Episode 88

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Published on:

6th Feb 2026

Episode 88 - Who's Laughing at the Sabres Now? - With Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News

They started 0-3-0 and were still three games below .500 on the morning of Dec. 9. Simply put, 2025-26 was shaping us the same way as the past 14 seasons have for the Buffalo Sabres.

28 games later, nobody's laughing at the Sabres any more. Though there's been a slight cool down over the past week, Buffalo News columnist Mike Harrington returns to the show to share what's been behind the stunning turnaround.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to, the Olympic break is upon us, the Panthers and Lightning were at it again and Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl calls the coaching staff.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:19] – Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To.

[11:49] – Mike Harrington from the Buffalo News makes an encore appearance and immediately dives into why the Sabres have done such an about-face - without moving any players.

[15:16] - Neil poses the question as to when team owner Terry Pegula got an epiphany to finally make moves within the front office - moves which have quietly altered the culture of the franchise.

[17:31] - The difference in the on-ice product under the guidance of head coach Lindy Ruff.

[19:34] - Further elaboration on the Sabres depth and potential damage they could do if they qualify for the post-season.

[21:41] - Mike shares a pattern he sees with the 2025-26 Sabres and the one coached by Ruff in 2006 which reached the seventh game of the East Final.

[23:29] - Will pending UFA Alex Tuch remain with his hometown team beyond this season?

[25:56] - As the trade deadline looms, the holes which need to be filled in order to secure that elusive playoff spot.

[30:30] - Wrapping up the discussion with Mike Harrington.

[31:48] - With the Rangers trade of Artemi Panarin to the Kings, Neil looks at the moves made by GM Chris Drury since taking the team over in 2021.

[35:59] - Top NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna charged with in connection with an altercation Saturday evening that left a man with a broken jaw.

[39:30] - Matvei Michkov's playing time has decreased under Rick Tocchet in Philadelphia. The GM isn't moving the player and head coach is in the first year of a five-year deal.

[42:19] - Plaudits for the offensive defensemen, two of which hit the 20-goal mark over the past couple of days.

[44:00] - Personnel notes with best wishes to Hall of Fame Craig Patrick, who is recovering from a stroke.

[46:21] - What the Olympic break means for NHL teams...and us.

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.