Episode 97 - The 2026 Stanley Cup Preview Show - With TSN's Craig Button

Episode 97 - The 2026 Stanley Cup Preview Show - With TSN's Craig Button

Author: Neil Smith & Vic Morren April 17, 2026 Duration: 1:05:51

After over six months of play, the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs have arrived and, with that, Neil and Vic are pleased to welcome back TSN's Craig Button for another round of analysis of all eight opening round series.

Lively discussion about the series, some GM news and a few other burning questions will get listeners primed for the most intense competition in sports.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:43] - Carolina vs. Ottawa

[07:54] - Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia

[12:51] - Buffalo vs. Boston

[16:52] - Montreal vs. Tampa Bay

[22:43] - Two pieces of GM news with Patrik Allvin out in Vancouver and Sunny Mehta installed to run the New Jersey Devils.

[29:52] - Colorado vs. Los Angeles

[33:36] - Dallas vs. Minnesota

[39:24] - Vegas vs. Utah

[43:54] - Edmonton vs. Anaheim

[48:33] - The Playoff Salary Cap: Significant or much ado about nothing?

[50:24] - Coming out parties, teams and players with most pressure and picks for the Final.

[1:00:29] - Wrap up segment with TV schedule for first weekend of the playoffs.

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/

#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatrickHoffman #NHL #SummerCoolers #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #CraigButton #TSN


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

NHL Wraparound Podcast
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