Episode 95 - Down the Stretch with Noodles - With TSN Analyst Jamie McLennan - Apr. 8, 2026

Episode 95 - Down the Stretch with Noodles - With TSN Analyst Jamie McLennan - Apr. 8, 2026

Author: Neil Smith & Vic Morren April 9, 2026 Duration: 1:10:09
NHL Wraparound Podcast
SportsCultureHockeyJournalsPersonalSocietySociety & Culture

The Ottawa Senators have emerged as one of the great surprises this season. After sputtering early, the team has managed to overcome injury and adversity to put themselves in control of their own destiny in the final week of the regular season. TSN Analyst Jamie McLennan joins Neil and Vic to discuss the Sens as well as a couple of other topics.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, we have clinchers, a playoff matchup that is set and the peril of the three-point games for those trying to make up ground.

There's also a new GM opening in New Jersey as well and some scrutiny around a penalty box attendant in Buffalo.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:42] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[09:48] - Jamie McLennan joins the show with discussion of the Ottawa Senators and their battles through adversity and injury to own a wild card spot heading into the final week of the regular season.

[14:52] - Further elaboration on the injuries the Sens have had to deal with on their backline and the job Travis Green has done to navigate the team through it.

[19:18] - Neil brings back some historical data to underscore even legendary coaches often get overlooked for the jobs they have done.

[22:16] - Despite the troubles in net this season, signs the playoffs may yield different story.

[25:49] - Many Canadian teams have had a hard time in 2025-26. Neil gets Jamie's thoughts on Vancouver.

[30:11] - Shifting to Toronto. Just Mitch Marner's departure or more to it?

[33:33] - The question of whether Craig Berube's style was truly the right fit for the Maple Leafs.

[36:21] - Thoughts on a firm being brought in to find the next head of hockey ops in Toronto.

[42:20] - The former goaltender offers up why he believes save percentages around the NHL are at a 30-year low.

[47:41] - Wrapping up the chat with Jamie McLennan.

[49:30] - Standings Update.

[52:50] - Tom Fitzgerald out as President/GM in New Jersey.

[56:47] - Spring Cleaning: Florida Panthers.

[1:01:22] - Personnel notes and an odd injury involving an penalty box door in Buffalo.

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: 100

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