NHL Wraparound Podcast

Spring Cleaning – Minnesota WildThe Minnesota Wild took an important step forward during the 2025-26 season, finishing third in the Central Division and winning their first playoff series in 11 years. After defeating the Dallas Stars in six games, Minnesota’s run ended against the Colorado Avalanche in the second round as several major injuries weakened the lineup. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the impact of the Quinn Hughes trade, the emergence of Jesper Wallstedt, and the offseason decisions facing General Manager Bill Guerin as the Wild attempt to move from playoff team to legitimate Stanley Cup contender.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Wild finish third in the Central Division before defeating Dallas in the opening round and falling to Colorado in five games. Neil and Vic discuss how injuries to Joel Eriksson Ek, Jonas Brodin, and Zach Bogosian significantly affected Minnesota’s chances against the Avalanche.[00:00:45] Minnesota’s elimination includes a painful collapse in Game 5 after surrendering a late two-goal lead. Despite the disappointment, Neil believes the season represented meaningful progress for an organization that had not advanced beyond the first round in more than a decade.[00:01:00] The panel revisits the modest expectations surrounding the Wild entering the season. A quiet 2025 offseason featured the acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko and the signing of Nico Sturm, while the organization continued carrying a reduced salary-cap penalty from the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter buyouts.[00:02:00] Kirill Kaprizov’s massive contract extension becomes one of the season’s defining stories. His new deal begins next season at $17 million annually, placing him among the highest-paid players in NHL history and increasing the pressure on Minnesota to build a championship-level roster around him.[00:02:30] The December acquisition of Quinn Hughes dramatically changes the Wild’s outlook. Neil describes Hughes as one of the NHL’s elite defensemen and credits his arrival with helping transform Minnesota from a potential Wild Card team into one of the Central Division’s strongest clubs.[00:03:00] After beginning the season 3-6-3, the Wild respond with a 10-0-2 run in November that includes seven consecutive victories. Additional winning streaks throughout the season solidify their place alongside Colorado and Dallas near the top of the division.[00:04:00] Neil and Vic also examine Winnipeg’s unexpected decline and how it created an opening for Minnesota. While the Jets were expected to remain one of the Central’s dominant teams, their regression allowed the Wild to move firmly into the division’s top three.[00:04:30] Minnesota’s statistical improvement is reviewed. The Wild score 44 more goals than the previous season, improve their go

Spring Cleaning – Los Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings reached the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the second Western Conference Wild Card but were quickly swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the opening round. While making the postseason appeared to be a positive step, a closer examination revealed a team with significant flaws that barely survived the regular season. Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the coaching turmoil, declining offensive production, and major rebuilding challenge now facing General Manager Ken Holland as he attempts to return one of the NHL's marquee franchises to true contender status.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Kings qualify for the playoffs as the second Wild Card before being swept by Colorado in four games. Neil and Vic discuss the expectations entering the season after Ken Holland's veteran-heavy offseason additions, including Corey Perry, Joel Armia, Cody Ceci, and Brian Dumoulin, raised questions about the age and direction of the roster.[00:01:00] Neil reflects on Ken Holland's third NHL general manager position, explaining why Los Angeles represents the greatest challenge of his career after successful runs in Detroit and Edmonton. Unlike those situations, Holland inherits a roster with significant holes rather than an established championship core.[00:01:45] The discussion turns to the coaching carousel. Jim Hiller begins the season under heavy scrutiny after questionable playoff decisions the previous year before being dismissed on March 1. Interim coach D.J. Smith finishes the season, but Neil believes Holland will likely hire his own permanent bench boss this offseason.[00:03:00] Despite losing Kevin Fiala for the season after the Olympics and changing coaches late in the year, the Kings somehow rally to earn a playoff berth. Neil and Vic describe the finish as "smoke and mirrors," helped as much by Nashville and San Jose fading as by Los Angeles improving its own play.[00:04:00] The panel examines some alarming team statistics. The Kings finish with one of the NHL's worst home winning percentages, rank near the bottom of the league on both the power play and penalty kill, score the fourth-fewest goals in the NHL, and struggle mightily in overtime and shootout games.[00:05:00] Offensive regression becomes another major concern. Adrian Kempe remains productive, but Quinton Byfield, Andrei Kuzmenko, Alex Turcotte, and Alex Laferrière all fail to provide the secondary scoring needed to support the club's top players throughout the season.[00:06:00] Neil suggests the Kings may have actually benefited more from missing the playoffs than being swept in the opening round, as a higher draft position could have accelerated the rebuilding process. Instead, Los Angeles exits early without significantly improving its long-term outlook.

Spring Cleaning – Florida PanthersThe Florida Panthers entered the 2025-26 season chasing history, attempting to become just the fifth franchise in NHL history to win three consecutive Stanley Cups. Instead, injuries ravaged the defending champions from the opening days of training camp, ultimately ending their playoff streak before it truly began. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine how health derailed Florida's pursuit of a three-peat, the difficult roster decisions now facing General Manager Bill Zito, and why the Panthers may still be well-positioned to rebound if they can get healthy next season.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Florida Panthers are eliminated from playoff contention on April 4, ending their bid for a third consecutive Stanley Cup championship. Neil and Vic discuss the enormous expectations surrounding the defending champions after another aggressive offseason by General Manager Bill Zito.[00:00:45] Florida successfully re-signs key contributors including Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad, Tomas Nosek, and Mackie Samoskevich, giving the organization confidence that another championship run was within reach. Looking back at their preseason predictions, Neil recalls identifying one factor above all others that could derail the Panthers' season—health.[00:01:00] Injuries quickly overwhelm the defending champions. Neil explains how years of deep playoff runs and an aging veteran core finally begin to take their toll, with Sergei Bobrovsky, Brad Marchand, and several other veterans battling injuries throughout the season.[00:01:45] The discussion reviews Florida's overwhelming injury problems, beginning with Aleksander Barkov's knee injury during training camp and Matthew Tkachuk missing nearly half the season. By year's end, the Panthers are among the NHL leaders in man-games lost, with at least nine players unavailable for the remainder of the season.[00:02:30] Neil emphasizes that championship-caliber teams cannot simply replace elite players with depth pieces and expect the same results. The Panthers' remarkable run of three consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances finally catches up with them as the accumulated physical toll proves impossible to overcome.[00:03:00] Looking ahead, the panel examines Florida's limited draft capital after years of aggressive trades. The Panthers enter the 2026 NHL Draft without a first-round pick following the Seth Jones trade and will also be without a first-round selection in 2027 after acquiring Brad Marchand from Boston.[00:03:45] Neil praises Bill Zito's work as one of the NHL's premier general managers and expresses confidence that Florida's front office will find creative ways to replenish the roster despite having fewer premium draft assets than most organizations.[00:04:00]

Spring Cleaning – Edmonton OilersThe Edmonton Oilers entered the 2025-26 season with one objective: return to the Stanley Cup Final and finish the job after consecutive championship losses to the Florida Panthers. Instead, Edmonton endured an inconsistent season that ended with a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the roster decisions that left the Oilers without enough depth, the goaltending gamble that backfired, and the enormous offseason facing General Manager Stan Bowman as the organization works to convince Connor McDavid that another championship run remains within reach.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Oilers finish second in the Pacific Division before suffering a shocking first-round playoff elimination against Anaheim. Neil and Vic discuss why anything short of another Stanley Cup Final appearance was considered a disappointment after Edmonton's back-to-back championship appearances.[00:00:45] Edmonton's offseason departures—including Corey Perry, Evander Kane, and Connor Brown—leave the roster noticeably thinner. Combined with Zach Hyman missing the opening 19 games of the season, the Oilers struggle to replace valuable secondary scoring throughout the year.[00:01:30] The panel examines how the emotional and physical toll of consecutive Stanley Cup Final losses affected Edmonton's season. Despite another slow start that initially appeared familiar, the Oilers never found the momentum that had fueled previous playoff runs.[00:02:00] The conversation shifts to one of the season's most controversial moves as Stan Bowman trades Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry. Neil and Vic break down the disappointing results after Jarry struggles badly while Skinner performs better with the Penguins, making the trade one of the NHL's biggest disappointments.[00:03:30] Edmonton's increasing dependence on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl becomes impossible to ignore. The panel reviews how nearly one-third of the club's offense comes from its two superstars while the number of secondary contributors continues to decline, placing enormous pressure on the league's best players.[00:05:00] Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' role is discussed as Neil describes him as an invaluable all-around player rather than an elite offensive producer. The conversation also highlights encouraging development from young forwards Matt Savoie and Vasily Podkolzin while acknowledging the continued lack of consistent secondary scoring.[00:07:00] Attention turns to Stan Bowman's difficult offseason. Questions surround head coach Kris Knoblauch's future, while Connor McDavid's contract extension becomes one of the biggest storylines facing the organization after both McDavid and Draisaitl publicly acknowledged the team took a step backward

Spring Cleaning – Detroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings entered the 2025-26 season expecting to finally end one of the NHL’s longest playoff droughts. Instead, a promising campaign collapsed during the final months, leaving Detroit outside the postseason for a 10th consecutive year. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Red Wings’ lack of secondary scoring, another damaging late-season fade, and the mounting pressure on General Manager Steve Yzerman and head coach Todd McLellan to make significant changes this offseason.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Detroit Red Wings are officially eliminated from playoff contention on April 11, extending their postseason drought to 10 consecutive seasons. Neil and Vic discuss the expectations surrounding Steve Yzerman and Todd McLellan after a relatively quiet offseason highlighted by the additions of John Gibson and James van Riemsdyk.[00:00:30] Detroit appeared firmly positioned for the playoffs on January 25 with a 32-16-5 record, first place in the Atlantic Division, and a 10-point cushion over the playoff cutline. John Gibson proved to be a successful acquisition, providing the stable goaltending the Red Wings had been missing.[00:01:00] The conversation turns to Detroit’s lack of offensive depth. Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, Lucas Raymond, and Moritz Seider once again carried most of the scoring burden, while the supporting cast failed to provide enough consistent production.[00:01:30] Marco Kasper’s regression becomes one example of Detroit’s secondary-scoring problems. After recording 37 points the previous season, Kasper falls below 20 points in 2025-26, leaving the Red Wings overly dependent on the same small group of established players.[00:02:00] Neil praises Gibson for solving Detroit’s goaltending concerns and credits James van Riemsdyk for contributing effectively in a limited veteran role. However, neither addition was enough to overcome the club’s lack of depth throughout the lineup.[00:02:30] Neil and Vic examine Detroit’s repeated late-season collapses. Over the past five years, the Red Wings have consistently struggled during March and April, failing to produce the final push necessary to secure a playoff berth.[00:03:00] The pressure surrounding the organization reaches a new level. Detroit’s passionate fan base has still never seen a playoff game at Little Caesars Arena, while Steve Yzerman’s return to the franchise has yet to produce a postseason appearance.[00:03:15] Neil questions whether major changes may be coming within the organization. Dylan Larkin’s leadership is discussed, along with the futures of Todd McLellan and Steve Yzerman after another season in which the Red Wings failed to finish strong.[00:03:45] Detroit’s acquisition of

Spring Cleaning – Dallas StarsThe Dallas Stars entered the 2025-26 season with Stanley Cup expectations after three consecutive trips to the Western Conference Final and four straight 100-point seasons. Instead, Dallas suffered another painful postseason disappointment, falling to the Minnesota Wild in six games during the opening round. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Stars’ dramatic swings in performance, the devastating injuries that depleted their lineup, and the difficult decisions awaiting General Manager Jim Nill as he attempts to extend the championship window of one of the NHL’s most talented—but increasingly veteran—teams.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Dallas Stars finish second in the Central Division before losing to Minnesota in six games during the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Neil and Vic discuss the consistently high expectations surrounding a team that has averaged more than 107 points over the last five full seasons.[00:01:00] The conversation turns to Dallas’ repeated playoff disappointments after three consecutive trips to the Western Conference Final. Glen Gulutzan returned for his second stint behind the Stars’ bench, following a long line of respected coaches who were also unable to lead the organization back to the Stanley Cup Final.[00:01:45] Neil explains how the strength of the Central Division and the NHL’s current playoff format creates an extremely difficult opening-round matchup for any team finishing second or third. Dallas knew for months that Minnesota would likely be its opponent, but still could not find a way through one of the league’s deepest teams.[00:02:00] Vic reviews the Stars’ wildly inconsistent regular season. Dallas followed a 14-1-2 stretch with a 2-6-4 slide, then produced a 14-0-1 run that included 10 consecutive victories before struggling again late in the year. The panel discusses why the Stars can look unbeatable at their best and completely vulnerable when their game disappears.[00:03:00] Dallas’ recent playoff history is placed under the microscope. The Stars surrendered a 2-1 series lead against Edmonton in 2024, struggled offensively against the Oilers again in 2025, and then lost another 2-1 series advantage against Minnesota after allowing a late lead to slip away in Game 4.[00:04:00] Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston each score 45 goals, but the offense drops sharply after the two young stars. Mikko Rantanen is revealed to have suffered a torn MCL during the Olympics, limiting his effectiveness after returning for the final 10 games of the regular season.[00:05:00] The Stars’ extensive injury list is examined. Tyler Seguin suffers a season-ending torn ACL, Roope Hintz tears his hamstring shortly after returning from the Olympics, while Miro Heiskanen, Radek Faksa, Michael Bunting,

The Columbus Blue Jackets once again fell just short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the 2025-26 season, extending their postseason drought to six consecutive years. After a dramatic midseason coaching change sparked one of the NHL's best second-half turnarounds, Columbus appeared poised to finally break through before another late-season collapse dashed those hopes. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine why the Blue Jackets continue to struggle in pressure situations, the emergence of several young stars, and the important decisions awaiting General Manager Don Waddell this offseason.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Blue Jackets are eliminated from playoff contention on April 13 after another season that began with modest expectations. Neil and Vic discuss how Columbus entered the year as a playoff bubble team following an emotional 2024-25 campaign and why sustaining that momentum proved difficult.[00:00:45] Columbus struggles through the first half of the season before General Manager Don Waddell makes a coaching change on January 12, replacing Dean Evason with veteran bench boss Rick Bowness. The move immediately energizes the Blue Jackets as they surge back into the playoff race.[00:01:00] Despite their remarkable turnaround, the Blue Jackets once again falter when the stakes are highest. A disastrous 2-8-1 stretch over their final 11 games erases their playoff position, highlighted by a disappointing season-ending loss to Washington that prompts Rick Bowness to publicly question his team's competitiveness and commitment.[00:02:00] Neil explains that Columbus' biggest problem isn't talent—it's finishing. Whether protecting leads during games or holding onto playoff positioning in the standings, the Blue Jackets repeatedly fail to close the deal, continuing a troubling pattern that has followed the organization over the past two seasons.[00:03:00] The discussion turns to the club's promising core. Zach Werenski anchors the defense while Kirill Marchenko, Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan, Charlie Coyle, Cole Sillinger, Boone Jenner, and emerging goaltender Jet Greaves provide optimism that the talent necessary to compete is already in place.[00:04:00] Neil and Vic examine Rick Bowness' future after he signs a one-year extension. Following his emotional criticism of the team at season's end, the veteran coach returns determined to change the culture and help Columbus finally overcome its inability to finish important games.[00:05:00] Looking ahead to the offseason, the Blue Jackets enter the 2026 NHL Draft with all seven of their original selections intact and approximately $8.75 million in projected salary cap space, giving Don Waddell flexibility to strengthen the roster.[00:05:45] The panel reviews Columbus' unrestricted free agents, includ

The Colorado Avalanche entered the 2025-26 season with one goal—winning the Stanley Cup. After capturing the Presidents' Trophy with an NHL-best 121 points, Colorado appeared destined for another championship run before suffering a stunning sweep at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine how one of the league's most talented rosters fell short, the playoff disappearance of several superstar players, and the difficult offseason facing General Manager Chris MacFarland as the Avalanche attempt to capitalize on what remains of their championship window. IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Avalanche finish atop the NHL standings with the Presidents' Trophy before sweeping Los Angeles and defeating Minnesota in five games, only to be swept themselves by Vegas in the Western Conference Final. Neil and Vic revisit the preseason expectation that anything short of a Stanley Cup would be considered a disappointment. [00:01:00] Colorado's dominant regular season is reviewed, including a remarkable 31-2-7 start, two separate 10-game winning streaks, the league's best home and road records, and elite performances at both ends of the ice. The panel also discusses the surprising weakness of an all-star power play that somehow finished near the bottom of the NHL despite its immense talent. [00:03:00] The discussion turns to Colorado's star-studded roster. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 53 goals, Martin Nečas records his first 100-point season, Brock Nelson scores 30 goals once again, and Cale Makar remains among the league's elite defensemen before the stars unexpectedly go quiet during the conference final against Vegas. [00:04:00] Neil and Vic examine the collapse against the Golden Knights as Colorado's biggest offensive weapons—including MacKinnon, Nečas, Makar, and Nelson—struggle simultaneously. They compare the Avalanche's postseason exit to recent playoff disappointments by other Stanley Cup contenders whose stars failed to produce at the most critical time. [00:05:00] Colorado's goaltending situation is debated following another successful regular season from Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood. Neil questions whether the Avalanche's goaltending matched the elite talent in front of them, while acknowledging that history has shown teams can still win championships with solid—but not necessarily superstar—goaltending. [00:07:00] Attention shifts to Chris MacFarland's offseason challenges. The Avalanche enter the 2026 NHL Draft with eight selections but will not make their first pick until the fourth round after aggressively trading premium draft capital in recent seasons to strengthen a championship-caliber roster. [00:09:00] Neil explains the difficult reality of managing a veteran contender with limi

The Chicago Blackhawks remained in rebuilding mode during the 2025-26 season, finishing last in the Central Division for the fourth consecutive year. While another playoff berth was never expected, Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss why there are encouraging signs throughout the organization. From Connor Bedard's continued development under new head coach Jeff Blashill to an impressive collection of future draft picks and a stronger defensive identity, the Blackhawks appear to be laying the foundation for a return to contention in the years ahead.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Blackhawks are officially eliminated from playoff contention on April 2 after another season at the bottom of the Central Division. Neil and Vic discuss why expectations remained modest entering the year despite Jeff Blashill taking over behind the Chicago bench, and why the rebuild appears to be progressing in the right direction.[00:00:45] Neil explains that Chicago's long-term plan remains focused on accumulating elite young talent before aggressively adding veteran pieces. Connor Bedard continues his development, showing significant improvement defensively under Blashill while maturing into the franchise cornerstone the Blackhawks envisioned.[00:01:00] The discussion turns to Chicago's impressive collection of future assets. The Blackhawks own nine selections in the 2026 NHL Draft, including two first-round picks and three second-round picks, while also holding the possibility of multiple first-round selections again in 2027, giving General Manager Kyle Davidson tremendous flexibility to continue building the roster.[00:01:45] Neil and Vic review Chicago's offseason contract priorities. Connor Bedard headlines the restricted free agent class, while defenseman Kevin Korchinski also requires a new contract. The panel expects Bedard's extension to be one of the organization's easiest decisions after his continued growth.[00:02:00] Defensively, the Blackhawks show noticeable improvement. Their penalty kill becomes one of the NHL's best, while goals against decline from the previous season despite still finishing above three goals allowed per game. Neil credits Jeff Blashill for establishing stronger defensive habits throughout a young roster.[00:02:30] The conversation shifts to the changing leadership within the organization following the departures of longtime veterans Nick Foligno, Jason Dickinson, and Connor Murphy. With Connor Bedard now wearing an "A," the Blackhawks officially enter a new era centered around their emerging young core.[00:03:00] Neil and Vic evaluate the supporting cast around Bedard, highlighting productive seasons from Tyler Bertuzzi and Ryan Donato while acknowledging that Chicago still lacks the overall depth necessary to compete consistently with the NHL's top t

Spring Cleaning – Carolina HurricanesThe Carolina Hurricanes reached the summit of the hockey world during the 2025-26 season, capturing the Stanley Cup after finishing first in the Eastern Conference with 113 points. While Carolina entered the season as a perennial contender, few believed this roster had enough to finally win it all. Neil Smith and Vic Morren look back at the moves that transformed the Hurricanes into champions, the emergence of unexpected playoff heroes, Brandon Bussey's remarkable story, and why General Manager Eric Tulsky may have built a team capable of contending for years to come. IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate their first Stanley Cup championship since 2006 after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in six games. Neil explains why winning the Stanley Cup only begins one of the busiest periods for an NHL general manager as the draft and free agency quickly follow a championship run. [00:01:00] Vic reviews Carolina's outstanding season, finishing first in the Eastern Conference and reaching the Stanley Cup Final after sweeping Ottawa and Philadelphia before eliminating Montreal in five games. Neil and Vic revisit their preseason expectations following the additions of Nikolaj Ehlers and K'Andre Miller, while questioning whether the Hurricanes had done enough to become true Stanley Cup contenders. [00:03:00] Neil discusses the offseason additions that ultimately changed Carolina's fortunes. K'Andre Miller strengthens the blue line, Nikolaj Ehlers flourishes in his first season away from Winnipeg, and the biggest surprise of all arrives when Brandon Bussey is claimed off waivers after injuries to Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov force Carolina to rely on an unknown goaltender. [00:05:00] Brandon Bussey emerges as one of the NHL's biggest surprises, posting a 31-6-2 record while helping stabilize Carolina's goaltending. The discussion also highlights the continued development of Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, and the resurgence of veteran Taylor Hall as the Hurricanes' young core matures into championship contributors. [00:06:00] Vic breaks down Carolina's statistical improvements, including a significant jump in road performance, the NHL's second-ranked offense, and a top-five goals-against average despite relying on three different goaltenders throughout the season. [00:07:00] The conversation shifts to Carolina's balanced attack during the playoffs. Six players finish the regular season with at least 50 points, while nine players record double-digit playoff points. Neil explains how the Hurricanes won without relying on a traditional superstar, instead overwhelming opponents with depth, defensive structure, and exceptional team play. [00:08:30] Logan Stankoven's acquisition from Dallas continues to pay en

Wednesday morning, it was announced Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman was stepping down from the position and into a senior advisory role under team CEO Chris Ilitch.With captain Dylan Larkin's desire to be traded still at the forefront, the incoming GM will have this saga waiting from the moment the ink is dry on a contract.Beyond that, a proud franchise which hasn't made the playoffs in ten seasons appears to be in some disarray. Plenty to unpack as the Wings look to steady the waters.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #DetroitRedWings #SteveYzerman #JimDevellano #ChrisIlitch #Dylan Larkin #ViktorArvidsson #DaniilTarasov #KeeganKolesar #BradyTkachuk

Spring Cleaning – Calgary FlamesThe Calgary Flames once again fell short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the 2025-26 season, officially seeing their postseason hopes come to an end on April 7. While expectations entering the year were modest following a quiet offseason, Calgary's inability to generate offense ultimately proved too much to overcome. Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the Flames' disappointing season, the emergence of young goaltending, and why General Manager Craig Conroy may still be well positioned to accelerate the club's rebuild thanks to significant draft capital, ample salary cap space, and a new arena on the horizon.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Flames are eliminated from playoff contention after another season in which expectations remained relatively low following minimal roster changes during the previous offseason. Neil and Vic examine why Calgary was unable to build upon its near-playoff finish from the year before.[00:00:30] Calgary proves to be one of the NHL's strongest home teams but struggles badly on the road. The panel identifies the club's biggest issue—one of the league's lowest-scoring offenses—as the primary reason the Flames were unable to remain in the playoff race.[00:01:00] Jonathan Huberdeau's continued offensive struggles are discussed after recording just 194 points over four seasons in Calgary before shutting himself down prior to the end of the season. On a positive note, Devon Cooley establishes himself as a dependable backup to Dustin Wolf following Dan Vladar's departure to Philadelphia.[00:01:30] Looking ahead, Vic outlines why Calgary's future remains brighter than its current results suggest. The Flames possess 11 selections in the 2026 NHL Draft, including two first-round picks and four second-round picks, while also holding multiple premium selections in both the 2027 and 2028 drafts.[00:02:00] The discussion turns to General Manager Craig Conroy's long-term rebuilding strategy. With a new arena scheduled to open in the coming years, the organization appears focused on assembling a competitive young roster that can grow alongside the franchise's next chapter.[00:02:45] Neil and Vic examine Calgary's offseason flexibility. The Flames enter free agency with nearly $10 million in available salary cap space, giving Conroy the opportunity to aggressively pursue upgrades through free agency, trades, or by leveraging the organization's impressive collection of draft assets.[00:03:00] Calgary's pending free agents are reviewed, including unrestricted free agents Ryan Lomberg, Victor Olofsson, and Jake Bean, along with restricted free agent John Beecher. The panel discusses which players may fit into the club's long-term plans.[00:03:30] The episode concludes by emphasizing that Calgary p

The Buffalo Sabres finally ended the NHL's longest active playoff drought during the 2025-26 season, capturing the Atlantic Division title with 109 points and returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 15 years. After defeating the Boston Bruins in the opening round, Buffalo pushed the Montreal Canadiens to a thrilling seven-game series before falling in overtime of Game 7. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine one of the league's most remarkable turnarounds, from a struggling team in November to one of the NHL's hottest clubs, while discussing the impact of a midseason front office change, Lindy Ruff's leadership, and the bright future ahead for one of hockey's youngest rosters.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Sabres complete an incredible turnaround by winning the Atlantic Division with 109 points and ending a 15-year playoff drought. Neil and Vic revisit the modest expectations entering the season after Buffalo acquired Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring from Utah in exchange for JJ Peterka and signed veteran goaltender Alex Lyon, with few expecting a dramatic improvement.[00:01:00] Buffalo catches fire after a slow start, launching a 10-game winning streak that begins in Edmonton. The discussion centers on the dismissal of General Manager Kevin Adams, the hiring of Jarmo Kekäläinen, and whether the front office change helped fuel Buffalo's remarkable turnaround.[00:02:00] The Sabres finish 30 points better than the previous season, posting a dominant 33-6-2 run while climbing from the bottom of the standings to first place in the Atlantic Division. Neil compares Buffalo's surge to some of the NHL's most improbable in-season turnarounds.[00:03:00] Vic examines Buffalo's dramatic statistical improvements, including a 67-goal swing in goal differential, major improvements in home and road records, a penalty kill that climbs to fourth in the NHL, and significant gains in goals against and save percentage.[00:04:00] Neil explains why Buffalo's improvement wasn't simply the result of coaching, as Lindy Ruff remained behind the bench. Instead, the panel discusses how confidence, defensive commitment, and organizational stability transformed the Sabres into one of the league's best teams.[00:04:45] Buffalo's stars deliver career seasons. Tage Thompson reaches the 40-goal mark for the third time, Alex Tuch posts another outstanding year, and Rasmus Dahlin establishes himself among the NHL's elite defensemen with career highs while entering the Norris Trophy conversation.[00:05:30] The conversation shifts to Buffalo's impressive young core, including Josh Doan, Ryan McLeod, Jack Quinn, Owen Power, Bowen Byram, Mattias Samuelsson, Zach Benson, Konsta Helenius, and Noah Östlund, giving the Sabres one of the league's brightest futures.[00:07:00]<

The Boston Bruins exceeded expectations during the 2025-26 season, rebounding from one of the worst campaigns in franchise history to earn the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Although their postseason ended with a six-game first-round loss to the Buffalo Sabres, Boston's dramatic turnaround under first-year head coach Marco Sturm restored optimism throughout the organization. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine how the Bruins rediscovered their identity, why several players enjoyed career-best seasons, and whether this surprising success is sustainable heading into another critical offseason for General Manager Don Sweeney.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Bruins return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after finishing as the second Wild Card team in the Eastern Conference before falling to Buffalo in six games. Neil and Vic revisit Boston's dismal 2024-25 season, which included the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference, one of the league's worst goal differentials, poor special teams, Jeremy Swayman's struggles, and the departure of longtime captain Brad Marchand.[00:01:00] Despite modest offseason additions that included Victor Arvidsson, Tanner Jeannot, and Sean Kuraly, along with the hiring of first-time NHL head coach Marco Sturm, expectations remained low entering the season. Neil explains why few believed Boston would be anything more than David Pastrnak carrying an otherwise rebuilding roster.[00:02:00] Marco Sturm quickly changes the culture. Boston improves dramatically defensively while becoming one of the NHL's best home teams. Offensively, the Bruins score 50 more goals than the previous season as Morgan Geekie, Pavel Zacha, Charlie McAvoy, Victor Arvidsson, Casey Mittelstadt, Fraser Minten, Marat Khusnutdinov, and several newcomers enjoy breakout or career-best seasons.[00:04:00] The discussion turns to Boston's vastly improved blue line. Jonathan Aspirot emerges as an unexpected contributor, Mason Lohrei makes a remarkable turnaround from minus-43 to plus-17, and Nikita Zadorov develops into the physical defensive presence the Bruins had hoped for after signing him.[00:05:00] While Boston's power play jumps from 29th to ninth in the NHL, the penalty kill remains a concern. Neil explains that the larger issue isn't simply killing penalties but avoiding unnecessary trips to the penalty box after the Bruins finished as the league's most frequently penalized team.[00:06:00] Neil and Vic discuss how Boston appeared to regain its trademark identity despite losing Brad Marchand at the previous trade deadline. Don Sweeney, heavily criticized one year earlier, now receives credit for many of the offseason and in-season moves that helped fuel Boston's unexpected playoff run.[00:06:45] Attention shifts to the offseason. The Bruins enter the 2026 NHL

The Anaheim Ducks took a major step forward during the 2025-26 season, ending an eight-year playoff drought by finishing third in the Pacific Division and advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Neil Smith and Vic Morren look back at the moves that fueled Anaheim's turnaround, including the hiring of Joel Quenneville, the emergence of one of the NHL's brightest young cores, and Pat Verbeek's aggressive roster construction. They also examine the Ducks' statistical profile, why the numbers don't tell the full story, and the important contract decisions that will shape Anaheim's future as they continue their climb toward Stanley Cup contention.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] The Ducks complete a remarkable turnaround by finishing third in the Pacific Division, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2018, defeating Edmonton in six games before falling to Vegas in the second round. Neil and Vic revisit their preseason expectations after Anaheim added Chris Kreider, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling, retained Lukas Dostal, and traded longtime goaltender John Gibson to Detroit.[00:01:00] Neil discusses why Pat Verbeek's decision to hire Joel Quenneville proved to be one of the organization's most important moves. The conversation also looks at the growth of Anaheim's young defense, veteran leadership from Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas, and the addition of John Carlson at the trade deadline.[00:02:00] Anaheim's season was anything but consistent. After an 11-3-1 start, the Ducks endured an 0-8-1 slide before responding with multiple lengthy winning streaks. Neil explains why those ups and downs are typical of one of the NHL's youngest rosters.[00:03:00] Vic examines why Anaheim's statistics paint a very different picture than their playoff appearance. Despite improving their goal differential by 27 goals and scoring 52 more goals than the previous season, the Ducks still posted a negative goal differential and remained near the bottom of the league in special teams, goals against, and save percentage.[00:04:00] The discussion shifts to Anaheim's offensive breakout. Cutter Gauthier explodes for 41 goals, Leo Carlsson scores 29, Beckett Seneca finishes with 23 goals as a Rookie of the Year finalist, and Jackson LaCombe establishes himself as one of the NHL's rising young defensemen with a tremendous regular season and playoff performance.[00:06:00] Attention turns to Pat Verbeek's offseason priorities. Anaheim enters the summer with six draft picks but no first-round selection following the John Carlson trade, along with approximately $10.7 million in salary cap space and a long list of unrestricted and restricted free agents to address.[00:07:00] Neil and Vic discuss which veterans should return, including Jacob Trouba, captain Radko Gudas, Jeffrey Viel,

In the season finale, Neil and Vic are joined by noted NHL contributor Dave Pagnotta to springboard us into the off-season. However, that doesn't mean business is shutting down.There are noted unsigned UFA's but, perhaps more significantly, RFA's and offer sheets are certain to affect the NHL landscape both in the immediate and in years to come with the salary cap continuing to rise and several of the league's superstars set to become UFA's in two years.Plenty to unpack including Dave's take on how the needle has moved for certain teams amidst a flurry of off-season activity to date.IN THIS EPISODE:[02:34] - Dave Pagnotta from The Fourth Period provides updates on several UFA's still looking for their destination for the 2026-27 season.[09:57] - The Flyers shock the hockey world signing Ducks forward Leo Carlsson to an offer sheet that would make him the highest-paid player in NHL history...for now.[15:58] - Having been in this spot dating back to the offer sheet saga with Joe Sakic in 1997, Neil talks about the resentment Ducks GM Pat Verbeek might have towards Flyers management. This also extends to the business ramifications for other teams around the NHL.[26:28] - How the economic climate brought on by the Carlsson offer sheet might affect the UFA market, particularly in two years when superstars Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Zach Werenski all will hit market unless they extend with their current clubs.[31:05] - Quietly, the New Jersey Devils signed Utah forward Barrett Hayton to a one-year offer sheet. Dave offers up the positions by both the Devils and Mammoth.[33:46] - With the trade market active prior to July first and, given the free agent activity since, Neil, Vic and Dave weigh in with where they see the needle moving with various teams around the league.[44:07] - A look back to the growth for the podcast during 2025-26 and thank you listeners and viewers.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #Otta

Five days into free agency and we've seen an abundance of activity on both large and small scales.Still, there's a quartet of players Neil has identified that are for looking teams and would be good fits for a number of clubs.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #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 #AnthonyMantha #PatrickKane #ConnorBedard #VladimirTarasenko #ClaudeGiroux #BradyTkachuk

The initial rush of free agent signings has passed, as has the abundance of trades which took place well before July 1.With the holiday weekend upon the U.S., time to exhale just a bit and update on what's taken place since Wednesday's Free Agency recap which is available on YouTube and BZZR.comX: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #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 #FrederikAndersen #RyanShea #BooneJenner #JonnyBrodzinski #AndersLee #JamieOleksiak #JoelKiviranta #LarsEller #JohnCarlson #MattGatcomb #MaxShabanov #VitekVanecek #SemyonVarlamov #IlyaSorokin #DavidRittich #JakeAllen #NicoDaws #AlexOvechkin #JakubDobes #NickFoligno #KasperiKapanen #ErikGudbranson #DylanCoghlan #DarnellNurse #ShakirMukhamadullin #ZackSharp #NickPaul #KeeganKolesar #VincentTrocheck #SeanDurzi #ColeBeaudoin #MarcusPettersson #BlakeColeman #OlliMaatta #JakeMiddleton #JamieBenn #MichaelBunting #ClaudeGiroux #PatrickKane #AnthonyMantha #PhilEsposito #VladimirTarasenko #CamTalbot #LoganStanley #JohnKlingberg #PatrikLaine #JimNill #BillArmstrong #MikeBabcock #JulienBriseBois #DavePagnotta #TheFourthPeriod #NHLNetwork #NHLNetworkRadio #SunnyMehta #BillGuerin #CraigConroy #JohnChayka #DevonLevi #PavelDorofeyev #WillBorgen #ChrisDrury #PeterLaviolette #KenHolland #DylanLarkin #SteveYzerman #ZachWerenski #DonWaddell #EJHradek

If it appears the NHL off-season has been particularly active since the Carolina Hurricanes lifted the Stanley Cup on June 14, you're not alone.Re-signings, trades, the Draft and the prospect of several notable players looking to be moved are all making headlines.E.J. Hradek from The NHL Network joins Neil and Vic to discuss all of these areas in advance of free agency officially kicking off on July 1.IN THIS EPISODE:[01:54] - E.J. Hradek from the NHL Network worked the Draft and comments on how the feel of the vent has changed over the past couple of years in a de-centralized format.[08:03] - Discussion about Caleb Malhotra, selected third by Vancouver, and the prospect of being coached by his dad, Manny, who was drafted by Neil in New York in 1998.[13:27] - The top picks of the 2026 Entry Draft and which players could see NHL action in the new season. Particular attention to first overall pick Gavin McKenna to Toronto, who has roots unlike any player we've seen.[24:37] - The trade market has heated up significantly compared to a year ago in advance of free agency. Neil and E.J. weigh in with their thoughts, which may connect to the current free agent pool.[34:37] - Neil sidebars as to how potential expansion may affect team strategies and business models as the chances to win a championship mathematically decrease.[39:56] - Several RFA could be the targets of offer sheets. Opinion on what teams need to consider with reference to the Blues signings of Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway two years ago.[45:33] - On one side, teams are always looking to bolster their respective lineups. However, the climate also now has players seeking to be moved despite having no movement clauses in their contracts and other already suggesting they're not intending to extend with their current teams.[58:26] - What E.J. looks most forward to when free agency kicks off July 1.[1:01:09] - Wrap-up segment including two breaking trades and other NHL news.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #Na

Thirty two teams would appear to sit well as an appropriate number of clubs within the NHL. However, with record revenues, greater worldwide appeal and the skill/speed level at an all-time high, it might be hard for commissioner Gary Bettman to resist growing the league footprint further - in this case to Austin or Houston, Texas.Vic and Neil discuss potential plus and downsides to expanding the league and whether the talent pool can support more teams without short-changing the product.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #GaryBettman #DanFriedkin #FreidkinGroup #ASRoma #Everton #EnglishPremiereLeague #BorjeSalming #IngeHammerstrom #VaclavNedomansky #PeterStastny #AntonStastny #MarianStastny #GordieHowe #MarkHowe #MartyHowe #DallasStars #VegasGoldenKnights #SeattleKraken #MontrealCanadiens #NewYorkIslanders #EdmontonOilers #QuebecNordiques #DetroitRedWings #TorontoMapleLeafs #BostonBruins #ColumbusBlueJackets #MinnesotaWild #NashvillePredators #TexasStars #HoustonAeroes #WHA #TheAHL.com #FourNationsFaceoff

Nothing like a little excitement heading into the NHL Draft and Free Agency with a somewhat controversial head coaching hiring in Edmonton and a quartet of deals.Noted columnist Steve Simmons joins Vic and Neil for an in-depth discussion on these topics plus the latest vibe in Toronto with a new GM, a new head coach, a major acquisition, a veteran on the way out and the first pick of the Draft on the way in.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #HartfordWhalers #ArizonaCoyotes #SteveSimmons #SunMedia #MitchMarner #MikeBabcock #StanBowman #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #BowenByram #JordanGreenway #LouisCrevier #JordanKyrou #ConnorMcMichael #MiltonGastrin #WilliamEklund #KasperHalttunen #BrandonSvoboda #SimonNemec #MaximTsyplakov #EtienneMorin #JohnChayka #JimHiller #DarrenRaddysh #MorganRielly #GavinMcKenna #MikeKennan #ZachHyman #JoelQuenneville #ClaudeJulien #KenHolland #CraigConroy #DonMaloney #ConnorBedeard #LukeHughes #CalebMalhotra #PaulMaurice #ChrisPronger #DougArmstrong #AlexSteen #TJOshie #TomWilson #AliaksaiProtas #SpencerCarbury #MikeGrier #BradyTkachuk #MatthewTkachuk #SteveStaios #WilliamNylander #AustonMatthews #DarnellNurse #CarterVerhaeghe #MattBoldy #QuinnHughes #MarcoRossi #DylanLarkin #SteveYzerman #CliffFletcher #PatBurns #PatQuinn #BryanMcCabe #SherryBassin #ErieOtters #VictorHedman #SergeiBobrovsky #ConnorHellebuyck #KyleConnor #JosephWoll #KeithPelley #AleksanderBarkov #DanMuse #CraigBerube #ToddMcLellan #FrankMahovlich #BradTreliving #MatsSundin #BrendanShanahan #DougGilmour

The crowning of a Stanley Cup champion ends the competition on the ice for another season with the opening of new eras following quickly behind with the NHL Entry Draft.TSN Analyst and Director of Scouting Craig Button joins Neil and Vic to look at the top prospects and potential strategies for teams either picking near the top or with multiple selections in the first round.Toronto: You're on the clock!IN THIS EPISODE:[01:39] - Neil and Craig reminisce about what make the Draft special, despite the feel being different with the event being de-centralized.[06:58] - Top 10 Draft order followed by teams with multiple picks in the first round. Craig then begins his assessment of the top prospects, starting with Gavin McKenna, expected to go to the Maple Leafs.[20:56] - Draft strategy from year to year from two seasoned former NHL executives. Best player or best fit? Some excellent history on past drafts here.[28:54] - More Draft tales.[33:44] - News from around the NHL including thoughts on Mike Babcock finally being named Oilers head coach and opinions on whether the recent trades of Brady Tkachuk and Darren Raddysh does anything to affect potential movement of Dylan Larkin, Elias Pettersson and Darnell Nurse.[42:11] - Wrapping up the Stanley Cup prediction showdown between Vic, Neil and Craig.[46:07] - Final segment including those going into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #CraigButton #TSN #MarioLemieux #EricLindros #QuebecNordiques #ClaudeRuel #ScottBowman #RejeanHoule #BradyTkachuk #JohnChayka #ConnorBedard #MacklinCelebrini #ConnorMcDavid #AustonMatthews #WendelClark #CraigSimpson #MitchMarner #MichaelMisa #SamDickinson #GavinMcKenna #IvarStenberg #Chas

A blockbuster trade over the weekend has the Tkachuk brothers - Matthew and Brady - as teammates in Florida.Vic and Neil review the trade which was made possible, in part, due to a deal done a short time before between the Panthers and Seattle Kraken.We'll also look at some additional signings of players who were retained by their clubs before getting to free agency on July 1 plus a dive into the Toronto-Tampa Bay trade which sees defenseman Darren Raddysh donning the Maple Leaf.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #BradyTkachuk #MatthewTkachuk #MackieSamoskevich #BillZito #PaulMaurice #SteveStaios #BradMarchand #SamBennett #KeithTkachuk #JasonRobertson #MartyBeniers #FloridaPanthers #OttawaSenators #SeattleKraken #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #DallasStars #EdmontonOilers #CarolinaHurricanes #BuffaloSabres #MontrealCanadiens #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #LosAngelesKings #FourNationsFaceoff #MichiganWolverines #BobbyMcMann #JasonDickinson #ConnorMurphy #StanBowman #NickDeLauriers #EricTulsky #DarrenRaddysh #WarrenYoung #JulienBriseBois #GavinMcKenna #JohnChayka #JosephWoll #SimonBenoit #SamErsson #EmilAndrae #JimHiller #CraigBerube #CraigButton #TSN

Yes, even the Stanley Cup champions have spring cleaning though, in the case of the Carolina Hurricanes, not nearly as much as past winners.Sticking with the on-ice strategy set forth by head coach Rod Brind'Amour, the lineup was augmented during the off-season by GM Eric Tulsky with the team among the NHL elite from Day 1 to mid-June.Vic and Neil break down what made the difference and discuss how Carolina is set up both in the immediate and long term.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #CarolinaHurricanes #VegasGoldenKnights #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #MontrealCanadiens #FloridaPanthers #ChicagoWolves #TheAhl.com #ColoradoAvalanche #WinnipegJets #TorontoMapleLeafs #BostonBruins #NewJerseyDevils #DallasStars #EdmontonOilers #PittsburghPenguins #NewYorkRangers #ArizonaCoyotes #DetroitRedWings #RodBrind'Amour #EricTulsky #K'AndreMiller #NikolajEhlers #BrentBurns #DmitryOrlov #FrederikAndersen #PyotrKochetkov #CaydenPrimeau #BrandonBussi #JeffMarek #TheSheet #SethJarvis #AndreiSvechnikov #NathanMacKinnon #NikitaKucherov #MikkoRantanen #RayFerraro #ESPN #ShayneGostisbehere #EricRobinson #MarkJankowski #NickDeLauriers #MikeReilly #JordanStaal #ConnSmytheTrophy #JordanMartinook #JalenChatfield #AlexanderNikishin #JacksonBlake #TaylorHall #LoganStankoven #JaccobSlavin #CaleMakar #JackEichel

Three head coaching vacancies whittled down to one Wednesday with eye-opening selections in both Toronto and Vegas, leaving the Edmonton Oilers as the lone NHL club without a bench boss though that might not be for long.Following an apparently exhaustive search, the Maple Leafs landed on former Kings coach Jim Hiller while the Golden Knights opted to stay within the organization, tabbing AHL Henderson Silver Knights coach Ryan Craig for his first NHL head coaching position.Vic and Neil discuss both hirings plus, the breaking news in Edmonton where Mike Babcock has been cleared by the NHL to resume coaching, with all signs pointing to him signing with the Oilers.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #TorontoMapleLeafs #VegasGoldenKnights #EdmontonOilers #LosAngelesKings #PhiladelphiaFlyers #DetroitRedWings #ColumbusBlueJakctes #HendersonSilverKnights #TheAHL.com #JimHiller #JohnChayka #MikeBabcock #DJSmith #BruceCassidy #MannyMalhotra #AustonMatthews #WilliamNylander #JohnTavares #MorganRielly #KellyMcCrimmon #GeorgeMcPhee #PatrickRoy #JayWoodcroft #JohnTortorella #CraigBerube #PatFerschweiler #WesternMichiganBroncos #DavidCarle #DenverPioneers #JoePavelski #PeterLaviolette #ToddMcLellan #KenHolland #JosephWoll #SamErsson #KrisKnoblauch #GerardGallant #PeterDeBoer #StanBowman #TrentFrederic #MikeCommodore #JohanFranzen #ESPN #WorldCupofHockey

Since entering the NHL in 2017, no team has operated quite like the Vegas Golden Knights. With a "win now" mindset from their inaugural season, the team has traded draft picks and have made whatever moves the rules have allowed in order to be annual contenders.After removing Stanley Cup-winning coach Bruce Cassidy with just eight games left in the regular season, the VGK responded to interim coach John Tortorella to within two wins of the Stanley Cup.And within two days of the Final, Torts was gone and replaced by the Golden Knights AHL affiliate head coach in Henderson, Ryan Craig.So begins the off-season for the Golden Knights. Short on draft picks, salary cap challenged and the search for a new coach comprises the summer laundry list for team President George McPhee and GM Kelly McCrimmon.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #VegasGoldenKnights #JohnTortorella #BruceCassidy #KellyMcCrimmon #GeorgeMcPhee #MitchMarner #JackEichel #PavelDorofeyev #MarkStone #NoahHanafin #AnthonyMantha #AlexPietrangelo #ReillySmith #ColeSmith #ColtonSissons #BrandonSaad #RasmusAndersson #BenHutton #JeremyLauzon #DylanCoghlan #AkiraSchmid #CarterHart #AdinHill #NicDowd #WilliamKarlsson #RyanCraig #UtahMammoth #AnaheimDucks #ColoradoAvalanche #CarolinaHurricanes #DallasStars #MinnesotaWild #WinnipegJets #CalgaryFlames #PhiladelphiaFlyers #WashingtonCapitals #NewYorkRangers #TheAHL.com #HendersonSilverKnights

It started on Oct. 7 and 1394 regular season and playoff games later, the Carolina Hurricanes sit atop the NHL mountain.Never wavering from their approach despite past disappointment, the 'Canes clearly separated themselves from the rest of league to claim the Stanley Cup for the second time - 20 years after the first.Vic and Neil do the deep dive into what went right for the new champs and where the Vegas Golden Knights fell short.We'll also share our schedule for the balance of the season with the Draft and Free Agency approaching.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #WilliamKarlsson #ReillySmith #CarterHart #JaccobSlavin #TaylorHall #IvanBarbashev #NoahHanafin #RasmusAndersson #BrandonBussi #FrederikAndersen #PavelDorofeyev #JackEichel #CraigButton #TSN #JohnTortorella #MarkStone #AdamOates #BrettHull #BrettHowden #AndreiSvechnikov #JordanMartinook #JordanStaal #ConnSmytheTrophy #TomasHertl #LoganStankoven #JacksonBlake #MitchMarner #SebastianAho #SethJarvis #MarkStone #SheaTheodore #NikolajEhlers #RodBrind'Amour #K'AndreMiller #MikkoRantanen #JasonBlake #EricRobinson #ShayneGostisbehere #SeanWalker #JalenChatfield #SamBennett #CamWard #MartinGerber #GaryBettman #NHLonABC #SteveLevy #MarkMessier #PKSubban #SeanMcDonough #RayFerraro #EmilyKaplan #ConnorMcDavid #NikitaKucherov #JasonRobertson #CaleMakar #ZachWerenski #NathanMacKinnon #DavidPastrnak #ColeCaufield #RasmusDahlin #EvanBouchard #LoganThompson

In Thursday's pivotal fifth game, the Carolina Hurricanes moved to within a victory of their first Stanley Cup title in 20 years drawing off from the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period en route to a 4-2 win.The loss for Vegas was compounded when forward William Karlsson went down to injury midway through the game and may be finished for the Final.Vic and Neil break it down and look ahead to Sunday's sixth game. Also of note: the Hart Trophy for Most Valuable Player has been announced and another long-time veteran is looking for a trade.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #BrandonBussi #PyotrKochetkov #FrederikAndersen #AmirMiftakhov #RodBrind'Amour #NikolajEhlers #TomasHertl #JackEichel #PavelDorofeyev #IvanBarbashev #JordanStaal #ConnSmytheTrophy #YvanCournoyer #BraydenMcNabb #RayFerraro #NHLonESPN #ABC #CarterHart #WilliamKarlsson #SeanWalker #JohnTortorella #JacksonBlake #TaylorHall #AndreiSvechnikov #CarterHart #SethJarvis #LoganStankoven #JordanMartinook #SheaTheodore #SebastianAho #BrettHowden #MarkStone #JalenChatfield #ToeBlake #NikitaKucherov #HartTrophy #ConnorMcDavid #NathanMacKinnon #Presidents'Trophy #MacklinCelebrini #DylanLarkin #DarnellNurse #WayneGretzky #MarkMessier

In a game they needed to have, the Carolina Hurricanes turned to their captain to even the Stanley Cup Final with the Vegas Golden Knights at two games apiece.Jordan Staal, a champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, tallied twice, including the game winner early in the third period. In doing so, he became the first player 44 years to score in each of the first four games of the Final.Vic and Neil break it down and also note where the VGK need to elevate their game having lost home-ice advantage.We also have coaching news, a disgruntled captain specifying trade demands and a most worthy Masterton Trophy winner.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #RodBrind'Amour #BrandonBussi #PyotrKochetkov #FrederikAndersen #IvanBarbashev #MitchMarner #RodBrind'Amour #JacksonBlake #JalenChatfield #CarterHart #LoganStankoven #MarkStone #SheaTheodore #BraydenMcNabb #NikolajEhlers #TaylorHall #ShayneGostisbehere #JordanStaal #MikeBossy #SebastianAho #AndreiSvechnikov #SethJarvis #RasmusAndersson #WilliamKarlsson #SeanWalker #BrettHowden #JackEichel #CraigButton #TSN #ConnSmytheTrophy #PeterLaviolette #DJSmith #AnzeKopitar #KenHolland #ArtemiPanarin #MikeBabcock #ZachHyman #BruceCassidy #KrsiKnoblauch #DylanLarkin #SteveYzerman #MichaelMcCarron #BillGuerin #GabeLandeskog #BillMastertonTrophy #MarkMessierLeadershipAward #JonathanToews #RasmusDahlin

In the midst of the Stanley Cup Finals, plenty of off ice news. In this edition of Quick Takes, Neil gives his thoughts on the Kings hiring of Peter Laviolette and potential hirings of Joe Pavelski in Toronto and Mike Babcock in Edmonton.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #PeterLaviolette #AnzeKopitar #JoePavelski #MartinSt.Louis #ZachHyman #MitchMarner #ChrisChelios #MikeCommodore #JohanFranzen #LosAngelesKings #NewYorkRangers #TorontoMapleLeafs #EdmontonOilers #ColumbusBlueJackets #DetroitRedWings #AnaheimDucks

After three games of the Stanley Cup Final, we all get an extra day before Game 4 to exhale in what has been an exhilarating first three games. Saturday, an extraordinary four-goal third period comeback by the Carolina Hurricanes fell short in overtime as Shea Theodore's fortunate bounce off Brandon Bussi's skate has the Golden Knights in a position to take command of the series Tuesday.Vic and Neil are joined by TSN analyst Craig Button to review the epic, look ahead and also pay tribute to a pair of long-time executives lost over the weekend.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #CraigButton #TSN #BraydenMcNabb #NikolajEhlers #SheaTheodore #TomasHertl #JackEichel #MitchMarner #ConnSmytheTrophy #SeanWalker #WilliamCarrier #AlexanderNikishin #MauriceRichard #FrederikAndersen #BrandonBussi #JordanMartinook #TaylorHall #SenatianAho #JordanStaal #JaccobSlavin #AndreiSvechnikov #NicDowd #JohnTortorella #ConnorMcDavid #MarkMessier #BrainLeetch #LoganStankoven #BrettHowden #TaylorHall #JacksonBlake #RodBrind'Amour #WesternMichiganUniversityBroncos #DylanLarkin #SteveYzerman #QuinnHughes #CliffFletcher #AtlantaFlames #BillyHarris #JacquesRichard #WHA #StampedeCorral #LannyMcDonald #HaroldBallard #MatsSundin #MikeGartner #GlennAnderson #WendelClark #BobPulford #BobClarke #BillTorrey #GerryMeehan #RaySheppard #ClaudeLemieux #RobBLake #ChrisMacFarland #ConnorMcDavid #TedLindsayAward #NickSuzuki #AnthonyCirelli #BrockNelson #SelkeTrophy #ColeCaufield #AnzeKopitar #JakeSanderson #LadyByngTrophy #AndreiVasilevskiy #IlyaSorokin #JeremySwayman #VezinaTrophy #RasmusDahlin #MarkStone #K'AndreMiller #NoahHanafin #JalenChatfield

After managing to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs as a wild card in 2024-25, Le Club de Canadien took another step forward winning two post-season rounds in the spring of 2026.With one of the most dynamic top lines in the NHL and led by star sophomore Lane Hutson on the backline, the Habs have emerged as one of the most entertaining teams in the NHL.With their goaltending apparently set with Jakub Dobes emerging as a clear number one, the management team of Jeff Gorton, Kent Hughes and head coach Martin St. Louis will look to strengthen further to keep the trajectory headed north.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #MontrealCanadiens #TampaBayLightning #BuffaloSabres #CarolinaHurricanes #OttawaSenators SanJoseSharks #PhildelphiaFlyers #ColumbusBlueJackets #JeffGorton #KentHughes #MartinSt.Louis #SamMontembeault #JakubDobes #CaydenPrimeau #JacobFowler #AndreiVasilevskiy #BrandonBussi #FrederikAndersen #PatrickRoy #MartinBrodeur #MikeRichter #BillySmith #RonHextall #DanVladar #IvanDemidov #ColeHutson #ColeCaufield #NathanMacKinnon #NickSuzuki #JurajSlafkovsky #AlexNewhook #JakeEvans #JoshAnderson #KirbyDach #ZachBolduc #PhillipDanault #AlexandreTexier #NoahDobson #MikeMatheson #AlexandreCarrier #KaidenGuhle #JohnathanKovacevic #CareyPrice #GannonLaroque #BrendanGallagher #PatrikLaine #DonWaddell #JordanHarris #JoeVeleno #ArberXhekaj #JordanGreenway #ScottSabourin

For 50 minutes, the Vegas Golden Knights had control of a game which would have given them a 2-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final.However, in a most improbable ten minutes, the Carolina Hurricanes managed to score three goals in 5:05 before getting tied in the final minute.And on a power play, Seth Jarvis became an overtime hero turning the Final into a best-of-five.Also, the third time's a charm for Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper as he wins his first Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year.Previously nominated in 2014 and 2019, Cooper narrowly beat out Lindy Ruff from the Buffalo Sabres and rookie bench boss Dan Muse of the Pittsburgh Penguins.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #TaylorHall #CarterHart #LoganStankoven #ShayneGostisbehere #BraydenMcNabb #NikolajEhlers #MitchMarner #BrettHowden #SeanWalker #SebastianAho #PavelDorofeyev #IvanBarbashev #FrederikAnderssen #WilliamKarlsson #JalenChatfield #JordanMartinook #K'AndreMiller #DylanCoghlan #JeremyLauzon #WilliamCarrier #MarkJankowski #JordanStaal #JohnTortorella #DaveJackson #JimHiller #JaccobSlavin #SethJarvis #JackAdamsAward #JonCooper #LindyRuff #DanMuse #Coop'sCatchforKids #JulienBriseBois #SteveYzerman

Only 12 minutes into the opening game of the Stanley Cup Final, it appeared as is the Carolina Hurricanes were going to cruise in a manner similar to what we've seen in the first three rounds.However, their Vegas opponents are a veteran team. Battle-hardened and only three years removed from a championship. Once they get their legs under them, the Golden Knights pressured the 'Canes in a manner that they have yet to see in the playoffs and used a late goal to take home-ice advantage away.Vic and Neil break it down and discuss the adjustments Rod Brind'Amour may need to make for Thursday's second game.We'll also talk about the GM moves affecting the Avalanche and Predators, a new head coach in Vancouver and the awarding of the Norris Trophy.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #NikolajEhlers #CarterHart #JaccobSlavin #JackEichel #JalenChatfield #JohnTortorella #SheaTheodore #KeeganKolesar #EricRobinson #ColeSmith #LoganStankoven #IvanBarbashev #FrederikAndersen #BrettHowden #MitchMarner #WilliamKarlsson #NoahHanafin #JordanMartinook #K'AndreMIller #JordanStaal #ShayneGostisbehere #DaveJackson #ColtonSissons #SethJarvis #AlexanderNikishin #RodBrind'Amour #ChrisMacFarland #BarryTrotz #JoeSakic #MannyMalhotra #AbbotsfordCanucks #GlenSather #AdamFoote #DanielSedin #HenrikSedin #RyanJohnson #ZachWerenski #NorrisTrophy #CaleMakar #RasmusDahlin #EvanBouchard

There was no team with higher expectations entering 2025-26 than the Colorado Avalanche. However, by late May, no club had suffered greater disappointment.The Presidents' Trophy winners wired the field from the outset of the regular season but, after disposing the Kings and Wild in just nine games to start the playoffs, the Avalanche crashed in getting swept in the Western Final by the Vegas Golden Knights.Despite being the oldest team in the NHL, the Avs should remain formidable for the immediate future. However, with no picks until the fourth round of the Draft and other high picks having been dealt away to win now, Joe Sakic has work different from any other GM to keep the team among the NHL's elite.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #ColoradoAvalanche #CarolinaHurricanes #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #VegasGoldenKnights ##QuebecNordiques #NewYorkIslanders #St.LouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #WashingtonCapitals #OttawaSenators #ChicagoBlackhawks #NewYorkRangers #PittsburghPenguins #Presidents'Trophy #JaredBednar #ChrisMacFarland #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #ScottWedgewood #BrandonDuhaime #MackenzieBlackwood #MartinNecas #BrockNelson #MatsZuccarello #GabrielLandeskog #NazemKadri #DevonToews #PatrickRoy #MartinBrodeur #DarcyKuemper #AdinHill #BraydenSchenn #AlexandarGeorgiev #KevinMandolese #JackDrury #MikkoRantanen #TaylorHall #JoelKiviranta #BrentBurns #BrettKulak #JackAchan #NickBlankenberg #ZakarBardakov #HartTrophy #NorrisTrophy

With the Final between the Hurricanes and Golden Knights set to kick off Tuesday, who better to join Neil and Vic than a current NHL head coach who has seen both teams up close.Jim Montgomery, current coach with the St. Louis Blues, has gotten familiar with Vegas over the past two seasons in the Western Conference. Before that, he saw what the Hurricanes were about while leading Boston.We'll talk about the Final but also discuss the heaviness of what the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche are experiencing having himself fall short with his record-setting Bruins in 2022-23.The conversation wraps with what's ahead for his Blues heading into 2026-27 with a new GM and captain joining Monty on the leadership team.IN THIS EPISODE:[01:50] - Blues head coach Jim Montgomery is welcomed to the show and offers his take on the Bruce Cassidy situation, the latter still waiting to be freed up from his contract with Vegas.[03:43] - Montgomery weighs in on his thoughts about the 2026 playoffs.[05:33] - While Jim has seen changes in play trends during this year's playoffs, one trend staying intact is the struggle of Presidents' Trophy winners making the Final since 2013 - something Montgomery can relate to with Colorado Avalanche.[07:06] - Having seen both the Hurricanes and Golden Knights from behind the bench this season, Monty shares what characteristics these teams provide headaches for opposition head coaches.[09:20] - The goaltending in the Final. A veteran who has finally broken through after years of later-round struggles against a first-timer to the post-season.[11:15] - Carolina's line of Jackson Blake, Logan Stankoven and Taylor Hall has emerged as the 'Canes top line of the post-season.[12:35] - Given the coaching skill on both sides, adjustments are always key when things go amiss. Montgomery sees neither Rod Brind'Amour or John Tortorella having any problem going with the flow.[13:33] - Some Blues talk with a new GM and a potential new captain for 2026-27.[15:15] - After so much prior success yet missing the playoffs in 2026, might the approach to training camp differ from years past?[17:05] - Some comments on two players - Colton Parayko and Alexandre Texier. One decided against a trade to a contender while the other couldn't cut it in St. Louis but has managed to do so in Montreal.[23:58] - World Championship update and great news for the Florida Panthers courtesy of Champion Team Finland.[25:27] - A champion was also crowned at the Memorial Cup where a legendary franchise authored an historic run.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-70

It started in early October and are now at the finish line where a new Stanley Cup champion will be crowned within the next two weeks.The Carolina Hurricanes have marched into the Final requiring just 13 games to earn their spot while the Vegas Golden Knights have gotten stronger each round to take their place.Neil and Vic are once again joined by TSN's Craig Button for analysis and predictions as both franchises seek their second Stanley Cups.IN THIS EPISODE:[02:07] - Craig Button joins the show and dives right into the Stanley Cup Final whether Vegas might be more battle tested given their path to the championship series.[06:37] - The prospect of Carolina still being able to execute the relentless style of play against a Vegas team fresh off smothering the Presidents' Trophy-winning Avalanche.[10:19] - The areas that Craig and Neil see where both clubs could be exploited by the other.[14:52] - Intangibles. Something we might see by series end that isn't necessarily visible early on.[17:59] - The ongoing saga with the Golden Knights refusing to allow former head coach Bruce Cassidy to speak with other teams about a head coaching position while still under contract to the VGK for another season at 4.5 million.[23:28] - Updated standings and predictions among the three "experts" with some fun dropped in.[35:19] - The family of Claude Lemieux has announced that the former player's brain will be donated to the Boston University CTE Center for research. Lemieux died by suicide May 28, though the family has cautioned no conclusions should be drawn through their gesture.[37:18] - The passing of Dennis Hull May 30, brother of the "Golden Jet," Bobby Hull, his shot was perhaps the most feared of any player in the late '60's and early 70's.[38:42] - Stanley Cup Final schedule.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #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

We have a dance card!The 2026 Stanley Cup Final is set as the Carolina Hurricanes completed an historic run 12-1 run taking out the exhausted Montreal Canadiens and, in the process, earned a date with the Vegas Golden Knights for the right to play for the Cup.Vic and Neil have a breakdown that will sound quite similar with their own unique takes.We also take a moment to remember the late Claude Lemieux, who won the first of his four Stanley Cups 40 years ago and was also the agent for Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #ClaudeLemieux #FrederikAndersen #MartinSt.Louis #JoshAnderson #BrendanGallgher #JacksonBlake #TaylorHall #AlexTexier #LoganStankoven #JakubDobes #HenrikLundqvist #JordanStaal #JordanMartinook #WilliamCarrier #EricRobinson #SethJarvis #JakeEvans #NikolajEhlers #ShayneGostisbehere #ColeCaufield #RodBrind'Amour #CraigMacTavish #NickSuzuki #JurajSlafkovsky #BrianEnglblom #KentHughes #BillDaly #MarkMessier #BrendanLemieux #MikeLiut #UlfSamuelsson #ConnSmytheTrophy #KrisDraper #DarrenMcCarty #ChristopherLemieux #ConnSmytheTrophy #PhoenixCoyotes #StuGrimson #JackieRedmond #NHLonTNT #CraigButton #TSN #JimMontgomery #RickBowness

There were few feel-good stories in 2025-26 than the Buffalo Sabres. After 15 long years, the Sabres got themselves back into the post-season winning the Atlantic Division plus the opening round of the playoffs against Boston before falling in Game 7 overtime to Montreal.While it is easy to statistically equate as to why the team escaped the doldrums, the path of the past season was atypical. A slow start and the firing of the GM reversed itself in December with a torrid hot streak that raised the Sabres into the NHL elite.Plenty to build on for 2026-27. Along with that, expectations the franchise hasn't had in years.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #BuffaloSabres #UtahMammoth #DetroitRedWings #ColumbusBlueJackets #St.LouisBlues #OttawaSenators #NewYorkRangers #WinnipegJets #VegasGoldenKnights #LosAngelesKings #JarmoKekalainen #KevynAdams #LindyRuff #JoshDoan #MichaelKesselring #JJPeterka #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen #AlexLyon #ColtenEllis #TageThompson #AlexTuch #RasmusDahlin #RyanMcLeod #JackQuinn #MastertonTrophy #NorrisTrophy #OwenPower #BowenByram #MattiasSamuelsson #ZachBenson #KonstaHelenius #NoahOstlund #ShaneDoan #ArizonaCoyotes #JoshNorris #SamCarrick #TannerPearson #BeckMalenstyn #JoshuaDunn #LukeSchenn #LoganStanley #PeytonKrebs #JackEichel

If there was any question of the Hurricanes superiority over a Canadiens team that won Game 1 and got Games 2 and 3 to overtime, those questions were answered in a dominant performance Wednesday.Three quick goals late in the first period put the 'Canes into cruise control and they never let up on a Habs team appearing more and more spent from the attrition of having to play 14 games in the first two rounds.Vic and Neil break it down as the Canadian (and Canadiens) Stanley Cup drought is on the verge of reaching 33 years.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #JakubDobes #JacksonBlake #NikolajEhlers #NickSuzuki #SebastianAho #K'AndreMiller #JordanStaal #LoganStankoven #ShayneGostisbehere #AndreiSvechnikov #MikeMatheson #PhillipDanault #EricRobinson #FrederikAndersen #JoshAnderson #ColeCaufield #SethJarvis #WilliamCarrier #MitchMarner #GaryBettman #QuebecNordiques

In 2019, John Tortorella's Columbus Blue Jackets stunned the hockey world sweeping out the Presidents' Trophy winning Tampa Bay Lightning in the opening round.Call it the Seven-year Itch because, after taking over the Golden Knights in late March, Torts troops have gone 19-4-1 finishing off the league-leading Colorado Avalanche Tuesday displaying a defensive clinic in putting the broom to the Avs.Vic and Neil break it down, look forward to Wednesday's fourth game between Carolina and Montreal and guess who's returning to Pittsburgh for a 21st season?X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #BZZR #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #NathanMacKinnon #SheaTheodore #JaredBednar #MacKenzieBlackwood #ScottWedgewood #MarkStone #BraydenMcNabb #CarterHart #BrockNelson #WilliamKarlsson #IvanBarbashev #ColtonSissons #NicDowd #TomasHertl #JackEichel #MartinNecas #DylanCoghlan #KaedenKorczak #PavelDorofeyev #CaleMakar #ColeSmith #JohnTortorella #BruceCassidy #StanleyCup #Presidents'Trophy #PrinceofWalesTrophy #ConnSmytheTrophy #LesterPatrick #FrankPatrick #BrentBurns #MitchMarner #RodBrind'Amour #MartinSt.Louis #EvgeniMalkin #GaryBettman

A change in venue did not change the territorial dominance of the Carolina Hurricanes as they took a second straight overtime game from the Montreal Canadiens to take a 2-1 series lead in the East Final.Vic and Neil have the recap plus a look to the West Final where the Golden Knights will try to complete a stunning sweep of the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche whose star forward, Nathan MacKinnon, may be compromised should he be able to play.The show wraps up with the measures Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog is taking to ensure his surgically repaired right knee will continue to hold up for not just the rest of his playing career but, downwind as well.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #WilliamCarrier #EricRobinson #MarkJankowski #ShayneGostisbehere #JakubDobes #AlexandreCarrier #JurajSlafkovsky #FrederikAndersen #AlexNewhook #JakeEvans #IvanDemidov #MikeMatheson #JordanMartinook #JacksonBlake #K'AndreMiller #TaylorHall #JoshAnderson #AndreiSvechnikov #RodBrind'Amour #NikolajEhlers #LaneHutson #ColeCaufield #SebastianAho #NickSuzuki #JalenChatfield #DonCherry #NathanMacKinnon #JaredBednar #CaleMakar #JackEichel #MitchMarner #MarkStone #CarterHart #GabrielLandeskog #Plantiga #PatGraham #JonathanWhyno #JoeSakic #MastertonTrophy #RasmusDahlin #JonathanToews

There are few teams in the NHL that have a higher upside coming off the 2025-26 season than the Anaheim Ducks.After qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2018, the managed to take out the two-time Western Conference champion Oilers before gamely bowing out to Vegas in six.There's a youth, experience and cap space for Pat Verbeek to work with heading into the off-season. At the same time, a combined 13 UFA's and RFA's are on the roster. How Verbeek continues to upgrade this team will be worth watching during the summer months.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks #EdmontonOilers #VegasGoldenKnights #HartfordWhalers #PhiladelphiaFlyers #WashingtonCapitals #LosAngelesKings #PatVerbeek #JoelQuenneville #ChrisKreider #MikaelGranlund #RyanPoehling #LukasDostal #JacksonLacombe #OlenZellweger #PavelMintyukov #DrewHelleson #GregCronin #ConnorMcDavid #MasonMcTavish #CutterGauthier #LeoCarlsson #BeckettSennecke #PatVerbeek #JohnCarlson #RadkoGudas #JacobTrouba #RossJohnston #JeffreyViel #JansenHarkins #PetrMrazek #VilleHusso #IanMoore #TysonHinds #SteveYzerman #KenHolland

It all appeared to be falling into place for the Colorado Avalanche despite the 0-2 hole and having to dig out in Vegas. Cale Makar was back and, in a matter of 13:15, the Avs had a 3-0 lead.And just like that, it disappeared with their offensive superstar Nathan MacKinnon finishing the game on a gimpy leg after blocking a shot. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights appear more and more like the best in the West.Vic and Neil do the deep dive and also preview Game 3 of the Hurricanes and Canadiens in the Bell Center on this Memorial Day.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #CaleMakar #MarkStone #IvanBarbashev #NathanMacKinnon #CarterHart #DevonToews #NoahHanafin #GabrielLandeskog #JoshManson #MartinNecas #NazemKadri #ScottWedgewood #ColtonSissons #PavelDorofeyev #DaveJackson #ESPN #JackDrury #MitchMarner #JackEichel #SamMalinski #ParkerKelly #WilliamKarlsson #DylanCoghlan #KeeganKolesar #JaredBednar #BrettHowden #KaedenKorczak #TomasHertl #JohnTortorella #BruceCassidy #MartinSt.Louis #RodBrind'Amour #MaxDomi #TieDomi

It took a bit more than 60 minutes but the Carolina Hurricanes remained on point throughout Game 2 with the Montreal Canadiens to even the Eastern Final at a game a piece.Vic and Neil share their thoughts and also preview the third game of the Western Final between Colorado and Vegas. The hosts discuss the biggest question that being the status of Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar while also addressing a possible return for Golden Knights captain Mark Stone.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #FrederikAndersen #JoshAnderson #NikolajEhlers #EricRobinson #MarkJankowski #WilliamCarrier #TaylorHall #KaidenGuhle #PhillipDanault #AlexanderNIkishin #JordanStaal #AndreiSvechnikov #JordanMartinook #ColeCaufield #LaneHutson #NickSuzuki #NoahDobson #AlexandreTexier #K'AndreMiller #EdOlczyk #NHLonTNT #WayneGretzky #SethJarvis #JakeEvans #AlexNewhook #MuhammadAli #GeorgeForeman #MikeMatheson #JalenChatfield #CaleMakar #NorrisTrophy #QuinnHughes #BraydenMcNabb #MarkStone #GeorgeMcPhee #KellyMcCrimmon #JohnTortorella #GaryBettman #BobNystrom #PetePeeters

NHL Wraparound launched its first guest episode on Jan. 30, 2024 with Wayne Gretzky joining Neil and Vic.Less than 2.5 years and multiple franchises later, the 100th episode of the flagship show goes right to the top again for an insightful discussion with the man serving the longest as head of any of the North American pro sports, commissioner Gary Bettman.The 35-minute interview hits on numerous topics from his growing up in New York to the experience of presenting the Stanley Cup and plenty in between.IN THIS EPISODE:[01:49] - NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman joins Neil and Vic and shares his early years growing up as a fan in New York, which became further enhanced when going to college at Cornell. Also a little fun about an old Bettman family business.[08:04] - Bettman shares what he took from his NBA experience with commissioner David Stern into the position he's held with the NHL since 1993.[10:53] - Expansion. The NHL has grown from 24 to 32 teams under Bettman's leadership. Is there a true right number of teams to aspire to grow to given the difficulty of winning the Stanley Cup?[14:01] - Player safety. The standard NHL rink has been 200' x 85' since 1929 while the average player size has moved grown by over four inches and nearly 30 pounds. Given the speed of today's game, is there reason for concern?[16:33] - Load management and the debate of whether playoff solidified teams should be permitted to sit players in games against teams still fighting for playoff spots.[19:21] - The current relationship with current NHLPA head Marty Walsh. Having gone through three lockouts - including losing the entire 2004-05 season working with Walsh's predecessors, there is labor peace in the NHL through at least September of 2030.[21:33] - The obligation to the media, which has gotten some unwanted publicity following the Golden Knights penalties for violating media rules following their second round clinching game against Anaheim.[25:15] - The now de-centralized NHL Draft and the story of why it's currently the format in place.[27:50] - Legacy secured, the top items of importance for the commissioner for as long as he remains in the position.[29:48] - Bettman will present his 32nd Stanley Cup in June. A couple of things you may not have known and a heartfelt revelation of just how special those moments are to the commissioner. Then Neil brings the discussion full circle to wrap up.[37:31] - Wrap up segment.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound In

For 40 minutes, the Colorado Avalanche had the Vegas Golden Knights at arms length protecting a 1-0 lead.Then, in a span of 127 seconds midway through the third period, it disappeared and with it, the Presidents' Trophy winners now need to win at least twice in Sin City in order to gain the Final.Vic and Neil talk it through and also look ahead to the East where favorite Carolina will try to avoid a similar 0-2 against Montreal.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #CaleMakar #MarkStone #CraigButton #JaredBednar #ScottWedgewood #CarterHart #PavelDorofeyev #MitchMarner #BrentBurns #KaedenKorczak #RossColton #PavelDorofeyev #BraydenMcNabb #SamMalinski #JoshManson #IvanBarbashev #JackEichel #NathanMacKinnon #MartinNecas #DevonToews #BrockNelson #JohnTortorella #MartinSt.Louis #GaryBettman

So much for that 16-0 talk for the Carolina Hurricanes. As opposed to taking advantage of a Canadiens team that has endured consecutive seven-game series, it was the Habs with more jump as the 'Canes struggled to find their legs until it was too late in the opener of the Eastern Conference Final.Vic and Neil break it down and also look ahead to the Game 2 in the West where the Colorado Avalanche face a similar dilemma after dropping the home opener to the Vegas Golden Knights.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #RodBrind'Amour #SethJarvis #EdOlczyk #JackieRedmond #NHLonTNT #AndreiSvechnikov #ColeCaufield #NickSuzuki #JurajSlafkovsky #JakeEvans #AlexanderCarrier #PhillipDanault #FrederikAndersen #KaidenGuhle #AlexandreTexier #K'AndreMiller #AlexNewhook #IvanDemidov #SeattleMetropolitans #PCHA #JoeHall #WilliamCarrier #JakubDobes #JacksonBlake #LoganStankoven #TaylorHall #JaccobSlavin #CaleMakar #MarkStone #MartinNecas #NathanMacKinnon #JohnTortorella #JaredBednar #TroyTerry #GaryBettman

The opening game of the Western Conference Final had an immediate twist as Avs star defenseman Cale Makar was ruled out and the Golden Knights took advantage.Vic and Neil break it down and look ahead to Game 1 of the Eastern Final as the Carolina Hurricanes (remember them?) finally get back in action against the battle-hardened Montreal Canadiens.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #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 #CaleMakar #MarkStone #JohnTortorella #ScottWedgewood #KeeganKolesar #LoganO'Connor #PKSubban #ESPN #DylanCoghlan #JeremyLauzon #BrandonSaad #RossColton #RasmusAndersson #TomasHertl #MitchMarner #PavelDorofeyev #CarterHart #BenHutton #BrettHowden #ValNichushkin #KevinWeekes #SheaTheodore #GabeLandeskog #NicDowd #JackEichel #DevonToews #NazemKadri #SeanMcDonough #JaredBednar #RodBrind'Amour #CraigButton #TSN #AdamFoote #PatrikAllvin #JimRutherford #HenrikSedin #DanielSedin #RyanJohnson #KevinDean #ScottYoung #BrettMcLean #QuinnHughes #LindyRuff #JackAdamsAward #SheldonKeefe #SunnyMehta #DaveRogalski #SergeiBrylin #TomFitzgerald #WalterCup #PWHL #MontrealVictorie #OttawaCharge #MinnesotaFrost #Marie-PhilipPoulin #BZZR.com

They acquired Quinn Hughes and they proceeded to topple the team they replaced in Minnesota for their first playoff series win in eleven years.However, in the end, the Wild were too beat up in key areas against Colorado to advance beyond the second round.Still, the Minnesota Wild remain one of the more formidable teams in the NHL. As one of the older teams in the circuit, the Wild sit right in the arc of the championship window. However, that combination heightens the urgency to win now.Facing an off-season with eight UFA's, GM Bill Guerin has the core pieces in place to augment in a way that might see his team take at least one more step forward in 2026-27.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #SpringCleaning #MinnesotaWild #DallasStars #ColoradoAvalanche #NashvillePredators #VancouverCanucks #FloridaPanthers #WinnipegJets #SanJoseSharks #BillGuerin #JohnHynes #QuinnHughes #JoelErikssonEk #JonasBrodin #ZachBogosian #ZachParise #RyanSuter #VladimirTarasenko #NicoSturm #SteveYzerman #KirillKaprizov #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraidaitl #ZeevBuium #MarcoRossi #LiamOhgren #JesperWallstedt #ScottWedgewood #MattBoldy #RyanHartman #BrockFaber #CaleMakar #GustavNyquist #JeffPetry #NickFoligno #MarcusJohansson #MichaelMcCarron #RobbyFabbri #BobbyBrink #DaemonHunt #FilipGustavsson