NHL Wraparound Podcast

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, a potential wild-card team.

[00:00:00] The Rangers finish last in the East and 30th overall, missing the playoffs for a second straight season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2023-24.

[00:00:25] Chris Drury responds aggressively, making seven offseason deals in an attempt to reshape the roster.

[00:00:40] The biggest move brings Pavel Dorofeyev from Vegas for 2026 first- and third-round picks plus a conditional 2028 first.

[00:00:55] Dorofeyev immediately signs a seven-year contract worth $11 million per season, creating enormous expectations at Madison Square Garden.

[00:01:00] The Rangers acquire Sean Durzi, Cole Beaudoin and a 2027 third-round pick from Utah in exchange for Vinny Trocheck.

[00:01:20] Jonas Korpisalo arrives from Boston to back up Igor Shesterkin, while Marcus Pettersson is acquired from Vancouver for a conditional 2030 first-round pick.

[00:01:40] Oliver Bjorkstrand also joins from Tampa Bay. Vic believes the Rangers have improved but sees competing for a wild card as their realistic ceiling.

[00:02:00] Neil remains concerned about the dysfunction surrounding the organization and says he needs to see evidence that those problems are truly gone.

[00:02:15] Dorofeyev scored 72 goals over the previous two seasons, but Neil warns that much of his success came while playing with an outstanding Vegas power play.

[00:02:35] The key question becomes who will consistently get Dorofeyev the puck in New York. Neil views him as a finisher who needs quality setup opportunities.

[00:02:55] His $11 million salary only increases the pressure, putting him financially alongside Shesterkin, who has already proven himself as a franchise-level player.

[00:03:15] Neil likes Durzi but believes losing Trocheck hurts. He describes Trocheck as a heart-and-soul player who brought important qualities to the Rangers.

[00:03:35] Marcus Pettersson reunites with Mike Sullivan after their time together in Pittsburgh, although Neil questions whether Pettersson remains the same player he was then.

[00:04:00] There is potential for an improved power play with Mika Zibanejad, Dorofeyev, a healthy Adam Fox and J.T. Miller.

[00:04:20] Alexis Lafrenière remains another major variable. The Rangers are still waiting for the former No. 1 overall pick to fully become the player they envisioned.

[00:04:40] Joe Veleno and Dennis Cholowski add depth, while Will Borgen, Johnny Brodzinski, Connor Sheary and Connor Mackey are among the departures.

[00:05:00] The prospect pipeline provides some optimism, beginning with Albert Smaits, selected fifth overall in 2026.

[00:05:20] Smaits brings physicality and Olympic experience with Latvia, and Neil likes the possibility that he could be closer to NHL-ready than most 18-year-olds.

[00:05:35] Liam Greentree, acquired in the Artemi Panarin trade with Los Angeles, and 2025 second-round pick Malcolm Spence are other young players to watch.

[00:06:00] Matt Rempe remains with the Rangers, while fellow giant Adam Edstrom is traded to Nashville for a fifth-round selection.

[00:06:20] Neil again highlights Smaits, referencing Craig Button’s assessment that the youngster may be among the most NHL-ready players from his draft class.

[00:06:40] Brett Berard is sent to Montreal for defenseman William Trudeau, a move Vic views almost as addition by subtraction.

[00:07:00] Ultimately, Neil and Vic see improvement—but not enough to declare the Rangers contenders. Their realistic battle may simply be scraping and clawing for a wild-card position.

The Rangers have almost certainly bottomed out, but how quickly can they climb? Dorofeyev must justify his massive contract, the power play needs to click, Lafrenière must take another step, and the organizational dysfunction has to disappear. New York should be better—but returning to the NHL’s

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.

[00:00:00] Nashville finishes sixth in the Central, 10th in the Western Conference and 23rd overall with 86 points.

[00:00:20] Neil and Vic revisit the enormous expectations surrounding Nashville two years earlier after the Predators signed Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei.

[00:00:45] Those headline additions never produced the results many expected, but Neil believes this offseason feels different.

[00:01:00] New GM Chris MacFarland adds what Neil calls “real meat to the bone,” strengthening the existing roster rather than attempting to completely rebuild it.

[00:01:20] MacFarland immediately targets players he knows well, including Ross Colton and Jack Drury from his previous organization in Colorado.

[00:01:35] The pressure now shifts toward Andrew Brunette. Neil believes the coach must demonstrate to MacFarland that he deserves to remain behind the Nashville bench.

[00:01:55] Nashville improved by 18 points last season and briefly pushed into playoff position before fading down the stretch.

[00:02:00] MacFarland raids his former organization, adding Colton, Drury and defenseman Jack Ahcan from Colorado.

[00:02:20] Nashville acquires Adam Edstrom from the Rangers for a 2026 fifth-round pick and Nils Höglander from Vancouver for a 2029 third-round selection.

[00:02:35] Maverick Bourque and Ilya Lyubushkin also arrive from Dallas, further strengthening a roster clearly being constructed to win now.

[00:02:50] Bourque signs a six-year contract worth $5.5 million per season, giving Nashville another important long-term piece.

[00:03:00] Alex Kerfoot arrives as a free agent from Utah, while Hunter Skinner joins from St. Louis.

[00:03:15] Neil agrees that Nashville is significantly improved, but the Central Division presents a major obstacle.

[00:03:30] Utah has improved as well, while Minnesota, Dallas and Colorado remain formidable. The Predators must determine which established playoff team they can actually surpass.

[00:03:50] St. Louis could potentially be vulnerable, but Neil still sees Nashville facing a difficult path into the postseason.

[00:04:00] Vic believes as many as five Central Division teams could qualify for the playoffs because the division appears considerably deeper than the Pacific.

[00:04:25] Neil agrees that the Central possesses a greater quantity of strong teams, increasing the importance of every divisional matchup.

[00:04:45] One notable departure is Erik Haula, who signs with the Los Angeles Kings.

[00:05:00] Nashville’s prospect group includes Brady Martin, the fifth overall selection in 2025, who appeared in three NHL games last season.

[00:05:15] Forwards Ryker Lee and Egor Surin provide additional young talent as Nashville attempts to balance its veteran roster with future contributors.

[00:05:30] Most of the Predators’ important personnel is now locked up contractually, giving MacFarland stability as he attempts to build a contender.

[00:05:45] Ryan O’Reilly is the most significant player approaching unrestricted free agency after the season.

[00:06:00] Neil believes O’Reilly is reaching the stage of his career where he can decide whether to finish in Nashville or pursue one final opportunity elsewhere.

Nashville looks substantially stronger than it did a year ago. MacFarland has aggressively added depth and talent without tearing apart the existing core. The question is whether Brunette can turn those moves into results—and whether the Predators can survive a loaded Central Division and finally become the contender everyone expected them to be two years ago.

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 looks much closer to Stanley Cup contention.

[00:00:00] Martin St. Louis begins his sixth season behind the Montreal bench after guiding the Canadiens to third in the Atlantic and a trip to the Eastern Conference Final.

[00:00:25] Montreal survives Tampa Bay in seven games, including a deciding game where the Canadiens generated remarkably few shots but still found a way to win.

[00:00:40] The Canadiens then defeat Buffalo in overtime in Game 7 before losing to eventual champion Carolina in five games after taking the series opener.

[00:00:55] Montreal finishes seventh offensively, improves defensively from tied for 22nd to tied for 16th, and owns a top-10 power play.

[00:01:00] Despite the playoff success, alarm bells are beginning to sound among those who believe Montreal has been too conservative during the offseason.

[00:01:20] The Canadiens’ only trade acquisition is Brett Berard from the Rangers in exchange for defenseman William Trudeau.

[00:01:40] Neil believes the lack of major moves is intentional. Hughes and Gorton are committed to allowing their young core to continue developing rather than rushing the rebuild.

[00:02:00] Montreal has also benefited from locking up important players before NHL salaries began escalating dramatically.

[00:02:10] Ivan Demidov receives an eight-year contract worth $9.15 million per season beginning next year, making him a major piece of Montreal’s long-term plan.

[00:02:25] Jakub Dobeš has clearly established himself as Montreal’s No. 1 goaltender and receives a three-year deal worth approximately $5.36 million per season beginning next year.

[00:02:40] Sam Montembeault, once a major part of Montreal’s playoff story, remains under contract but has fallen dramatically in the goaltending picture.

[00:02:50] Kirby Dach returns on a one-year, $3.6 million contract after an up-and-down relationship with Canadiens fans.

[00:03:00] Montreal’s free-agent activity remains modest. Kaapo Kähkönen stays in the organization, while Samuel Poulin joins on a one-year deal.

[00:03:20] Neil believes ownership is fully supporting the patient approach, with Geoff Molson continuing to back the management team.

[00:03:35] One familiar face will be missing. Brendan Gallagher leaves Montreal for Vancouver after years as one of the Canadiens’ most recognizable and feisty players.

[00:03:50] Joshua Roy is traded to Utah, while Joe Veleno and Sammy Blais depart for the Rangers and Ottawa respectively.

[00:04:00] Goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler impressed after arriving later in the season and could now become the backup behind Dobeš.

[00:04:15] Michael Hage, Montreal’s 2024 first-round selection, plans to return to Michigan but could potentially see NHL action after his college season concludes.

[00:04:30] David Reinbacher, selected fifth overall in 2023, remains another major prospect who could strengthen a defense already featuring Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson.

[00:04:45] Patrik Laine remains an unrestricted free agent, and Neil does not expect Montreal to bring him back.

[00:05:00] Neil and Vic revisit Laine’s fast start from two seasons ago and Neil’s warning at the time not to be fooled by the early production.

Montreal’s strategy is clear: stay patient. Demidov, Dobeš, Hutson, Reinbacher, Fowler, Hage and the rest of the young core will determine how high this team can climb. After reaching the conference final, expectations have changed—but Hughes and Gorton appear determined not to abandon the plan just because success arrived earlier than expected.

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 improvement to get the Islanders back into the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

[00:00:00] The Islanders finish with 91 points and sixth place in the Metropolitan Division, missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

[00:00:20] Peter DeBoer takes over behind the bench after replacing Patrick Roy with four games remaining last season.

[00:00:35] Some team statistics improve, particularly the penalty kill, which makes an impressive jump from 31st to 10th overall.

[00:00:50] The power play remains a major weakness, improving only slightly from 31st to 30th.

[00:01:00] The Islanders make no offseason trade acquisitions. Tony DeAngelo re-signs for two years at $4.5 million, while Matias Maccelli arrives from Toronto.

[00:01:15] Vitek Vanecek signs a one-year deal after playing in Utah, providing insurance given the uncertainty surrounding Semyon Varlamov.

[00:01:30] The biggest departure is captain Anders Lee, who leaves for Utah. Backup goaltender David Rittich also departs for New Jersey.

[00:01:45] Vic’s assessment is straightforward: this looks like essentially the same Islanders team as last season, except now it has lost its captain.

[00:02:00] Neil agrees. Looking at the roster on paper, he cannot identify an area where the Islanders have significantly improved.

[00:02:15] One major reason for optimism is Matthew Schaefer, who is coming off a terrific rookie season and appears to have a brilliant future.

[00:02:30] Goaltending should remain a strength as long as Sorokin stays healthy. Neil still considers him one of the NHL’s best.

[00:02:45] Varlamov remains a major question after being out of the lineup for roughly a year and a half, making Vanecek an important depth signing.

[00:03:00] The Islanders do have promising young talent coming. Cole Eiserman scored 18 goals in 32 games at Boston University last season.

[00:03:15] Victor Eklund is another intriguing prospect and gives the Islanders another potential offensive piece for the future.

[00:03:30] K'Shawn Aitcheson, selected 17th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, is another young player who could eventually push for an opportunity.

[00:03:45] But Neil separates the future from the present. The question is what New York will be in 2026-27, and his expectation is that the Islanders may look very similar to what they were in 2025-26.

[00:04:00] The conversation turns to leadership. With Anders Lee gone and Schaefer emerging as a potential franchise player, should the young defenseman already receive the captaincy?

[00:04:15] Neil says no. Being the team’s best or most talented player does not automatically mean someone should wear the “C.”

[00:04:30] Lee himself is an example. He earned the captaincy through leadership rather than simply being the Islanders’ most talented player.

[00:04:45] Neil believes Bo Horvat is the more logical choice. Horvat has established leadership qualities and previously served as captain of the Vancouver Canucks.

[00:05:00] Schaefer’s opportunity to become captain may eventually arrive, but Neil believes that responsibility should come later in his career.

The Islanders still have Sorokin, a potential star in Schaefer, and some promising prospects. But for 2026-27, Neil and Vic see the same fundamental problem: where did this team actually get better? Unless DeBoer can manufacture a major improvement from essentially the same roster, another fight just to reach the playoffs appears likely.

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 franchise: can they convince superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes to stay in Minnesota long-term?

[00:00:00] Minnesota finishes third in the Central and West and seventh overall before eliminating Dallas in six games.

[00:00:25] It marks the Wild’s first playoff series victory since defeating St. Louis in the opening round in 2015.

[00:00:40] Colorado eliminates Minnesota in five, but injuries become a major part of the story. Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin both miss the series.

[00:00:55] Zach Bogosian also misses the final game, forcing Jake Middleton into a difficult situation against the Avalanche.

[00:01:00] Neil sees plenty for GM Bill Guerin and head coach John Hynes to build around as Hynes begins his fourth season behind the Minnesota bench.

[00:01:15] Quinn Hughes, acquired from Vancouver during the season, gives Minnesota one of hockey’s elite offensive defensemen and dramatically changes the Wild’s ceiling.

[00:01:35] Minnesota improves across the board: 3.27 goals per game, fourth defensively, third on the power play, and 16th on the penalty kill.

[00:01:55] The penalty kill’s jump from 30th to 16th is especially significant and shows meaningful improvement in an area that had been a major weakness.

[00:02:00] Minnesota acquires Blake Coleman and Olli Määttä from Calgary for Jake Middleton and three future draft picks.

[00:02:20] Neil likes Coleman but questions how much Määttä has left, noting that Middleton plus three picks represents a substantial return for Calgary.

[00:02:40] Michael McCarron and Bobby Brink re-sign. McCarron receives a six-year deal worth approximately $3.33 million per season after making an impact following his arrival from Nashville.

[00:03:00] Nick Foligno and Zach Bogosian also return, while Minnesota adds Justin Kirkland and goaltender Calvin Pickard on a one-year, $1 million contract.

[00:03:15] Max Shabanov joins on a one-year deal after not receiving a qualifying offer from the Islanders.

[00:03:25] The biggest departure is Mats Zuccarello, who signs with the Los Angeles Kings.

[00:03:40] Neil calls Zuccarello a throwback—undersized and not an elite skater, but consistently effective and especially dangerous on the power play.

[00:04:00] Attention shifts to Minnesota’s biggest issue: Quinn Hughes still has not signed the long-term extension that had been rumored earlier in the summer.

[00:04:20] Minnesota is already the NHL’s sixth-oldest team, meaning the Wild are firmly in a win-now window. Keeping Hughes becomes one of Guerin’s highest priorities.

[00:04:40] Neil points to persistent speculation that Hughes eventually wants to play with his brothers in New Jersey. His failure to sign with Minnesota this summer only adds fuel to those rumors.

[00:05:00] What will it cost to keep him? Neil believes Hughes could command more than $18 million per season.

[00:05:20] With Kaprizov already around the $17 million range, Neil believes Hughes will naturally expect to earn at least as much as his superstar teammate.

[00:05:45] The rapidly escalating NHL salary market could make negotiations even more complicated, particularly after other massive contracts signed around the league.

[00:06:00] Neil discusses how the Leo Carlsson deal could ripple across future negotiations, including Cutter Gauthier’s situation in Anaheim.

[00:06:20] The possibility of both Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar reaching unrestricted free agency creates the potential for an unprecedented NHL bidding frenzy.

Minnesota has enough talent to contend right now, especially if last season’s injured players return healthy. But the biggest storyline extends beyond this season: the Wild have an elite defenseman in Quinn Hughes. Now they have to convince him that Minnesota is where he wants to spend his prime.

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 catch up with them.

[00:00:00] Peter Laviolette takes over as head coach after DJ Smith, who had replaced Jim Hiller. The Kings finished fourth in the Pacific with 90 points.

[00:00:25] After four consecutive playoff eliminations against Edmonton, LA finally avoids the Oilers—only to draw Colorado and get swept in four games.

[00:00:45] The Kings have not won a playoff series since defeating the New York Rangers to capture the 2014 Stanley Cup.

[00:01:00] The numbers reveal major problems. LA’s offense falls from 14th to 29th, while the power play finishes 28th at 17 percent.

[00:01:20] The defense remains respectable, tied for sixth, but the penalty kill plunges from eighth the previous season all the way to 30th.

[00:01:40] There are no major trade acquisitions during the offseason, while defenseman Brandt Clarke re-signs for five years at $7.4 million per season.

[00:02:00] Ken Holland again turns toward veteran players, beginning with Corey Perry returning for a second stint with the Kings. Perry will be 41 and signs for one year at $1 million plus potential bonuses.

[00:02:20] Erik Haula arrives at age 35, defenseman Erik Gustafsson is 34, and 32-year-old Scott Laughton re-signs for three years at $3.5 million annually.

[00:02:40] Matt Zuccarello joins at age 38 on a heavily incentive-based contract, adding yet another veteran to what is already the NHL’s oldest roster.

[00:03:00] Drew Doughty turns 37, while Artemi Panarin is also well into his 30s. Neil and Vic believe LA desperately needs production from Panarin, Adrian Kempe, and Quinton Byfield.

[00:03:20] The biggest departure is captain Anze Kopitar, who retires after a legendary Kings career. His No. 11 will eventually join the franchise’s honored numbers in the rafters.

[00:03:40] Doughty could become captain during the final year of his contract, but replacing Kopitar’s presence and leadership will be extremely difficult.

[00:04:00] Neil explains the problem with relying on older players: there is very little upside. Veterans generally maintain their previous level or begin declining rather than suddenly improving.

[00:04:20] He still believes LA has a more complete roster than some Pacific Division competitors, but sees the Kings as extremely close to the playoff bubble.

[00:04:40] Injuries could become devastating because an older roster may not possess enough depth to withstand losing important players for extended periods.

[00:05:00] LA was the only one of the 16 playoff teams last season to have a losing home record.

[00:05:15] The Kings also suffered 20 overtime or shootout losses. With an offense ranked 29th, finding just a few additional goals in those situations could dramatically change their position in the standings.

[00:05:35] Kopitar may not have been the offensive force he was earlier in his career, but Neil emphasizes that losing his leadership could have an enormous impact.

[00:05:55] One potential reason for optimism is Laviolette. Neil points to his history of producing strong results during his first season with new teams.

[00:06:15] Whether in New York, Washington, Nashville, or elsewhere, Laviolette has often generated an immediate response with his new voice and approach.

[00:06:30] Neil believes Holland may be counting on that first-year Laviolette effect to squeeze one more playoff appearance out of this veteran roster before the Kings are forced to inject significantly more youth.

Los Angeles is built to win now, but the margin for error is razor-thin. If the veterans remain healthy and Laviolette produces his typical first-year boost, the Kings could fight for a wild-card position. If age, injuries, and their offensive problems catch up with them, the transition toward a younger era may arrive much sooner.

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.

[00:00:00] The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions fall to seventh in the Atlantic during an injury-plagued season that leaves the roster decimated by the finish.

[00:00:30] Marchand is expected to miss the beginning of the new season following surgery, but the Panthers receive a major boost with Barkov returning to the lineup.

[00:00:50] Florida’s offseason immediately gets Neil and Vic’s attention because the Panthers appear to be constructing one of the NHL’s most intimidating and physical rosters.

[00:01:00] The biggest acquisition is Brady Tkachuk, who arrives from Ottawa on June 21 in exchange for four draft picks.

[00:01:20] Florida then adds former Anaheim captain Radko Gudas in a trade involving A.J. Greer and acquires Garnet Hathaway from Philadelphia for a sixth-round selection.

[00:01:40] Put those players alongside Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett, and Florida suddenly has an extraordinary amount of physicality and “sandpaper” throughout the lineup.

[00:02:00] Neil loves what Bill Zito accomplished. Brady Tkachuk is the biggest addition, but the overall roster is now built to make every game physically exhausting for opponents.

[00:02:20] There is a potential downside. Neil explains that playing such an aggressive style takes a toll on the players delivering the hits as well as those receiving them.

[00:02:45] Florida also enters the season as the NHL’s second-oldest team, adding even more urgency as Paul Maurice begins his fifth season behind the Panthers’ bench.

[00:03:00] The biggest change comes in goal. Sergei Bobrovsky leaves Florida as a free agent and signs with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[00:03:15] Florida responds by acquiring Jacob Markström and Angus Crookshank from New Jersey while sending Evan Rodrigues, Ben Stejskal, and Jesper Boqvist to the Devils.

[00:03:35] Akira Schmid arrives from Vegas for a 2028 third-round pick, giving Florida another option behind Markström.

[00:03:50] Neil believes the names on the jerseys may look very different, but the Panthers’ identity will remain intact. Maurice is still coaching, Barkov returns, and Florida intends to play the same demanding style.

[00:04:10] The roster turnover goes far beyond the headline moves. Florida also loses several depth players through trades and free agency, including Noah Gregor, Michael Benning, Vinnie Hinostroza, Daniel Tarasov, William Skog, Jack Studnicka, and Nolan Foote.

[00:04:35] Zito counters with another wave of additions, bringing in Sam Lafferty, Lars Eller, Bokondji Imama, John Beecher, and Alex Petrovic while retaining Cole Schwindt and Donovan Sebrango.

[00:05:00] The sheer amount of offseason activity demonstrates how aggressively Zito attacked the roster after Florida’s disappointing follow-up to consecutive championships.

[00:05:20] Neil gives Zito credit for working to put the Panthers back together rather than simply relying on the roster that previously won the Stanley Cup.

[00:05:35] The biggest gamble may ultimately be replacing Bobrovsky with Markström. Markström disappointed in New Jersey, and Florida must determine whether he can rediscover his best form behind the Panthers.

[00:05:50] Bobrovsky’s departure creates a significant hole, but Neil also points out that the veteran goaltender is approaching 40, meaning Florida eventually had to prepare for life without him.

The Panthers will look different in 2026-27, but their identity may be stronger than ever. With Barkov, both Tkachuk brothers, Bennett, Gudas, Hathaway and a roster constructed around relentless physical hockey, Florida appears determined to make another Stanley Cup run—and make opponents pay physically along the way.

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 why the Devils may need almost everything to go right to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

[00:00:00] New Jersey finishes seventh in the Metropolitan Division, 13th in the Eastern Conference, and 21st overall, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs after entering the season with much higher expectations.

[00:00:25] The Devils have now reached the playoffs only three times since appearing in the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, with just one series victory during that span—against the New York Rangers three years ago.

[00:00:45] Nearly every important team metric declines. New Jersey finishes 27th offensively and 18th defensively, while the power play falls from third to 13th and the penalty kill drops from second to 17th.

[00:01:00] Sunny Mehta takes over as general manager from Tom Fitzgerald, while Sheldon Keefe prepares for his third season behind the Devils’ bench.

[00:01:20] Mehta brings one of the NHL’s more unusual résumés to the GM position, combining a data-science and analytics background with his experience as a former professional poker player.

[00:01:40] Neil has no doubt that Mehta can run an NHL organization. The real question is whether his approach can outperform the competition and turn New Jersey back into a contender.

[00:02:00] Neil’s biggest concern is immediately clear: the Devils appear ready to enter the season without a true No. 1 goaltender.

[00:02:20] New Jersey adds David Rittich after his stint as the Islanders’ backup, but Neil views him as another depth option rather than the answer in goal.

[00:02:40] Jake Allen currently appears positioned to receive the No. 1 opportunity, while Nico Daws may finally have his best chance to establish himself after several years of being discussed as part of New Jersey’s future.

[00:03:00] The uncertainty follows New Jersey’s decision to trade Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers along with Angus Crookshank.

[00:03:20] In return, the Devils acquire Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist, and Ben Steeves, adding three forwards to a lineup that needs more offensive support.

[00:03:40] Rodrigues has demonstrated the ability to play significant minutes, including first-line opportunities in Florida, while Boqvist and Steeves project more as supporting forwards.

[00:04:00] Vic questions whether those additions are substantial enough for a team that already struggled to distinguish itself offensively last season.

[00:04:20] Jack Hughes and Dawson Mercer remain important pieces, but Timo Meier’s production since arriving from San Jose has been a major disappointment compared with expectations.

[00:04:40] New Jersey’s additions may make the roster deeper, but Vic does not believe they significantly change the overall ceiling of the team.

[00:05:00] One free-agent signing Vic does like is Arseni Gritsyuk, who receives a three-year contract worth $3.25 million per season after producing 13 goals and 31 points last season.

[00:05:20] Even with that addition, the overriding feeling is that a lot must go right for the Devils if they are going to return to the postseason.

[00:05:40] Sheldon Keefe could also be under significant pressure because he was hired by the previous administration rather than Mehta’s new front office.

[00:06:00] After a disappointing season, Keefe will be heavily scrutinized. A slow start could put the Devils’ coaching situation among the NHL’s early-season storylines.

[00:06:20] Neil returns to the goaltending issue as the biggest concern. He likes the Rodrigues acquisition and believes New Jersey has useful supporting forwards, but does not see those players dramatically moving the needle.

[00:06:40] The contrast with expectations from only a year earlier is striking. New Jersey entered last season being discussed as a potential challenger for first place in the division.

[00:07:00] Injuries to Jack Hughes played a significant role in the disappointing season, making his ability to remain healthy one of the most important variables for 2026-27.

[00:07:20] Neil believes New Jersey needs a full season of superstar-level hockey from Hughes if the Devils are going to become a playoff team again.

[00:07:40] The roster also loses two promising players when Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov are traded to Calgary for three draft picks, giving New Jersey additional future assets but sacrificing young talent.

[00:08:00] Paul Cotter signs with Vancouver after not receiving a qualifying offer, while Zack MacEwen joins Toronto and Dennis Cholowski signs with the New York Rangers.

[00:08:20] New Jersey still has prospects who could become part of the solution, including 2024 first-round selection Anton Silayev and defenseman Seamus Casey, who appeared in two games for the Devils last season.

[00:08:40] Goaltending prospect Mikhail Yegorov also represents an intriguing future option at a position that has become one of the organization’s most immediate concerns.

[00:09:00] Luke Hughes will be expected to continue developing into a major force on the blue line, but the greatest pressure remains on his brother Jack.

[00:09:20] Neil believes Jack Hughes must put his Olympic success behind him and turn his complete attention toward delivering a healthy, productive season for the Devils.

[00:09:40] Staying out of the trainer’s room and producing elite-level hockey for an entire season could be essential not only to New Jersey’s playoff hopes but also to helping Sheldon Keefe navigate what could become a very difficult year.

[00:10:00] New Jersey still possesses high-end talent, but questions in goal, uncertainty surrounding the coaching staff, and the need for its stars to deliver consistently make the Devils one of the NHL’s most difficult teams to project entering 2026-27.

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 McDavid potentially approaching unrestricted free agency in two years, the pressure is mounting for Edmonton to prove it can build another championship-caliber roster around him.

[00:00:00] Edmonton finishes second in the Pacific Division but suffers a major postseason disappointment, losing to Anaheim in six games in the opening round after reaching the Stanley Cup Final in each of the previous two seasons.

[00:00:25] The first-round exit costs Kris Knoblauch his job, and General Manager Stan Bowman makes a dramatic coaching change by hiring Mike Babcock.

[00:00:45] Babcock returns to NHL coaching for the first time since his tenure with Toronto ended, following the controversy surrounding his brief hiring by Columbus.

[00:01:00] Vic believes Babcock could provide an immediate jolt, but he does not see enough personnel improvement to believe Edmonton is automatically headed back to the Stanley Cup Final.

[00:01:20] Neil identifies depth as one of Edmonton’s biggest problems. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman remain elite pieces, but the quality of the roster drops quickly behind the stars.

[00:01:40] The Oilers attempt to address another longstanding concern by signing Frederik Andersen, but Neil immediately questions whether Edmonton’s goaltending will be strong enough to support another championship run.

[00:02:00] Andersen signs a one-year, $1 million contract and joins a goaltending group that also includes Tristan Jarry.

[00:02:20] Edmonton also acquires Devon Levi and a 2028 seventh-round pick from Buffalo in exchange for a 2028 third-round selection, giving the Oilers another potential option in goal.

[00:02:40] Vic believes Andersen will face a much different challenge in Edmonton. The quality and quantity of shots he sees could increase substantially compared with his years playing behind Carolina’s structure.

[00:03:00] Edmonton has traditionally played a more wide-open style, raising the possibility that Babcock will attempt to make the Oilers more defensively responsible in order to protect his goaltenders.

[00:03:20] Neil identifies Andersen’s injury history as another major concern. If Andersen misses significant time, the Oilers could quickly be forced to rely more heavily on their other goaltending options.

[00:03:40] Levi possesses upside and could eventually become an important piece, but Neil still considers Edmonton’s overall goaltending situation a major question mark.

[00:04:00] Babcock himself represents another unknown. He has been away from NHL coaching for an extended period, and Neil notes the controversies surrounding the end of his previous NHL opportunities.

[00:04:20] The discussion turns to how Babcock will connect with a different generation of players and whether his approach can successfully translate to Edmonton’s current locker room.

[00:04:40] Babcock will also inherit a revamped defense after Edmonton trades Darnell Nurse and his $9.5 million contract to San Jose.

[00:05:00] The Oilers receive defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin and Zack Sharp in the Nurse deal, creating a significant change to the composition of Edmonton’s blue line.

[00:05:20] Edmonton further addresses the defense by signing Ryan Shea from Pittsburgh to a five-year contract worth $4 million per season.

[00:05:40] The Oilers retain restricted free agents Spencer Stastney and Colton Dach while also keeping several other depth pieces on the roster.

[00:06:00] Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy arrive from Chicago, while Kasperi Kapanen and Max Jones remain part of Edmonton’s supporting cast.

[00:06:20] Matthew Joseph also joins from Los Angeles, giving Babcock another veteran forward option as Edmonton attempts to strengthen the lineup around its superstars.

[00:06:40] Among the departures, Calvin Pickard signs with Minnesota, while Jack Roslovic leaves Edmonton for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[00:07:00] Edmonton will need contributions from its younger players. Josh Samanski appeared in 24 games last season, while Isaac Howard played 29 and now faces pressure to prove he can establish himself permanently in the lineup.

[00:07:20] Forward Quinn Hutson is another prospect to watch as the Oilers search internally for affordable young talent capable of strengthening their depth.

[00:07:40] Despite Edmonton still having McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Vic questions whether the overall roster is strong enough for Babcock to turn the Oilers back into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

[00:08:00] Neil shares those doubts. He remembers Babcock’s championship success in Detroit but points out that those teams featured experienced veteran leaders and a very different generation of NHL players.

[00:08:20] How Babcock adapts to the modern NHL—and how Edmonton’s players respond to him—becomes one of the league’s most fascinating coaching storylines entering the season.

[00:08:40] The biggest long-term issue remains McDavid. With the superstar potentially reaching unrestricted free agency in two years, Edmonton has limited time to convince him that the organization can surround him with another championship-caliber roster.

[00:09:00] Neil worries that if Edmonton does not significantly improve the team around McDavid, the captain could eventually decide his best opportunity to win lies somewhere else.

[00:09:20] Vic asks whether Edmonton could benefit from a longer offseason after two consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final. The additional recovery time could help players heal, condition, and prepare physically for another season.

[00:09:40] Neil acknowledges that the extra rest could help individual players, particularly those dealing with injuries or fatigue, but he returns to the larger issue of the roster itself.

[00:10:00] The episode concludes with Neil saying he simply does not see Edmonton improving as a team this season. The Oilers still have some of the greatest offensive talent in hockey, but questions about depth, goaltending, coaching, and McDavid’s future make 2026-27 a potentially defining season for the franchise.

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 new GM this late in the summer.

[00:00:00] Todd McLellan prepares for another season in Detroit, but the biggest story surrounding the Red Wings is happening off the ice. The organization still does not have a general manager, while captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade.

[00:00:25] Neil questions whether Larkin and his agent are waiting to see who Detroit hires as GM before determining what happens next.

[00:00:45] The timing is especially concerning. Detroit is already deep into the summer, yet significant organizational decisions remain unresolved heading toward training camp.

[00:01:00] Larkin’s future becomes the biggest immediate issue. He has asked to be traded and reportedly provided the organization with a short list of teams he would accept.

[00:01:20] Steve Yzerman was reportedly unhappy with the request while he was still serving as GM, but the situation remains unresolved. The question is whether the Michigan native ultimately returns to the only NHL franchise he has known.

[00:01:40] Detroit finishes sixth in the Atlantic Division with 92 points and 16th overall, extending its playoff drought to 10 consecutive seasons.

[00:02:00] The Red Wings have also failed to win a playoff series since defeating Anaheim in the opening round in 2013.

[00:02:20] Detroit’s major statistical categories remain underwhelming. The offense ranks 22nd, the defense is tied for 19th, the power play finishes 12th, and the penalty kill sits 23rd.

[00:02:40] The only notable trade addition is bottom-six forward Keegan Kolesar, acquired from Vegas for two draft picks.

[00:03:00] Patrick Kane departs for the Chicago Blackhawks, while Detroit adds Victor Arvidsson from Boston. Vic still sees many of the same problems that have prevented the Red Wings from breaking through.

[00:03:20] Alex DeBrincat continues to provide strong offensive production, but there does not appear to be enough surrounding talent to significantly change Detroit’s trajectory.

[00:03:40] One recurring issue is Detroit’s inability to finish seasons strongly. The Red Wings have repeatedly put themselves into playoff contention before struggling badly during March and losing momentum when it matters most.

[00:04:00] Neil believes Detroit essentially spent the summer treading water and could actually move backward in the standings.

[00:04:20] He does not see the Red Wings ending the drought in what would be their 11th consecutive season without playoff hockey.

[00:04:40] The uncertainty surrounding Larkin makes the situation even more difficult because he is not only Detroit’s captain but arguably one of its most important players.

[00:05:00] Detroit will be hoping Marco Kasper takes another significant step and can provide more offensive support alongside DeBrincat and the rest of the forward group.

[00:05:20] The discussion turns back to Detroit’s search for a new general manager, with the organization hiring an outside firm to assist in identifying candidates.

[00:05:40] Neil finds that approach surprising for an Original Six franchise with such deep hockey roots and decades of organizational experience under the Ilitch family.

[00:06:00] He believes Detroit should already have enough experienced hockey people around the organization to help identify the right GM without relying heavily on an external search firm.

[00:06:20] Neil specifically mentions longtime organizational figures who could assist, along with the possibility that Steve Yzerman could still provide input if his relationship with ownership remains intact.

[00:06:40] The fact that Detroit could reach late August without a general manager strikes Neil as particularly unusual given how much work still needs to be completed before the season.

[00:07:00] Vic believes the roster is weak enough that Detroit could even drift toward the NHL Draft Lottery conversation if things go badly.

[00:07:20] Neil pushes back slightly on the idea that Detroit will become a true bottom-feeder because the Red Wings still possess several high-end players capable of keeping the team competitive.

[00:07:40] The larger concern is the mood surrounding the franchise. Neil sees a frustrated and increasingly angry fan base that was already unhappy even when franchise legend Steve Yzerman was running the team.

[00:08:00] Neil does not expect Little Caesars Arena to be an especially happy environment if Detroit struggles again this season.

[00:08:20] John Gibson provided solid goaltending after arriving from Anaheim, while Moritz Seider remains one of the NHL’s top defensemen and an important cornerstone for the franchise.

[00:08:40] Even with those pieces, Neil and Vic agree that Detroit does not have enough collectively when compared with the stronger teams in the Atlantic Division and across the NHL.

[00:09:00] Neil closes by saying he would personally like to see Detroit return to the playoff mix because of his own history with the organization, but he simply cannot envision that happening with the roster and uncertainty currently surrounding the club.