Episode 61

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Published on:

19th May 2025

Episode 61 - Conference Finals Preview with TSN's Craig Button

We're halfway home. Two rounds are in the books and Neil and Vic are pleased to be joined once again by long-time TSN analyst Craig Button to tackle the Conference Finals.

"Three Thing You Need to Pay Attention To" takes a quick look back at the seventh game between Florida and Toronto which secured the Panthers third straight trip to the East Final against a Carolina team they swept two springs ago.

In "The Human Side of the Story," we focus on the Jets Mark Scheifele, who played the sixth game of the Dallas series with the heaviness of losing his dad the day prior. Unfortunately, this is a story which plays out in life and one where the compassion and empathy of others plays an important part of helping an athlete to cope with loss.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:12] - In "Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To," quick hitters on the Panthers advancing at the Maple Leafs expense and the Conference Finals TV schedule.

[05:36] - Craig Button from TSN returns for the preview and, after some brief preamble, a review of the picks from the "experts" thus far.

[08:01] - Carolina vs. Florida

[21:20] - Dallas vs. Edmonton

[37:17] - Do Canadians really care if a team from their country wins the Stanley Cup? Ask a fan in Montreal if they'd like to see the Maple Leafs win or a Flames see the Oilers capture the Cup. The answer is emphatic.

[39:06] - Neil, Craig and Vic share what has taken them off guard during the first two rounds of the 2025 post-season.

[46:28] - A little background on the Button hockey family and quick news update from Carolina.

[48:27] - The Human Side of the Story notes players deciding to take to the playing surface immediately after losing a loved one. For Mark Scheifele, that became a reality in Game 6 of the Jets series with the Dallas Stars following the passing of his father, Brad, a day before.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

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.