Episode 71 - 2025 Summer Cooler - Central Division

Episode 71 - 2025 Summer Cooler - Central Division

Author: Neil Smith & Vic Morren August 25, 2025 Duration: 1:26:27

The Western Conference gets the stage starting with the Central Division in the third of four Summer Cooler shows.

IN THIS EPISODE

[02:31] - Winnipeg Jets - The defending Presidents' Trophy winners fell short in the second round of the playoffs. They face a new world with the departure of star wing Nikolaj Ehlers to Carolina.

[14:56] - Dallas Stars - Always positioning themselves for a deep run, something always seems to happen in "Big D" when the stakes raise in the playoffs. A coach getting a second chance in Dallas has the opportunity to reverse that trend.

[25:55] - Colorado Avalanche - Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, the Avs have won a single playoff series since. Is this high-octane team getting a reputation of being more sizzle than steak?

[34:52] - Minnesota Wild - Though finally getting out from under massive dead cap space, the Wild haven't exactly wowed anyone during the off-season.

[43:24] - St. Louis Blues - No team made more of an about-face in 2024-25. Despite a heartbreaking opening round loss to Winnipeg, all indications point to a team that will be very stiff to play against in the new season.

[53:58] - Utah Mammoth - With a season under their belt in Salt Lake City, the time has come for the newly-named Utah Mammoth to make some inroads after five consecutive playoffs misses going back to their days in Arizona.

[1:05:20] - Nashville Predators - The team with the big free agent splash a year ago was the biggest disappointment of 2024-25. The summer of '25 has been quiet. Has GM Barry Trotz simply written off last season as a bad year to the point he's willing to go with much the same lineup starting in October?

[1:13:05] - Chicago Blackhawks - Long-suffering fans in the Windy City will have a new head coach behind the bench. Still, Connor Bedard and co. appear to have more lean years ahead.

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
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Duration: 2:34
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NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Apr. 9, 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:00
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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://…