NHL Wraparound Podcast

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 president and general manager Don Waddell joins Neil and Vic to talk about his team and the upcoming Stadium Series game with Detroit. When Mikko Rantanen was acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes in late...

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. With the margin between the nations so small, debate will continue as to who the premiere hockey nation is. Where there is no argument is that hockey itself was the biggest winner. With the tournament...

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 continue to embrace in the future has deep roots, some complex and some quite modest. The recent passing of longtime Maple Leafs PA announcer Paul Morris is a reminder that some of the most basic aspe...

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 significance but also delves into the "secret sauce" the NHL may have come upon with this upgrade of a mid-season event. Once the tournament completes and the regular season ramps back up over the weekend,...

Team USA's prime time win over Canada Saturday has secured the first spot in the Final at the Four Nations Faceoff while the Canadians are now in survival mode as they prepare for Monday's round-robin finale against Finland. Meanwhile, once again, the Swedes are disappointing on the international stage. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWra...

The first two games are in the books in the Four Nations Faceoff with Sidney Crosby adding to his own international legacy while Team USA routs Finland. Conversely, one player has already been knocked out the tournament but that won't derail the NHL from having more in-season best-on-best hockey in 2028. A few notes in an otherwise quiet news week and our all-Valentine team wraps up the show - tho...

Since the early 1960's, the Albert name has been synonymous with play-by-play. From Marv to his brothers Steve and Al to son Kenny, NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB games have been called by one of these four over the past seven decades. Their impact on the sportscasting industry has been enormous. However, even with the biggest platforms to call games, there's a humility and genuineness that's carried on th...

One of sports most recognizable voices joins NHL Wraparound as Kenny Albert drops in to give his thoughts on the NHL season, broadcasting and the New York-area teams. Vic and Neil then offer up thoughts on the upcoming Four Nations Faceoff and then tackle a question regarding the NHL's most biggest disappointment: Are the Nashville Predators having a bad season or are they a bad team? IN THIS EPIS...

The 50th anniversary season for the Washington Capitals has been nothing short of remarkable as their stellar record has been further highlighted by Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of setting the goal-scoring record this season. In this show, Vic and Neil note newcomers making impacts, goaltenders starting the offense and Connor Bedard's performance in his young career not living up to the "Generation Pla...

In a team setting, having each member focused on the same goal is imperative. Similar to the every day workplace, not every individual is going to like or get along with the person next to them. However, unlike most businesses, professional sports is very public and when internal tension between athletes moves beyond the confines the team, the optic isn't a good one. Having served as an NHL genera...

It took just 20 games for Todd McLellan's Red Wings to notch a pair of seven-game winning streaks. While they fly, WIld forward Ryan Hartman sits for ten with his fifth career suspension. In addition to the usual deep dive into the bubble races, Vic and Neil talk some toughness and some mindless play as part of this latest episode of Short Shifts. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0...

When it comes to insight on the three New York City area teams, few can deliver insight and opinion on the Rangers, Islanders and Devils like Arthur Staple from The Athletic. From the JT Miller acquisition in Manhattan to the streak and injuries on Long Island to the inconsistency in Newark, Staple delivers on all counts as the teams ramp up for their final games leading up to the Four Nations Fac...

A loaded show as we're joined by NHL on TNT/NBC Sports Philadelphia analyst Brian Boucher to dissect a quarter of deals. We also do a deeper dive into the salary cap bump, which will be heading north of $100 million in two years. Two terrific games over the weekend between four of the NHL's top teams and some very significant injury news to report before wrapping up the show on the right and wrong...

For the second time in as many weeks, a significant trade in the NHL. A memorable final game in Montreal for Marc-Andre Fleury. All you need to know about the Wild Card races and the new name for the Utah Hockey Club has become a saga onto itself. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil Vic Morre...

The most notable Jan. 26 birthday in the NHL belongs to Wayne Gretzky. However, there's another player who was born on that date 100 years ago who owns a distinction no other player in league history has. Vic Lynn played in only 327 NHL games but, by suiting up for the Rangers, Red Wings, Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Bruins and Blackhawks, he remains the only player to have skated for all of the "Origi...

Does anybody really want to claim the East Wild Card spots? By the look of things on Tuesday, four teams certainly did little to help themselves. Also, are you tired of all of the drama surrounding the Vancouver Canucks? Apparently they are too. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil Vic Morren:...

Devils radio analyst Glenn "Chico" Resch drops by NY Centric to chat about the Devils, Islanders and Rangers...and a whole lot more. This discussion features an array of off-the-cuff stories and is a great listen. 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...

A significant three-way trade between Carolina, Colorado and Chicago brings long-time Hurricanes TV analyst Tripp Tracy to the show. Afterwards, we take a business look at the trade through the eyes of a former GM. With this show wrapping up our first year of wraparound, what better way to conclude than to acknowledge a couple of birthdays, including one with a special hook. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:0...

The New Jersey Devils receive a timeline on goaltender Jacob Markstrom, the Edmonton Oilers get revenge on the Vancouver Canucks, Alex Ovechkin is now 20 goals from becoming King of the Hill and Auston Matthews decides if he can't have his stick, he'll grab the one laying on the ice. All 15 games of the past two nights are covered along with the latest injury news and rumblings Jonathan Toews is g...

On January 18, 1958, Willie O'Ree broke the color barrier playing his first game for the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens. The youngest of nine children, O'Ree's journey to the NHL is one of commitment and dedication which continues to inspire to this day. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter....

The Connor McDavid suspension comes down, nachos make an appearance in the middle of a play and the Eastern Conference bubble continues to get more muddled by the day. Also, Vic and Neil tip their hat to Marc-Andre Fleury. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.c...

Vic and Neil paint a realistic picture on whether the Islanders can get back into the East Wild Card Race. The Rangers take an eight-game point streak into the week while Devils offense continues to struggle during a 2-6-3 slide. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil Vic Morren: https://www.lin...

There's a buzz in Canada and for good reason: All seven clubs north of the border are in contention for the post-season and long-time voice for TSN, Gord Miller, joins Neil and Vic to get the pulse in the Dominion. Plenty of other news to update and The Human Side of the Story acknowledges the 67th anniversary of Willie O'Ree becoming the first black to play in the NHL. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:25] -...

The Stanley Cup runner up from a season ago showing they are serious about getting another shot at the silver mug. Alex Ovechkin sets a new record and a unique occurrence in Buffalo Wednesday. All that plus the Eastern Conference Wild Card race manages to tighten even further. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https:/...

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 president. Neil details a remarkable career. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil Vic Morren: https://ww...