EP 28 Summer Cooler Pacific Division

EP 28 Summer Cooler Pacific Division

Author: Neil Smith & Vic Morren August 29, 2024 Duration: 54:09

Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the Pacific Division, offering a detailed analysis of each team's offseason moves, challenges, and prospects for the upcoming NHL season. From the dominant Edmonton Oilers to the rebuilding San Jose Sharks, they discuss player signings, coaching changes, and the overall landscape of the division. 

The episode covers all eight teams in the Pacific Division: Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks. The episode also highlights key player movements, the impact of injuries, and the potential for each team to make a playoff run.

IN THIS EPISODE: 

  • [01:39] - Discussion on Edmonton Oilers' offseason moves and key player departures, key player additions and salary cap challenges
  • [9:47] - Vancouver Canucks' offseason analysis and their potential for the upcoming season
  • [16:15] - Breakdown of the LA Kings’ offseason changes and expectations for the season
  • [23:36] - Discussion on Vegas Golden Knights' roster challenges and injury impact
  • [28:48] - Calgary Flames' rebuild process and key player signings
  • [34:04] - Seattle Kraken’s new coaching staff and chances of playoff contention
  • [43:27] - San Jose Sharks' outlook with new head coach Ryan Warsofsky and the arrival of top prospect Malcolm Celebrini

[48:36] Human Side of Coaching in the Pacific Division

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

  • The Oilers face significant challenges managing their salary cap while retaining star players like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.
  • The Canucks are one of the most complete teams in the Pacific Division, but their success hinges on their goaltending situation.
  • The Golden Knights might struggle this season due to key losses and salary cap constraints, despite their strong core players.
  • The Sharks are in full rebuild mode, with the focus on the development of their young star, Malcolm Celebrini, under a new head coach.


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


SPONSORSHIP:

GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

At Game Seven Group, we specialize in transforming individuals into cohesive teams through our team-building events, coaching, and speaking. We believe every team has the potential to achieve extraordinary results.




There’s no shortage of hockey talk out there, but what sets the NHL Wraparound Podcast apart is the specific, hard-earned perspective of its hosts. Neil Smith, the architect of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers, and longtime ESPN/NHL voice Vic Morren don’t just react to headlines-they unpack them with a blend of front-office savvy and media insight that’s rare to find. Their conversations move seamlessly from today’s breaking news to historical context, giving listeners a full understanding of why things happen the way they do in the league. This isn’t about hot takes; it’s a no-nonsense examination of the sport’s biggest issues, grounded in decades of direct experience. You’ll hear how decisions in the boardroom affect plays on the ice, how narratives are built in the press box, and what it all means for the future of hockey. The dynamic between Smith and Morren creates a unique partnership that feels like a compelling, inside conversation you’re privy to. Each episode of this podcast delves into the intersections of sports, culture, and personal legacy, offering depth that appeals to both the casual fan and the dedicated historian of the game. It’s that thoughtful, experienced analysis that keeps an audience returning, episode after episode.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 440

NHL Wraparound Podcast
Podcast Episodes
2025 NHL Summer Cooler - New Jersey Devils [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:27
In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive into the offseason changes, roster dynamics, and forward outlook for the New Jersey Devils, a team that finished third in the Metropo…
2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Detroit Red Wings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:37
In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Detroit Red Wings—a franchise inching toward contention but still battling to break through.It’s been nine consecutive seasons…
2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Los Angeles Kings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:14
In this episode of Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive into the offseason developments for the Los Angeles Kings after another frustrating playoff exit. For the fourth consecutive year, the Kings were eliminat…
2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Calgary Flames [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:01
In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive into the state of the Calgary Flames—a team coming off a surprising 2024–25 campaign that ended in heartbreak. Despite being one of t…
2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Colorado Avalanche [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:03
In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Colorado Avalanche, a franchise that continues to contend—but still hasn’t returned to the Stanley Cup Final since hoisting th…
2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Columbus Blue Jackets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:53
In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren review the offseason, roster structure, and playoff hopes of the Columbus Blue Jackets—a team that came painfully close to breaking their…
2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Anaheim Ducks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:24
In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive deep into one of the NHL’s most intriguing rebuilding teams—the Anaheim Ducks.After a quiet climb last season, Anaheim has made bold…
2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Boston Bruins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:45
In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren take a hard look at the Boston Bruins, a team that has fallen dramatically from its historic high just two seasons ago.After missing the p…
2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Carolina Hurricanes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:59
In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down the Carolina Hurricanes’ offseason, their consistent regular season success, and the lingering concerns that have prevented the…
2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Chicago Blackhawks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:34
In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren take a sobering look at the Chicago Blackhawks, a franchise still in the early stages of a rebuild despite having Connor Bedard, the most…