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For their 300th Episode Nick and Mac are joined by Alan May. Alan shares his journey to the NHL from growing up just outside the Arctic Circle, to playing in the AHL, and ultimately his NHL career. He also shares insights into his current role with the Caps broadcasting crew and gives some incredible motivation that kept him going through his career. The boys spend the rest of the eppy getting you caught up on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, running through some of their favorite guests, and finishing up with a trivia about playoff hat tricks.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The boys are joined by Washington Capitals radio host and content director Katie Florio! Katie shares her journey from Clemson University, to the AHL, and to her current role with the Caps. She gives some great insight into the day to day of her roles, the prep that goes into running multiple shows, and how to maintain relationships with the team. Nick and Mac also break down the Red Wings falloff, the major milestones for Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, and the legendary career of Jonathan Quick.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The boys are joined by Leo Calvo of Chuckin' Fists to break down both the east and west playoff races. Leo gives his thoughts on why his Penguins ha a resurgence under Dan Muse, why the Flyers should scare anyone in the east, and what went wrong for the Red Wings in the last couple weeks. Nick and Mac also break down the upcoming Frozen Four matchups, the Washington Capitals calling up Ilya Protas, and the PWHL selling out Madison Square Garden.   Chapters   00:14 Intro and approaching 300 episodes 01:38 QOTD - memorable playoff series 05:00 PWHL sells out MSG 12:36 Playoff race with Leo Calvo of Chuckin' Fists 43:37 The Weekly ReCap 49:15 Frozen Four preview 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 are joined by Penn State starts Danica Maynard and Grace Outwater. They share their experiences following an amazing season for the Nittany Lions, their outdoor game at Beaver Stadium, and their paths to choosing college hockey. The boys also discuss the men's and women's NCAA hockey tournaments, the recent ups and downs of the Washington Capitals, and the shock front office moves made by the Leafs and Knights. BONUS: Mac discusses his major career change.    00:00 Weather Woes and Hockey Life 03:04 Joining a New Beer League 05:57 A New Path: Going Back to Dental School 08:52 Hockey Management Shakeups 11:57 College Hockey Highlights and Upsets 14:47 Women’s Hockey Championship and Men’s Frozen Four Preview 19:51 Interview with Penn State Hockey Players 21:45 Caps' Playoff Hopes and Recent Games 26:17 Refereeing Controversies in Hockey 29:44 Debuts and Expectations for New Players 31:51 Trivia Time: NHL's Most Productive Wingers 36:14 Mackane's New Journey in Dental School   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, we unravel the latest in NHL playoff races, from the wild card chaos in the East to the strange standings in the West, plus a deep dive into the Detroit Red Wings' push to the postseason. Our guest, Ryan Lott, producer of the Athletes podcast and a die-hard Wings enthusiast, shares insider insights on key players like Dylan Larkin’s injury update, the goaltending evolution with Jon Gibson, and the surprising rise of young prospects such as Edvinson and Cossa. Ryan also breaks down how Detroit can navigate the tricky matchups ahead, and reveals what makes Tampa Bay a constant threat — plus predictions on who’s going all the way.   We discuss the unpredictability of this year's March Madness and favorite moments (00:02) Analysis of the NHL playoff picture for both Eastern and Western Conferences (3:00) Deep dive into Detroit Red Wings' key players, injuries, and prospects with Ryan Lott (0:19) Ryan shares his thoughts on the future of the Wings, goaltending, and player development (6:35) The hosts debate the declining reputation of Subway and the nostalgia surrounding the chain (11:00) NHL Draft memories and experiences, including trips to the draft floor, with Ryan (20:14) Stanley Cup predictions for Tampa Bay, Dallas, and other contenders (23:25) Outlook on the Edmonton Oilers’ playoff chances and Connor McDavid’s impact (25:27) Closing thoughts, upcoming sports events, and appreciation for the guest (27:40) 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 break down the USA sled hockey team capping off the Gold Medal sweep, Cole Hutson signing with the Capitals, and the recently announced 2028 World Cup of Hockey. They also dive into what the Caps future core could look like and wrap up with two wild trivia questions.  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, hosts Nick and Mac discuss the latest in sports, including trade deadline reactions, memorable hockey games, and an insightful interview with Eva Erickson, a survivor and hockey player. They analyze team surprises, trade deals, and share personal insights, making it a must-listen for hockey fans. Eva Erickson shares her unique journey from Minnesota high school hockey to Survivor, highlighting how her sports background influenced her gameplay and her efforts to make hockey more inclusive.       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 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 03:01 Trade Deadline Anticipation 06:02 Team Needs and Player Movements 08:53 Toronto Maple Leafs' Struggles 12:00 Potential Trades and Player Fit 14:56 Defensive Moves and Trade Rumors 18:00 Final Thoughts on Trade Deadline Chaos 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, 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 12:24 The Women's Gold Medal Game: A Historic Matchup 21:14 Men's Gold Medal Game: A Miracle Revisited 23:40 Unbelievable Plays in Hockey 26:24 Key Players and Their Impact 27:22 Defensive Strategies and Key Moments 28:14 Game-Changing Saves and Reactions 29:45 The Role of Defensemen in Critical Plays 30:48 Overtime Tensions and Strategies 33:57 The Thrill of Overtime 36:39 The Game-Winning Moments 41:41 Emotional Impact of Victory 42:30 The Emotional Impact of Winning Gold 44:45 Key Players and Their Contributions 47:28 Celebrating the Victory and Its Significance 50:45 Reflections on USA Hockey's Legacy 53:41 International Competition and Team Performances 55:34 Broadcasting and Commentary 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 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. 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 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 08:53 Game Guys: The Social Dynamics of Group Activities 10:59 NHL Trade Rumors: Analyzing Recent Moves 21:56 PWHL Takeover: Women's Hockey on the Rise 25:55 USA Women's Hockey Dominance 27:41 Olympic Team Updates and Player Changes 29:35 Trade Rumors: Panarin and the Capitals 30:44 Assessing Recent Game Performances 36:06 Upcoming Challenges and Road Trip Expectations 40:44 Trivia and Franchise Goal Leaders 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 & 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 03:01 Leafs Milestone: Matthews vs. Sundin 06:09 Winter Classic Experience 08:54 World Juniors Recap: USA and Canada 11:53 Olympic Roster Reactions 14:54 NHL Team Performances: Rangers and Capitals 17:52 College Hockey Highlights 20:56 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.