Episode 42 - NHL Wraparound & Debuting NY Centric

Episode 42 - NHL Wraparound & Debuting NY Centric

Author: Neil Smith & Vic Morren January 7, 2025 Duration: 1:10:32

A combination episode to kick off NHL Wraparound in 2025 as NY Centric is introduced within the show. Tom Gulitti joins Neil and Vic to talk the surprising Washington Capitals, a history lesson on defunct NHL franchise and a special NHL debut on the Human Side of the Story.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:05] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to addresses whispers out of Vancouver that both J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson made be on the trade market while three franchises with struggles in recent seasons are showing an uptick as we near the midway point.

[08:56] - Tom Gulitti joins the show and speaks about the additions in Washington who have meshed beautifully Spencer Carbery,

[16:04] - Gulitti speaks to the adjustments Alex Ovechkin had to make with a rookie head coach last season amidst his chase for the all-time goalscoring record.

[18:07] - The next steps needed by the Caps to go from being just a feel-good to legitimate Stanley Cup Contender.

[20:42] - Arthur Staple from the Athletic helps launch NY Centric addressing whether the Rangers slight improvement is fact or fiction.

[23:07] - Staple lays it where the struggles lay both up front and on the backline.

[31:14] - A shift to the Islanders where the special teams and late game struggles remain and an overall assessment of the personnel GM Lou Lamoriello sticks with.

[38:56] - The Devils have hit a bump in the road during their six-game road trip. Despite being a top team, there is still system acclimation taking place under head coach Sheldon Keefe.

[46:00] - Any guess as to which was the first New York-based team in the NHL? A little history on defunct NHL teams whose cities still have a presence in the league.

[50:42] - Player and injury notes.

[59:40] - The United States wins consecutive gold medals at the World Junior Championships. Is the USA now the number one world hockey power?

[1:04:30] - The Human Side of the Story shares the story of Ozzy Wiesblatt, who, along with four siblings, was raised by a deaf mother. Through her support, and that of others, Ozzy was able to play hockey at an early age and made his debut with the Nashville Predators on Jan. 3 in Vancouver.

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/

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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
NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 11, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:34
Only a dark Friday could quiet Neil after posting an 10-3-1 Thursday. That's 22-3-3 over the last three game nights for an overall mark of 557-306-118.Saturday's slate has 15 games but Neil will select only 14 with the F…
NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 9, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:00
Neil took the show to the road Wednesday and Buffalo, Washington and Edmonton all deliver to move the overall to 547-303-117 (.626).12-0-2 over the last two nights, let's see what how he'll do with a 14-game schedule Thu…
NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 8, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14
If you took Neil's advice Tuesday, you did real well as the record for the night was 9-0-2 with the only losses coming as a result of the Red Wings and Oilers failing to hold late leads and falling after regulation.A lig…
NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 7, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:35
On the right side of the ledger on a quiet Monday which saw Neil go 2-1-1. Eleven games on the Tuesday schedule as the jockeying for spots and positions continues. The season record entering play is at 535-303-115.X: htt…
NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 6, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54
Similar to Saturday, Easter Sunday started strong and fizzled late for Neil going 3-4-0. A tidy four-pack awaits on Monday with a 533-302-114 overall mark.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.c…
NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - April 5, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:06
In the collective, the 9-6-0 Saturday was quite good, but the taste went a bit sour with four regulation losses in the late games.Still, Neil's overall bumps to 530-298-114 with an Easter slate of seven games.X: https://…