NHL Wraparound Podcast

By: Neil Smith & Vic Morren
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  • Summary

  • Breadth and depth. Contemporary and historical. Straight-forward and experienced. The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League. Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past. With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed. Bio’s Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years. Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings. Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager. A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL. After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003. His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experience.
    Copyright 2025 Neil Smith & Vic Morren
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Hockey Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Episode 48 - Power Grab with ESPN's Greg Wyshynski

    Episode 48 - Power Grab with ESPN's Greg Wyshynski
    Feb 19 2025

    Just another game or is world hockey supremacy on the line as the United States and Canada square off in the Four Nations Faceoff Championship game? Greg Wyshynski from ESPN helps break down the significance but also delves into the "secret sauce" the NHL may have come upon with this upgrade of a mid-season event.

    Once the tournament completes and the regular season ramps back up over the weekend, the importance of goals becomes heightened with March approaching. Matthew Blittner, co-author of "Game Winners: The Greatest Game-Winning Goals in Hockey History" joins us to discuss the recently-released book.

    With so much focus on the present and future of international hockey, The Human Side of the Story takes a nostalgic look back at a much simpler time - where the unassuming voice of a PA announcer brought back rich memories for both Neil and Vic in their respective youths.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    [01:02] - The Four Nations Faceoff dominates "Three Things You to Pay Attention To" from Canada securing their date with the USA to injuries creeping their way into the Americans lineup to encouraging TV ratings.

    [06:00] - Greg Wyshynski from ESPN joins Neil and Vic and discusses the success the Four Nations Faceoff is enjoying in place of an All-Star event and what it may mean for best-on-best play going forward.

    [12:30] - With the NHL having found a compelling mid-season event, the NBA is being looked out to see how they might enhance their mid-season showcase event.

    [15:44] - The significance of this game for both Canada and the United States. With a USA win, will the torch have been passed after a period of time going back to the 19th century?

    [22:19] - With injuries becoming a story with Team USA heading into the Final, the effect on NHL teams now becomes a reality for general managers.

    [27:40] - Matt Blittner, Co-Author of "Game Winners: The Greatest Game-Winning Goals in Hockey History" joins the show. In collaboration with Russ Cohen, Matt discusses the concept of the book, criteria used to determine what made the cut and how the final rankings came to be.

    [35:39] - Some healthy debate on goals noted in the book...and those that aren't.

    [44:56] - Vic and Neil exchange views on how they feel about the Four Nations Faceoff now that the round-robin games have been completed.

    [50:12] - The Human Side of the Story takes a warm look back to yesteryear following the passing of long time Maple Leafs public address announcer Paul Morris

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

    X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

    Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

    Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

    NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

    #NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #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 #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #GregWyshynski #ESPN #MatthewBlittner #RossCohen #GameWinners #TeamUSA #TeamCanada #TeamFinland #TeamSweden #SidneyCrosby #MikaelGranlund #AustonMatthews #MatthewTkachuk #BradyTkachuk #CharlieMcAvoy #QuinnHughes #CaleMakar #WorldCupofHockey #ConnorMcDavid #NathanMacKinnon #AnzeKopitar #ChristerRockstrom #TheoFleury #LeonDraisaitl #DavidPastrnak #LeBronJames #JackHughes #MikeSullivan #Miracle #TomWilson #JackEichel #JeremyRoenick #BrettHull #JasonZucker #ConnorHellebuyck #MikeRichter #BrianLeetch #ConnSmytheTrophy...
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - USA Punches Their Ticket to the Final - February 16, 2025

    NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - USA Punches Their Ticket to the Final - February 16, 2025
    Feb 17 2025

    Team USA's prime time win over Canada Saturday has secured the first spot in the Final at the Four Nations Faceoff while the Canadians are now in survival mode as they prepare for Monday's round-robin finale against Finland.

    Meanwhile, once again, the Swedes are disappointing on the international stage.

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

    X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

    Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

    Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

    NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

    #NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #NHLPA #FourNationsFaceoff #ABC #MatthewTkachuk #BradyTkachuk #JTMiller #BrandonHagel #SamBennett #ColtonParayko #BellCentre #ConnorMcDavid #CharlieMcAvoy #JakeGuentzel #Jordan Binnington #JonCooper #SidneyCrosby #DrewDoughty #ThomasHarley #CaleMakar #MattBoldy #DylanLarkin #NathanMacKinnon #MitchMarner #BradMarchand #BraydenPoint #SamReinhart #SheaTheodore #TomWilson #MarkScheifele #KevinLankinen #JuuseSaros #SebastianAho #KaapoKakko #JoelArmia #AleksanderBarkov #FilipGustavsson #LinusUllmark #MikaelGranlund #AdrianKempe #ErikKarlsson #AdinHill #EsaTikkanen #MikeSullivan #ChrisKreider #ConnorHellebuyck #JakeOettinger #JakeSanderson #TNT #TDGarden

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    22 mins
  • NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - The Four Nations Faceoff is Underway - Feb. 14, 2025

    NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - The Four Nations Faceoff is Underway - Feb. 14, 2025
    Feb 14 2025

    The first two games are in the books in the Four Nations Faceoff with Sidney Crosby adding to his own international legacy while Team USA routs Finland. Conversely, one player has already been knocked out the tournament but that won't derail the NHL from having more in-season best-on-best hockey in 2028.

    A few notes in an otherwise quiet news week and our all-Valentine team wraps up the show - though Ben Lovejoy did not make this year's cut.

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

    X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

    Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

    Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

    NHL Wraparound Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

    #NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #NHLPA #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 #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #1987CanadaCup #BernieSaunders #JohnSaunders #SidneyCrosby #NathanMacKinnon #MarkStone #GustavForsling #WayneGretzky #MarioLemieux #AlexOvechkin #MitchMarner #ConnorMcDavid #CaleMakar #SamReinhart #JordanBinnington #FilipGustavsson #SheaTheodore #AdrianKempe #ThomasHarley #TravisSanheim #ConnorHellebuyck #BradyTkachuk #MatthewTkachuk #JackEichel #MattBoldy #OlliMaatta #AustonMatthews #MikeSullivan #MarkMessier #PKSubban #SteveLevy #ESPN #BellCentre #TDGarden #WorldCupofHockey #MikeRichter #BrettHull #BrianLeetch #CurtisJoseph #GaryBettman #RyanHartman #TimStutzle #LouiEriksson #PaulMorris #MapleLeafGardens #FosterHewitt #CharlieConacher #ScottHartnell #MikeHartman #HartlandMonahan #Bernie"BoomBoomGeoffrion" #GerryHart #CraigHartsburg #MarcD'Amour #RodBrind'Amour #KellyKisio #BenLovejoy
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    32 mins

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