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Published on:

20th Jul 2026

Spring Cleaning – Edmonton Oilers

Spring Cleaning – Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers entered the 2025-26 season with one objective: return to the Stanley Cup Final and finish the job after consecutive championship losses to the Florida Panthers. Instead, Edmonton endured an inconsistent season that ended with a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the roster decisions that left the Oilers without enough depth, the goaltending gamble that backfired, and the enormous offseason facing General Manager Stan Bowman as the organization works to convince Connor McDavid that another championship run remains within reach.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] The Oilers finish second in the Pacific Division before suffering a shocking first-round playoff elimination against Anaheim. Neil and Vic discuss why anything short of another Stanley Cup Final appearance was considered a disappointment after Edmonton's back-to-back championship appearances.

[00:00:45] Edmonton's offseason departures—including Corey Perry, Evander Kane, and Connor Brown—leave the roster noticeably thinner. Combined with Zach Hyman missing the opening 19 games of the season, the Oilers struggle to replace valuable secondary scoring throughout the year.

[00:01:30] The panel examines how the emotional and physical toll of consecutive Stanley Cup Final losses affected Edmonton's season. Despite another slow start that initially appeared familiar, the Oilers never found the momentum that had fueled previous playoff runs.

[00:02:00] The conversation shifts to one of the season's most controversial moves as Stan Bowman trades Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry. Neil and Vic break down the disappointing results after Jarry struggles badly while Skinner performs better with the Penguins, making the trade one of the NHL's biggest disappointments.

[00:03:30] Edmonton's increasing dependence on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl becomes impossible to ignore. The panel reviews how nearly one-third of the club's offense comes from its two superstars while the number of secondary contributors continues to decline, placing enormous pressure on the league's best players.

[00:05:00] Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' role is discussed as Neil describes him as an invaluable all-around player rather than an elite offensive producer. The conversation also highlights encouraging development from young forwards Matt Savoie and Vasily Podkolzin while acknowledging the continued lack of consistent secondary scoring.

[00:07:00] Attention turns to Stan Bowman's difficult offseason. Questions surround head coach Kris Knoblauch's future, while Connor McDavid's contract extension becomes one of the biggest storylines facing the organization after both McDavid and Draisaitl publicly acknowledged the team took a step backward during the season.

[00:09:00] The Oilers enter the offseason over the salary cap with only four selections in the 2026 NHL Draft after several aggressive trades. Neil and Vic review the organization's pending unrestricted free agents, including Adam Henrique, Jason Dickinson, Jack Roslovic, Kasperi Kapanen, Connor Murphy, and goaltender Connor Ingram.

[00:11:00] The discussion centers on Edmonton's challenge of attracting quality free agents while uncertainty surrounds Connor McDavid's long-term future. Neil believes the opportunity to play alongside McDavid and Leon Draisaitl remains a major selling point despite questions about the organization's direction.

[00:13:00] The episode concludes with a look ahead to 2026-27. Neil warns that unless Edmonton significantly improves its depth and solves its ongoing goaltending concerns, the Oilers risk taking another step backward despite employing two of the greatest players in the world.

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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.