Episode 94

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Published on:

1st Apr 2026

Episode 94 - Rolling the Dice with Torts - With VGK President of Hockey Operations George McPhee - Apr. 1, 2026

Sunday afternoon, the Vegas Golden Knights made a late-season coaching change dismissing Stanley Cup-winning coach Bruce Cassidy and bringing in John Tortorella in the hopes of jump starting a team that has underachieved all season. VGK President of Hockey Operations George McPhee joins Neil and Vic to discuss the move.

Among the Three Things you Need to Pay Attention To, guess who is within one point of a wild card spot in the West?

Also, we'll have a full playoff race update, discussion about various acts of pugilism around the league and what did we learn - or not - from the Keith Pelley presser on Tuesday?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:11] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[11:21] - Golden Knights President of Hockey Operations George McPhee joins the show. After briefly touching on 1994 - which saw McPhee as part of the Vancouver Canucks organization - Neil notes from experience the difficulty letting people go, something McPhee did with his head coach Sunday.

[13:56] - Neil follows up with George noting the decision to make a coaching change is something that builds over time and not an impulse decision.

[17:30] - Vic draws a comparison between the stellar run to the Stanley Cup in 2023 to what the numbers have said about the Golden Knights since January - a sample size large enough to support the concern.

[21:46] - On to Tortorella and his recognition to evolve in that the game and the players are vastly different from the Stanley Cup team he coached in 2004 and four other venues since.

[24:06] - The key personnel on the Golden Knights that will be counted on even more since the coaching change.

[26:59] - When the Golden Knights made the surprise run to the Final in 2018, the inaugural team was hard, fast and smart. Many of the those signatures were part of the 2023 team. What type of style will Tortorella need to employ to ensure success with the NHL's third oldest team?

[28:25] - A brief look back at Torts first game behind the VGK bench.

[30:57] - Wrapping out the chat with George McPhee.

[32:57] - Standings update.

[41:46] - Three very different types of pugilism played out Monday and Tuesday, including a goaltending bout at MSG.

[49:29] - Personnel notes - Injuries, returns and milestones.

[53:56] - A long-time AHL play-by-play man gets a tribute in Buffalo.

[55:57] - Notable birthdays.

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.