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Published on:

19th Apr 2024

Special Edition: Playoff Preview with John Buccigross

Special guest John Buccigross Long-time studio host and Play-by-Play man for the NHL on ESPN  joins us to cover the Stanley Cup Playoff Preview Show. Focus is on the teams strengths, weaknesses, and key factors that could influence the outcomes, such as coaching styles, player performances, and injuries. 

Predictions for each series and in depth discussion on the New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders, Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche. Potential upsets, and standout players are shared alongside the analysis of team structures, and goaltending merits. They end with rapid fire questions and who they are predicting to win the Stanley Cup. 

So buckle up, hockey fans and don’t miss this action packed episode! 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

  • [02:10] Rangers vs. Capitals: Strategies and Expectations
  • [12:09] Carolina vs. Islanders: Analyzing Strengths and Weaknesses
  • [19:37] Panthers vs. Lightning: A Battle of Skill vs. Grit
  • [27:55] Bruins vs. Maple Leafs: A Historic Rivalry Rekindled
  • [39:40] Jets vs. Avalanche: Analyzing the Central Division Showdown
  • [43:44] The Great Goalie Debate: Hellebuyck vs. Georgiev
  • [44:30] Colorado's Determination and Goaltending Dilemma
  • [48:22] Vegas Golden Knights: From Champions to Underdogs
  • [49:00] Dallas Stars: A Deep Dive into Their Strengths
  • [56:14] Vancouver vs. Nashville: An Intriguing Matchup
  • [01:04:12] LA Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers: A Tough Battle Ahead
  • [01:12:59] Playoff Predictions and Final Thoughts

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

  • Across different playoff series, strategic matchups are crucial. For example, in the Carolina-Islanders series, Carolina's strong special teams, particularly their power play, could pose a significant challenge for the Islanders' weaker penalty-killing unit.
  • Some series, like Florida vs. Tampa Bay, showcase a clash of styles. Florida's physicality and depth against Tampa Bay's skill and playoff experience create an intriguing matchup. The outcome might hinge on factors like power play success and bottom-six contributions.
  • The coaches' influence on their respective teams is significant, particularly in terms of adapting strategies and motivating players. Knobloch's structural changes with the Oilers improved defensive numbers and goaltending, showcasing the impact a new coach can have mid-season.
  • The path to the Stanley Cup Finals is critical. Teams like Edmonton and Florida are favored due to their potentially favorable matchups in the early rounds, providing them with a smoother path to the Conference Finals.
  • Players who could unexpectedly shine in the playoffs, like Michael McCarran of Nashville or Tomasz Hurdl of Vegas, could significantly impact their teams' playoff runs. Identifying these potential breakout performers adds an element of unpredictability to the postseason.

RESOURCE LINKS 

John Buccigross Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buccigross/

John Buccigross Website- https://www.bucciot.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

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/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound


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BIO:

John Buccigross is part of ESPN’s NHL team as a play-by-play commentator for select NHL games. He also hosts The Point, a weekly hockey-focused studio show on ESPN2. In addition, Buccigross is an occasional host of SportsCenter, a program he anchored on a regular basis prior to ESPN’s re-acquiring of NHL rights.

Buccigross joined the company as an ESPNEWS anchor in 1996, prior to the launch of the 24-hour sports news network. He was the primary host of NHL 2Night, ESPN2’s 30-minute program dedicated to hockey highlights and news from 1998-2004.

He currently serves as the play-by-play voice of the NCAA Hockey Championship (Frozen Four). “Bucci” also sometimes fills in as host of the nightly hockey highlights program In the Crease on ESPN+.

Before joining ESPN, Buccigross had been at WPRI-TV in Providence, R.I. He started as the station’s weekend sports anchor in 1994, and later was named weekday anchor. Before WPRI, Buccigross worked at a local news network, Cape 11 News, in Massachusetts from 1989 to 1994.

Buccigross also authored a book entitled,” Jonesy: Put Your Head Down and Skate: The Improbable Career of Keith Jones.”

Buccigross, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., received a communications/theater arts degree from Heidelberg University.


#NHLWraparoundPodcast #NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #ESPN #TNT #Playoffs #Championships #NeilSmith #VicMorren #JohnBuccigross #NYRangersvsWashington #CarolinavsNYIslanders #FloridavsTampaBay #BostonvsToronto#DallasvsVegas #VancouvervsNashville #WinnipegvsColorado #EdmontonvsLosAngeles

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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.