Episode 36

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Published on:

11th Nov 2024

Episode 36 - Speak of the Devils - With GM and President of Hockey Operations Tom Fitzgerald

New Jersey Devils GM and President of Hockey Operations Tom Fitzgerald joins the show which salutes the best start in NHL history, the soon-to-be greatest goal scorer, plenty of league and college news and a player who took the NHL by storm three years ago whose production has fizzled. The Human Side of the Story concludes the show with the newest Hockey Hall of Fame inductees...and two who should be.

IN THIS EPISODE:

  • [02:40] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," Vic and Neil simply can't ignore the historic start by the Washington Capitals, the energized Alex Ovechkin or the N.Y. Islanders continued negative trend of losing leads late.
  • [10:15] - Tom Fitzgerald joins the show with a little reminiscing of being on either side of Manhattan as an Islander player and Devil GM.
  • [12:40] - Fitzgerald shares the challenge of re-building his team after a disappointing 2023-24 season.
  • [14:30] - The process involved in securing Sheldon Keefe to come to New Jersey as the head coach.
  • [16:13] - Fitzgerald speaks about the addition of new players, healthy returnees and the fit with the new head coach.
  • [20:30] - Neil and Tom share more stories from the early 80's about hockey camps, college and the connection with Jack and Luke Hughes dad, Jimmy.
  • [22:00] - The transformation of Dougie Hamilton since coming to New Jersey as well as the accelerated growth of Simon Nemec when Hamilton went down for the season in November 2023.
  • [27:10] - The maturity and growth of captain Nico Hischier
  • [29:30] - Fitzgerald speaks on topics of discussion for the upcoming GM meetings with goaltender interference at the top of Tom's list. Fitzgerald also talks about an equal playing field for teams which don't have a state tax.
  • [32:46] - Vic invites Tom to share his memories of the first Panthers team to make the Stanley Cup Final, thanks to his game winning goal in Pittsburgh in Game 7 in 1996.
  • [36:15] - In the league notes section, significant goalie news as the Ducks John Gibson returns from an appendectomy, Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark face each for the first time since the latter was traded to Ottawa and Tristan Jarry is recalled by the Penguins.
  • [38:11] - Injury and other player updates
  • [40:20] - The Edmonton Oilers knock Kevin Lankinen from the Canucks net Saturday while the Colorado Avalanche end the Carolina Hurricanes eight-game winning streak with the help of a five goal-second period.
  • [42:41] - The man known for "The Michigan" goals three seasons ago, Trevor Zegras, has become borderline irrelevant in Anaheim.
  • [47:17] - With the NCAA lifting the eligibility ban on CHL players to join U.S. College teams, what does that mean for the future of Canadian Major Junior leagues?
  • [50:30] - The Human Side of the Story notes five players and two builders as the newest inductees. However, for every inductee class, there are those who manage to be overlooked year after year.

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/

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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.