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
Human Side of the Story - Episode 43 - Luc Robitaille: Forever a King
From a ninth round draft pick to one of the elite scorers in NHL history, Luc Robitaille is synonymous with hockey greatness in Los Angeles. Three playing stints with the Kings and now club presiden…
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - In a Pitfall - Jan. 15, 2025
Troubles in Pittsburgh again, a few outliers and the "Mosh Pit of Mediocrity" receives additional scrutiny. Plus, there's a buzz in several markets north of the border.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.c…
NY Centric - Starting the Week On A High Note with Peter Baugh from the Athletic - January 14, 2025
Peter Baugh from the Athletic to talk about the three New York area clubs which saw the teams go a collective 6-0-2 in the past week. We dive into the week passed, week ahead and drop in some fun tr…
Episode 43 - The Kings Reign Again with President Luc Robitaille
Hall-of-Famer and President of the L.A. Kings Luc Robitaille visits with Neil and Vic to discuss a team which has become a force in the Western Conference. We'll pour a little cold water on Alex Ove…
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Dubois, Trap Games and Annoying PA Announcers- Jan. 10, 2025
Vic jumps on the Pierre-Luc Dubois bandwagon, sort of. A discussion on whether the Colorado Avalanche fell victim to the dreaded trap game between contests with Florida and Minnesota and a fun chat …
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Two Nights of Late Game Heroics - Jan. 8, 2025
When the calendar flips, the NHL drama appears to get a bounce as well. Of the 14 games played Monday and Tuesday, 11 were decided in the third period, overtime or via shootout. Vic and Neil re-cap …
Human Side of the Story - Episode 42 - Nashville Predator Fulfills Dream for Mom
Ozzy Wiesblatt is not likely to be a name that appears in when checking NHL news each morning and, despite being returned to the minors after his first two games, the story of perseverance inspired b…
Episode 42 - NHL Wraparound & Debuting NY Centric
A combination episode to kick off NHL Wraparound in 2025 as NY Centric is introduced within the show. Tom Gulitti joins Neil and Vic to talk the surprising Washington Capitals, a…
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Kicking Off the New Year - Jan. 2, 2025
The Winter Classic headlines a vast array of topics to kick off the first show of 2025. The Kings keep rolling in LA, the Canadiens and Blue Jackets continue to surprise, Patrick Roy discovers a new…
Human Side of the Story - Episode 41 - The Ilitch Legacy in Detroit
In 1982, Mike and Marian Ilitch purchased the Detroit Red Wings from the Norris family, who had owned the franchise for half a century.
The early years weren't easy but, with some successful drafting …
Episode 41 - Clipped Wings - With Max Bultman from The Athletic
The Todd McLellan era in Detroit highlights the show as Neil and Vic are joined by Max Bultman from The Athletic. Also, Alex Ovechkin returns to the Capitals lineup, the latest edition of the NHL Wi…
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Wings of Change in Detroit - Dec. 27, 2024
The perilous world of NHL coaching saw it's latest casualty Thursday as Derek Lalonde was relieved of his duties in Detroit and was replaced by Todd McLellan. Vic and Neil discuss a move was becomin…
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - News Still Plentiful at the Holiday Break - Dec. 24, 2024
The three-day break gives teams a period to re-charge and re-set but significant news still reigns across the NHL.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA
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NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Dec. 20, 2024 - Goalies in Unique Spotlights
Three goalies make the show in different ways, three small deals come in advance of the NHL Trade Freeze and a couple of captains prepare to re-join their clubs.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/chann…
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - The Higher Ups Speak - December 18, 2024
Short Shifts kicks off with the 1970 NHL Expansionists getting a talking to amidst their recent play. One had the desired result, a least in the short term. The other...well...
We also look back at …
Episode 40 - Avalanche of Change with General Manager Chris MacFarland
Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland joins Neil and Vic to discuss flipping his goaltending tandem, the challenge of an often disrupted lineup and the promise of the Avs through advers…
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Hats Off! - Dec. 13, 2024
A happy return in Vancouver, surprising wins for a pair of former Avalanche goalies and a quartet of hat tricks highlight the happenings over the past two nights in the NHL.
Youtube: https://www.youtu…
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - We ARE Going to Talk About Colorado Goaltending! - Dec. 11, 2024
Going back on their word not to talk about the Avalanche goaltending, Vic and Neil can't ignore it when another deal is made for a netminder. Also, a major return in Vancouver and a surprising statem…
Episode 39 - New York Shuffle with Arthur Staple from The Athletic
A major trade. A major contact extension. But is the drama over in The Big Apple? Arthur Staple from The Athletic joins Neil and Vic to talk Rangers with some Islanders dropped in. Plus, patience …
NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Dec. 5, 2024
Vic and Neil open the show with what has exhausted them over the course of the first two months of the season. Plenty of league and player notes and some different takes on the upcoming Four Nations …