Summer Coolers – New York Rangers

The New York Rangers enter 2026-27 trying to climb out of an astonishing fall. Just three seasons removed from winning the Presidents’ Trophy, the Rangers finished last in the Eastern Conference and 30th overall while missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year. GM Chris Drury responded with seven offseason deals, headlined by the acquisition and massive extension of Pavel Dorofeyev. Neil Smith and Vic Morren believe the Rangers are better on paper—but questions about Dorofeyev, the loss of Vinny Trocheck, and lingering dysfunction leave them viewing New York as, at best...

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 Anah...

Summer Coolers – Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators may finally be positioned to make the run many expected two years ago. After finishing sixth in the Central with 86 points, Nashville enters 2026-27 with Chris MacFarland reshaping the roster through one of the NHL’s more aggressive offseasons. Ross Colton, Jack Drury, Maverick Bourque, Ilya Lyubushkin and several other additions give the Predators considerably more depth. But Neil Smith and Vic Morren see another major storyline developing: Andrew Brunette may now have to prove to his new GM that he deserves to remain Nashville’s head coach.

IN THI...

Summer Coolers – Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens enter 2026-27 coming off a breakthrough season that took them all the way to the Eastern Conference Final. Montreal finished third in the Atlantic, fourth in the East, and sixth overall before defeating Tampa Bay and Buffalo in dramatic seven-game series and eventually falling to Carolina in five. But instead of making a blockbuster move to accelerate the process, GM Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton are sticking with the youth movement. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether patience is still the right strategy for a Canadiens team that suddenly lo...

Summer Coolers – Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers may be the NHL’s most intriguing team entering 2026-27. After winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, injuries helped drop Florida to seventh in the Atlantic, with 11 players reportedly on injured reserve by season’s end. Now captain Aleksander Barkov returns, Brad Marchand is expected to miss the start of the season after surgery, and GM Bill Zito has aggressively rebuilt the roster around an unmistakable philosophy: Florida intends to be extremely difficult to play against.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions fall to seventh in the...

Summer Coolers – Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild enter 2026-27 believing their playoff run could have gone much deeper if injuries hadn’t intervened. Minnesota finished third in the Central, third in the Western Conference, and seventh overall before defeating Dallas in six games for its first playoff series victory since 2015. The Wild then lost to Colorado in five without Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin, while Zach Bogosian also went down late in the series. Now Bill Guerin and John Hynes have a talented veteran roster led by Kirill Kaprizov—and one enormous question hanging over the franch...

Summer Coolers – New York Islanders

The New York Islanders enter 2026-27 looking remarkably similar to the team that missed the playoffs last season—with one major exception: longtime captain Anders Lee is gone. After finishing sixth in the Metropolitan Division with 91 points, the Islanders turn to Peter DeBoer behind the bench. Neil Smith and Vic Morren question whether DeBoer can squeeze more out of a roster that made few significant offseason additions. Ilya Sorokin remains an elite foundation in goal, Matthew Schaefer looks like a future superstar, and several promising prospects are coming, but is there enough impr...

Summer Coolers – Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings enter 2026-27 as the NHL’s oldest team and perhaps one of its biggest short-term gambles. After finishing fourth in the Pacific with 90 points, Los Angeles finally avoided another first-round matchup with Edmonton—only to draw the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche and get swept. Now Peter Laviolette takes over behind the bench, Anze Kopitar has retired, and GM Ken Holland has doubled down on veteran experience. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Kings have enough left for one more playoff run or whether age is finally about to...

Summer Coolers – Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars remain one of the NHL’s strongest regular-season teams, but another painful playoff exit raises an increasingly uncomfortable question: is their Stanley Cup window beginning to close? Dallas finished second in the Central Division, second in the Western Conference, and third overall before blowing a 2-1 series lead and losing to Minnesota in six games. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine Glen Gulutzan’s remarkable impact on the power play, the difficult moves required to keep Jason Robertson, Jamie Benn’s shrinking championship window, and why Robertson’s contract situation could beco...

Summer Coolers – Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings enter 2026-27 with more uncertainty than momentum. Todd McLellan is heading into another season behind the bench, but Detroit still does not have a general manager, captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade, and the franchise now owns the NHL’s longest active playoff drought at 10 seasons. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Red Wings have enough talent to avoid sliding backward, why their late-season collapses remain such a major concern, and how unusual it is for an Original Six organization to be searching externally for a ne...

Summer Coolers – New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils enter 2026-27 as one of the NHL’s biggest question marks. After finishing seventh in the Metropolitan Division and missing the playoffs, New Jersey changed general managers, traded Jacob Markstrom, and now appears prepared to enter the season without a proven No. 1 goaltender. New GM Sunny Mehta brings an analytics-heavy background, while Sheldon Keefe could find himself coaching for his job. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether Jack Hughes can finally stay healthy for a full season, whether Timo Meier can deliver the production New Jersey expected, and...

Summer Coolers – Edmonton Oilers

After consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers took a major step backward, finishing second in the Pacific before losing to Anaheim in six games in the opening round. The early exit cost Kris Knoblauch his job and opened the door for Mike Babcock’s return to an NHL bench. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether Babcock can change Edmonton’s structure, the significant questions surrounding Frederik Andersen and the goaltending, a revamped defense without Darnell Nurse, and the lack of depth behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. With McDavi...

The last decade has not been kind to the Chicago Blackhawks. After winning the Stanley Cup in 2015, the franchise has not won a playoff series and has missed the post-season eight times in the last nine campaigns including six in a row.

Progress often comes in small steps and for head coach Jeff Blashill, there may be more reason for optimism than meets the eye. Noted for his work developing young players, Blashill enters his second season behind the Chicago bench with the youngest team in the NHL enhanced by some veteran acquisitions over the summer.

Summer Coolers – Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres finally broke through. After a 14-season playoff drought, Buffalo finished first in the Atlantic Division, second in the Eastern Conference, and fourth overall before defeating Boston in the opening round and taking Montreal to overtime in Game 7. Now the expectations change. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Sabres can build on their breakthrough season despite losing Alex Tuch, how their revamped defense could make them even stronger, and why goaltending may still separate Buffalo from the NHL’s true Stanley Cup contenders.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[0...

Summer Coolers – Colorado Avalanche

The 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...

Summer Coolers – Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for four consecutive seasons and five of the last six, but with Scotia Place scheduled to open in 2027-28, the pressure is growing to get the franchise moving in the right direction. Calgary made significant changes to its blue line by acquiring Simon Nemec, Maxim Tsyplakov, and Jake Middleton, while young players like Zayne Parekh and Samuel Honzek represent hope for the future. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Flames have enough to improve, why Jonathan Huberdeau and Matt Coronato face pivotal se...

Summer Coolers – Columbus Blue Jackets

The 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 de...

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...

Summer Coolers – Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes enter the new season as defending Stanley Cup champions after one of the most dominant playoff runs in recent memory. Rod Brind’Amour’s relentless system finally delivered a championship, Nikolaj Ehlers proved to be a transformative free-agent addition, and Carolina’s depth overwhelmed opponents throughout the postseason. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Hurricanes can repeat, how Brandon Bussi handles becoming the full-time starting goaltender, and whether early-season injuries could slow down the NHL’s new standard-bearer.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] Carolina comes off a remarkab...

Summer Coolers – Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks finally broke through in 2025-26, finishing third in the Pacific Division, returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2018, and advancing to the second round. But after a summer filled with major departures and a massive $18 million offer sheet for Leo Carlsson that Anaheim was forced to match, Neil Smith and Vic Morren believe the Ducks may have taken a significant step backward. They examine the salary-cap consequences, the loss of several physical veteran defensemen, and why this could become an extremely difficult season for Joel Quenneville an...

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 T...

Summer Coolers – Boston Bruins

The 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 rem...

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...

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...

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

The second installment of the Summer Coolers brings the Atlantic Division into focus.

2025-26 saw the rise of the Buffalo Sabres and the fall of both the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. To say there has been change among this group of eight teams would be an understatement but, will change actually result in positive movement?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:47] - Buffalo Sabres

[09:44] - Tampa Bay Lightning

[16:49] - Montreal Canadiens

[22:22] - Boston Bruins

[30:32] - Ottawa Senators

[36:39] - Detroit Red...

Training camps are on the horizon but, before we get there, Neil and Vic return with their 2026 edition of the Summer Coolers.

As has been the case in the previous two summers, the division of the Stanley Cup-winning team leads off the round up of team movement during the course of the off-season. Who's upgraded, who appears to have taken a step back and those who have maintained the status quo is the focus of this four-part series.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:58] - Carolina Hurricanes

[08:44] - Pittsburgh Penguins

[17:47] - Philadelphia...

Spring Cleaning – Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets suffered one of the NHL’s most dramatic declines during the 2025-26 season, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs just one year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy. After entering the year as one of the expected powers in the Central Division, Winnipeg collapsed under the weight of declining goaltending, a lack of secondary scoring, and an overwhelming dependence on its top line. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine what went wrong, the challenges of building in the Winnipeg market, and the difficult offseason awaiting General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff.

IN THIS E...

Spring Cleaning – Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals entered the 2025-26 season expecting some regression after nearly winning the Presidents’ Trophy the year before. That concern proved justified as declining production, injuries, weaker special teams, and uncertainty surrounding Alex Ovechkin’s future left Washington outside the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine why the Capitals could not recreate the magic of their previous season and the major fork in the road facing General Manager Chris Patrick this summer.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] The Capitals are eliminated from playoff contention on April 13 after enteri...

Spring Cleaning – Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks suffered one of the NHL’s sharpest declines, becoming the first team eliminated from playoff contention on March 22. Just two years removed from winning the Pacific Division and pushing Edmonton to seven games in the second round, Vancouver has been torn apart by internal conflict, major trades, coaching uncertainty, and poor performance at home. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine how the Canucks fell so quickly and why their large collection of draft picks may not produce immediate results.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] The Canucks become the firs...

Spring Cleaning – Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights captured the Pacific Division title and returned to the Stanley Cup Final, but the biggest story of their offseason wasn't their playoff run—it was the stunning decision to part ways with head coach John Tortorella just 48 hours after losing to the Carolina Hurricanes. Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down one of the NHL's most fascinating organizations, examining Vegas' win-now philosophy, looming salary-cap challenges, lack of draft capital, and what comes next for Kelly McCrimmon and George McPhee.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] The Golden Knig...

Spring Cleaning – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the 2025-26 season coming off a 108-point, first-place finish, but the loss of Mitch Marner, injuries, internal tension, and disappointing roster decisions sent the franchise in the opposite direction. Toronto missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016, leading to the dismissal of General Manager Brad Treliving and serious questions about Craig Berube’s future. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine how the Maple Leafs’ championship window slammed shut and why fixing the organization may take much longer than one offseason.

IN THIS EPISOD...

Spring Cleaning – Utah Mammoth

The Utah Mammoth took a major step forward during the 2025-26 season, qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in only their second year in Salt Lake City. Led by Clayton Keller and an exciting young core, Utah earned the first Wild Card position in the Western Conference before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in six games. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the franchise’s progress, its impressive depth, the areas that still need improvement, and why Utah could soon challenge for a top-three position in its division.

IN THIS EPIS...

Spring Cleaning – Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken entered the 2025-26 season with modest expectations and once again fell short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Despite an encouraging start and stretches of strong play, extended losing streaks, inconsistent offense, and limited development from several young forwards kept Seattle stuck in the middle of the Western Conference. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the front-office transition from Ron Francis to Jason Botterill, the organization’s revolving door behind the bench, and why the Kraken may still be several years away from becoming a true contender.

IN THIS EPIS...

Spring Cleaning – Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning remain one of the NHL’s model organizations, but another first-round playoff exit raises serious questions about whether their championship window is beginning to close. After finishing second in the Atlantic Division, Tampa Bay lost a tightly contested seven-game series to the Montreal Canadiens, marking a fourth consecutive opening-round elimination. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the Lightning’s regular-season excellence, postseason scoring problems, major injury challenges, and the difficult decisions awaiting General Manager Julien BriseBois.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] The Lightning finish second in the At...

Spring Cleaning – St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues entered the 2025-26 season expecting to build on their surprising late-season surge under Jim Montgomery, but instead fell well short of a playoff berth. Offensive regression, inconsistent goaltending, and prolonged losing streaks prevented the Blues from challenging for a Wild Card position. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine what went wrong, the transition from Doug Armstrong to Alex Steen in the front office, and how St. Louis can use an impressive collection of draft picks to begin its next chapter.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] The Bl...

Spring Cleaning – San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks took one of the NHL's biggest steps forward during the 2025-26 season, narrowly missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs after exceeding nearly every preseason expectation. Fueled by the emergence of superstar Macklin Celebrini and a growing collection of young talent, the Sharks became one of the league's most exciting offensive teams. Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down San Jose's rapid progress, the defensive issues that still need attention, and why General Manager Mike Grier may have one of the brightest futures in the NHL.

IN THIS EP...

Spring Cleaning – Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers made a surprising return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2026, finishing third in the Metropolitan Division and reaching the postseason for the first time since the 2020 bubble. After defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games, Philadelphia was swept by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine Rick Tocchet’s impact, the late-season surge that changed the Flyers’ trajectory, and the offseason decisions facing Danny Brière and Keith Jones as the organization attempts to build on a major step forward.

IN THIS EPISODE...

Spring Cleaning – Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the 2025-26 season with low expectations, an unproven head coach, and widespread speculation that the franchise might finally begin dismantling its aging core. Instead, rookie head coach Dan Muse engineered one of the NHL’s biggest surprises, guiding Pittsburgh to a second-place finish in the Metropolitan Division before a first-round loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Neil Smith and Vic Morren revisit how badly they underestimated the Penguins, the remarkable resurgence of Erik Karlsson, and the difficult offseason decisions now facing General Manager Kyle Dubas.

IN THIS EPISODE:

Spring Cleaning – New York Rangers

The New York Rangers entered the 2025-26 season with modest expectations under first-year head coach Mike Sullivan, but even a Wild Card berth proved well beyond their reach. A season defined by offensive struggles, major trades, and an aggressive roster teardown ended with the Rangers eliminated on March 25. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine the dismantling of a team that reached the Eastern Conference Final only two years earlier, the young players receiving late-season opportunities, and the long rebuild now facing General Manager Chris Drury.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] Th...