Episode 52

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Published on:

16th Mar 2025

Episode 52 - Be-Leaf Them or Not? With Steve Simmons from The Toronto Sun

The Toronto Maple Leafs are always in the news and, amidst some recent struggles, uncertainty is once again setting in as to whether the team has the goods to end its 58-year Stanley Cup drought. Longtime Toronto Sun writer Steve Simmons joins the show to go in depth on their prospects.

With the regular season ending in just over four weeks, Vic and Neil check out those looking to secure the final wild card spots in the East, flip the discussion to the heavyweights in the central division and then talk about a player whose attempt at generosity backfired on his team.

We have a usual player note plus, in The Human Side of Story, an AHL GM just traded his son...and got nothing immediate in return.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:53] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," we're watching as the Ottawa Senators are not only pushing to wrap up a Wild Card, but, perhaps threatening the Maple Leafs for third in the Atlantic.

[08:15] - Steve Simmons joins the show and Neil poses the question whether the Leafs get the same grief about their title drought as he did three-plus decades ago in New York.

[13:33] - With a Stanley Cup hardened head coach, Simmons shares whether he sees a different spring on the horizon based on the composition of the team.

[21:33] - Mitch Marner's future in Toronto remains uncertain beyond this season. There's a more layers to this story than what appears on the surface.

[30:55] - Auston Matthews season has been inconsistent by his standards. Is it Injury, new system or both?

[34:58] - Simmons speaks to the importance of Chris Tanev.

[41:05] - Moving away from the Leafs but, staying in Canada, will Winnipeg's magnificent regular season translate to playoff success?

[44:23] - Simmons transitions from the Jets back to his earliest days covering hockey in the 1980's bridging similar stories of a young Wayne Gretzky and a young Connor McDavid.

[52:20] - Scrub of the Eastern bubble clubs

[1:01:01] - Scrub of the Western bubble club

[1:07:19] - The Dallas Stars faced two Central Division powers in Winnipeg and Colorado during the weekend, the latter being Mikko Rantanen's return to Denver. Despite an overtime and regulation loss, does this make the Stars any less formidable?

[1:11:47] - Tomas Hertl learns a hard lesson

[1:13:55] - Player Notes

[1:16:04] - The Human Side of the Story focuses on an AHL GM who just traded his son. Believe it or not, it's happened before.

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.