NHL Wraparound Podcast

The Human Side of the Story focuses on the return of Val Nichushkin to the Colorado Avalanche lineup having completed a six-month suspension for violating terms of the NHL's Player Assistance Program. While a welcome boost to the Avs lineup, Nichushkin will be under constant scrutiny as he looks to earn back a trust which has been violated during past two springs. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/...

Boston Globe and Hockey Hall of Fame writer/columnist Kevin Paul Dupont joins Neil and Vic to discuss the early season struggles of the Boston Bruins. Plenty of news and intrigue from around the NHL this past weekend and The Human Side of the Story takes a closer look at Val Nichushkin's return to the Colorado Avalanche following his six-month suspension while in the NHL's Player Assistance Progra...

A couple of major milestones and some truly intriguing games over the past couple of nights. Packed with info and insight, Vic and Neil also update some injury news and a significant development in the sexual assault case again five former World Junior Players. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYC...

Short Shifts has no shortage of talking points as Vic and Neil speak about the Washington Capitals bringing a former hero back into the fold, the Winnipeg Jets building on their own history and plenty of other league news, injury updates and developments from the GM meetings in Toronto. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smit...

The newest members of the Hockey Hall of Fame have been enshrined in Toronto with players Pavel Datsyuk, Jeremy Roenick, Shea Weber, Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl being joined by builders David Poile and Colin Campbell. While the entry to the Hall of these seven are celebrated, Vic examines the credentials two who are overlooked year-after-year. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/U...

New Jersey Devils GM and President of Hockey Operations Tom Fitzgerald joins the show which salutes the best start in NHL history, the soon-to-be greatest goal scorer, plenty of league and college news and a player who took the NHL by storm three years ago whose production has fizzled. The Human Side of the Story concludes the show with the newest Hockey Hall of Fame inductees...and two who should...

Winnipeg and Nashville now bookend the NHL overall standings while plenty of news surrounds the Flyers. Also, Neil and Vic delve into the drama in Boston, a messy night in New York and an eventful contest in Los Angeles between the Kings and Canucks. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil Vic Mo...

The Human Side of the Story takes a look back at the long career of Wild GM/President of Hockey Operations Bill Guerin, whose playing career spanned 18-seasons with eight NHL teams prior to becoming an executive. 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-...

The latest edition of Shorts Shifts gives high marks to the Los Angeles Kings, a team flying under the radar for their quick start. Also, the Maple Leafs step up without their captain, some unique history made in Colorado and Carolina and a few injury and personnel updates. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://tw...

Wearing multiple hats, Minnesota Wild GM/President of Hockey Operations Bill Guerin joins Neil and Vic to talk about his team's surprising start, an upcoming improvement regarding the salary cap, the contract of star Kirill Kaprizov and heading up Team USA for the upcoming Four Nations Faceoff in February. Prior to Guerin's visit, "The Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To" touches on why N.Y....

Vic and Neil discuss the continued struggles in Boston, Nashville and Colorado. In addition, the pair note the surge in Washington and a veteran defenseman calling out his team in Vancouver. Plus, some injury updates. 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...

Major injury news to the Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid is at the forefront of today's episode as well a three-time Stanley Cup champion Marc-Andre Fleury returning to play in Pittsburgh one final time. Meanwhile, the undefeated Winnipeg Jets fall for the first time while the previously winless San Jose Sharks now are owners of a winning streak. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV...

His name may not resonate within many of today's hockey circles but Bill Hay's life in the game resonated well beyond that of a player and Stanley Cup champion. 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...

The struggles of the Pittsburgh Penguins take center stage as Josh Yohe joins Vic and Neil on a packed episode. Very few areas go untouched from the recent road trip to the front office, to head coach Mike Sullivan and superstar Sidney Crosby to the current dilemma in goal. Along with "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," Neil explains part of the mindset of what a GM considers when decidin...

Neil and Vic cover the past two evenings around the NHL highlighting a rematch of the 2024 Eastern Conference Final, the club with the league's only perfect record and the first game for a Stanley Cup winning coach facing his former club for the first time. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil...

For the only time in the 2024-25 season, all 32 NHL teams were in action. Vic and Neil hit on every game of the marathon evening. 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/ #...

This Human Side of the Story acknowledges a player whose career stats were unremarkable yet, has a place in NHL history that nobody else will ever have. 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.instagr...

Calgary Flames President of Hockey Operations Don Maloney joins Neil and Vic to discuss one of the early surprises of the NHL season. Prior to Maloney joining the show, the hosts are giving a nod to a pair of players who are not historically big-time goal-scorers but putting some numbers early. They also credit the Florida Panthers for battling their way through some early season injuries as well...

Vic goes solo with Neil on the road and he identifies the Sabres and Red Wings as teams already in trouble. Other key points see back-up goaltenders in the spotlight. The Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers turn to theirs for important roads wins while another backup not only shuts out the New York Islanders in overtime but, winds up starting the game-winning play with a sterling outlet pass. On...

With the start of the NHL season now clear of it's first weekend, Neil and Vic discuss the various ways the late Johnny Gaudreau was recognized in arenas leaguewide. #NHLWraparound #NeilSmith #VicMorren #JohnnyGaudreau #Matthew Gaudreau #KirillMarchneko #SeanMonahan #ColumbusBlueJackets ColeCaufield #MontrealCanadiens #CalgaryFlames #GoJohnnyGo #DustinWolf #FloridaPanthers

Neil and Vic begin extend their league-wide coverage with the first installment of "Short Shifts." Neil provides an overview of the teams performing on the higher end of the scale then addresses those off to subpar starts in the first ten-plus days of the regular season. Key points from games of Oct. 15: The Columbus Blue Jackets have a poignant tribute to Johnny Gaudreau prior to their game with...

Neil and Vic welcome LaSonjia "LJ" Jack who, along with her son, former NFL Star Myles Jack, are the only African American majority owners in professional hockey for the Allen Americans of the ECHL. Prior to her their appearance on the show, the quick start of the Utah Hockey Club, the unlikely early fortunes for the two Alberta-based teams and potential goaltending issues in Colorado. We'll talk...

Following a summer re-constructing a team for a new season, Neil shares what a general manager experiences when its time for that work to begin showing results.

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 Huma...

The Human Side of the Story discusses the career and life of Neil Armstrong, father of guest of the show, Blues President of Hockey Operations, Doug Armstrong.