Episode 81

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Published on:

19th Nov 2025

Episode 81 - Mammoth Things Ahead? - With Utah General Manager Bill Armstrong

The NHL regular season will hit the quarter pole Thursday with all but a very few right in the mix. One of those teams is the Utah Mammoth, who have hung right in despite a very heavy road schedule. Team GM Bill Armstrong will stop by to update a unit more comfortable at home in their second season in Salt Lake City.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, we have three hat tricks, a wild finish Tuesday in Dallas and a look at just how unpredictable the league is thus far.

Following the Armstrong interview, Vic and Neil do a deeper dive into the Eastern Conference teams which missed the playoffs last season. Why will this season be different...or not.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:59] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To.

[13:32] - Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong joins the show and shares about the transition of the team from Arizona to Utah.

[15:26] - Playing out of tiny Mullett Arena on the ASU campus.

[16:47] - Having to proceed with playing a season amidst the rumors of the franchise moving out of Arizona.

[18:12] - The uniqueness of the Salt Lake City market which had never had NHL hockey.

[19:11] - Greater comfort playing at the Delta Center in the early going this season.

[21:02] - After a heavy road schedule to start the season, a little bit of home cooking in the immediate for the Mammoth.

[22:49] - Armstrong shares how his past experiences - including that as assistant GM in St. Louis - helped prepare him to take over in Arizona/Utah, which includes his draft philosophy.

[26:38] - More about the construction of the Mammoth and where Armstrong would like to upgrade as the season progresses.

[28:42] - Armstrong speaks about his head coach, Andre Tourigny.

[33:29] - A little bit on the Mammoth uniforms, the road maintaining UTAH to share the pride of the state.

[34:57] - A look back to the 1990 Memorial Cup where Armstrong's double overtime goal in the championship game gave Oshawa it's first title in 44 years. Quite a backstory leads up to the heroics.

[42:36] - Putting a wrap on Bill Armstrong.

[43:58] - Taking a look a the eight non-playoff teams in the Eastern Conference and why they could succeed this season...or not.

[54:38] - A few player notes.

[59:07] - Injury news.

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.