Empty The Benches

In this episode, Nick and Mac discuss the Stanley Cup victory by the Carolina Hurricanes, the recent wedding they attended, and the latest hockey news including coaching changes and player trades. They share insights, anecdotes, and their thoughts on the league's current state and future moves. Chapters 00:00 Hockey Season Wrap-Up and Cup Champions 06:00 Wedding Tales and Celebrations 11:55 Stanley Cup Final Analysis 12:52 Coaching Changes and Future Prospects 14:33 Coaching Changes and Team Dynamics 17:15 Toronto Maple Leafs' Goalie Trade Dilemma 19:56 John Carlson's Future in the Eastern Conference 23:16 Predators Acquire Ross Colton: A Strategic Move 25:32 Looking Ahead: Draft and Free Agency Insights Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of Empty the Benches hosts Nick Mannella and Mackane Vogel discuss the return of Olympic hockey, the evolution of international competition, and their favorite winter Olympic events. They delve into the dominance of the U.S. women's hockey team, preview the U.S. men's team, and compare the talent levels of the U.S. and Canada. The conversation also includes predictions for upcoming matchups and some fun trivia about Olympic hockey. Chapters 00:00 The Return of Olympic Hockey 02:57 The Evolution of International Hockey 06:01 Favorite Winter Olympic Events 08:58 Innovative Ideas for Winter Olympics 12:05 Dominance of the U.S. Women's Hockey Team 17:53 Previewing the Gold Medal Game 18:45 U.S. Men's Hockey Team Performance 25:46 Challenges and Changes in the Tournament 28:51 The Tom Wilson Effect 29:20 Team Canada vs Team USA: A Hockey Powerhouse 31:41 Unicorns of Hockey: The Elite Players 33:43 The Pressure of the Maple Leaf 35:43 USA vs Canada: Rivalry and Redemption 38:38 Upcoming Matches and Predictions 45:08 Olympic Trivia and Fun Discussions Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Nick and Mac discuss Mac's recent adventures at the AHL Outdoor Classic, including a bar that lets you buy a bucket of rocks. They dive into the struggles of the Washington Capitals, analyzing their recent performance and upcoming challenges. The conversation shifts to NHL trade news, focusing on the New York Islanders' recent acquisitions. They also touch on a controversial incident involving Willy Nylander and discuss the current state of college hockey, highlighting key teams and players. The episode concludes with a fun trivia segment about Olympic hockey. Chapters 00:00 Weekend Adventures in Minnesota 09:51 Caps Debrief: Struggles and Stats 18:23 Capitals' Must-Win Game Against Detroit 21:20 Islanders' Strategic Trades and Playoff Aspirations 24:32 Willie Nylander's Controversial Gesture and Its Fallout 27:34 College Hockey Highlights and Future Prospects 28:30 Olympic Hockey Trivia and Historical Insights 31:08 Panarin's Future and Trade Speculations Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Empty the Benches, Nick and Mac discuss the latest happenings in the NHL, including the retirement ceremony for Sergei Fedorov, the Tampa Bay Lightning's impressive winning streak, and the struggles of the New York Rangers. They also recap the Washington Capitals' recent dad's trip, highlight standout players, and answer listener questions about the Pacific Division and coaching changes in Columbus. The episode wraps up with a preview of an exciting college hockey series between Wisconsin and Michigan State. Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back and Upcoming Events 02:53 Sergey Fedorov's Jersey Retirement Ceremony 05:43 Tampa Bay Lightning's Dominance 08:37 Viral Social Clips of the Week 11:44 New York Rangers' Trade Rumors 14:38 Washington Capitals' Dad's Trip Experience 27:20 The Infamous Dad's Trip Incident 28:55 Caps' Recent Performance and Key Players 30:08 Power Play Challenges and Team Dynamics 32:09 Goalie Performances and Team Strengths 33:41 Upcoming Matchup: Caps vs. Sharks 36:00 Ovechkin's Milestone and Career Highlights 38:29 Pacific Division Analysis and Team Performances 40:07 Coaching Changes in the NHL 41:52 College Hockey Matchup Preview 43:22 Trivia and NHL Player Participation in Olympics Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Nick and Mac discuss the highlights of 2025 in music, recap their holiday experiences, and analyze the current state of the NHL, including trades and team performances. They delve into the excitement of the World Juniors and the upcoming Olympic rosters, while also addressing the struggles of the Washington Capitals and their need for improvement. The conversation touches on the success of the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins and the PWHL's growing popularity, culminating in a trivia challenge about the World Juniors. Chapters 00:00 Music Highlights of 2023 02:56 Holiday Recap and NHL Games 05:54 NHL Trades and Team Analysis 08:55 World Juniors Overview 12:04 Olympic Rosters Predictions 14:52 Washington Capitals Struggles 17:04 Capitals Center Performance Issues 20:06 Trade Considerations for Capitals 23:18 Upcoming Games and Rivalries 26:20 Islanders' New Toughness 29:09 AHL and Grand Rapids Griffins Success 31:08 PWHL Highlights and Hits 34:14 World Juniors Trivia Challenge Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Empty the Benches, hosts Nick Mannella and Mackane Vogel dive into a variety of hockey topics, including humorous discussions about potential EBUG candidates, the latest trade rumors surrounding Quinn Hughes, the Colorado Avalanche's impressive performance, and a controversial hit by Jacob Trouba on Ryan Leonard. They also recap the week's games and engage in trivia, showcasing their knowledge of the NHL. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and E-Bug Discussion 04:07 Quinn Hughes Trade Rumors 08:54 Colorado Avalanche Dominance 17:50 Jacob Truba Hit on Ryan Leonard 26:25 Weekly ReCap and Trivia Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.