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The definitive NHL podcast network with expert analysis and insider perspectives.
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Two years ago at this time, the Nashville Predators were the talk of the NHL signing a trio of high-profile free agents and assuming the expectations that came with it. In short, 2024-25 was a train wreck from opening night. Last season didn't start much better before a late push got the Predators into a spot in late March before falling short at the finish. After an aggressive off-season by new team President/GM Chris MacFarland improved team depth considerably, the expectations have returned. Head coach Andrew Brunette joins Neil and Vic to discuss a pivotal season coming up in Music City. There's also some league news to catch up on as a former villain in Montreal signs with the Canadiens and the effect that has on the Anaheim Ducks. IN THIS EPISODE [01:18] - Predators head coach Andrew Brunette is welcomed to the show with a quick look back to the Game 7 overtime goal he scored for Minnesota in Colorado in 2003, a goal which was the last surrendered by Patrick Roy in his brilliant NHL career. [02:53] - A seventh-round pick in both junior hockey and in the NHL, Brunette comments on a career spanning over 1100 games with a half dozen organizations including Nashville and twice with Minnesota. [06:25] - The aspiration to be a head coach amidst having assumed several front office roles with Minnesota upon retirement as a player in 2013. [11:02] - After taking over Florida for Joel Quenneville early in the 2021-22 season, Brunette leads the Panthers to the Presidents' Trophy and is a coach of the year finalist, yet is replaced. As opposed to accepting a front office position with Florida, he opts to join New Jersey as an associate coach in order to remain behind the bench. [13:16] - The call from Nashville to be the head coach and what could have been in the Predators opening round series with Vancouver in 2024. [15:53] - The summer of 2024. Three high-profile free agent signings came with equally high expectations for the Predators. Brunette candidly speaks about the difficulty of that season from its very outset. [19:20] - 2025-26 started much like the season before. However, things eventually began to kick in and the team just fell short of the playoffs after finding themselves in a spot in late March. Brunette credits then-GM Barry Trotz for helping him grow through two challenging seasons. [22:16] - Just as there was a transition two years ago with new players, there comes another one with Chris MacFarland coming over from Colorado to replace Trotz. [24:05] - With MacFarland making a quick impression with numerous acquisitions, the feeling with this new group and the experience of two seasons ago that prepares Brunette for the expectation this time around. [26:46] - What fans can expect to see when the Predators are on their game. [29:14] - Wrapping up the discussion with Andrew Brunette and other league news including Chris Kreider's arrival in Montreal, a controversial signing in Edmonton, a former captain headed to Red Wings training camps and a couple of retirements. 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 #UBS #AndrewBrunette #SpencerCarbery #RodBrind'Amour #JeffBlashill #PeterDeBoer #JohnHynes #PatrickRoy #MikeYeo #JohnTorchetti #ChuckFletcher #PaulFenton #JoelErikssonEk #JoelQuenneville #PaulMaurice #LindyRuff #JackHughes #NicoHischier #JesperBratt #DougieHamilton #BarryTrotz #BrockBoeser #RomanJosi #DavidPoile #StevenStamkos #JonathanMarchessault #BradySkjei #ChrisMacFarland #JoeSakic #RossColton #JackDrury #ChaseBradley #JackAchan #MavrikBourque #IlyaLyubushkin #NilsHoglander #AlexKerfoot #AdamEdstrom #ErikHaula #FedorSvechkov #ZachL'Heureux #LukeEvangelista #ChrisKreider #JeffGorton #MartinSt.Louis #CareyPrice #JurajSlafkovsky #JimRamsay #CutterGauthier #LeoCarlsson #PatVerbeek #AlexFormenton #MaryLoewen #MamaStanley #StanBowman #MikeBabcock #DylanLarkin #MaxDomi #TieDomi #JohnKlingberg #ConnorIngram #ElliotteFriedman #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 #AtlantaThrashers #OwenSoundPlaters #OHL #PortlandPirates #AHL #CalderCup #JackAdamsAward #NHLPlayerAssistanceProgram #MastertonTrophy
Summer Coolers – Seattle Kraken The Seattle Kraken enter 2026-27 facing serious questions about the direction of the franchise. Seattle finished with just 79 points and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season—and for the fourth time in five years since entering the NHL. Neil Smith and Vic Morren believe the early success of the Vegas Golden Knights created expectations Seattle has never been able to match. Even more concerning, high-end players appear unwilling to choose Seattle, while the Kraken have done little to pivot when those pursuits fail. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] Seattle finishes sixth with 79 points and misses the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season. [00:00:25] The Kraken have reached the postseason only once in five seasons, advancing to Game 7 of the second round in 2023. [00:00:45] Vic believes Vegas’ immediate expansion success created an unrealistic comparison for Seattle and raised expectations the Kraken have never approached. [00:01:00] Neil is surprised Seattle has struggled to attract free agents because he views the city as a tremendous hockey destination with an outstanding arena. [00:01:30] Despite those advantages, Neil says he does not like what he sees from Seattle heading into this season. [00:01:50] Vic compares Seattle’s inactivity to Calgary’s previous offseason, when the Flames did almost nothing despite needing improvement. [00:02:00] Seattle’s lone trade addition is Mackie Samoskevich from Florida for a 2026 first-round pick and conditional 2027 second. [00:02:25] Goaltender Viktor Östman re-signs, while captain Jordan Eberle and Bobby McMann also remain with the Kraken. [00:02:45] Curtis Douglas arrives from Vancouver as a bottom-six forward, representing Seattle’s only notable outside UFA addition. [00:03:00] Two original Kraken players depart: Jaden Schwartz signs with Colorado and Jamie Oleksiak heads to Vancouver. [00:03:15] Neil says Seattle’s problem goes beyond inactivity—the Kraken are being turned down by star players. [00:03:25] Artemi Panarin reportedly had an opportunity to go to Seattle before joining Los Angeles but chose the Kings despite Seattle being able to offer more money. [00:03:45] Jason Robertson also reportedly rejects an opportunity to move to Seattle before ultimately signing a one-year deal to remain with Dallas. [00:04:00] Neil distinguishes Seattle from a market like Calgary. Seattle can pursue high-end players financially, but when those players say no, the Kraken seemingly have no Plan B. [00:04:20] Neil also questions the organizational direction following Ron Francis’ departure and Jason Botterill taking over as GM. [00:04:40] Lane Lambert begins his second season behind the Seattle bench, but Neil remains highly skeptical about the roster surrounding him. [00:05:00] Offense is the biggest concern after Seattle finished 28th in scoring last season. [00:05:15] Jordan Eberle led the Kraken with only 55 points, one of the lowest team-leading scoring totals anywhere in the NHL. [00:05:30] That places even more attention on Matty Beniers, the second overall selection in 2021 and former Calder Trophy winner. [00:05:45] Vic believes Seattle needs considerably more than approximately 20 goals and 50 points from a player drafted to become one of the franchise’s cornerstones. [00:06:00] Neil agrees. Beniers had an excellent rookie season but has not developed into the impact player Seattle expected. The Kraken need more than incremental improvement. They need stars, offense and a clearer organizational direction. Neil and Vic’s biggest concern is that Seattle is pursuing elite talent, getting rejected, and then failing to find meaningful alternatives. Unless Beniers takes a major step and the existing roster produces far more offense, another difficult season could be ahead.
Summer Coolers – St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues enter a new era with Alex Steen replacing longtime GM Doug Armstrong and Jim Montgomery beginning his third season behind the bench. After finishing with 86 points and missing the playoffs for the third time in four years, Steen has already begun reshaping the roster. Jordan Kyrou is gone, while Connor McMichael and Mason McTavish arrive as major additions. Neil Smith and Vic Morren see some intriguing pieces—but question whether St. Louis has enough depth to be anything more than a wild-card contender. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] Alex Steen takes over as GM from Doug Armstrong as St. Louis begins a new chapter with Jim Montgomery entering his third season as head coach. [00:00:20] The Blues finish with 86 points and miss the playoffs for the third time in four seasons despite making a strong late push. [00:00:35] Most of the underlying numbers decline. St. Louis drops from 13th to 24th offensively and from 10th to 19th defensively. [00:00:50] The power play falls from 16th to 27th, while the penalty kill provides one of the few statistical improvements. [00:01:00] Steen’s biggest move sends Jordan Kyrou to Washington for Connor McMichael, Milton Gastrin and a 2026 first-round pick. [00:01:15] The Blues are betting that McMichael can rediscover the form he displayed with Washington during the 2024-25 season. [00:01:25] Mason McTavish also arrives from Anaheim in exchange for two first-round picks, giving St. Louis another talented young forward with considerable upside. [00:01:40] Neil likes both McMichael and McTavish, although he also recognizes the scoring ability St. Louis surrendered by moving Kyrou. [00:01:55] The Blues add more size to the blue line by acquiring Brandon Carlo for two third-round selections. [00:02:00] RFA Dylan Holloway receives a five-year contract worth $7.75 million annually, making him another important part of the long-term core. [00:02:15] Jonatan Berggren returns on a one-year, $2 million deal after not receiving a qualifying offer. [00:02:25] Ross Johnston arrives from Anaheim on a three-year deal, bringing additional toughness after a strong season with the Ducks. [00:02:40] Dylan Dubé also joins the forward group from Calgary. [00:02:50] The Blues avoid losing many major pieces beyond Kyrou. Hunter Skinner departs for Nashville, while Justin Holl signs with Washington and Matt Luff heads to the Islanders. [00:03:00] Goaltending remains an intriguing storyline after Joel Hofer supplanted Jordan Binnington as the No. 1 last season. [00:03:15] Binnington was frequently mentioned in trade speculation around the deadline, but remaining in St. Louis gives him an opportunity for a fresh start. [00:03:25] Young players including Dalibor Dvorak and Jimmy Snuggerud could provide additional support around established forwards Robert Thomas, Jake DeBrusk and Pavel Buchnevich. [00:03:40] Vic sees an extremely fine line between St. Louis becoming a legitimate wild-card team and once again falling short. [00:03:50] Neil agrees, identifying depth as the biggest concern. Injuries exposed the roster badly last season when Montgomery simply did not have enough quality replacements. [00:04:00] The Blues fought their way to 86 points but could never quite cross the playoff line. Neil sees a similar challenge this season. St. Louis has made meaningful changes under Steen, and McMichael and McTavish give the Blues intriguing upside. But this roster still needs health, improved special teams and more depth to survive a difficult Central Division. Neil’s assessment is straightforward: if everything goes right, the Blues can battle for a playoff berth—but their ceiling currently looks like a wild-card team.
Summer Coolers – Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers finally appear to be moving in the right direction. After a 22-point improvement, Philadelphia finished third in the Metropolitan Division, returned to the playoffs, defeated Pittsburgh in six games, and then ran into Carolina in Round 2. Danny Briere and Keith Jones have largely kept their young core together while strengthening the goaltending picture. But Neil Smith and Vic Morren identify two fascinating questions: can the Flyers finally fix a power play that has finished last four times in five seasons, and what happens next with Matvei Michkov? IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] Philadelphia finishes third in the Metro after improving by 22 points and returns to the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 bubble. [00:00:20] The Flyers defeat Pittsburgh in six games, highlighted by Cam York’s dramatic overtime goal, before being swept by Carolina. [00:00:40] Philadelphia improves offensively and defensively, with Dan Vladar providing stability in goal. [00:00:55] One problem remains almost unbelievable: the Flyers have finished with the NHL’s worst power play four times in five seasons. [00:01:10] Neil explains why that is so baffling. Unlike many parts of hockey, the power play is structured and rehearsed, making Philadelphia’s repeated struggles difficult to understand. [00:01:35] Briere and Jones prioritize continuity, retaining RFAs Tyson Foerster, Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale and Nikita Grebenkin. [00:02:00] Owen Tippett’s absence during the Carolina series hurt, but Vic likes the overall direction of Philadelphia’s young core. [00:02:15] Vladar receives a five-year extension worth $5.5 million annually beginning next season. [00:02:30] Noel Acciari, Zach Aston-Reese, Jack Studnicka and Nolan Foote arrive to provide additional depth. [00:02:45] Philadelphia also acquires Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit from Toronto for Sam Ersson, potentially giving the Flyers more stability in goal. [00:03:00] Vic believes Woll represents an upgrade over Ersson, while Vladar has established himself as the clear No. 1 option. [00:03:20] Neil is less convinced about Woll because of his inability to remain consistently available in Toronto. [00:03:40] Neil does not envision a true 1A/1B situation. Vladar needs to carry the load, with Woll serving as the backup. [00:04:00] The prospect pool offers additional optimism, led by Porter Martone after producing 10 points in nine regular-season games and another five in the playoffs. [00:04:20] Oliver Bonk, Jett Luchanko and Alex Bump provide additional young talent that could eventually strengthen the lineup. [00:04:35] The biggest X-factor may be Matvei Michkov, who enters the final year of his entry-level contract after reportedly clashing with Rick Tocchet. [00:05:00] Neil notes Michkov also had issues with John Tortorella, making this a critical season for the young forward. [00:05:20] Neil compares Michkov’s situation to Trevor Zegras in Anaheim: a highly talented player who may ultimately need either a new contract or a new environment. [00:05:45] This could become the most important season of Michkov’s young NHL career. [00:06:00] The conversation turns to Philadelphia’s enormous five-year, $18 million-per-season offer sheet to Anaheim star Leo Carlsson, which the Ducks matched. [00:06:20] Neil jokes that Briere and Jones probably shouldn’t expect a Christmas invitation from Ducks GM Pat Verbeek. [00:06:40] More seriously, Neil believes the offer sheet disrupted Anaheim’s salary structure and could have ripple effects throughout the NHL. [00:07:00] Carlsson’s salary now exceeds Leon Draisaitl’s despite not yet reaching that level of accomplishment, potentially affecting future negotiations around the league. The Flyers have momentum, young talent and improved goaltending, but their next step depends on solving the power play and determining Michkov’s future. Philadelphia is clearly building something—but after the Carlsson offer sheet, Briere and Jones have also shown they aren’t afraid to throw a bomb into the NHL marketplace.
Summer Coolers – Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators enter 2026-27 facing an identity change. Ottawa finished 44-27-11 with 99 points, earned a wild-card berth, and ranked ninth overall in the NHL before being swept by Carolina in the opening round. But captain Brady Tkachuk is gone, traded to Florida to join his brother Matthew. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether a new core led by Tim Stützle, Drake Batherson and Jake Sanderson can replace Tkachuk’s leadership—and whether improved goaltending can keep Ottawa in the playoff race. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] Ottawa finishes 44-27-11 with 99 points, fifth in the Atlantic and sixth in the East, qualifying for the playoffs as a wild card. [00:00:20] Despite being swept by Carolina in the opening round, the Senators were ninth overall in the NHL—a stronger regular season than their playoff exit might suggest. [00:00:35] Everything changes with the June 21 trade of captain Brady Tkachuk to Florida for four draft picks. [00:00:55] Tkachuk was Ottawa’s heart-and-soul player, although his temper occasionally created questions about his approach to leadership. [00:01:10] Neil believes the Senators will now have an entirely different personality because teams often begin reflecting the style and attitude of their captain. [00:01:30] Without Tkachuk, Ottawa must determine what kind of team it wants to become and who will establish its new identity. [00:01:50] Neil believes that creates a significant challenge for head coach Travis Green, who has lost an enormous presence inside the locker room. [00:02:00] Ottawa attempts to replace some of Tkachuk’s offensive production by acquiring William Eklund from San Jose and André Burakovsky from Chicago. [00:02:20] Vic remains skeptical about Burakovsky, believing teams continually expect more production from him than he ultimately delivers. [00:02:30] The new centerpiece becomes a big three of Tim Stützle, Drake Batherson and Jake Sanderson. [00:02:45] Neil considers that a formidable young foundation, while veteran Claude Giroux remains an important leadership presence. [00:03:00] Giroux’s experience as the former Philadelphia Flyers captain could become even more valuable as he helps mentor Ottawa’s younger core. [00:03:15] Goaltending may determine the Senators’ season. Ottawa ranked 13th in goals against but an alarming 29th in save percentage. [00:03:30] Linus Ullmark struggled early, stepped away during the middle of the season, and improved somewhat later in the year. [00:03:45] Sam Ersson arrives to provide additional goaltending depth, while Ottawa also retains Elvis Merzlikins. [00:04:00] Neil says Ullmark must rediscover the form he showed with Boston. Ottawa simply hasn’t seen that version of him consistently. [00:04:20] The 29th-ranked save percentage is particularly concerning because Ottawa was not surrendering an overwhelming number of shots—too many of the shots they did allow were going in. [00:04:35] Phil Tomasino joins as an unrestricted free agent, while Sammy Blais arrives on a two-year deal. [00:04:50] Departures include Nick Jensen to Anaheim, Dennis Gilbert to Buffalo, Lars Eller to Florida and Mads Søgaard to Tampa Bay. [00:05:00] Carter Yakemchuk, the seventh overall selection in 2024, could become an important part of Ottawa’s defense after showing promise in limited playoff action. [00:05:25] Neil believes Yakemchuk has the potential to become a significant piece of the Senators’ blue line going forward. [00:05:40] Other prospects include 2025 first-round defenseman Logan Hensler from Wisconsin and Kasper Halttunen, acquired as part of the Eklund trade. [00:06:00] Halttunen’s big shot could eventually provide another source of offensive production. Ottawa has talent, but this will not be the same Senators team. Tkachuk’s departure leaves an enormous leadership void, placing greater responsibility on Stützle, Batherson, Sanderson and Giroux. If Ullmark returns to form and the young core embraces its new role, Ottawa can remain in the playoff conversation. If not, losing the player who defined the personality of the franchise could prove much harder to overcome.
Summer Coolers – San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks may be ready to make the jump. After finishing 39-35-8 and making a legitimate push toward the playoffs, San Jose enters 2026-27 with one of the NHL’s most exciting collections of young talent. Macklin Celebrini exploded for 115 points in his second NHL season, while Will Smith, Michael Misa and other young players give the Sharks enormous upside. GM Mike Grier has also spent aggressively, adding veteran muscle and experience around that young core. Neil Smith and Vic Morren believe San Jose could follow the same path Anaheim did a year ago and emerge as a legitimate wild-card contender. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] San Jose finishes 39-35-8, falling short of the playoffs but taking a major step forward under Ryan Warsofsky, who begins his third season behind the bench. [00:00:25] Almost every major statistic improves. The Sharks jump from 32nd to 17th offensively and from 26th to 16th on the power play. [00:00:45] The defense improves only slightly from 32nd to 30th, making goals against the biggest remaining concern. [00:01:00] Vic compares San Jose to Anaheim from a year earlier—a young team loaded with enough emerging talent to make an unexpected playoff breakthrough. [00:01:15] Celebrini leads the way after an extraordinary 115-point second NHL season, while Smith, Misa and Collin Graf give the Sharks an impressive young foundation. [00:01:35] San Jose also gets significantly more experienced on defense by acquiring Darnell Nurse and signing Jacob Trouba. [00:01:50] Those additions are expensive. Nurse arrives with his full $9.5 million contract, while Trouba signs for four years at $8.25 million annually. [00:02:00] Mason Marchment also receives a five-year deal worth $6.75 million per season as San Jose uses its available cap space aggressively. [00:02:15] Celebrini receives the biggest contract of all—$18.8 million per season beginning the following year, making him the league’s highest-paid player. [00:02:30] Neil believes the investment makes sense because San Jose may already possess the best young player in hockey. [00:02:45] Michael Kesselring arrives from Buffalo to further strengthen the defense, while Eric Comrie comes from Winnipeg to provide goaltending help. [00:03:00] San Jose does lose William Eklund, who is traded to Ottawa for the ninth overall draft pick. [00:03:15] The Sharks ultimately hold two first-round selections, adding even more talent to an already impressive prospect system. [00:03:30] Ivar Stenberg becomes another high-end prospect to watch as San Jose continues assembling what could become one of the NHL’s deepest young talent pools. [00:03:45] Shakir Mukhamadullin and Zack Sharp head to Edmonton in the Nurse trade, while Mario Ferraro signs with Winnipeg and Vincent Desharnais joins Washington. [00:04:00] Vic believes the Sharks can make the playoffs this season, although improving defensively remains essential. [00:04:15] Neil agrees that San Jose should at least contend for a wild-card position, but points out one difference from Anaheim’s breakthrough. [00:04:30] Anaheim had veteran championship coach Joel Quenneville guiding its rise. San Jose remains committed to Warsofsky, who has done a good job but does not possess Quenneville’s championship résumé. [00:04:50] That puts pressure on Warsofsky to prove how much he can get from an extremely talented roster now carrying legitimate expectations. [00:05:00] Another major question involves Celebrini’s leadership. After three seasons and an impressive Olympic performance, could he already be ready to become captain? [00:05:20] Neil says his performance on the ice suggests he absolutely could. Celebrini has already demonstrated he can thrive alongside older elite players. [00:05:40] The unanswered question is whether he is ready for the responsibility inside the locker room. [00:06:00] Neil says only Warsofsky, Grier and those closest to Celebrini can truly evaluate whether his maturity and leadership are ready for the captaincy. The Sharks are no longer simply rebuilding. Celebrini has become a superstar, the prospect pipeline remains loaded, and Grier has surrounded the young core with expensive veteran help. If San Jose can improve defensively, Neil and Vic believe this could be the year the Sharks return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.