Episode 2

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Published on:

30th Jan 2024

Ep 2 GREAT Beginnings with Wayne Gretzky

Neil and Vic are joined by "The Great One," Wayne Gretzky, who shares his thoughts on the current generation's game, the improvement of players, and the future of the NHL. 

The hosts analyze several teams, including the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, and Chicago Blackhawks. They scrutinized the recent adjustments implemented by Lou Lamoriello, the Islanders' General Manager, in the team's coaching structure. 

Additionally, they delved into the potential achievement of Auston Matthews reaching the impressive milestone of 800 goals. The hosts also shared anecdotes from their own experiences, detailing how they initiated their careers in the hockey industry.

IN THIS EPISODE: 

  • [01:49] Discussing the State of the NHL: One-Timers
  • [05:29] The Pressure on Toronto Maple Leafs
  • [08:10] The Challenges of Managing the Maple Leafs
  • [10:34] The Future of the Maple Leafs
  • [15:20] Interview with Wayne Gretzky
  • [19:54] Discussing the Future of NHL Stars
  • [24:51] Discussing the Edmonton Oilers' Season Turnaround
  • [25:28] Analyzing the Oilers' Team Structure and Performance
  • [25:58] The Importance of Team Balance in the NHL
  • [26:44] The Oilers' Trade Decisions and General Management
  • [27:23] The Oilers' Playoff Prospects and Competition
  • [28:24] Reflecting on the Oilers' Past Seasons and Future Potential
  • [29:36] Transitioning to Gretzky's Career as an Analyst
  • [33:32] Discussing the Islanders' Coaching Change
  • [39:25] Reflecting on Personal Career Starts in Hockey
  • [46:21] Wrapping Up and Looking Forward to Future NHL Action

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

  • Vic emphasizes the transient nature of determining the best teams in the league, highlighting the importance of playing well, staying healthy, securing favorable draws, and relying on luck as crucial factors heading into the playoffs
  • Neil expresses concern about the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks tearing down their teams to a bare minimum, impacting young talents like Connor Bedard, and discusses the challenges of rebuilding a team from scratch
  • Pressure on the Toronto Maple Leafs due to their prolonged Stanley Cup drought since 1967 and the financial implications of players' contracts are highlighted
  • Wayne Gretzky shares insights about the Edmonton Oilers' performance, emphasizing their turnaround, improved team structure, and potential as a legitimate contender in the playoffs, and discusses the challenges faced by young players adapting to the physicality of the NHL

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

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BIO:  Wayne Gretzky (born January 26, 1961, Brantford, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian ice hockey player who was considered by many to be the greatest player in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL).


Wayne Gretzky

Gretzky began skating at age two and a half and was first taught hockey by his father. By age 6 he was playing as an all-star in novice hockey with boys 10 and 11 years old. He progressed through organized age-group hockey, and in 1977 at the Junior World Cup competition, he was the youngest player and the leading scorer. Gretzky turned professional for the 1978–79 season, playing for the Indianapolis Racers in the World Hockey Association (WHA). His contract soon was sold to the Edmonton Oilers, who joined the NHL at the beginning of the 1979–80 season. As centre and team captain, Gretzky led the Oilers to four Stanley Cup victories (in the 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, and 1987–88 seasons). Following the 1987–88 season, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.

Discover the sizable gap between the Great One's career-point record and Jaromir Jagr's second-place totals


#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #ESPN #TNT #Playoffs #Championships #NeilSmith #VicMorren #ConnorBedard # WayneGretzky #AlexOvechkin #ConnorMcDavid #AustonMatthews

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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.