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Published on:

13th Jul 2026

Spring Cleaning – Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks took a major step forward during the 2025-26 season, ending an eight-year playoff drought by finishing third in the Pacific Division and advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Neil Smith and Vic Morren look back at the moves that fueled Anaheim's turnaround, including the hiring of Joel Quenneville, the emergence of one of the NHL's brightest young cores, and Pat Verbeek's aggressive roster construction. They also examine the Ducks' statistical profile, why the numbers don't tell the full story, and the important contract decisions that will shape Anaheim's future as they continue their climb toward Stanley Cup contention.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] The Ducks complete a remarkable turnaround by finishing third in the Pacific Division, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2018, defeating Edmonton in six games before falling to Vegas in the second round. Neil and Vic revisit their preseason expectations after Anaheim added Chris Kreider, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling, retained Lukas Dostal, and traded longtime goaltender John Gibson to Detroit.

[00:01:00] Neil discusses why Pat Verbeek's decision to hire Joel Quenneville proved to be one of the organization's most important moves. The conversation also looks at the growth of Anaheim's young defense, veteran leadership from Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas, and the addition of John Carlson at the trade deadline.

[00:02:00] Anaheim's season was anything but consistent. After an 11-3-1 start, the Ducks endured an 0-8-1 slide before responding with multiple lengthy winning streaks. Neil explains why those ups and downs are typical of one of the NHL's youngest rosters.

[00:03:00] Vic examines why Anaheim's statistics paint a very different picture than their playoff appearance. Despite improving their goal differential by 27 goals and scoring 52 more goals than the previous season, the Ducks still posted a negative goal differential and remained near the bottom of the league in special teams, goals against, and save percentage.

[00:04:00] The discussion shifts to Anaheim's offensive breakout. Cutter Gauthier explodes for 41 goals, Leo Carlsson scores 29, Beckett Seneca finishes with 23 goals as a Rookie of the Year finalist, and Jackson LaCombe establishes himself as one of the NHL's rising young defensemen with a tremendous regular season and playoff performance.

[00:06:00] Attention turns to Pat Verbeek's offseason priorities. Anaheim enters the summer with six draft picks but no first-round selection following the John Carlson trade, along with approximately $10.7 million in salary cap space and a long list of unrestricted and restricted free agents to address.

[00:07:00] Neil and Vic discuss which veterans should return, including Jacob Trouba, captain Radko Gudas, Jeffrey Viel, and the backup goaltending situation involving Petr Mrázek and Ville Husso. They also examine the significant extensions awaiting Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger, and the rest of Anaheim's young core.

[00:08:00] The episode concludes with Neil sharing a conversation with Los Angeles Kings General Manager Ken Holland, who believes the Ducks possess one of the NHL's brightest futures. With an elite young core already in place and only minor roster adjustments needed, Anaheim appears poised to become one of the Western Conference's rising powers and potentially the premier team in Southern California for years to come.

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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.