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Published on:

21st May 2024

EPISODE 18: Conference Finals Preview with Eddie Olczyk | Rangers vs. Panthers, Stars vs. Oilers & A Story of Resilience

In this NHL Wraparound Special Edition, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by Eddie Olczyk, NHL on TNT analyst and Stanley Cup champion, for a high-level breakdown of the 2024 NHL Conference Finals.

The episode begins with a reflection on the Vancouver Canucks’ playoff run, including the impact of key injuries like Thatcher Demko and Brock Boeser. Olczyk shares how these setbacks altered Vancouver’s trajectory and highlights how resilience and depth define playoff success.

From there, the team dives into the two marquee matchups:

  • New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers
  • Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers

Olczyk analyzes team structures, standout performers, and goaltending matchups, offering strategic predictions and breakdowns. He identifies Dallas’s defensive discipline, Edmonton’s goaltending concerns, and how special teams and injuries will shape the final four.

The episode concludes with Eddie’s personal journey, including his career highlights, battle with cancer, and passion for broadcasting. In The Human Side of the Story, Olczyk’s message of perseverance and love for the game resonates deeply.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:39] Conference Finals preview begins

[01:17] Vancouver’s missed opportunity and playoff learning curves

[05:25] Eddie Olczyk joins: A hockey life from Cup wins to cancer survival

[08:28] Reflections on the 1994 Rangers and championship culture

[17:01] Rangers vs. Panthers: Star power and coaching adjustments

[23:22] Goaltending, depth, and playoff x-factors

[32:56] Hockey IQ: The power of spatial awareness

[33:22] Florida’s physicality vs. Rangers’ structure

[36:01] Stars vs. Oilers: Playoff history and style contrast

[37:02] How Dallas wins with less on defense

[42:46] Edmonton’s goaltending dilemma: Skinner vs. Pickard

[50:18] Predictions and personal stories from Eddie

[53:46] Final Four picks and Stanley Cup projections

[57:10] The Human Side of the Story: Olczyk’s resilience and message to fans

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Injuries can swing a series: Vancouver’s loss of key players drastically altered their playoff path.
  • Goaltending and depth remain defining factors. Olczyk pinpoints Dallas’s defensive structure as a playoff asset, while Edmonton’s goalie situation could derail their momentum.
  • Team culture, coaching, and emotional resilience matter as much as talent in these matchups.
  • Eddie Olczyk’s story of perseverance offers inspiration beyond the rink, reminding fans of hockey’s human core.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

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/

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

SPONSORS & OFFERS:

🏒 MeiGray: Game-worn NHL jerseys and collectibles. Use code WRAP10 at MeiGray.com for 10% off.

🎯 Game 7 Group: Elite team-building events and speaking engagements. Learn more: Game Seven Group

💼 The Nintzel Wealth Partners: Expert financial planning tailored to your goals. Nintzel Wealth Partners

ABOUT EDDIE OLCZYK:

Edward "Eddie" Olczyk Jr. played 16 seasons in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and others, winning the Stanley Cup in 1994. Now a national NHL analyst on TNT, Olczyk is admired for his insightful commentary, deep hockey knowledge, and resilience in the face of personal health battles. His voice continues to elevate the game both on and off the ice.

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #StanleyCup #ConferenceFinals #Playoffs #EddieOlczyk #JohnBuccigross #DallasStars #EdmontonOilers #NYRangers #FloridaPanthers #VancouverCanucks #Goaltending #HockeyBroadcasting #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHLWraparound #Game7Mindset

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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.