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Published on:

24th May 2025

Special: Doormat to Dynasty - The 45-Year Anniversary of the N.Y. Islanders First Stanley Cup Championship

Their earliest years were, frankly, like those of many expansion teams. A team comprised of marginal talent as part of the 1972 Expansion Draft and the first-year record certainly reflected that.

While the second season saw only slight improvement in the standings, it was the promise of a first overall pick who went on to win the Calder Trophy that laid the foundation of what was ahead.

The third season saw a surprising playoff berth, a stunning opening round win over the veteran team from New York City and an historic comeback against Pittsburgh.

Then, reality.

While the team continued an upward trajectory, the playoff results got increasingly difficult over the course of the next four springs. Finally, in 1980, it came together. A strong core was bolstered in March by the arrival of a college defenseman fresh from winning Olympic gold and a veteran forward who became the final piece of the puzzle.

From there, they made history - some of which may never be seen again in the NHL.

Join the hosts as they go back 45 years with Captain Denis Potvin, left wing John Tonelli and defenseman Ken Morrow.

This is Doormat to Dynasty.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Open voiced by long-time Islanders play-by-play man Jiggs McDonald with Islanders theme underneath from organist Paul Cartier.

[01:25] - Welcome and after Vic and Neil do some initial reminiscing about Bob Nystrom's Cup clinching goal, guests Denis Potvin, John Tonelli and Ken Morrow are welcomed.

[05:00] - 45 years later, the guest share their recollections on the Nystrom goal.

[10:09] - The approach to 1980 following increasingly difficult playoff losses after the 1975 Cinderella run. Discussion includes the final pieces coming into place with Ken Morrow arrival fresh off a gold medal at the Olympics and Butch Goring proving to be the missing link coming in a trade from Los Angeles.

[16:15] - The road the first championship begins, including the brutal second round series against the Boston Bruins and some hijinks during the semi-final with Buffalo.

[32:25] - The Final against rival Flyers begins with some sidebar stories about the toughness of the Broad Street Bullies.

[52:10] - With a 3-1 series lead, the Isles drop Game 5 and return to Nassau Coliseum for the potential clincher. After letting a 4-2 third period lead get away, the stage is set for overtime.

[1:02:14] - Vivid descriptions of the celebration after the Islanders first-ever Stanley Cup-winning goal.

[1:10:51] - 1981 and the first defense of the Cup. The team doesn't miss a beat...even with Neil Smith joining the organization. Among the stories is Denis sharing the emotional piece of his brother Jean being traded away before being re-acquired.

[1:17:09] - After an opening round scare, the Isles roll to their third Cup with the Final over Vancouver featuring a spectacular goal in Game 3 by Conn Smythe winner Mike Bossy,

[1:23:24] - In pursuit of the fourth Cup, the club drops a bit during the regular season but is more than ready for an upstart team from Edmonton with a phenom wearing #99. In the end, the challengers learn some valuable lessons from the defending champs.

[1:33:49] - Going after the Canadiens record of five straight Stanley Cups, the Isles discover their opponent learned well from the previous spring. However, to this day, the guests are still rankled by a change in scheduling during the Final.

[1:43:50]- With the dynasty at an end, the perspective and significance of its place in league history becomes more evident with time.

[1:54:05] - A final personal question to Ken, John and Denis.

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.