Episode 55

full
Published on:

7th Apr 2025

Episode 55 - The Gr8est Goal Scorer Ever - With Craig Laughlin

Call it the Thirty-one-year itch. Gordie Howe 1963, Wayne Gretzky 1994 and, now Alex Ovechkin in 2025 as the all-time goal scoring torch was passed at UBS Arena on April 6. Long-time Caps TV Analyst Craig Laughlin joins the show to share his thoughts on covering The Great 8 since the very beginning of his NHL career.

In addition to covering the various races over the final week-and-a-half of the regular season, we'll also talk about a subculture in the NHL which is becoming more evident: Despite the ferocity of competition, teams and players ensuring they honor opponents and officials for a job well done.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:00] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," Neil describes the atmosphere in UBS Arena before we hit on Ottawa and Minnesota strengthening their holds on playoffs spots.

[07:50] - Longtime Capitals TV analyst Craig Laughlin joins the show. Before getting into Alex Ovechkin, he discusses a recent personal ordeal having undergone recent open heart surgery.

[14:04] - Laughlin shares what he's observed about Ovechkin behind the scenes since coming into the league in 2005.

[17:45] - Ovechkin's rejuvenation following a 2023-24 season in which he looked like he might be at the end of his career.

[24:10] - The significance of this record when put in relation to Barry Bonds, Emmitt Smith and LeBron James.

[28:59] - In a world of political turmoil, how is it a Russian is wildly cheered in eclipsing a record of a Canadian legend?

[32:21] - With 895 in the books, 900 right around the corner, are 1000 goals possible?

[35:25] - The Caps recent play has been mid-level. Laughlin assesses where the team needs to improve with the record behind them.

[46:20] - The authentication process for OV's jerseys, sticks and pucks.

[48:11] - The playoff races.

[57:02] - Let's talk other superstars: Crosby-Pastrnak/MacKinnon Kucherov.

[1:02:20] - Vic gets on his TV soapbox about directors cutting away from intimate moments for wide shots and crowd shots.

[1:05:55] - Player notes

[1:08:05] - The Human Side of the Country focuses on the reverence and respect seen with more increased frequency around NHL arenas.

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/

#NHLWraparound #ShortShifts #NYCentric #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #ColinStephenson #Newsday #AnaheimDucks # #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahHockeyClub #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #AlexOvechkin #Gr8Chase #WayneGretzky #TomWilson #DylanStrome #CraigLaughlin #BradyTkachuk #BillGuerin #KirillKaprizov #JoelErikssonEk #JohnHynes #FilipGustavsson #AlanMay #HenrikLundqvist #CraiagLeydig #IlyaSorokin #ChrisPatrick #BrianMacLellan #NikitaKucherov #MakrMessier #MarkHowe #NicklasBackstrom #SpencerCarbery #JoeBeninati #LeBronJames #EmmittSmith #BarryBonds #GordieHowe #MichaelPhelps #TedLeonsis #AlaikseiProtas #LoganThompson #CharlieLindgren #Pierre-LucDubois #RodBrind'Amour #DeanEvason #ChrisKreider #MikaZibanejad #ArtemiPanarin #AdamFox #JimMontgomery #SidneyCrosby #DavidPastrnak #NathanMacKinnon #SpencerKnight #VladimirTarasenko #DylanHolloway #LeonDraisaitl #ConnorMcDavid #TrentFrederic #NikolajEhlers #ColePerfetti #JakeMcCabe #DavidKampf #NealPionk #ColinMiller #MauriceRichard #SugarJimHenry #Marc-AndreFleury #DerekNansen #GhislainHebert

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for NHL Wraparound Podcast

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.