Episode 87

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Published on:

14th Jan 2026

Episode 87 - Broadway Blues - With Vincent Mercogliano from The Athletic

From Eastern Conference Finalists in 2022 and 2024 to NHL bottom-feeder. The New York Rangers fall from the NHL’s elite has been stunning with much of the blame being heaped on GM Chris Drury.

Vincent Mercogliano covers the Rangers for The Athletic and joins Neil and Vic to do a deep dive into the current state of the franchise, how they got to this point and where they go in a 100th anniversary season that has been anything but memorable.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, it took more than half of the season but we finally have a head coaching change. Also, the Lightning remain on fire while guess who’s back in a playoff spot?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:43] – Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[13:10] – Vince Mercogliano joins the show and delivers a very extensive breakdown of how things have fallen apart at MSG. The on ice product is visible to all but much of the issues of today have their roots going back as far as two years with several episodes taking place off the ice.

[22:25] – Further elaboration on the acquisitions made by GM Chris Drury and why hasn't there been greater accountability from ownership?

[26:04] – Perhaps equally distressing for the Rangers organization is an equally weak team in Hartford with three prospects continuing to struggle at the NHL level. Add in the underwhelming career of the first overall pick in the 2020 Entry Draft.

[31:06] – Perhaps one of the biggest rubs with GM Drury has been his treatment of players. This coming from a former player, captain of the Rangers and a Stanley Cup Champion in Colorado.

[34:10] – The future of Artemi Panarin.

[37:13] – The positives Vince sees in the immediate amidst the mess of the 2025-26 season.

[39:44] – Updates on Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin

[40:21] – More on Fox. Injury aside, the reported pursuit of Quinn Hughes in New York and the not getting a call for the Olympics has been a double whammy.

[43:36] - Putting a wrap on the discussion with Vincent Mercogliano.

[45:35] - Coaching updates on a milestone for Jon Cooper and a health scare for a former NHL coach working in the KHL.

[51:36] - 2026 NHL Draft to be held in Buffalo.

[55:00] - The ongoing drama at the main rink at the Milan-Cortina Olympic site.

[58:00] - Personnel items.

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.