NHL Wraparound Podcast

byNeil Smith & Vic Morren

SocietyCulturePersonalJournalsSportsHockey

Breadth and depth. Contemporary and historical. Straight-forward and experienced. The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League. Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, on...

Episodes(40 episodes)

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 25, 2026

Only the old overtime bugaboo could stop Neil from a truly spectacular night as Saturday delivered an 8-4 straight up record with three of those defeats coming in OT.Nonetheless, he carries a 114-65 (.637) mark into a handful of Sunday games which includes Tim Hortons Heritage Classic between the Canadiens and Jets and former Canucks captain Quinn Hughes returning to Vancouver for the first time.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www...

Published: Oct 25, 2026Duration: 2m 20s

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 24, 2026

After a few tepid nights following his torrid start, Neil won both Friday as the Canadiens skated out of Chicago with a victory as did the homestanding Avalanche against the Lightning. His straight up record improves to 106-61 (.635).Similar to Thursday, a dozen games on tap Thursday including a couple of afternoon tilts.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition...

Published: Oct 24, 2026Duration: 6m 19s

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Brady's Return & Connor's Otherworldly - Oct. 23, 2026

If the NHL is delivering this much entertainment in October, we're in for one of the most memorable seasons ever.From Brady Tkachuk's return to Ottawa to the pinball machine numbers Connor McDavid is putting up, the last two nights simply added to a terrific first month of play.Meanwhile the Flyers and Kings have picked themselves off the mat and we'll have the latest on the condition of Penguins second-year forward Ben Kindel.The good times keep rolling this weekend as Quinn Hughes makes his return to Vancouver while the Canadiens and...

Published: Oct 23, 2026Duration: 36m 17s

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 22, 2026

Neil split the two Wednesday games losing with Buffalo but spot on with the Senators galvanized to make Brady Tkachuk's return to Ottawa a miserable one.A 12-pack awaits Thursday with a 98-55 straight up record.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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 #NHL #BZZR #UBS #TheLineup.pro

Published: Oct 22, 2026Duration: 6m 6s

Episode 119 - Hostile Homecoming - with Florida Panthers Radio Analyst Bill Lindsay - Oct. 21, 2026

Welcome home Brady!Well, not exactly. After then-Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk informed the team during the off-season that he would not sign an extension beyond the 2027-28 season, the Senators opted to jettison Tkachuk to Florida.Wednesday evening Tkachuk makes his return to Canada's capital and the reception is expected to be frosty.Panthers radio analyst Bill Lindsay joins Vic and Neil to discuss the return and other news around the team.We'll also have player news led by a scare concerning Penguins second-year forward Ben Kindel, other observations and...

Published: Oct 21, 2026Duration: 54m 9s

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 20, 2026

For only the second time this season, Neil had a losing night going 1-3 to drop his overall mark to 92-48, still a .657 clip.Having had some success with more games on the schedule, he looks to move the scales back in his favor with 11 Tuesday selections.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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 #NHL...

Published: Oct 20, 2026Duration: 4m 48s

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - Early Controversy in Toronto & Hats Off to the Panthers - Oct. 19, 2026

Death, taxes and the Maple Leafs in the headlines for better or worse.We now know the NHL regular season is in full swing as we get some of the usual as well as the unexpected - such as a burst of hat tricks around the league, most specifically authored by the Florida Panthers.We'll touch on other news as the Flyers get into the win column after receiving an inspirational talk Saturday while Connor Hellebuyck's suspension in Winnipeg is reportedly ending Friday.And stay tuned for Smith's Pix with Neil selecting at...

Published: Oct 19, 2026Duration: 39m 26s

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 18, 2026

A beefy fourteen-game schedule did not deter Neil Saturday. An 11-3 record advances the straight up season mark to 90-44 (.672).A quiet Sunday sees Columbus visiting Minnesota and Carolina in Calgary. Smith's Pix are appointment listening in the early going so check out what he has in store this evening.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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...

Published: Oct 18, 2026Duration: 55s

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 17, 2026

Neil split the two Friday games winning with Colorado over Pittsburgh before watching the Ducks get torched by the Bruins power play in the late game. He enters Saturday's 14-game slate with a 79-41 straight up record.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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 #NHL #BZZR #UBS #TheLineup.pro

Published: Oct 17, 2026Duration: 4m 17s

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 16, 2026

A two-goal lost lead by the Maple Leafs and some overtime heroics by Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight was all that stood between Neil and a perfect night.The eleven-game Thursday delivered a 9-2 record for our intrepid prognosticator raising his season mark to 78-40.A modest two game slate on Friday in advance of a busy Saturday.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound...

Published: Oct 16, 2026Duration: 1m 13s

Episode 118 - Infrequent Flyers - With Jackie Spiegel from the Philadelphia Inquirer - Oct. 15, 2026

When a team shows an unexpected push that not only gains a playoff berth, but actually wins a round, there is an expectation for the trajectory to continue the next season.In Philadelphia, it's been the opposite with the Flyers off to a start of historically bad proportions which has them in danger of becoming an afterthought early in the 2026-27 season.Beat writer Jackie Spiegel from the Philadelphia Inquirer joins Vic to share how things have gone south so quickly...and what has to happen to reverse fortune before the season is lost.<...

Published: Oct 15, 2026Duration: 53m 6s

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 15, 2026

Despite consecutive .500 nights, Neil's straight up record stands at 69-38, good for a .645 winning percentage, twenty points better than his 2025-26 mark which awarded for overtime/shootout losses.Check out his picks on an 11-game Thursday.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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 #NHL #BZZR #UBS #TheLineup.pro

Published: Oct 15, 2026Duration: 4m 15s

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 14, 2026

The full Monte on Tuesday represented the only day until the final day of the regular season with every team in action. Entering the night with a lofty .674 winning percentage, Neil posted a pedestrian 8-8 mark to put his straight up record at 68-37.Time to exhale Wednesday with just a pair of games on the schedule.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com...

Published: Oct 14, 2026Duration: 1m 22s

NHL Wraparound Short Shifts - From Injury Frenzy to Frozen Frenzy - Oct. 13, 2026

Usually injury news is a backend item to shows but, with the season-ending injury to Igor Shesterkin plus a number of other high-profile maladies, it's become an alarming early-season trend.With that in mind, does the NHL really need more teams? With it appearing increasingly imminent that Houston or Austin were about to be next to join the league, a group of owners have expressed concerns about both the depth of the talent pool and competitive balance. Thus, expansion is now on hold.And, with all 32 teams in action Tuesday, Neil offers his Pix and...

Published: Oct 13, 2026Duration: 36m 12s

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 12, 2026

Another winning night with Neil winning two of three to bounce the straight up record to 58-28, including 23-7 over the past four days.Another short stack Monday with only three games in advance of Tuesday's Frozen Frenzy with all 32 teams in action. Both Neil and Vic will do picks on the show and invite listeners to send your picks to all 16 games to:neil@nhlwraparound.comvic@nhlwraparound.comX: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com...

Published: Oct 12, 2026Duration: 2m 24s

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 11, 2026

Another eye-popping performance by Neil in packed 14-game Saturday. 10-4 straight up for a gaudy 56-27 mark. Even games decided after 60 minutes is now over .500 after prevailing on three of four.A quiet three-game schedule on tap for Sunday.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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 #NHL #BZZR #UBS #TheLineup.pro

Published: Oct 11, 2026Duration: 1m 1s

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 10, 2026

The good times keep rolling for our fearless prognosticator in posting a 3-1 Friday to bump his straight up record to 46-23, a tidy .667 winning percentage.A true test for Neil Saturday with 14 games on tap. Check out the selections.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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 #NHL #BZZR #UBS #TheLineup.pro

Published: Oct 10, 2026Duration: 2m 56s

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 9, 2026

Neil continues an early season roll with a 7-3 straight up mark Thursday including two wins beyond regulation. He's 43-22 for the season, including 17-5 over the past three nights. A tough four-game schedule awaits Friday.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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 #NHL #BZZR #UBS #TheLineup.pro

Published: Oct 9, 2026Duration: 1m 18s

NHL Wraparound Smith's Pix - Oct. 8, 2026

Coming off an 8-1 mark on Tuesday, Neil followed it up winning two of three on Wednesday. A 36-19 straight up mark follows him into Thursday's ten-game slate.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic 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 #NHL #BZZR #UBS #TheLineup.pro

Published: Oct 8, 2026Duration: 2m 37s

Episode 117 - The GR8 Farewell Tour - Joe Beninati - Oct. 7, 2026

On October 5, all-time NHL goal scoring leader Alex Ovechkin announced his 22nd NHL season will be his last. Joining Neil and Vic today will be the man who called Ovie's very first goal in 2005 and the record-breaker 20 years later.Joe Beninati stops by to share his memories of Ovechkin's journey, the upcoming farewell tour and a legacy that is a bit more complicated than goal scoring.IN THIS EPSIODE:[01:52] - Neil welcomes Joe who quickly hits on the gratitude of covering Alex Ovechkin for so long before going back on how his broadcasting...

Published: Oct 7, 2026Duration: 1h 2m 20s