Empty The Benches

In this episode of the Empty the Benches podcast, hosts Nick Mannella and Mackane Vogel welcome Tyler Madarasz, co-host and producer of NHL Morning Skate on SiriusXM. The conversation dives into the excitement surrounding the NHL trade deadline, reflecting on Olympic hockey, and discussing various teams' needs and potential player movements. The trio explores the struggles of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the fit of certain players on different teams, and the potential for significant trades as the deadline approaches. With insights on key players like Robert Thomas, Vincent Trocheck, and Evander Kane, the episode captures the anticipation and chaos that often accompanies the trade deadline in the NHL.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Olympic Reflections

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In this episode, hosts Nick Mannella and Mackane Vogel celebrate the historic achievements of USA Hockey at the Olympics, discussing the thrilling victories of both the men's and women's teams. They reflect on key moments, standout players, and the emotional impact of these wins, while also analyzing the quality of the broadcast coverage. The conversation highlights the camaraderie among players and the significance of these victories for the future of USA Hockey.

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Olympic Gold: USA Hockey Triumphs

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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

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In this episode Nick and Mac are joined by Dave Stark of Cook Stark Management and host of the Athletes Podcast. Nick and Dave recap a weekend of festivities in Pennsylvania, beginning with the Working in Hockey event in Pittsburgh, and wrapping up with an unbelievable experience at the Penn state vs. Michigan State outdoor game at Beaver Stadium. Nick and Mac also react to the Artemi Panarin trade and the future of Chris Drury, the upcoming Beanpot championship, and they wrap up with the Weekly ReCap.

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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

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In this episode of Empty the Benches, Nick and Mac dive into a variety of topics ranging from the upcoming AHL outdoor game to the dynamics of the "game guy" in group settings. They reflect on the NHL's past and present, particularly comparing the years 2016 and 2026, and discuss recent trades in the league. The conversation shifts to the success of women's hockey, particularly the PWHL DC takeover and US winning U18 Womens Worlds. They also analyze the struggles of the Washington Capitals and wrap up with some fun trivia about NHL franchise goal leaders.

00:00 Chilling in the Cold: AHL Outdoor Game Preview

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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

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In this episode, Nick & Nick discuss a variety of hockey topics, including Matthews' milestone achievement, the Winter Classic experience, and the performances of the USA and Canada in the World Juniors. They also analyze the NHL teams' current standings, particularly the Capitals and Rangers, and highlight developments in college hockey. The conversation emphasizes the importance of player personalities and the impact of injuries on team dynamics, while looking ahead to upcoming events in the hockey world.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Updates

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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

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In this episode, Nick and Mac discuss the surprising trade of Quinn Hughes, the implications for both the Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks, and dive into a fun segment on the Mount Rushmore of offensive defensemen. They analyze recent trades, including the Skinner-Jari swap, and the Buffalo Sabres' decision to fire GM Kevyn Adams. The conversation shifts to the US Women's National Team's impressive performance against Canada, and they brainstorm ideas for improving the NHL 26 video game. The episode wraps up with a recap of the Washington Capitals' recent games and a tribute to Northeastern's historic final game at Matthews Arena.

Chapters

00:00 Quinn Hughes Trade Shockwaves

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