Episode 31 - 2024-25 The E.J. Way! - Season Preview

Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by E.J. Hradek from the NHL Network to preview the 2024-25 NHL season.

Youngsters Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini, graybeards Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin and two superstars in their prime, Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews are under the microscope.

Breakout players, the plight of teams and Cup Final predictions are added to the commentary with The Human Side of the Story featuring Neil sharing what a GM experiences on opening night following months of off-season work in constructing a team.

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [04:50] - The expectations for both 2024 first overall pick Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks team being built around him.
• [06:54] - Neil speaks of the difference between Celebrini coming out of US College as opposed Bedard coming through the Canadian Junior program.
• [09:15] - Discussion whether smaller players such as Connor Bedard and Jack Hughes be cornerstones of championship teams.
• [14:30] - Crosby/Ovechkin. Who gets back to the playoffs first?
• [18:22] - Neil and E.J. speak on the resistance of the Penguins and Capitals to full rebuilds, instead trying to re-tool on the fly. The plights of the Red Wings and Blackhawks are referenced as examples.
• [22:40] - Will OV catch The Great One for the all-time goals record this season?
• [23:23] - The pressure for Connor McDavid to win now as the Oilers salary cap gets more top-heavy.
• [27:50] - Auston Matthews is a new captain with a new coach and needs to do more to improve on one playoff series win in his career.
• [32:10] - The importance of having Stanley Cup pedigree on the roster as it relates to the Maple Leafs and other also-ran franchises.
• [34:30] - Neil, Vic and E.J. weigh in on their breakout players
• [39:20] - The Power Shifts: Teams on the rise and those on the slide.
• [43:40] - Fearless forecasts on who makes the post-season from each conference.
• [47:34] - Four different champions since 2021. Will the Panthers style fashion a repeat or does a new championship template emerge?
• [51:55] - Cup Final Predictions. Heed at your own risk.

[57:57] - The Human Side of the Story gets to the inside of what a GM experiences once the summer work ends and his team embarks on the new season.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Star players from different eras are examined from various angles while the hosts and guests serve up players they believe will have breakout seasons.
• Team takes on those headed up, those headed down, those headed to the playoffs and those playing for the Stanley Cup.

RESOURCE LINKS 

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/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

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