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Published on:

6th Sep 2025

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Los Angeles Kings

In this episode of Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dive into the offseason developments for the Los Angeles Kings after another frustrating playoff exit. For the fourth consecutive year, the Kings were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round—this time after holding multiple leads and letting key games slip away. With Rob Blake out and Ken Holland in as GM, the Kings are attempting to retool—but are they reloading or regressing?

The hosts break down the impact of Holland’s veteran-heavy signings—Corey Perry, Cody Ceci, Joel Armia, and Brian Dumoulin—all of whom push the Kings’ roster deeper into “win-now” territory. But with an aging core that includes Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar, and a first-time head coach in Jim Hiller, there are real questions about whether this team can make it out of the first round, let alone compete for the Cup.

They also revisit LA’s playoff series against Edmonton, highlighting how close the Kings were to taking control—and how costly breakdowns and coaching decisions may have sealed their fate.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] A fourth straight playoff loss to the Oilers — what went wrong again?

[01:00] Ken Holland takes over as GM — will he be the answer?

[01:33] Offseason additions: Perry, Armia, Ceci, Dumoulin — average age over 34

[02:40] Perry’s Stanley Cup Final curse — five different teams, five losses

[04:15] Game-by-game recap: blown leads, failed challenge, poor puck decisions

[06:00] Byfield’s development, Fiala’s upside, and depth up front

[07:15] Defensive drop-off: losing Gavrikov, aging Doughty, concerns with Ceci

[08:10] Coaching hot seat: how long is the leash for Jim Hiller?

[09:15] Could Peter DeBoer be an option if things go south early?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Kings continue to stumble in the postseason, despite holding multiple leads over the Oilers in key games.

Ken Holland's first offseason as GM focused on experience, but at the expense of speed and youth.

The blue line took a hit with the loss of Vladislav Gavrikov, and the replacements (Ceci, Dumoulin) raise concerns.

Jim Hiller is not Holland’s hire, and with big expectations and a veteran group, a slow start could trigger changes.

Quinton Byfield's second-half surge and the continued consistency of Kempe and Danault offer hope—but the pressure is building.

RESOURCE LINKS:

🎥 YouTube: NHL Wraparound

🐦 Twitter/X: @NHLWraparound

📸 Instagram: @nhlwraparound

🎵 TikTok: @nhlwraparound

👤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

👤 Vic Morren: Vic Morren on LinkedIn

#KenHolland #JoelArmia #CodiCeci #BrianDumoulin #RobBlake #LucRobitaille #BrentBurns #AlexOvechkin #AnzeKopitar #DrewDoughty #AntonForsberg #SamuelBolduc #DavidRittich #VladislavGavrikov #PheonixCopley #AndreiKuzmenko #AlexLaferriere #DarcyKuemper #PhillipDanault #JimHiller #QuintonByfield #AdrianKempe #KevinFiala #TrevorMoore #WarrenFoegele #MikeyAnderson #PeterDeBoer

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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.