Ep 2 GREAT Beginnings with Wayne Gretzky

NHL Wraparound Podcast

Neil and Vic are joined by "The Great One," Wayne Gretzky, who shares his thoughts on the current generation's game, the improvement of players, and the future of the NHL.

The hosts analyze several teams, including the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, and Chicago Blackhawks. They scrutinized the recent adjustments implemented by Lou Lamoriello, the Islanders' General Manager, in the team's coaching structure.

Additionally, they delved into the potential achievement of Auston Matthews reaching the impressive milestone of 800 goals. The hosts also shared anecdotes from their own experiences, detailing how they initiated their careers in the hockey industry.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:49] Discussing the State of the NHL: One-Timers
• [05:29] The Pressure on Toronto Maple Leafs
• [08:10] The Challenges of Managing the Maple Leafs
• [10:34] The Future of the Maple Leafs
• [15:20] Interview with Wayne Gretzky
• [19:54] Discussing the Future of NHL Stars
• [24:51] Discussing the Edmonton Oilers' Season Turnaround
• [25:28] Analyzing the Oilers' Team Structure and Performance
• [25:58] The Importance of Team Balance in the NHL
• [26:44] The Oilers' Trade Decisions and General Management
• [27:23] The Oilers' Playoff Prospects and Competition
• [28:24] Reflecting on the Oilers' Past Seasons and Future Potential
• [29:36] Transitioning to Gretzky's Career as an Analyst
• [33:32] Discussing the Islanders' Coaching Change
• [39:25] Reflecting on Personal Career Starts in Hockey
• [46:21] Wrapping Up and Looking Forward to Future NHL Action

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Vic emphasizes the transient nature of determining the best teams in the league, highlighting the importance of playing well, staying healthy, securing favorable draws, and relying on luck as crucial factors heading into the playoffs
• Neil expresses concern about the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks tearing down their teams to a bare minimum, impacting young talents like Connor Bedard, and discusses the challenges of rebuilding a team from scratch
• Pressure on the Toronto Maple Leafs due to their prolonged Stanley Cup drought since 1967 and the financial implications of players' contracts are highlighted
• Wayne Gretzky shares insights about the Edmonton Oilers' performance, emphasizing their turnaround, improved team structure, and potential as a legitimate contender in the playoffs, and discusses the challenges faced by young players adapting to the physicality of the NHL

RESOURCE LINKS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

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/

NHL Wraparound Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

NHL Wraparound Facebook::https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

SPONSORSHIP:

MeiGray is your source for Game-Worn jerseys. Head to MeiGray.com to get your collection started today. Get real, get it from MeiGray.

https://www.MeiGray.com/

https://MeiGrayauctions.com/

NHL Wraparound guests can take 10 percent off any hockey jersey when they order at meigray.com and use the COUPON CODE WRAP10

DUER: Upgrade your wardrobe and order your own pair of DUER jeans today!

15% off code-

https://shopduer.com/NHLFAN

BIO: Wayne Gretzky (born January 26, 1961, Brantford, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian ice hockey player who was considered by many to be the greatest player in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Wayne Gretzky

Gretzky began skating at age two and a half and was first taught hockey by his father. By age 6 he was playing as an all-star in novice hockey with boys 10 and 11 years old. He progressed through organized age-group hockey, and in 1977 at the Junior World Cup competition, he was the youngest player and the leading scorer. Gretzky turned professional for the 1978–79 season, playing for the Indianapolis Racers in the World Hockey Association (WHA). His contract soon was sold to the Edmonton Oilers, who joined the NHL at the beginning of the 1979–80 season. As centre and team captain, Gretzky led the Oilers to four Stanley Cup victories (in the 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, and 1987–88 seasons). Following the 1987–88 season, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.

Discover the sizable gap between the Great One's career-point record and Jaromir Jagr's second-place totals

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #Sports #Broadcasting #StanleyCup #Coaching #Media #Management #ESPN #TNT #Playoffs #Championships #NeilSmith #VicMorren #ConnorBedard # WayneGretzky #AlexOvechkin #ConnorMcDavid #AustonMatthews