Episode 86 - 2026 Team USA Architect with General Manager Bill Guerin - Jan. 9, 2026

Talk about an abundance of riches. One half of your job is running one of the top teams in the NHL while the other half is assembling the best American players in the world for the upcoming Olympics.

GM of both the Minnesota Wild and U.S. Men’s team headed to Italy, Bill Guerin joins Neil and Vic to talk about both teams.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To, an American Legend reaches a milestone, a future legend puts on a virtuoso performance in Hollywood and what’s more stunning at this point of the season, the Sabres run or the Jets nosedive?

We'll have other items of note and pay tribute to "Mr. Goalie," Glenn Hall before celebrating Neil's birthday.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:30] - Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To

[13:39] - Team USA/Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin is welcomed to the show pleased about the selection process being done and the success of the Wild in a city once again in going through unrest.

[16:03] - Guerin shares it's the people around him that is making it possible for him to take on the leadership role of both teams.

[17:30] - Construction of Team USA in relation to playing style needed to succeed.

[19:06] - The calls to those who make the team and those who did not...and the second-guessing from media and fans that comes with those decisions.

[21:00] - Neil draws off on his own experience sharing with Bill that it was easier to sleep at night knowing decisions being made were in the best interests of the team. Bill adds a point about the importance of how people are treated.

[22:37] - As a three-time Olympian, the advice Guerin can share with Team USA about the upcoming experience, something only two of his 25 players have known.

[24:52] - Shifting to the Wild: In 2024-25, the team started hot and struggled to make the post-season. This season, a sluggish start followed by a major about-face which actually started prior to the acquisition of Quinn Hughes.

[28:35] - More on Hughes, who has not committed to staying with the Wild beyond the end of the season.

[30:23] - The NHL-record Kaprizov contract and the reception within the Wild.

[32:05] - Even with a large chunk of the schedule remaining, the Wild appear on a collision course with Dallas for the opening round of the post-season. Where is Guerin looking to upgrade?

[35:14] - Putting a wrap on the Bill Guerin discussion.

[35:59] - A few random items of note.

[47:01] - Personnel notes.

[48:44] - Tribute to Glenn Hall.

[53:15] - Happy Birthday Neil

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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