Podcast appearances and mentions of Neil Smith

watch the video below: listen to the podcast below: It's time to close out yet another year of the Dandy Fun House. While all those “other shows” are slacking off and giving you retrospectives of everything they've already done in the past year, it is instead our tradition here at the Dandy Fun House to leave the past exactly there… in the past and instead look ahead to the brand spankin' new year coming at us like Frehley's Comet and take a glimpse at the coolest stuff we've been able to find that's waiting for us in 2026! We're going to look at theme parks, movies, pinball and of course the TOTY AWARD NOMINATION picks for the upcoming 2026 Toy of the Year Awards! Are you ready to get your kicks in 26? Then LET'S step into the FUN HOUSE! Hello and welcome to the Dandy Fun House 2025 year-end extravaganza where we wear the hats and blow our hooters about the very best in retro pop culture, toys and games and all the fun stuff! I’m your host Neil Dandy and in this episode we're going to look ahead at WHAT’S HOT ON THE HORIZON FOR 2026 in the worlds of theme parks, movies, pinball and my personal picks for the 2026 TOTY AWARDS (Toy of the Year). BUT FIRST! I have to show you these amazing DANDY FUN HOUSE T-Shirts before time runs out! Perfect for swaddling the baby new year, They have a front and a back so you don’t get cold and we even cut 4 holes in them! One to crawl your body into, one to stick your head out of and two to poke your arms through! Find them in the Dandy Fun Shop at the Dandy Fun House website at dandyfunhouse.com before the Dandy Ball Drops! Alrighty, hold on tighty and let’s get right into what's hot on the horizon for 2026 starting with… THEME PARKS! And up first is going to be UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, HOLLYWOOD (which isn't actually in Hollywood, it's in Studio City kind of like the LA Angels baseball team is actually in Anaheim and how they call the Embassy Suites here in Murfreesboro, Tennessee “Nashville South” which we absolutely are not. But anyway that's a rabbit hole rant for another day.) Anyway, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS in the greater Los Angeles, California area is breaking ground on a new roller coaster where each individual car experiences its very own 360 degrees of rotation. The coaster is called FAST AND FURIOUS HOLLYWOOD DRIFT themed after the Fast and Furious movies obviously. This one is expected to peel out in 2026! And Legoland California is busy building the Lego Galaxy space-themed land including an indoor roller coaster. Over at Kings Island in Ohio they're opening what they are calling a new “dark ride” in 2026 called “PHANTOM THEATER: Opening Nightmare.” It's in the location that has most recently held an attraction called Boo Blasters but is apparently the site of a previous attraction also called PHANTOM THEATER and this is apparently the return of that attraction with some various upgrades. I went to the Kings Island website to get more information and there's just a teaser video showing two girls walking into Boo Blasters and ending up in the Phantom Theater which appears to be a very loose sendup on the Phantom of the Opera. The cartoon phantom character they show in the teaser graphic is obviously based on the classic Lon Chaney silent film character, and visitors ride inside cars that resemble opera boxes. So… yeah. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (my neck of the woods kinda sorta) will be undertaking a $50 million expansion and also opening the world's first ever hybrid indoor family coaster and whitewater river raft ride called the “Night Flight Expedition.” Then under at Sea World, Orlando Florida they're diving into a new dark ride called SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep. If you don't know what a dark ride is, it basically means it's indoors and you get moved from scene to scene. It doesn't necessarily mean it's actually dark. Anyway, this new dark ride at Sea World Orlando will be what they are calling a suspended dark ride. The only information about this ride currently is that the rider will “discover dazzling ecosystems, legendary sea life, and breathtaking stories of resilience and wonder.” NEW MOBILITY DEVICE POLICY AT SEA WORLD! And speaking of Sea World, they have a controversial new policy which has been making the news lately that has just rolled out regarding mobility devices for the disabled. It appears that rollator walkers with seats are no longer permitted. The official updated policy from the Sea World website is as follows: “For the safety of our guests and employees, rollator walkers with seats on them are not permitted at SeaWorld Orlando. Alternative personal transportation options, including standard wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs), are available. Walkers without a seat are permitted.” I'm guessing that more than a few guests were using their rollators like wheelchairs and it was causing some sort of safety concern in the parks. As someone who transports disabled people as my profession and handles mobility devices all day long, I can tell you from personal experience that a wheelchair itself is something you need to exercise caution with while pushing someone around. A rollator walker would be very, very easy to tip over if someone were attempting to use it as a wheelchair. So while I am disappointed at the inconvenience some disabled guests are going to face with this new policy, I want to be very careful not to demonize Sea World too quickly on this new policy. Guests can still borrow suitable mobility devices from guest services. Ok, time to work our flippers over to the world of PINBALL! Here are the rumored pinball releases expected in 2026 that caught my eye during the research for this episode. Please keep in mind these are only rumors… AMERICAN PINBALL is rumored to be releasing a CUPHEAD pinball machine in 2026 based on the wildly popular video game featuring some amazing vintage animation styles. I'll admit I'm not familiar with the character or the video game but I do love this vintage cartoon style! SPOOKY PINBALL is said to be working on a MOTORHEAD pinball machine for 2026. NO offense to guitarist Wurzel or drummer Mickey Dee (now playing with the Scorpions) who were crucial to keeping the band going in its later years, but I'm really hoping it honors the original lineup of Lemmy, Philthy Phil and Fast Eddie! BARRELS OF FUN PINBALL appears to be cooking up some GOONIES pinball for the new year! RAMPS PINBALL will be coming out with LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS! Oh please let the carnivorous plant eat the ball! And last but not least in our pinball 2026 rumours we have PINBALL ADVENTURES bringing us SUSHI MADNESS! Ni Ohashi Kudasai ! And if you're REALLY a pinball nut as we know you are, you'll want to put March 20th through the 22nd on your calendar because that's when Frisco, Texas braces itself for the annual TEXAS PINBALL FESTIVAL! Over 440 games. One incredible weekend! The website says tickets go on sale October 4th 2026. I have to imagine that's a typo and they really mean 2025 otherwise only those with the ability for reverse time travel will be able to attend. There will be tournaments and challenges, special guests and panels, exhibitors, parts, memorabilia, new games and there will be a special tech day for those trying to upgrade and/or fix their own machines. That's the TEXAS PINBALL FESTIVAL 2026! Rope you a ticket today! Yeehaw! Alright, I think we're ready to “steer” away from pinball and “drive” this herd into… MOVIES! First I'll start with letting you know a few of my favorite movies of 2025 before we get into what's ahead for 2026: JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH: Ok, it was pretty much par for the course but it had Scarlett Johansson carrying the entire movie on her shoulders alone and she pulled it off amazingly! MICKEY 17: This is a movie about a guy who signs on to do very dangerous grunt work in space for a corporation and every time he gets killed, the company just prints out a new copy of him with all his same memories. The crux is that the new copy never knows if he's actually the person being reborn every time or if he really dies and the new copy just has his memories and merely thinks he's the same person. Weird stuff. THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS – After many fantastic fails at trying to make this work on the big screen, they finally got the Fantastic Four right! The retro future vibe was spot on and all the actors were perfect! SUPERMAN: I was really upset about losing Henry Cavill as Superman, but James Gunn came back with a fresh new fun feel on this one starring David Corenswet, even bringing in Supe's dog Krypto! This movie was just a great time! More please! THE SMASHING MACHINE: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a dramatic role co-starring Emily Blunt. It's the story of Mixed Martial arts and UFC Champion Mark Kerr and how he conquered his biggest opponent: addiction. And finally in my roundup of my favorite movies of 2025 I bring you… BUGONIA! This movie was a crazy trip with some really wild twists and many moments of pure cringe and I loved it! Starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons who seems to be showing up in everything lately! It's a story about two conspiracy nuts who kidnap a corporate CEO thinking she's a space alien trying to destroy the Earth. This was easily my biggest delightful surprise of 2025. But before we get to 2026, I'd like to give a special nod to TRON: ARES because I always expect anything starring Jared Leto to suck eggs and this did not! And SPINAL TAP II: The End Continues… Rest in peace Marty DiBergi. MOVIES I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2026! THE ODYSSEY Expected Jul 17, 2026: After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Circe along the way. starring Matt Damon, Mia Goth, and Anne Hathaway. This could be really good or it could be really stupid. I'm betting this is going to be good and double or nothing that Mia Goth will be a siren or maybe Medusa. I think she'd make a good Medusa! EVIL DEAD BURN Expected Jul 24, 2026 – I'm a sucker for the Evil Dead movies. This one is not likely to have any Bruce Campbell, but they're keeping the details under tight wraps for now so who knows? COYOTE VS. ACME Expected Aug 28, 2026 PG A story set in the ACME warehouse, the manufacturer of anything and everything used by the Looney Tunes characters. And apparently John Cena is voicing one of the characters! Oh please oh please oh please get this right! If 2025's “The Day The Earth Blew Up” starring Daffy Duck and Porky Pig is any indication, I think we can have high hopes here! Ooh, that’s another one of my favorites from 2025 I left off the list! INSPECTOR GADGET – No details are available but I think we're long overdue for some Go Go Gadget action! DUNE Part Three Expected Dec 18, 2026 It follows Muad’dib, heir to unimaginable power, as he brings to fruition the ancient scheme to create a superbeing ruler among men, not in the heavens. And according to imdb it’s starring Starring Rebecca Ferguson, Timothée Chalamet and Anya Taylor-Joy. Did you pick up what I just picked up? Zendaya is not listed as a cast member on IMDB! How can this IMD Be!? You tell me! PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN (untitled) – That's all we know folks. Hopefully they got things squared away with Johnny Depp. That is if they want to sell tickets. I AM LEGEND 2 – Military scientist Robert Neville seems the sole survivor in virus-ravaged New York. He’s waging a fight against “Darkseekers”, mutants resembling vampires trying to capture him as he searches for a cure. Starring Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan Alright! I could go for a sequel to I AM LEGEND! Especially when you add Michael B into the mix! I'd really like a sequel to iRobot but this'll do me for now! BLADE – That's right they are teasing a new Blade movie for 2026 with Mia Goth listed in the cast but of course the burning question is DO THEY HAVE WESLEY SNIPES??? They gave him a cameo as Blade in the Deadpool vs. Wolverine movie last year. But Snipes is NOT listed in the cast on IMDB as of yet! There is also an Untitled Denzel Washington Project Based on the historical figure of Hannibal, considered one of the greatest military commanders of all time. The film covers the crucial battles he led against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War. You had me at Denzel, not to mention I love historical action movies. Bring it on! THE BRIDE Expected Mar 6, 2026 In 1930s Chicago, Dr. Frankenstein asks Dr. Euphronius to help create a companion. They give life to a murdered woman as the Bride, sparking romance, police interest, and radical social change. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Christian Bale THIS IS THE ONE I'M WAITING FOR! Love Christian Bale and love the concept of setting the story of The Bride of Frankenstein in 1930's Chicago! Let's go! SCANDALOUS! This will be the story behind the Hollywood romance of Sammy Davis Jr. and actress Kim Novak. I love anything related to Sammy Davis Jr. “It's gonna be fantastic baby!” CLAYFACE – Expected Sep 11, 2026 A shape-shifting creature made of magical clay haunts Gotham City, alternating between villain and ally of Batman. Ok, it's a Batman villain and not a super obvious one! Looks interesting! EVEL KNIEVEL ON TOUR – This one is going to be about Legendary motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel and apparently the drama that surrounded the run-up to his 1974 attempt at jumping the Snake River Canyon in Idaho.Starring Leonardo DiCaprio Ok, first of all, Evel was planning to jump the Grand Canyon but couldn't get the ok from the US Government so he made a deal with an Indian tribe to jump the Snake River Canyon seeing how it was located on sovereign tribal land. Anyway, a new movie about Evel Knievel? Heck yeah! THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING – Expected Nov 20, 2026 This new installment of the Hunger Games will explore Panem 24 years before Katniss’ saga, starting on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, where a young Haymitch Abernathy participates. Ok, this could be alright. I'm not super excited about it but I could be swayed since it won't have Jennifer Lawrence in it. And that's it for THE MOVIES I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2026! Now for TOYS! What I like to do this time of year is see what toys from 2025 have been nominated in various categories for a coveted TOY OF THE YEAR award otherwise known as a TOTY and let you know my personal picks, not that anyone in the industry is giving me a vote. Maybe someday. BUT TODAY I bring you MY PERSONAL 2026 TOTY AWARD NOMINEE PICKS! ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR: I like Avatar Interactive Shoulder Banshee by Disney Consumer Products – This thing looks pretty cool. It's basically a small, colorful looking dragon that sits on your shoulder and attaches via a magnetic base you wear under your clothing. A handheld controller allows you to control head and wing movements as well as its voice. This thing is pretty darn awesome! In the COLLECTIBLES category: There are two different nominees that caught my eye. One is Sticki Rolls Series 2 by Sky Castle Toys which is basically charm bracelets marketed to girls with rolls of small stickers on them with different fun graphics. The other nominee I like is Wigglitz by ZB Designs. These are tiny toy figurines of almost every type of fun character you can imagine that have some sort of wiggly aspect to them, or better put: something that moves when you wiggle them. If I had to choose between these two, I'd probably go with Wigglitz because it's something you'll get continual enjoyment from whereas the Sticki Rolls are only fun until you run out of stickers. CONSTRUCTION PLAYSET OF THE YEAR: I have to give it to GeckoBot 2.0 by Thames & Kosmos, This is a kit where you build your very own robotic gecko that actually climbs up your windows. Thames & Kosmos just keeps knocking it out of the park! CREATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR: Crayola Marker Airbrush has got my vote (that is if I HAD A VOTE which I don't!). If you've ever dreamed of someday making awful-looking t-shirts and hats on the boardwalk, then THIS could be your starter kit! It's an actual working airbrush sprayer courtesy of everyone's favorite crayon company, Crayola! It even comes with various spray color cartridges so you start saying it by spraying it! DOLL OF THE YEAR: Admittedly, I as a 57 year old man should absolutely NOT be voicing my opinion on the Doll of the Year Award (DOTY award?) but if I had to choose from the list of 2026 nominees I would hands-down pick Woof & Co by Sunny Days Entertainment. It's a collection of fashionable dogs of various breeds who all dress FABULOUS! Yeah, this is the one I'd go for. EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR: In this category I am really liking the SNAP CIRCUITS SPY KIT by Elenco Electronics. This has a bunch of components that you just snap together to make all sorts of cool stuff like a vibration sensor, motion detector, trip wire, voice changer and a whole lot more. Oh the trouble I would have gotten myself into if I had something like this when I was a kid! GAME OF THE YEAR: I've gotta tell you, there's not a bad one in the bunch of nominees this year for Game of the Year! They've got an EXPLODING KITTENS BOARD GAME where you actually flip the entire board and all the pieces stay in place! There's a Simon game (you know, the memory game Simon?) where they took it and incorporated it into a dance mat called SIMON JUMP. So you stomp out your moves on the dance mat! Then there's COWS IN SPACE where magnetic flying saucers dangle from your forehead via a sproingy headstrap and the object is to abduct cows from a field with your flying saucer! But the game that caught my attention the most was TETRIS TUMBLE XL! It's sort of like Giant Jenga except there is a base that rocks side to side and you roll a die to see what tetris pieces you have to stack on top of it and of course whoever makes the stack fall to the ground is the LOSER! I like this. It's like a great big fun yard game you could also play in your living room. TETRIS TUMBLE XL for Game of the Year is my choice! INFANT / TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR: Ok, maybe another category I might not be the best judge for but I'm who you've got pal! And in this category I choose Pour ‘N’ Grow Pop-Up Garden by Yookidoo. This appears to be mainly a bath time toy kit but you could play with it really anywhere as long as you have some water onhand. It's pretty simple: you've got three different toys, The fill and water flower, Peek A Bee and Pop Up Worm. You pour water into them or onto them and the water turns some internal mechanisms to make the flower open, the worm come out and wiggle or gets the bee to play peek a bee with you! Very unique and inventive and in my opinion, the absolute best of this year's bunch! KIDULT TOY OF THE YEAR: Kidult? That means it's made for ages 14 and up. And I'm really torn down the middle between two nominees on this one. I like the Miniverse Make it Mini Food Diner Series 4 by MGA Entertainment which is an art kit for making your own food minis that you control the designs and colors of. Have you ever walked past a restaurant that had fake food on display showing examples of their most popular dishes? Well that's what you'll be making with this kit only really, really small. The name is way too long though. Or if you just want something cool to play with that doesn't really take any time and effort, I offer you the ZipString Aracna, which is a newer version of the ZipString string loop toy, but it attaches to your wrist so you can shoot it out like Spiderman! (although they obviously aren't allowed to actually invoke Spiderman but they sure are bending over backwards suggesting it as extremely as they legally can!) The really cool feature of this Kidult toy of the year nominee is the glow feature! Flip a switch on the ZipString wrist launcher, turn off the lights and do all sorts of awesome tricks and shapes in the dark with a glowing string loop. So… Miniverse Make it Mini Food Diner Series 4 or the the ZipString Aracna! The Miniverse Make it Mini Food Diner Series 4 triggers me relentlessly with that obnoxiously long name, so on that basis alone I am giving the nod to the ZipString Aracna! OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR: I think there should really be two sub categories here. One for younger kids and one for older. For the older kids, I was really blown away by the Crazy Cart Shuffle by Razor USA. This thing is like a Big Wheel or a Green Machine on steroids. Not only can you pedal around in this thing but you can spin and also drift. It's really neat. And speaking of neat, for the little ones I absolutely love the Outdoor Kitchen by Hape. It's not a real kitchen of course but it's a really cool miniature toy version of an outdoor kitchen setup! Come on TOTY Awards, let's break this one up by age groups! PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR: Ok, there were some good ones in here and maybe I'm judging on my own male bias from a bygone era but my favorite here was the Little Tikes Creative Construction Power Cuts Set by MGA Entertainment. It's a woodworking shop playset with an actual working , low-powered plastic chop saw which cuts through foam 2x4s and also comes with a play hammer, nails, measuring tape and carpenter pencil which is actually a marker. In the video demonstration I watched, the chop saw did struggle getting through the foam wood, but when you're talking about preschoolers, that's probably about the best you can hope for. We desperately need more encouragement and inspiring of our youth towards the skilled trades in my humble opinion and this is a refreshing step in that direction. Nicely done! SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR: I was truly taken by the Yes & Know Original Invisible Ink Trivia Game Books by Tree Town Toys. These are basically activity books where different things are revealed with the use of a special invisible ink pen. This looks fantastic for keeping the younguns busy on a road trip or maybe in a waiting room or anywhere you want to keep them distracted. That is until you run out of invisible ink and invisible ink activity books! And those are my picks for the 2026 TOTY AWARDS and THAT'S our look ahead at what's hot on the horizon for 2026! What are YOU looking forward to? Let me know! If you’re enjoying this episode on one of the socials, leave a comment. Otherwise you can email me at neil @ dandyfunhouse . com And even though I said I wasn't going to do a retrospective of this past year, I will tell you my favorite Dandy Fun House episode from this past year of 2025: Oh, who am I kidding? It's always the Halloween episode where the Dandy Fun House becomes the Dandy Spook Shack and I get to dress up like a ghoul. But my second favorite might have to be the deep dive into the iconic toy company WHAM-O! I learned so much doing that one! You might think I just come on here and already know all this stuff I talk about but on the contrary, I do a great deal of research in the weeks leading up to producing an episode and I'm constantly learning amazing new things which is why I really love doing this! DANDY FUN HOUSE Plans for 2026? More of the same of course! We're getting really close to monetization on YouTube. Technically we're already supposed to be there but YouTube gives conflicting information on this and is notorious for constantly moving the goalposts. So while we love publishing to YouTube, we certainly don't put all our Dandy Eggs in that basket. We also publish to Instagram, Facebook, X, Tik Tok and Rumble as well as our very own DANDY FUN HOUSE WEBSITE AT dandyfunhouse.com where you can watch the video, listen and subscribe to the podcast or read the entire episode in written form along with pictures! Who does that!? WE DO! THAT'S WHO! And we do it by hand. No AI stuff. Okay, full disclosure, we DO use AI to help transcribe the episodes into written form and also the captions for the short form videos, but it always gets things wrong so we always go over it personally and make the needed corrections. But while you're on our website checking out all the episodes and buying stuff from the Dandy Fun Shop, be sure to visit our PATRONAGE PAGE where you can support future productions with your modest financial gifts! SUPPORTERS gain access exclusive bonus content AND SUPER SUPPORTERS gain that same access plus I’ll personally send you something amazing from right here at the Dandy Fun House Studios if you include your mailing address! Podcast Listeners may often support through a donation link in your listening app of choice of the app offers it, I understand not all do. And your 5 star reviews wherever you can leave them are always highly appreciated! And THAT ladies and gentlemen sticks a fork in 2025. Please don't forget the reason for the season, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and come on back next year for some amazing new frivolities in 2026! You never know what kind of crazy trouble we could get into, right here at the Dandy Fun House where everything is always FUN AND DANDY! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everybody! Neil Dandy is the creator of The Dandy Fun House and the alter-ego of Neil Smith, the Big Cheese at Neil Smith Entertainment, follower of Jesus, musician, Emcee, Paratransit Driver and Author. Aren't you impressed?

Neil Smith, Glenn Healy, and John Davidson reunite to relive the 1994 Rangers' legendary Stanley Cup run. From Mike Keenan's controversial hiring to the franchise-altering trade deadline, this is the untold story of how the President's Trophy champions assembled. Hear about Mark Messier's leadership transforming the culture, the Butch Goring comparisons, the expansion draft chess moves that brought Glenn Healy aboard, and Neil Smith's calculated gamble trading beloved stars Tony Amonte and Mike Gartner. This is Part 1 of a 5-episode series celebrating 30 years since Broadway's greatest parade.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] - Welcome to 1994 Forever: 5-part series on the Rangers' 54-year championship drought ending[02:00] - Neil Smith, Glenn Healy, John Davidson: three generations of Rangers history united[03:00] - 30 years later: erasing three generations of misery for grandfathers, fathers, and sons[04:00] - John Davidson's playing career: 1979 Finals heartbreak against Montreal, losing 4 straight after 2-0 series lead[06:00] - JD's broadcasting evolution: watching championship teams league-wide, telling Neil "You're the best team"[08:00] - The tense Game 7 moment: Neil on a crate backstage, JD saying "This thing isn't done yet"[10:00] - Steve Larmer's last face-off: pinning his man against the glass even after time expired[11:00] - Glenn Healy's Islanders comparison: first day of Rangers camp realizing "This team is 10 times better"[12:00] - The depth advantage: death by committee, games decided in 30 minutes, Richter making 27 saves to close[13:00] - Mark Messier's arrival in 1991: the glue that transformed individuals into a championship team[15:00] - The Oiler connection: purposefully acquiring Edmonton champions, "Who better to get than winners?"[16:00] - Stanley Campbell's famous quote: "No more Oilers!" Neil's response: "What do you want, Sharks and Senators?"[17:00] - John Davidson as sounding board: not just a broadcaster, a crucial voice without emotional investment[18:00] - Benny Patrisse story: World War II veteran towel boy, Mark Messier ensuring he got a championship ring[20:00] - "Everybody mattered": from the stretch guy to the color commentator, complete team culture[21:00] - Mike Keenan's April 1993 hiring: handling elite-level players, the only available proven championship coach[23:00] - 1993 expansion draft crisis: protecting Mike Richter over John Vanbiesbrouck, the pressure of getting nothing back[24:00] - The Pat Quinn trade: Vanbiesbrouck to Vancouver for "future considerations" Doug Lidster with 5 minutes to deadline[26:00] - Glenn Healy acquisition: secondary expansion draft, getting the Islanders goalie who "beats us all the time"[28:00] - Greg Gilbert free agent signing and Paul Broten waiver loss for Mike Hudson depth addition[29:00] - Alexander Karpovtsev trade: Pierre Pagé asking for Mike Hartman, Krister Ström's scouting gem from Quebec[31:00] - Steve Larmer holdout: the Iron Man refusing to play for Chicago, Pulford refusing to trade to Keenan's team[32:00] - The Hartford three-way: James Patrick and Darren Turcotte for Larmer and Nick Kypreos bonus[33:00] - Training camp in London: French's Challenge vs Maple Leafs, complete roster bonding from day one[34:00] - Mike Keenan's kindest act: 5 days off in London, team bonding at 100% body fat together[35:00] - Nick Kypreos singing "Brandy": Mark Messier's reaction - "This little puke better be able to play"[36:00] - Alexander Karpovtsev shirtless: "Did we just sign a plumber?" - Dean Martin body, championship player[38:00] - The corporate culture shift: London trip bonding suits with players, no longer cold corporate Madison Square Garden[39:00] - Mike Keenan disappearing act: Neil searching for him on London flight, he...

Captain Dennis Potvin, left wing John Tonelli, and defenseman Ken Morrow continue their celebration of the Islanders dynasty with Part 2. From the exhaustion of overtime to the relief of Bobby Nystrom's famous goal, the legends share what happened after May 24, 1980. Hear stories about defending four straight championships, the brutal 1982 Pittsburgh comeback, dominating Gretzky's young Oilers with defensive strategy, Billy Smith's battling mentality, the controversial 2-3-2 format that ended the dynasty in 1984, and why 19 consecutive playoff series wins will never be matched.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] - Overtime exhaustion: fear as the greatest motivator, never doubting the heart of champions against Philadelphia's 35-game unbeaten streak.[01:00] - Ken Morrow's head between his knees: missing Bobby Nystrom's winning goal because of complete physical exhaustion.[02:00] - Afternoon game disruption: how the unusual 3pm start on CBS threw off routines and added to the difficulty.[03:00] - John Tonelli's celebration: nobody jumped and celebrated like JT in those days, the famous jumping moment.[04:00] - Dennis Potvin's flashbulb memory: tasting the lead from old-fashioned camera flashes exploding throughout Nassau Coliseum.[05:00] - Fans storming the ice: security couldn't hold back the celebration, Bobby Trottier never touching the Cup on ice.[06:00] - The moment it sinks in: "Holy fuck, we've won the Stanley Cup" - processing what none of them had ever done before.[07:00] - Relief before joy: Ken Morrow's first feeling was relief from not having to practice or play another shift.[08:00] - John Tonelli's exhaustion: slow-motion pass to Nystrom, going home to bed after 20 minutes at Bill Torrey's party.[09:00] - Dennis Potvin's Jean Beliveau moment: thinking of his childhood hero raising the Cup, then giving it to Clark Gillies first.[11:00] - Defending champions 1980-81: best record at 110 points, sweeping Toronto, beating young Oilers in six, Rangers in six, Minnesota in five.[12:00] - Butch Goring wins Conn Smythe: the catalyst from March 1980 carrying through, Neil Smith joins the organization.[13:00] - Barry Beck's famous quote: "They know what we're gonna do before we do it" - Islander scouting and preparation.[14:00] - Bill Torrey's genius: surrounding himself with great people, letting them do their jobs, the hallmark of championship organizations.[15:00] - The Putsy Tonelli trade: Bill sending John's brother away, then bringing him back to win two Cups together.[16:00] - Putsy's locker room presence: nobody better than John's brother for team morale and support, the intangibles that matter.[17:00] - 1982 Pittsburgh collapse: up 2-0 in series, 3-1 late in game five, owner tells Penguins fans not to come.[18:00] - The Al Arbor warmup trick: pulling Billy Smith on power play to buy time, rule changed after this game.[19:00] - John Tonelli's quick release tying goal: puck jumping over Randy Carlyle's stick, Michel Dion standing on his head.[20:00] - Tonelli's overtime winner: reaction shot that caught everyone off guard, vintage Bossy-style release.[21:00] - Ken Morrow's desperation slide: taking away the 2-on-1 pass, Mike Bullard hitting the post instead of scoring.[22:00] - Mike Bossy's parallel-to-ice goal: flying horizontal while backhanding the puck, greatest goal Kenny ever saw.[24:00] - 1984 Finals vs. Cocky Oilers: Gretzky, Messier, Coffey, Kurri getting all the headlines as the new machine.[25:00] - Billy Smith's Game 1 masterpiece: 35-save shutout, greatest goaltending performance in NHL history according to Morrow.[26:00] - Raising the level: Islanders' ability to meet any challenge and play just a bit better, matching Edmonton's intensity.[27:00] - The Gretzky strategy: taking away his options, not attacking

Ken Holland, the legendary hockey executive, joins the show to discuss his surprising move to become Vice President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings. After a distinguished career that included building championship teams in Detroit and Edmonton, Holland shares insights on his transition to LA, his philosophy on team building, and what it takes to construct a Stanley Cup contender in the modern NHL.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] - Ken Holland joins the show and discusses his unexpected move to become VP/GM of the Los Angeles Kings after a stint in the NHL's hockey operations department.[01:00] - The Western roots that made the LA opportunity attractive, and Holland's relationship with Luke Robitaille and the Anschutz ownership group.[02:00] - A lighthearted look back at Holland's near-career as an Electrolux vacuum salesman before Neil Smith and Jim Devellano recruited him as a scout in 1985.[03:00] - Holland's analysis of his former team, the Edmonton Oilers, and what makes them different in their current playoff run.[05:00] - The Stuart Skinner question: understanding goaltender consistency and the pressure of playing in Canada with elite forwards.[07:00] - Holland's first priorities as Kings GM: decisions on key unrestricted free agents including Matt Roy on defense and David Rittich in goal.[10:00] - How team building has evolved over 30 years in the NHL, from Holland's days with Detroit to the modern salary cap era.[12:00] - The most important decisions a GM makes: the coach and the goaltender, plus the critical role of defensive structure.[15:00] - Evaluating Darcy Kuemper and the Kings' goaltending situation moving forward.[17:00] - Building the perfect roster: size, speed, skill, compete level, and why it's a two-goalie league.[20:00] - Will the league shift toward physicality after Florida's success, or will skill players remain premium assets?[23:00] - Holland's thoughts on the remaining playoff teams and what makes championship-caliber organizations.[25:00] - Reflecting on the mentorship of Neil Smith and Jim Devellano, and how a phone call in 1985 changed everything.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #KenHolland #LosAngelesKings #EdmontonOilers #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #DetroitRedWings #StuartSkinner #DarcyKuemper #LukeRobitaille #StanleyCup #HockeyGM #CalvinPickard #DrewDoughty #MattRoy #DavidRittich #RobBlake #BillRanford #WarrenFoegele #QuintonByfield #BrandtClarke #JimmyDevellano #ScottyBowman #ChrisChelios #Nicklidstrom #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #MattiaasEkholm #ChrisOsgood

Kenny McLean from the Jim Clark Museum shows us around the fantastic exhibits and talks about the local farmer who became arguably the world's greatest-ever racing driver. Paul Jurd explores Clark's magnificent 1965 season and explains some of Jim's unique achievements to Jim Roller and Paul Tarsey. Gabes Ewbank from Race Retro lets us know what we can expect at the UK's leading motorsport show in February, TV commentator Alex Jacques chats to Roller and Tarsey about some of his ‘greatest hits' in the last 75 years of F1, and Jodi Ellis John Nickas and Neil Smith launch volumes four and five of the magnum opus ‘Yanks at Le Mans'.

In this engaging conversation, Neil Smith shares his journey from being a vocational pastor to an entrepreneur in New York City. He discusses the challenges and joys of raising a family in the city, the importance of community, and the unique experiences that come with living in such a vibrant place. Neil also delves into the impact of technology on parenting, the journey of content creation, and the significance of faith and support from the community during challenging times. He concludes by sharing his current projects and the transition he is navigating in his professional life.Faith Driven EntrepreneurAmplify Social MediaComing to New York City PodcastFrancis Faith Ministries

Pastor Neil Smith is the International Director of Planetshakers Church, Australia - not only that, he is part of the family at !Audacious Church and he visited us November bringing an incredible message. Catch up on 'Don't settle' - here

If you have any prayer requests, we'd love to pray with you! Send your prayer requests to https://favor.church/prayer so our team can pray for you!__We love hearing testimonies because it helps build our faith! If you have a testimony to share, let us know at https://favor.church/testimonies__ Is it your first time? We have a special gift waiting for you to welcome you to our family. We'd love to get to know you! Visit https://favor.church/imnew to know more!__ Did you pray the salvation prayer? Best decision ever! You don't have to go through this faith journey alone. We'd love to tell you more about the decision and help you with your next steps. Please visit https://favor.church/isaidyes__️ At Favor Church, we give with hearts that are grateful for what God has done for us. To give tithes and offerings, visit https://give.favor.church__Check out where we're doing church this week through our social media and website pages! To get more information, visit https://favor.church/checkitout__ Want to sign-up for any of the events happening in Favor Church? Visit https://favor.church/manilanews to register__CONNECT WITH US: / favor.mnl / favor.mnl / favor_church https://www.favor.church__#favorchurch#churchforimperfectpeople#thefamilyyouvebeenlookingfor

watch video below! listen to the podcast below! It’s scary season once again which means it’s time for the Dandy Spook Shack Halloween Special! This year we’re haunting the Spirit Store to see what’s new. We’ll also have a look at the new MUPPETIZED Monster Cereals with one very conspicuous absence and I will share my favorite fright flicks of 2025 along with what’s hot on the horizon! It’s alive! Halloween 2025! Let’s step into the SPOOK SHACK!  Hello and welcome to the DANDY SPOOK SHACK annual Halloween special! 2025! I’m your ghost, Necro Neil Dandy and in this season’s spooktacular, we’ll be visiting the Spirit Store to see what’s new this ghoul year. We’ll also talk about the most notable scary movies of 2025 thus far and the ones to watch out for on the creepy horizon. And last but not least, we’ll feast!… Our eyes upon the new box designs for the classic Monster Cereals by Jim Henson Studios with one very notable character that has apparently been given the deathly cold shoulder!  BUT FIRST! I’d like you to drink in these frighteningly fashionable DANDY FUN HOUSE t-shirts!  Woven from the threads of my dungeon spiders, you’re going to look drop dead fabulous. They come with fronts AND backs because nobody should be backless walking through the chill of a nighttime graveyard alone don’t you agree? Want to abscond with one for yourself? Simply visit the Dandy Fun Shop at the official Dandy Fun House website at dandyfunhouse.com and orders yours this evening. And if you’re watching closely watching on YouTube, we have a miniature Dandy Fun Shop set up there as well! Absurdity is Amplified at the Dandy Fun Shop!  Ok, let us begin with a visit to the Spirit Halloween store to see what’s freshly alive for 2025! SPIRIT STORE 2025 We visited the Spirit Store in Nashville’s Opry Mills where the legendary theme park Opryland used to stand… but that’s a story for another time. We wanted to see what was new for Halloween 2025 and we were not disappointed. As we entered, we noticed the centerpiece for this year was haunted subway system. Very original. Of course it was monster rat infested which was quite a shock to the conductor. Once we escaped the train we took in a little animatronic target practice on a decapitated clown. Mama’s not gonna like this! Scary clowns seem to be a thing this year. Moving on from the animatronics, we find an assortment of un-welcome mats for the front door including the Bates Motel complete with bloody footprints, Mars Attacks, with Killer Klowns and Pennywise keeping the clown theme alive. M3gan seems to still be holding her own with the young ladies (you know it’s the dance)! And for the little ones we have the cutesy line of dolls known as Tiny Terrors with adorable baby versions of Chucky, Frankenstein’s little monster and Little Mikey Meyers. Moving on to more costumes we find many food items like pizza and ramen which is about all you’ll be able to afford after blowing your paycheck in this place, hard tea and you can also make yourself a few fries short of a happy meal dress as a pack of french fries. For the couples you can be chips and salsa, plug and socket, peanut butter and jelly or milk and cookie Awww! There’s also a great assortment of inflatable costumes like the inflatable banana, penguin, alien abduction, blow up chicken, big rubber chicken so you can throw yourself at Svengoolie, chicken abduction and giant balloon animal! Also I didn’t realize that Spongebob was still so popular but there’s an entire wall with every sort of Spongebob Squarepants character you can imagine and you can even buy your own supersized spatula perfect for flipping your crabby pattys and also for scraping your carcass out the door and back into the mall once your cash has all run dry in the Spirit Store 2025! Ya know, every year I always wonder just how the Spirit Store is going to top itself from the previous year and they always do. The animatronics get better, the products overall get better and there's always something new like for example, I don't recall seeing the Terror Tots before this year and I just thought making those iconic movie monsters into cute dolls was just a really neat idea. And speaking of movie monsters, I think it's time we have a look over…  THE MOST NOTABLE SCARY MOVIES OF 2025! Ok, now why am I calling this the most NOTABLE scary movies of 2025 instead of my favorites? Quite honestly it's because, while I have seen my fair share of them, I haven't seen them all. There's just too many and when it comes to certain types of scary movies like vampires, zombies and themes that have really been beaten into the ground, it's tough to motivate me to go see a show about a type of monster I have already seen a thousand times before. Therefore I'm going to do a rundown of the notable ones that stand out to me whether I've seen them or not and also give you my thoughts on the ones I have seen, then at the end I'll let you know which upcoming scary movies I'm looking forward to in 2026! Sound good? Alright, let's get started! SINNERS: I have not seen this one but it tops Rotten Tomatoes as the number one scary movie of 2025 and stars Michael B Jordan. It's set in 1932 and revolves around a pair of criminal brothers who return to their hometown and find themselves confronted by a supernatural evil which turns out to be vampires. I'm sorry but I'm sick of vampire movies. I'm sick of zombie movies. I like the fact that it's set in 1932 and has a great lead actor but come on, let's do something more original here.  COMPANION: Ok, I haven't seen this one either but after reading the synopsis, I'm intrigued and thinking I need to pull this one up at home and give it a watch! Companion is a science fiction thriller about a couple, Iris and Josh, who go on a weekend getaway with friends to a remote cabin. The trip spirals into chaos when Iris discovers she is a companion robot controlled by Josh, leading to a series of violent and shocking events as she fights for her autonomy! I like it! WEAPONS: I did see this one and I must say, it was pretty good! It's about an entire elementary school classroom that goes missing except for one child. It's an investigative part thriller , part horror movie involving witchcraft. The ending is fantastic and fantastically hilarious dark comedy.  28 YEARS LATER: I did not see this one mainly because it's a sequel of a sequel of a sequel and I'm just over it, not to mention it's just another zombie flick. The only reason I'm mentioning it here is because it has been a very successful franchise thus far so it is actually notable. I just have no interest in it at all.  THE LONG WALK: This is one that has been recently in the theatres and has a somewhat original plot in that there's this group of people being forced to walk no slower than 3 miles per hour and whomever is the last one remaining is the only one who is allowed to live. Ok, it's original. It's just not interesting, at least not to me. I live near the historic trail of tears. You want to make a horror movie about people being walked to death? Make a movie about that because it actually happened! LONGLEGS: I saw this one which co-stars Nicolas Cage and revolves around an FBI investigation which turns up some very disturbing occult happenings. Nic Cage turned in an amazing performance as if one would expect anything less. By the way, if you're wondering why Nic Cage has been turning up in a million oddball B-Movies as of late, it's because he supposedly racked up a mountain of debts from living like… Nic Cage and he decided that instead of declaring bankruptcy that he would pull himself out of the red by taking on every oddball role he's offered until he gets his finances back in the black. I for one am hoping he never gets his finances back in order because I am thoroughly enjoying all these whacked out mini productions he keeps popping up in! A QUIET PLACE DAY ONE: I saw this one and thought it was fantastic! If you're familiar with the Quiet Place series of movies then you already know that Earth was invaded by blind aliens who hunt by sonar. SO if you want to live, you have to stay completely silent. There's a terminally ill woman with a kitty cat and all she wants is to get across town for a slice of her favorite pizza before her time runs out, when the alien invasion happens. Along the way, she happens to team up with a young businessman who decides in the midst of sheer hell on earth, that he's going to help this woman get her dying wish of achieving her favorite slice of pizza. I'd have to say, this was easily my favorite scary movie of 2025 even if it was the third installment of a sequel. Great original story line and fantastic acting.  SMILE 2: I'll just say it, I didn't care for the original so I didn't bother with this one.  NOSFERATU: This historically was the silent film that Dracula was derived from and has many, many similarities. The only big name actor here is Willem Dafoe and he is mainly relegated to a supporting role. I suppose it's neat in that they brought the original vampire movie to life for modern audiences, but my opinion is that they got the story polished and perfected with Dracula and while I can respect what they've done here, it's just not really needed.  ABIGAIL: A little kid vampire who likes to toy with her victims. Once again, I'm sick of vampire movies so I didn't subject myself to this.  ALIEN: ROMULUS: I saw this one. It was the same ol same ol. A bunch of people in space encounter the aliens. A bunch of them die and a couple of them make it out alive.  ARCADIAN: Here's another one of those Nic Cage clawing out of debt movies! I saw it and it was decent. In a post-pandemic world a single father (Cage) and his two teenage sons try to survive in a a world where they have to hole up in their fortified farmhouse at night to protect themselves from bloodthirsty creatures who hate the light so they only hunt at night. It was ok. Just ok.  BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE: Yep, I saw it. Was it as good as the original? Nope not hardly. Was it still good? Yes it was good and worth seeing. Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton were both amazing. Nothing really stood out about it however other than the fact that Michael Keaton can still deliver a character this physically demanding after all these years. RESPECT! METH GATOR: I know a guy who's in this movie and happened across it while channel surfing one day and said what the heck, let's watch it. It's largely a mindless B-Movie that's so bad it's good. I will say there is a part in the movie where my friend Wade Williams delivers a monologue which I thought was an incredible bit of acting. And about the only bit of acting in this movie at all. It's a fun, campy, bloody escape. If you liked Cocaine Bear, you'll like Meth Gator. I'm still waiting for Crack-o-dile! M3GAN 2.0: I really like the premise of M3GAN and I saw the first movie but didn't see this one. I have caught a few clips online however. My feeling is that they accomplished what they needed to in the first movie and bringing her back as the hero instead of the villain was a misstep and the clips I have seen have only bolstered that opinion.  And then you have a smattering of movies which have taken classic characters who have aged out of their copyright protections and have been gloriously turned into Scary Sendups! Some examples would be PETER PAN'S NEVERLAND NIGHTMARE, SCREAMBOAT (which is a horror sendup of Steamboat Willie which is where Mickey Mouse made his debut to the world), and last but not least we have POPEYE THE SLAYER MAN which is one I had in my list of upcoming must-sees from last year! Well… I saw it. And while it is quite gory, I thought it was overall pretty decent. Popeye has holed himself up for decades in an abandoned warehouse by the docks living on tainted spinach which has made him homicidally crazy. Basically anyone who dares to enter the warehouse he lives in gets their head crushed by Popeye's bare hands. In a nice twist revealed towards the latter part of the movie, he and Olive Oyl's daughter tries to rescue Popeye from his addiction to glowing spinach but ultimately fails and Popeye continues on as a murderous maniac with hopefully many sequels to come.  There were also two other Popeye horror releases this past year: POPEYE'S REVENGE which I attempted to watch on TV but it was so bad I turned it off about a quarter of the way in. And then there's SHIVER ME TIMBERS which I have only seen the trailer for and it appears to be the worst one of the three.  And that mummy wraps up the scary movie rundown of 2025! But what am I looking forward to in 2026 you ask?  THE BRIDE: (March 2026) THIS is the one to watch for! Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Christian Bale, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Penelope Cruz, Annette Bening, Jeannie Berlin, Julianne Hough, Peter Sarsgaard and more. It's an all-star modern interpretation of the Bride of Frankenstein and the trailer looks amazing! I absolutely cannot wait! EVIL DEAD BURN (July 2026), Ok, I'm a sucker for the Evil Dead movies even without Bruce Campbell, but of course they would be better with him it goes without saying.  And that's our Dandy Spook Shack Scary Movie Rundown but we've got just one more item to get to before we close the coffin lid on this year's Halloween Special and that would be the very special treatment the Classic Monster Cereals have gotten this year from Jim Henson! That's right, they have muppetized Count Chocula, Frankenberry, Boo Berry, Yummy Mummy and Frute Brute. And the characters look amazing! They really did a fantastic job… BUT! I have a skeleton bone to pick with General Mills! They left out their newest monster, coolest monster and while I'm not a particularly social warrior type of ghoul, it's notable that the character they left out is the first and only female monster they have ever introduced. Basically what I'm trying to say is… WHERE THE HECK IS CARMELLA CREEPER!? Did General Mills actually discontinue her? Carmella Creeper was amazing! Was it because her cereal wasn't very popular? Granted, caramel apple flavored cereal isn't exactly the most appealing flavor in the world, but let's be honest here. With the exception of Count Chocula, all the monster cereals taste like cubes of sugar-coated styrofoam! I'm sorry, they just do! Nobody buys these for the cereal. The only reason people buy them is for the monsters. And Carmella Creeper was a fantastic new monster and I'm upset that she wasn't given her due.  I'd like to know what YOU think about the notable exclusion of Carmella Creeper from this year's Monster Cereal lineup. Please let me know in the comments of whatever platform you may be devouring this special Halloween 2025 edition of the Dandy Spook Shack or just drop a line through the Dandy Fun House website at www.dandyfunhouse.com where you'll also find our Dandy Fun Shop along with the PATRONAGE PAGE should you wish to support future productions.  SUPPORTERS get access to exclusive bonus features not available to the general public And SUPER SUPPORTERS get all that same stuff PLUS I'll mail you something ghoulish from right here at the Dandy Spook Shack IF you provide your mailing address! Maybe a ball of fluff from Carlamity the Dogsaster! PODCAST LISTENERS may support via the donation button in your listening app of choice IF the app supports it And FIVE STAR REVIEWS anywhere you can leave them will always gain our UNDEAD SUPPORT! OK, that closes the coffin lid on yet another Halloween Spectacular edition of the Dandy Spook Shack! Come back and haunt us again real soon right here where everything is always FUN AND DANDY! Stay Ghoul! Neil Dandy is the creator of The Dandy Fun House and the alter-ego of Neil Smith, the Big Cheese at Neil Smith Entertainment, follower of Jesus, musician, Emcee, Paratransit Driver and Author. Aren't you impressed?

Having been raised in Los Angeles, a place with vast swathes of single-family homes connected by freeways, arriving in Costa Rica was an eye opener for the young cultural anthropologist Setha Low. “I thought it was so cool that everybody was there together,” she tells interview David Edmonds in this Social Science Bites podcast. “… Everybody was talking. Everybody knew their place. It was like a complete little world, a microcosm of Costa Rican society, and I hadn't seen anything like that in suburban Los Angeles.” That epiphany set Low, now a distinguished professor at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, onto a journey filled with the exploration of public spaces and a desire to explain them to the rest of the world. This trek has resulted in more than a hundred scholarly articles and a number of books, most recently Why Public Space Matters but including 2006's Politics of Public Space with Neil Smith; 2005's Rethinking Urban Parks: Public Space and Cultural Diversity with S. Scheld and D. Taplin; 2004's Behind the Gates: Life, Security and the Pursuit of Happiness in Fortress America; 2003's The Anthropology of Space and Place: Locating Culture with D. Lawrence-Zuniga; and 2000's On the Plaza: The Politics of Public Space and Culture. Low is also director of the Graduate Center's Public Space Research Group, and has received a Getty Fellowship, a fellow in the Center for Place, Culture and Politics, a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities, a Fulbright Senior Fellowship, and a Guggenheim for her ethnographic research on public space in Latin America and the United States. She was president of the American Anthropological Association (from 2007 to 2009) and has worked on public space research in projects for the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford and was cochair of the Max Planck Institute for Religious and Ethnic Diversity's Public Space and Diversity Network.  

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Following the passing of Hall-of-Fame goaltender Bernie Parent, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren re-release the podcast which first aired in May 2024 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia Flyers' first Stanley Cup victory in 1974. This unforgettable conversation featured Parent, cornerstone of the Cup-winning team, and Jay Snider, son of Flyers' founder Ed Snider and former team president.Together, they reflected on the rise of the Broad Street Bullies, the grit, passion, and leadership that defined their era, and the lasting legacy of the Flyers' back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 1974 and 1975. From intense battles with the Boston Bruins to behind-the-scenes insights into the Flyers' culture under Fred Shero, this episode is a tribute to one of the most iconic teams in NHL history.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:34] Remembering the Cup on Broad Street – 50 Years Later[02:05] How the Broad Street Bullies were born[05:24] The Flyers' transformation and rise to dominance[12:36] Pivotal moments in Flyers history[31:39] Flyers vs. Bruins – the ultimate 1974 showdown[36:49] Strategy, toughness, and unforgettable highlights[38:59] Breaking through to win the first Stanley Cup[42:48] Celebration, unity, and legacy[46:10] Leadership lessons from Ed Snider and Fred Shero[56:53] The second Cup – cementing a dynasty[59:51] How the Flyers' legacy still echoes today[01:03:55] Final reflections on passion, perseverance, and familyKEY TAKEAWAYS:Ed Snider's vision and demand for toughness redefined the Flyers' identity and helped shape a winning culture.Bernie Parent's return to the Flyers brought elite goaltending that proved instrumental in both Cup runs.The Flyers' victories were rooted not only in physicality but in brotherhood, leadership, and resilience.Fred Shero's coaching brilliance, combined with foundational players like Bobby Clarke, led to a lasting team culture.The stories shared reflect a team that remains a symbol of pride for Philadelphia, five decades later.LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjAX: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparoundRESOURCE LINKS:

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren turn their sights to the Toronto Maple Leafs, a franchise with sky-high expectations and one of the longest championship droughts in professional sports.Despite finishing first in the Atlantic Division with 108 points, the Leafs fell in seven games to Florida—with especially disappointing efforts in Games 5 and 7. And this offseason, the biggest domino fell: Mitch Marner was traded to Vegas for center Nicolas Roy, ending his nine-year tenure with the team.With Matthew Knies elevated to the new "Core Four", is this version of the Leafs any closer to a Cup? Or are we staring down another April collapse?

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dissect the Winnipeg Jets, who entered 2025 as the surprise Presidents' Trophy winners—only to fall in the second round of the playoffs.After a miraculous comeback in Game 7 vs. St. Louis, the Jets were grounded by the Dallas Stars—and the split personality home/road record (6–1 at home, 0–6 on the road) told the story.Now, with Nikolaj Ehlers gone, Connor Hellebuyck under scrutiny, and Jonathan Toews making a shocking return, is this team still built to contend?

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren head to the desert to break down the Vegas Golden Knights, a team still in win-now mode—and not afraid to prove itComing off a 110-point season and a second-round loss to Edmonton, Vegas pulled off the biggest move of the offseason, acquiring Mitch Marner from Toronto and signing him to an 8-year, $12M AAV deal. The message? The Golden Knights are all-in again.But with aging stars, injury concerns, and cap issues, is this the final swing of the sword before the dynasty window closes?

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren head to the nation's capital to break down the Washington Capitals, a team coming off a quietly dominant 2024–25 regular season... and a playoff run that ended just as quietly.Washington finished with 111 points, 1st in the Metro, and 2nd overall in the NHL—yet fizzled in the second round against Carolina after dispatching Montreal in five games. But with no major offseason additions, the OV goal chase behind them, and multiple players coming off career seasons, is this team poised for a step forward—or a step back?

In this episode of NHL Wraparound's Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team loaded with offensive firepower—but still struggling to get out of the first round of the playoffs.Despite finishing second in the Atlantic and ranking #1 in league scoring, the Lightning were eliminated in the first round by the Panthers for the third consecutive season. With John Cooper entering his 14th season behind the bench and Steven Stamkos gone to free agency, is this still a contender—or a team quietly slipping?The hosts discuss Tampa's cap-strained strategy, new bottom-six reinforcements, and whether this team can still fight for another Cup before the window closes.

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren spotlight one of the most resilient turnarounds of the 2024–25 season: the St. Louis Blues.After a rough start under Drew Bannister, the Blues handed the reins to Jim Montgomery—and never looked back. A remarkable 35-18-7 run followed, including a 12-game winning streak that pushed them into the playoffs. Though their season ended in heartbreak—blowing a two-goal lead in the final minutes of Game 7 vs. Winnipeg—the Blues showed serious promise.With savvy offseason additions, consistent goaltending, and a rock-solid system, the Blues are building a team that no one wants to play against. Montgomery's influence is already turning heads.

In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dissect the rollercoaster that is the Vancouver Canucks. Coming off a season filled with locker room drama, failed expectations, and big-name regression, the Canucks hit reset under first-year head coach Adam Foote.After missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five years, Vancouver aims to rediscover the promise shown during their 2024 second-round playoff run. But with tensions between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, injuries to Demko and Hughes, and Rick Tocchet walking out the door, can this new-look squad get back on track?

In this edition of NHL Wraparound's Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive into one of the NHL's most iconic yet most uncertain franchises: the Pittsburgh Penguins.For the fourth straight season, the Penguins look like they'll miss the playoffs—despite having Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson still on the roster. With rookie head coach Dan Muse taking the reins from Mike Sullivan (now in New York), the team seems more focused on riding out legacies than chasing another Stanley Cup.Is this the year that Crosby finally waves the towel and requests a trade?

In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down one of the league's grittiest young clubs: the Ottawa Senators.After ending their playoff drought with a gutsy first-round battle against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Sens showed resilience—pushing the Leafs to six games after being down 3–0. But questions remain as they head into 2025–26, particularly around one glaring issue: Who's going to score the goals?Steve Staios and head coach Travis Green have built a roster defined by toughness and effort—but is that enough to stay in the playoff picture?

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the newly renamed Utah Mammoth—formerly the Utah Hockey Club—who enter their first season with a permanent identity and rising expectations.Despite a rebrand and a new home in Salt Lake City, the pressure remains: make the playoffs for the first time in six years. With a talented forward group, fresh additions on defense, and three NHL-level goaltenders, this team may be young—but they're no longer rebuilding.

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive deep into the least inspiring of the 32 NHL teams heading into the 2025–26 season: the Seattle Kraken.After a quick taste of playoff success in their second year, the Kraken have slid into irrelevance—27th overall last season, a questionable coaching hire in Lane Lambert, and little improvement made during the offseason.They've got some exciting prospects like Shane Wright and former Calder winner Matty Beniers, but the goaltending is shaky, the power play regressed, and the club is still searching for its identity in a league that has passed them by.

In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dig into a franchise in transition: the Philadelphia Flyers.Rick Tocchet steps behind the bench, marking the team's third coach in three seasons after Brad Shaw and John Tortorella. Meanwhile, Trevor Zegras arrives in a headline-making trade, bringing high-end skill and a much-needed spark to a Flyers team that's been stuck in neutral offensively—particularly on the power play.The Flyers haven't made the playoffs since the COVID-era bubble (2020), but now—with an infusion of youth, a tough-minded new bench boss, and real promise in net—the orange and black faithful may finally have a reason to believe.

In this episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine one of the most baffling underperformers of the 2024–25 season: the Nashville Predators.Coming off a year that began with high expectations after blockbuster free-agent signings, the Preds collapsed to a 30–44–8 record and were never competitive. Now, as they enter 2025–26 with virtually the same roster, hosts Neil and Vic ask the hard question: What exactly is Barry Trotz building?The team didn't win a playoff series since 2018, and despite shedding cap space and expectations, the front office made only marginal changes — none of which suggest a clear direction or uptick in performance. Is this just a mulligan for Trotz and Brunette? Or the beginning of a longer identity crisis?

In this episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren turn their attention to the Montreal Canadiens — a team on the rise after breaking back into the playoffs for the first time since their 2021 Stanley Cup Final appearance.The hosts dig deep into Montreal's pivotal offseason, highlighted by a massive trade for defenseman Noah Dobson and the big-ticket extension that followed — 8 years at $9.5M AAV. Is Dobson truly a franchise defenseman? Can he deliver on that contract, especially paired with Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson?Neil and Vic also explore Montreal's elite prospect pool, including standout names like Ivan Demidov, David Reinbacher, and Jacob Fowler — plus what their development means for the future of the franchise. And with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky continuing to grow, the Habs look poised to become a major threat… but are they ready now?

In this edition of NHL Wraparound's Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dissect one of the most dramatic collapses in recent NHL memory: the New York Rangers.Just one year after winning the Presidents' Trophy, the Rangers became only the fourth team in league history to miss the playoffs the following season. From special teams regression to star players disappearing and internal drama erupting midseason, the Broadway Blueshirts became a cautionary tale.This episode unpacks the offseason roster shakeup—highlighted by the exit of longtime fan favorite Chris Kreider, the addition of top-pair defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, and a new head coach with a Stanley Cup pedigree: Mike Sullivan.Will it all be enough to turn things around? Or are the Rangers slipping into rebuild territory?

In the final episode of NHL Wraparound's Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren close out the series with the San Jose Sharks — a team that might just be entering its most hopeful rebuild phase in years.After finishing dead last in 2024–25 with only 52 points, the Sharks are beginning to turn the corner. They've added key veterans like Jeff Skinner, John Klingberg, and Dmitry Orlov, while ushering in a promising new era led by Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.From goaltending uncertainty to an emerging forward group, the Sharks' 2025–26 season might not be playoff-bound — but it's shaping up to be a big leap forward for the franchise.

The Florida Panthers are back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions — and now chasing history. In this episode, Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down how GM Bill Zito has kept the core together, added smart depth pieces, and positioned Paul Maurice's team for a legitimate shot at a third straight Cup.The hosts discuss offseason moves, key re-signings, and health questions that could impact the Panthers' pursuit of a dynasty.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:34] – Florida goes for the three-peat[01:17] – Re-signing Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand & Aaron Ekblad[02:45] – Depth moves: Tarasoff in, Nate Schmidt & Vanecek out[03:32] – Why Jeff Petry may be the key under-the-radar addition[04:15] – Mackie Samoskevich brings the Cup to Sandy Hook Elementary[06:08] – Matthew Tkachuk's injury status and potential surgery[07:12] – Historical look: Can Florida join the NHL's dynasty elite?[09:00] – Neil on what it will take: "Bobrovsky and health, that's the answer."KEY TAKEAWAYS:Bill Zito nailed the offseason, keeping his top players and avoiding major lossesDepth matters: Smart additions like Jeff Petry and Tarasoff could be difference-makersMatthew Tkachuk's health will be a key storyline to watch all seasonBobrovsky's performance and age will factor heavily into a deep playoff runIf Florida can stay healthy and maintain chemistry, they have a real shot at a historic three-peatRESOURCE LINKS:

In this episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the Minnesota Wild — a team that continues to underperform in the playoffs despite regular season success. With 97 points last season and yet another first-round exit, the Wild haven't won a playoff series in a decade. So what's next?Neil and Vic evaluate the off-season moves by GM Bill Guerin — including the retirement of Marc-André Fleury, key signings like Vladimir Tarasenko and Nico Sturm, and what it means that Guerin didn't make bigger changes despite finally having cap flexibility after the Parise/Suter buyouts.They dive into the team's core — Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Jared Spurgeon — and whether that group is strong enough to push past the Wild Card bubble. Plus, goaltending questions with Filip Gustavsson taking over and top prospect Jesper Wallstedt stepping in.Is this a playoff team or just more of the same?IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Minnesota's playoff frustrations and off-season expectations[01:30] Breaking down the Wild's key losses and additions[04:20] Guerin's conservative approach despite cap space[05:45] Defensive depth and Jonas Brodin's injury[07:00] Goaltending tandem: Gustavsson and Wallstedt[08:15] Kaprizov's future and the weight he carries[10:00] Is John Hynes on the hot seat?[11:25] Can this roster survive the Central Division pressure?KEY TAKEAWAYS:The Wild made minimal upgrades despite having more flexibility this summer.Kaprizov is entering a contract year — and the pressure is on.John Hynes is entering a pivotal year as head coach.Minnesota may be fighting for a Wild Card spot unless their top players break through.

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive deep into the state of the Dallas Stars, a team that continues to knock on the door but can't quite break it down. After a heartbreaking third straight Conference Final loss, the Stars made a surprising offseason move—replacing head coach Peter DeBoer with Glen Gulutzan, signaling a reset without dismantling their core.Dallas finished the 2024–25 regular season with 102 points and were one of the West's most dangerous teams on paper. But after a Game 1 offensive outburst against Edmonton in the Conference Final, the Stars' scoring completely dried up. That collapse has left major questions about leadership, playoff preparedness, and whether the window to win with Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, and Matt Duchene is beginning to close.The episode covers offseason moves, the state of the blue line, the future of Jake Oettinger, and why the new coach might finally be what pushes this veteran-heavy team to the next level.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Dallas Stars 2024–25 recap: Another deep run, same ending[00:38] Jim Nill wins GM of the Year again—but makes a major change[01:00] Glen Gulutzan replaces Peter DeBoer: Why now?[02:00] Veteran core aging: Benn, Seguin, Duchene[03:00] Free agent re-signings: Duchene, Benn, Blackwell, Bork, Lundkvist[03:45] Offseason additions: RFA Rodak Faksa returns, Nathan Bastian signs[04:15] Key departures: Mason Marchment, Matt Dumba, Cody Ceci[05:00] Offensive depth: Still dangerous despite losses[05:45] Defensive pairings: Heiskanen, Lindell, Harley, Laaksonen, Burns[06:00] Goaltending: Oettinger & DeSmith remain the tandem[07:00] Miro Heiskanen's return and Brent Burns' arrival[08:00] Rantanen's revenge against Colorado: A defining moment[09:00] Why the scoring collapsed vs. Edmonton[10:00] Was DeBoer's message stale? Can Gulutzan change the tone?[11:00] Final thoughts: The Stars are a contender—but for how much longer?KEY TAKEAWAYS:The window is closing: Benn, Seguin, and Duchene are aging, and the opportunity to win with this core is narrowing.Jim Nill's bold coaching change to bring back Glen Gulutzan—whom he originally let go—shows humility and a desire to fix culture from the top down.Scoring vanished in the Conference Final, and questions remain about why so many top-tier players underperformed.Jake Oettinger is still one of the league's top young goaltenders, but he'll need to carry the load again in 2025–26.Miro Heiskanen's return to full health, along with the quiet addition of Brent Burns, could be critical for defensive stability.The Central Division is loaded, with Dallas, Winnipeg, and Colorado all battling for top spots—but one of them is destined to go home early, again.RESOURCE LINKS:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjAX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparoundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #DallasStars #GlenGulutzan #PeterDeBoer #JakeOettinger #JimNill #JamieBenn #TylerSeguin #MattDuchene #ColinBlackwell #NilsLundkvist #MavrikBourque #RadekFaksa #NathanBastain #MasonMarchment #MikaelGranlund #CodiCeci #EvgeniiDadonov #MattDumba #RoopeHintz #WyattJohnston #JasonRobertson #MikkoRantanen #SamSteele #OskarBack #MiroHeiskanen #EsaLindell #ThomasHarley #IlyaLyubushkin #LianBichsel #CaseyDeSmith

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive into the offseason changes, roster dynamics, and forward outlook for the New Jersey Devils, a team that finished third in the Metropolitan Division with 91 points and was bounced in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes.With playoff experience under their belt but key players returning from injury, the Devils are looking to take another step in 2025–26. But after a relatively quiet summer, the question is: Did they do enough to take that step?Notable acquisitions include Connor Brown from Edmonton and Evgenii Dadonov from Dallas, both projected to solidify the bottom six. The club also re-signed center Cody Glass and goaltender Jake Allen—a move the hosts view as crucial, not just on the ice, but in the locker room. Meanwhile, defenseman Jeremy Hanzel was brought in via trade from Nashville in a surprising deal that sent Erik Haula the other way.With Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton back to full health, and Jacob Markstrom now in net, New Jersey could be ready to climb—but concerns remain about veteran production and playoff identity.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Devils recap: Another early exit[00:38] Offseason moves: Understated but strategic[01:00] Acquisitions: Brown, Dadonov, Hanzel, Riley Stillman[01:45] Departures: Haula, Lazar, Dulan, Bastian[02:15] Re-signings: Cody Glass, Jake Allen[02:45] Top-six review: Bratt, Hughes, Heischer, Meier, Palat[04:00] The need for more from Palat and Meier[05:00] Defense pairings: Hamilton/Dillon, Hughes/Pesce[05:45] Jeremy Hanzel arrives… but where's Gretel?[06:00] Final verdict: Respect earned, but is it enough to contend?KEY TAKEAWAYS:Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton returning to full health will be vital to any Devils playoff success.The additions of Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov boost the bottom six, but this is still a top-heavy offense dependent on Bratt, Hughes, Heischer, and Meier.Ondrej Palat's offensive output has yet to match expectations from his Lightning days, while Timo Meier still hasn't become a 30–35 goal scorer in New Jersey.On defense, Brendan Dillon's arrival should provide physical protection and pair chemistry for Dougie Hamilton, while Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce round out a promising top four.The goalie tandem of Markstrom and Allen might finally give the Devils the playoff stability in net they've long needed.With a healthy roster, New Jersey is expected to battle Carolina for the top of the Metro—if the pieces click.RESOURCE LINKS:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjAX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparoundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #NewJerseyDevils #TomFitzgerald #JeremyHanzel #ErikHaula #ConnorBrown #EvgeniiDadonov #StanBowman #PeterDeBoer #JackHughes #DougieHamilton #JakeAllen #CodyGlass #BrianDumoulin #CurtisLazar #NathanBastian #NicoHischier #JesperBratt #OndrejPalat #TimoMeier #StefanNoesen #DawsonMercer #BrendenDillon #LukeHughes #BrettPesce #JonasSiegenthaler #SimonNemec #JacobMarkstrom

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Detroit Red Wings—a franchise inching toward contention but still battling to break through.It's been nine consecutive seasons without a playoff berth in Hockeytown. The last time the Red Wings won a playoff series? Back in 2013.Now, under Steve Yzerman's front office leadership, Detroit hopes that one major offseason swing—a trade for John Gibson—can stabilize their goaltending and finally push them over the edge.Will it be enough?IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Red Wings: A decade of frustration[00:36] Power play high, penalty kill worst in the league[01:00] John Gibson acquisition: a franchise-altering gamble?[02:00] Goaltending swap: Gibson for Mrazek[02:45] Other offseason additions: JVR, Appleton, Hamonic[03:50] Prospect pool preview: Danielson, Mazur, Cossa[04:30] Offensive core: DeBrincat, Larkin, Raymond, Kane[05:15] Is there enough depth if someone goes down?[06:00] Playoff competition: Too many contenders, too few spotsKEY TAKEAWAYS:John Gibson is the swing piece. If he returns to form, Detroit may finally have the goaltending they've lacked for years. If not, the playoff drought could hit a full decade.Power play success masked penalty kill disaster. Detroit ranked 4th in PP% last year—but dead last (32nd) in PK%, and had just 2 shorthanded goals.Yzerman's offseason was conservative. Outside of the Gibson trade, additions like James van Riemsdyk, Mason Appleton, and Travis Hamonic won't move the needle significantly.Detroit's window is tightening. With the East getting deeper (Montreal, Ottawa, Columbus, Buffalo all fighting), the margin for error is razor thin.Offensive leaders like Dylan Larkin, DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond, and Patrick Kane must stay healthy—this team can't afford to lose top-end scoring.FINAL VERDICT:Detroit made one major move this offseason—and if John Gibson plays like the All-Star he once was, it could be a franchise-defining deal. But with penalty-kill woes, aging secondary scoring, and intense wild card competition, the Red Wings remain a bubble team in a crowded East.Is year 10 of the rebuild the one that finally breaks the curse—or does the streak stretch into double digits?RESOURCE LINKS:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjAX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparoundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787HASHTAGS:#DetroitRedWings #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #JohnGibson #PetrMrazek #JamesvanRiemsdyk #MasonAppleton #WilliamLagesson #AlbertJohansson #JonatanBerggren #ElmerSoderblom #SteveYzerman #VladimirTarasenko #AlexLyon #PatVerbeek #LucasRaymond #AlexDebrincat #DylanLarkin

In this episode of Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive into the offseason developments for the Los Angeles Kings after another frustrating playoff exit. For the fourth consecutive year, the Kings were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round—this time after holding multiple leads and letting key games slip away. With Rob Blake out and Ken Holland in as GM, the Kings are attempting to retool—but are they reloading or regressing?The hosts break down the impact of Holland's veteran-heavy signings—Corey Perry, Cody Ceci, Joel Armia, and Brian Dumoulin—all of whom push the Kings' roster deeper into “win-now” territory. But with an aging core that includes Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar, and a first-time head coach in Jim Hiller, there are real questions about whether this team can make it out of the first round, let alone compete for the Cup.They also revisit LA's playoff series against Edmonton, highlighting how close the Kings were to taking control—and how costly breakdowns and coaching decisions may have sealed their fate.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] A fourth straight playoff loss to the Oilers — what went wrong again?[01:00] Ken Holland takes over as GM — will he be the answer?[01:33] Offseason additions: Perry, Armia, Ceci, Dumoulin — average age over 34[02:40] Perry's Stanley Cup Final curse — five different teams, five losses[04:15] Game-by-game recap: blown leads, failed challenge, poor puck decisions[06:00] Byfield's development, Fiala's upside, and depth up front[07:15] Defensive drop-off: losing Gavrikov, aging Doughty, concerns with Ceci[08:10] Coaching hot seat: how long is the leash for Jim Hiller?[09:15] Could Peter DeBoer be an option if things go south early?KEY TAKEAWAYS:The Kings continue to stumble in the postseason, despite holding multiple leads over the Oilers in key games.Ken Holland's first offseason as GM focused on experience, but at the expense of speed and youth.The blue line took a hit with the loss of Vladislav Gavrikov, and the replacements (Ceci, Dumoulin) raise concerns.Jim Hiller is not Holland's hire, and with big expectations and a veteran group, a slow start could trigger changes.Quinton Byfield's second-half surge and the continued consistency of Kempe and Danault offer hope—but the pressure is building.RESOURCE LINKS:

In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive into the state of the Calgary Flames—a team coming off a surprising 2024–25 campaign that ended in heartbreak. Despite being one of the league's feel-good stories down the stretch, the Flames missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season, falling short via regulation win tiebreaker to the St. Louis Blues.With no major additions and two notable losses—Dan Vladar to Philadelphia and Anthony Mantha to Pittsburgh—the Flames opted to run it back with nearly the same lineup. The big question: Is that enough in an improving Western Conference?The hosts break down what Calgary retained, highlight the need for scoring help, and examine whether Dustin Wolf can carry the goaltending load without proven backup support.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Recap: Flames just miss postseason on tiebreaker[00:38] No outside additions, just internal retention[01:00] Breaking down the J.J. Peterka trade & what was lost[01:45] Offensive challenges: 29th in NHL in goals per game[02:00] Who's back: Coronado, Kevin Bahl, Morgan Frost, Joel Hanley[03:00] Jonathan Huberdeau's contract vs. performance[04:00] Goaltending outlook: Dustin Wolf as the No. 1[04:30] Lack of experience behind Wolf with Devin Cooley[05:00] Blue line leadership & future of Rasmus Andersson[05:30] Zayne Parekh and the hope of future upside[06:00] Why a wildcard is the best-case scenarioKEY TAKEAWAYS:Calgary's quiet offseason is a head-scratcher, especially with $15M+ in cap space unused.Dustin Wolf is the new starter in goal, but with no experienced backup, the position remains fragile.Jonathan Huberdeau's contract (still one of the NHL's worst value deals) looms large until his production returns.Rasmus Andersson's future is a trade deadline storyline to watch as he enters the final year of his deal.The Flames didn't upgrade—and in a stronger Pacific Division, standing still might equal regression.RESOURCE LINKS:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjAX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparoundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #CalgaryFlames #DanVladar #AnthonyMantha #KevinBahl #RasmusAndersson #JoelHanley #MackenzieWeegar #JakeBean #MattCoronato #AdamKlapka #MorganFrost #JustinKirkland #JonathanHuberdeau #NazemKadri #DustinWolf #DevinCooley #ZayneParekh

In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Colorado Avalanche, a franchise that continues to contend—but still hasn't returned to the Stanley Cup Final since hoisting the trophy in 2022.The Avalanche finished the 2024–25 season with 102 points and their eighth straight playoff appearance, but fell in Game 7 to the Dallas Stars in the second round. The hosts dive into what's holding the Avs back from reclaiming the Cup, despite the presence of two of the league's most electrifying stars: Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.They also break down a relatively quiet offseason highlighted by the signing of Brent Burns, the addition of Victor Olofsson, and the trade that brought in Gavin Brindley while shipping out Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood. The Avalanche also re-signed key contributors like Brock Nelson, Parker Kelly, and Josh Manson, while losing depth pieces like Jonathan Drouin and Ryan Lindgren.As the Avs prepare for another run, the big questions remain: Is this still a Cup-caliber team? Or have they become more sizzle than substance?IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Avalanche recap: Consistency without deep playoff success[00:36] Game 7 vs. Dallas: A haunting finish to a promising year[01:00] Star power vs. depth: Are MacKinnon & Makar enough?[02:00] Offseason review: Brent Burns signs, Coyle/Wood traded[03:00] Gavin Brindley's upside and forward depth[04:00] UFA/RFA re-signings: Nelson, Manson, Vejdemo, Kelly[05:00] Defensive pairings: Makar, Toews, Manson, Burns[06:00] Goaltending: Blackwood and Wedgewood tandem[07:00] Full-strength roster? Landeskog returns to open season[08:00] A stacked Central Division: Dallas, Winnipeg, Colorado[09:00] Why playoff format hurts deep divisionsKEY TAKEAWAYS:Colorado's core remains elite, with MacKinnon, Makar, Rantanen, and Landeskog leading the way, but playoff progress has stalled.The addition of Brent Burns offers leadership and power-play presence, but the team needs more from its second-tier stars.Gabriel Landeskog's full-season return could be a game-changer, giving Colorado much-needed leadership and physicality.Goaltending remains a question: Blackwood and Wedgewood must prove they can deliver postseason-caliber performances.The Central Division is brutal—with Dallas and Winnipeg also strong, one top-tier team will inevitably exit early due to the current playoff format.RESOURCE LINKS:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjAX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparoundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #ColoradoAvalanche #JaredBednar #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #BrentBurns #VictorOlofsson #GavinBrindley #CharlieCoyle #MilesWood #BrockNelson #ParkerKelly #JoshManson #JoelKiviranta #JonathanDrouin #RyanLindgren #JimmyVesey #IvanIvan #DevonToews #SamGirard #SamMalinski #MackenzieBlackwood #ScottWedgewood #ValNichushkin #JackDrury #RossColton #MartinNecas #ArtturiLehkonen #GabrielLandeskog

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren review the offseason, roster structure, and playoff hopes of the Columbus Blue Jackets—a team that came painfully close to breaking their five-year postseason drought in 2024–25.The Blue Jackets finished with 89 points, just two shy of the final wild card spot, and were eliminated by a regulation win tiebreaker after going winless against the St. Louis Blues in the season series. Despite the heartbreak, the Jackets were one of the NHL's surprise teams, boasting an offense that tied for 7th in the league (3.26 GPG) and scoring six or more goals in 16 games.This episode examines Columbus's offseason decisions, including the high-profile Charlie Coyle–Miles Wood trade with Colorado, the questionable seven-year, $8.5M deal for Ivan Provorov, and the tragic loss of Johnny Gaudreau, which emotionally galvanized the team early in the season.Can this team stay healthy and consistent for all 82 games? And does head coach Ken Evison have another motivational gear without the emotional backdrop of last year?IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Columbus recap: Falling short of the wild card[00:38] Offensive strides and surprising firepower[01:00] Coyle & Wood in, Brindley & picks out in trade with Colorado[01:45] Reviewing free agent signings: Hudson Fasching and re-signings[02:30] The shock of the Provorov deal: 7 years, $8.5M AAV[03:30] Tragic loss of Johnny Gaudreau and impact on locker room[04:00] Goalie update: Jet Greaves promoted behind Elvis Merzlikins[05:00] Deadline departures: Tarasov, Kuraly, JVR, Danforth, Harris[06:00] What might have been: injuries to Monahan and Jenner[06:30] Playoff odds: Can they push over the line this time?[07:00] Shoutout: Matthew Olivier's breakout year and fan favorite statusKEY TAKEAWAYS:Columbus made strides offensively last season but lacked late-season consistency, finishing the final stretch 4–11–1 before winning six straight.The Provorov contract surprised many: a long-term, high-AAV commitment for a player with declining impact.Injuries to Boone Jenner and Sean Monahan derailed what was shaping up to be a playoff-bound season.Players like Kent Johnson, Marchenko, Fantilli, and Sillinger will need to continue developing for the team to reach the next level.Matthew Olivier and Miles Wood are expected to form one of the toughest fourth lines in the NHL, offering a physical edge.In a crowded Metro Division, the Blue Jackets' playoff hopes are real—but so are the risks of another near miss.RESOURCE LINKS:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjAX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparoundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #ColumbusBlueJackets #CharlieCoyle #MilesWood #GavinBrindley #HudsonFasching #IvanProvorov #DanteFabbro #OwenSillinger #DmitriVoronkov #DaemonHunt #JohnnyGaudreau #MatthewGaudreau #DeanEvason #SeanMonahan #KirillMarchenko #YegorChinakov #AdamFantilli #KentJohnson #BooneJenner #ZachWerenski #DaniilTarasov #ElvisMerzlikins #JetGreaves #SeanKuraly #JordanHarris #PatrikLaine #JustinDanforth #JamesvanRiemsdyk #MathieuOlivier

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren assess the state of the Buffalo Sabres, a team that once again finds itself outside the playoff picture—with 14 consecutive seasons without a postseason appearance.Despite fielding the 10th-ranked offense in the NHL last year (3.23 goals per game), the Sabres were undone by a porous defense, surrendering 3.50 goals against per game—tied for 29th in the league. That imbalance ultimately left them short once again, and this offseason's moves raise more questions than answers.Buffalo made a surprising decision to trade J.J. Peterka—one of their most promising offensive talents—to Utah for Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring, signaling a possible shift in identity. The hosts debate whether the team has improved at all, or if they've simply shuffled the deck with hopes of becoming "harder to play against."IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] The Sabres: Still on the outside looking in[00:30] Trading Peterka: A puzzling move for physicality over skill[01:00] Offseason additions: Doan, Kesselring, Timmins, Bevo, Jones, Danforth[01:30] Goalie update: Devon Levi returns, Luukkonen still in the mix[02:00] Key RFA re-signings: Byram, McLeod, Quinn, Johnson[02:45] Where does the turnaround come from?[03:15] Prospect watch: Anton Wahlberg & Konsta Helenius[04:00] Defensive outlook: Dahlin, Power, Byram, and new faces[04:45] Can the goaltending support this blue line?[05:15] Final verdict: More grit—but not more wins?KEY TAKEAWAYS:Buffalo's defense-heavy offseason suggests a pivot toward physicality—but the loss of J.J. Peterka removes a key offensive weapon.The defense core has potential, with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Bowen Byram leading the way, but it's still unproven as a cohesive unit.Goaltending needs to be elite if this team wants to overcome its offensive step back—can Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen deliver?While the Sabres appear deeper on the blue line, it's unclear if they've made enough improvement to leapfrog teams like Montreal, Detroit, Columbus, or Ottawa in the East.With Lindy Ruff back behind the bench, expectations are higher—but so is the pressure.RESOURCE LINKS:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjAX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparoundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #BuffaloSabres #JJPeterka #JoshDoan #MichaelKesselring #ConorTimmins #IsaacBelliveau #ConnorClifton #JustinDanforth #ZacJones #JackQuinn #RyanJohnson #TysonKozak #RyanMcLeod #BowenByram #DevonLevi #LindyRuff #RasmusDahlin #OwenPower #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive deep into one of the NHL's most intriguing rebuilding teams—the Anaheim Ducks.After a quiet climb last season, Anaheim has made bold moves, signaling their intent to challenge for a wild card spot in 2026. From the surprise hiring of Joel Quenneville to a dramatic shakeup in goal and up front, the Ducks are becoming a team to watch.The hosts break down Anaheim's offseason acquisitions, including Chris Kreider, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling, and Peter Mrazek, and assess what losing cornerstone pieces like Trevor Zegras and John Gibson really means. They also explore whether a young blue line—featuring names like Olen Zellweger, Jackson LaCombe, and Pavel Mintyukov—can hold the fort behind a confident Lucas Dostal in net.They close with a candid look at Joel Quenneville's return to coaching and the potential influence of one of the winningest coaches in NHL history on a promising roster that's nearing playoff contention.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Ducks Preview: Could Anaheim be this year's surprise team?[00:38] Reviewing Anaheim's bold offseason moves[01:00] The Chris Kreider trade & new forward lines[01:48] Goaltending changes: Dostal's time to shine[03:00] Defensive questions: Young blue line analysis[03:43] The rise of Bennett Seneka and prospects to watch[04:32] Trust in Dostal & veteran presence from Mrazek[05:44] Coaching spotlight: Joel Quenneville returns[07:00] Addressing Quenneville's past and Anaheim's due diligence[07:40] His influence on player development & team culture[08:00] The Verbeek-Quenneville connection from Hartford days[08:45] Final verdict: Is Anaheim a wild card sleeper?KEY TAKEAWAYS:The Anaheim Ducks have made major roster changes, including the additions of Chris Kreider, Mikael Granlund, and Peter Mrazek, while saying goodbye to Zegras and Gibson.Lucas Dostal, now the clear-cut No. 1 goalie, will be tested behind an inexperienced defensive corps—but could thrive with Mrazek's veteran guidance.The hiring of Joel Quenneville signals the Ducks are serious about culture and competitiveness. His resume and relationship with GM Pat Verbeek could fast-track the development of the team's young core.Anaheim's depth up front and special teams potential make them a playoff dark horse, provided the defense matures ahead of schedule.RESOURCE LINKS:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjAX: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparoundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #AnaheimDucks #JoelQuenneville #ChrisKreider #LucasDostal #MikaelGranlund #NHLProspects #PacificDivision #GameSevenGroup #StanleyCup #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatVerbeek #BennettSeneka #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #NHLRebuild

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren take a hard look at the Boston Bruins, a team that has fallen dramatically from its historic high just two seasons ago.After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the Bruins are in unfamiliar territory. With major roster departures and minimal offseason improvements, David Pastrnak may find himself carrying more than just the offensive load—he may be carrying the entire franchise.Neil and Vic analyze GM Don Sweeney's offseason acquisitions, including Victor Arvidsson, Tanner Jeannot, Jordan Harris, Mikey Eyssimont, and the return of Sean Kuraly, as well as re-signings like Morgan Geekie and Charlie McAvoy's hopeful bounce back. The consensus? Grit and toughness are there—but goal-scoring depth is not.The episode also examines the transition to new head coach Marco Sturm, the impact of last year's decision to fire Jim Montgomery, and the enormous pressure on Jeremy Swayman to carry this team in low-scoring, defense-heavy games.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Boston Bruins: What happened and where are they now?[00:38] From historic highs to missing the playoffs[01:00] Offseason acquisitions: Soderstrom, Arvidsson, Jeannot, Eyssimont, Harris[02:00] The fallout of the Patrick Laine trade[02:48] Reviewing re-signings: Geekie, Zacha, McAvoy, Lohrei[03:43] Can James Hagens crack the lineup?[04:00] Marco Sturm takes over as head coach[04:32] Jeremy Swayman must shine in net[05:00] Jim Montgomery's bounce back with the Blues[05:32] The Bruins' identity: Tough, but can they score?[06:00] Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm & Nikita Zadorov must lead the blue lineKEY TAKEAWAYS:David Pastrnak is the lone offensive constant, and without stronger support, the Bruins may struggle to generate goals.Jeremy Swayman must deliver a breakout season, as Boston will rely on tight, low-scoring games to stay competitive.Don Sweeney's offseason moves focus more on toughness than skill—Jeannot, Eyssimont, and others bring grit, but little proven offense.With Marco Sturm in his first NHL head coaching role, leadership and locker room chemistry will be tested early.Defensemen like McAvoy, Zadorov, and Lindholm must step up for Boston to have any hope of a playoff rebound.RESOURCE LINKS:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjAX: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparoundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #DavidPastrnak #BradMarchand #PatriceBergeron #DavidKrejci #DonSweeney #VictorSoderstrom #ViktorArvidsson #TannerJeannot #MikeyEyssimont #JordanHarris #AlexSteeves #SeanKuraly #MorganGeekie #PatrikLaine #DonWaddell #PavelZacha #MasonLohrei #HenruJokiharhu #JohnBeecher #RileyTufte #JamesHagens #MarcoSturm #JeremySwayman #JimMontgomery #CharlieMcAvoy #HampusLindholm #NikitaZadorov #JoeSacco

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the Carolina Hurricanes' offseason, their consistent regular season success, and the lingering concerns that have prevented them from reaching the Stanley Cup Final—despite three Conference Final appearances in the last seven years.The Canes finished second in the Metro Division with 99 points in 2024–25 and made quick work of New Jersey and Washington before falling to Florida in five games in the Eastern Conference Final—again.Neil and Vic analyze the team's latest acquisitions, including the high-profile signing of Nikolaj Ehlers from Winnipeg, and the trade for K'Andre Miller from the Rangers. They also examine what's lost with the departures of Brent Burns, Dmitry Orlov, and Scott Morrow, and how the defense corps now leans heavily on Jacob Slavin, Alexander Nikishin, and Jalen Chatfield.The episode also features a fascinating side story: Rod Brind'Amour's son Skyler Brind'Amour and Keith Primeau's son Caden Primeau are now teammates—23 years after their fathers were traded for each other.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Summer Coolers intro: Carolina Hurricanes outlook[00:36] 2024–25 season recap: Regular season strong, playoffs stalled[01:10] Forwards set: Ehlers, Aho, Jarvis, Svechnikov, Blake, Martinook[02:00] Defense changes: Miller in, Burns, Orlov, and Morrow out[03:00] K'Andre Miller's fit and the high cost of acquisition[03:43] Goaltending concerns: Freddie Andersen, Pyotr Kochetkov, Caden Primeau[05:00] Re-signings and RFA updates: Suzuki, Skyler Brind'Amour, Stan Coven[06:00] The Brind'Amour–Primeau trade connection, 23 years later[06:50] Jacob Slavin's leadership and Shane Gostisbehere's PP role[08:00] Are the Hurricanes truly better than last year?[09:00] Why Carolina dominates the regular season but stalls in May[10:30] The need for playoff-style hockey to break through[11:00] Final verdict: Metro favorite—but Cup contender?KEY TAKEAWAYS:Carolina remains one of the NHL's most consistent regular-season teams, but hasn't been able to convert that into a Stanley Cup Final appearance.Nikolaj Ehlers' signing adds another skilled forward, but may not be enough to change the team's playoff identity.The defense is in transition, with Burns and Orlov gone and K'Andre Miller's growth now a key variable.Goaltending remains a concern, and a major question mark heading into 2025–26.Carolina must learn to play playoff-style hockey earlier—and more consistently—if they hope to get over the hump.RESOURCE LINKS:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjAX: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparoundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #K'AndreMiller #NikolajEhlers #SebastianAho #AndreiSvechnikov #SethJarvis #JacksonBlake #TaylorHall #JordanMartinook #LoganStankoven #JordanStaal #K'AndreMiller #ScottMorrow #MikeReilly #CaydenPrimeau #SkylerBrind'Amour #FrederikAndersen #EricRobinson #RyanSuzuki #RodBrind'Amour #KeithPrimeau #BrentBurns #DmitryOrlov #PyotrKochetkov #AlexanderNikishin #JaccobSlavin #JalenChatfield #ShayneGostisbehere #SeanWalker #EricTulsky

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren take a sobering look at the Chicago Blackhawks, a franchise still in the early stages of a rebuild despite having Connor Bedard, the most hyped first-overall pick in years.Chicago finished last in the Central Division for a third straight season and posted just 61 points in 2024–25. With few meaningful additions and continued roster instability, Neil and Vic examine whether this team has moved forward at all—or if it's still stalled at the starting line.The hosts break down puzzling offseason decisions by GM Kyle Davidson, including the $46.2 million contract extension for Frank Nazar, who has barely touched NHL ice, and the team's inability to retain Philipp Kurashev. With questionable signings like Andre Burakovsky, Sam Lafferty, and Jordan Harris, the team appears no closer to contention.Despite Bedard's individual offensive production (22G, 39A in Year 1; 23G, 44A in Year 2), he has a combined -80 rating over two seasons, and lacks a true support cast. They also explore what new head coach Jeff Blashill can realistically achieve with a bottom-tier roster and whether defense-first hockey is even viable given Bedard's weaknesses without the puck.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] A three-year rebuild with no traction[00:38] Frank Nazar's shocking extension[01:00] Reviewing Chicago's minimal offseason moves[02:00] Bedard vs. Celebrini: Are fans already second-guessing the pick?[03:00] Connor Bedard's playmaking—and defensive lapses[04:00] Veterans lost: Pat Maroon & Alec Martinez retire[04:32] Can Jeff Blashill fix anything in Year 1?[05:30] Where is the leadership and scoring help?[06:00] Blue line depth—or lack thereof[07:00] Goaltending preview: Soderblom vs. Spencer Knight[08:30] Reality check: Can this team compete?[09:30] Should Chicago shift to a defense-first system?[11:00] Why fans may have to wait even longer for progress.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Connor Bedard can't carry this team on his own. While his offensive numbers are strong, his defensive game has drawn league-wide criticism.The Frank Nazar contract ($6.6M x 7 years starting 2026–27) raises serious concerns about Chicago's salary strategy and projection risks.Despite a few gritty offseason additions, Chicago lacks scoring depth, defensive reliability, and veteran leadership.Jeff Blashill's first year behind the bench may be defined more by survival than success.Chicago will likely compete for another lottery pick rather than a playoff spot, with fan patience wearing thin.RESOURCE LINKS:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjAX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparoundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #ChicagoBlackhawks #ConnorBedard #FedorSvechkov #JeffBlashill #AndersSorensen #AndreBurakovsky #RyanDonato #SamLafferty #JoeVeleno #LouisCrevier #ArvidSoderblom #FrankNazar #KyleDavidson #PhilippKurashev #AlecMartinez #PatMaroon #NickFoligno #ConnorMurphy #MacklinCelebrini #TeuvoTeravainen #TylerBertuzzi #IlyaMikheyev #SpencerKnight #ArtyomLevshunov #SamRinzel #KevinKorchinski #MarcoSturm #DavidPastrnak #JohnPaddock #AlexVlasic

In episode 426 of the "Smashing Security" podcast, Graham reveals how you can hijack a train's brakes from 150 miles away using kit cheaper than a second-hand PlayStation. Meanwhile, Carole investigates how Grok went berserk, which didn't stop the Department of Defense signing a contract with Elon's AI chatbot. So who is responsible when your chatbot becomes a bigot?Plus: Email headaches, SPF rage, and a glowing review for... Taskmaster SuperMax Plus?All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault.Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.Episode links:Schoolboy hacks into city's tram system - The Telegraph.Caboose - Wikipedia.Neil Smith discusses his findings - Twitter thread.End-of-Train and Head-of-Train Remote Linking Protocol - CISA.The Cheap Radio Hack That Disrupted Poland's Railway System - Wired.Grok, Elon Musk's AI Chatbot, Shares Antisemitic Posts on X - The New York Times.X ordered its Grok chatbot to ‘tell like it is.' Then the Nazi tirade began - Washington Post. Hacker uses Elmo's X account to post antisemitic rant and demand release of Epstein files - ABC News.Elon Musk Announces Sensuous Grok AI Companion - Mashable.Grok Rolls Out Pornographic Anime Companion, Lands Department of Defense Contract - The Rolling Stone. Learn DMARC. TASKMASTER SUPERMAX+.Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)Sponsored by:Adaptive Security - request a custom demo featuring a real CEO deepfake simulation today from adaptivesecurity.com.Vanta– Expand the scope of your security program with market-leading compliance automation… while saving time and money. Smashing Security listeners get $1000 off!

Adam O'Brien returns with episode 74 of The Fantha From Down Under and on this micro episode, Adam breaks down the plot of the first in the trilogy of L. Neil Smith's Lando Calrissian books from 1983, Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu. Grab a cuppa and tune in on the 74th episode of The Fantha From Down Under. Remember to tune in to Good Morning Tatooine, LIVE Sunday evenings at 9.00pm UK, 4.00pm Eastern and 1.00pm Pacific on Facebook, YouTube and Twitch and check out our Fantha Tracks Radio Friday Night Rotation every Friday at 7.00pm UK for new episodes of The Fantha From Down Under, Planet Leia, Desert Planet Discs, Start Your Engines, Collecting Tracks, Canon Fodder and special episodes of Making Tracks, and every Tuesday at 7.00pm UK time for your weekly episode of Making Tracks. https://www.youtube.com/@FanthaTracksTV/ https://links.fanthatracks.com/ https://link.chtbl.com/fanthatracksradio www.instagram.com/fanthatracks www.facebook.com/FanthaTracks www.twitter.com/FanthaTracks www.pinterest.co.uk/fanthatracks/ www.fanthatracks.tumblr.com/ www.tiktok.com/@fanthatracks www.twitch.tv/fanthatracks www.threads.net/@FanthaTracks

What if the prescription for better health started in the soil—not the pharmacy?In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Nasha Winters sits down with Neil Smith, regenerative agriculture advisor, farmer, and co-founder of the Grow blockchain project (kohima.io). With decades of hands-on experience and a mission rooted in abundance, Neil is helping farmers—and communities—redefine what it means to heal, from the land up.From soil remediation to landscape restoration, and from decentralized systems to local food sovereignty, Neil shares how Web3 technologies are creating new opportunities for farmers to reclaim their data, their profits, and their purpose. It's a conversation about systems thinking, global health, and why healthy soil is the most overlooked cornerstone of public wellness.

Ed didn't experience an NHL 3-0 comeback + Neil Smith of NHL Wraparound Podcast by Ed Lane

Their earliest years were, frankly, like those of many expansion teams. A team comprised of marginal talent as part of the 1972 Expansion Draft and the first-year record certainly reflected that. While the second season saw only slight improvement in the standings, it was the promise of a first overall pick who went on to win the Calder Trophy that laid the foundation of what was ahead.The third season saw a surprising playoff berth, a stunning opening round win over the veteran team from New York City and an historic comeback against Pittsburgh.Then, reality.While the team continued an upward trajectory, the playoff results got increasingly difficult over the course of the next four springs. Finally, in 1980, it came together. A strong core was bolstered in March by the arrival of a college defenseman fresh from winning Olympic gold and a veteran forward who became the final piece of the puzzle.From there, they made history - some of which may never be seen again in the NHL.Join the hosts as they go back 45 years with Captain Denis Potvin, left wing John Tonelli and defenseman Ken Morrow.This is Doormat to Dynasty.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] - Open voiced by long-time Islanders play-by-play man Jiggs McDonald with Islanders theme underneath from organist Paul Cartier. [01:25] - Welcome and after Vic and Neil do some initial reminiscing about Bob Nystrom's Cup clinching goal, guests Denis Potvin, John Tonelli and Ken Morrow are welcomed.[05:00] - 45 years later, the guest share their recollections on the Nystrom goal.[10:09] - The approach to 1980 following increasingly difficult playoff losses after the 1975 Cinderella run. Discussion includes the final pieces coming into place with Ken Morrow arrival fresh off a gold medal at the Olympics and Butch Goring proving to be the missing link coming in a trade from Los Angeles.[16:15] - The road the first championship begins, including the brutal second round series against the Boston Bruins and some hijinks during the semi-final with Buffalo.[32:25] - The Final against rival Flyers begins with some sidebar stories about the toughness of the Broad Street Bullies.[52:10] - With a 3-1 series lead, the Isles drop Game 5 and return to Nassau Coliseum for the potential clincher. After letting a 4-2 third period lead get away, the stage is set for overtime. [1:02:14] - Vivid descriptions of the celebration after the Islanders first-ever Stanley Cup-winning goal. [1:10:51] - 1981 and the first defense of the Cup. The team doesn't miss a beat...even with Neil Smith joining the organization. Among the stories is Denis sharing the emotional piece of his brother Jean being traded away before being re-acquired.[1:17:09] - After an opening round scare, the Isles roll to their third Cup with the Final over Vancouver featuring a spectacular goal in Game 3 by Conn Smythe winner Mike Bossy,[1:23:24] - In pursuit of the fourth Cup, the club drops a bit during the regular season but is more than ready for an upstart team from Edmonton with a phenom wearing #99. In the end, the challengers learn some valuable lessons from the defending champs.[1:33:49] - Going after the Canadiens record of five straight Stanley Cups, the Isles discover their opponent learned well from the previous spring. However, to this day, the guests are still rankled by a change in scheduling during the Final.[1:43:50]- With the dynasty at an end, the perspective and significance of its place in league history becomes more evident with time.[1:54:05] - A final personal question to Ken, John and Denis.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts...

So much for a different result in Toronto. In a season where strides were made in winning a division title and getting out of the first round, dreadful performances at home in Games five and seven against the defending champion Panthers became their undoing.Now, let the questions begin. What happens at the top of the managerial food chain? What happens to the "Core Four?" One thing is for certain: It will not be a boring summer in Canada's hottest hockey hotbed.This Day in Stanley Cup History looks back at the first expansion team to win the Cup, a double OT winner that elated Neil Smith and a Game 7 overtime clincher with two legends Russian legends picking up assists in the winning goal.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #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 #MatthewTkachuk #EvanRodrigues #WilliamNylander #MaxPacioretty #ScottLaughton #BobbyMcMann #StevenLorentz #AustonMatthews #SergeiBobrovsky #ChrisRooney #GarrettRank #NikoMikkola #BradMarchand #SethJones #BrandonCarlo #JosephWoll #AleksanderBarkov #JonahGadjovich #DaveJackson #ESPN #AaronEkblad #CraigBerube #SamBennett #CarterVerhaeghe #BillZito #MaxDomi #EetuLuostarinen #SamReinhart #PaulMaurice #PeterDeBoer #MitchMarner #BrendanShanahan #BradTreliving #SheldonKeefe #JohnTavares #KyleDubas #DonPardo #AlexTrebek #RickMacLeish #MooseDupont #BernieParent #StephaneMatteau #WadeFlaherty #RayWhitney #SergeiMakarov #IgorLarionov #VladimirKrutov #KLMLine #CraigButton #TSN #NHLonTNT

There is an expectation which comes with watching professional athletes that - both men and women - are often looked at to perform with robotic efficiency. As we all know, it doesn't exactly work that way.In the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck fought the St. Louis Blues, fought the puck and fought himself for two weeks. A mental thing.In other instances, a decision in an eyeblink on the ice or one coming from behind the bench can flip the fortunes of a team.The common denominator: It's all human.Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #StanleyCupdate #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #ConnorHellebuyck #ScottArniel #WinnipegJets #JordanBinnington #St.LouisBlues #FourNationsFaceoff #QuintonByfield #LosAngelesKings #EvanBouchard #EdmontonOilers #PavelBuchnevich #ColePerfetti #JimHiller #StephaneMatteau #EsaTikkanen #MartinBrodeur #NewYorkRangers #BrianBoucher #EdOlczyk #EricComrie

Neil Smith (GM of the '94 New York Rangers) joins host Jesse Cohen for a conversation before the 2024-25 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The pair discuss playoff formats, how to build a team for the playoffs and the evolution of the game.