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Published on:

10th Sep 2025

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - St. Louis Blues

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren spotlight one of the most resilient turnarounds of the 2024–25 season: the St. Louis Blues.

After a rough start under Drew Bannister, the Blues handed the reins to Jim Montgomery—and never looked back. A remarkable 35-18-7 run followed, including a 12-game winning streak that pushed them into the playoffs. Though their season ended in heartbreak—blowing a two-goal lead in the final minutes of Game 7 vs. Winnipeg—the Blues showed serious promise.

With savvy offseason additions, consistent goaltending, and a rock-solid system, the Blues are building a team that no one wants to play against. Montgomery’s influence is already turning heads.

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Recap: 96-point season, heartbreaking Game 7 playoff exit

[00:45] Coaching change: Jim Montgomery takes over, massive impact

[01:30] Key offseason additions: Pius Suter, Nic Dowd, Logan Mailloux

[02:15] The Mailloux move: Fresh start after off-ice controversy

[03:00] Goalie news: Joel Hofer re-signs as backup to Binnington

[03:30] Notable exits: Radek Faksa (DAL), Nick Leddy (SJS), Lucic tryout

[04:30] Youth watch: Dylan Holloway injury recovery, Snuggerud’s potential

[05:30] Offense by committee: Neighbors, Kyrou, Thomas, Blais

[06:30] Solid defense: Faulk, Parayko, Broberg, Fowler

[07:15] Where do the Blues fit in the Central?

[08:15] Tribute to John Kelly: Longtime play-by-play voice let go after 21 years

[09:00] Simulcast changes and legacy impacts

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Jim Montgomery’s arrival changed everything. His system revived a stagnant team, sparking a massive second-half push that nearly took out the top-seeded Jets.

The Blues added smart depth in Pius Suter and Nic Dowd and traded for a big, talented defenseman in Logan Mailloux—giving him a fresh start away from the Montreal spotlight.

Their young core is growing. Holloway’s health and Snuggerud’s next step could determine the ceiling of this team.

Montgomery has the room, and players have bought in. The Blues aren’t elite—but they’re dangerous.

Off the ice, the loss of John Kelly is seismic. The longtime play-by-play voice is a legend in St. Louis, and his departure is as emotional as it is confusing.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

The Blues may not have made massive free-agent headlines, but they didn’t need to. They’re building on momentum, buying into Montgomery’s system, and shaping a team that can make life miserable for any opponent. If they stay healthy and young players step up, expect St. Louis to punch above their weight once again.

And as fans adjust to new voices in the broadcast booth, they can rest easy knowing Montgomery still has his on the bench.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

🎥 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound on Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#StLouisBlues #JimMontgomery #NHLWraparound #SummerCoolers #BluesHockey #DrewBannister #JimMontgomery #DougArmstrong #DylanHolloway #PhilipBroberg #PiusSuter #NickBjudstad #LoganMailloux #ZackBolduc #JoelHofer #JordanBinnington #NickLeddy #MilanLucic #BraydenSchenn #JordanKyrou #RobertThomas #PavelBuchnevich #JakeNeighbours #CamFowler #ColtonParayko #JohnKelly #JamieRivers #ChrisKerber #JoeyVitale

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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.