Episode 47

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Published on:

10th Feb 2025

Episode 47 - A Man For All Seasons With Kenny Albert

One of sports most recognizable voices joins NHL Wraparound as Kenny Albert drops in to give his thoughts on the NHL season, broadcasting and the New York-area teams.

Vic and Neil then offer up thoughts on the upcoming Four Nations Faceoff and then tackle a question regarding the NHL's most biggest disappointment: Are the Nashville Predators having a bad season or are they a bad team?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:00] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to focuses on Sidney Crosby's availability to Team Canada for the Four Nations Faceoff, the benefit of league-leading Washington not sending any players to the tournament and the importance of goal differential heading into the final third of the season.

[04:10] - Kenny Albert joins Neil and Vic and the discussion opens with Kenny acknowledging congratulations for his upcoming induction into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and sharing his surprises and early disappointments which have turned their seasons around.

[11:08] - Covering each at the four major North American Sports, Albert goes in depth about game preparation, the difference between calling games on TV and radio and how to integrate the analyst into a broadcast.

[21:02] - Kenny shares about those who have been most influential in his development as a broadcaster.

[26:50] - The biggest change that Kenny has seen in the broadcast industry during his three-plus decades in the business.

[28:03] - An abbreviated NY Centric segment covering the Rangers, Islanders and Devils.

[47:49] - Vic and Neil toss around the pros and cons of the upcoming Four Nations Faceoff.

[57:48] - After making a significant free agent splash in during the off-season, the Nashville Predators have endured nothing but problems with their on ice showing. Is this simply a good team having a bad season...or is this a bad team?

[1:04:18] - In The Human Side of the Story, Neil and Vic share stories about the legendary family of play-by-play men, the Alberts.

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.