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
he final episode of our 1994 Rangers series celebrates three decades of memories and impact. Hear from team members like John Davidson calling it "a roadmap for life," Glenn Healy on family sacrifice for getting a last name on the Cup, and Steve Larmer on incredible teammates. Barry Meisel shares his Daily News coverage balancing fan and reporter, while fans reveal how the championship changed their lives - from holding up 1-year-o...
Talk about an abundance of riches. One half of your job is running one of the top teams in the NHL while the other half is assembling the best American players in the world for the upcoming Olympics.
GM of both the Minnesota Wild and U.S. Men’s team headed to Italy, Bill Guerin joins Neil and Vic to talk about both teams.
In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, an American Legend reaches a milestone, a future legend puts on a v...
An abbreviated show with Neil traveling so Vic handling the updates and storylines from the past couple of nights as 77 goals were scored Tuesday including a surprising blitz at UBS Arena.
Speaking of being blitzed, it's becoming a regular occurence in Anaheim whey are no longer outscoring mistakes.
Some key injury news - particularly in New York - is noted as well as penalty shot happenings in three games, two of which were rather u...
A tick past the midway point of the season and there have been some truly remarkable trends in the NHL in 2025-26.
How else to explain, the flip-flop in teams' play from game-to-game, elite teams struggling while former also-rans flex muscle? And then there's the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have gifted late standings points to division and conference rivals at a rate which - if not reversed quickly - will keep them out of the playoff...
The rosters for the Milano Cortina Olympics have been announced with no shortage of second guessing, particularly in Canada. Vic and Neil start the New Year with the over-hype more than a month out from the games.
As the NHL schedule moves towards the mid-point, two hot teams are on very different missions in 2026: the Avalanche in their march towards history and the Sabres who are looking to change theirs.
Then there's the flip side...
Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, and Adam Graves join Neil and Vic to relive conquering the curse - the 1994 Stanley Cup Final against the Vancouver Canucks. From the pressure of ending a 54-year drought to Game 7's heart-stopping final minutes, this is the story of how Broadway's finest delivered a gift to millions. Hear Messier explain why going home between Games 6 and 7 was crucial, Leetch describe becoming the first American Conn S...
Mike Richter and Stephane Matteau join Neil and Vic to relive the greatest playoff series in NHL history - the 1994 Eastern Conference Final between the Rangers and Devils. From three double-overtime games to Mark Messier's legendary guarantee and hat trick in Game 6, this seven-game war had everything. Hear Matteau describe both overtime winners, Richter walk through his Game 6 brilliance while down 2-0, Neil's fury at Mike Keenan...
After a three-day break, plenty going on around the NHL for the final show of 2025. A bunch of items from to hit on for our 165th program of the calendar year.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil
Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/
NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/
#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #H...
Steve Larmer and Kevin Lowe join Neil and Vic to relive the Rangers' dominant start to the 1994 playoffs. From back-to-back 6-0 shutouts sweeping the Islanders to conquering the problematic Capitals in five games, this episode reveals how championship experience kept the team focused. Hear about the "1940" chants at Nassau Coliseum, Esa Tikkanen's legendary kiss to Keith Jones, Mike Richter's redemption after the Kevin Hatcher goal...
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 Smit...
Chances are, if you have seen a memorable hockey photo over the past half century, it can through the lens of Bruce Bennett.
The legendary photographer and recent inductee to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame stopped by to join Neil and Vic sharing memories, his preparation and the inside scoop on getting the perfect shot.
In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to, it's an upside-down world heading into the break, three teams put up fi...
In a weekend which offered up storylines several different areas, one stood out as one legend passed another in Pittsburgh Sunday with Sidney Crosby tying, then passing Mario Lemieux atop the all-time Penguins points list.
Elsewhere, both Toronto and Carolina had lost weekend but the narratives are vastly different.
We also have a pair of trades to report while the front office turnover in Buffalo continues.
Finally, which team is the...
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...
Captain Dennis Potvin, left wing John Tonelli, and defenseman Ken Morrow join Neil and Vic to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the New York Islanders' first Stanley Cup championship. From a 12-win expansion disaster to hockey immortality, these three Hall of Famers share firsthand accounts of the 1980 playoff run that launched a dynasty. Hear stories about the Butch Goring trade, the brutal Boston series with Clark Gillies vs. Ter...
With a three-day break coming up, some overachieving teams in the early going are clearly leveling out while others with high expectations are still spinning their wheels.
Meanwhile, there's a pulse in Buffalo...for now.
There's also the continuing brilliance among some star NHL backliners but, not so much in goal, where we have seen the understudies usurp the headliners in many cities.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: ...
He is one of the top analysts in hockey and is never shy about voicing his opinion. Neil and Vic welcome ESPN/Sportsnet's Ray Ferraro to the show to discuss the recent trades and other league news.
We'll hit our usual Three Things You need to Pay Attention to at the top of the program with a nod to the latest to the 1000 point club and, after speaking with Ray, we'll hit on a couple of offbeat items - one having to do with a team r...
Wild GM Bill Guerin made a statement with his record extension to Kirill Kaprizov in late September. Friday, he put the rest of the NHL on notice with a blockbuster trade acquired Vancouver captain Quinn Hughes for three players and a draft pick. Vic and Neil have the analysis.
Among the other happenings since Friday's show, a big injury, a big return and, if the Pittsburgh Penguins get nudged out of a playoff berth, they'll look ...
Pierre Turgeon, 2023 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and one of only 48 players in NHL history to score 500 goals, joins Neil and Vic for an intimate Hall of Fame Edition conversation. From representing Canada in the Little League World Series alongside Stefan Matteau to scoring 132 points in his best NHL season, Turgeon reflects on his remarkable 19-year career. He shares memories of the Dale Hunter hit, the emotional closing of the ...
Scott Stevens, the greatest open-ice hitter in NHL history and three-time Stanley Cup champion, joins Neil and Vic for an unforgettable Hall of Fame Edition conversation. From his early days as the fifth overall pick in Washington to becoming the first player to have his number retired by the New Jersey Devils, Stevens reflects on his 22-year Hall of Fame career. He shares stories about learning to channel his intensity, the legend...
As the Edmonton Oilers continue to emerge from their first quarter slumber, the team swung a pair of deals heading into the weekend with Pittsburgh and Nashville. Vic and Neil have the latest.
Coming off Tuesday's last second thrillers, more comebacks were in store on Wednesday and Thursday but, not to be outdone, two notable goalie performances and and handful of four-point games, including the second four-goal game of the season.
A...
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