Episode 112

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Published on:

10th Sep 2026

Episode 112 - Continuing to Build - Jeff Blashill - Sept. 10, 2026

The last decade has not been kind to the Chicago Blackhawks. After winning the Stanley Cup in 2015, the franchise has not won a playoff series and has missed the post-season eight times in the last nine campaigns including six in a row.

Progress often comes in small steps and for head coach Jeff Blashill, there may be more reason for optimism than meets the eye. Noted for his work developing young players, Blashill enters his second season behind the Chicago bench with the youngest team in the NHL enhanced by some veteran acquisitions over the summer.

The show will also pay tribute to long-time ESPN analyst Barry Melrose, who passed away Thursday after battling Parkinson's Disease for the last three years, and we'll close the show looking back 25 years and how the hockey community was directly rocked by the 9/11 attacks.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:39] - Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill joins the show opening with memories of Barry Melrose.

[04:31] - After suffering a shoulder injury while training in July, star forward Connor Bedard is back on the ice, possibly a bit ahead of his rehab schedule.

[06:06] - From the inside, the experience of coaching Bedard.

[09:31] - The overarching view of the Blackhawks roster this season compared to last, a true mix of youth and experience for one of the NHL's youngest teams.

[12:54] - The expected trajectory for forward Frank Nazar, who signed an eye-opening contract a year ago which is kicking in this season.

[14:40] - Having coached Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk in Detroit and being an assistant in a Tampa Bay lineup with Nikita Kucherov, the benefits gained with Patrick Kane coming to Chicago for a second stint.

[17:20] - Speaking from experience, Blashill expects Kane to have an influence on Bedard in Chicago comparable to Zetterberg and Datsyuk on Dylan Larkin in Detroit.

[19:09] - With former captain Nick Foligno in Minnesota, where Blashill will be looking to for leadership.

[20:48] - The potential of a young defense which is going to be led by trade acquisition Bowen Byram.

[23:46] - The goaltending, led by Spencer Knight and supported by Arvid Soderblom.

[25:20] - Three fun questions for Blashill before departing - two of them rather loaded.

[27:58] - Recapping the discussion with Jeff Blashill.

[29:50] - Remembering Barry Melrose.

[36:32] - 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the direct impact on the NHL.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

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Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

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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.