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 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. 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. 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.
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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...
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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...
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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...
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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 #DrLipiRoy #SITAMEDLLC.com #HealthHumor&Harmony #SidneyCrosby #WayneGretzky #MarioLemieux #MarcelDionne #JaromirJagr #BrooksOrpik #ConnorBedard #JeffBlashill #ColeCaufield #BrandonMontour #ChaunceyBillups #TerryRozier #DamonJones #JontayPorter #TimDonaghy #1919BlackSoxScandal #PeteRose #LuisOrtiz #EmmanuelClase #ShanePinto #ScottyBoman #JakeNeighbours #RobertThomas #BrettPesce #CodyGlass #JuhoLammikko #ConorGarland #QuinnHughes #SamCarrick #MarcusPettersson #AlexOvechkin #JohnTavares #IlyaSorokin #DavidRiddich #EvgeniMalkin #TysonFoerster #DaveJackson #TrevorZegras #JacobMarkstrom #VictorOlofsson #CaleMakar #NathanMacKinnon #ConnorMcDavid #JackEichel #ThomasHarley #LoganCooley #AustonMatthews...
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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...
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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...
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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...
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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 #WayneGretzky #RyanGraves #KyleDubas #JacksonLacombe #FilipGustavsson #ConnorMcDavid #LaneHutson #LukeHughes #IgorShesterkin #ThatcherDekmo #KirillKaprisov #MartinBrodeur #MarkMessier #JoeyKocur #ScottLaughton #ColePerfetti #MattiasJanmark #ArberXhekaj #FlorianXhekaj #NickCousins #IvanDemidov #JJMoser #ScottSabourin #RomanSchmidt #GageGonclaves #AleksanderBarkov #MatthewTkachuk #JeffBlashill #PaulMaurice #MikeSullivan #DanMuse #SidneyCrosby #MikkoRantanen #JimHiller #AnzeKopitar #DrewDoughty #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #KenHolland #MarcoSturm #SpencerCarbury #RickTocchet #GlenGulutzan #JoelQuenneville #LaneLambert #AdamFoote #MitchMarner #NoahDobson #NikolajEhlers #K'AndreMiller #JJPeterka #MatthewSchaefer #GavinMcKenna #PennStateHockey #ZdenoChara #PeterChiarelli #LeonDraisaitl #EvanBouchard #MauriceRichard #GordieHowe #StanBowman
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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...
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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 #KirillKaprizov #BillGuerin #CraigLeipold #ZachParise #RyanSuter #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #AleksanderBarkov #MathhewTkachuk #PaulMaurice #BillZito #SamBennett #CarterVerhaeghe #SamReinhart #AntonLundell #BradMarchand #EetuLuostarinen #TomasNosek #ConnorHellebuyck #DylanSamberg #RyanLomberg #MatsZuccarello #KaapoKakko #NilsHoglander #JTMiller #MikeSullivan #AlexanderOvechkin #Marc-AndreFleury #KrisLetang #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #IvanIvan #LucaDelBelBelluz #MartinBrodeur #WayneGretzky #MarkMessier #MarioLemieux #JamesReimer #JosephWoll #AustonMatthews #DonStevens #RochesterAmericans #TheAHL #BlueCrossArena #DonCherry #SamRosen #ScottStevens
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 YzermanX: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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...
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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...
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 familyKEY 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-DMfBhcRPSJZLjAX: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparoundRESOURCE LINKS:
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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
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 itComing 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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...
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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?
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 lossesDepth matters: Smart additions like Jeff Petry and Tarasoff could be difference-makersMatthew Tkachuk's health will be a key storyline to watch all seasonBobrovsky's performance and age will factor heavily into a deep playoff runIf Florida can stay healthy and maintain chemistry, they have a real shot at a historic three-peatRESOURCE LINKS:
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:
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 presentKEY 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:
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.
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:
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