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
Neil takes a 359-195-76 record out of the break and on to audio. Check out his selections as NHL play resumes with eight games Wednesday.
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 #HallofFameEdition #Sta...
The risk of NHL players at the Olympics has taken its toll on, perhaps it's most decorated player as Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby is expected to miss at least a month due to a lower body injury suffered in the quarterfinal game with Czechia. Vic and Neil discuss the potential ramifications.
Elsewhere, the Penguins were involved on the trade front swapping defensemen with the Colorado Avalanche and we'll have a few other items in...
As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Vegas, Edmonton, Seattle and Anaheim with snapshots of the top four teams in the Pacific Division exiting the break.
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 #NYCe...
As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Los Angeles, San Jose, Calgary and Vancouver with snapshots of the bottom four teams in the Pacific Division exiting the break.
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 #Sh...
As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Nashville, Chicago, Winnipeg and St. Louis with snapshots of the bottom four teams in the Central Division exiting the break.
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 #ShortShi...
As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Colorado, Minnesota, Dallas and Utah with snapshots of the top four teams in the Central Division exiting the break.
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 #NYCe...
As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Washington, Philadelphia, New Jersey and the N.Y. Rangers with snapshots of the bottom four teams in the Metropolitan Division exiting the break.
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 #NHLWrap...
As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Carolina, Pittsburgh, the N.Y. Islanders and Columbus with snapshots of the top four teams in the Metropolitan Division exiting the break.
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....
As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Boston, Ottawa, Toronto and Florida with snapshots of the top bottom four teams in the Atlantic Division exiting the break.
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 #ShortShift...
As the NHL season prepares to resume Feb. 25, Vic and Neil feature Tampa Bay, Montreal, Detroit and Buffalo with snapshots of the top four teams in the Atlantic Division exiting the break.
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 ...
There's a long history of brothers playing in the NHL. One of better known siblings currently in the league are Trevor and James van Riemsdyk, currently working to get Washington and Detroit in the playoffs respectively.
Neil and Vic had the opportunity to sit down with both late in the Olympic break. The brothers shared enlightening stories from their past and present...and even gave a peek into their futures as pending UFA's.
Befor...
The USA and Canada were favorites entering both the men's and women's tournaments and the script has played out according to expectation.
Following the USA Women's stirring overtime win against their arch rivals to capture gold Thursday, the men of both countries had to punch their tickets Friday.
For the second time in the elimination phase, Canada used late heroics to advance to the final over Finland while the Americans put a beat...
And then there were four. But how it got there was drama multiplied with three overtime games required to decide the semi-finals.
In the end, the three group winners and the top second place team all made it through but Vic and Neil share their unique takes on how each advanced.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil
Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/
NHL Wraparound Instagra...
Finally, the rubber meets the road at the Men's Olympic tournament as four nations with lighter NHL representation have been cast aside and the heavyweights get back on stage.
Elsewhere, while NHL players return to practice, the expected gold medal game for the women is set for Thursday with the USA taking an historic shutout streak into the final with Canada.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNei...
The eighteen preliminary round games in the men's Olympic tournament have been completed. No surprise Canada and the U.S. were a perfect 3-0 in groups A and C respectively. However, who saw Slovakia edging out both Finland and Sweden to win Group B?
Vic and Neil give their thoughts, add in a few other nuggets and look ahead as the elimination phase begins Tuesday.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NY...
Dallas Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for comprehensive discussion on unique rehire 13 years after being fired by Jim Nill, Vegas Wranglers ECHL days with midnight games for shift change workers and rowdy 1:30am fans, coaching evolution from chief cook and bottle washer in ECHL to managing massive NHL staffs, seven years in Edmonton building NHL-record 32.4% power play with Connor McDavid and Leon Dr...
After a brief respite while awaiting the start of the Milan-Cortina Games, Vic and Neil offer up a few early thoughts on action thus far.
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 #HallofFameEdition #Sta...
Devils captain and Hall of Famer Scott Stevens joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for comprehensive career discussion. From greatest open ice hits in NHL history to remarkable stat of only four elbowing penalties in 22-year career, hear about three Stanley Cups with three different coaches (Jacques Lemaire revolutionary system, Larry Robinson fired Robbie Ftorek late season, Pat Burns enforcing not changing). Kitchener Rangers Memoria...
Addiction medicine physician Dr. Lipi Roy joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for critical discussion on gambling crisis in professional sports. From NBA betting scandals (Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, Damon Jones arrested, Jontay Porter permanently banned) to NCAA allowing athletes bet on pro sports despite Fresno State basketball conspiracy, hear comprehensive analysis of behavioral addiction science. Dr. Roy explains dopamine trig...
They started 0-3-0 and were still three games below .500 on the morning of Dec. 9. Simply put, 2025-26 was shaping us the same way as the past 14 seasons have for the Buffalo Sabres.
28 games later, nobody's laughing at the Sabres any more. Though there's been a slight cool down over the past week, Buffalo News columnist Mike Harrington returns to the show to share what's been behind the stunning turnaround.
In Three Things You Need ...
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