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Published on:

4th Sep 2025

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Anaheim Ducks

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive deep into one of the NHL’s most intriguing rebuilding teams—the Anaheim Ducks.

After a quiet climb last season, Anaheim has made bold moves, signaling their intent to challenge for a wild card spot in 2026. From the surprise hiring of Joel Quenneville to a dramatic shakeup in goal and up front, the Ducks are becoming a team to watch.

The hosts break down Anaheim’s offseason acquisitions, including Chris Kreider, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling, and Peter Mrazek, and assess what losing cornerstone pieces like Trevor Zegras and John Gibson really means. They also explore whether a young blue line—featuring names like Olen Zellweger, Jackson LaCombe, and Pavel Mintyukov—can hold the fort behind a confident Lucas Dostal in net.

They close with a candid look at Joel Quenneville’s return to coaching and the potential influence of one of the winningest coaches in NHL history on a promising roster that’s nearing playoff contention.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Ducks Preview: Could Anaheim be this year’s surprise team?

[00:38] Reviewing Anaheim’s bold offseason moves

[01:00] The Chris Kreider trade & new forward lines

[01:48] Goaltending changes: Dostal’s time to shine

[03:00] Defensive questions: Young blue line analysis

[03:43] The rise of Bennett Seneka and prospects to watch

[04:32] Trust in Dostal & veteran presence from Mrazek

[05:44] Coaching spotlight: Joel Quenneville returns

[07:00] Addressing Quenneville’s past and Anaheim’s due diligence

[07:40] His influence on player development & team culture

[08:00] The Verbeek-Quenneville connection from Hartford days

[08:45] Final verdict: Is Anaheim a wild card sleeper?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Anaheim Ducks have made major roster changes, including the additions of Chris Kreider, Mikael Granlund, and Peter Mrazek, while saying goodbye to Zegras and Gibson.

Lucas Dostal, now the clear-cut No. 1 goalie, will be tested behind an inexperienced defensive corps—but could thrive with Mrazek's veteran guidance.

The hiring of Joel Quenneville signals the Ducks are serious about culture and competitiveness. His resume and relationship with GM Pat Verbeek could fast-track the development of the team’s young core.

Anaheim’s depth up front and special teams potential make them a playoff dark horse, provided the defense matures ahead of schedule.

RESOURCE LINKS:

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #AnaheimDucks #JoelQuenneville #ChrisKreider #LucasDostal #MikaelGranlund #NHLProspects #PacificDivision #GameSevenGroup #StanleyCup #NeilSmith #VicMorren #PatVerbeek #BennettSeneka #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #NHLRebuild

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About the Podcast

NHL Wraparound Podcast
Neil Smith & Vic Morren
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, one needs to understand its past.

With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top.

Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed.


Bio’s
Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years.

Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings.

Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager.

A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL.
After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003.

His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experience.