Episode 23

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Published on:

4th Jul 2024

EP 23 Trading Places with Mike Santos

Special guest Mike Santos from Team 33 offers insights into the challenges of free agency and the importance of preparing for the draft and free agent negotiations. They provide in-depth analysis of the NHL offseason, discussing notable player movements, team strategies, and free agency developments. 

Key topics include Jessica Campbell's historic appointment as the first female assistant coach in NHL history, the intricacies of the NHL calendar, and the financial implications of tax-free states on team composition. 


The episode also discusses specific team changes, highlighting moves by the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, and more, exploring their implications for the upcoming season.




IN THIS EPISODE: 


  • [00:40] Offseason Banter and Guest Introduction
  • [01:38] Jessica Campbell's Historic Appointment
  • [02:07] NHL Calendar and Free Agency Chaos
  • [03:36] Tampering Issues in the NHL
  • [06:37] Mike Santos on Free Agency and Trade Deadline
  • [07:04] Florida Panthers' Strategic Moves
  • [09:36] Nashville Predators' Risky Signings
  • [14:23] Tampa Bay Lightning's Tough Decisions
  • [21:38] Utah's New Beginnings
  • [23:37] New Jersey Devils' Strong Offseason
  • [27:27] Washington Capitals' Intriguing Moves
  • [29:51] Analyzing Player Potential: Chychrun and Dubois
  • [31:00] Toronto Maple Leafs: Roster Changes and Challenges
  • [35:02] Edmonton Oilers: New Additions and Future Prospects
  • [39:14] Boston and Vancouver: Player Swaps and Team Dynamics
  • [47:13] Tax-Free States: Impact on NHL Teams
  • [53:37] Transitioning to the NHL: What Draftees Can Expect

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

  • Jessica Campbell was named the first female assistant coach in NHL history, joining Dan Bosma on the Seattle Kraken's bench. This is a significant milestone for gender representation in the league​​.
  • The discussion revealed widespread tampering in the league with free agents, facilitated by agents and third parties. This practice is prevalent and poses challenges for general managers, especially those whose teams advance deep into the playoffs​​.
  • The Florida Panthers were praised for their strategic moves at the trade deadline, particularly acquiring Tarasenko and Okposo. These additions were pivotal in their successful playoff run and eventual Stanley Cup win​​.
  • The intense and packed nature of the NHL calendar, with events like the finals, Hall of Fame announcements, NHL awards, draft, and free agency all occurring within a short period. This compression affects team preparations for crucial off-season activities​​.




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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GAME 7 GROUP- www.gamesevengroup.com/nhlwraparound

At Game Seven Group, we specialize in transforming individuals into cohesive teams through our team-building events, coaching, and speaking. We believe every team has the potential to achieve extraordinary results.



BIO:

Hockey Executive and Sports Attorney possessing a broad and practical knowledge of the law combined with excellent business acumen. Experience managing complex amateur and professional sports organizations including athletes, events, facilities, governance, operations, dispute resolution, litigation, mergers, acquisitions and real estate transactions. Excels at drafting, enforcing, negotiating and reviewing contracts, legal documents, rules and regulations.


#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #ESPN #TNT #Playoffs #Championships #NeilSmith #VicMorren #MikeSantos #JessicaCampbell #NHLTeams #OffSeasonMoves #NashvillePredators #Stamkos #Marchessault #BradySkjei #TampaBayLightning #Guentzel #Atkinson #Geekie #WashingtonCapitals #Dubois #Mangiapane #Roy #Chychrun #NewJerseyDevils #Markstrom #Pesce #EdmontonOilers #Skinner #TorontoMapleLeafs

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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.