Episode 16

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Published on:

7th May 2024

EP 16 Bucci Strikes Again! Round Two Playoff Preview with John Buccigross

John Buccigross, Long-time studio host and Play-by-Play man for the NHL on ESPN,  is back for round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs. They provide detailed analysis and predictions for each series, including team matchups and key players to watch. 

Throughout the episode, insights into coaching strategies, player performances, and potential outcomes of the playoffs are shared, alongside personal anecdotes and memories of working with Melrose.

The Human Side of the Story also pays tribute to Barry Melrose, a beloved figure in hockey broadcasting who recently retired due to Parkinson's disease. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

  • [01:17] Playoff formats and matchups
  • [03:13] The Saga of the Toronto Maple Leafs: Analysis and Future Prospects
  • [05:36] Round One Recap and Round Two Predictions with John Buccigross
  • [07:17] Rangers vs. Hurricanes
  • [18:00] Bruins vs. Panthers
  • [29:28] Dallas vs. Colorado
  • [31:51] Analyzing key players and strategies
  • [33:14] Goalie Showdown: Georgiev vs. Oettinger
  • [42:53] Vancouver vs. Edmonton
  • [52:45] The Human Side: Saluting Barry Melrose

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

  • The discussion shifts to the Toronto Maple Leafs, focusing on their perennial playoff struggles and financial challenges. With significant salary cap commitments to key players, questions arise about potential roster changes and the team's direction moving forward.
  • Peter DeBoer's coaching resilience is highlighted, with emphasis on his ability to quickly bounce back from job losses in the NHL. Despite being fired mid-season, he was hired by another team during the same season, showcasing his consistent employment and ability to command respect in the hockey world.
  • Heartfelt tribute to Barry Melrose, a former NHL player and coach turned broadcaster, who retired due to Parkinson's disease. Melrose's impact on hockey, both as a player and a broadcaster, is acknowledged, emphasizing his quick wit, humor, and iconic presence in hockey broadcasting.


Barry Melrose/BucciOT: https://www.bucciot.com/


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/

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

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

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


SPONSORSHIP:

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 NHL and UBS Financial Services Inc. are not affiliated. UBS Financial Services Inc. (UBS) is a sponsor of The Human Side of the Story.  No other affiliation, relationship or endorsement is made, suggested, intended or should be implied or inferred between UBS and Produce your Podcast, or any of the individuals or businesses, and/or their respective products and services appearing in this program.


The Nintzel Wealth Partners:  https://advisors.ubs.com/nintzelwealthpartners/

What is the primary focus of The Nintzel Wealth Partners? You, and what matters most to you. We see our relationship as an ongoing, ever-evolving collaboration. We make no assumptions about your wealth until we thoroughly talk through your priorities and your concerns. As a multigenerational team, our advice is relevant to clients at any age. Each of us brings the knowledge we’ve gained from every type of market. Looking back, we believe our experience offers our clients the benefit of perspective. But we are also modern thinkers whose guidance reflects today’s realities.

We recognize that you place your trust in our ability to help you achieve your goals, to create the right opportunities for you and your family and to plan confidently for the future. To us, there’s no greater honor. And without question, there’s no greater responsibility.

Our mission is to provide quality strategies customized to your needs. Our goal is to be your primary source of financial advice. To this end, we concentrate our efforts on developing long-term relationships through a commitment to quality client service.


BIO:

John Buccigross is part of ESPN’s NHL team as a play-by-play commentator for select NHL games. He also hosts The Point, a weekly hockey-focused studio show on ESPN2. In addition, Buccigross is an occasional host of SportsCenter, a program he anchored on a regular basis prior to ESPN’s re-acquiring of NHL rights.

 #NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #ESPN #TNT #Playoffs #Championships #NeilSmith #VicMorren #HockeyAnalysis #JohnBuccigross #BostonBruins #FloridaPanthers #VancouverCanucks #EdmontonOilers #ColoradoAvalanche  #DallasStars #NewYorkRangers #CarolinaHurricanes #BarryMelrose

Mentioned in this episode:

Save the Date for the VIP Kickoff Virtual Event celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the New York Rangers' historic Stanley Cup Win! This exclusive event, hosted by none other NHL Wraparound Podcast hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren, will be filled with nostalgia, camaraderie, and celebration. Date: June 6th Time: 6:00 PM EDT Location: Zoom (Sent to you privately) Register: www.subscribepage.io/NHLWraparound

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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.