill.

[21:00] - Why offensive superstars like Joe Sakic, Steve Yzerman, and Doug Gilmour all had to develop their defensive games.

[22:00] - Pleasant surprises at training camp: Jason Dickinson, Ilya Mikheyev, and Alex Vlasic's progression.

[24:00] - High expectations for goaltender Spencer Knight and why good defense is essential for good goaltending.

[25:00] - The decision to keep Anders Sorensen as assistant coach after his interim head coaching role, and the strength of the entire coaching staff.

[27:00] - Coaching the best uniforms in hockey and the excitement of leading the Chicago Blackhawks forward.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #JeffBlashill #ChicagoBlackhawks #ConnorBedard #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #DetroitRedWings #DylanLarkin #FrankNazar #SpencerKnight #MichaelPeca #AndersLarsson #NickFoligno #ConnorMurphy #TylerBertuzzi #IlyaMikheyev #AlexVlasic #JasonDickinson #WesternMichigan #LakeSuperiorState #CalderCup #ClarkCup #GrandRapids #StanleyCup #OriginalSix #JackEichel #JoeSakic #SteveYzerman #DougGilmour #PatriceBergeron #DanCampbell #JimmyJohnson #MikeSullivan #ChrisOsgood #SethJones #LukeRichardson #LouisCrevier #PatFawcett #AndyMurray

Ken Holland Discusses Kings GM Role & Team Building Philosophy - NHL Podcast

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Ken Holland, the legendary hockey executive, joins the show to discuss his surprising move to become Vice President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings. After a distinguished career that included building championship teams in Detroit and Edmonton, Holland shares insights on his transition to LA, his philosophy on team building, and what it takes to construct a Stanley Cup contender in the modern NHL.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Ken Holland joins the show and discusses his unexpected move to become VP/GM of the Los Angeles Kings after a stint in the NHL's hockey operations department.

[01:00] - The Western roots that made the LA opportunity attractive, and Holland's relationship with Luke Robitaille and the Anschutz ownership group.

[02:00] - A lighthearted look back at Holland's near-career as an Electrolux vacuum salesman before Neil Smith and Jim Devellano recruited him as a scout in 1985.

[03:00] - Holland's analysis of his former team, the Edmonton Oilers, and what makes them different in their current playoff run.

[05:00] - The Stuart Skinner question: understanding goaltender consistency and the pressure of playing in Canada with elite forwards.

[07:00] - Holland's first priorities as Kings GM: decisions on key unrestricted free agents including Matt Roy on defense and David Rittich in goal.

[10:00] - How team building has evolved over 30 years in the NHL, from Holland's days with Detroit to the modern salary cap era.

[12:00] - The most important decisions a GM makes: the coach and the goaltender, plus the critical role of defensive structure.

[15:00] - Evaluating Darcy Kuemper and the Kings' goaltending situation moving forward.

[17:00] - Building the perfect roster: size, speed, skill, compete level, and why it's a two-goalie league.

[20:00] - Will the league shift toward physicality after Florida's success, or will skill players remain premium assets?

[23:00] - Holland's thoughts on the remaining playoff teams and what makes championship-caliber organizations.

[25:00] - Reflecting on the mentorship of Neil Smith and Jim Devellano, and how a phone call in 1985 changed everything.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #KenHolland #LosAngelesKings #EdmontonOilers #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #DetroitRedWings #StuartSkinner #DarcyKuemper #LukeRobitaille #StanleyCup #HockeyGM #CalvinPickard #DrewDoughty #MattRoy #DavidRittich #RobBlake #BillRanford #WarrenFoegele #QuintonByfield #BrandtClarke #JimmyDevellano #ScottyBowman #ChrisChelios #Nicklidstrom #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #MattiaasEkholm #ChrisOsgood

Episode 82 - The Clutterpuck View - With Former NY Islander and Current Studio Analyst Cal Clutterbuck

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:40:00 -0400

After missing the playoffs a season ago, the expectations for the New York Islanders was a bit lower in the eyes of many coming into 2025-26.

Though they struggled at the outset of the new season, things have reversed course to the positive highlighted by a recent 6-1-0 road trip.

Former Islander and current TV analyst Cal Clutterbuck joins Neil and Vic to look at what's different thus far as well as key areas going forward.

Before the conversation, Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To focuses on a few clubs in with differing concerns. After the interview, we go "Why or Why Not" for the Western clubs which missed the playoffs last season and whether a similar or different fate awaits them come April.

Website: Nhlwraparound.com

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:23] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[13:49] - Cal Clutterbuck joins the hosts with Neil opening that he believed Cal had another year or two left to offer a club. Clutterbuck gives several reasons why he retired, one of which being an unselfish gesture to give teammate Matt Martin a chance for a career milestone.

[16:16] - Clutterbuck shares that, while there may have been some options to continue his career, things did not come together in a way which would have enabled him to do so.

[18:04] - On to this season's Islanders and they keys to their strong start.

[21:51] - The confounding tale of the special teams, particularly the power play which has languished near the bottom of the league the past two seasons despite having players capable of producing.

[25:50] - The important role of backup goaltender David Rittich, being able to give Ilya Sorokin the breaks he needs but was unable to get last season after Semyon Varlamov went down.

[29:01] - The injury front which evolves into a longer discussion about how teams should be responding to both legal and illegal hits and what the penalties should be.

[35:31] - The transition for Clutterbuck from player to no longer being a professional athlete, something many players struggle with in all sports.

[39:44] - In his new career as an analyst on Islander games, Clutterbuck notes the most eye opening aspect to life in sports television.

[43:55] - Putting a wrap on the discussion with Cal Clutterbuck.

[45:59] - Why or Why Not for the clubs in the Western Conference - Anaheim, Calgary, Chicago, Nashville, San Jose, Seattle, Utah, Vancouver - which missed the playoffs last season and why their fate may be different in April...or not.

[56:52] - Injury/personnel updates.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #CalClutterbuck #MSGNetwork #MikkoRantanen #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #NathanBastian #StuartSkinner #CalvinPickard #JamieBenn #StanBowman #EvanBouchard #DarnellNurse #ZachHyman #RyanNugent-Hopkins #JayWoodcroft #KrisKnoblauch #BarryTrotz #AndrewBrunette #StevenStamkos #JonathanMarchessault #BradySkjei #FilipForsberg #RyanO'Reilly #RomanJosi #ErikHaula #NicolasHague #NickPerbix #JuuseSaros #DonWaddell #KirillMarchneko #ZachWerenski #MathieuOlivier #BooneJenner #ErikGudbranson #MattMartin #BrendanSmith #PatMorris #DonMeehan #BoHorvat #MatthewSchaefer #NoahDobson #BrockNelson #EmilHeineman #AndersLee #JordanEberle #NickLeddy #MattBarzal #PatrickRoy #BarryTrotz #LaneLambert #LouLamoriello #IlyaSorokin #JonathanDrouin #DavidRittich #SemyonVarlamov #MathieuDarche #JGPageau #AlexanderRomanov #ScottMayfield #ScottStevens #JacobTrouba #MattCoronato #JonathanHuberdeau #ShannonHogan #BrendanBurke #ThomasHickey #StephenGostkowski #PatVerbeek #JoelQuenneville #ChrisKreider #JacobTrouba #RyanHuska #RasmusAndersson #NazemKadri #JeffBlashill #JonCooper #ConnorBedard #FrankNazar #MacklinCelebrini #JoeyDaccord #PhilippGrubauer #LaneLambert #BillArmstrong #AndreTourigny #KarelVejmelka #AdamFoote #KevinLankinen #ThatcherDemko #JiriPatera #NikitaTolopilo #RickTocchet #JTMiller #EliasPettersson #QuinnHughes #BryanRust #CaseyCizikas #BradyTkachuk #TravisGreen #BrendanSmith #ClevelandMonsters #MilanLucic #SpringfieldThunderbirds #DougArmstrong #CarterHart #AkiraSchmid #CarlLindbom #HendersonSilverKnights

NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series - Stephen Gostkowski - November 25, 2025

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:01:00 -0400

In the third of the NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series, Neil and Vic welcome three-time Super Bowl champion placekicker with the New England Patriots Stephen Gostkowski to the show.

The four-time Pro Bowler and Patriots all-time scoring leader covers a range of topics from his early days or an athlete, to playing under Bill Belichick and with Tom Brady to life after football.

Gostkowski even mixes in a little hockey as a young fan of the Buffalo Sabres and, more recently, the Boston Bruins.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:49] - Neil welcomes Stephen Gostkowski to the show. Gostkowski shares how he got into placekicking as well as the uniqueness of the position where the participation in a game is brief but, often, very noticeable. Simply, the life of a kicker.

[06:47] - Given the apparent isolation for a kicker, Stephen shares who he bonded with during the course of his career.

[10:20] - The expectations succeeding Adam Vinatieri, a kicker who had carved his niche in NFL lore with four Super Bowl wins (three with New England) including some of the great clutch kicks in league history.

[13:16] - The relationship with head coach Bill Belichick.

[15:33] - Gostkowski's interesting take on why there's likely no coaching comparable in hockey, baseball or basketball to Belichick.

[17:29] - How 'bout Tom Brady?

[20:33] - Born in Louisiana and spending some early years in Buffalo, Gostkowski laced skates up at an early age and even suffered a casualty quite common to NHL players. However, any thoughts of playing hockey were erased by a move to Mississippi and played a significant role in Stephen eventually playing football.

[22:43] - A fan of the Sabres growing up, Stephen still recalls the heartbreak of the 1999 "Toe in the Crease" controversy which delivered the Stanley Cup to Dallas. Since coming to the New England area almost two decades ago, his team allegiance has shifted as he's gotten to know some of the Bruins players.

[24:51] - Remaining a fan of the team Stephen made his mark with.

[26:18] - Thoughtful dialogue about transitioning from pro sports back to a "normal life." It's something Gostkowski had to adjust to and an area he wants to be able to assist others with.

[31:17] - The deeper dive of the transition is the locker room/team environment being replaced family life and other activities which can be fulfilling, albeit not on a competitive level. Stephen adds a bucket list item for himself.

[35:49] - After investing so much in himself, Gostkowski was recognized in March...and just might be again in 2026...

Website: www.nhlwraparound.com

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #BobbyValentine #ChrisChelios #StephenGostkowski #NewEnglandPatriots #TedyBruschi #AdamVinatieri #BillBelichick #NorthCarolinaTarheels #TomBrady #WayneGretzky #MichaelJordan #LeBronJames #DerekJeter #KobeBryant #AlexanderMogilny #PatLafontaine #RobRay #DominikHasek #MikeVrabel #AlexeiKovalev #CraigWolanin #NationalAmericanPolishSportsHallofFame #ProFootballHallofFame #PatrickChung

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Rocky Mountain High - Nov. 24, 2025

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 15:10:00 -0400

There's the Colorado Avalanche. And then there's everyone else as the NHL's top team has a seven point lead on the field just past the quarter pole.

Vic and Neil will talk about the Avs but also a weekend which saw some other good (calling the Wild, Flames, Sabres, Flyers and Morgan Geeking)... and some bad (Calling the Maple Leafs, Rangers and Mikko Rantanen.)

We'll have some key injury updates as well as a special anniversary for one of the hosts.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #MacKenzieBlackwood, #ScottWedgewood #JesperWallstedt #TageThompson #JasonZucker #ConnorBedard #JeffBlashill #MatveiMichkov #TysonFoerster #BernieParent #JackHughes #MorganGeekie #NathanMacKinnon #ShakirMukhamadullin #MaratKhusnutdinov #AustonMatthews #MatthewKnies #JosephWoll #FlorianXhekaj #ArberXhekaj #DakotaMermis #DakotaJoshua #YvanCournoyer #BradTreliving #CraigBerube #KeithPelley #JakeMcCabe #VincentTrocheck #JJPeterka #ScottMorrow #ClaytonKeller #MatthewRobertson #JonathanQuick #JTMiller #MikkoRantanen #MattCoronato #AlexanderRomanov #NikitaKucherov #TomWIlson #BraydenPoint #BrandonHagel #AnthonyCirelli #JakeEvans #VictorHedman #RyanMcDonagh #JonCooper #SergeiBobrovsky #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #EvanBouchard #MattiasEkholm #JordanStaal #CodyGlass #RomanJosi #NealPionk #JGPageau #VinnieHinostroza #RyanGraves #JohnHynes #SamuelHonzek #MichaelBacklund #AlexandarGeorgiev #MoscowSpartak #KHL #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen #AlexLyon #ColtenEllis #AlexandreTexier #KirbyDach #AlexNewhook #KentHughes #DougArmstrong #BrandonSaad #OaklandSeals #EdGiacomin #CharlieHodge #RodGilbert #StephenGostkowski #NewEnglandPatriots #CalClutterbuck

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Turning the Page to the Second Quarter - Nov. 21, 2025

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:18:00 -0400

The NHL season has entered the second quarter having delivered on a grand scale over the first 330 games played. The past couple of nights have encapsulated what the first quarter was about: Legendary greatness, a new age of greatness, surprises, disappointments and a late-breaking significant injury.

In short, never a dull moment in the NHL.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AlexOvechkin #BrettHull #JoeSakic #DylanStrome #NicklasBackstrom #SpencerCarbery #TaylerStrome #SamMontembeault #MArtinSt.Louis #JakubDobes #JakeEvans #KirbyDach #AlexNewhook #BradyTkachuk #DrakeBatherson #ConnorBedard #RyanLindgren #JustinKea #JadenSchwartz #AndreBurakovsky #TageThompson #ScottWedgewood #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #JoeThornton #RyanWarsofsky #BoHorvat #IlyaSorokin #BrockNelson #NoahDobson #SamReinhart #SergeiBobrovsky #TrentFrederic #CalvinPickard #NickPaul #JakeGuentzel #AndreiVasilevskiy #DarnellNurse #ZachHyman #JakeRoslevic #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #EvanBouchard #MikkoRantanen #KevinLankinen #JustinFaulk #AdamLowry #ConnorHellebuyck #ThomasMilic #EricComrie #ManitobaMoose #AlexanderRomanov #CharlieMcAvoy #AnthonyStolarz #CraigBerube #ScottLaughton #NikitaZadorov #JakeNeighbours #NikolajEhlers #LaneLambert #PatrickRoy #JacobMarkstrom #StephenGostkowski

Episode 81 - Mammoth Things Ahead? - With Utah General Manager Bill Armstrong

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 18:02:00 -0400

The NHL regular season will hit the quarter pole Thursday with all but a very few right in the mix. One of those teams is the Utah Mammoth, who have hung right in despite a very heavy road schedule. Team GM Bill Armstrong will stop by to update a unit more comfortable at home in their second season in Salt Lake City.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, we have three hat tricks, a wild finish Tuesday in Dallas and a look at just how unpredictable the league is thus far.

Following the Armstrong interview, Vic and Neil do a deeper dive into the Eastern Conference teams which missed the playoffs last season. Why will this season be different...or not.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:59] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To.

[13:32] - Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong joins the show and shares about the transition of the team from Arizona to Utah.

[15:26] - Playing out of tiny Mullett Arena on the ASU campus.

[16:47] - Having to proceed with playing a season amidst the rumors of the franchise moving out of Arizona.

[18:12] - The uniqueness of the Salt Lake City market which had never had NHL hockey.

[19:11] - Greater comfort playing at the Delta Center in the early going this season.

[21:02] - After a heavy road schedule to start the season, a little bit of home cooking in the immediate for the Mammoth.

[22:49] - Armstrong shares how his past experiences - including that as assistant GM in St. Louis - helped prepare him to take over in Arizona/Utah, which includes his draft philosophy.

[26:38] - More about the construction of the Mammoth and where Armstrong would like to upgrade as the season progresses.

[28:42] - Armstrong speaks about his head coach, Andre Tourigny.

[33:29] - A little bit on the Mammoth uniforms, the road maintaining UTAH to share the pride of the state.

[34:57] - A look back to the 1990 Memorial Cup where Armstrong's double overtime goal in the championship game gave Oshawa it's first title in 44 years. Quite a backstory leads up to the heroics.

[42:36] - Putting a wrap on Bill Armstrong.

[43:58] - Taking a look a the eight non-playoff teams in the Eastern Conference and why they could succeed this season...or not.

[54:38] - A few player notes.

[59:07] - Injury news.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #DrLipiRoy #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #ConnorBedard #JeffBlashill #MacklinCelebrini #WayneGretzky #SidneyCrosby #MarioLemieux #MatthewSchaefer #AustonMatthews #ConnorMcDavid #JakeGuentzel #StevenStamkos #JulienBriseBois #JamieBenn #BoHorvat #KylePalmieri #JasonRobertson #MikkoRantanen #AlexanderRomanov #GlenGulutzan #PatrickRoy #DaveJackson #DavidRittich #ScottMayfield #BobBoughner #ArizonaCoyotes #HartfordWhalers #RyanSmith #ClaytonKeller #DylanGuenther #LoganCooley #BarrettHayton #DmitriySimashev #JarmoKekalainen #DougArmstrong #LarryPleau #TijIginla #ColeBeaudoin #CalebDesnoyers #JJPeterka #MichaelKesselring #JoshDoan #AndreTourigny #EricLindros #ScottLuik #FredBrathwaite #RickCornacchia #OshawaGenerals #KitchenerRangers #MemorialCup #MikeTorchia #GilbertDionne #StephenWalkom #AntonThun #KenHolland #KarelVejmelka #VitekVanecek #MarcoSturm #DavidPastrnak #MorganGeekie #JTMiller #TageThompson #RasmusDahlin #DanVladar #JohnnyGaudreau #BooneJenner #KirillMarchenko #AdamFantilli #ZachWerenski #DanMuse #DylanLarkin #AlexDebrincat #PatrickKane #JohnGibson #CamTalbot ##AlexOvechkin #GordieHowe #MarkScheifele #BlakeWheeler #MilanLucic #ColeSchwindt #EetuLuostarinen #SergeiBobrovsky #CharlieMcAvoy #NoahDobson #AustonMatthews #MatthewTkachuk #BradyTkachuk #QuinnHughes #JackEichel #JackHughes #MattMurray #JoeyDaccord #PhilippGrubauer #JeremyLauzon #MatthewKnies #WilliamNylander #CraigBerube #NathanWalker #JohnTavares #MorganRielly #JordanBinnington

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Reviewing a Packed Weekend - Nov. 17, 2025

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 18:20:00 -0400

Some NHL history was made in Friday's quartet of games while we also saw a quartet of happy returns of some sort.

The Florida rivals got re-acquainted while some key injury news makes the show among our divisional updates.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #DrLipiRoy #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #FilipFosrberg #StevenStamkos #SergeiMurashov #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #TaylorHall #SebastianAho #TrevorZegras #JordanBinnington #JonathanDrouin #NateSchmidt #MatthewSchaefer #ZachHyman #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #AlexOvechkin #BradMarshand #AntonForsberg #BrandonSaad #BrockNelson #ScottWedgewood #NoahDobson #BoHorvat #EmilHeineman #PierreEngvall #JackFinley #MarcoSturm #JaydenStruble #NikitaZadorov #ZdenoChara #TannerJeannot #ArberXhekaj #CharlieMcAvoy #ViktorArvidsson #CaseyMittelstadt #JordanHarris #AlexNewhook #KirbyDach #KaidenGuhle #IlyaLybushkin #PatrikLaine #JosephWoll #BrandonCarlo #TroyStecher #ChrisTanev #JackHughes #JonathanQuick #MasonAppleton #PeteBabando #DaveMaloney #MikeSullivan #JoeSacco #DavidQuinn #FrankNazar #NickFoligno #JakeMcCabe #ThomasHarley #AdrianKempe #DrewDoughty #NikitaKucherov #ThatcherDemko #QuinnHughes #KevinLankinen #JiriPatera #DavidKampf #MattMurray #PhilippGrubauer #SamuelHonzek #MichaelBacklund #MarkScheifele #PatLafontaine #MikeKeane #BradyTkachuk #JeremySwayman #BillArmstrong

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - A Milestone, Some Home Woes and Some Cruisin' Along - Nov. 14, 2025

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:53:00 -0400

Another couple of nights rife with storylines. From Brad Marchand to home struggles to a few surging teams, Vic and Neil have it covered.

We'll also have the latest personnel news and the passing of a Hall of Fame journralist.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #DrLipiRoy #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BradMarchand #EetuLuostarinen #AntonLundell #UlfSamuelsson #EsaTikkanen #MattBarzal #PatrickRoy #JGPageau #AkiraSchmid #CarlLindbom #CarterHart #AdinHill #JonathanQuick #RobinLehner #BoHorvat #CaseyDeSmith #AlexNewhook #IlyaLybushkin #MartinSt.Louis #QuintonByfield #KevinFiala #WilliamNylander #CraigBerube #DennisHildeby #AnthonyStolarz #AustonMatthews #ScottLaughton #NikitaZadorov #MitchMarner #JohnTavares #SidenyCrosby #MartinNecas #GavinBrindley #CharlieCoyle #MilesWood #ValNichushkin #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #VincentTrocheck #WillCuylle #ArtemiPanarin #VictorHedman #RyanMcDonagh #AnthonyCirelli #BrandonHagel #CarsonSoucy #AndreiVasilevskiy #SimonNemec #UliHiemer #BarryBeck #ColoradoRockies #KansasCityScouts #JackHughes #TimStutzle #ShanePinto #BradyTkachuk #TravisGreen #MathieuOlivier #MatthewSavoie #IssacHoward #NoahPhilp #TrentFrederic #ZachHyman #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #EvanBouchard #DarnellNurse #BooneJenner #DylanSanberg #RyanStrome #JohnGibson #CamTalbot #MatthewTkachuk #LarryBrooks #NewYorkPost #LeonStickle #MelBridgman #JohnTortorella #ESPN #MarkEverson #FilipForsberg #ErikKarlsson #NHLGlobalSeries #BrockNelson #DawsonMercer #JesperBratt

Episode 80 - Historian for the Ages - With "The Maven" Stan Fischler

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:20:00 -0400

It's the most over-hyped title in the NHL: The Generational Player. Every high-profile player projected to be a number one overall pick seems to get the label. In 2023, it was Connor Bedard. In '24, Macklin Celebrini. And be ready for Gavin McKenna to be anointed in advance of the 2026 Entry Draft.

Let's now take a step back. What truly defines a generational talent and who are those that are worthy? Who better to dissect that than hockey's most renowned history, Stan Fischler.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, a milestone and a key injury coming out of the Toronto-Boston game Tuesday, the Oilers get up off the mat and a notable goal in Colorado.

We have injury and league news and wrap up acknowledging a true hero on Veterans/Remembrance Day.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:28] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to Starts in Boston and ends in Colorado with stop in Edmonton in between.

[07:37] - Stan Fischler is welcomed to the show and he and Neil reminisce about their first meeting four-and-a-half decades ago.

[10:10] - The Generational Player. Stan has seen it all and takes us from the early days of the NHL into the 1960's. Stories and anecdotes as only Stan can share.

[31:19] - Neil weighs in with his definition of a generation player and picks up where Stan left off with players he believes, fits the bill.

[39:41] - Vic weighs in with his generational player definition and brings this part of the discussion full circle as to whether any other player should be considered aside from those mentioned earlier.

[42:18] - Neil...and the number 9.

[43:49] - Stan's more recent books and a weekly podcast he's on.

[53:03] - Neil and Vic share some thoughts on The Maven.

[55:32] - Other league news.

[1:01:20] - Injury Update.

[1:05:54] - A story of a true hero representing all veterans on a day of observance in both the US and Canada.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #DrLipiRoy #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #StanFischler #TalesofBrooklyn #BottleRocketPodcast #AlenaSycheva #JerryHack #DavidPastrnak #AustonMatthews #NikitaZadorov #AnthonyStolarz #ScottLaughton #CraigBerube #ConnorMcDavid #JakeWalman #JackRoslevic #GabrielLandeskog #NathanMacKinnon #KenMorrow #BillySmith #JiggsMcDonald #ChrisChelios #LouLamoriello #BillTorrey #ConnorBedard #MacklinCelebrini #GavinMcKenna #HowieMorenz #TexRickard #BillCook #BunCook #FrankBoucher #NYAmericans #GeorgesVezina #EddieShore #ArtRoss #CharlieConacher #KingClancy #HapDay #AceBailey #MartyBarry #DaveKerr #SugarJimHenry #BillChadwick #AlanEagleson #StanMikita #ConnSmythe #MapelLeafGardens #BobbyHull #GordieHowe #MauriceRichard #GlennHall #TurkBroda #TerrySawchuk #BobbyOrr #AndyBathgate #JohnBucyk #FrankMahovlich #JeanBeliveau #LeoBoivin #WayneGretzky #MarioLemieux #AlexOvechkin #SidneyCrosby #BrendanSmith #MatthewSchaefer #DenisPotvin #AaronEkblad #NormUllman #NikitaKucherov #RedKelly #PunchImlach #TedKennedy #SylApps #ShirleyFischler #BoomBoomGeoffrion #BradPark #DonCherry #DerekSanderson #ScottyBowman #VincentTrocheck #BradMarchand #PaulMaurice #JaredMaples #JiriKulich #FilipHallender #Charles-AlexisLegault #NicholasRobertson #SeanWalker #AlexanderNikishin #JaccobSlavin #JalenChatfield #ShayneGostisbehere #FrederikAnderson #NicDowd #JonahGadjovich #AleksanderBarkov #MatthewTkachuk #TomasNosek #DmitryKulikov #RyanMcDonagh #RyanNugent-Hopkins #KasperiKapanen #MattiasJanmark #WilliamEklund #ThomasChabot #ColinBlackwell #ThatcherDemko #ValNikushin #StanNelson #Let'sPlayHockey" #VeteransDay #RemembranceDay

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Trains and Train Wrecks - Nov. 10, 2025

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:44:00 -0400

While unpredictability can always be counted on in the NHL, it's how those storylines take shape that provides the most intrigue.

We're still over a week or so from the quarter pole of the 2025-26 but what takes place on a nightly basis never leaves a shortage of talk points. Some good. Some not so good. And some outright ugly.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #DrLipiRoy #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #CaleMakar #JackDrury #ParkerKelly #NathanMacKinnon #KrisKnoblauch #GlenGulutzan #PaulCoffey #TrentFrederic #MattSavoie #IsaacHoward #NoahPhilp #ConnorBrown #EvanderKane #CoreyPerry #JeffSkinner #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #EvanBouchard #ZachHyman #ErieOtters #KenHolland #StanBowman #DarnellNurse #AndersLee #BoHorvat #IgorShesterkin #AnthonyStolarz #DennisHildeby #CraigBerube #JohnTavares #WilliamNylander #BradTreliving #BrendanShanahan #KeithPelley #VladislavGavrikov #LeoCarlsson #BeckettSennecke #PetrMrazek #LukasDostal #JacobTrouba #JohnGibson #ConnorBedard #FrankNazar #JeffBlashill #JoelFarabeee #MacklinCelebrini #WillSmith #RyanNugent-Hopkins #KevinCheveldayoff #ConnorHellebuyck #ChandlerStephenson #ShaneWright #JoelHofer #JordanBinnington #JimMontgomery #Pierre-LucDubois #JalenChatfield #TylerPitlick #PatrickKane #JonathanQuick #MichaelMisa #FilipHallander #DougieHamilton #ZayneParekh #WilliamKarlsson #JoeyDaccord #ColePerfetti #CaydenPrimeau #CaseyMiddlestadt #VincentTrocheck #ZackMacEwen #JoeThornton #ZdenoChara #DuncanKeith #AlexanderMogilny #BriannaDecker #JenniferBotterill #JackParker #DanielleSauvageau #MelBridgman #BobNystrom #VictoriaCougars #WHL #LeonStickle #DenisPotvin #HockeyHallofFame #NHLGlobalSeries #ArtemiPanarin

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - 900 Goals - Wrap Your Head Around That! - Nov. 7, 2025

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:36:00 -0400

At one time, it was difficult to fathom anyone reaching 500 goals, then 600, 700 and 800. And now, the 900 mark has been breached with ALex Ovechkin having reached the mark Wednesday and, he eventually got hold a hold of the puck.

Heading into the weekend, other vets left their marks over the past couple of evenings as have the first overall picks from 2023 and 2024.

We'll also touch on team-related items as Pittsburgh, Anaheim and Boston continue to hold up well in the first month of play and has the most high-profiled free agent from the class of 2024 already worn out his welcome?

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #DrLipiRoy #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AlexOvechkin #JordanBinnington #MichelCormier #WayneGretzky #BrianBoucher #KennyAlbert #JohnWalton #JohnTavares #NazemKadri #SidneyCrosby #CutterGauthier #NikitaKucherov #AnthonyCirelli #BradMarchand #CoreyPerry #KenHolland #CodyCeci #AleksanderBarkov #MatthewTkachuk #PaulMaurice #MikeSullivan #ErikKarlsson #ChrisKreider #JoelQuenneville #PatVerbeek #MarcoSturm #PavelZacha #MorganGeekie #TimoMeier #JesperBratt #JakubDobes #KirbyDach #StevenStamkos #BarryTrotz #JonathanMarchessault #BradySkjei #MacklinCelebrini #JackEichel #ConnorMcDavid #WillSmith #MichaelMisa #ConnorBedard #SpencerKnight #JeffBlashill #JordanKyrou #JoelHofer #JimMontgomery #LindyRuff #RasmusDahlin #JalenChatfield #TylerPitlick #JordanStaal #K'AndreMiller #JaccobSlavin #ShayneGostisbehere #RodBrind'Amour #FrederikAndersen #FilipGustavsson #LoganStankoven #JohnHynes #JustusAnnunen #MarcusJohansson #DaveJackson #IlyaSorokin #DavidRittich #JacobMarkstrom #BillArmstrong

Episode 79 - Still Flying High - With Winnipeg Jets Exec. VP/GM Kevin Cheveldayoff

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:50:00 -0400

A season after surprising many with their first-ever Presidents' Trophy, the Winnipeg Jets are around the top of the NHL standings once again despite losing some key components from a season ago.

Executive VP/GM Kevin Cheveldayoff joins Neil and Vic to discuss his team, the challenges of remaining competitive in the league's smallest market and the inspiration by the return to play of native son Jonathan Toews.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, the Ducks continue to prove they are to be taken seriously while the Rangers play at home is...seriously poor.

We also hit injury and league news and wrap up with one of the NHL's most important off-ice initiatives.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:13] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention focuses on happenings in Anaheim, New York City and Montreal.

[13:22] - Winnipeg Jets Executive VP/GM Kevin Cheveldayoff joins the show and hit on the difficulty winning in the NHL amidst the parity around the league in a season with a compressed schedule.

[16:16] - The challenges of keeping the Jets competitive in today's financial landscape with the exchange rate being unfavorable to Canadian teams and the salary cap continuing to go up.

[20:15] - Forward Mark Scheifele is one of the premiere power forwards in the NHL. He might also be one of the NHL's best kept secrets playing in Winnipeg.

[22:54] - Despite having put up Hall of Fame numbers and Vezina Trophy's on the mantle, Connor Hellebuyck has some work to do once the playoffs roll around in April.

[25:11] - Dealing with the holes left by players departing Winnipeg via free agency.

[27:49] - Cheveldayoff discusses which forwards need should be primed to take their next step forward.

[30:00] - The thinking behind the signing of Jonathan Toews, returning to the NHL after a two-year absence.

[32:42] - Comparing Toews with Gabriel Landeskog of Colorado, another player who took extraordinary measures to resume his playing career.

[34:04] - Thoughts on head coach Scott Arniel, second year head coach having taken over for Rick Bowness.

[38:01] - Looking at one of the most complete defensive corps in the NHL.

[43:01] - Putting a wrap on the discussion with Kevin Cheveldayoff.

[46:04] - Injury update.

[50:13] - From injury news to other notable games and league news.

[1:00:03] - Hockey Fights Cancer Initiative

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #DrLipiRoy #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #KevinCheveldayoff #BillZito #CutterGauthier #JoelQuenneville #PaulMaurice #JacobTrouba #ChrisKreider #NikolajEhlers #PyotrKochetkov #MattRempe #MartinSt.Louis #SamMontembeault #JakubDobes #TrevorZegras #VyacheslavKozlov #RickTocchet #RogerNeilson #KyleConnor #MarkScheifele #StanFischler #DaleHawerchuk #CanadaLifeCentre #ConnorHellebuyck #VezinaTrophy #HartTrophy #EricComrie #MasonAppleton #AdamLowry #GabeVilardi #AlexIafallo #ColePerfetti #JonathanToews #PatBrisson #MorganBaron #GabrielLandeskog #MarioLemieux #ScottArniel #RickBowness #JackAdamsAward #AlainVigneault #PeterLaviolette #AlArbour #MikeBossy #BryanTrottier #DenisPotvin #BillySmith #JoshMorrissey #NealPionk #DylanDeMelo #MorganStanley #ColinMiller #LukeSchenn #DylanSamberg #Pierre-LucDubois #NicklasBackstrom #TJOshie #TysonFoerster #RobertThomas #QuinnHughes #BrockBoeser #EvanderKane #TristanJarry #NoelAcciari #JustinBrazeau #WilliamNylander #DanMuse #StevenStamkos #MarcusJohansson #JustusAnnunen #AlexOvechkin #DaveJackson #SidneyCrosby #WayneGretzky #2027StadiumSeries #AT&TStadium #GaryBettman #ESPN #MondayNightFootball #2003HeritageClassic #HockeyFightCancer #EdOlczyk #NHLonTNT #ThomasHickey #BillArmstrong

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Is the East That Much Better or More Average? - Nov. 3, 2025

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 14:15:00 -0400

The calendar has flipped to November as we begin to settle in for the long winter months ahead. The flip side is the Eastern Conference is showing signs of a true dogfight that might have everybody in the playoff hunt come April while in the West...not so much.

Vic and Neil catch you up on the weekend highlighting some key games including the latest stunning performance from the first overall pick of the Entry Draft, a couple of veteran moments and what the Calgary Flames decided to do with their first pick in last year's draft.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #DrLipiRoy #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #WorldSeries #LosAngelesDodgers #TorontoBlueJays #PittsburghPirates #BobManfred #SteveYzerman #BrooklynAmericans #MatthewSchaefer #SimonHolmstrom #BobbyOrr #JordanStaal #PierreTurgeon #DylanCozens #JaydenStruble #IvanDemidov #AlexNewhook #DrakeBatherson #JohnLeclair #JacquesDemers #DenisSavard #PatrickRoy #Montreal Forum #JohnGibson #TroyTerry #LeoCarlsson #JacobMarkstrom #CutterGauthier #BeckettSennecke #JoelQuenneville #PatVerbeek #ChrisKreider #JacobTrouba #BradMarchand #JPMacCallum #EastonCowan #JohnTavares #JamieDrysdale #ChrisTanev #MatveiMichkov #DawsonMercer #CaleMakar #TaylorMakar #ColoradoEagles #ZayneParekh #SaginalSpirit #OHL #AHL #CraigConroy #RasmusAndersson #KyleConnor #ArtursSilovs #LaneHutson #LinusUllmark #VasilyPodkolzin #SpencerKnight #ElliotteFriedman #EliasLindholm #JordanGreenway #SethJarvis #KylePalmieri #Pierre-LucDubios #DylanStrome #AlexOvechkin #QuinnHughes #JackHughes #LukeHughes #WilliamNylander

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - A Scary Good Episode - October 31, 2025

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:48:00 -0400

In this Halloween edition, Vic and Neil don't trick-or-treat but, instead theme on good news and bad news around the league. They add in some other notable items and injury news before wrapping up with a great gesture by a Florida Panther and an honor for a Lightning superstar.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #DrLipiRoy #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #DanMuse #BillGuerin #JohnHynes #CriagLeipold #ZachParise #RyanSuter #KirillKaprizov #JTMiller #ZachHyman #CoreyPerry #EvanderKane #TrentFrederic #ConnorBrown #IsaacHoward #MatthewSavoie #StanBowman #EvanBouchard #KevinFiala #RichTocchet #TrevorZegras #DanVladar #NoahCates #TysonFoerster #BobbyBrink #JamieDrysdale #OwenTippett #SeanCouturier #NoahJuulsen #ColeSillinger #CharlieCoyle #MathieuOlivier #JohnTavares #CraigBerube #MikeSillinger #ReginaPats #GeorgeArmstrong #JonathanToews #ConnorMurphy #JasonDickinson #WyattKaiser #ArvidSoderblom #AlexVlasic #KieferSherwood #PitLepine #MathewBarzal #PatrickRoy #MorganGeekie #DavidPastrnak #DonSweeney #MartinNecas #MitchMarner #KyleConnor #LeonDraisaitl #SethJarvis #KylePalmieri #RodBrind'Amour #WilliamNylander #JasonZucker #EliasLindholm #JordanGreenway #BrockBoeser #EliasPettersson #ConorGarland #GustavNyqvist #EthenFrank #MikkoRantanen #BradMarchand #JPMacCallum #SelahMacCallum #BradMarchand #MillCountyHunters #PaulMaurice #BillZito #NikitaKucherov #BarbaraHelman #nhl.com #AlexOvechkin #IlyaSorokin #BradyTkachuk

Episode 78 - Pro Sports Self-Inflicted Problem with Dr. Lipi Roy

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 17:43:00 -0400

Professional sports was rocked October 23rd when a prominent NBA head coach and a Miami Heat player were arrested as part of two separate illegal gambling investigations, one allegedly connected to organized crime. The ripple effect of these cases underscores that sports betting is not only a concern for the NBA, but extends to other major sports as well as the college ranks.

While betting scandals in sports goes back over a century, pro leagues partnering with sports books and casinos combined with the vulnerability of today's youth being able to place bets with the click on a phone creates a frightening landscape.

Renowned addiction medicine physician and international speaker Dr. Lipi Roy joins Neil and Vic to speak about the issues, the societal problems and whether the genie can be put back in the bottle, at least in part.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[03:37] - After some chat about the 16-game Frozen Frenzy, Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to focuses on a legend hitting 1700 points and the first overall pick in 2023 finally appearing to find a comfort zone in the Windy City.

[12:51] - Dr. Lipi Roy is welcomed to the show. A Toronto native and hockey fan growing, she notes the sport she loves is as vulnerable to gambling and addiction as any of the other major pro sports.

[14:59] - Dr. Roy addresses the root of addiction within the brain.

[17:25] - The susceptibility for addition for a more undeveloped brain versus a grown adult.

[20:09] - The problem with college athletes about to be granted permission to bet on professional sports.

[22:42] - The follow-up addressing the obvious concern of once college athletes turn pro, whether they can realistically stop gambling if they've started. And that opens up another Pandora's Box...

[25:41] - The increased issue with prop bets.

[30:07] - Neil points out the gambling component may be connected to, in large part, the inbred competitive nature of athletes.

[36:51] - Is there any true chance the current gambling landscape can be reversed somewhat or has it too far gone?

[39:45] - How listeners/viewers can reach Dr. Roy.

[42:27] - Wrap on the discussion with Dr. Lipi Roy.

[43:26] - A segue off medical topics to injury news.

[45:38] - Other league news of note.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Beware the Mammoth! - October 27, 2025

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:40:00 -0400

The first month of the season always yields some surprises. It's just hard to predict where they'll be originating from.

This season, it happens it be coming from the NHL's newest market as the Utah Mammoth have used a seven-game winning streak to vault themselves to the top of the Central, above three other division powerhouses.

Plenty of other news coming out of a 25-game weekend...some good, some bad and some ugly.

And, gear up for Frozen Frenzy, a 16-game evening-long marathon coming up Tuesday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #UtahHockeyClub #DylanGuenther #LoganCooley #NickSchmaltz #KarelVejmelka #VitekVanecek #ClatonKeller #JoeyDaccord #PhilippGrubauer #LaneLambert #JordanEberle #DabeHakstol #DanBylsma #JaredMcCann #BrandonMontour #JackHughes #MarkScheifele #ShanePinto #JakeAllen #JacobMarkstrom #SheldonKeefe #CaleMakar #NathanMacKinnon #SergeiBobrovsky #NikitaKucherov #CarlLindbom #TimothyLiljegren #WilliamEklund #AlexanderWennberg #YaroslavAskarov #MacklinCelebrini #BrockFaber #MichaelMisa #RyanReaves #ConnorMcDavid #DonMaloney #DaveMaloney #KennyAlbert #MattCoronato #WillCuylle #AlexisLafreniere #JTMiller #MikaZibanejad #BrennanOthmann #NoahLaba #MattRempe #JoeBowen #JimRalph #AaronRodgers #GreenBayPackers #PittsburghSteelers #MitchMarner #MatthewKnies #AustonMatthews #WilliamNylander #BradMarchand #JohnTavares #DanVladar #SamErsson #RonHextall #CarterHart #JohnTortorella #TrevorZegras #SeanCouturier #OwenTippett #DannyBriere #KeiferSherwood #BrockBoeser #QuinnHughes #AlexOvechkin #WalterJohnson #WashingtonSenators #SpencerCarbery #PatrikLaine #RickardRakell #RomanJosi #HampusLindholm #CraigBerube #DylanStrome #ArtemZub #JakobChychrun #NicklasBackstrom #RoopeHintz #TaylorHall #RobertThomas #JimMontgomery #JosephWoll #AnzeKopitar #MitchLove #DomesticAbuse #ESPN #FrozenFrenzy #Dr.LipiRoy #NBC #MSNBC

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Outsiders Looking Up - October 24, 2025

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:15:00 -0400

In a night that saw 90 goals, scored, we're beginning to witness some of the NHL's former lesser teams show some genuine progress. That includes the league's lone winless team finally breaking into the win column.

Vic and Neil also note at a couple wild contests in the West, the latest injury updates and look ahead to a 25-game weekend.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #RyanDonato #NikitaKucherov #VictorHedman #AndreiVasilevskiy #SethJones #SpencerKnight #JeffBlashill #LoganCooley #JoelHofer #JimMontgomery #SidneyCrosby #TristanJarry #DanMuse #MikaelGranlund #JoelQuenneville #PatVerbeek #ColtenEllis #MatthewSchaefer #TonyDeAngelo #DavidRittich #IlyaSorokin #BoHorvat #MathewBarzal #EmilHeinemann #NoahDobson #BrockNelson #LaneHutson #MacklinCelebrini #WillSmith #TaylorRaddysh #MattRempe #RyanReaves #JuusoParssinen #TieDomi #RyanWarsofsky #ConnorBedard #ColeCaufield #LeonDraisaitl #RyanNugent-Hopkins #VasilyPodkolzin #ScottWedgewood #TrentMiner #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #SebastianAho #AndreiSvechnikov #SethJarvis #QuebecNordiques #HartfordWhalers #AdrianKempe #JoeyDaccord #AdinHill #MarkStone #ChrisTanev #DawsonMercer #DakotaMermis #DakotaJoshua #ALexanderRomanov #PierreEngvall #LouLamoriello #TorontoMarlies #BridgeportIslanders #KasperiKapanen #ZachHyman #MaximShabanov #JohnKlingberg #NickLeddy #SamDickinson #MichaelMisa #MacKenzieBlackwood #AlexOvechkin #Dr.LipiRoy

Episode 77 - Holy Mackinaw! - With Maple Leafs Play-by-Play Legend Joe Bowen

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:00:00 -0400

His voice has boomed across the airwaves of Canada for almost four-and-a-half decades. After the 2025-26 season, Joe Bowen will retire from behind the Maple Leafs microphone but not before hoping to make the one call Leafs fans have waited for since 1967.

Bowen joins Neil and Vic for an enlightening conversation covering his career, his famous moniker and his memories from a Hall-of-Fame career.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:15] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To pays a lot of attention to Brad Marchand's return Boston for the first time since the March trade as well as the first meeting of the last two number one overall draft picks.

[09:53] - Joe Bowen joins the show and, with the Blue Jays having made the 2025 World Series, Neil poses the question whether the Maple Leafs have any more pressure having gone with a Stanley Cup since 1967.

[12:00] - Calling Leaf games for the first time in 10 years without Mitch Marner.

[14:24] - The difference of how Marner and John Tavares - both hometown players - dealt with the pressure of playing in Toronto.

[18:20] - The latest drama in TO - this one centered around goaltender Anthony Stolarz.

[19:52] - Going back to the beginning of Bowen's career as a broadcaster leading up to him getting the pxp gig for the Leafs in 1982.

[22:04] - The origin and legend of Holy Mackinaw!

[24:20] - Bowen's first game doing Leafs pxp, Oct. 6, 1982 in Chicago Stadium.

[26:13] - Working in the two cathedrals of hockey in Toronto: Maple Leaf Gardens and Scotiabank Arena.

[29:18] - Neil and Joe share some laughs about the French's Cup - a two-game exhibition series played between the Rangers and Leafs in September 1993.

[30:18] - The favorite team Joe has covered during his career.

[33:10] - Neil follows up on a point on the importance of supportive ownership of a franchise.

[35:25] - The upcoming honor on Dec. 16 against the same club Bowen first called his first Leafs game against, the Chicago Blackhawks.

[38:16] - Bowen will call his 3800th game in January. Does a particular call stand out...or has that script yet to be written?

[40:29] - With a 44-year career winding down, Joe shares what his contributions to hockey and Canadian/Maple Leafs culture has meant to him.

[42:59] - The difference between calling radio vs. TV.

[48:12] - Speaking with Joe Bowen brought Neil back to being a young boy growing up in Toronto.

[50:02] - Injury updates and other notes from around the NHL.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BradMarchand #EetuLuostarinen #CarterVerhaeghe #JeremySwayman #AndrewPeeke #MatthewSchaefer #MacklinCelebrini #MarekZidlicky #LaneHutson #WillSmith #DylanGuenther #MartinNecas #JoeBowen #HolyMackinaw! #JohnTavares #JoePrimeau #BusherJackson #DaveKeon #GeorgeArmstrong #DarrylSittler #VladimirGuererroJr #AustonMatthews #MarcMessier #DavidOrtiz #MikeWalton #MitchMarner #WilliamNylander #ScottLaughton #StevenLorentz #NotreDameFootball #GreenBayPackers #JerryJones #MicahParsons #AnthonyStolarz #JohnnyBower #JohnBrophy #LenBramson #SudburyWolves #NovaScotiaVoyageurs #BillWatters #ChicagoStadium #FelixPotvin #MLSE #RonHewitt #WaltPoddubny #BorjeSalming #MapleLeafGardens #ScotiabankArena #BobbyHull #StanMikta #KenWharram #TonyEspositio #PierrePilote #GlennHall #PhiladelphiaSpectrum #DetroitOlympia #BostonGarden #French'sCup #GordStellick #PatBurns #JimRalph #HaroldBallard #NikolaiBorschevsky #WayneGretzky #DougGilmour #PatQuinn #MatsSundin #PhilHousley #GlennAnderson #CurtisJoseph #BradSelwood #VicHadfield #HarryNeale #ScottyBowman #NickFoligno #MikeFoligno #AlexanderMogilny #JohnKelly #JimDevellano #SteveYzerman #WendelClark #BobMcGill #ChrisTanev #CraigBerube #CoreyPerry #SidneyCrosby #MarioLemieux #KrisLetang #JustinBrazeau #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #IsaacHoward #HobeyBakerAward #JakeWalman #UBSArena #EmilyKaplan #ESPN #QuebecNordiques #HartfordWhalers

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Bringing the Power Back - October 21, 2025

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:20:00 -0400

A day later than planned but then again, who wasn't affected in some way by Monday's AWS outage?

Speaking of which, while the Rangers did manage to score a goal at home for the first time in four games, but their offense continues to fizzle at MSG.

Also, the NHL is an unforgiving league so there's little doubt 30 teams aren't feeling sorry for both the Panthers and Oilers - the frustration manifesting in different ways over last weekend.

Elsewhere, Vic and Neil look at a teams making early progress and one in particular that contended for a playoff spot last spring and is sliding badly through seven games.

Finally, we look ahead to Brad Marchand's return to Boston for the first time since becoming a Panther.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #TorontoBlueJays #SeattleMariners #GeorgeSpringer #ArtemiPanarin #ChrisKreider #BillGuerin #DanilaYurov #AlexOvechkin #JohnGibson #CamTalbot #AlexLyon #BradMarchand #RasmusDahlin #TageThompson #MikeHarrington #BuffaloNews #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #BradyTkachuk #JakeWalman #AdinHill #AkiraSchmid #CarlLindbom #CarterHart #MarkStone #JackEichel #NoahHanafin #BrettHowden #AlexPietrangelo #RickTocchet #OwenTippett #LaneLambert #MarkScheifele #KyleConnor #JonathanToews #NealPionk #DustinWolf #DevinCooley #RasmusAndersson #JeffMarek#FilipChytil #TomWIlson #JonathanLekkerimaki #TeddyBlueger #BrockBoeser #AdamFoote #EliasPettersson #JTMiller #RickTocchet #JayWoodcroft #KrisKnoblauch #JoelQuenneville #StanBowman #BradAldrich #JeffBlashill #NickFoligno #MilanaFoligno #AlexanderRomanov #NikitaKucherov #SonnyMilano #EthenFrank #AnzeKopitar #KaidenGuhle #FrederickGaudreau #BrandonMontour #NikitaZadorov #CharlieMcAvoy #JoeBowen #SamRosen

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Some Eastern Conference Exhaling...At Least for Now - Oct. 17, 2025

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 14:50:00 -0400

Three struggling clubs in the East get much needed wins while the ghosts of the Montreal Forum appear to have taken residence in the Bell Centre.

Vic and Neil have the updates plus Carter Hart's new home headlines several goalie items heading into the weekend.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #MikeHarrington #BuffaloNews #JackQuinn #LeeviMerilainen #JasonZucker #ZachBenson #BoHorvat #EvanBouchard #StuSkinner #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #DarnellNurse #MathewBarzal #RayFerraro #PaulCoffey #KrisKnoblauch #ShanePinto #DylanCozens #BradyTkachuk #BellCentre #CentreBell #LaneHutson #JonathanMarchessault #ColeCaufield #JakubDobes #NickSuzuki #SethJarivs #CarterHart #MichaelMcLeod #AlexFormenton #CalFoote #DillonDube #AdinHill #AkiraSchmid #HendersonSilverKnights #EmilyKaplan #ESPN #DevinCooley #LoganCooley #JohnGibson #CamTalbot #AndreiVasilevskiy #PheonixCopley #AntonForsberg #DarcyKuemper #Pierre-LucDubois #KenHolland #AnzeKopitar #JacobMarkstrom #NicoDaws #JakeAllen #DmitriKulikov #PaulMaurice #MatthewTkachuk #AleksanderBarkov #TomasNosek #JacobMarkstrom #NicoDaws #JoshGetzoff JoeBrand #ColbyArmstrong #JasonSeidling #PhilBourque #WillieO'Ree #AlexOvechkin #PittsburghPirates #MikeSullivan #AustonMatthews #JoeBowen

Episode 76 - Another Ruff Start - With Mike Harrington from the Buffalo News

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:32:00 -0400

14 years ago, the Buffalo Sabres qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs with Lindy Ruff behind their bench. Fourteen years and six head coaches later, Ruff was tabbed again last year to try to recapture some post-season magic in Buffalo. Unfortunately, it hasn't gone exactly to plan.

Another slow start punctuated by lack of offense has quickly tested the patience of the fans in Western New York. Buffalo News columnist Mike Harrington joins Neil and Vic to get the pulse in the winning starved city.

We'll also return with Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To starting with an historic dry spell in the Big Apple along with other items of note from around the NHL.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:28] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To opens the show with the New York Rangers firing blanks at home and a player that they'd like wish they still had.

[09:26] - Mike Harrington joins the show and delivers the mood in the Buffalo area with the Sabres struggling, the Bills hitting a bump in the road and the Blue Jays having their hands full in the ALCS.

[10:49] - Starting the breakdown of where it continues to go wrong and why the Sabres can't seem to have the Bills relative success.

[13:29] - Moving from ownership to the front office where the club simply doesn't appear to have a true identity and fan patience is thin before the leaves have started to fall.

[15:49] - Though most people are not pointing the finger at the head coach, Vic presses Mike on his position on Lindy Ruff.

[18:25] - While the team has been affected by injuries early on, Neil is flabbergasted at some of the moves that have been made. Harrington adds his perspective.

[21:49] - The Jack Eichel saga leading to his departure from Buffalo to Vegas.

[23:41] - The big picture, as Mike sees it, in how the Sabres get their early woes turned around.

[25:06] - While the goaltending and defense are respectable, some difference of opinion on the forward group in relation to the balance of the NHL.

[29:10] - Adding to the frustration in Buffalo is the number of players that have won Stanley Cups elsewhere since departing the team.

[31:33] - In the immediate, the baby steps needed to gain traction - as if the first week of the season never happened.

[35:39] - Wrapping up the discussion with Mike Harrington

[37:04] - Other items from around the NHL including a salute to the latest member of the 1500 games played club.

[46:28] - A Human Side of the Story bit on how general managers - such as Kevyn Adams - deal with a high level of negativity when their franchise loses its way.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #MikeHarrington #BuffaloNews #PittsburghPirates #StuSkinner #VincentTrocheck #ArtemiPanarin #MikaZibanejad #WillCullye #AlexisLafreniere #MartinBrodeur #DominikHasek #CharlieLindgren #RyanLindgren #SamCarrick #AdamEdstrom #MattRempe #ChrisKreider #JoelQuenneville #JacobTrouba #BrandonBussi #PyotrKochetkov #BuffaloBills #TorontoBlueJays #NewYorkYankees #Presidents'Trophy #ChrisDrury #RasmusDahlin #OwenPower #TerryPegula #KimPegula #JoshAllen #SeanMcDermott #BrandonBeane #ConnorMcDavid #JackEichel #KevynAdams #JarmoKekalainen #LindyRuff #RonRolston #TedNolan #DanBylsma #PhilHousley #RalphKrueger #DonGranato #JoshNorris #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen #AlexLyon #MattiasSamuelsson #J.J.Peterka #TageThompson #AlexTuch #MichaelKesselring #JoshDoan #ShaneDoan #PeytonKrebs #JiriKulich #JackQuinn #JasonZucker #DylanCozens #SamReinhart #RyanO'Reilly #BrandonMontour #ZachBenson #JordanGreenway #KonstaHelenius #NathanMacKinnon #BradyTkachuk #KyleOkposo #EvanRodrigues #DmitriKulikov #WillCarrier #ZachBogosian #RayFerraro #JasonBotterill #SethAppert #IvanDemidov #LaneHutson #ColeCaufield #JeffGorton #KentHughes #JoeyDaccord #JeffMolson #AdinHill #DustinWolf #DevinCooley #DanVladar #RyamHuska #UtahHockeyClub #GrantFuhr #MikeKeenan #GlennHall #JonCasey #SteveYzerman #WayneGretzky #ChrisPronger #NickKypreos #BrentBurns #DevonToews #PhilKessel #ChrisChelios #K'AndreMiller #NoahDobson #NickFoligno #LucasRaymond #ChrisTanev #LesterPatrick #JoeBowen #FosterHewitt #BillHewitt

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Not All Winless Starts Are the Same - Oct. 14, 2025

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:30:00 -0400

The first week of the 2025-26 season is complete. Teams have played an average of three games apiece. Entering Tuesday only Buffalo, the N.Y. Islanders and San Jose are winless but each has a very different feel to it.

We bounce around to some other league happenings, some major injury news in Ottawa and a nice, new contract for last year's Calder Trophy winner.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #KevynAdams #NoahDobson #JonathanDrouin #BrockNelson #MatthewSchaefer #PatrickRoy #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #DarnellNurse #EvanBouchard #ErikCernak #JordanHarris #JonCooper #DavidPastrnak #NikitaKucherov #BrandonHagel #BradMarshand #LaneLambert #JoelQunneville #JeffBlashill #RickTocchet #TrevorZegras #SeanCouturier #AaronEkblad #SamBennett #JonathanToews #NinoNiederreiter #NikolajEhlers #MasonApplwton #LaneHutson #CalderTrophy #LukeHughes #JacksonLacombe #JoshNorris #LucasRaymond #ChrisTanev #BradyTkachuk #RomanJosi #SamGirard #VincentTrocheck #CarsonSoucy #RickardRakell #JaccobSlavin #SeanDurzi #PyotrKochetkov #BrandonBussi #FrederikAndersen #CaydenPrimeau #KenDryden #AlexanderOvechkin #MichaelMisa #PhillippKurashev #TyDellandrea #ErikKarlsson #HassoPlattner #CamFowler #IlyaSorokin #MikeHarrington #BuffaloNews

NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition - Craig Patrick

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:01:00 -0400

Professional hockey has a long lineage of families who have had a prominent impact on the game. From the Staal's and Sutter's to the Hull's and Bentley's and beyond, each has left it's mark.

However, if one is looking for the true first family of hockey, you'd have to go back well over a century to the name Patrick...one which continues to influence hockey today.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:53] - Neil's and Craig's first meeting.

[02:58] - Rules that Patrick's great uncle, Frank and grandfather Lester introduced into hockey over a century ago. Vic adds some historical perspective to underscoring their place in hockey history.

[06:20] - Craig's early years growing up with hockey including a vision he had of his recently passed grandfather while skating in the Montreal Forum.

[11:07] - Stories from the sixties where Patrick's route to the pros took a detour attending - and winning a pair of championships at the University of Denver - before spending two years in the service.

[14:02] - How playing on weaker NHL clubs played a role in how Patrick approached building teams in a managerial role.

[15:34] - The 1980 U.S. Olympic Gold Medal Hockey team experience with head coach Herb Brooks. Patrick cites perhaps the single biggest key to one of sports greatest stories.

[18:23] - How Patrick ended up with the Rangers, first working under Fred Shero and then taking over for him as general manager in 1980. After coaching New York to the semi-finals in '80, he gets his man to run the team.

[21:55] - After six successful year in New York where the Rangers made the playoffs each year, the draft pick in '86 which Patrick believes got him fired.

[23:35] - The construction of the Penguins championship teams with the main piece already in place and watching that player evolve as a leader and Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 1991 and 1992.

[27:25] - The second Cup which came after dealing with heavy hearts early in the season.

[30:49] - Perhaps even better than the two Cup winners, the missed opportunity for a three-peat and a true place in hockey history.

[32:23] -As a former GM of the Rangers himself, Neil takes Craig on the nostalgic path back to the significance of being part of a franchise which is synonymous with his family's name.

[33:28] - Despite winning in Pittsburgh, there was also reality of dealing with tight purse strings in a smaller market.

[35:35] - Patrick's legacy carries on today with some of the players he drafted in Pittsburgh prior to leaving the organization.

[37:54] - Craig talks about his current venture as commissioner of 3Ice, a summer league of three-on-three hockey with legends of the game coaching the squads in the eight team league.

[42:34] - Summing up the true first family of hockey: The Patrick's.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #HallofFameEdition #CraigPatrick #ScottyBowman #PierreTurgeon #SteveYzerman #ScottStevens #GlennPatrick #HamptonAces #FrankPatrick #LesterPatrick #VancouverMillionaires #SeattleMetropolitans #MontrealCanadiens #JoeHall #MuzzPatrick #LynnPatrick #FrankSelkeJr. #MontrealForum #BostonGarden #ScottyBowman #MurrayArmstrong #UniversityofDenver #CaliforniaSeals #KansasCityScouts #St.LouisBlues #WashingtonCapitals #1980USOlympicHokeyTeam #HerbBrooks #MiracleonIce #JimCraig #KenMorrow #MikeEruzione #MinnesotaFightingSaints #FredShero #AndersHedberg #UlfNilsson #JohnFerguson #BillTorrey #ColoradoRockies #NewYorkIslanders #SonnyWerblin #BrianLeetch #PhilEsposito #TonyEsposito #EdJohnston #MarioLemieux #MartinStraka #JaromirJagr #JoeMullen #CalgaryFlames #LarryMurphy #PeterTaglianetti #MinnesotaNorthStars #RonFrancis #UlfSamuelsson #GrantJennings #JohnCullen #ZarleyZalapski #JeffParker #HartfordWhalers #MarkRecchi #KevinStevens #ConnSmytheTrophy #BobJohnson #It'sAGreatDayForHockey #MikeRichter #JaromirJagr #EdBelfour #DominikHasek #BobPulford #LyleOdelein #Marc-AndreFleury #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #KrisLetang #BobbyRyan #RayBourque #GuyCarbonneau #GrantFuhr #JohnLeClair #KenDaneyko #ChrisPatrick #DickPatrick #PatrickRoy #LesterPatrickAward #ThePatty

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - They're Off and Running! - Oct. 10, 2025

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 14:10:00 -0400

Twenty-one games in the books as the new season is underway. Plenty of coverage including contract extensions, debuts in new places and observations as all 32 teams have emerged from the starting blocks.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JackEichel #KyleConnor #MitchMarner #KirillKaprizov #MattiasEkholm #JackRoslevic #ConnorMcDavid #ArtemiPanarin #AdrianKempe #PatrikLaine #AlexTuch #MartinNecas #StanBowman #ZachHyamn #KenHolland #EvanderKane #CoreyPerry #EvanBouchard #DarnellNurse #MichaelMcLeod #CarterHart #DillonDube #CalFoote #AlexFormenton #SteveStaois #DanMuse #MarcoSturm #GlenGulutzan #AdamFoote #LaneLambert #MikeSullivan #JeffBlashill #RickTocchet #JoelQuenneville #JeremySwayman #JoonasKorpisalo #FrankNazar #ConnorBedard #FraserMinten #DylanLarkin #JohnGibson #JurajSlafkovsky #CamTalbot #LindyRuff #NikolajEhlers #K'AndreMiller #NoahDobson #JJPeterka #MatthewSchaefer #JonathanDrouin #JonthanToews #RodBrind'Amour #LeonDraisaitl #PavelDorofeyev #MarkStone #TomasHertl #MatthewKnies #MorganRielly #SamMontembeault #MaxDomi #BobbyMcCann #JohnTavares #NicholasRobertson #DylanGuenther #AnzeKopitar #BruceCusick #JoshManson #WarrenFoegele #JeffMalott #ScottStevens #DaveJackson #DavidPastrnak #CharlieMcAvoy #HampusLindholm #MacklinCelebrini #KellyKisio #MarkMessier #BrianLeetch #JTMiller #AlexNedeljkovic #WilliamEklund #SheaTheodore #ReillySmith #YaroslavAskarov #JohnKelly #SteveLevy #JohnTortorella #JohnBuccigross #CraigPatrick

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Ready to Go! - Oct. 6, 2025

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 15:42:00 -0400

After some shenanigans in Ottawa and the Sunshine State to wrap up the pre-season, the Tuesday openers can't get here fast enough.

Vic and Neil look at those three games, coaches debuting with new teams and dates major free agents kick off their respective seasons.

And, it's never too late to look ahead to the 2026 Entry Draft where the projected number one pick is already making an impression...and a former number one overall has signed a contract extension that may surprise many of you.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 75 - 2025-26 Season Preview - A Clean Sheet with Jeff Marek

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:01:00 -0400

Ready for another round? The new season is at our doorstep and, with it, comes our season preview show with long-time Canadian commentator and host of The Sheet Podcast, Jeff Marek.

We'll be talking the new era of money as it pertains to player contacts and free agency, new faces behind the bench and who may be on the hot seat, plus players and teams to look out for as the Florida Panthers look to three-peat despite having to deal with some key injuries.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:15] - Show me the money! Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov got a visit from the Brinks truck with Connor McDavid's situation still looming. As big as these new contracts are getting, Jeff believes we've come to a point we need to get comfortable with that.

[06:44] - McDavid's potential term with Leon Draisaitl starting a new eight-year deal while RFA Evan Bouchard opted for half that length.

[13:49] - Not all of these contracts work out as well as the day they are signed. A discussion of which deals may wind up being albatrosses around a team's neck.

[21:46] - Amidst the big money, perhaps some bargains out there as well.

[29:30] - Nine new head coaches this season. Taking a look at who will make the biggest impact in his first season with their new team.

[35:50] - Coaches who might be looking over their shoulders should their teams have a slow start.

[40:08] - The panel weighs in with their breakout players

[46:09] - Power shifts. The teams which start to rise and those who might be in for a slip.

[51:05] - Teams which may sneak in if one of the regulars slip up.

[56:33] - The Florida Panthers are behind the eight ball from the start of the season in their quest to do something no team since the 1982 Islanders did, win three straight Stanley Cups.

[1:01:01] - Picks for the Final.

[1:06:18] - A personal note from Vic and Neil with a new season upon us.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JeffMarek #TheSheet #KirillKaprizov #MitchMarner #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #LukeHughes #LaneHutson #JackEichel #KyleConnor #KevinCheveldayoff #JeffJackson #EvanBouchard #StanBowman #NoahDobson #ElliotteFriedman #BobGainey #SergeSavard #GaryBettman #BrianBurke #NathanMacKinnon #JohnnyGaudreau #MorganRielly #NikolajEhlers #K'AndreMiller #VladislavGavrikov #JJPeterka #BillZito #SamBennett #BradMarchand #AaronEkblad #MatthewKnies #JohnTavares #BrockBoeser #MorganGeekie #TrentFrederic #BrockNelson #FrankNazar #LoganStankoven #MattCoronato #MasonMcTavish #WadeRedden #HartfordWolfpack #TheAHL #RyanSuter #ZachParise #KevinMagnuson #MikeyAnderson #IgorShesterkin #ChrisDrury #BrentBurns #CoreyPerry #JonathanToews #MikhailSergachev #BrettPesce #BradySkjei #RodBrind'Amour #SylvainLefebvre #TomDundon #JoelQuenneville #MikeSullivan #MarcoSturm #DanRuse #AdamFoote #GlenGulutzan #LaneLambert #JeffBlashill #RickTocchet #ChrisKreider #PatVerbeek #DuncanKeith #BrentSeabrook #PatrickKane #SteveYzerman #GregCronin #LindyRuff #KenHitchcock #JimMontgomery #RickBowness #PeterDeBoer #AndrewBrunette #JimHiller #KenHolland #AndreTourigny #QuinnHughes #EliasPettersson #Loogaroo #WyattJohnston #KirillMarchenko #OwenTippett #JurajSlafkovsky #LukasDostal #JohnGibson #AdamFantilli #DeanEvason #DonWaddell #LoganCooley #NickSuzuki #ColeCaufield #DustinWolf #JetGreaves #DaniilTarasov #ElvisMerzlikins #ClaytonKeller #DylanGuenther #SpencerKnight #SethJones #JeremySwayman #DavidPastrnak #CharlieMcAvoy #PavelZacha #BradyTkachuk #MatthewTkachuk #MacklinCelebrini #WillSmith #MarcoKasper #JakeSanderson #LinusUllmark #ThatcherDemko #MatsZuccarello #AleksanderBarkov #TomasNosek #SergeiBobrovsky #AntonLundell #SamReinhart #PaulMaurice #BillTorrey #RichTorrey #SamPollock #DenisPotvin #SteveShutt #ScottyBowman #MiroHeiskanen #JamieBenn #MikkoRantanen #JimNill ##RasmusAndersson #NazemKadri #WayneGretzky #PatrickHoffman

NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition - Scott Stevens

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:01:00 -0400

The NHL has a long history of players who have made their mark as open-ice hitters, perhaps none who delivered more punishment than Scott Stevens.

The 2007 Hall of Fame inductee joins Neil and Vic to talk playing style, leadership and captaincy and winning three Stanley Cups in New Jersey under three different head coaches.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:44] - Neil opens about one of his pet peeves: a player having to answer for delivering a big hit. As Stevens shares, it's a far cry from when he played.

[04:06] - Neil takes Scott back to his days as a Ranger...a Kitchener Ranger, where he had his number 3 retired. That number followed him to Washington, then changed when he went to St. Louis and, later, New Jersey.

[06:07] - First NHL Game, October 6, 1982.

[06:54] - Highly emotional in his early years in the NHL, Stevens shares his turning point took where learned he could maintain his intensity and keep his emotions more in check.

[09:34] - Scott's mentors upon his arrival in Washington in 1982.

[11:09] - Captain's have varying leadership styles. For Stevens, it was always less about words and more about setting examples through action.

[13:11] - After spending his first eight seasons in Washington, Stevens signed as a free agent in St. Louis in 1990 only to be awarded to New Jersey as compensation for the Blues signing Brendan Shanahan a year later.

[15:08] - The acclimation to new teammates in New Jersey and assuming the Devils captaincy in his second season with the team.

[16:46] - Neil explains the Group I/Group II free agency in that era which left Stevens future in the hands of an arbitrator. Scott also notes the emotions waiting for the decision to come down.

[20:16] - As captain of the three New Jersey Cup winners in 1995, 2000 and 2003, was the best Devils team ever one that did not capture a title?

[22:19] - The first Cup in 1995 following a half-season lockout.

[24:37] - Stevens comments on the three different head coaches behind the bench for those Stanley Cup wins.

[30:31] - In each of those championship seasons, a signature hit was delivered to players with their heads down. According to Stevens, it was that physical play which helped the other parts of his game.

[31:55] - Considering the ferocity of Stevens open-ice hits, the number of elbowing penalties he incurred in a 22-season career might surprise you.

[34:03] - A little comic relief.

[35:55] - The first-ever Devil to have his number retired.

[37:25] - Neil wraps up the interview revealing to Scott that they actually had a common defense partner at different points in their careers.

[39:47] - Closing words on the Scott Stevens interview.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #ScottStevens #WashingtonCapitals #St.LouisBlues #NewJerseyDevils #EddieShore #RedHorner #BillBarilko #LeoBoivin #JacobTrouba #ConnorBedard #NickFoligno #BrendanSmith #KitchenerRangers #KenDaneyko #MylesO'Connor #LouLamoriello #BobbyOrr #AlMacInnis #EdMio #BryanMurray #SteveYzerman #RodLangway #BrianEngblom #CraigLaughlin #DougJarvis #MikeGartner #BruceDriver #BrendanShanahan #CurtisJoseph #RodBrind'Amour #DavidPoile #AdamGraves #JasonArnott #DetroitRedWings #DallasStars #AnaheimDucks #MarkMessier #JacquesLemaire #LarryRobinson #JacquesCaron #RobbieFtorek #PatBurns #BobbyCarpenter #SlavaKozlov #EricLindros #PaulKariya #TheThreeStooges #DaytonGems #DwightSchofield #WayneGretzky #BernieParent #RonFrancis #JimGregory #TorontoMapleLeafs

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - September 30, 2025

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:01:00 -0400

A major contract extension and it's potential ripple effect. Some major injury updates starting with the defending Stanley Cup champions and while one goalie says says farewell, another veteran netminder is looking to hook on with his original team.

The 2025-26 regular season is just a week away and we have the latest.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition - Steve Yzerman

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:01:00 -0400

The third installment of the Hall of Fame Edition is a man synonymous with the Winged Wheel logo. Steve Yzerman's entire playing career was spent in the Motor City with the transition to management taking place nearly two decades ago.

Steve stops by for a chat with Vic and Neil and we cover the entire spectrum for youth to his playing career to the rivalry with the Colorado Avalanche to life as a hockey executive.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:10] - The show opens with Neil and Steve recalling their first meeting at the 1983 Memorial Cup when Yzerman was just 18-years-old and how he ended up with number 19.

[03:23] - Not so fond memories having to wear the one-piece Cooperalls for Peterborough during the junior years.

[04:27] - Early upbringing from Cranbrook, BC to the OHL and returning home a few years ago on a scouting trip where Yzerman visited his first rink.

[06:51] - The 1983 Entry Draft and the expectations of staying with the big club immediately. Current Seattle head coach Lane Lambert was selected in that draft as well.

[09:41] - Being named captain of the Red Wings in 1986 at age 21. As an executive now, his thoughts on whether he'd name a captain that young.

[11:06] - Learning to lead.

[13:03] - The key conversation with head coach Scotty Bowman where some of the big offensive numbers might need to be sacrificed a bit in order for the Wings to have more team success, particularly in the playoffs.

[17:17] - Steve's most memorable goals as he recalls them.

[18:07] - The white heat rivalry with the Avalanche born in 1996.

[21:36] - The first Stanley Cup in Yzerman's career in 1997 breaking a 42-year drought for the Wings dating back to 1955. Coming off the losses to Colorado and Team USA in the World Cup of Hockey in 1996, there were doubts Steve would ever become a champion.

[25:33] - The 1998 and 2002 championships where severely injured defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov and head coach Scotty Bowman had special Stanley Cup moments.

[28:25] - After winning another Cup as VP of the Red Wings in 2008, Yzerman became GM in Tampa, learning the ropes from Ken Holland. Though he didn't win a Cup with the Lightning, he laid the foundation for the championship teams in 2020 and 2021.

[32:29] - The difference of building a team in 2025 as compared to 2010.

[35:40] - The harsh reality of building a playoff team when only half of the teams make the post-season.

[40:59] - Putting a wrap on the Hall of Fame chat with Steve Yzerman

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #SteveYzerman #GusBadali #JimDevellano #CamNeely #KenYaremchuk #MemorialCup #AlfieTurcotte #RichSutter #RonSutter #PatLafontaine #JohnMacLean #BryanTrottier #RandyLadouceur #PaulHenderson #DetroitRedWings #PeterboroughPetes #OHL #Cooperalls #PhiladelphiaFlyers #HartfordWhalers #DaveDryden #PeytonKrebs #DougFavell #BoobySmith #LaneLambert #KellyKisio #NickPolano #JacquesDemers #DannyGare #ColinCampbell #DickTodd #ScottyBowman #WayneGretzky #MarioLemieux #DaveLewis #BarrySmith #JacquesLemaire #SergeiFedorov #PatrickRoy #SlavaKozlov #AdamFoote #ClaudeLemieux #KrisDraper #MinnesotaNorthStars #QuebecNordiques #PeterForsberg #ValeriKamensky #JoeSakic #GaryBettman #JoeLouisArena #BrettHull #MikeRichter #WorldCupofHockey #BrendanShanahan #VladimirKonstantinov #ViacheslavFetisov #IgorLarionov #KenHolland #NicklasLidstrom #JimNill #RyanMartin #JeffVinik #VictorHedman #StevenStamkos #MartinSt.Louis #VincentLecavalier #NikitaKucherov #BraydenPoint #AnthonyCirelli #AndreiVasilevskiy #AlMurray #JulienBriseBois #OndrejPalat #YanniGourde #TylerJohnson #RyanMcDonagh #MikhailSergachev #JohathanDrouin #ErikCernak

Episode 74 - Rebuilding Hope - With New Blackhawks Head Coach Jeff Blashill

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:01:00 -0400

The envy of the NHL for the first half of last decade, the Chicago Blackhawks have come upon difficult times since winning their last Stanley Cup in 2015. The road back to respectability has been slow and frustrating for fans in the Windy City.

While a bit more patience may be in order, there's reason for optimism as Jeff Blashill begins a new era behind the Blackhawks bench bringing with him a reputation for developing players with a focus on fundamentals. Neil and Vic speak with Blashill to get a line on his expectations for the coming season.

With October around the corner, some other news making headlines from a concerned fan based regarding potential signings to injury news to a pair of superstars prepared to start the season as regular linemates.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:54] - New Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill joins the show now coaching his second original six team.

[02:30] - Blashill's decision to go to college elsewhere and play goal despite being raised in the Upper Peninsula near Lake Superior State.

[04:27] - Once coming to the realization that coaching was going to be his future, Blashill used his goalie perspective to determine how to run certain drills.

[06:00] - Neil and Jeff and the Western Michigan bond.

[08:04] - Having won championships as a head coach at two minor league levels, the message to his Blackhawks knowing what the perception of the team is around the hockey world.

[10:43] - The systematic approach needed to return the Blackhawks to respectability.

[12:13] - Having coached Dylan Larkin in his first seven NHL seasons, the teachings Blashill might employ with Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar.

[14:45] - The effect assistant coach Michael Peca - an excellent two-way player in his day - can help Bedard develop into more of a 200-foot player.

[17:28] - Similar to his Grand Rapids experience, Blashill will be counting on some of his veterans to help with younger players.

[19:10] - Doubling back to other star forwards of the past whose complete games took time to mature.

[21:03] - Players that have impressed since camp has opened and a word on goaltender Spencer Knight.

[23:24] - A unique situation where the coach who finished last season behind the Chicago bench is one of Blashill's other assistants for 2025-26.

[25:42] - Wrapping up with Jeff Blashill.

[28:54] - Two of the five Team Canada players acquitted in the sexual assault case stemming from an incident at the World Junior Championships in 2018 are being connected to the Carolina Hurricanes - and many of their fans aren't pleased about it.

[31:19] - Other news includes an indefinite leave of absence by a Toronto goalie, some injury news, the Oilers superstars opening the season playing together and remembering three Hall of Fame goalies lost in a 16-day period.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JeffBlashill #WesternMichiganBroncos #PatFerschweiler #AndyMurray #JohnGrahame #ChrisOsgood #JeffSalajko #GrandRapidsGriffins #CalderCup #AHL #IndianaIce #ClarkCup #USHL #DanCampbell #DetroitLions #JimmyJohnson #DallasCowboys #NIkitaKucherov #StevenStamkos #VictorHedman #DylanLarkin #ConnorBedard #JackEichel #NickFoligno #ConnorMurphy #TylerBertuzzi #RyanDonato #TeuvoTeravainen #IlyaMikheyev #FrankNazar #LouisCrevier #JoeSakic #SteveYzerman #DougGilmor #PatriceBergeron #KyleDavidson #JasonDickinson #AlexVlasic #SpencerKnight #ArvidSoderblom #SethJones #AndersSorensen #LukeRichardson #MichaelPeca #MikeVellucci #MikeSullivan #StanMikita #BobbyHull #KenWharram #PierrePilote #TonyEsposito #JimDevellano #KenHolland #KenDryden #EdGiacomin #BernieParent #CarterHart #MichaelMcLeod #CalFoote #AlexFormenton #DylanDube #JosephWoll #BradTreliving #DennisHildeby #AleksanderBarkov #JamieBenn #AndersLee #NicolasHague #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #KrisKnoblauch #ZachHyman #TrentFrederic #CoreyPerry #ViktorArvidsson #EvanderKane #ConnorBrown #JeffSkinner #StanBowman #IsaacHoward #EvanBouchard #JaySnider #ScottStevens #JeffMarek #TheSheet

NHL Wraparound Encore - Reliving the Cup on Broad Street - Remembering Bernie Parent

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 12:45:00 -0400

Following the passing of Hall-of-Fame goaltender Bernie Parent, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren re-release the podcast which first aired in May 2024 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia Flyers’ first Stanley Cup victory in 1974. This unforgettable conversation featured Parent, cornerstone of the Cup-winning team, and Jay Snider, son of Flyers’ founder Ed Snider and former team president.

Together, they reflected on the rise of the Broad Street Bullies, the grit, passion, and leadership that defined their era, and the lasting legacy of the Flyers’ back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 1974 and 1975. From intense battles with the Boston Bruins to behind-the-scenes insights into the Flyers’ culture under Fred Shero, this episode is a tribute to one of the most iconic teams in NHL history.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:34] Remembering the Cup on Broad Street – 50 Years Later

[02:05] How the Broad Street Bullies were born

[05:24] The Flyers' transformation and rise to dominance

[12:36] Pivotal moments in Flyers history

[31:39] Flyers vs. Bruins – the ultimate 1974 showdown

[36:49] Strategy, toughness, and unforgettable highlights

[38:59] Breaking through to win the first Stanley Cup

[42:48] Celebration, unity, and legacy

[46:10] Leadership lessons from Ed Snider and Fred Shero

[56:53] The second Cup – cementing a dynasty

[59:51] How the Flyers’ legacy still echoes today

[01:03:55] Final reflections on passion, perseverance, and family

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Ed Snider’s vision and demand for toughness redefined the Flyers’ identity and helped shape a winning culture.
Bernie Parent’s return to the Flyers brought elite goaltending that proved instrumental in both Cup runs.
The Flyers’ victories were rooted not only in physicality but in brotherhood, leadership, and resilience.
Fred Shero’s coaching brilliance, combined with foundational players like Bobby Clarke, led to a lasting team culture.
The stories shared reflect a team that remains a symbol of pride for Philadelphia, five decades later.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

RESOURCE LINKS:

📘 Jay Snider: LinkedIn

🏒 Bernie Parent Bio: Hockey Hall of Fame, Stanley Cup Champion, NHL Legend

ABOUT BERNIE PARENT:

Bernard “Bernie” Parent, Apr. 3, 1945-Sept. 21, 2025 was one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history. His dominant play led the Philadelphia Flyers to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975. Parent also played for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Philadelphia Blazers (WHA), finishing with over 270 NHL wins. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984.

ABOUT JAY SNIDER:

Jay Snider, former president of the Flyers and son of team founder Ed Snider, has carried forward his family’s legacy in both hockey and business. He founded SpectaGuard and Snider Capital, and continues to lead innovative ventures across industries, including Snider Health and Unit Solutions.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #PhiladelphiaFlyers #BroadStreetBullies #StanleyCup #BernieParent #JaySnider #Flyers1974 #NeilSmith #VicMorren #FredShero #EdSnider #HockeyHistory #NHLWraparound #Flyers50thAnniversary #GoaltendingGreats #TeamLegacy

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Sept. 19, 2025

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:01:00 -0400

As training camps get underway, news around the NHL is beginning to pick up. Vic and Neil go over several areas of interest including the McDavid/Kaprizov drama, a new captain in the Big Apple and several other player news. Also, some familiar names will be behind the bench for the United States at the Winter Olympics in Italy in February.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #HallofFameEdition #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #ConnorMcDavid #KirillKaprizov #JackEichel #JTMiller #JacobTrouba #MikaZibanejad #AdamFox #VincentTrocheck #FilipChytil #EliasPettersson #WorldJuniorChampionships #TeamCanada #SexualAssual #CarterHart #DillonDube #AlexFormenton #MichaelMcLeod #CalFoote #StanBowman #ConnorIngram #VitekVanecek #KarelVejmelka #NHL-NHLPAPlayerAssistanceProgram #BillArmstrong #DavidPastrnak #AlexOvechkin #ToreyKrug #ZachHyman #MatthewTkachuk #TomasNosek #BillZito #PaulMaurice #AnzeKopitar #KenHolland #MikeSullivan #JohnHynes #DavidQuinn #JohnTortorella

NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition - Pierre Turgeon

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:01:00 -0400

One of only 48 men to have reached the 500-goal mark in NHL history. The second installment of the "NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition" welcomes 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Pierre Turgeon.

In this discussion, Neil and Vic hit on numerous topics from Turgeon's junior hockey days in Granby to his Little League World Series appearance in 1982 to the Dale Hunter hit 11 years later to being the last Montreal Canadiens captain to leave Montreal Forum Ice with the symbolic torch raised high.

Turgeon - similar to Neil - is open about the pain of losing a child but being able to find strength in the good of life and moving forward while never forgetting.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[2:01] - After acknowledging congratulations for his 2023 induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Neil points out the irony of Pierre's junior team and the NHL club that selected him first overall in 1987.

[3:05] - A natural talent, Turgeon speaks about his early years when he racked up 114 points as a 16-year-old despite playing for four different coached in his first of two seasons in Granby.

[4:54] - Playing in the 1982 Little League World Series for Rouyn-Noranda alongside fellow NHL'er Stephane Matteau.

[7:12] - Thoughts about Colorado. A former home and where Turgeon ended his NHL career but still visits frequently.

[8:27] - Returning to the hockey piece, Turgeon recalls the magical 1992-93 where he reached statistical milestones as a New York Islander before being injured in the final game of the opening round, victim of a vicious cheap shot.

[11:37] - Neil and Pierre share some stories of players and games from years past - Stephane Quintal, Clark Gillies, Benoit Hogue and Clint Malarchuk, who suffered one of hockey's most gruesome injuries as a teammate of Turgeon's in March of 1989.

[19:08] - It took 13 years for Turgeon to be elected to the Hall of Fame after his first year old eligibility in 2010. Pierre reflects on whether there was a lack of appreciation for his production having not played on many contending teams.

[21:57] - While playing for six teams and only 104 games for the Canadiens, it was Turgeon who was the captain that skated the torch off Montreal Forum ice for the final time in March, 1996.

[24:54] - The importance of family and the mutual pain Pierre and Neil share in losing a child. Though some days bring back painful reminders, Turgeon embraces each day as both men have learned to move forward carrying the memories.

[29:17] - Amidst appreciating small things in life, Turgeon enjoys golf on a frequent basis.

[30:08] - A few words about Pierre's brother Sylvain, who was selected second in the 1983 Draft.

[32:10] - Putting a wrap on the chat with Pierre Turgeon.

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #ScottyBowman #PierreTurgeon #GranbyBisons #JacquesCloutier #LittleLeagueWorldSeries #StephaneMatteau #Rouyn-Noranda #NewYorkIslanders #ColoradoAvalanche #AlArbour #DavidVolek #RayFerraro #MontrealCanadiens #PatrickRoy #StephaneQuintal #BostonBruins #EricDesjardins #ClarkGillies #BuffaloSabres #BryanTrottier #BenoitHogue #ClintMalarchuk #Jim Pizzutelli #UweKrupp #SteveTuttle #MarcelDionne #KyleOkposo #ButchBouchard #JeanBeliveau #YvanCournoyer #HenriRichard #SergeSavard #BobGainey #GuyCarbonneau #MauriceRichard #ElizabethTurgeon #DetroitRedWings #BrianLawton #SteveYzerman #PatLafontaine #SylvainTurgeon #HartfordWhalers

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Sept. 12, 2025

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:05:00 -0400

Some significant league news heading into the weekend so a good time dust off Short Shifts. Vic and Neil will talk about the five World Junior players from team Canada in 2018 that were acquitted on sexual misconduct charges in July and will now have the opportunity to resume their NHL careers.

The contract saga of Minnesota star Kirill Kaprizov will be discussed along with some goaltending news and dates to mark on your 2025-26 hockey calendar as a quartet of prominent names make their first visits back to their old stomping grounds.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #HallofFameEdition #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #2018WorldJuniorChampionships #DillonDube #CarterHart #MichaelMacLeod #CalFoote #AlexFormenton #KirillKaprizov #BillGuerin #PaulTheofanous #FrankSeravalli #LeonDraisaitl #MitchMarner #ConnorMcDavid #KyleConnor #JackEichel #AdrianKempe #ZachParise #RyanSuter #Marc-AndreFleury #JimRutherford #MattMurray #GerardGallant #SidneyCrosby #AlexandarGeorgiev #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen #AlexLyon #DustinWolf #DevinCooley #CraigConroy #BradMarchand #NikolajEhlers #ChrisKreider #RodGilbert #JeanRatelle #JacobTrouba #PierreTurgeon

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Vegas Golden Knights

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren head to the desert to break down the Vegas Golden Knights, a team still in win-now mode—and not afraid to prove it

Coming off a 110-point season and a second-round loss to Edmonton, Vegas pulled off the biggest move of the offseason, acquiring Mitch Marner from Toronto and signing him to an 8-year, $12M AAV deal. The message? The Golden Knights are all-in again.

But with aging stars, injury concerns, and cap issues, is this the final swing of the sword before the dynasty window closes?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] 110 points in 2025, second-round exit vs. Edmonton

[00:30] Mitch Marner trade & 8-year, $12M extension

[01:00] Vegas' “go-for-it” identity: how long can it last?

[01:30] Cap trouble: $7.6M over the limit—what's next?

[02:00] Prospect pool ranked among NHL’s worst

[02:30] Additions: L’Heureux, Sissons, Jacob Magna

[03:00] Big loss: Alex Pietrangelo injury likely career-ending

[03:30] D-core still solid: Theodore, McNabb, Hanifin, Whitecloud

[04:00] Forward depth: Is Vegas actually deeper than Edmonton?

[05:00] Top-six preview: Eichel, Marner, Dorofeyev / Hertl, Stone, Barbashev

[06:00] Playoff scoring drop-off: Only 10 goals vs. Oilers

[06:30] Health concerns: Mark Stone + Jack Eichel

[07:00] Goaltending: Aidan Hill vs. the field

[07:30] Can Vegas still lead the Pacific—or is the window closing?

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Vegas always finds a way to land the big fish, and Marner is the latest proof. But cap issues loom, and depth will be tested.

The top six is elite, but the bottom six must contribute. With guys like Barbashev, Roy, and Dorofeyev, there’s promise—but also pressure.

Losing Alex Pietrangelo to a career-threatening injury is massive. Luckily, Hanifin, McNabb, Whitecloud, and Theodore make up a strong top four.

Aidan Hill isn’t flashy—but he’s got a Cup ring. With Schmid backing him up, goaltending may not win games, but it shouldn’t lose them either.

The clock is ticking. Eichel’s UFA status in 2026, Stone’s lingering injuries, and the lack of elite prospects mean the time to win is now.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

Vegas still plays with swagger. They still have the firepower. And they still believe the Stanley Cup runs through the desert.

But after a playoff flameout and another headline-grabbing offseason, this version of the Golden Knights may be their last, best chance at glory.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

📺 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#VegasBorn #GoldenKnights #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #NHLPodcast #StanleyCupWindow #NHL2026 #PlayoffPush #SalaryCapCrunch #EichelExtension #MarnerTrade #PacificDivision #NHLNews #MitchMarner #NickRoy #MarkStone #TomasHertl #WilliamKarlsson #ReillySmith #BrandonSaad #JeremyLauzon #ColtonSissons #NicolasHague #JaycobMegna #TannerPearson #VictorOlofsson #AlexPietrangelo #SheaTheodore #BraydenMcNabb #NoahHanafin #ZachWhitecloud #BruceCassidy #KaedanKorczak #BrettHowden #KeeganKolesar #PavelDorofeyev #JackEichel #IvanBarbashev #AdinHill #AkiraSchmid

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Winnipeg Jets

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dissect the Winnipeg Jets, who entered 2025 as the surprise Presidents’ Trophy winners—only to fall in the second round of the playoffs.

After a miraculous comeback in Game 7 vs. St. Louis, the Jets were grounded by the Dallas Stars—and the split personality home/road record (6–1 at home, 0–6 on the road) told the story.

Now, with Nikolaj Ehlers gone, Connor Hellebuyck under scrutiny, and Jonathan Toews making a shocking return, is this team still built to contend?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Jets finish 56–22–4, win their first-ever Presidents’ Trophy

[00:30] Wildest moment of the playoffs: Game 7 comeback vs. Blues

[01:00] But then… 0–6 road record ends the run vs. Dallas

[01:45] Connor Hellebuyck wins MVP and Vezina—but struggles in postseason again

[02:15] Jonathan Toews returns to hockey! What can he bring?

[03:15] Key losses: Ehlers, Appleton, Tanev, Toninato

[04:00] New faces: Nyquist, Toews, Pearson, Peeke, Kuhlman

[05:15] Depth concerns beyond the top line: is the second line too thin?

[06:30] Is Winnipeg becoming a market no one wants to sign in?

[07:15] Forward lines review: Top 6 talent, but bottom 6 uncertainty

[08:00] Defense overview: Morrissey, DeMelo, Sandberg, Pionk

[09:00] Connor Hellebuyck’s playoff resume under the microscope

[10:30] Can Scott Arniel repeat the magic in Year 2?

[11:00] Realistic expectations for 2025–26: Top 3 in Central?

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Jonathan Toews returns in a stunning move, but it's unclear how much the former Blackhawks captain has left in the tank.

Connor Hellebuyck won everything… except in the playoffs. His postseason save percentage over the last 3 years is below .870.

The top line is elite: Connor – Scheifele – Vilardi could be one of the best trios in hockey.

Second line is unproven: Can Perfetti, Toews, and Nyquist replace the lost firepower of Ehlers and Appleton?

The Jets still have one of the NHL’s best defenses—but goals will be harder to come by.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Winnipeg Jets shocked the NHL last year. But with age creeping in and a roster that didn’t improve on paper, 2025–26 might be their last real shot at chasing a Cup with this core.

A repeat of the President’s Trophy is unlikely. The real question is: can they finally be a playoff team that performs when it matters most?

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

📺 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS:

#WinnipegJets #PresidentsTrophy #StanleyCup #NHLWraparound #JetsNation #NikolajEhlers #ColePerfetti #AdamLowry #ConnorHellebuyck #JonathanToews #GabrielLandeskog #MasonAppleton #BrandonTanev #DominicToninato #GustavNyquist #ColeKoepke #TannerPearson #PhilDiGiuseppe #WalkerDuehr #HadynFleury #MorganBarron #GabeVilardi #DylanSamberg #KevinCheveldayoff #MarkScheifele #KyleConnor #VladislavNamestnikov #JoshMorrissey #DylanDemelo #NealPionk #LukeSchenn #ScottArniel

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Washington Capitals

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren head to the nation's capital to break down the Washington Capitals, a team coming off a quietly dominant 2024–25 regular season... and a playoff run that ended just as quietly.

Washington finished with 111 points, 1st in the Metro, and 2nd overall in the NHL—yet fizzled in the second round against Carolina after dispatching Montreal in five games. But with no major offseason additions, the OV goal chase behind them, and multiple players coming off career seasons, is this team poised for a step forward—or a step back?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] 111 points in 2025: Best in East, 2nd in NHL

[00:45] First playoff series win since 2018… but Carolina exposed their pace

[01:15] Quiet offseason: No notable adds, re-signs only Blais & LaPierre

[01:45] Notable exits: Mantha, Raddysh, Eller, Alexeyev

[02:15] Farewell to T.J. Oshie (retired) & Nick Backstrom (Sweden)

[02:45] OV hits 900 goals — record-breaking moment, but costly distraction?

[03:30] Spencer Carbery wins Jack Adams — can he do it again?

[04:00] The overachievers: Strom, Lapierre, Wilson, Dubois, Chičhryn, McMichael

[04:45] Regression incoming? Expectation vs. reality for 2025–26

[05:30] Capitals identity: More Tom Wilson than Alex Ovechkin?

[06:00] Defense: Martin Fehérváry extension, Chychrun, Carlson aging

[07:00] OV's twilight years — now what?

[08:00] Final verdict: Still a playoff team, but not chasing the President’s Trophy again

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The OV chase is finally over. With the Gretzky record broken in 2025, Washington can now shift full focus back to team hockey — and they’ll need to.

Last season's success came from 8 career-best performances. That kind of lightning rarely strikes twice, especially with an aging core.

Chychrun looked like a Norris candidate, and Strom emerged as a true #1 center — but can they sustain it?

Carbery coached a masterclass in 2025. But with no new weapons and the league now targeting the Caps, coaching will be tested more than ever.

Capitals' identity has changed. It’s less about the OV slapshot now, and more about the grit and leadership of Tom Wilson.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Washington Capitals proved everyone wrong in 2025 with a dominant regular season—but can they recreate the magic without the motivation of history chasing them?

Expectations are higher, but age is creeping in. If they fall short, the story of 2026 may be the end of an era—not a deep playoff run.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

📺 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#WashingtonCapitals #NHLWraparound #TomWilson #PresidentTrophy #SpencerCarbery #CapitalsPodcast #NHLPlayoffs #OV900 #JackAdams #OVGoalRecord #StanleyCupPush #HockeyPodcast #SummerCoolers #EasternConference #NHL2026 #AnthonyBeauvillier #HendrixLapierre #AndrewMangiapane #TaylorRaddysh #LarsEller #AlexanderAlexeyev #TJOshie #NicklasBackstrom #MartinFehervary #SpencerCarbery #DylanStrome #AliakseiProtas #ConnorMcMichael #PierreLuc-Dubois #JakobChychrun #NicDowd #LoganThompson #AlexOvechkin #WayneGretzky #RyanLeonard #JohnCarlson

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Toronto Maple Leafs

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren turn their sights to the Toronto Maple Leafs, a franchise with sky-high expectations and one of the longest championship droughts in professional sports.

Despite finishing first in the Atlantic Division with 108 points, the Leafs fell in seven games to Florida—with especially disappointing efforts in Games 5 and 7. And this offseason, the biggest domino fell: Mitch Marner was traded to Vegas for center Nicolas Roy, ending his nine-year tenure with the team.

With Matthew Knies elevated to the new "Core Four", is this version of the Leafs any closer to a Cup? Or are we staring down another April collapse?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] 2025 recap: 108 points, 1st in Atlantic, early exit to Florida

[01:00] Mitch Marner traded to Vegas, signs 8 years, $12M AAV

[02:00] Leafs add forward depth: Matias Maccelli, Dakota Joshua, Michael Pezzetta

[03:00] Re-signings: John Tavares (hometown discount), Matthew Knies (6 yrs, $7.75M AAV)

[04:00] Knies' breakout & new Core Four status

[05:00] Drops: Ryan Reaves to San Jose, Pontus Holmberg to Tampa

[06:00] Can this forward group replace Marner’s 100+ point production?

[07:00] Austin Matthews’ leadership under fire: Time to step up

[08:00] Craig Berube’s system: Can he mold this group into playoff warriors?

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Mitch Marner is gone—and he’s not coming back. He controlled the situation, didn’t want to stay in Toronto, and ultimately forced the Leafs’ hand.

Matthew Knies is officially a franchise cornerstone. With a six-year extension and a power-forward game built for the playoffs, he must carry more of the load.

John Tavares took a massive pay cut, re-signing at $4.389M per year. His leadership on and off the ice remains critical for a group chasing postseason credibility.

Craig Berube must transform Toronto’s identity, instilling grit, urgency, and resilience. Without it, history will repeat itself again.

Austin Matthews must finally own the playoffs. He’s already a Hall of Fame talent, but postseason success has to match regular season dominance.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Leafs still have elite talent. They still have the most media attention. And they still have the longest active Stanley Cup drought.

If Toronto can’t break through now—with Marner gone, Berube in charge, and a reshaped core—the conversation in 2026 will be exactly the same. Time is ticking.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

📺 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#TorontoMapleLeafs #LeafsForever #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #MitchMarner #NickRoy #BradTreliving #KyleDubas #MatiasMaccelli #MichaelPezzetta #TravisBoyd #VinniLettieri #DakotaJoshua #CraigBerube #JohnTavares #StevenLorentz #NicolasRobertson #MatthewKnies #AustonMatthews #WilliamNylander #RyanReaves #HenryThrun #PontusHolmberg #CoreFour

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Pittsburgh Penguins

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this edition of NHL Wraparound's Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive into one of the NHL's most iconic yet most uncertain franchises: the Pittsburgh Penguins.

For the fourth straight season, the Penguins look like they'll miss the playoffs—despite having Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson still on the roster. With rookie head coach Dan Muse taking the reins from Mike Sullivan (now in New York), the team seems more focused on riding out legacies than chasing another Stanley Cup.

Is this the year that Crosby finally waves the towel and requests a trade?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] New coach Dan Muse takes over in Pittsburgh

[00:40] Key offseason additions: Brazeau, Mantha, Pinard, Alexeyev, Dumba, Cossa

[01:30] Major re-signings: Tomasino, Dewar

[02:00] The big drop: Alex Nedeljkovic traded to San Jose

[02:30] Crosby (38), Malkin (39), Letang (38), Karlsson (35): Aging and fading?

[03:30] Depth review: Ricard Rakell, Bryan Rust, Anthony Mantha

[04:30] This roster screams “lottery team,” not playoff hopeful

[05:00] Dubas had $13M in cap space—what did he do with it?

[06:00] Is Sidney Crosby open to a trade if things go south?

[07:30] Would you trade Crosby at the deadline if he asked?

[08:30] Why Penguins ownership may have misread the state of the franchise

[09:00] The unfortunate truth: This rebuild should’ve started two years ago

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Penguins are the NHL’s oldest team (average age: 31.5) and aren’t getting younger—or better.

No playoff series wins since 2017, and no signs that’ll change without a major shakeup.

New coach Dan Muse inherits a roster that feels more like a retirement tour than a contender.

Despite having $13 million in cap space, GM Kyle Dubas didn’t significantly improve the roster.

Sidney Crosby’s future looms large: If the team tanks early, could a blockbuster trade be on the table?

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Penguins' once-proud window has long since closed. While Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and Karlsson will one day have statues, their time as legitimate contenders has clearly passed. This is a transition year—if not the start of a full teardown. And for the first time ever, Pittsburgh may need to ask: Is it time to trade Sid?

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

🎥 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound on Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#PittsburghPenguins #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #SidneyCrosby #DanMuse #KyleDubas #EvgeniMalkin #ErikKarlsson #KrisLetang #DanMuse #KyleDubas #ConnorClifton #JustinBrazeau #AnthonyMantha #RafaelHarvey-Pinard #AlexanderAlexeyev #MattDumba #ArtursSilovs #ConnorDewar #PhilipTomasino #AlexNedeljkovic #DavidQuinn #RickardRakell #BryanRust #RutgerMcGroarty #KevinCheveldayoff #MarioLemieux #PatBrisson

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Vancouver Canucks

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dissect the rollercoaster that is the Vancouver Canucks. Coming off a season filled with locker room drama, failed expectations, and big-name regression, the Canucks hit reset under first-year head coach Adam Foote.

After missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five years, Vancouver aims to rediscover the promise shown during their 2024 second-round playoff run. But with tensions between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, injuries to Demko and Hughes, and Rick Tocchet walking out the door, can this new-look squad get back on track?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Coaching change: Rick Tocchet out, Adam Foote in

[01:00] Rewind to 2024: Why so much promise fell apart

[02:00] Pettersson vs. Miller drama & Demko injury fallout

[03:00] Brock Boeser: Contract chaos & eventual re-signing

[04:00] Offseason adds: Evander Kane, PO Joseph, Chase Stillman

[05:00] Key re-signings: Boeser (7 yrs, $7.25M), Demko (3 yrs, $8.5M), Aatu Räty

[06:00] Notable losses: Dakota Joshua, Pius Suter, Di Giuseppe

[07:00] Top 6 preview: Pettersson, Boeser, DeBrusk, Kane, Chytil

[08:00] Defensive core still solid: Hughes, Hronek, Myers, Pettersson

[09:00] Rookie coach, lower expectations: Can that help Vancouver rebound?

[10:00] Connor Garland: Annoying everyone—in the best way

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The drama is over—hopefully. The Canucks parted ways with coach Rick Tocchet and now turn to Adam Foote to stabilize the locker room and unify the bench.

Elias Pettersson's regression (from 102 points to 45) was a major anchor last season. With his big deal in place, it’s time to rebound.

Brock Boeser stays on a seven-year deal, providing some scoring certainty alongside Jake DeBrusk and a hopefully healthy Filip Chytil.

The defense remains the team’s strength, led by Quinn Hughes and a healthy Filip Hronek. If Demko stays healthy, Vancouver has a fighting chance.

Evander Kane adds grit, but Vancouver still lacks forward depth beyond their top two lines.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Canucks are not the Cup hopefuls they were a year ago—and that’s a good thing. With expectations reset, a new coach behind the bench, and fewer off-ice distractions, Vancouver has a chance to quietly climb back into the playoff picture. But only if their stars play like stars again.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

📺 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#NHLWraparound #VancouverCanucks #SummerCoolers #AdamFoote #EliasPettersson #FilipHronek #TylerMyers #DakotaJoshua #DerekForbort #TeddyBlueger #JakeDeBrusk #DantonHeinen #KieferSherwood #VincentDesharnais #JTMiller #BrockBoeser #RickTocchet #ThatcherDemko #FilipChytil #QuinnHughes #AatuRaty #POJoseph #ChaseStillman #ArtursSilovs #PhilDiGiuseppe #PiusSuter #NoahJuulsen #ConorGarland #MarcusPettersson

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Tampa Bay Lightning

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of NHL Wraparound's Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team loaded with offensive firepower—but still struggling to get out of the first round of the playoffs.

Despite finishing second in the Atlantic and ranking #1 in league scoring, the Lightning were eliminated in the first round by the Panthers for the third consecutive season. With John Cooper entering his 14th season behind the bench and Steven Stamkos gone to free agency, is this still a contender—or a team quietly slipping?

The hosts discuss Tampa's cap-strained strategy, new bottom-six reinforcements, and whether this team can still fight for another Cup before the window closes.

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Tampa finishes 2nd in Atlantic but exits in Round 1 (again)

[00:45] Cooper returns for 14th season; Stamkos is gone

[01:10] Offense ranks 1st in NHL—but depth is the concern

[01:40] New additions: Sam Rielly, Ponta Holmberg, Jacob Pelletier

[02:30] Under-the-radar signings could bolster bottom-six

[03:00] Re-signings: J. Johansson (backup goalie), Yanni Gourde, Gage Goncalves

[03:45] Departures: Isaac Howard, Nick Perbix

[04:20] The real problem: Depth behind the stars

[05:00] Oliver Bjorkstrand injury recap & return outlook

[05:45] What Tampa must do to be more than just a first-round threat

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Lightning are still an offensive juggernaut, even without Stamkos—Kucherov, Point, Hagel, Guentzel, and Cirelli all bring elite scoring power.

Depth remains the biggest concern. The stars are still elite, but Tampa’s third and fourth lines aren’t scaring anyone.

Oliver Bjorkstrand’s injury during the regular season hurt more than most realized—his full-season presence could help stabilize the middle-six.

With the salary cap crunch, GM Julien BriseBois had to get creative, adding overlooked but potentially impactful players like Pelletier and Holmberg.

Vasilevskiy remains a top-tier goaltender, and Tampa’s defense (4th GA/G) is quietly solid—but unless role players step up, a deep run is unlikely.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Lightning still have the firepower to win any game—but their margin for error has never been slimmer. With Stamkos gone and the Cup core aging, Tampa’s fate may hinge on the emergence of its overlooked role players. They’ll make the playoffs, but a deep run will require more than just elite talent—it will take grit, health, and unlikely heroes.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

📺 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#TampaBayLightning #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #JonCooper #StevenStamkos #JakeGuentzel #NikitaKucherov #AndreiVasilevskiy #PatrickKane #JonathanToews #DuncanKeith #SamReilly #IsaacHoward #JakobPelletier #JulienBriseBois #JonasJohansson #YanniGourde #GageGonclaves #NickPerbix #BraydenPoint #BrandonHagel #AnthonyCirelli #OliverBjorkStrand

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - St. Louis Blues

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren spotlight one of the most resilient turnarounds of the 2024–25 season: the St. Louis Blues.

After a rough start under Drew Bannister, the Blues handed the reins to Jim Montgomery—and never looked back. A remarkable 35-18-7 run followed, including a 12-game winning streak that pushed them into the playoffs. Though their season ended in heartbreak—blowing a two-goal lead in the final minutes of Game 7 vs. Winnipeg—the Blues showed serious promise.

With savvy offseason additions, consistent goaltending, and a rock-solid system, the Blues are building a team that no one wants to play against. Montgomery’s influence is already turning heads.

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Recap: 96-point season, heartbreaking Game 7 playoff exit

[00:45] Coaching change: Jim Montgomery takes over, massive impact

[01:30] Key offseason additions: Pius Suter, Nic Dowd, Logan Mailloux

[02:15] The Mailloux move: Fresh start after off-ice controversy

[03:00] Goalie news: Joel Hofer re-signs as backup to Binnington

[03:30] Notable exits: Radek Faksa (DAL), Nick Leddy (SJS), Lucic tryout

[04:30] Youth watch: Dylan Holloway injury recovery, Snuggerud’s potential

[05:30] Offense by committee: Neighbors, Kyrou, Thomas, Blais

[06:30] Solid defense: Faulk, Parayko, Broberg, Fowler

[07:15] Where do the Blues fit in the Central?

[08:15] Tribute to John Kelly: Longtime play-by-play voice let go after 21 years

[09:00] Simulcast changes and legacy impacts

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Jim Montgomery’s arrival changed everything. His system revived a stagnant team, sparking a massive second-half push that nearly took out the top-seeded Jets.

The Blues added smart depth in Pius Suter and Nic Dowd and traded for a big, talented defenseman in Logan Mailloux—giving him a fresh start away from the Montreal spotlight.

Their young core is growing. Holloway’s health and Snuggerud’s next step could determine the ceiling of this team.

Montgomery has the room, and players have bought in. The Blues aren’t elite—but they’re dangerous.

Off the ice, the loss of John Kelly is seismic. The longtime play-by-play voice is a legend in St. Louis, and his departure is as emotional as it is confusing.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Blues may not have made massive free-agent headlines, but they didn’t need to. They’re building on momentum, buying into Montgomery’s system, and shaping a team that can make life miserable for any opponent. If they stay healthy and young players step up, expect St. Louis to punch above their weight once again.

And as fans adjust to new voices in the broadcast booth, they can rest easy knowing Montgomery still has his on the bench.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

🎥 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound on Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#StLouisBlues #JimMontgomery #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #BluesHockey #DrewBannister #JimMontgomery #DougArmstrong #DylanHolloway #PhilipBroberg #PiusSuter #NickBjudstad #LoganMailloux #ZackBolduc #JoelHofer #JordanBinnington #NickLeddy #MilanLucic #BraydenSchenn #JordanKyrou #RobertThomas #PavelBuchnevich #JakeNeighbours #CamFowler #ColtonParayko #JohnKelly #JamieRivers #ChrisKerber #JoeyVitale

Episode 73 - Back in the Saddle in Big D with Stars Head Coach Glen Gulutzan

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:50:00 -0400

If you believe in second chances, Dallas Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan has a story or two he could share. After being relieved of his duties in 2013 by general manager Jim Nill, it's that same GM who has brought back Gulutzan to complete some unfinished business in Dallas.

Engaging and insightful, Gulutzan clearly has the vision and sees the end game for a Stars team which has found different ways of falling short in each of the last three springs.

Neil and Vic will also touch on some other league news, which includes the passing of a Hall-of-Fame netminder, a playoff salary cap and new fashion statements across the NHL.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:36] - Glen Gulutzan joins Neil and Vic and quickly recognizes the unique opportunity of joining a team that is among the NHL's elite.

[02:23] - Gulutzan shares the experience of interviewing for the same job with the same GM who had fired him a dozen years earlier. He goes on to add how many familiar faces have remained with the Stars organization since his first go-round.

[06:37] - Given the uniqueness of being re-hired by the GM who fired you, Vic poses to Neil whether he would have been able to do likewise given the the right conditions.

[08:19] - Recollections of the ECHL days when Gulutzan was coaching in Las Vegas. While the Golden Knights put on a show now, they'd be hard-pressed to come up with some of the innovations introduced by the Wranglers.

[10:45] - With six years behind the Wranglers bench between 2003-2009, Gulutzan shares whether he believed back then that the NHL could survive and thrive in Sin City.

[13:07] - Evolving as a head coach through the minors to the NHL.

[16:29] - Between his Dallas head coaching stints was a two-year run heading up the Flames. Gulutzan shares the importance of those two seasons leading up taking over the reins in Dallas again.

[19:18] - Credited with helping the Edmonton Oilers becoming one of the most fearsome power play units in NHL history, Gulutzan takes over an offensively gifted group which will be less superstar driven and more a product of two very able units.

[23:02] - Dallas has fallen in three consecutive Western Finals, the last two to Edmonton with Gulutzan as an assistant. Having played a role in exploiting the Stars in 2025 might be the secret sauce in fixing things come next spring.

[25:54] - The top the hockey summit is in Florida. Thoughts on never altering the style of play from October-June.

[28:37] - Wrapping up with the pronunciation of Glen's birthplace.

[34:36] - News from around the NHL starts with the passing of Canadiens legend Ken Dryden, addressed the business component into the Carey Price trade to San Jose, the upcoming playoff salary cap, some fashion news and the 2025 US Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #SUmmerCoolers #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #GlenGulutzan #JimNill #JoeNieuwendyk #DennisSoetaert #MarkJanko #ScottWhite #JordyBenn #VernFiddler #MaxFortunus #TravisMorin #RogerNeilson #MikeKeenan #ColinCampbell #JohnMuckler #ECHL #TheAHL #LasVegasWranglers #BillyJohnson #RodBlagojevich #JohnstownChiefs #OrleansArena #JohnnyGaudreau #MatthewTkahcuk #samBennett #SeanMonahan #JaromirJagr #RayWhitney #BrendenMorrow #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #JamieBenn #TylerSeguin #MattDuchene #WyattJohnston #ThomasHarley #MikkoRantanen #RoopeHintz #JasonRobertson #MavrikBourque #MiroHeiskanen #DanielSedin #HenrikSedin #JohnTortorella #KenHitchcock #DaveTippett #KrisKnoblauch #JayWoodcroft #ToddMcLellan #NeilGraham #ThePasManitoba #RyanHartman #MichaelKesselring #PeeDeePride #KenDryden #ScottyBowman #GumpWorsley #RoyWorters #GeorgeHainsworth #DougRisebrough #BunnyLarocque #TheGame #FaceoffattheSummit #MarkMulvoy #SportsIllustrated #PaulHenderson #SummitSeries'72" #AlMichaels #ABC #LakePlacid #MiracleonIce #CareyPrice #GannonLaroque #MarcBergevin #PatrickKane #NikitaKucherov #MarkStone #MatthewTkachuk #DavidPastrnak #AustonMatthews #WilliamNylander #PKSubban #IgnitetheRed #USHockeyHallofFame #JoePavelski #ScottGomez #ZachParise #TaraMounsey #BruceBennett #PierreTurgeon

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Utah Mammoth

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the newly renamed Utah Mammoth—formerly the Utah Hockey Club—who enter their first season with a permanent identity and rising expectations.

Despite a rebrand and a new home in Salt Lake City, the pressure remains: make the playoffs for the first time in six years. With a talented forward group, fresh additions on defense, and three NHL-level goaltenders, this team may be young—but they’re no longer rebuilding.

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Why Neil hates team names without an “S”

[01:00] From Arizona to Utah: A franchise reset

[02:30] 23 home losses last season: What gives?

[03:00] Offseason moves: JJ Peterka trade, Schmidt, Vaněček, Timmons

[04:15] Peterka re-signs (5 years, $7.7M AAV)

[05:00] Returning core: Keller, Schmaltz, Gunther, Cooley, Crouse

[06:00] Goaltending shuffle: Vejmelka, Vaněček, and Ingram

[07:00] Coach Tourigny’s last shot? Playoffs or bust

[08:30] Depth chart resembles St. Louis Blues: Is that a good thing?

[09:30] Young guns: Tij Iginla + Michael Hrabal prospect watch

[10:00] Locker room chemistry, community support, and the road ahead

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

JJ Peterka is a huge addition, giving Utah much-needed top-six scoring and grit.

Goalie situation is crowded but upgraded: Vaněček adds stability behind Vejmelka and the uncertain Connor Ingram.

Defense is deeper with Nate Schmidt, Olli Määttä, and Scott Perunovich joining the mix.

Utah’s home record must improve (18–15–8 last year), especially with a passionate Salt Lake fanbase now fully engaged.

Coach André Tourigny is on the hot seat: This will be his fifth year without a playoff appearance—rare for any NHL bench boss.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

With a fresh brand and a full NHL arena, the Utah Mammoth are no longer an experiment—they’re a team with expectations. The playoff drought has to end, or sweeping changes may come next season. Between a hungry fanbase, solid core, and new energy, this team could make noise in the West—but only if they start strong.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

📺 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#UtahMammoth #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #ClaytonKeller #AndreTourigny #JJPeterka #JoshDoan #MichaelKesselring #BrandonTanev #ScottPerunovich #NateSchmidt #VitekVanecek #KailerYamamoto #NickDeSimone #MichaelCarcone #JackMcBain #AlexOvechkin #MatiasMaccelli #RobertBortuzzo #ConnorIngram #KarelVejmelka #BillArmstrong #DylanGuenther #LoganCooley #NickSchmaltz #BarrettHayton #LawsonCrouse #MikhailSergachev #OlliMaatta #TijIginla #JaromeIginla #MichaelHrabal

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Seattle Kraken

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive deep into the least inspiring of the 32 NHL teams heading into the 2025–26 season: the Seattle Kraken.

After a quick taste of playoff success in their second year, the Kraken have slid into irrelevance—27th overall last season, a questionable coaching hire in Lane Lambert, and little improvement made during the offseason.

They’ve got some exciting prospects like Shane Wright and former Calder winner Matty Beniers, but the goaltending is shaky, the power play regressed, and the club is still searching for its identity in a league that has passed them by.

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Kraken preview: What’s not exciting about this roster

[00:38] Lane Lambert replaces Dan Bylsma—why?

[01:30] Vegas comparison and pressure from early success

[02:15] Offseason moves: Marchment, Lindgren, Gaudreau, Capo Kakko

[03:00] Notable re-signings: Caco, Cartier, Mahura

[03:45] Quiet exits: Burakovsky, Pezzetta, Eno fallout

[04:30] Matty Beniers: Calder winner or sophomore slump?

[05:30] Power play problems: Jessica Campbell’s unit slides to 23rd

[06:00] Key players who must improve: McCann, Beniers, Wright

[07:00] Goaltending woes: Grubauer, Daccord, and Matt Murray

[08:30] Shane Wright outlook: 60-point potential?

[09:00] Adam Larsson’s shocking +22: One bright spot on defense

[09:30] Why Seattle’s ceiling might be the middle of the pack (at best)

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Lane Lambert’s hiring feels uninspired, and it's unclear what he brings that will move the needle after Bylsma’s brief run.

Ron Francis stepped aside as GM—another odd move that raises more questions than answers.

Seattle’s goaltending is a liability. Grubauer is in serious decline, Daccord is serviceable, and Matt Murray is a gamble.

Scoring is shallow. No Kraken forward hit 30 goals last year. Jared McCann, Matty Beniers, and Shane Wright must elevate.

Shane Wright remains a wild card. If he breaks out this year, it could provide much-needed momentum.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

For a team entering its fifth season, Seattle feels directionless. The Kraken are clinging to past flashes of success while failing to deliver the growth fans expected. Without big years from their young stars and a serious turnaround in net, expect another year adrift—closer to the lottery than the playoffs.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

🎥 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound on Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#SeattleKraken #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #LaneLambert #DanBylsma #JessicaCampbell #RonFrancis #JasonBotterill #MasonMarchment #RyanLindgren #VinceDunn #BrandonMontour #AdamLarsson #FrederickGaudreau #MattMurray #JohnHayden #JoshMahura #TyeKartye #KaapoKakko #AndreBuroskovsky #JoeVeleno #MikeyEyssimont #JaredMcCann #MattyBeniers #JadenSchwartz #JordanEberle #ShaneWright #JoeyDaccord #PhilippGrubauer #EeliTolvanen

2025 Summer Cooler - Philadelphia Flyers

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dig into a franchise in transition: the Philadelphia Flyers.

Rick Tocchet steps behind the bench, marking the team’s third coach in three seasons after Brad Shaw and John Tortorella. Meanwhile, Trevor Zegras arrives in a headline-making trade, bringing high-end skill and a much-needed spark to a Flyers team that’s been stuck in neutral offensively—particularly on the power play.

The Flyers haven’t made the playoffs since the COVID-era bubble (2020), but now—with an infusion of youth, a tough-minded new bench boss, and real promise in net—the orange and black faithful may finally have a reason to believe.

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Coaching carousel: Rick Tocchet replaces Brad Shaw, who replaced John Tortorella

[00:45] Flyers power play woes: 30th in 2024–25, 4 straight years in the bottom

[01:10] Zegas trade: Flyers acquire him from Anaheim for Ryan Poehling & picks

[01:45] New additions: Dan Vladar (G), Christian Dvorak (F), other depth signings

[02:15] Key re-signings: Cam York (5 yrs, $5.15M), Tyson Foerster, Noah Cates

[03:00] Core youth progress: Michkov, Brink, Drysdale, York

[04:00] Power play challenges: Still no true quarterback?

[05:00] Goalie outlook: Ersson vs. Ivan Fedotov vs. Vladar

[06:00] Prospect watch: Oliver Bonk, Jett Luchanko

[07:00] Front office vision: Did Danny Brière make the most of the Gaudreau return?

[08:30] Rick Tocchet vs. John Tortorella: Different leadership styles

[10:00] Can the Flyers punch into the playoff bubble in the Metro?

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Trevor Zegras represents a high-upside gamble—a flashy, creative player looking to reset his career under a new coach and closer to home.

Rick Tocchet brings grit, structure, and accountability—critical ingredients for a young team trying to learn how to win.

Goaltending remains uncertain—but there are options: Fedotov, Ersson, and Vladar all have potential.

The power play is still a major red flag. Even small improvement (from 30th to mid-20s) could put the Flyers in the Wild Card mix.

After years of rebuild mode, the Flyers now need their core (Michkov, York, Tippett, Brink) to mature into game-changers.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

With a new coach and a top-line talent like Zegras arriving, the Flyers aren’t rebuilding anymore—they’re trying to turn the corner. But unless the power play improves and someone steps up in goal, the orange-and-black may still be looking at another season on the outside of the playoff picture.

Still, for the first time in years, there’s more hope than hype in Philadelphia.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

🎥 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound on Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#NHLWraparound #FlyersHockey #RickTocchet #BradShaw #JohnTortorella #TrevorZegras #RyanPoehling #ChristianDvorak #DanVladar #MatveiMichkov #SeanCouturier #TravisKonecny #OwenTippett #TysonFoerster #NoahCates #CamYork #BobbyBrink #JamieDrysdale #TravisSanheim #CarterHart #SamErsson #IvanFedotov #DannyBriere #OliverBonk #JettLuchanko #JakobPellitier #AndreiKuzmenko #JoelFarabee #MorganFrost #KenHolland #ChuckFletcher #KeithJones

2025 Summer Cooler - Ottawa Senators

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down one of the league’s grittiest young clubs: the Ottawa Senators.

After ending their playoff drought with a gutsy first-round battle against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Sens showed resilience—pushing the Leafs to six games after being down 3–0. But questions remain as they head into 2025–26, particularly around one glaring issue: Who’s going to score the goals?

Steve Staios and head coach Travis Green have built a roster defined by toughness and effort—but is that enough to stay in the playoff picture?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Senators return to the playoffs for first time since 2017

[00:45] Offseason additions: Spence, Larsson, Czarnik, Hunter Shepard

[01:30] Key re-signings: Tyler Kleven, Claude Giroux (1-year deal), Levi Merilainen

[02:30] Notable departures: Forsberg, Godette, Hamonic

[03:00] Capital Question: Where’s the scoring? No 30-goal scorers in 2024–25

[03:30] Brady Tkachuk’s impact and leadership style

[04:00] Travis Green’s impressive first year as head coach

[04:30] Can Ottawa take the next step in a tightening Eastern Conference?

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Ottawa’s identity is becoming clearer: gritty, hard-nosed, physical hockey—just like Brady Tkachuk.

The lack of elite goal scorers is a real concern. Their top 3 scorers (Tkachuk, Batherson, Stützle) fell short of the 30-goal mark.

Travis Green’s leadership and system may be the difference in pushing this team forward—or watching them regress.

With other Eastern Conference teams reloading, Ottawa must rely on team-wide contributions and continued development from key young players to avoid slipping back out of playoff contention.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Ottawa Senators finally broke through in 2025—but staying above the playoff line in a tough Atlantic Division is another challenge entirely.

Without a big-name sniper or major offseason splash, this team must double down on identity, chemistry, and coaching. There’s a lot to like—but is it enough?

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

🎥 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound on Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#OttawaSenators #NHL #NHLPodcast #SensArmy #StanleyCupPlayoffs #HockeyTalk #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #EasternConference #NHLFreeAgency #NHL2026 #SenatorsRebuild #SensHockey #JordanSpence #LarsEller #ArthurKaliyev #HunterShepard #NikolasMatinpalo #TylerKleven #FabianZetterlund #ClaudeGiroux #LeeviMerilainen #NickCousins #HaydenHodgson #LinusUllmark #BradyTkachuk #JakeSanderson #DrakeBatherson #TimStutzle #AntonForsberg #AdamGaudette #TravisHamonic #SteveStaios #TravisGreen

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - San Jose Sharks

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In the final episode of NHL Wraparound’s Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren close out the series with the San Jose Sharks — a team that might just be entering its most hopeful rebuild phase in years.

After finishing dead last in 2024–25 with only 52 points, the Sharks are beginning to turn the corner. They’ve added key veterans like Jeff Skinner, John Klingberg, and Dmitry Orlov, while ushering in a promising new era led by Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.

From goaltending uncertainty to an emerging forward group, the Sharks’ 2025–26 season might not be playoff-bound — but it's shaping up to be a big leap forward for the franchise.

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] San Jose’s rebuild year begins

[00:35] Offseason pickups: Nedeljkovic, Orlov, Skinner, Klingberg, Kurashev, Godette, Reaves

[01:00] Prospect infusion: Celebrini + Smith headline youth movement

[01:45] Orlov’s signing gives credibility to blue line

[02:30] Net concerns: Can Nedeljkovic and Askarov steady the crease?

[03:30] Celebrini vs. Bedard debate: A more complete 200-ft game?

[04:45] Jeff Skinner and Godette provide veteran help for Smith

[05:30] Celebrini’s top-line outlook with Eklund and Toffoli

[06:00] Prospect pipeline: Dickinson, Musty, more on the rise

[06:45] Ryan Warsofsky praised for his first year behind the bench

[07:30] Will San Jose escape the NHL basement?

[08:00] Final reflections on all 32 teams: Optimism vs. reality

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith offer one of the most exciting 1–2 rookie punches in the league.

The Sharks' rebuild may not yield a playoff berth yet, but the structure is finally taking shape.

Dmitry Orlov’s 2-year deal brings stability and leadership to a defense corps that needed both.

Goaltending remains the biggest wildcard — but Askarov and Nedeljkovic may be better than some other tandems in the West.

GM Mike Grier and coach Ryan Warsofsky appear to be aligned in building this young, fast, and fun roster the right way.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

For the first time in years, hope feels real in San Jose.

With two elite forward prospects, solid veteran adds, and an improving defensive structure, the Sharks are on the rise — even if the scoreboard doesn’t show it quite yet. They’re not playoff-ready, but they’re no longer a guaranteed bottom-feeder either.

Call it a step forward. Finally.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS

🎥 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 VicMorren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound on Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#SanJoseSharks #AlexNedeljkovic #JohnKlingberg #JeffSkinner #AdamGaudette #PhilippKurashev #NickLeddy #RyanReaves #DmitryOrlov #BarclayGoodrow #MacklinCelebrini #ConnorBedard #WillSmith #YaroslavAskarov #AlexandarGeorgiev #BrianLeetch #TylerToffoli #WilliamEklund #MikeGrier #RyanWarsofsky

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Nashville Predators

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine one of the most baffling underperformers of the 2024–25 season: the Nashville Predators.

Coming off a year that began with high expectations after blockbuster free-agent signings, the Preds collapsed to a 30–44–8 record and were never competitive. Now, as they enter 2025–26 with virtually the same roster, hosts Neil and Vic ask the hard question: What exactly is Barry Trotz building?

The team didn’t win a playoff series since 2018, and despite shedding cap space and expectations, the front office made only marginal changes — none of which suggest a clear direction or uptick in performance. Is this just a mulligan for Trotz and Brunette? Or the beginning of a longer identity crisis?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Nashville's disastrous 30-win season: Worst in years

[00:40] Offseason recap: A handful of depth moves, no major change

[01:15] Additions: Eric Haula (3rd line), Nick Hague & Nick Perbix (3rd pair), no re-signings

[02:00] 2024–25 review: Slow starts, long losing streaks, zero identity

[03:00] Key signings that failed: Stamkos, Marchessault, O’Reilly underwhelmed

[03:45] Minus machines: Stamkos (-36), Forsberg, O'Reilly, Marchessault

[04:15] Andrew Brunette’s "up-tempo" system — does he have the horses?

[05:15] Barry Trotz’s silence: Is this roster intentionally unchanged?

[06:00] Does this team really have top-six depth? Or just aging names?

[07:00] Fedotov and Tomasino: Are the kids enough to move the needle?

[08:00] Can this team keep pace in the Central or Pacific?

[09:00] Final verdict: Not a playoff team — and it’s not even close

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

After a catastrophic season, the Predators had the chance to reset. Instead, they made minimal changes, leaving major question marks heading into 2025–26.

Stamkos, Marchessault, and O’Reilly all posted terrible plus-minus numbers, showing a lack of two-way impact and diminishing returns.

Barry Trotz’s roster building feels directionless—no clear rebuild, no aggressive retool, and certainly not a Cup-contending group.

Andrew Brunette may be on the hot seat if the team doesn’t show marked improvement early. His “up-tempo” vision doesn’t fit this aging, slow-footed core.

Unless multiple players rebound and the system transforms overnight, this looks like another playoff miss—and possibly a team in search of a new identity.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Nashville Predators were the league’s biggest disappointment last season. And instead of a fresh start, they doubled down on the same underachieving group. Unless something changes dramatically, this isn’t a playoff team — and it may not even be close.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

🐦 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

🏒 HASHTAGS

#NHL #Hockey #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #NashvillePredators #BarryTrotz #AndrewBrunette #ErikHaula #NicolasHague #JeremyLauzon #ColtonSissons #JeremyHanzel #NickPerbix #StevenStamkos #JonathanMarchessault #BradySkjei #RyanO'Reilly #JoelQuenneville #ConnorBedard #FilipForsberg #RomanJosi #FedorSvechkov

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - New York Rangers

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this edition of NHL Wraparound’s Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dissect one of the most dramatic collapses in recent NHL memory: the New York Rangers.

Just one year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy, the Rangers became only the fourth team in league history to miss the playoffs the following season. From special teams regression to star players disappearing and internal drama erupting midseason, the Broadway Blueshirts became a cautionary tale.

This episode unpacks the offseason roster shakeup—highlighted by the exit of longtime fan favorite Chris Kreider, the addition of top-pair defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, and a new head coach with a Stanley Cup pedigree: Mike Sullivan.

Will it all be enough to turn things around? Or are the Rangers slipping into rebuild territory?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] One year removed from the Presidents’ Trophy—miss the playoffs

[00:35] Special teams collapse: Power play 28th, PK slipped too

[01:00] Offseason moves: Gavrikov signs (7 yrs, $7M AAV), Radish added, Morrow acquired

[01:30] Key departures: Chris Kreider (traded to Anaheim), Ke’Andre Miller, Zach Jones

[02:15] Resigned: Will Cuylle (2 yrs, $3.9M AAV), Matt Rempe returns

[02:45] Forwards outlook: Panarin down 30 points, Zibanejad worst +/- on team

[03:30] Laffy’s Last Chance? Lafrenière expected to start in top 6

[04:30] Depth signings: Offman, Perreault, Barard all knocking on the door

[05:30] Defensive overhaul: Only Adam Fox remains from ‘24 top 4

[06:15] Gavrikov joins Fox; Schneider, Susie, and Bogdan fill out the blue line

[07:30] Shesterkin remains the ace—can he save them again?

[08:00] Mike Sullivan hired: Can he be the coach that finally clicks?

[09:00] The bar is high. The leash is short. The pressure is real.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Rangers are in transition, but not in a full rebuild—yet.

Chris Kreider’s departure marks a new chapter, and there’s a leadership void.

Panarin and Zibanejad must return to elite form—or risk wasting Shesterkin’s prime.

The defensive group is a patchwork, built around Adam Fox and a lot of question marks.

Mike Sullivan’s coaching legacy will be tested. Can he revive this team or is the clock already ticking?

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Rangers have talent. They have pedigree. And they have one of the best goaltenders in the league. But with a new coach, major roster turnover, and a brutal Eastern Conference bubble, it’ll take more than just Madison Square Garden magic to punch a ticket to the postseason.

This team needs to overachieve—and Mike Sullivan has no time to ease in.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

🐦 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

🏒 HASHTAGS

#NHL #NYR #NewYorkRangers #VladislavGavrikov #WillCuylle #MattRempe #ZacJones #ChrisKreider #CareyTerrance #JacobTrouba #IgorShesterkin #ArtemiPanarin #VincentTrocheck #JTMiller #MikaZibanejad #AlexisLafreniere # #KaapoKakko #JeffGorton #GabePerreault #BrennanOthmann #BrettGerard #MikeSullivan #RyanLindgren #AdamFox #CarsonSoucy #WillBorgen #UrhoVaakanainen #BradenSchneider #ChrisDrury #GerardGallant #PeterLaviolette

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Montreal Canadiens

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren turn their attention to the Montreal Canadiens — a team on the rise after breaking back into the playoffs for the first time since their 2021 Stanley Cup Final appearance.

The hosts dig deep into Montreal’s pivotal offseason, highlighted by a massive trade for defenseman Noah Dobson and the big-ticket extension that followed — 8 years at $9.5M AAV. Is Dobson truly a franchise defenseman? Can he deliver on that contract, especially paired with Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson?

Neil and Vic also explore Montreal’s elite prospect pool, including standout names like Ivan Demidov, David Reinbacher, and Jacob Fowler — plus what their development means for the future of the franchise. And with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky continuing to grow, the Habs look poised to become a major threat… but are they ready now?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Canadiens return to the playoffs: First time since 2021

[01:00] Revisiting the Dobson trade: Was 8 years at $9.5M too much?

[02:15] Evaluating Dobson's offensive upside and defensive liabilities

[03:30] The Lane Hutson + Dobson power play pairing potential

[04:45] Offseason additions: Dobson, Zach Bolduc, Cabo Kahkonen, Sammy Blais, Joe Veleno

[06:15] Notable departures: Caden Primeau, Joel Armia, DeSmith, Harvey-Pinard

[07:00] Young stars to watch: Demidov, Reinbacher, Hutson, Fowler, Owen Beck

[08:30] Big year for captain Nick Suzuki and Slafkovsky’s next step

[09:00] Can this Habs team push deeper in 2026? Or will the East be too crowded?

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Noah Dobson’s extension raises eyebrows — he’s a legit weapon on the power play but his defensive game remains a question. The price tag suggests Montreal sees him as a long-term cornerstone.

Lane Hutson + Dobson could be one of the most electric power play pairings in the NHL — a potential game-changer for a team that ranked 21st last season with the man advantage.

Montreal’s prospect depth is elite, ranked #3 by The Athletic. Ivan Demidov could be a game-changer up front, and goalie Jacob Fowler continues to impress.

Slafkovsky and Caufield are taking steps, while Suzuki continues to emerge as one of the most consistent centers in the Eastern Conference.

This is a dangerous bubble team — if the youth steps up and goaltending holds, Montreal could easily grab a Wild Card spot.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Canadiens might not be a sure thing in 2026—but they’re no longer a rebuilding team. With elite prospects, key offseason moves, and one of the league’s most respected coaching staffs, Montreal is building something special. The playoffs are in reach, but the margin for error is slim.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

🐦 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

🏒 HASHTAGS

#NHL #Hockey #MontrealCanadiens #SummerCoolers #NHLWraparound #NoahDobson #EmilHeineman #MartinStLouis #LaneHutson #ZackBolduc ##LoganMailloux #KaapoKahkonen #SammyBlais #JoeVeleno #JakubDobes #JaydenStruble #CaydenPrimeau #JoelArmia #ChristianDvorak #MichaelPezzetta #RafaelHarvey-Pinard #AlexBarre-Boulet #IvanDemidov #NickSuzuki #JurajSlafkovsky #ColeCaufield

2025 Summer Cooler - Florida Panthers

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The Florida Panthers are back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions — and now chasing history. In this episode, Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down how GM Bill Zito has kept the core together, added smart depth pieces, and positioned Paul Maurice’s team for a legitimate shot at a third straight Cup.

The hosts discuss offseason moves, key re-signings, and health questions that could impact the Panthers' pursuit of a dynasty.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:34] – Florida goes for the three-peat

[01:17] – Re-signing Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand & Aaron Ekblad

[02:45] – Depth moves: Tarasoff in, Nate Schmidt & Vanecek out

[03:32] – Why Jeff Petry may be the key under-the-radar addition

[04:15] – Mackie Samoskevich brings the Cup to Sandy Hook Elementary

[06:08] – Matthew Tkachuk’s injury status and potential surgery

[07:12] – Historical look: Can Florida join the NHL’s dynasty elite?

[09:00] – Neil on what it will take: "Bobrovsky and health, that’s the answer."

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Bill Zito nailed the offseason, keeping his top players and avoiding major losses

Depth matters: Smart additions like Jeff Petry and Tarasoff could be difference-makers

Matthew Tkachuk’s health will be a key storyline to watch all season

Bobrovsky’s performance and age will factor heavily into a deep playoff run

If Florida can stay healthy and maintain chemistry, they have a real shot at a historic three-peat

RESOURCE LINKS:

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

🐦 X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#FloridanPanthers #PaulMaurice #BillZito #SamBennett #BradMarchand #AaronEkblad #NateSchmidt #NicoSturm #VitekVanecek #OliverEkman-Larsson #BrandonMontour #JimNill #DaniilTarasov #JeffPetry #TomasNosek #MackieSamoskevich #SandyHookelementarySchool #MatthewTkachuk #SergeiBobrovsky

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Edmonton Oilers

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

This Summer Cooler features one of the most fascinating—and fragile—franchises in the NHL: the Edmonton Oilers.

Despite being two-time defending Western Conference champions, the Oilers have no Cup to show for it, and now they face the biggest storyline in the NHL heading into 2025–26:

🔥 Connor McDavid enters the final year of his contract.

With Leon Draisaitl locked in through 2033 at $14M per, the expectation is that McDavid will command $16M+ AAV—but only if Edmonton proves they’re still capable of winning it all.

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Why we’re leading off with Edmonton

[00:30] McDavid’s contract situation: two-part negotiation

[01:00] Team drops: Kane, Arvidsson, Perry, Brown, Klingberg, Skinner

[01:30] Resigns: Bouchard (4 yrs, $10.5M), Frederick, Kapanen

[02:15] Adds: Isaac Howard, Lazar, Mangiapane, Stillman

[03:00] No real upgrade—top-heavy, older, and slower

[04:00] Oilers now second-oldest team in the NHL (behind Pittsburgh)

[05:00] Will McDavid commit to 8 more years—or go shorter similar to Bouchard?

[06:00] Could we see a Marner-style trade and sign elsewhere?

[07:00] Blue line and goaltending analysis

[08:00] Playoff reality check: They weren’t close to Florida

[09:00] Youth watch: Howard, Savoy, Podkolzin

[10:00] The great unknown in the Great White North

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

McDavid Watch is on. He’s in the final year of his deal, and unless the Oilers improve, there’s no guarantee he stays.

Leon Draisaitl’s contract ($14M AAV) set a new bar—and McDavid will almost certainly want more if he re-signs.

Offseason moves? Underwhelming. No major upgrades. Top-six still elite—but the bottom-six and blue line remain major liabilities.

Goaltending returns with question marks. Skinner and Pickard didn’t get it done last spring, and nothing’s changed.

Too old, too thin. At 31 avg. age, only the Penguins are older. The window is closing fast.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

This should be the year the Oilers go all in.

❄️ They’re older, slower, and less deep than the team that just lost in 6 games to Florida.

Unless prospects like Isaac Howard break out or management swings a blockbuster, Connor McDavid may decide Edmonton isn’t worth eight more years of waiting.

And if that happens?

It’s rebuild season in Oil Country.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

📺 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS:

#EdmontonOilers #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #StanBowman #EvanderKane #ViktorArvidsson #CoreyPerry #ConnorBrown #JohnKlingberg #JeffSkinner #TrentFrederic #KasperiKapanen #EvanBouchard #AndrewMangiapane #CurtisLazar #IsaacHoward #RileyStillman #ZachHyman #VasilyPodkolzin #RyanNugent-Hopkins #MatthewSavoie #MattiasJanmark #AdamHenrique #MattiasEkholm #DarnellNurse #BrettKulak #JakeWalman #TyEmberson #StuartSkinner #CalvinPickard

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - New York Islanders

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The New York Islanders enter the 2025–26 season with a new GM at the helm, Matthew Darche, replacing Hall of Famer Lou Lamoriello. After finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference last season and missing the playoffs with a 500 record, the Islanders are retooling—and arguably rebuilding.

Hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down what Darche inherited, what he’s changed, and what it means for a franchise that had the worst special teams index in the NHL last season. Power play? 31st. Penalty kill? 31st. Combine them? Dead last. Both assistant coaches were let go, but the pressure now falls squarely on Patrick Roy, who stays on as head coach.

They dive into the loss of key players like Noah Dobson and Brock Nelson, dissect what Emil Heineman, Jonathan Drouin, and David Rittich bring to the team, and consider whether top prospect Matthew Schaefer is ready to fill a top-pairing role on the blue line.

With a thin prospect pool and major question marks on the power play, can the Islanders overachieve and make a push for the playoffs? Or is this a transition year with the eyes squarely on the future?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Overview: New GM, missed playoffs, worst special teams in NHL

[01:10] Noah Dobson & Brock Nelson departures — big losses

[02:45] Offseason signings: Drouin, Rittich, CC, DeAngelo

[04:30] Who replaces Dobson’s minutes and Nelson’s production?

[05:50] Can Barzal rebound from injury and stay healthy?

[06:30] The outlook for Matthew Schaefer and other young defensemen

[07:10] Patrick Roy’s challenge: improve special teams or face consequences

[08:20] Depth concerns, aging veterans, and overachievement expectations

[09:00] Can Rittich or Varlamov give Sorokin needed rest?

[09:50] Roy-Darche dynamic: How long is the leash for the head coach?

[10:15] Closing thoughts: An Islanders team focused more on the future than the present

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Special teams were historically bad, and improving both units is mission-critical.

Noah Dobson and Brock Nelson are major losses, even if Montreal may have overpaid for Dobson.

The Islanders are not clearly better on paper heading into 2025–26—they may need to overachieve to stay competitive.

Goaltending remains a strength, especially if Sorokin gets support from Varlamov or Rittich.

Patrick Roy will be under pressure, both from a new GM and from a fanbase tired of mediocrity.

This season may be less about contention and more about transition, with key prospects like Schaefer taking on big roles early.

RESOURCE LINKS:

🎥 YouTube: NHL Wraparound

🐦 Twitter/X: @NHLWraparound

📸 Instagram: @nhlwraparound

🎵 TikTok: @nhlwraparound

👤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

👤 Vic Morren: Vic Morren on LinkedIn

#NewYorkIslanders #MathieuDarche #LouLamoriello #EmilHeineman #NoahDobson #VictorEklund #WilliamEklund #KashawnAitcheson #DavidRittich #SemyonVarlamov #JonathanDrouin #KylePalmieri #TonyDeAngelo #AlexanderRomanov #AdamBoqvist #SimonHolmstrom #MattGatcomb #MaximTsyplakov #BrockNelson #BoHorvat #MathewBarzal #AnthonyDuclair #AndersLee #MatthewSchaefer #AdamPelech #RyanPulock #ScottMayfield #IlyaSorokin #PatrickRoy

2025 Summer Cooler - Minnesota Wild

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the Minnesota Wild — a team that continues to underperform in the playoffs despite regular season success. With 97 points last season and yet another first-round exit, the Wild haven’t won a playoff series in a decade. So what’s next?

Neil and Vic evaluate the off-season moves by GM Bill Guerin — including the retirement of Marc-André Fleury, key signings like Vladimir Tarasenko and Nico Sturm, and what it means that Guerin didn’t make bigger changes despite finally having cap flexibility after the Parise/Suter buyouts.

They dive into the team’s core — Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Jared Spurgeon — and whether that group is strong enough to push past the Wild Card bubble. Plus, goaltending questions with Filip Gustavsson taking over and top prospect Jesper Wallstedt stepping in.

Is this a playoff team or just more of the same?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Minnesota’s playoff frustrations and off-season expectations

[01:30] Breaking down the Wild’s key losses and additions

[04:20] Guerin’s conservative approach despite cap space

[05:45] Defensive depth and Jonas Brodin’s injury

[07:00] Goaltending tandem: Gustavsson and Wallstedt

[08:15] Kaprizov’s future and the weight he carries

[10:00] Is John Hynes on the hot seat?

[11:25] Can this roster survive the Central Division pressure?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Wild made minimal upgrades despite having more flexibility this summer.

Kaprizov is entering a contract year — and the pressure is on.

John Hynes is entering a pivotal year as head coach.

Minnesota may be fighting for a Wild Card spot unless their top players break through.

📍 RESOURCE LINKS

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

🐦 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

🎤 Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

🔗 Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

#MinnesotaWild #Marc-AndreFleury #FrederickGaudreau #JustinBrazeau #VladimirTarasenko #NicoSturm #CalPeterson #NicolasAube-Kubel #TylerPitlick #MarcusJohansson #ZachParise #RyanSuter #BillGuerin #KirillKaprizov #JoelErikssonEk #MattBoldy #RyanHartman #MarcusFoligno #ZeevBuium #BrockFaber #JaredSpurgeon #JakeMiddleton #ZachBogosian #MatsZuccarello #DavidJiricek #DanilaYurov #LiamOhgren #JonasBrodin #FilipGustavsson #JesperWallstedt #JohnHynes #DeanEvason

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Los Angeles Kings

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive into the offseason developments for the Los Angeles Kings after another frustrating playoff exit. For the fourth consecutive year, the Kings were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round—this time after holding multiple leads and letting key games slip away. With Rob Blake out and Ken Holland in as GM, the Kings are attempting to retool—but are they reloading or regressing?

The hosts break down the impact of Holland’s veteran-heavy signings—Corey Perry, Cody Ceci, Joel Armia, and Brian Dumoulin—all of whom push the Kings’ roster deeper into “win-now” territory. But with an aging core that includes Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar, and a first-time head coach in Jim Hiller, there are real questions about whether this team can make it out of the first round, let alone compete for the Cup.

They also revisit LA’s playoff series against Edmonton, highlighting how close the Kings were to taking control—and how costly breakdowns and coaching decisions may have sealed their fate.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] A fourth straight playoff loss to the Oilers — what went wrong again?

[01:00] Ken Holland takes over as GM — will he be the answer?

[01:33] Offseason additions: Perry, Armia, Ceci, Dumoulin — average age over 34

[02:40] Perry’s Stanley Cup Final curse — five different teams, five losses

[04:15] Game-by-game recap: blown leads, failed challenge, poor puck decisions

[06:00] Byfield’s development, Fiala’s upside, and depth up front

[07:15] Defensive drop-off: losing Gavrikov, aging Doughty, concerns with Ceci

[08:10] Coaching hot seat: how long is the leash for Jim Hiller?

[09:15] Could Peter DeBoer be an option if things go south early?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Kings continue to stumble in the postseason, despite holding multiple leads over the Oilers in key games.

Ken Holland's first offseason as GM focused on experience, but at the expense of speed and youth.

The blue line took a hit with the loss of Vladislav Gavrikov, and the replacements (Ceci, Dumoulin) raise concerns.

Jim Hiller is not Holland’s hire, and with big expectations and a veteran group, a slow start could trigger changes.

Quinton Byfield's second-half surge and the continued consistency of Kempe and Danault offer hope—but the pressure is building.

RESOURCE LINKS:

🎥 YouTube: NHL Wraparound

🐦 Twitter/X: @NHLWraparound

📸 Instagram: @nhlwraparound

🎵 TikTok: @nhlwraparound

👤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

👤 Vic Morren: Vic Morren on LinkedIn

#KenHolland #JoelArmia #CodiCeci #BrianDumoulin #RobBlake #LucRobitaille #BrentBurns #AlexOvechkin #AnzeKopitar #DrewDoughty #AntonForsberg #SamuelBolduc #DavidRittich #VladislavGavrikov #PheonixCopley #AndreiKuzmenko #AlexLaferriere #DarcyKuemper #PhillipDanault #JimHiller #QuintonByfield #AdrianKempe #KevinFiala #TrevorMoore #WarrenFoegele #MikeyAnderson #PeterDeBoer

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Detroit Red Wings

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Detroit Red Wings—a franchise inching toward contention but still battling to break through.

It’s been nine consecutive seasons without a playoff berth in Hockeytown. The last time the Red Wings won a playoff series? Back in 2013.

Now, under Steve Yzerman's front office leadership, Detroit hopes that one major offseason swing—a trade for John Gibson—can stabilize their goaltending and finally push them over the edge.

Will it be enough?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Red Wings: A decade of frustration

[00:36] Power play high, penalty kill worst in the league

[01:00] John Gibson acquisition: a franchise-altering gamble?

[02:00] Goaltending swap: Gibson for Mrazek

[02:45] Other offseason additions: JVR, Appleton, Hamonic

[03:50] Prospect pool preview: Danielson, Mazur, Cossa

[04:30] Offensive core: DeBrincat, Larkin, Raymond, Kane

[05:15] Is there enough depth if someone goes down?

[06:00] Playoff competition: Too many contenders, too few spots

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

John Gibson is the swing piece. If he returns to form, Detroit may finally have the goaltending they’ve lacked for years. If not, the playoff drought could hit a full decade.

Power play success masked penalty kill disaster. Detroit ranked 4th in PP% last year—but dead last (32nd) in PK%, and had just 2 shorthanded goals.

Yzerman’s offseason was conservative. Outside of the Gibson trade, additions like James van Riemsdyk, Mason Appleton, and Travis Hamonic won’t move the needle significantly.

Detroit's window is tightening. With the East getting deeper (Montreal, Ottawa, Columbus, Buffalo all fighting), the margin for error is razor thin.

Offensive leaders like Dylan Larkin, DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond, and Patrick Kane must stay healthy—this team can’t afford to lose top-end scoring.

FINAL VERDICT:

Detroit made one major move this offseason—and if John Gibson plays like the All-Star he once was, it could be a franchise-defining deal. But with penalty-kill woes, aging secondary scoring, and intense wild card competition, the Red Wings remain a bubble team in a crowded East.

Is year 10 of the rebuild the one that finally breaks the curse—or does the streak stretch into double digits?

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

HASHTAGS:

#DetroitRedWings #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #JohnGibson #PetrMrazek #JamesvanRiemsdyk #MasonAppleton #WilliamLagesson #AlbertJohansson #JonatanBerggren #ElmerSoderblom #SteveYzerman #VladimirTarasenko #AlexLyon #PatVerbeek #LucasRaymond #AlexDebrincat #DylanLarkin

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - New Jersey Devils

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive into the offseason changes, roster dynamics, and forward outlook for the New Jersey Devils, a team that finished third in the Metropolitan Division with 91 points and was bounced in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes.

With playoff experience under their belt but key players returning from injury, the Devils are looking to take another step in 2025–26. But after a relatively quiet summer, the question is: Did they do enough to take that step?

Notable acquisitions include Connor Brown from Edmonton and Evgenii Dadonov from Dallas, both projected to solidify the bottom six. The club also re-signed center Cody Glass and goaltender Jake Allen—a move the hosts view as crucial, not just on the ice, but in the locker room. Meanwhile, defenseman Jeremy Hanzel was brought in via trade from Nashville in a surprising deal that sent Erik Haula the other way.

With Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton back to full health, and Jacob Markstrom now in net, New Jersey could be ready to climb—but concerns remain about veteran production and playoff identity.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Devils recap: Another early exit

[00:38] Offseason moves: Understated but strategic

[01:00] Acquisitions: Brown, Dadonov, Hanzel, Riley Stillman

[01:45] Departures: Haula, Lazar, Dulan, Bastian

[02:15] Re-signings: Cody Glass, Jake Allen

[02:45] Top-six review: Bratt, Hughes, Heischer, Meier, Palat

[04:00] The need for more from Palat and Meier

[05:00] Defense pairings: Hamilton/Dillon, Hughes/Pesce

[05:45] Jeremy Hanzel arrives… but where’s Gretel?

[06:00] Final verdict: Respect earned, but is it enough to contend?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton returning to full health will be vital to any Devils playoff success.

The additions of Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov boost the bottom six, but this is still a top-heavy offense dependent on Bratt, Hughes, Heischer, and Meier.

Ondrej Palat’s offensive output has yet to match expectations from his Lightning days, while Timo Meier still hasn’t become a 30–35 goal scorer in New Jersey.

On defense, Brendan Dillon’s arrival should provide physical protection and pair chemistry for Dougie Hamilton, while Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce round out a promising top four.

The goalie tandem of Markstrom and Allen might finally give the Devils the playoff stability in net they’ve long needed.

With a healthy roster, New Jersey is expected to battle Carolina for the top of the Metro—if the pieces click.

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #NewJerseyDevils #TomFitzgerald #JeremyHanzel #ErikHaula #ConnorBrown #EvgeniiDadonov #StanBowman #PeterDeBoer #JackHughes #DougieHamilton #JakeAllen #CodyGlass #BrianDumoulin #CurtisLazar #NathanBastian #NicoHischier #JesperBratt #OndrejPalat #TimoMeier #StefanNoesen #DawsonMercer #BrendenDillon #LukeHughes #BrettPesce #JonasSiegenthaler #SimonNemec #JacobMarkstrom

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Dallas Stars

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive deep into the state of the Dallas Stars, a team that continues to knock on the door but can’t quite break it down. After a heartbreaking third straight Conference Final loss, the Stars made a surprising offseason move—replacing head coach Peter DeBoer with Glen Gulutzan, signaling a reset without dismantling their core.

Dallas finished the 2024–25 regular season with 102 points and were one of the West’s most dangerous teams on paper. But after a Game 1 offensive outburst against Edmonton in the Conference Final, the Stars’ scoring completely dried up. That collapse has left major questions about leadership, playoff preparedness, and whether the window to win with Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, and Matt Duchene is beginning to close.

The episode covers offseason moves, the state of the blue line, the future of Jake Oettinger, and why the new coach might finally be what pushes this veteran-heavy team to the next level.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Dallas Stars 2024–25 recap: Another deep run, same ending

[00:38] Jim Nill wins GM of the Year again—but makes a major change

[01:00] Glen Gulutzan replaces Peter DeBoer: Why now?

[02:00] Veteran core aging: Benn, Seguin, Duchene

[03:00] Free agent re-signings: Duchene, Benn, Blackwell, Bork, Lundkvist

[03:45] Offseason additions: RFA Rodak Faksa returns, Nathan Bastian signs

[04:15] Key departures: Mason Marchment, Matt Dumba, Cody Ceci

[05:00] Offensive depth: Still dangerous despite losses

[05:45] Defensive pairings: Heiskanen, Lindell, Harley, Laaksonen, Burns

[06:00] Goaltending: Oettinger & DeSmith remain the tandem

[07:00] Miro Heiskanen’s return and Brent Burns’ arrival

[08:00] Rantanen’s revenge against Colorado: A defining moment

[09:00] Why the scoring collapsed vs. Edmonton

[10:00] Was DeBoer’s message stale? Can Gulutzan change the tone?

[11:00] Final thoughts: The Stars are a contender—but for how much longer?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The window is closing: Benn, Seguin, and Duchene are aging, and the opportunity to win with this core is narrowing.

Jim Nill’s bold coaching change to bring back Glen Gulutzan—whom he originally let go—shows humility and a desire to fix culture from the top down.

Scoring vanished in the Conference Final, and questions remain about why so many top-tier players underperformed.

Jake Oettinger is still one of the league’s top young goaltenders, but he’ll need to carry the load again in 2025–26.

Miro Heiskanen’s return to full health, along with the quiet addition of Brent Burns, could be critical for defensive stability.

The Central Division is loaded, with Dallas, Winnipeg, and Colorado all battling for top spots—but one of them is destined to go home early, again.

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #DallasStars #GlenGulutzan #PeterDeBoer #JakeOettinger #JimNill #JamieBenn #TylerSeguin #MattDuchene #ColinBlackwell #NilsLundkvist #MavrikBourque #RadekFaksa #NathanBastain #MasonMarchment #MikaelGranlund #CodiCeci #EvgeniiDadonov #MattDumba #RoopeHintz #WyattJohnston #JasonRobertson #MikkoRantanen #SamSteele #OskarBack #MiroHeiskanen #EsaLindell #ThomasHarley #IlyaLyubushkin #LianBichsel #CaseyDeSmith

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Columbus Blue Jackets

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren review the offseason, roster structure, and playoff hopes of the Columbus Blue Jackets—a team that came painfully close to breaking their five-year postseason drought in 2024–25.

The Blue Jackets finished with 89 points, just two shy of the final wild card spot, and were eliminated by a regulation win tiebreaker after going winless against the St. Louis Blues in the season series. Despite the heartbreak, the Jackets were one of the NHL’s surprise teams, boasting an offense that tied for 7th in the league (3.26 GPG) and scoring six or more goals in 16 games.

This episode examines Columbus’s offseason decisions, including the high-profile Charlie Coyle–Miles Wood trade with Colorado, the questionable seven-year, $8.5M deal for Ivan Provorov, and the tragic loss of Johnny Gaudreau, which emotionally galvanized the team early in the season.

Can this team stay healthy and consistent for all 82 games? And does head coach Ken Evison have another motivational gear without the emotional backdrop of last year?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Columbus recap: Falling short of the wild card

[00:38] Offensive strides and surprising firepower

[01:00] Coyle & Wood in, Brindley & picks out in trade with Colorado

[01:45] Reviewing free agent signings: Hudson Fasching and re-signings

[02:30] The shock of the Provorov deal: 7 years, $8.5M AAV

[03:30] Tragic loss of Johnny Gaudreau and impact on locker room

[04:00] Goalie update: Jet Greaves promoted behind Elvis Merzlikins

[05:00] Deadline departures: Tarasov, Kuraly, JVR, Danforth, Harris

[06:00] What might have been: injuries to Monahan and Jenner

[06:30] Playoff odds: Can they push over the line this time?

[07:00] Shoutout: Matthew Olivier’s breakout year and fan favorite status

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Columbus made strides offensively last season but lacked late-season consistency, finishing the final stretch 4–11–1 before winning six straight.

The Provorov contract surprised many: a long-term, high-AAV commitment for a player with declining impact.

Injuries to Boone Jenner and Sean Monahan derailed what was shaping up to be a playoff-bound season.

Players like Kent Johnson, Marchenko, Fantilli, and Sillinger will need to continue developing for the team to reach the next level.

Matthew Olivier and Miles Wood are expected to form one of the toughest fourth lines in the NHL, offering a physical edge.

In a crowded Metro Division, the Blue Jackets’ playoff hopes are real—but so are the risks of another near miss.

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #ColumbusBlueJackets #CharlieCoyle #MilesWood #GavinBrindley #HudsonFasching #IvanProvorov #DanteFabbro #OwenSillinger #DmitriVoronkov #DaemonHunt #JohnnyGaudreau #MatthewGaudreau #DeanEvason #SeanMonahan #KirillMarchenko #YegorChinakov #AdamFantilli #KentJohnson #BooneJenner #ZachWerenski #DaniilTarasov #ElvisMerzlikins #JetGreaves #SeanKuraly #JordanHarris #PatrikLaine #JustinDanforth #JamesvanRiemsdyk #MathieuOlivier

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Colorado Avalanche

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Colorado Avalanche, a franchise that continues to contend—but still hasn’t returned to the Stanley Cup Final since hoisting the trophy in 2022.

The Avalanche finished the 2024–25 season with 102 points and their eighth straight playoff appearance, but fell in Game 7 to the Dallas Stars in the second round. The hosts dive into what’s holding the Avs back from reclaiming the Cup, despite the presence of two of the league’s most electrifying stars: Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.

They also break down a relatively quiet offseason highlighted by the signing of Brent Burns, the addition of Victor Olofsson, and the trade that brought in Gavin Brindley while shipping out Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood. The Avalanche also re-signed key contributors like Brock Nelson, Parker Kelly, and Josh Manson, while losing depth pieces like Jonathan Drouin and Ryan Lindgren.

As the Avs prepare for another run, the big questions remain: Is this still a Cup-caliber team? Or have they become more sizzle than substance?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Avalanche recap: Consistency without deep playoff success

[00:36] Game 7 vs. Dallas: A haunting finish to a promising year

[01:00] Star power vs. depth: Are MacKinnon & Makar enough?

[02:00] Offseason review: Brent Burns signs, Coyle/Wood traded

[03:00] Gavin Brindley’s upside and forward depth

[04:00] UFA/RFA re-signings: Nelson, Manson, Vejdemo, Kelly

[05:00] Defensive pairings: Makar, Toews, Manson, Burns

[06:00] Goaltending: Blackwood and Wedgewood tandem

[07:00] Full-strength roster? Landeskog returns to open season

[08:00] A stacked Central Division: Dallas, Winnipeg, Colorado

[09:00] Why playoff format hurts deep divisions

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Colorado’s core remains elite, with MacKinnon, Makar, Rantanen, and Landeskog leading the way, but playoff progress has stalled.

The addition of Brent Burns offers leadership and power-play presence, but the team needs more from its second-tier stars.

Gabriel Landeskog’s full-season return could be a game-changer, giving Colorado much-needed leadership and physicality.

Goaltending remains a question: Blackwood and Wedgewood must prove they can deliver postseason-caliber performances.

The Central Division is brutal—with Dallas and Winnipeg also strong, one top-tier team will inevitably exit early due to the current playoff format.

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #ColoradoAvalanche #JaredBednar #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #BrentBurns #VictorOlofsson #GavinBrindley #CharlieCoyle #MilesWood #BrockNelson #ParkerKelly #JoshManson #JoelKiviranta #JonathanDrouin #RyanLindgren #JimmyVesey #IvanIvan #DevonToews #SamGirard #SamMalinski #MackenzieBlackwood #ScottWedgewood #ValNichushkin #JackDrury #RossColton #MartinNecas #ArtturiLehkonen #GabrielLandeskog

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Calgary Flames

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive into the state of the Calgary Flames—a team coming off a surprising 2024–25 campaign that ended in heartbreak. Despite being one of the league’s feel-good stories down the stretch, the Flames missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season, falling short via regulation win tiebreaker to the St. Louis Blues.

With no major additions and two notable losses—Dan Vladar to Philadelphia and Anthony Mantha to Pittsburgh—the Flames opted to run it back with nearly the same lineup. The big question: Is that enough in an improving Western Conference?

The hosts break down what Calgary retained, highlight the need for scoring help, and examine whether Dustin Wolf can carry the goaltending load without proven backup support.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Recap: Flames just miss postseason on tiebreaker

[00:38] No outside additions, just internal retention

[01:00] Breaking down the J.J. Peterka trade & what was lost

[01:45] Offensive challenges: 29th in NHL in goals per game

[02:00] Who’s back: Coronado, Kevin Bahl, Morgan Frost, Joel Hanley

[03:00] Jonathan Huberdeau’s contract vs. performance

[04:00] Goaltending outlook: Dustin Wolf as the No. 1

[04:30] Lack of experience behind Wolf with Devin Cooley

[05:00] Blue line leadership & future of Rasmus Andersson

[05:30] Zayne Parekh and the hope of future upside

[06:00] Why a wildcard is the best-case scenario

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Calgary’s quiet offseason is a head-scratcher, especially with $15M+ in cap space unused.

Dustin Wolf is the new starter in goal, but with no experienced backup, the position remains fragile.

Jonathan Huberdeau’s contract (still one of the NHL’s worst value deals) looms large until his production returns.

Rasmus Andersson’s future is a trade deadline storyline to watch as he enters the final year of his deal.

The Flames didn’t upgrade—and in a stronger Pacific Division, standing still might equal regression.

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #CalgaryFlames #DanVladar #AnthonyMantha #KevinBahl #RasmusAndersson #JoelHanley #MackenzieWeegar #JakeBean #MattCoronato #AdamKlapka #MorganFrost #JustinKirkland #JonathanHuberdeau #NazemKadri #DustinWolf #DevinCooley #ZayneParekh

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Buffalo Sabres

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren assess the state of the Buffalo Sabres, a team that once again finds itself outside the playoff picture—with 14 consecutive seasons without a postseason appearance.

Despite fielding the 10th-ranked offense in the NHL last year (3.23 goals per game), the Sabres were undone by a porous defense, surrendering 3.50 goals against per game—tied for 29th in the league. That imbalance ultimately left them short once again, and this offseason’s moves raise more questions than answers.

Buffalo made a surprising decision to trade J.J. Peterka—one of their most promising offensive talents—to Utah for Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring, signaling a possible shift in identity. The hosts debate whether the team has improved at all, or if they’ve simply shuffled the deck with hopes of becoming "harder to play against."

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] The Sabres: Still on the outside looking in

[00:30] Trading Peterka: A puzzling move for physicality over skill

[01:00] Offseason additions: Doan, Kesselring, Timmins, Bevo, Jones, Danforth

[01:30] Goalie update: Devon Levi returns, Luukkonen still in the mix

[02:00] Key RFA re-signings: Byram, McLeod, Quinn, Johnson

[02:45] Where does the turnaround come from?

[03:15] Prospect watch: Anton Wahlberg & Konsta Helenius

[04:00] Defensive outlook: Dahlin, Power, Byram, and new faces

[04:45] Can the goaltending support this blue line?

[05:15] Final verdict: More grit—but not more wins?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Buffalo’s defense-heavy offseason suggests a pivot toward physicality—but the loss of J.J. Peterka removes a key offensive weapon.

The defense core has potential, with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Bowen Byram leading the way, but it’s still unproven as a cohesive unit.

Goaltending needs to be elite if this team wants to overcome its offensive step back—can Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen deliver?

While the Sabres appear deeper on the blue line, it’s unclear if they’ve made enough improvement to leapfrog teams like Montreal, Detroit, Columbus, or Ottawa in the East.

With Lindy Ruff back behind the bench, expectations are higher—but so is the pressure.

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #BuffaloSabres #JJPeterka #JoshDoan #MichaelKesselring #ConorTimmins #IsaacBelliveau #ConnorClifton #JustinDanforth #ZacJones #JackQuinn #RyanJohnson #TysonKozak #RyanMcLeod #BowenByram #DevonLevi #LindyRuff #RasmusDahlin #OwenPower #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Chicago Blackhawks

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren take a sobering look at the Chicago Blackhawks, a franchise still in the early stages of a rebuild despite having Connor Bedard, the most hyped first-overall pick in years.

Chicago finished last in the Central Division for a third straight season and posted just 61 points in 2024–25. With few meaningful additions and continued roster instability, Neil and Vic examine whether this team has moved forward at all—or if it's still stalled at the starting line.

The hosts break down puzzling offseason decisions by GM Kyle Davidson, including the $46.2 million contract extension for Frank Nazar, who has barely touched NHL ice, and the team's inability to retain Philipp Kurashev. With questionable signings like Andre Burakovsky, Sam Lafferty, and Jordan Harris, the team appears no closer to contention.

Despite Bedard’s individual offensive production (22G, 39A in Year 1; 23G, 44A in Year 2), he has a combined -80 rating over two seasons, and lacks a true support cast. They also explore what new head coach Jeff Blashill can realistically achieve with a bottom-tier roster and whether defense-first hockey is even viable given Bedard’s weaknesses without the puck.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] A three-year rebuild with no traction

[00:38] Frank Nazar’s shocking extension

[01:00] Reviewing Chicago’s minimal offseason moves

[02:00] Bedard vs. Celebrini: Are fans already second-guessing the pick?

[03:00] Connor Bedard’s playmaking—and defensive lapses

[04:00] Veterans lost: Pat Maroon & Alec Martinez retire

[04:32] Can Jeff Blashill fix anything in Year 1?

[05:30] Where is the leadership and scoring help?

[06:00] Blue line depth—or lack thereof

[07:00] Goaltending preview: Soderblom vs. Spencer Knight

[08:30] Reality check: Can this team compete?

[09:30] Should Chicago shift to a defense-first system?

[11:00] Why fans may have to wait even longer for progress.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Connor Bedard can’t carry this team on his own. While his offensive numbers are strong, his defensive game has drawn league-wide criticism.

The Frank Nazar contract ($6.6M x 7 years starting 2026–27) raises serious concerns about Chicago’s salary strategy and projection risks.

Despite a few gritty offseason additions, Chicago lacks scoring depth, defensive reliability, and veteran leadership.

Jeff Blashill’s first year behind the bench may be defined more by survival than success.

Chicago will likely compete for another lottery pick rather than a playoff spot, with fan patience wearing thin.

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #ChicagoBlackhawks #ConnorBedard #FedorSvechkov #JeffBlashill #AndersSorensen #AndreBurakovsky #RyanDonato #SamLafferty #JoeVeleno #LouisCrevier #ArvidSoderblom #FrankNazar #KyleDavidson #PhilippKurashev #AlecMartinez #PatMaroon #NickFoligno #ConnorMurphy #MacklinCelebrini #TeuvoTeravainen #TylerBertuzzi #IlyaMikheyev #SpencerKnight #ArtyomLevshunov #SamRinzel #KevinKorchinski #MarcoSturm #DavidPastrnak #JohnPaddock #AlexVlasic

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Carolina Hurricanes

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the Carolina Hurricanes’ offseason, their consistent regular season success, and the lingering concerns that have prevented them from reaching the Stanley Cup Final—despite three Conference Final appearances in the last seven years.

The Canes finished second in the Metro Division with 99 points in 2024–25 and made quick work of New Jersey and Washington before falling to Florida in five games in the Eastern Conference Final—again.

Neil and Vic analyze the team’s latest acquisitions, including the high-profile signing of Nikolaj Ehlers from Winnipeg, and the trade for K’Andre Miller from the Rangers. They also examine what’s lost with the departures of Brent Burns, Dmitry Orlov, and Scott Morrow, and how the defense corps now leans heavily on Jacob Slavin, Alexander Nikishin, and Jalen Chatfield.

The episode also features a fascinating side story: Rod Brind’Amour’s son Skyler Brind’Amour and Keith Primeau’s son Caden Primeau are now teammates—23 years after their fathers were traded for each other.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Summer Coolers intro: Carolina Hurricanes outlook

[00:36] 2024–25 season recap: Regular season strong, playoffs stalled

[01:10] Forwards set: Ehlers, Aho, Jarvis, Svechnikov, Blake, Martinook

[02:00] Defense changes: Miller in, Burns, Orlov, and Morrow out

[03:00] K’Andre Miller’s fit and the high cost of acquisition

[03:43] Goaltending concerns: Freddie Andersen, Pyotr Kochetkov, Caden Primeau

[05:00] Re-signings and RFA updates: Suzuki, Skyler Brind’Amour, Stan Coven

[06:00] The Brind’Amour–Primeau trade connection, 23 years later

[06:50] Jacob Slavin’s leadership and Shane Gostisbehere’s PP role

[08:00] Are the Hurricanes truly better than last year?

[09:00] Why Carolina dominates the regular season but stalls in May

[10:30] The need for playoff-style hockey to break through

[11:00] Final verdict: Metro favorite—but Cup contender?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Carolina remains one of the NHL’s most consistent regular-season teams, but hasn’t been able to convert that into a Stanley Cup Final appearance.

Nikolaj Ehlers’ signing adds another skilled forward, but may not be enough to change the team’s playoff identity.

The defense is in transition, with Burns and Orlov gone and K’Andre Miller’s growth now a key variable.

Goaltending remains a concern, and a major question mark heading into 2025–26.

Carolina must learn to play playoff-style hockey earlier—and more consistently—if they hope to get over the hump.

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #K'AndreMiller #NikolajEhlers #SebastianAho #AndreiSvechnikov #SethJarvis #JacksonBlake #TaylorHall #JordanMartinook #LoganStankoven #JordanStaal #K'AndreMiller #ScottMorrow #MikeReilly #CaydenPrimeau #SkylerBrind'Amour #FrederikAndersen #EricRobinson #RyanSuzuki #RodBrind'Amour #KeithPrimeau #BrentBurns #DmitryOrlov #PyotrKochetkov #AlexanderNikishin #JaccobSlavin #JalenChatfield #ShayneGostisbehere #SeanWalker #EricTulsky

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Boston Bruins

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren take a hard look at the Boston Bruins, a team that has fallen dramatically from its historic high just two seasons ago.

After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the Bruins are in unfamiliar territory. With major roster departures and minimal offseason improvements, David Pastrnak may find himself carrying more than just the offensive load—he may be carrying the entire franchise.

Neil and Vic analyze GM Don Sweeney’s offseason acquisitions, including Victor Arvidsson, Tanner Jeannot, Jordan Harris, Mikey Eyssimont, and the return of Sean Kuraly, as well as re-signings like Morgan Geekie and Charlie McAvoy’s hopeful bounce back. The consensus? Grit and toughness are there—but goal-scoring depth is not.

The episode also examines the transition to new head coach Marco Sturm, the impact of last year’s decision to fire Jim Montgomery, and the enormous pressure on Jeremy Swayman to carry this team in low-scoring, defense-heavy games.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Boston Bruins: What happened and where are they now?

[00:38] From historic highs to missing the playoffs

[01:00] Offseason acquisitions: Soderstrom, Arvidsson, Jeannot, Eyssimont, Harris

[02:00] The fallout of the Patrick Laine trade

[02:48] Reviewing re-signings: Geekie, Zacha, McAvoy, Lohrei

[03:43] Can James Hagens crack the lineup?

[04:00] Marco Sturm takes over as head coach

[04:32] Jeremy Swayman must shine in net

[05:00] Jim Montgomery's bounce back with the Blues

[05:32] The Bruins’ identity: Tough, but can they score?

[06:00] Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm & Nikita Zadorov must lead the blue line

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

David Pastrnak is the lone offensive constant, and without stronger support, the Bruins may struggle to generate goals.

Jeremy Swayman must deliver a breakout season, as Boston will rely on tight, low-scoring games to stay competitive.

Don Sweeney’s offseason moves focus more on toughness than skill—Jeannot, Eyssimont, and others bring grit, but little proven offense.

With Marco Sturm in his first NHL head coaching role, leadership and locker room chemistry will be tested early.

Defensemen like McAvoy, Zadorov, and Lindholm must step up for Boston to have any hope of a playoff rebound.

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #DavidPastrnak #BradMarchand #PatriceBergeron #DavidKrejci #DonSweeney #VictorSoderstrom #ViktorArvidsson #TannerJeannot #MikeyEyssimont #JordanHarris #AlexSteeves #SeanKuraly #MorganGeekie #PatrikLaine #DonWaddell #PavelZacha #MasonLohrei #HenruJokiharhu #JohnBeecher #RileyTufte #JamesHagens #MarcoSturm #JeremySwayman #JimMontgomery #CharlieMcAvoy #HampusLindholm #NikitaZadorov #JoeSacco

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Anaheim Ducks

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive deep into one of the NHL’s most intriguing rebuilding teams—the Anaheim Ducks.

After a quiet climb last season, Anaheim has made bold moves, signaling their intent to challenge for a wild card spot in 2026. From the surprise hiring of Joel Quenneville to a dramatic shakeup in goal and up front, the Ducks are becoming a team to watch.

The hosts break down Anaheim’s offseason acquisitions, including Chris Kreider, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling, and Peter Mrazek, and assess what losing cornerstone pieces like Trevor Zegras and John Gibson really means. They also explore whether a young blue line—featuring names like Olen Zellweger, Jackson LaCombe, and Pavel Mintyukov—can hold the fort behind a confident Lucas Dostal in net.

They close with a candid look at Joel Quenneville’s return to coaching and the potential influence of one of the winningest coaches in NHL history on a promising roster that’s nearing playoff contention.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Ducks Preview: Could Anaheim be this year’s surprise team?

[00:38] Reviewing Anaheim’s bold offseason moves

[01:00] The Chris Kreider trade & new forward lines

[01:48] Goaltending changes: Dostal’s time to shine

[03:00] Defensive questions: Young blue line analysis

[03:43] The rise of Bennett Seneka and prospects to watch

[04:32] Trust in Dostal & veteran presence from Mrazek

[05:44] Coaching spotlight: Joel Quenneville returns

[07:00] Addressing Quenneville’s past and Anaheim’s due diligence

[07:40] His influence on player development & team culture

[08:00] The Verbeek-Quenneville connection from Hartford days

[08:45] Final verdict: Is Anaheim a wild card sleeper?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Anaheim Ducks have made major roster changes, including the additions of Chris Kreider, Mikael Granlund, and Peter Mrazek, while saying goodbye to Zegras and Gibson.

Lucas Dostal, now the clear-cut No. 1 goalie, will be tested behind an inexperienced defensive corps—but could thrive with Mrazek's veteran guidance.

The hiring of Joel Quenneville signals the Ducks are serious about culture and competitiveness. His resume and relationship with GM Pat Verbeek could fast-track the development of the team’s young core.

Anaheim’s depth up front and special teams potential make them a playoff dark horse, provided the defense matures ahead of schedule.

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #AnaheimDucks #JoelQuenneville #ChrisKreider #LucasDostal #MikaelGranlund #NHLProspects #PacificDivision #GameSevenGroup #StanleyCup #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatVerbeek #BennettSeneka #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #NHLRebuild

NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition - Scotty Bowman

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 20:00:00 -0400

With the calendar flipping to September and the 2025-26 season now just a month away, Neil and Vic are proud to launch the Hall of Fame Edition.

NHL Wraparound launched in January 2024 with the greatest player, Wayne Gretzky, as the first guest. This new franchise begins with its greatest-ever coach, Scotty Bowman.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:52] - Scotty joins the show and we go all the way back to the his beginnings starting with his parents coming over from Scotland to being raised in a suburb of Montreal to learning to speak French.

[08:24] - Growing up in Montreal, one would think Bowman would have been a fan of the Canadiens. Not so. Scotty also shares fond memories of his day and working as a laborer on the Verdun Auditorium.

[12:00] - Into the coaching world and learning the tricks of the trade of hockey business under the legendary Sam Pollock.

[19:22] - More insight into the success of Pollock.

[23:53] - Though the objectives of hockey have remained consistent, through the lens of seven decades, Scotty notes the game itself differs greatly now from the days when he first broke in - particularly in terms of how teams are built.

[28:19] - Further elaboration on team construction and why some approaches work better than others.

[30:34] - The influence of European systems - particularly Russian - in the North American game. Scotty shares how Slava Fetisov and Igor Larionov ended up in Detroit.

[36:19] - Today's player and the entitlement of that appears to permeate through a new generation of professionals in all fields.

[37:22] - Coaching superstars. Save for his first head coaching role in St. Louis, Scotty has coached the elite in Montreal, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Detroit and sees a differently methodology in having to coach today's superstars.

[41:25] - The different approaches to getting the best from Guy Lafleur and Steve Yzerman.

[45:08] - Having coached the Canadiens dynasty from 1976-79 and the Penguins team that fell short in 1993, Scotty has seen it from both sides. With the Florida Panthers in a position to join an elite group, he shares what he deems as key as to whether the Panthers make history in the spring of 2026.

[48:46] - Neil and share recollections of two head coaches they both were connected to: Roger Neilson and Mike Keenan.

[59:28] - Vic and Neil wrap on a memorable hour with Scotty Bowman.

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #ScottyBowman #WayneGretzky #SamPollock #ClaudeRuel #BobbyRousseau #GillesTremblay #JCTremblay #PaulMaurice #BradMarchand #StLouis Blues #MontrealCanadiens #PittsburghPenguins #DetroitRedWings #MontrealMaroons #KrautLine #MiltSchmidt #BobbyBauer #WoodyDumart #EdditShore #DitClapper #BostonBruins #VerdunAuditorium #DenisSavard #FrankSelke #KenReardon #LouPassador #EmileFrancis #CliffFletcher #JimGregory #JacquesPlante #DougHarvey #PunchImlach #MikeIlitch #JackKentCooke #HarrySInden #RayBourque #SkipKrake #GuyLafleur #SteveShutt #BobGainey #RickDudley #PaulFenton #BillZito #LesJackson #EsaTikkanen #CraigMacTavish #AaronEkblad #AleksanderBarkov #DaleTallon #AntonLundell #EetuLuostarinen #NikoMikkola #SamBennett #AnatolyTarasov #RussianFive #SergeiFedorov #IgorLarionov #SlavaKozlov #ViacheslavFetisov #VladimirKonstantinov #ChristerRockstrom #NicklasLidstrom #BryanMurray #LouMamoriello #GatesOrlando #KevinLowe #MarkMessier #GlennAnderson #JeffBeukeboom #AdamGraves #GilbertPerreault #MarioLemieux #JaromirJagr #DominikHasek #SteveYzerman #LucRobitaille #ChrisChelios #BrettHull #SidneyCrosby #NathanMacKinnon #NikitaKucherov #ConnorMcDavid #JeanBeliveau #JeanRatelle #BobbyClarke #PhilEsposito #YvanCournoyer #MarcelDionne #BobJohnson #MikeKeenan #SethJones #MatthewTkachuk #SergeiBobrovsky #RogerNeilson #HarryNeale #JackDiller #RendezVous'87 #ESPN

Episode 72 - 2025 Summer Cooler - Pacific Division

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:01:00 -0400

The hosts wrap up the Summer Cooler series focusing on the Pacific Division where the Edmonton Oilers have represented the Western Conference in the past two Stanley Cup Finals though the division sent only three teams to the playoffs in 2025.

IN THIS EPISODE

[01:44] - Edmonton Oilers - The most compelling question for the upcoming campaign is whether enough has been done to keep impending UFA Connor McDavid in the fold beyond this season. And, if so, for how long?

[11:41] - Vegas Golden Knights - The biggest off-season move was authored by the VGK in acquiring Mitch Marner from the Maple Leafs. The franchise consistently operates in the "now and we'll worry about the future when we get there."

[19:37] - Los Angeles Kings - After finally having everything in their favor in the opening round, the Kings still managed to fall for a fourth straight spring to the Oilers. Can a bunch of older free agents move this team forward in 2026?

[28:47] - Calgary Flames - One of the real surprises in 2024-25 re-signed many of their own players as opposed to adding any free agents. Not much room for error with an offensively challenged team that won't be sneaking up on anyone in the new season.

[36:29]- Vancouver Canucks - If there's an opposite to the Flames, it the Canucks who entered 2024-25 with high expectations only to go through a tumultuous season. Rookie head coach Adam Foote takes over a team with a much lower bar heading into the new campaign.

[44:14] - Anaheim Ducks - A team many are looking at to take a big step forward, the Ducks do so with the second winningest coach in NHL history, returning to the best for the first time in almost four years.

[52:37] - Seattle Kraken - In the spirit of Pacific Division continuity, there's the 2024-25 overachiever, the underachiever, the up-and-comer and the status quo. The fifth year Kraken somewhat fit into that category, even with a new head coach.

[1:02:01] - San Jose Sharks - Yes, reason for optimism in the Bay Area. While pushing the Western bubble would still be a long shot, their youth down the middle is set to become the cornerstone of the franchise for the next decade.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #Loogaroo #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #StanBowman #EvanderKane #ViktorArvidsson #CoreyPerry #ConnorBrown #JohnKlingberg #JeffSkinner #TrentFrederic #KasperiKapanen #EvanBouchard #AndrewMangiapane #CurtisLazar #IsaacHoward #RileyStillman #ZachHyman #VasilyPodkolzin #RyanNugent-Hopkins #MatthewSavoie #MattiasJanmark #AdamHenrique #MattiasEkholm #DarnellNurse #BrettKulak #JakeWalman #TyEmberson #StuartSkinner #CalvinPickard #MitchMarner #NickRoy #MarkStone #TomasHertl #WilliamKarlsson #ReillySmith #BrandonSaad #JeremyLauzon #ColtonSissons #NicolasHague #JaycobMegna #TannerPearson #VictorOlofsson #AlexPietrangelo #SheaTheodore #BraydenMcNabb #NoahHanafin #ZachWhitecloud #BruceCassidy #KaedanKorczak #BrettHowden #KeeganKolesar #PavelDorofeyev #JackEichel #IvanBarbashev #AdinHill #AkiraSchmid #SergeiBobrovsky #KenHolland #JoelArmia #CodiCeci #BrianDumoulin #RobBlake #LucRobitaille #BrentBurns #AlexOvechkin #AnzeKopitar #DrewDoughty #AntonForsberg #SamuelBolduc #DavidRittich #VladislavGavrikov #PheonixCopley #AndreiKuzmenko #AlexLaferriere #DarcyKuemper #PhillipDanault #JimHiller #QuintonByfield #AdrianKempe #KevinFiala #TrevorMoore #WarrenFoegele #MikeyAnderson #PeterDeBoer #DanVladar #AnthonyMantha #KevinBahl #RasmusAndersson #JoelHanley #MackenzieWeegar #JakeBean #MattCoronato #AdamKlapka #MorganFrost #JustinKirkland #JonathanHuberdeau #NazemKadri #DustinWolf #DevinCooley #ZayneParekh #AdamFoote #EliasPettersson #FilipHronek #TylerMyers #DakotaJoshua #DerekForbort #TeddyBlueger #JakeDeBrusk #DantonHeinen #KieferSherwood #VincentDesharnais #JTMiller #BrockBoeser #RickTocchet #ThatcherDemko #FilipChytil #QuinnHughes #AatuRaty #POJoseph #ChaseStillman #ArtursSilovs #PhilDiGiuseppe #PiusSuter #NoahJuulsen #ConorGarland #MarcusPettersson #PatVerbeek #ChrisKreider #RyanPoehling #TrevorZegras #PetrMrazek #JohnGibson #VilleHusso #LucasDostal #DrewHelleson #CutterGauthier #LeoCarlsson #AlexKillorn #MasonMcTavish #TroyTerry #FrankVatrano #MikaelGranlund #RyanStrome #RadkoGudas #JacobTrouba #JacksonLacombe #OlenZelleweger #PavelMintyukov #BennettSennecke #JoelQuenneville #ScottyBowman #LaneLambert #DanBylsma #JessicaCampbell #RonFrancis #JasonBotterill #MasonMarchment #RyanLindgren #VinceDunn #BrandonMontour #AdamLarsson #FrederickGaudreau #MattMurray #JohnHayden #JoshMahura #TyeKartye #KaapoKakko #AndreBuroskovsky #JoeVeleno #MikeyEyssimont #JaredMcCann #MattyBeniers #JadenSchwartz #JordanEberle #ShaneWright #JoeyDaccord #PhilippGrubauer #EeliTolvanen #AlexNedeljkovic #JohnKlingberg #JeffSkinner #AdamGaudette #PhilippKurashev #NickLeddy #RyanReaves #DmitryOrlov #BarclayGoodrow #MacklinCelebrini #ConnorBedard #WillSmith #YaroslavAskarov #AlexandarGeorgiev #BrianLeetch #TylerToffoli #WilliamEklund #MikeGrier #RyanWarsofsky

Episode 71 - 2025 Summer Cooler - Central Division

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:01:00 -0400

The Western Conference gets the stage starting with the Central Division in the third of four Summer Cooler shows.

IN THIS EPISODE

[02:31] - Winnipeg Jets - The defending Presidents' Trophy winners fell short in the second round of the playoffs. They face a new world with the departure of star wing Nikolaj Ehlers to Carolina.

[14:56] - Dallas Stars - Always positioning themselves for a deep run, something always seems to happen in "Big D" when the stakes raise in the playoffs. A coach getting a second chance in Dallas has the opportunity to reverse that trend.

[25:55] - Colorado Avalanche - Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, the Avs have won a single playoff series since. Is this high-octane team getting a reputation of being more sizzle than steak?

[34:52] - Minnesota Wild - Though finally getting out from under massive dead cap space, the Wild haven't exactly wowed anyone during the off-season.

[43:24] - St. Louis Blues - No team made more of an about-face in 2024-25. Despite a heartbreaking opening round loss to Winnipeg, all indications point to a team that will be very stiff to play against in the new season.

[53:58] - Utah Mammoth - With a season under their belt in Salt Lake City, the time has come for the newly-named Utah Mammoth to make some inroads after five consecutive playoffs misses going back to their days in Arizona.

[1:05:20] - Nashville Predators - The team with the big free agent splash a year ago was the biggest disappointment of 2024-25. The summer of '25 has been quiet. Has GM Barry Trotz simply written off last season as a bad year to the point he's willing to go with much the same lineup starting in October?

[1:13:05] - Chicago Blackhawks - Long-suffering fans in the Windy City will have a new head coach behind the bench. Still, Connor Bedard and co. appear to have more lean years ahead.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #Loogaroo #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #NikolajEhlers #ColePerfetti #AdamLowry #ConnorHellebuyck #JonathanToews #GabrielLandeskog #MasonAppleton #BrandonTanev #DominicToninato #GustavNyquist #ColeKoepke #TannerPearson #PhilDiGiuseppe #WalkerDuehr #HadynFleury #MorganBarron #GabeVilardi #DylanSamberg #KevinCheveldayoff #MarkScheifele #KyleConnor #VladislavNamestnikov #JoshMorrissey #DylanDemelo #NealPionk #LukeSchenn #ScottArniel #GlenGulutzan #PeterDeBoer #JakeOettinger #JimNill #JamieBenn #TylerSeguin #MattDuchene #ColinBlackwell #NilsLundkvist #MavrikBourque #RadekFaksa #NathanBastain #MasonMarchment #MikaelGranlund #CodiCeci #EvgeniiDadonov #MattDumba #RoopeHintz #WyattJohnston #JasonRobertson #MikkoRantanen #SamSteele #OskarBack #MiroHeiskanen #EsaLindell #ThomasHarley #IlyaLyubushkin #LianBichsel #CaseyDeSmith #JaredBednar #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #BrentBurns #VictorOlofsson #GavinBrindley #CharlieCoyle #MilesWood #BrockNelson #ParkerKelly #JoshManson #JoelKiviranta #JonathanDrouin #RyanLindgren #JimmyVesey #IvanIvan #DevonToews #SamGirard #SamMalinski #MackenzieBlackwood #ScottWedgewood #ValNichushkin #JackDrury #RossColton #MartinNecas #ArtturiLehkonen #Marc-AndreFleury #FrederickGaudreau #JustinBrazeau #VladimirTarasenko #NicoSturm #CalPeterson #NicolasAube-Kubel #TylerPitlick #MarcusJohansson #ZachParise #RyanSuter #BillGuerin #KirillKaprizov #JoelErikssonEk #MattBoldy #RyanHartman #MarcusFoligno #ZeevBuium #BrockFaber #JaredSpurgeon #JakeMiddleton #ZachBogosian #MatsZuccarello #DavidJiricek #DanilaYurov #LiamOhgren #JonasBrodin #FilipGustavsson #JesperWallstedt #JohnHynes #DeanEvason #DrewBannister #JimMontgomery #DougArmstrong #DylanHolloway #PhilipBroberg #PiusSuter #NickBjudstad #LoganMailloux #ZackBolduc #JoelHofer #JordanBinnington #NickLeddy #MilanLucic #BraydenSchenn #JordanKyrou #RobertThomas #PavelBuchnevich #JakeNeighbours #CamFowler #ColtonParayko #JohnKelly #JamieRivers #ChrisKerber #JoeyVitale #ClaytonKeller #AndreTourigny #JJPeterka #JoshDoan #MichaelKesselring #BrandonTanev #ScottPerunovich #NateSchmidt #VitekVanecek #KailerYamamoto #NickDeSimone #MichaelCarcone #JackMcBain #AlexOvechkin #MatiasMaccelli #RobertBortuzzo #ConnorIngram #KarelVejmelka #BillArmstrong #DylanGuenther #LoganCooley #NickSchmaltz #BarrettHayton #LawsonCrouse #MikhailSergachev #OlliMaatta #TijIginla #JaromeIginla #MichaelHrabal #BarryTrotz #AndrewBrunette #ErikHaula #NicolasHague #JeremyLauzon #ColtonSissons #JeremyHanzel #NickPerbix #StevenStamkos #JonathanMarchessault #BradySkjei #RyanO'Reilly #JoelQuenneville #ConnorBedard #FilipForsberg #RomanJosi #FedorSvechkov #JeffBlashill #AndersSorensen #AndreBurakovsky #RyanDonato #SamLafferty #JoeVeleno #LouisCrevier #ArvidSoderblom #FrankNazar #KyleDavidson #PhilippKurashev #AlecMartinez #PatMaroon #NickFoligno #ConnorMurphy #MacklinCelebrini #TeuvoTeravainen #TylerBertuzzi #IlyaMikheyev #SpencerKnight #ArtyomLevshunov #SamRinzel #KevinKorchinski #MarcoSturm #DavidPastrnak #JohnPaddock #AlexVlasic

Episode 70 - 2025 Summer Cooler - Metropolitan Division

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:01:00 -0400

Installment 2 of the 2025 Summer Cooler Series as Vic and Neil examine the off-season moves in the Metropolitan Division.

IN THIS EPISODE

[03:29] - Washington Capitals - From barely making the post-season in 2024 to the top regular season team in the East, can many who had career seasons stage an encore?

[12:23] - Carolina Hurricanes - Do two significant off-season acquisitions make the Hurricanes any more of a threat to escape the East?

[24:20] - New Jersey Devils - With Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton returning healthy, the might be the club that sneaks up on Washington and Carolina for one of the top two spots in the division.

[30:45] - Columbus Blue Jackets - A new identity was forged after the tragic death of Johnny Gaudreau a year ago. The ability to sustain that identity over 82 games will be necessary in order to crack the playoff lineup next spring.

[40:09] - New York Rangers - From Presidents' Trophy winners to fractured franchise, the Broadway Blueshirts start anew with Mike Sullivan taking over behind the bench.

[50:03] - New York Islanders - A playoff team in 2024, the Isles missed out last season, switched GM's and have seen players move in and out of the organization during the summer. Though likely to be competitive, the future may be brighter than the present for this group.

[1:00:58] - Pittsburgh Penguins - The good news is first time NHL head coach Dan Muse has the likes of Crosby, Malkin and Letang to work with. The downside: aside from a few that will support the trio, the future doesn't look favorable in the Steel City.

[1:09:34] - Philadelphia Flyers - Former Flyer and a year removed from the Jack Adams Award, Rick Tocchet takes over behind the bench with some pieces which should be maturing into bona fide NHL talents. But will that goaltending ever come around?

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #Loogaroo #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AnthonyBeauvillier #HendrixLapierre #AndrewMangiapane #TaylorRaddysh #LarsEller #AlexanderAlexeyev #TJOshie #NicklasBackstrom #MartinFehervary #SpencerCarbery #DylanStrome #AliakseiProtas #TomWilson #ConnorMcMichael #PierreLuc-Dubois #JakobChychrun #NicDowd #LoganThompson #AlexOvechkin #WayneGretzky #RyanLeonard #JohnCarlson #K'AndreMiller #NikolajEhlers #SebastianAho #AndreiSvechnikov #SethJarvis #JacksonBlake #TaylorHall #JordanMartinook #LoganStankoven #JordanStaal #K'AndreMiller #ScottMorrow #MikeReilly #CaydenPrimeau #SkylerBrind'Amour #FrederikAndersen #EricRobinson #RyanSuzuki #RodBrind'Amour #KeithPrimeau #BrentBurns #DmitryOrlov #PyotrKochetkov #AlexanderNikishin #JaccobSlavin #JalenChatfield #ShayneGostisbehere #SeanWalker #EricTulsky #TomFitzgerald #JeremyHanzel #ErikHaula #ConnorBrown #EvgeniiDadonov #StanBowman #PeterDeBoer #JackHughes #DougieHamilton #JakeAllen #CodyGlass #BrianDumoulin #CurtisLazar #NathanBastian #NicoHischier #JesperBratt #OndrejPalat #TimoMeier #StefanNoesen #DawsonMercer #BrendenDillon #LukeHughes #BrettPesce #JonasSiegenthaler #SimonNemec #JacobMarkstrom #CharlieCoyle #MilesWood #GavinBrindley #HudsonFasching #IvanProvorov #DanteFabbro #OwenSillinger #DmitriVoronkov #DaemonHunt #JohnnyGaudreau #MatthewGaudreau #DeanEvason #SeanMonahan #KirillMarchenko #YegorChinakov #AdamFantilli #KentJohnson #BooneJenner #ZachWerenski #DaniilTarasov #ElvisMerzlikins #JetGreaves #SeanKuraly #JordanHarris #PatrikLaine #JustinDanforth #JamesvanRiemsdyk #MathieuOlivier #VladislavGavrikov #WillCuylle #MattRempe #ZacJones #ChrisKreider #CareyTerrance #JacobTrouba #IgorShesterkin #ArtemiPanarin #VincentTrocheck #JTMiller #MikaZibanejad #AlexisLafreniere # #KaapoKakko #JeffGorton #GabePerreault #BrennanOthmann #BrettGerard #MikeSullivan #RyanLindgren #AdamFox #CarsonSoucy #WillBorgen #UrhoVaakanainen #BradenSchneider #ChrisDrury #GerardGallant #PeterLaviolette #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #KrisLetang #MathieuDarche #LouLamoriello #EmilHeineman #NoahDobson #VictorEklund #WilliamEklund #KashawnAitcheson #DavidRittich #SemyonVarlamov #JonathanDrouin #KylePalmieri #TonyDeAngelo #AlexanderRomanov #AdamBoqvist #SimonHolmstrom #MattGatcomb #MaximTsyplakov #BrockNelson #BoHorvat #MathewBarzal #AnthonyDuclair #AndersLee #MatthewSchaefer #AdamPelech #RyanPulock #ScottMayfield #IlyaSorokin #PatrickRoy #DanMuse #KyleDubas #ConnorClifton #JustinBrazeau #AnthonyMantha #RafaelHarvey-Pinard #AlexanderAlexeyev #MattDumba #ArtursSilovs #ConnorDewar #PhilipTomasino #AlexNedeljkovic #DavidQuinn #RickardRakell #BryanRust #RutgerMcGroarty #KevinCheveldayoff #MarioLemieux #PatBrisson #RickTocchet #BradShaw #JohnTortorella #TrevorZegras #RyanPoehling #ChristianDvorak #DanVladar #MatveiMichkov #SeanCouturier #TravisKonecny #OwenTippett #TysonFoerster #NoahCates #CamYork #BobbyBrink #JamieDrysdale #TravisSanheim #CarterHart #SamErsson #IvanFedotov #DannyBriere #OliverBonk #JettLuchanko #JakobPellitier #AndreiKuzmenko #JoelFarabee #MorganFrost #KenHolland #ChuckFletcher #KeithJones #RogerNeilson #WayneGretzky

Episode 69 - 2025 Summer Cooler - Atlantic Division

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The Summer Coolers return for a second season as Neil and Vic kick off the quarter of shows by digging into the Atlantic Division.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:53] - Florida Panthers. Can the two-time defending champions make history?

[11:34] - Toronto Maple Leafs. Will the coming season be any different than each one since 1967?

[19:48] - Tampa Bay Lightning. Still formidable but will they have enough to avoid a fourth straight early playoff exit?

[25:50] - Ottawa Senators. A surprise playoff appearance in 2024-25, is there enough punch in this lineup to get back in again?

[32:26] - Montreal Canadiens. After a late push to qualify as the second wild card, the upstart Habs have new expectations in the coming season.

[41:58] - Detroit Red Wings. It's been a nine-season playoff drought in the Motor City. Does a goalie with a fresh start make the difference?

[47:39] - Buffalo Sabres. The Red Wings playoff dry spell pales to that of the Sabres. Some good pieces are in place but can this group sustain over the course of 82 games to finally end the slide?

[52:22] - Boston Bruins. How the mighty have fallen in a short time. A once-loaded team now appears as if it's David Pastrnak against the world.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #Loogaroo #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #PaulMaurice #BillZito #SamBennett #BradMarchand #AaronEkblad #NateSchmidt #NicoSturm #VitekVanecek #OliverEkman-Larsson #BrandonMontour #JimNill #DaniilTarasov #JeffPetry #TomasNosek #MackieSamoskevich #SandyHookelementarySchool #MatthewTkachuk #SergeiBobrovsky #MitchMarner #NickRoy #BradTreliving #KyleDubas #MatiasMaccelli #MichaelPezzetta #TravisBoyd #VinniLettieri #DakotaJoshua #CraigBerube #JohnTavares #StevenLorentz #NicolasRobertson #MatthewKnies #AustonMatthews #WilliamNylander #RyanReaves #HenryThrun #PontusHolmberg #JonCooper #StevenStamkos #JakeGuentzel #NikitaKucherov #AndreiVasilevskiy #PatrickKane #JonathanToews #DuncanKeith #SamReilly #IsaacHoward #JakobPelletier #JulienBriseBois #JonasJohansson #YanniGourde #GageGonclaves #NickPerbix #BraydenPoint #BrandonHagel #AnthonyCirelli #OliverBjorkStrand #JordanSpence #LarsEller #ArthurKaliyev #HunterShepard #NikolasMatinpalo #TylerKleven #FabianZetterlund #ClaudeGiroux #LeeviMerilainen #NickCousins #HaydenHodgson #LinusUllmark #BradyTkachuk #JakeSanderson #DrakeBatherson #TimStutzle #AntonForsberg #AdamGaudette #TravisHamonic #SteveStaios #TravisGreen #NoahDobson #EmilHeineman #MartinStLouis #LaneHutson #ZackBolduc ##LoganMailloux #KaapoKahkonen #SammyBlais #JoeVeleno #JakubDobes #JaydenStruble #CaydenPrimeau #JoelArmia #ChristianDvorak #MichaelPezzetta #RafaelHarvey-Pinard #AlexBarre-Boulet #IvanDemidov #NickSuzuki #JurajSlafkovsky #ColeCaufield #JohnGibson #PetrMrazek #JamesvanRiemsdyk #MasonAppleton #WilliamLagesson #AlbertJohansson #JonatanBerggren #ElmerSoderblom #SteveYzerman #VladimirTarasenko #AlexLyon #PatVerbeek #LucasRaymond #AlexDebrincat #DylanLarkin #JJPeterka #JoshDoan #MichaelKesselring #ConorTimmins #IsaacBelliveau #ConnorClifton #JustinDanforth #ZacJones #JackQuinn #RyanJohnson #TysonKozak #RyanMcLeod #BowenByram #DevonLevi #LindyRuff #RasmusDahlin #OwenPower #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen #DavidPastrnak #BradMarchand #PatriceBergeron #DavidKrejci #DonSweeney #VictorSoderstrom #ViktorArvidsson #TannerJeannot #MikeyEyssimont #JordanHarris #AlexSteeves #SeanKuraly #MorganGeekie #PatrikLaine #DpnWaddell #PavelZacha #MasonLohrei #HenruJokiharhu #JohnBeecher #RileyTufte #JamesHagens #MarcoSturm #JeremySwayman #JimMontgomery #CharlieMcAvoy #HampusLindholm #NikitaZadorov #JoeSacco

NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series - Chris Chelios - August 14, 2025

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 12:10:00 -0400

He's a hockey Hall of Famer who now has a movie credit to his name. He's also an entrepreneur in a life that has always been on the go.

Chris Chelios drops by for a fun chat with Neil and Vic

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:38] - The Happy Gilmore 2 experience where Chris played a non-speaking role as a henchman alongside fellow NHLer Sean Avery.

[04:07] - Chris shares the story of when Avery moved into his house when the two were UHL teammates during the 2004-05 NHL lockout. That Avery wasn't the ideal house guest would be an understatement.

[06:06] - Aside from the final seven games of his NHL career as a member of the Atlanta Thrashers, Cheli shares the significance of playing the other 1644 games with three of the "Original Six" teams, Montreal, Chicago and Detroit.

[09:21] - How Cheli wound up with number 7 in Chicago with some additional backstory on him wearing 24 in Detroit.

[10:34] - Playing for Scotty Bowman and Mike Keenan

[13:46] - Cheli trashes Keenan's office.

[15:36] - With the Winter Olympics coming up in Italy in 2026, Chris talks about the differences competing as an olympic amateur in 1984 on the heels of the "Miracle on Ice" team and as a professional in 1998, 2002 and 2006. He also notes that though many on that 1980team did not have star careers, the doors that opened for Americans because of that group were immeasurable.

[18:08] - Returning to Chicago and Wrigley Field to throw out the first pitch and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

[21:11] - Having owned restaurants and having his own brand of Chili, Cheli talks about his venture into tequila.

[23:18] - What's next for Chris Chelios?

[25:32] - Looking back, despite not having won a Stanley Cup in Chicago, seeing Patrick Kane's overtime winner in 2010 to give the Blackhawks their first championship since 1961 still rings special for Cheli.

[29:37] - Having played with so many players over 26 NHL seasons and international tournaments, there's still two players Chris would have like to have played just one game with...

[31:17] - Returning to thoughts on Messier, Chris tells the story of accidently clipping him with his stick and then happening to Google Mess top elbows. Amidst the banter, there is little mistaking the ruthlessness needed to win in the NHL.

[34:51] - A legendary workout fiend, Cheli's approach is a bit different than in the past.

[38:03] - Vic and Neil wrap up with another franchise on the horizon.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #CenebritySeries #ChrisChelios #MontrealCanadiens #ChicagoBlackhawks #DetroitRedWings #AtlantaThrashers #JasonSpezza #LucRobitaille #HappyGilmore2 #AdamSandler #ShooterMcGavin #TravisKelce #SeanAvery #MotorCityMechanics #BobProbert #MikeKeenan #DenisSavard #BobGaimey #LarryRobinson #GuyLafleur #JacqueLemaire #SergeSavard #EdOlczyk #DaleHawerchuk #MarianIlitch #BobbyHull #PitMartin #RayBourque #PaulCoffey #PhilEsposito #ScottyBowman #KrisDraper #DarrenMcCarty #KirkMaltby #SteveYzerman #DarrylSutter #MarkMessier #KenMorrow #NealBroten #MarkJohnson #DaveChristian #WrigleyField #ChicagoCubs #ChicagoWhiteSox #MikeDitka #OzzyOsbourne #ElBandidoYankeeTequila #BobMorris #ESPN #TNT #CaleyChelios #WayneGretzky #ConnorMcDavid #HenrikLundqvist #JeffBlashill #PatrickKane #SethJones #BrentSeabrook #JonathanToews #DuncanKeith #MikeModano #EddieLitzenberger #MarioLemieux #GordieHowe #ConnorBedard #NathanMacKinnon

Episode 68 - Pulling Back the Curtain with Katie Strang from The Athletic

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:01:00 -0400

With NHL training camps set to open in a few weeks, the anticipation of a new season will begin. Still, the sport has received unwanted attention in an area that has had an unseemly history that goes back decades.

On July 24, five members of Canada's 2018 World Junior Championship team were found not guilty of sexual assault in a highly publicized trial. While the decision was favorable for the players involved, the incident itself paints an ugly picture and goes deeper into today's culture and society.

Katie Strang from The Athletic has covered the NHL as a reporter for Newsday and ESPN.com with her first work into investigative reporting being the Michigan State gymnastics trial in 2017.

Having written other pieces on sexual abuse, Katie joins Neil and Vic to discuss the London trial, hockey's history of abuse and the responsibility of hockey's governing bodies going forward.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:54] - Katie Strang joins Neil and Vic and shares what led to her career moving in the direction of investigative reporting.

[02:46] - Katie discusses her first major story as an investigative reporter covering the Michigan State Gymnastics case against Larry Nassar adding the indelible impact it had on her.

[05:03] - The difficulty and challenges of detaching from covering a story such as that at Michigan State amidst having a family life.

[06:43] - Strang speaks about the unusual happenings during the trial centering around five former NHL players who were accused of sexual assault while members of Canada's 2018 World Junior Championship Team.

[11:20] - Even after the decision, public opinion remained very split. Katie shares why she believes this is so.

[13:06] - Neil shares his personal revulsion to the the acts alleged in the case before raising the question of the future of the five players who were acquitted. Katie goes deep in her response noting Gary Bettman's ruling the players are still ineligible to return to the NHL, possible pushback from the NHLPA and what an internal investigation by the NHL may have revealed information which was inadmissible in court.

[20:16] - Should any of the five players be reinstated, which team(s) would step forward and sign any of them knowing the possible public backlash which could follow?

[23:04] - Katie turns the tables on Neil asking him what he would have done during the Rangers Cup run in 1994 had he been aware of a situation similar to the one which took place in Chicago in 2010.

[24:27] - Vic follows up asking Neil whether he would have hired a head coach not guilty of a crime but banned for "inadequate response" as Joel Quenneville was.

[25:59] - Given there has been a history of abuse in hockey that extends beyond the ice surface, the question is posed about the responsibilities of governing bodies such as the NHL and Hockey Canada to ensure a safe environment for all players. Katie goes a step further addressing systemic issues which still exist in hockey culture.

[32:21] - The role of the media and its coverage of abuse.

[34:57] - The discussion wraps up with another area of concern around hockey: concussions.

[40:27] - Vic and Neil put a wrap on the discussion.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #CenebritySeries #KatieStrang #TheAthletic #RickWesthead #WeBreedLions #TSN #LarryNassar #MichiganStateAthletics #MichaelMcLeod #DillonDube #CalFoote #AlexFormenton #CarterHart #MariaCarroccia #GrahamJames #TheoFleury #SheldonKennedy #GaryBettman #MartyWalsh #NHLPA #StanBowman #JoelQuenneville #AlMacIsaac #KyleBeach #BradAldrich #PatVerbeek #DavidGove #ChrisWeiss #HockeyCanada

NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series - Bobby Valentine - July 23, 2025

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:15:00 -0400

After a brief break following the long NHL season, Vic and Neil open a new franchise titled "Celebrity Series." With baseball in full swing, no better place to premiere than with an MLB icon who has made a significant impact abroad as well.

Bobby Valentine, former player and manager, recalls memorable moments during the course of his career both in the States and in Japan while also sharing the importance of giving back.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:26] - Bobby Valentine and Neil discuss the photo of Valentine taken with the Stanley Cup at Shea Stadium though there's some question of when the shot was taken.

[04:03] - Valentine talks about playing summer baseball in 1967 in the Cape Cod league under long-time NHL executive Lou Lamoriello.

[06:04] - The differences and similarities Bobby sees in terms of how baseball and hockey players are handled.

[07:23] - Valentine shares how he ended up managing in Japan.

[09:21] - Thoughts on Shohei Otani, a truly generational talent.

[11:34] - Bobby's influence on bringing some American culture to the Japanese fans.

[14:12] - "The Disguise" prompted by one of the most obscure rules in baseball and how it became part of Mets lore as they galvanized down through the summer to qualify for the playoffs that fall.

[19:32] - With the 24th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks coming up, recollections of the Mets first game back ten days later and the dramatic game winning home run by Mike Piazza.

[23:07] - Giving back has always been important to Valentine. Whether it's doing something creative or simply straightforward, the importance of what was learned early on continues to this day.

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #HumanSideoftheStory #CelebritySeries #BobbyValentine #NewYorkMets #LosAngelesAngels #TexasRangers #BostonRedSox #LouLamoriello #TonyAmonte #BabeRuth #LouGehrig #ChibaLotteMarines #SadaharuOh #IchiroSuzuki #ShoheiOtani #GeorgeWBush #HiromitsuOchiai #HideoNomo #MikePiazza #PatMahomes #RandyMarsh #OrelHershiser #RobinVentura #ReggieJackson #JoeNamath #JoeTorre #TommyLasorda

Human Side of the Story - Episode 67 - Appreciating our Viewers and Listeners

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

After a long season guests, news, analysis and some levity, Vic and Neil share a few stories from our viewers and listeners. Each is unique and reveals to us that we are reaching folks from diverse backgrounds. You make it worthwhile for and we say thanks heading into a brief break from our regular recording schedule.

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #HumanSideoftheStory #BillZito #FloridaPanthers #ZonaBlu

Episode 67 - New Faces/New Places with Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 22:15:00 -0400

With the off-season fully underway, no better way to address free agency and other significant league topics than with Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Vic and Neil also chat about the Draft and wrap up the season with a special Human Side of the Story which gives a nod to some of our special listeners.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:09] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To focuses on a key free agent signing, the return to the Olympics for NHL players, a couple of areas of question within the extended CBA and, since it's the last show of the season, we've added a fourth item where a grizzled veteran is headed to the Rockies.

[10:29] - Elliotte Friedman joins the show and speaks about the foundation and growth of his podcast, 32 Thoughts, which started seven years ago.

[13:16] - With Nikolaj Ehlers and Brent Burns moving on, an initial update on Dmitry Orlov...Stay tuned.

[14:11] - Offer sheets made news a year ago when St. Louis corralled Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway from Edmonton. An update on Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram.

[16:25] - A deep discussion on the high price tag on certain NHL defensemen and the reasons behind it.

[22:16] - One deep discussion deserves another. Neil and Elliotte hit on tampering.

[26:48] - How 'bout some LTIR speak and teams circumventing the cap to sit players, saving cap space and acquiring additional assets?

[29:41] - A further update on Orlov.

[30:08] - Bill Zito's brilliance and the commitment players have to the Panthers franchise...a far cry from what it was like years ago.

[32:54] - Neil follows up on contracts given to players - such as Marchand - while allows teams to load up on term in order to free up cap space in the shorter term.

[35:47] - Kings GM Ken Holland has made several moves to bolster his new team however, some eyebrows are being raised. A deeper look at some other contracts raising questions.

[41:59] - The de-centralized Draft. A one-hit wonder.

[44:53] - Elliotte salutes retiring peer, Bob McKenzie.

[53:32] - Some broad strokes on the NHL Draft.

[1:00:25] - Other league news

[1:05:14] - The Human Side of the Story is about our viewers and listeners...with some fun mixed in.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #NikolajEhlers #MitchMarner #SethJarvis #Sebastien#Aho #AndreiSvechnikov #K'AndreMiller #NikitaKucherov #MarkStone #MatthewTkachuk #BrentBurns #ElliotteFriedman #JeffMarek #Sportsnet #32ThoughtsPodcast #MattGrzelcyk JanRutta #TravisHamonic #BowenByram #DylanHolloway #PhilipBroberg #NHLPA #IIHF #CoreyPerry #DmitryOrlov #BowenByram #EvanBouchard #ScottMorrow #DarrenFerris #NoahDobson #IvanProvorov #MitchMarner #BryanRust #RickardRakell #ConnorMcDavid #ArtemiPanarin #KirillKaprizov #JackEichel #CaleMakar #BrianCampbell #DaleTallon #SergeiBobrovsky #ChrisDrury #ChristianDvorak #JohnTavares #LouLamoriello #BillZito #BradMarchand #SamBennett #AaronEkblad BrianBurke #BrockBoeser #PaulMaurice #ChrisTanev #JakeAllen #KenHolland #LucRobitaille #VladislavGavrikov #CodiCeci #BrianDumoulin #JoelArmia #AntonForsberg #AndreiKuzmenko #TannerJeannot #QuintonByfield #JimNill #TheBaldTruth #DavidFalk #MichaelJordan #PatrickEwing #BobMcKenzie #PeterGammons #ChrisMortensen #NickLetty #DenisPotvin #MatthewSchaefer #ErieOtters #MiroHeiskanen #MichaelMisa #SaginawSpirit #MacklinCelebrini #WillSmith #JonathanToews #PatrickKane #AntonFrondell #Djurgarden #AleksabderBarkov #AntonLundell #JamesHagens #BostonCollegeEagles #LoganCooley #VictorEkland #WilliamEklund #JesperBratt #KashawnAitcheson #JacobTrouba #DionPhaneuf #JoshManson #BrockNelson #MattBarzal #GlenGulutzan #LasVegasWranglers #LeonDraisaitl #RyanNugent-Hopkins #ZachHyman #PeterDeBoer #AlexPietrangelo #AlexDelvecchio #GordieHowe #JeanBeliveau #SteveYzerman #ZonaBlu

Burning Topics with Free Agency Underway - July 1, 2025

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 22:58:00 -0400

The raw volume of signings on Day 1 of Free Agency 2025 was dwarfed by that of a year ago. Still, the off-season is rife with activity and intrigue.

Vic and Neil go through a list of topics leaving plenty to ponder...

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BarryTrotz #MitchMarner #NickRoy #KellyMcCrimmon #BradTreliving #JohnTavares #BillZito #SamBennett #BradMarchand #AaronEkblad #TomasNosek #DaniilTarasov #VitekVanecek #NateSchmidt #JeffPetry #EvanderKane #KasperiKapanen #EvanBouchard #CoreyPerry #ConnorBrown #ViktorArvidsson #ConnorMcDavid #EvanBouchard #EmilHeineman #MatthewSchaefer #VictorEklund #KashawnAitcheson #LaneHutson #JoelArmia #ChristanDvorak #MichaelPezzetta #DarnellNurse #StanBowman #LeonDraisaitl #Mattias#Ekholm #JakeWalman #BrettKulak #TyEmberson #ZachHyman #RyanNugent-Hopkins #AlexanderRomanov #TonyDeAngelo #BrockNelson #PatrickRoy #AnthonyDuclair #JonathanDrouin #SteveYzerman #MikhailSergachev #NathanMacKinnon #KenHolland #TylerWright #CodyCeci #BrianDumoulin #VladislavGavrikov #AntonForsberg #DavidRittich #DarcyKuemper #IlyaSorokin #SemyonVarlamov #GlennHall #ConorGarland #ThatcherDemko #BrockBoeser #BoHorvat #Marc-EdouardVlasic #JohnKlingberg #AdamGaudette #PhilippKurashev #MattTompkins #RileyStillman #LoganStankoven #JakeGuentzel #MikoRantanen #K'AndreMiller #ScottMorrow #JaccobSlavin #TomDundon #EricTulsky #RodBrind'Amour #NikolajEhlers #BrentBurns #JohnTavares #MatthewKnies #StevenLorentz #PontusHolmberg #MikaelGranlund #PatVerbeek #TrevorZegras #EvgeniiDadonov #PiusSuter #DmitryOrlov #KyleDubas #SethJones #CalebJones #PierreLeBrun #ElliotteFriedman #32Thoughts #Sportsnet

Human Side of the Story - The Changing World of the NHL Draft - Ep. 66

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Two benchmark events in early summer kicks off every NHL season with the Draft and the opening of free agency.

With the Draft coming up first, Vic and Neil look back to the structure of the process, how players selected were communicated with, the effect of the WHA in the early 1970's and whether social media and instant communication adds additional players on current day draftees.

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #HumanSideoftheStory

Episode 66 - Draft/Free Agency Preview with Pierre LeBrun from The Athletic

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 19:08:00 -0400

While the Florida Panthers players continue to celebrate their second consecutive Stanley Cup, front offices around the NHL have to major events in the crosshairs starting with the Entry Draft on June 27-28 and the start of free agency on Tuesday, July 1.

One of hockey's top columnists and insiders joins Neil and Vic as we welcome Pierre LeBrun from The Athletic and TSN.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:45] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention are the UFA/RFA signings and trades we've seen by clubs retaining players leading up to July 1.

[13:29] - Pierre LeBrun joins the show and, with free agency looming, a discussion on the apparent tampering issues which have taken place in advance of July 1st in past years.

[19:11] - LeBrun speaks to his surprise that the market heading into this off-season is an odd one with buyers significantly outweighing sellers.

[22:56] - Clubs Pierre's looking out for in terms of significant summer movement.

[24:40] - Next coach in Dallas?

[30:20] - The latest on whether the Panthers can keep both Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand.

[33:35] - The dope on Toronto on Mitch Marner and John Tavares.

[39:58] - The timeline on a Connor McDavid extension in Edmonton.

[42:46] - The possibility the Oilers could be vulnerable to losing RFA Evan Bouchard to an offer sheet similar to them losing two players to St. Louis a year ago.

[52:28] - NHL Draft. The Islanders have the first pick and will likely look at one of three players from North America to become the next hope at UBS Arena

[1:01:24] - League news starting with a Monday trade between Anaheim and Philadelphia.

[1:11:26] - Human Side of the Story - Vic and Neil wrap up the show noting the changes in the Draft over the years from location to structure to the pressure of the spotlight from then til now. Neil shares his own firsthand experience being selected by the Islanders in 1974.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #PierreLeBrun #GinoReda #TheAthletic #TSN #NHLEntryDraft #TrentFrederic #ConnorBrown #CoreyPerry #MattDuchene #JonathanToews #EricRobinson #RyanDonato #MattRempe #FabianZetterlund #NilsLundqvist #MavrikBourque #EricHaula #JeremyHanzel #MasonMarchment #BryanMarchment #JimNill #JamieBenn #JoeVeleno #AndreBurakovsky #BarryTrotz #LannyMcDonald #BillDaly #DonMeehan #PatBrisson #BowenByram #JJPeterka #BrianRust #ChrisKreider #RasmusAndersson #JasonRobertson #KevynAdams #PeterDeBoer #JakeOettinger #GarardGallant #GlenGulutzan #NeilGraham #JimMontgomery #LaneLambert #JonCooper #MikeSullivan #JoelQuenneville #RogerNeilson #SamBennett #BradMarchand #BillZito #DarrenFerris #AaronEkblad #SergeiBobrovsky #MitchMarner #JohnTavares #KylesDubas #BradTreliving #BrockNelson #SidneyCrosby #ConnorMcDavid #JuddMoldaver #AustonMatthews #StanBowman #LeonDraisaitl #ReedLarson #EvanBouchard #DylanHathaway #PhilipBroberg #JoeSakic #DonBaizley #DenisPotvin #BillyHarris #RickDiPietro #MathieuDarche #ConnorBedard #MacklinCelebrini #JimWaters #MatthewSchaefer #ErieOtters #MichaelMisa #SaginawSpirit #JamesHagens #BostonCollegeEagles #BillTorrey #AlArbour #MikeBossy #DwightFoster #AleksanderBarkov #SamReinhart #SebastienAho #RyanNugent-Hopkins #RomanJosi #TrevorZegras #PatVerbeek #RyanPoehling #JamieDrysdale #CutterGauthier #MatveiMichkov #RickTocchet #MasonLohrei #DonSweeney #DavidPastrnak #PaulMaurice #NicolasAube-Kubel #StephaneMatteau #EdOlczyk #PhilPritchard #TJBrodie #ZdenoChara #JoeThornton #DuncanKeith #WesternMichiganUniversityBroncos #MarioLemieux #WayneGretzky

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 65 - From Devil to Duck

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

As Brad Marchand skated with the Stanley Cup as a member of the Florida Panthers, a former player with some very similar characteristics to Marchand is in the role of trying to move the Anaheim Ducks from outsider to contender.

Pat Verbeek enjoyed a 20-year playing career after being drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 1982. He's scored 500 goals, won a Stanley Cup and, as Neil points out, displays the same work ethic as a GM as he did as player. That drive helped the Devils to their first playoff berth in 1988. Now, his immediate task is to build the Ducks into a playoff team, something missing in Anaheim since 2018.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #HumanSideoftheStory #PatVerbeek #SteveYzerman #AnaheimDucks #DetroitRedWings #NewJerseyDevils #HartfordWhalers #NewYorkRangers #DallasStars #BrianGionta #Jean-SebastienGiguere #KenHolland #PatrickKane #KeithTkachuk #PeterBondra #PatrickMarleau #PatrickRoy #WayneGretzky #KyleDavidson #EricTulsky #KyleDubas #JoelQuenneville

Stanley Cupdate - REPEAT! - June 18, 2025

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:53:00 -0400

Only three franchises in NHL history have earned the "dynasty" title with three straight Stanley Cups titles. Next season, the Florida Panthers will have the opportunity to join the Maple Leafs, Canadiens and Islanders in that elite group after a near-perfect 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6.

Vic and Neil give their soup-to-nuts breakdown and opinion then look forward to what comes next for a Panther team with a focus on history and an Oiler squad still seeking answers to take the final step.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 65 - New Ducks on the Pond With GM Pat Verbeek

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:22:00 -0400

The eye of the hockey world remain on the Panthers and Oilers as the Stanley Cup Final winds down. However, for 30 other clubs, the preparation for the 2025-26 season is well under way. One of those teams appearing to be on the rise is the Anaheim Ducks. General manager Pat Verbeek with join Neil and Vic to talk about a team with an intriguing mix of youth and veteran leadership and a new voice behind the bench.

Needless to say, the hosts will focus on Game 6 as the Panthers look to lock down consecutive championships and they'll add some league news as well.

The Human Side of the Story focuses on our guest but also addresses the path a former player needs to take in order to assume the role as GM.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:40] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To puts the spotlight on the Florida Panthers as they look to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers need to rectify a couple of areas in order to force a seventh game.

[10:11] - Before there was Brad Marchand, there was Pat Verbeek. As Neil opens the discussion, the similarities can't be mistaken.

[11:04] - The growth of the Ducks during 2024-25 saw them improve by 21 points over the season before. Still, Verbeek shares why a coaching change was made from Greg Cronin to one second on the all time wins list. A change which should bring more positive results from the Ducks younger players.

[13:51] - Whether Verbeek's past relationship with Joel Quenneville played a role in being selected as the Ducks new head coach.

[16:13] - While Quenneville was available, Verbeek addresses making the hire only after a thorough vetting process and ownership approval following an incident with the Blackhawks in 2010.

[19:35] - Quenneville's reputation with players around the league is expected to be a significant benefit to a Ducks team mixed with youth and veteran leadership.

[20:13] - With the acquisition of Chris Kreider, there are now four former Rangers in the Anaheim lineup.

[21:29] - Verbeek discusses the adaptation time for Trouba upon his arrival in Anaheim and the ability for him to simply come in and play without having to be a captain.

[24:15] - Is the change in Trevor Zegras play sustainable in 2025-26?

[26:22] - The Ducks have over $32 million in cap space. While no specifics to be shared, there is clearly an opportunity for Verbeek to upgrade his team further.

[28:15] - The qualities the Oilers and Panthers have which Verbeek would like to see within his own team.

[29:13] - Neil and Pat do some final reminiscing.

[36:46] - Vic and Neil preview Game 6 of the Final

[42:24] - Other NHL news

[45:37] - The Human SIde of the Story looks back at the career of Pat Verbeek and also does a deeper dive into the work needed to be put in by a former player aspiring to be a GM.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Panthers on the Verge of a Repeat - June 15, 2025

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 14:50:00 -0400

In 2024, the Panthers led the Stanley Cup Final 3-games-to-2 with pressure headed back to Edmonton against an Oiler team bent on continuing an historic comeback.

This time around, they head home with a chance to repeat after a commanding 5-2 win at Rogers Place led by a 37-year-old unrestricted free agent whose value is actually increasing.

Vic and Neil hit the key points, including the Oilers decision to start Calvin Pickard in goal plus the apparent lethargy for the home team after a quick turnaround between Games 4 and 5.

This Day in Stanley Cup History takes a look back at two original six teams clinching their most recent Stanley Cup titles.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Seeking to be in the Driver's Seat - June 14, 2025

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 14:00:00 -0400

Once a winner is determined Saturday, the Florida Panthers will be within a win of a repeat or the Edmonton Oilers will move to within a victory of being the first Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup in 32 years.

Vic and Neil cover all of the angles from goaltending to special teams as many of the points made in the Final Preview are playing our through the first four games of this series.

The Maple Leafs headline the news with two significant parts of the organization departing...one via free agency on July 1 and the other at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Anything you want to share about This Day in Stanley Cup HIstory, Neil?

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Leon's Heroics Pull Oilers Even - June 13, 2025

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 14:38:00 -0400

For the third time in four games, high drama captures the Stanley Cup Final. For the second time, it's Leon Draisaitl delivering in OT for the Oilers as the series becomes a best-of-three on a night where the Panthers appeared primed to go up 3-1.

Vic and Neil break it down as the teams head back to Edmonton with the burning question of who starts in the Oilers net?

In league news, the final three NHL awards - the Hart, Vezina and Lady Byng - were handed out and a rumored trade between the Rangers and Ducks has been finalized.

In This Day in Stanley Cup History, a dramatic double overtime Cup Clincher and the all-time winningest coach goes out a champion.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 64 - 16,494 days later....

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Known more as a long-time analyst for the Vancouver Canucks, John Garrett's career as a professional goaltender was a modest one played out over 12 seasons, 6 teams and two leagues.

As often happens, however, hockey has an odd way of connecting individuals. One previously existed between "Cheech," as Garrett is known and Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, going back to their days in the World Hockey Association.

Now, after more than 45 years, there's a second connection - one Garrett will enjoy far more than the first...

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #HumanSideoftheStory #CalderCup #GordieHowe #MarkHowe #MartyHowe #JohnGarrett #VancouverCanucks #HartfordWhalers #DenisHerron #WHA #BirminghamBulls #MontrealCanadiens

Stanley Cupdate - Panthers Look to Stay on Course, Oilers Look to Change Theirs - June 11, 2025

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:12:00 -0400

Not only was Game 3 a rout, but it was also a classic of example of the Florida Panthers being to exercise their style of play in a way which trapped the Edmonton Oilers into a space they didn't want to be in.

With Game 4 on tap Thursday, it's no secret the Panthers will want a repeat and won't be changing a thing while the Oilers look for the heavy pushback with both poise and discipline.

News items include the announcement of the Norris Trophy winner and the increasing possibility of the longest tenured New York Ranger being on the move. This Day in Stanley Cup History goes back 13 years when the Kings became Kings for the first time.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 64 - Clawed & Crude with Sportsnet's Jack Michaels

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:27:00 -0400

Game 3 started ugly and it only got worse for the Edmonton Oilers as the Florida Panthers had their way in moving to within two wins of consecutive Stanley Cups.

Oilers/Sportsnet's play-by-play voice Jack Michael's visit with Neil and Vic to look at where it went wrong and what McDavid and Co. need to do to get the series back on the rails.

Afterwards, we touch on a notable retirement and The Human Side of the Story focuses on a correction made by the NHL...over 45 years after the fact.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:21] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To looks at the key factors in the Oilers unravelling in Game 3 against the Panthers.

[06:44] - Jack Michaels joins Neil and Vic for some lighthanded banter before delving into Game 3.

[09:02] - Jack dives right in assessing the Oilers night was dreary from the opening minute.

[10:50] - Vic and Jack get into further discussion about the number of power plays and, more specifically, how and where the penalties leading up to the advantages took place. Also discussion on the importance of having to play five-on-five as well as forward depth.

[14:01] - Edmonton falling into the trap of being pulled into the muck by the Panthers "sandpaper" guys and getting into a game which works against their strengths.

[16:09] - The Loss of Zach Hyman to the Oilers lineup and whether the team has the depth to withstand his absence. Michaels also adds the significance of Hyman as a "glue" guy in the locker room.

[21:28] - Edmonton goaltending moves back into the spotlight with Stuart Skinner lifted for Calvin Pickard after the fifth Panthers goal.

[27:03] - The effect of the extra day off in the Final for the Oilers.

[30:06] - The cautionary word that one large margin victory doesn't ensure that team goes on to win a series.

[32:39] - Jack shares what to expect from the Oilers in Game 4 to avoid going into a 3-1 hole.

[42:03] - News from around the hockey world with the Calder Trophy being awarded and a retirement announcement.

[46:30] - The Human SIde of Story. After 16,494 days, the NHL adds an assist on a goal of significance.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Changing Places - June 8

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 13:37:00 -0400

The Final heads from western Canada to the east coast of Florida with an extra day off before the series resumes Monday. Vic and Neil examine what the shift in venue may (or may not) mean with the Panthers grabbing home ice advantage with a double OT win Friday.

We'll also dig a bit deeper into the lone head coaching opening in the NHL and where GM Jim Nill might look next to lead his Stars.

This Day in Stanley Cup History remembers a pair of triple overtime thrillers two years apart. And, as usual...the past connects to the present.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - All Even! - June 7, 2025

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 15:40:00 -0400

After a late overtime goal decided the Stanley Cup Final opener, the Oilers and Panthers figured they'd go one period better in Game 2.

After one of the "Sandpaper Seniors" forced extra time for the Oilers, his Panthers counterpart upstaged him to even the series.

Vic and Neil break it down before moving on to "This Day in Stanley Cup History" which has some clinchers and overtime heroics baked in.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Game Two on Tap and a Change in Dallas - June 6, 2025

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:03:00 -0400

Breaking news opens the show with a change behind the bench in Dallas.

Game two of the Final is on tap for Friday evening with the Oilers having taken the opener in overtime.

Vic and Neil preview the the matchup and lay out the objectives of both clubs as the Panthers look to even the series before heading home to Sunrise for Games 3 and 4.

Also, with AI becoming more prevalent each day, we saw examples on both sides of the border as TNT and Rogers employed very different content in advance of the contest.

Prior to Game 1, commissioner Gary Bettman spoke on several key issues in his annual state of the NHL address. Several topics are covered in this show.

Also, with AI becoming more prevalent each day, we saw examples on both sides of the border as TNT and Rogers employed very different content in advance of the contest.

Finally, This Day in Stanley Cup History is one quite significant for one player in this Final, making quite the impression 18 years ago.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Oilers Get the Jump - June 5, 2025

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:50:00 -0400

Any questions to how evenly matched the Panthers and Oilers were heading into their Stanley Cup Final rematch was quickly answered as the teams battled for almost 80 minutes before Leon Draisaitl's power play goal decided matters.

Vic and Neil break it all down and also update on plenty of league news, which includes the filling of the last two head coaching vacancies.

This Day in Stanley Cup History takes us back to the 2004 Final and a sixth game which still has Calgary Flames thinking what might have been.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #HenrikLundqvist #AlArbour #ZachHyman #MasonMarchment #ConnorBrown #AJGreer #JesperBoqvist #KenHolland #RyanNugent-Hopkins #JakeWalman #SergeiBobrovsky #KasperiKapanen #LeonDraisaitl #GustavForsling #BrianBoucher #MikeBossy #CoreyPerry #ConnorMcDavid #EvanBouchard #SamBennett #EetuLuostarinen #BrettKulak #CarterVerhaeghe #NateSchmidt #BradMarchand #VasilyPodkolzin #ViktorArvidsson #StuartSkinner #AntonLundell #EvanderKane #CraigButton #AaronEkblad #TrentFrederic #TomasNosek #PaulMaurice #KrisKnoblauch #JimHiller #DaveJackson #StevenStamkos #NikitaKucherov #AlexOvechkin #AleksanderBarkov #CharlotteCheckers #AbbotsfordCanucks #TexasStars #CalderCup #MarcoSturm #OntarioReign #JoeSacco #MitchLove #JayLeach #JayWoodcroft #CamNeely #DonSweeney #DanMuse #PeterLaviolette #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #KrisLetang #ErikKarlsson #DavidQuinn #KyleDubas #AdamSilver #CraigBerube #BrockNelson #YanniGourde #JulienBriseBois #NoahCates #DerekForbort #MarcusJohnasson #BillMastertonTrophy #GabrielLandeskog #Marc-AndreFleury #SeanMonahan #JohnnyGaudreau #MeredithGaudreau #MartinStLouis #BradRichards #MartinGelinas #NikolaiKhabibulin #VincentLecavalier #JaromeIginla #JohnTortorella #GaryBettman #MartyWalsh

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 63 - The Dilemma of Conference Final Runner-up GMs

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

The Human Side of the Story focuses on the life of a GM as a conference final runner-up. You're close, but not quite there. The hosts discuss the situations moving forward for the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes. While the objectives to take that next step are the same, the paths they'll need to take are very different.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #HumanSideoftheStory #RodBrind'Amour #PeterDeBoer #JimNill #EricTulsky #TomDundon #MikkoRantanen #MikailGranlund #CodyCeci #DonWaddell #WyattJohnston #SebastianAho #SethJarvis #BrentBurns #JakeGuentzel #RonFrancis

Episode 63 - Stanley Cup Final Preview with TSN's Craig Button

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:45:00 -0400

After almost 14 hundred regular season and playoff games and 14 playoff series, we're in familiar territory as the Florida Panthers will be defending against the same Edmonton Oilers team that took them to seven games last spring.

As he done throughout the post-season, TSN's Craig Button joins Vic and Neil to do a comprehensive breakdown of the finalists.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:39] - The Things You Need to Pay Attention To has all of it's focus on the upcoming Stanley Cup and several sidebar stories to look out for.

[09:10] - The significance of the championship ring and the lasting legacy of having ones name on the Stanley Cup

[12:55] - The first of the seven areas covered: Playing styles.

[17:38] - Which forward group will dictate? The skill and brilliance of the Oilers forwards led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl or the 200-foot steadiness and pressure of the Panthers four line depth.

[23:54] - Defensive units and team defense.

[31:08] - The Goaltenders

[37:48] - The Special Teams

[45:58] - Maurice vs. Knoblauch

[51:07] - The Intangibles

[57:28] - Opinion on the Conference Final runner-ups and which teams might be the closest to challenging Florida and Edmonton in their respective conferences next season.

[1:06:11] - The esteemed panel weighs in with Stanley Cup Final predictions.

[1:14:52] - The Memorial Cup and news from around the NHL.

[1:25:47] - The Human Side of the Story focuses on the life of a GM as a conference final runner-up. You're close, but not quite there. To that point, the situations moving forward for the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes could not be any different.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #CraigButton #TSN #JackButton #DavidPoile #AleksanderBarkov #SamReinhart #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #SamBennett #AntonLundell #BradMarchand #MatthewTkachuk #SebastianAho #NikitaKucherov #AustonMatthews #MitchMarner #WIlliamNylander #SethJarvis #PaulMaurice #KrisKnoblauch #EetuLuostarinen #ZachHyman #ConnorBrown #ViktorArvidsson #JeffSkinner #MattiasEkholm #DarnellNurse #EvanBouchard #AaronEkblad #NikoMikkola #SethJones #KenHolland #JimNill #CodyCeci #AlexPetrovic #IlyaLyubushkin #GustavForsling #SergeiBobrovsky #RodBrind'Amour #StuartSkinner #CalvinPickard #GrantFuhr #MarkMessier #MikeRichter #JasonRobertson #JakeOettinger #CaseyDeSmith #EsaLindell #EvanderKane #AndreiVasilevskiy #AnthonyStolarz #JosephWoll #FrederikAndersen #PyotrKochetkov #DarcyKuemper #AdinHill #PeterDeBoer #WayneGretzky #MarioLemieux #JariKurri #PaulCoffey #JesperBoqvist #ColinCampbell #CoreyPerry #ClaudeLemieux #EvanRodrigues #JonahGadjovich #AJGreer #RyanNugent-Hopkins #PeterForsberg #JoeSakic #StanFischler #Loogaroo.co #ColinMulvey #WyattJohnston #MasonMarchment #MattDuchene #BillGuerin #RyanSuter #ZachParise #JimHiller #BradTreliving #BrendanShanahan #KeithPelley #JohnTavares #CraigBerube #JoeThornton #MorganRielly #JacobMarkstrom #JackHughes #LondonKnights #MedicineHatTigers #MemorialCup #DaleHunter #EastonCowan #KylePalmieri #AdamBoqvist #TysonFoerster #TylerKleven #JoshMahura #JesperFast #RoopeHintz #DarrylReaugh #MikeEmrick #SamRosen #JackMichaels #KennyAlbert #JoeMicheletti #DaveMaloney #DonMaloney #FosterHewittAward #FrancoisGagnon #ElmerFergusonAward #AnthoneyCirelli #FrankSelkeTrophy #PeterDeBoer #Rod'Brind'Amour #JakeGuentzel #TomDundon #EricTulsky #DonWaddell #StanFischler #SelkeTrophy #MikkoRantanen #MikaelGranlund #WyattJohnston #RonFrancis #SebastianAho #SethJarvis #BrentBurns

Stanley Cupdate - REMATCH! - May 30, 2025

Fri, 30 May 2025 15:39:00 -0400

Let's say we go for another round. The Edmonton Oilers have been waiting for this moment since June 24 of last year when they fell just short Game 7 of the Final in Florida.

A stunning first eight minutes spelled doom for the Dallas Stars and gives Connor McDavid a second chance to add the one piece of hardware missing from his trophy room.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - On the Prowl for a Repeat - May 29, 2025

Thu, 29 May 2025 14:20:00 -0400

A second period blitz coupled with some late game heroics and, just like that, the Florida Panthers are back in the Stanley Cup Final. Vic and Neil break down the how it came together for the Cats and came apart for the 'Canes.

The Panthers opponent could be determined Thursday evening. If that happens, it will be just the fifth rematch of a Final in consecutive years since expansion. However, the Dallas Stars will be looking to delay the plans of the Edmonton Oilers, who have lost one of their key forwards to shoulder surgery.

This Day in Stanley Cup History looks back to the hat trick that propelled the Kings to their first-ever Stanley Cup Final...and perhaps why it shouldn't have had the opportunity to occur.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 62 - The Chance Encounter

Thu, 29 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

A day or so after the Rangers seventh game triumph over the Devils in their epic 1994 Eastern Conference Final, Vic made a quick stopover in New Jersey prior to working the Stanley Cup championship series.

In a dimly lit restaurant, he and his folks encountered a hall-of-fame defenseman who created a lasting memory.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #StephaneMatteau #NewYorkRangers #NewJerseyDevils #LarryRobinson #JacquesLemaire #MontrealCanadiens #LosAngelesKings #ScottyBowman

Stanley Cupdate - A Big Win and A Big Loss - May 28, 2025

Wed, 28 May 2025 13:10:00 -0400

The Edmonton Oilers are a win away from returning to the Stanley Cup Final but the win was costly as one of their most effective players will be lost for the remainder of the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes look to stave off elimination for the second time as they host the Florida Panthers in Game of the East Final.

In NHL news, the Bruins appear to have narrowed in on their finalists for the head coaching position and This Day in Stanley Cup History gives a nod to "Mr. Game 7."

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 62 - Crowning a New Leader With Kings VP/GM Ken Holland

Tue, 27 May 2025 18:00:00 -0400

Ken Holland helped build the Edmonton Oilers into a Stanley Cup Finalist. Now he's tasked with leading the L.A. Kings quest in trying to figure out how to take them down next season. The new Kings VP/GM joins Neil and Vic to discuss that plus the conference finals.

"Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To" looks at both the Panthers-Hurricanes and Stars-Oilers series while The Human Side of the Story is a chance encounter a couple of days after one of the most memorable games in Stanley Cup history.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:11] - Some good natured banter about spoilers and Wordle.

[03:54] - "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To" hits on the Carolina Hurricanes avoiding elimination in the East Final, the Florida Panthers seeing their game come down a notch and the baffling offensive outage being experienced by the top eight goal scorers on the Dallas Stars.

[11:54] - Neil welcomes old friend Ken Holland back to the show, this time as VP/GM of the Los Angeles Kings...although not without a little fun to kick off the discussion.

[15:12] - The difference Ken sees between His Oilers team last year and the one looking to return to the Final.

[16:57] - The up and down world of the Oilers goaltending tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard.

[20:14] - The task of building the Kings and being able to overtake and defeat the Oilers in the playoffs.

[22:35] - Has constructing team changed or is it fundamentally the same?

[28:15] - Ken weighs in on goaltender Darcy Kuemper.

[31:03] - What a best-built team looks like for the Kings in 2025-26.

[34:00] - While the NHL is a copy-cat league looking to emulate the latest champion, would the Panthers physical success make skilled free agents less attractive?

[37:32] - Ken gives his thoughts on the conference final series.

[45:01] - Injury news for Game 4 - Edmonton-Dallas and a couple of other items.

[46:45] - In The Human SIde of the Story, Vic recalls an unexpected encounter at a New Jersey restaurant following the epic Rangers-Devils conference final series.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Advantage Edmonton - May 26, 2025

Mon, 26 May 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Playing in front of a home crowd for the first time in 13 days, the Edmonton Oilers reminded their fans that they are serious in returning to the Final in routing the Dallas starts en route to a 2-1 West Final lead.

For the Carolina Hurricanes, once chance remains to save their season, lest be the victims of a fourth consecutive conference final sweep.

Elsewhere, the United States wins the IIHF World Championship for the first time since Herbert Hoover was president and This Day in Stanley Cup History looks back 33 years ago to a goal from a rookie..who has yet to officially retire!

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Panthers Third Period Blitz Pushes Hurricanes to Brink -May 25, 2025

Sun, 25 May 2025 12:56:00 -0400

The sand in the hourglass is quickly running out for the Carolina Hurricanes. After playing straight up for 40 minutes in the third game of the East Final, the 'Canes imploded in Florida and face the steepest of hills to climb.

In the West Final, the Dallas Stars visit Edmonton attempting to regain home ice advantage with the temperature beginning to rise in that series.

This Day in Stanley Cup History features a memorable sendoff for a Hall-of-Famer and...The "Guarantee."

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cup - Oilers Seal the Leak - May 24, 2025

Sat, 24 May 2025 14:48:00 -0400

After letting Game 1 get away, the Edmonton Oilers made certain not to have an encore performance with a buttoned up shutout to even the West Final in Dallas.

On the East side, Carolina begins the daunting task of trying to get back into their series with a win in Florida.

Once again, a serving of managerial news and Today in Stanley Cup History has several items, highlighted by the 45th anniversary of the N.Y. Islanders first Stanley Cup Championship. A just-dropped NHL Wraparound Special, Doormat to Dynasty takes you from lead up to the first title through all four Stanley Cups and beyond.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Special: Doormat to Dynasty - The 45-Year Anniversary of the N.Y. Islanders First Stanley Cup Championship

Sat, 24 May 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Their earliest years were, frankly, like those of many expansion teams. A team comprised of marginal talent as part of the 1972 Expansion Draft and the first-year record certainly reflected that.

While the second season saw only slight improvement in the standings, it was the promise of a first overall pick who went on to win the Calder Trophy that laid the foundation of what was ahead.

The third season saw a surprising playoff berth, a stunning opening round win over the veteran team from New York City and an historic comeback against Pittsburgh.

Then, reality.

While the team continued an upward trajectory, the playoff results got increasingly difficult over the course of the next four springs. Finally, in 1980, it came together. A strong core was bolstered in March by the arrival of a college defenseman fresh from winning Olympic gold and a veteran forward who became the final piece of the puzzle.

From there, they made history - some of which may never be seen again in the NHL.

Join the hosts as they go back 45 years with Captain Denis Potvin, left wing John Tonelli and defenseman Ken Morrow.

This is Doormat to Dynasty.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Open voiced by long-time Islanders play-by-play man Jiggs McDonald with Islanders theme underneath from organist Paul Cartier.

[01:25] - Welcome and after Vic and Neil do some initial reminiscing about Bob Nystrom's Cup clinching goal, guests Denis Potvin, John Tonelli and Ken Morrow are welcomed.

[05:00] - 45 years later, the guest share their recollections on the Nystrom goal.

[10:09] - The approach to 1980 following increasingly difficult playoff losses after the 1975 Cinderella run. Discussion includes the final pieces coming into place with Ken Morrow arrival fresh off a gold medal at the Olympics and Butch Goring proving to be the missing link coming in a trade from Los Angeles.

[16:15] - The road the first championship begins, including the brutal second round series against the Boston Bruins and some hijinks during the semi-final with Buffalo.

[32:25] - The Final against rival Flyers begins with some sidebar stories about the toughness of the Broad Street Bullies.

[52:10] - With a 3-1 series lead, the Isles drop Game 5 and return to Nassau Coliseum for the potential clincher. After letting a 4-2 third period lead get away, the stage is set for overtime.

[1:02:14] - Vivid descriptions of the celebration after the Islanders first-ever Stanley Cup-winning goal.

[1:10:51] - 1981 and the first defense of the Cup. The team doesn't miss a beat...even with Neil Smith joining the organization. Among the stories is Denis sharing the emotional piece of his brother Jean being traded away before being re-acquired.

[1:17:09] - After an opening round scare, the Isles roll to their third Cup with the Final over Vancouver featuring a spectacular goal in Game 3 by Conn Smythe winner Mike Bossy,

[1:23:24] - In pursuit of the fourth Cup, the club drops a bit during the regular season but is more than ready for an upstart team from Edmonton with a phenom wearing #99. In the end, the challengers learn some valuable lessons from the defending champs.

[1:33:49] - Going after the Canadiens record of five straight Stanley Cups, the Isles discover their opponent learned well from the previous spring. However, to this day, the guests are still rankled by a change in scheduling during the Final.

[1:43:50]- With the dynasty at an end, the perspective and significance of its place in league history becomes more evident with time.

[1:54:05] - A final personal question to Ken, John and Denis.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #DoormattoDynasty #NewYorkIslanders #DenisPotvin #JohnTonelli #KenMorrow #MiracleGold #BobNystrom #BillTorrey #AlArbour #ButchGoring #BryanTrottier #JeanPotvin #DaveLewis #BillyHarris #GordLane #DuaneSutter #BrentSutter #AndersKallur #DaveLangevin #WayneMerrick #ClarkGillies #BobBourne #BillySmith #GarryHowatt #BobLorimer #MikeBossy #LorneHenning #MikeMcEwen #JPParise #JudeDrouin #StanJonathan #TerryO'Reilly #JohnWensink #AlSecord #WayneCashman #StefanPersson #GerryCheevers #GilPerreault #PetePeeters #BobbyClarke #MelBridgman #BehnWilson #PaulHolmgren #KenLinseman #DaveBrown #ReggieLeach #BobMyers #LeonStickle #BrianPropp #JeanBeliveau #GordieHowe #BarryBeck #StanFischler #RandyCarlyle #MichelDion #HaroldSnepsts #RichardBrodeur #WayneGretzky #MikeBossy #JariKurri #PaulCoffey #KevinLowe #GrantFuhr #GlenSather #BobbyOrr #PatLafontaine #KevinMcClelland #LannyMcDonald #LindyRuff #GordDineen #DaveLumley #PatrickRoy

Stanley Cupdate - Animal Clinic - May 23, 2025

Fri, 23 May 2025 13:42:00 -0400

The best laid plans for the Carolina Hurricanes to even their East Final with the Florida Panthers were compromised within 77 seconds and nearly completely dashed after 20 minutes. If there was any doubt the defending champions have no intention of giving up their title, Game 2 was Exhibit A.

Also licking some wounds: the Edmonton Oilers. Vic and Neil will take a look at the West Final and what the Oilers need to do in Dallas in order to bring the West Final back home even.

More front office and coaching news is on the menu and This Day in History turns the clock back a mere three years...to a time things weren't quite as bright for the Florida Panthers.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Oilers Hit a Slick Spot in Dallas - May 22, 2025

Thu, 22 May 2025 14:40:00 -0400

For two periods, the Edmonton Oilers had the opening game of the Western Final in a perfect place. A solid road performance, a quiet building and a two-goal lead.

20 minutes and five goals later, McDavid, Draisaitl and Co. were left stunned as to how Game 1 ended up as a win for Dallas.

in the East Final, Rod Brind'Amour is tasked to find a quick solution for their second game against a Panthers team appearing to strengthen as the playoffs progress.

There's some intriguing front office rumblings and This Day in Stanley Cup History deals more with futility than success.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 61 - Playing Through a Different Type of Pain

Thu, 22 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

A day before the sixth game of the Winnipeg-Dallas second round series, Jets star forward Mark Scheifele was informed his father, Brad, had passed away unexpectedly. The following morning, Scheifele advised head coach Scott Arniel that, after speaking with his mom, he would play that night as he believes his dad would have wanted him to.

Scheifele's performance was strong and inspiring despite the difficult end to the Jets season. It's something we've seen before where competing is both cathartic and a distraction in dealing with grief.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #WinnipegJets #MarkScheifele #ScottArniel #JamieBenn #MartinStLouis #BradRichards #BrettFavre #TieDomi #RogerNeilson #JoeMurphy #ColinCampbell

Stanley Cupdate - Panthers Bring Their Show to Carolina - May 21, 2025

Wed, 21 May 2025 12:55:00 -0400

A mere 48 hours after taking the deciding game in Toronto, the defending champion Panthers impose their will on the Hurricanes in the East Final opener.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars prepare to meet in the West Final for the second consecutive spring with Oilers getting some encouraging news on a key defenseman.

A healthy bit of league news to update and This Day in Stanley Cup History marks the Final Stanley Cup for one of the great dynasties the NHL has known.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 61 - Conference Finals Preview with TSN's Craig Button

Mon, 19 May 2025 17:20:00 -0400

We're halfway home. Two rounds are in the books and Neil and Vic are pleased to be joined once again by long-time TSN analyst Craig Button to tackle the Conference Finals.

"Three Thing You Need to Pay Attention To" takes a quick look back at the seventh game between Florida and Toronto which secured the Panthers third straight trip to the East Final against a Carolina team they swept two springs ago.

In "The Human Side of the Story," we focus on the Jets Mark Scheifele, who played the sixth game of the Dallas series with the heaviness of losing his dad the day prior. Unfortunately, this is a story which plays out in life and one where the compassion and empathy of others plays an important part of helping an athlete to cope with loss.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:12] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," quick hitters on the Panthers advancing at the Maple Leafs expense and the Conference Finals TV schedule.

[05:36] - Craig Button from TSN returns for the preview and, after some brief preamble, a review of the picks from the "experts" thus far.

[08:01] - Carolina vs. Florida

[21:20] - Dallas vs. Edmonton

[37:17] - Do Canadians really care if a team from their country wins the Stanley Cup? Ask a fan in Montreal if they'd like to see the Maple Leafs win or a Flames see the Oilers capture the Cup. The answer is emphatic.

[39:06] - Neil, Craig and Vic share what has taken them off guard during the first two rounds of the 2025 post-season.

[46:28] - A little background on the Button hockey family and quick news update from Carolina.

[48:27] - The Human Side of the Story notes players deciding to take to the playing surface immediately after losing a loved one. For Mark Scheifele, that became a reality in Game 6 of the Jets series with the Dallas Stars following the passing of his father, Brad, a day before.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #CraigButton #TSN #PaulMaurice #AustonMatthews #MitchMarner #WilliamNylander #JohnTavares #MatthewTkachuk #RodBrind'Amour #StephaneMatteau #SergeiBobrovsky #FrederikAnderson #PyotrKochetkov #BradMarchand #EetuLuotstarinen #AntonLundell #JordanStaal #Pierre-LucDubois #SamBennett @AleksanderBarkov #MartinMadden #DormattoDynasty #DenisPotvin #JohnTonelli #KenMorrow #MikkoRantanen #JimNill #JakeOettinger #ConnorHellebuyck #MiroHeiskanen #BrianLeetch #SergeiZubov #PeterDeBoer #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #ZachHyman #EvanBouchard #EvanderKane #AdamHenrique #CoreyPerry #SamSteel #StuartSkinner #CalvinPickard #JasonRobertson #MattDuchene #WyattJohnston #MasonMarchment #RoopeHintz #MikaelGranlund #EvegeniiDadonov #ThomasHarley #WindsorSpitfires #AdamGraves #CodyCeci #ScottNidermayer #RobNiedermayer #JimMontgomery #KevinCheveldayoff #NickSuzuki #ColeCaufield #JurajSlafkovsky #SamMontembeault #LaneHutson #JackButton #ToddButton #DavidPoile #JalenChatfield #AlexanderNikishin #MarkScheifele #JamieBenn #MartinStLouis #BradRichards #BrettFavre #TieDomi #RogerNeilson #JoeMurphy #ColinCampbell

Stanley Cupdate - In TO, As Much as Things Changed, They Still Stayed the Same - May 19, 2025

Mon, 19 May 2025 11:25:00 -0400

So much for a different result in Toronto. In a season where strides were made in winning a division title and getting out of the first round, dreadful performances at home in Games five and seven against the defending champion Panthers became their undoing.

Now, let the questions begin. What happens at the top of the managerial food chain? What happens to the "Core Four?" One thing is for certain: It will not be a boring summer in Canada's hottest hockey hotbed.

This Day in Stanley Cup History looks back at the first expansion team to win the Cup, a double OT winner that elated Neil Smith and a Game 7 overtime clincher with two legends Russian legends picking up assists in the winning goal.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Joy and Heartbreak - May 18, 2025

Sun, 18 May 2025 14:45:00 -0400

It is not often an overtime series clincher has to take a back seat to more important things in life. Unfortunately, that's what happened as the Dallas Stars advanced to the Western Conference Final eliminating the Winnipeg Jets, a team playing with heavy hearts following the passing of Mark Scheifele's dad Friday evening. The game illustrated how exhilarating...and how cruel sports can be.

After a rare day off, Vic and Neil also look back to the Maple Leafs surprising Game 6 win in Florida and what to look out for in Sunday's deciding game as the Carolina Hurricanes await the winner.

This Day in Stanley Cup History looks back at two memorable Cup Final games for the Montreal Canadiens 15 years apart.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - 'Canes Take Out Caps & Jets Live Another Day - May 16, 2025

Fri, 16 May 2025 12:36:00 -0400

The Carolina Hurricanes join the Edmonton Oilers as conference finalists while the Winnipeg Jets put in a stellar performance to stave off elimination and head back to Dallas to try to do something they have yet to do in the post-season: win a road game.

Vic and Neil look ahead to Friday's sixth game in Florida where the Maple Leafs will look to save their season coming off a dreadful game five performance.

This Day in Stanley Cup History gives some love to the Detroit Red Wings. While the franchise hasn't been in the playoffs since 2016, one of their greatest moments took place 29 years ago.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - One Canadian Team Moves On, The Other Forgets to Show Up - May 15, 2025

Thu, 15 May 2025 13:40:00 -0400

The Edmonton Oilers have secured the first seat in the conference finals by virtue of a hard-fought overtime win in Vegas while the Maple Leafs barely put up a fight in dropping their third straight to the defending champion Panthers.

Vic and Neil and also preview a pair of fifth games on Thursday as the Hurricanes and Stars look to join the Oilers.

Plenty of front office news as head coaching vacancies are filled in Philadelphia and Vancouver while This Day in Stanley Cup History looks at a pair of Game 7 OT winners - just three years ago.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 60 - Relationships and Re-Connecting Still Important...Even After More than 40 Years

Thu, 15 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Hockey is life. It's been in the blood of both hosts from a very early age, has been a core component of both of their professional careers and it's the foundation of their NHL Wraparound venture.

As in life, relationships which have been built and re-connections which have been made is something neither takes for granted as their current project continues to evolve.

Hockey has been a gift which keeps on giving.

And it begins with people.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #StanFischler #JiggsMcDonald #RichTorrey #BillTorrey #AlArbour #JayArbour #EdWestfall #JohnSaunders #RayShero #GregMIllen #NewYorkIslanders #KenHolland #AdirondackRedWings

Stanley Cupdate - Stars Push Jets to the Brink - May 14, 2025

Wed, 14 May 2025 13:05:00 -0400

It's been a dozen years since the winner of the Presidents' Trophy has gone on to win the Stanley Cup. Unless the Winnipeg Jets can pull off three straight victories over the Dallas Stars - including one on the road where they have yet to win this post-season - they will join a long list of teams whose regular season success has fallen in the playoffs.

We'll preview a pair of Wednesday games as Edmonton looks to be the first team to reach the conference finals while Toronto and Florida face off in a pivotal Game 5.

In This Day in Stanley Cup History, we go back 32 years when the Pittsburgh Penguins run to a third consecutive Stanley Cup was derailed.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 60 - Under Review - With ESPN Rules Analyst Dave Jackson

Tue, 13 May 2025 15:52:00 -0400

There's never a shortage of close calls, controversy and players skating the line - occasionally going over it - in the chase for the Stanley Cup.

We're at the halfway of the point in round two. With emotion and intensity continuing to rise, Neil and Vic welcome back a voice of reason, someone to bring down the heat: former NHL referee and current rules analyst for ESPN, Dave Jackson.

Later in the show, we do the deeper dive into all four conference semi-final series and in "The Human Side of the Story," after more than four decades with different roles in hockey, relationships still manage to come full circle for both hosts.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:00] - "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To" provides a quick recap of the Monday games while it appears the hunt for a new general manager is over for the Los Angeles Kings.

[06:40] - Dave Jackson joins the show and adds his take on Sunday's open-ice hit the Maple Leafs Oliver Ekman-Larsson delivered to the Panthers Evan Rodriguez.

[08:58] - Would Max Domi's late Game 4 hit on Aleksander Barkov or Nick Roy's cross check against Trent Frederic in Game 2 of the Edmonton-Vegas have warranted just fines had these infractions taken place during the regular season?

[11:36] - Neil thorizes and Dave offers his thoughts on why goaltenders appear to be getting hurt more now than ever.

[16:36] - Thoughts on why the review of the Alex Petrovic goal in Dallas Sunday appeared to take an unusually long time.

[19:09] - If someone had told you it took 61 games this post-season to have fighting penalties doled out, would you have believed them?

[24:28] - Is it real or imagined that more scrums take place earlier in series and dissipate as that series gets deeper and closer to conclusion?

[26:05] - While a referee is neutral, Dave still can share thoughts what he's seen from various teams during the post-season.

[28:27] - To be a fly on the wall...or the ice. Dave let's us in on some of the banter that takes place between players and officials...and coaches.

[30:46] - As society has changed, Dave tells us how that has affected the tolerance of what can and can't be said on the ice.

[34:43] - Before leaving, Dave sends the reminder that, while officials aren't perfect, they are driven to be their best the same way the players so...as fans it's easy to forget that.

[40:07] - Deeper dive into the Capitals-Hurricanes fourth game.

[45:16] - The Oilers learned from Game 3 not to let up off the gas as they built a similar first period lead in Game 4 with the Golden Knights.

[48:43] - The Maple Leafs look to reverse the fortunes of Games 3 and 4 against the Panthers Wednesday.

[53:16] - If the Winnipeg Jets are to see the West Final, they will have to figure out how to win a road game. They have one, maybe two, chances to do so as they try to even their second round series with Dallas Tuesday.

[56:50] - The Human Side of the Story: Relationships and re-connections are even more valuable now to both Neil and Vic even after over four decades of involvement with hockey.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Panthers Hockey to a Tee While Stars Move Ahead - May 12, 2025

Mon, 12 May 2025 12:55:00 -0400

If you ever want to know what Florida Panther hockey looks like when it's executed to the max, Sunday's series tying victory over Toronto is one-stop shopping.

In Dallas, the Stars moved ahead of Winnipeg, adding to the Jets road misery during the 2025 playoffs.

We also have a note on history in the PWHL and This Day in Stanley Cup History looks back at the "Monday Night Miracle" in 1986.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - You Cannot Make This Stuff Up! - May 11, 2025

Sun, 11 May 2025 12:35:00 -0400

In a post-season about three weeks old, comebacks, drama and odd bounces have been in abundance. Add to it the scene in Edmonton Saturday evening when the Golden Knights may have saved their season on a buzzer beater.

In Raleigh, the Hurricanes shook off a sluggish first half of the game to move ahead of the Capitals.

Sunday's action resumes in Dallas and Florida and This Day in Stanley Cup History takes a look back at a famous "spin-a-rama" and the actual origins behind the name.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - A Nemesis Bites Toronto and Is Hellebuyck All the Way Back? - May 10, 2025

Sat, 10 May 2025 14:25:00 -0400

Two very different games Friday with overtime drama in Florida settled by a one who manages to stick in the craw of the Maple Leafs almost every spring. Meanwhile, the Jets were dominant from start to finish in evening their series with Dallas as Connor Hellebuyck picked up his first post-season whitewash in four years.

Vic and Neil also hit on Saturday action as second round games shift to Carolina and Edmonton.

This Day in Stanley Cup History focuses on the good and the bad for the Boston Bruins. Joy in 1970. Despair nine years later.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Controversy in Vegas and the Caps Draw Even - May 9

Fri, 09 May 2025 14:45:00 -0400

Both needing a win after dropping their second round series openers, the Capitals prevailed while the Golden Knights fell short amidst controversy.

That word also rings true in Anaheim where Joel Quenneville has been named the Ducks head coach after almost four years from his last game behind an NHL bench.

This Day in Stanley Cup history looks back at the game which turned the 1974 Stanley Cup Final.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - The Moose is a Beast and the Leafs Hold Serve - May 8

Thu, 08 May 2025 12:02:00 -0400

Should the Conn Smythe Trophy be handed to Mikko Rantanen after just eight post-season games? Maybe so after the Moose collected his second consecutive hat trick to help the Stars get the jump on Winnipeg in the opening game of their second round series.

Over to eastern Canada where the Toronto Maple Leafs are giving actual hope to their championship-starved fans for the first time in over three decades as they win a second straight one-goal game over the defending champion Panthers.

Finally, isn't Stanley Cup hockey supposed to be more defensive as the spring evolves? If so, that memo wasn't received in a game during the 1973 Final.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AaronEkblad #CraigBerube #VitekVanecek #MatthewTkachuk #BradMarchand #BobbyMcMcMann #AleksanderBarkov #DmitryKulikov #MaxPacioretty #AntonLundell #EetuLuostarinen #WilliamNylander #EvanRpdrigues #ScottLaughton #PontusHolmberg #CarterVerhaeghe #JosephWoll #SergeiBobrovsky #AnthonyStolarz #NateSchmidt #MaxiDomi #StevenLorentz #PaulMaurice #MitchMarner #MackieSamoskevich #SamBennett #MattMurray #BradTreliving #BrendanShanahan #KenDryden #ChrisNowinski #ConcussionLegacyFoundation #SamReinhart #MikeRichter #MarkScheifele #JoshMorrissey #LoganStanley #JasonRobertson #MiroHeiskanen #NinoNiederreiter #MasonAppleton #MikkoRantanen #EvgeniiDadanov #ThomasHarley #DylanSamberg #MarioLemieux #PeterDeBoer #PeterForsberg #MichelDion #RonHextall #ClarenceCampbell #JohnZiegler #ConnorMcDavid #GaryBettman #GeorgeArmstrong #MarkScheifele #GabeVilardi #EsaLindell #JakeOettinger #MarkJankowski #RodBrind'Amour #FrederikAndersen #AlexPietrangelo #PavelDorofeyev #MarkStone #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #CoreyPerry #ZachHyman #JackEichel #BruceCassidy #ConnorBrown #KenDryden #TonyEsposito #StanMikita #JimPappin #DennisHull #LouAngotti #DaveKryskow #LenFrig #ClaudeLarose #HenriRichard #FrankMahovlich #PeteMahovlich #SergeSavard #YvanCournoyer

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 59 - Everyone's Human

Thu, 08 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

There is an expectation which comes with watching professional athletes that - both men and women - are often looked at to perform with robotic efficiency.

As we all know, it doesn't exactly work that way.

In the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck fought the St. Louis Blues, fought the puck and fought himself for two weeks. A mental thing.

In other instances, a decision in an eyeblink on the ice or one coming from behind the bench can flip the fortunes of a team.

The common denominator: It's all human.

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #ConnorHellebuyck #ScottArniel #WinnipegJets #JordanBinnington #St.LouisBlues #FourNationsFaceoff #QuintonByfield #LosAngelesKings #EvanBouchard #EdmontonOilers #PavelBuchnevich #ColePerfetti #JimHiller #StephaneMatteau #EsaTikkanen #MartinBrodeur #NewYorkRangers #BrianBoucher #EdOlczyk #EricComrie

Stanley Cup - Hurricanes and Oilers Put Their Hosts in a Quick Hole - May 7, 2025

Wed, 07 May 2025 13:38:00 -0400

There's a quick sense of urgency in Washington and Vegas as the Hurricanes and Oilers carried play for much of the night in a pair of conference semi-final openers.

The question in Toronto is whether Anthony Stolarz returns to the net after having to leave Game 1 with the Panthers while the Jets and Stars get their series underway in Winnipeg.

This Day in Stanley Cup History brings it home. The Big Rig nets his biggest goal in the city where he was born.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Leafs Survive Late Panther Attack - May 6, 2025

Tue, 06 May 2025 10:51:00 -0400

It was a fast start and a shaky finish but the Maple Leafs managed to draw first blood against the defending champs in the opening game of conference semi-final action.

Still, there's reason for concern in Toronto with goalie Anthony Stolarz leaving the game in the second period.

Vic and Neil break it down and look ahead to a pair of other series openers on Tuesday. Plus, we have a surprise winner in the Draft lottery and This Day in Stanley Cup History looks back at one of only three five-goal games in playoff history.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 59 - Second Round Preview with TSN's Craig Button

Mon, 05 May 2025 16:05:00 -0400

The second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is here and what can be done for an encore following a first round which delivered more curves and unpredictability than anyone could have imaged?

TSN Analyst Craig Button joins us once again to look ahead to all four conference semi finals while The Human Side of the Story looks at the highs and lows players experience within a timeframe as long as a series and as short as a split-second decision.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:35] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," the drama of the seventh games with Dallas-Colorado and Winnipeg-St. Louis was matched by the great calls by play-by-play men on both sides of the border.

[07:42] - Craig Button joins Neil and Vic to first look back at the opening round predictions.

[09:24] - Toronto vs. Florida

[17:59] - Washington vs. Carolina

[24:10] - Winnipeg vs. Dallas

[33:52] - Vegas vs. Edmonton

[43:12] - Some random playoff questions.

[51:59] - NHL notes

[53:50] - The Human Side of the Story

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #CraigButton #TSN #ABC #TNT #SportsNet #MarkScheifele #JoshMorrissey #OskarSundqvist #ConnorHellebuyck #VladislavNamestnikov #RyanSuter #AdamLowry #NealPionk #DylanSamberg #ColePerfetti #KyleConnor #MikkoRantanen #SeanMcDonough #KennyAlbert #HarnarayanSingh #NikitaKucherov #JimHiller #PaulMaurice #CraigBerube #MitchMarner #AustonMatthews #WilliamNylander #ChrisTanev #AnthonyStolarz #OliverEkman-Larsson #StevenLorentz #AaronEkblad #BrandonHagel #AleksanderBarkov #BradMarchand #SamBennett #BradyTkachuk #MatthewTkachuk #BrockMcGinn #FrederikAndersen #PyotrKochetkov #TomWilson #JoshAnderson #JackHughes #LukeHughes #RodBrind'Amour #MiroHeiskanen #JasonRobertson #NathanMacKinnon #PeterDeBoer #GabeVilardi #NikolajEhlers #ScottArniel #MathieuJoseph #JordanBinnington #JohnnyBower #WyattJohnston #SergeiFedorov #RoopeHintz #RayFerraro #MattiasEkholm #EvanderKane #TrentFrederic #KrisKnoblauch #CalvinPickard #StuartSkinner #BurceCassidy #JackEichel #AidenHill #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #EvanBouchard #PhillipDanault #ZachHyman #BillGuerin #ZachParise #DougArmstrong #JimMontgomery #LateHutson #MattBoldy #CaleMakar #JurajSlavkofsky #SheldonKeefe #MatthewSchaefer #ErieOtters #JoelErikssonEk #SidneyCrosby #JesperBratt #QuintonByfield #PavelBuchnevich #StephaneMatteau #EsaTikkanen #MartinBrodeur #EdOlczyk #BrianBoucher #EricComrie

Stanley Cupdate - Mikko's Revenge - May 4, 2025

Sun, 04 May 2025 13:15:00 -0400

In a seventh game where the Dallas Stars were short on juice for almost 48 minutes, high-profile, twice traded Mikko Rantanen, delivered perhaps the most epical, single game playoff performance since Mark Messier in 1994.

While the Stars await the winner of Sunday's Winnipeg-St. Louis game, the Colorado Avalanche are left having to answer how they have now fallen short in seven straight Game 7's.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Rolling Sevens - May 3, 2025

Sat, 03 May 2025 13:30:00 -0400

The Presidents Trophy winners have one game to salvage their season after another disaster in St. Louis.

Their opponent will already have been determined Saturday when the Avalanche and Stars bring their series in Dallas.

With both the Blues and Stars involved in Game sevens, Today in Stanley Cup History takes us back to a classic playoff game between two expansion teams 57 years ago.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Striking Oil, Striking Gold and Be-Leaf Restored...For Now - May 2, 2025

Fri, 02 May 2025 13:35:00 -0400

Three more clinchers Thursday as the Maple Leafs overcame mounting pressure to book a second rate date with the defending champion Panthers while the Golden Knights and Oilers will see each other after wrapping up their respective series.

Two seats at the table for eight remain as the Avalanche used a furious third period to force a seventh game with the Stars. Meanwhile, the Jets will be looking to close out the Blues Friday with their number center staying behind in Winnipeg.

On The Day in Stanley Cup History, in the days of pristine video reception on a TV or device, this championship was broadcast in black and white.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - Caps and Cats Advance While the Jets Move Ahead - May 1, 2025

Thu, 01 May 2025 15:42:00 -0400

The upstarts from DC and the defending champions join the Carolina Hurricanes in the Conference Semi-Finals as the Canadiens and Lightning bow out. In the West, the Winnipeg Jets move to within a win of shaking off the St. Louis Blues but it may have come at a steep price.

Vic and Neil break down the Wednesday action and look ahead to Thursday's big card where the Stars, Golden Knights and Oilers all look to advance - as will the Maple Leafs, who will be continued to be reminded of their past until they can solve the Senators.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #Aliaksei Protas #AlexandreCarrier #PatrikLaine #LoganThompson #AlexOvechkin #DylanStrome #ChristianDvorak #JakobChychrun #PierreLuc-Dubois #JakubDobes #TomWilson #ConnorMcMichael #JohnCarlson #EmilHeineman #BrandonDuhaime #DavidSavard #JoshAnderson #BrockMcGinn #JustinWilliams #AaronEkblad #BrandonHagel #GageGoncalves #CarterVerhaeghe #NikitaKucherov #BradMarchand #AntonLundell #NickPaul #AleksanderBarkov #JakeGuentzel #SamBennett #AndreiVasilevskiy #BraydenPoint #EetuLuostarinen #JonCooper #PaulMaurice #FrederikAndersen #PyotrKochetkov #GabeVilardi #RyanSuter #TylerTucker #KyleConnor #MarkScheifele #NathanWalker #ColtonParayko #NinoNieterreiter #ConnorHellebuyck #OskarSundqvist #JimmySnuggerud #JordanKyrou #BraydenSchenn #RadekFaksa #DylanDeMelo #MasonAppleton #VladislavNamestnikov #AdamLowry #ScottArniel #JimMontgomery #LinusUllmark #AnthonyStolarz #AustonMatthews #KirillKaprizov #JoelErikssonEk #BillGuerin #FilipGustavsson #Marc-AndreFleury #BrettHowden #CaleMakar #MiroHeiskanen #MackenzieBlackwood #DrewDoughty #AnzeKopitar #CalvinPickard #StuartSkinner #KrisKnoblauch #JimHiller #UBSArena #UtahMammoth #RussCourtnall #FrankPietrangelo #ClaudeLemieux #NikolaiBorschevsky #BobRouse #DougGilmour #WayneGretzky #KerryFraser #NathanMacKinnon #LeonDraisaitl #HartTrophy

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 58 - Gabriel Landeskog's 34-month Road Back to the NHL

Thu, 01 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

A freak injury in 2020 became the beginning of an odyssey lasting the better part of four-and-a-half years for Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog. After multiple knee surgeries, including a cartilage replacement procedure never before performed on an NHL player, Landeskog made his return in Game 3 of the Avs opening round series against Dallas and added his first goal in Game 4.

His story is one of dedication and perseverance. One which took a toll on both Landeskog and his family. Regardless of what happens beyond this season, #92 has won the battle against all odds.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #GabrielLadeskog #ColoradoAvalanche #CaleMakar #JackEichel #MarioLemieux #BrockNelson #JakeOettinger #"CleanSheet #ColoradoEagles #TampaBayLightning #BillMasterton #BillMastertonTrophy #MinnesotaNorthStars #OaklandSeals #DallasStars

Stanley Cupdate - Hurricanes First to Advance & Getting Uncomfortable in Toronto - April 30, 2025

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:05:00 -0400

Two had the opportunity to move on. One did and other is being reminded of their history. Meanwhile, the Oilers and Golden Knights have rebounded from series deficits to put themselves from within a win of advancing in the West.

We look ahead to Wednesday's games with Washington and Florida both having the opportunity to advance while the Jets try to find their game back back home.

This Day in Stanley Cup History takes us back to 1986 and a birthday one player would like to forget.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #ThomasChabot #JakeSanderson #LinusUllmark #AnthonyStolarz #BradyTkachuk #RidlyGreig #AdamGaudette #DylanCouzens #TimStutzle #AustonMatthews #PyotrKochetkov #FrederikAndersen #SpencerMartin #DawsonMercer #TimoMeier #StefanNoesen #TaylorHall #JaccobSlavin #SheldonKeefe #JacksonBlake #AndreiSvehcnikov #NicoHischier #SebastianAho #PaulCotter #JacobMarkstrom #DawsonMercer #JesperiKotkaniemi #ShayneGostisbehere #BrianDumoulin #JackEichel #WilliamKarlsson #MatsZuccarello #KirillKaprizov #Marc-AndreFleury #FilipGustavsson #MattBoldy #AlexPietrangelo #JoelErikssonEk #AIdenHill #JohnHynes #MikeHartman #GustavNyquist #BruceCassidy #BrettHowden #TannerPearson #NickHague #ZachBogosian #DarcyKuemper #EvanBouchard #AndreiKuzmenko #EvanderKane #CoreyPerry #JohnKlingberg #ViktorArvidsson #MattiasJanmark #CalvinPickard #RyanNugent-Hopkins #BrandonHagel #AaronEkblad #JonMcIsaac #ChrisRooney #BradMarchand #LukeGlendening #DaveJackson #SethJones #ConnorHellebuyck #GabeVilardi #NikolajEhlers #NikitaKucherov #NathanMacKinnon #RickTocchet #JTMiller #BoHorvat ##FilipChytil #ScottyBowman #ArArbour #ValterriFilppula #CarterVerhaeghe #NinoNieterreiter #AndrewBrunette #PatrickRoy #PavelBure #KirkMcLean #RobertReichel #SteveSmith #GrantFuhr #PerryBerezan #WayneGretzky #StanFischler #PaulCoffey #JariKurri #GlennAnderson #MarkMessier #KevinLowe

Stanley Cupdate - Momentum Reversed for the Lightning and Avalanche - April 29, 2025

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 15:16:00 -0400

Not the best of nights for two teams looking to feed off the momentum of their previous games. The big guns for Dallas play a major role in giving the Stars a 3-2 series lead while the Lightning are stunned late and also lose a player to a high hit just after returning from a one-game suspension.

We look ahead to the four games on Tuesday, the type of head coach the Penguins might be looking for and This Day in Stanley Cup History notes the four seventh games which were decided in overtime on this date.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 58 - From Blue to Blueshirt to Blue Jacket with CBJ Senior Advisor John Davidson

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 16:40:00 -0400

Longtime NHL executive and Columbus Blue Jackets senior advisor John Davidson joins Neil and Vic to share thoughts on a stirring opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the three organizations which have been part of his hockey career for over 50 years.

We'll look at all of the series and wrap up the show with "The Human Side of the Story." 34 months after his last game in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has made the case for the Masterton Trophy with his dedication and perseverance following multiple procedures to repair a damaged knee.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:36] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay To," the theatre of the opening round is discussed as it the escape from league discipline by Matthew Tkachuk and the stunningly weak showing in net by Vezina Trophy favorite, Connor Hellebuyck.

[08:55] - Columbus Blue Jackets senior advisor John Davidson joins Neil and Vic. After some reminiscing about Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice, JD talks about one of his former teams, the Blues, making life miserable for the Presidents Trophy winners.

[16:14] - John speaks to the Blue Jackets near playoff miss but that there's a lot plenty of reason optimism.

[22:10] - Both JD and Neil have had been presidents of the N.Y. Rangers exchange thoughts on what happened at MSG this season...and what might happen next.

[29:49] - John speaks fondly of his good friend and former broadcast partner, Sam Rosen.

[37:40] - JD shares what has compelled him through the opening round of the playoffs thus far.

[40:05] - The lineage of top end goaltending in New York which has been prevalent for the better part of half a century. Plus, JD touches on Hellebuyck's struggles.

[45:23] - Some final thoughts on the opening round.

[50:27] - Biggest takeaways from the four games on Sunday.

[1:09:26] - A look at Monday's games.

[1:13:14] - The Human Side of the Story takes a closer look at the long road back for Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JohnDavidson #GlennHealy #PaulMaurice #MatthewTkachuk #JakeGuentzel #BrandonHagel #AleksanderBarkov #BradMarchand #SamBennett #ConnorHellebuyck #DougArmstrong #DrewBannister #JimMontgomery #ChrisMacFarland #DonWaddell #KirillMarchenko #AdamFantilli #KentJohnson #SeanMonahan #DanteFabbro #JetGreaves #ZachWerenski #JeffGorton #DentonMateychuk #ChrisDrury #ChrisKreider #MikeSullivan #JTMiller #WillCuylle #LiasAndersson #AlexeiKovalev #MikeKeenan #SamRosen #JeffRimmer #JonCooper #RickTocchet #TomWilson #AlexWennberg #DavidDavard #AlexOvechkin #AlexandreCarrier #ColinCampbell #EdGiacomin #JohnVanbiesbrouck #MikeRichter #HenrikLundqvist #IgorShesterkin #GrantFuhr #AndyMoog #BillRanford #BenoitAllaire #TripleCrownLine #MarcelDionne #DaveTaylor #CharlieSimmer #KirillKaprizov #JoelErikssonEk #RyanHartman #CalvinPickard #StuartSkinner #JonasSiegenthaler #KyleConnor #ColtonParayko #JacobMarkstrom #JaccobSlavin #FrederikAndersen #TimoMeier #AndreiSvechnikov #PyotrKochetkov #JackHughes #LukeHughes #JoshAnderson #IvanDemidov #JakubDobes #SamMontembeault #LoganThompson #GuyLafleur #StevePenney #DylanStrome #JurajSlafkovsky #LaneHutson #ColeCaufield #NickSuzuki #MartinSt.Louis #BrandonDuhaime #AlexandreCarrier #AndrewMangiapane #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #EvanBouchard #DrewDoughty #JoelEdmundson #QuintonByfield #DarcyKemper #JimHiller #VladislavGavrikov #GabrielLandeskog #NikitaKucherov #JasonRobertson #MiroHeiskanen #TylerTucker #CaleMakar #JackEichel #CleanSheet #BrockNelson #JakeOettinger #OaklandSeals #MinnesotaNorthStars #BillMasterton #MastertonMemorialTrophy

Stanley Cupdate - Welcome Back, Captain - April 27, 2025

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 11:48:00 -0400

Any of the four Saturday games would have been headline worthy on their own merit. However, when a player returns to the lineup after 34 months and gets on the scoresheet, it's worthy of top billing.

Vic and Neil update Gabriel Landeskog's heroics in Colorado as the Avs pull even with Dallas. There was also overtime drama in St. Paul and Ottawa while the Lightning get off the mat with a much needed win in Sunrise.

All that plus a quadruple overtime classic between Hall-of-Fame goaltenders in This Day in Stanley Cup History.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #GabrielLandeskog #MarioLemieux #LoganO'Connor #ThomasHarley #NathanMacKinnon #ThomasHarley #CaleMakar #PaulCoffey #BrockNelson #MiroHesikanen #JakeOettinger #CaseyDeSmith #SamuelGirard #MacKenzieBlackwood #WyattJohnston #MasonMarchment #MattDuchene #MikkoRantanen #RoopeHintz #EvgeniiDadonov #BrandonHagel #AleksanderBarkov #AaronEkblad #NikitaKucherov #RyanMcDonagh #ErikCernak #SamBennett #MatthewTkachuk #AndreiVasilevskiy #BraydenPoint #JakeGuentzel #NickPaul #LukeGlendening #YanniGourde #GageGoncalves #SergeiBobrovsky #VictorHedman #AnthonyCirelli #SheaTheodore #ReillySmith #MarcusFoligno #NickHague #MarcoRossi #JustinBrazeau #YakovTrenin #RyanHartman #NicolasRoy #JackEichel #MarkStone #TomasHertl #JaredSprugeon #BruceCassidy #AidenHill #MattBoldy #FilipGustavsson #KeeganKolesar #IvanBarbashev #JakeMiddleton #JakeSanderson #TimStutzle #ShanePinto #JakeMcCabe #AnthonyStolarz #MitchMarner #JohnTavares #WIlliamNylander #MatthewKnies #MorganRielly #ArtemZub #LinusUllmark #BradyTkachuk #PontusHolmberg #DavidPerron #OliverEkman-Larsson #DrakeBatherson #ChrisTanev #NikolajEhlers #GabeVilardi #ScottArniel #JimMontgomery #LukeHughes #BrendenDillon #JohnathanKovacevic #RodBrind'Amour #LoganThompson #DylanStrome #CharlieLindgren #AlexOvechkin #JimHiller #EvanderKane #CalvinPickard #StuartSkinner #KrisKnoblauch #DominikHasek #MartinBrodeur #DaveHannan #JohnDavidson

Stanley Cupdate - All the Comforts of Home for Canadiens, Devils and Oilers -April 26, 2025

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 11:20:00 -0400

Returning home Friday proved just the tonic for the Canadiens, Devils and Oilers with an abundance of storylines and subplots.

Vic and Neil also look ahead to Saturday's four-game slate. The Lightning will be forced to go without Brandon Hagel in Florida, Colorado and Vegas look to pull even and Toronto is in the unfamiliar position of trying to advance via a sweep.

This Day in Stanley Cup History notes the 50th anniversary of the Islanders Game 7 victory in Pittsburgh and, in doing so, becoming only the second team at that time to come back from an 0-3 deficit to win a playoff series.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - West Wild Cards Showing They Belong while Leafs and Panthers on a Collision Course - April 25, 2025

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:36:00 -0400

As if there was any doubt before, the Presidents Trophy winning Jets and Pacific leading Golden Knights had it confirmed they have their hands full with the Blues and Wild respectively.

Meanwhile, consecutive overtime wins have the Maple Leafs on the verge of being the first team to advance and it's good news and potential bad new for the defending champs. The Panthers head home having won both games in Tampa but may have injury concerns with their captain.

Our Day in Stanley Cup History takes a look back at Greatness and Magnificence.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JackEichel #PavelBuchnevich #JimMontgomery #CamFowler #RobertThomas #ConnorHellebuyck #EricComrie #JordanBinnington #ColePerfetti #ScottArniel #DylanDeMelo #KirillKaprizov #MattBoldy #FilipGustavsson #JoelErikssonEk #BruceCassidy #AidenHill #AkiraSchmid #NoahHanafin #AlexPietrangelo #MarkStone #WilliamKarlsson #ReillySmith #JohnHynes #AnthonyCirelli #NateSchmidt #AndreiVasilevskiy #SergeiBobrovski #NikitaKucherov #BrandonHagel #AleksanderBarkov #SamBennett #JonCooper #AaronEkblad #JohnTortorella #AustonMatthews #BradyTkachuk #SimonBenoit #MaxDomi #MitchMarner #MatthewKnies #LinusUllmark #CraigBerube #PatrikLaine #MartinStLouis #BobGainey #JonasSiegenthaler #LukeHughes #JackHughes #BrendenDillon #JacobMarkstrom #FrederikAndersen #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #KrisKnoblauch #Jim HIller #StuartSkinner #CalvinPickard #EvanBouchard #ZachHyman #KevinFiala #QuintonByfield #AnzeKopitar #AdrianKempe #AndreiKuzmenko #CraigButton #RobBlake #RasmusRistolainen #RickJeanneret #BradMay #WayneGretzky #MarioLemieux #PatrikSundstrom #MauriceRichard #DarrylSittler #ReggieLeach

Stanley Cupdate - Two Higher Seeds Hold Serve While Dallas Regains Home-Ice Advantage - April 24, 2025

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:05:00 -0400

A virtuoso goaltending performance sends the Capitals into Montreal with a 2-0 series while the Kings are enjoying a similar advantage thanks to a sizzling power play against the Oilers. Meanwhile, a long-awaited return does not net the desired Game 3 result for the Avalanche.

In league news, Chris Drury's future in New York has been decided and "This Day in Stanley Cup History" celebrates one of the great goal call of all time.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - The Defending Champs Make a Statement - April 23, 2025

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:28:00 -0400

It would have been nearly impossible to replicate Monday's drama. Nonetheless, storylines and subplots were in abundance as the defending Cup served notice they are more than ready to make another run.

Vic and Neil recap all four games from Tuesday, look ahead to the three on Wednesday as well as discuss one team President on the way out and another who may be in some hot water.

Plus, This Day in Stanley Cup History focuses on the first of only two Stanley Cup Finals to go to overtime in Game 7.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - The Absolute Essence of What This is All About - April 22, 2025

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 14:40:00 -0400

Four one-goal games including two overtimes and a final minute finish. An incredible third day of Stanley Cup hockey gets wrapped up in a neat package.

Four more on the slate for Tuesday as the Lightning and Panthers finally get underway and even more coaching news to report. While on the head coach theme, This Day in Stanley Cup History focuses on two current bench bosses intertwined by a memorable goal.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Stanley Cupdate - A Handful Break Quickly from the Gate - April 21, 2025

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:25:00 -0400

Winnipeg, Colorado, Carolina, Toronto and Vegas all pick up victories over the weekend to get a leg up in their respective series. Two more series open Monday with Tampa Bay and Florida kicking off Tuesday.

Vic is going solo with Neil traveling but touches on all five games over the weekend as well as two head coaches now out of work. We'll also kick off "This Day in Playoff History" going back 74 years to, perhaps, the most memorable goal in Toronto Maple Leafs history.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 57 - The Stanley Cup Preview Show - Craig Button

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 17:25:00 -0400

TSN Analyst and former NHL executive Craig Button joins Neil and Vic to look at all eight opening round series and offer up some bold - and no so bold - predictions along the way.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:00] - "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to focuses on the arrival of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Art Ross and Rocket Richard Trophy Winners and an untimely injury in a meaningless game.

[08:29] - Washington vs. Montreal

[15:15] - Carolina vs. New Jersey

[19:45] - Toronto vs. Ottawa

[26:43] - Tampa Bay vs. Florida

[34:08] - Winnipeg vs. St. Louis

[39:38] - Dallas vs. Colorado

[46:13] - Vegas vs. Minnesota

[49:31] - Los Angeles vs. Edmonton

[58:55] - Weighing in which player uses the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs as their coming out party.

[1:00:38] - Which players enter these playoffs with the most pressure on them?

[1:02:11] - Is it obvious or is there a club with more pressure this spring than the Toronto Maple Leafs?

[1:05:22] - Fearless Stanley Cup Final Picks

[1:41:03] - The first days of the playoff schedule

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #CraigButton #JackButton #TSN #PaulMaurice #MatthewTkachuk #AleksanderBarkov #NikitaKucherov #NathanMacKinnon #LeonDraisaitl #SidneyCrosby #AlexOvechkin #JasonRobertson #MichaelMcCarron #IlyaSorokin #PeterDeBoer #MiroHeiskanen #TylerSeguin #LoganThompson #LaneHutson #IvanDemidov #AlexeiKovalev #MatveiMichkov #MarkMessier #JackHughes #DougieHamilton #JacobMarkstrom #SebastianAho #SethJarvis #JesperBratt #FrederikAndersen #JakeOettinger #RodBrind'Amour #CraigBerube #SheldonKeefe #RoryMcIlroy #WilliamNylander #AustonMatthews #MitchMarner #MorganRielly #JohnTavares #AnthonyStolarz #BrandonCarlo #ChrisTanev #MatthewKnies #BobbyMcMann #OliverEkman-Larsson #ConnorMcDavid #PatQuinn #BradyTkachuk #JonCooper #BradMarchand #SamBennett #AaronEkblad #YanniGourde #BarclayGoodrow #BlakeColeman #JulienBriseBois #StevenStamkos #JakeGuentzel #BraydenPoint #BrandonHagel #ConnorHellebuyck #JordanBinnington #DougArmstrong #JimMontgomery #ScottArniel #RickBowness #DrewBannister #NikolajEhlers #DylanHolloway #JimNill #ChrisMacFarlane #MikoRantanen #CaseyMittelstadt #MartinNecas #BrockNelson #CharlieCoyle #RyanLindgren #CaleMakar #DevonToews #JoshManson #GabrielLandeskog #JaredBednar #ValNikushkin #ScottWedgewood #MacKenzieBlackwood #BrianLeetch #SergeiZubov #BillGuerin #JoelErikssonEk #KirillKaprizov #JonasBrodin #FilipGustavsson #JimHiller #MattiasEkholm #JeffSkinner #StuartSkinner #DavidVolek #DarnellNurse #QuintonByfield #PhillipDanault #PhilipBroberg #AndreiKuzmenko #AnzeKopitar #DrewDoughty #KrisKnoblauch #PaulCoffey #EvanderKane #TrentFrederic #CoreyPerry #JeffSkinner #ViktorArvidsson #AdamHenrique #MikeyAnderson #VladislavGavrikov #JoelEdmondson #AdrianKempe #KevinFiala #MarkScheifele #JakeSanderson #WyattJohnston #BradTreliving #BrockBoeser #PiusSuter #KyleConnor #LukeSchenn #JoshMorrissey #DylanSamberg #AdamLowry #PunchImlach #BruceBoudreau #DavidPoile #BobGainey

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 56 - Sam Rosen

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 06:50:00 -0400

After forty years and many memorable calls, one stands out for Sam Rosen. Born in Ulm, Germany, he was an aspiring baseball player before focusing his attention on broadcasting.

On April 17, 2025, Rosen brings the curtain down on one of the most distinguished play-by-play careers the NHL has ever known. However, from the time Neil Smith first met Sam, he's always been just one of the guys.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SamRosen #JohnHalligan #HowieRose #TheCurse #StanleyCup #NewYorkRangers #DetroitRedWings #NewYorkIslanders.

Episode 56 - His Calls Will Last a Lifetime! - With Hall of Fame Broadcaster Sam Rosen

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:15:00 -0400

For forty seasons, Sam Rosen has been synonymous with New York Rangers hockey. With the Blueshirts missing the playoffs in 2025, Rosen's final game will be Thursday against Tampa Bay.

Neil and Vic are privileged to share their discussion with Sam in the regular season finale of NHL Wraparound.

We also update the playoff picture with seven of the eight opening round matchups decided, chat about TV networks having to work with the hands they are dealt, some rules NHL players might want to see adopted into the NHL and some player notes.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:09] - The final playoff spot is still up for grabs and that kicks off "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To." Also noted are the clinching of the of the Western wild card spots by Minnesota and St. Louis and a bow on the Atlantic crown by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[14:12] - Sam Rosen joins Neil and Vic. Following some small talk, Sam shares how he's survived 40 years at MSG.

[23:00] - The wine collection Sam has accumulated during his farewell tour around the NHL.

[25:54] - Sam shares the overwhelming reactions from fans around the NHL.

[28:16] - Neil reminds Sam of the one game they worked together and the interesting sidebar which was part of their telecast.

[31:20] - Sam talks about his successor in the Rangers TV booth - Kenny Albert.

[34:44] - 40 years later, the some advice for aspiring play-by-play folks.

[40:57] - Fond memories of 1994.

[46:11] - Thoughts on more recent Ranger teams.

[48:49] - Preparing for the finale and going forward.

[56:10] - The Us rightsholders - ESPN and TNT - face a playoff with none of the four US-based original six teams in the post with either four or five Canadian clubs involved in this year's tournament.

[1:00:23] - Looking for rule changes? Over 500 players were recently polled on various PWHL rules and weighed in on what they'd like to see adapted into the NHL.

[1:07:37] - Player Notes

[1:13:03] - The Human Side of the Story wraps up our show with more on retiring hall-of-fame broadcaster Sam Rosen.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Hype, Ecstasy and a Letdown in Montreal - April 15, 2025

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:18:00 -0400

The Ivan Demidov era opened in Montreal Monday and it did not disappoint. Unfortunately, for the Canadiens, they were unable to sustain the early energy and, while getting closer to wrapping up the final playoff berth in the East, they failed to clinch thus providing a window of hope for Columbus.

Out West, the Kings will open the playoffs hosting the Oilers and the chirping has already begun.

Also, will Jamie Benn ever get his 400th career goal and an abbreviated NY Centric wrap on the New-York area teams.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Complete Weekend Update - April 14, 2025

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 18:58:00 -0400

Clinched, eliminated and still battling to either get in or enhance a playoff spot already gained. Vic and Neil evolve the weekend to set up the final four days of the regular season.

In addition, some key players news and a salute to the new champions in Men's Division I hockey.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BradyTkachuk #ShanePinto #MarcoKasper #PatrickKane #ToddMcLellan #MichaelBacklund #YegorSharagovich #NazemKadri #RyanLomberg #CoreyPerry #ConnorMcDavid #JeffSkinner #MattiasEkholm #ZachHyman #TysonFoerster #BobbyBrink #SamErsson #IlyaSorokin #CalvindeHaan #ChrisDrury #PeterLaviolette #AlexOvechkin #JakobChychrun #JetGreaves #AdamFantilli #RyanLeonard #Sean Kuraly #HunterShepard #MitchMarner #AnthonyStolarz #TimStutzle #KevinCheveldayoff #ScottArniel #BrockFaber #MatsZuccarello #YakovTrenin #DerekForbert #GeorgeParros #ColtonParayko #ChandlerStephenson #YegorSharangoich #MattCoronato #DustinWolf #AdamKlapka #TylerToffoli #JoshMorrissey #KyleConnor #ColePerfetti #ConnorHellebuyck #MartinBrodeur #BradenHoltby #BrettHowden #NickRoy #ReillySmith #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #KevinFiala #QuintonByfield #AlexLaferriere #AdamHenrique #ViktorArvidsson #ConnorBrown #StuartSkinner #DylanSamberg #MikeComrie #AustonMatthews #WilliamNylander #MatthiasEkholm #ZachHyman #NikolajEhlers #JohnTavares #MorganRielly #MaxDomi #JosephWoll #CraigBerube #NikitaKucherov #JakeGuentzel #AleksanderBarkov #SamReinhart #CarterVerhaeghe #SheldonKeefe #PaulCotter #AdamPelech #CharlieCoyle #JaredBednar #JohnZiegler #GabrielLandeskog #ColoradoEagles #MastertonTrophy #OliverBjorgstrand #LukeGlendening #LoganThompson #AliaksaiProtas #ZeevBuium #QuinnHutson #HobeyBakerAward #LaneHutson #AlecMartinez #PatMaroon #HenrikLundqvist #IsaacHoward #MichganState #JohnSaunders #BernieSaunders #GlennHealy #KeithJones #WesternMichiganBroncos #IvanDemidov #GuyLafleur #SamRosen

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Canadians, Wild and Oilers Primed to Clinch - April 11, 2025

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 15:35:00 -0400

The final weekend of the NHL regular season has arrived. Twelve playoff spots have already been clinched with three more possible Friday.

Vic and Neil look at all of the permutations and also throw up some red flags for three teams already in the playoffs but playing far from their best hockey with the post-season nearly upon us.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #ColinStephenson #Newsday #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #MathhewKnies #MitchMarner #AustonMatthews #BobbyMcMann #JohnTavares #WIlliamNylander #BradTreliving #CraigBerube #AnthonyStolarz #JosephWoll #BradMarchand #AleksanderBarkov #SteveYzerman #ToddMcLellan #AlexOvechkin #JalenChatfield #ConnorMcMichael #BrandonDuhaime #SethJarvis #SpencerCarbery #RodBrind'Amour #Pierre-LucDubois #JackHughes #DougieHamilton #TysonFoerster #ArtemiPanarin #MikaZibanejad #AdamFox #BrettBedard #IgorShesterkin #JamesvanRiemsdyk #ZachAston-Reese #BooneJenner #JetGreaves #ElvisMerzlikins #DaniilTarasov #KirillKaprizov #JoelErikssonEk #MacklinCelebrini #WillSmith #Marc-AndreFleury #FilipGustavsson #MarianGaborik #MattBoldy #MatsZuccarello #FrankVitrano #CutterGauthier #LeoCarlsson #MasonMcTavish #TrevorZegras #PatVerbeek #ConnorHellebuyck #KyleConnor #KevinCheveldayoff #ScottArniel #PeterDeBoer #KieferSherwood #DakotaJoshua #NathanMacKinnon #NikitaKucherov #KevinLankinen #IvanBarbashev #WilliamKralsson #AdinHill #KevinFiala #JimHiller #QuintonByfield #AdrianKempe #AndreiKuzmenko #AnzeKopitar #ConnorMcDavid #ConnorBrown #CalvinPickard #NathanWalker #LeonDraisaitl #RyanDonato #NickFoligno #DavidPastrnak #RyanO'Reilly #FilipForsberg #JuuseSaros #GregMillen #RayShero #FredShero #BillGuerin #TaylorHall #DanBylsma #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #BradyTkachuk #TravisGreen #SteveStaios #TylerSeguin #BrockBoeser #BoHorvat #JTMiller #VictorManici #PatrikAllvin #ChazLucius #Ehlers-DanlosSyndrome #GuyLafluer #IvanDemidov #MartinSt.Louis #DougWeight #TonyAmonte #SamRosen

Human Side of the Story - Episode 55 - Reverence and Respecting the Game

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

It may have started with a photo taken in 1952 with a defeated Bruins goalie named Sugar Jim Henry bowing to a bloodied and, perhaps semi-conscious, Rocket Richard at the conclusion of their semi-final playoff series.

Reverence and respect for the game.

The post-series handshake has been a longstanding tradition in the NHL and extends to all levels of hockey. However, are we now seeing a new sub-culture where teams and players make it a point to honor greatness or simply the end of a distinguished career?

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #HumanSideoftheStory #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #MuariceRichard #SugarJimHenry #AlexOvechkin #Marc-AndreFleury #WayneGretzky #GordieHowe #DerekNansen #GhislainHebert #CraigLaughlin

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Beyond Preposterous - April 9, 2025

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:20:00 -0400

On a night the Ottawa Senators clinch their first playoff spot in eight years, two games involving teams on life support simply defied logic.

Vic and Neil update on all the races and a couple of fun Alex Ovechkin items post-record-breaking goal.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #ColinStephenson #Newsday #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #TravisGreen #LindyRuff #Don Waddell #JustinDanforth #MathieuOlivier #TomWilson #AdamFantilli #ElvisMerzlikins #BradyTkachuk #SamMontembeault #ColeCaufield #JoshAnderson #MartinSt.Louis #DylanLarkin #PatrickKane #KylePalmieri #ScottMayfield #StevenStamkos #FedorSvechkov #JonathanMarchessault #BradySkjei #MarcusHogberg #IlyaSorokin #MichaelMcCarron #SimonHolmstrom #JamesReimer #Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #TageThompson #AlexTuch #JJPeterka #DavidPastrnak #EetuLuostarinen #CarterVerhaeghe #BradMarchand #MitchMarner #AleksanderBarkov #SamReinhart #GustavForsling #JosephWoll #JohnTavares #BradTreliving #NikitaKucherov #WayneGretzky #PaulCoffey #BobbyOrr #BraydenPoint #JakeGuetnzel #AndreiVasilevskiy #AdamKlapka #JonathanHuberdeau #MattCoronato #DustinWolf #WillSmith #MacklinCelebrini #LaneHutson #MatveiMichkov #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #AatuRaty #PuisSuter #ConorGarland #QuinnHughes #FilipHronek #DarylReaugh #MikhailSergachev #DylanGuenther #KarelVejmelka #AndréTourigny #JimMontgomery #AlexIafallo #ConnorHellebuyck #JimmyVesey #CharlieCoyle #MartyBeniers #JoeyDaccord #BrandonMontour #CutterGauthier #MasonMcTavish #LukasDostal #EvanBouchard #OlivierRodrique #TristanJarry #SidneyCrosby #KevinHayes #EddieLack #AlexOvechkin #SamBennett #JakeMiddleton #KirillKaprizov #JoelErikssonEk #PaulMaurice #LukeSchenn #NikolajEhlers #NealPionk #ColinMIller #K'AndreMiller #GabePerreault #BrettBerard #GabrielLandeskog #IvanDemidov #VicentLecavalier #ZayneParekh #GregMillen #BobCole #MeredithGaudreau #JohnnyGadreau #CarterMichaelGaudreau #SamRosen #JohnDavidson #NHLonTNT #RyanNugent-Hopkins

NY Centric - NJ on the Cusp and the End in Sight for NYR & NYI with James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now - Apr. 8. 2025

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:40:00 -0400

With just 10 days remaining in the regular season the fates of the New York-area teams is having clarity with the Devils within a point of clinching a playoff berth while the Rangers and Devils are running out of real estate to make up ground.

James Nichols from New Jersey Hockey Now joins Vic and Neil to break it all down.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 55 - The Gr8est Goal Scorer Ever - With Craig Laughlin

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 17:05:00 -0400

Call it the Thirty-one-year itch. Gordie Howe 1963, Wayne Gretzky 1994 and, now Alex Ovechkin in 2025 as the all-time goal scoring torch was passed at UBS Arena on April 6. Long-time Caps TV Analyst Craig Laughlin joins the show to share his thoughts on covering The Great 8 since the very beginning of his NHL career.

In addition to covering the various races over the final week-and-a-half of the regular season, we'll also talk about a subculture in the NHL which is becoming more evident: Despite the ferocity of competition, teams and players ensuring they honor opponents and officials for a job well done.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:00] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," Neil describes the atmosphere in UBS Arena before we hit on Ottawa and Minnesota strengthening their holds on playoffs spots.

[07:50] - Longtime Capitals TV analyst Craig Laughlin joins the show. Before getting into Alex Ovechkin, he discusses a recent personal ordeal having undergone recent open heart surgery.

[14:04] - Laughlin shares what he's observed about Ovechkin behind the scenes since coming into the league in 2005.

[17:45] - Ovechkin's rejuvenation following a 2023-24 season in which he looked like he might be at the end of his career.

[24:10] - The significance of this record when put in relation to Barry Bonds, Emmitt Smith and LeBron James.

[28:59] - In a world of political turmoil, how is it a Russian is wildly cheered in eclipsing a record of a Canadian legend?

[32:21] - With 895 in the books, 900 right around the corner, are 1000 goals possible?

[35:25] - The Caps recent play has been mid-level. Laughlin assesses where the team needs to improve with the record behind them.

[46:20] - The authentication process for OV's jerseys, sticks and pucks.

[48:11] - The playoff races.

[57:02] - Let's talk other superstars: Crosby-Pastrnak/MacKinnon Kucherov.

[1:02:20] - Vic gets on his TV soapbox about directors cutting away from intimate moments for wide shots and crowd shots.

[1:05:55] - Player notes

[1:08:05] - The Human Side of the Country focuses on the reverence and respect seen with more increased frequency around NHL arenas.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Nastiness in Carolina as OV Gets a Step Closer -April 4, 2025

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:51:00 -0400

SInce our last show, three more clubs qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs while another joins a list having to officially wait until next year.

Meanwhile, #892 for Alex Ovechkin shares the spotlight with a controversial takedown during a raucous third period Wednesday in Raleigh.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #ColinStephenson #Newsday #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AlexOvechkin #Gr8Chase #GeorgeParros #JadenChatfield #ConnorMcMichael #BradyTkachuk #ShanePinto #JakeSanderson #LinusUllmark #RidlyGreig #BrandonHagel #NikitaKucherov #BraydenPoint #NickSuzuki #BrendanGallagher #JakeEvans #ColeCaufield #JohnnyGaudreau #VincentTrocheck #KirillKaprizov #JoelErikssonEk #PeterLaviolette #GabePerreault #FilipGustavsson #JohnVanbiesbrouck #ArthurKaliyev #NathanMacKinnon #DevonToews #CharlieCoyle #CaleMakar #MartinNecas #JonathanDrouin #MikeGreen #ZachWerenski #QuinnHughes #RobertThomas #JakeNeighbours #JimmySnuggerud #RutgerMcgroarty #CutterGauthier #WillSmith #DougMohns #BrianLeetch #BlakeColeman #NzaemKadri #DustinWolf #JoeyDaccord #JaredMcCann #VinceDunn #AndreBurakovsky #RickTocchet #MitchMarner #MatthewKnies #AnthonyStolarz #SamReinhart #AleksanderBarkov #PaulMaurice #MatthewTkachuk #BradMarchand #MarkScheifele #AdamLowry #MikeComrie #ScottArniel #NikolajEhlers #ColePerfetti #JohnMairno #KevinFiala #PhillipDanault #TrevorMoore #KarelVejmelka #JeffSkinner #EvanBouchard #CalvinPickard #KitchenerRangers #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #JasonRobertson #MattDuchene #MasonMarchment #MikkoRantanen #WyattJohnston #JamieBenn #DylanHolloway #AnthonyDuclair #PatrickRoy #QuebecRamparts #MattMartin #MaximTsyplakov #ArvidSoderblom #SpencerKnight #JordanStaal #AndreiSvechnikov

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 54 - Uniting as Teammates...Despite Past History

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

The mention of junkyard dogs Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett being on the same team would have brought a laugh a year ago. However, after battling as adversaries, the pair won the Four Nations Faceoff as teammates, then reunited at the trade deadline as Marchand was traded from Boston to Florida.

While those two collectively look to earn the Panthers back-to-back Stanley Cup Titles, Neil notes a couple of instances where former foes come together while others remain a nasty part of NHL lore.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BradMarchand #SamBennett #FloridaPanthers #BostonBruins #RichPilon #KevinStevens #NewYorkIslanders #PittsburghPenguins #LosAngelesKings #PatLafontaine #JohnMuckler #BuffaloSabres #LucRobitaille #WayneGretzky #CamNeely #UlfSamuelsson #TieDomi #DenisPotvin #UlfNilsson

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - High Drama in Montreal and St. Louis - April 2, 2025

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:35:00 -0400

The Canadiens and Blues kept the holds on their respective wild card positions with game-tying goals in the final minute followed by OT winners.

Meanwhile, the OV Chase Tour is officially underway, a quarter of the playoff pool is set and guess who's no longer in last in the Eastern Conference?

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #ColinStephenson #Newsday #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AlexOvechkin #Gr8Chase #DylanStrome #RyanLeonard #DavidPastrnak #DonSweeney #CamNeely #JeffreyViel #DylanMcIlrath #BradyTkachuk #RyanGraves #RasmusDahlin #AlexTuch #DylanCozens #PeytonKrebs #DrakeBatherson #NickSuzuki #LaneHutson #MacklinCelebrini #MatveiMichkov #DustinWolf #IgorShesterkin #ChrisKreider #MikaZibanejad #AdamFox #KirillMarchenko #SeanMonahan #AdamFantilli #KentJohnson #DeanEvason #JohnnyGaudreau #MatthewGaudreau #DonWaddell #BooneJenner #JakeGuentzel #NikitaKucherov #NathanMacKinnon #PatrickRoy #AnthonyDuclair #BoHorvat #JordanKyrou #JordanBinnington #CamTalbot #JakeDeBrusk #VictorManicni #AnthonyBeauvillier #JimMontgomery #DougArmstron #JimmySnuggerud #LukeHughes #PaulCotter #JesperBratt #JacobMarkstrom #MattBoldy #RyanHuska #RyanLomberg #AdamKlapka #YegorSharangovich #DanVladar #NazemKadri #JonathanHuberdeau #CaleMakar #KevinStenlund #KarelVejmelka #TrevorMoore #AnzeKopitar #AndreiKuzmenko #MattDuchene #WyattJohnston #EsaLindell #CaseyDeSmith #LeonDraaisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #RyanNugent-Hopkins #EvanBouchard #JakeWalman #MasonMcTavish #BradShaw #RickTocchet #MatthewTkachuk #DmitryKulikov #FilipChytil #JasonDickinson #MiroHeiskanen #MarkStone #DougieHamilton #TaylorMakar #RogersSportsnet #RonMacLean #ElliotteFriedman #KevinBieksa #KellyHrudey #GaryBettman #BillDaly #FrozenFour #WesternMichiganBroncos

NY Centric - Getting Late for Rangers and Islanders with Colin Stephenson from Newsday - April 1, 2025

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 14:05:00 -0400

Only two-a-half-weeks remain in the regular season. The Rangers are close but not in a playoff spot, the Islanders have slipped back and the Devils are in cruise control with their first round opponent all but certain.

Plenty to break down on all fronts and Vic and Neil do so with Colin Stephenson from Newsday.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 54 - What's Next in Philly? With Hall of Fame Journalist Al Morganti

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 17:30:00 -0400

A pair of outstanding guests highlight Episode 54. First, Hall of Fame Journalist Al Morganti joins the show to talk about the past, present and future of the Flyers. Then former coach and NHL Network analyst Bruce Boudreau speaks about Alex Ovechkin's final push for the all-time scoring mark and where he's come from as a young player.

Neil and Vic update all of the key races, some on-ice happenings and player notes and wrap up the show with instances foes join forces for a chance to win a Stanley Cup.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[03:18] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," the Oilers Leon Draisaitl hits 50 goals for the first time, the Blues winning streak hits nine and, do the Leafs want to win the Atlantic Division after all?

[14:49] - Al Morganti joins Neil and Vic with the initial topic being when it went off the rails during the John Tortorella era.

[19:29] - Was Torts fighting an uphill battle from the day he took the job in Philadelphia?

[23:19] - Discussion about how the Flyers evolved for two seasons but, with the parting of NHL assets in addition to their head coach, are they back to square one?

[26:40] - What ownership and the front office need to do to bring the Flyers back to respectability?

[34:17] - The immediate future for the Flyers and does the increased salary cap do anything in the short term?

[36:57] - Does Brad Shaw have the interim tag removed or is a different name next behind the Flyers bench.

[46:38] - Former coach of Alex Ovechkin, Bruce Boudreau, joins the show and start off with memories they share from their days growing up playing hockey in Toronto.

[51:00] - Bruce shares he saw greatness from early on with Ovechkin but not to the extent of breaking the goal-scoring mark.

[53:10] - The strategy of coaching Ovechkin early in his career and his evolvement as a player.

[57:26] - The Space OV has created for himself now based on his physical play early in his career.

[1:00:43] - Will the chase for the record affect the more important goals for the Caps come playoff time?

[1:07:55] - How did the Caps go from barely getting into the playoffs in 2024 to one of the NHL's elite?

[1:11:50] - Looking ahead to when the record may fall.

[1:14:28] - The maturation of Ovechkin and acknowledging Marc-Andre Fleury after their likely final meeting.

[1:20:01] - Quick check in on the bubble teams in the East - and it's not very flattering.

[1:21:46] - The West Wild Card, the race for first in the Central and the reality of the Kings finally getting home ice advantage against the Oilers in the opening round.

[1:27:00] - One of these days, the Sabres just might not occupy the cellar of the Eastern Conference.

[1:28:54] - Another example of being unselfish had potentially disastrous results.

[1:31:06] - The not-so-nice this past weekend.

[1:33:26] - Player Notes

[1:35:36] - "The Human Side of the Story" looks at former adversaries Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett now being teammates and other instances of former foes joining forces.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AlMorganti #BruceBoudreau #AlexOvechkin #TorontoMarlies #GeorgeArmstrong #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #CraigMacTavish #RyanNugent-Hopkins #NathanMacKinnon #PatrikLaine #JordanBinnington #DougArmstrong #JimMontgomery #ColtonParayko #BrandonSaad #KirillKaprizov #JoelErikssonEk #CraigBerube #FrozenFour #BostonUniversityTerriers #JackParker #JohnTortorella #CarterHart #NoahCates #ChuckFletcher #KevinHayes #RyanEllis #MatveiMichkov #ConnorBedard #ScottLaughton #JoelFarabee #MorganFrost #ScottWalker #SeanCoututier #JaySnider #BernieParent #PaulHolmgren #DannyBriere #KeithJones #BradShaw #RickTocchet #DavidCarle #MikeSullivan #NolanPatrick #CaleMakar #ScottHartnell #MiroHeiskanen #JettLuchanko #RonHextall #PelleLindbergh #SamErsson #IvanFedotov #GerardGallant #RasmusRistolainen #CamYork #JohnDavidson #PatQuinn #MikeKeenan #Hockey&Hounds #PatrickKane #ChrisPatrick #BrianMacLellan #Pierre-LucDubois #DyalnStrome #JakobChychrun #CharlieLindgren #LoganThompson #SpencerCarbery #AlexAlexeyev #LarsEller #AnthonyBeauvillier #AndrewMangiapane #IgorShesterkin #IlyaSorokin #SamMontembeault #TaylorRaddysh #RyanLeonard #CraigLaughlin #TedLeonsis #SidneyCrosby #MarioLemieux #Marc-AndreFleury #JohnstownChiefs #Slapshot #SamLafferty #ThatcherDemko #JimNill #MattiasEkholm #JohnKlingberg #StuartSkinner #AlexTuch #TageThompson #RasmusDahlin #JamesReimer #TomasHertl #JackEichel #NikitaKucherov #BrandonHagel #ErikCernak #JakeGuentzel #JonCooper #NikitaZadorov #JonatanBerggren #DaleHunter #PierreTurgeon #NikoMikkola #DavidSavard #LaneHutson #QuinnHutson #ColeHutson #KaidenGuhle #JacobTrouba #JimmySnuggerud #HobeyBakerAward #UniversityofMinnesota #BradMarchand #SamBennett #KevinStevens #RichPilon #CamNeely #UlfSamuelsson #TieDomi #PatLafontaine #JohnMuckler #LucRobitaille #DenisPotvin #UlfNilsson

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Change in Philly, Class by OV - March 28, 2025

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:50:00 -0400

After guiding the Flyers to the final game of last regular season before being eliminated, John Tortorella was let go by the Flyers Thursday. With a weak roster by NHL standards, a 1-10-1 slide prompted the fifth coaching change this season.

As usual, several points can be raised and we do just that.

In the meantime, in his first game, interim head coach Brad Shaw faced the eighth seed in the east, the Montreal Canadiens, with a lot on the line for the Habs. In addition, the Senators and Red Wings met in a pivotal game for both while the Blues looked to extend their hold on a wild card spot in the West.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JohnTortorella #BradShaw #KeithJones #CarterHart #DannyBriere #MatveiMichkov #SeanCouturier #CamYork #RickTocchet #GerardGallant #PeterLaviolette #DavidQuinn #JimMontgomery #LinusUllmark #AlexLyon #AlexDebrincat #SimonEdvinsson #TimStutzle #BradyTkachuk #KieferSherwood #PiusSuter #DrewO'Connor #QuinnHughes #ThatcherDemko #IlyaSorokin #FrederickGaudreau #MattBoldy #FilipGustavsson #Marc-AndreFleury #AlexOvechkin #DylanHolloway #CamFowler #JonathanMarchessault #ColtonParayko #MikkoRantanen #NazemKadri #CaseyDeSmith #MacKenzieWeegar #ConorZary #BlakeColeman #JasonRobertson #RoopeHintz #ThomasHarley #CoreyPerry #MacKenzieBlackwood #MartinNecas #CaleMakar #NathanMacKinnon #JadenSchwartz #JoeyDaccord #OlivierRodrique #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #GaryBettman #KarelVejmelka #JaxsonStauber #JohnTavares #WilliamNylander #MitchMarner #WillSmith #MacklinCelebrini #RyanMcDonagh #NikitaKucherov #VictorHedman #JakeGuetzel #OliverBjorkstrand #BraydenPoint #JiriKulich #TageThompson #TristanJarry #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #KrisLetang #ErikKarlsson #WayneGretzky #DawsonMercer #LukeHughes #NicoHischier #JesperBratt #BradMarchand #DavidPastrnak #CaseyMittelstadt #LeoCarlsson #AlexPietrangelo #MattRempe #TannerJeannot #MichaelBacklund #RayBourque #ESPN #GaryThorne #JohnSaunders #BernieSaunders #SteveLevy #LannyMcDonald #NCAAFrozenFour #UMassMiddlemen #WesternMichiganBroncos #MinnesotaState #UniversityofMinnesota #DarrylSittler

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 53 - Jack Michaels: From Meadville to Edmonton

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

How does a young man from a small town in Western Pennsylvania end up as the play-by-play voice of the Edmonton Oilers? You take inspiration from those before you, then take your craft far away hoping for that one big opportunity. For Jack Michaels, his blueprint is similar to many looking to break into the broadcast industry but few actually realize.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #JackMichaels #EdmontonOilers #MarioLemieux #MikeLange #DaveJohnson #ColoradoGoldKings #WestCoastHockeyLeague #AlaskaAces #ECHL #NewYorkIslanders #FloridaPanthers

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - A Heavyweight Bout as Good as Advertised -March 26, 2025

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:00:00 -0400

For the second time this season, the Jets and Capitals went to overtime and, for the second time, the Jets prevailed to join the Caps in the playoffs. Not to be lost: Alex Ovechkin pulls to within five of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal scoring mark in a game that was full value.

At the other end of the playoff spectrum, the Blues and Canadiens also had a date as they looked to hold their the final spots in the respective wild card races and there's a new team finding their way into a playoff bubble...for all the wrong reasons.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #NikolajEhlers #MarkScheifele #KyleConnor #JoshMorrissey #ConnorHellebuyck #AlexOvechkin #TomWilson #RobertThomas #PhilipBroberg #DylanHolloway #CamNeely #DonSweeney #JimMontgomery #DougArmstrong #NazemKadri #RasmusAndersson #JordanEberle #MattCornoato #DustinWolf #JoeyDaccord #DonMaloney #ThatcherDemko #PaulCotter #EliasPettersson #NilsHoglander #PiusSuter #QuinnHughes #IlyaSorokin #ThomasHickey #JakeOettinger #JackEichel #NoahHanafin #MarkStone #KirillKaprizov #JoelErikssonEk #BillGuerin #TageThompson #JamesReimer #LindyRuff #DylanCozens #JoshNorris #KirillMarchenko #SeanMonahan #AndersLee #ErikGudbranson #KevinFiala #DarcyKuemper #JacobTrouba #PeterLaviolette #IgorShesterkin #AustinWatson #AlexDebrincat #SimonEdvinsson #DevonToews #NathanMacKinnon #MartinNecas #JonathanDrouin #SteveYzerman #WilliamNylander #JohnTavares #BobbyMcMann #ScottLaughton #JohnTortorella #CarterHart #ChuckFletcher #OwenTippett #TravisKonecny #TravisSanheim #RockyThompson #AnthonyCirelli #NikitaKucherov #BraydenPoint #BrandonHagel #TristanJarry #RyanGraves #LukeEvangelista #JuuseSaros #SteveStamkos #JonathanMarchessault #BradySkjei #RyanO'Reilly #RomanJosi #BarryTrotz #FilipForsberg #GabeVilardi #PetrMrazek #DylanGuenther #MichaelBacklund #SheaTheodore #JakubChychrun #ArizonaCoyotes #BaldforBucks #MartinBiron #DanDunleavy #BrianDuff #Great8Chase #HockeyFightsCancer #VFoundation #NoahDobson #JakeDeBrusk #JTMiller #FilipChytil #VictorMancini #BoHorvat

NY Centric - Isles Get Closer, Rangers and Devils Struggling with Thomas Hickey - March 25, 2025

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:06:00 -0400

A week ago, the N.Y. Islanders had five teams to jump in order to get to the second wild card position in the Eastern Conference. Today, they have one final hurdle to jump.

Meanwhile, struggles continue in New Jersey and Manhattan. Former Islander and current TV analyst Thomas Hickey joins Vic and Neil to go in depth with the playoffs coming up in just three-and-a-half weeks.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 53 - Drilling Down with Edmonton Oilers PxP Jack Michaels

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 16:30:00 -0400

The Edmonton Oilers were one win from an historic comeback in the Stanley Cup Final last spring. While favored by many to take that last step in 2025, the best laid plans have not gone according to plan as injuries, spotty defensive play and offensive shortcomings have hurt the club. TV Play-by-play voice of the Oilers Jack Michaels joins Vic and Neil to break it down.

Also, the playoff races have taken several turns during the week, "The Big Rig" announces his plans to retire and some history in the PWHL during Women's History Month.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:49] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to," the Washington Capitals balance is a primary reason they are the only club to have clinched a playoff berth.

[12:16] - Jack Michaels joins the show with an update on the status of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

[16:12] - Aside from the two superstars, Michaels addresses where the offense needs to come from in order to be the formidable team they'll need to be come playoff time.

[21:40] - The question of defensive play, a signature of the improvement a season ago, has raised its head often this season...

[25:00] - ...and that leads into inconsistent goaltending. Jack has a very interesting response as to whether the Skinner/Pickard tandem is enough.

[30:10] - Michaels share the differences in the Oilers between current GM Stan Bowman and his predecessor, Ken Holland.

[36:50] - Vic believes all of the Western powers have improved. Jack says otherwise.

[48:33] - Before leaving, Jack shares a pointant story of being in a hallway in the arena not long after the Oilers had dropped Game 7 of the Final.

[53:05] - The Playoff Races

[1:01:42] - The NHL and NHLPA set to begin talks on a new CBA next month, almost a year-and-a-half before the current one expires.

[1:04:12] - Player news.

[1:08:01] - The Human Side of the Story looks at Jack Michaels journey from a small Western PA town to the Edmonton, Alberta

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JackMichaels #ColoradoGoldKings #AlaskaAces #AlexOvechkin #AliakseiProtas #TomWilson #DylanStrome #JakobChychrun #JohnCarlson #KyleMacLean #NazemKadri #QuintonByfield #JimHiller #RobBlake #DrewDoughty #LouieDeBrusk #IthacaCollege #Brendan Burke #JoshGetzoff #NickNickson #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #KrisKnoblach #MattiasEkholm #DarnellNurse #ViktorArvidsson #DylanHolloway #PhilipBroberg #CoreyPerry #AdamGaudette #FilipForsberg #ZachHyman #EvanBouchard #RyanNugent-Hopkins #JeffSkinner #AdamHenrique #BrettKulak #JakeWalman #TroyStetcher #SergeiFedorov #StuartSkinner #CalvinPickard #AndreiVasilevskiy #ConnorHellebuyck #JakeOettinger #SergeiBobrovski #HenrikLundqvist #Marc-AndreFleury #RobertLuongo #AnttiNiemi #DarcyKuemper #PavelFrancouz #AdinHill #JordanBinnington #KenHolland #StanBowman #ScottyBowman #GenePrincipe #BobStauffer #GlenGulutzan #NathanMacKinnon #LukeSchenn #TrentFrederic #BrandonTanev #MikkoRantanen #BrockNelson #CharlieCoyle #MartinNecas #AnzeKopitar #TrippTracy #KennyAlbert #ConnSmytheTrophy #ReggieLeach #SamRosen #GaryBettman #MartyWalsh #NHLLockout #PatMaroon #BigRig #TylerTucker #TomasHertl #EmilLilleberg #EliasPettersson #NilsHoglander #ErikGustafsson #ToddMcLellan #JonasBrodin #SeanMonahan #ErikGudbranson #AbbyRoque #TrevorZegras #PWHL #WomensHistoryMonth #NYSirens #OttawaCharge #MikeLange #DaveJohnson #ThomasHickey

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - March Madness - The NHL Way - March 21, 2025

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:18:00 -0400

Crazy eights for Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid leaves Thursday's game and the last two teams in the NHL alphabet are the first to 100 points.

That's only the beginning as two stirring games involving teams in both bubble races highlights our re-caps and...if anything symbolized the last 14 seasons in Buffalo, the last 90 seconds of their game in Utah was it.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AlexOvechkin #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #StuartSkinner #CalvinPickard #PatQuinn #AdamFox #DougArmstrong #TylerTucker #DylanHolloway #BrockBoeser #QuinnHughes #EliasPettersson #PhilipBroberg #BraydenSchenn #JonathanHuberdeau #JacobMarkstrom #RyanHuska #JackAdamsTrophy #PatrickRoy #DylanGuenther #TageThompson #KevinStenlund #MikhailSergachev #RasmusDahlin #LindyRuff #AlexTuch #OwenPower #BoHorvat #PatrikLaine #BrendanGallagher #IlyaSorokin #SamMontembeault #AnthonyDuclair #StevenLorentz #SimonBenoit #KellySutherland #JosephWoll #AnthonyStolarz #JohnTavares #JakeMcCabe #WilliamNylander #ArtemiPanarin #AleksanderBarkov #KirillMarchenko #ElvisMerzlikins #SergeiBobrovsky #BrandonHagel #AnthonyCirelli #GabeGonclaves #CaseyDeSmith #JeffSkinner #ZachHyman #JoshMorrissey #KyleConnor #LinusUllmark #NathanMacKinnon #BrockNelson #CaleMakar #RyanHartman #MattBoldy #LiamOhgren #MarcoRossi #KirillKaprizov #JoelErikssonEk #FilipGustavsson #PavelDorofeyev #WilliamKarlsson #TrevorMoore #AlexTurcotte #ConnorBedard #SethJones #KaapoKakko #AlexisLafreniere #JackHughes #TravisKonecny #MatveiMichkov #TravisSandheim #SebastianAho #SethJarvis #GaryBettman #MikkoRantanen #DougieHamilton #RodBrind'Amour #DavidPoile #JoshManson #EvanderKane #DmitryKulikov #DanFriedkin #SamRosen #JackMichaels #LouieDeBrusk #EvanBouchard #DarnellNurse

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 52 - Hey Dad, You're Trading Me?

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Trades are an accepted part of hockey business. Recently, Utica Comets GM Dan MacKinnon caught the attention of many pulling off a deal which involved moving his own son to playoff-contending Cleveland.

While unique, it's actually happened before and, on the NHL level, no less. The player involved is one who Neil later acquired in New York after this noteworthy trade from Colorado to Los Angeles.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL#DanMacKinnon #WillMacKinnon #UticaComets #NewJerseyDevils #ClevelandMonsters #ColumbusBlueJackets #WashingtonCapitals #LesterPatrick #LynnPatrick #MuzzPatrick #EricLacroix #PierreLacroix #ColoradoAvalanche #LosAngelesKings #UniversityofNewHampshire

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - A Rotten Apple Pushes Montreal Into Wild Card Position - Mar. 19, 2025

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:20:00 -0400

March signals desperation for many clubs looking to make their final push to the post-season. Over the past couple of evenings, the Canadiens, Islanders, Canucks and Blues appear to have gotten the memo. Apparently, one team has not.

We're all over both wild card races with 14 games worth of coverage plus some other news around the NHL.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #DanVladar #ArtemiPanarin #DustinWolf #DonMaloney #IgorShesterkin #ChristianDvorak #BrendanGallagher #JoshAnderson #KylePalmieri #NoahDobson #PierreEngvall #SimonHolmstrom #TristanJarry #JakeAllen #JesperBratt #JackHughes #TimoMeier #Pierre-LucDubois #TomWilson #ConnorMcMichael #AliakseiProtas #SpencerCarbery #AlexOvechkin #AlexTuch #DavidPastrnak #BrockBoeser #PiusSuter #QuinnHughes #ConnorHellebuyck #ThatcherDemko #FilipChytil #RickTocchet #VictorMancini #BrianLeetch #JeffBeukeboom #JustinFaulk #JakeNeighbours #GordieHoweHatTrick #JordanKyrou #JoelHofer #JimMontgomery #ZachHyman #MattiasEkholm #ViktorArvidsson #RyanNugent-Hopkins #ConnorMcDavid #VasilyPodkolzin #LeonDraisaitl #KarelVejmelka #MatsZuccarello #FilipGustavsson #MikaelGranlund #ThomasHarley #MikkoRantanen #LeoCarlsson #MiroHeiskanen #TylerSeguin #ErikGudbranson #ColeSillinger #SeanMonahan #AndreiVasilevskiy #NikitaKucherov #JakeGuentzel #SteveSimmons #AustonMatthews #WilliamNylander #MitchMarner #OliverEkman-Larsson #ShaneWright #AdamLarsson #TomFitzgerald #CaseyFitzgerald #HartfordWolfpack #AHL #AdamJohnson #NHLPA #RyanReaves #MattMartin #JamieBenn #EvanderKane #TJOshie #GabrielLandeskog #JoshManson #IIHF #GaryBettman

NY Centric - A Final Islanders Push at Hand? With Stefen Rosner of NHL.com - Mar. 18, 2025

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:30:00 -0400

The New York Islanders have become somewhat forgotten in the race for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. However, following a stirring comeback against the defending Stanley Cup champions Sunday, a favorable schedule this week may provide to tonic needed to gain ground on the handful of teams they need to pass. Stefen Rosner from the NHL.com helps break it down as we update the Rangers and Devils as well.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #StefenRosner #NHL.com #AnaheimDucks #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AndersLee #TonyDeAngelo #QuintonByfield #JohnMacLean #MatthewBarzal #BrockNelson #KylePalmieri #SemyonVarlamov #MarcusHogberg #JakubSkarek #IlyaSorokin #BoHorvat #TristanJarry #AlexNedeljkovic #LeonDraisaitl #MattGatcomb #MaximTsyplakov #NoahDobson #BarclayGoodrow #JacobTrouba #MattRempe #ChrisKreider #RyanLindgren #KaapoKakko #WillBorgen #ChrisDrury #HenrikLundqvist #JTMiller #CalvindeHaan #CarsonSoucy #ArthurKaliyev #MikaZibanejad #ArtemiPanarin #IgorShesterikin #AdamFox #VincentTrocheck #BrennanOthmann #SamCarrick#JesperBratt #AleksanderBarkov #JacobMarkstrom #CodyGlass #LukeHughes #JackHughes #SimonNemec #JohnathanKovacevic #TomFitzgerald #SheldonKeefe #JakeAllen #TimoMeier #BrettPesce #TheElmonters #MarkFitzpatrick #JoeNieuwendyk #CamNeely #GaryLeeman #AdamGraves

Episode 52 - Be-Leaf Them or Not? With Steve Simmons from The Toronto Sun

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The Toronto Maple Leafs are always in the news and, amidst some recent struggles, uncertainty is once again setting in as to whether the team has the goods to end its 58-year Stanley Cup drought. Longtime Toronto Sun writer Steve Simmons joins the show to go in depth on their prospects.

With the regular season ending in just over four weeks, Vic and Neil check out those looking to secure the final wild card spots in the East, flip the discussion to the heavyweights in the central division and then talk about a player whose attempt at generosity backfired on his team.

We have a usual player note plus, in The Human Side of Story, an AHL GM just traded his son...and got nothing immediate in return.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:53] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," we're watching as the Ottawa Senators are not only pushing to wrap up a Wild Card, but, perhaps threatening the Maple Leafs for third in the Atlantic.

[08:15] - Steve Simmons joins the show and Neil poses the question whether the Leafs get the same grief about their title drought as he did three-plus decades ago in New York.

[13:33] - With a Stanley Cup hardened head coach, Simmons shares whether he sees a different spring on the horizon based on the composition of the team.

[21:33] - Mitch Marner's future in Toronto remains uncertain beyond this season. There's a more layers to this story than what appears on the surface.

[30:55] - Auston Matthews season has been inconsistent by his standards. Is it Injury, new system or both?

[34:58] - Simmons speaks to the importance of Chris Tanev.

[41:05] - Moving away from the Leafs but, staying in Canada, will Winnipeg's magnificent regular season translate to playoff success?

[44:23] - Simmons transitions from the Jets back to his earliest days covering hockey in the 1980's bridging similar stories of a young Wayne Gretzky and a young Connor McDavid.

[52:20] - Scrub of the Eastern bubble clubs

[1:01:01] - Scrub of the Western bubble club

[1:07:19] - The Dallas Stars faced two Central Division powers in Winnipeg and Colorado during the weekend, the latter being Mikko Rantanen's return to Denver. Despite an overtime and regulation loss, does this make the Stars any less formidable?

[1:11:47] - Tomas Hertl learns a hard lesson

[1:13:55] - Player Notes

[1:16:04] - The Human Side of the Story focuses on an AHL GM who just traded his son. Believe it or not, it's happened before.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #SteveSimmons #TorontoSun #CalgarySun #CalgaryHerald #NewYorkPost #NewYorkDailyNews #SunMedia #BraydenSchenn #JacobTrouba #JordanKyrou #ChrisPatrick #MatthewTkachuk #BillTorrey #BrendanShanahan #BradTreliving #CraigBerube #SheldonKeefe #AustonMatthews #MitchMarner #JohnTavares #WilliamNylander #MorganRielly #GeorgeArmstrong #DickDuff #CFL #TorontoArgonauts #AndreiVasilevskiy #SergeiBobrovsky #BrandonCarlo #ScottLaughton #KyleDubas #BrianLeetch #MarkMessier #AleksanderBarkov #DarrenFerris #EricLindros #ConnorMcDavid #ErieOtters #JonCooper #LannyMcDonald #MikeBossy #PatriceBergeron #RogerNeilson #MatthewKnies #BobbyMcMann #ChrisTanev #QuinnHughes #ChrisPronger #ChrisChelios #JakeMcCabe #MattCarle #NikitaKucherov #BraydenPoint #JakeGuentzel #SamReinhart #CarterVerhaeghe #JeffBeukeboom #BrianLeetch #JohnTonelli #ClarkGillies #BryanTrottier #JariKurri #SteveYzerman #BrandanShanahan #WarrenYoung #MarioLemieux #RobBrown #KentNilsson #WilliPlett #CalderTrophy #AtlantaFlames #KyleConnor #MarkScheifele #ConnorHellebuyck #VezinaTrophy #NathanMacKinnon #MarcScheifele #MinnesotaNorthStars #DenisPotvin #BillySmith #JariKurri #GrantFuhr #GlennAnderson #JariKurri #HarrySinden #LouNanne #CliffFltecher #KenHolland #CalgaryWranglers #StampedeCorral #EricDuhatschek #DavidShultz #AnthonyStolarz #BradyTkachuk #IgorShesterkin #MartinStLouis #DeanEvason #PatrickKane #AlexDebrincat #LucasRaymond #PetrMrazek #MikeReilly #UBSArena #VitekVanacek #JimMontgomery #CaleMakar #MikkoRantanen #JackEichel #TomasHertl #RasmusDahlin #AlexOvechkin #FilipChytil #JasonDickinson #ZachHyman #MichaelBacklund #VictorMancini#PrudentialCenter #KarelVejmelka #MasonMarchment #DevonToews #JakeOettinger #JoshManson #NeilPionk #AdamFox #MikeReilly #DmitryKulikov #AnthonyDuclair #WillMacKinnon #DanMacKinnon #UticaComets #ClevelandMonsters #AHL #LesterPatrick #LynnPatrick #MuzzPatrick

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - The Senators Create Seperation - March 14, 2025

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:45:00 -0400

The surge in Canada's Capital continues while the St. Louis Blues miss a major opportunity to push their way into a tie for the final Western Conference Wild Card berth.

Elsewhere, two very different overtime strategies to discuss while the first meeting between the last two number one overall picks didn't exactly deliver the expected.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #QuinnHughes #RyanLomberg #EliasPettersson #JTMiller #ConorGarland #BradMarchand #ConnorZary #NazemKadri #DannyBriere #HenrikLundqvist #OlliJokinen #BrianBoucher #TristanJarry #SidneyCrosby #BrianRust #BlakeLizotte #RickardRakell #JordanBinnington #DylanGuenther #DeltaCenter #KarelVejmelka #ConnorIngram #NHLPlayerAssistanceProgram #DrakeBatherson #JeremySwayman #LinusUllmark #MasonLohrei #TravisGreen #SpencerCarbery #ScottArniel #DeanEvason #AdinHill #NickRoy #TomasHertl #BrandonSaad #DougArmstrong #BradenSchenider #JaredSpurgeon #KirillKaprizov #NathanMacKinnon #BrandonMontour #ChandlerStephenson #JordanEberle #LaneHutson #PatrickKane #AlexDebrincat #MarcoKasper #DylanLarkin #PetrMrazek #AlexTuch #TageThompson #OwenPower #RasmusDahlin #TerryPegula #SamBennett #SethJones #MaxDomi #CarterVerhaeghe #NateSchmidt #AustonMatthews #JacobTrouba #TieDomi #ChrisTanev #WilliamNylander #FredShero #BobbyBrink #OwenTippett #CamAtkinson #NikitaKucherov #AndreiVasilevskiy #JonasJohansson #JesperBratt #SimonNevec #JakeAllen #DougieHamilton #TomFitzgerald #JohnathanKovacevic #JackHughes #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #DarcyKuemper #MacklinCelebrini #ConnorBedard #WillSmith #CollinGraf #ChrisRooney #CalderTrophy #KyleDubas #EvgeniMalkin #KrisLetang #JonathanToews #DuncanKeith #BillTorrey #ClarkGillies #BryanTrottier #MikeBossy #BillySmith #DenisPotvin #ChrisChelios

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 51 - They Call Him Maurice

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Leading in with reference to The Steve Miller Band, Neil shares some background on Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice which further sheds light on how he got into coaching.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #PaulMaurice #WindsorSpitfires #PatJablonski #PeterKarmanos #RalphKreuger #2016WorldCupofHockey #TeamEurope #AdamGraves #PeterDeBoer #FloridaPanthers #HenryGraves #SteveMillerBand

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - The New Bruins Embracing the Underdog Role - March 12, 2025

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 14:35:00 -0400

Following the trade of Brad Marchand, the Boston Bruins have delivered two of their finest efforts of the season, the latest coming at the hands of their former captain's new team. Whether this is sustainable remains to be seen but, it has certainly created yet another piece of intrigue in the East wild card race where the Ottawa Senators have put some space between themselves and the rest of the field.

Out West, the struggles continue for Edmonton and Vancouver, the latter about to play their biggest game of the season Wednesday against Calgary.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BradMarchand #DavidPastrnak #MasonLohrei #PavelZacha #NikitaZadorov #SamBennett #AleksanderBarkov #CarterVerhaeghe #TDGarden #AaronEklblad #NHL/NHLPAPerformanceEnhancingProgram #SethJones #LinusUllmark #DylanLarkin #DylanCozens #MichaelAmadio #AntonForsberg #LeeviMerilainen #BradyTkachuk #JesperBratt #LukeHughes #CodyGlass #JackHughes #MathieuOlivier #MattRempe #BobProbert #QuinnHughes #RickTocchet #NickSuzuki #BrockBoeser #JurajSlafkovsky #ColeCaufield #SamMontembeault #MartinStLouis #GabeVilardi #ConnorHellebuyck #MorganBarron #PresidentsTrophy #ArtemiPanarin #IgorShesterkin #AdamFox #MikaZibanejad #ChrisKreider #VincentTrocheck #QuintonByfield #TonyDeAngelo #DarcyKuemper #LeonDraisaitl #TageThompson #KrisKnoblauch #ConnorMcDavid #ZachHyman #SamReinhart #ViktorArvidsson #JeffSkinner #AdamHenrique #MattiasEkholm #EvanBouchard #RyanNugent-Hopkins #NathanMacKinnon #RocketRichardTrophy ##ArtRossTrophy #JakeWalman #StuartSkinner #QuebecNordiques #JoeSakic #PeterStastny #ScottWedgewood #MatsZuccarello #MattBoldy #FilipGustavsson #MacKenzieBlackwood #MitchMarner #SimonBenoit #MichaelKesselring #EddieShack #LouFontinato #PyotrKochetkov #AliakseiProtas #AlexOvechkin #BrandonDuhaime #TomWilson #Pierre-LucDubois #NoahHanafin #ErikKarlsson #SidneyCrosby #TristanJarry Wilkes-Barrie/ScrantonPenguins #KyleDubas #FilipForsberg #StevenStakos #KieferBellows #MacklinCelebrini #AdamFox #RasmusDahlin #JackEichel #KevynAdams #JoshNorris #CamAtkinson #JonathanQuick #AdamBoqvist

NY Centric - Realities for the New York City Locals Post Deadline - March 11, 2025

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:15:00 -0400

With the trade deadline passed, the Devils, Rangers and Islanders have the rosters they will finish their regular seasons with. For different reasons, none of the three are in enviable positions and time is running short to change course.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 51 - Top Cat - A Chat with Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:45:00 -0400

After three decades behind NHL benches, Paul Maurice finally reached the top of the coaching mountain last spring when his Florida Panthers held off the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup.

Maurice visited with Neil and Vic Friday to discuss his long history as a coach, several recent acquisitions, preparing to defend the title and then...as the interviewed wrapped up, there was another piece of business the coach had to attend to.

There's also some unpacking to the trade deadline both from player and team perspectives as well as a discussion on growth of Ottawa Captain Brady Tkachuk.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:36] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," Brad Marchand is a Florida Panther, Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky is taking a positive stand having to move recent acquisition Mikko Rantanen and two front-runners are emerging in the East Wild Card picture while the defending Presidents' Trophy winners flounder.

[12:52] - Paul Maurice joins the show and reflects on winning the Stanley Cup in 2024 and how the feeling gets better with time.

[17:18] - Neil and Paul embark on the journey of Maurice's long head coaching career dotted throughout with some terrific stories about people and hockey culture.

[40:00] - In advance of the trade deadline acquisition of Brad Marchand, Maurice speaks about several other additions the Panthers had brought in leading up to 3pm last Friday.

[44:35] - While the Panthers were bolstering their lineup, so too were other clubs around the NHL. Maurice addresses the importance of paying attention to other deals around the league.

[49:09] - A little levity. Maurice is one of the great humorists in the NHL and he tells us which comedian's style he's found effective in delivering his own messages.

[50:20] - The meaning of the Cup and its impact to others is brought home to wrap up the discussion.

[57:05] - Notable trade deadline debuts.

[1:00:08] - Brady Tkachuk has matured into one of the NHL's top leaders. We look at what has changed in Canada's capital.

[1:03:34] - With the trade deadline behind us, Neil takes Vic's $100 and evaluates the Western Conference powerhouses before placing his bet.

[1:15:22] - Player Notes

[1:20:44] - In the Human Side of the Story, a few things you may not have know about Panthers head coach Paul Maurice.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #PaulMaurice #BradMarchand #EricTulsky #TomDundon #MikkoRantanen #LoganStankoven #MartinNecas #JackDrury #JakeGuentzel #SethJarvis #TaylorHall #MitchMarner #BillZito #VladimirTarasenko #AdamGraves #PatQuinn #PaulHolmgren #PeteDeBoer #TomWebster #RogerNeilson #PeteKarmanos #JimRutherford #GlenFeatherstone #KeithGretzky #WayneGretzky #TerryCrisp #SooGreyhounds #MarkMessier #BradSmith #WayneMaxner #ToddHarvey #NorthBayCentennials #DetroitJrRedWings #BertTempleton #MemorialCup #JaromeIginla #DarcyTucker #ShaneDoan #JamieAllison #BryanBerard #HartfordWhalers #PeterLaviolette #TorontoMarlboros #BatesBattaglia #MatsSundin #RodBrind'Amour #EricStaal#JustinFaulk #MarcStaal #EvegeniMalkin #MatsZuccarello #RyanO'Reilly #SergeiGonchar #NikolaiKulemin #TomBarrasso #MarkScheifele #KevinCheveldayoff #KyleConnor #JoshMorrissey #JacobTrouba #AdamLowry #ScottArneil #ConnorHellebuyck #SethJones #BrandonMontour #DmitryKulikov #NicoSturm #VitekVanecek #KaapoKahkonen #SpencerKnight #SergeiBobrovsky #ChrisDriedger #KevinStenlund #TomasNosek #YanniGourde #OliverBjorkstrand #NormMcDonald #AlArbour #BillTorrey #StanleyCup #LarryRobinson #GuyLafleur #SteveYzerman #MarkStone #BostonGlobe #VitekVanecek #SpencerKnight #MarkJankowski #CodyGlass #CarsonSoucy #MaxJones #LukeKunin #BradyTkachuk #JoshNorris #MatthewTkachuk #FourNationsFaceoff #KeithTkachuk #MiroHeiskanen #CaleMakar #WyattJohnston #JasonRobertson #JamieBenn #TylerSeguin #BrockNelson #CharlieCoyle #AlexOvechkin #SidneyCrosby #Marc-AndreFleury #EvgeniMalkin #KrisLetang #BrentBurns #NathanMacKinnon #ValNichushkin #JakeOettinger #ConnorHellebuyck #JackHughes #KrisKnoblauch #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #MarkStone #JackEichel #VictorHedman #TravisHamonic #ChrisKreider #MattMartin #MikeReilly #ConnorIngram #JuusoValimaki #JasonZucker #SteveMillerBand #WindsorSpitfires #PatJabolnski #RalphKreuger #WorldCupofHockey #TeamEurope

NHL Wraparound 2025 NHL Trade Deadline Recap Show

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 20:05:00 -0400

WOW!

Brad Marchand and Mikko Rantanen (again) on the move headline a fascinating conclusion to the NHL trade deadline as the defending champs load up while there's an arms race in earnest in the West.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BradMarchand #SethJones #NicoSturm #VitekVanecek #KaapoKahkonen #ChrisDriedger #MatthewTkachuk #SamBennett #TrentFrederic #BrandonCarlo #FraserMinten #CharlieCoyle #CaseyMittlestadt #WilliamZellers #JustinBrazeau #HenriJokiharju #JimMontgomery #PatriceBergeon #DavidKrejci #EliasLindholm #JeremySwayman #NikitaZadorov #ClaudeGiroux #YanniGourde #OliverBjorkstrand #MichaelEyssimont #PatrickGiles #MikkoRantanen #LoganStankoven #ChrisJohnston #TSN #NathanMacKinnon #MartinNecas #TaylorHall #JackDrury #BrockNelson #CalumRitchie #OliverKylington #ErikJohnson #JimmyVesey #RyanLindgren #MacKenzieBlackwood #ScottWedgewood #CalvinDeHaan #JussoParssinen #BrandonTanev #LukeSchenn #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #MaxJones #PetrHauser #JakeWalman #CarlBerglund #StuartSkinner #CalvinPickard #AndreiKuzmenko #CarsonSoucy #BrockBoeser #JTMiller #EliasPettersson #ThatcherDemko #KevinLankinen #QuinnHughes #ReillySmith #BrendanBrisson #JonCooper #JulienBrise-Bois #ScottLaughton #AnthonyStolarz #JosephWoll #BradTreliving #AnthonyBeauvillier #ChrisPatrick #SpencerCarbery #BoHorvat #JackHughes #DougieHamilton #BrianDumoulin #CodyGlass #DennisCholowski #LukeKunin #DylanCozens #DennisGilbert #JoshNorris #JacobBernard-Docker #BradyTkachuk #FabianZetterlund #ErikBrannstrom #NiccolasAube-Kubel #SonnyMIlano #NicklasBackstrom #TJOshie #PetrMrazek #CraigSmith #JoeVeleno #CamTalbot #AlexLyon #DylanLarkin #PatrickKane #LucasRaymond #MoritzSeider #LouLamoriello #AdamBeckman #KylePalmieri #WilliamDufour #MatthewBarzal #AndersLee #SheaWeber #BillArmstrong #KarelVejmelka #IanCole #OlliMaatta #AlexKerfoot #NickBjugstad #MarkJankowski #JoelArmia #DavidSavard #TylerMotte #PatMaroon #JasonZucker #AlecMartinez #MattGrzelcyk #RyanDonato #WyattJohnston #EvanderKane #PaulMaurice

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 50 - The Angst of a GM at the Trade Deadline

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

There are several benchmarks on the NHL calendar by which general managers are judged. One is the trade deadline. Neil shares the differences he's seen in the deadline over the past three decades as well as the array of emotions that one in that position experiences.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #JoeKocur #KevinMiller #PerDjoos #DetroitRedWings

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Calm Before the Storm? - March 5, 2025

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:25:00 -0400

In two days, the rumors and speculation will cease and 32 teams will know the personnel they will ride through to the completion of their respective seasons. In the meantime, we have two trades to report - one at the beginning of the show and one at the end. In addition, Vic and Neil talk about each game over the past two nights, and their impacts, not only on the standings but as to how it may affect the decisions of certain GM's.

And you won't want to miss on Neil's fearless predictions on who stays and who goes by Friday's deadline.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #TrentFrederic #MaxJones #PetrHauser #MaxWanner #ShaneLachance #EvanderKane #CoreyPerry #KenHolland #StanBowman #JimMontgomery #JeremySwayman #DustinWolf #CalvinPicard #MasonMcTavish #JacksonLacombe #CutterGauthier #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #StevenStamkos #RyanO'Reilly #MorganFrost #JoelFarabee #ConnorZary #JTMiller #ArtemiPanarin #WillCullye #IgorShesterkin #JordanMartinook #FrederikAndersen #Pierre-LucDubois #DylanStrome #ShanePinto #JakeSanderson #MikeMatheson #ColeCaufield #NickSuzuki #RasmusDahlin #LouLamoriello #SemyonVarlamov #MagnusHogberg #AndersLee #AdamLowry #BrockNelson #KylePalmieri #IlyaSorokin #AleksanderBarkov #SethJones #SergeiBobrovsky #RyanMcDonagh #VictorHedman #NikitaKucherov #JakeGuentzel #ZachWerenski #YegorChinakhov #NicoHischier #BrettPesce #ThomasHarley #SheldonKeefe #JackHughes #RoopeHintz #AnthonyBeauvillier #LoganO'Connor #CaseyMittlestadt #ArtturiLehkonen #RyanLindgren #SamMalinski #NathanMacKinnon #DaveHakstol #DanBylsma #CochellaValley #FilipGustavsson #RyanHartman #GeorgeMcPhee #RonFrancis #SpencerKnight #IlyaMikheyev #RyanDonato #FabianZetterlund #MackinCelebrini #BradMarchand #UBSArena #BrockBoeser #BrandonTanev #JoelArmia #NickBjugstad #DavidSavard #BrianDumoulin #JasonZucker #PatMaroon #AlecMartinez #TylerMotte #MattGrzelcyk #NicoSturm #IanCole #AlexKerfoot #VitekVanecek #ChrisDriedger #DougieHamilton #MasonMarchment #JoshManson #JakeEvans #JesperBoqvist #DylanHolloway #PhilipBroberg #DougArmstrong #RickBowness #PaulMaurice

NY Centric - The Rangers Trade Update with Peter Baugh from The Athletic - Mar. 4, 2025

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:45:00 -0400

With Friday's trade deadline approaching, the three New York-area teams all have very different areas to address. Rangers writer for The Athletic, Peter Baugh, joins NY Centric before Vic and Neil tackle the Islanders and Devils.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 50 - Buckle Up for the Trade Deadline with TSN's Chris Johnston

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 18:05:00 -0400

One of most anticipated weeks of the NHL season is upon us with the trade deadline approaching. Chris Johnston from TSN and The Athletic join Neil and Vic to talk trades that have happened and a look ahead to those looking to fill those missing final pieces to make a title run.

Other in-show discussions address differences in handling adversity during a season, the generational players in the 2000's and 2010's and plays that have reflected forgettable seasons in Pittsburgh and Nashville.

[00:59] - Two injuries headline "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To" in addition to the Columbus Blue Jackets Memorable outdoor win Saturday.

[05:47] - Chris Johnston joins the show with his take on the Seth Jones trade from Chicago to Florida as well as what the defending Stanley Cup champs might do with cap space with Matthew Tkachuk headed to LTIR.

[14:18] - Analysis of the Rangers-Avalanche deal with Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey heading to Denver.

[17:09] - Gustav Nyquist joins the Minnesota Wild for the second time in three years, coming over from Nashville.

[19:34] - Still without a contract for 2025-26, the Carolina Hurricanes must decide whether to move recently acquired sniper Mikko Rantanen or roll the dice, keep him and risk losing him for nothing on July 1.

[23:00] - After a record-setting season two years ago, the Boston Bruins are at a crosswords with captain Brad Marchand as an impending UFA.

[26:58] - Chris speaks about what certain contenders will try to do in order to ensure a strong playoff run.

[34:15] - Hitting singles vs. home runs at the deadline.

[38:51] - Adversity: All teams deal with it but it comes in very different forms. Case studies are Columbus and Washington.

[41:41] - The generational players of the 2000's are having a better time of it in recent weeks than the generational players of the 2010's.

[44:47] - If anything summed up the seasons of the Penguins and Predators, you saw it this past weekend.

[48:45] - Player Notes

[51:04] - The Human Side of the Story focuses on Neil's experiences of how the trade deadline has changed, the need to detach from emotions when player upheaval is involved and the feelings of a GM once the deadline has passed.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #ChrisJohnston #TSN #TheAthletic #JackHughes #JackEichel #TeamUSA #FourNations #QuinnHughes #NorrisTrophy #ThatcherDemko #OhioStadium #JohnnyGaudreau #MatthewGaudreau #MeredithGaudreau #JustinDanforth #SimonEdvinsson #SeanMonahan #SteveMayer #ProfessionalHockeyWritersAssociation #Sportsnet #SethJones #SpencerKnight #SergeiBobrovsky #ErikKarlsson #PatrickKane #AlexDebrincat #BrandonHagel #Puckpedia #BillZito #MatthewTkachuk #ChrisDriedger #RyanLindgren #JimmyVesey #HankKempf #CalvindeHaan #JussoParssinen #ChrisDrury #CaleMakar #DevonToews #RileySmith #MikkoRantanen #JackDrury #MartinNecas #GustavNyquist #BillGuerin #JoelErikssonEk #KirillKaprizov #RyanHartman #BarryTrotz #JakeGuentzel #TomDundon #BradMarchand #DonSweeney #HampusLindholm #TrentFrederic #JustinBrazeau #JeremySwayman #CharlieMcAvoy #PatriceBergeron #ChrisPatrick #KevinCheveldayov #RyanDonato #JakeEvans #JoelArmia #CharlieLindgren #Logan Thompson #RyanLeonard #BradTreliving #KellyMcCrimmon #BraydenSchenn #DougArmstrong #MitchMarner #LouLamoriello #BrockNelson #TomasHertl #JonathanMarchessault #StevenStamkos #BradySkjei #BarclayGoodrow #BlakeColeman #TheChrisJohnstonShowwithJulianMcKenzie #BooneJenner #PresidentsTrophy #JohnTortorella #SpencerCarbery #SidneyCrosby #AlexOvechkin #ConnorMcDavid #AustonMatthews #BobbyHull #GordieHowe #CraigBerube #JohnTavares #MatthewKnies #MikeSullivan #IlyaSorokin #FilipGustavsson #AlexNedeljkovic #BillySmith #RobRamage #ColoradoRockies #EvgeniMalkin #KrisLetang #RomanJosi #SamBennett #Pierre-OlivierJoseph #MarkKastelic #BradyTkachuk #JoshNorris #ShanePinto #GarnetHathaway #BokoImama #KirbyDach #JacobMarkstrom #NicoDaws #JakeAllen #JoeyKocur #KevinMiller #PerDjoos

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Intrigue Abounds Heading Into March - Feb. 28, 2025

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:31:00 -0400

In one week, teams will finalize the rosters they will move forward with to seasons end as the trade deadline is a week away. While more time has been spent on the East bubble, the Western Conference is tightening up a bit with improved play by Utah, St. Louis and Anaheim.

Vic and Neil go over all 15 games over the past two nights and also tip their hats to the Schenn brothers in reaching a very unique milestone.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #NateSchmidt #CarterVerhaeghe #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #ZachHyman #JeffSkinner #AdamHenrique #RyanNugent-Hopkins #StuartSkinner #EvanBouchard #NHLStadiumSeries #OhioStadium #DaniilTarasov #ElvisMerzlikins #JamesvanRiemsdyk #BooneJenner #KirillMarchenko #MoritzSeider #DeanEvason #SpencerCarbery #ScottArniel #PresidentsTrophy #JohnHynes #JackAdamsAward #ToddMcLellan #IlyaSorokin #AlexanderRomano #IgorShesterkin #BrockNelson #MattPoitras #DavidPastrnak #NickSuzuki #ColeCaufield #MacklinCelebrini #BellCentre #JoshMorrissey #EvgeniMalkin #ErikKarlsson #AlexNedeljkovic #JoelBlomqvist #JohnTortorella #SidneyCrosby #GarnetHathaway #NoelAcciari #BokoImama #MikeSullivan #BellevilleSenators #WilkesBarrieScrantonPenguins #TucsonRoadrunners #JoeyKocur #TieDomi #MatveiMichkov #BobbyBrink #PhilipTomasino #BradyTkachuk #ShanePinto #JoshNorris #MarkScheifele #KyleConnor #ConnorHellebucyk #MartinBrodeur #BradenHoltby #JuuseSaros #MikeComrie #VezinaTrophy #ConorGarland #QuinnHughes #DrewDoughty #RyanStrome #TroyTerry #AndreiVasilevskiy #DeltaCenter #ClaytonKeller #NickSchmaltz #PhilipBroberg #DylanHolloway #JoelHofer #JordanBinnington #JimMontgomery #DougArmstrong #TomWilson #MikkoRantanen #IvanBarbashev #KeeganKolesar #BrettHowden #ConnorMurphy #SethJones #NathanMacKinnon #MartinNecas #ValNichushkin #AdamFox #K'AndreMiller #KyleMacLean #JTMiller #ChrisKreider #NoahDobson #MattBarzal #ChrisTanev #TrentFrederic #RomanJosi #SamBennett #MichaelBunting #BraydenSchenn #LukeSchenn #RobbyFabbri #HartfordWolfpack

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 49 - Three Very Different Types of Compassion

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0400

The intensity and grit of the NHL is unmistakable. However, beneath that toughness lies a compassion which is as much a part of the fabric of the game as is the toughness. Three recent examples, all very different, drive that point home.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Three Teams at a True Crossroads - Feb. 26, 2025

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 17:37:00 -0400

With the NHL trade deadline just over a week away, the time of reckoning is fast approaching for several teams. At the same time, others are continuing to push forward as the regular season is moving towards the three-quarter pole.

Amidst the non-stop jockeying, Alex Ovechkin remains consistent in his assault of the all-time goal scoring mark.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #DonWaddell #KenMorrow #MitchMarner #JeremySwayman #LinusUllmark #EliasLindholm #NikitaZadorov #HampusLindholm #CharlieMcAvoy #BradMarchand #ChrisTanev #UBSArena #JohnnyBrodzinski #MattRempe #BrennanOthmann #UrhoVaakanainen #AdamFox #K'AndreMiller #ChrisKreider #MikaZibanejad #JTMiller #IgorShesterkin #IlyaSorokin #BrockNelson #LouLamoriello #NoahCates #BobbyBrink #TysonFoerster #JohnTortorella #KyleDubas #ErikKarlsson #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #KrisLetang #TristanJarry #AlexNedeljkevic #JoelBlomqvist #PPGPaintsArena #SimonEdvinsson #KirillMarchenko #AdamFantilli #DmitriVoronkov #IvanProvorov #MathieuOlivier #SamMontembeault #NickSuzuki #PatrikLaine #MikkoRantanen #JoshAnderson #DanVladar #AlexOvechkin #PierreLuc-Dubois #LawsonCrouse #SethJones #KyleDavison #AndersSorensen #LukeRichardson #Connorbedard #PatMaroon #TaylorHall #NickFoligno #TylerBertuzzi #ZackBolduc #CamFowler #OskarSundqvist #NikkeKokko #KaapoKakko #JoeyDaccord #JJPeterka #AlexTuch #HenriJokiharju #DylanCozens #TageThompson #RasmusDahlin #NikitaKucherov #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #FourNationsFaceoff #SamBennett #AleksanderBarkov #JoshMorrissey #MarkScheifele #RyanWarsofsky #MacklinCelebrini #ThomasHickey #VitekVanecek #TrevorMoore #QuintonByfield #JimHiller #DarcyKuemper #ToddMcLellan #BradyTkachuk #MatthewTkachuk #TonightShowWithJimmyFallon #ShanePinto #JoshNorris #AndrewCopp #VilleHusso #TrevorZegras #MichaelRasmussen #CaseyCizikas #LianBichsel #JoelErikssonEk #RyanHartman #TimStutzle #GaryBettman #NHLDepartmentofPlayerSafety #MickeyRedmond #KenDaniels #RobRay

NY Centric - Olympic Gold and Stanley Cup Silver with Ken Morrow - Feb. 25, 2025

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 14:20:00 -0400

45 years ago, a group of college kids pulled off the greatest upset in sports history, upending the powerhouse Soviet Union before taking out Finland for Olympic gold in Lake Placid. The backbone of the USA defense was Bowling Green stalwart Ken Morrow.

In the discussion with Neil and Vic, Morrow talks about the Olympic experience, head coach Herb Brooks and the quick transition to the NHL where even greater success was to come.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #KenMorrow #1980UnitedStatesOlympicHockeyTeam #LakePlacid #MiracleGold #AllanKreda #BowlingGreenUniversity #WesternMichiganUniversity #HerbBrooks #USAHockey #CraigPatrick #JeanPotvin #BertMarshall #RonMason #DenisPotvin #ClarkGillies #PhiladelphiaFlyers #TorontoMapleLeafs #NewYorkRangers #ButchGoring #MinnesotaNorthStars #VancouverCanucks #EdmontonOilers #WayneGretzky #MarkMessier #BobNystrom #MontrealCanadiens #StefanPersson #DaveLangevin #DuaneSutter #BobBourne #KurtRussell #GoldieHawn #KarlMalden #Miracle #Disney #SteveGuttenberg #MikeEruzione #AlArbour #BillTorrey #LosAngelesKings #MarioLessard #AndyMoog #GlenHanlon #DonMaloney #MikaZibanejad #ChrisKreider #AdamFox #JTMiller #VincentTrocheck #JackHughes #EricHaula #JesperBratt #BrockNelson #FourNationsFaceoff #NorrisTrophy #ChrisDrury #IgorShesterkin #BuffaloSabres #PittsburghPenguins #WashingtonCapitals #TorontoMapleLeafs #NashvillePredators #DallasStars #CaseyCizikas #LianBischel #LouLamoriello #UBSArena #IlyaSorokin #NicoHischier #NicoDaws #BostonBruins #ColoradoAvalanche #UtahHockeyClub #VegasGoldenKnights #AlTrautwig #MSGNetwork #NewYorkKnicks #SportsEmmyAwards #JohnDavidson #SamRosen #Indianapolis500 #TourdeFrance #USOpenTennis #NewYorkMarathon

Episode 49 - Columbus: Sailing to the Playoffs? With General Manager Don Waddell

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 18:45:00 -0400

No team in the NHL has captured more hearts this season than the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team has rallied around tragedy and are right in the mix for an Eastern Conference wild card berth. Team president and general manager Don Waddell joins Neil and Vic to talk about his team and the upcoming Stadium Series game with Detroit.

When Mikko Rantanen was acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes in late January, it was believe the 'Canes had finally secured the blue chip goal scorer their team had been missing. Now, after needing more time to think about a contract extension, is Rantanen about to be flipped again before the trade deadline?

Plenty of other news items and player notes in this episode as the kick towards the playoffs is fully underway.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:58] - In "Three Things You Need To Pay Attention To", the only team not to have a player originally selected for the Four Nations Faceoff bursts from the gate while some powerhouses struggle. And have you seen the ratings for the championship game of the tournament?

[07:12] - Don Waddell drops by to talk about the remarkable season his team is authorning while still healing from the passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau last summer.

[11:17] - Waddell discusses the how the club handled the tragedy, balancing the grieving process with preparing for a new season.

[14:38] - Zach Werenski's emergence as one of the top defenseman in the NHL this season.

[16:38] - With the trade deadline approaching, Waddell remains cautious as to how the Blue Jackets need to approach adding and moving assets.

[19:53] - The opportunity for the Blue Jackets to be on the big stage as they look forward to the Stadium Series Game at "The Shoe" with Detroit.

[22:49] - Having spent 10 years in Carolina, Waddell gives a quick take on the Hurricanes-Avalanche trade involving Mikko Rantanen, Martin Necas and Jack Drury.

[28:39] - Vic and Neil elaborate further on Rantanen and whether he will sign an extension or force the Hurricanes hand into a trade.

[31:17] - Two shoulder-to-head hits Sunday had very different responses from the on-ice officials.

[34:51] - The NHL has announced a de-centralized draft for late June in Los Angeles. Neil shares what he'd miss most about the in-person gathering of years past.

[40:05] - Player notes features significant injuries coming out of the Four Nations Faceoff.

[47:20] - Amidst the ferocity and intensity of NHL games, there is also a deep-rooted piece of sensitivity and compassion. Three recent examples show, whether big or small, hockey knows how to do the right thing.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - We Have a Champion - Feb. 21, 2025

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:05:00 -0400

The Four Nations Faceoff delivered a stirring conclusion with Canada prevailing over the United States in overtime in the championship game with the game's top playoff player delivering the heroics.

With the margin between the nations so small, debate will continue as to who the premiere hockey nation is. Where there is no argument is that hockey itself was the biggest winner.

With the tournament now behind us, Vic and Neil look at the some of the residual effects starting with injuries and delving into the sharpness of the rest of the league coming off an extended break in play. They'll also do a deep dive into the bubble teams in the respective conferences, looking at the remaining schedules of those aiming to secure a spot in the playoffs.

The show concludes honoring the career of legendary Penguins play-by-play man, Mike Lange, who passed away Wednesday.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #NHLPA #FourNationsFaceoff #NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #TDGarden #ConnorMcDavid #Mitch Marner #JordanBinnington #ConnorHellebuyck #CharlieMcAvoy #DonSweeney #NathanMacKinnon #DylanLarkin #MatthewTkachuk #SheaTheodore #BradTkachuk #JakeSanderson #ThatcherDemko #KevinLankinen #ArtursSilovs #AdamLowry #IgorShesterkin #ChrisKreider #AdamFox #MikaZibanejad #ArtemiPanarin #MikeSullivan #JohnTortorella #JohnHynes #CanadianTireCenter #MattBarzal #IlyaSorokin #SemyonVarlamov #MarcusHogburg #RyanPulock #JamieBenn #BrockNelson #PatrikLaine #QuinnHughes #JTMiller #FilipChytil #EliasPettersson #BrockBoeser #DustinWolf #CalderTrophy #ClaytonKeller #DylanGuenther #MikhailSergachev #MikeLange #FosterHewittAward #RickJeanneret #DanKelly #JohnKelly

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 48 - Magic in Monotone

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0400

The Four Nations Faceoff has brought forth a heightened level of intensity and pace spurring a move for more frequent best-on-best international competitions.

The present-day hockey we enjoy and will continue to embrace in the future has deep roots, some complex and some quite modest.

The recent passing of longtime Maple Leafs PA announcer Paul Morris is a reminder that some of the most basic aspects of life and the game itself can generate memories which resonate to this day.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 48 - Power Grab with ESPN's Greg Wyshynski

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:21:00 -0400

Just another game or is world hockey supremacy on the line as the United States and Canada square off in the Four Nations Faceoff Championship game? Greg Wyshynski from ESPN helps break down the significance but also delves into the "secret sauce" the NHL may have come upon with this upgrade of a mid-season event.

Once the tournament completes and the regular season ramps back up over the weekend, the importance of goals becomes heightened with March approaching. Matthew Blittner, co-author of "Game Winners: The Greatest Game-Winning Goals in Hockey History" joins us to discuss the recently-released book.

With so much focus on the present and future of international hockey, The Human Side of the Story takes a nostalgic look back at a much simpler time - where the unassuming voice of a PA announcer brought back rich memories for both Neil and Vic in their respective youths.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:02] - The Four Nations Faceoff dominates "Three Things You to Pay Attention To" from Canada securing their date with the USA to injuries creeping their way into the Americans lineup to encouraging TV ratings.

[06:00] - Greg Wyshynski from ESPN joins Neil and Vic and discusses the success the Four Nations Faceoff is enjoying in place of an All-Star event and what it may mean for best-on-best play going forward.

[12:30] - With the NHL having found a compelling mid-season event, the NBA is being looked out to see how they might enhance their mid-season showcase event.

[15:44] - The significance of this game for both Canada and the United States. With a USA win, will the torch have been passed after a period of time going back to the 19th century?

[22:19] - With injuries becoming a story with Team USA heading into the Final, the effect on NHL teams now becomes a reality for general managers.

[27:40] - Matt Blittner, Co-Author of "Game Winners: The Greatest Game-Winning Goals in Hockey History" joins the show. In collaboration with Russ Cohen, Matt discusses the concept of the book, criteria used to determine what made the cut and how the final rankings came to be.

[35:39] - Some healthy debate on goals noted in the book...and those that aren't.

[44:56] - Vic and Neil exchange views on how they feel about the Four Nations Faceoff now that the round-robin games have been completed.

[50:12] - The Human Side of the Story takes a warm look back to yesteryear following the passing of long time Maple Leafs public address announcer Paul Morris

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - USA Punches Their Ticket to the Final - February 16, 2025

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 19:26:00 -0400

Team USA's prime time win over Canada Saturday has secured the first spot in the Final at the Four Nations Faceoff while the Canadians are now in survival mode as they prepare for Monday's round-robin finale against Finland.

Meanwhile, once again, the Swedes are disappointing on the international stage.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #NHLPA #FourNationsFaceoff #ABC #MatthewTkachuk #BradyTkachuk #JTMiller #BrandonHagel #SamBennett #ColtonParayko #BellCentre #ConnorMcDavid #CharlieMcAvoy #JakeGuentzel #Jordan Binnington #JonCooper #SidneyCrosby #DrewDoughty #ThomasHarley #CaleMakar #MattBoldy #DylanLarkin #NathanMacKinnon #MitchMarner #BradMarchand #BraydenPoint #SamReinhart #SheaTheodore #TomWilson #MarkScheifele #KevinLankinen #JuuseSaros #SebastianAho #KaapoKakko #JoelArmia #AleksanderBarkov #FilipGustavsson #LinusUllmark #MikaelGranlund #AdrianKempe #ErikKarlsson #AdinHill #EsaTikkanen #MikeSullivan #ChrisKreider #ConnorHellebuyck #JakeOettinger #JakeSanderson #TNT #TDGarden

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - The Four Nations Faceoff is Underway - Feb. 14, 2025

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:25:00 -0400

The first two games are in the books in the Four Nations Faceoff with Sidney Crosby adding to his own international legacy while Team USA routs Finland. Conversely, one player has already been knocked out the tournament but that won't derail the NHL from having more in-season best-on-best hockey in 2028.

A few notes in an otherwise quiet news week and our all-Valentine team wraps up the show - though Ben Lovejoy did not make this year's cut.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #NHLPA #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #1987CanadaCup #BernieSaunders #JohnSaunders #SidneyCrosby #NathanMacKinnon #MarkStone #GustavForsling #WayneGretzky #MarioLemieux #AlexOvechkin #MitchMarner #ConnorMcDavid #CaleMakar #SamReinhart #JordanBinnington #FilipGustavsson #SheaTheodore #AdrianKempe #ThomasHarley #TravisSanheim #ConnorHellebuyck #BradyTkachuk #MatthewTkachuk #JackEichel #MattBoldy #OlliMaatta #AustonMatthews #MikeSullivan #MarkMessier #PKSubban #SteveLevy #ESPN #BellCentre #TDGarden #WorldCupofHockey #MikeRichter #BrettHull #BrianLeetch #CurtisJoseph #GaryBettman #RyanHartman #TimStutzle #LouiEriksson #PaulMorris #MapleLeafGardens #FosterHewitt #CharlieConacher #ScottHartnell #MikeHartman #HartlandMonahan #Bernie"BoomBoomGeoffrion" #GerryHart #CraigHartsburg #MarcD'Amour #RodBrind'Amour #KellyKisio #BenLovejoy

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 47 - The Albert Broadcasting Legacy

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Since the early 1960's, the Albert name has been synonymous with play-by-play. From Marv to his brothers Steve and Al to son Kenny, NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB games have been called by one of these four over the past seven decades.

Their impact on the sportscasting industry has been enormous. However, even with the biggest platforms to call games, there's a humility and genuineness that's carried on through all these years.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #HumanSideoftheStory #KennyAlbert #NHLonTNT #MSG #FoxSports #MarvAlbert #DavidLetterman #NewYorkRangers #VancouverCanucks #AlAlbert #SteveAlbert #JimRobson

Episode 47 - A Man For All Seasons With Kenny Albert

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 20:10:00 -0400

One of sports most recognizable voices joins NHL Wraparound as Kenny Albert drops in to give his thoughts on the NHL season, broadcasting and the New York-area teams.

Vic and Neil then offer up thoughts on the upcoming Four Nations Faceoff and then tackle a question regarding the NHL's most biggest disappointment: Are the Nashville Predators having a bad season or are they a bad team?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:00] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to focuses on Sidney Crosby's availability to Team Canada for the Four Nations Faceoff, the benefit of league-leading Washington not sending any players to the tournament and the importance of goal differential heading into the final third of the season.

[04:10] - Kenny Albert joins Neil and Vic and the discussion opens with Kenny acknowledging congratulations for his upcoming induction into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and sharing his surprises and early disappointments which have turned their seasons around.

[11:08] - Covering each at the four major North American Sports, Albert goes in depth about game preparation, the difference between calling games on TV and radio and how to integrate the analyst into a broadcast.

[21:02] - Kenny shares about those who have been most influential in his development as a broadcaster.

[26:50] - The biggest change that Kenny has seen in the broadcast industry during his three-plus decades in the business.

[28:03] - An abbreviated NY Centric segment covering the Rangers, Islanders and Devils.

[47:49] - Vic and Neil toss around the pros and cons of the upcoming Four Nations Faceoff.

[57:48] - After making a significant free agent splash in during the off-season, the Nashville Predators have endured nothing but problems with their on ice showing. Is this simply a good team having a bad season...or is this a bad team?

[1:04:18] - In The Human Side of the Story, Neil and Vic share stories about the legendary family of play-by-play men, the Alberts.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #KennyAlbert #NHLonTNT #MSGNetwork #FoxSports #NationalJewishSportsHallofFame #MarvAlbert #SteveAlbert #AlAlbert #SidneyCrosby #NathanMacKinnon #MarkStone #MarkScheifele #SpencerCarbery #ChrisPatrick #MikaelGranlund #Pierre-LucDubois #JakobChychrun #AlexOvechkin #ScottArniel #ToddMcLellan #EvgeniMalkin #SamRosen #MikeEmrick #JoeLouisArena #HowieRose #MikeKeenan #NHLRadio #SherryRoss #BaltimoreSkipjacks #AHL #EdOlczyk #BrianBoucher #CraigLaughlin #LockerStrong #ZacJones #RodLangway #RichmondRenegades #ECHL #DaveMaloney #RochesterAmericans #ChuckKaiton #BarryLanders #JiggsMcDonald #LarryHirsch #FredShero #BarryTrotz #JoelQuenneville #RobLaird #JimmyWeisman #PresidentsTrophy #JTMiller #MikaZibanejad #ArtemiPanarin #UrhoVaakanainen #WillCuylle #LouLamoriello #MatthewBarzal #IlyaSorokin #DenisPotvin #BobNystrom #PatrickRoy #TonyDeAngelo #ScottPerunovich #AdamBoqvist #JacobMarkstrom #TimoMeier #JakeAllen #TomFitzgerald #SheldonKeefe #BrettPesce #LukeHughes #BrendenDillon #JohnathanKovacevic #SimonNemec #JackHughes #NicoHischier #JesperBratt #JackieRedmond #ButchGoring #DarrenPang #BrendanBurke #CalClutterbuck #NikitaKucherov #ThatcherDemko #ConnorIngram #QuinnHughes #JakeSanderson #DrewDoughty #AlexPietrangelo #RasmusRistolainen #NikolasMatinpalo #FourNationsFaceoff #LeonDraisaitl #RomanJosi #StevenStamkos #JonathanMarchessault #BradySkjei #RomanJosi #FilipForsberg #RyanO'Reilly #AndrewBrunette #JuuseSaros #DavidLetterman #JimRobson

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - An Anniversary Season to Remember and Newcomers Making an Impact - Feb. 7, 2025

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:50:00 -0400

The 50th anniversary season for the Washington Capitals has been nothing short of remarkable as their stellar record has been further highlighted by Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of setting the goal-scoring record this season.

In this show, Vic and Neil note newcomers making impacts, goaltenders starting the offense and Connor Bedard's performance in his young career not living up to the "Generation Player" billing he's received.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Human Side of the Story - Episode 46 - Handling Strife Within a Team

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In a team setting, having each member focused on the same goal is imperative. Similar to the every day workplace, not every individual is going to like or get along with the person next to them.

However, unlike most businesses, professional sports is very public and when internal tension between athletes moves beyond the confines the team, the optic isn't a good one.

Having served as an NHL general manager for a decade, Neil Smith has seen it all. From his perspective, there is clearly a right way and wrong way to deal with strife from within.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #JTMiller #EliasPettersson #VancouverCanucks #NewYorkRangers #ChrisKreider #JacobTrouba #BarclayGoodrow #BradMarchand #DavidPastrnak #DonSweeney #JoeSacco #CamNeely #JimRutherford #PatrikAllvin

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Wings Rolling Sevens, Hartman Suspended and Talking Toughness - Feb. 5, 2025

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 14:15:00 -0400

It took just 20 games for Todd McLellan's Red Wings to notch a pair of seven-game winning streaks. While they fly, WIld forward Ryan Hartman sits for ten with his fifth career suspension.

In addition to the usual deep dive into the bubble races, Vic and Neil talk some toughness and some mindless play as part of this latest episode of Short Shifts.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #ToddMcLellan #PatrickKane #SteveYzerman #DerekLalonde #LucRobitaille #DylanLarkin #LinusUllmark #VictorHedman #NikitaKucherov #ShanePinto #NickPerbix #NickPaul #RidleyGreig #AntonForsberg #JeremySwayman #KirillKaprizov #Marc-AndreFleury #BellCentre #FilipGustavsson #AlexTuch #JamesReimer #ZachWerenski #NorrisTrophy #CaleMakar #DanteFabbro #KirillMarchenko #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen #MattiasSamuelsson #DonWaddell #TageThompson #StefanNoesen #DennisGilbert #MathieuOlivier #BrockNelson #IlyaSorokin #BrandonSaad #BoHorvat #IlyaSamsonov #AlexanderRomanov #JackEichel #JoelArmia #MikailGranlund #CodyCeci #TylerToffoli #BarclayGoodrow #ThatcherDemko #JakeDeBrusk #JTMiller #EliasPettersson #MarcusPetterson #MitchMarner #WilliamNylander #MichaelNylander #AustonMatthews #BradTreliving #DylanGuenther #MikhailSergachev #RodrigoAbols #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorBrown #DougArmstrong #JimMontgomery #RayBarile #AlexandreTexier #BraydenSchenn #Pierre-LucDubois #JakeOettinger #JohnGibson #TrevorZegras #PatVerbeek #AndrewMangiapane #TomWilson #LarsEller #NicDowd #AliaksaiProtas #AlexOvechkin #MikeComrie #NinoNiederreiter #JackHughes #TimMeier #NicoDaws #ArthurStaple #KyleDubas #EvgeniMalkin #RyanHartman #RayFerraro #DarrenDreger #TimStutzle #RaffiTorres #MattCooke #MiroHeiskanen #IlyaLybushkin # #ThomasHarley #EsaLindell #BrendanSmith #QuinnHughes #MattBarzal #ScottMayfield #AdamEdstrom #MattRempe #SamCarrick #JimmyVesey #EricHaula #JonasSiegenthaler #SheldonKeefe #AnthonyBeauvillier #JamesvanRiemsdyk #IanCole #AaronPortzline #TheAthletic #TrevorvanRiemsdyk #WesMcCauley #NickDeslauriers #LiamO'Brien #SpicyTuna #ScottLaughton #ClaytonKeller #JakeEvans #MartinStLouis #IIHF #IOC

NY Centric - News, Views and Question Marks with Arthur Staple - Feb. 4, 2025

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 09:45:00 -0400

When it comes to insight on the three New York City area teams, few can deliver insight and opinion on the Rangers, Islanders and Devils like Arthur Staple from The Athletic.

From the JT Miller acquisition in Manhattan to the streak and injuries on Long Island to the inconsistency in Newark, Staple delivers on all counts as the teams ramp up for their final games leading up to the Four Nations Faceoff.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #NewYorkRangers #NewYorkIslanders #NewJersey Devils #VancouverCanucks #PittsburghPenguins #DetroitRedWings #ColumbisBlueJackets #PhiladelphiaFlyers #BostonBruins #MinnesotaWild #VegasGoldenKnights #BuffaloSabres #WinnpegJets #CarolinaHurricanes #ArthurStaple #TheAthletic #ChrisDrury #JTMiller #ErikBrannstrom #JacksonDorrington #FilipChytil #VictorMancini #MikaZibanejad #BradenSchneider #EliasPettersson #JimRutherford #PatrikAllvin #VincentTrocheck #RyanLindgren #ChrisKreider #K'AndreMiller #JonathanQuick #AdamFox #KaapoKakko #WillBorgen #UrhoVaakanainen #DrewFortescue #DavidPastrnak #PeterLaviolette #IgorShesterkin #BarclayGoodrow #JacobTrouba #ArtemiPanarin #AlexisLafreniere #GerardGallant #LouLamoriello #AdamBoqvist #NoahDobson #RyanPulock #TonyDeAngelo #ScottPerunovich #ScottMayfield #MatthewBarzal #BrockNelson #JGPageau #KylePalmieri #BarryTrotz #LaneLambert #PatrickRoy #JakubSkarek #SemyonVarlamov #MarcusHogberg #BrockNelson #AndersLee #BoHorvat #IlyaSorokin #SimonHolmstrom #JoshBailey #AndyGreene #MattMartin #CalClutterbuck #CaseyCizikas #KyleMacLean #MarcGatcomb #JackAllen #StefanNoesen #TageThompson #RodBrind'Amour #JacobMarkstrom #JesperBratt #JackHughes #PaulCotter #NicoHischier #TimoMeier #SheldonKeefe #LindyRuff #TomFitzgerald #DougieHamilton #FourNationsFaceoff #ChrisPatrick #PresidentsTrophy #BobNevin

Episode 46 - Let's Make a Deal - With NHL on TNT Analyst Brian Boucher

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 19:05:00 -0400

A loaded show as we're joined by NHL on TNT/NBC Sports Philadelphia analyst Brian Boucher to dissect a quarter of deals. We also do a deeper dive into the salary cap bump, which will be heading north of $100 million in two years.

Two terrific games over the weekend between four of the NHL's top teams and some very significant injury news to report before wrapping up the show on the right and wrong way to handle strife within a team.

[02:01] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to kicks off the show with a game show theme when addressing the trades, the salary cap and a pair of pending suspensions.

[05:50] - Brian Boucher joins Neil and Vic and first speaks on the Rangers-Canucks trade.

[16:50] - Vancouver wasn't done Friday, completing a second deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

[29:00] - The Dallas Stars made a statement in the Western Conference in a trade with the San Jose Sharks.

[37:59] - Boucher speaks to the deal of the team he covers locally, the Philadelphia Flyers. As noted on Short Shifts Friday, this is a deal the Flyers consummated with the Calgary Flames.

[50:56] - Vic and Neil turn the prism in several different directions to look at the effects of the salary cap increases coming over the next few seasons.

[1:00:45] - Celebrating two terrific Saturday games in Washington and Edmonton as well as a pair of significant milestones.

[1:06:50] - Significant injury and waiver wire new.

[1:13:19] - Bringing the show full circle, during "The Human Side of the Story", Neil takes the Vancouver Canucks drama and speaks about the right and wrong way strifes are handled within a team.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BrianBoucher #NHLonTNT #NBCSportsPhiladelphia #JTMiller #FilipChytil #RyanHartman #TimStutzle #ColePerfetti #StefanNoesen #TageThompson #MonteHall #BobBarker #DrewCarey #GeneRayburn #ChrisDrury #ErikBrannstrom #JacksonDorrington #ArtemiPanarin #MikaZibanejad #ChrisKreider #VictorMancini #VincentTrocheck #PresidentsTrophy #SamPollock #BarclayGoodrow #JacobTrouba #EliasPettersson #MattRempe #WillBorgen #AdamFox #K'AndreMiller #RyanLindgren #DrewO'Connor #DantonHeinen #MarcusPettersson #VincentDesharnais #MelvinFernstrom #KyleDubas #PiusSuter #PatrikAllvin #SidneyCrosby #TheFenwayGroup #RonHextall #StanleyCup #TristanJarry #Pierre-LucDubois #SpencerCarbery #AlexOvechkin #JakobChychrun #AliakseiProtas #QuebecNordiques #MikaelGranlund #CodyCeci #TylerSeguin #JimNill #RoopeHintz #LoganStankoven #MattDuchene #MavrikBourque #MacklinCelebrini #WillSmith #BobPulford #GlenSather #CraigMacTavish #TonyAmonte #BrianNoonan #StephaneMatteau #MiroHeiskanen #ThomasHarley #JoelLundqvist #JoelFarabee #MorganFrost #AndreiKuzmenko #JacobPelletier #JohnTortorella #DannyBriere #KeithJones #NazemKadri #OwenTippett #TravisKonecny #MatveiMitchkov #PierreGauthier #SeanCouturier #ArthurStaple #TheAthletic #NHLSalaryCap #LeonDraisaitl #IgorShesterkin #StanBowman #ConnorMcDavid #PatrickKane #JonathanToews #DuncanKeith #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #TomDundon #HenriSamueli #TerryPegula #WadeRedden #HartfordWolfpack #ConnorHellebuyck #JoshMorrissey #JosephWoll #EvanBouchard #CoreyPerry #JohnTavares #MatthewKnies #Oliver-EkmanLarsson #JonathanQuick #PaulMaurice #ScottyBowman #JoesQuenneville #BarryTrotz #WindsorSpitfires #RickBowness #ScottArniel #KirillMarchenko #ZachWerenski #BooneJenner #SeanMonahan #JoshNorris #BobbyHull #QuinnHughes #LoganCooley #FourNationsFaceoff #BrendenDillon #MatthewBarzal #AdamEdstrom #JimmyVesey #ScottMayfield #SemyonVarlamov #SamCarrick #BrandonSaad #AdamBoqvist #TonyDeAngelo #ScottPerunovich #IsaiahGeorge #JacobTrouba #BradMarchand #DavidPastrnak #DonSweeney #CamNeely #JoeSacco #JimRutherford

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Flames, Flyers & Fleury - Jan. 31, 2025

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 14:15:00 -0400

For the second time in as many weeks, a significant trade in the NHL.

A memorable final game in Montreal for Marc-Andre Fleury.

All you need to know about the Wild Card races and the new name for the Utah Hockey Club has become a saga onto itself.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Human Side of the Story - Episode 45 - The Only Player to Wear All Original Six Sweaters

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0400

The most notable Jan. 26 birthday in the NHL belongs to Wayne Gretzky. However, there's another player who was born on that date 100 years ago who owns a distinction no other player in league history has.

Vic Lynn played in only 327 NHL games but, by suiting up for the Rangers, Red Wings, Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Bruins and Blackhawks, he remains the only player to have skated for all of the "Original Six' franchises.

Vic and Neil also take a look back at the first year of the podcast.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BostonBruins #ChicagoBlackhawks #MontrealCanadiens #NewYorkRangers #DetroitRedWings #TorontoMapleLeafs #TrippTracy #DonWaddell #MarkMessier #BobbyOrr #WayneGretzky #VicLynn #BryanHextall #LynnPatrick #MapleLeafGardens #CraigPatrick #GordieHowe #SydHowe #ToeBlake #MiltSchmidt #PhilEsposito #KenWharram #BudPoile #TheKidLine #HowieMeeker #TedKennedy #DanQuinn #PatQuinn #CaliforniaSeals #OaklandSeals #BrianLeetch #GlennHealy#JohnDavison #DonMaloney #DougArmstrong #BillGuerin #DonWaddell #EdJovanovski

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - This Is Why It's Called the "Mosh Pit of Mediocrity" - Jan. 29, 2025

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Does anybody really want to claim the East Wild Card spots? By the look of things on Tuesday, four teams certainly did little to help themselves.

Also, are you tired of all of the drama surrounding the Vancouver Canucks? Apparently they are too.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NY Centric with Devils Radio Analyst Chico Resch - Jan. 28, 2025

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 15:30:00 -0400

Devils radio analyst Glenn "Chico" Resch drops by NY Centric to chat about the Devils, Islanders and Rangers...and a whole lot more.

This discussion features an array of off-the-cuff stories and is a great listen.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #NewYorkRangers #NewYorkIslanders #NewJerseyDevils #ChicoResch #AlArbour #RayShero #MikeEmrick #JacobMarkstrom #NicoHischier #NathanBastian #JakeAllen #JackHughes #JesperBratt #JPParise #ZachParise #SheldonKeefe #CraigBerube #TorontoMapleLeafs #NickSeeler #BrettPesce #JoelFarabee #AlexeiKovalev #TomFitzgerald #DougieHamilton #TomPoti #DenisPotvin #BrendenDillon #JohnathanKovacevic #ScottNiedermayer #JacquesLemaire #Paul Coffey #FourNationsFaceoff #DonWaddell #SamPollock #GlennGoldup #DenisDeJordy #MontrealCanadiens #PrinceofWalesofTrophy #StanleyCup #Presidents'Trophy #MadisonSquareGarden #NassauColiseum #UBSArena #PrudentialCenter #MikeKeenan #ScottyBowman #DanKelly #StLouisBlues #PhilGoyette #EarlIngarfield #StanMikita #PatPrice #QuebecNordiques #DrJohnMcMullen #BillyMacMillan #PatrickRoy #BryanTrottier #ButchGoring #JohnTonelli #BrentSutter #KenMorrow #GordLane #StefanPersson #AndersKallur #TerryO'Reilly #ClarkGillies #GarryHowatt #WayneCashman #BillySmith #NoahDobson #RyanPulock #JacksonBlake #LouLamoriello #TonyDeAngelo #ScottPerunovich #HobeyBakerAward #UniversityofMinnesotaDuluth #MattBarzal #ArtemiPanarin #CaleMakar #WillBorgen #ArtturiLehkonen #ColoradoAvalanche #MacKenzieBlackwood #SanJoseSharks #IgorShesterkin #AdamFox #CarolinaHurricanes #BostonBruins #VegasGoldenKnights #MikeBossy #BillTorrey #JimDevellano #ChicagoBlackHawks #EddieLitzenberger #BillHay #RogerNeilson #GaryInness #MarioLemieux #EdWestfall #JeanBeliveau #BobbyOrr #GordieHowe #WayneGretzky #SidneyCrosby

Episode 45 - Storm Chasing - With Hurricanes TV Analyst Tripp Tracy

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 18:00:00 -0400

A significant three-way trade between Carolina, Colorado and Chicago brings long-time Hurricanes TV analyst Tripp Tracy to the show. Afterwards, we take a business look at the trade through the eyes of a former GM.

With this show wrapping up our first year of wraparound, what better way to conclude than to acknowledge a couple of birthdays, including one with a special hook.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:00] - "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To" sets up the show with the details on the three-way Carolina, Colorado, Chicago trade. That leads into unfound speculation on a second deal involving a long-time superstar before the segment wraps with a journeyman defenseman landing with the New York Islanders.

[08:20] - Carolina Hurricanes TV analyst Tripp Tracy joins the show and shares how news began to break on the major deal which had Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall heading to the 'Canes.

[16:32] - Tracy does a deeper dive into what Carolina gets with these players in the current and the need for GM Eric Tulsky to re-sign UFA Rantanen long term.

[21:49] - While gaining Rantanen and Hall, the Hurricanes parted with Martin Necas and Jack Drury. Tracy shares the qualities of the players the team is losing.

[29:25] - The Hurricanes post-season goaltending has come under close scrutiny in recent years. Tracy tells us why this spring may be different.

[41:00] - The business side of the trade is discussed from the perspective of the three teams.

[49:30] - Discussion on whether Brad Marchand should have been suspended for his latest indiscretion and a case for an award for the best defensive defenseman.

[52:45] - The Frank Selke Trophy has been awarded to the top defensive forward in the NHL since 1977-78. Is it time to create an award for the top defensive defenseman?

[56:20] - Player Notes

[1:01:20] - The Human Side of the Story acknowledges the 100th birthday of the only player to suit up for all of the "Original Six" teams, Vic Lynn.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #TrippTracy #MikkoRantanen #TaylorHall #MartinNecas #JackDrury #TedDrury #SidneyCrosby #NathanMacKinnon #JoshYohe #TonyDeAngelo #PatrickRoy #NoahDobson #AnthonyDuclair #LouLamoriello #RodBrind'Amour #DonWaddell #JimRutherford #MarkMessier #SteveLarmer #SebastianAho #AndreiSvechnikov #SethJarvis #JakeGuetzel #ErikJohnson #Jesperi Kotkaniemi #FrederikAndersen #PyotrKochetkov #IgorShesterkin #NorthCarolinaSportsCasterofthe Year #PaulCoffey #EricTulsky #JohnForslund #ChuckKaiton #PeteKarmanos #JoeSakic #ChrisMacFarland #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #CaleMakar #RossColton #MacKenzieBlackwood #BradMarchand #NickCousins #JacobQuillan #Marc-EdouardVlasic #FrankSelkeTrophy #BobGainey #BoobyOrr #HarryHowell #ErikKarlsson #RodLangway #NicklasLidstrom #ZdenoChara #SeanMonahan #JohnnyGaudreau #BooneJenner #DeanEvason #JackAdamsAward #KrisLetang #JohnGibson #NicoHischier #JoshAnderson #EvgeniMalkin #BryanRust #ChandlerStephenson #WilliamCarrier #RyanPulock #JacksonBlake #MarcusHogberg #IlyaSorokin #AaronEkblad #JoshNorris #MilesWood #WillBorgen #KaapoKakko #WayneGretzky #VicLynn #BryanHextall #LynnPatrick #MapleLeafGardens #CraigPatrick #GordieHowe #SydHowe #ToeBlake #MiltSchmidt #PhilEsposito #KenWharram #BudPoile #TheKidLine #HowieMeeker #TedKennedy #DanQuinn #PatQuinn #CaliforniaSeals #OaklandSeals #BrianLeetch #JohnDavison #DonMaloney #DougArmstrong #DonWaddell #EdJovanovski

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Major Injury News in New Jersey and OV Gets Closer - Jan. 24, 2025

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 13:15:00 -0400

The New Jersey Devils receive a timeline on goaltender Jacob Markstrom, the Edmonton Oilers get revenge on the Vancouver Canucks, Alex Ovechkin is now 20 goals from becoming King of the Hill and Auston Matthews decides if he can't have his stick, he'll grab the one laying on the ice.

All 15 games of the past two nights are covered along with the latest injury news and rumblings Jonathan Toews is garnering attention for a potential return to the NHL.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #ZachHyman #ConorGarland #CoreyPerry #QuinnHughes #NorrisTrophy #VincentDesharnais #AlexOvechkin #CharlieLindgren #JacobMarkstrom #JustinBrazeau #DawsonMercer #JakeAllen #SheldonKeefe #TomFitzgerald #NicoDaws #JoonasKorpisalo #JeremySwayman #MorganGeekie #DavidPastrnak #BradyTkachuk #GordMiller #AdamFantilli #LucaDelBelBelluz #JamesvanRiemsdyk #TrevorvanRiemsdyk #RyanReaves #MathieuOlivier #AustonMatthews #ElvisMerzlikins #IgorShesterkin #PeterLaviolette #JacobTrouba #BarclayGoodrow #KaapoKakko #DylanLarkin #MasonMacTavish #AlexKillorn #JohnGibson #DaniilTarasov #SamMontembeault #JonathanHuberdeau #NazemKadri #DustinWolf #CraigConroy #DonMaloney #MarkStone #PavelDorofeyev #DougArmstrong #BarrettHayton #KarelVejmelka #KirillKaprizov #JaredSpurgeon #NealPionk #ConnorHellebuyck #VezinaTrophy #AdrianKempe #LAFireReliefFund #FilipForsberg #StevenStamkos #BradySkjei #JacquesLemaire #HerbHammond #OswegoState #PatrickKane #WilliamKarlsson #NoahDobson #MatthewKnies #AdamLowry #JoshNorris #NicoSturm #DavidPerron #WalkerDuehr #NoahJuulsen #EliasPettersson #JTMiller #MattMurray #DennisHildeby #AnthonyStolarz #AlekseiKolosov #SamErsson #IvanFedotov #JonathanToews #MarioLemieux #StarWars #TravisGreen

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 44 - Willie O'Ree

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 10:30:00 -0400

On January 18, 1958, Willie O'Ree broke the color barrier playing his first game for the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens. The youngest of nine children, O'Ree's journey to the NHL is one of commitment and dedication which continues to inspire to this day.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #WillieO'Ree #BostonBruins #MontrealCanadiens #QuebecAces #LeoLabine #JackieRobinson #MikeGreer #SanJoseSharks #JohnGiannone #MSGNetwork #CraigLaughlin

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - The Big Cheese of the NHL - Jan. 22, 2025

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 15:00:00 -0400

The Connor McDavid suspension comes down, nachos make an appearance in the middle of a play and the Eastern Conference bubble continues to get more muddled by the day. Also, Vic and Neil tip their hat to Marc-Andre Fleury.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NY Centric - Rangers and Islanders Still Hopeful While Devils Offense Sputters - January 21, 2025

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 15:15:00 -0400

Vic and Neil paint a realistic picture on whether the Islanders can get back into the East Wild Card Race. The Rangers take an eight-game point streak into the week while Devils offense continues to struggle during a 2-6-3 slide.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #MaximTsyplakov #PatrickRoy #BoHorvat #MatthewBarzal #ZachWerenski #IlyaSorokin #NoahDobson #RyanPoehling #IgorShesterkin #JonathanQuick #RogerNeilson #JacobTrouba #KaapoKakko #AlexisLafreniere #ChrisKreider #DougieHamilton #JesperBratt #JackHughes #NicoHischier #DawsonMercer #JacobMarkstrom #JohnTortorella #TomMcVie #RodBrind'Amour #MarioLemieux #KirkMuller #EddieJohnston #KenMorrow #GlenHanlon #LarryPatey

Episode 44 - It's Miller Time! with Gord Miller from TSN

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0400

There's a buzz in Canada and for good reason: All seven clubs north of the border are in contention for the post-season and long-time voice for TSN, Gord Miller, joins Neil and Vic to get the pulse in the Dominion. Plenty of other news to update and The Human Side of the Story acknowledges the 67th anniversary of Willie O'Ree becoming the first black to play in the NHL.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:25] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," an examination of the incident which will likely earn Connor McDavid a suspension. Plus, the Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils are two ships passing in the night...for now.

[08:07] - TSN's Gord Miller joins the show to talk the seven Canadian clubs starting with the ongoing drama in Vancouver, particularly the events surrounding J.T. Miller

[16:56] - Miller addresses whether the Edmonton Oilers can take the final step to a championship.

[19:55] - The Calgary Flames are holding a wild card spot past the midway point and are riding a rookie goalie to a surprising season.

[26:56] - The Winnipeg Jets currently lead the Western Conference but can they match up with the heavyweights once the playoffs arrive?

[31:15] - The Montreal Canadiens have rebounded from a rough start and are riding a 12-3-1 spurt into playoff contention as young players mature and veteran Patrik Laine has turned over a new leaf.

[39:00] - After a challenging road trip, the Ottawa Senators resiliency and identity are on full display amidst a surge into a wild card spot.

[44:40] - The pressure and scrutiny of the Maple Leafs cannot be mistaken as they seek their first Final and Stanley Cup since 1967.

[1:01:28] - A closer with Gord tipping the hat to the best story in the NHL this season: The Columbus Blue Jackets.

[1:07:35] - Some league notes including a rule clarification, a suspension and a player being held to answer for his actions.

[1:12:48] - On MLK Day in the United States, we look back at the 67th anniversary of the first player in NHL history, Willie O'Ree.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #GordMiller #TSN #ConnorMcDavid #ConorGarland #MarioLemieux #WayneGretzky #GordieHowe #TylerMyers #EvanBouchard #WesMcCauley #ChrisLee #SheldonKeefe #JoeSacco #BradMarchand #LeonDraisaitl #AustonMatthews #WilliamNylander #MitchMarner #SergeiBobrovsky #StuartSkinner #CalvinPickard #MacklinCelebrini #LaneHutson #MatveiMichkov #DustinWolf #RyanHuska #MacKenzieWeegar #RasmusAndersson #JonathanHuberdeau #NazemKadri #JacobMarkstrom #ConnorHellebuyck #KyleConnor #MarkScheifele #NikolajEhlers #JoshMorrissey #NealPionk #JakubDobes #PatrickLalime #AndrewHammond #JurajSlafkovsky #AlexandreCarrier #KaidenGuhle #MikeMatheson #ColeCaufield #KentHughes #PatrikLaine #AntonForsberg #BradyTkachuk #TravisGreen #TimStutzle #JakeSanderson #LinusUllmark #LeeviMerilaninen #JoshNorris #JohnTavares #BrendanShanahan #CraigBerube #AnthonyStolarz #MorganRielly #ChrisTanev #OliverEkman-Larsson #JohnnyGaudreau #MatthewGaudreau #SeanMonahan #DeanEvason #DonWaddell #DmitriVoronkov #KirillMarchenko #MaxDomi #RickTocchet #JackAdamsAward #JTMiller #EliasPettersson #ThatcherDemko #QuinnHughes #BrockBoeser #ZackOstapchuk #ArtemZub #JacobTrouba #IgorShesterkin #JeremySwayman #DaveJackson #RyanMcLeod #BrentBurns #MaximTsyplakov #RyanPoehling #MarcusJohansson #ZachL'Heureux #JaredSpurgeon #YakovTrenin #MarcusFoligno #NickFoligno #LukeSchenn #BraydenSchenn #AlexNedeljkovic #FilipGustavsson #TristanJarry #CaleMakar #BobbyOrr #PaulCoffey #RayBourque #DenisPotvin #JohnKlingberg #WIllieO'Ree #QuebecAces #LeoLabine #JackieRobinson #MikeGreer #JohnGiannone #CraigLaughlin

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Hot Oil - Jan. 17, 2025

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 14:15:00 -0400

The Stanley Cup runner up from a season ago showing they are serious about getting another shot at the silver mug. Alex Ovechkin sets a new record and a unique occurrence in Buffalo Wednesday. All that plus the Eastern Conference Wild Card race manages to tighten even further.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Human Side of the Story - Episode 43 - Luc Robitaille: Forever a King

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0400

From a ninth round draft pick to one of the elite scorers in NHL history, Luc Robitaille is synonymous with hockey greatness in Los Angeles. Three playing stints with the Kings and now club president. Neil details a remarkable career.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #LucRobitaille #DaveTaylor #WayneGretzky #HockeyHallofFame

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - In a Pitfall - Jan. 15, 2025

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 13:30:00 -0400

Troubles in Pittsburgh again, a few outliers and the "Mosh Pit of Mediocrity" receives additional scrutiny. Plus, there's a buzz in several markets north of the border.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NY Centric - Starting the Week On A High Note with Peter Baugh from the Athletic - January 14, 2025

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:30:00 -0400

Peter Baugh from the Athletic to talk about the three New York area clubs which saw the teams go a collective 6-0-2 in the past week. We dive into the week passed, week ahead and drop in some fun trivia.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #PeterBaugh #ArthurStaple #TheAthletic #NewYorkRangers #NewYorkIslanders #NewJerseyDevils #AdamFox #AdamEdstrom #JohnnyBrodzinski #MattRempe #ChrisDrury #JacobTrouba #BarclayGoodrow #ChrisKreider #BradenSchneider #PeterLaviolette #FilipChytil #ArthurKaliyev #WillCuylle #RileySmith #MikaZibanejad #JacobMarkstrom #StefanNoesen #JackHughes #TomFitzgerald #PaulCotter #BrettPesce #BrendenDillon #JohnathanKovacevic #SheldonKeefe #DamonSeverson #RyanGraves #TimoMeier #RyanLindgren #WillBorgen #BrockNelson #IlyaSorokin #MatthewBarzal #LouLamoriello #ClaudeJulien #RobbieFtorek #NoahDobson #BoHorvat #JohnTortorella #RogerNeilson #TomMcVie #JohnVanbiesbrouck #ChrisTerreri #MartinBrodeur #CraigBillington

Episode 43 - The Kings Reign Again with President Luc Robitaille

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 19:30:00 -0400

Hall-of-Famer and President of the L.A. Kings Luc Robitaille visits with Neil and Vic to discuss a team which has become a force in the Western Conference. We'll pour a little cold water on Alex Ovechkin's chase of the goal-scoring record and also talk about who needs to take the reigns when there's tension within a team.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[0:56] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," we hit on the surging Red Wings, Alex Ovechkin's empty net goals and how a little adversity may have been the perfect tonic for the Canucks this past weekend.

[11:55] - Kings President Luc Robitaille joins the show with an update on how the organization is coping with the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.

[15:40] - Robitaille discusses his day-to-day role as team president.

[18:10] - Robitaille speaks to the heavy, defense-oriented Cup winners in 2012 and 2014 as well as this season compared to the firewagon days when Luc played in Los Angeles.

[25:50] - Assessment of the power play and goaltending.

[30:28] - Luc talks about his experience with Neil Smith after having been acquired by the Rangers in 1995.

[34:25] - Over the course of a season, tensions are going to rise within a team for a variety of reasons. Needless to say, media jumps on the slightest indication when waves appear. Neil shares thoughts of who needs to address issues and where it needs to take place.

[40:29] - In our player notes section, we do a deeper dive into Cutter Gauthier's first game in Philadelphia and why the Flyers need more than a visit from a player who spurned them to bring energy to the Wells Fargo Center on a nightly basis.

[46:40] - Our Human Side of the Story Focuses on our guest, Kings President Luc Robitaille.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #ToddMcLellan #DerekLalonde #MikeBabcock #SteveYzerman #DylanLarkin #PatrickKane #VladimirTarasenko #PhilippGrubauer #JoeyDaccord #AlexOvechkin #SpencerCarbery #EthenFrank #WayneGretzky #KevinLankinen #LucRobtaille #StaciaRobtaille #echoesofhope.org #RobBlake #NelsonEmerson #MarkBergevin #GlenMurray #BernieNicholls #DarrylSutter #JoelEdmundson #AnzeKopitar #DrewDoughty #QuickJonathan#AdrianKempe #QuintonByfield #JimHiller #DJSmith #NewellBrown #AlexLaferriere #PhillipDanault #ScottyBowman #MikeKeenan #JonCooper #MikeSuillivan #AlexTurcotte #DarcyKuemper #DavidRittich #AndrewGross #BradMarchand #DavidPastrnak #JTMiller #EliasPettersson #AlexandarGeorgiev #TonyDeAngelo #ErikKarlsson #MikeHoffman #JacobTrouba #ShanePinto #LeeviMerilainen #LinusUllmark #AntonForsberg #TravisGreen #BradyTkachuk #KeithTkachuk #MatthewTkachuk #EvgeniMalkin #MichaelBunting #PhilTomasino #CharlieLindgren #BrandonDuhaime #NickSuzuki #AaronEkblad #EvanderKane #CoreyPerry #DylanGuenther #JoshDoan #ConnorZary #DrewHelleson #IvanBarbashev #JackEichel #ScottWedgewood #TrentMinor #CutterGauthier #JamieDrysdale #JohnTortorella #PyotrKochetkov #EricStaal #JordanStaal #MarkStaal #HullOlympiques #TomGlavine #DaveTaylor #CalderTrophy #HockeyHallofFame

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Dubois, Trap Games and Annoying PA Announcers- Jan. 10, 2025

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 14:15:00 -0400

Vic jumps on the Pierre-Luc Dubois bandwagon, sort of. A discussion on whether the Colorado Avalanche fell victim to the dreaded trap game between contests with Florida and Minnesota and a fun chat on the annoyance of public address announcers.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Two Nights of Late Game Heroics - Jan. 8, 2025

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 13:15:00 -0400

When the calendar flips, the NHL drama appears to get a bounce as well. Of the 14 games played Monday and Tuesday, 11 were decided in the third period, overtime or via shootout. Vic and Neil re-cap it all and also note the passings of two former NHL players.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Human Side of the Story - Episode 42 - Nashville Predator Fulfills Dream for Mom

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Ozzy Wiesblatt is not likely to be a name that appears in when checking NHL news each morning and, despite being returned to the minors after his first two games, the story of perseverance inspired by his mom is what "The Human Side of the Story" is all about.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NashvillePredators #OzzyWiesblatt #KimWiesblatt #MemorialCup #PrinceAlbertRaiders #SanJoseBarracuda #MilwaukeeAdmirals #CalgaryFlames #VancouverCanucks #JimKyte #WinnipegJets

Episode 42 - NHL Wraparound & Debuting NY Centric

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 19:45:00 -0400

A combination episode to kick off NHL Wraparound in 2025 as NY Centric is introduced within the show. Tom Gulitti joins Neil and Vic to talk the surprising Washington Capitals, a history lesson on defunct NHL franchise and a special NHL debut on the Human Side of the Story.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:05] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to addresses whispers out of Vancouver that both J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson made be on the trade market while three franchises with struggles in recent seasons are showing an uptick as we near the midway point.

[08:56] - Tom Gulitti joins the show and speaks about the additions in Washington who have meshed beautifully Spencer Carbery,

[16:04] - Gulitti speaks to the adjustments Alex Ovechkin had to make with a rookie head coach last season amidst his chase for the all-time goalscoring record.

[18:07] - The next steps needed by the Caps to go from being just a feel-good to legitimate Stanley Cup Contender.

[20:42] - Arthur Staple from the Athletic helps launch NY Centric addressing whether the Rangers slight improvement is fact or fiction.

[23:07] - Staple lays it where the struggles lay both up front and on the backline.

[31:14] - A shift to the Islanders where the special teams and late game struggles remain and an overall assessment of the personnel GM Lou Lamoriello sticks with.

[38:56] - The Devils have hit a bump in the road during their six-game road trip. Despite being a top team, there is still system acclimation taking place under head coach Sheldon Keefe.

[46:00] - Any guess as to which was the first New York-based team in the NHL? A little history on defunct NHL teams whose cities still have a presence in the league.

[50:42] - Player and injury notes.

[59:40] - The United States wins consecutive gold medals at the World Junior Championships. Is the USA now the number one world hockey power?

[1:04:30] - The Human Side of the Story shares the story of Ozzy Wiesblatt, who, along with four siblings, was raised by a deaf mother. Through her support, and that of others, Ozzy was able to play hockey at an early age and made his debut with the Nashville Predators on Jan. 3 in Vancouver.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JTMiller #EliasPettersson #JimRutherford #MartinStLouis #SamMontembeault #JakubDobes #FrankVatrano #ToddMcLellan #JamesvanRiemsdyk #TylerMotte #JonatanBerggren #TomGulitti #NHL.com #SpencerCarbery #PierreLucDubois #JakobChychrun #DylanStrome #AlexOvechkin #SpencerCarbery #NicklasBackstrom #EvgenyKuznetsov #ToddHarvey #ChrisPatrick #BrianMacLellan #AndrewMangiapane #MattRoy #LoganThompson #BrandonDuhaime #TaylorRaddysh #ConnorMcMichael #TomWilson #AleksaiProtas #TJOshie #SonnyMilano #PeterLaviolette #LarsEller #RyanLeonard #JonathanQuick #MikaZibanejad #AdamFox #ArtemiPanarin #ChrisKreider #FilipChytil #VincentTrocheck #AlexisLafreniere #WillCuylle #BrettBerard #KAndreMiller #BradenSchneider #WillBorgen #UrhoVaakanainen #KaapoKakko #BoHorvat #PatrickRoy #AndersLee #BrockNelson #JGPageau #KylePalmieri #MatthewBarzal #IlyaSorokin #LouLamoriello #SemyonVarlamov #MarcusHogberg #JohnTavares #DavidPastrnak #SheldonKeefe #JackHughes #BrettPesce #LukeHughes #DougieHamilton #BrendenDillon #PaulCotter #StefanNoesen #CraigBerube #BrendanShanahan #TomFitzgerald #NicoHischier #JesperBratt #NewYorkAmericans #KansasCityScouts #ColoradoRockies #DrJohnMcMullen #BrendanByrneArena #PittsburghPirates #PhiladelphiaQuakers #OttawaSenators #StLouisEagles #TorontoStPats #MontrealWanderers #MontrealCanadiens #DaveRitchie #TeddyStiga #ZeevBuium #DavidCarle #DavidQuinn #OzzyWiesblatt #KimWiesblatt #JimKyte

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Kicking Off the New Year - Jan. 2, 2025

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 13:00:00 -0400

The Winter Classic headlines a vast array of topics to kick off the first show of 2025. The Kings keep rolling in LA, the Canadiens and Blue Jackets continue to surprise, Patrick Roy discovers a new situation by which to pull his goalie and a discussion on an upcoming suspension coming out of game between Nashville and Minnesota.

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #DarcyKuemper #AndreLee #TimoMeier #MikeRichter #KenDaneyko #MartinBrodeur #JackHughes #JonathanToews #DuncanKeith #NHLWinterClassic #NHLStadiumSeries #CamFowler #BraydenSchenn #NickFoligno #GeorgeArmstrong #JeanBeliveau #HenriRichard #YvanCournoyer #PierrePilote #EddieLitzenberger #BobNevin #VicHadfield #KellyKisio #MarkMessier #AdamGraves #BernieNicholls #WindsorSpitfires #SidenyCrosby #AlexOvechkin #ConnorMcDavid #BrendanSmith #ConnorBedard #TNT #ESPN #LoanDepotPark #MiamiMarlins #MartinSt.Louis #PatrickRoy #IlyaSorokin #JohnTavares #ConnorHellebuyck #MikeComrie #ScottArniel #ToddMcLellan #PatrickKane #SteveYzerman #DerekLalonde #JoeSacco #JimMontgomery #DrewBannister #BruceBoudreau #LukeRichardson #AndersSorensen #LeonDraisaitl #KirillMarchenko #JackRoslovic #JohhnyGaudreau #MatthewGaudreau #DeanEvason #AnzeKopitar #LadyByngTrophy #AustonMatthews #FourNationsFaceoff #BradTreliving #BrendanShanahan #IgorShesterkin #RyanLindgren #SamBennett #LouieDominque #JonathanQuick #AlekseiKolasov #SamErsson #LukeKunin #RobertBortuzzo #KrisLetang #OliverKylington #ValNichushkin #KirillKaprizov #JaredSpurgeon #Zachary L'Heureux #AHL #QMJHL #MattRempe #MiroHeiskanen #GeorgeParros #TieDomi #PeterboroughPetes #SemyonVarlamov #MarcusHogberg #WorldJuniorChampionships

Human Side of the Story - Episode 41 - The Ilitch Legacy in Detroit

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0400

In 1982, Mike and Marian Ilitch purchased the Detroit Red Wings from the Norris family, who had owned the franchise for half a century.

The early years weren't easy but, with some successful drafting led by Neil Smith, the foundation was laid for a team which eventually made the playoffs 25 consecutive years.

The Ilitch's are synonymous with Detroit. Owners of the MLB Tigers and the Little Caesar's franchise, Neil also shares a story about the family patriarch and an iconic figure in American history which many may not ever heard.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #AdirondackRedWings #CalderCup #MikeIlitch #MarianIlitch #ChrisIlitch #DetroitTigers #LittleCaesars #MargueriteNorris #RosaParks

Episode 41 - Clipped Wings - With Max Bultman from The Athletic

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 17:15:00 -0400

The Todd McLellan era in Detroit highlights the show as Neil and Vic are joined by Max Bultman from The Athletic. Also, Alex Ovechkin returns to the Capitals lineup, the latest edition of the NHL Winter Classic is upon us and Neil brings the show full circle reflecting on his days in the Motor City under the ownership of the Ilitch family.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:55] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," Jakub Dobes stuns the defending Stanley Cup Champions, Alex Ovechkin returns and picks right up in his quest of the all-time goal-scoring record and some bad blood brewing between the Devils and Hurricanes.

[06:45] - Max Bultman from The Athletic joins the show providing the early take on Todd McLellan behind the Red Wings bench.

[09:53] - Bultman looks back to player movement during the past off season as a root cause to the Red Wings problems in the 2024-25 campaign.

[15:35] - With the coaching change having been made amidst a different roster from a season ago, discussion shifts to moves GM Steve Yzerman still has to make to raise the Red Wings prospects going forward.

[19:45] - The pressure captain Dylan Larkin deals with looking at a ninth straight season missing the playoffs.

[21:21] - Neil raises the questions of what Patrick Kane still has to offer and whether Yzerman gets a bit of a pass as GM due to his legendary status as an all-time great player for the Red Wings.

[28:40] - How much longer can the Rangers wait to make more moves as 2024 began in the league penthouse and is heading towards the outhouse?

[37:53] - Player notes

[42:40] - Does the NHL Winter Classic still have the same buzz as when it began in 2008?

[44:29] - In this Detroit Red Wings themed show, Neil looks back to his years in the Motor City, arriving as the Ilitch family has purchased the club in 1982.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Wings of Change in Detroit - Dec. 27, 2024

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:15:00 -0400

The perilous world of NHL coaching saw it's latest casualty Thursday as Derek Lalonde was relieved of his duties in Detroit and was replaced by Todd McLellan. Vic and Neil discuss a move was becoming increasingly inevitable during December.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - News Still Plentiful at the Holiday Break - Dec. 24, 2024

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0400

The three-day break gives teams a period to re-charge and re-set but significant news still reigns across the NHL.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #MattRempe #MiroHeiskanen #ChrisKreider #JacobTrouba #KaapoKakko #JackHughes #WillBorgen #RasmusDahlin #IlyaSorokin #PatrickRoy #MarioTremblay #MarcusHogberg #PatrikLaine #DmitriVoronkov #DanteFabbro #AaronPortzline #ZachWerenski #KirillMarchenko #JohnnyGaudreau #JTMiller #EliasPettersson #QuinnHughes #RickTocchet #ErikKarlsson #MikeHoffman #DavidPastrnak #LinusUllmark #LeeviMerilainen #AntonForsberg #JoeSacco #JimMontgomery #JeremySwayman #JonasJohansson #MatthewTkachuk #MichaelEyssimont AJGreer #SidneyCrosby #MarioLemieux #DylanHolloway #MacklinCelebrini #JohnGibson #BrockMcGinn #ColeSmith #AnthonyDuclair #DerekLalonde #SteveYzerman #PeterLaviolette #JohnTavares #WayneGretzky #MarkMessier #LannyMcDonald #KeithTkachuk #MarkScheifele #KyleConnor #ConorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #NathanMacKinnon #MikkoRantanen #AustonMatthews #MitchMarner #WilliamNylander #NikitaKucherov #BraydenPoint #JakeGuentzel #JoeMicheletti #WorldJuniorChampionships #MiracleOnIce #MikeModano #PatLaFontaine #BrettHull #BrianLeetch #MikeRichter

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Dec. 20, 2024 - Goalies in Unique Spotlights

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 13:30:00 -0400

Three goalies make the show in different ways, three small deals come in advance of the NHL Trade Freeze and a couple of captains prepare to re-join their clubs.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #LinusUllmark #JonathanHuberdeau #TimStutzle #BradyTkachuk #JeremySwayman #ElvisMerlikins #JackHughes #LukeHughes #SeanMonahan #MackenzieBlackwood #AlexandarGeorgiev #JoelKiviranta #IlyaMikheyev #NolanAllan #BryanRust #SidneyCrosby #MattiasEkholm #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #ZachHyman #EvanBouchard #TomWilson #NikitaKucherov #AnzeKopitar #KevinFiala #PatrickKane #MatthewTkachuk #BillGuerin #JohnHynes #ClaytonKeller #DylanGuenther #MikhailSergachev #NicolasRobertson #JasonRobertson #JakeOettinger #JosephWoll #AnthonyStolarz #FrankVitrano #TroyTerry #LukasDostal #GabeVilardi #MichaelMarkovic #TylerMotte #SamErsson #NickSeeler #TravisKonecny #JohnTortorella #DaveJackson #SimonEdvinsson #MoritzSeider #RasmusRistolainen #MattDumba #BrockFaber #EetuLuostarainen #AlexOvechkin #RasmusDahlin #TerryPegula #JustinSchultz #KevinShattenkirk #KaapoKakko #WillBorgen #JacobTrouba #Pierre-OlivierJoseph #MathieuJoseph #MarcusPettersson #AlexandreCarrier #JustinBarron #BarryTrotz #StevenStamkos #TylerJohnson #ChrisDrury #VincentTrocheck #BarclayGoodrow #PeterLaviolette #MarkMessier #JimDolan #NHLTradeFreeze

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - The Higher Ups Speak - December 18, 2024

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:30:00 -0400

Short Shifts kicks off with the 1970 NHL Expansionists getting a talking to amidst their recent play. One had the desired result, a least in the short term. The other...well...

We also look back at Monday's Stanley Cup Final rematch between the Panthers and Oilers and plenty of other news coming out of Monday's and Tuesday's games.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 40 - Avalanche of Change with General Manager Chris MacFarland

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 17:30:00 -0400

Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland joins Neil and Vic to discuss flipping his goaltending tandem, the challenge of an often disrupted lineup and the promise of the Avs through adversity. Also, after missing out on MacKenzie Blackwood, the Carolina Hurricanes have made it known they are in the market for a netminder and a closer look at the trade which sent long-time Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler to St. Louis.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:07] - You need to pay attention to more drama in the Big Apple, Carolina goaltending and the first matchup of the season between last season's Stanley Cup Finalists.

[07:25] - Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland joins the show with insight on why he had to flip both of his opening night netminders within two months of the start of the season.

[13:35] - MacFarland brings us inside the saga surrounding Val Nichushkin, the support of the Avs organization and the importance of re-earning the trust of his teammates.

[20:00] - An update on Captain Gabe Landeskog, who hasn't played since raising the Stanley Cup in 2002, as well keys to what make Nathan MacKinnon and Cal Makar truly unique players.

[27:28] - Looking ahead to the spring and what MacFarland still needs to evaluate as his molds his club for the playoffs.

[35:50] - The Ottawa Senators look to prove they are for real coming off a successful weekend in advance of a nine-game road trip.

[38:10] - A deeper dive into the Cam Fowler trade to St. Louis.

[41:01] - Other player and league notes.

[45:56] - The Human Side of the Story focuses on the player who scored the first goal in NHL history, 107 years ago this week.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #ArtemiPanarin #K'AndreMiller #KaapoKakko #ChrisKreider #PeterLaviolette #ChrisDrury #MacKenzieBlackwood #PyotrKochetkov #DustinTokarski #CareyPrice #FrederikAndersen #SpencerMartin #JohnGibson #PatVerbeek #StuartSkinner #ChrisMacFarland #JoeSakic #PierreLacroix #AlexandarGeorgiev #JustusAnnunen #ScottWedgewood #ConnorHellebuyck #JakeOettinger #MikeGreer #KevinStevens #ValNichushkin #MikkoRantanen #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #GabrielLandeskog #JaredBednar #UniversityofMassachusetts #HobeyBakerAward #CalderTrophy #NorrisTrophy #ConnSmytheTrophy #StanleyCup #MarkMessier #BrianLeetch #JonathanDrouin #MilesWood #JoshManson #OliverKylington #IvanIvan #DevonToews #SethJones #LinusUllmark #BradyTkachuk #TravisGreen #CamFowler #JeremieBiakabutuka #KevinLowe #ClaudeGiroux #MatsZuccarello #JonasBrodin #JakeMiddleton #EvanBouchard #JackDrury #OliverWahlstrom #PierreEngvall #AdamPelech #MattBarzal #AnthonyDuclair #ConnorBedard #IlyaSorokin #PatrickRoy #JohnTavares #MitchMarner #AnthonyStolarz #DennisHildeby #BradTreliving #MontrealWanderers #TorontoArenas #QuebevBulldogs #WestmontArena #JubileeArena #DaveRitchie #JoeMalone

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Hats Off! - Dec. 13, 2024

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0400

A happy return in Vancouver, surprising wins for a pair of former Avalanche goalies and a quartet of hat tricks highlight the happenings over the past two nights in the NHL.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JTMiller #KevinLankinen #AlexandarGeorgiev #MacklinCelebrini #NikolaiKovalenko #JustusAnnunen #RyanO'Reilly #RomanJosi #JimNill #JakeGuetnzel #NikitaKucherov #BraydenPoint #JonCooper #AndreiVasilevskiy #JulienBriseBois #StevenStamkos #NathanMacKinnon #ScottLaughton #CamTalbot #DylanLarkin #VladimirTarasenko #DerekLalonde #SteveYzerman #JimMontgomery #LukeRichardson #PatrickKane #MoritzSeider #LucasRaymond #BrianRust #RickardRakell #SidneyCrosby #DrakeBatherson #AlexOvechkin #AliakseiProtas #ConnorMcMichael #DylanStrome #PierreLucDubois #TomWilson #SpencerCarbery #JackAdams Award #PatrickRoy #MarioTremblay #BoHorvat #NoahDobson #MaximTsyplakov #TJBrodie #TylerBertuzzi #JackHughes #DougieHamilton #JacobMarkstrom #AnzeKopitar #AdrianKempe #TrevorMoore #DarcyKuemper #VictorOlofsson #IvanBarbashev #DylanDeMelo #GabeVilardi #KellySutherland #JustinKea #ConnorMcDavid #KirillKaprizov #JoelErikksonEk #JonasBrodin #MatsZuccarello #DylanGuenther #DavidBonderman #OliverBjorkstrand #JoonasKorpisalo #JoeSacco #DonSweeney #BradMarchand #AlexTurcotte #AnthonyStolarz #RogersSportsnet ##ElliotteFriedman #MikeRichter #JakeMcCabe #TrevorZegras #K'AndreMiller #MattDumba #AlexTuch #SaltLakeCityGoldenEagles

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - We ARE Going to Talk About Colorado Goaltending! - Dec. 11, 2024

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 13:45:00 -0400

Going back on their word not to talk about the Avalanche goaltending, Vic and Neil can't ignore it when another deal is made for a netminder. Also, a major return in Vancouver and a surprising statement about the which team has the best goaltending in the NHL.

The show comes full circle somehow connecting a restaurant chain to Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AlexandarGeorgiev #NikolaiKovalenko #MackenzieBlackwood #GivaniSmith #ScottWedgewood #JustusAnnunen #MilesWood #MikkoRantanen #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #ValNichushkin #ScottArniel #JoeSacco #MarcoRossi #MattBoldy #KirillKaprizov #BillGuerin #RyanSuter #ZachParise #ThatcherDemko #JTMiller #DylanHolloway #JimMontgomery #JonathanQuick #AnzeKopitar #AdrianKempe #JimHiller #DrewDoughty #Thomas Hickey #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #RomanJosi #PatrikLaine #JacobTrouba #AnthonyStolarz #MaxDomi #AustonMatthews #SheldonKeefe #JosephWoll #CraigBerube #AleksanderBarkov #SamReinhart #BrandonMontour #JoshMahura #GlennAnderson #BrianNoonan #CraigMacTavish #MikeKeenan #EvanBouchard #NikitaKucherov #BraydenPoint #KrisKnoblauch #JackDrury #WillSmith #TrevorZegras #AndersSorensen #SebastianCossa #CamTalbot #VilleHusso #JordanGreenway #KevinShattenkirk #KennyRogersRoasters #PeterLaviolette #AndrewBrunette #DerekLalonde #SteveYzerman

Episode 39 - New York Shuffle with Arthur Staple from The Athletic

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 17:45:00 -0400

A major trade. A major contact extension. But is the drama over in The Big Apple? Arthur Staple from The Athletic joins Neil and Vic to talk Rangers with some Islanders dropped in. Plus, patience is running thin in Buffalo and, after two decades, has the shootout run its course?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:00] - Three Things You Need To Pay Attention To examines the coaching change in Chicago, the top team in the East with no selections for the Four Nations Faceoff and a furry friend update.
[13:20] - Noted New York hockey writer Arthur Staple joins the show and goes in depth on the Rangers trade of captain Jacob Trouba to Anaheim and the handling of the situation by the club.
[28:18] - A deep dive into the contract extension signed by franchise netminder Igor Shesterkin.
[33:57] - Staple weighs in on the comparatively stagnant doings with the Islanders and whether this is a franchise that can really afford to stand pat.
[46:47] - A new show being added to the NHL Wraparound portfolio
[48:33] - The shuffle heads to Buffalo where the constant front office turnover plays a big part in the inability of the Sabres to generate a winning culture
[52:52] - Time to do away with the shootout
[59:30] - Player/league notes
[1:01:05] - The Human Side of the Story addresses the ugly side of the Jacob Trouba saga when things go public.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #LukeRichardson #AndersSorensen #DavidQuinn #JimMontgomery #DonSweeney #NikitaZadorov #EliasLindholm #KyleDavidson #PatMaroon #TylerBertuzzi #NickFoligno #ConnorBedard #CalderTrophy #PeterboroughPetes #SteveSimmons #PostMedia #LoganThompson #AlexOvechkin #SpencerCarbery #JackAdamsAward #TomWilson #JakobChychrun #FourNationsFaceoff #CharlieMcAvoy #KileyMcAvoy #JohnTortorella #ChristineTortorella #ArthurStaple #TheAthletic #JacobTrouba #BarclayGoodrow #ChrisKreider #ChrisDrury #UrhoVaakanainen #IgorShesterkin #JonathanQuick #ArtemiPanarin #RyanCallihan #RyanMcDonagh #AndrewCopp #FrankVatrano #BradyTkachuk #ShanePinto #JoshNorris #ThomasChabot #LarryBrooks #JTMiller#BradenSchneider #MikaZibanejad #K'AndreMiller #AdamFox #AlecMartinez #MattRempe #VincentTrocheck #PeterLaviolette #GaryBettman #CareyPrice #SergeiBobrovsky #MikeRichter #HenrikLundqvist #DarcyKuemper #AlexandarGeorgiev #LouLamoriello #ChrisLamoriello #BarryTrotz #AlArbour #GarthSnow #JohnTavares #IlyaSorokin #ScottMalkin #MattBarzal #AnthonyDuclair #AdamPelech #AndersLee #BrockNelson #KylePalmieri #MikeReilly #AlexanderRomano #PatrickRoy #JonLedecky #JohnCollins #JohnPickett #UBSArena #NassauColiseum #MadisonSquareGarden #BoHorvat #LaneLambert #KevynAdams #LindyRuff #TerryPegula #TysonKozak #RasmusDahlin #BadNewsBears #NHLPA #EvgenyKuznetsov #FrankMahovlich #TonyEsposito #SteveLarmer #EdBelfour #MarkStone #ZachHyman #NikitaKucherov #RossColton #MaxPacioretty #JakeMcCabe #SamErsson #JamieDrysdale #ColeSillinger #PetrMrazek #DrewCommesso #RockfordIceHogs

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Dec. 5, 2024

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 14:15:00 -0400

Vic and Neil open the show with what has exhausted them over the course of the first two months of the season. Plenty of league and player notes and some different takes on the upcoming Four Nations Faceoff now that the rosters have been rounded out.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Dec. 3, 2024

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 15:15:00 -0400

Almost 50 games have been played since heading into the long Thanksgiving weekend. In this episode of Short Shifts, Vic and Neil examine some items that have opened their eyes, some which have stayed the same plus a little bit of rapid-fire back-and-forth.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #MacklinCelebrini #WillSmith #TylerToffoli #MikaelGranlund #RyanWarsofsky #TrevorZegras #Pierre-LucDubois #BrianMacLellan #ChrisPatrick #RobBlake #KevinCheveldayoff #DarcyKuemper #SpencerCarbery #AdamGraves #JackHughes #JohhnyGaudreau #MatthewGaudreau #GuyGaudreau #ZachWerenski #KirillMarchenko #SeanMonahan #ColeSillinger #YegorChinakov #DamonSeverson #KentJohnson #MathieuOlivier #KevinLeBlanc #DmitriVoronkov #AdamFantilli #DeanEvason #DonWaddell #JackEichel #RyanO'Reilly #BrandonMontour #SamReinhart #AleksanderBarkov #DaveHakstol #DanBylsma #JessicaCampbell #RonFrancis #JimMontgomery #GerardGallant #LindyRuff #PeterLaviolette #TonyKornheiser #MichaelWilbon #CaleMakar #AnthonyStolarz #JosephWoll #CraigBerube #BarryTrotz #StevenStamkos #MacklinCelebrini #ConnorBedard #MatveiMichkov #JohnTortorella #FilipHronek #PatrikAllvin #AlexOvechkin #NikolajEhlers #MavericLamoureux #MilesWood #JoshManson #OliverKylington #RossColton #CamTalbot #PatrikKane #PatrikLaine #KirbyDach #JurajSlafkovsky #PyotrKochetkov #JustusAnnunen #ScottWedgewood #JakeOettinger #JusseSaros #AlexandarGeorgiev #DavidJiricek #DaemonHunt #KevinLankinen #JakeDeBrusk #NHLTampering #MontrealMaroons #BobbyOrr #PhilEsposito #RickMiddleton #TerryO'Reilly #PatriceBergeron #WillieO'Ree #JohnnyBucyk #KenDryden #EddieShore #DitClapper #FourNationsFaceoff

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Nov. 27, 2024

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:15:00 -0400

The last edition of Short Shifts prior to Thanksgiving goes around the NHL where trade rumors are swirling in New York, a goalie melts down in Tampa and a Stanley Cup winning coach rips into his club.

That, plus a very special anniversary coming up in Boston.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BrockBoeser #KevinLankinen #JakeDeBrusk #DantonHeinen #DavidPastrnak #NikitaZadorov #EliasLindholm #ThatcherDemko #JTMiller #MikhailSergachev #PatrikLaine #MartinStLouis #JimMontgomery #ZackBolduc #SethJarvis #ChrisKreider #JacobTrouba #ChrisDrury #JimNill #MasonMarchment #WyattJohnston #ShayneGostisbehere #MartinNecas #MattDuchene #TylerSeguin#JakeOettinger #AlexOvechkin #PaulMaurice #SergeiBobrovsky #BrandonHagel #WayneGretzky #MarioLemieux #AnthonyCirelli #StevenStamkos #VictorHedman #JakeGuentzel #JustusAnnunen #AlexandarGeorgiev #NathanMacKinnon #MikkoRantanen #CaleMakar #ValNichushkin #IvanIvan #NicoHischier #TimoMeier #ZachL'Heureux #SeanCoututier #LucasRaymond #ConnorHellebuyck #MacklinCelebrini #YaroslavAskarov #SanJoseBarracuda #VitekVanecek #MackenzieBlackwood #DrewDoughty #JimHiller #RyanWarsofsky #LeoCarlsson #TyeKartye #TrevorZegras #PatVerbeek #PhilipTomasino #AnthonyStolarz #CraigBerube #AustonMatthews #JackEichel #BruceCassidy #MontrealArena #CarsonCooper #BostonArena #MatthewsArena #NortheasternUniversity

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 38 - Hey Nineteen: Thornton Jersey Retirement and Toews Trip to India

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:30:00 -0400

One number nineteen has his number raised to the rafters in San Jose while another traveled halfway around the world in an attempt to heal his body for a potential return to the NHL. Joe Thornton and Jonathan Toews are both shoo-ins for the Hockey Hall of Fame but their recent stories could not be any more different.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Episode 38 - Texas Hockey with Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 15:15:00 -0400

Stories abound on NHL Wraparound this week. Jim Montgomery was unemployed for exactly five days, Sidney Crosby reaches a milestone and Neil discusses the importance of goal differential as the NHL hits the quarter pole of the schedule. Plus, we'll take a look at teams diverting their play from recent history, for better or worse and a very in-depth discussion with Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill.

IN THIS EPISODE

[00:55] - Three Things You Need To Pay Attention To looks at the coaching change in St. Louis, Sidney Crosby hitting the 600-goal mark and the sophomore struggles of Connor Bedard.
[05:35] - Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill joins Neil and Vic with initial discussion centering around the differences of constructing a team now as compared to the 1980's.
[12:30] - Nill speaks about his current team and its balance. While the record is impressive, there's a strong belief the team has yet to play to its potential despite it's stingy defensive play.
[16:00] - Neil and Jim share thoughts on new Blues head coach Jim Montgomery and the importance of teams wanting to bring in experienced head coaches.
[18:40] - Over the past two seasons, the Western Conference champions have had to get through Dallas. Nill speaks about what it will take to take the next step.
[25:30] - Nill speaks about why hiring he prefers hiring experienced head coaches such as Pete DeBoer as opposed to those with less of a resume.
[28:45] - Vic takes Jim down memory lane to share his memories of the 1982 playoffs and his double overtime goal in Game 1 of the Campbell Conference Final.
[33:09] - Jim shares his greatest memory in hockey.
[44:10] - An intriguing weekend featured Sidney Crosby in a rare fight with one-time Lady Byng winner Kyle Connor. A little trivia is dropped in regarding the "Gordie Howe Hat Trick."
[49:50] - Neil talks about the importance of goal differential and how it's a often an indicator of whether teams make the playoffs - even this early in the season.
[53:13] - A discussion about teams whose play has altered from recent seasons - for better or worse. Also raised are a couple of teams that still look exactly the same.
[58:25] - Player notes and injury updates
[59:35] - The Trivia Answer
[1:01:23] - The Human Side of the Story focuses on a pair of 19's: First, Joe Thornton who had his jersey raised to the rafters at the Shark Tank. Then, former Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews and a trip to India for a healing process with the hope of returning to the NHL.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JimMontgomery #DrewBannister #DougArmstrong #BruceBoudreau #SidneyCrosby #ConnorBedard #JimNill #JoePavleski #Logan Stankoven #OskarBack #MavrikBourque #MattDuchene #MasonMarchment #RoopeHintz #MiroHeiskanen #TylerSeguin #JasonRobertson #WyattJohnston #JakeOettinger #CaseyDeSmith #GerardGallant #PeteDeBoer #BrendanShanahan #BradTreliving #TigerWilliams #ColinCampbell #TonyEsposito #HaroldSnepsts #RogerNeilson #JimDevallano #SethJones #PopeyeJones #JasonZucker #CharlieMcAvoy #AdamFox #PatLafontaine #MikeModano #BillGuerin #MikeHurlbut #ChristerRockstrom #PierrePage #AlexanderKarpovtsev #KyleConnor #WayneGretzky #NealBroten #GordieHowe #GordieHoweHatTrick #MatthewKnies #ZachWhitecloud #MatthewKnies #WilliamNylander #AlexNylander #AustonMatthews #MitchMarner #JohnTavares #CraigBerube #WorldJuniorChampionships #JordanEberle #JonathanDrouin #CaleMakar #ValNichushkin #NathanMacKinnon #MikkoRantanen #KirillMarchenko #SeanMonahan #JoeSacco #KirillKaprizov #DrakeCaggiula #SethJarvis #PyotrKochetkov #SeanWalker #YanivPerets #DylanSamberg #JordanEberle #CamYork #JoeThornton #PatrickMarleau #RyanClowe #DouglasMurray #BillWalton #MarkMessier #TaylorHall #AdamOates #RyanClowe #BrentBurns #JonathanToews #AyurvedicDetox #Panchakarma

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Nov. 22, 2024

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 12:45:00 -0400

The Capitals begin their immediate future without Alex Ovechkin while the Boston Bruins begin a new era with Joe Sacco behind their bench. Vic and Neil discuss those games and plenty more including a feisty evening in Toronto Wednesday.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AlexOvechkin #JackMcBain #WayneGretzky #DylanStrome #ConnorMcMichael #AliakseiProtas #TomWilson #JohnCarlson #LarsEller #Pierre-LucDubois #SpencerCarbery #MilesWood #AlexandarGeorgiev #JoeSacco #JimMontgomery #MarkKastelic #RobertBortuzzo #EliasLindholm #JesperBratt #FrederikAndersen #SpencerMartin #PyotrKochetkov #JackRoslevic #ZachHyman #DarnellNurse #RyanReaves #KirillKaprizov #DrakeCaggiula #FrederickGaudreau #Marc-AndreFleury #CoonorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #EvanBouchard #BillGuerin #JohnHynes #ZachParise #RyanSuter #MatsZuccarello #JoelErikssonEk #YaroslavAskarov #RadekFaksa #NathanWalker #AlexWennberg #MacklinCelebrini #JonatanBerggren #LucasRaymond #DylanLarkin #ZachWerenski #ConnorZary #IgorShesterkin #IlyaSamsonov #IvanBarbashev #PetrMrazek #ConnorBedard #NickFoligno #MarcusFoligno #SethJones #AustonMatthews #FraserMinton #JosephWoll #ZachWhitecloud #MatthewKnies #MitchMarner #JohnTavares #WilliamNylander #CraigBerube #MaxDomi #MaxPacioretty #DavidKamph #CalleJarnkrok #RodGilbert #NormFerguson #EdGiacomin #CarolVadnais #CharlieHodge #JimNill

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Nov. 20, 2024

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Fresh off a discussion about the struggling Bruins on NHL Wraparound Monday, Boston Globe writer/columnist Kevin Paul Dupont re-joins this edition of Short Shifts to address the coaching change made by the team after an embarrassing loss later that evening. Plus, Alex Ovechkin heads to the sidelines after suffering a leg injury in Utah and we'll also have other significant player and officiating updates.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #JimMontgomery #JoeSacco #ChrisKelly #JayLeach #RogerNeilson #ColinCampbell #DavidQuinn #LukeRichardson #MikeSullivan #Bruce Cassidy #ClaudeJulien #CamNeely #DonSweeney #FenwayGroup #PatriceBergeron #DavidKrecji #ZdenoChara #DavidPastrnak #CharlieMcAvoy#AlexOvechkin #JackMcBain #TomWilson #AustonMatthews #JackEichel #CalleJarnkrok #DarnellNurse #RyanReeves #MarkStone #BenHutton #MikeReilly #JordanGreenway #MitchDunning #JoshManson #SteveKazari #HadynFleury #JTMiller #BraydenPoint #FilipChytil #KasperiKapanen #PatrickJohnston #PostMedia #BrockBoeser #RobertThomas #KirillKaprizov #BraydenPoint #TristanJarry #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #KrisLetang #FilipChytil #K'AndreMiller #KasperiKapanen #PhilipBroberg #DylanHolloway #MarkScheifele #KyleConnor #MorganBarron #ConnorHellebuyck #MikeComrie #VezinaTrophy #NickFoligno #TaylorHall #ConnorBedard #SamMontembeault #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #EvanBouchard #BobbyOrr #BrianLeetch #RayBourque #MacklinCelebrini #SteveYzerman #DerekLalonde #JeffBlashill #PatrickKane #VladimirTarasenko #JonCooper #DustinWolf #SemyonVarlamov #IlyaSorokin #MattBarzal #DanVladar #JacobMarkstrom

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 37 - Val Nichushkin Returns - Can He Regain The Avs Trust?

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 10:30:00 -0400

The Human Side of the Story focuses on the return of Val Nichushkin to the Colorado Avalanche lineup having completed a six-month suspension for violating terms of the NHL's Player Assistance Program. While a welcome boost to the Avs lineup, Nichushkin will be under constant scrutiny as he looks to earn back a trust which has been violated during past two springs.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #NHLPlayerAssistanceProgram #ValeriNichushkin #SamuelGirard #JackJohnson #BobProbert #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DetroitRedWings

Episode 37 - Boston "Un-Commons" - With Hall of Fame Writer Kevin Paul Dupont

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:15:00 -0400

Boston Globe and Hockey Hall of Fame writer/columnist Kevin Paul Dupont joins Neil and Vic to discuss the early season struggles of the Boston Bruins. Plenty of news and intrigue from around the NHL this past weekend and The Human Side of the Story takes a closer look at Val Nichushkin's return to the Colorado Avalanche following his six-month suspension while in the NHL's Player Assistance Program.

IN THIS EPISODE

[01:10] - Three Things You Need To Pay Attention To looks at two players whose contributions have helped Washington and Carolina to successful starts. Colorado goaltending and the Maple Leafs thriving without captain Auston Matthews are other topics in the segment.
[10:09] - Kevin Paul Dupont joins the show and addresses the disappointments among the newcomers in the Bruins lineup. In addition, Dupont has concerns about the juice this version of Bruins is bringing to the rink each night, particularly in light of the players the club has lost in recent seasons.
[18:55] - The question is raised whether head coach Jim Montgomery needs to adjust his systems in order to accommodate the 2024-25 personnel.
[23:15] - Neil brings the goaltending situation to the fore questioning Bruins management about the handling of trading Linus Ullmark to Ottawa while anointing Jeremy Swayman without a contract.
[29:30] - The shortcomings of the up-and-comers potentially buying the Bruins some time in order to get playing back to what's been their standard.
[36:57] - Neil gives the answer to his trivia question which was posed on Friday's Short Shift.
[39:02] - Some items of intrigue starting with the Florida Panthers whitewash of Winnipeg Saturday and continue with a couple of officiating decisions questioned by the N.Y. Islanders and Ottawa Senators.
[44:18] - An array of league notes from returns to milestones to injuries.
[48:01] - The Human Side of the Story takes a look at the return from suspension by Val Nichushkin. Neil and Vic provide some background and move forward into what the dynamic forward needs to do in order to regain the trust of his team.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AlexOvechkin #WayneGretzky #ConnorMcMichael #LoganThompson #SpencerCarbery #MartinNecas #RodBrind'Amour #SebastianAho #AndreiSvechnikov #SethJarvis #AlexandarGeorgiev #JustusAnnunen #KaapoKahkonen #TrentMinor #KevinMandolese #ValeriNichushkin #JonathanDrouin #MilesWood #MitchMarner #CraigBerube #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #AnthonyStolarz #RyanReaves #DarnellNurse #KevinPaulDupont #HockeyHallofFame #BostonGlobe #ElmerFergusonAward #DonSweeney #JimMontgomery #CharlieMcAvoy #BrandonCarlo #BradMarchand #DavidPastrnak #PatriceBergeron #ZdenoChara #DavidKrejci #CharlieCoyle #PavelZacha #MaxJones #RileyTufte #MarkKastelic #HampusLindholm #EliasLindholm #NikitaZadorov #JeremySwayman #JoonasKorpisalo #LinusUllmark #GerryCheevers #TuukkaRask #BillRanford #JakeDeBrusk #JamesvanRiemsdyk #JustinFaulk #AndrewPeake #MikeKeenan #JeremyRoenick #SidneyCrosby #EvegeniMalkin #KrisLetang #AleksanderBarkov #SamReinhart #MarkScheifele #AaronEkblad #NealPionk #JesperBoqvist #PatrickRoy #JamieOleksiak #BrandonTanev #TimStutzle #DavidPerron #TravisGreen #ErikJohnson #DarcyKuemper #MatsZuccarello #BrockFaber #FrederikAndersen #PyotrKochetkov #SpencerMartin #SethJones #ConnorBedard #JTMIller #TaylorHall #LukeRichardson #NickFoligno #JackJohnson #SamGirard #BobProbert #CaliforniaGoldenSeals

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Nov. 15, 2024

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 13:15:00 -0400

A couple of major milestones and some truly intriguing games over the past couple of nights. Packed with info and insight, Vic and Neil also update some injury news and a significant development in the sexual assault case again five former World Junior Players.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #Darnell Nurse #WayneGreyzky #MarioLemieux #Mike Bossy #AndreiVasilevskiy #JacquesPlante #MikeComire #ConnorHellebuyck #BraydenPoint #JakeGuentzel #JesperBratt #JonahGadjovich #BrendenDillon #KurtisMacDermid #TomFitzgerald #SheldonKeefe #DakotaJoshua #JonathanLekkerimaki #RickTocchet #QuinnHughes #EliasPettersson #JakeDeBrusk #BrockBoeser #TannerJeannot #JohnTortorella #LinusUllmark #AnthonyRichard #BobbyBrink #IvanFedotov #JoshNorris #ShanePinto #MichaelCarcone #TysonJost #JackDrury #KarelVejmelka #SidneyCrosby #WilliamNylander #MitchMarner #AustonMatthews #MorganRielly #JohnTavares #StevenLorenz #MatthewKnies #OliverEkman-Larsson #JaniHakanpaa #DarcyKuemper #MikkoRantanen #ArtturiLehkonen #NathanMacKinnon #ValeriNichushkin #AlexTuch #RasmusDahlin #TageThompson #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen #MattiasSamuelsson #FilipChytil #K'AndreMiller #PatLaFontaine #MikeKeane #EricLindros #BrettLindros #Scott Stevens #DariusKasparaitis #Jeff Beukeboom #MattJohnson #BarryTrotz #DonSweeney #JeremySwayman #DillonDube #CalFoote #AlexFormenton #CarterHart #MichaelMcLeod #SpencerCarbury #PPGPaintsArena #CivicArena #TheIgloo

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Nov. 13, 2024

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 13:15:00 -0400

Short Shifts has no shortage of talking points as Vic and Neil speak about the Washington Capitals bringing a former hero back into the fold, the Winnipeg Jets building on their own history and plenty of other league news, injury updates and developments from the GM meetings in Toronto.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 36 - New to The Hockey Hall of Fame...and Notable Omissions

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0400

The newest members of the Hockey Hall of Fame have been enshrined in Toronto with players Pavel Datsyuk, Jeremy Roenick, Shea Weber, Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl being joined by builders David Poile and Colin Campbell.

While the entry to the Hall of these seven are celebrated, Vic examines the credentials two who are overlooked year-after-year.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #PavelDatsyuk #JeremyRoenick #SheaWeber #NatalieDarwitz #KrissyWendell-Pohl #DavidPoile #BudPoile #GeorgeMcPhee #BarryTrotz #ColinCampbell #GregoryCampbell #RogerNeilson #AlexanderMogilny #PatLaFontaine #AlArbour #MarkMessier #JeffBeukeboom #AdamGraves #AlexeiKovalev #SergeiNemchinov #SergeiZubov #AlexanderKarpovtsev #SteveYzerman #SergeiFedorov #VladimirKonstantinov #NicklasLidstrom #HockeyHallofFame

Episode 36 - Speak of the Devils - With GM and President of Hockey Operations Tom Fitzgerald

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 23:45:00 -0400

New Jersey Devils GM and President of Hockey Operations Tom Fitzgerald joins the show which salutes the best start in NHL history, the soon-to-be greatest goal scorer, plenty of league and college news and a player who took the NHL by storm three years ago whose production has fizzled. The Human Side of the Story concludes the show with the newest Hockey Hall of Fame inductees...and two who should be.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:40] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," Vic and Neil simply can't ignore the historic start by the Washington Capitals, the energized Alex Ovechkin or the N.Y. Islanders continued negative trend of losing leads late.
[10:15] - Tom Fitzgerald joins the show with a little reminiscing of being on either side of Manhattan as an Islander player and Devil GM.
[12:40] - Fitzgerald shares the challenge of re-building his team after a disappointing 2023-24 season.
[14:30] - The process involved in securing Sheldon Keefe to come to New Jersey as the head coach.
[16:13] - Fitzgerald speaks about the addition of new players, healthy returnees and the fit with the new head coach.
[20:30] - Neil and Tom share more stories from the early 80's about hockey camps, college and the connection with Jack and Luke Hughes dad, Jimmy.
[22:00] - The transformation of Dougie Hamilton since coming to New Jersey as well as the accelerated growth of Simon Nemec when Hamilton went down for the season in November 2023.
[27:10] - The maturity and growth of captain Nico Hischier
[29:30] - Fitzgerald speaks on topics of discussion for the upcoming GM meetings with goaltender interference at the top of Tom's list. Fitzgerald also talks about an equal playing field for teams which don't have a state tax.
[32:46] - Vic invites Tom to share his memories of the first Panthers team to make the Stanley Cup Final, thanks to his game winning goal in Pittsburgh in Game 7 in 1996.
[36:15] - In the league notes section, significant goalie news as the Ducks John Gibson returns from an appendectomy, Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark face each for the first time since the latter was traded to Ottawa and Tristan Jarry is recalled by the Penguins.
[38:11] - Injury and other player updates
[40:20] - The Edmonton Oilers knock Kevin Lankinen from the Canucks net Saturday while the Colorado Avalanche end the Carolina Hurricanes eight-game winning streak with the help of a five goal-second period.
[42:41] - The man known for "The Michigan" goals three seasons ago, Trevor Zegras, has become borderline irrelevant in Anaheim.
[47:17] - With the NCAA lifting the eligibility ban on CHL players to join U.S. College teams, what does that mean for the future of Canadian Major Junior leagues?
[50:30] - The Human Side of the Story notes five players and two builders as the newest inductees. However, for every inductee class, there are those who manage to be overlooked year after year.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackHawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #VeteransDay #Remembrance Day #ConnorHellebuyck #AlexIafallo #AlexOvechkin #ConnorMcMichael #DylanStrome #PatrickRoy #LaneLambert #JacquesLemaire #TomFitzgerald #JakeAllen #DougieHamilton #TimoMeier #JackHughes #LukeHughes #JacobMarkstrom #BrentPesce #BrendenDillon #JohnathanKovacevic #TomasTatar #StefanNoesen #PaulCotter #AndrejPalat #SimonNemec #JonasSiegenthaler #JesperBratt #NicoHischier #JerryDineen #SheldonKeefe #TomBarrasso #AlMacInnis #ScottMellanby #JohnVanbiesbrouck #MikeRichter #JohnGibson #JeremySwayman #LinusUllmark #TannerJeannot #BrockBoeser #MikeMatheson #DanielSprong #DanteFabbro #KevinLankinen #MaxPacioretty #AustonMatthews #TristanJarry #JonathanLekkerimaki #DevonToews #AlexandarGeorgiev #ArturriLehkonen #CanadianHockeyLeague #TrevorZegras #SonnyMilano #TheMichigan #PatVerbeek #OntarioHockeyLeague #WesternHockeyLeague #QuebecMaritimesJuniorHockeyLeague ##PavelDatsyuk #JeremyRoenick #SheaWeber #NatalieDarwitz #KrissyWendell-Pohl #DavidPoile #BudPoile #GeorgeMcPhee #BarryTrotz #ColinCampbell #GregoryCampbell #RogerNeilson #AlexanderMogilny #PatLaFontaine #HockeyHallofFame

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Nov. 8, 2024

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 13:15:00 -0400

Winnipeg and Nashville now bookend the NHL overall standings while plenty of news surrounds the Flyers. Also, Neil and Vic delve into the drama in Boston, a messy night in New York and an eventful contest in Los Angeles between the Kings and Canucks.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackHawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AlexOvechkin #DylanStrome #ScottWedgewood #ConnorHellebuyck #GabrielVilardi #ScottArniel #AlexandarGeorgiev #RogerNeilson #JohnTortorella #MatveiMichkov #AlekseiKolosov #IvanFodotov #KyleKonin #OwenTippett #AndreiVasilevskiy #PaulTheofanous #BraydenPoint #JimMontgomery #BradMarchand #EliasLindholm #NikitaZadorov #DavidPastrnak #AndrewPeeke #MaxPacioretty #TageThompson #RasmusDahlin #BowenByram #DylanCozens #JordanGreenway #SamLafferty #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen #LindyRuff #BrettHull #MarioLemieux #AlexTuch #IgorShesterkin #JonathanQuick #KevinLankinen #JTMiller #QuinnHughes #BrockBoeser #FilipHronek #EvanBouchard #ThatcherDemko #ArtursSilovs #MikeyAnderson #ConnorMcDavid #NoahHanafin #CaleMakar #DylanHolloway #MacklinCelebrini #MikaelGranlund #SidneyCrosby #JeremySwayman #LinusUllmark #TomFitzgerald

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 35 - Bill Guerin

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 09:00:00 -0400

The Human Side of the Story takes a look back at the long career of Wild GM/President of Hockey Operations Bill Guerin, whose playing career spanned 18-seasons with eight NHL teams prior to becoming an executive.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #MinnesotaWild #BillGuerin #FourNationsFaceoff #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkRangers #EdmontonOilers #BostonBruins #DallasStars #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #NewYorkIslanders #PittsburghPenguins #SidneyCrosby #StanleyCup #PhiladelphiaFlyers #EdBelfour

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Nov. 6, 2024

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 14:30:00 -0400

The latest edition of Shorts Shifts gives high marks to the Los Angeles Kings, a team flying under the radar for their quick start. Also, the Maple Leafs step up without their captain, some unique history made in Colorado and Carolina and a few injury and personnel updates.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackHawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #KevinFiala #DrewDoughty #JimHiller #AustonMathews #MatthewKnies #MitchMarner #MorganRielly #AnthonyStolarz #PatrickRoy #BradMarchand #DavidPastrnak #NathanMacKinnon #ArtturiLehkonen #CaleMakar #IvanIvan #AlexandarGeorgiev #JustusAnnunen #KaapoKahkonen #WayneGretzky #JoeSakic #JaredBednar #ConnorHellebuyck #KyleConnor #MarkScheifele #NikolajEhlers #NealPionk #NinoNiederreiter #JoshMorrissey #ScottArniel #MartinNecas #RodBrind'Amour #ShaneGosisbehere #SebastienAho # #BrentPesce #JakeGuentzel #StefanNoesen #AndrewBrunette #FilipForsberg #RyanO'Reilly #StevenStamkos #RomanJosi #JonathanMarchessault #ArtemiPanarin #MikaZibanejad #ChrisKreider #AdamFox #FilipChytil #DylanHolloway #NickPaul #PhilipBroberg #DougArmstrong #MacklinCelebrini #VitekVanecek #ConnorMcDavid #ValeriNichuskin

Episode 35 - Wild Things - With GM and President of Hockey Operations Bill Guerin

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 18:30:00 -0400

Wearing multiple hats, Minnesota Wild GM/President of Hockey Operations Bill Guerin joins Neil and Vic to talk about his team's surprising start, an upcoming improvement regarding the salary cap, the contract of star Kirill Kaprizov and heading up Team USA for the upcoming Four Nations Faceoff in February.

Prior to Guerin's visit, "The Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To" touches on why N.Y. Rangers hot start should not be an indicator of what the playoffs will bring, the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending and the continued strong play of Winnipeg and Vegas.

Other items of note are a quick look back to the weekend games in Finland between Florida and Dallas, player updates, returns to former homes and injury news which leads to a segment on the New York Islanders quandary of what to do with a decimated roster amidst a challenging first dozen games to the season.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:10] - Vic and Neil dive into the shortcomings of the New York Rangers despite their impressive 8-2-1 start.
[06:07] - After many seasons of questions in net, the possibility of stability in the Toronto goal with Anthony Stolarz appears real.
[07:55] - The Winnipeg Jets and Vegas Golden Knights continue to throw up impressive records and getting some early separation in the Western Conference.
[11:00] - Neil and Bill Guerin do a bit of reminiscing from 1994 with Neil as GM of the Rangers and Bill a power forward for the New Jersey Devils.
[12:50] - Vic begins the discussion with Bill on the early regular season surge by the Wild.
[16:36] - Neil inquires about what's different in Minnesota despite a roster quite similar to last season.
[18:15] - Neil and Bill exchange stories about the difficulties of dismissing a head coach.
[20:30] - After years of working with salary constraints due to contractual buyouts, Bill shares how the changing monetary landscape effective next season will affect the Wild.
[22:59] - Kirill Kaprizov's attributes are discussed along with the possible challenge of retaining him after his contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.
[25:45] - Team USA's coaching staff and thoughts on how Guerin will be looking to fill out his roster. Within the discussion, a sidebar on the how the development of American players has made the U.S. truly a world hockey power.
[33:02] - League notes including the completed NHL Global Series in Finland between the Panthers and Stars, personnel moves, homecomings and injuries.
[48:03] - The challenge for Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello to augment his team amidst a number
[51:23] - Neil wraps up the show with a more in-depth look at Bill Guerin during the Human Side of the Story.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackHawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #BillGuerin #IgorShesterkin #PeterLaviolette #GerardGallant #AdamFox #ArtemiPanarin #MikaZibanejad #JacobTrouba #RyanLindgren #K'AndreMiller #ChrisKreider #IgorShesterkin #AnthonyStolarz #JosephWoll #ScottArniel #NikolajEhlers #KyleConnor #GeorgeMcPhee #MarkMessier #DeanEvason #RogeriNeilson #JohnHynes #KirillKaprizov #MattBoldy #ZachParise #RyanSuter #JaredSpurgeon #MarcoRossi #MarcusFoligno #Marc-AndreFleury #FilipGustavsson #MikeSullivan #JohnTortorella #BillZito #TomFitzgerald #ChrisDrury #ChrisKelleher #KeithTkachuk #MikeModano #JeremyRoenick #ChrisChelios #DougWeight #GarySuter #DerianHatcher #Kevin Hatcher #DavidQuinn #AdamFox #JackEichel #QuinnHughes #AustonMatthews #CharlieMcAvoy #MatthewTkahuck #BrianLeetch #MikeRichter #AleksanderBarkov #AntonLundell #NikoMikkola #EetuLiostarinen #RoopeHintz #EsaLindell #MiroHeiskanen #TeppoNumminen #JereLehtonen #JariKurri #DavidPastrnak #JImMontgomery #BradMarchard #JeremySwayman #NikitaPrishchepov #MacklinCelebrini #JettLuchanko #ArtturiLehkonen #JacobMarkstrom #DanVladar #CraigBerube #PhilipBroberg #RobertThomas #DougArmstrong #SamErsson #AlekseiKolosov #IvanFedotov #MatthewBarzal #AnthonyDuclair #AdamPelech #MikeReilly #AlexanderRomano #RobertBortuzzo #LouLamoriello #SalaryCap #FourNationsFaceoff #NHLGlobalSeries #2024NHLEntryDraft

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Nov. 1, 2024

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 13:45:00 -0400

Vic and Neil discuss the continued struggles in Boston, Nashville and Colorado. In addition, the pair note the surge in Washington and a veteran defenseman calling out his team in Vancouver. Plus, some injury updates.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Oct. 30, 2024

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 17:30:00 -0400

Major injury news to the Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid is at the forefront of today's episode as well a three-time Stanley Cup champion Marc-Andre Fleury returning to play in Pittsburgh one final time.

Meanwhile, the undefeated Winnipeg Jets fall for the first time while the previously winless San Jose Sharks now are owners of a winning streak.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackHawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #ZachHyman #AdamHenrique #EvanBouchard #JeffSkinner#CoreyPerry #RyanNugent-Hopkins #AleksanderBarkov #Marc-AndreFleury #SidneyCrosby #EvgenyMalkin #KrisLetang #BryanRust #MatsZuccarello #KirillKaprizov #MattBoldy #MattMurray #JohnHynes #MikeSullivan #JoshYohe #JohnTavares #MaxPacioretty #FabianZetterlund #MikaelGranlund #TylerToffoli #AlexWennberg #RyanWarsofsky #KevinFiala #JimHiller #BradyTkachuk #TimStutzle #AdamGaudette #ShanePinto #JimMontgomery #BradMarchand #DavidPastrnak #PavelZacha #JonasKorpisalo #SamErsson #TysonFoerster #Olli Maatta #SeanDurzi #JohnMarino #StevenStamkos #RyanOReilly #JonathanMarchessault #FilipForsberg #RomanJosi #BrandonMontour #MartinStLouis #ColeCaufield #JakobChychrun #MattRoy #AlexOvechkin #AndrewMangiapane #DylanStrom #Pierre-LucDubois #SpencerCarbery #DeanEvason #AnthonyDuclair #MattBarzal #LukeHughes #JackHughes #QuinnHughes #KevinLankinen #ThatcherDemko #JakeDebrusk #NikitaZadorov #EliasLindholm #KaapoKahkonen #LukasDostal #JohnGibson #NHLGlobalSeries

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 34 - Remembering Hockey Ambassador Bill Hay

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:30:00 -0400

His name may not resonate within many of today's hockey circles but Bill Hay's life in the game resonated well beyond that of a player and Stanley Cup champion.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #ChicagoBlackHawks #BillHay #CharlesHay #BobbyHull #MurrayBalfour #MillionDollarLine #CalderTrophy #HockeyHallOfFame #OrderOfCanada

Episode 34 - Plight of the Penguins with Josh Yohe from The Athletic

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 23:30:00 -0400

The struggles of the Pittsburgh Penguins take center stage as Josh Yohe joins Vic and Neil on a packed episode. Very few areas go untouched from the recent road trip to the front office, to head coach Mike Sullivan and superstar Sidney Crosby to the current dilemma in goal.

Along with "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," Neil explains part of the mindset of what a GM considers when deciding whether to keep a player with the big club or send him back to juniors in order to save a year on their entry-level contract.

Steven Stamkos return to Tampa as a Nashville Predator brings back memories to 1997 when Neil could not reach a contract agreement with Mark Messier and saw his captain sign in Vancouver.

The episode concludes with the "Human Side of the Story" and a look back to the life of hockey ambassador Bill Hay.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:00] - The Winnipeg Jets burst from the gate as just the ninth team in NHL history to start 8-0-0.
[03:06] - The struggles of the Edmonton Oilers overall play with Zach Hyman coming under particular scrutiny.
[05:36] - Mark Stone the surprise scoring leader entering the last week of October.
[07:22] - Josh Yohe from the Athletic joins the show and quickly takes the Penguins defensive play to task.
[08:15] - Vic piles on asking Josh about the roaming, defense-void play of Erik Karlsson.
[10:13] - Neil queries about Mike Sullivan's future as head coach and the overall plan of the Penguins leadership group.
[14:20] - Discussion about Sidney Crosby taking lesser money to stay in Pittsburgh with the aim of freeing up money so the team can rebuild sooner.
[15:47] - Vic follows up with the financial quandary of the Pens with very little cap space coupled with bad contracts the team has on its books.
[18:35] - The goaltending saga is discussed with high-priced Tristan Jarry now the third wheel in net on the eve of multiple Penguins Stanley Cup winner Marc-Andre Fleury returning to Pittsburgh for the final time in the uniform of the Minnesota Wild.
[22:30] - Remembering the one-year anniversary of the tragic passing of Adam Johnson from a skate cut while playing in Europe and the safety measures since taken by minor and youth leagues regarding neck protection.
[25:15] - The N.Y. Rangers extend Alexis Lafreniere while the future of RFA Kaapo Kakko is in question
[27:50] - Aleksei Kolosov makes his debut in the Philadelphia net, perhaps adding some much-needed depth in the Flyer goal.
[29:24] - The surprising offensive outburst in Colorado by Ross Colton
[31:40] - The significance of the nine-game mark for general managers and the challenge of keeping a junior player up at the NHL level or sending them back to junior so a year of the entry-level contract is not wasted.
[34:00] - Former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos returns to Tampa for the first time after failing to re-up his contract.
[36:18] - The Human Side of the Story pays tribute to hockey ambassador Bill Hay.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #JoshYohe #TheAthletic #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackHawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #ScottArniel #ConnorHellebuyck #NikolajEhlers #ZachHyman #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #EvanBouchard #JeffSkinner #MarkStone #EricKarlsson #TristanJarry #AlexNedeljkovic #JoelBlomqvist #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #KrisLetang #ErikKarlsson #KyleDubas #MileSullivan #RyanGraves #RickardRakell #MarcusPettersson #BryanRust #RutgerMcGroarty #JimRutherford #MattMurray #MarcAndreFleury #AdamJohnson #NottinghamPanthers #EliteIceHockeyLeague #MattPetgrave #AlexisLafreniere #KaapoKakko #JackHughes #PatrikLaine #AlekseiKolosov #IvanFedotov #RossColton #NikitaKucherov #ColeCaufield #NicoHischier #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #ValeriNichushkin #MikkoRantanen #JustusAnnunen #MatveiMitchkov #JettLuchanko #CalumRitchie #LaneHutson #MannyMalhotra #MarkMessier #StevenStamkos #JulienBriseBois #BillHay #CharlesHay #BobbyHull #MurrayBalfour #MillionDollarLine #CalderTrophy #HockeyHallOfFame #OrderOfCanada #NorrisTrophy

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Oct. 25, 2024

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 11:45:00 -0400

Neil and Vic cover the past two evenings around the NHL highlighting a rematch of the 2024 Eastern Conference Final, the club with the league's only perfect record and the first game for a Stanley Cup winning coach facing his former club for the first time.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackHawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #TimeToHunt #SergeiBobrovsky #IgorShesterkin #SamBennett #SamReinhart #NikolajEhlers #KyleConnor #MarkScheifele #ScottArneil #JoshMorrissey #NealPionk #EricComrie #MarcAndreFleury #KirillKaprizov #JoelEriksson-Ek #JohnHynes #CraigBerube #AustonMatthews #DougArmstrong #SheldonKeefe #DylanHolloway #PhilipBroberg #JordanBinnington #JosephWoll #Jim Montgomery #JeremySwayman #RoopeHintz #PatrickKane #MichaelRasmussen #JackHughes #NicoHischier #DougieHamilton #CamTalbot #AlexLyon #PyotrKochetkov #JustusAnnunen #IvanIvan #SeanDurzi #JohnMarino #RobertBortuzzo #MavericLamourux ClaytonKeller #CaleMakar #WarrenFoegele #DavidRittich #MikaelGranlund #IvanFedotov #SamErsson #JohnTortorella #AnthonyDuclair #TristanJarry #JoelBlomqvist #AlexNedeljkovic #SidneyCrosby #ConnorMcDavid #CanadaCup #FourNationsTournment #SpencerCarbery

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Oct. 23, 2024

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

For the only time in the 2024-25 season, all 32 NHL teams were in action. Vic and Neil hit on every game of the marathon evening.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #HockeyFightsCancer #PhiladelphiaFlyers #WashingtonCapitals #MinnesotaWild #FloridaPanthers #TampaBayLightning #NewJerseyDevils #DallasStars #BuffaloSabres #NewYorkRangers #MontrealCanadiens #TorontoMapleLeafs #ColumbusBlueJackets #DetroitRedWings #NewYorkIslanders #WinnipegJets #StLouisBlues #VancouverCanucks #ChicagoBlackHawks #ColoradoAvalanche #SeattleKraken #BostonBruins #NashvillePredators #CarolinaHurricanes #EdmontonOilers #OttawaSenators #UtahHockeyClub #PittsburghPenguins #CalgaryFlames #SanJoseSharks #AnaheimDucks #LosAngelesKings #VegasGoldenKnights #MatthewTkachuk #JonasJohansson #BrandonHagel #JakeAllen #UkkoPekkaLuukknen #PatrickKane #ConnorHellebuyck #DantonHeinen #KevinKankinen #JustusAnnunen #JuuseSaros #AndrewBrunette #BarryTrotz #ConnorMcDavid #SebastianAho #ShaneGostisbehere #AntonForsberg #NazemKadri ##JustinKirkland #RyanHuska #CutterGauthier #LukasDostal #TomasHertl #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #KrisLetang #ErikKarlsson

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 33 - The First-Ever NHL Draftee

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:45:00 -0400

This Human Side of the Story acknowledges a player whose career stats were unremarkable yet, has a place in NHL history that nobody else will ever have.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #HumanSideoftheStory #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #GarryMonahan #MontrealCanadiens #NHLAmatuerDraft #NewYorkRangers #BostonBruins #StCatherinesTeepees #TorontoMarlies #ChicagoBlackhawks #TorontoMapleLeafs #DetroitRedWings #GordieHowe #KitchenerRangers #ConnorBedard #MacklinCelebrini

Episode 33 - Hot Start with Calgary Flames President of Hockey Ops Don Maloney

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 08:45:00 -0400

Calgary Flames President of Hockey Operations Don Maloney joins Neil and Vic to discuss one of the early surprises of the NHL season.

Prior to Maloney joining the show, the hosts are giving a nod to a pair of players who are not historically big-time goal-scorers but putting some numbers early. They also credit the Florida Panthers for battling their way through some early season injuries as well as the Winnipeg Jets - authors of the NHL's only perfect record through two weeks.

Following the discussion with Maloney, Vic and Neil look at the six clubs with the oldest average age and how each pair is in a very different stage based on their current expectations. A handful of player items is also discussed - most specifically, Bruins captain Brad Marchand being called out by head coach Jim Montgomery following an undisciplined play during the B's overtime loss in Utah.

The show concludes with the Human Side of the Story and a look back of how a lesser-known player is actually a very important part of NHL history.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:05] - Quick goal-scoring bursts out of the gate by the Caps Tom Wilson and Ross Colton of the Avalanche.
[02:35] - The defending champion Florida Panthers manage a quick start despite injuries to captain Alex Barkov and Matt Tkachuk.
[04:20] - The Winnipeg Jets open the season 5-0-0, the only team with a perfect mark through the first two weeks of the season.
[09:40] - Don Maloney speaks about the player personnel in Calgary and the goal of making the playoffs with a team not expected to contend.
[13:02] - the growth of Ryan Huska as head coach behind the Flames bench.
[16:00] - Maloney speaks about the difference of playing in Calgary as opposed to other NHL markets.
[19:22] - A discussion about the role of President of Hockey Operations in conjunction with general manager Craig Conroy.
[23:40] - The Flames get away early in the season for team bonding away from the ice.
[25:50] - With a new Arena on the horizon, the possibility of Calgary becoming more of a go-to for future free agents and more in-depth discussion about building the team.
[29:40] - Neil raises the point of the challenge Canadian markets face regarding the economics of taking in Canadian dollars while having to pay contracts in Americans funds.
[33:15] - Some reminiscing with Maloney about the 1979 season when the Rangers advanced to the Stanley Cup Final.
[37:00] - Neil and Don wrap up talking about their time working together and a couple of high-end draft picks who didn't pan out.
[41:00] - Vic and Neil talk about the interesting dynamic of the six oldest teams in the NHL.
[43:16] - Player notes from the Montgomery/Marchand exchange in Utah to milestones to a couple of personal items.
[47:26] - The Human Side of the Story starts by acknowledging the birthday of Garry Monahan. While only a marginal player during his NHL career, Monahan has a significant place in league history.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #WashingtonCapitals #TomWilson #AlexOvechkin #RossColton #ColoradoAvalanche #FloridaPanthers #AlexanderBarkov #MatthewTkachuk #SamReinhart #SamBennett #RyanLomberg #OliverEkmanLarsson #BrandonMontour #SergeiBobrovsky WinnipegJets #ScottArneil #CalgaryFlames #DonMaloney #HartfordWolfpack #JohnPaddock JonathanHuberdeau #NazemKadri #RasmusAndersson #DanVladar #DustinWolf #CraigConroy #RyanHuska #BradLarson #DaveNonis #BradTreliving #KevinBahl #TysonBarrie #Saddledome #MadisonSquareGarden #ScotiaPlace #EdmontonOilers #VancouverCanucks #BrianBurke #NashvillePredators #PittsburghPenguins #NewYorkIslanders #ChicagoBlackhawks #DetroitRedWings #BradMarchand #JimMontgomery #BostonBruins #LukeSchenn #TylerMyers #VancouverCanucks #MathieuJoseph #PierreOlivierJoseph #StLouisBlues #BryanLittle #AtlantaThrashers #GarryMonahan #MontrealCanadiens #NHLAmateurDraft

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Oct. 18, 2024

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 17:45:00 -0400

Vic goes solo with Neil on the road and he identifies the Sabres and Red Wings as teams already in trouble.

Other key points see back-up goaltenders in the spotlight.

The Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers turn to theirs for important roads wins while another backup not only shuts out the New York Islanders in overtime but, winds up starting the game-winning play with a sterling outlet pass.

On the flip side, Flyers understudy Ivan Fedotov struggles and in Seattle and calls into question the Flyers depth in net.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #TampaBayLightning #WinnipegJets #CalgaryFlames #NasvhillePredators #ColoradoAvalanche #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #PittsburghPenguins #DerekLalonde #DetroitRedWings #BuffaloSabres #VancouverCanucks #KevinLankinen #JTMiller #FloridaPanthers #MatthewTkachuk #AlexanderBarkov #EdmontonOilers #CalvinPickard #ConnorMcDavid #JonathanMarchessault #StevenStamkos #StLouisBlues #JoelHofer #PhilipBroberg #JakeNeighbours #NewYorkIslanders #IlyaSorokin #PhildelphiaFlyers #IvanFedotov #SamErsson #SeattleKraken

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 32 - Johnny Gaudreau Honored and Celebrated at Many Home Openers

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 16:15:00 -0400

With the start of the NHL season now clear of it's first weekend, Neil and Vic discuss the various ways the late Johnny Gaudreau was recognized in arenas leaguewide.

#NHLWraparound #NeilSmith #VicMorren #JohnnyGaudreau #Matthew Gaudreau #KirillMarchneko #SeanMonahan #ColumbusBlueJackets ColeCaufield #MontrealCanadiens #CalgaryFlames #GoJohnnyGo #DustinWolf #FloridaPanthers

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Oct. 16, 2024

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 14:15:00 -0400

Neil and Vic begin extend their league-wide coverage with the first installment of "Short Shifts."

Neil provides an overview of the teams performing on the higher end of the scale then addresses those off to subpar starts in the first ten-plus days of the regular season.

Key points from games of Oct. 15:

The Columbus Blue Jackets have a poignant tribute to Johnny Gaudreau prior to their game with the Florida Panthers.
Filip Gustavsson becomes the joins a small group of goaltenders who have scored a goal doing so against the St. Louis Blues.
Alex Ovechkin is moved to right wing for the Washington Capitals win against Vegas while former Golden Knights goalie Logan Thompson shines in net for the Caps.
Does Pyotr Kochetkov's performance against New Jersey suggest he could be the Hurricanes answer in goal come playoff time?
The Edmonton Oilers avoid an 0-4 start with a late goal in regulation by Evan Bouchard followed by the OT winner by Leon Draisaitl.
Games on the radar for Oct. 16-17.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NewJerseyDevils #BuffaloSabres #NewYorkRangers #TampaBayLightning #DallasStars #WinnipegJets #CalgaryFlames #MinnesotaWild #UtahHockeyClub #NashvillePredators #ColoradoAvalanche #EdmontonOilers #PhiladelphiaFlyers #VancouverCanucks #ColumbusBlueJackets #JohnnyGaudreau #MatthewGaudreau #GuyGaudreau #MeredithGaudreau #SeanMonahan #VictorHedman #FilipGustavsson #RonHextall #BillySmith #MartinBrodeur #ChrisOsgood #HartfordWhalers #AlexOvechkin #LoganThompson #SpencerCarbery #PyotrKochetkov #FrederikAndersen #JakeGuentzel #EvanBouchard #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #StuartSkinner #AlexandarGeorgiev #JustusAnnunen #JaredBednar #KaapoKahkonen #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #StevenStamkos #JonathanMarchessault #AlexanderBarkov #ArtursSilovs #ThatcherDemko

Episode 32 - All American with LaSonjia "LJ" Jack

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:01:00 -0400

Neil and Vic welcome LaSonjia "LJ" Jack who, along with her son, former NFL Star Myles Jack, are the only African American majority owners in professional hockey for the Allen Americans of the ECHL.

Prior to her their appearance on the show, the quick start of the Utah Hockey Club, the unlikely early fortunes for the two Alberta-based teams and potential goaltending issues in Colorado.

We'll talk potential expansion and whether the NHL would have enough top-level athletes to accommodate more teams plus Igor Shersterkin's contract stalemate with the Rangers.

The program concludes acknowledging the league-wide tributes to Johnny Gaudreau with the Blue Jackets home opener on the horizon.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:16] - The Impressive start by the Utah Hockey Club led by Clayton Keller and Dylan Guenther
[02:12] - Unexpected starts in Alberta by the Flames and OIlers
[04:47] - Ugly start between the pipes for the Colorado Avalanche
[09:50] - LaSonjia "LJ" Jack shares how the very different careers of her and son Myles led to their majority ownership of the Allen Americans of the ECHL.
[16:47] - LJ talks about making the Americans work while competing with the NHL and AHL teams in nearby Dallas.
[19:35] - LJ speaks about what drew her to hockey.
[21:40] - The long-term plan for LJ's empire and possible future ownership in the NHL
[25:40] - Will there be enough NHL-level players to support expansion?
[32:40] - The Igor Shesterkin contract drama. After turning down an 8-year extension at $11 million per year, is he simply waiting for the salary cap to go up in order to get more from the Rangers?
[40:07] - The Human Side of the Story looks at tributes around NHL rinks during the first week of the season for the late Johnny Gaudreau.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

#NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NHL #UtahHockeyClub #DylanGuenther #ClaytonKeller #EdmontonOilers #CalgaryFlames #JonathanHuberdeau #NazemKadri #Rasmus Andersson #RyanHuska #DustinWolf #DanVladar #ConnorMcDavid #ZachHyman #ColoradoAvalanche #AlexandarGeorgiev #JustusAnnunen #KaapoKahkonen #DarcyKuemper #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #MikkoRantanen #LaSonjiaJack #LJJack #TheLJWay #BreastCancerAwareness #MylesJack #AllenAmericans #ECHL #AHL #SavannahGhostPirates #TahoeKnightMonsters #JacksonvilleIcemen #CharlotteCheckers #JohnstownChiefs #GreenvilleSwampRabbits #NHLExpansion #BillDaly #MontrealCanadiens #IgorShesterkin #NewYorkRangers #AndreiVasilevskiy #TampaBayLightning #AdinHill #VegasGoldenKnights #SergeiBobrovsky#JohnnyGaudreau #ColeCaufield #GoJohnnyGo# #KirillMarchenko #SeanMonahan #ColumbusBlueJackets

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 31 - Opening Night for a GM

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Following a summer re-constructing a team for a new season, Neil shares what a general manager experiences when its time for that work to begin showing results.

Episode 31 - 2024-25 The E.J. Way! - Season Preview

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 17:00:00 -0400

Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by E.J. Hradek from the NHL Network to preview the 2024-25 NHL season.

Youngsters Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini, graybeards Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin and two superstars in their prime, Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews are under the microscope.

Breakout players, the plight of teams and Cup Final predictions are added to the commentary with The Human Side of the Story featuring Neil sharing what a GM experiences on opening night following months of off-season work in constructing a team.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[04:50] - The expectations for both 2024 first overall pick Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks team being built around him.
[06:54] - Neil speaks of the difference between Celebrini coming out of US College as opposed Bedard coming through the Canadian Junior program.
[09:15] - Discussion whether smaller players such as Connor Bedard and Jack Hughes be cornerstones of championship teams.
[14:30] - Crosby/Ovechkin. Who gets back to the playoffs first?
[18:22] - Neil and E.J. speak on the resistance of the Penguins and Capitals to full rebuilds, instead trying to re-tool on the fly. The plights of the Red Wings and Blackhawks are referenced as examples.
[22:40] - Will OV catch The Great One for the all-time goals record this season?
[23:23] - The pressure for Connor McDavid to win now as the Oilers salary cap gets more top-heavy.
[27:50] - Auston Matthews is a new captain with a new coach and needs to do more to improve on one playoff series win in his career.
[32:10] - The importance of having Stanley Cup pedigree on the roster as it relates to the Maple Leafs and other also-ran franchises.
[34:30] - Neil, Vic and E.J. weigh in on their breakout players
[39:20] - The Power Shifts: Teams on the rise and those on the slide.
[43:40] - Fearless forecasts on who makes the post-season from each conference.
[47:34] - Four different champions since 2021. Will the Panthers style fashion a repeat or does a new championship template emerge?
[51:55] - Cup Final Predictions. Heed at your own risk.

[57:57] - The Human Side of the Story gets to the inside of what a GM experiences once the summer work ends and his team embarks on the new season.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Star players from different eras are examined from various angles while the hosts and guests serve up players they believe will have breakout seasons.
Team takes on those headed up, those headed down, those headed to the playoffs and those playing for the Stanley Cup.

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#MacklinCelebrini #ConnorBedard #JackHughes #SidneyCrosby #Alex Ovechkin #ConnorMcDavid #AustonMatthews #ClaytonKeller #WyattJohnston #OwenTippett #KirillMarchenko #NHL #BostonBruins #Carolina Hurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColumbusBlueJackets #ColoradoAvalanche #DallasStars #DetroitRedwings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngeles Kings #MinnesotaWild #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NYRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #NHLWraparound #NeilSmith #VicMorren #E.J.Hradek #JessicaCampbell #SheldonKeefe #CraigBerube

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 30 - Doug & Neil Armstrong

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 10:30:00 -0400

The Human Side of the Story discusses the career and life of Neil Armstrong, father of guest of the show, Blues President of Hockey Operations, Doug Armstrong.

Episode 30 - Looking to Hit the High Note with Blues GM Doug Armstrong

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 21:30:00 -0400

Neil Smith and Vic Morren welcome St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong to the show marking the return of weekly recordings and influential guests in the hockey world.

Other topics covered in the show include re-visiting the contract of Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl, the extension signed in Pittsburgh signed by captain Sidney Crosby, a couple of key injuries suffered by defensemen during the pre-season and Neil's "Burning Questions" from each division with the 2024-25 season fast approaching.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[03:22] - Neil and Doug Armstrong share stories about Doug's father, Hall-of-Fame linesman and, later, Montreal Canadiens scout, Neil Armstrong.
[07:02] - A discussion on the offer sheets which lured Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway from the Edmonton Oilers.
[14:48] - The expectations of head coach Drew Bannister entering his first full season behind the Blues bench.
[16:15] - Armstrong shares thoughts on how his Cup-winning coach Craig Berube will fare with a very different type of team in Toronto.
[18:45] - With key defenseman Torey Krug likely to miss the entire season, Armstrong speaks about bolstering his backline - in particular the signing of Ryan Suter.
[20:55] - After extending for two more seasons in his current duel roles, Armstrong talks about turning over the reigns to Alex Steen.
[26:32] - Clarity on the Leon Draisaitl extention in Edmonton with Connor McDavid having two seasons remaining on his deal before becoming a UFA.
[28:40] - Sidney Crosby extends in Pittsburgh leaving money on the table in order to give the club the opportunity to add stronger support players.
[30:58] - Injury news on defensemen Ryan Lindgren (NYR) and Drew Doughty (LA).
[34:17] - The contract saga of Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman.
[37:24] - The New Jersey Devils have made notable changes behind the bench, in goal and on their blue line. How will it all mesh?
[39:45] - A look at how the Nashville Predators profile has changed with the signings of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei.
[41:37] - Thoughts on potential impact on the Vancouver Canucks with number one goalie Thatcher Demko still recovering from a knee that has been nagging him since taking place in the opening game of the 2024 playoffs against Nashville.

[46:02] The Human Side of the Story discusses the career and life of Neil Armstrong, father of guest of the show, Blues President of Hockey Operations, Doug Armstrong.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

As he winds down his GM career with the St. Louis Blues, Doug Armstrong speaks about the construction of his team with Drew Bannister behind the bench for his first full season. Armstrong also shares why Alex Steen is the right man as his successor.
Contracts, contract disputes, injuries and "Four Burning Questions" highlight an array of topics addressed as the 2024-25 season nears.

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#StLouisBlues #DougArmstrong #NeilArmstrongHockey #NHL #OfferSheets #PhilipBroberg #DylanHolloway #CraigBerube #DrewBannister #ToreyKrug #RyanSuter #AlexSteen #LeonDraistaitl #ConnorMcDavid #DarnellNurse #EvanBouchard #Edmonton Oilers #SidneyCrosby #KyleDubas #Pittsburgh Penguins #RyanLindgren #NYRangers #DrewDoughty #JeremySwayman #LinusUllmark #NewJersey Devils #Sheldon Keefe #JackHughes #DougieHamilton #NashvillePredators #StevenStamkos #JonathanMarchessault #BradySkjei #FilipForsberg #VancouverCanucks #ThatcherDemko #ArtursSilovs #NHLWraparound #NeilSmith #VicMorren

Human Side of the Story - Ep. 29 - The Gaudreau Brothers/Hockey Community

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The Human Side of the Story discusses the the support of the hockey community in light of the Gaudreau tragedy. Neil provides his own personal perspective.

Ep 29 - From the GM Perch

Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the tragic passings of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in a biking incident prior to Labor Day weekend. The show opens on this solemn note and concludes by noting how the hockey community supports its own in time of tragedy.

The body of the show focuses on Neil's most improved teams during the off-season heading into the 2024-25 campaign. While some teams are obvious based on the discussions in the "Summer Cooler" series, others may take some listeners and viewers by surprise.

Another key point of discussion notes Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl re-signing with the club for an NHL-record $14 million per season for eight years effective 2025-2026. Conversely, with Connor McDavid's deal expiring in two years, is GM Stan Bowman boxed into a similar corner back to his days in Chicago when Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews occupied almost a third of the Blackhawks salary cap?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[0:56] - Opening thoughts on the passing of Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and this brother Matthew
[2:35] - Neil's most improved team during the off-season - The Nashville Predators
[4:10] - Second on the list: the New Jersey Devils
[6:00] - The Vancouver Canucks have replaced a couple of important players and are primed to contend in the West
[8:10] - Two offer sheets change the outlook for the St. Louis Blues
[10:10] - The Chicago Blackhawks additions have given reasons for optimism in the Windy City
[11:53] - The Utah Hockey Club has bolstered their defense after their move from the desert and earn an honorable mention
[13:25] - Leon Draisaitl is under contract through 2032-33. However, with Connor McDavid's deal ending in two years, are the Oilers committing too much of their salary cap to two players?

[17:45] The Human Side of the Story discusses the the support of the hockey community in light of the Gaudreau tragedy. Neil provides his own personal perspective.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Hockey is no stranger to unexpected loss. The loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau has left a hole in the hockey community heading into training camp.
Several teams stand out to Neil as having improved the most during the season in relation to how they finished 2023-24.
One superstar is locked up long-term in Edmonton but with a Connor McDavid deal coming up, are the Oilers going to begin leaving themselves short when it comes to spending on the supporting cast?

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

EP 28 Summer Cooler Pacific Division

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the Pacific Division, offering a detailed analysis of each team's offseason moves, challenges, and prospects for the upcoming NHL season. From the dominant Edmonton Oilers to the rebuilding San Jose Sharks, they discuss player signings, coaching changes, and the overall landscape of the division.

The episode covers all eight teams in the Pacific Division: Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks. The episode also highlights key player movements, the impact of injuries, and the potential for each team to make a playoff run.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:39] - Discussion on Edmonton Oilers' offseason moves and key player departures, key player additions and salary cap challenges
[9:47] - Vancouver Canucks' offseason analysis and their potential for the upcoming season
[16:15] - Breakdown of the LA Kings’ offseason changes and expectations for the season
[23:36] - Discussion on Vegas Golden Knights' roster challenges and injury impact
[28:48] - Calgary Flames' rebuild process and key player signings
[34:04] - Seattle Kraken’s new coaching staff and chances of playoff contention
[43:27] - San Jose Sharks' outlook with new head coach Ryan Warsofsky and the arrival of top prospect Malcolm Celebrini

[48:36] Human Side of Coaching in the Pacific Division

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Oilers face significant challenges managing their salary cap while retaining star players like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.
The Canucks are one of the most complete teams in the Pacific Division, but their success hinges on their goaltending situation.
The Golden Knights might struggle this season due to key losses and salary cap constraints, despite their strong core players.
The Sharks are in full rebuild mode, with the focus on the development of their young star, Malcolm Celebrini, under a new head coach.

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

At Game Seven Group, we specialize in transforming individuals into cohesive teams through our team-building events, coaching, and speaking. We believe every team has the potential to achieve extraordinary results.

EP 27 Summer Cooler Central Division

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren analyze the Central Division's eight teams, covering key offseason moves, signings, and prospects for the upcoming season. They discuss the Dallas Stars' aging roster, the Winnipeg Jets' challenges after significant player departures, and the Colorado Avalanche's defensive uncertainties. The Nashville Predators' bold signings under GM Barry Trotz are highlighted, alongside the St. Louis Blues' surprising offer sheet acquisitions. The Minnesota Wild's salary cap struggles, the Utah Hockey Club's fresh start, and the Chicago Blackhawks' rebuilding efforts are also examined, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the division. Additionally, the hosts share a heartfelt segment on the "Human Side of the Story," reflecting on Joe Pavelski's retirement and his impactful career in the NHL.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:35] - Dallas Stars: Analysis of the Stars' offseason moves and challenges with an aging roster
[04:15] - Peter DeBoer's Playoff Woes: Discussion on DeBoer’s postseason struggles and the potential closing window for the Stars
[09:07] - Winnipeg Jets Offseason changes and the challenges of maintaining competitiveness
[18:20] - Colorado Avalanche Key signings and the impact of Gabriel Landeskog’s potential return
[23:04] - Nashville Predators Barry Trotz’s bold offseason moves and the team’s outlook
[31:46] - St. Louis Blues Surprising offseason acquisitions and the team’s playoff aspirations
[37:20] - Minnesota Wild Challenges with salary cap constraints and limited offseason activity
[45:40] - Utah Hockey Club the new team on the block and their potential to shake things up in the Central Division
[45:45] - Chicago Blackhawks rebuilding process and the impact of new signings on the team’s future
[49:44] - Human Side of the Story on Joe Pavelski's retirement and his impactful career

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Stars face a pivotal season with a roster that is getting older. Key players like Joe Pavelski have retired, and the team needs to find a balance between veteran experience and young talent.
Barry Trotz is making his mark as GM with aggressive signings, including Steven Stamkos, signaling that the Predators are serious about contending in the upcoming season.
The Blues made several unexpected moves, including offer sheets to Edmonton players, signaling their intention to return to playoff contention.
With new signings and the continued development of Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks are looking to move past their rebuilding phase and become competitive again.

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

Human Side of the Story- Ep 27 Joe Pavelski

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The Human Side of the story on the recently retired NHL star Joe Pavelski. The episode highlights Pavelski's impressive career, despite being drafted in the seventh round. The hosts reflect on his journey from the USHL to becoming a standout player for the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars. They discuss his potential candidacy for the Hockey Hall of Fame, emphasizing his leadership, toughness, and exceptional skill in deflecting pucks. The episode also features a segment on Peter DeBoer's remarkable Game 7 coaching record.

Sponsored by the Game 7 Group, the episode wraps up with listener engagement details and a teaser for the upcoming Pacific Division analysis.

TIMESTAMP:

[00:50] Discussion on Peter DeBoer's Game 7 Record (8-0)
[01:30] Introduction to Joe Pavelski's Career
[02:05] Joe Pavelski's Early Career and Draft Details
[03:00] Pavelski's Time with the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars
[03:30] Career Stats: 1,332 Games, 1,068 Points
[03:45] Analysis of Pavelski's Playing Style and Leadership
[04:30] Reflection on Pavelski's Potential Hall of Fame Induction
[04:50] Vic Morren on Pavelski's Toughness and Puck Deflection Skills
[05:00] Closing Remarks and Tribute to Joe Pavelski's Career
[05:10] Thanks to Game 7 Group for Sponsorship

SPONSOR:

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

Human Side of the Story -Ep 26 Patrick Family

Sat, 24 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

This Human Side of the Story focuses on the lasting legacy of the Patrick family in the NHL, from Lester Patrick's early contributions to Chris Patrick's current role as GM of the Washington Capitals. Neil and Vic explore how this family's influence has spanned over a century and discuss the potential for future successes under Chris Patrick. The episode ends with a teaser for the next discussion on the Central Division.

Timestamps:

[01:05] - Introduction to the Human Side of the Story segment, sponsored by Game 7 Group.
[02:00] - Overview of the Patrick family's legacy in the NHL.
[03:35] - Discussion on Chris Patrick's potential as the next Stanley Cup-winning GM.
[04:20] - Episode conclusion and preview of the next episode on the Central Division.

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

EP 26 Summer Cooler Metropolitan Division

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Neil Smith and Vic Morren dissect the Metropolitan Division, analyzing team performances, key signings, and future prospects for the New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders, Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Highlights include discussions on team strategies, player trades, and how off-season activities might impact the upcoming season. The episode also touches on team-building strategies and the legacy of the Patrick family in the NHL. The hosts end the segment with a look ahead to their discussion on the Central Division in the next episode.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:37] Summer Cooler Series: Metropolitan Division Overview
[02:28] New York Rangers Offseason Moves and Challenges
[09:42] Carolina Hurricanes Roster Changes and Prospects
[13:57] New York Islanders Struggles and Signings
[19:35] Washington Capitals Confounding Moves and Future Outlook
[27:34] Pittsburgh Penguins Aging Roster and Dubious Decisions
[31:24] Pittsburgh Penguins A Season of Uncertainty
[32:55] Jake Guentzel's Trade Fallout
[33:45] Sidney Crosby's Future with the Penguins
[35:46] Philadelphia Flyers Rebuilding Phase
[38:35] John Tortorella's Impact on the Flyers
[43:06] New Jersey Devils Offseason Moves and Expectations
[47:58] Columbus Blue Jackets Struggles and Changes
[56:50] The Patrick Family Legacy in the NHL
[59:05] Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Rangers face internal challenges with team chemistry and leadership following the loss of key players and potential unrest with captain Jacob Trouba.
Carolina's goaltending remains a significant question mark, and the loss of key defensemen could impact their playoff chances.
The Washington Capitals seem stuck between a rebuild and competing to support Alex Ovechkin's quest to break the goal-scoring record.
The New Jersey Devils are poised for a significant bounce-back season with strong off-season acquisitions and new leadership under coach Sheldon Keefe.

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

MeiGray is your source for Game-Worn jerseys. Head to MeiGray.com to get your collection started today. Get real, get it from MeiGray.

https://www.MeiGray.com/

https://MeiGrayauctions.com/

NHL Wraparound guests can take 10 percent off any hockey jersey when they order at meigray.com and use the COUPON CODE WRAP10

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #ESPN #TNT #Playoffs #Championships #NeilSmith #VicMorren #CarolinaHurricanes #ColumbusBlueJackets #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #WashingtonCapitals #LesterPatrick #FrankPatrick #Craig Patrick #Dick Patrick #Muzz Patrick, #Lynn Patrick #Chris Patrick

Human Side of the Story- Ep 25

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

This episode of the Human Side of the Story pays tribute to recently passed hockey community members, including Ottawa Senators assistant coach Bob Jones, NHL Hall of Famer Borje Salming, and former Calgary Flames assistant GM Chris Snow, all of whom passed away due to ALS. Tune in to stay informed and updated on NHL action, and don’t forget to subscribe.

[00:00] Introduction to NHL Wraparound Podcast
[00:35] Game7 Group: Building Winning Teams
[02:01] Tribute to Bob Jones and Other Hockey Legends
[04:10] Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook::https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

EP 25 Summer Cooler Atlantic Division

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the NHL Wraparound podcast, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren bring their extensive NHL expertise to analyze the Atlantic Division. Covering team developments, trades, free agent movements, and key player performances, the focus is on the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Additionally, they explore the challenges faced by the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, and Montreal Canadiens in breaking through to the upper tier of the Division.

The episode also honors the memory of significant hockey figures lost to ALS, including Ottawa Senators assistant coach Bob Jones, and highlights the importance of team building and development through services offered by their sponsor, the Game7 Group.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:36] Summer Cooler Edition Overview
[00:40] Atlantic Division Breakdown
[02:28] Florida Panthers Offseason Moves and Analysis
[08:33] Boston Bruins Roster Changes and Expectations
[14:39] Toronto Maple Leafs Core Four and Offseason Moves
[23:14] Tampa Bay Lightning Stamkos Departure and Roster Turnover
[30:15] Analyzing the Top Four in the Atlantic Division
[31:43] Atlantic Division Bottom Four
[32:23] Detroit Red Wings Key Signings and Losses
[38:15] Buffalo Sabres Coaching Changes and Roster Moves
[43:42] Ottawa Senators New Coach and Roster Updates
[48:17] Montreal Canadiens Rebuilding and Key Acquisitions
[56:01] In Memoriam Tribute to Bob Jones
[58:07] Conclusion and What's Next

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Panthers face significant changes in their defense lineup with the loss of key players like Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The success of their new signings, including the Boqvist brothers, will be crucial in maintaining their defensive strength.
The Bruins are adapting to life without long-time center Patrice Bergeron. The acquisition of Elias Lindholm is seen as a critical move to fill this gap, but the effectiveness of this replacement remains to be seen.
The Leafs continue to be under immense pressure to perform in the playoffs. With their core four (Matthews, Nylander, Tavares, Marner) taking up a significant portion of the salary cap, the team’s success hinges on these players delivering results this season.

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok :https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

MeiGray is your source for Game-Worn jerseys. Head to MeiGray.com to get your collection started today. Get real, get it from MeiGray.

https://www.MeiGray.com/

https://MeiGrayauctions.com/

NHL Wraparound guests can take 10 percent off any hockey jersey when they order at meigray.com and use the COUPON CODE WRAP10

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

Human Side of the Story Ep 24- Keith Jones

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Neil and Vic discuss the importance of a fun and accountable team culture. Neil contrasts his experience with the 1994 New York Rangers with Bill Zito's recent success with the Florida Panthers, highlighting different strategies for team building, including the use of free agency, intelligent trades, and seizing opportunities on waivers. The episode concludes by outlining upcoming analyses on player movements and rosters for the 2025 season.

[00:00] Introduction to NHL Wraparound Podcast

[00:35] Sponsor Spotlight: Game 7 Group

[01:49] The Importance of Fun in Team Culture

[02:52] Building a Championship Team: Florida Panthers Case Study

[05:09] Key Trades and Acquisitions by Bill Zito

[07:54] Steps to Building a Winning NHL Team

[08:48] Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook::https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

EP 24 Building it Back up with Keith Jones

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by Philadelphia Flyers' President of Hockey Operations, Keith Jones, and championship team-building expert, Lee Elias, to discuss team building and culture in the NHL. Jones shares his experiences with the Flyers and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive team culture. The episode also features insights from Lee Elias, CEO of Hockey Wraparound, on the significance of team dynamics and leadership. The hosts explore how effective team building and thoughtful management strategies can lead to success in the NHL.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:37] Hosts Catch Up on Summer Activities
[01:22] Interview with Keith Jones of the Philadelphia Flyers
[03:29] Keith Jones on Becoming a Grandfather
[04:51] Challenges and Strategies for the Flyers
[08:14] Expectations for Matvei Michkov
[12:30] Flyers' Goaltending Situation
[17:59] Keith Jones' Broadcasting Career and Advice
[20:29] Introduction to Lee Elias Game 7 Group
[29:19] Collaborative Leadership in Hockey Operations
[29:40] Building a Competitive Team Without Hitting Rock Bottom
[30:05] The Importance of Communication and Analytics
[31:16] Recognizing and Balancing Noise vs. News
[32:06] Identifying Red Flags and Key Indicators in Team Culture
[32:43] The Role of Leadership in Building Team Culture
[36:16] The Impact of Ownership on Team Culture
[39:42] Youth Hockey and Emphasizing Team and Culture Building
[43:33] Philadelphia Sports Fans
[50:48] Building a Stanley Cup Winning Team

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Keith Jones emphasizes the importance of working closely with all members of the team, from the coaching staff to the players, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard in the decision-making process.
Both Keith and Lee stress that a winning culture is a living entity that needs constant attention. Success in professional sports often starts with a strong, positive culture that resonates throughout the organization.
Keith highlights how crucial it is to develop not just skilled hockey players, but also strong, well-rounded individuals, starting from youth hockey programs.
The discussion touches on the demanding yet passionate nature of Philadelphia sports fans and how their expectations influence the way the Flyers operate.

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

MeiGray is your source for Game-Worn jerseys. Head to MeiGray.com to get your collection started today. Get real, get it from MeiGray.

https://www.MeiGray.com/

https://MeiGrayauctions.com/

NHL Wraparound guests can take 10 percent off any hockey jersey when they order at meigray.com and use the COUPON CODE WRAP10

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

BIO:

Keith Jones is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a hockey studio analyst for NBC/NBCSN from 2005–2021 and TNT from 2021-2023. He currently works as the President of Hockey Operations for the Philadelphia Flyers. In 491 NHL games, Jones produced a total of 258 points between 1992 and 2000

Lee M.J. Elias is a championship coach who has worked at the international, professional, collegiate, and youth levels. He is an award-winning author, podcast host, and speaker and is the founder and CEO of Hockey Wraparound and Game Seven Group. Lee is passionate about his mission to turn individuals into teams through his coaching, speaking, and consulting work.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #ESPN #TNT #Playoffs #Championships #NeilSmith #VicMorren #KeithJones #PhiladelphiaFlyers #LeeElias #HockeyWraparound #GameSevenGroup #TeamBuilding #TeamCulture

Human Side of the Story- Ep 23

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

They discuss the recent NHL draft, highlighting Macklin Celebrini's first overall selection by the San Jose Sharks. The episode dives into what newly drafted players can expect, including development camps and the transition to adult life and professional hockey. Additionally, there is a spotlight on the Game 7 Group, which helps build cohesive teams. The hosts encourage listeners to stay tuned for offseason content and insights into all 32 NHL teams leading up to training camp.

[00:36] Macklin Celebrini

[01:04] Game 7 Group: Building Winning Teams

[01:57] Transitioning to the NHL: What to Expect for Draftees

[03:15] Challenges for New Draftees

[04:33] Conclusion and Listener Engagement

Partner:

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

#NHLDraft #MacklinCelebrini #SanJoseSharks #AlexBarkov #ConnorMcDavid #StanleyCupFinal #Teamwork #Game7Magic #TeamBuilding #Game7Group #TeamSuccess #HockeyProspects #NHLTrainingCamp #DevelopmentCamp #HockeyJourney #FromJuniorToPro #NHLNewbies #ProLife #AthleteLife #HockeyTraining #PlayerDevelopment #FutureStars #NHL2024

EP 23 Trading Places with Mike Santos

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Special guest Mike Santos from Team 33 offers insights into the challenges of free agency and the importance of preparing for the draft and free agent negotiations. They provide in-depth analysis of the NHL offseason, discussing notable player movements, team strategies, and free agency developments.

Key topics include Jessica Campbell's historic appointment as the first female assistant coach in NHL history, the intricacies of the NHL calendar, and the financial implications of tax-free states on team composition.

The episode also discusses specific team changes, highlighting moves by the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, and more, exploring their implications for the upcoming season.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:40] Offseason Banter and Guest Introduction
[01:38] Jessica Campbell's Historic Appointment
[02:07] NHL Calendar and Free Agency Chaos
[03:36] Tampering Issues in the NHL
[06:37] Mike Santos on Free Agency and Trade Deadline
[07:04] Florida Panthers' Strategic Moves
[09:36] Nashville Predators' Risky Signings
[14:23] Tampa Bay Lightning's Tough Decisions
[21:38] Utah's New Beginnings
[23:37] New Jersey Devils' Strong Offseason
[27:27] Washington Capitals' Intriguing Moves
[29:51] Analyzing Player Potential: Chychrun and Dubois
[31:00] Toronto Maple Leafs: Roster Changes and Challenges
[35:02] Edmonton Oilers: New Additions and Future Prospects
[39:14] Boston and Vancouver: Player Swaps and Team Dynamics
[47:13] Tax-Free States: Impact on NHL Teams
[53:37] Transitioning to the NHL: What Draftees Can Expect

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Jessica Campbell was named the first female assistant coach in NHL history, joining Dan Bosma on the Seattle Kraken's bench. This is a significant milestone for gender representation in the league.
The discussion revealed widespread tampering in the league with free agents, facilitated by agents and third parties. This practice is prevalent and poses challenges for general managers, especially those whose teams advance deep into the playoffs.
The Florida Panthers were praised for their strategic moves at the trade deadline, particularly acquiring Tarasenko and Okposo. These additions were pivotal in their successful playoff run and eventual Stanley Cup win.
The intense and packed nature of the NHL calendar, with events like the finals, Hall of Fame announcements, NHL awards, draft, and free agency all occurring within a short period. This compression affects team preparations for crucial off-season activities.

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook::https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

MeiGray is your source for Game-Worn jerseys. Head to MeiGray.com to get your collection started today. Get real, get it from MeiGray.

https://www.MeiGray.com/

https://MeiGrayauctions.com/

NHL Wraparound guests can take 10 percent off any hockey jersey when they order at meigray.com and use the COUPON CODE WRAP10

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

BIO:

Hockey Executive and Sports Attorney possessing a broad and practical knowledge of the law combined with excellent business acumen. Experience managing complex amateur and professional sports organizations including athletes, events, facilities, governance, operations, dispute resolution, litigation, mergers, acquisitions and real estate transactions. Excels at drafting, enforcing, negotiating and reviewing contracts, legal documents, rules and regulations.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #ESPN #TNT #Playoffs #Championships #NeilSmith #VicMorren #MikeSantos #JessicaCampbell #NHLTeams #OffSeasonMoves #NashvillePredators #Stamkos #Marchessault #BradySkjei #TampaBayLightning #Guentzel #Atkinson #Geekie #WashingtonCapitals #Dubois #Mangiapane #Roy #Chychrun #NewJerseyDevils #Markstrom #Pesce #EdmontonOilers #Skinner #TorontoMapleLeafs

Human Side of the Story- Ep 22 Paul Maurice

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Human Side of the Story, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the impressive coaching career of Paul Maurice, who recently led the Florida Panthers to win the Stanley Cup after 26 years of coaching.

They provide an in-depth look at Maurice's career, his journey from the OHL to various NHL teams, and the support he received from influential figures like Peter Karmanos and Jim Rutherford.

The episode highlights the importance of teamwork and offers insights into the services provided by the Game 7 Group. Listeners are encouraged to stay tuned for the upcoming NHL draft and free agency period.

[00:36] Sponsor Spotlight: The Game 7 Group

[01:46] Paul Maurice's Journey to the Stanley Cup

[02:23] Paul Maurice's Coaching Career Highlights

[04:02] Shoutouts and Acknowledgements

[05:36] Conclusion and Upcoming Events

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

#NHL #Hockey #StanleyCup #HockeyLife #HockeyPodcast #GameSeven #TeamBuilding #Leadership #Teamwork #Coaching #LeadershipDevelopment #StanleyCup #HockeyLife #HockeyPodcast#NHLPlayoffs #GameSeven #HockeyHistory #NHLHistory #FloridaPanthers #PaulMaurice #PeterKarmanos #JimRutherford #WindsorSpitfires #DetroitHockey #CompuwareHockey

EP 22 Playoff Run with Craig MacTavish

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Special guest Craig MacTavish is back to join hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren to discuss the Florida Panthers' victory in the 2024 Stanley Cup, highlighting the decisive Game 7th against the Edmonton Oilers. They analyze the Panthers' effective strategies and the Oilers' struggles, noting the Panthers' strong forechecking and puck control.

The human side of the story features Paul Maurice's coaching career, detailing his journey from a junior player to a Stanley Cup-winning coach. Neil and Vic discuss Maurice's resilience and tactical acumen, along with his impactful relationships with mentors like Peter Karmanos and Jim Rutherford, who are celebrated as key factors in his success.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:34] 2024 Stanley Cup Recap
[01:16] Analyzing the Stanley Cup Final
[03:54] Craig McTavish's Insights
[11:32] Post-Game Analysis and Reflections
[30:42] Offseason Transactions and Trades
[39:32] Postseason Awards Predictions
[44:39] Human Side of the Story - Paul Maurice's Journey to the Stanley Cup
[48:29] Conclusion and Upcoming Events

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Florida Panthers clinched the 2024 Stanley Cup by winning a decisive seventh game against the Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers managed to regroup and deliver a strong performance despite surrendering a 3-0 series lead.
The Oilers appeared tentative in Game 7, allowing the Panthers to control the game. Key players like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid seemed exhausted, which impacted their performance in the crucial moments of the game.
MacTavish highlighted the Panthers' effective forechecking and puck control as critical factors in their victory. He emphasized the importance of controlling the puck in the offensive zone and breaking up their opponent's plays in the defensive zone.
Paul Maurice, coach of the Florida Panthers, was praised for his ability to lead the team to their first Stanley Cup in his 26th year as an NHL head coach.. His experience and tactical decisions were pivotal in the Panthers' successful playoff run.

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

MeiGray is your source for Game-Worn jerseys. Head to MeiGray.com to get your collection started today. Get real, get it from MeiGray.

https://www.MeiGray.com/

https://MeiGrayauctions.com/

NHL Wraparound guests can take 10 percent off any hockey jersey when they order at meigray.com and use the COUPON CODE WRAP10

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

BIO:

Craig MacTavish is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player, formerly an assistant coaching position with the St. Louis Blues. He played center for 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues, winning the Stanley Cup four times (1987, 1988, 1990, 1994). He was the last NHL player not to wear a helmet during games.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #ESPN #TNT #Playoffs #Championships #NeilSmith #VicMorren #StanleyCup2024 #FloridaPanthers #EdmontonOilers #CraigMacTavish #HockeyTalk #NHLPodcast #HockeyInsights #GameSeven #NHLPlayoffs

Human Side of the Story- Ep 21 Jim Montgomery

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

On the Human Side of the Story with hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren they discuss the importance of leadership and team bonding in the NHL, featuring insights from Boston Bruins head coach, Jim Montgomery.

They highlight Montgomery's recovery journey and his remarkable coaching career after overcoming personal struggles with alcohol. The episode also delves into Montgomery's successful college hockey career at the University of Maine, where he led the team to a national championship.

[00:44] The Importance of Team Leadership

[01:14] Game 7 Group: Enhancing Team Dynamics

[01:57] Jim Montgomery's Inspiring Journey

[03:12] Jim Montgomery's College Achievements

[04:55] Wrapping Up and Future Episodes

EP 21 Stanley Cup update with Jim Montgomery

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the upcoming Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers. They are joined by special guest Jim Montgomery, head coach of the Boston Bruins, who shares insights into the Panthers' resilience..

Montgomery also discusses his own team's performance, key players, and the importance of leadership and team culture. Additionally, he reflects on his personal struggles and triumphs, providing a heartfelt perspective on overcoming adversity. The episode wraps up with a nostalgic look at iconic arenas and historic moments in NHL history.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:37] Stanley Cup Finals Preview
[03:07] Special Guest: Jim Montgomery
[06:26] Reflecting on the Bruins' Season
[10:47] Leadership and Team Dynamics
[13:31] Goaltending and Player Updates
[25:03] Jim Montgomery's Personal Journey
[28:01] Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Florida Panthers strong performance in the Stanley Cup Finals, highlighting their relentless play and ability to come back from difficult situations.
Jim Montgomery speaks about the Boston Bruins' resilience and strong culture, emphasizing the importance of their experienced leaders and the team's commitment to success despite challenges.
Montgomery contrasts the leadership styles of former captain Patrice Bergeron and current captain Brad Marchand, illustrating how each has positively influenced the team's dynamics and performance.
The strength of the Bruins' goalkeeping duo, Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark, emphasizing their crucial role in the team's consistent performance over the past two seasons.

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

MeiGray is your source for Game-Worn jerseys. Head to MeiGray.com to get your collection started today. Get real, get it from MeiGray.

https://www.MeiGray.com/

https://MeiGrayauctions.com/

NHL Wraparound guests can take 10 percent off any hockey jersey when they order at meigray.com and use the COUPON CODE WRAP10

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

BIO:

Jim Montgomery is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Originally undrafted by teams in the NHL, he played a total of six seasons for the St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, and Dallas Stars.

Special Series Ep 5 Reflection

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Neil Smith and Vic Morren present the fifth and final episode of the '1990 Forever' series, commemorating the 1994 New York Rangers' Stanley Cup victory, along with special guest Barry Meisel.

Featuring perspectives from players, team personnel, media, and fans, the episode reflects on the emotional impact and lasting significance of the championship that ended a 54-year championship drought. Contributions include stories from players and key figures from the '94 team, insights from journalists, and personal anecdotes from die-hard fans, emphasizing the profound effect this triumph had on their lives and the Rangers' organization.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:36] The 1994 Stanley Cup Victory
[01:52] Personal Reflections and Memories
[06:08] Impact on Fans and Media
[15:22] Game 7 Group and Team Dynamics
[26:27] Media and Personal Stories
[34:59] Memories of June 14th
[36:21] Personal Stories and Superstitions
[37:37] Fan Experiences and Reflections
[39:43] The Emotional Impact of 1994
[43:28] Tributes to Lost Members
[46:15] Fan Clips and Testimonials
[57:08] Ranger Organization Memories
[01:05:17] Final Reflections and Gratitude

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The 1994 Stanley Cup win was monumental for the New York Rangers, ending a 54-year championship drought. It brought immense joy and relief to fans who had waited for decades, marking a significant emotional milestone in the franchise's history.
The championship had a profound impact not only on the players and management but also on the fans and media. It unified the city and left lasting memories for those who experienced it, demonstrating the deep emotional connection between the team and its supporters.
Figures like Neil Smith, Mark Messier, and the entire team played crucial roles in achieving the championship. Their leadership, dedication, and performance were pivotal in the team's success, highlighting the importance of strong leadership and teamwork.
The 1994 victory created lifelong memories for everyone involved. It left an enduring legacy that continues to be celebrated and remembered, illustrating how significant sports achievements can leave lasting impressions on individuals and communities.

RESOURCE LINKS

Loosing the Edge - Barry Meisel

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

MeiGray is your source for Game-Worn jerseys. Head to MeiGray.com to get your collection started today. Get real, get it from MeiGray.

https://www.MeiGray.com/

https://MeiGrayauctions.com/

NHL Wraparound guests can take 10 percent off any hockey jersey when they order at meigray.com and use the COUPON CODE WRAP10

GAME 7 GROUP- http://www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

Bio: BARRY MEISEL is a former award-winning investigative sports reporter for the New York Daily News. In the 1980s he wrote a column for the Hockey News, where he covered Bernie Saunders.

#NHLWraparoundPodcast #NeilSmith #VicMorren #54YearDrought #HockeyFans #MarkMessier #BrianLeetch #MSGMemories #HockeyLegacy #NewYorkRangers #HockeyPodcast #StanleyCupWinners #1994NHLPlayoffs #HockeyLegends

Special Series Ep 4 This One Will Last a Lifetime with Mark Messier, Brian Leetch & Adam Graves

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 07:45:00 -0400

Adam Graves, Brian Leetch, and Mark Messier join Hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the New York Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup Championship. The conversation covers key moments leading to the final, including the expectation playing upstart Vancouver coming off the epic Eastern Conference Final against the New Jersey Devils.

Personal anecdotes and reflections highlight the importance of confidence, experience, and the bond between the team and its fans.

The episode vividly recounts the historic championship parade, noting the unity and joy it brought to the city. Concluding with reflections on the lasting impact of the victory, this episode encapsulates the enduring legacy of the Rangers' historic win.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:08] Commemorating the 1994 Stanley Cup Championship
[01:32] Special Guests: Adam Graves, Brian Leetch, and Mark Messier
[02:59] Reflecting on the New Jersey Series
[05:26] Adam Graves on Learning from Past Finals
[08:43] Brian Leetch's First Stanley Cup Final
[10:11] Neil Smith's Confidence in the Team
[11:29] Game 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final
[12:12] Turning Point: Game 3 and Pavel Bure's High Stick
[15:01] Penalty Shot Drama in Game 4
[19:27] Facing the Pressure of Game 5
[28:18] Preparing for Game 7
[31:01] Returning to New York for Game 7
[31:06] The Energy in New York City
[33:54] Building a Winning Team
[35:28] Game 7: The Ultimate Test
[38:23] Mindset and Belief in 1987 and 1994
[40:02] Overcoming Challenges and Staying Focused
[43:51] Key Moments and Goals in Game Seven
[47:32] The Emotional Rollercoaster of the Final Period
[57:15] Winning the Stanley Cup and Its Impact
[01:09:59] The Parade and Celebrations

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The journey to the Stanley Cup required overcoming significant physical and mental challenges, with every player contributing to the team's success.
Key plays, such as Mike Richter's penalty shot save against Pavel Bure, were crucial in maintaining the team's momentum.
The close-knit nature of the team and their ability to support each other played a significant role in their success.
The energy and support from the New York fans were a constant source of motivation for the team.
The victory ended a 54-year championship drought for the Rangers, creating lasting memories and a legacy that still resonates with fans today

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlWraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlWraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

MeiGray is your source for Game-Worn jerseys. Head to MeiGray.com to get your collection started today. Get real, get it from MeiGray.

https://www.MeiGray.com/

https://MeiGrayauctions.com/

NHL Wraparound guests can take 10 percent off any hockey jersey when they order at meigray.com and use the COUPON CODE WRAP10

GAME 7 GROUP- https://www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlWraparound

Guest Bio:

Mark Messier is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. His playing career in the National Hockey League (NHL) lasted 25 years (1979–2004) with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks.

Adam Graves is a Canadian former professional hockey player. He is best known for his ten-year tenure with the New York Rangers Hockey Team of the National Hockey League (NHL). He also played in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, and is a two-time Stanley cup winner.

Brian Leetch is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 18 National Hockey League (NHL) seasons with the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins. He has been called one of the top defensemen in NHL history. Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #ESPN #TNT #Playoffs #Championships #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NYR1994 #StanleyCup #NewYorkRangers #HockeyHistory #StanleyCupChampions #1994StanleyCup #RangersFans #NHLPlayoffs #HockeyLegends #BrianLeetch #MarkMessier #AdamGraves #GameSevenGroup #MeiGray #NYRangers #VictoryCelebration #HockeyHeroes #NHLChampions #RangersVictory #HistoricWin

Human Side of the Story- Ep 20

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The Human Side of the story discusses the leadership qualities of Stanley Cup captains Connor McDavid and Aleksander Barkov, the impact of injuries on players like Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox, and the dedication of athletes during playoffs.

The episode also highlights the NHL's trailblazing efforts in broadcasting games with sign language for the deaf community.

Sponsored by the Game 7 group, the podcast emphasizes team dynamics and offers exclusive incentives for listeners. Fans are encouraged to send feedback and stay updated at www.nhlwraparound.com

[00:41] Spotlight on Stanley Cup Final Captains- Connor McDavid and Aleksander Barkov

[01:29] Game 7 Group: Enhancing Team Dynamics

[02:09] The Reality of Playoff Injuries

[04:54] NHL's Commitment to Accessibility

[06:13] Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement

Special Series Ep 3 A Series for the Ages with Mike Richter & Stephane Matteau

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Episode 3 in the NY Rangers 30th Anniversary Special series . We hear insights from goaltender Mike Richter and left wing Stéphane Matteau, join hosts Neil and Vic to analyze the 1994 Eastern Conference Final against the New Jersey Devils. They highlight pivotal moments such as Mark Messier's Game Six guarantee and Matteau's double-overtime goal in Game Seven.

This episode revisits the unforgettable moments that led to one of the greatest playoff series in NHL history. Relive the highs, the lows, and the sheer intensity of a series that has stood the test of time.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:08] Recap of the 1994 Championship Season
[02:25] Special Guests: Mike Richter and Stéphane Matteau
[03:21] The Historic Eastern Conference Final
[04:23] Rivalry and Key Players
[05:13] Regular Season Dominance
[06:26] Trade Deadline Impact
[07:23] Playoff Confidence and Challenges
[09:10] Game One: A Tough Start
[13:59] Mark Messier's Leadership in Game Two
[19:59] Game Three: A Turning Point
[31:57] Game Four and Five: Struggles and Controversies
[40:53] The Rollercoaster of Emotions
[41:40] Messier's Bold Guarantee
[43:17] Turning the Tide: Key Moments
[44:30] The Epic Third Period
[46:07] The Tension of Overtime
[48:33] The Game-Winning Goal
[50:50] Reflections and Celebrations
[01:14:22] The Legacy of the Series
[01:20:12] Final Thoughts and Teasers

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Rangers' resilience was highlighted by Mark Messier's leadership, particularly his guarantee before game 6, which boosted the team's morale.
The importance of team dynamics and the contributions of lesser-known players like Stéphane Matteau, who scored crucial goals.
The 1994 Eastern Conference Final is considered one of the greatest playoff series in NHL history, not just for the games but for the lasting impact on the franchise and fans.
Mike Richter's goaltending was pivotal, making key saves that kept the Rangers in critical games and allowed them to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook::https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

MeiGray is your source for Game-Worn jerseys. Head to MeiGray.com to get your collection started today. Get real, get it from MeiGray.

https://www.MeiGray.com/

https://MeiGrayauctions.com/

NHL Wraparound guests can take 10 percent off any hockey jersey when they order at meigray.com and use the COUPON CODE WRAP10

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

BIO:

Stéphane Matteau is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played over 800 regular-season games in the National Hockey League. He was drafted in the second round, 25th overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft

Michael Thomas Richter is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played his entire National Hockey League career, from 1989 to 2002, with the New York Rangers organization, and led the team to the Stanley Cup in 1994. He also represented the United States in international play on several occasions.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #StanleyCup #Coaching #ESPN #TNT #Playoffs #Championships #NeilSmith #VicMorren #Stéphane Matteau, #Mike Richter #NYRangers30thAnniversary #MarkMessier #1994StanleyCup #EasternConferenceFinal #NHLHistory #RangersVsDevils #PlayoffMemories #HockeyLegends #HockeyPodcast #NYRangersFans #RangersLegacy #GoaltendingGreatness #HockeyHeroes

EPISODE 20: Stanley Cup Preview with Eddie Olczyk | Panthers vs. Oilers, Coaching Matchups & Superstitions

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this Stanley Cup Final preview edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by Eddie Olczyk, Stanley Cup champion and NHL on TNT analyst, to break down the highly anticipated series between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers.

The trio dives into the tactics, momentum, and storylines shaping the Final, from conference trophy traditions to head coaching experience. The episode also features a lighthearted moment as the show’s mascot AJ makes his Stanley Cup prediction, plus a spotlight on the NHL’s new sign language broadcast initiative, showcasing the league’s commitment to accessibility.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:36] Previewing the Stanley Cup Final

[01:33] To touch or not to touch: Conference trophy superstition

[04:11] Eddie Olczyk joins the show

[06:32] Deep dive into Panthers vs. Oilers matchup

[16:55] Coaching comparisons: Paul Maurice vs. Chris Knobloch

[25:59] Predictions and a visit from mascot AJ

[31:07] The Human Side of the Story: Injuries, resilience, and new NHL initiatives

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The superstition about not touching the conference trophy is challenged. Since 1997, teams that touched the trophy have won the Stanley Cup two-thirds of the time.
Coaching experience disparity is a storyline: Paul Maurice brings a wealth of NHL experience, while Chris Knobloch is a first-year head coach. Paul Coffey’s contribution to the Oilers' defense has been vital.
Special teams and physicality are expected to be deciding factors—Florida’s grit vs. Edmonton’s power play.
The physical toll of the playoffs is immense, with players pushing through injuries. The hosts emphasize the importance of recognizing their toughness and endurance.
The NHL’s broadcast in sign language is celebrated as a major step toward inclusivity and fan engagement.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Catch the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

🏒 MeiGray: Own authentic game-worn NHL jerseys. Use code WRAP10 for 10% off at MeiGray.com

🎯 Game Seven Group: Team-building, performance coaching, and speaker events. Learn more: gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

ABOUT EDDIE OLCZYK:

Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. is a former NHL center who played 16 seasons with teams including the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994. Now a lead analyst for TNT, Olczyk is known for his deep hockey knowledge, sharp analysis, and passion for the game.

#NHL #Hockey #StanleyCupFinal #EddieOlczyk #PanthersVsOilers #StanleyCup #Playoffs #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLPlayoffs #CoachingMatchups #SpecialTeams #HockeyPodcast #GameSevenGroup #MeiGray #MascotAJ #AccessibilityInSports #HockeyResilience #NHLWraparound

SPECIAL SERIES: EPISODE 2 – Quick Path to the Eastern Final with Steve Larmer & Kevin Lowe | 1994 Rangers, Playoff Depth & Cup Culture

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In Episode 2 of the NHL Wraparound Special Series, Neil Smith, President and GM of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers, and veteran broadcaster Vic Morren welcome two essential members of that historic team: Hall of Fame defenseman Kevin Lowe and elite two-way forward Steve Larmer.

Together, they reflect on the Rangers’ quick march through the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals, laying the foundation for their unforgettable Eastern Conference Final against the New Jersey Devils.

From Mike Richter’s clutch goaltending to Esa Tikkanen’s edge, this episode breaks down the team’s ability to sweep the Islanders and control the pace against Washington. The conversation offers tactical insight into special teams success, locker room leadership, and the sacrifices made by role players in pursuit of hockey’s ultimate prize.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:36] Remembering the 1994 Rangers and their culture

[01:01] Revisiting the Islanders and Capitals series

[01:10] Guest introductions: Steve Larmer and Kevin Lowe

[02:31] Facing the Islanders: Rivalry and playoff grit

[07:00] Game-changing moments and in-game strategy

[07:43] Mike Richter’s brilliance in net

[14:37] Special teams dominance: PP and PK execution

[21:11] Leadership: The Messier Effect and team cohesion

[24:26] Building a championship-caliber roster

[30:49] Sweeping the Islanders: What it meant

[33:31] Beating the Capitals and looking to the Devils

[40:30] Esa Tikkanen’s impact on and off the ice

[46:59] Advancing with momentum

[57:24] Setting the stage for the Devils series

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Rangers’ early-round success was rooted in role-player execution and a relentless commitment to team systems.
Mike Richter’s key saves in crucial moments kept the team focused and confident.
Special teams were a difference-maker, both offensively and defensively, driving momentum in each series.
The leadership core—Messier, Larmer, Lowe, Tikkanen—set a tone that allowed the group to remain poised and unified under pressure.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

🏒 MeiGray: Authentic game-worn NHL jerseys. Use code WRAP10 at MeiGray.com for 10% off.

🎯 Game Seven Group: Elevate your team with custom coaching and leadership programs. Learn more: Game Seven Group

ABOUT STEVE LARMER:

Steve Larmer was one of the NHL’s premier two-way forwards, playing 884 consecutive games with the Chicago Blackhawks and later helping the New York Rangers win the 1994 Stanley Cup. A Calder Trophy winner, Selke Trophy nominee, and All-Star, Larmer was known for his durability, consistency, and leadership. He scored his 1,000th career point and played his 1,000th NHL game during the 1994–95 season, his final year.

ABOUT KEVIN LOWE:

Kevin Lowe, a Hall of Fame defenseman and six-time Stanley Cup champion, brought invaluable playoff experience to the 1994 Rangers. Known for his defensive intelligence and quiet leadership, Lowe played for the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers, helping both franchises capture titles. He later served in executive roles with the Oilers and is recognized as one of the game’s true warriors and mentors.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #StanleyCup #NewYorkRangers #KevinLowe #SteveLarmer #MikeRichter #EsaTikkanen #1994Rangers #NeilSmith #VicMorren #WashingtonCapitals #NewYorkIslanders #EasternConferenceFinal #PlayoffLeadership #GameSevenGroup #NHLWraparound

HUMAN SIDE OF THE STORY – EPISODE 19: Rick Bowness | A Lifetime in Hockey, 1987 Memories & Legacy Reflections

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this Human Side of the Story segment from NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren reflect on the extraordinary career of Rick Bowness, a respected NHL coach and former player whose influence has spanned nearly four decades.

From being drafted in 1975 to stepping behind the bench for multiple NHL teams, Bowness’s journey is one of resilience, adaptability, and leadership. The segment explores his impact on the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, and others, as well as the evolution of the game through his eyes—from old-school toughness to modern team culture.

Vic also shares a vivid personal memory from the 1987 Stanley Cup Final, recounting the electric atmosphere inside the Philadelphia Spectrum during Game 6 between the Oilers and Flyers, a moment that symbolizes the intensity and emotional highs of playoff hockey.

The episode concludes by setting the stage for NHL Wraparound’s upcoming multi-part tribute to the 1994 New York Rangers’ Stanley Cup run.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Welcome to the NHL Wraparound Podcast

[00:34] Sponsor Spotlight: Game Seven Group

[01:48] Rick Bowness – 38 years of hockey wisdom

[04:32] A legendary memory from the 1987 Stanley Cup Final

[08:35] Closing thoughts and preview of 1994 Rangers series

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Rick Bowness’s career reflects a rare combination of adaptability and enduring leadership across eras of the NHL.
His experiences as both a player and coach offer deep insight into the culture of professional hockey.
The 1987 Flyers-Oilers Game 6 remains one of the most iconic playoff moments in NHL history—reminding fans why the Stanley Cup Playoffs are unlike anything else.
The human side of hockey lies in memories, relationships, and legacies that continue long after the final buzzer.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:

🎯 Game Seven Group: Helping individuals become championship teams. Through elite coaching, leadership training, and team-building events, Game Seven Group helps professionals rise when the pressure is highest.

Learn more: gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #RickBowness #StanleyCup #1987Finals #PhiladelphiaSpectrum #OilersVsFlyers #CoachingLegacy #GameSevenMindset #WinnipegJets #NHLWraparound #NeilSmith #VicMorren #HumanSideOfTheStory #GameSevenGroup

EPISODE 19: Playoff “Bowness” Edition with Rick Bowness | Coaching Legacy, Culture Shift & the Evolution of Hockey

Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In Episode 19 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by Rick Bowness, one of the NHL’s most respected coaches, who recently stepped away from the bench after a legendary career spanning nearly 40 years.

Bowness reflects on his journey—from his playing days to his coaching evolution—and opens up about his time with the Winnipeg Jets, how he approached culture-building, and what led him to retire. The conversation also explores the changing dynamics between coaches and players, the increasing impact of video replay, and how rule changes have reshaped the game.

The episode also touches on the Dallas Stars' postseason performance, the announcement of Don Waddell’s new role in Columbus, and the looming front-office decisions awaiting the next general manager in Carolina.

To wrap things up, the hosts share an emotional tribute to Rick Bowness and his connection to one of the most iconic Stanley Cup moments: Game 6 of the 1987 Flyers vs. Oilers series at the Spectrum—where the building, and the game, shook.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:41] Conference Final observations and key takeaways

[04:19] Dallas Stars breakdown and goaltending insights

[06:00] Rick Bowness joins the show

[06:26] On retirement, reflection, and future roles in hockey

[08:26] Assessing the future of the Winnipeg Jets

[23:31] The evolution of NHL coaching

[25:06] Communication, trust, and the modern coach-player relationship

[25:52] Video replay: impact and controversy

[28:33] How rule changes have shifted coaching philosophy

[30:25] Tribute to Rick Bowness and his lasting legacy

[34:53] Don Waddell’s fresh challenge with the Columbus Blue Jackets

[41:48] The Human Side of the Story: Rick Bowness & the 1987 Flyers-Oilers classic

[45:44] Favorite Stanley Cup memories and iconic moments

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Rick Bowness’s retirement came after careful consideration of his health, long-term goals, and passion to remain involved in hockey in new ways.
He shares how changing the culture in Winnipeg required commitment, accountability, and buy-in from the players.
The coach-player relationship has evolved into a more collaborative, communication-driven model—especially for younger generations.
Bowness speaks candidly about the pros and cons of video replay, goaltender interference reviews, and how it affects a coach’s job.
Emotional reflections bring context to Bowness’s career, especially the unforgettable energy of the 1987 Stanley Cup Final in Philadelphia.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Catch this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

🏒 MeiGray: Own authentic game-worn jerseys. Use code WRAP10 for 10% off at MeiGray.com

🎯 Game Seven Group: Elevate your leadership and team performance. Learn more at gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

ABOUT RICK BOWNESS:

Rick Bowness is a former NHL head coach and player with one of the longest coaching careers in league history. Drafted by the Atlanta Flames in 1975, Bowness later played for the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, and the original Winnipeg Jets. As a coach, he led teams including the Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars, and Winnipeg Jets, becoming known for his leadership, calm demeanor, and dedication to player development. His legacy spans decades of influence across the league.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #RickBowness #WinnipegJets #StanleyCup #CoachingEvolution #NHLPlayoffs #NeilSmith #VicMorren #DonWaddell #ColumbusBlueJackets #CarolinaHurricanes #GameSevenMindset #MeiGray #NHLWraparound #1987FlyersOilers #HockeyLeadership #NHLHistory

SPECIAL SERIES: EPISODE 1 – The Road Begins with Glenn Healy & John Davidson | Behind the 1994 Rangers’ Cup Run

Fri, 31 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this premiere episode of the NHL Wraparound special series, hosts Neil Smith—President and GM of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers—and veteran broadcaster Vic Morren are joined by two legendary voices and teammates: Glenn Healy and John Davidson.

Together, they take listeners on a compelling journey back to one of the most iconic seasons in NHL history. With emotional depth and behind-the-scenes access, the episode revisits the 1993–94 Rangers season and the Stanley Cup victory that ended a 54-year drought.

From trade deadline strategies to the leadership of Mark Messier, from Mike Richter’s brilliance to the acceptance of every player’s role, the episode captures the defining moments that shaped a team of champions.

It’s not just about winning—it’s about the bond, sacrifice, and pride that forged the soul of the '94 Rangers.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:34] The road begins: Honoring the 1994 Stanley Cup team

[02:01] Inside the locker room: Stories of the '94 Rangers

[20:27] What it takes to build a champion

[44:18] Early struggles and crucial turning points

[50:08] Brotherhood and bonding off the ice

[51:25] A rollercoaster of games and chemistry

[58:52] Deadline day: The trades that changed it all

[01:09:09] Playoff pressure and resilience

[01:23:08] Final victory and the emotional parade

[01:33:04] Looking back, looking forward

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Mark Messier’s leadership was the emotional and strategic anchor of the Cup-winning season.
Neil Smith’s calculated roster moves, especially at the deadline, played a critical role in shaping the final lineup.
The team’s resilience, unity, and accountability were the secret weapons behind their championship run.
The legacy of 1994 lives on in Rangers history and in the memories of fans and players alike.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

🏒 MeiGray: Own a piece of NHL history with game-worn jerseys. Use code WRAP10 at MeiGray.com for 10% off.

🎯 Game Seven Group: Build championship-caliber culture in your organization. Explore programs at Game Seven Group

ABOUT GLENN HEALY:

Glenn Healy is a former NHL goaltender who played for the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, and was a pivotal member of the 1994 Stanley Cup-winning Rangers. Known for his leadership and clutch performances, Healy transitioned into broadcasting and served with CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and later as the NHLPA’s Director of Player Affairs. He’s an outspoken advocate for player development and community-driven hockey programs.

ABOUT JOHN DAVIDSON:

John Davidson (JD) is one of the most respected figures in hockey. A former goaltender for the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues, he later became a beloved broadcaster, then transitioned into hockey operations, serving as President of Hockey Ops for the Blues, Blue Jackets, and Rangers. A Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, Davidson’s legacy includes excellence on the ice, behind the mic, and in the front office.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #StanleyCup #1994Rangers #GlennHealy #JohnDavidson #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BroadwayBlueshirts #MarkMessier #MikeRichter #RangersHistory #MSG #GameSevenMindset #NHLWraparound #HockeyLegends

ONE TIMERS: Canucks’ Tough Lessons and Overcoming Playoff Adversities | Injuries, Execution & the Mental Edge

Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this One Timers segment from NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the Vancouver Canucks’ playoff journey, reflecting on what went right—and what went wrong—as the team pushed into the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After winning the Pacific Division and outperforming early expectations, the Canucks advanced past Nashville but hit a wall against the Edmonton Oilers. Key injuries—including the loss of leading scorer Brock Boeser (blood clots) and goaltender Thatcher Demko—dramatically shifted the team’s momentum.

The hosts highlight the Canucks' inability to maintain full-game intensity and how playoff success often comes down to executing consistently in every shift, every period, and every game. It's not just about talent—it's about mindset, focus, and preparation.

The segment also introduces listeners to the Game Seven Group, an organization helping teams, businesses, and leaders perform under pressure when it matters most.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:38] Opening thoughts: Canucks' journey and playoff ceiling

[02:18] The impact of losing Boeser and Demko

[03:43] Game Seven Group: Introducing elite performance strategies

🔗 Visit Game Seven Group to learn more

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Vancouver’s playoff hopes were shaken by injuries to top performers, underscoring how fragile postseason success can be.
Winning a division doesn’t guarantee deep playoff success—execution across all 60 minutes is essential.
Mental resilience and team leadership are as important as physical health and depth when adversity strikes.
Programs like the Game Seven Group help organizations cultivate clarity and accountability in high-pressure situations.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:

🎯 Game Seven Group: Helping elite performers and teams execute under pressure. Whether on the ice or in the boardroom, Game Seven Group delivers custom team-building experiences and coaching for breakthrough results.

Explore: gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

#NHL #Hockey #Playoffs #VancouverCanucks #StanleyCup #BrockBoeser #ThatcherDemko #EdmontonOilers #GameSevenMindset #PerformanceCoaching #LeadershipUnderPressure #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLWraparound #GameSevenGroup

EPISODE 18: Conference Finals Preview with Eddie Olczyk | Rangers vs. Panthers, Stars vs. Oilers & A Story of Resilience

Tue, 21 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this NHL Wraparound Special Edition, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by Eddie Olczyk, NHL on TNT analyst and Stanley Cup champion, for a high-level breakdown of the 2024 NHL Conference Finals.

The episode begins with a reflection on the Vancouver Canucks’ playoff run, including the impact of key injuries like Thatcher Demko and Brock Boeser. Olczyk shares how these setbacks altered Vancouver’s trajectory and highlights how resilience and depth define playoff success.

From there, the team dives into the two marquee matchups:

New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers
Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers

Olczyk analyzes team structures, standout performers, and goaltending matchups, offering strategic predictions and breakdowns. He identifies Dallas’s defensive discipline, Edmonton’s goaltending concerns, and how special teams and injuries will shape the final four.

The episode concludes with Eddie’s personal journey, including his career highlights, battle with cancer, and passion for broadcasting. In The Human Side of the Story, Olczyk’s message of perseverance and love for the game resonates deeply.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:39] Conference Finals preview begins

[01:17] Vancouver’s missed opportunity and playoff learning curves

[05:25] Eddie Olczyk joins: A hockey life from Cup wins to cancer survival

[08:28] Reflections on the 1994 Rangers and championship culture

[17:01] Rangers vs. Panthers: Star power and coaching adjustments

[23:22] Goaltending, depth, and playoff x-factors

[32:56] Hockey IQ: The power of spatial awareness

[33:22] Florida’s physicality vs. Rangers’ structure

[36:01] Stars vs. Oilers: Playoff history and style contrast

[37:02] How Dallas wins with less on defense

[42:46] Edmonton’s goaltending dilemma: Skinner vs. Pickard

[50:18] Predictions and personal stories from Eddie

[53:46] Final Four picks and Stanley Cup projections

[57:10] The Human Side of the Story: Olczyk’s resilience and message to fans

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Injuries can swing a series: Vancouver’s loss of key players drastically altered their playoff path.
Goaltending and depth remain defining factors. Olczyk pinpoints Dallas’s defensive structure as a playoff asset, while Edmonton’s goalie situation could derail their momentum.
Team culture, coaching, and emotional resilience matter as much as talent in these matchups.
Eddie Olczyk’s story of perseverance offers inspiration beyond the rink, reminding fans of hockey’s human core.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

🏒 MeiGray: Game-worn NHL jerseys and collectibles. Use code WRAP10 at MeiGray.com for 10% off.

🎯 Game 7 Group: Elite team-building events and speaking engagements. Learn more: Game Seven Group

💼 The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Expert financial planning tailored to your goals. Nintzel Wealth Partners

ABOUT EDDIE OLCZYK:

Edward "Eddie" Olczyk Jr. played 16 seasons in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and others, winning the Stanley Cup in 1994. Now a national NHL analyst on TNT, Olczyk is admired for his insightful commentary, deep hockey knowledge, and resilience in the face of personal health battles. His voice continues to elevate the game both on and off the ice.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #StanleyCup #ConferenceFinals #Playoffs #EddieOlczyk #JohnBuccigross #DallasStars #EdmontonOilers #NYRangers #FloridaPanthers #VancouverCanucks #Goaltending #HockeyBroadcasting #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLWraparound #Game7Mindset

SPECIAL EDITION: Reliving the Cup on Broad Street – 50 Years Later | Bernie Parent, Jay Snider & the Legacy of the Flyers’ First Championship

Mon, 20 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this powerful NHL Wraparound special edition, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia Flyers’ first Stanley Cup victory in 1974. This unforgettable conversation features special guests Bernie Parent, Hall of Fame goaltender and cornerstone of the Cup-winning team, and Jay Snider, son of Flyers’ founder Ed Snider and former team president.

Together, they reflect on the rise of the Broad Street Bullies, the grit, passion, and leadership that defined their era, and the lasting legacy of the Flyers’ back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 1974 and 1975. From intense battles with the Boston Bruins to behind-the-scenes insights into the Flyers’ culture under Fred Shero, this episode is a tribute to one of the most iconic teams in NHL history.

Whether it’s Bernie Parent sharing lessons learned from Jacques Plante, or Jay Snider honoring the vision of his father, this episode is a celebration of teamwork, perseverance, and a championship legacy that still inspires fans and players alike.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:34] Remembering the Cup on Broad Street – 50 Years Later

[02:05] How the Broad Street Bullies were born

[05:24] The Flyers' transformation and rise to dominance

[12:36] Pivotal moments in Flyers history

[31:39] Flyers vs. Bruins – the ultimate 1974 showdown

[36:49] Strategy, toughness, and unforgettable highlights

[38:59] Breaking through to win the first Stanley Cup

[42:48] Celebration, unity, and legacy

[46:10] Leadership lessons from Ed Snider and Fred Shero

[56:53] The second Cup – cementing a dynasty

[59:51] How the Flyers’ legacy still echoes today

[01:03:55] Final reflections on passion, perseverance, and family

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Ed Snider’s vision and demand for toughness redefined the Flyers’ identity and helped shape a winning culture.
Bernie Parent’s return to the Flyers brought elite goaltending that proved instrumental in both Cup runs.
The Flyers’ victories were rooted not only in physicality but in brotherhood, leadership, and resilience.
Fred Shero’s coaching brilliance, combined with foundational players like Bobby Clarke, led to a lasting team culture.
The stories shared reflect a team that remains a symbol of pride for Philadelphia, five decades later.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

RESOURCE LINKS:

📘 Jay Snider: LinkedIn

🏒 Bernie Parent Bio: Hockey Hall of Fame, Stanley Cup Champion, NHL Legend

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

MeiGray: Collect authentic game-worn NHL jerseys. Use code WRAP10 at MeiGray.com for 10% off.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Multi-generational wealth strategies tailored to what matters most. Learn more: Nintzel Wealth Partners

ABOUT BERNIE PARENT:

Bernard “Bernie” Parent, born April 3, 1945, is one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history. His dominant play led the Philadelphia Flyers to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975. Parent also played for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Philadelphia Blazers (WHA), finishing with over 270 NHL wins. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984.

ABOUT JAY SNIDER:

Jay Snider, former president of the Flyers and son of team founder Ed Snider, has carried forward his family’s legacy in both hockey and business. He founded SpectaGuard and Snider Capital, and continues to lead innovative ventures across industries, including Snider Health and Unit Solutions.

EPISODE 17: Unbiased – A Discussion with Former NHL Referee Dave Jackson | Officiating Reform, Rule Controversies & Fan Emotions

Wed, 15 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In Episode 17 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren welcome Dave Jackson, longtime NHL referee and current ESPN Rules Analyst, for an honest, in-depth conversation about the complexities of officiating in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Jackson shares behind-the-scenes insight into the life of an NHL official, the transition from the single-referee to the two-man system, and the evolving use of video review. From the controversial puck-over-glass rule to hand pass restrictions and goaltender interference calls, Jackson breaks down how the rulebook is applied—and where it could evolve.

The episode also takes a critical look at offside challenges, instigator penalties, and the push to modernize officiating without compromising the speed and spontaneity of the game. The hosts then pivot to the Toronto Maple Leafs, questioning the team’s direction and cap situation as they weigh the cost of consistency versus chasing a coaching solution.

The episode closes with a powerful Human Side of the Story, where the hosts reflect on the rollercoaster of emotions that fans ride in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:41] Highlighting unexpected playoff heroes

[01:46] One-Timers: Team dynamics and trending playoff themes

[05:40] Dave Jackson joins: Refereeing in the playoffs

[14:23] Life on the road as an NHL official

[17:43] Evolution of officiating: 1-ref vs. 2-ref system

[29:20] Rule debates: penalties, challenges, and game flow

[30:10] Expanding hand pass legality across the ice

[31:37] Puck-over-glass and goal scoring nuance

[35:10] Simplifying offside reviews for officials and fans

[37:47] Adjusting instigator penalties and fighting impact

[43:50] Maple Leafs coaching and salary cap critique

[50:48] Human Side of the Story: The emotional pulse of fans in playoff hockey

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Dave Jackson sheds light on the mental and physical demands of NHL officiating, especially in high-stakes playoff environments.
Debate around the puck-over-glass rule, offside reviews, and instigator penalties suggests the NHL rulebook may need a modern refresh.
Calls for rule clarity and reform are grounded in balancing fairness with preserving the integrity and flow of the game.
The emotional volatility of playoff fandom—especially in tightly contested series—shows how deeply connected fans are to every moment on the ice.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

📧 Send questions or comments: NHLWraparound@gmail.com

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

🏒 MeiGray: Collect authentic game-worn jerseys at MeiGray.com. Use code WRAP10 for 10% off your order.

👖 DUER: Built for comfort and performance, save 20% with code NHLFAN at shopduer.com/NHLFAN.

💼 The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Strategic financial planning with a multigenerational perspective. Learn more at Nintzel Wealth Partners

ABOUT DAVE JACKSON:

Dave Jackson is a former NHL referee who officiated over 1,500 regular season games, 83 playoff matchups, two All-Star Games, and the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Now a lead rules analyst for ESPN, Jackson brings decades of experience and perspective to some of the NHL’s most controversial calls and key moments. He is one of only six referees in NHL history to reach the 1,500-game milestone.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #DaveJackson #Officiating #StanleyCup #RulesAnalysis #ESPN #GoaltenderInterference #OffsideReview #PuckOverGlass #InstigatorPenalty #PlayoffHockey #FanExperience #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLWraparound

EPISODE 16: Bucci Strikes Again! Round Two Playoff Preview with John Buccigross | Matchups, Goalie Battles & A Tribute to Barry Melrose

Tue, 07 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this special playoff edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren welcome back John Buccigross—longtime ESPN studio host and play-by-play voice—for a comprehensive Round Two Stanley Cup Playoff Preview.

Together, they break down each series with expert analysis, highlighting strategic matchups, standout players, and potential x-factors. From the Rangers vs. Hurricanes chess match to the high-octane Oilers vs. Canucks battle, no angle goes uncovered.

In addition to playoff projections, they reflect on Round One surprises, coaching brilliance, and roster depth, as well as goalies who could tip the scales—like Jake Oettinger and Alexandar Georgiev.

The episode concludes with a heartfelt Human Side of the Story, saluting hockey legend Barry Melrose, who recently retired after a Parkinson’s diagnosis. Melrose’s legacy in the game, both as a coach and charismatic broadcaster, is remembered with deep respect and admiration.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:17] Round Two matchups and playoff format dynamics

[03:13] The Toronto Maple Leafs' playoff window and future

[05:36] Round One Recap + Round Two predictions with John Buccigross

[07:17] New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes

[18:00] Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers

[29:28] Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche

[31:51] Key players and system analysis

[33:14] Goaltending showdown: Georgiev vs. Oettinger

[42:53] Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers

[52:45] Human Side of the Story: Barry Melrose’s influence on hockey

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Toronto’s playoff future remains uncertain as they face cap constraints and core-player decisions.
Peter DeBoer’s coaching journey is a testament to persistence and NHL respect—he consistently rebounds and leads playoff contenders.
Goaltending matchups are pivotal in Round Two, with several series likely decided by netminder performances.
Barry Melrose’s retirement marks the end of an era. His storytelling, personality, and love for hockey elevated coverage and grew the game for decades.

RESOURCE LINKS:

📺 John Buccigross: BucciOT.com

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

🟦 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

👤 Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

👤 Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

🏒 MeiGray: Game-worn NHL jerseys for collectors and fans. Use code WRAP10 at MeiGray.com for 10% off.

👖 DUER: Durable, stylish jeans for life on the move. Save 20% at shopduer.com/NHLFAN with code NHLFAN.

💼 The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Personalized financial strategies tailored for hockey professionals and fans alike. Learn more: Nintzel Wealth Partners

ABOUT JOHN BUCCIGROSS:

John Buccigross is a lead NHL play-by-play commentator at ESPN and host of The Point, ESPN2’s flagship hockey studio show. Known for his passion for college and professional hockey, Buccigross also covers the NCAA Frozen Fourand co-created the “#BucciOvertimeChallenge.” He is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most engaging voices and storytellers.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #StanleyCup #Playoffs #ESPN #JohnBuccigross #BucciOT #HockeyAnalysis #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BarryMelrose #BostonBruins #FloridaPanthers #EdmontonOilers #VancouverCanucks #ColoradoAvalanche #DallasStars #NewYorkRangers #CarolinaHurricanes #TML #NHLWraparound

EPISODE 15: Second in Command — A Discussion with NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly | Relocation, Video Review, and the Future of the League

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In Episode 15 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by Bill Daly, Deputy Commissioner of the National Hockey League, for a deep dive into the league’s direction and pressing issues facing the sport.

Daly discusses the Arizona Coyotes' relocation to Utah, providing an inside look at what led to the move, the failed Tempe arena referendum, and the transitional agreement allowing the team’s owner to potentially reactivate the franchise in the future. The conversation sheds light on the behind-the-scenes logistics and long-term implications of franchise shifts for the league, players, and fans.

The discussion moves into the state of video review in the NHL, specifically how it’s applied to controversial calls like goaltender interference. Daly explains the current balance between accuracy and pace of play, and offers perspective on how technology and review systems may evolve.

The episode also explores media rights, streaming, and the league’s growing partnerships with platforms like Amazon, especially in Canada. Daly shares where the NHL sees opportunity to expand its fan base through digital media.

Finally, the show concludes with a thoughtful Human Side of the Story, featuring reflections on Daly’s role in the game and a heartfelt tribute to broadcasting legend Bob Cole—a voice synonymous with the NHL for generations.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:21] One-Timers: Tampa Bay’s outlook & the magic of playoff overtime

[06:24] Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly joins the show

[06:53] The Utah transition: From Arizona Coyotes to a new NHL market

[14:45] NHL expansion possibilities and long-term market growth

[25:25] NHL video review: What works and what needs improvement

[30:31] Evolution of review technology and officiating integrity

[34:31] NHL broadcast innovation: Amazon, streaming, and fan access

[38:40] Coaching carousel: turnover rates and salary cap effects

[41:09] Lindy Ruff’s return to Buffalo: The story behind the decision

[48:07] Human Side of the Story: Bill Daly’s career and core values

[53:08] Remembering Bob Cole and his voice of hockey history

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The NHL’s move from Arizona to Utah reflects the challenges of venue development and the league’s flexibility in transitional planning.
Video review is evolving, but remains grounded in balancing accuracy with the spirit of live gameplay.
Broadcast rights and digital platforms like Amazon represent the future of hockey viewership, especially among younger audiences.
Leadership decisions—from league executives to NHL coaches—are increasingly shaped by salary cap realities and performance urgency.
Bill Daly offers rare personal insight into the role of Deputy Commissioner and pays tribute to Bob Cole, one of the game’s great storytellers.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558685344275

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

MeiGray: Your source for authentic game-worn NHL jerseys. Use code WRAP10 at MeiGray.com for 10% off.

DUER: Premium performance denim for on and off the ice. Get 20% off at shopduer.com/NHLFAN using code NHLFAN.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Tailored financial strategies for long-term success. Learn more at Nintzel Wealth Partners

ABOUT BILL DALY:

William L. “Bill” Daly III is the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Legal Officer of the NHL, serving as the league’s second-in-command under Commissioner Gary Bettman. He has played a pivotal role in labor negotiations, franchise relocations, media rights deals, and international growth strategies. Daly is also a Hockey Hall of Fame board memberand a respected voice in hockey’s executive landscape.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #BillDaly #NHLDeputyCommissioner #FranchiseRelocation #ArizonaCoyotes #UtahHockey #VideoReview #Streaming #AmazonPrimeHockey #NHLBroadcasting #StanleyCupPlayoffs #BobCole #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLWraparound

EPISODE 14: What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas? With George McPhee | Playoff Prep, Franchise Moves & The Emotional Side of Hockey

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In Episode 14 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren sit down with George McPhee, President of Hockey Operations for the Vegas Golden Knights, to discuss playoff strategy, franchise dynamics, and the emotional journey of building a Stanley Cup-winning team.

McPhee shares personal reflections from his extensive NHL career—from his playing days to his executive roles with the Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, and Golden Knights—offering deep insight into the resilience required to succeed at every level of the sport.

The discussion includes analysis of Vegas’s preparation to defend their Stanley Cup title, how they’ve managed player injuries, and the ongoing controversy surrounding the NHL salary cap and long-term injured reserve (LTIR).

The episode also explores the emotional and logistical implications of NHL franchise relocations, including the Arizona Coyotes’ upcoming move to Salt Lake City, highlighting how these decisions impact players, staff, and fan communities alike.

The show wraps with stories that humanize the game—from Stanley Cup celebrations to family sacrifices, offering listeners a full-circle look at the passion and people behind the league’s most successful franchises.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:29] The playoff format debate and structure overview

[05:56] George McPhee’s NHL journey: player, GM, executive

[18:26] What winning the Stanley Cup truly feels like

[19:21] Reflections on career longevity and life after hockey

[23:51] Unforgettable Cup celebrations and their meaning

[27:22] Vegas’s rise as an NHL expansion success story

[28:41] Navigating the salary cap and injury controversies

[31:24] Key acquisitions and internal team dynamics

[33:24] Goaltending strategy heading into the postseason

[34:58] Thoughts on Alex Ovechkin’s career and legacy

[37:37] Family life in hockey—from front office to home life

[41:38] The ripple effects of franchise relocation in the NHL

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

George McPhee’s path from Hobey Baker winner to Stanley Cup executive reveals the multifaceted nature of leadership in hockey.
The Vegas Golden Knights’ strategic roster management and deep playoff experience give them a solid chance at defending their title.
Franchise relocation, such as the Coyotes' move to Salt Lake City, affects not just business operations but entire communities and player families.
Emotional moments from McPhee’s career—including lifting the Cup—highlight the enduring connection between hockey professionals and the game they love.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558685344275

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

MeiGray: Authentic game-worn NHL jerseys. Use code WRAP10 for 10% off at MeiGray.com.

DUER: Performance denim for athletes and hockey fans. Save 20% at shopduer.com/NHLFAN with code NHLFAN.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Personalized financial advice for athletes and executives. Learn more at Nintzel Wealth Partners.

ABOUT GEORGE McPHEE:

George McPhee is the President of Hockey Operations for the Vegas Golden Knights and a former NHL player. Winner of the Hobey Baker Award in 1982, he played for the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils before transitioning to management. McPhee served as GM of the Washington Capitals for 17 years and helped build the Golden Knights into a Stanley Cup-winning franchise in just six seasons. He was also instrumental in developing future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin’s career in Washington.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #GeorgeMcPhee #VegasGoldenKnights #StanleyCup #FranchiseRelocation #PlayoffStrategy #NHLPlayoffs #HockeyOperations #AlexOvechkin #SportsLeadership #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLWraparound

SPECIAL EDITION: Playoff Preview with John Buccigross | Series Breakdown, Upset Picks & Stanley Cup Predictions

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this NHL Wraparound special edition, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren welcome John Buccigross—ESPN’s NHL play-by-play commentator and host of The Point—for a high-energy, in-depth Stanley Cup Playoff Preview. From Eastern Conference showdowns to Western Conference sleepers, the episode is packed with expert analysis, predictions, and behind-the-scenes insight into the matchups that will define the road to the Cup.

The team breaks down each first-round series, comparing team structures, coaching tactics, special teams, and goaltending strengths. They dive into expected x-factors, injury concerns, and key narratives that could tip each matchup. From Ovechkin vs. the Rangers to the Battle of Florida, and from Vancouver’s surprising season to Edmonton’s redemption arc, no storyline is left untouched.

The episode wraps with rapid-fire predictions, bold upset picks, and each guest’s Stanley Cup Final prediction, offering fans everything they need to get playoff-ready.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:10] Rangers vs. Capitals – Strengths, strategy, and experience

[12:09] Carolina vs. Islanders – Power play edge vs. PK woes

[19:37] Panthers vs. Lightning – Depth vs. championship pedigree

[27:55] Bruins vs. Maple Leafs – Can Toronto flip the script?

[39:40] Jets vs. Avalanche – Central showdown, goaltending keys

[43:44] Hellebuyck vs. Georgiev – Goalie battle breakdown

[44:30] Colorado’s Cup window and roster depth

[48:22] Vegas – From reigning champs to underdog status

[49:00] Dallas Stars – Balanced, deep, and playoff-built

[56:14] Vancouver vs. Nashville – Dark horse alert

[01:04:12] LA Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers – High skill vs. high grit

[01:12:59] Final thoughts and Stanley Cup picks

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Carolina’s special teams could be the deciding factor in a low-scoring series with the Islanders.
Florida vs. Tampa Bay might be the most physical and emotionally charged first-round series, driven by contrasting styles and recent history.
Coaching adjustments—from Knoblauch in Edmonton to structure in Dallas—could turn close series into statement wins.
Goaltending matchups like Hellebuyck vs. Georgiev and Swayman vs. Samsonov are central to this year’s Cup race.
Breakout candidates like Michael McCarron (NSH) and Tomas Hertl (VGK) could emerge as playoff X-factors.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

MeiGray: Own your piece of history. Shop authentic game-worn NHL jerseys at MeiGray.com and use code WRAP10for 10% off.

DUER: Performance denim made for life on the move. Save 20% at shopduer.com/NHLFAN with code NHLFAN.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Build your financial future with personalized wealth strategies. Learn more at Nintzel Wealth Partners.

ABOUT JOHN BUCCIGROSS:

John Buccigross is a veteran sports broadcaster and the play-by-play voice for NHL games on ESPN. He currently hosts The Point, ESPN’s flagship hockey studio show, and serves as the voice of the Frozen Four NCAA Hockey Championship. A former anchor of SportsCenter and host of NHL 2Night, Buccigross brings decades of broadcasting experience and a deep passion for hockey to every game and segment he covers.

#NHLWraparoundPodcast #NHL #Hockey #Podcast #StanleyCup #Playoffs #JohnBuccigross #ESPN #ThePoint #NeilSmith #VicMorren #RangersvsCapitals #CarolinavsIslanders #FloridavsTampa #BruinsvsLeafs #JetsvsAvalanche #DallasStars #VegasGoldenKnights #VancouverCanucks #OilersvsKings #Goaltending #HockeyAnalysis #NHLPlayoffPreview

EPISODE 13: Looking to Strike Oil with Ken Holland | Playoff Strategy, Roster Depth & the Evolution of Goaltending

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400

In Episode 13 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren sit down with Ken Holland, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers, as the NHL regular season reaches its final week.

The episode begins with a breakdown of the playoff race, highlighting the five Eastern Conference teams battling for two final spots, along with hot takes on key players and storylines from around the league.

Holland shares stories from his Hall of Fame career, offers deep insight into the Oilers’ strategy for the postseason, and talks about the importance of team depth, health, and leadership in the playoffs. He reflects on reclamation projects, the trade deadline acquisitions of Adam Henrique, Sam Carrick, Troy Stecher, and the mid-season addition of Corey Perry, all aimed at strengthening Edmonton’s playoff push.

The episode also explores whether elite goaltending is still a must to win the Stanley Cup, and how goalie tandems—like Stuart Skinner’s rise in Edmonton—are shifting team dynamics.

The show concludes with The Human Side of the Story, highlighting Holland’s journey from player to scout to GM, and honoring David Carle, head coach of the University of Denver, for his remarkable coaching rise and resilience.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:41] The tight playoff race and bubble team predictions

[01:54] One-Timers: player hot streaks and postseason drama

[03:57] Arizona Coyotes relocation and long-term questions

[07:32] Ken Holland interview begins

[08:04] Holland’s career path and key milestones

[16:52] Breaking down the Oilers’ regular season performance

[24:17] Trade acquisitions and building a playoff-ready roster

[28:25] What motivates players and keeps teams cohesive

[29:49] Preparing for the playoffs: mindset and matchups

[30:53] The critical role of depth and staying healthy

[34:14] Connor McDavid’s health and pursuit of milestones

[36:31] Stuart Skinner’s emergence and goalie confidence

[42:18] Holland reflects on his legacy in Detroit and Edmonton

[49:40] Are elite goaltenders still essential in the playoffs?

[55:33] Human Side of the Story: Hall of Fame moments & David Carle’s journey

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Ken Holland’s career embodies adaptability, leadership, and vision, having built championship teams in Detroitand now guiding a contender in Edmonton.
The Oilers’ roster is stronger and more balanced, with playoff experience and strategic depth across positions.
Connor McDavid’s health, playoff leadership, and historical milestones are central to Edmonton’s Cup hopes.
The evolution of goaltending shows that goalie tandems and consistency often matter more than star power alone.
The Human Side reminds us that great hockey minds like David Carle are redefining leadership and resilience across levels.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

MeiGray: Own authentic game-worn NHL jerseys. Use code WRAP10 at MeiGray.com for 10% off.

DUER: Shop high-performance denim for athletes and hockey fans. Use code NHLFAN for 20% off at shopduer.com/NHLFAN.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Helping families build legacies through tailored financial planning. Learn more at Nintzel Wealth Partners.

ABOUT KEN HOLLAND:

Ken Holland, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020, is one of the NHL’s most accomplished executives. He served as GM of the Detroit Red Wings for 22 seasons, leading the team to four Stanley Cup titles, and currently serves as President and GM of the Edmonton Oilers. Holland is widely respected for his scouting acumen, team-building philosophy, and player-first leadership style.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #KenHolland #EdmontonOilers #ConnorMcDavid #StanleyCup #Playoffs #DavidCarle #DetroitRedWings #Goaltending #SportsManagement #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLWraparound

EPISODE 12: Talking NY & Canadian Hopes with Nick Kypreos | Rangers Playoff Push, Canada’s Drought, and Hockey’s Human Side

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400

In Episode 12 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by former NHL forward and Real Kyper and Bourne podcast host Nick Kypreos for a timely and spirited conversation about the state of the NHL as the regular season nears its end.

The trio discusses New York Rangers’ playoff readiness, comparing the current team to the 1994 Cup-winning squad. Kypreos weighs in on Artemi Panarin’s role, the team's physical identity, and the importance of finding a true leader—or “horse”—for a deep postseason run.

The conversation expands into a broader discussion about the Canadian Stanley Cup drought, highlighting the playoff potential of teams like the Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, and Edmonton Oilers. Kypreos offers insight into players like Evander Kane, emphasizing the need for top-tier performance when it matters most.

The episode closes with The Human Side of the Story, reflecting on the personal challenges NHL players and referees face, reminding listeners that behind the uniforms are real people balancing family, emotions, and career-defining moments.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:35] One-Timers: Playoff changes since 2023 & Dallas leading the West

[05:31] Nick Kypreos joins: Evaluating Rangers’ Cup chances

[07:00] Comparing NYR 2024 to the iconic 1994 squad

[08:00] Rangers’ toughness, style of play, and playoff readiness

[12:09] Panarin’s role, maturity, and need for elite consistency

[16:57] Who can lead this team deep? Kypreos names his “horse”

[17:27] Matt Rempe’s impact on NYR depth and energy

[22:09] Why Canadian teams continue to fall short

[29:53] Insights on Vancouver, Winnipeg, and playoff expectations

[36:03] The X-factor: Evander Kane’s role in Edmonton

[39:18] Kypreos discusses his media work and legacy

[41:28] The Human Side of the Story: behind-the-scenes realities of life in hockey

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Nick Kypreos believes the New York Rangers are built to contend—if key players rise to the occasion.
Artemi Panarin’s postseason performance could define the team’s fate.
Canada’s Stanley Cup drought remains one of hockey’s most frustrating narratives, despite talented rosters in Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Edmonton.
The human toll of hockey—on players, referees, and families—is often overlooked but deeply felt.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

MeiGray: Authentic game-worn NHL jerseys. Use code WRAP10 at MeiGray.com for 10% off.

DUER: Performance denim for life on the go. Use code NHLFAN for 20% off at shopduer.com/NHLFAN.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Explore personalized financial strategy at Nintzel Wealth Partners.

ABOUT NICK KYPREOS:

Nick Kypreos is a former NHL left winger who played for the Hartford Whalers, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. A Stanley Cup champion with the Rangers in 1994, Kypreos transitioned into broadcasting after his playing career and is now co-host of the Real Kyper and Bourne Podcast on Sportsnet and a prominent voice on Hockey Night in Canada.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #NickKypreos #NYRangers #StanleyCup #Playoffs #ArtemiPanarin #CanadianTeams #VancouverCanucks #EdmontonOilers #WinnipegJets #MattRempe #SportsMedia #RealKyperandBournePodcast #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLWraparound

EPISODE 11: Capital Gains with Craig Laughlin | Ovechkin, Hyman’s 50 Goals & the Capitals’ Playoff Push

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In Episode 11 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren sit down with Craig Laughlin, former NHL forward and current Washington Capitals TV analyst, for a thoughtful conversation about the Capitals' performance, playoff prospects, and the evolution of broadcasting and hockey culture.

Laughlin reflects on his NHL career, shares fun behind-the-scenes stories about Alexander Ovechkin, and offers insights on the Capitals’ current roster, goaltending challenges, and how the coaching staff has adapted to injuries to players like Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie.

The episode also tackles the recent controversy surrounding Zach Hyman’s 50-goal milestone, addressing criticisms of privilege in hockey and the deeper conversation around character, work ethic, and earning success at the highest level.

They also examine John Hynes’ decision to pull the goalie in overtime, sparking debate over the risks and historical precedent of the move.

The episode concludes with The Human Side of the Story, celebrating Hyman’s journey and honoring the diverse paths players take to achieve greatness.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:45] One-Timers: MVP races and potential award winners

[05:05] Craig Laughlin joins the show: career reflections and Capitals commentary

[14:40] Evaluating Washington’s playoff positioning

[21:45] Goaltending performance: Darcy Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren

[23:54] Washington’s playoff strategy and remaining schedule

[25:49] Capitals' key contributors and rebuilding outlook

[27:27] Prospects like Ryan Leonard and future team impact

[29:01] Ovechkin’s legacy and locker room culture

[35:03] The joy of broadcasting and keeping the game fun

[38:26] Goalies pulled in OT: risk vs reward

[42:52] Human Side of the Story: Hyman’s 50-goal season and the conversation around privilege

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Craig Laughlin offers an insider view into the Washington Capitals’ culture, resilience, and how the team is evolving during a critical stretch.
Ovechkin’s presence continues to shape the team both on and off the ice, especially in times of adversity.
The controversial conversation around Zach Hyman’s background is met with firm support for merit-based success in the NHL.
Strategic coaching moves, including pulling the goalie in OT, prompt lively debate over tradition, analytics, and innovation.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

MeiGray: Get authentic game-worn NHL jerseys at MeiGray.com. Use code WRAP10 for 10% off.

DUER: Performance denim for hockey fans and athletes. Use code NHLFAN for 20% off at shopduer.com/NHLFAN.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Discover personalized financial strategies at Nintzel Wealth Partners.

ABOUT CRAIG LAUGHLIN:

Craig Laughlin, born September 14, 1957, is a former NHL right winger and current TV color analyst for the Washington Capitals on Monumental Sports Network. Laughlin played for the Montreal Canadiens, Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, and Toronto Maple Leafs between 1981 and 1989, bringing depth, grit, and leadership to every locker room he entered.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #WashingtonCapitals #CraigLaughlin #AlexanderOvechkin #ZachHyman #StanleyCup #GoalieStrategy #SportsCommentary #NHLPlayoffs #DarcyKuemper #CharlieLindgren #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLWraparound

EPISODE 10: Taking the NHL by Storm with Don Waddell | Wild Card Races, Goaltending Strategy & The Power of Perseverance

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In Episode 10 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by Don Waddell, president and general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, for a conversation about roster building, goaltending depth, and the road to playoff success.

The episode opens with a breakdown of the wild card races in both conferences. Teams like the Washington Capitalsand Nashville Predators are making strong late-season pushes, while players like Zach Hyman and Sam Reinhartcontinue to lead their clubs with impact performances.

Waddell provides insight into strategic acquisitions, his approach to roster management, and his views on contract negotiations—including the evolving situation with Rod Brind’Amour. The discussion also touches on the Hurricanes' structure, culture, and postseason aspirations.

The episode concludes with The Human Side of the Story, spotlighting the incredible journey of Laila Anderson, the young fan who inspired the St. Louis Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup run. Her resilience and continued presence in the hockey community remain a reminder of the sport's emotional power and lasting impact.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[03:30] Washington Capitals’ playoff chase and identity

[05:09] Spotlight on the Predators and Capitals as resilient contenders

[18:24] Rod Brind’Amour’s legacy, health, and leadership

[20:03] Discussion on Brind’Amour’s upcoming contract decision

[22:12] The Boston Bruins’ season challenges and postseason prep

[29:09] Introduction to Laila Anderson’s story and her impact on the hockey world

[30:24] Laila’s state championship with the Chesterfield Lady Falcons

[32:00] Don Waddell’s personal career path and philosophy as a GM

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Don Waddell breaks down how strategic player moves and internal development fuel Carolina’s consistent success.
Rod Brind’Amour’s contract status looms large, but his dedication to the game is unquestioned.
Teams like the Capitals, Predators, and Golden Knights are heating up at the right time in a tight playoff race.
Laila Anderson’s story is a testament to resilience, community, and the deeper meaning behind the game of hockey.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

MeiGray: Authentic game-worn jerseys. Use code WRAP10 for 10% off at MeiGray.com.

DUER: Performance denim for life on the move. Get 20% off at shopduer.com/NHLFAN with code NHLFAN.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Personalized wealth management built for what matters most. Learn more: Nintzel Wealth Partners

ABOUT DON WADDELL:

Donald Douglas Waddell, born August 19, 1958, is a veteran hockey executive and former player. He is currently the president and general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, where he’s led one of the NHL’s most consistent and competitive teams. Waddell previously served as GM of the Atlanta Thrashers and has decades of experience in professional hockey operations.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #DonWaddell #CarolinaHurricanes #StanleyCup #Playoffs #ZachHyman #RodBrindAmour #WashingtonCapitals #NashvillePredators #LailaAnderson #Leadership #HockeyManagement #VicMorren #NeilSmith #NHLWraparound

EPISODE 9: Between the Benches with Brian Boucher | Playoff Insights, Goaltending Pressure & Professional Standards

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In Episode 9 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by Brian Boucher, former NHL goaltender and current analyst for TNT and NBC Sports Philadelphia, for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of the league, team performances, and playoff positioning.

The episode begins with a look at the New York Rangers’ recent surge, examining their resilience, depth, and how they’ve handled tough scheduling. Boucher shares his analysis of the Philadelphia Flyers, with a particular focus on Carter Hart’s goaltending and the team’s playoff potential.

The conversation dives deeper into coaching leadership, critical playoff dynamics in both conferences, and the mental and physical grind teams endure on the road to the Stanley Cup. From goaltending depth to locker room presence, Boucher offers expert commentary on what separates contenders from pretenders.

The episode wraps with The Human Side of the Story, where Neil shares a powerful lesson learned from legendary coach Scotty Bowman about professionalism, appearance, and preparation—offering advice for young professionals and athletes entering the sports world.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:36] Brian Boucher joins the show; Flyers talk and episode preview

[01:33] One-Timers: Rangers’ strong stretch and scheduling battles

[03:00] Team grit, injuries, and the wear-and-tear of the regular season

[14:00] The impact of coaching on team performance

[36:42] Neil reflects on Brian Boucher’s career and NHL journey

[39:15] The value of appearance and professional presentation in sports

[40:30] A lesson from Scotty Bowman on dressing with intention

[41:51] Advice for young professionals: know your audience, look the part

[42:06] Human Side of the Story: the importance of showing up with pride

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The New York Rangers are showing late-season strength and composure, key for playoff success.
Carter Hart’s development continues to anchor the Flyers’ goaltending strategy, with optimism around their future.
Coaching decisions have a direct impact on a team’s identity, confidence, and playoff readiness.
Professionalism and presentation matter off the ice as much as on it—valuable insight for anyone entering the sports industry.
Brian Boucher’s journey from record-setting NHL goaltender to respected broadcaster illustrates how experience translates to analysis.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

MeiGray: Shop authentic game-worn NHL jerseys at MeiGray.com. Use code WRAP10 for 10% off.

DUER: Performance denim for life on the go. Save 20% at shopduer.com/NHLFAN using code NHLFAN.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Financial guidance built around what matters most to you. Learn more at Nintzel Wealth Partners.

ABOUT BRIAN BOUCHER:

Brian Boucher is a former NHL goaltender turned nationally recognized hockey analyst for TNT and NBC Sports Philadelphia. He played 13 seasons in the NHL for teams including the Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, and San Jose Sharks. Known for his intelligence and composure in the crease, Boucher led the league in goals-against average in the 1999–2000 season and holds the NHL’s modern record for longest shutout streak (332:01).

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #BrianBoucher #TNT #PhiladelphiaFlyers #Goaltending #StanleyCup #ScottyBowman #NewYorkRangers #CarterHart #NHLPlayoffs #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLWraparound

EPISODE 8: Dissecting the Deadline with Mike Santos | Trade Impact, Playoff Strategy & the Future of Team 33

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400

EPISODE 8: Dissecting the Deadline with Mike Santos | Trade Impact, Playoff Strategy & the Future of Team 33

In Episode 8 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by longtime NHL executive and founder of Team 33, Mike Santos, for a detailed breakdown of the NHL trade deadline, playoff outlook, and the future of player evaluation technology in hockey.

The episode kicks off with “The Neil Scorecard,” recapping the outcomes for 18 unrestricted free agents from teams outside playoff contention. Santos then dives into how Team 33, with over 20 scouts, offers unmatched insights into contract evaluations—outpacing most NHL clubs in both reach and detail.

They explore major Western Conference trade deadline moves, what they mean for contenders, and how front offices are balancing immediate success with long-term cap strategy. The discussion also addresses trends in no-trade/no-move clauses and how they're reshaping deal-making across the league.

Additional segments include a lively debate about pulling the goalie in overtime, a preview of potential first-round upsets, and The Human Side of the Story, featuring personal reflections and memories of playing against the Montreal Canadiens.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:27] The Neil Scorecard: UFA outcomes and playoff implications

[05:17] Mike Santos joins the show

[06:57] Team 33’s edge: contract evaluation & advanced scouting models

[07:21] Delivering hockey data in a player-first, decision-useful format

[08:18] Western Conference trade deadline arms race

[29:09] Santos shares philosophy behind trade deadline success

[30:12] Strategic breakdown of pulling the goalie in OT

[34:48] Human Side of the Story

[39:06] Memories of playing against the Canadiens

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Team 33 operates with over 20 scouts, significantly surpassing the typical NHL club's scouting departments, offering next-gen player analysis.
The Western Conference trade deadline featured aggressive positioning for playoff pushes, particularly from contenders.
No-trade and no-move clauses are increasingly shaping the league’s trade landscape and challenging GMs at the deadline.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are expected to be fiercely competitive, especially in the West, where physicality and goaltending will determine key upsets.
Mike Santos shares real-world front office insights and previews a future app-based solution to help GMs better manage contracts and scouting data.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Catch the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

MeiGray: Authentic game-worn jerseys. Use code WRAP10 at MeiGray.com for 10% off.

DUER: Performance denim for athletes and fans. Use code NHLFAN for 15% off at shopduer.com/NHLFAN.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Trusted financial guidance for every generation. Learn more: Nintzel Wealth Partners.

ABOUT MIKE SANTOS:

Mike Santos is a veteran hockey executive and attorney with experience in NHL front offices, player contracts, arbitration, international governance, and athlete management. As founder of Team 33, he leads one of the most advanced hockey scouting and analytics groups in the industry, focused on contract valuation and performance modeling.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #TradeDeadline #StanleyCup #MikeSantos #Team33 #WesternConference #Scouting #PlayerEvaluation #SportsManagement #EdmontonOilers #WinnipegJets #VancouverCanucks #CalgaryFlames #ConnorBedard #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLWraparound #Playoffs

TRADE DEADLINE RECAP SHOW | Key Moves, Silent Teams, and Stanley Cup Contenders

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

TRADE DEADLINE RECAP SHOW | Key Moves, Silent Teams, and Stanley Cup Contenders

In this episode of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down all the major moves from the NHL Trade Deadline and what they mean for playoff races across the league. From bold acquisitions to surprising inaction, the episode delivers a complete picture of how teams are preparing for a run at the Stanley Cup.

The Vegas Golden Knights made the loudest statement at the deadline, landing Tomas Hertl, Anthony Mantha, and Noah Hanifin to boost their chances at a repeat Cup. The Winnipeg Jets picked up Tyler Toffoli and added depth with Colin Miller, while the Colorado Avalanche strengthened their roster with players like Casey Mittelstadt and Sean Walker.

The Edmonton Oilers brought in Adam Henrique, Sam Carrick, and Troy Stecher, while the Carolina Hurricaneslanded one of the biggest names on the market—Jake Guentzel. The Florida Panthers added leadership with Kyle Okposo, and the Boston Bruins added toughness with Pat Maroon. The New York Rangers made several under-the-radar acquisitions to round out their depth.

The Philadelphia Flyers traded away Sean Walker and brought in Erik Johnson. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues and New York Islanders were surprisingly quiet. The future of the Pittsburgh Penguins is in question, as the hosts reflect on whether their championship window has closed.

The episode closes with a big-picture look at the teams best positioned to reach the Stanley Cup Final, including Vancouver, Vegas, Tampa Bay, and Carolina—and a preview of upcoming guest Mike Santos.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:15] Vegas Golden Knights go all-in at the deadline

[01:57] Winnipeg adds Tyler Toffoli for scoring punch

[02:54] Colorado's depth moves with Sean Walker and Casey Mittelstadt

[05:15] Carolina Hurricanes make a big splash with Jake Guentzel

[08:12] Florida Panthers add veteran presence in Kyle Okposo

[08:18] New York Rangers’ smart depth acquisitions

[09:24] Philadelphia's activity: out goes Walker, in comes Erik Johnson

[10:30] Quiet deadlines for the Blues and Islanders

[11:24] Reflecting on the Penguins’ fading dynasty

[12:24] Who’s best positioned for a Cup run?

[13:36] The challenge of winning the Stanley Cup

[14:00] Next guest teaser: Mike Santos joins for deep analysis

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Vegas Golden Knights emerge as the most aggressive team, loading up for back-to-back Cups.
Carolina, Florida, and Colorado make high-impact moves aimed at playoff dominance.
Edmonton and Boston focus on grit and depth.
The Penguins, Blues, and Islanders stand pat, raising questions about their long-term vision.
Vancouver, Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Vegas are named as the top contenders heading into the final stretch.

RESOURCE LINKS

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #TradeDeadline #StanleyCup #VegasGoldenKnights #CarolinaHurricanes #FloridaPanthers #EdmontonOilers #ColoradoAvalanche #BostonBruins #NewYorkRangers #PittsburghPenguins #VancouverCanucks #Playoffs #NeilSmith #VicMorren #SportsBroadcasting #NHLWraparound

EPISODE 7: Power Outage in Tampa? with Brian Engblom | Physical Play, Player Safety & The Lightning’s Season

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In Episode 7 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren welcome Brian Engblom—former NHL defenseman and current Tampa Bay Lightning broadcaster—for a candid conversation about the balance between physicality, player safety, and the evolution of the game.

The episode opens with a look at the impulsive nature of general managers near the trade deadline, followed by reactions to the Nashville Predators’ turnaround and the impact of Dylan Larkin’s injury on the Detroit Red Wings.

Brian Engblom joins to break down the Tampa Bay Lightning’s performance, including discussions on Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos’ contract situation, and what’s ahead for the team heading into the playoff stretch. He also shares his thoughts on national vs. team-specific coverage and how it affects player narratives.

The conversation expands into a broader discussion of fighting, enforcers, and safety in today’s NHL, including the growing attention to head injuries, high-sticking penalties, and the league’s evolution in protecting players while preserving the game’s physical roots.

The episode closes with The Human Side of the Story, featuring personal reflections, behind-the-scenes moments, and a teaser about next week’s guest, Mike Santos.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:36] Trade deadline pressure on general managers

[01:51] Nashville’s rebound and team dynamics

[02:45] The injury to Dylan Larkin and its effect on Detroit

[12:12] Brian Engblom joins the show

[12:42] Team vs. national media coverage in the NHL

[15:03] Tampa Bay Lightning season breakdown

[19:45] Spotlight on Nikita Kucherov

[24:00] Steven Stamkos’ future with Tampa

[26:36] Potential trades and Lightning’s playoff push

[35:51] Brian Engblom’s playing career and journey to broadcasting

[36:00] The role of Matt Rempe and the enforcer tradition

[37:06] Fighting’s place in today’s NHL

[38:27] Why enforcers still matter in protecting teammates

[42:30] Player safety: rule changes, gear, and enforcement

[47:45] The Human Side of the Story: personal moments and reflections

[53:20] Teaser: upcoming episode with Mike Santos

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Brian Engblom brings firsthand insight into how the Lightning are managing pressure, schedule fatigue, and player contracts.
The discussion on fighting and enforcers raises deeper questions about safety, identity, and the spirit of the game.
Personal stories highlight the human connections in hockey and how former players stay engaged through broadcasting and mentorship.
The NHL’s rules around head contact and dangerous plays continue to evolve, but the debate around how much physicality should be preserved remains active.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Find this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

MeiGray: Shop game-worn NHL jerseys at MeiGray.com and use code WRAP10 for 10% off.

DUER: Performance denim for hockey fans and athletes. Use code NHLFAN for 20% off at shopduer.com/NHLFAN.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Personalized strategies for long-term financial confidence. Learn more at Nintzel Wealth Partners.

ABOUT BRIAN ENGBLOM:

Brian Paul Engblom, born January 27, 1955, is a former NHL defenseman and current analyst for the Tampa Bay Lightning. A three-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Montreal Canadiens, Engblom transitioned into broadcasting after his playing career, becoming a respected voice on both national and local NHL coverage.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #BrianEngblom #TampaBayLightning #StanleyCup #NHLTrades #FightingInHockey #PlayerSafety #Enforcers #NHLHistory #PhysicalPlay #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLWraparound #StevenStamkos #NikitaKucherov #DetroitRedWings #DylanLarkin #MattRempe #MikeSantos

EPISODE 6: “My Way” with Brian Burke | Trade Deadline Moves, PWHL Growth, and Leadership in Hockey

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In Episode 6 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren welcome Brian Burke, legendary NHL executive and current Executive Director of the Professional Women's Hockey League Players Association (PWHLPA), for a wide-ranging conversation on hockey operations, team building, and leadership.

The show opens with insights into the Eastern Conference trade market, focusing on pending UFAs like Jake Guentzel and Vladimir Tarasenko, followed by an update on slow starts plaguing teams like the New Jersey Devils.

Brian Burke joins to unpack what he calls the "Pittsburgh puzzle"—an in-depth look at the Penguins’ trajectory since their 2017 Stanley Cup win, including Mike Sullivan’s tenure, roster challenges, and Burke’s own role in shaping the team’s future.

From there, the conversation shifts to the PWHL, where Burke shares his enthusiasm for the league’s vision, leadership from Billie Jean King and Mark Walter, and the innovative rules (like “the jailbreak” and points-based standings) designed to ensure competitive balance and long-term success.

The episode wraps with Western Conference trade speculation, a quickfire review of potential UFA moves, and The Human Side of the Story, featuring personal stories about Brian Burke’s leadership journey, his advocacy for inclusion in hockey, and a humorous memory involving John Purdy’s 15 seconds of fame.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:21] Segment preview: Eastern/Western Conference trades + Brian Burke interview

[05:06] One-Timers: Battle of Alberta intensity, Devils' home-game struggles

[12:39] Brian Burke on the Penguins, Guentzel’s future, Sullivan, and PWHL insights

[29:30] PWHL’s unique rules: the jailbreak, new standings system, and long-term strategy

[41:18] Trade speculation continues with potential moves across both conferences

[43:24] Jordan Eberle and free-agent outlook

[44:24] Anaheim Ducks & California market strategy

[45:33] Anthony Duclair’s possible return to Florida & Sharks' trade deadline moves

[46:37] Human Side of the Story: John Purdy’s 15 seconds of fame

[48:49] Reflections on Brian Burke’s career and leadership in the NHL and beyond

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Battle of Alberta remains one of the NHL’s most physical rivalries with major implications for both teams.
Burke shares how managing Pittsburgh post-dynasty required tough decisions amid aging stars and a shifting NHL landscape.
The PWHL is poised for long-term success thanks to strong ownership, smart rules, and a growing fan base.
Teams like Colorado, Vegas, and Philadelphia are navigating the trade deadline with caution and long-term planning in mind.
Burke’s advocacy for inclusion, his championship run with the Anaheim Ducks, and career-spanning leadership lessons serve as inspiration for hockey's next generation.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

MeiGray: Shop authentic game-worn NHL jerseys at MeiGray.com. Use code WRAP10 for 10% off.

DUER: Performance denim built for athletes and pros. Shop now at shopduer.com/NHLFAN. Use code NHLFAN for 15% off.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Your financial goals. Our trusted process. Learn more: Nintzel Wealth Partners

ABOUT BRIAN BURKE:

Brian P. Burke is a decorated hockey executive, having served as GM of the Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks (winning the Stanley Cup in 2007), and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was also president of hockey operations for the Calgary Flames and Pittsburgh Penguins, and served in the NHL’s league office. Now Executive Director of the PWHLPA, Burke is known for his outspoken leadership, integrity, and advocacy for inclusion in hockey.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #BrianBurke #PWHL #SportsLeadership #StanleyCup #TradeDeadline #JakeGuentzel #JordanEberle #VladimirTarasenko #MikeSullivan #CalgaryFlames #EdmontonOilers #BattleOfAlberta #OttawaSenators #PittsburghPenguins #VancouverCanucks #NeilSmith #VicMorren #InclusionInHockey #NHLWraparound

SPECIAL EDITION: A Conversation with “Big Walt” Keith Tkachuk | Florida’s Rise, Leadership Challenges, and Hockey Legacy

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this special edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren sit down with Keith Tkachuk—former NHL power forward and father of current stars Matthew and Brady Tkachuk—for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation covering team leadership, trade dynamics, and the evolution of NHL franchises.

Keith shares his perspective on the Florida Panthers’ success, their physical, fast-paced style, and how GM Bill Zito has built a tightly knit, playoff-ready roster. He also unpacks Matthew Tkachuk’s trade to Florida, explaining how Matthew sought a winning core built around players like Barkov, Reinhart, and Bennett.

The conversation shifts to Brady Tkachuk and the pressures of captaining a young, rebuilding Ottawa Senators team amid organizational changes. Keith offers fatherly advice rooted in his own career, emphasizing accountability and focus.

The episode wraps with reflections on Keith’s own journey—from the Winnipeg Jets’ final days, through the franchise’s move to Phoenix, to his optimism about the Arizona Coyotes’ future.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:16] The origin of Keith’s nickname “Walt”

[01:48] Panthers' identity: fast, physical, and unified

[05:24] How Florida built its team chemistry

[06:57] Inside Matthew Tkachuk’s trade and motivations

[08:30] Brady Tkachuk's role and pressure in Ottawa

[11:06] Organizational challenges within the Senators

[15:36] The uncertain but hopeful future of the Arizona Coyotes

[17:30] Keith's memories of the original Winnipeg Jets

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Matthew Tkachuk actively guided his trade to Florida to join a team aligned with his competitive goals.
The Florida Panthers’ playoff identity—tough, fast, unified—is key to their rise.
Brady Tkachuk, as captain of the Senators, faces intense leadership challenges in a transitioning franchise.
Keith remains hopeful about the Coyotes’ long-term viability, especially with league support and a potential new arena.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

MeiGray: Shop authentic game-worn NHL jerseys at MeiGray.com. Use code WRAP10 for 10% off.

DUER: Premium performance denim at shopduer.com/NHLFAN. Use code NHLFAN for 15% off.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Financial strategies built for what matters most. Learn more at Nintzel Wealth Partners.

ABOUT KEITH TKACHUK:

Drafted 19th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 1990, Keith Tkachuk scored over 500 goals and 1,000 points during his NHL career. A five-time All-Star, Tkachuk played for the Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, and Atlanta Thrashers, and represented Team USA in four Olympic Games. He is widely considered one of the most impactful American-born power forwards in NHL history.

#FloridaPanthers #KeithTkachuk #MatthewTkachuk #BradyTkachuk #NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #Playoffs #NeilSmith #VicMorren #OttawaSenators #ArizonaCoyotes #WinnipegJets #NHLWraparound

EPISODE 5: Panthers on the Prowl | Florida’s Hot Streak, Vancouver’s Rise, and GM Trade Strategies

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In Episode 5 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the latest stories shaping the NHL. Vic opens with praise for Auston Matthews’ offensive brilliance, drawing parallels between his jersey number and Jaromir Jagr. Neil analyzes the highs and lows of Stadium Series games, discussing fan experiences and the business side of outdoor hockey events.

The conversation shifts to the Vancouver Canucks’ emergence as a Western Conference powerhouse, unpacking their key acquisitions, recent performances, and playoff readiness. The hosts also spotlight the Florida Panthers’ dominant 9-1-0 run, exploring how the team’s swagger and culture shift are influencing the league.

In the “Ask the GM” segment, Neil and Vic explore the trade deadline pressures facing general managers balancing win-now moves with long-term sustainability. They discuss possible trade strategies for contenders like Colorado, Vegas, and the cautious approach of the Philadelphia Flyers.

The episode concludes with The Human Side of the Story, commemorating the 44th anniversary of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team’s gold medal and sharing a touching reflection on former Rangers forward Walt Tkaczuk and his life beyond hockey.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:45] Outdoor games at MetLife Center and their impact on fans and teams

[03:33] Analyzing Auston Matthews’ goal-scoring brilliance

[06:03] Deep dive into the Canucks vs. Minnesota game, key plays, and strategy

[12:18] Spotlight on the Florida Panthers’ recent surge and standout performances

[22:33] The importance of playoff experience, contrasting Florida’s comeback with Vancouver’s inexperience

[23:30] Exploring trade dynamics and the balance between immediate wins and future team building

[24:16] Trade scenarios for contenders and the Philadelphia Flyers’ cautious approach

[29:42] Tribute to Walt Tkaczuk, his contributions to the Rangers, and reflections on his legacy

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Florida Panthers’ playoff experience gives them an edge, while Vancouver’s youth and inexperience could be a challenge in the postseason.

General managers face intense pressure balancing short-term success with long-term sustainability, illustrated by past and current trade deadline moves.

A heartfelt tribute to former New York Rangers player Walt Tkaczuk, honoring his contributions and unique journey from the Canadian mines to NHL greatness.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

MeiGray: Your source for authentic game-worn NHL jerseys. Visit https://www.Meigray.com/ and use code WRAP10for 10% off any hockey jersey purchase.

DUER: Upgrade your wardrobe with performance denim at https://shopduer.com/NHLFAN. Use code NHLFAN for 15% off your order.

The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Learn more at https://advisors.ubs.com/nintzelwealthpartners/

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #Playoffs #NeilSmith #VicMorren #ConnorBedard #MorganRielly #RidlyGreig #WinnipegJets #KevinCheveldayoff #VancouverCanucks #StadiumSeriesGames #FloridaPanthers #AustonMatthews #WaltTkaczuk #TradeDeadline #HockeyPodcast #NHLWraparound

EPISODE 4: Flying Under the Radar with Kevin Cheveldayoff | Underdog Teams, Backup Goalies, and NHL Trade Deadline Strategy

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In Episode 4 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the surprising rise of under-the-radar teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers, analyze the polarizing career of Brad Marchand, and explore the critical role of backup goaltenders in today’s NHL playoff picture.

Special guest Kevin Cheveldayoff, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Winnipeg Jets, joins the show to discuss the team’s recent slump, key acquisitions like Elias Lindholm, and the organization’s strategic approach leading up to the trade deadline. Cheveldayoff shares insight into the tough decisions behind parting ways with veterans like Blake Wheeler, transitioning leadership to Adam Lowry, and maintaining a competitive roster while staying focused on the big picture.

The conversation also touches on the art of handing out supplemental discipline in the NHL, unpacking the factors that influence player suspensions and fines.

The episode wraps up with The Human Side of the Story, as Vic reflects on Rendez-Vous ’87 and shares memories of hockey media colleagues, while Neil recounts a heartfelt story about his years as a camp counselor mentoring Jimmy Hughes.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:39] Teams causing trouble in the Eastern Conference
[03:00] Updated playoff projections
[03:21] Brad Marchand’s 1000th game and polarizing NHL career
[06:09] The rising importance of backup goaltenders
[11:00] Historical trends in playoff goaltending
[14:03] Interview with Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff
[16:39] Cheveldayoff’s early experiences with Butch Goring
[17:06] Analyzing the Jets’ performance and the Sean Monahan acquisition
[26:39] The emotional highs and lows of playoff hockey
[27:18] Impact of injuries to key players during a playoff run
[28:39] The decision to part ways with Blake Wheeler and hand leadership to Adam Lowry
[29:10] Trades signaling the team’s commitment to win now
[33:21] Reaction to a controversial incident in the Ottawa-Toronto game
[39:39] Vic reflects on Rendez-Vous ’87 and pays tribute to fellow media figures
[41:56] Neil shares his experience mentoring Jimmy Hughes at summer camp

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers are disrupting playoff expectations in the Eastern Conference, creating challenges for more established teams.

Backup goaltenders are becoming pivotal difference-makers as teams approach the playoffs, raising questions about the long-term reliance on franchise goaltenders in championship runs.

Kevin Cheveldayoff provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the pressures and complexities of NHL general management, from balancing roster moves to navigating the emotional stakes of playoff hockey.

Neil Smith reflects on the ripple effects of mentorship, sharing how his guidance impacted players like the Hughes brothers.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

MeiGray: Get authentic game-worn NHL jerseys at https://www.Meigray.com/. Use code WRAP10 for 10% off any hockey jersey purchase for NHL Wraparound listeners.

DUER: Upgrade your wardrobe with performance denim at https://shopduer.com/NHLFAN. Use code NHLFAN for 15% off your order.

Kevin A. Cheveldayoff (born February 4, 1970), nicknamed "Chevy," is a Canadian hockey executive and former player who currently serves as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Winnipeg Jets. Drafted 16th overall by the New York Islanders in 1988, Cheveldayoff played junior hockey with the Brandon Wheat Kings before a knee injury ended his playing career. He has since built a respected career in NHL management.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #Playoffs #NeilSmith #VicMorren #KevinCheveldayoff #WinnipegJets #ConnorBedard #MorganRielly #RidlyGreig #NHLTradeDeadline #BradMarchand #DetroitRedWings #PhiladelphiaFlyers #EliasLindholm #SeanMonahan #RendezVous87 #NHLWraparound

EPISODE 3: Hats Off to the Oilers with Craig MacTavish | NHL Coaching, Playoff Adversity & Leadership Lessons

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In this insightful episode of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren welcome legendary four-time Stanley Cup champion Craig MacTavish, former head coach and general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, for an in-depth look at the Oilers’ resurgence and the adversity that shapes playoff hockey.

The conversation explores the evolving challenges NHL head coaches face, from midseason firings to the constant pressure of leading teams to victory. MacTavish shares valuable perspectives on player development, team dynamics, and how leadership at every level influences championship runs.

The hosts also celebrate Gary Bettman’s 31-year legacy as NHL Commissioner, reflecting on his impact on the league’s expansion and modernization. They take a nostalgic trip through NHL All-Star Game history, discussing memorable moments and the evolution of the event into today’s skills showcase.

Closing with “The Human Side of the Story,” Neil and Vic share heartfelt memories of how they first fell in love with hockey and the magic of attending their first NHL games.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:51] “One-Timers” – Quick NHL news and headlines
[02:00] Celebrating Gary Bettman’s 31 years as NHL Commissioner
[04:29] NHL standings projections and playoff predictions
[05:55] The unique pressures and challenges of NHL coaching
[14:03] Exclusive interview with Craig MacTavish
[24:21] How energy, leadership, and key players fuel the Oilers’ playoff push
[26:27] The importance of Stuart Skinner’s goaltending to Edmonton’s success
[27:06] Neil reflects on the Oilers’ talent development past vs. present under Ken Holland
[38:33] The role of leadership in winning championships
[42:00] Looking back at first NHL All-Star Game experiences
[44:55] “The Human Side of the Story” – falling in love with hockey and first NHL memories
[49:30] Closing remarks and what’s next on NHL Wraparound

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

✅ Gary Bettman’s 31-year tenure expanded the NHL from 24 to 32 teams and navigated labor disputes, global growth, and modernization.

✅ The Edmonton Oilers’ near-record winning streak shows improved depth, defensive structure, and leadership from stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

✅ Craig MacTavish emphasizes how facing adversity shapes playoff success and builds championship resilience.

✅ Behind-the-scenes insights on player acquisitions, trade strategies, and maintaining competitive balance in the salary cap era.

✅ A nostalgic look at how the NHL All-Star Game has evolved over the decades.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

👉 YouTube

👉 Twitter (X)

👉 Neil Smith

👉 Vic Morren LinkedIn

👉 Instagram

👉 TikTok

👉 Facebook

🧊 MeiGray: Get authentic game-worn NHL jerseys at MeiGray.com. Use code WRAP10 for 10% off for NHL Wraparound listeners!

👖 DUER: Upgrade your wardrobe with premium performance denim at shopduer.com/NHLFAN. Use code NHLFANfor 15% off your order.

Craig MacTavish (born August 15, 1958) is a Canadian hockey executive and former NHL player, coach, and GM. A four-time Stanley Cup champion, MacTavish played 17 seasons in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, and St. Louis Blues. Known as the last NHL player to skate without a helmet, he later coached the Oilers from 2000–2009 and held coaching and management roles across the league and internationally.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #CraigMacTavish #EdmontonOilers #StanleyCup #ConnorMcDavid #NHLPlayoffs #NHLCoaching #GaryBettman #HockeyPodcast #SportsPodcast #Leadership #HockeyHistory #NHLAllStarGame #OilersNation #NHLFans #HockeyTalk #NHLWraparound

EPISODE 2: Great Beginnings with Wayne Gretzky | NHL Legends, Team Breakdowns & The Future of Hockey

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 00:15:00 -0400

Join hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren as they welcome “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky, for an unforgettable conversation on the present and future of the NHL. Gretzky shares exclusive insights into today’s players, how the game has evolved, and what lies ahead for the league’s next generation of stars.

Neil and Vic also dive into the latest headlines around the NHL, breaking down the challenges faced by the Toronto Maple Leafs, the resurgence of the Edmonton Oilers, and the Chicago Blackhawks' rebuild. They analyze Lou Lamoriello’s coaching changes with the New York Islanders and debate whether Auston Matthews could one day reach the coveted 800-goal milestone.

Along the way, they reflect on their own journeys breaking into the hockey world — sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the front office, the broadcast booth, and beyond.

🏒 IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:49] Quick-hitting NHL headlines in “One-Timers”
[05:29] Breaking down the pressure on the Toronto Maple Leafs
[08:10] Managing expectations in hockey’s biggest market
[10:34] What’s next for Toronto’s playoff hopes
[15:20] Exclusive interview with Wayne Gretzky
[19:54] The evolution of today’s NHL stars
[24:51] The Edmonton Oilers’ season turnaround
[25:28] Analyzing the Oilers’ team structure and strategy
[25:58] Why team balance is key to playoff success
[26:44] Evaluating the Oilers’ trade decisions
[27:23] Projecting Edmonton’s playoff potential
[28:24] Gretzky’s transition to life as an analyst
[33:32] Reaction to the Islanders’ coaching change under Lou Lamoriello
[39:25] Personal stories: How Neil & Vic started their hockey careers
[46:21] Final thoughts & what to watch next around the NHL

🚨 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

✅ Vic Morren emphasizes how health, luck, and playoff matchups determine who truly becomes a championship contender.

✅ Neil Smith raises concerns about the Blackhawks and Sharks gutting their rosters — questioning the development path for young stars like Connor Bedard.

✅ The enormous pressure on the Toronto Maple Leafs to end their Stanley Cup drought, with salary cap constraints looming large.

✅ Wayne Gretzky reflects on the Oilers’ resurgence, their improved depth, and how today’s young players must adapt to the NHL’s physical demands.

🎧 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.

👉 YouTube: Watch here

👉 Follow us on X: @NHLWraparound

👉 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

👉 Vic Morren LinkedIn: Vic Morren

👉 Instagram: @nhlwraparound

👉 TikTok: @nhlwraparound

👉 Facebook: Follow us

🎉 SPONSORS & OFFERS:

🏒 MeiGray: Your official source for game-worn NHL jerseys. Start your collection today at MeiGray.com.

➡️ Use code WRAP10 for 10% off any hockey jersey exclusively for NHL Wraparound listeners!

👖 DUER: Upgrade your wardrobe with ultra-comfortable, performance denim at shopduer.com/NHLFAN.

➡️ Use code NHLFAN for 15% off your first order!

📖 ABOUT WAYNE GRETZKY:

Wayne Gretzky, born January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, is widely regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time. A four-time Stanley Cup champion with the Edmonton Oilers, Gretzky holds the NHL record for most career points — a mark no player has yet approached. His legacy extends from the ice to coaching, broadcasting, and growing the game globally.

Wayne Gretzky interview, NHL podcast, Toronto Maple Leafs playoffs, Edmonton Oilers analysis, Auston Matthews goals, Lou Lamoriello coaching, Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks rebuild, NHL management, hockey podcast, Stanley Cup playoffs, hockey legends

EP 1 Wraparound Puck Drop

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the NHL wraparound podcast! It's time to drop the puck with hosts Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren.

They aim to bridge the past, present, and future of the game, providing diverse insights into the National Hockey League, including gameplay, opinions on broadcasting, and the evolution of the sport.

The hosts emphasize their commitment to delivering a dynamic and evolving show, inviting audience participation and feedback to tailor the content to their subscribers' interests.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:30] - Introduction to the podcast by Vic Morren and Neil Smith
[03:20] - Discussion on appreciating the history and future of the game
[05:10] - Intriguing topics and guests for the podcast
[11:09] - Discussion on the dominance of teams and upcoming playoffs
[13:26] - Plans for future episodes and audience engagement
[15:15] - Announcement of the first real show dropping on January 30th

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The podcast aims to provide a comprehensive view of the NHL, covering historical perspectives, current gameplay, and future trends.
Neil and Vic plan to feature interesting guests and engage with the audience through new segments, potentially including a mailbag for listener questions.
The show promises to be both entertaining and informative, with a focus on delivering valuable insights and knowledge to the audience.

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook::https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

BIO:

Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years.

Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings.

Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager.

A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL.

After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003.

His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experience.

NHL Wraparound Trailer

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Breadth and depth.

Contemporary and historical.

Straight-forward and experienced.

The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League.

Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past.

With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top.

Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed.

Bio’s

Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager.

NHL Wraparound Podcast - Coming Soon

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0400

Breadth and depth.

Contemporary and historical.

Straight-forward and experienced.

Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed.

Bio’s

A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. Currently, Smith works as an analyst for NHL Network and Rogers Sportsnet, offering his unique insight into the sport he has significantly influenced.

Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager.