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Published on:

8th Sep 2025

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - New York Rangers

In this edition of NHL Wraparound’s Summer Coolers, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dissect one of the most dramatic collapses in recent NHL memory: the New York Rangers.

Just one year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy, the Rangers became only the fourth team in league history to miss the playoffs the following season. From special teams regression to star players disappearing and internal drama erupting midseason, the Broadway Blueshirts became a cautionary tale.

This episode unpacks the offseason roster shakeup—highlighted by the exit of longtime fan favorite Chris Kreider, the addition of top-pair defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, and a new head coach with a Stanley Cup pedigree: Mike Sullivan.

Will it all be enough to turn things around? Or are the Rangers slipping into rebuild territory?

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] One year removed from the Presidents’ Trophy—miss the playoffs

[00:35] Special teams collapse: Power play 28th, PK slipped too

[01:00] Offseason moves: Gavrikov signs (7 yrs, $7M AAV), Radish added, Morrow acquired

[01:30] Key departures: Chris Kreider (traded to Anaheim), Ke’Andre Miller, Zach Jones

[02:15] Resigned: Will Cuylle (2 yrs, $3.9M AAV), Matt Rempe returns

[02:45] Forwards outlook: Panarin down 30 points, Zibanejad worst +/- on team

[03:30] Laffy’s Last Chance? Lafrenière expected to start in top 6

[04:30] Depth signings: Offman, Perreault, Barard all knocking on the door

[05:30] Defensive overhaul: Only Adam Fox remains from ‘24 top 4

[06:15] Gavrikov joins Fox; Schneider, Susie, and Bogdan fill out the blue line

[07:30] Shesterkin remains the ace—can he save them again?

[08:00] Mike Sullivan hired: Can he be the coach that finally clicks?

[09:00] The bar is high. The leash is short. The pressure is real.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The Rangers are in transition, but not in a full rebuild—yet.

Chris Kreider’s departure marks a new chapter, and there’s a leadership void.

Panarin and Zibanejad must return to elite form—or risk wasting Shesterkin’s prime.

The defensive group is a patchwork, built around Adam Fox and a lot of question marks.

Mike Sullivan’s coaching legacy will be tested. Can he revive this team or is the clock already ticking?

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Rangers have talent. They have pedigree. And they have one of the best goaltenders in the league. But with a new coach, major roster turnover, and a brutal Eastern Conference bubble, it’ll take more than just Madison Square Garden magic to punch a ticket to the postseason.

This team needs to overachieve—and Mike Sullivan has no time to ease in.

🔗 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

🏒 HASHTAGS

#NHL #NYR #NewYorkRangers #VladislavGavrikov #WillCuylle #MattRempe #ZacJones #ChrisKreider #CareyTerrance #JacobTrouba #IgorShesterkin #ArtemiPanarin #VincentTrocheck #JTMiller #MikaZibanejad #AlexisLafreniere # #KaapoKakko #JeffGorton #GabePerreault #BrennanOthmann #BrettGerard #MikeSullivan #RyanLindgren #AdamFox #CarsonSoucy #WillBorgen #UrhoVaakanainen #BradenSchneider #ChrisDrury #GerardGallant #PeterLaviolette



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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.