Though scored upon early and victimized by his own turnover, Carter Hart's return to the NHL was a successful one.

Vic and Neil discuss that plus a myriad of other storylines from the brilliance of Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini to other highs and lows in the goaltending world to a special night for two youngsters in Nashville.

By the way, can the Avalanche clinch a playoff berth next week?

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/

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45 Games worth of action in a brief window since the last show. Vic and Neil offer up their thoughts on whether they believe a greater or lesser percentage of teams in playoff position on American Thanksgiving will qualify by the time we reach mid-April.

Also, some significant injury news and an upcoming season debut for a player who's been out of the NHL for almost two years.

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/

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Jeff Blashill, head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, joins the show to discuss his mission to rebuild one of hockey's most storied franchises. After proving his ability to develop young talent during his tenure with the Detroit Red Wings, Blashill shares his vision for turning around a Blackhawks team that has missed the playoffs five straight seasons. From his philosophy on building a winning culture to his approach with superstar Connor Bedard, Blashill provides an inside look at the foundation being laid in Chicago.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Jeff Blashill joins the show and reflects on the privilege of coaching two Original Six franchises - the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks.

[02:00] - Growing up in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and being a Lake Superior State Lakers fan before playing at Western Michigan University.

[04:00] - Blashill's playing days as a goaltender and how that position influences his coaching perspective today.

[06:00] - Western Michigan's national championship victory and the years of foundation-building that led to that historic achievement.

[09:00] - Blashill's first message to the Blackhawks: focusing on culture over immediate wins, drawing parallels to Dan Campbell's Lions and Jimmy Johnson's Cowboys.

[11:00] - The game-to-game approach: building defensive fundamentals while leveraging the team's speed and offensive talent.

[13:00] - How developing Dylan Larkin in Detroit prepared Blashill to work with elite young talent like Connor Bedard.

[15:00] - Improving Bedard's two-way game and why every young superstar must learn to defend - examples from Jack Eichel and other elite players.

[17:00] - The role of assistant coach Michael Peca, a two-time Selke Trophy winner, in teaching defensive fundamentals and two-way play.

[18:00] - The veteran leadership pieces: Nick Foligno, Connor Murphy, Tyler Bertuzzi, and the young defensive corps with size and skill.

[21:00] - Why offensive superstars like Joe Sakic, Steve Yzerman, and Doug Gilmour all had to develop their defensive games.

[22:00] - Pleasant surprises at training camp: Jason Dickinson, Ilya Mikheyev, and Alex Vlasic's progression.

[24:00] - High expectations for goaltender Spencer Knight and why good defense is essential for good goaltending.

[25:00] - The decision to keep Anders Sorensen as assistant coach after his interim head coaching role, and the strength of the entire coaching staff.

[27:00] - Coaching the best uniforms in hockey and the excitement of leading the Chicago Blackhawks forward.

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/

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Ken Holland, the legendary hockey executive, joins the show to discuss his surprising move to become Vice President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings. After a distinguished career that included building championship teams in Detroit and Edmonton, Holland shares insights on his transition to LA, his philosophy on team building, and what it takes to construct a Stanley Cup contender in the modern NHL.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Ken Holland joins the show and discusses his unexpected move to become VP/GM of the Los Angeles Kings after a stint in the NHL's hockey operations department.

[01:00] - The Western roots that made the LA opportunity attractive, and Holland's relationship with Luke Robitaille and the Anschutz ownership group.

[02:00] - A lighthearted look back at Holland's near-career as an Electrolux vacuum salesman before Neil Smith and Jim Devellano recruited him as a scout in 1985.

[03:00] - Holland's analysis of his former team, the Edmonton Oilers, and what makes them different in their current playoff run.

[05:00] - The Stuart Skinner question: understanding goaltender consistency and the pressure of playing in Canada with elite forwards.

[07:00] - Holland's first priorities as Kings GM: decisions on key unrestricted free agents including Matt Roy on defense and David Rittich in goal.

[10:00] - How team building has evolved over 30 years in the NHL, from Holland's days with Detroit to the modern salary cap era.

[12:00] - The most important decisions a GM makes: the coach and the goaltender, plus the critical role of defensive structure.

[15:00] - Evaluating Darcy Kuemper and the Kings' goaltending situation moving forward.

[17:00] - Building the perfect roster: size, speed, skill, compete level, and why it's a two-goalie league.

[20:00] - Will the league shift toward physicality after Florida's success, or will skill players remain premium assets?

[23:00] - Holland's thoughts on the remaining playoff teams and what makes championship-caliber organizations.

[25:00] - Reflecting on the mentorship of Neil Smith and Jim Devellano, and how a phone call in 1985 changed everything.

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/

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After missing the playoffs a season ago, the expectations for the New York Islanders was a bit lower in the eyes of many coming into 2025-26.

Though they struggled at the outset of the new season, things have reversed course to the positive highlighted by a recent 6-1-0 road trip.

Former Islander and current TV analyst Cal Clutterbuck joins Neil and Vic to look at what's different thus far as well as key areas going forward.

Before the conversation, Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To focuses on a few clubs in with differing concerns. After the interview, we go "Why or Why Not" for the Western clubs which missed the playoffs last season and whether a similar or different fate awaits them come April.

Website: Nhlwraparound.com

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:23] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[13:49] - Cal Clutterbuck joins the hosts with Neil opening that he believed Cal had another year or two left to offer a club. Clutterbuck gives several reasons why he retired, one of which being an unselfish gesture to give teammate Matt Martin a chance for a career milestone.

[16:16] - Clutterbuck shares that, while there may have been some options to continue his career, things did not come together in a way which would have enabled him to do so.

[18:04] - On to this season's Islanders and they keys to their strong start.

[21:51] - The confounding tale of the special teams, particularly the power play which has languished near the bottom of the league the past two seasons despite having players capable of producing.

[25:50] - The important role of backup goaltender David Rittich, being able to give Ilya Sorokin the breaks he needs but was unable to get last season after Semyon Varlamov went down.

[29:01] - The injury front which evolves into a longer discussion about how teams should be responding to both legal and illegal hits and what the penalties should be.

[35:31] - The transition for Clutterbuck from player to no longer being a professional athlete, something many players struggle with in all sports.

[39:44] - In his new career as an analyst on Islander games, Clutterbuck notes the most eye opening aspect to life in sports television.

[43:55] - Putting a wrap on the discussion with Cal Clutterbuck.

[45:59] - Why or Why Not for the clubs in the Western Conference - Anaheim, Calgary, Chicago, Nashville, San Jose, Seattle, Utah, Vancouver - which missed the playoffs last season and why their fate may be different in April...or not.

[56:52] - Injury/personnel updates.

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/

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In the third of the NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series, Neil and Vic welcome three-time Super Bowl champion placekicker with the New England Patriots Stephen Gostkowski to the show.

The four-time Pro Bowler and Patriots all-time scoring leader covers a range of topics from his early days or an athlete, to playing under Bill Belichick and with Tom Brady to life after football.

Gostkowski even mixes in a little hockey as a young fan of the Buffalo Sabres and, more recently, the Boston Bruins.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:49] - Neil welcomes Stephen Gostkowski to the show. Gostkowski shares how he got into placekicking as well as the uniqueness of the position where the participation in a game is brief but, often, very noticeable. Simply, the life of a kicker.

[06:47] - Given the apparent isolation for a kicker, Stephen shares who he bonded with during the course of his career.

[10:20] - The expectations succeeding Adam Vinatieri, a kicker who had carved his niche in NFL lore with four Super Bowl wins (three with New England) including some of the great clutch kicks in league history.

[13:16] - The relationship with head coach Bill Belichick.

[15:33] - Gostkowski's interesting take on why there's likely no coaching comparable in hockey, baseball or basketball to Belichick.

[17:29] - How 'bout Tom Brady?

[20:33] - Born in Louisiana and spending some early years in Buffalo, Gostkowski laced skates up at an early age and even suffered a casualty quite common to NHL players. However, any thoughts of playing hockey were erased by a move to Mississippi and played a significant role in Stephen eventually playing football.

[22:43] - A fan of the Sabres growing up, Stephen still recalls the heartbreak of the 1999 "Toe in the Crease" controversy which delivered the Stanley Cup to Dallas. Since coming to the New England area almost two decades ago, his team allegiance has shifted as he's gotten to know some of the Bruins players.

[24:51] - Remaining a fan of the team Stephen made his mark with.

[26:18] - Thoughtful dialogue about transitioning from pro sports back to a "normal life." It's something Gostkowski had to adjust to and an area he wants to be able to assist others with.

[31:17] - The deeper dive of the transition is the locker room/team environment being replaced family life and other activities which can be fulfilling, albeit not on a competitive level. Stephen adds a bucket list item for himself.

[35:49] - After investing so much in himself, Gostkowski was recognized in March...and just might be again in 2026...

Website: www.nhlwraparound.com

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/

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There's the Colorado Avalanche. And then there's everyone else as the NHL's top team has a seven point lead on the field just past the quarter pole.

Vic and Neil will talk about the Avs but also a weekend which saw some other good (calling the Wild, Flames, Sabres, Flyers and Morgan Geeking)... and some bad (Calling the Maple Leafs, Rangers and Mikko Rantanen.)

We'll have some key injury updates as well as a special anniversary for one of the hosts.

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/

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The NHL season has entered the second quarter having delivered on a grand scale over the first 330 games played. The past couple of nights have encapsulated what the first quarter was about: Legendary greatness, a new age of greatness, surprises, disappointments and a late-breaking significant injury.

In short, never a dull moment in the NHL.

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/

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