NHL Wraparound Podcast

Neil ran the home teams across the limited three-game schedule Wednesday and was 2-1 straight up to improve to 5-3 through eight games.That's how many games are on the Thursday schedule so check them out.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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #UBS #TheLineup.pro

Neil is back for a second season of Smith's Pix. After posting a .625 winning percentage a season ago, he's truly challenging himself as his overall record for this season with be straight wins and losses and no credit for teams picking up a point by virtue of an overtime or shootout loss.Thus, his opening night record was 3-2 as opposed to 3-0-2. And therein, lies the challenge. What would have been an .800 winning percentage in 2025-26 sits merely at .600.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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #UBS #TheLineup.pro

Nothing like a blockbuster trade on the eve of a new season to get fans going as Kirill Marchenko has moved on from the Columbus Blue Jackets to Toronto.Vic and Neil break it down and go straight to the heart of the matter: for two non-playoff teams from a season ago, does the move push either into the top eight in the Eastern Conference?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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #UBS #TheLineup.pro #JohnChayka #JimHIller #DonWaddell #KirillMarchenko #MilesWood #ElvisMerzlikins #MatthewKnies #StevenLorentz #EmilAndrae #SergeiBobrovsky #GavinMcKenna #DarrenRaddysh #NickPaul #AnthonyStolarz #WilliamNylander #JohnTavares #AustonMatthews #MitchMarner #ZachWerenski #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

After eleven years without a playoff series win, the Minnesota Wild got that score settled in the spring by taking out the Dallas Stars in the opening round. Now they look to take the next steps.Armed with a new contract, head coach John Hynes joins Neil and Vic to share how his team can elevate further in a brutally competitive Central Division.In the post-interview segment, there's captaincy news, RFA and UFA signings, injury news, salary cap and a few interesting sidebar stories. We'll also introduce a new partner and some an update on one of our franchises going live.IN THIS EPISODE:[01:10] - Minnesota Wild head coach John Hynes begins the show remarking on a 12th straight season behind an NHL bench.[03:33] - Some background on Hynes family, growing up in Rhode Island and playing under one of college hockey's most storied coaches - a gentleman who helped inspire Hynes on become a coach someday.[06:21] - At BU, Hynes played with a couple of current NHL GMs as well as a promising player whose life was forever changed on his very first college shift.[07:59] - More on players Hynes played with and then coached at Wilkes-Barrie/Scranton before making the move to the NHL.[11:57] - Acknowledging Hynes 2023 induction into the Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame.[12:59] - The adjustment of a shortened training camp and pre-season with veterans players limited to the amount of exhibition games they could play.[15:30] - Nothing like a little feistiness at the end of a pre-season game with the team the Wild knocked off in the opening round last spring to get the juices going.[16:54] - Injury updates on defenseman Brock Faber and goaltender Filip Gustavsson.[17:52] - Assessing the losses, pick-ups and re-signees since the end of the 2025-26 season.[20:23] - Working with the superstars on the Wild, led by Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy and Quinn Hughes.[22:47] - Appreciating Hughes having the opportunity to coach him.[24:34] - With his GM Bill Guerin also armed with a contract extension, the Wild leadership pair continue a parallel journey to get the Wild across the finish line.[28:07] - Summing up the John Hynes interview and the six head coaches appearing on NHL Wraparound in September.[30:38] - Plenty of player news across the NHL, some good and some not so good.[37:28] - Other news items from TV contracts to bonding trips to an obscure rule being enforced to a Winnipeg combining their franchise record book.[46:05] - Welcoming The Lineup.[51:26] - The Carolina Hurricanes rings and Smith's Pix for opening night.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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #UBS #TheLineup.pro #JohnHynes #BillGuerin #PeterDeBoer #JackParker #MikeBoyle #ChrisDrury #MikeGreer #TravisRoy #TomPoti #ShawnBates #ConorSheary #BrianDumoulin #BryanRust #MattMurray #Marc-AndreFleury #LouLamoriello #JackCapuano #DavidQuinn #BrianBurke #MikkoRantanen #QuinnHughes #MattBoldy #GlenGulutzan #JakeOettinger #MattDuchene #BrockFaber #MatsZuccarello #JakeMiddleton #BlakeColeman #OlliMaatta #JustinKirkland #MaxShabanov #CalvinPickard #MichaelMcCarron #BobbyBrink #NickFoligno #ZachBogosian #DavidSpacek #DaemonHunt #VladimirTarasenko #MarcusJohansson #KirillKaprozov #JoelErikssonEk #FilipGustavsson #JesperWallstedt #JaredSpurgeon #MarcusFoligno #BrianLeetch #DeanEvason #RogerNeilson #MikeKeenan #MacklinCelebrini #JoeThornton #DavidPastrnak #MikaelGranlund #BooneJenner #DylanLarkin #BradyTkachuk #BrockBoeser #AdamFantilli #DonWaddell #ZachWerenski #KirillMarchenko #OliverMoore #LoganStanley #MattGrzelcyk #JonasJohansson #LinusUllmark #SamErsson #LeeviMerilainen #ThatcherDemko #FilipChytil #BenKindel #BlakeLizotte #JustinBrazeau #AndreiKuzmenko #AnthonyMantha #SidenyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #ErikKarlsson #JimMontgomery #LoganMallioux #TylerTucker #GaryBettman #ESPN #NHLonTNT #JohnChayka #AustonMatthews #TrevorZegras #SeanCouturier #AlexOvechkin #WayneGretzky #MarkChipman #ClintBenedict #FrankFinnigan #FrankNighbor #DaneilAlfredsson #BradyTkachuk #KenHolland #PatVerbeek #RyanCraig #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 #BostonUniversityTerriers #Wilkes-BarrieScrantonPenguins #AtlantaThrashers #AtlantaFlames #MinnesotaNorthStars

An increased schedule and an earlier start to the season.If you're a hockey fan, you're about to enter nirvana for the next nine months as we prepare the 2026-27 season.For NHL Wraparound, Neil and Vic enter their third full season - and part of a fourth overall - with a new open and a Hall of Fame voice to mark the occasion.Over the past two springs, TSN's Craig Button has joined the show throughout the playoffs but, why wait? There's plenty to get to now and Button's expertise goes on display to open the season.IN THIS EPISODE:[02:50] - Few things are more fun to open a season preview with than the financial landscape brought forth by massive contracts. However, that's where the NHL is and it can't be ignored.[08:18] - The effect of new CBA where contract limits dropped from 8-year maximums to re-sign with a current team and seven years as a UFA to seven and six years respectively.[11:35] - Items worth noting for new season, including the increased schedule, mandatory neck guards for incoming players, emergency backup goalie (EBUG) regulations and an overtime rule being implemented in the Western Hockey League which may someday be adapted by the NHL.[23:22] - Seven new general managers that were not in those positions with their clubs a season ago.[29:42] - Conversely, only five new head coaches but one is certainly making plenty of headlines - and not necessarily for the best reasons.[34:22] - When the greatest goal scorer in league history mixes sports and politics, the optic is poor and the ripple effect causes headaches elsewhere.[38:25] - On the media front, a tradition of nearly three quarters of a century is gone...but not forgotten.[43:10] - Homecoming dates for 10 players visiting their former arenas for the first time.[45:52] - Breakout players.[49:22] - Power shifts. Teams on the rise and those likely to slip.[54:22] - The "experts" offer their thoughts on the eight teams who will make the post-season from each conference as well as a potential sleeper.[57:29] - If we must, Stanley Cup Final predictions.[1:00:29] - Wrap-up and what's ahead.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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #UBS #CraigButton #TSN #SamRosen #EJHradek #JeffMarek #SheaWeber #CareyPrice #LeoCarlsson #MacklinCelebrini #CaleMakar #ConnorMcDavid #AustonMatthews #RodBrind'Amour #DavidAyres #DarrylReaugh #EdBelfour #JohnDavidson #MartyBiron #FrankMahovlich #EvgenyKuznetsov #PatrickKane #MatsZuccarello #JoeSakic #ShawnHorcoff #SteveYzerman #ChrisMacFarland #BarryTrotz #SunnyMehta #TomFitzgerald #AlexSteen #DougArmstrong #JohnChayka #RyanJohnson #DanielSedin #HenrikSedin #ChrisIlitch #JackHughes #NicoDaws #BillTorrey #BobPulford #CliffFletcher #SergeSavard #BobbyClarke #GavinMcKenna #MikeBabcock #PeterLaviolette #JimHiller #MannyMalhotra #RyanCraig #PeterDeBoer #MarkMessier #StanBowman #AlexFormenton #MikeKeenan #LeonDraisaitl #SteveSimmons #AlexOvechkin #ChrisPatrick #HockeyNightinCanada #SaturdayNightHockey #DeloresClaman #FosterHewitt #MauriceRichard #VincentTrocheck #RadkoGudas #BradyTkachuk #FrederikAndersen #BooneJenner #SergeiBobrovsky #BrendanGallagher #PavelDorofeyev #AndersLee #JohnCarlson #DevonLevi #TristanJarry #AleksanderBarkov #CutterGauthier #GavinMcKenna #JordanKyrou #RyanLeonard #MatveiMichkov #WillSmith #AlexTuch #ConnorHellebuyck #PorterMartone #DanMuse #SidneyCrosby #DarnellNurse #JohnHynes #BillGuerin #QuinnHughes #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 #WesternHockeyLeague #JohnstownChiefs #ECHL #TorontoMarlies

It's his sixth stop running an NHL bench. For Peter DeBoer, the New York Islanders will offer a challenge different from others faced previously. Since taking over for Patrick Roy in April, there's been minimal personnel turnover and an offense and power play among the lowest tanked in the NHL.Still, there's a solid defense core led by Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer and an elite-level goaltender in Ilya Sorokin.DeBoer will share his thoughts on his team amidst a very competitive Metropolitan Division.IN THIS EPISODE:[01:52] - N.Y. Islanders head coach Peter DeBoer is welcomed to the show and takes a trip down memory lane with Neil to his days in junior with Windsor of the OHL and some of the future NHL personnel he played with or was coached by.[06:03] - As the discussion moves to coaching, Neil and Peter talk about the humility of the coaching profession.[07:28] - By getting in late in the last season, DeBoer has now spent every season since 2008-09 behind an NHL bench. Still, he credits the break for most of 2025-26 for giving him the itch to get back in.[08:50] - Neil and Pete take a look back on DeBoer's coaching days in Kitchener, where he enjoyed success with two OHL championships and a Memorial Cup in 2003.[10:46] - DeBoer's Muhammad Ali story.[13:01] - And had DeBoer not gone on to coaching hockey, he likely would have been quite the lawyer.[15:33] - Now in his sixth NHL stop, the jury is still out for DeBoer as to whether this Islander team has any of the signatures of the Panthers, Devils, Sharks, Golden Knights or Stars teams he's led.[18:23] - The significance of the four games at the end of 2025-26 that helped ease the transition for the new season.[20:03] - Thoughts on the shorter training camp - one which another NHL head coach would like to see even shorter.[21:37] - DeBoer has enjoyed particular success in the first seasons at all of his previous NHL stops, similar to the current head coach in LA, Peter Laviolette. Is there a secret sauce?[23:55] - The comeback of Semyon Varlamov. After not having played for 662 days, there is a strong possibility he could start the season as Ilya Sorokin's backup.[26:30] - Matt Barzal update.[27:34] - With an team that has been offensively challenged for the past couple of seasons, DeBoer shares the priorities of where the team needs to get to in order to produce enough to compete for a playoff spot.[29:28] - Part of that offensive struggle has been a woeful power play. Is it simply a matter of good and bad coaching with the man advantage that decides success?[31:27] - The anticipation of working with Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer.[33:34] - Putting a wrap on the discussion with Pete DeBoer[36:12] - Other league news including holdouts, contracts, injuries and retirements.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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #UBS #PeterDeBoer #PatrickRoy #SpencerCarbery #RodBrind'Amour #JeffBlashill #AndrewBrunette #JohnHynes #AdamGraves #BobBoughner #PaulMaurice #DarrylShannon #DarrinShannon #GlenFeatherstone #PatJablonski #PeterIng #JimRutherford #TomWebster #MarioLemieux #AlainLemieux #JackCapuano #MarkCrawford #RonWilson #MikeRichards #DerekRoy #NazemKadri #BrentSutter #SidneyCrosby #PatriceBergeon #RyanGetzlaf #CoreyPerry #SheaWeber #DionPhaneuf #MuhammadAli #ScottyBowman #PatDucharme #BobProbert #JoeNieuwendyk #GaryRoberts #NathanHorton #JayBouwmeester #ZachParise #IlyaKovalchuk #PeterLaviolette #KenHolland #MathewBarzal #SemyonVarlamov #VitekVanecek #IlyaSorokin #MathieuDarche #AndersLee #KylePalmieri #BoHorvat #MatthewSchaeffer #AlexanderRomanov #BraydenSchenn #MatiasMaccelli #CalumRitchie #SimonHolmstrom #RogerNeilson #JohnTortorella #BraydenPoint #NikitaKucherov #StevenStamkos #BrianLeetch #SergeiZubov #JonCooper #BrianBurke #SheldonKeefe #MikeSullivan #ConnorHellebuyck #DylanLarkin #JordanStaal #MarkStone #RyanLeonard #JustinSordif #DrakeBatherson #NoahOstlund #CutterGauthier #LeoCarlsson #DanVladar #JasonZucker #ElvisMerzlikins #CamTalbot #JetGreaves #NickBjugstad #AdamSykora #KevinHayes #RyanReaves #JamieBenn #RyanO'Reilly #ZachBogosian #CraigMacTavish #AndyBrown #CraigButton #TSN #QuinnHughes #KirillKaprizov #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 #WindsorSpitfires #OHL #TorontoMarlies #KHL #KitchenerRangers #MemorialCup #JoeLouisArena #HockeyCanada #CalderTrophy #ConnSmytheTrophy

Summer Coolers – Washington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals received a major wake-up call last season. After finishing atop the Eastern Conference in 2024-25, Washington dropped 16 points, finished fourth in the Metropolitan Division with 95 and missed the playoffs. GM Chris Patrick responded aggressively, surrounding Alexander Ovechkin with Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tuch and Boone Jenner. Neil Smith and Vic Morren see a Capitals roster that, on paper, looks significantly stronger—and determined not to repeat last season's disappointment.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Washington finishes fourth in the Metro with 95 points, a 16-point decline from the previous season, and misses the Stanley Cup Playoffs.[00:00:25] Despite winning the Cup in 2018, the Capitals have won only one playoff series since that championship.[00:00:40] Offense, defense, power play and penalty killing all decline as many players fail to duplicate their career seasons from 2024-25.[00:00:55] Pierre-Luc Dubois also misses significant time with injury, contributing to a season where many of the previous year's positives disappear.[00:01:00] Neil describes missing the playoffs as an “ice bucket challenge” after Washington had challenged for the Presidents' Trophy the year before.[00:01:25] That previous season also featured Ovechkin passing Wayne Gretzky's career goal-scoring record, creating an unforgettable year in Washington.[00:01:45] The disappointing follow-up convinces management that dramatic changes are necessary to give Ovechkin and the existing core more support.[00:02:00] Ovechkin re-signs July 2 on a one-year, $4.25 million contract and enters the season 71 goals away from 1,000.[00:02:20] Jordan Kyrou arrives from St. Louis for Connor McMichael, Dalibor Dvorsky and a 2026 first-round pick.[00:02:40] Washington then lands Alex Tuch in a sign-and-trade with Buffalo and signs longtime Columbus captain Boone Jenner.[00:03:00] Vic views the three additions as a major statement from Chris Patrick, bringing Washington more scoring, experience and leadership.[00:03:15] Neil likes McMichael and acknowledges Washington surrendered quality pieces, but Tuch brings another high-end player into the lineup.[00:03:30] Kyrou provides the pure goal-scoring ability he displayed in St. Louis, while Jenner adds veteran leadership to an already mature roster.[00:04:00] Additional depth arrives with Johnny Brodzinski, Josh Dunne, Justin Holl and 6-foot-7 defenseman Vincent Desharnais.[00:04:25] Trevor van Riemsdyk leaves for Pittsburgh, Brandon Duhaime signs with Toronto and Brett Leason heads to San Jose.[00:04:40] Washington also has intriguing young players pushing toward larger roles, beginning with 6-foot-5, 225-pound Ilya Protas.[00:05:00] Protas produced four points in four NHL games last season and could become a much more significant part of the Capitals lineup.[00:05:15] Cole Hutson, younger brother of Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson, is another prospect to watch after appearing in 14 games for Washington.[00:05:35] Neil likes the young talent coming through the system and believes the Capitals look considerably stronger on paper than they did last season.Washington isn't quietly hoping for a rebound. The Capitals responded to missing the playoffs by adding Kyrou, Tuch and Jenner around Ovechkin and the established core. They sacrificed some younger assets to do it, but the message is clear: this organization still intends to compete now. After last season's dramatic step backward, Neil and Vic see a roster built to make sure Washington doesn't experience the same disappointment again.

Summer Coolers – Winnipeg JetsThe Winnipeg Jets went from winning the Presidents' Trophy to one of the NHL's biggest disappointments. A 34-point decline left Winnipeg at .500, seventh in the Central and outside the playoffs. Nearly every major metric collapsed, including Connor Hellebuyck's normally dominant goaltending. Neil Smith and Vic Morren disagree somewhat on how quickly Winnipeg can rebound, but both agree the margin for error is small—and Scott Arniel enters the season under significant pressure.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Winnipeg suffers a stunning 34-point decline one year after winning the Presidents' Trophy, finishing seventh in the Central and 26th overall.[00:00:25] The Jets become the second consecutive Presidents' Trophy winner to miss the playoffs the following season.[00:00:40] Every major metric collapses: offense falls from third to 25th, defense from first to 21st, power play from first to 24th and penalty killing to 21st.[00:01:00] Winnipeg starts reasonably well before entering a prolonged slide in November and never regaining its confidence.[00:01:20] Hellebuyck, one of the biggest reasons for Winnipeg's previous success, simply isn't the same goaltender during the disappointing season.[00:01:40] Stuart Skinner is added during the offseason, providing insurance alongside Hellebuyck and potentially protecting Winnipeg if its goaltending situation changes.[00:02:00] Neil believes Scott Arniel enters the season on the hot seat. Another poor start could force GM Kevin Cheveldayoff into a coaching change.[00:02:20] Winnipeg's lone trade addition is defenseman John St. Ivany from Pittsburgh in exchange for David Gustafsson.[00:02:40] Cole Perfetti avoids arbitration with a five-year, $6 million-per-season contract and becomes one of the most important players on the roster.[00:03:00] Neil says Perfetti now needs to establish himself alongside Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor as a legitimate high-end offensive contributor.[00:03:30] Josh Morrissey provides offense from the blue line, but Winnipeg needs considerably more production throughout its forward group.[00:04:00] UFA additions include Skinner, Noah Gregor, Mario Ferraro and Henry Thrun, while Cole Koepke and Walker Duehr are retained.[00:04:30] Eric Comrie, Jacob Bryson and Ville Heinola are among the departures as Winnipeg reshapes some of its depth.[00:05:00] Vic sees very little margin for error. Morrissey and Neal Pionk provide quality defense, but injuries up front could expose a thin forward group.[00:05:20] Neil is more optimistic, believing a core featuring Hellebuyck, Scheifele, Connor, Morrissey and Perfetti is talented enough to rebound significantly.[00:05:45] Vic argues the depth concerns exist even before injuries become part of the equation.[00:06:00] Jonathan Toews retires after playing all 82 games in his comeback season, finishing with 11 goals and 29 points.[00:06:20] Prospects to watch include Brayden Yager, Elias Salomonsson, Brad Lambert and 2026 eighth-overall selection Viggo Björck.[00:07:00] The central question: was last season simply an aberration, or is Winnipeg's Stanley Cup window closing?[00:07:15] Neil believes the championship window is narrowing, but he still considers Winnipeg talented enough to return to postseason contention.[00:07:35] Neil recalls his own Rangers winning the Presidents' Trophy, missing the playoffs the following season and then winning the 1994 Stanley Cup—but says these Jets lack that team's depth.[00:08:00] Vic remains more skeptical because Utah, Nashville, St. Louis, Minnesota, Colorado and Dallas create an incredibly crowded Central Division race.[00:08:30] Neil's final assessment is that Winnipeg probably isn't as dominant as it was two years ago or as poor as it looked last season—the truth is somewhere in between.The Jets still possess legitimate stars in Hellebuyck, Scheifele, Connor and Morrissey. What they lack is the depth to absorb injuries or prolonged slumps. Winnipeg doesn't necessarily need to rediscover its Presidents' Trophy form, but another season outside the playoffs would raise major questions about the coach, roster and future of this core.

Summer Coolers – Vegas Golden KnightsThe Vegas Golden Knights may finally be changing their philosophy. After a 95-point regular season, a late coaching change sparked an incredible run to the Stanley Cup Final, where Vegas ultimately fell to Carolina. Now Ryan Craig takes over behind the bench, Pavel Dorofeyev is gone, six draft picks have been acquired through offseason moves, and an organization famous for chasing every available star appears ready to put more emphasis on player development. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether Vegas can build for tomorrow while still competing today.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Vegas finishes with 95 points as its offense, defense and power play all decline from the previous season.[00:00:35] Bruce Cassidy is dismissed with eight games remaining and John Tortorella takes over, immediately guiding Vegas to a 7-0-1 finish.[00:01:00] The Golden Knights beat Utah and Anaheim in six games each before sweeping Colorado to reach the Stanley Cup Final.[00:01:20] Vegas leads Carolina 2-1 in the Final before dropping three straight and falling short of another championship.[00:01:40] Ryan Craig replaces Tortorella after three seasons coaching Vegas' AHL affiliate in Henderson, becoming the franchise's first head coach without previous NHL head-coaching experience.[00:02:00] Vic sees a possible philosophical change. Vegas has always operated in win-now mode, but this offseason suggests a greater emphasis on recovering draft capital.[00:02:30] Neil points out how few truly homegrown players Vegas has developed, with Pavel Dorofeyev representing one of the rare examples.[00:03:00] An aging roster and a thin prospect cupboard may finally have convinced Kelly McCrimmon and George McPhee that development has to become a priority.[00:03:30] Craig's promotion fits that strategy perfectly after developing players within the Henderson organization.[00:04:00] Tortorella's departure surprises Neil because his results were outstanding, but Vegas appears committed to its homegrown coaching choice.[00:04:20] The biggest personnel loss is Dorofeyev, who is traded to the Rangers for 2026 first- and third-round picks plus a conditional 2028 first.[00:04:40] Dorofeyev scored 72 goals over his final two Vegas seasons and added 12 during the playoff run, leaving a substantial offensive hole.[00:05:00] Akira Schmid, Kaedan Korczak, Keegan Kolesar, Cole Smith and Colton Sissons are also among the notable departures.[00:05:25] Vegas acquires six draft picks through its offseason player moves, another indication that the organization may be changing direction.[00:06:00] Rasmus Andersson remains a major veteran commitment after receiving a seven-year, $8.5 million-per-season deal.[00:06:20] Neil questions the contract following Andersson's postseason performance, while acknowledging Vegas has historically never been afraid to pursue major names.[00:07:00] Neil believes the Golden Knights may finally recognize they cannot continue “buying players” indefinitely without replenishing the organization.[00:07:20] Jeremy Lauzon, Tanner Laczynski and Dylan Coghlan return, while Victor Olofsson and Mark Gatcomb are among the outside additions.[00:07:40] Trevor Connelly becomes a prospect to watch after producing 49 points in 46 games for Henderson.[00:07:50] Goaltender Carl Lindbom and forward Ben Hemmerling could also become part of Vegas' next wave.[00:08:00] The central question becomes how Craig replaces Dorofeyev's offense and what kind of system he installs in his first NHL season.For nearly its entire existence, Vegas has operated with one philosophy: go for it. This offseason suggests an adjustment. The Golden Knights still have a veteran roster capable of competing, but they're collecting picks, promoting from within and finally emphasizing development. As Neil puts it, Vegas may now be trying to “build as they go for it.”

Summer Coolers – Toronto Maple LeafsFew NHL organizations have undergone a transformation quite like the Toronto Maple Leafs. John Chayka takes over as GM, Jim Hiller replaces Craig Berube behind the bench, and the Mitch Marner saga is finally in the past. After plummeting from Atlantic Division champions to just 78 points, Toronto responded with major additions including Sergei Bobrovsky, Darren Raddysh, Nick Paul and first-overall pick Gavin McKenna. Neil Smith and Vic Morren see considerably more talent—but also plenty of questions about whether all these pieces can fit together.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Toronto begins a dramatic organizational reset with John Chayka as GM and former Kings coach Jim Hiller replacing Craig Berube.[00:00:35] The Marner drama is behind them, and Toronto makes several intriguing personnel moves while also landing the No. 1 overall pick.[00:01:00] Gavin McKenna joins the organization after Toronto jumps from fifth to first in the draft lottery.[00:01:20] Neil sees plenty of positives in the roster but remains puzzled by the organizational path that began with Brendan Shanahan and Brad Treliving departing.[00:02:00] Chayka is joined by Mats Sundin in the front office, while Hiller gets another NHL head-coaching opportunity after his tenure in Los Angeles.[00:02:35] Neil actually likes Toronto's player-personnel moves. His bigger concern is whether the management and coaching structure can maximize them.[00:03:00] Auston Matthews and William Nylander remain the offensive foundation, while McKenna arrives without needing to immediately carry the franchise.[00:03:20] If Bobrovsky can provide even 75% of his Florida form and Raddysh approaches last season's Tampa performance, Neil believes both will significantly help Toronto.[00:03:35] Nick Paul might be one of Neil's favorite additions, bringing another dependable piece to the forward group.[00:03:50] The biggest question remains Hiller. Neil says his previous NHL résumé has not yet demonstrated that he can handle a job as demanding as Toronto.[00:04:00] Neil questions how an allegedly exhaustive coaching search involving numerous candidates ultimately resulted in Hiller.[00:04:30] Toronto's Stanley Cup drought dates to 1967, and Neil sees plenty of organizational uncertainty despite the improved roster.[00:05:00] The Leafs are coming off only 78 points—a staggering 30-point decline after winning the Atlantic the previous season.[00:05:20] Matthews, John Tavares, Nylander and Morgan Rielly remain, with Rielly returning despite offseason trade speculation.[00:05:35] Toronto adds more depth with Jack Roslovic, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger and Brandon Duhaime.[00:06:00] Hiller now has to make the pieces work. Matthews needs to regain his previous form, Nylander must become more consistent, and the organization has to completely move beyond Marner.[00:06:40] Tavares must continue producing despite his age, while Rielly needs to improve after a difficult season.[00:07:00] Raddysh could become Toronto's new No. 1 defenseman after his breakout performance with Tampa Bay.[00:07:20] Vic asks what Hiller must do differently than he did in Los Angeles. Neil's answer is simple: win.[00:08:00] Bobrovsky becomes one of the biggest variables. At 37, can the two-time Stanley Cup champion still provide elite-level goaltending?[00:08:30] Artur Akhtyamov could eventually become Toronto's successor in goal after appearing in two NHL games last season.[00:09:00] Attention turns to McKenna and what should reasonably be expected from a smaller first-overall forward entering the NHL.[00:09:25] Unlike many recent No. 1 picks, McKenna enters a roster already featuring Matthews, Nylander and a Stanley Cup-winning goaltender.[00:10:00] Neil believes that supporting cast gives McKenna an enormous advantage because he doesn't have to immediately become Toronto's best player.The Maple Leafs have talent, star power and several significant new additions. The challenge is turning a collection of intriguing pieces into a cohesive team. Hiller has something he didn't always possess in Los Angeles: legitimate high-end talent throughout the lineup. Now he has to prove he can put the puzzle together.

Summer Coolers – Utah MammothThe Utah Mammoth took a major step forward last season, finishing with 92 points and reaching the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 bubble—and only the second time in 14 seasons dating back to the Arizona era. After losing to Vegas in six games, GM Bill Armstrong responded with an aggressive offseason built around keeping his core together while adding veteran leadership. Neil Smith and Vic Morren both see Utah as a team on the rise, with the potential to move beyond the wild-card conversation and challenge for a top-three spot in the Central Division.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Utah finishes fourth in the Central with 92 points and finally returns to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.[00:00:20] The Mammoth take a 2-1 series lead against Vegas before ultimately falling to the Golden Knights in six games.[00:00:35] Andre Tourigny enters his sixth season with the organization after overseeing significant progress dating back to the Arizona Coyotes years.[00:00:50] Bill Armstrong focuses on continuity during the offseason with six re-signings and extensions.[00:01:00] Utah also matches New Jersey's offer sheet to Barrett Hayton, keeping him on a one-year, $4.775 million contract.[00:01:15] Former Islanders captain Anders Lee joins Utah on a three-year, $5.4 million-per-season deal, adding leadership and character.[00:01:30] Vinny Trocheck arrives from the Rangers in exchange for Sean Durzi, Cole Beaudoin and a 2027 third-round pick.[00:01:45] Vic asks whether Utah has progressed beyond simply being a playoff team and could emerge as a major force in the Western Conference.[00:02:00] Neil stops short of calling the Mammoth a powerhouse but believes they have broken through the wild-card bubble.[00:02:15] Instead of scratching and clawing for one of the final playoff spots, Neil believes Utah can challenge for a top-three position in the Central.[00:02:30] Trocheck receives particularly high marks as an addition who can strengthen Utah down the middle.[00:02:40] Neil also loves what Lee brings in leadership and character, although he questions whether three years might be one year too many at this stage of Lee's career.[00:02:55] Overall, Neil believes Armstrong has done an excellent job strengthening a roster that was already moving in the right direction.[00:03:00] Nick Schmaltz receives a major commitment with an eight-year contract worth $8 million annually.[00:03:15] Michael Carcone, Kailer Yamamoto, Kevin Stenlund and Nick DeSimone are also retained.[00:03:25] John Marino receives an eight-year, $6.75 million extension beginning in 2027-28.[00:03:35] Defenseman Andrew Peeke joins Utah from Boston on a one-year deal, providing another veteran option on the blue line.[00:03:45] Utah's optimism extends beyond the NHL roster. The prospect pipeline includes 2024 sixth-overall selection Tij Iginla, son of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.[00:04:00] Caleb Desnoyers, the fourth overall selection in 2025, gives the organization another high-end young forward.[00:04:10] Goaltending prospects Sebastian Cossa and Michael Hrabal provide additional organizational depth for the future.[00:04:25] Neil closes with a clear assessment: Utah has taken meaningful steps and should be considered one of the NHL's teams on the rise.The Mammoth are no longer simply hoping to sneak into the postseason. Armstrong has retained key players, added Trocheck and Lee, and built a prospect pipeline capable of supporting the NHL roster. After 92 points and a playoff appearance, the next challenge is establishing Utah as a consistent top-three Central Division team—and Neil and Vic believe the pieces are beginning to fall into place.

Summer Coolers – Vancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are starting over. After finishing dead last with only 58 points, a minus-100 goal differential and a staggering 32-point decline, the organization has undergone a major housecleaning. Ryan Johnson takes over as GM alongside co-presidents Daniel and Henrik Sedin, while Manny Malhotra replaces Adam Foote behind the bench. Neil Smith and Vic Morren aren't talking playoffs—they're looking for signs that Vancouver can finally begin building something sustainable.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Vancouver undergoes a complete organizational reset after one of the NHL's most difficult seasons.[00:00:15] Ryan Johnson becomes GM, working alongside the Sedin brothers as co-presidents of hockey operations, while Manny Malhotra takes over as head coach.[00:00:30] The numbers tell the story: 58 points, last overall, a minus-100 goal differential and a 32-point decline from 2024-25.[00:00:45] Vancouver finishes tied for 30th offensively while ranking last in both defense and penalty killing.[00:01:00] With expectations low, Vic asks what Johnson, the Sedins and Malhotra should consider meaningful progress this season.[00:01:15] Neil believes the first objective is simply becoming a more unified team that competes consistently every night.[00:01:25] Elias Pettersson becomes one of the organization's biggest projects after his production dramatically declined.[00:01:45] Brock Boeser remains an important piece, but Vancouver no longer resembles the roster that finished first just a few seasons ago.[00:02:00] The most significant difference is the absence of Quinn Hughes, leaving Vancouver without the superstar defenseman who previously drove so much of its attack.[00:02:15] Brendan Gallagher arrives in his hometown, bringing leadership, energy and the relentless style that has defined his career.[00:02:30] Neil likes Gallagher's competitiveness but still sees a roster nowhere close to serious playoff contention.[00:02:40] Vic finds some positives in Vancouver's outside additions, including Paul Cotter from New Jersey, Luke Schenn from Buffalo and Jamie Oleksiak from Seattle.[00:02:55] Those veterans give Malhotra some size, leadership and foundational pieces as he attempts to establish a new culture.[00:03:00] The departures continue with Nils Höglander traded to Nashville and Marcus Pettersson going to the Rangers for a conditional 2030 first-round pick.[00:03:15] Teddy Blueger signs with Toronto, goaltender Jiri Patera heads to Boston and Curtis Douglas joins Seattle.[00:03:30] Vic believes another seventh- or eighth-place finish is possible, but standings position shouldn't be the only measurement of progress.[00:03:40] If Vancouver can approach 70 points and develop a stronger team identity under Malhotra, there may finally be something to build upon.[00:03:50] An interesting prospect storyline involves Malhotra's son Caleb, who is headed to Boston University after ultimately being drafted by Vancouver.[00:04:00] Neil wonders whether a strong freshman season could eventually lead Caleb Malhotra to join his father's organization.[00:04:15] Other prospects to watch include 2025 15th-overall selection Braeden Cootes and 2022 15th-overall pick Jonathan Lekkerimäki.[00:04:30] Lekkerimäki has already appeared in 37 NHL games over two seasons and enters the final year of his entry-level contract with an opportunity to establish himself.This season isn't about expecting Vancouver to return immediately to the playoffs. It's about rebuilding an identity. Malhotra needs Pettersson to rebound, young players to emerge and the entire roster to compete more consistently. After hitting the bottom with 58 points, even a climb toward 70 accompanied by meaningful development would represent an important first step.

Summer Coolers – Pittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins surprised almost everyone in 2025-26, returning to the playoffs for the first time in four years before losing to Philadelphia in six games. Their offense exploded from 18th to third overall, the defense improved, and Dan Muse emerged as a Jack Adams finalist in his first season behind the bench. But Neil Smith and Vic Morren see warning signs. Pittsburgh remains built around Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, several players who produced career seasons are gone, and goaltending has become a major question. Can the Penguins recreate last year's magic?IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Pittsburgh exceeds expectations, makes its first playoff appearance in four years, but still hasn't won a postseason series since 2018.[00:00:30] The offense jumps to third in the NHL, the penalty kill finishes tied for sixth, and even the declining power play remains seventh at 24.1%.[00:01:00] Despite Kyle Dubas reshaping the supporting cast, the franchise remains centered around Crosby, Malkin and Letang—a trio totaling 118 years of age.[00:01:25] Malkin returns for another season, while Crosby and agent Pat Brisson are reportedly discussing another contract.[00:01:45] Neil dismisses retirement speculation around Crosby, joking that the superstar seems capable of playing forever while maintaining an incredibly high level.[00:02:00] Pittsburgh's 41-25-16 record essentially amounts to 41 wins and 41 regulation/OT/shootout losses, but it was still far better than Neil and Vic expected.[00:02:20] Dan Muse deserves considerable credit. The former Rangers assistant replaced Mike Sullivan and became a top-three Jack Adams candidate.[00:03:00] Vic compares Pittsburgh to Washington's previous surprise season because so many Penguins produced performances above expectations.[00:03:15] Anthony Mantha delivered a career year before leaving for New Jersey, while Tommy Novak, Ben Kindel, Justin Brazeau, Noel Acciari and Blake Lizotte also contributed.[00:03:35] Dubas attempts to replace those losses by adding Trevor van Riemsdyk and Andrei Kuzmenko while extending Novak and Connor Dewar.[00:04:00] Pittsburgh also hopes Igor Cherepanov can take another step after playing extremely well following his arrival from Columbus.[00:04:25] Neil identifies Mantha's departure as a significant hole because his career-best production was an important part of Pittsburgh's surprising season.[00:04:50] Goaltending becomes another concern with Tristan Jarry and Stuart Skinner gone and Arturs Silovs potentially being asked to carry the No. 1 role.[00:05:20] Neil worries that age, lost production and the disappearance of Muse's first-year coaching boost could lead to regression.[00:05:45] Sergei Murashov is expected to compete for the backup role after making four starts last season.[00:06:00] Hendrix Lapierre, Kaedan Korczak and Nick Robertson are among the other offseason additions.[00:06:25] One contract catches Vic's attention: Ville Koivunen receives eight years at $4 million annually despite having only 47 games of NHL experience.[00:07:00] Neil believes Dubas is betting heavily on analytics projecting Koivunen into a much better player than his current NHL numbers suggest.[00:07:30] At $4 million, the gamble is manageable by modern NHL standards—but an eight-year miss would still consume valuable cap space.[00:08:00] Defensive departures include John St. Ivany, Connor Clifton and Ryan Shea, while Skinner leaves for Winnipeg.[00:08:25] Pittsburgh needs another wave of young players to emerge, including Harrison Brunicke and Rutger McGroarty.[00:08:45] McGroarty has only four goals in 32 career NHL games, and Neil believes it is time for the former 14th overall pick to take a significant step.[00:09:00] For Pittsburgh to duplicate last season, Neil believes somebody will need to produce another unexpected career year.The Penguins proved last season that counting out Crosby and company can be dangerous. But they are older, several surprise contributors are gone, and the goaltending picture is uncertain. Pittsburgh may need another remarkable coaching job from Muse—and another collection of unexpected breakout seasons—to recreate last year's success.

Summer Coolers – Tampa Bay LightningThe Tampa Bay Lightning enter 2026-27 with Jon Cooper beginning his 15th season behind the bench after finally capturing the Jack Adams Award. But Tampa Bay's championship core is getting older, and GM Julien BriseBois made some fascinating decisions this summer. Darren Raddysh and Nick Paul are gone, while veteran John Carlson joins a blue line already featuring Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether Tampa still has another Stanley Cup run left—or whether age is finally becoming the Lightning's biggest opponent.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Jon Cooper begins his 15th season with Tampa Bay after receiving the long-awaited Jack Adams Trophy as NHL Coach of the Year.[00:00:20] One of the offseason's biggest surprises is Darren Raddysh being signed and then traded following a breakout season on Tampa's injury-depleted blue line.[00:00:40] Raddysh signs an eight-year, $8.5 million-per-season contract before being sent to Toronto for a 2026 fifth-round pick.[00:00:55] Nick Paul also heads to Toronto after establishing himself as one of the NHL's more dependable middle-six forwards.[00:01:00] Tampa receives goaltender Dennis Hildeby plus 2027 and 2028 draft picks in the Paul deal.[00:01:15] John Carlson joins Tampa as a free agent, but his arrival only increases the age of an already veteran defense.[00:01:30] Victor Hedman is 35, Carlson 36 and Ryan McDonagh 37, creating questions about how long this defensive core can remain effective.[00:01:45] Neil notes that Hedman is reportedly healthy and ready to return after not playing following March 10.[00:02:00] Tampa will miss Raddysh's booming point shot and the career-best offensive season he produced before being dealt.[00:02:20] Neil believes the Lightning need to begin stocking the organization with younger defensemen because Hedman, Carlson and McDonagh cannot remain the foundation forever.[00:02:40] The aging issue extends up front. Nikita Kucherov is 33, Jake Guentzel 31 and Brayden Point 30, while Brandon Hagel is 27.[00:03:00] Andrei Vasilevskiy remains an elite goaltender, but Neil points to his history of hip issues as something Tampa must continue monitoring.[00:03:25] Hildeby provides another option in goal, while Tampa also adds Matt Zuccarello and Ilya Mikheyev.[00:03:50] Jeffrey Viel and Jansen Harkins bring bottom-six depth, with Viel coming off an impressive playoff performance in Anaheim.[00:04:00] Scott Sabourin returns on a one-year deal, giving Tampa additional toughness for matchups against its increasingly physical Florida rival.[00:04:30] Neil likes Viel and Sabourin as players who can provide some of the grit Tampa will need against the Panthers.[00:05:00] Corey Perry returns to Los Angeles, while Oliver Bjorkstrand joins the Rangers, Mitchell Chaffee heads to the Islanders and Declan Carlile signs with Pittsburgh.[00:05:20] Prospects to watch include Sam O'Reilly, Dylan Duke and 2023 second-round pick Ethan Gauthier.[00:05:45] Vic returns to the biggest offseason question: why trade Raddysh when he is six years younger than Carlson and both received $8.5 million annually?[00:06:00] Neil believes the answer is track record. Raddysh produced one outstanding season, while Carlson has demonstrated his value for roughly a decade.[00:06:20] Tampa is committing only two years to Carlson compared with the eight-year commitment attached to Raddysh.[00:06:40] Neil considers Raddysh's contract a major gamble because he has only one season that truly supports an $8.5 million valuation.[00:07:00] BriseBois apparently decided he could not justify that long-term risk, accepted a fifth-round pick and moved on.Tampa Bay still possesses Kucherov, Point, Guentzel, Hedman and Vasilevskiy, so the talent remains formidable. But this is now the NHL's seventh-oldest roster, and several cornerstone players are entering the later stages of their careers. The Lightning remain dangerous—but the urgency to squeeze another championship out of this core is becoming impossible to ignore.

Two years ago at this time, the Nashville Predators were the talk of the NHL signing a trio of high-profile free agents and assuming the expectations that came with it. In short, 2024-25 was a train wreck from opening night.Last season didn't start much better before a late push got the Predators into a spot in late March before falling short at the finish.After an aggressive off-season by new team President/GM Chris MacFarland improved team depth considerably, the expectations have returned.Head coach Andrew Brunette joins Neil and Vic to discuss a pivotal season coming up in Music City.There's also some league news to catch up on as a former villain in Montreal signs with the Canadiens and the effect that has on the Anaheim Ducks.IN THIS EPISODE[01:18] - Predators head coach Andrew Brunette is welcomed to the show with a quick look back to the Game 7 overtime goal he scored for Minnesota in Colorado in 2003, a goal which was the last surrendered by Patrick Roy in his brilliant NHL career.[02:53] - A seventh-round pick in both junior hockey and in the NHL, Brunette comments on a career spanning over 1100 games with a half dozen organizations including Nashville and twice with Minnesota.[06:25] - The aspiration to be a head coach amidst having assumed several front office roles with Minnesota upon retirement as a player in 2013.[11:02] - After taking over Florida for Joel Quenneville early in the 2021-22 season, Brunette leads the Panthers to the Presidents' Trophy and is a coach of the year finalist, yet is replaced. As opposed to accepting a front office position with Florida, he opts to join New Jersey as an associate coach in order to remain behind the bench.[13:16] - The call from Nashville to be the head coach and what could have been in the Predators opening round series with Vancouver in 2024.[15:53] - The summer of 2024. Three high-profile free agent signings came with equally high expectations for the Predators. Brunette candidly speaks about the difficulty of that season from its very outset.[19:20] - 2025-26 started much like the season before. However, things eventually began to kick in and the team just fell short of the playoffs after finding themselves in a spot in late March. Brunette credits then-GM Barry Trotz for helping him grow through two challenging seasons.[22:16] - Just as there was a transition two years ago with new players, there comes another one with Chris MacFarland coming over from Colorado to replace Trotz.[24:05] - With MacFarland making a quick impression with numerous acquisitions, the feeling with this new group and the experience of two seasons ago that prepares Brunette for the expectation this time around.[26:46] - What fans can expect to see when the Predators are on their game.[29:14] - Wrapping up the discussion with Andrew Brunette and other league news including Chris Kreider's arrival in Montreal, a controversial signing in Edmonton, a former captain headed to Red Wings training camps and a couple of retirements.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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #UBS #AndrewBrunette #SpencerCarbery #RodBrind'Amour #JeffBlashill #PeterDeBoer #JohnHynes #PatrickRoy #MikeYeo #JohnTorchetti #ChuckFletcher #PaulFenton #JoelErikssonEk #JoelQuenneville #PaulMaurice #LindyRuff #JackHughes #NicoHischier #JesperBratt #DougieHamilton #BarryTrotz #BrockBoeser #RomanJosi #DavidPoile #StevenStamkos #JonathanMarchessault #BradySkjei #ChrisMacFarland #JoeSakic #RossColton #JackDrury #ChaseBradley #JackAchan #MavrikBourque #IlyaLyubushkin #NilsHoglander #AlexKerfoot #AdamEdstrom #ErikHaula #FedorSvechkov #ZachL'Heureux #LukeEvangelista #ChrisKreider #JeffGorton #MartinSt.Louis #CareyPrice #JurajSlafkovsky #JimRamsay #CutterGauthier #LeoCarlsson #PatVerbeek #AlexFormenton #MaryLoewen #MamaStanley #StanBowman #MikeBabcock #DylanLarkin #MaxDomi #TieDomi #JohnKlingberg #ConnorIngram #ElliotteFriedman #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 #AtlantaThrashers #OwenSoundPlaters #OHL #PortlandPirates #AHL #CalderCup #JackAdamsAward #NHLPlayerAssistanceProgram #MastertonTrophy

Summer Coolers – Seattle KrakenThe Seattle Kraken enter 2026-27 facing serious questions about the direction of the franchise. Seattle finished with just 79 points and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season—and for the fourth time in five years since entering the NHL. Neil Smith and Vic Morren believe the early success of the Vegas Golden Knights created expectations Seattle has never been able to match. Even more concerning, high-end players appear unwilling to choose Seattle, while the Kraken have done little to pivot when those pursuits fail.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Seattle finishes sixth with 79 points and misses the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season.[00:00:25] The Kraken have reached the postseason only once in five seasons, advancing to Game 7 of the second round in 2023.[00:00:45] Vic believes Vegas' immediate expansion success created an unrealistic comparison for Seattle and raised expectations the Kraken have never approached.[00:01:00] Neil is surprised Seattle has struggled to attract free agents because he views the city as a tremendous hockey destination with an outstanding arena.[00:01:30] Despite those advantages, Neil says he does not like what he sees from Seattle heading into this season.[00:01:50] Vic compares Seattle's inactivity to Calgary's previous offseason, when the Flames did almost nothing despite needing improvement.[00:02:00] Seattle's lone trade addition is Mackie Samoskevich from Florida for a 2026 first-round pick and conditional 2027 second.[00:02:25] Goaltender Viktor Östman re-signs, while captain Jordan Eberle and Bobby McMann also remain with the Kraken.[00:02:45] Curtis Douglas arrives from Vancouver as a bottom-six forward, representing Seattle's only notable outside UFA addition.[00:03:00] Two original Kraken players depart: Jaden Schwartz signs with Colorado and Jamie Oleksiak heads to Vancouver.[00:03:15] Neil says Seattle's problem goes beyond inactivity—the Kraken are being turned down by star players.[00:03:25] Artemi Panarin reportedly had an opportunity to go to Seattle before joining Los Angeles but chose the Kings despite Seattle being able to offer more money.[00:03:45] Jason Robertson also reportedly rejects an opportunity to move to Seattle before ultimately signing a one-year deal to remain with Dallas.[00:04:00] Neil distinguishes Seattle from a market like Calgary. Seattle can pursue high-end players financially, but when those players say no, the Kraken seemingly have no Plan B.[00:04:20] Neil also questions the organizational direction following Ron Francis' departure and Jason Botterill taking over as GM.[00:04:40] Lane Lambert begins his second season behind the Seattle bench, but Neil remains highly skeptical about the roster surrounding him.[00:05:00] Offense is the biggest concern after Seattle finished 28th in scoring last season.[00:05:15] Jordan Eberle led the Kraken with only 55 points, one of the lowest team-leading scoring totals anywhere in the NHL.[00:05:30] That places even more attention on Matty Beniers, the second overall selection in 2021 and former Calder Trophy winner.[00:05:45] Vic believes Seattle needs considerably more than approximately 20 goals and 50 points from a player drafted to become one of the franchise's cornerstones.[00:06:00] Neil agrees. Beniers had an excellent rookie season but has not developed into the impact player Seattle expected.The Kraken need more than incremental improvement. They need stars, offense and a clearer organizational direction. Neil and Vic's biggest concern is that Seattle is pursuing elite talent, getting rejected, and then failing to find meaningful alternatives. Unless Beniers takes a major step and the existing roster produces far more offense, another difficult season could be ahead.

Summer Coolers – St. Louis BluesThe St. Louis Blues enter a new era with Alex Steen replacing longtime GM Doug Armstrong and Jim Montgomery beginning his third season behind the bench. After finishing with 86 points and missing the playoffs for the third time in four years, Steen has already begun reshaping the roster. Jordan Kyrou is gone, while Connor McMichael and Mason McTavish arrive as major additions. Neil Smith and Vic Morren see some intriguing pieces—but question whether St. Louis has enough depth to be anything more than a wild-card contender.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Alex Steen takes over as GM from Doug Armstrong as St. Louis begins a new chapter with Jim Montgomery entering his third season as head coach.[00:00:20] The Blues finish with 86 points and miss the playoffs for the third time in four seasons despite making a strong late push.[00:00:35] Most of the underlying numbers decline. St. Louis drops from 13th to 24th offensively and from 10th to 19th defensively.[00:00:50] The power play falls from 16th to 27th, while the penalty kill provides one of the few statistical improvements.[00:01:00] Steen's biggest move sends Jordan Kyrou to Washington for Connor McMichael, Milton Gastrin and a 2026 first-round pick.[00:01:15] The Blues are betting that McMichael can rediscover the form he displayed with Washington during the 2024-25 season.[00:01:25] Mason McTavish also arrives from Anaheim in exchange for two first-round picks, giving St. Louis another talented young forward with considerable upside.[00:01:40] Neil likes both McMichael and McTavish, although he also recognizes the scoring ability St. Louis surrendered by moving Kyrou.[00:01:55] The Blues add more size to the blue line by acquiring Brandon Carlo for two third-round selections.[00:02:00] RFA Dylan Holloway receives a five-year contract worth $7.75 million annually, making him another important part of the long-term core.[00:02:15] Jonatan Berggren returns on a one-year, $2 million deal after not receiving a qualifying offer.[00:02:25] Ross Johnston arrives from Anaheim on a three-year deal, bringing additional toughness after a strong season with the Ducks.[00:02:40] Dylan Dubé also joins the forward group from Calgary.[00:02:50] The Blues avoid losing many major pieces beyond Kyrou. Hunter Skinner departs for Nashville, while Justin Holl signs with Washington and Matt Luff heads to the Islanders.[00:03:00] Goaltending remains an intriguing storyline after Joel Hofer supplanted Jordan Binnington as the No. 1 last season.[00:03:15] Binnington was frequently mentioned in trade speculation around the deadline, but remaining in St. Louis gives him an opportunity for a fresh start.[00:03:25] Young players including Dalibor Dvorak and Jimmy Snuggerud could provide additional support around established forwards Robert Thomas, Jake DeBrusk and Pavel Buchnevich.[00:03:40] Vic sees an extremely fine line between St. Louis becoming a legitimate wild-card team and once again falling short.[00:03:50] Neil agrees, identifying depth as the biggest concern. Injuries exposed the roster badly last season when Montgomery simply did not have enough quality replacements.[00:04:00] The Blues fought their way to 86 points but could never quite cross the playoff line. Neil sees a similar challenge this season.St. Louis has made meaningful changes under Steen, and McMichael and McTavish give the Blues intriguing upside. But this roster still needs health, improved special teams and more depth to survive a difficult Central Division. Neil's assessment is straightforward: if everything goes right, the Blues can battle for a playoff berth—but their ceiling currently looks like a wild-card team.

Summer Coolers – Philadelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers finally appear to be moving in the right direction. After a 22-point improvement, Philadelphia finished third in the Metropolitan Division, returned to the playoffs, defeated Pittsburgh in six games, and then ran into Carolina in Round 2. Danny Briere and Keith Jones have largely kept their young core together while strengthening the goaltending picture. But Neil Smith and Vic Morren identify two fascinating questions: can the Flyers finally fix a power play that has finished last four times in five seasons, and what happens next with Matvei Michkov?IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Philadelphia finishes third in the Metro after improving by 22 points and returns to the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 bubble.[00:00:20] The Flyers defeat Pittsburgh in six games, highlighted by Cam York's dramatic overtime goal, before being swept by Carolina.[00:00:40] Philadelphia improves offensively and defensively, with Dan Vladar providing stability in goal.[00:00:55] One problem remains almost unbelievable: the Flyers have finished with the NHL's worst power play four times in five seasons.[00:01:10] Neil explains why that is so baffling. Unlike many parts of hockey, the power play is structured and rehearsed, making Philadelphia's repeated struggles difficult to understand.[00:01:35] Briere and Jones prioritize continuity, retaining RFAs Tyson Foerster, Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale and Nikita Grebenkin.[00:02:00] Owen Tippett's absence during the Carolina series hurt, but Vic likes the overall direction of Philadelphia's young core.[00:02:15] Vladar receives a five-year extension worth $5.5 million annually beginning next season.[00:02:30] Noel Acciari, Zach Aston-Reese, Jack Studnicka and Nolan Foote arrive to provide additional depth.[00:02:45] Philadelphia also acquires Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit from Toronto for Sam Ersson, potentially giving the Flyers more stability in goal.[00:03:00] Vic believes Woll represents an upgrade over Ersson, while Vladar has established himself as the clear No. 1 option.[00:03:20] Neil is less convinced about Woll because of his inability to remain consistently available in Toronto.[00:03:40] Neil does not envision a true 1A/1B situation. Vladar needs to carry the load, with Woll serving as the backup.[00:04:00] The prospect pool offers additional optimism, led by Porter Martone after producing 10 points in nine regular-season games and another five in the playoffs.[00:04:20] Oliver Bonk, Jett Luchanko and Alex Bump provide additional young talent that could eventually strengthen the lineup.[00:04:35] The biggest X-factor may be Matvei Michkov, who enters the final year of his entry-level contract after reportedly clashing with Rick Tocchet.[00:05:00] Neil notes Michkov also had issues with John Tortorella, making this a critical season for the young forward.[00:05:20] Neil compares Michkov's situation to Trevor Zegras in Anaheim: a highly talented player who may ultimately need either a new contract or a new environment.[00:05:45] This could become the most important season of Michkov's young NHL career.[00:06:00] The conversation turns to Philadelphia's enormous five-year, $18 million-per-season offer sheet to Anaheim star Leo Carlsson, which the Ducks matched.[00:06:20] Neil jokes that Briere and Jones probably shouldn't expect a Christmas invitation from Ducks GM Pat Verbeek.[00:06:40] More seriously, Neil believes the offer sheet disrupted Anaheim's salary structure and could have ripple effects throughout the NHL.[00:07:00] Carlsson's salary now exceeds Leon Draisaitl's despite not yet reaching that level of accomplishment, potentially affecting future negotiations around the league.The Flyers have momentum, young talent and improved goaltending, but their next step depends on solving the power play and determining Michkov's future. Philadelphia is clearly building something—but after the Carlsson offer sheet, Briere and Jones have also shown they aren't afraid to throw a bomb into the NHL marketplace.

Summer Coolers – Ottawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators enter 2026-27 facing an identity change. Ottawa finished 44-27-11 with 99 points, earned a wild-card berth, and ranked ninth overall in the NHL before being swept by Carolina in the opening round. But captain Brady Tkachuk is gone, traded to Florida to join his brother Matthew. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether a new core led by Tim Stützle, Drake Batherson and Jake Sanderson can replace Tkachuk's leadership—and whether improved goaltending can keep Ottawa in the playoff race.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Ottawa finishes 44-27-11 with 99 points, fifth in the Atlantic and sixth in the East, qualifying for the playoffs as a wild card.[00:00:20] Despite being swept by Carolina in the opening round, the Senators were ninth overall in the NHL—a stronger regular season than their playoff exit might suggest.[00:00:35] Everything changes with the June 21 trade of captain Brady Tkachuk to Florida for four draft picks.[00:00:55] Tkachuk was Ottawa's heart-and-soul player, although his temper occasionally created questions about his approach to leadership.[00:01:10] Neil believes the Senators will now have an entirely different personality because teams often begin reflecting the style and attitude of their captain.[00:01:30] Without Tkachuk, Ottawa must determine what kind of team it wants to become and who will establish its new identity.[00:01:50] Neil believes that creates a significant challenge for head coach Travis Green, who has lost an enormous presence inside the locker room.[00:02:00] Ottawa attempts to replace some of Tkachuk's offensive production by acquiring William Eklund from San Jose and André Burakovsky from Chicago.[00:02:20] Vic remains skeptical about Burakovsky, believing teams continually expect more production from him than he ultimately delivers.[00:02:30] The new centerpiece becomes a big three of Tim Stützle, Drake Batherson and Jake Sanderson.[00:02:45] Neil considers that a formidable young foundation, while veteran Claude Giroux remains an important leadership presence.[00:03:00] Giroux's experience as the former Philadelphia Flyers captain could become even more valuable as he helps mentor Ottawa's younger core.[00:03:15] Goaltending may determine the Senators' season. Ottawa ranked 13th in goals against but an alarming 29th in save percentage.[00:03:30] Linus Ullmark struggled early, stepped away during the middle of the season, and improved somewhat later in the year.[00:03:45] Sam Ersson arrives to provide additional goaltending depth, while Ottawa also retains Elvis Merzlikins.[00:04:00] Neil says Ullmark must rediscover the form he showed with Boston. Ottawa simply hasn't seen that version of him consistently.[00:04:20] The 29th-ranked save percentage is particularly concerning because Ottawa was not surrendering an overwhelming number of shots—too many of the shots they did allow were going in.[00:04:35] Phil Tomasino joins as an unrestricted free agent, while Sammy Blais arrives on a two-year deal.[00:04:50] Departures include Nick Jensen to Anaheim, Dennis Gilbert to Buffalo, Lars Eller to Florida and Mads Søgaard to Tampa Bay.[00:05:00] Carter Yakemchuk, the seventh overall selection in 2024, could become an important part of Ottawa's defense after showing promise in limited playoff action.[00:05:25] Neil believes Yakemchuk has the potential to become a significant piece of the Senators' blue line going forward.[00:05:40] Other prospects include 2025 first-round defenseman Logan Hensler from Wisconsin and Kasper Halttunen, acquired as part of the Eklund trade.[00:06:00] Halttunen's big shot could eventually provide another source of offensive production.Ottawa has talent, but this will not be the same Senators team. Tkachuk's departure leaves an enormous leadership void, placing greater responsibility on Stützle, Batherson, Sanderson and Giroux. If Ullmark returns to form and the young core embraces its new role, Ottawa can remain in the playoff conversation. If not, losing the player who defined the personality of the franchise could prove much harder to overcome.

Summer Coolers – San Jose SharksThe San Jose Sharks may be ready to make the jump. After finishing 39-35-8 and making a legitimate push toward the playoffs, San Jose enters 2026-27 with one of the NHL's most exciting collections of young talent. Macklin Celebrini exploded for 115 points in his second NHL season, while Will Smith, Michael Misa and other young players give the Sharks enormous upside. GM Mike Grier has also spent aggressively, adding veteran muscle and experience around that young core. Neil Smith and Vic Morren believe San Jose could follow the same path Anaheim did a year ago and emerge as a legitimate wild-card contender.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] San Jose finishes 39-35-8, falling short of the playoffs but taking a major step forward under Ryan Warsofsky, who begins his third season behind the bench.[00:00:25] Almost every major statistic improves. The Sharks jump from 32nd to 17th offensively and from 26th to 16th on the power play.[00:00:45] The defense improves only slightly from 32nd to 30th, making goals against the biggest remaining concern.[00:01:00] Vic compares San Jose to Anaheim from a year earlier—a young team loaded with enough emerging talent to make an unexpected playoff breakthrough.[00:01:15] Celebrini leads the way after an extraordinary 115-point second NHL season, while Smith, Misa and Collin Graf give the Sharks an impressive young foundation.[00:01:35] San Jose also gets significantly more experienced on defense by acquiring Darnell Nurse and signing Jacob Trouba.[00:01:50] Those additions are expensive. Nurse arrives with his full $9.5 million contract, while Trouba signs for four years at $8.25 million annually.[00:02:00] Mason Marchment also receives a five-year deal worth $6.75 million per season as San Jose uses its available cap space aggressively.[00:02:15] Celebrini receives the biggest contract of all—$18.8 million per season beginning the following year, making him the league's highest-paid player.[00:02:30] Neil believes the investment makes sense because San Jose may already possess the best young player in hockey.[00:02:45] Michael Kesselring arrives from Buffalo to further strengthen the defense, while Eric Comrie comes from Winnipeg to provide goaltending help.[00:03:00] San Jose does lose William Eklund, who is traded to Ottawa for the ninth overall draft pick.[00:03:15] The Sharks ultimately hold two first-round selections, adding even more talent to an already impressive prospect system.[00:03:30] Ivar Stenberg becomes another high-end prospect to watch as San Jose continues assembling what could become one of the NHL's deepest young talent pools.[00:03:45] Shakir Mukhamadullin and Zack Sharp head to Edmonton in the Nurse trade, while Mario Ferraro signs with Winnipeg and Vincent Desharnais joins Washington.[00:04:00] Vic believes the Sharks can make the playoffs this season, although improving defensively remains essential.[00:04:15] Neil agrees that San Jose should at least contend for a wild-card position, but points out one difference from Anaheim's breakthrough.[00:04:30] Anaheim had veteran championship coach Joel Quenneville guiding its rise. San Jose remains committed to Warsofsky, who has done a good job but does not possess Quenneville's championship résumé.[00:04:50] That puts pressure on Warsofsky to prove how much he can get from an extremely talented roster now carrying legitimate expectations.[00:05:00] Another major question involves Celebrini's leadership. After three seasons and an impressive Olympic performance, could he already be ready to become captain?[00:05:20] Neil says his performance on the ice suggests he absolutely could. Celebrini has already demonstrated he can thrive alongside older elite players.[00:05:40] The unanswered question is whether he is ready for the responsibility inside the locker room.[00:06:00] Neil says only Warsofsky, Grier and those closest to Celebrini can truly evaluate whether his maturity and leadership are ready for the captaincy.The Sharks are no longer simply rebuilding. Celebrini has become a superstar, the prospect pipeline remains loaded, and Grier has surrounded the young core with expensive veteran help. If San Jose can improve defensively, Neil and Vic believe this could be the year the Sharks return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Summer Coolers – New York RangersThe New York Rangers enter 2026-27 trying to climb out of an astonishing fall. Just three seasons removed from winning the Presidents' Trophy, the Rangers finished last in the Eastern Conference and 30th overall while missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year. GM Chris Drury responded with seven offseason deals, headlined by the acquisition and massive extension of Pavel Dorofeyev. Neil Smith and Vic Morren believe the Rangers are better on paper—but questions about Dorofeyev, the loss of Vinny Trocheck, and lingering dysfunction leave them viewing New York as, at best, a potential wild-card team.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Rangers finish last in the East and 30th overall, missing the playoffs for a second straight season after winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2023-24.[00:00:25] Chris Drury responds aggressively, making seven offseason deals in an attempt to reshape the roster.[00:00:40] The biggest move brings Pavel Dorofeyev from Vegas for 2026 first- and third-round picks plus a conditional 2028 first.[00:00:55] Dorofeyev immediately signs a seven-year contract worth $11 million per season, creating enormous expectations at Madison Square Garden.[00:01:00] The Rangers acquire Sean Durzi, Cole Beaudoin and a 2027 third-round pick from Utah in exchange for Vinny Trocheck.[00:01:20] Jonas Korpisalo arrives from Boston to back up Igor Shesterkin, while Marcus Pettersson is acquired from Vancouver for a conditional 2030 first-round pick.[00:01:40] Oliver Bjorkstrand also joins from Tampa Bay. Vic believes the Rangers have improved but sees competing for a wild card as their realistic ceiling.[00:02:00] Neil remains concerned about the dysfunction surrounding the organization and says he needs to see evidence that those problems are truly gone.[00:02:15] Dorofeyev scored 72 goals over the previous two seasons, but Neil warns that much of his success came while playing with an outstanding Vegas power play.[00:02:35] The key question becomes who will consistently get Dorofeyev the puck in New York. Neil views him as a finisher who needs quality setup opportunities.[00:02:55] His $11 million salary only increases the pressure, putting him financially alongside Shesterkin, who has already proven himself as a franchise-level player.[00:03:15] Neil likes Durzi but believes losing Trocheck hurts. He describes Trocheck as a heart-and-soul player who brought important qualities to the Rangers.[00:03:35] Marcus Pettersson reunites with Mike Sullivan after their time together in Pittsburgh, although Neil questions whether Pettersson remains the same player he was then.[00:04:00] There is potential for an improved power play with Mika Zibanejad, Dorofeyev, a healthy Adam Fox and J.T. Miller.[00:04:20] Alexis Lafrenière remains another major variable. The Rangers are still waiting for the former No. 1 overall pick to fully become the player they envisioned.[00:04:40] Joe Veleno and Dennis Cholowski add depth, while Will Borgen, Johnny Brodzinski, Connor Sheary and Connor Mackey are among the departures.[00:05:00] The prospect pipeline provides some optimism, beginning with Albert Smaits, selected fifth overall in 2026.[00:05:20] Smaits brings physicality and Olympic experience with Latvia, and Neil likes the possibility that he could be closer to NHL-ready than most 18-year-olds.[00:05:35] Liam Greentree, acquired in the Artemi Panarin trade with Los Angeles, and 2025 second-round pick Malcolm Spence are other young players to watch.[00:06:00] Matt Rempe remains with the Rangers, while fellow giant Adam Edstrom is traded to Nashville for a fifth-round selection.[00:06:20] Neil again highlights Smaits, referencing Craig Button's assessment that the youngster may be among the most NHL-ready players from his draft class.[00:06:40] Brett Berard is sent to Montreal for defenseman William Trudeau, a move Vic views almost as addition by subtraction.[00:07:00] Ultimately, Neil and Vic see improvement—but not enough to declare the Rangers contenders. Their realistic battle may simply be scraping and clawing for a wild-card position.The Rangers have almost certainly bottomed out, but how quickly can they climb? Dorofeyev must justify his massive contract, the power play needs to click, Lafrenière must take another step, and the organizational dysfunction has to disappear. New York should be better—but returning to the NHL's

Summer Coolers – Nashville PredatorsThe Nashville Predators may finally be positioned to make the run many expected two years ago. After finishing sixth in the Central with 86 points, Nashville enters 2026-27 with Chris MacFarland reshaping the roster through one of the NHL's more aggressive offseasons. Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Maverick Bourque, Ilya Lyubushkin and several other additions give the Predators considerably more depth. But Neil Smith and Vic Morren see another major storyline developing: Andrew Brunette may now have to prove to his new GM that he deserves to remain Nashville's head coach.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Nashville finishes sixth in the Central, 10th in the Western Conference and 23rd overall with 86 points.[00:00:20] Neil and Vic revisit the enormous expectations surrounding Nashville two years earlier after the Predators signed Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei.[00:00:45] Those headline additions never produced the results many expected, but Neil believes this offseason feels different.[00:01:00] New GM Chris MacFarland adds what Neil calls “real meat to the bone,” strengthening the existing roster rather than attempting to completely rebuild it.[00:01:20] MacFarland immediately targets players he knows well, including Ross Colton and Jack Drury from his previous organization in Colorado.[00:01:35] The pressure now shifts toward Andrew Brunette. Neil believes the coach must demonstrate to MacFarland that he deserves to remain behind the Nashville bench.[00:01:55] Nashville improved by 18 points last season and briefly pushed into playoff position before fading down the stretch.[00:02:00] MacFarland raids his former organization, adding Colton, Drury and defenseman Jack Ahcan from Colorado.[00:02:20] Nashville acquires Adam Edstrom from the Rangers for a 2026 fifth-round pick and Nils Höglander from Vancouver for a 2029 third-round selection.[00:02:35] Maverick Bourque and Ilya Lyubushkin also arrive from Dallas, further strengthening a roster clearly being constructed to win now.[00:02:50] Bourque signs a six-year contract worth $5.5 million per season, giving Nashville another important long-term piece.[00:03:00] Alex Kerfoot arrives as a free agent from Utah, while Hunter Skinner joins from St. Louis.[00:03:15] Neil agrees that Nashville is significantly improved, but the Central Division presents a major obstacle.[00:03:30] Utah has improved as well, while Minnesota, Dallas and Colorado remain formidable. The Predators must determine which established playoff team they can actually surpass.[00:03:50] St. Louis could potentially be vulnerable, but Neil still sees Nashville facing a difficult path into the postseason.[00:04:00] Vic believes as many as five Central Division teams could qualify for the playoffs because the division appears considerably deeper than the Pacific.[00:04:25] Neil agrees that the Central possesses a greater quantity of strong teams, increasing the importance of every divisional matchup.[00:04:45] One notable departure is Erik Haula, who signs with the Los Angeles Kings.[00:05:00] Nashville's prospect group includes Brady Martin, the fifth overall selection in 2025, who appeared in three NHL games last season.[00:05:15] Forwards Ryker Lee and Egor Surin provide additional young talent as Nashville attempts to balance its veteran roster with future contributors.[00:05:30] Most of the Predators' important personnel is now locked up contractually, giving MacFarland stability as he attempts to build a contender.[00:05:45] Ryan O'Reilly is the most significant player approaching unrestricted free agency after the season.[00:06:00] Neil believes O'Reilly is reaching the stage of his career where he can decide whether to finish in Nashville or pursue one final opportunity elsewhere.Nashville looks substantially stronger than it did a year ago. MacFarland has aggressively added depth and talent without tearing apart the existing core. The question is whether Brunette can turn those moves into results—and whether the Predators can survive a loaded Central Division and finally become the contender everyone expected them to be two years ago.

Summer Coolers – Montreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens enter 2026-27 coming off a breakthrough season that took them all the way to the Eastern Conference Final. Montreal finished third in the Atlantic, fourth in the East, and sixth overall before defeating Tampa Bay and Buffalo in dramatic seven-game series and eventually falling to Carolina in five. But instead of making a blockbuster move to accelerate the process, GM Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton are sticking with the youth movement. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether patience is still the right strategy for a Canadiens team that suddenly looks much closer to Stanley Cup contention.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Martin St. Louis begins his sixth season behind the Montreal bench after guiding the Canadiens to third in the Atlantic and a trip to the Eastern Conference Final.[00:00:25] Montreal survives Tampa Bay in seven games, including a deciding game where the Canadiens generated remarkably few shots but still found a way to win.[00:00:40] The Canadiens then defeat Buffalo in overtime in Game 7 before losing to eventual champion Carolina in five games after taking the series opener.[00:00:55] Montreal finishes seventh offensively, improves defensively from tied for 22nd to tied for 16th, and owns a top-10 power play.[00:01:00] Despite the playoff success, alarm bells are beginning to sound among those who believe Montreal has been too conservative during the offseason.[00:01:20] The Canadiens' only trade acquisition is Brett Berard from the Rangers in exchange for defenseman William Trudeau.[00:01:40] Neil believes the lack of major moves is intentional. Hughes and Gorton are committed to allowing their young core to continue developing rather than rushing the rebuild.[00:02:00] Montreal has also benefited from locking up important players before NHL salaries began escalating dramatically.[00:02:10] Ivan Demidov receives an eight-year contract worth $9.15 million per season beginning next year, making him a major piece of Montreal's long-term plan.[00:02:25] Jakub Dobeš has clearly established himself as Montreal's No. 1 goaltender and receives a three-year deal worth approximately $5.36 million per season beginning next year.[00:02:40] Sam Montembeault, once a major part of Montreal's playoff story, remains under contract but has fallen dramatically in the goaltending picture.[00:02:50] Kirby Dach returns on a one-year, $3.6 million contract after an up-and-down relationship with Canadiens fans.[00:03:00] Montreal's free-agent activity remains modest. Kaapo Kähkönen stays in the organization, while Samuel Poulin joins on a one-year deal.[00:03:20] Neil believes ownership is fully supporting the patient approach, with Geoff Molson continuing to back the management team.[00:03:35] One familiar face will be missing. Brendan Gallagher leaves Montreal for Vancouver after years as one of the Canadiens' most recognizable and feisty players.[00:03:50] Joshua Roy is traded to Utah, while Joe Veleno and Sammy Blais depart for the Rangers and Ottawa respectively.[00:04:00] Goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler impressed after arriving later in the season and could now become the backup behind Dobeš.[00:04:15] Michael Hage, Montreal's 2024 first-round selection, plans to return to Michigan but could potentially see NHL action after his college season concludes.[00:04:30] David Reinbacher, selected fifth overall in 2023, remains another major prospect who could strengthen a defense already featuring Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson.[00:04:45] Patrik Laine remains an unrestricted free agent, and Neil does not expect Montreal to bring him back.[00:05:00] Neil and Vic revisit Laine's fast start from two seasons ago and Neil's warning at the time not to be fooled by the early production.Montreal's strategy is clear: stay patient. Demidov, Dobeš, Hutson, Reinbacher, Fowler, Hage and the rest of the young core will determine how high this team can climb. After reaching the conference final, expectations have changed—but Hughes and Gorton appear determined not to abandon the plan just because success arrived earlier than expected.

Summer Coolers – New York IslandersThe New York Islanders enter 2026-27 looking remarkably similar to the team that missed the playoffs last season—with one major exception: longtime captain Anders Lee is gone. After finishing sixth in the Metropolitan Division with 91 points, the Islanders turn to Peter DeBoer behind the bench. Neil Smith and Vic Morren question whether DeBoer can squeeze more out of a roster that made few significant offseason additions. Ilya Sorokin remains an elite foundation in goal, Matthew Schaefer looks like a future superstar, and several promising prospects are coming, but is there enough improvement to get the Islanders back into the Stanley Cup Playoffs?IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Islanders finish with 91 points and sixth place in the Metropolitan Division, missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season.[00:00:20] Peter DeBoer takes over behind the bench after replacing Patrick Roy with four games remaining last season.[00:00:35] Some team statistics improve, particularly the penalty kill, which makes an impressive jump from 31st to 10th overall.[00:00:50] The power play remains a major weakness, improving only slightly from 31st to 30th.[00:01:00] The Islanders make no offseason trade acquisitions. Tony DeAngelo re-signs for two years at $4.5 million, while Matias Maccelli arrives from Toronto.[00:01:15] Vitek Vanecek signs a one-year deal after playing in Utah, providing insurance given the uncertainty surrounding Semyon Varlamov.[00:01:30] The biggest departure is captain Anders Lee, who leaves for Utah. Backup goaltender David Rittich also departs for New Jersey.[00:01:45] Vic's assessment is straightforward: this looks like essentially the same Islanders team as last season, except now it has lost its captain.[00:02:00] Neil agrees. Looking at the roster on paper, he cannot identify an area where the Islanders have significantly improved.[00:02:15] One major reason for optimism is Matthew Schaefer, who is coming off a terrific rookie season and appears to have a brilliant future.[00:02:30] Goaltending should remain a strength as long as Sorokin stays healthy. Neil still considers him one of the NHL's best.[00:02:45] Varlamov remains a major question after being out of the lineup for roughly a year and a half, making Vanecek an important depth signing.[00:03:00] The Islanders do have promising young talent coming. Cole Eiserman scored 18 goals in 32 games at Boston University last season.[00:03:15] Victor Eklund is another intriguing prospect and gives the Islanders another potential offensive piece for the future.[00:03:30] K'Shawn Aitcheson, selected 17th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, is another young player who could eventually push for an opportunity.[00:03:45] But Neil separates the future from the present. The question is what New York will be in 2026-27, and his expectation is that the Islanders may look very similar to what they were in 2025-26.[00:04:00] The conversation turns to leadership. With Anders Lee gone and Schaefer emerging as a potential franchise player, should the young defenseman already receive the captaincy?[00:04:15] Neil says no. Being the team's best or most talented player does not automatically mean someone should wear the “C.”[00:04:30] Lee himself is an example. He earned the captaincy through leadership rather than simply being the Islanders' most talented player.[00:04:45] Neil believes Bo Horvat is the more logical choice. Horvat has established leadership qualities and previously served as captain of the Vancouver Canucks.[00:05:00] Schaefer's opportunity to become captain may eventually arrive, but Neil believes that responsibility should come later in his career.The Islanders still have Sorokin, a potential star in Schaefer, and some promising prospects. But for 2026-27, Neil and Vic see the same fundamental problem: where did this team actually get better? Unless DeBoer can manufacture a major improvement from essentially the same roster, another fight just to reach the playoffs appears likely.

Summer Coolers – Minnesota WildThe Minnesota Wild enter 2026-27 believing their playoff run could have gone much deeper if injuries hadn't intervened. Minnesota finished third in the Central, third in the Western Conference, and seventh overall before defeating Dallas in six games for its first playoff series victory since 2015. The Wild then lost to Colorado in five without Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin, while Zach Bogosian also went down late in the series. Now Bill Guerin and John Hynes have a talented veteran roster led by Kirill Kaprizov—and one enormous question hanging over the franchise: can they convince superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes to stay in Minnesota long-term?IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Minnesota finishes third in the Central and West and seventh overall before eliminating Dallas in six games.[00:00:25] It marks the Wild's first playoff series victory since defeating St. Louis in the opening round in 2015.[00:00:40] Colorado eliminates Minnesota in five, but injuries become a major part of the story. Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin both miss the series.[00:00:55] Zach Bogosian also misses the final game, forcing Jake Middleton into a difficult situation against the Avalanche.[00:01:00] Neil sees plenty for GM Bill Guerin and head coach John Hynes to build around as Hynes begins his fourth season behind the Minnesota bench.[00:01:15] Quinn Hughes, acquired from Vancouver during the season, gives Minnesota one of hockey's elite offensive defensemen and dramatically changes the Wild's ceiling.[00:01:35] Minnesota improves across the board: 3.27 goals per game, fourth defensively, third on the power play, and 16th on the penalty kill.[00:01:55] The penalty kill's jump from 30th to 16th is especially significant and shows meaningful improvement in an area that had been a major weakness.[00:02:00] Minnesota acquires Blake Coleman and Olli Määttä from Calgary for Jake Middleton and three future draft picks.[00:02:20] Neil likes Coleman but questions how much Määttä has left, noting that Middleton plus three picks represents a substantial return for Calgary.[00:02:40] Michael McCarron and Bobby Brink re-sign. McCarron receives a six-year deal worth approximately $3.33 million per season after making an impact following his arrival from Nashville.[00:03:00] Nick Foligno and Zach Bogosian also return, while Minnesota adds Justin Kirkland and goaltender Calvin Pickard on a one-year, $1 million contract.[00:03:15] Max Shabanov joins on a one-year deal after not receiving a qualifying offer from the Islanders.[00:03:25] The biggest departure is Mats Zuccarello, who signs with the Los Angeles Kings.[00:03:40] Neil calls Zuccarello a throwback—undersized and not an elite skater, but consistently effective and especially dangerous on the power play.[00:04:00] Attention shifts to Minnesota's biggest issue: Quinn Hughes still has not signed the long-term extension that had been rumored earlier in the summer.[00:04:20] Minnesota is already the NHL's sixth-oldest team, meaning the Wild are firmly in a win-now window. Keeping Hughes becomes one of Guerin's highest priorities.[00:04:40] Neil points to persistent speculation that Hughes eventually wants to play with his brothers in New Jersey. His failure to sign with Minnesota this summer only adds fuel to those rumors.[00:05:00] What will it cost to keep him? Neil believes Hughes could command more than $18 million per season.[00:05:20] With Kaprizov already around the $17 million range, Neil believes Hughes will naturally expect to earn at least as much as his superstar teammate.[00:05:45] The rapidly escalating NHL salary market could make negotiations even more complicated, particularly after other massive contracts signed around the league.[00:06:00] Neil discusses how the Leo Carlsson deal could ripple across future negotiations, including Cutter Gauthier's situation in Anaheim.[00:06:20] The possibility of both Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar reaching unrestricted free agency creates the potential for an unprecedented NHL bidding frenzy.Minnesota has enough talent to contend right now, especially if last season's injured players return healthy. But the biggest storyline extends beyond this season: the Wild have an elite defenseman in Quinn Hughes. Now they have to convince him that Minnesota is where he wants to spend his prime.

Summer Coolers – Los Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings enter 2026-27 as the NHL's oldest team and perhaps one of its biggest short-term gambles. After finishing fourth in the Pacific with 90 points, Los Angeles finally avoided another first-round matchup with Edmonton—only to draw the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche and get swept. Now Peter Laviolette takes over behind the bench, Anze Kopitar has retired, and GM Ken Holland has doubled down on veteran experience. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Kings have enough left for one more playoff run or whether age is finally about to catch up with them.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Peter Laviolette takes over as head coach after DJ Smith, who had replaced Jim Hiller. The Kings finished fourth in the Pacific with 90 points.[00:00:25] After four consecutive playoff eliminations against Edmonton, LA finally avoids the Oilers—only to draw Colorado and get swept in four games.[00:00:45] The Kings have not won a playoff series since defeating the New York Rangers to capture the 2014 Stanley Cup.[00:01:00] The numbers reveal major problems. LA's offense falls from 14th to 29th, while the power play finishes 28th at 17 percent.[00:01:20] The defense remains respectable, tied for sixth, but the penalty kill plunges from eighth the previous season all the way to 30th.[00:01:40] There are no major trade acquisitions during the offseason, while defenseman Brandt Clarke re-signs for five years at $7.4 million per season.[00:02:00] Ken Holland again turns toward veteran players, beginning with Corey Perry returning for a second stint with the Kings. Perry will be 41 and signs for one year at $1 million plus potential bonuses.[00:02:20] Erik Haula arrives at age 35, defenseman Erik Gustafsson is 34, and 32-year-old Scott Laughton re-signs for three years at $3.5 million annually.[00:02:40] Matt Zuccarello joins at age 38 on a heavily incentive-based contract, adding yet another veteran to what is already the NHL's oldest roster.[00:03:00] Drew Doughty turns 37, while Artemi Panarin is also well into his 30s. Neil and Vic believe LA desperately needs production from Panarin, Adrian Kempe, and Quinton Byfield.[00:03:20] The biggest departure is captain Anze Kopitar, who retires after a legendary Kings career. His No. 11 will eventually join the franchise's honored numbers in the rafters.[00:03:40] Doughty could become captain during the final year of his contract, but replacing Kopitar's presence and leadership will be extremely difficult.[00:04:00] Neil explains the problem with relying on older players: there is very little upside. Veterans generally maintain their previous level or begin declining rather than suddenly improving.[00:04:20] He still believes LA has a more complete roster than some Pacific Division competitors, but sees the Kings as extremely close to the playoff bubble.[00:04:40] Injuries could become devastating because an older roster may not possess enough depth to withstand losing important players for extended periods.[00:05:00] LA was the only one of the 16 playoff teams last season to have a losing home record.[00:05:15] The Kings also suffered 20 overtime or shootout losses. With an offense ranked 29th, finding just a few additional goals in those situations could dramatically change their position in the standings.[00:05:35] Kopitar may not have been the offensive force he was earlier in his career, but Neil emphasizes that losing his leadership could have an enormous impact.[00:05:55] One potential reason for optimism is Laviolette. Neil points to his history of producing strong results during his first season with new teams.[00:06:15] Whether in New York, Washington, Nashville, or elsewhere, Laviolette has often generated an immediate response with his new voice and approach.[00:06:30] Neil believes Holland may be counting on that first-year Laviolette effect to squeeze one more playoff appearance out of this veteran roster before the Kings are forced to inject significantly more youth.Los Angeles is built to win now, but the margin for error is razor-thin. If the veterans remain healthy and Laviolette produces his typical first-year boost, the Kings could fight for a wild-card position. If age, injuries, and their offensive problems catch up with them, the transition toward a younger era may arrive much sooner.

Summer Coolers – Florida PanthersThe Florida Panthers may be the NHL's most intriguing team entering 2026-27. After winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, injuries helped drop Florida to seventh in the Atlantic, with 11 players reportedly on injured reserve by season's end. Now captain Aleksander Barkov returns, Brad Marchand is expected to miss the start of the season after surgery, and GM Bill Zito has aggressively rebuilt the roster around an unmistakable philosophy: Florida intends to be extremely difficult to play against.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions fall to seventh in the Atlantic during an injury-plagued season that leaves the roster decimated by the finish.[00:00:30] Marchand is expected to miss the beginning of the new season following surgery, but the Panthers receive a major boost with Barkov returning to the lineup.[00:00:50] Florida's offseason immediately gets Neil and Vic's attention because the Panthers appear to be constructing one of the NHL's most intimidating and physical rosters.[00:01:00] The biggest acquisition is Brady Tkachuk, who arrives from Ottawa on June 21 in exchange for four draft picks.[00:01:20] Florida then adds former Anaheim captain Radko Gudas in a trade involving A.J. Greer and acquires Garnet Hathaway from Philadelphia for a sixth-round selection.[00:01:40] Put those players alongside Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett, and Florida suddenly has an extraordinary amount of physicality and “sandpaper” throughout the lineup.[00:02:00] Neil loves what Bill Zito accomplished. Brady Tkachuk is the biggest addition, but the overall roster is now built to make every game physically exhausting for opponents.[00:02:20] There is a potential downside. Neil explains that playing such an aggressive style takes a toll on the players delivering the hits as well as those receiving them.[00:02:45] Florida also enters the season as the NHL's second-oldest team, adding even more urgency as Paul Maurice begins his fifth season behind the Panthers' bench.[00:03:00] The biggest change comes in goal. Sergei Bobrovsky leaves Florida as a free agent and signs with the Toronto Maple Leafs.[00:03:15] Florida responds by acquiring Jacob Markström and Angus Crookshank from New Jersey while sending Evan Rodrigues, Ben Stejskal, and Jesper Boqvist to the Devils.[00:03:35] Akira Schmid arrives from Vegas for a 2028 third-round pick, giving Florida another option behind Markström.[00:03:50] Neil believes the names on the jerseys may look very different, but the Panthers' identity will remain intact. Maurice is still coaching, Barkov returns, and Florida intends to play the same demanding style.[00:04:10] The roster turnover goes far beyond the headline moves. Florida also loses several depth players through trades and free agency, including Noah Gregor, Michael Benning, Vinnie Hinostroza, Daniel Tarasov, William Skog, Jack Studnicka, and Nolan Foote.[00:04:35] Zito counters with another wave of additions, bringing in Sam Lafferty, Lars Eller, Bokondji Imama, John Beecher, and Alex Petrovic while retaining Cole Schwindt and Donovan Sebrango.[00:05:00] The sheer amount of offseason activity demonstrates how aggressively Zito attacked the roster after Florida's disappointing follow-up to consecutive championships.[00:05:20] Neil gives Zito credit for working to put the Panthers back together rather than simply relying on the roster that previously won the Stanley Cup.[00:05:35] The biggest gamble may ultimately be replacing Bobrovsky with Markström. Markström disappointed in New Jersey, and Florida must determine whether he can rediscover his best form behind the Panthers.[00:05:50] Bobrovsky's departure creates a significant hole, but Neil also points out that the veteran goaltender is approaching 40, meaning Florida eventually had to prepare for life without him.The Panthers will look different in 2026-27, but their identity may be stronger than ever. With Barkov, both Tkachuk brothers, Bennett, Gudas, Hathaway and a roster constructed around relentless physical hockey, Florida appears determined to make another Stanley Cup run—and make opponents pay physically along the way.

Summer Coolers – New Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils enter 2026-27 as one of the NHL's biggest question marks. After finishing seventh in the Metropolitan Division and missing the playoffs, New Jersey changed general managers, traded Jacob Markstrom, and now appears prepared to enter the season without a proven No. 1 goaltender. New GM Sunny Mehta brings an analytics-heavy background, while Sheldon Keefe could find himself coaching for his job. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether Jack Hughes can finally stay healthy for a full season, whether Timo Meier can deliver the production New Jersey expected, and why the Devils may need almost everything to go right to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] New Jersey finishes seventh in the Metropolitan Division, 13th in the Eastern Conference, and 21st overall, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs after entering the season with much higher expectations.[00:00:25] The Devils have now reached the playoffs only three times since appearing in the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, with just one series victory during that span—against the New York Rangers three years ago.[00:00:45] Nearly every important team metric declines. New Jersey finishes 27th offensively and 18th defensively, while the power play falls from third to 13th and the penalty kill drops from second to 17th.[00:01:00] Sunny Mehta takes over as general manager from Tom Fitzgerald, while Sheldon Keefe prepares for his third season behind the Devils' bench.[00:01:20] Mehta brings one of the NHL's more unusual résumés to the GM position, combining a data-science and analytics background with his experience as a former professional poker player.[00:01:40] Neil has no doubt that Mehta can run an NHL organization. The real question is whether his approach can outperform the competition and turn New Jersey back into a contender.[00:02:00] Neil's biggest concern is immediately clear: the Devils appear ready to enter the season without a true No. 1 goaltender.[00:02:20] New Jersey adds David Rittich after his stint as the Islanders' backup, but Neil views him as another depth option rather than the answer in goal.[00:02:40] Jake Allen currently appears positioned to receive the No. 1 opportunity, while Nico Daws may finally have his best chance to establish himself after several years of being discussed as part of New Jersey's future.[00:03:00] The uncertainty follows New Jersey's decision to trade Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers along with Angus Crookshank.[00:03:20] In return, the Devils acquire Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist, and Ben Steeves, adding three forwards to a lineup that needs more offensive support.[00:03:40] Rodrigues has demonstrated the ability to play significant minutes, including first-line opportunities in Florida, while Boqvist and Steeves project more as supporting forwards.[00:04:00] Vic questions whether those additions are substantial enough for a team that already struggled to distinguish itself offensively last season.[00:04:20] Jack Hughes and Dawson Mercer remain important pieces, but Timo Meier's production since arriving from San Jose has been a major disappointment compared with expectations.[00:04:40] New Jersey's additions may make the roster deeper, but Vic does not believe they significantly change the overall ceiling of the team.[00:05:00] One free-agent signing Vic does like is Arseni Gritsyuk, who receives a three-year contract worth $3.25 million per season after producing 13 goals and 31 points last season.[00:05:20] Even with that addition, the overriding feeling is that a lot must go right for the Devils if they are going to return to the postseason.[00:05:40] Sheldon Keefe could also be under significant pressure because he was hired by the previous administration rather than Mehta's new front office.[00:06:00] After a disappointing season, Keefe will be heavily scrutinized. A slow start could put the Devils' coaching situation among the NHL's early-season storylines.[00:06:20] Neil returns to the goaltending issue as the biggest concern. He likes the Rodrigues acquisition and believes New Jersey has useful supporting forwards, but does not see those players dramatically moving the needle.[00:06:40] The contrast with expectations from only a year earlier is striking. New Jersey entered last season being discussed as a potential challenger for first place in the division.[00:07:00] Injuries to Jack Hughes played a significant role in the disappointing season, making his ability to remain healthy one of the most important variables for 2026-27.[00:07:20] Neil believes New Jersey needs a full season of superstar-level hockey from Hughes if the Devils are going to become a playoff team again.[00:07:40] The roster also loses two promising players when Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov are traded to Calgary for three draft picks, giving New Jersey additional future assets but sacrificing young talent.[00:08:00] Paul Cotter signs with Vancouver after not receiving a qualifying offer, while Zack MacEwen joins Toronto and Dennis Cholowski signs with the New York Rangers.[00:08:20] New Jersey still has prospects who could become part of the solution, including 2024 first-round selection Anton Silayev and defenseman Seamus Casey, who appeared in two games for the Devils last season.[00:08:40] Goaltending prospect Mikhail Yegorov also represents an intriguing future option at a position that has become one of the organization's most immediate concerns.[00:09:00] Luke Hughes will be expected to continue developing into a major force on the blue line, but the greatest pressure remains on his brother Jack.[00:09:20] Neil believes Jack Hughes must put his Olympic success behind him and turn his complete attention toward delivering a healthy, productive season for the Devils.[00:09:40] Staying out of the trainer's room and producing elite-level hockey for an entire season could be essential not only to New Jersey's playoff hopes but also to helping Sheldon Keefe navigate what could become a very difficult year.[00:10:00] New Jersey still possesses high-end talent, but questions in goal, uncertainty surrounding the coaching staff, and the need for its stars to deliver consistently make the Devils one of the NHL's most difficult teams to project entering 2026-27.

Summer Coolers – Edmonton OilersAfter consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers took a major step backward, finishing second in the Pacific before losing to Anaheim in six games in the opening round. The early exit cost Kris Knoblauch his job and opened the door for Mike Babcock's return to an NHL bench. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether Babcock can change Edmonton's structure, the significant questions surrounding Frederik Andersen and the goaltending, a revamped defense without Darnell Nurse, and the lack of depth behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. With McDavid potentially approaching unrestricted free agency in two years, the pressure is mounting for Edmonton to prove it can build another championship-caliber roster around him.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Edmonton finishes second in the Pacific Division but suffers a major postseason disappointment, losing to Anaheim in six games in the opening round after reaching the Stanley Cup Final in each of the previous two seasons.[00:00:25] The first-round exit costs Kris Knoblauch his job, and General Manager Stan Bowman makes a dramatic coaching change by hiring Mike Babcock.[00:00:45] Babcock returns to NHL coaching for the first time since his tenure with Toronto ended, following the controversy surrounding his brief hiring by Columbus.[00:01:00] Vic believes Babcock could provide an immediate jolt, but he does not see enough personnel improvement to believe Edmonton is automatically headed back to the Stanley Cup Final.[00:01:20] Neil identifies depth as one of Edmonton's biggest problems. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman remain elite pieces, but the quality of the roster drops quickly behind the stars.[00:01:40] The Oilers attempt to address another longstanding concern by signing Frederik Andersen, but Neil immediately questions whether Edmonton's goaltending will be strong enough to support another championship run.[00:02:00] Andersen signs a one-year, $1 million contract and joins a goaltending group that also includes Tristan Jarry.[00:02:20] Edmonton also acquires Devon Levi and a 2028 seventh-round pick from Buffalo in exchange for a 2028 third-round selection, giving the Oilers another potential option in goal.[00:02:40] Vic believes Andersen will face a much different challenge in Edmonton. The quality and quantity of shots he sees could increase substantially compared with his years playing behind Carolina's structure.[00:03:00] Edmonton has traditionally played a more wide-open style, raising the possibility that Babcock will attempt to make the Oilers more defensively responsible in order to protect his goaltenders.[00:03:20] Neil identifies Andersen's injury history as another major concern. If Andersen misses significant time, the Oilers could quickly be forced to rely more heavily on their other goaltending options.[00:03:40] Levi possesses upside and could eventually become an important piece, but Neil still considers Edmonton's overall goaltending situation a major question mark.[00:04:00] Babcock himself represents another unknown. He has been away from NHL coaching for an extended period, and Neil notes the controversies surrounding the end of his previous NHL opportunities.[00:04:20] The discussion turns to how Babcock will connect with a different generation of players and whether his approach can successfully translate to Edmonton's current locker room.[00:04:40] Babcock will also inherit a revamped defense after Edmonton trades Darnell Nurse and his $9.5 million contract to San Jose.[00:05:00] The Oilers receive defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin and Zack Sharp in the Nurse deal, creating a significant change to the composition of Edmonton's blue line.[00:05:20] Edmonton further addresses the defense by signing Ryan Shea from Pittsburgh to a five-year contract worth $4 million per season.[00:05:40] The Oilers retain restricted free agents Spencer Stastney and Colton Dach while also keeping several other depth pieces on the roster.[00:06:00] Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy arrive from Chicago, while Kasperi Kapanen and Max Jones remain part of Edmonton's supporting cast.[00:06:20] Matthew Joseph also joins from Los Angeles, giving Babcock another veteran forward option as Edmonton attempts to strengthen the lineup around its superstars.[00:06:40] Among the departures, Calvin Pickard signs with Minnesota, while Jack Roslovic leaves Edmonton for the Toronto Maple Leafs.[00:07:00] Edmonton will need contributions from its younger players. Josh Samanski appeared in 24 games last season, while Isaac Howard played 29 and now faces pressure to prove he can establish himself permanently in the lineup.[00:07:20] Forward Quinn Hutson is another prospect to watch as the Oilers search internally for affordable young talent capable of strengthening their depth.[00:07:40] Despite Edmonton still having McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Vic questions whether the overall roster is strong enough for Babcock to turn the Oilers back into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.[00:08:00] Neil shares those doubts. He remembers Babcock's championship success in Detroit but points out that those teams featured experienced veteran leaders and a very different generation of NHL players.[00:08:20] How Babcock adapts to the modern NHL—and how Edmonton's players respond to him—becomes one of the league's most fascinating coaching storylines entering the season.[00:08:40] The biggest long-term issue remains McDavid. With the superstar potentially reaching unrestricted free agency in two years, Edmonton has limited time to convince him that the organization can surround him with another championship-caliber roster.[00:09:00] Neil worries that if Edmonton does not significantly improve the team around McDavid, the captain could eventually decide his best opportunity to win lies somewhere else.[00:09:20] Vic asks whether Edmonton could benefit from a longer offseason after two consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final. The additional recovery time could help players heal, condition, and prepare physically for another season.[00:09:40] Neil acknowledges that the extra rest could help individual players, particularly those dealing with injuries or fatigue, but he returns to the larger issue of the roster itself.[00:10:00] The episode concludes with Neil saying he simply does not see Edmonton improving as a team this season. The Oilers still have some of the greatest offensive talent in hockey, but questions about depth, goaltending, coaching, and McDavid's future make 2026-27 a potentially defining season for the franchise.

Summer Coolers – Detroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings enter 2026-27 with more uncertainty than momentum. Todd McLellan is heading into another season behind the bench, but Detroit still does not have a general manager, captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade, and the franchise now owns the NHL's longest active playoff drought at 10 seasons. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Red Wings have enough talent to avoid sliding backward, why their late-season collapses remain such a major concern, and how unusual it is for an Original Six organization to be searching externally for a new GM this late in the summer.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Todd McLellan prepares for another season in Detroit, but the biggest story surrounding the Red Wings is happening off the ice. The organization still does not have a general manager, while captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade.[00:00:25] Neil questions whether Larkin and his agent are waiting to see who Detroit hires as GM before determining what happens next.[00:00:45] The timing is especially concerning. Detroit is already deep into the summer, yet significant organizational decisions remain unresolved heading toward training camp.[00:01:00] Larkin's future becomes the biggest immediate issue. He has asked to be traded and reportedly provided the organization with a short list of teams he would accept.[00:01:20] Steve Yzerman was reportedly unhappy with the request while he was still serving as GM, but the situation remains unresolved. The question is whether the Michigan native ultimately returns to the only NHL franchise he has known.[00:01:40] Detroit finishes sixth in the Atlantic Division with 92 points and 16th overall, extending its playoff drought to 10 consecutive seasons.[00:02:00] The Red Wings have also failed to win a playoff series since defeating Anaheim in the opening round in 2013.[00:02:20] Detroit's major statistical categories remain underwhelming. The offense ranks 22nd, the defense is tied for 19th, the power play finishes 12th, and the penalty kill sits 23rd.[00:02:40] The only notable trade addition is bottom-six forward Keegan Kolesar, acquired from Vegas for two draft picks.[00:03:00] Patrick Kane departs for the Chicago Blackhawks, while Detroit adds Victor Arvidsson from Boston. Vic still sees many of the same problems that have prevented the Red Wings from breaking through.[00:03:20] Alex DeBrincat continues to provide strong offensive production, but there does not appear to be enough surrounding talent to significantly change Detroit's trajectory.[00:03:40] One recurring issue is Detroit's inability to finish seasons strongly. The Red Wings have repeatedly put themselves into playoff contention before struggling badly during March and losing momentum when it matters most.[00:04:00] Neil believes Detroit essentially spent the summer treading water and could actually move backward in the standings.[00:04:20] He does not see the Red Wings ending the drought in what would be their 11th consecutive season without playoff hockey.[00:04:40] The uncertainty surrounding Larkin makes the situation even more difficult because he is not only Detroit's captain but arguably one of its most important players.[00:05:00] Detroit will be hoping Marco Kasper takes another significant step and can provide more offensive support alongside DeBrincat and the rest of the forward group.[00:05:20] The discussion turns back to Detroit's search for a new general manager, with the organization hiring an outside firm to assist in identifying candidates.[00:05:40] Neil finds that approach surprising for an Original Six franchise with such deep hockey roots and decades of organizational experience under the Ilitch family.[00:06:00] He believes Detroit should already have enough experienced hockey people around the organization to help identify the right GM without relying heavily on an external search firm.[00:06:20] Neil specifically mentions longtime organizational figures who could assist, along with the possibility that Steve Yzerman could still provide input if his relationship with ownership remains intact.[00:06:40] The fact that Detroit could reach late August without a general manager strikes Neil as particularly unusual given how much work still needs to be completed before the season.[00:07:00] Vic believes the roster is weak enough that Detroit could even drift toward the NHL Draft Lottery conversation if things go badly.[00:07:20] Neil pushes back slightly on the idea that Detroit will become a true bottom-feeder because the Red Wings still possess several high-end players capable of keeping the team competitive.[00:07:40] The larger concern is the mood surrounding the franchise. Neil sees a frustrated and increasingly angry fan base that was already unhappy even when franchise legend Steve Yzerman was running the team.[00:08:00] Neil does not expect Little Caesars Arena to be an especially happy environment if Detroit struggles again this season.[00:08:20] John Gibson provided solid goaltending after arriving from Anaheim, while Moritz Seider remains one of the NHL's top defensemen and an important cornerstone for the franchise.[00:08:40] Even with those pieces, Neil and Vic agree that Detroit does not have enough collectively when compared with the stronger teams in the Atlantic Division and across the NHL.[00:09:00] Neil closes by saying he would personally like to see Detroit return to the playoff mix because of his own history with the organization, but he simply cannot envision that happening with the roster and uncertainty currently surrounding the club.

Summer Coolers – Dallas StarsThe Dallas Stars remain one of the NHL's strongest regular-season teams, but another painful playoff exit raises an increasingly uncomfortable question: is their Stanley Cup window beginning to close? Dallas finished second in the Central Division, second in the Western Conference, and third overall before blowing a 2-1 series lead and losing to Minnesota in six games. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine Glen Gulutzan's remarkable impact on the power play, the difficult moves required to keep Jason Robertson, Jamie Benn's shrinking championship window, and why Robertson's contract situation could become the defining storyline for the future of the Stars.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Dallas finishes second in the Central Division, second in the Western Conference, and third overall, putting the Stars in another excellent position entering the Stanley Cup Playoffs.[00:00:20] Despite their regular-season success, the Stars are eliminated by the Minnesota Wild in six games during the opening round.[00:00:40] Dallas holds a 2-1 series advantage and appears positioned to take control of Game 4, leading with only 5:20 remaining before Minnesota ties the game and eventually wins in overtime.[00:01:00] The loss becomes even more frustrating when placed alongside Dallas' recent playoff history. The Stars had reached—and lost in—the Western Conference Final in each of the previous three seasons.[00:01:20] Vic notes that no matter how well positioned Dallas appears each spring, something continually seems to go wrong before the Stars can finish the job.[00:01:40] Neil believes Stars fans are understandably becoming impatient. Dallas has consistently been good enough to contend, but the franchise has repeatedly fallen short of reaching its ultimate goal.[00:02:00] One of the biggest positives from the season is the impact of Glen Gulutzan, who returned for his second stint in Dallas after serving as an assistant and power-play specialist with the Edmonton Oilers.[00:02:20] Gulutzan's influence produces a dramatic transformation with the man advantage. Dallas jumps from 16th on the power play in 2024-25 to second in the NHL at 28 percent.[00:02:40] Neil credits Gulutzan with bringing effective power-play concepts from Edmonton and turning what had been an average Dallas unit into one of the NHL's most dangerous.[00:03:00] The Stars are equally impressive defensively, finishing second in the league at 2.66 goals against per game.[00:03:20] Jake Oettinger remains the foundation in goal, with Casey DeSmith providing support behind him and helping Dallas maintain one of the league's best defensive records.[00:03:40] Unlike several other contenders, Dallas experiences relatively little offseason roster movement, but one trade becomes necessary because of the salary cap.[00:04:00] Maverick Bourque and Ilya Lyubushkin are traded to Nashville for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-round selection.[00:04:20] The move is largely about creating enough financial flexibility for Dallas to retain restricted free agent Jason Robertson.[00:04:40] Robertson signs a one-year contract worth $12 million, keeping the Stars' premier goal scorer in Dallas for another season—but setting up an enormous decision when he becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2027.[00:05:00] Captain Jamie Benn also returns, signing a one-year deal worth $850,000 with the opportunity to earn more than $1 million in additional bonuses.[00:05:20] Vic believes the lack of major roster changes puts even more pressure on the current group. Dallas has been close repeatedly, but the opportunity to win with this particular core may be running out.[00:05:40] Neil agrees that Benn is clearly on the clock. The longtime captain has experienced years of playoff contention in Dallas, but there are fewer opportunities remaining for him to lead this version of the Stars to a championship.[00:06:00] Robertson's future may be an even bigger concern for General Manager Jim Nill. Dallas must determine what it will take to retain its best goal scorer beyond the upcoming season.[00:06:20] Neil also views the loss of Bourque as unfortunate because the young forward was beginning to come into his own just as Dallas was forced to move him.[00:06:40] Bourque and Lyubushkin become meaningful additions for Nashville, illustrating the difficult choices championship-caliber teams sometimes have to make to remain under the salary cap.[00:07:00] Neil and Vic agree that the championship window is beginning to close on the current iteration of the Dallas Stars. The talent remains, but the pressure to finally convert regular-season success into a Stanley Cup run continues to increase.[00:07:20] Dallas does have younger players who could begin contributing, including forward Emil Hemming, the 29th overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft.[00:07:40] Hemming produced 63 points in 46 games with Barrie of the OHL last season, making him one of the organization's prospects to watch as Dallas attempts to transition younger talent into its veteran lineup.[00:08:00] Defenseman Trey Taylor is another prospect worth monitoring as the Stars look for internal options capable of helping extend their competitive window.[00:08:20] Dallas enters 2026-27 still capable of competing with the NHL's best teams. But after four consecutive disappointing playoff endings, the central question is no longer whether the Stars are good enough—it is how many more chances this core will have to finally win the Stanley Cup.

The last decade has not been kind to the Chicago Blackhawks. After winning the Stanley Cup in 2015, the franchise has not won a playoff series and has missed the post-season eight times in the last nine campaigns including six in a row.Progress often comes in small steps and for head coach Jeff Blashill, there may be more reason for optimism than meets the eye. Noted for his work developing young players, Blashill enters his second season behind the Chicago bench with the youngest team in the NHL enhanced by some veteran acquisitions over the summer.The show will also pay tribute to long-time ESPN analyst Barry Melrose, who passed away Thursday after battling Parkinson's Disease for the last three years, and we'll close the show looking back 25 years and how the hockey community was directly rocked by the 9/11 attacks.IN THIS EPISODE:[01:39] - Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill joins the show opening with memories of Barry Melrose.[04:31] - After suffering a shoulder injury while training in July, star forward Connor Bedard is back on the ice, possibly a bit ahead of his rehab schedule.[06:06] - From the inside, the experience of coaching Bedard.[09:31] - The overarching view of the Blackhawks roster this season compared to last, a true mix of youth and experience for one of the NHL's youngest teams.[12:54] - The expected trajectory for forward Frank Nazar, who signed an eye-opening contract a year ago which is kicking in this season.[14:40] - Having coached Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk in Detroit and being an assistant in a Tampa Bay lineup with Nikita Kucherov, the benefits gained with Patrick Kane coming to Chicago for a second stint.[17:20] - Speaking from experience, Blashill expects Kane to have an influence on Bedard in Chicago comparable to Zetterberg and Datsyuk on Dylan Larkin in Detroit.[19:09] - With former captain Nick Foligno in Minnesota, where Blashill will be looking to for leadership.[20:48] - The potential of a young defense which is going to be led by trade acquisition Bowen Byram.[23:46] - The goaltending, led by Spencer Knight and supported by Arvid Soderblom.[25:20] - Three fun questions for Blashill before departing - two of them rather loaded.[27:58] - Recapping the discussion with Jeff Blashill.[29:50] - Remembering Barry Melrose.[36:32] - 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the direct impact on 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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #JeffBlashill #BarryMelrose #CindyMelrose #JimDevellano #BrianEngblom #BillClement #ConnorBedard #PatrickKane #AntonFrondell #RomanKantserov #NickLardis #SamRinzel #ColeSmith #IanCole #JordanGreenway #BowenByram #FrankNazar #PavelDatsyuk #HenrikZetterberg #NikitaKucherov #NicklasLidstrom #DylanLarkin #TylerBertuzzi #ConnorMurphy #JasonDickinson #AlexVlasic #WyattKaiser #ArtyomLevshunov #LouisCrevier #MatthewSchaefer #SpencerKnight #ArvidSoderblom #BruceMcNall #JohnSaunders #BillPidto #AceBailey #MarkBavis #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 #AdirondackRedWings #DetroitTigers #ChicagoWhiteSox #ChicagoCubs #LittleCaesarsPizza #LouMalnatiPizza #CincinnatiStingers #WHA #SeattleThunderbirds #WayneGretzky #LucRobitaille #BobPlager #JoeWatson #WayneCashman #AceBaileyChildren'sFoundation #TheMarkBavisLeadershipFoundation #AndrewBrunette

Summer Coolers – Columbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for six consecutive seasons, but there may finally be reasons for optimism. Rick Bowness returns after helping stabilize the club following his midseason arrival, Zach Werenski has recommitted to Columbus, Jet Greaves has emerged as the No. 1 goaltender, and the addition of Valeri Nichushkin could provide a significant offensive boost. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Blue Jackets can finally take the next step, how they replace former captain Boone Jenner, and why Adam Fantilli could become one of the defining players—and leaders—of Columbus' future.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Columbus finishes fifth in the Metropolitan Division with 92 points, 11th in the Eastern Conference and 17th overall, missing the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season.[00:00:25] The franchise still owns only one playoff series victory in its history—the stunning 2019 sweep of the Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning.[00:00:45] Columbus remains largely middle-of-the-pack offensively, defensively, on the power play, and on the penalty kill. Vic describes the team as simply “okay” in almost every major area.[00:01:00] Rick Bowness replaces Dean Evason in January and initially produces significant improvement, particularly in Columbus' ability to protect leads and avoid giving away points late in games.[00:01:20] The Blue Jackets finish 10 games above .500 during Bowness' 37 games, but a disastrous 3-9-1 finish over their final 13 games destroys their playoff hopes.[00:01:40] Bowness publicly challenges the team after the season, making it clear that changes would be necessary if he returned behind the bench. He is back, setting the stage for an important training camp.[00:02:00] The offseason initially brings major uncertainty when two important players indicate they may not remain with the organization. Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Zach Werenski eventually reverses course and says he wants to stay and win in Columbus.[00:02:25] With Boone Jenner leaving for Washington, Werenski could become a candidate for the captaincy as Columbus searches for its next locker-room leader.[00:02:45] Kirill Marchenko becomes the remaining contract concern. He will be a restricted free agent after the season and has expressed uncertainty about signing another deal with Columbus.[00:03:00] General Manager Don Waddell makes one of his biggest moves by acquiring Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche for second-, third-, and fifth-round draft picks spread across 2026, 2027, and 2028.[00:03:25] Neil acknowledges the concerns surrounding Nichushkin's past but says he has heard the forward is a changed person who is excited about his opportunity in Columbus.[00:03:45] Nichushkin should receive increased ice time and additional power-play opportunities, potentially giving the Blue Jackets an important new offensive weapon.[00:04:00] Columbus loses several players, beginning with longtime captain Boone Jenner. Mason Marchment signs with San Jose, Brendan Gaunce joins Boston, and Zach Aston-Reese leaves for Philadelphia.[00:04:20] Charlie Coyle remains in Columbus on a six-year, $6 million-per-season contract and could assume some of the veteran leadership responsibilities previously carried by Jenner.[00:04:40] Ryan Lomberg arrives from Calgary, bringing additional energy and physicality to the lineup, while Columbus also retains several of its own depth pieces.[00:05:00] Two important restricted free agents avoid arbitration. Jet Greaves signs for three years at $5 million per season, while Cole Sillinger agrees to a three-year deal worth $4.6 million annually.[00:05:25] Greaves' contract reflects his emergence as Columbus' No. 1 goaltender after overtaking Elvis Merzlikins during the 2025-26 season. Neil believes Greaves proved he can become a very good NHL netminder.[00:05:50] Sillinger's commitment, along with Werenski's renewed desire to remain with the organization, provides evidence that Columbus is not struggling to retain everyone.[00:06:10] Neil believes the organization enters training camp in a much healthier position than it appeared to be only a month earlier, with Marchenko now representing the primary unresolved long-term concern.[00:06:30] Columbus also has young talent coming through the pipeline, including defenseman Jackson Smith, the 14th overall selection in 2025, who produced 26 points in 35 games at Penn State.[00:06:50] Cayden Lindstrom, the fourth overall selection in the 2024 Draft, remains another major prospect, while Luca Del Bel Belluz has already begun gaining NHL experience.[00:07:10] The central question becomes whether all these pieces are enough for Columbus to finally take the last step and qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.[00:07:30] Neil believes the answer will partially depend on the strength of the competition. He sees Columbus as a work in progress but believes Nichushkin improves the offense and Greaves gives the team a developing young goaltender.[00:07:50] Coyle could help fill the leadership void left by Jenner, while Bowness' biggest priority may be preventing another late-season collapse like the one that destroyed Columbus' playoff chances last year.[00:08:10] Vic identifies Adam Fantilli as one of the most important players entering the season. Beyond his offensive ability, Fantilli possesses the intensity and leadership qualities of a potential future captain.[00:08:30] Neil agrees that Fantilli's development must continue. For Columbus to become a playoff team in 2026-27, the former top prospect needs to begin blossoming into the impact player the organization believes he can become.

Summer Coolers – Colorado AvalancheThe Colorado Avalanche were arguably the NHL's most dominant regular-season team, capturing the Presidents' Trophy while leading the league in offense, defense, save percentage, and penalty killing. But their pursuit of another Stanley Cup ended abruptly when the Vegas Golden Knights swept them in the Western Conference Final, with an injured Cale Makar unable to make his usual impact. Now Colorado enters 2026-27 with significant roster turnover, Joe Sakic temporarily back in the GM chair, questions about lost depth, and one enormous piece of business looming: Makar's next contract. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Avalanche remain the powerhouse they were a year ago.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Colorado comes off a Presidents' Trophy-winning season, capturing the award for the fourth time in franchise history while reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a ninth consecutive year.[00:00:25] The Avalanche race through the first two rounds, sweeping Los Angeles before eliminating Minnesota in five games and reaching the Western Conference Final in only nine playoff games.[00:00:45] Their postseason ends dramatically against Vegas. The Golden Knights sweep Colorado in the conference final, with Cale Makar missing the opening two games before returning for the final two while clearly not at full strength.[00:01:10] The result becomes another reminder that regular-season dominance guarantees nothing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Recent Presidents' Trophy winners have experienced dramatically different outcomes once the postseason begins.[00:01:35] Neil points back to Boston's record-setting 2022-23 season as perhaps the ultimate example. The Bruins dominated the regular season before being eliminated by Florida in the opening round.[00:02:00] Winning the Presidents' Trophy requires tremendous consistency over a full season, but Neil explains that the grind can also take a physical toll before the playoffs even begin.[00:02:20] Makar's health becomes especially significant because Neil considers him, along with Nathan MacKinnon, one of the two most important players on the Avalanche roster.[00:02:40] Colorado's regular-season numbers demonstrate just how dominant the team was. The Avalanche lead the NHL offensively at 3.63 goals per game.[00:03:00] Colorado also finishes first defensively at 2.37 goals allowed per game, while Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood combine to help produce an NHL-best .908 save percentage.[00:03:20] The penalty kill ranks first at 84.6 percent, giving the Avalanche elite performance in almost every major statistical category.[00:03:40] Then comes one of the NHL season's biggest statistical mysteries: despite possessing an incredible collection of offensive talent, Colorado's power play finishes only 27th.[00:04:00] A unit featuring Makar, Devon Toews, MacKinnon, Martin Nečas, Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri, and Valeri Nichushkin consistently struggles to translate its skill into production with the man advantage.[00:04:20] Vic believes the Avalanche frequently tried to be too perfect, forcing passes into the middle while too many long-distance shots missed the net.[00:04:40] Neil offers another explanation: Colorado may simply have had too many players who wanted the puck. With only one puck available, the group never consistently established who should shoot, who should distribute, and who should become the primary setup option.[00:05:00] Despite Jared Bednar's coaching and Colorado's extraordinary talent, the power play remains an unexplained weakness throughout an otherwise dominant season.[00:05:20] The offseason brings a major front-office change when General Manager Chris MacFarland leaves Colorado on June 2 to join Nashville as President of Hockey Operations.[00:05:40] Joe Sakic steps back into the general manager role on an interim basis and quickly begins reshaping the roster.[00:06:00] Colorado trades Ross Colton and a goaltending prospect to Nashville in exchange for another goalie prospect and third-round selections in 2026 and 2027.[00:06:20] Eight days later, Sakic makes another deal with his former GM, sending Jack Drury, Chase Bradley, and a 2029 third-round selection to Nashville for promising forward Fedor Svechkov and physical forward Zachary L'Heureux.[00:06:45] Valeri Nichushkin is also traded to Columbus for three draft picks, removing another significant forward from Colorado's lineup.[00:07:00] Neil notes that MacKinnon and Makar remain the franchise cornerstones, but championship teams cannot survive on superstars alone. Losing players such as Colton, Drury, Nichushkin, and Joel Kiviranta changes Colorado's overall depth.[00:07:25] Neil remains confident that Colorado will be a strong team, but unlike a year ago, he takes more of a wait-and-see approach because of the amount of supporting talent that has departed.[00:07:50] The biggest long-term storyline surrounds Makar, who enters the final season of his contract at $9 million per year and could become an unrestricted free agent.[00:08:10] With the NHL salary cap scheduled to climb to $113.5 million, Vic expects Makar—along with Dallas star Jason Robertson—to become one of the first players in the next wave of enormous NHL contracts.[00:08:35] Neil explains an important distinction about the rising salary cap: simply because teams are allowed to spend to the ceiling does not mean every franchise has the financial ability or willingness to do so.[00:09:00] The cap represents the maximum a team can spend, not an obligation. Neil compares it to being told you can spend $10,000 in a store—it does not mean you actually have or want to spend the entire amount.[00:09:20] Colorado does spend to retain some defensive depth, re-signing Brent Kulak for five years at $4.5 million per season and bringing back veteran Brent Burns on a one-year, $850,000 contract.[00:09:40] The Avalanche also acquire Jaden Schwartz from Seattle on a three-year deal at $3.25 million per season while adding forwards Vinnie Hinostroza from Florida and Noah Cates from Philadelphia.[00:10:00] Colorado still possesses the superstar foundation necessary to compete for the Stanley Cup, but the supporting cast looks different. Whether the new pieces can replace the depth that departed—and how the Avalanche handle Makar's looming contract—will help determine whether the Presidents' Trophy winners remain among the NHL's true elite in 2026-27.

Summer Coolers – Calgary FlamesThe Calgary Flames have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for four consecutive seasons and five of the last six, but with Scotia Place scheduled to open in 2027-28, the pressure is growing to get the franchise moving in the right direction. Calgary made significant changes to its blue line by acquiring Simon Nemec, Maxim Tsyplakov, and Jake Middleton, while young players like Zayne Parekh and Samuel Honzek represent hope for the future. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Flames have enough to improve, why Jonathan Huberdeau and Matt Coronato face pivotal seasons, and the difficult position head coach Ryan Huska could find himself in if Calgary misses the playoffs again.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Calgary finishes seventh in the Pacific Division and misses the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season—and for the fifth time in six years.[00:00:20] The underlying results offer little encouragement as the Flames decline offensively, defensively, and on the power play. Management responds with a more active offseason.[00:00:40] Calgary acquires defenseman Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a 2026 second-round selection and first-round picks in 2027 and 2028.[00:01:00] The Flames also acquire defenseman Jake Middleton from Minnesota as part of a deal involving multiple draft picks, Blake Coleman, and Olli Määttä.[00:01:20] With Scotia Place scheduled to open for the 2027-28 season, Craig Conroy and Don Maloney face increasing pressure to have the franchise trending upward before entering its new home.[00:01:40] Vic believes Calgary should improve this season, but much depends on players such as Matt Coronato and Jonathan Huberdeau producing at a higher level.[00:02:00] Huberdeau remains a particular concern after failing to reproduce the level of offensive production he delivered during his years with the Florida Panthers.[00:02:20] Strong seasons from Calgary's established players could also make the organization more attractive to future free agents as the opening of Scotia Place approaches. Without progress, the Flames risk entering their new building with a stagnant team.[00:02:40] Neil likes the Nemec acquisition and explains the structure of the New Jersey trade, suggesting that taking on Tsyplakov was effectively part of the price Calgary had to pay to acquire Nemec.[00:03:00] Middleton brings size and experience to the blue line after playing effectively for Minnesota when healthy and in the lineup.[00:03:20] Despite those defensive additions, Neil still does not believe Calgary possesses enough talent to become a playoff team this season.[00:03:40] Neil recognizes that the Flames are attempting a slower build and also face some of the financial challenges that come with operating a Canadian franchise, but he would not pick Calgary as one of the Pacific Division's playoff teams.[00:04:00] Calgary makes relatively modest additions through unrestricted free agency, bringing in defensemen Andreas Englund from Nashville and Michael Benning from Florida.[00:04:20] Forward Ben Jones also joins the Flames on a one-year contract after playing in the Minnesota organization.[00:04:40] Several useful players depart. Ryan Lomberg, described as a spark plug for Calgary, signs with the Columbus Blue Jackets.[00:05:00] Victor Olofsson leaves for Vegas, Justin Kirkland joins Minnesota, John Beecher signs with Florida, and Dillon Dubé moves to St. Louis.[00:05:20] The Flames will need more from their young talent, beginning with defenseman Zayne Parekh, the ninth overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft.[00:05:40] Parekh appeared in 37 games last season and experienced a significant NHL learning curve. Vic expects him to be considerably more comfortable during his second extended opportunity.[00:06:00] Samuel Honzek, the 16th overall pick in 2023, is another young player Calgary hopes can make a larger impact after showing promise before suffering a season-ending injury in November.[00:06:20] Honzek's injury came following a collision with captain Mikael Backlund, prematurely ending an opportunity for the young forward to establish himself.[00:06:40] Neil and Vic discuss the extremely narrow margin separating NHL teams trying to take the next step from those that can quickly fall further down the standings.[00:07:00] That uncertainty puts Ryan Huska in a difficult position as he enters his fourth season behind Calgary's bench.[00:07:20] Neil explains the unforgiving reality facing NHL coaches: sometimes a coach can be given a roster that is unlikely to make the playoffs and still lose his job when the team inevitably falls short.[00:07:40] The key question becomes what Conroy and Maloney realistically expect from Huska with the roster they have assembled. Neil believes Maloney understands the situation and likely recognizes Calgary's limitations.[00:08:00] The episode concludes with cautious optimism about some of Calgary's young pieces and defensive additions, but Neil remains unconvinced that the Flames have enough talent to end their playoff drought this season.

Summer Coolers – Buffalo SabresThe Buffalo Sabres finally broke through. After a 14-season playoff drought, Buffalo finished first in the Atlantic Division, second in the Eastern Conference, and fourth overall before defeating Boston in the opening round and taking Montreal to overtime in Game 7. Now the expectations change. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Sabres can build on their breakthrough season despite losing Alex Tuch, how their revamped defense could make them even stronger, and why goaltending may still separate Buffalo from the NHL's true Stanley Cup contenders.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Buffalo finishes first in the Atlantic and second in the Eastern Conference, ending a 14-season playoff drought by qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2011.[00:00:25] The Sabres defeat the Boston Bruins in six games before their season ends with an overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of the second round.[00:00:45] Nearly every major team metric moves in the right direction. Buffalo improves offensively, defensively, on the power play, and on the penalty kill during Lindy Ruff's second season back with the organization.[00:01:00] With the playoff drought finally over, Neil explains that the expectations in Buffalo have completely changed. Simply improving is no longer enough—the fan base will expect another playoff appearance and a place among the Atlantic Division's top teams.[00:01:25] The biggest offseason departure is Alex Tuch. The unrestricted free agent is moved to Washington in a sign-and-trade that brings David Kämpf and a 2026 third-round selection back to Buffalo.[00:01:50] Buffalo also makes a significant change on defense, trading Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks for Louis Crevier and first- and second-round selections in the 2026 NHL Draft.[00:02:10] Vic likes the addition of Crevier, who showed that he could be a serviceable NHL defenseman even while playing for a struggling Chicago team.[00:02:25] The Sabres further reshape the blue line by acquiring Olen Zellweger from the Anaheim Ducks and signing him as a restricted free agent.[00:02:45] Zach Benson's emergence, particularly during the postseason, gives Buffalo another reason for optimism, while more will be expected from Peyton Krebs.[00:03:00] Even after losing Tuch, Vic believes the Sabres have enough talent to challenge for another 100-point season and remain near the top of the Atlantic Division.[00:03:20] Neil agrees that Tuch is a significant loss but wonders whether the forward's previous season may ultimately prove to have been a career year. His performance in Washington will provide the next test.[00:03:40] Neil remains skeptical about Byram developing into the player his contract and expectations suggest he can become, making Buffalo's decision to move him easier to understand.[00:04:00] Buffalo still possesses high-end talent led by Tage Thompson, and Neil believes the Sabres should remain firmly in the battle for the top of the Atlantic.[00:04:20] Rasmus Dahlin's postseason performance reinforces his status as an elite NHL defenseman, while Owen Power gives Buffalo another major piece on the back end.[00:04:40] The larger concern is in goal. Devon Levi is traded to Edmonton for a 2028 third-round pick, leaving Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Colten Ellis, and Alex Lyon as Buffalo's primary options.[00:05:00] Vic believes that goaltending group may be sufficient to produce another strong regular season but questions whether it is good enough to win a Stanley Cup.[00:05:20] Neil agrees that Buffalo does not currently possess championship-level goaltending, but he also does not view the Sabres as a true Stanley Cup contender yet. He sees them as a dangerous Atlantic Division team still trying to reach the NHL's elite tier.[00:05:40] Additional defensive changes include Michael Kesselring being traded to San Jose and Luke Schenn leaving after his brief stint with Buffalo.[00:06:00] Young forwards Konsta Helenius and Noah Östlund could become increasingly important after showing flashes late in the regular season and during the playoffs.[00:06:20] Vic believes increased contributions from Buffalo's younger forwards could help compensate for Tuch's departure, but Neil cautions that replacing him will require more than one player.[00:06:40] Tuch contributed in numerous situations and was one of Buffalo's most important regular-season players. Neil expects Ruff to replace that production by committee rather than relying on a single forward.[00:07:00] The conversation turns to Tuch's disappointing postseason and whether those struggles influenced Buffalo's willingness to let him leave despite his connections to Western New York and history as a Sabres fan.[00:07:20] Ultimately, Neil believes the financial commitment was simply too large. With Washington prepared to give Tuch an eight-year, $84 million contract, Buffalo was not ready to make that kind of long-term investment.[00:07:40] The Sabres enter 2026-27 with something they have not carried in years: expectations. The defense may be stronger, the young talent continues to develop, and Buffalo should remain an Atlantic contender—but replacing Tuch and proving the goaltending can hold up will determine just how high this team can climb.

14-7-4-1.Fourteen men have won the Stanley Cup as a player and head coach.Of those 14, half have done so with the same franchise.Of those seven, just four have accomplished the feat as captain and head coach of the same franchise. However, only one has achieved has accomplished the feat in the post-expansion era.For Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour, reaching the top of the NHL mountain in June was a study in perseverance which was synonymous of his playing career. Despite leading the 'Canes to the post-season in each of his first seven years behind the bench, the club consistently fell short...until this past spring where the team roared into the Final in only 13 games and the coach made history with the win over Vegas.Brind'Amour joins Neil and Vic to discuss the run, the comparatives to 20 years earlier and the safeguards he has in place to ensure his team remains as a contender to repeat.IN THIS EPISODE:[02:03] - Stanley Cup-winning head coach Rod Brind'Amour is welcomed to the show and Neil does some reminiscing about the 1988 Draft when Rod was taken ninth overall by St. Louis.[05:36] - Given his place in history, Brind'Amour shares where the true significance of that achievement lies.[07:04] - After having his boys wake up to the Stanley Cup in their room in 2006, it was keeping it within Raleigh 20 years later.[08:49] - To the beginning. Born in Ottawa, raised in BC, Rod traces the his path from youth through college.[10:48] - Going back to his early days as a player, Rod tells the story of a brief playoff stint as Blue after finishing his college season at Michigan State.[12:38] - The reality of the business: After just two full seasons in the Gateway City, the move to the City of Brotherly Love.[13:49] - Can't have a Rod Brind'Amour discussion without talking about conditioning. The roots behind the a commitment which continues to this day.[16:43] - After 20 pro seasons, the transition to coaching - something not originally in the crosshairs.[19:30] - Despite having made the playoffs in his first seven seasons as Hurricanes head coach, something always derailed the team come playoff time. What made 2026 different?[22:13] - Winning Stanley Cups two decades apart from the perspective of a player/captain and head coach. What felt the same and what was different?[23:42] - Brind'Amour talks about his goaltending during this past spring. Maligned in the past, Freddie Andersen delivered into the Final with waiver-claim Brandon Bussi bringing the run across the finish line.[28:11] - Nowhere to be found on the Conn Smythe radar entering the Final, Jordan Staal added scoring to the other components to his game to capture the award.[31:34] - Every Stanley Cup winner is anointed "The Perfect Team." While that can be up for debate, the new season certainly looks bright with minimal change from June.[34:03] - Cup winners in 2006, out of the playoffs in 2007. What Brind'Amour takes from that season as a cautionary tale with the Hurricanes looking to defend their title in 2027.[37:09] - What makes the Raleigh market special and the origin of the post-game celebration.[41:42] - Interview wrap and let's play "Connections" on nhlwraparound.com.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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #RodBrind'Amour #SpencerCarbery #JeffBlashill #AndrewBrunette #PeterDeBoer #TrippTracy #JimRutherford #PeterKarmanos #RonCaron #GeorgeMcPhee #BrettHull #AdamOates #PaulHolmgren #LloydPercival #PaulMaurice #KirkMuller #JohnMacLean #BillPeters #NikolajEhlers #K'AndreMiller #ScottWalker #JalenChatfield #SebatsianAho #AndreiSvechnikov #FrederikAndersen #BrandonBussi #JordanStaal #ConnSmytheTrophy #EricStaal #JaccobSlavin #SethJarvis #EricRobinson #JordanMartinook #JustinWilliams #GaryBettman #DonCherry #MannyMalhotra #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 #NotreDameHounds #MichiganStateSpartans #VictoriaCougars

Summer Coolers – Boston BruinsThe Boston Bruins bounced back with a 100-point season and a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but their first-round loss to Buffalo exposed several concerns heading into Marco Sturm's second year behind the bench. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine Boston's discipline problems, the number of players coming off career seasons, the pressure on Elias Lindholm to produce more offense, and whether J.J. Peterka can finally deliver on his potential. With limited goaltending depth and little margin for error, the Bruins may need another season of unexpected performances just to remain in the playoff race.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Boston finishes fourth in the Atlantic Division with 100 points and returns to the playoffs after missing the postseason for the first time since 2016. The Bruins are eliminated by Buffalo in six games during the opening round.[00:00:25] The Bruins improve offensively, defensively, and on the power play during Marco Sturm's first season, giving the organization several encouraging signs.[00:00:45] The penalty kill becomes a major concern, finishing 24th in the NHL while Boston is shorthanded a league-high 278 times.[00:01:00] Neil explains that poor discipline and weak penalty killing are a dangerous combination. When a team takes that many penalties and cannot consistently kill them, goals against quickly accumulate.[00:01:25] The discussion shifts to whether Boston could follow the same path as recent teams that benefited from several unexpected career seasons before falling back the following year.[00:01:45] A year earlier, the Bruins appeared heavily dependent on David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie. Instead, several supporting players significantly exceeded expectations.[00:02:00] Pavel Zacha produces 30 goals and 65 points, while Victor Arvidsson scores 25 goals before leaving Boston to sign with the Detroit Red Wings.[00:02:20] Casey Mittelstadt scores 15 goals, rookie Fraser Minten adds 17, Marat Khusnutdinov contributes 15, and physical forward Mark Kastelic scores 12.[00:02:40] Those performances must be repeated or improved for Boston to remain competitive, but Neil questions whether so many players can produce at that level again.[00:02:55] Elias Lindholm becomes one of the most important players entering the season. The former 40-goal scorer managed only 17 goals and must provide more offense behind Pastrnak and Geekie.[00:03:15] Neil believes Boston exceeded expectations during Sturm's first season but does not think the roster has enough dependable scoring depth to comfortably remain in the playoff picture.[00:03:35] Geekie's excellent season included multiple extended goal droughts, showing that even one of Boston's biggest success stories produced unevenly throughout the year.[00:03:55] The Bruins acquire J.J. Peterka from Utah, hoping to unlock the offensive potential he previously displayed with Buffalo.[00:04:15] Neil expresses concern whenever a player is moved in a major trade and then dealt again only one year later. Utah's willingness to move on quickly raises questions about Peterka's consistency and overall value.[00:04:40] Peterka carries expectations of becoming a 35- or 40-goal scorer, but Boston will be his third team in three seasons.[00:05:00] Contract and ice-time issues may have contributed to Peterka leaving Buffalo, but Utah also decides to move on after only a short period. Boston now becomes the latest team betting on his upside.[00:05:25] The Bruins also acquire defenseman Will Borgen from the New York Rangers for two draft picks and add forward Ivan Ivan from the Colorado Avalanche.[00:05:50] Backup goaltender Jonas Korpisalo is traded to the Rangers for a prospect and a fourth-round pick, creating a potential weakness behind Jeremy Swayman.[00:06:10] Boston signs Jiri Patera to a one-year, $850,000 contract after he appeared in only one game for Vancouver the previous season.[00:06:30] Neil believes Korpisalo played well when called upon and warns that the Bruins could be in trouble if Swayman suffers an injury or enters an extended slump.[00:06:50] Connor Clifton joins Boston from Pittsburgh, while Jordan Harris returns on a one-year contract to provide additional defensive depth.[00:07:10] The Bruins will also look toward their prospects, including 2025 seventh-overall pick James Hagens, to determine whether younger players can contribute immediately.[00:07:30] Forwards Dean Letourneau and Will Zellers may also compete for roster spots and could become important if Boston's veterans cannot maintain last season's production.[00:07:50] The episode concludes with Boston facing numerous unanswered questions. The Bruins possess some upside, but their veterans, new additions, and young players may all need to outperform expectations for the team to return to the playoffs.

Summer Coolers – Chicago BlackhawksThe Chicago Blackhawks continue to build around Connor Bedard and a promising collection of young talent, but Neil Smith and Vic Morren see little reason to expect a playoff breakthrough this season. Anton Frondell, Roman Kantserov, Nick Lardis, and Sam Rinzel provide hope for the future, but major questions remain about Chicago's ability to correctly project and develop its prospects. The spotlight is especially bright on Frank Nazar as his seven-year, $6.6 million-per-season contract begins. After six consecutive seasons without playoff hockey, how much longer will Blackhawks fans have to wait?IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Neil wastes no time giving his assessment of Chicago's immediate future. While Summer Coolers isn't about predictions, he simply does not see the Blackhawks as a playoff team this season.[00:00:20] There is optimism within Chicago's prospect pipeline, beginning with Anton Frondell, the third overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. He recorded nine points in 12 games with the Blackhawks last season.[00:00:35] Roman Kantserov represents another young forward to watch as Chicago continues attempting to build a sustainable core around Bedard.[00:00:45] Nick Lardis also gains NHL experience, while defenseman Sam Rinzel appears in 54 games and becomes another important part of the organization's youth movement.[00:01:00] The biggest question may surround Frank Nazar. He finishes last season with 15 goals and 41 points in 66 games while posting a minus-21 rating.[00:01:20] Nazar's new seven-year contract at $6.6 million per season now begins, placing considerably more pressure on the young forward to become an impact player.[00:01:40] Neil believes Nazar's production must increase dramatically—and remain there consistently—for the contract to ultimately become worthwhile for Chicago.[00:02:00] The Nazar situation leads into a larger discussion about one of the biggest challenges facing modern NHL general managers: projecting what young players will become before they have fully proven themselves.[00:02:20] Teams increasingly must commit significant money to young players based on future potential rather than established NHL production, making talent evaluation and projection more important than ever.[00:02:40] Neil questions whether General Manager Kyle Davidson and the Blackhawks have demonstrated that they can consistently make those projections correctly.[00:03:00] Connor Bedard was an obvious elite prospect as the first overall selection, but evaluating the players around him presents a much more difficult challenge for Chicago's front office.[00:03:20] Neil points to Nazar and Bowen Byram as examples of players whose long-term value will help determine whether Chicago's front office correctly evaluated its future roster.[00:03:40] The Blackhawks also move on from several veterans during the offseason. Andrei Burakovsky is traded to Ottawa for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick.[00:04:00] Sam Lafferty leaves Chicago to sign with the Florida Panthers, while Ilya Mikheyev departs in free agency for the Tampa Bay Lightning.[00:04:20] Those departures leave Chicago continuing to lean heavily on its developing young players rather than adding established veterans capable of accelerating the rebuild.[00:04:40] The Blackhawks have now missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for six consecutive seasons, and even an optimistic assessment suggests the franchise remains years away from legitimate contention.[00:05:00] Vic believes Chicago may still be at least two years away—and potentially three or four—from returning to the postseason based on the organization's current trajectory.[00:05:20] The comparison with San Jose becomes particularly concerning. After both franchises spent several seasons near the bottom of the standings, Neil believes the Sharks have now passed Chicago in their progression toward becoming a playoff team.[00:05:40] Chicago has accumulated young talent, but Neil does not believe the Blackhawks have made enough tangible progress in the standings to suggest the rebuild is nearing completion.[00:06:00] The episode concludes with Neil hoping his assessment is wrong—for both his childhood favorite Blackhawks and head coach Jeff Blashill—but he simply does not see enough improvement yet to believe Chicago is ready for playoff hockey.

Summer Coolers – Carolina HurricanesThe Carolina Hurricanes enter the new season as defending Stanley Cup champions after one of the most dominant playoff runs in recent memory. Rod Brind'Amour's relentless system finally delivered a championship, Nikolaj Ehlers proved to be a transformative free-agent addition, and Carolina's depth overwhelmed opponents throughout the postseason. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Hurricanes can repeat, how Brandon Bussi handles becoming the full-time starting goaltender, and whether early-season injuries could slow down the NHL's new standard-bearer.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Carolina comes off a remarkable championship season after finishing first in the Eastern Conference and second overall in the NHL.[00:00:20] The Hurricanes cruise through the Eastern Conference playoffs, sweeping Ottawa and Philadelphia before defeating Montreal in five games.[00:00:40] Carolina then overcomes a 2-1 series deficit against the Vegas Golden Knights to capture the second Stanley Cup in franchise history.[00:01:00] The championship represents the culmination of eight years under Rod Brind'Amour and his demanding, tenacious style of play.[00:01:25] Neil credits Brind'Amour with consistently getting complete buy-in from his players and maintaining that commitment season after season.[00:01:45] Brind'Amour's physical conditioning and connection with the locker room make him feel like an extension of the playing group rather than a distant head coach.[00:02:10] Neil jokes that Brind'Amour may still be in better shape than many current NHL players, something that became obvious during Carolina's Stanley Cup celebration.[00:02:35] The discussion turns to Nikolaj Ehlers, whose free-agent signing initially raised questions about whether Carolina was adding more of the same rather than changing its postseason formula.[00:03:00] Those doubts disappear as Carolina finishes second in the NHL in offense and Ehlers delivers a strong regular season and playoff performance.[00:03:30] Neil calls Ehlers one of the most important additions to the championship roster and possibly the best free-agent signing of the previous offseason.[00:04:00] Ehlers becomes especially important during the Stanley Cup Final, scoring late goals that effectively clinch the championship for Carolina.[00:04:30] The Hurricanes also benefit from some favorable circumstances, including Colorado being eliminated early and creating a clearer path through the postseason.[00:04:55] Even with that fortune, Neil emphasizes that Carolina still earned the championship through depth, structure, and collective execution.[00:05:20] The offseason is relatively quiet for the defending champions, with Carolina acquiring John Carlson from Anaheim before he ultimately signs with Tampa Bay as an unrestricted free agent.[00:05:50] The largest departure is goaltender Frederik Andersen, who leaves Carolina and signs with the Edmonton Oilers.[00:06:20] Andersen's exit creates a major question in net because Brandon Bussi now moves from a successful supporting role into the unquestioned starting position.[00:06:45] Bussi performs exceptionally well during the regular season before stepping aside as Andersen starts Carolina's first 13 playoff games.[00:07:15] Neil and Vic discuss the psychological difference between serving as a backup and entering a season knowing that the crease belongs entirely to you.[00:07:45] Carolina must also determine whether Pyotr Kochetkov becomes Bussi's primary backup or whether prospect Zachary Sawchenko receives an opportunity.[00:08:15] Neil raises the possibility of a sophomore jinx for Bussi as opponents now have more film, more information, and a better understanding of his tendencies.[00:08:45] Young players often arrive as unknowns, but their second season becomes more difficult once shooters and coaching staffs begin making targeted adjustments.[00:09:15] Neil compares Bussi's situation with other highly regarded second-year players who must prove their rookie success was sustainable.[00:09:45] The former Western Michigan goaltender will now face greater pressure, more intense preparation from opponents, and championship-level expectations.[00:10:15] Carolina also enters the season with an injury concern after Seth Jarvis undergoes shoulder surgery.[00:10:40] Jarvis is expected to return sometime between the end of October and the end of December, depending on his recovery.[00:11:00] Eric Robinson also has offseason surgery but is expected to be available for the beginning of the regular season.[00:11:25] Vic asks whether Jarvis' absence could hurt Carolina early, particularly now that the Hurricanes' style has become a model other NHL teams may try to copy.[00:11:55] Neil calls Jarvis an integral part of the team but does not believe his early absence will significantly damage Carolina's season.[00:12:25] Early-season injuries are easier to manage than injuries occurring in the middle of a playoff race because the player still has time to recover, return, and contribute.[00:12:55] Carolina's depth and established system should allow the team to remain competitive without Jarvis before becoming even stronger when he returns.[00:13:20] The episode concludes with the Hurricanes positioned as legitimate repeat contenders, although Bussi's transition into the No. 1 role will be one of the most important stories of their season.

Summer Coolers – Anaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks finally broke through in 2025-26, finishing third in the Pacific Division, returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2018, and advancing to the second round. But after a summer filled with major departures and a massive $18 million offer sheet for Leo Carlsson that Anaheim was forced to match, Neil Smith and Vic Morren believe the Ducks may have taken a significant step backward. They examine the salary-cap consequences, the loss of several physical veteran defensemen, and why this could become an extremely difficult season for Joel Quenneville and General Manager Pat Verbeek.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Anaheim comes off its best season in years, finishing third in the Pacific and making the playoffs for the first time since 2018. The Ducks defeat Edmonton in six games before losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in six.[00:00:25] The offense makes a major jump, improving from 30th to 13th in the NHL. The defense, however, surprisingly falls from 22nd to 29th despite Joel Quenneville being behind the bench.[00:00:45] Anaheim's power play improves from 32nd to 23rd, while the penalty kill also takes a slight step forward. Even with those gains, the bigger story becomes everything that happened during the offseason.[00:01:00] The biggest development is Philadelphia's five-year, $18 million-per-season offer sheet to Leo Carlsson. Anaheim quickly matches it, keeping Carlsson but dramatically altering the organization's salary structure.[00:01:30] Neil describes the offer sheet as a “nuclear bomb” dropped into Anaheim's locker room. He believes Pat Verbeek may have left himself vulnerable by allowing Carlsson to reach a point where another organization could make such an aggressive offer.[00:02:00] Carlsson is being paid based largely on what Anaheim believes he can become rather than what he has already accomplished. That creates tremendous expectations for a young center the Ducks view as their future No. 1.[00:02:25] The contract creates another immediate problem because Cutter Gauthier remains unsigned after a 40-goal season. With Carlsson making $18 million, Gauthier now has enormous leverage in his own negotiations.[00:02:50] Anaheim is left with only about $9 million in cap space, making it difficult to maintain the kind of depth that helped the Ducks reach the playoffs a year ago.[00:03:00] The Ducks also lose a significant amount of talent during the offseason. Defenseman Olen Zellweger is traded to Buffalo for Anton Wahlberg and a 2026 second-round pick.[00:03:20] Mason McTavish is traded to St. Louis for two first-round picks, removing another important young forward from Anaheim's developing core.[00:03:35] John Carlson is traded to Carolina before eventually signing in Tampa Bay, while captain Radko Gudas leaves for Florida. Jacob Trouba also departs, further changing the identity of Anaheim's blue line.[00:03:55] Physical forwards Jeffrey Viel and Ross Johnston leave in free agency, along with bottom-six utility forward Jansen Harkins. Neil and Vic emphasize just how much toughness and experience has disappeared from the roster.[00:04:15] Anaheim's replacements include Nick Jensen from Ottawa, Jeff Malott from Los Angeles, Travis Mitchell from the Islanders, and goaltender Laurent Brossoit after he appeared in only one game for San Jose the previous season.[00:04:35] The Ducks also re-sign young defensemen Ian Moore and Pavel Mintyukov, along with forward Tyson Hinds, giving the organization some promising internal pieces despite the departures.[00:04:55] Neil believes the overall roster is simply weaker than the one that made the playoffs last season. Anaheim has lost too many important contributors without adding equivalent talent.[00:05:10] The loss of Trouba and Gudas is particularly important because both defensemen brought intimidation and physical presence. Neil says opposing forwards knew exactly what awaited them when entering Anaheim's defensive zone.[00:05:30] Carlsson's $18 million contract may also have consequences inside the dressing room. Neil explains how enormous salary disparities can affect teammates when one young player suddenly earns dramatically more than established players around him.[00:05:55] The episode concludes with a pessimistic outlook for Anaheim. After seeing clear improvement entering last season, Neil does not see the same momentum this time around and does not believe the current Ducks roster is a playoff team.

With training camps now around the corner, NHL Wraparound starts September with the first of several coaches on the show.All 32 men have a unique story in terms of their journey that landed them behind an NHL bench. For Victoria, BC-born Spencer Carbery, it began as a player before working his way through the ECHL and AHL before being named Washington Capitals head coach in 2023.Carbery shares his story with Neil and Vic, his experience working with Alex Ovechkin and looks ahead to guiding the Caps back to the playoffs with some punch and leadership added to the lineup.IN THIS EPISODE:[03:06] - Growing up in British Columbia, Carbery shares his early days as a player and how his journey took him to South Carolina where current Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar convinced to keep playing. One of his teammates with the Stingrays: Caps 2018 Stanley Cup winning-goalie Braden Holtby.[08:34] - As eventual head coach of the Stingrays, one of his assistants: current San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky.[10:50] - Neil and Spencer share some memories of Hershey, where Carbery coached from 2018-2021.[13:32] - The move to the NHL as an assistant with the Maple Leafs where Carbery had full exposure to life in a huge media market and working with true stars for the first time.[16:45] - Hired by the Capitals in May 2023, Carbery takes over as a rookie NHL head coach and begins with a team with star power and experience comparable to that in Toronto. He credits the Caps big names for making the adaptation a comfortable one.[19:22] - Though having heard, seen and experienced the greatness of Alex Ovechkin as an outsider, the things that impressed Carbery most about OV upon becoming his coach.[22:11] - "The Chase" for the all-time goal scoring record. Had OV not broken his leg and missed 16 games and had the record been achieved sooner, might the end result of the 2024-25 season been different for the Caps?[29:58] - With the expectations different in each of his four training camps, does the core message to the team differ or stay the same?[33:51] - The one thing that excites Carbery the most heading into the 2026-27 season.[35:28] - The challenge of being a head coach in an era where the player turnover is far more prevalent than in decades past.[39:32] - Wrapping up the discussion with Spencer Carbery and looking ahead to other coaches joining the show in September.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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #SpencerCarbery #SouthCarolinaStingrays #ECHL #CHL #HersheyBears #HersheyParkArena #AdirondackRedWings #AHL #JaredBednar #BradenHoltby #PhilippGrubauer #RyanWarsofsky #MikeSullivan #RayBourque #MiltonHershey #WiltChamberlain #BenHogan #AustonMatthews #MitchMarner #JohnTavares #WilliamNylander #MorganRielly #SheldonKeefe #AlexOvechkin #WayneGretzky #NicklasBackstrom #TJOshie #TomWilson #JohnCarlson #EvgenyKuznetsov #Pierre-LucDubois #CraigLaughlin #AlexTuch #JordanKyrou #BooneJenner #JonnyBrodzinski #VincentDesharnais #ConnorMcMichael #TrevorvanRiemsdyk #HendrixLapierre #BrandonDuhaime #ColeHutson #DarcyKuemper #LoganThompson #JakobChychrun #MattRoy #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

Clearly the weakest of the four divisions in 2025-26, half of the teams in this octet enter the new season with a change behind the bench, including the one and two teams, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers.While the VGK did stun many sweeping the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche enroute to the Final, a rookie head coach will be under the microscope as will a veteran in Edmonton trying to re-build his reputation.Let's also not forget what's taking place in the Golden State. Can the Sharks be the Ducks of the new season and are the Kings simply stuck in suspended animation?IN THIS EPISODE:[05:26] - Vegas Golden Knights[13:41] - Edmonton Oilers[21:29] - Anaheim Ducks[27:08] - Los Angeles Kings[33:53] - San Jose Sharks[40:06] - Seattle Kraken[46:26] - Calgary Flames[51:26] - Vancouver CanucksX: 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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #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

In 2025-26, the top three teams in the Western Conference all resided in the Central Division...and all failed to make the Stanley Cup Final.In this episode, Neil and Vic examine the powerhouses in Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota while also checking to see if there's enough upgrade in Winnipeg to return to the Presidents' Trophy form of 2024-25. Also under the radar: The up-and-coming Utah Mammoth and the very active Nashville Predators under new Head of Hockey Operations, Chris MacFarland.IN THIS EPISODE:[02:32] - Colorado Avalanche[11:52] - Dallas Stars[16:07] - Minnesota Wild[22:39] - Utah Mammoth[27:31] - St. Louis Blues[31:48] - Nashville Predators[37:57] - Winnipeg Jets[46:54] - Chicago BlackhawksX: 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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #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

The second installment of the Summer Coolers brings the Atlantic Division into focus.2025-26 saw the rise of the Buffalo Sabres and the fall of both the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. To say there has been change among this group of eight teams would be an understatement but, will change actually result in positive movement?IN THIS EPISODE:[02:47] - Buffalo Sabres[09:44] - Tampa Bay Lightning[16:49] - Montreal Canadiens[22:22] - Boston Bruins[30:32] - Ottawa Senators[36:39] - Detroit Red Wings[43:44] - Florida Panthers[49:40] - Toronto Maple LeafsX: 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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #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

Training camps are on the horizon but, before we get there, Neil and Vic return with their 2026 edition of the Summer Coolers.As has been the case in the previous two summers, the division of the Stanley Cup-winning team leads off the round up of team movement during the course of the off-season. Who's upgraded, who appears to have taken a step back and those who have maintained the status quo is the focus of this four-part series.IN THIS EPISODE:[02:58] - Carolina Hurricanes[08:44] - Pittsburgh Penguins[17:47] - Philadelphia Flyers[25:47] - Washington Capitals[31:34] - Columbus Blue Jackets[39:00] - New York Islanders[43:48] - New Jersey Devils[50:37] - New York RangersX: 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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #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

Spring Cleaning – Washington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals entered the 2025-26 season expecting some regression after nearly winning the Presidents' Trophy the year before. That concern proved justified as declining production, injuries, weaker special teams, and uncertainty surrounding Alex Ovechkin's future left Washington outside the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine why the Capitals could not recreate the magic of their previous season and the major fork in the road facing General Manager Chris Patrick this summer.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Capitals are eliminated from playoff contention on April 13 after entering the season with expectations of taking a step backward from their Eastern Conference-leading 2024-25 campaign.[00:00:25] Neil and Vic revisit Washington's late-season decline from the previous year. The Capitals were 32 games above .500 on March 23, 2025, but finished the regular season 4-7-1 as the pursuit of Alex Ovechkin's scoring record became the team's central focus.[00:00:55] Washington still won the Eastern Conference and defeated Montreal in five games, but looked noticeably slower than Carolina during its second-round playoff elimination.[00:01:15] Eight Capitals players produced career seasons in 2024-25, making it difficult to expect the same level of performance one year later.[00:01:35] Neil believes the attention surrounding Ovechkin's record chase disrupted the team's rhythm. Once the record was secured, Washington never fully regained the form it displayed earlier in the season.[00:02:00] A quiet offseason provides little reinforcement, and the Capitals pace toward only 90 points through their first 72 games before finishing the season with an 8-2-0 run.[00:02:20] Several important players experience major declines in production. Dylan Strome falls from 82 points to 58, while Aliaksei Protas drops from 66 points to 52.[00:02:45] Connor McMichael also regresses, falling from 26 goals and 57 points to 14 goals and 46 points. Neil and Vic discuss how only a few additional goals could have changed several close games and kept Washington in the playoff race.[00:03:00] Pierre-Luc Dubois becomes one of the team's most significant losses. After playing all 82 games and producing career highs with 46 assists and 66 points the previous season, Dubois is limited to only 29 games.[00:03:30] Tom Wilson, Jakob Chychrun, and Logan Thompson remain dependable, while Ryan Leonard takes an encouraging step with 20 goals and 45 points.[00:03:50] Justin Sourdif contributes 15 goals and 35 points after arriving from Florida, while Aliaksei Protas' younger brother, Ilya Protas, positions himself for a full-time role next season.[00:04:10] Washington's special teams also regress. The power play falls from 14th to 25th, while the penalty kill drops from fourth to 15th.[00:04:35] Neil explains that even moderate declines become costly in a league where so many games are decided by one goal.[00:04:55] The Capitals also remain one of the NHL's older teams, and the unified effort that produced so many career seasons in 2024-25 does not carry over.[00:05:10] Alex Ovechkin's future becomes the defining offseason question. He has not yet decided whether he will return for another season or retire.[00:05:30] General Manager Chris Patrick enters the 2026 NHL Draft with five selections, including two first-round picks.[00:05:50] Washington owns its original first-round selection and Anaheim's pick acquired in the John Carlson trade.[00:06:05] The Capitals do not own a second-round pick after the Justin Sourdif trade, a third-round pick following the Jakob Chychrun deal, or a sixth-round selection after acquiring David Kämpf.[00:06:25] Washington projects to have approximately $4.4 million in cap space, leaving Patrick with limited flexibility before additional offseason moves.[00:06:45] Unrestricted free agents include Ovechkin, Brandon Duhaime, David Kämpf, Trevor van Riemsdyk, and Timothy Liljegren.[00:07:00] Restricted free agents Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre also require new contracts as management evaluates which younger players belong in the next version of the team.[00:07:20] Neil believes ownership and management must first learn Ovechkin's intentions before deciding whether to retool or begin a more significant rebuild.[00:07:40] If Ovechkin returns, Washington is unlikely to dismantle the roster around him. The organization may instead attempt one more playoff push during the final chapter of his career.[00:08:00] If Ovechkin retires, the Capitals could accept several difficult seasons in order to acquire higher draft picks and inject more youth into the lineup.[00:08:20] Vic argues that Washington still possesses enough useful pieces to avoid tearing the roster down completely. A retool may be more appropriate than a total rebuild.[00:08:40] Neil compares the possible approach with Pittsburgh's successful strategy of adding several complementary veterans around Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.[00:09:00] The episode concludes with Washington standing at a clear organizational crossroads. Every major offseason decision—from free agency to roster construction—will depend on whether Ovechkin chooses to return for one more season.

Spring Cleaning – Winnipeg JetsThe Winnipeg Jets suffered one of the NHL's most dramatic declines during the 2025-26 season, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs just one year after winning the Presidents' Trophy. After entering the year as one of the expected powers in the Central Division, Winnipeg collapsed under the weight of declining goaltending, a lack of secondary scoring, and an overwhelming dependence on its top line. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine what went wrong, the challenges of building in the Winnipeg market, and the difficult offseason awaiting General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Jets are eliminated from playoff contention on April 13, becoming the second consecutive Presidents' Trophy winner to miss the postseason the following year.[00:00:25] Neil and Vic revisit the preseason expectation that Winnipeg would join Colorado and Dallas among the Central Division's elite teams.[00:00:50] The departures of Nikolaj Ehlers and Mason Appleton weaken the forward group, while questions remain about how much Jonathan Toews can contribute after several years away from the NHL.[00:01:20] Winnipeg also enters the season needing more offense from its third and fourth lines to reduce the burden on Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, and Gabriel Vilardi.[00:01:45] Toews is viewed as a potential leadership addition for a team believed to be close to Stanley Cup contention, while Connor Hellebuyck returns as the reigning Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy winner.[00:02:00] The Jets' collapse is dramatic. Winnipeg finishes 34 points worse than the previous season, while its goal differential falls from plus-86 to minus-29.[00:02:25] After beginning the season 9-3-0, the Jets go 6-19-5 over their next 30 games, including four regulation losing streaks of at least three games.[00:02:50] An 0-7-4 stretch becomes the clearest sign that Winnipeg's season is spiraling out of control.[00:03:00] Hellebuyck's numbers fall sharply after his MVP season. His record drops from 47-12-3 to 23-23-11, while his goals-against average rises from 2.00 to 2.86 and his save percentage falls from .925 to .895.[00:03:30] Winnipeg becomes overwhelmingly dependent on its top line. Scheifele, Connor, and Vilardi account for 105 of the team's 231 goals, representing more than 45 percent of the offense.[00:04:00] The supporting cast fails to provide enough production. Cole Perfetti, Vladislav Namestnikov, Nino Niederreiter, Adam Lowry, and Alex Iafallo collectively fall from 77 goals to 46.[00:04:25] Free-agent signing Gustav Nyquist produces only one goal and 12 points in 51 games, making his season one of the organization's biggest disappointments.[00:04:45] Neil explains that injuries played a role, but the larger problem was the absence of meaningful secondary scoring throughout the lineup.[00:05:00] The discussion turns to the challenge of attracting free agents to Winnipeg. The weather, Canadian dollar, family considerations, and smaller market all complicate recruitment.[00:05:30] Despite those challenges, players who do join the Jets often speak highly of the organization and the city.[00:05:45] Cheveldayoff enters the 2026 NHL Draft with seven selections but no second-round pick after acquiring Luke Schenn from Pittsburgh.[00:06:00] Winnipeg owns two seventh-round picks, including one acquired from Buffalo in the Tanner Pearson trade.[00:06:15] The Jets project to have approximately $3.3 million in cap space before the July 1 reset.[00:06:30] Unrestricted free agents include Nyquist, Toews, Colin Miller, Jacob Bryson, and backup goaltender Eric Comrie.[00:06:50] Restricted free agents Cole Perfetti and Isak Rosén represent more important long-term decisions for the organization.[00:07:00] Neil expects Perfetti to be a priority but questions whether Winnipeg will retain Comrie, Toews, or Nyquist.[00:07:20] Cheveldayoff must find a way to add higher-end support players despite the difficulty of convincing free agents to sign in Winnipeg.[00:07:45] The Jets still possess a strong core that includes Scheifele, Hellebuyck, Connor, Josh Morrissey, and Neal Pionk.[00:08:00] Kyle Connor's new eight-year, $12 million-per-season contract provides another major long-term commitment from one of the franchise's top players.[00:08:20] Neil credits Cheveldayoff for successfully keeping several elite players in Winnipeg despite the market's disadvantages.[00:08:40] The episode concludes with a clear offseason priority: improve the team's depth and secondary scoring so the Jets are no longer dependent on one line and one goaltender to carry them back into the playoffs.

Spring Cleaning – Vancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks suffered one of the NHL's sharpest declines, becoming the first team eliminated from playoff contention on March 22. Just two years removed from winning the Pacific Division and pushing Edmonton to seven games in the second round, Vancouver has been torn apart by internal conflict, major trades, coaching uncertainty, and poor performance at home. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine how the Canucks fell so quickly and why their large collection of draft picks may not produce immediate results.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Canucks become the first NHL team eliminated from playoff contention on March 22. Neil and Vic begin by reviewing the expectations entering the season, the reality of Vancouver's collapse, and the enormous amount of work ahead.[00:00:25] Expectations were already low after Vancouver missed the playoffs in four of the previous five seasons. The lone exception came in 2024, when the Canucks won the Pacific Division and reached the second round.[00:00:50] That successful run created optimism that Vancouver had filled several important roster gaps. However, the organization quickly unraveled during the following seasons.[00:01:05] The highly publicized conflict between J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson became one of the franchise's biggest problems. Miller was eventually traded in a deal involving Filip Chytil, but the move failed to stabilize the team.[00:01:30] Vancouver also faced uncertainty surrounding Brock Boeser's contract, Thatcher Demko's health, and Rick Tocchet's future behind the bench.[00:01:50] Tocchet ultimately chose to leave Vancouver despite previously winning the Jack Adams Award with the Canucks. He returned to Philadelphia, where he had been a popular player, raising additional questions about what he saw inside the Vancouver organization.[00:02:15] Boeser publicly indicated he would not re-sign with the Canucks, entered free agency, and then surprisingly returned to Vancouver on a new contract.[00:02:35] Kiefer Sherwood emerged as one of Vancouver's better players before being traded to the San Jose Sharks, removing another productive piece from the lineup.[00:02:55] The Canucks then made their biggest move by trading Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild amid concerns that he would not sign another contract in Vancouver.[00:03:20] Neil acknowledges that Vancouver received a respectable return in the Hughes trade, but emphasizes that no package can fully replace a player of his caliber.[00:03:40] Conor Garland, whose energy and competitiveness represented much of Vancouver's identity, was traded to Columbus and went on to play well for Rick Bowness and the Blue Jackets.[00:04:00] Veteran defenseman Tyler Myers was also moved to the Dallas Stars, leaving Vancouver without several recognizable pieces from its recent playoff team.[00:04:20] The Canucks' disastrous home record further illustrates how far the franchise has fallen. A team that appeared to be building momentum two seasons earlier becomes one of the league's biggest disappointments.[00:04:45] Vancouver's notable unrestricted free agents include Evander Kane, Teddy Blueger, and Derek Forbort, creating additional decisions for an already depleted roster.[00:05:05] The Canucks do possess a strong collection of draft capital, entering the 2026 NHL Draft with 10 selections.[00:05:25] Vancouver owns two first-round picks, including its original selection and another acquired through the Quinn Hughes trade.[00:05:45] The organization also holds two second-round picks and three sixth-round selections, giving management several opportunities to add young talent.[00:06:05] Neil believes the draft picks provide a possible foundation for improvement three years from now, but they do very little to solve Vancouver's immediate problems next season.[00:06:30] He explains that modern NHL team-building requires much more than simply accumulating picks and waiting for prospects to develop.[00:06:50] Successful organizations must balance drafting with trades, free-agent signings, player development, and creating an environment where established players want to join and remain with the team.[00:07:15] Neil compares the current NHL with his experience in Detroit during the 1980s, when teams could focus more heavily on collecting draft selections and patiently developing players.[00:07:40] Today's general managers must use draft picks as both future players and trade assets while simultaneously finding experienced talent to support the roster.[00:08:00] The episode concludes with a blunt assessment of Vancouver's direction. The Canucks have draft picks, but Neil does not believe the organization is currently drafting, trading, developing, or attracting players well enough to execute a successful rebuild.

Spring Cleaning – Vegas Golden KnightsThe Vegas Golden Knights captured the Pacific Division title and returned to the Stanley Cup Final, but the biggest story of their offseason wasn't their playoff run—it was the stunning decision to part ways with head coach John Tortorella just 48 hours after losing to the Carolina Hurricanes. Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down one of the NHL's most fascinating organizations, examining Vegas' win-now philosophy, looming salary-cap challenges, lack of draft capital, and what comes next for Kelly McCrimmon and George McPhee.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Golden Knights finish first in the Pacific Division with 95 points before defeating Utah and Anaheim, sweeping Colorado, and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final, where they fall to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games. Just two days later, Vegas shocks the hockey world by moving on from head coach John Tortorella.[00:00:35] Neil reacts to the surprising coaching change. Although the organization publicly praises Tortorella's work, the announcement does not suggest the separation was mutual, leaving many questions about what happened behind the scenes.[00:01:00] Unlike most Spring Cleaning episodes, Neil and Vic shift away from evaluating expectations and immediately focus on the uncertainty surrounding the franchise because the coaching situation overshadows everything else.[00:01:30] Vegas underachieves during the regular season despite boasting a star-studded lineup featuring Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Pavel Dorofeyev, and captain Mark Stone. Bruce Cassidy is replaced late in the year before Tortorella guides the team to a 7-0-1 finish and a deep playoff run.[00:02:15] While the Golden Knights fail to reach the 100-point mark many expected, their run to the Stanley Cup Final ultimately fulfills the organization's championship expectations.[00:02:45] The discussion turns to Kelly McCrimmon and George McPhee. Rather than analyzing player statistics, Neil focuses on the difficult roster decisions awaiting one of the NHL's most aggressive front offices.[00:03:15] Vegas has mortgaged much of its future in pursuit of championships. The organization owns no first-round selections until 2028 and only 14 total draft picks over the next three drafts.[00:03:45] The Golden Knights are projected to become the NHL's oldest team when free agency begins, carrying an average roster age of 31.2 years.[00:04:10] Vegas enters the 2026 NHL Draft with only four selections and no first-round pick after acquiring Noah Hanifin. The club also forfeits its second-round selection following an organizational media violation during the playoffs and no longer owns its fourth-round pick after acquiring Anthony Mantha.[00:04:50] Salary-cap flexibility is limited, with approximately $4.6 million in projected space. However, the Golden Knights could gain nearly $9 million more if Alex Pietrangelo remains on long-term injured reserve.[00:05:20] Neil explains the long-term risk of Vegas' aggressive "win-now" strategy. Every contender eventually pays the price for trading away future assets, just as the Rangers did several years after winning the Stanley Cup in 1994.[00:05:50] Even with Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, and young sniper Pavel Dorofeyev leading the offense, Neil stresses that three elite players alone cannot sustain a championship-caliber roster without continually replenishing talent.[00:06:20] Vegas' unrestricted free agents include Riley Smith, Cole Smith, Colton Sissons, Brandon Saad, Rasmus Andersson, Ben Hutton, Jeremy Lauzon, and Dylan Coghlan. Neil believes Andersson deserves another opportunity after an underwhelming but steady postseason.[00:07:10] Riley Smith and Jeremy Lauzon are also viewed as valuable pieces worth retaining if possible, while Vegas continues evaluating its veteran depth.[00:07:35] Restricted free agent Pavel Dorofeyev becomes the organization's top priority. Reports suggest he could receive a significant offer sheet, potentially forcing Vegas into one of the offseason's biggest contract negotiations.[00:08:10] Neil does not believe the Golden Knights will allow another team to steal Dorofeyev. Based on Vegas' history, he expects McCrimmon to match almost any offer necessary to keep one of the organization's young offensive stars.[00:08:45] Vic raises the possibility of accepting four first-round picks if Dorofeyev receives an offer sheet exceeding the highest compensation threshold. Neil rejects the idea, believing Vegas will continue operating aggressively rather than beginning a rebuild.[00:09:30] With the salary cap increasing significantly over the next two seasons, Neil expects Vegas to navigate the current financial squeeze before continuing its familiar strategy of chasing championships every year.[00:10:00] The search for a new head coach becomes the organization's biggest immediate priority. Henderson AHL coach Ryan Craig has been mentioned, but Neil questions whether Vegas would suddenly change philosophies after consistently hiring experienced NHL coaches.[00:10:40] Neil believes Kelly McCrimmon and George McPhee will once again pursue a proven veteran capable of managing expectations, pushing an experienced roster, and keeping the Golden Knights among the NHL's elite. Winning immediately—not developing for the future—remains the Vegas Golden Knights' identity.

Spring Cleaning – Toronto Maple LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs entered the 2025-26 season coming off a 108-point, first-place finish, but the loss of Mitch Marner, injuries, internal tension, and disappointing roster decisions sent the franchise in the opposite direction. Toronto missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016, leading to the dismissal of General Manager Brad Treliving and serious questions about Craig Berube's future. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine how the Maple Leafs' championship window slammed shut and why fixing the organization may take much longer than one offseason.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Maple Leafs are eliminated from playoff contention on April 2 after entering the season with high expectations following a 108-point campaign and a first-place finish in 2024-25.[00:00:25] The offseason trade of Mitch Marner creates an enormous offensive void. Toronto hopes Matthew Knies, Max Domi, Bobby McMann, and Nick Robertson can collectively replace Marner's production, but that offense-by-committee approach never develops.[00:00:50] Neil revisits his preseason concerns about the return for Marner and the overall construction of the roster. Even before the season began, he did not believe the Leafs were properly built for a deep playoff run.[00:01:10] Brad Treliving ultimately pays the price for the team's collapse. Neil emphasizes that Marner's value went far beyond his 100-point production because he was also one of Toronto's most dependable defensive forwards.[00:01:35] Auston Matthews' knee injury becomes another devastating setback. The Maple Leafs captain misses the final weeks of the season and faces a lengthy recovery following an injury suffered after leading the United States to Olympic gold.[00:02:00] Internal dysfunction contributes to the disappointing season. Neil points to tension between the coaching staff and management, along with widespread dissatisfaction over the direction of the team.[00:02:20] Craig Berube's coaching also comes under scrutiny. With Toronto missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade, questions immediately arise about whether he will return behind the bench.[00:02:40] The difficult relationship between Berube and William Nylander becomes one of the season's recurring storylines, with the two appearing to clash throughout much of the year.[00:03:00] Keith Pelley's role in hockey decisions is heavily criticized. Although Pelley insists he is not making the hockey decisions, Neil believes his public comments suggest otherwise.[00:03:25] Neil describes Pelley's leadership as “Buffoonery 101,” criticizing his statements about finding a data-focused general manager while simultaneously presenting opinions about the quality of Toronto's core.[00:03:50] Since taking control, Pelley has dismissed Brendan Shanahan, moved on from the Raptors' leadership, and remained highly visible as the Leafs' hockey operation deteriorated.[00:04:10] The next general manager inherits a deeply complicated situation. Toronto owns only six selections in the 2026 NHL Draft and has no picks in either of the first two rounds.[00:04:30] The Maple Leafs add an extra third-round selection through the Scott Laughton trade with Los Angeles and acquire another pick from Colorado in the Nicolas Roy deal.[00:04:50] Neil points out that the practical return from the Mitch Marner situation amounts to a fifth-round draft pick, a result he considers a major failure by the organization.[00:05:10] Toronto previously surrendered first-round picks in trades involving Laughton and Nikita Grebenkin, leaving the franchise with very little high-end draft capital returning in the other direction.[00:05:30] Many of the acquired selections do not arrive until 2027. If Colorado remains a contender, its pick will likely fall near the bottom of the round, while the picks Toronto traded away could become more valuable if the Leafs continue to struggle.[00:05:55] Neil expresses sympathy for Maple Leafs fans who have endured decades of disappointment. He believes the situation may become even more difficult before the franchise begins to recover.[00:06:15] Calle Järnkrok and Troy Stecher headline Toronto's unrestricted free agents, while Nick Robertson and Matias Maccelli are the notable restricted free agents requiring new contracts.[00:06:35] The episode concludes with a bleak assessment of Toronto's future. What once appeared to be one of the NHL's strongest championship windows now looks completely closed.[00:06:50] Neil does not simply believe the window is closing—he believes it has been slammed shut. The Maple Leafs now face a difficult organizational reset involving the front office, coaching staff, roster construction, and long-term direction.