NHL Wraparound Podcast
Breadth and depth. Contemporary and historical. Straight-forward and experienced. The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League. Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past. With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed. Bio’s Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years. Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings. Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager. A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL. After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003. His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experience.
Episodes
The Human Side of the story discusses the leadership qualities of Stanley Cup captains Connor McDavid and Aleksander Barkov, the impact of injuries on players like Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox, and the dedication of athletes during playoffs.
The episode also highlights the NHL's trailblazing efforts in broadcasting games with sign language for the deaf community.
Sponsored by the Game 7 group, the podcast emphasizes team dynamics and ...
Episode 3 in the NY Rangers 30th Anniversary Special series . We hear insights from goaltender Mike Richter and left wing Stéphane Matteau, join hosts Neil and Vic to analyze the 1994 Eastern Conference Final against the New Jersey Devils. They highlight pivotal moments such as Mark Messier's Game Six guarantee and Matteau's double-overtime goal in Game Seven.
This episode revisits the unforgettable moments that led to one of ...
Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the upcoming Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. Joined by Eddie Olczyk from TNT, the trio provides analysis, predictions, and insights on the series. They discuss topics such as the significance of touching the conference trophy, head coaching experiences, and previous playoff performances.
The episode also includes a fun segment with the podcast mascot AJ pred...
Neil Smith, President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers, along with ESPN NHL veteran Vic Morren are joined by Hall of Fame defenseman Kevin Lowe and two-way forward Steve Larmer, they recap the road to the Eastern Conference Final.
The discussion highlights key moments from the Rangers' series against the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals, emphasizing the players' experiences, the i...
Human Side of the Story- Rick Bowness , a veteran bench boss with 38 years of NHL experience. They discuss Bowness’ illustrious career as both player and coach in the NHL, his significant contributions to various teams, and his journey from being drafted in 1975 to his latest roles.
Additionally, Vic shares an unforgettable memory from the 1987 Stanley Cup Finals, recounting a thrilling game between the Oilers and ...
Special guest Rick Bowness, recently retired head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, shares his experiences and insights from his notable coaching career spanning nearly four decades. Bowness discusses the challenges and changes he faced in Winnipeg, the evolution of coaching and player relationships, and his thoughts on the current NHL playoff landscape.
Host promotes upcoming special five part series on the Rangers' historic 1994 t...
Neil Smith, President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers, along with ESPN NHL veteran Vic Morren, are joined by goaltender Glenn Healy and MSG color analyst John Davidson as they reflect on the thrilling journey to their historic victory.
They reminisce about the dramatic trade deadline decisions, the influence of iconic players such as Mark Messier and Mike Richter, and the acceptance of roles by ...
The Vancouver Canucks' challenging experiences during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The team, initially underestimated, had a strong regular season and won the Pacific Division.
Despite advancing past Nashville, they faced difficulties in the second round against the Edmonton Oilers, struggling after losing key player Brock Boeser to blood clots and their main goalie. The hosts emphasize the importance of maintaining performance throug...
In this Special Edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil and Vic are joined by NHL on TNT analyst Ed Olczyk for an in-depth discussion on the NHL Conference Finals. They kick off with an analysis of the Vancouver Canucks' performance and their lessons in closing the series.
The conversation shifts to the conference finals, with Olczyk sharing his insights into the matchups between the Rangers vs. Panthers and Stars vs. Oilers, hi...
In this special episode of the NHL WrapAround podcast, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia Flyers' first Stanley Cup victory. Joined by special guests Jay Snider, son of Flyers' founder Ed Snider, and legendary goaltender Bernie Parent, where they reminisce about the history and legacy of the 1974 championship team.
The guests share insights into the Flyers' journey, the leadershi...
Dave Jackson, former NHL referee and current ESPN Rules Analyst, joins Neil and Vic to discuss the intensity of playoff hockey, the role and challenges of officials, and the evolution of the two-man officiating system.
They explore video review complexities and the subjective nature of certain calls. Critiquing the rules like hand passing in the defensive zone and puck-over-glass penalties, while Jackson suggests reforms...
John Buccigross, Long-time studio host and Play-by-Play man for the NHL on ESPN, is back for round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs. They provide detailed analysis and predictions for each series, including team matchups and key players to watch.
Throughout the episode, insights into coaching strategies, player performances, and potential outcomes of the playoffs are shared, alongside personal anecdotes and memories of wo...
Bill Daly, the Deputy Commissioner of the NHL joins Neil and Vic on an in depth discussion in Episode 15. Daly discusses the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Utah, highlighting the complexities of finding a long-term arena solution and the unexpected rejection of a public referendum for a new arena in Tempe, Arizona. He explains the transitional plan, which allows the team's owner to reactivate the franchise if a suitable arena...
Hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren, along with special guest George McPhee, President of Hockey Operations for the Vegas Golden Knights, discuss the NHL playoff scenario, team dynamics, and franchise movements. They reflect on the historical and recent team relocations within the NHL, offering a glimpse into the impact on communities and individuals involved.
George McPhee shares his extensive career journey, from his playing day...
Special guest John Buccigross Long-time studio host and Play-by-Play man for the NHL on ESPN joins us to cover the Stanley Cup Playoff Preview Show. Focus is on the teams strengths, weaknesses, and key factors that could influence the outcomes, such as coaching styles, player performances, and injuries.
Predictions for each series and in depth discussion on the New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricane...
The final week of the NHL regular season is here and the intense competition for playoff spots, particularly focusing on the battle among five teams for the last two spots in the Eastern Conference.
The episode features an insightful interview with Ken Holland, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers, discussing various aspects of his career, player development, and the Oilers' playoff prospec...
Hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the latest developments as the regular NHL season nears its end, analyzing the playoff prospects for both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
Special guest Nick Kypreos provides insights into the New York Rangers' chances in the playoffs and discusses the ongoing drought of Canadian teams not winning the Stanley Cup.
The episode also touches on the Dallas Stars' strengths, Artemi P...
Episode 11 features an engaging interview with Craig Laughlin, a Washington Capitals TV analyst, exploring his career, insights on the Capitals' performance, and stories about Alexander Ovechkin. The hosts also address the recent controversy involving Zach Hyman's 50-goal milestone achievement and the debate on the influence of privilege in reaching NHL success.
Reflections on missed story opportunities and critiques of ...
Episode 10 features Don Waddell, the Carolina Hurricanes' president and general manager, discussing player acquisitions and future plans.
The hosts analyze wild card races, praising standout players like Hyman and Reinhardt, and spotlighting teams like the Washington Capitals and the Nashville Predators.
Waddell shares insights on strategic acquisitions and roster management, including reflections on goaltending dynamics....
Episode 9 features Brian Boucher, the analyst for TNT and NBC Sports Philadelphia. The discussions cover various topics, including the performance of the New York Rangers, the challenges faced by NHL teams, and the playoff race in both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
They dive into the competitive landscape, strategic decisions, and critical factors influencing playoff success in the NHL. Throughout the podcast, the hosts and B...
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