Episode 79

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Published on:

5th Nov 2025

Episode 79 - Still Flying High - With Winnipeg Jets Exec. VP/GM Kevin Cheveldayoff

A season after surprising many with their first-ever Presidents' Trophy, the Winnipeg Jets are around the top of the NHL standings once again despite losing some key components from a season ago.

Executive VP/GM Kevin Cheveldayoff joins Neil and Vic to discuss his team, the challenges of remaining competitive in the league's smallest market and the inspiration by the return to play of native son Jonathan Toews.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, the Ducks continue to prove they are to be taken seriously while the Rangers play at home is...seriously poor.

We also hit injury and league news and wrap up with one of the NHL's most important off-ice initiatives.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:13] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention focuses on happenings in Anaheim, New York City and Montreal.

[13:22] - Winnipeg Jets Executive VP/GM Kevin Cheveldayoff joins the show and hit on the difficulty winning in the NHL amidst the parity around the league in a season with a compressed schedule.

[16:16] - The challenges of keeping the Jets competitive in today's financial landscape with the exchange rate being unfavorable to Canadian teams and the salary cap continuing to go up.

[20:15] - Forward Mark Scheifele is one of the premiere power forwards in the NHL. He might also be one of the NHL's best kept secrets playing in Winnipeg.

[22:54] - Despite having put up Hall of Fame numbers and Vezina Trophy's on the mantle, Connor Hellebuyck has some work to do once the playoffs roll around in April.

[25:11] - Dealing with the holes left by players departing Winnipeg via free agency.

[27:49] - Cheveldayoff discusses which forwards need should be primed to take their next step forward.

[30:00] - The thinking behind the signing of Jonathan Toews, returning to the NHL after a two-year absence.

[32:42] - Comparing Toews with Gabriel Landeskog of Colorado, another player who took extraordinary measures to resume his playing career.

[34:04] - Thoughts on head coach Scott Arniel, second year head coach having taken over for Rick Bowness.

[38:01] - Looking at one of the most complete defensive corps in the NHL.

[43:01] - Putting a wrap on the discussion with Kevin Cheveldayoff.

[46:04] - Injury update.

[50:13] - From injury news to other notable games and league news.

[1:00:03] - Hockey Fights Cancer Initiative

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.