Episode 20

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Published on:

6th Jun 2024

Ep 20 Stanley Cup Preview with Eddie Olczyk

Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the upcoming Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. Joined by Eddie Olczyk from TNT, the trio provides analysis, predictions, and insights on the series. They discuss topics such as the significance of touching the conference trophy, head coaching experiences, and previous playoff performances.

 The episode also includes a fun segment with the podcast mascot AJ predicting the winner of the Stanley Cup, discussions on player injuries, and a special feature on the NHL's initiative to broadcast games in sign language. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

  • [00:36] Stanley Cup Final Preview
  • [01:33] Conference Trophy Controversy
  • [04:11] Eddie Olczyk Joins the Discussion
  • [06:32] Stanley Cup Final Analysis
  • [16:55] Coaching and Team Dynamics
  • [25:59] Predictions and Introduction to Mascot AJ 
  • [31:07] Human Side of the Story

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

  • The long-standing superstition about not touching the conference trophies was discussed, with Neil Smith criticizing it as "ridiculous" and emphasizing the importance of celebrating achievements along the way. Historical data shows that teams who touched the trophy won the Stanley Cup two-thirds of the time since 1997.
  • The disparity in coaching experience between Paul Maurice (Florida Panthers) and Chris Knobloch (Edmonton Oilers) was noted, with Maurice having significantly more NHL experience. However, Paul Coffey's impact as an assistant coach for Edmonton has been substantial in improving the team's defensive play.
  • The importance of physical play and special teams was emphasized. Florida Panthers are expected to leverage their physicality to challenge the Edmonton Oilers, while the Oilers' success might hinge on their power play performance.
  • The resilience of NHL players during the playoffs was discussed, with examples of players playing through significant injuries. The hosts stressed the need to appreciate the physical toll on players and how it impacts their performance.


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: Edward Walter Olczyk Jr. is an American former center in the National Hockey League for 16 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994.

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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.