NO NONSENSE.JUST HOCKEY.
The definitive NHL podcast network with expert analysis and insider perspectives.
Listen on Your Favorite Platform
Subscribe to NHL Wraparound and never miss an episode
Loading recent episodes...
The definitive NHL podcast network with expert analysis and insider perspectives.
Subscribe to NHL Wraparound and never miss an episode
Catch up on our latest NHL analysis and exclusive interviews
Spring Cleaning – Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild took an important step forward during the 2025-26 season, finishing third in the Central Division and winning their first playoff series in 11 years. After defeating the Dallas Stars in six games, Minnesota’s run ended against the Colorado Avalanche in the second round as several major injuries weakened the lineup. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the impact of the Quinn Hughes trade, the emergence of Jesper Wallstedt, and the offseason decisions facing General Manager Bill Guerin as the Wild attempt to move from playoff team to legitimate Stanley Cup contender. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] The Wild finish third in the Central Division before defeating Dallas in the opening round and falling to Colorado in five games. Neil and Vic discuss how injuries to Joel Eriksson Ek, Jonas Brodin, and Zach Bogosian significantly affected Minnesota’s chances against the Avalanche. [00:00:45] Minnesota’s elimination includes a painful collapse in Game 5 after surrendering a late two-goal lead. Despite the disappointment, Neil believes the season represented meaningful progress for an organization that had not advanced beyond the first round in more than a decade. [00:01:00] The panel revisits the modest expectations surrounding the Wild entering the season. A quiet 2025 offseason featured the acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko and the signing of Nico Sturm, while the organization continued carrying a reduced salary-cap penalty from the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter buyouts. [00:02:00] Kirill Kaprizov’s massive contract extension becomes one of the season’s defining stories. His new deal begins next season at $17 million annually, placing him among the highest-paid players in NHL history and increasing the pressure on Minnesota to build a championship-level roster around him. [00:02:30] The December acquisition of Quinn Hughes dramatically changes the Wild’s outlook. Neil describes Hughes as one of the NHL’s elite defensemen and credits his arrival with helping transform Minnesota from a potential Wild Card team into one of the Central Division’s strongest clubs. [00:03:00] After beginning the season 3-6-3, the Wild respond with a 10-0-2 run in November that includes seven consecutive victories. Additional winning streaks throughout the season solidify their place alongside Colorado and Dallas near the top of the division. [00:04:00] Neil and Vic also examine Winnipeg’s unexpected decline and how it created an opening for Minnesota. While the Jets were expected to remain one of the Central’s dominant teams, their regression allowed the Wild to move firmly into the division’s top three. [00:04:30] Minnesota’s statistical improvement is reviewed. The Wild score 44 more goals than the previous season, improve their goal differential from minus-11 to plus-32, climb to second on the power play, and move from 30th to 13th in penalty killing. [00:05:00] Rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstedt emerges as one of the NHL’s best young players, finishing second in the league in save percentage while recording four shutouts. Kirill Kaprizov scores 45 goals, Matt Boldy adds 42, and Brock Faber reaches career highs with 15 goals and 51 points. [00:06:00] The discussion highlights Minnesota’s impressive young foundation. Wallstedt, Kaprizov, Boldy, Faber, and Hughes give the Wild elite talent at every major position and provide legitimate reasons to believe the club can remain among the NHL’s top teams for years. [00:07:00] Bill Guerin enters the offseason with only five selections in the 2026 NHL Draft. Minnesota does not own a first-round pick after the Hughes trade, has no second-round selection following the Gustav Nyquist deal, and also lacks a seventh-round pick. [00:07:45] The Wild have limited projected cap space and an aging unrestricted free agent class. Nick Foligno, Mats Zuccarello, Marcus Johansson, Vladimir Tarasenko, Michael McCarron, Robby Fabbri, Jeff Petry, and Zach Bogosian are all eligible to reach the open market. [00:08:30] Neil identifies Zuccarello and McCarron as two veterans Minnesota should strongly consider retaining. Zuccarello remains an important offensive contributor despite his age, while McCarron adds size, toughness, and valuable depth down the middle. [00:09:00] Restricted free agents Bobby Brink and Damon Hunt also require new contracts. Meanwhile, Filip Gustavsson’s offseason hip surgery creates another goaltending storyline after Wallstedt overtook him as Minnesota’s primary option during the playoffs. [00:10:00] The episode concludes with optimism surrounding the Wild’s future. Unlike previous seasons when simply making the playoffs was the goal, Minnesota now possesses the talent and foundation to expect postseason qualification and focus on how high it can climb in the standings.
Spring Cleaning – Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings reached the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the second Western Conference Wild Card but were quickly swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the opening round. While making the postseason appeared to be a positive step, a closer examination revealed a team with significant flaws that barely survived the regular season. Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the coaching turmoil, declining offensive production, and major rebuilding challenge now facing General Manager Ken Holland as he attempts to return one of the NHL's marquee franchises to true contender status. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] The Kings qualify for the playoffs as the second Wild Card before being swept by Colorado in four games. Neil and Vic discuss the expectations entering the season after Ken Holland's veteran-heavy offseason additions, including Corey Perry, Joel Armia, Cody Ceci, and Brian Dumoulin, raised questions about the age and direction of the roster. [00:01:00] Neil reflects on Ken Holland's third NHL general manager position, explaining why Los Angeles represents the greatest challenge of his career after successful runs in Detroit and Edmonton. Unlike those situations, Holland inherits a roster with significant holes rather than an established championship core. [00:01:45] The discussion turns to the coaching carousel. Jim Hiller begins the season under heavy scrutiny after questionable playoff decisions the previous year before being dismissed on March 1. Interim coach D.J. Smith finishes the season, but Neil believes Holland will likely hire his own permanent bench boss this offseason. [00:03:00] Despite losing Kevin Fiala for the season after the Olympics and changing coaches late in the year, the Kings somehow rally to earn a playoff berth. Neil and Vic describe the finish as "smoke and mirrors," helped as much by Nashville and San Jose fading as by Los Angeles improving its own play. [00:04:00] The panel examines some alarming team statistics. The Kings finish with one of the NHL's worst home winning percentages, rank near the bottom of the league on both the power play and penalty kill, score the fourth-fewest goals in the NHL, and struggle mightily in overtime and shootout games. [00:05:00] Offensive regression becomes another major concern. Adrian Kempe remains productive, but Quinton Byfield, Andrei Kuzmenko, Alex Turcotte, and Alex Laferrière all fail to provide the secondary scoring needed to support the club's top players throughout the season. [00:06:00] Neil suggests the Kings may have actually benefited more from missing the playoffs than being swept in the opening round, as a higher draft position could have accelerated the rebuilding process. Instead, Los Angeles exits early without significantly improving its long-term outlook. [00:06:30] The retirement of longtime captain Anže Kopitar creates another major offseason challenge. Neil and Vic discuss potential successors, including Drew Doughty and Adrian Kempe, while emphasizing the enormous leadership void left by one of the greatest players in franchise history. [00:07:00] Looking ahead, the Kings enter the 2026 NHL Draft with nine selections, including two second-round picks and two sixth-round picks. The organization also projects to have approximately $3.6 million in salary cap space before the league's July cap increase. [00:07:45] Los Angeles' unrestricted free agents include Andrei Kuzmenko, Scott Laughton, Mathieu Joseph, Jeff Malott, Jacob Moverare, and goaltender Phoenix Copley. Neil believes Scott Laughton is the veteran most likely to return because of the style of game Ken Holland values. [00:08:15] Restricted free agent Brandt Clarke headlines the organization's contract negotiations. Neil questions whether the young defenseman will command more money than the Kings are willing to pay and suggests Holland could consider moving him if the right trade package becomes available. [00:09:00] The episode concludes with the enormous task awaiting Ken Holland. Between hiring a permanent head coach, replacing Kopitar's leadership, improving special teams, increasing offensive production, and reshaping the roster, the Kings face one of the busiest and most important offseasons in the NHL.
Spring Cleaning – Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers entered the 2025-26 season chasing history, attempting to become just the fifth franchise in NHL history to win three consecutive Stanley Cups. Instead, injuries ravaged the defending champions from the opening days of training camp, ultimately ending their playoff streak before it truly began. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine how health derailed Florida's pursuit of a three-peat, the difficult roster decisions now facing General Manager Bill Zito, and why the Panthers may still be well-positioned to rebound if they can get healthy next season. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] The Florida Panthers are eliminated from playoff contention on April 4, ending their bid for a third consecutive Stanley Cup championship. Neil and Vic discuss the enormous expectations surrounding the defending champions after another aggressive offseason by General Manager Bill Zito. [00:00:45] Florida successfully re-signs key contributors including Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad, Tomas Nosek, and Mackie Samoskevich, giving the organization confidence that another championship run was within reach. Looking back at their preseason predictions, Neil recalls identifying one factor above all others that could derail the Panthers' season—health. [00:01:00] Injuries quickly overwhelm the defending champions. Neil explains how years of deep playoff runs and an aging veteran core finally begin to take their toll, with Sergei Bobrovsky, Brad Marchand, and several other veterans battling injuries throughout the season. [00:01:45] The discussion reviews Florida's overwhelming injury problems, beginning with Aleksander Barkov's knee injury during training camp and Matthew Tkachuk missing nearly half the season. By year's end, the Panthers are among the NHL leaders in man-games lost, with at least nine players unavailable for the remainder of the season. [00:02:30] Neil emphasizes that championship-caliber teams cannot simply replace elite players with depth pieces and expect the same results. The Panthers' remarkable run of three consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances finally catches up with them as the accumulated physical toll proves impossible to overcome. [00:03:00] Looking ahead, the panel examines Florida's limited draft capital after years of aggressive trades. The Panthers enter the 2026 NHL Draft without a first-round pick following the Seth Jones trade and will also be without a first-round selection in 2027 after acquiring Brad Marchand from Boston. [00:03:45] Neil praises Bill Zito's work as one of the NHL's premier general managers and expresses confidence that Florida's front office will find creative ways to replenish the roster despite having fewer premium draft assets than most organizations. [00:04:00] The Panthers' unrestricted free agent class is reviewed, led by goaltenders Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov, along with forwards A.J. Greer, Vinny Hinostroza, Tomas Nosek, Luke Kunin, and Noah Gregor. The discussion centers on which veterans Florida should prioritize retaining as it reshapes its roster. [00:04:45] Neil explains that Bill Zito's first priority will be resolving the goaltending situation before addressing the remainder of the roster. With several important contract decisions looming, Florida begins its offseason earlier than expected after three consecutive years of playing deep into June. [00:05:00] The episode concludes with optimism for the Panthers' future. While the pursuit of a historic three-peat ultimately fell short, Neil believes Florida's championship core remains capable of contending again if the club can return to full health and successfully navigate another challenging offseason.
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.
Spring Cleaning – Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings entered the 2025-26 season expecting to finally end one of the NHL’s longest playoff droughts. Instead, a promising campaign collapsed during the final months, leaving Detroit outside the postseason for a 10th consecutive year. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Red Wings’ lack of secondary scoring, another damaging late-season fade, and the mounting pressure on General Manager Steve Yzerman and head coach Todd McLellan to make significant changes this offseason. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] The Detroit Red Wings are officially eliminated from playoff contention on April 11, extending their postseason drought to 10 consecutive seasons. Neil and Vic discuss the expectations surrounding Steve Yzerman and Todd McLellan after a relatively quiet offseason highlighted by the additions of John Gibson and James van Riemsdyk. [00:00:30] Detroit appeared firmly positioned for the playoffs on January 25 with a 32-16-5 record, first place in the Atlantic Division, and a 10-point cushion over the playoff cutline. John Gibson proved to be a successful acquisition, providing the stable goaltending the Red Wings had been missing. [00:01:00] The conversation turns to Detroit’s lack of offensive depth. Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, Lucas Raymond, and Moritz Seider once again carried most of the scoring burden, while the supporting cast failed to provide enough consistent production. [00:01:30] Marco Kasper’s regression becomes one example of Detroit’s secondary-scoring problems. After recording 37 points the previous season, Kasper falls below 20 points in 2025-26, leaving the Red Wings overly dependent on the same small group of established players. [00:02:00] Neil praises Gibson for solving Detroit’s goaltending concerns and credits James van Riemsdyk for contributing effectively in a limited veteran role. However, neither addition was enough to overcome the club’s lack of depth throughout the lineup. [00:02:30] Neil and Vic examine Detroit’s repeated late-season collapses. Over the past five years, the Red Wings have consistently struggled during March and April, failing to produce the final push necessary to secure a playoff berth. [00:03:00] The pressure surrounding the organization reaches a new level. Detroit’s passionate fan base has still never seen a playoff game at Little Caesars Arena, while Steve Yzerman’s return to the franchise has yet to produce a postseason appearance. [00:03:15] Neil questions whether major changes may be coming within the organization. Dylan Larkin’s leadership is discussed, along with the futures of Todd McLellan and Steve Yzerman after another season in which the Red Wings failed to finish strong. [00:03:45] Detroit’s acquisition of Justin Faulk from St. Louis appeared to signal that the organization believed it was ready to compete. Instead, the Red Wings continued leaving valuable points on the table and eventually fell out of the playoff race. [00:04:00] Looking ahead, Detroit enters the offseason with approximately $11.1 million in projected salary cap space but only six selections in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Red Wings no longer own their first- or third-round picks after surrendering them in the Faulk trade. [00:04:30] The panel reviews Detroit’s unrestricted free agents, including Patrick Kane, David Perron, James van Riemsdyk, Travis Hamonic, and backup goaltender Cam Talbot. Defenseman Simon Edvinsson headlines the restricted free agent group. [00:05:00] Neil explains why the offseason presents a difficult challenge for Steve Yzerman. Detroit has cap flexibility, but limited premium draft capital and few obvious internal solutions capable of immediately improving its secondary scoring. [00:05:30] The episode concludes with uncertainty surrounding the direction of the franchise. Yzerman has traditionally avoided high-risk moves, but after one of the NHL’s most disappointing collapses, Neil believes the Red Wings may finally be forced to make significant changes.
Spring Cleaning – Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars entered the 2025-26 season with Stanley Cup expectations after three consecutive trips to the Western Conference Final and four straight 100-point seasons. Instead, Dallas suffered another painful postseason disappointment, falling to the Minnesota Wild in six games during the opening round. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Stars’ dramatic swings in performance, the devastating injuries that depleted their lineup, and the difficult decisions awaiting General Manager Jim Nill as he attempts to extend the championship window of one of the NHL’s most talented—but increasingly veteran—teams. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] The Dallas Stars finish second in the Central Division before losing to Minnesota in six games during the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Neil and Vic discuss the consistently high expectations surrounding a team that has averaged more than 107 points over the last five full seasons. [00:01:00] The conversation turns to Dallas’ repeated playoff disappointments after three consecutive trips to the Western Conference Final. Glen Gulutzan returned for his second stint behind the Stars’ bench, following a long line of respected coaches who were also unable to lead the organization back to the Stanley Cup Final. [00:01:45] Neil explains how the strength of the Central Division and the NHL’s current playoff format creates an extremely difficult opening-round matchup for any team finishing second or third. Dallas knew for months that Minnesota would likely be its opponent, but still could not find a way through one of the league’s deepest teams. [00:02:00] Vic reviews the Stars’ wildly inconsistent regular season. Dallas followed a 14-1-2 stretch with a 2-6-4 slide, then produced a 14-0-1 run that included 10 consecutive victories before struggling again late in the year. The panel discusses why the Stars can look unbeatable at their best and completely vulnerable when their game disappears. [00:03:00] Dallas’ recent playoff history is placed under the microscope. The Stars surrendered a 2-1 series lead against Edmonton in 2024, struggled offensively against the Oilers again in 2025, and then lost another 2-1 series advantage against Minnesota after allowing a late lead to slip away in Game 4. [00:04:00] Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston each score 45 goals, but the offense drops sharply after the two young stars. Mikko Rantanen is revealed to have suffered a torn MCL during the Olympics, limiting his effectiveness after returning for the final 10 games of the regular season. [00:05:00] The Stars’ extensive injury list is examined. Tyler Seguin suffers a season-ending torn ACL, Roope Hintz tears his hamstring shortly after returning from the Olympics, while Miro Heiskanen, Radek Faksa, Michael Bunting, and Nils Lundkvist also deal with significant injuries during the playoff push. [00:06:00] Neil and Vic debate how much the injuries contributed to the first-round exit. While every playoff team deals with health issues, Dallas lost several high-impact players whose absence significantly reduced the club’s offensive depth and ability to compete with Minnesota. [00:07:00] Attention shifts to the offseason facing three-time General Manager of the Year Jim Nill. Dallas owns only five selections in the 2026 NHL Draft, with no picks in the first or third rounds after aggressively trading future assets to acquire veteran help. [00:07:45] The Stars enter the offseason above the projected salary cap before the July reset. Their unrestricted free agents include captain Jamie Benn, Michael Bunting, Adam Erne, Nathan Bastian, Alex Petrovic, and Kyle Capobianco. [00:08:00] Jason Robertson headlines Dallas’ restricted free agent class after another elite goal-scoring season. Neil describes Robertson as one of the NHL’s premier natural finishers and expects his next contract to become one of the largest and most important negotiations of Jim Nill’s tenure. [00:09:00] The discussion turns to the aging portion of the Stars’ core. While Robertson and Johnston remain young franchise pillars, longtime veterans Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin are approaching the final stages of their careers, forcing Dallas to consider when and how to begin retooling the roster. [00:10:00] The episode concludes with a difficult question surrounding Jamie Benn’s future. Neil praises Benn’s leadership, toughness, and lasting impact as captain, but acknowledges that Jim Nill must eventually decide whether to continue with the veteran core or transition the team toward a new generation of leadership.