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Published on:

4th Sep 2025

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Chicago Blackhawks

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren take a sobering look at the Chicago Blackhawks, a franchise still in the early stages of a rebuild despite having Connor Bedard, the most hyped first-overall pick in years.

Chicago finished last in the Central Division for a third straight season and posted just 61 points in 2024–25. With few meaningful additions and continued roster instability, Neil and Vic examine whether this team has moved forward at all—or if it's still stalled at the starting line.

The hosts break down puzzling offseason decisions by GM Kyle Davidson, including the $46.2 million contract extension for Frank Nazar, who has barely touched NHL ice, and the team's inability to retain Philipp Kurashev. With questionable signings like Andre Burakovsky, Sam Lafferty, and Jordan Harris, the team appears no closer to contention.

Despite Bedard’s individual offensive production (22G, 39A in Year 1; 23G, 44A in Year 2), he has a combined -80 rating over two seasons, and lacks a true support cast. They also explore what new head coach Jeff Blashill can realistically achieve with a bottom-tier roster and whether defense-first hockey is even viable given Bedard’s weaknesses without the puck.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] A three-year rebuild with no traction

[00:38] Frank Nazar’s shocking extension

[01:00] Reviewing Chicago’s minimal offseason moves

[02:00] Bedard vs. Celebrini: Are fans already second-guessing the pick?

[03:00] Connor Bedard’s playmaking—and defensive lapses

[04:00] Veterans lost: Pat Maroon & Alec Martinez retire

[04:32] Can Jeff Blashill fix anything in Year 1?

[05:30] Where is the leadership and scoring help?

[06:00] Blue line depth—or lack thereof

[07:00] Goaltending preview: Soderblom vs. Spencer Knight

[08:30] Reality check: Can this team compete?

[09:30] Should Chicago shift to a defense-first system?

[11:00] Why fans may have to wait even longer for progress.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Connor Bedard can’t carry this team on his own. While his offensive numbers are strong, his defensive game has drawn league-wide criticism.

The Frank Nazar contract ($6.6M x 7 years starting 2026–27) raises serious concerns about Chicago’s salary strategy and projection risks.

Despite a few gritty offseason additions, Chicago lacks scoring depth, defensive reliability, and veteran leadership.

Jeff Blashill’s first year behind the bench may be defined more by survival than success.

Chicago will likely compete for another lottery pick rather than a playoff spot, with fan patience wearing thin.

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): 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 #ChicagoBlackhawks #ConnorBedard #FedorSvechkov #JeffBlashill #AndersSorensen #AndreBurakovsky #RyanDonato #SamLafferty #JoeVeleno #LouisCrevier #ArvidSoderblom #FrankNazar #KyleDavidson #PhilippKurashev #AlecMartinez #PatMaroon #NickFoligno #ConnorMurphy #MacklinCelebrini #TeuvoTeravainen #TylerBertuzzi #IlyaMikheyev #SpencerKnight #ArtyomLevshunov #SamRinzel #KevinKorchinski #MarcoSturm #DavidPastrnak #JohnPaddock #AlexVlasic

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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.