Episode 83

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Published on:

10th Dec 2025

Episode 83 - Nothing Fowl About These Ducks - With Anaheim TV Analyst Brian Hayward

Anyone have the Anaheim Ducks in first place at this point of the season with the likes of Vegas, Los Angeles and Edmonton residing with them in the Pacific Division? If you said no, you're not alone but there they sit. Long-time Ducks TV analyst Brian Hayward join Neil and Vic to discuss the "whys" to their first-half success.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, the Toronto Maple Leafs are surging - in part due to a rookie goaltender and despite a power play which sunk to the depths of the NHL. We also hit on a wild Tuesday with four games being sent to overtime in the final seconds.

Also, Neil goes back into the GM chair as we look at three teams that have very different scenarios facing them as the season moves forward.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:45] - Three Things You Need to Pay attention To.

[13:44] - A veteran of over 2000 games behind the mic as TV analyst for the Anaheim Ducks, Brian takes us back to the very beginning of his broadcasting career in 1993-94 and brings it forward.

[17:50] - Reasons why goaltenders make such good analysts.

[19:32] - Brian unpacks the wild finish in Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh kicking off a five-game Metropolitan Division trip for the Ducks.

[22:14] - Talk about the offensive prowess of the club, though the defense still needs work.

[23:43] - The added veterans - particularly from the Rangers - who have added a vital presence to compliment the youth.

[26:37] - Others veterans brought in over a year ago may have raised some eyebrows at the time. Not anymore...

[28:10] - The changes and evolvement of head coach Joel Quenneville, returning to behind the bench after almost four years away from the NHL.

[32:12] - Does Hayward see any similar trajectory to this Ducks team under Quenneville and the start of the Chicago championship run which started in 2010?

[33:33] - Goaltending update with injuries to Lukas Dostal and Petr Mrazek, which has forced Ville Husso into the number one role. A follow-up on Dostal, who made long-time vet John Gibson expendable.

[37:13] - In the opinion of a former goaltender, why are there so many injuries to goalies now than in the past?

[42:15] - Wrapping up the discussion with Brian Hayward.

[43:44] - Neil goes back into the GM chair to assess what he sees the immediate future paths for Colorado, New Jersey and Vancouver.

[54:56] - Injury/personnel update

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.