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"Evan Bouchard: Four Years, $10.5 Million - But Is Edmonton Better?" - The Best of NHL Wraparound Podcast
Edmonton's offseason moves breakdown:
"John Klingberg goes to San Jose, along with left wing Jeff Skinner, who after a thousand games of waiting to finally get in the playoffs is probably gonna be on the outside looking in again"
The RFA/UFA signings: "Trent Frederic re-ups eight years, $3.85 AAV. Kiefer Sherwood, one year, $1.3 million. And the big one - Evan Bouchard, four years, $10.5 million"
New additions include Isaac Howard (2025 Hobey Baker Award winner from Michigan State via Tampa), Curtis Lazar from New Jersey, and Andrei Mironenko from Washington.
The harsh assessment: "Let's take the totality of the moves here and couple this with McDavid negotiation, the team having to get better. Quite frankly, I don't see it. I don't see it either. When you look at who they now have, you see a very top heavy team with McDavid, Hyman, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins as the main cogs"
The Bouchard term signals potential flexibility for a McDavid move down the line.
🎧 Hear the full story on NHL Wraparound Podcast:
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#EvanBouchard #10Point5Million #Edmonton #JeffSkinner #IsaacHoward #TopHeavy #IDontSeeIt





Breadth and depth.
Contemporary and historical.
Straight-forward and experienced.
from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past.
With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top.
Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed.

Bio’s
Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years.
Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings.
Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager.
A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL.
After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003.
His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experienc