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Published on:

7th Dec 2025

Special Encore Interview With Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek

Pat Verbeek, General Manager of the Anaheim Ducks and Hall of Fame player, joins Neil and Vic to discuss the franchise's exciting transformation. Fresh off a 21-point improvement in the standings and the blockbuster hiring of three-time Stanley Cup champion Joel Quenneville as head coach, Verbeek shares his vision for building a playoff contender. From his playing days alongside Quenneville in Hartford to assembling a roster with former Rangers talent and developing young stars, Verbeek provides insight into the Ducks' path forward and the lessons learned from near-playoff misses.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Pat Verbeek joins the show to discuss the Anaheim Ducks' exciting offseason moves and franchise trajectory.

[01:00] - Comparing Brad Marchand's playoff performance to Verbeek's Hall of Fame playing style and competitive edge.

[02:00] - The 21-point jump in the standings: Greg Cronin's first-year impact on accountability, discipline, and work ethic.

[03:00] - Building leadership with veterans Alex Killorn and Radko Gudas to set examples for young players.

[04:00] - The coaching change from Cronin to Joel Quenneville: special teams struggles that cost six wins and the need for improved goal scoring.

[05:00] - Expectations for young stars Trevor Zegras, Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Jackson LaCombe, and Pavel Mintyukov to take major offensive strides.

[06:00] - Why Joel Quenneville is the highest-profile coach in Ducks franchise history, surpassing Mike Babcock and Randy Carlyle.

[07:00] - The Hartford Whalers connection: playing with Quenneville and talking hockey on bus rides with future coaches Dave Tippett, Mike Liut, Rod Brind'Amour, and Kevin Dineen.

[08:00] - Quenneville's "video camera mind": his ability to process matchups and make real-time decisions on the bench.

[09:00] - The "Doug Armstrong move": learning from St. Louis's quick coaching change to hire Jim Montgomery after firing Drew Bannister.

[10:00] - Exit interviews with players that revealed themes and concerns, leading to the decision to make a coaching change.

[11:00] - The excitement in Anaheim: Quenneville's instant credibility and respect from players throughout the league.

[12:00] - The New York Rangers pipeline: Chris Kreider joins Jacob Trouba, Ryan Strome, and Frank Vatrano to create familiarity and comfort.

[13:00] - How having former Rangers teammates made it easier for Kreider to waive his no-trade clause and join the Ducks.

[14:00] - Jacob Trouba's adjustment from Manhattan to Anaheim and the transition from being captain to playing alongside captain Radko Gudas.

[16:00] - The Anaheim advantage: a quieter life in Orange County compared to the intense spotlight of playing in New York City.

[17:00] - Trevor Zegras beyond the Michigan goal: developing physicality, jam, and two-way responsibility to become a complete player.

[18:00] - Learning from Florida's formula: even elite players pin and seal checks, block shots, and do the details required to win.

[19:00] - Free agency plans with significant cap space: making phone calls, improving the roster, and pushing for the playoffs.

[21:00] - What the Panthers and Oilers teach: every player competes at a 10, willing to block shots, take hits, and play with discipline and grit.

[23:00] - Verbeek's playing career: proving doubters wrong about being "too small" and winning the Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999.

[24:00] - The critical lesson from last season: losing key games against St. Louis (3), Calgary (2), and Vancouver (2) that cost playoff position.

[25:00] - The Dallas blueprint: learning to handle pressure and expectations, losing to Colorado and Detroit before finally winning the Cup in 1999.

[26:00] - The message to the team: winning games that matter when they need to be won is the next step in organizational growth.

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 #PatVerbeek #AnaheimDucks #JoelQuenneville #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #ChrisKreider #JacobTrouba #RyanStrome #FrankVatrano #TrevorZegras #MasonMcTavish #LeoCarlsson #RadkoGudas #AlexKillorn #JacksonLaCombe #PavelMintyukov #GregCronin #NewYorkRangers #HartfordWhalers #DallaStars #StanleyCup #BradMarchand #FloridaPanthers #EdmontonOilers #DougArmstrong #JimMontgomery #DrewBannister #StLouisBlues #MikeBabcock #RandyCarlyle #DaveTippett #RodBrindAmour #KevinDineen #MikeLiut #DougLidster #SergeiZubov #FreeAgency #NHLDraft #OrangeCounty

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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.