The final week of the NHL regular season is here and the intense competition for playoff spots, particularly focusing on the battle among five teams for the last two spots in the Eastern Conference.

The episode features an insightful interview with Ken Holland, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers, discussing various aspects of his career, player development, and the Oilers' playoff prospects.

Neil and Vic also explore whether teams actually need an elite goaltender to win the Stanley Cup, considering recent trends, and share their thoughts on the goalie tandems across the league.

The episode concludes with The Human Side of the Story: Ken Holland, inducted into the Hall of Fame and former general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, and the tribute to David Carle, celebrating his success as the University of Denver's head coach and his remarkable journey in hockey.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [00:41] The Playoff Race Heats Up: Insights and Predictions
• [01:54] One Timers: Hot Takes on NHL Stars and Playoff Drama
• [03:57] The Arizona Coyotes Saga: Sale, Relocation, and Future Prospects
• [07:32] Special Guest Ken Holland GM for the Edmonton Oilers
• [08:04] Ken Holland's Career
• [16:52] The Edmonton Oilers' Season
• [24:17] Reclamation Projects and Building a Competitive Team
• [28:25] Player Motivations and Team Dynamics
• [29:49] Playoff Preparations and Strategies
• [30:53] The Importance of Health and Depth in Playoff Success
• [34:14] Connor McDavid’s Health Status and Historic Milestones
• [36:31] Stu Skinner's Rise and Team Goaltending Strategy
• [42:18] Reflecting on a Storied Career
• [49:40] The Evolution of Goaltending and Playoff Dynamics
• [55:33] Human Side of the Story- Ken Holland's Path to Success

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Ken Holland shares a personal anecdote about his transition from playing hockey to scouting and eventually becoming a successful general manager, highlighting the unpredictability and resilience required in the sports industry.
• The Oilers aimed to bolster their roster depth, particularly upfront, and on defense, through strategic acquisitions like Adam Henrique, Sam Carrick, and Troy Stecher, alongside earlier signing Corey Perry, to enhance their playoff prospects.
• With only Corey Perry having won a Stanley Cup on the current roster, and a few others having played in the finals, the Oilers recognize the value of playoff experience and leadership, aiming to build a well-rounded team capable of making a deep playoff run.

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

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