NHL Wraparound Podcast
Breadth and depth.
Contemporary and historical.
Straight-forward and experienced.
The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League.
Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past.
With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top.
Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed.
Bio’s
Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years.
Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings.
Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.
Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager.
A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL.
After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003.
His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experience.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 36 minutes
- Episodes
- 255
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
Episode 69 - 2025 Summer Cooler - Atlantic Division
The Summer Coolers return for a second season as Neil and Vic kick off the quarter of shows by digging into the Atlantic Division.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[02:53] - Florida Panthers. Can the two-time defendi…
NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series - Chris Chelios - August 14, 2025
He's a hockey Hall of Famer who now has a movie credit to his name. He's also an entrepreneur in a life that has always been on the go.
Chris Chelios drops by for a fun chat with Neil and Vic
IN THIS…
Episode 68 - Pulling Back the Curtain with Katie Strang from The Athletic
With NHL training camps set to open in a few weeks, the anticipation of a new season will begin. Still, the sport has received unwanted attention in an area that has had an unseemly history that goe…
NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series - Bobby Valentine - July 23, 2025
After a brief break following the long NHL season, Vic and Neil open a new franchise titled "Celebrity Series." With baseball in full swing, no better place to premiere than with an MLB icon who has …
Human Side of the Story - Episode 67 - Appreciating our Viewers and Listeners
After a long season guests, news, analysis and some levity, Vic and Neil share a few stories from our viewers and listeners. Each is unique and reveals to us that we are reaching folks from diverse …
Episode 67 - New Faces/New Places with Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet
With the off-season fully underway, no better way to address free agency and other significant league topics than with Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Vic and Neil also chat about the Draft and wrap …
Burning Topics with Free Agency Underway - July 1, 2025
The raw volume of signings on Day 1 of Free Agency 2025 was dwarfed by that of a year ago. Still, the off-season is rife with activity and intrigue.
Vic and Neil go through a list of topics leaving…
Human Side of the Story - The Changing World of the NHL Draft - Ep. 66
Two benchmark events in early summer kicks off every NHL season with the Draft and the opening of free agency.
With the Draft coming up first, Vic and Neil look back to the structure of the process…
Episode 66 - Draft/Free Agency Preview with Pierre LeBrun from The Athletic
While the Florida Panthers players continue to celebrate their second consecutive Stanley Cup, front offices around the NHL have to major events in the crosshairs starting with the Entry Draft on Jun…
Human Side of the Story - Ep. 65 - From Devil to Duck
As Brad Marchand skated with the Stanley Cup as a member of the Florida Panthers, a former player with some very similar characteristics to Marchand is in the role of trying to move the Anaheim Ducks…
Stanley Cupdate - REPEAT! - June 18, 2025
Only three franchises in NHL history have earned the "dynasty" title with three straight Stanley Cups titles. Next season, the Florida Panthers will have the opportunity to join the Maple Leafs, Can…
Episode 65 - New Ducks on the Pond With GM Pat Verbeek
The eye of the hockey world remain on the Panthers and Oilers as the Stanley Cup Final winds down. However, for 30 other clubs, the preparation for the 2025-26 season is well under way. One of thos…
Stanley Cupdate - Panthers on the Verge of a Repeat - June 15, 2025
In 2024, the Panthers led the Stanley Cup Final 3-games-to-2 with pressure headed back to Edmonton against an Oiler team bent on continuing an historic comeback.
This time around, they head home with …
Stanley Cupdate - Seeking to be in the Driver's Seat - June 14, 2025
Once a winner is determined Saturday, the Florida Panthers will be within a win of a repeat or the Edmonton Oilers will move to within a victory of being the first Canadian team to win the Stanley Cu…
Stanley Cupdate - Leon's Heroics Pull Oilers Even - June 13, 2025
For the third time in four games, high drama captures the Stanley Cup Final. For the second time, it's Leon Draisaitl delivering in OT for the Oilers as the series becomes a best-of-three on a night…
Human Side of the Story - Ep. 64 - 16,494 days later....
Known more as a long-time analyst for the Vancouver Canucks, John Garrett's career as a professional goaltender was a modest one played out over 12 seasons, 6 teams and two leagues.
As often happens…
Stanley Cupdate - Panthers Look to Stay on Course, Oilers Look to Change Theirs - June 11, 2025
Not only was Game 3 a rout, but it was also a classic of example of the Florida Panthers being to exercise their style of play in a way which trapped the Edmonton Oilers into a space they didn't want…
Episode 64 - Clawed & Crude with Sportsnet's Jack Michaels
Game 3 started ugly and it only got worse for the Edmonton Oilers as the Florida Panthers had their way in moving to within two wins of consecutive Stanley Cups.
Oilers/Sportsnet's play-by-play voic…
Stanley Cupdate - Changing Places - June 8
The Final heads from western Canada to the east coast of Florida with an extra day off before the series resumes Monday. Vic and Neil examine what the shift in venue may (or may not) mean with the P…
Stanley Cupdate - All Even! - June 7, 2025
After a late overtime goal decided the Stanley Cup Final opener, the Oilers and Panthers figured they'd go one period better in Game 2.
After one of the "Sandpaper Seniors" forced extra time for the O…