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
The Columbus Blue Jackets once again fell just short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the 2025-26 season, extending their postseason drought to six consecutive years. After a dramatic midseason coaching change sparked one of the NHL's best second-half turnarounds, Columbus appeared poised to finally break through before another late-season collapse dashed those hopes. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine why the Blue Jackets continue to struggle in pressure situations, the emergence of several young stars, and the important decisions awaiting General Manager Don Waddell this offseason. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] The Blue Jackets are eliminated from playoff contention on April 13 after another season that began with modest expectations. Neil and Vic discuss how Columbus entered the year as a playoff bubble team following an emotional 2024-25 campaign and why sustaining that momentum proved difficult. [00:00:45] Columbus struggles through the first half of the season before General Manager Don Waddell makes a coaching change on January 12, replacing Dean Evason with veteran bench boss Rick Bowness. The move immediately energizes the Blue Jackets as they surge back into the playoff race. [00:01:00] Despite their remarkable turnaround, the Blue Jackets once again falter when the stakes are highest. A disastrous 2-8-1 stretch over their final 11 games erases their playoff position, highlighted by a disappointing season-ending loss to Washington that prompts Rick Bowness to publicly question his team's competitiveness and commitment. [00:02:00] Neil explains that Columbus' biggest problem isn't talent—it's finishing. Whether protecting leads during games or holding onto playoff positioning in the standings, the Blue Jackets repeatedly fail to close the deal, continuing a troubling pattern that has followed the organization over the past two seasons. [00:03:00] The discussion turns to the club's promising core. Zach Werenski anchors the defense while Kirill Marchenko, Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan, Charlie Coyle, Cole Sillinger, Boone Jenner, and emerging goaltender Jet Greaves provide optimism that the talent necessary to compete is already in place. [00:04:00] Neil and Vic examine Rick Bowness' future after he signs a one-year extension. Following his emotional criticism of the team at season's end, the veteran coach returns determined to change the culture and help Columbus finally overcome its inability to finish important games. [00:05:00] Looking ahead to the offseason, the Blue Jackets enter the 2026 NHL Draft with all seven of their original selections intact and approximately $8.75 million in projected salary cap space, giving Don Waddell flexibility to strengthen the roster. [00:05:45] The panel reviews Columbus' unrestricted free agents, including captain Boone Jenner, Charlie Coyle, Mason Marchment, Danton Heinen, Erik Brännström, and Brendan Smith. Neil identifies Jenner, Coyle, and Marchment as important veterans the organization should strongly consider retaining. [00:06:30] Columbus' restricted free agent class features several key pieces of the franchise's future, including Adam Fantilli, Cole Sillinger, Igor Zamula, and new number-one goaltender Jet Greaves. Fantilli's next contract is expected to become one of the organization's highest offseason priorities. [00:07:00] The episode concludes with cautious optimism for the Blue Jackets. With an improving young core, a respected veteran coach returning behind the bench, salary cap flexibility, and a full complement of draft picks, Neil believes Columbus has the pieces to become a playoff team—provided they finally learn how to finish games and seize the opportunities in front of them.
The Colorado Avalanche entered the 2025-26 season with one goal—winning the Stanley Cup. After capturing the Presidents' Trophy with an NHL-best 121 points, Colorado appeared destined for another championship run before suffering a stunning sweep at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine how one of the league's most talented rosters fell short, the playoff disappearance of several superstar players, and the difficult offseason facing General Manager Chris MacFarland as the Avalanche attempt to capitalize on what remains of their championship window. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] The Avalanche finish atop the NHL standings with the Presidents' Trophy before sweeping Los Angeles and defeating Minnesota in five games, only to be swept themselves by Vegas in the Western Conference Final. Neil and Vic revisit the preseason expectation that anything short of a Stanley Cup would be considered a disappointment. [00:01:00] Colorado's dominant regular season is reviewed, including a remarkable 31-2-7 start, two separate 10-game winning streaks, the league's best home and road records, and elite performances at both ends of the ice. The panel also discusses the surprising weakness of an all-star power play that somehow finished near the bottom of the NHL despite its immense talent. [00:03:00] The discussion turns to Colorado's star-studded roster. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 53 goals, Martin Nečas records his first 100-point season, Brock Nelson scores 30 goals once again, and Cale Makar remains among the league's elite defensemen before the stars unexpectedly go quiet during the conference final against Vegas. [00:04:00] Neil and Vic examine the collapse against the Golden Knights as Colorado's biggest offensive weapons—including MacKinnon, Nečas, Makar, and Nelson—struggle simultaneously. They compare the Avalanche's postseason exit to recent playoff disappointments by other Stanley Cup contenders whose stars failed to produce at the most critical time. [00:05:00] Colorado's goaltending situation is debated following another successful regular season from Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood. Neil questions whether the Avalanche's goaltending matched the elite talent in front of them, while acknowledging that history has shown teams can still win championships with solid—but not necessarily superstar—goaltending. [00:07:00] Attention shifts to Chris MacFarland's offseason challenges. The Avalanche enter the 2026 NHL Draft with eight selections but will not make their first pick until the fourth round after aggressively trading premium draft capital in recent seasons to strengthen a championship-caliber roster. [00:09:00] Neil explains the difficult reality of managing a veteran contender with limited draft assets after pushing nearly every chip to the center of the table. Vic outlines how Colorado accumulated additional selections later in the draft while reviewing the transactions that cost the Avalanche their early-round picks. [00:10:00] The panel reviews Colorado's pending free agents, including Joel Kiviranta, Brent Burns, Brett Kulak, Jack Ahcan, Nick Blankenburg, restricted free agent Jack Drury, and Zakhar Bardakov. Neil identifies Drury as the organization's top contract priority after his strong two-way season. [00:11:30] The episode concludes with a discussion about Colorado's championship window. Neil believes the Avalanche remain the NHL's most talented team and cautions against overreacting to one disappointing playoff series. With Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and the core still intact, he estimates Colorado has another two to three years to capture another Stanley Cup, provided the organization makes smart decisions without disrupting an elite roster.
The Chicago Blackhawks remained in rebuilding mode during the 2025-26 season, finishing last in the Central Division for the fourth consecutive year. While another playoff berth was never expected, Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss why there are encouraging signs throughout the organization. From Connor Bedard's continued development under new head coach Jeff Blashill to an impressive collection of future draft picks and a stronger defensive identity, the Blackhawks appear to be laying the foundation for a return to contention in the years ahead. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] The Blackhawks are officially eliminated from playoff contention on April 2 after another season at the bottom of the Central Division. Neil and Vic discuss why expectations remained modest entering the year despite Jeff Blashill taking over behind the Chicago bench, and why the rebuild appears to be progressing in the right direction. [00:00:45] Neil explains that Chicago's long-term plan remains focused on accumulating elite young talent before aggressively adding veteran pieces. Connor Bedard continues his development, showing significant improvement defensively under Blashill while maturing into the franchise cornerstone the Blackhawks envisioned. [00:01:00] The discussion turns to Chicago's impressive collection of future assets. The Blackhawks own nine selections in the 2026 NHL Draft, including two first-round picks and three second-round picks, while also holding the possibility of multiple first-round selections again in 2027, giving General Manager Kyle Davidson tremendous flexibility to continue building the roster. [00:01:45] Neil and Vic review Chicago's offseason contract priorities. Connor Bedard headlines the restricted free agent class, while defenseman Kevin Korchinski also requires a new contract. The panel expects Bedard's extension to be one of the organization's easiest decisions after his continued growth. [00:02:00] Defensively, the Blackhawks show noticeable improvement. Their penalty kill becomes one of the NHL's best, while goals against decline from the previous season despite still finishing above three goals allowed per game. Neil credits Jeff Blashill for establishing stronger defensive habits throughout a young roster. [00:02:30] The conversation shifts to the changing leadership within the organization following the departures of longtime veterans Nick Foligno, Jason Dickinson, and Connor Murphy. With Connor Bedard now wearing an "A," the Blackhawks officially enter a new era centered around their emerging young core. [00:03:00] Neil and Vic evaluate the supporting cast around Bedard, highlighting productive seasons from Tyler Bertuzzi and Ryan Donato while acknowledging that Chicago still lacks the overall depth necessary to compete consistently with the NHL's top teams. [00:03:30] The episode concludes with optimism about Chicago's future. Although the rebuild is far from complete, the Blackhawks possess a deep prospect pool, significant draft capital, an improving defensive structure, and one of the league's brightest young stars in Connor Bedard, giving the organization reason to believe brighter days are approaching.
Spring Cleaning – Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes reached the summit of the hockey world during the 2025-26 season, capturing the Stanley Cup after finishing first in the Eastern Conference with 113 points. While Carolina entered the season as a perennial contender, few believed this roster had enough to finally win it all. Neil Smith and Vic Morren look back at the moves that transformed the Hurricanes into champions, the emergence of unexpected playoff heroes, Brandon Bussey's remarkable story, and why General Manager Eric Tulsky may have built a team capable of contending for years to come. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate their first Stanley Cup championship since 2006 after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in six games. Neil explains why winning the Stanley Cup only begins one of the busiest periods for an NHL general manager as the draft and free agency quickly follow a championship run. [00:01:00] Vic reviews Carolina's outstanding season, finishing first in the Eastern Conference and reaching the Stanley Cup Final after sweeping Ottawa and Philadelphia before eliminating Montreal in five games. Neil and Vic revisit their preseason expectations following the additions of Nikolaj Ehlers and K'Andre Miller, while questioning whether the Hurricanes had done enough to become true Stanley Cup contenders. [00:03:00] Neil discusses the offseason additions that ultimately changed Carolina's fortunes. K'Andre Miller strengthens the blue line, Nikolaj Ehlers flourishes in his first season away from Winnipeg, and the biggest surprise of all arrives when Brandon Bussey is claimed off waivers after injuries to Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov force Carolina to rely on an unknown goaltender. [00:05:00] Brandon Bussey emerges as one of the NHL's biggest surprises, posting a 31-6-2 record while helping stabilize Carolina's goaltending. The discussion also highlights the continued development of Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, and the resurgence of veteran Taylor Hall as the Hurricanes' young core matures into championship contributors. [00:06:00] Vic breaks down Carolina's statistical improvements, including a significant jump in road performance, the NHL's second-ranked offense, and a top-five goals-against average despite relying on three different goaltenders throughout the season. [00:07:00] The conversation shifts to Carolina's balanced attack during the playoffs. Six players finish the regular season with at least 50 points, while nine players record double-digit playoff points. Neil explains how the Hurricanes won without relying on a traditional superstar, instead overwhelming opponents with depth, defensive structure, and exceptional team play. [00:08:30] Logan Stankoven's acquisition from Dallas continues to pay enormous dividends, while Jordan Staal delivers a Conn Smythe Trophy-winning postseason through dominant two-way play, leadership, and faceoff excellence. The panel also praises contributions throughout the lineup from Eric Robinson, Mark Jankowski, and Carolina's outstanding forward depth. [00:10:00] Attention turns to Eric Tulsky's offseason priorities. Carolina enters the draft with only four selections after previous trades but possesses nearly $12 million in projected salary cap space. The Hurricanes face relatively few contract decisions, with Frederik Andersen headlining the unrestricted free agents and Alexander Nikishin representing the lone restricted free agent discussed as part of the club's future plans. [00:12:00] Neil and Vic examine why Carolina's roster remains almost entirely intact heading into the 2026-27 season. With long-term contracts already in place for much of the championship core and the salary cap continuing to rise, Eric Tulsky has significant flexibility to reinforce an already elite roster. [00:13:00] The episode concludes with a look toward Carolina's chances of repeating as Stanley Cup champions. Neil believes the Hurricanes have every opportunity to defend their title if they remain healthy, while Vic credits Rod Brind'Amour's balanced, team-first approach and outstanding playoff execution as the driving force behind one of the NHL's most complete championship performances.
Wednesday morning, it was announced Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman was stepping down from the position and into a senior advisory role under team CEO Chris Ilitch. With captain Dylan Larkin's desire to be traded still at the forefront, the incoming GM will have this saga waiting from the moment the ink is dry on a contract. Beyond that, a proud franchise which hasn't made the playoffs in ten seasons appears to be in some disarray. Plenty to unpack as the Wings look to steady the waters. 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 #DetroitRedWings #SteveYzerman #JimDevellano #ChrisIlitch #Dylan Larkin #ViktorArvidsson #DaniilTarasov #KeeganKolesar #BradyTkachuk
Spring Cleaning – Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames once again fell short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the 2025-26 season, officially seeing their postseason hopes come to an end on April 7. While expectations entering the year were modest following a quiet offseason, Calgary's inability to generate offense ultimately proved too much to overcome. Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the Flames' disappointing season, the emergence of young goaltending, and why General Manager Craig Conroy may still be well positioned to accelerate the club's rebuild thanks to significant draft capital, ample salary cap space, and a new arena on the horizon. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00:00] The Flames are eliminated from playoff contention after another season in which expectations remained relatively low following minimal roster changes during the previous offseason. Neil and Vic examine why Calgary was unable to build upon its near-playoff finish from the year before. [00:00:30] Calgary proves to be one of the NHL's strongest home teams but struggles badly on the road. The panel identifies the club's biggest issue—one of the league's lowest-scoring offenses—as the primary reason the Flames were unable to remain in the playoff race. [00:01:00] Jonathan Huberdeau's continued offensive struggles are discussed after recording just 194 points over four seasons in Calgary before shutting himself down prior to the end of the season. On a positive note, Devon Cooley establishes himself as a dependable backup to Dustin Wolf following Dan Vladar's departure to Philadelphia. [00:01:30] Looking ahead, Vic outlines why Calgary's future remains brighter than its current results suggest. The Flames possess 11 selections in the 2026 NHL Draft, including two first-round picks and four second-round picks, while also holding multiple premium selections in both the 2027 and 2028 drafts. [00:02:00] The discussion turns to General Manager Craig Conroy's long-term rebuilding strategy. With a new arena scheduled to open in the coming years, the organization appears focused on assembling a competitive young roster that can grow alongside the franchise's next chapter. [00:02:45] Neil and Vic examine Calgary's offseason flexibility. The Flames enter free agency with nearly $10 million in available salary cap space, giving Conroy the opportunity to aggressively pursue upgrades through free agency, trades, or by leveraging the organization's impressive collection of draft assets. [00:03:00] Calgary's pending free agents are reviewed, including unrestricted free agents Ryan Lomberg, Victor Olofsson, and Jake Bean, along with restricted free agent John Beecher. The panel discusses which players may fit into the club's long-term plans. [00:03:30] The episode concludes by emphasizing that Calgary possesses many of the ingredients necessary for a quick turnaround. With significant cap flexibility, one of the league's deepest collections of future draft picks, and several important organizational decisions ahead, Neil believes the Flames have an opportunity to return to playoff contention much sooner than many expect—provided the right moves are made this offseason.