NHL Wraparound Podcast

A pair of outstanding guests highlight Episode 54. First, Hall of Fame Journalist Al Morganti joins the show to talk about the past, present and future of the Flyers. Then former coach and NHL Network analyst Bruce Boudreau speaks about Alex Ovechkin's final push for the all-time scoring mark and where he's come from as a young player. Neil and Vic update all of the key races, some on-ice happenin...

After guiding the Flyers to the final game of last regular season before being eliminated, John Tortorella was let go by the Flyers Thursday. With a weak roster by NHL standards, a 1-10-1 slide prompted the fifth coaching change this season. As usual, several points can be raised and we do just that. In the meantime, in his first game, interim head coach Brad Shaw faced the eighth seed in the east...

How does a young man from a small town in Western Pennsylvania end up as the play-by-play voice of the Edmonton Oilers? You take inspiration from those before you, then take your craft far away hoping for that one big opportunity. For Jack Michaels, his blueprint is similar to many looking to break into the broadcast industry but few actually realize. X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smit...

For the second time this season, the Jets and Capitals went to overtime and, for the second time, the Jets prevailed to join the Caps in the playoffs. Not to be lost: Alex Ovechkin pulls to within five of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal scoring mark in a game that was full value. At the other end of the playoff spectrum, the Blues and Canadiens also had a date as they looked to hold their the final...

A week ago, the N.Y. Islanders had five teams to jump in order to get to the second wild card position in the Eastern Conference. Today, they have one final hurdle to jump. Meanwhile, struggles continue in New Jersey and Manhattan. Former Islander and current TV analyst Thomas Hickey joins Vic and Neil to go in depth with the playoffs coming up in just three-and-a-half weeks. X: https://twitter.co...

The Edmonton Oilers were one win from an historic comeback in the Stanley Cup Final last spring. While favored by many to take that last step in 2025, the best laid plans have not gone according to plan as injuries, spotty defensive play and offensive shortcomings have hurt the club. TV Play-by-play voice of the Oilers Jack Michaels joins Vic and Neil to break it down. Also, the playoff races have...

Crazy eights for Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid leaves Thursday's game and the last two teams in the NHL alphabet are the first to 100 points. That's only the beginning as two stirring games involving teams in both bubble races highlights our re-caps and...if anything symbolized the last 14 seasons in Buffalo, the last 90 seconds of their game in Utah was it. X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Ne...

Trades are an accepted part of hockey business. Recently, Utica Comets GM Dan MacKinnon caught the attention of many pulling off a deal which involved moving his own son to playoff-contending Cleveland. While unique, it's actually happened before and, on the NHL level, no less. The player involved is one who Neil later acquired in New York after this noteworthy trade from Colorado to Los Angeles....

March signals desperation for many clubs looking to make their final push to the post-season. Over the past couple of evenings, the Canadiens, Islanders, Canucks and Blues appear to have gotten the memo. Apparently, one team has not. We're all over both wild card races with 14 games worth of coverage plus some other news around the NHL. X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twit...

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 champions Sunday, a favorable schedule this week may provide to tonic needed to gain ground on the handful of teams they need to pass. Stefen Rosner from the NHL.com helps break it down as we update the Ra...

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. Longtime Toronto Sun writer Steve Simmons joins the show to go in depth on their prospects. With the regular season ending in just over four weeks, Vic and Neil check out those looking to secure the final...

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 overtime strategies to discuss while the first meeting between the last two number one overall picks didn't exactly deliver the expected. X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitt...

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. 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 #Sh...

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 sustainable remains to be seen but, it has certainly created yet another piece of intrigue in the East wild card race where the Ottawa Senators have put some space between themselves and the rest of the...

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 time is running short to change course. X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/ NHL Wraparound Instagram...

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 visited with Neil and Vic Friday to discuss his long history as a coach, several recent acquisitions, preparing to defend the title and then...as the interviewed wrapped up, there was another piece o...

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. 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/nhlwraparou...

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 as well as the array of emotions that one in that position experiences. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.c...

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 report - one at the beginning of the show and one at the end. In addition, Vic and Neil talk about each game over the past two nights, and their impacts, not only on the standings but as to how it may af...

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 tackle the Islanders and Devils. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil Vic Morren: https://www.lin...

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 look ahead to those looking to fill those missing final pieces to make a title run. Other in-show discussions address differences in handling adversity during a season, the generational players in the 2000...

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 Conference is tightening up a bit with improved play by Utah, St. Louis and Anaheim. Vic and Neil go over all 15 games over the past two nights and also tip their hats to the Schenn brothers in reaching a very u...

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 very different, drive that point home. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil Vic Morren: https:/...

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 moving towards the three-quarter pole. Amidst the non-stop jockeying, Alex Ovechkin remains consistent in his assault of the all-time goal scoring mark. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMf...

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 the USA defense was Bowling Green stalwart Ken Morrow. In the discussion with Neil and Vic, Morrow talks about the Olympic experience, head coach Herb Brooks and the quick transition to the NHL where e...