EPISODE 8: Dissecting the Deadline with Mike Santos | Trade Impact, Playoff Strategy & the Future of Team 33

In Episode 8 of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren are joined by longtime NHL executive and founder of Team 33, Mike Santos, for a detailed breakdown of the NHL trade deadline, playoff outlook, and the future of player evaluation technology in hockey.

The episode kicks off with “The Neil Scorecard,” recapping the outcomes for 18 unrestricted free agents from teams outside playoff contention. Santos then dives into how Team 33, with over 20 scouts, offers unmatched insights into contract evaluations—outpacing most NHL clubs in both reach and detail.

They explore major Western Conference trade deadline moves, what they mean for contenders, and how front offices are balancing immediate success with long-term cap strategy. The discussion also addresses trends in no-trade/no-move clauses and how they're reshaping deal-making across the league.

Additional segments include a lively debate about pulling the goalie in overtime, a preview of potential first-round upsets, and The Human Side of the Story, featuring personal reflections and memories of playing against the Montreal Canadiens.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:27] The Neil Scorecard: UFA outcomes and playoff implications

[05:17] Mike Santos joins the show

[06:57] Team 33’s edge: contract evaluation & advanced scouting models

[07:21] Delivering hockey data in a player-first, decision-useful format

[08:18] Western Conference trade deadline arms race

[29:09] Santos shares philosophy behind trade deadline success

[30:12] Strategic breakdown of pulling the goalie in OT

[34:48] Human Side of the Story

[39:06] Memories of playing against the Canadiens

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Team 33 operates with over 20 scouts, significantly surpassing the typical NHL club's scouting departments, offering next-gen player analysis.
• The Western Conference trade deadline featured aggressive positioning for playoff pushes, particularly from contenders.
• No-trade and no-move clauses are increasingly shaping the league’s trade landscape and challenging GMs at the deadline.
• The Stanley Cup Playoffs are expected to be fiercely competitive, especially in the West, where physicality and goaltending will determine key upsets.
• Mike Santos shares real-world front office insights and previews a future app-based solution to help GMs better manage contracts and scouting data.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:

Catch the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

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/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

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ABOUT MIKE SANTOS:

Mike Santos is a veteran hockey executive and attorney with experience in NHL front offices, player contracts, arbitration, international governance, and athlete management. As founder of Team 33, he leads one of the most advanced hockey scouting and analytics groups in the industry, focused on contract valuation and performance modeling.

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