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
- 35 minutes
- Episodes
- 263
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
NY Centric - A Final Islanders Push at Hand? With Stefen Rosner of NHL.com - Mar. 18, 2025
The New York Islanders have become somewhat forgotten in the race for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. However, following a stirring comeback against the defending Stanley Cup cha…
Episode 52 - Be-Leaf Them or Not? With Steve Simmons from The Toronto Sun
The Toronto Maple Leafs are always in the news and, amidst some recent struggles, uncertainty is once again setting in as to whether the team has the goods to end its 58-year Stanley Cup drought. Lo…
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - The Senators Create Seperation - March 14, 2025
The surge in Canada's Capital continues while the St. Louis Blues miss a major opportunity to push their way into a tie for the final Western Conference Wild Card berth.
Elsewhere, two very different …
Human Side of the Story - Ep. 51 - They Call Him Maurice
Leading in with reference to The Steve Miller Band, Neil shares some background on Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice which further sheds light on how he got into coaching.
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NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - The New Bruins Embracing the Underdog Role - March 12, 2025
Following the trade of Brad Marchand, the Boston Bruins have delivered two of their finest efforts of the season, the latest coming at the hands of their former captain's new team. Whether this is s…
NY Centric - Realities for the New York City Locals Post Deadline - March 11, 2025
With the trade deadline passed, the Devils, Rangers and Islanders have the rosters they will finish their regular seasons with. For different reasons, none of the three are in enviable positions and…
Episode 51 - Top Cat - A Chat with Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice
After three decades behind NHL benches, Paul Maurice finally reached the top of the coaching mountain last spring when his Florida Panthers held off the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup.
Maurice…
NHL Wraparound 2025 NHL Trade Deadline Recap Show
WOW!
Brad Marchand and Mikko Rantanen (again) on the move headline a fascinating conclusion to the NHL trade deadline as the defending champs load up while there's an arms race in earnest in the West…
Human Side of the Story - Ep. 50 - The Angst of a GM at the Trade Deadline
There are several benchmarks on the NHL calendar by which general managers are judged. One is the trade deadline. Neil shares the differences he's seen in the deadline over the past three decades a…
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Calm Before the Storm? - March 5, 2025
In two days, the rumors and speculation will cease and 32 teams will know the personnel they will ride through to the completion of their respective seasons. In the meantime, we have two trades to r…
NY Centric - The Rangers Trade Update with Peter Baugh from The Athletic - Mar. 4, 2025
With Friday's trade deadline approaching, the three New York-area teams all have very different areas to address. Rangers writer for The Athletic, Peter Baugh, joins NY Centric before Vic and Neil t…
Episode 50 - Buckle Up for the Trade Deadline with TSN's Chris Johnston
One of most anticipated weeks of the NHL season is upon us with the trade deadline approaching. Chris Johnston from TSN and The Athletic join Neil and Vic to talk trades that have happened and a loo…
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Intrigue Abounds Heading Into March - Feb. 28, 2025
In one week, teams will finalize the rosters they will move forward with to seasons end as the trade deadline is a week away. While more time has been spent on the East bubble, the Western Conferenc…
Human Side of the Story - Ep. 49 - Three Very Different Types of Compassion
The intensity and grit of the NHL is unmistakable. However, beneath that toughness lies a compassion which is as much a part of the fabric of the game as is the toughness. Three recent examples, all…
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Three Teams at a True Crossroads - Feb. 26, 2025
With the NHL trade deadline just over a week away, the time of reckoning is fast approaching for several teams. At the same time, others are continuing to push forward as the regular season is movin…
NY Centric - Olympic Gold and Stanley Cup Silver with Ken Morrow - Feb. 25, 2025
45 years ago, a group of college kids pulled off the greatest upset in sports history, upending the powerhouse Soviet Union before taking out Finland for Olympic gold in Lake Placid. The backbone of…
Episode 49 - Columbus: Sailing to the Playoffs? With General Manager Don Waddell
No team in the NHL has captured more hearts this season than the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team has rallied around tragedy and are right in the mix for an Eastern Conference wild card berth. Team …
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - We Have a Champion - Feb. 21, 2025
The Four Nations Faceoff delivered a stirring conclusion with Canada prevailing over the United States in overtime in the championship game with the game's top playoff player delivering the heroics.
W…
Human Side of the Story - Ep. 48 - Magic in Monotone
The Four Nations Faceoff has brought forth a heightened level of intensity and pace spurring a move for more frequent best-on-best international competitions.
The present-day hockey we enjoy and will …
Episode 48 - Power Grab with ESPN's Greg Wyshynski
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 sig…