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  • Episode 110 - From the Stingrays to the Capitals - Spencer Carbery

    Episode 110 - From the Stingrays to the Capitals - Spencer Carbery
    2026/09/03

    With training camps now around the corner, NHL Wraparound starts September with the first of several coaches on the show.

    All 32 men have a unique story in terms of their journey that landed them behind an NHL bench. For Victoria, BC-born Spencer Carbery, it began as a player before working his way through the ECHL and AHL before being named Washington Capitals head coach in 2023.

    Carbery shares his story with Neil and Vic, his experience working with Alex Ovechkin and looks ahead to guiding the Caps back to the playoffs with some punch and leadership added to the lineup.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    [03:06] - Growing up in British Columbia, Carbery shares his early days as a player and how his journey took him to South Carolina where current Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar convinced to keep playing. One of his teammates with the Stingrays: Caps 2018 Stanley Cup winning-goalie Braden Holtby.

    [08:34] - As eventual head coach of the Stingrays, one of his assistants: current San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky.

    [10:50] - Neil and Spencer share some memories of Hershey, where Carbery coached from 2018-2021.

    [13:32] - The move to the NHL as an assistant with the Maple Leafs where Carbery had full exposure to life in a huge media market and working with true stars for the first time.

    [16:45] - Hired by the Capitals in May 2023, Carbery takes over as a rookie NHL head coach and begins with a team with star power and experience comparable to that in Toronto. He credits the Caps big names for making the adaptation a comfortable one.

    [19:22] - Though having heard, seen and experienced the greatness of Alex Ovechkin as an outsider, the things that impressed Carbery most about OV upon becoming his coach.

    [22:11] - "The Chase" for the all-time goal scoring record. Had OV not broken his leg and missed 16 games and had the record been achieved sooner, might the end result of the 2024-25 season been different for the Caps?

    [29:58] - With the expectations different in each of his four training camps, does the core message to the team differ or stay the same?

    [33:51] - The one thing that excites Carbery the most heading into the 2026-27 season.

    [35:28] - The challenge of being a head coach in an era where the player turnover is far more prevalent than in decades past.

    [39:32] - Wrapping up the discussion with Spencer Carbery and looking ahead to other coaches joining the show in September.

    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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #SpencerCarbery #SouthCarolinaStingrays #ECHL #CHL #HersheyBears #HersheyParkArena #AdirondackRedWings #AHL #JaredBednar #BradenHoltby #PhilippGrubauer #RyanWarsofsky #MikeSullivan #RayBourque #MiltonHershey #WiltChamberlain #BenHogan #AustonMatthews #MitchMarner #JohnTavares #WilliamNylander #MorganRielly #SheldonKeefe #AlexOvechkin #WayneGretzky #NicklasBackstrom #TJOshie #TomWilson #JohnCarlson #EvgenyKuznetsov #Pierre-LucDubois #CraigLaughlin #AlexTuch #JordanKyrou #BooneJenner #JonnyBrodzinski #VincentDesharnais #ConnorMcMichael #TrevorvanRiemsdyk #HendrixLapierre #BrandonDuhaime #ColeHutson #DarcyKuemper #LoganThompson #JakobChychrun #MattRoy #AnaheimDucks #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets
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    45 分
  • Episode 111 - A Place in History - Rod Brind'Amour

    Episode 111 - A Place in History - Rod Brind'Amour
    2026/09/08
    14-7-4-1.Fourteen men have won the Stanley Cup as a player and head coach.Of those 14, half have done so with the same franchise.Of those seven, just four have accomplished the feat as captain and head coach of the same franchise. However, only one has achieved has accomplished the feat in the post-expansion era.For Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour, reaching the top of the NHL mountain in June was a study in perseverance which was synonymous of his playing career. Despite leading the 'Canes to the post-season in each of his first seven years behind the bench, the club consistently fell short...until this past spring where the team roared into the Final in only 13 games and the coach made history with the win over Vegas.Brind'Amour joins Neil and Vic to discuss the run, the comparatives to 20 years earlier and the safeguards he has in place to ensure his team remains as a contender to repeat.IN THIS EPISODE:[02:03] - Stanley Cup-winning head coach Rod Brind'Amour is welcomed to the show and Neil does some reminiscing about the 1988 Draft when Rod was taken ninth overall by St. Louis.[05:36] - Given his place in history, Brind'Amour shares where the true significance of that achievement lies.[07:04] - After having his boys wake up to the Stanley Cup in their room in 2006, it was keeping it within Raleigh 20 years later.[08:49] - To the beginning. Born in Ottawa, raised in BC, Rod traces the his path from youth through college.[10:48] - Going back to his early days as a player, Rod tells the story of a brief playoff stint as Blue after finishing his college season at Michigan State.[12:38] - The reality of the business: After just two full seasons in the Gateway City, the move to the City of Brotherly Love.[13:49] - Can't have a Rod Brind'Amour discussion without talking about conditioning. The roots behind the a commitment which continues to this day.[16:43] - After 20 pro seasons, the transition to coaching - something not originally in the crosshairs.[19:30] - Despite having made the playoffs in his first seven seasons as Hurricanes head coach, something always derailed the team come playoff time. What made 2026 different?[22:13] - Winning Stanley Cups two decades apart from the perspective of a player/captain and head coach. What felt the same and what was different?[23:42] - Brind'Amour talks about his goaltending during this past spring. Maligned in the past, Freddie Andersen delivered into the Final with waiver-claim Brandon Bussi bringing the run across the finish line.[28:11] - Nowhere to be found on the Conn Smythe radar entering the Final, Jordan Staal added scoring to the other components to his game to capture the award.[31:34] - Every Stanley Cup winner is anointed "The Perfect Team." While that can be up for debate, the new season certainly looks bright with minimal change from June.[34:03] - Cup winners in 2006, out of the playoffs in 2007. What Brind'Amour takes from that season as a cautionary tale with the Hurricanes looking to defend their title in 2027.[37:09] - What makes the Raleigh market special and the origin of the post-game celebration.[41:42] - Interview wrap and let's play "Connections" on nhlwraparound.com.X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparoundNeil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeilVic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/#NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #RodBrind'Amour #SpencerCarbery #JeffBlashill #AndrewBrunette #PeterDeBoer #TrippTracy #JimRutherford #PeterKarmanos #RonCaron #GeorgeMcPhee #BrettHull #AdamOates #PaulHolmgren #LloydPercival #PaulMaurice #KirkMuller #JohnMacLean #BillPeters #NikolajEhlers #K'AndreMiller #ScottWalker #JalenChatfield #SebatsianAho #AndreiSvechnikov #FrederikAndersen #BrandonBussi #JordanStaal #ConnSmytheTrophy #EricStaal #JaccobSlavin #SethJarvis #EricRobinson #JordanMartinook #JustinWilliams #GaryBettman #DonCherry #MannyMalhotra #AnaheimDucks #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets #NotreDameHounds #MichiganStateSpartans #VictoriaCougars
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    49 分
  • Summer Coolers – Columbus Blue Jackets

    Summer Coolers – Columbus Blue Jackets
    2026/09/09
    Summer Coolers – Columbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for six consecutive seasons, but there may finally be reasons for optimism. Rick Bowness returns after helping stabilize the club following his midseason arrival, Zach Werenski has recommitted to Columbus, Jet Greaves has emerged as the No. 1 goaltender, and the addition of Valeri Nichushkin could provide a significant offensive boost. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Blue Jackets can finally take the next step, how they replace former captain Boone Jenner, and why Adam Fantilli could become one of the defining players—and leaders—of Columbus’ future.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Columbus finishes fifth in the Metropolitan Division with 92 points, 11th in the Eastern Conference and 17th overall, missing the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season.[00:00:25] The franchise still owns only one playoff series victory in its history—the stunning 2019 sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning.[00:00:45] Columbus remains largely middle-of-the-pack offensively, defensively, on the power play, and on the penalty kill. Vic describes the team as simply “okay” in almost every major area.[00:01:00] Rick Bowness replaces Dean Evason in January and initially produces significant improvement, particularly in Columbus’ ability to protect leads and avoid giving away points late in games.[00:01:20] The Blue Jackets finish 10 games above .500 during Bowness’ 37 games, but a disastrous 3-9-1 finish over their final 13 games destroys their playoff hopes.[00:01:40] Bowness publicly challenges the team after the season, making it clear that changes would be necessary if he returned behind the bench. He is back, setting the stage for an important training camp.[00:02:00] The offseason initially brings major uncertainty when two important players indicate they may not remain with the organization. Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Zach Werenski eventually reverses course and says he wants to stay and win in Columbus.[00:02:25] With Boone Jenner leaving for Washington, Werenski could become a candidate for the captaincy as Columbus searches for its next locker-room leader.[00:02:45] Kirill Marchenko becomes the remaining contract concern. He will be a restricted free agent after the season and has expressed uncertainty about signing another deal with Columbus.[00:03:00] General Manager Don Waddell makes one of his biggest moves by acquiring Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche for second-, third-, and fifth-round draft picks spread across 2026, 2027, and 2028.[00:03:25] Neil acknowledges the concerns surrounding Nichushkin’s past but says he has heard the forward is a changed person who is excited about his opportunity in Columbus.[00:03:45] Nichushkin should receive increased ice time and additional power-play opportunities, potentially giving the Blue Jackets an important new offensive weapon.[00:04:00] Columbus loses several players, beginning with longtime captain Boone Jenner. Mason Marchment signs with San Jose, Brendan Gaunce joins Boston, and Zach Aston-Reese leaves for Philadelphia.[00:04:20] Charlie Coyle remains in Columbus on a six-year, $6 million-per-season contract and could assume some of the veteran leadership responsibilities previously carried by Jenner.[00:04:40] Ryan Lomberg arrives from Calgary, bringing additional energy and physicality to the lineup, while Columbus also retains several of its own depth pieces.[00:05:00] Two important restricted free agents avoid arbitration. Jet Greaves signs for three years at $5 million per season, while Cole Sillinger agrees to a three-year deal worth $4.6 million annually.[00:05:25] Greaves’ contract reflects his emergence as Columbus’ No. 1 goaltender after overtaking Elvis Merzlikins during the 2025-26 season. Neil believes Greaves proved he can become a very good NHL netminder.[00:05:50] Sillinger’s commitment, along with Werenski’s renewed desire to remain with the organization, provides evidence that Columbus is not struggling to retain everyone.[00:06:10] Neil believes the organization enters training camp in a much healthier position than it appeared to be only a month earlier, with Marchenko now representing the primary unresolved long-term concern.[00:06:30] Columbus also has young talent coming through the pipeline, including defenseman Jackson Smith, the 14th overall selection in 2025, who produced 26 points in 35 games at Penn State.[00:06:50] Cayden Lindstrom, the fourth overall selection in the 2024 Draft, remains another major prospect, while Luca Del Bel Belluz has already begun gaining NHL experience.[00:07:10] The central question becomes whether all these pieces are enough for Columbus to finally take the last step and qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.[00:07:30] Neil believes the answer will partially depend on the strength of the competition. He sees Columbus as a work in progress...
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    7 分
  • Episode 109 - 2026 Pacific Division Summer Cooler

    Episode 109 - 2026 Pacific Division Summer Cooler
    2026/08/27

    Clearly the weakest of the four divisions in 2025-26, half of the teams in this octet enter the new season with a change behind the bench, including the one and two teams, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers.

    While the VGK did stun many sweeping the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche enroute to the Final, a rookie head coach will be under the microscope as will a veteran in Edmonton trying to re-build his reputation.

    Let's also not forget what's taking place in the Golden State. Can the Sharks be the Ducks of the new season and are the Kings simply stuck in suspended animation?

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    [05:26] - Vegas Golden Knights

    [13:41] - Edmonton Oilers

    [21:29] - Anaheim Ducks

    [27:08] - Los Angeles Kings

    [33:53] - San Jose Sharks

    [40:06] - Seattle Kraken

    [46:26] - Calgary Flames

    [51:26] - Vancouver Canucks

    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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #AnaheimDucks #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets
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    1 時間
  • Summer Coolers – Boston Bruins

    Summer Coolers – Boston Bruins
    2026/09/08
    Summer Coolers – Boston BruinsThe Boston Bruins bounced back with a 100-point season and a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but their first-round loss to Buffalo exposed several concerns heading into Marco Sturm’s second year behind the bench. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine Boston’s discipline problems, the number of players coming off career seasons, the pressure on Elias Lindholm to produce more offense, and whether J.J. Peterka can finally deliver on his potential. With limited goaltending depth and little margin for error, the Bruins may need another season of unexpected performances just to remain in the playoff race.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Boston finishes fourth in the Atlantic Division with 100 points and returns to the playoffs after missing the postseason for the first time since 2016. The Bruins are eliminated by Buffalo in six games during the opening round.[00:00:25] The Bruins improve offensively, defensively, and on the power play during Marco Sturm’s first season, giving the organization several encouraging signs.[00:00:45] The penalty kill becomes a major concern, finishing 24th in the NHL while Boston is shorthanded a league-high 278 times.[00:01:00] Neil explains that poor discipline and weak penalty killing are a dangerous combination. When a team takes that many penalties and cannot consistently kill them, goals against quickly accumulate.[00:01:25] The discussion shifts to whether Boston could follow the same path as recent teams that benefited from several unexpected career seasons before falling back the following year.[00:01:45] A year earlier, the Bruins appeared heavily dependent on David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie. Instead, several supporting players significantly exceeded expectations.[00:02:00] Pavel Zacha produces 30 goals and 65 points, while Victor Arvidsson scores 25 goals before leaving Boston to sign with the Detroit Red Wings.[00:02:20] Casey Mittelstadt scores 15 goals, rookie Fraser Minten adds 17, Marat Khusnutdinov contributes 15, and physical forward Mark Kastelic scores 12.[00:02:40] Those performances must be repeated or improved for Boston to remain competitive, but Neil questions whether so many players can produce at that level again.[00:02:55] Elias Lindholm becomes one of the most important players entering the season. The former 40-goal scorer managed only 17 goals and must provide more offense behind Pastrnak and Geekie.[00:03:15] Neil believes Boston exceeded expectations during Sturm’s first season but does not think the roster has enough dependable scoring depth to comfortably remain in the playoff picture.[00:03:35] Geekie’s excellent season included multiple extended goal droughts, showing that even one of Boston’s biggest success stories produced unevenly throughout the year.[00:03:55] The Bruins acquire J.J. Peterka from Utah, hoping to unlock the offensive potential he previously displayed with Buffalo.[00:04:15] Neil expresses concern whenever a player is moved in a major trade and then dealt again only one year later. Utah’s willingness to move on quickly raises questions about Peterka’s consistency and overall value.[00:04:40] Peterka carries expectations of becoming a 35- or 40-goal scorer, but Boston will be his third team in three seasons.[00:05:00] Contract and ice-time issues may have contributed to Peterka leaving Buffalo, but Utah also decides to move on after only a short period. Boston now becomes the latest team betting on his upside.[00:05:25] The Bruins also acquire defenseman Will Borgen from the New York Rangers for two draft picks and add forward Ivan Ivan from the Colorado Avalanche.[00:05:50] Backup goaltender Jonas Korpisalo is traded to the Rangers for a prospect and a fourth-round pick, creating a potential weakness behind Jeremy Swayman.[00:06:10] Boston signs Jiri Patera to a one-year, $850,000 contract after he appeared in only one game for Vancouver the previous season.[00:06:30] Neil believes Korpisalo played well when called upon and warns that the Bruins could be in trouble if Swayman suffers an injury or enters an extended slump.[00:06:50] Connor Clifton joins Boston from Pittsburgh, while Jordan Harris returns on a one-year contract to provide additional defensive depth.[00:07:10] The Bruins will also look toward their prospects, including 2025 seventh-overall pick James Hagens, to determine whether younger players can contribute immediately.[00:07:30] Forwards Dean Letourneau and Will Zellers may also compete for roster spots and could become important if Boston’s veterans cannot maintain last season’s production.[00:07:50] The episode concludes with Boston facing numerous unanswered questions. The Bruins possess some upside, but their veterans, new additions, and young players may all need to outperform expectations for the team to return to the playoffs.
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    8 分
  • Summer Coolers – Colorado Avalanche

    Summer Coolers – Colorado Avalanche
    2026/09/09
    Summer Coolers – Colorado AvalancheThe Colorado Avalanche were arguably the NHL’s most dominant regular-season team, capturing the Presidents’ Trophy while leading the league in offense, defense, save percentage, and penalty killing. But their pursuit of another Stanley Cup ended abruptly when the Vegas Golden Knights swept them in the Western Conference Final, with an injured Cale Makar unable to make his usual impact. Now Colorado enters 2026-27 with significant roster turnover, Joe Sakic temporarily back in the GM chair, questions about lost depth, and one enormous piece of business looming: Makar’s next contract. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Avalanche remain the powerhouse they were a year ago.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00:00] Colorado comes off a Presidents’ Trophy-winning season, capturing the award for the fourth time in franchise history while reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a ninth consecutive year.[00:00:25] The Avalanche race through the first two rounds, sweeping Los Angeles before eliminating Minnesota in five games and reaching the Western Conference Final in only nine playoff games.[00:00:45] Their postseason ends dramatically against Vegas. The Golden Knights sweep Colorado in the conference final, with Cale Makar missing the opening two games before returning for the final two while clearly not at full strength.[00:01:10] The result becomes another reminder that regular-season dominance guarantees nothing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Recent Presidents’ Trophy winners have experienced dramatically different outcomes once the postseason begins.[00:01:35] Neil points back to Boston’s record-setting 2022-23 season as perhaps the ultimate example. The Bruins dominated the regular season before being eliminated by Florida in the opening round.[00:02:00] Winning the Presidents’ Trophy requires tremendous consistency over a full season, but Neil explains that the grind can also take a physical toll before the playoffs even begin.[00:02:20] Makar’s health becomes especially significant because Neil considers him, along with Nathan MacKinnon, one of the two most important players on the Avalanche roster.[00:02:40] Colorado’s regular-season numbers demonstrate just how dominant the team was. The Avalanche lead the NHL offensively at 3.63 goals per game.[00:03:00] Colorado also finishes first defensively at 2.37 goals allowed per game, while Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood combine to help produce an NHL-best .908 save percentage.[00:03:20] The penalty kill ranks first at 84.6 percent, giving the Avalanche elite performance in almost every major statistical category.[00:03:40] Then comes one of the NHL season’s biggest statistical mysteries: despite possessing an incredible collection of offensive talent, Colorado’s power play finishes only 27th.[00:04:00] A unit featuring Makar, Devon Toews, MacKinnon, Martin Nečas, Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri, and Valeri Nichushkin consistently struggles to translate its skill into production with the man advantage.[00:04:20] Vic believes the Avalanche frequently tried to be too perfect, forcing passes into the middle while too many long-distance shots missed the net.[00:04:40] Neil offers another explanation: Colorado may simply have had too many players who wanted the puck. With only one puck available, the group never consistently established who should shoot, who should distribute, and who should become the primary setup option.[00:05:00] Despite Jared Bednar’s coaching and Colorado’s extraordinary talent, the power play remains an unexplained weakness throughout an otherwise dominant season.[00:05:20] The offseason brings a major front-office change when General Manager Chris MacFarland leaves Colorado on June 2 to join Nashville as President of Hockey Operations.[00:05:40] Joe Sakic steps back into the general manager role on an interim basis and quickly begins reshaping the roster.[00:06:00] Colorado trades Ross Colton and a goaltending prospect to Nashville in exchange for another goalie prospect and third-round selections in 2026 and 2027.[00:06:20] Eight days later, Sakic makes another deal with his former GM, sending Jack Drury, Chase Bradley, and a 2029 third-round selection to Nashville for promising forward Fedor Svechkov and physical forward Zachary L’Heureux.[00:06:45] Valeri Nichushkin is also traded to Columbus for three draft picks, removing another significant forward from Colorado’s lineup.[00:07:00] Neil notes that MacKinnon and Makar remain the franchise cornerstones, but championship teams cannot survive on superstars alone. Losing players such as Colton, Drury, Nichushkin, and Joel Kiviranta changes Colorado’s overall depth.[00:07:25] Neil remains confident that Colorado will be a strong team, but unlike a year ago, he takes more of a wait-and-see approach because of the amount of supporting talent that has departed.[00:07:50] The biggest long-term storyline surrounds Makar, who ...
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    10 分
  • Episode 108 - 2026 Central Division Summer Cooler

    Episode 108 - 2026 Central Division Summer Cooler
    2026/08/24

    In 2025-26, the top three teams in the Western Conference all resided in the Central Division...and all failed to make the Stanley Cup Final.

    In this episode, Neil and Vic examine the powerhouses in Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota while also checking to see if there's enough upgrade in Winnipeg to return to the Presidents' Trophy form of 2024-25. Also under the radar: The up-and-coming Utah Mammoth and the very active Nashville Predators under new Head of Hockey Operations, Chris MacFarland.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    [02:32] - Colorado Avalanche

    [11:52] - Dallas Stars

    [16:07] - Minnesota Wild

    [22:39] - Utah Mammoth

    [27:31] - St. Louis Blues

    [31:48] - Nashville Predators

    [37:57] - Winnipeg Jets

    [46:54] - Chicago Blackhawks

    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 #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #AnaheimDucks #BostonBruins #BuffaloSabres #CalgaryFlames #CarolinaHurricanes #ChicagoBlackhawks #ColoradoAvalanche #ColumbusBlueJackets #DallasStars #DetroitRedWings #EdmontonOilers #FloridaPanthers #LosAngelesKings #MinnesotaWild #MontrealCanadiens #NashvillePredators #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #NewYorkRangers #OttawaSenators #PhiladelphiaFlyers #PittsburghPenguins #StLouisBlues #SanJoseSharks #SeattleKraken #TampaBayLightning #TorontoMapleLeafs #UtahMammoth #VancouverCanucks #VegasGoldenKnights #WashingtonCapitals #WinnipegJets
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    57 分
  • Summer Coolers – Chicago Blackhawks

    Summer Coolers – Chicago Blackhawks
    2026/09/08
    Summer Coolers – Chicago Blackhawks

    The Chicago Blackhawks continue to build around Connor Bedard and a promising collection of young talent, but Neil Smith and Vic Morren see little reason to expect a playoff breakthrough this season. Anton Frondell, Roman Kantserov, Nick Lardis, and Sam Rinzel provide hope for the future, but major questions remain about Chicago’s ability to correctly project and develop its prospects. The spotlight is especially bright on Frank Nazar as his seven-year, $6.6 million-per-season contract begins. After six consecutive seasons without playoff hockey, how much longer will Blackhawks fans have to wait?

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    [00:00:00] Neil wastes no time giving his assessment of Chicago’s immediate future. While Summer Coolers isn’t about predictions, he simply does not see the Blackhawks as a playoff team this season.

    [00:00:20] There is optimism within Chicago’s prospect pipeline, beginning with Anton Frondell, the third overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. He recorded nine points in 12 games with the Blackhawks last season.

    [00:00:35] Roman Kantserov represents another young forward to watch as Chicago continues attempting to build a sustainable core around Bedard.

    [00:00:45] Nick Lardis also gains NHL experience, while defenseman Sam Rinzel appears in 54 games and becomes another important part of the organization’s youth movement.

    [00:01:00] The biggest question may surround Frank Nazar. He finishes last season with 15 goals and 41 points in 66 games while posting a minus-21 rating.

    [00:01:20] Nazar’s new seven-year contract at $6.6 million per season now begins, placing considerably more pressure on the young forward to become an impact player.

    [00:01:40] Neil believes Nazar’s production must increase dramatically—and remain there consistently—for the contract to ultimately become worthwhile for Chicago.

    [00:02:00] The Nazar situation leads into a larger discussion about one of the biggest challenges facing modern NHL general managers: projecting what young players will become before they have fully proven themselves.

    [00:02:20] Teams increasingly must commit significant money to young players based on future potential rather than established NHL production, making talent evaluation and projection more important than ever.

    [00:02:40] Neil questions whether General Manager Kyle Davidson and the Blackhawks have demonstrated that they can consistently make those projections correctly.

    [00:03:00] Connor Bedard was an obvious elite prospect as the first overall selection, but evaluating the players around him presents a much more difficult challenge for Chicago’s front office.

    [00:03:20] Neil points to Nazar and Bowen Byram as examples of players whose long-term value will help determine whether Chicago’s front office correctly evaluated its future roster.

    [00:03:40] The Blackhawks also move on from several veterans during the offseason. Andrei Burakovsky is traded to Ottawa for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick.

    [00:04:00] Sam Lafferty leaves Chicago to sign with the Florida Panthers, while Ilya Mikheyev departs in free agency for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

    [00:04:20] Those departures leave Chicago continuing to lean heavily on its developing young players rather than adding established veterans capable of accelerating the rebuild.

    [00:04:40] The Blackhawks have now missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for six consecutive seasons, and even an optimistic assessment suggests the franchise remains years away from legitimate contention.

    [00:05:00] Vic believes Chicago may still be at least two years away—and potentially three or four—from returning to the postseason based on the organization’s current trajectory.

    [00:05:20] The comparison with San Jose becomes particularly concerning. After both franchises spent several seasons near the bottom of the standings, Neil believes the Sharks have now passed Chicago in their progression toward becoming a playoff team.

    [00:05:40] Chicago has accumulated young talent, but Neil does not believe the Blackhawks have made enough tangible progress in the standings to suggest the rebuild is nearing completion.

    [00:06:00] The episode concludes with Neil hoping his assessment is wrong—for both his childhood favorite Blackhawks and head coach Jeff Blashill—but he simply does not see enough improvement yet to believe Chicago is ready for playoff hockey.
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