Episode 84

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Published on:

16th Dec 2025

Episode 84 - The NHL According to Ray - With ESPN/Sportsnet Analyst Ray Ferraro

He is one of the top analysts in hockey and is never shy about voicing his opinion. Neil and Vic welcome ESPN/Sportsnet's Ray Ferraro to the show to discuss the recent trades and other league news.

We'll hit our usual Three Things You need to Pay Attention to at the top of the program with a nod to the latest to the 1000 point club and, after speaking with Ray, we'll hit on a couple of offbeat items - one having to do with a team record book and the other focusing on how you may begin to see the NHL differently as soon as next season.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:28] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[10:12] - ESPN/Sportsnet analyst Ray Ferraro is welcomed to the show and opens with his love for what he does post-playing career, both as a TV analyst and podcaster.

[15:45] - The rise and fall of the Vancouver Canucks - from two seasons ago where the team was a division leader to one now on an apparent re-build.

[23:26] - The Vancouver media is one of the loudest around the NHL and its potential impact on, perhaps, advancing the urgency of the trade of captain Quinn Hughes.

[26:25] - Looking at the deal from the Minnesota side. Are they truly going to be able to compete in April with the heavyweights not only in Western Conference but even in their own division.

[30:18] - Neil backs up one of Ray's points about the timing and types of players a GM looks for at during certain times during the season.

[33:37] - Ray weighs in on the Edmonton-Pittsburgh goalie swap.

[36:52] - What the hell's going on in New York? Ray adds to the hosts earlier discussion on the Sabres first.

[40:39] - Ray speaks on another team trying to find its way, the Rangers. Is there a true strategy there?

[46:22] - Another team that periodically looks lost, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ray offers a theory.

[49:31] - In praising John Tavares, is his replacement as captain, Auston Matthews, really the leader that is going to move the needle in Toronto?

[52:53] - Moving from a lot of negative critiquing, Ray notes his most positive stories during the first half of this season.

[57:17] - Wrapping up the discussion with Ray Ferraro.

[58:41] - Injury/Personnel report

[1:05:00] - Winnipeg Jets owner Mark Chipman looking to have the records of Jets 1.0 and 2.0 consolidated.

[1:07:49] - The NHL looking at more dark-on-dark uniform matchups in its future.

[1:12:07] - "Holy Mackinaw Night" in Toronto.

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.