The closeness of the NHL standings shows no sign of changing as the logjam in both conferences continues into the third week of the month.

With the Olympic break approaching, GM's are evaluating rosters with upwards of 30 teams having some post-season aspirations. In fact, a major deal was consummated Sunday evening.

But in New York, a second letter to fans in eight years as "re-tool" is the catchword in the Big Apple. However, unlike 2018, Chris Drury's memo comes off as damage control - with the damage already having been done.

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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The Athletic's investigative reporter Katie Strang joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for an unflinching discussion of hockey's unseemly side. Six weeks before training camps open, the July 24, 2024 London Ontario trial concluded with five former NHL players found not guilty of sexual assault. Katie explains the circus-like proceedings, two discharged juries, inadmissible evidence, and split public opinion. From her personal connection to the Larry Nassar case to scrutinizing junior hockey's billeting system, Gary Bettman's eligibility decisions without codified policies, NHLPA labor battles, and the media's responsibility covering systemic abuse. Plus insights on CTE, concussions, Kevin Lowe's brain injury, and why loving hockey means holding it to higher standards.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome: Pulling Back the Curtain - hockey's unseemly side July 24, 2024 London trial

[01:00] - Katie Strang: investigative writer with The Athletic, top of class with Rick Westhead

[02:00] - Rick Westhead: dogged journalist exposing underbelly of sports, dear friend

[03:00] - Investigative journalism not initial career plan: Athletic empowered pursuit

[04:00] - Larry Nassar case: purpose-driven work, indelibly imprinting personally and professionally

[05:00] - Personal connection: competitive gymnast, coach went to jail for sexual abuse

[06:00] - Michigan State: knew victims, attended court every day, heavy difficult assignment

[07:00] - Processing toll: supportive husband gives grace, kids' joy providing perspective

[08:00] - Wanting world safer for kids: every story like potentially my children in crosshairs

[09:00] - July 24, 2024: five players found not guilty by Justice Maria Caria

[10:00] - Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart acquitted

[11:00] - Witness "EM" found not reliable or credible after 2018 World Junior incident

[12:00] - Circus from start: most generous interpretation of how trial went

[13:00] - Two juries discharged: deeply problematic, offensive, upsetting

[14:00] - Juror misconduct allegations against defense counsel not tested with rigor

[15:00] - Both juries dismissed: treated jurors disrespectfully after entrusting them

[16:00] - Escalated concerns kind of dismissed when warned to report any issues

[17:00] - First mistrial set tone: bizarro developments almost every day

[18:00] - One hour timeframe: someone arrested for recording with smart glasses

[19:00] - Public observer explodes on reporter, banned from premises same hour

[20:00] - Delays with tech, AC, clocks: weird mundane things derailing justice

[21:00] - Strange experience: lives at stake but technical issues constant

[22:00] - Bench trial after juries discharged: public opinion very split on verdict

[23:00] - Acquitted of criminal wrongdoing: crown didn't meet burden beyond reasonable doubt

[24:00] - Moral component: what happened in hotel room, power dynamics at play

[25:00] - Inadmissible evidence: people not constrained by court parameters considering

[26:00] - Neil: disgusting even for former pro/junior/college player, cringe-inducing

[27:00] - Words Katie had to write, actions taken by young lady, things done by players

[28:00] - Players knew better than going to hotel room: stained for life

[29:00] - Victim "EM" initials only: five names public, what happens from here?

[30:00] - Pre-verdict speculation: would any play again? Not surprised by acquittals

[31:00] - Evidence ruled admissible/inadmissible: judge ruled for defense on every matter

[32:00] - Katie not interested in "will they play again" conversation in her work

[33:00] - Missing important step: NHL and Gary Bettman weighing in on eligibility

[34:00] - Bettman immediately after decision: players not eligible, incredibly wide...

Baseball Hall of Fame-caliber manager Bobby Valentine joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for the premiere NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series episode. The former manager of the Texas Rangers (7 years), New York Mets (NL pennant), Boston Red Sox, and two-time champion in Japan shares a lifetime of stories. From playing for 17-year-old Lou Lamoriello in Cape Cod to the iconic 1999 mustache disguise, managing Mike Piazza's emotional 9/11 home run that healed New York, pioneering American success in Japanese baseball, teaching ballroom dancing exhibitions, and calling Shohei Ohtani the greatest athlete in a baseball uniform. Plus the 40-15 prediction he nailed exactly, George W. Bush partnership, Tommy Lasorda's influence, Sacred Heart University athletic director tenure, and philanthropic work with Special Olympics. This is Bobby Valentine uncensored.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome to NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series premiere with baseball legend Bobby Valentine

[01:00] - Fifth franchise: stepping outside hockey to learn from sports icons across disciplines

[02:00] - Bobby joins from Valentine Sports Academy in Stamford, Connecticut on exercise bike

[03:00] - 1994 Stanley Cup photo at Shea Stadium: Rangers or Devils cup with Doug Romano

[04:00] - Age 17: playing for Lou Lamoriello in Cape Cod League 1967

[05:00] - Lou's baseball background: Providence College coach, Pan-Am League player at 23-24

[06:00] - First-generation Italian parents: couldn't spell Cape Cod, Bobby spent summer in Yarmouth

[07:00] - Lou's discipline from day one: couldn't ride in trunk of car to road games

[08:00] - Baseball vs hockey management: everyday grind, respect of opposition and teammates

[09:00] - Accountability on ice same as diamond: only difference hockey players drink more (Canadian thing)

[10:00] - Texas Rangers: seven years as manager with George W. Bush as GM/owner

[11:00] - Bush made change 1992: "good idea, I was there long enough, time to move on"

[12:00] - Japanese GM's mission: finding first non-Japanese manager for professional league

[13:00] - Going to Japan: "right-eyed and bushy-tailed gonna teach everyone everything"

[14:00] - Learning while teaching: rewarding experience understanding Japanese baseball culture

[15:00] - Spectacular Japanese players: Ogasawara and others, closed society not up for change

[16:00] - Hideo Nomo: first real MLB player, threw no-hitter when Bobby won championship

[17:00] - Cross-section working: 1934 Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig exhibition to modern day

[18:00] - Cooperstown Hall of Fame: Ichiro Suzuki induction, US-Japan baseball exhibit

[19:00] - Shohei Ohtani: best athlete in baseball uniform ever seen, either side of Pacific Ocean

[20:00] - 2006 draft: wanted two-way player, first baseman/pitcher threw 95 mph, drank beer instead

[21:00] - What Ohtani's doing is really tough: unprecedented two-way excellence

[22:00] - Chiba Lotte Marines: attendance doubled, hosting ballroom dancing classes

[23:00] - International ballroom dance champion: teaching chacha to community before games

[24:00] - Exhibition in tuxedo with partner: full ballroom dress on field before national anthem

[25:00] - Changed costumes during anthem, came out to manage game immediately after

[26:00] - 2005 return to Japan: bringing American fan-friendly atmosphere post-1995 MLB strike

[27:00] - Kids running bases, autograph sessions: opening up Japanese baseball culture

[28:00] - June 1999 Mets: eight-game losing streak, GM fired three coaches instead of addressing players

[29:00] - Predicted 40-15 in next 55 games or would quit: media ready to hold feet to fire

[30:00] - Catcher's balk: Mike Piazza stepped outside box before Pat Mahomes (Patrick's father) released

[31:00] - Randy Marsh call: read about it for years, never seen it