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Published on:

13th Dec 2025

Scott Stevens: Greatest Open-Ice Hitter & 3-Time Stanley Cup Champion

Scott Stevens, the greatest open-ice hitter in NHL history and three-time Stanley Cup champion, joins Neil and Vic for an unforgettable Hall of Fame Edition conversation. From his early days as the fifth overall pick in Washington to becoming the first player to have his number retired by the New Jersey Devils, Stevens reflects on his 22-year Hall of Fame career. He shares stories about learning to channel his intensity, the legendary 1994 Eastern Conference Final, winning three championships with three different coaches, and the art of delivering clean, devastating hits while never finishing a season as a minus player.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Scott Stevens joins as the latest guest on NHL Wraparound Hall of Fame Edition, introduced as perhaps the greatest open-ice hitter ever.

[01:00] - The modern fighting phenomenon: why players have to fight after clean hits today versus Stevens' era when hitting was just part of the game.

[03:00] - Stevens' philosophy on clean hits: turning your cheek and letting opponents take penalties rather than engaging after legal contact.

[04:00] - The Nick Foligno-Brendan Smith fight after the Connor Bedard hit in New Jersey - automatic response to clean contact.

[05:00] - Junior hockey glory: winning the Memorial Cup with the Kitchener Rangers and wearing number three before switching to the iconic number four.

[06:00] - The number evolution: three in Washington, two in St. Louis, and finally four in New Jersey (Kenny Daneyko had three).

[07:00] - NHL debut magic: first goal on first shot against Eddie Mio and the Rangers at Madison Square Garden with his parents watching.

[08:00] - Brian Murray's pivotal advice: channeling emotion to stay on the ice more and finding the fine art of playing on the edge without crossing it.

[09:00] - Penalty minute transformation: from 200+ PIMs four times in first 12 seasons to barely exceeding 100 in final 10 years.

[10:00] - The mentorship of Brian Engblom: sitting together before every game, studying opponents' tendencies, learning what to watch for on every forward.

[12:00] - Leadership philosophy: leading by example, not with words - showing up ready to practice and compete every single day.

[13:00] - Practice intensity: hitting teammates with their heads down when upset, making sure everyone knew winning mattered above all else.

[14:00] - The difficult St. Louis departure: holding out after signing as a free agent, buying and selling houses, having a newborn and 16-month-old.

[15:00] - Lou Lamoriello's class: picking up the family at the airport with car seats, making sure they were comfortable and settled in New Jersey.

[16:00] - The awkward captaincy transition: taking the "C" from Bruce Driver and asking for his continued help with organization and scheduling.

[18:00] - Group Two free agency explained: the stunning compensation system and how David Poile chose not to match Washington's offer.

[19:00] - The Brendan Shanahan equalization: becoming the compensation award over Curtis Joseph and Rod Brind'Amour during Canada Cup training camp.

[21:00] - The 1994 Eastern Conference Final: that Devils team as potentially the best personnel-wise, just not ready to win yet.

[23:00] - The 1995 championship run: learning from 1994's pain, getting better through the playoffs, and feeling invincible against Detroit in the sweep.

[25:00] - Learning from losses: gaining experience from mistakes and using that hurt to take the next step as a team and individuals.

[26:00] - Three coaches, three Cups: Jacques Lemaire's revolutionary systems teaching, feeling like a kid learning positioning and stick detail.

[27:00] - The Lemaire revelation: learning more in year 13 than all previous years combined, understanding two-on-ones and positional play.

[28:00] - Larry Robinson's gutsy late-season takeover: Lou Lamoriello firing Robbie Ftorek late and Robinson's speech that sparked the comeback against Philadelphia.

[29:00] - The defining moment: Robinson's anger at how they were playing, needing to win three straight against the Flyers with two in Philadelphia.

[30:00] - Pat Burns' intelligence: not changing the system, learning from assistants how the Devils played, and enforcing accountability within their structure.

[32:00] - Three memorable hits, three championships: Slava Kozlov (1995), Eric Lindros (2000), and Paul Kariya (2003) - changing games with physicality.

[33:00] - Playing physical to unlock offensive game: when hitting and finishing checks, everything else came easy.

[34:00] - The stunning stat: only FOUR elbowing penalties in 22 seasons and 2,785 career penalty minutes - testament to clean, devastating hits.

[35:00] - Taking pride in clean hits: never wanting to put the team down or create odd-man situations with bad positioning.

[36:00] - Three Stooges fandom and growing up with three brothers a year apart - competitive household where mom waited to finish decorating.

[38:00] - First number retired by New Jersey Devils: the honor of being number one, and Devils fans who still thank players for their hard work.

[39:00] - The Dwight Schofield connection: Neil's defense partner in Dayton who later protected Stevens and Langley in Washington.

[42:00] - Statistical excellence: 13 All-Star games, 908 career points, and NEVER a minus player in 22 NHL seasons.

[43:00] - 2007 Hall of Fame induction with Ron Francis, Mark Messier, and Al MacInnis - arguably the greatest class ever.

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/

#NHLWraparound #ScottStevens #NewJerseyDevils #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #HockeyHallOfFame #StanleyCup #WashingtonCapitals #StLouisBlues #JacquesLemaire #LarryRobinson #PatBurns #LouLamoriello #BrianEngblom #BruceDriver #KennyDaneyko #BrendanShanahan #EricLindros #PaulKariya #SlavaKozlov #KitchenerRangers #MemorialCup #DetroitRedWings #AnaheimDucks #PhiladelphiaFlyers #MarkMessier #RonFrancis #AlMacInnis #JimGregory #BrianMurray #RodLangway #CraigLaughlin #DougJarvis #MikeGartner #RobbieFtorek #JasonArnott #DavidPoile #CurtisJoseph #RodBrindAmour #DwightSchofield #ConnorBedard #NickFoligno #JacobTrouba #BradMarchand #OpenIceHits

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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.