Episode 3

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Published on:

6th Feb 2024

Ep 3 Hats off to the Oilers with Craig MacTavish

Former Edmonton Oilers GM and coach Craig MacTavish joins Neil and Vic to discuss the team's recent performance and playoff hockey  adversity.

They also celebrate Gary Bettman's 31 years as NHL commissioner and delve into NHL standings projections. The challenges of NHL head coaches, recent firings, and mid-season coaching changes are explored. MacTavish highlights the Oilers' resurgence, discussing player choices, reclamation projects, and the team's response to adversity. 

Additionally, they take a nostalgic look at the evolution of the NHL All-Star Game, including historic moments and the modern skills competition. The Human Side of the Story segment reflects on falling in love with the game and memorable first NHL game experiences.

IN THIS EPISODE: 

  • [01:51] One timers segment
  • [02:00] Discussion on Gary Bettman's 31-year tenure as NHL commissioner
  • [04:29] Projections of NHL Standings
  • [05:55] Discussion on Coaching 
  • [14:03] Interview with special guest Craig MacTavish
  • [24:21] Energy and big moments within the team, highlighting the contributions of specific players and coaches.
  • [26:27] Emphasizes the importance of goaltending and the performance of Stuart Skinner.
  • [27:06] Neil Smith reflects on the historical approach of the Oilers in identifying and developing talent, drawing parallels with the current regime under Ken Holland.
  • [38:33] Significance of leadership in winning, with references to specific players and their impact on the team.
  • [42:00] First NHL All Star game 
  • [44:55] Human Side of the Story
  • [49:30] Closing remarks and invitation to join the next episode of the NHL Wraparound podcast.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

  • Gary Bettman's 31-year tenure as the commissioner of the National Hockey League, highlighting the challenges and complexities of the role, as well as the growth of the league from 24 to 32 franchises under his leadership. 
  • The Edmonton Oilers' near-record-setting winning streak and the impact of coaching, player contributions, and defensive structure on the team's success. 
  • The significance of facing adversity in the playoffs and the lessons learned from previous playoff experiences, emphasizing the maturity and evolution of players such as Connor McDavid. 
  • Strategic considerations for team improvement and the impact of player acquisitions, such as the potential impact of trades on team dynamics and the need for bolstering certain areas to enhance the team's championship potential. 


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:  

Craig MacTavish (born August 15, 1958) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player, formerly an assistant coaching position with the St. Louis Blues. He played centre for 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues, winning the Stanley Cup four times (1987, 1988, 1990, 1994). He was the last NHL player not to wear a helmet during games.[1][2][3]

MacTavish later coached the Oilers from 2000 to 2009 and also served as assistant coach with the Rangers and Oilers. He last coached Team Canada at the 2019 Spengler Cup, after a short stint with Russian team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL. He served as an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues from 2022 to 2023.


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

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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.