In this episode of Empty the Benches, hosts Nick Mannella and Nick Bowins engage in a lively discussion covering a range of topics from fantasy hockey matchups to the Mount Rushmore of favorite players NOT on their favorite teams. They analyze Adrian Kempe's recent contract extension, Miko Rantanen's ejection, and the surprising injuries affecting NHL teams. The conversation shifts to the concerns surrounding the Capitals and Maple Leafs, a review of the Winter Classic jerseys, and a debate on who to choose in a shootout. They also touch on the Heart Trophy race and recap college hockey performances, concluding with a trivia segment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Fantasy Hockey Banter

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On this episode of Empty the Benches, host Nick Mannella and guest host Nick Bowins discuss a variety of hockey topics, including the recent Hall of Fame inductees, the exciting college hockey matchups, goaltending concerns in the NHL, a review of Canada's Olympic jerseys, and the surprising performance of the Anaheim Ducks this season. The conversation is lively and insightful, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current hockey landscape. In this episode, the hosts dive deep into the current state of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals, analyzing player performances, team dynamics, and the challenges each team faces in the NHL. They discuss the struggles of the Leafs' defense and goaltending, the impressive play of certain players like Tavares and Nylander, and the Capitals' recent games, including Ovechkin's milestone of reaching 900 goals. The conversation also touches on upcoming events in hockey, including an outdoor college hockey game.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Working in Hockey Update

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Nick and Mac are back for another episode! They kick things off with the return of the question of the day, introduce a new segment called Empty The Mailbox, and dive into the recent struggles of the Washington Capitals in the Weekly ReCap. During the episode they also touch on the dynamic duos in Colorado and New Jersey, the 2027 stadium series location, and the road struggles of the Florida Panthers.

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In this episode of Empty the Benches, hosts Nick Mannella and Mackane Vogel recount their recent adventures in Milwaukee and Chicago, including attending a Blackhawks game and hosting an event at their favorite bar, Elwoods. They share humorous anecdotes about meeting colorful characters and discuss the challenges of creating engaging trivia questions for their event. The episode also delves into recent NHL news, focusing on player extensions and team performances, with a particular emphasis on the Dallas Stars and the Washington Capitals. The hosts wrap up with a lively discussion on the NHL's Frozen Frenzy and their thoughts on various games and players.

Introduction and Milwaukee/Chicago Trip - 0:57.635

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In this episode, Nick and Mac discuss the excitement surrounding their upcoming event at Elwoods, the NHL game schedule, and predictions for various teams. They delve into the Capitals' recent games, the promising future of the Canadiens, and the struggles of the Rangers and Sabres. The conversation also touches on surprising performances in the NHL and wraps up with a focus on their event at Elwoods.

Chapters

00:00 Excitement for the Upcoming Event

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In this episode, Nick and Mac dive into the excitement of the NHL season, discussing the return of hockey, fantasy drafts, and significant player contracts. They analyze goaltending performances and the Washington Capitals' rocky start. The conversation shifts to team predictions and culminates in a detailed review of the new NHL jerseys, providing grades and insights on each team's design choices.

Chapters

00:00 The Excitement of NHL Season Return

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In this episode, Nick and Mac from Empty the Benches dive into a comprehensive preview of the Metropolitan Division in the NHL. Joined by Washington Capitals senior writer Mike Vogel, they discuss each team's strengths, weaknesses, and expectations for the upcoming season. From the formidable Carolina Hurricanes to the rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers, the conversation covers key player movements, health concerns, and the overall competitiveness of the division. The hosts provide insights into how each team stacks up against one another and make predictions on playoff potential, highlighting the evolving landscape of the NHL.

00:00 Metropolitan Division Overview

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In this episode, Nick and Mac provide a comprehensive preview of the NHL's Atlantic Division, discussing each team's prospects for the upcoming season. They cover key injuries, player performances, and the overall competitiveness of the division. The conversation highlights the Boston Bruins' transitional phase, the Buffalo Sabres' ongoing struggles, the Detroit Red Wings' cautious optimism, the Florida Panthers' resilience despite injuries, the Montreal Canadiens' rise as contenders, the Ottawa Senators' potential, the Tampa Bay Lightning's consistency, and the Toronto Maple Leafs' new era without Mitch Marner. The hosts also engage in predictions for playoff spots and division winners, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities each team faces.

00:00 Introduction to the Atlantic Division Preview

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In this episode Nick, Mac, and Anders preview the Pacific Division of the NHL, discussing each team's offseason moves, key players, and expectations for the upcoming season. They share personal updates, analyze the Anaheim Ducks' trades, the Calgary Flames' quiet offseason, the Edmonton Oilers' pressure to win, the Los Angeles Kings' building momentum, the San Jose Sharks' young roster, the Seattle Kraken's unclear direction, the Vegas Golden Knights' big acquisition of Mitch Marner, and the Vancouver Canucks' potential bounce-back season. The conversation is filled with humor, insights, and predictions for the season ahead.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

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In this episode, Nick and Mac dive into the NHL Central Division, discussing each team's prospects for the upcoming season. They share personal anecdotes, introduce a new segment called 'Max Misfortune,' and analyze the Chicago Blackhawks' rebuilding phase, the Colorado Avalanche's playoff potential, the Dallas Stars' need to prove themselves, the Minnesota Wild's playoff hopes, the Nashville Predators' state of limbo, the St. Louis Blues' need for bounce-back seasons, and the Winnipeg Jets' solid roster. The episode concludes with thoughts on Jonathan Toews' return and the competitive nature of the Central Division.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

02:55 Central Division Preview: Chicago Blackhawks

06:09 Central Division Preview: Colorado Avalanche

12:04 Central Division Preview: Dallas Stars

20:45 Central Division Preview: Minnesota Wild

27:48 Central Division Preview: Nashville Predators

30:47 Assessing Team Performance and Player Potential

34:50 St. Louis Blues: Bounce Back or Decline?

40:47 Winnipeg Jets: A Year of Expectations

48:56 The Newcomers: Mammoth's Fresh Identity

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