An increased schedule and an earlier start to the season.

If you're a hockey fan, you're about to enter nirvana for the next nine months as we prepare the 2026-27 season.

For NHL Wraparound, Neil and Vic enter their third full season - and part of a fourth overall - with a new open and a Hall of Fame voice to mark the occasion.

Over the past two springs, TSN's Craig Button has joined the show throughout the playoffs but, why wait? There's plenty to get to now and Button's expertise goes on display to open the season.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:50] - Few things are more fun to open a season preview with than the financial landscape brought forth by massive contracts. However, that's where the NHL is and it can't be ignored.

[08:18] - The effect of new CBA where contract limits dropped from 8-year maximums to re-sign with a current team and seven years as a UFA to seven and six years respectively.

[11:35] - Items worth noting for new season, including the increased schedule, mandatory neck guards for incoming players, emergency backup goalie (EBUG) regulations and an overtime rule being implemented in the Western Hockey League which may someday be adapted by the NHL.

[23:22] - Seven new general managers that were not in those positions with their clubs a season ago.

[29:42] - Conversely, only five new head coaches but one is certainly making plenty of headlines - and not necessarily for the best reasons.

[34:22] - When the greatest goal scorer in league history mixes sports and politics, the optic is poor and the ripple effect causes headaches elsewhere.

[38:25] - On the media front, a tradition of nearly three quarters of a century is gone...but not forgotten.

[43:10] - Homecoming dates for 10 players visiting their former arenas for the first time.

[45:52] - Breakout players.

[49:22] - Power shifts. Teams on the rise and those likely to slip.

[54:22] - The "experts" offer their thoughts on the eight teams who will make the post-season from each conference as well as a potential sleeper.

[57:29] - If we must, Stanley Cup Final predictions.

[1:00:29] - Wrap-up and what's ahead.

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/

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