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PODCAST

Empty The Benches

Empty The Benches

Grab a seat and crack a cold one with Nick and Mac on Empty the Benches, the hockey podcast that doesn"t hold back. Whether you"re a diehard fan who"s been watching since the "90s or just getting into the game, we"ve got you covered. We"re diving deep into the NHL, NCAA, and beyond, with unfiltered takes and exclusive conversations with players, coaches, and everyone in between. If you live for the game, you"ve found your new weekly ritual.

sports hockey

All Episodes

01:02:07

Red Wings Round Up with Ryan Lott (EP. 296)

Empty The Benches ·

2026/03/25

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

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00:45:11

Cole Hutson Signs with the Caps (EP. 295)

Empty The Benches ·

2026/03/17

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.

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01:12:05

Eva Erickson & Trade Deadline Recap (EP. 294)

Empty The Benches ·

2026/03/10

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

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00:41:26

Deadline Preview with Tyler Madarasz (EP. 293)

Empty The Benches ·

2026/03/04

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

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01:01:18

USA Hockey Takes Gold In Milan (EP. 292)

Empty The Benches ·

2026/02/24

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

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00:49:39

Olympic Hockey Takes Center Stage (EP. 291)

Empty The Benches ·

2026/02/18

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

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00:57:53

Hockey Valley Weekend Recap feat. Dave Stark (EP. 290)

Empty The Benches ·

2026/02/05

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

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00:34:24

What's Wrong With The Capitals? (EP. 289)

Empty The Benches ·

2026/01/29

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

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00:45:35

Andersson & Sherwood Traded (EP. 288)

Empty The Benches ·

2026/01/22

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

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00:51:41

Tampa Bay Wins Eleventh Straight (EP. 287)

Empty The Benches ·

2026/01/15

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

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01:04:13

Auston Matthews Passes Mats Sundin (EP. 286)

Empty The Benches ·

2026/01/09

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

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00:42:58

World Juniors In Full Swing (EP. 285)

Empty The Benches ·

2025/12/31

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

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00:43:51

Quinn Hughes Traded To Minnesota (EP. 284)

Empty The Benches ·

2025/12/16

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

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00:34:37

Quinn Hughes Rumors Heat Up (EP. 283)

Empty The Benches ·

2025/12/11

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

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00:41:41

The Hawks Are Back In Black (EP. 282)

Empty The Benches ·

2025/12/03

In this episode of Empty the Bench, Nick and Mac discuss their weekend adventures, including a snowy day filled with hockey and pizza. They dive into what NHL teams are thankful for this season, touching on the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, and San Jose Sharks. The conversation shifts to concerns about the upcoming Olympic hockey tournament, particularly regarding the ice surface size. They also highlight Tage Thompson's impressive retribution in a recent game. The hosts answer mailbox

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00:55:04

Chychrun Extends Point Streak (EP. 281)

Empty The Benches ·

2025/11/26

In this episode, Nick and Mac discuss Mac's recent trip to Berlin, highlighting the unique hockey culture and experiences he had. They delve into Thanksgiving food preferences, share insights on NHL player performances, and speculate on the upcoming Olympic roster. The conversation also touches on the current state of the Canucks and the Capitals, along with a fun trivia segment about the Caps' all-time goal scorers. Finally, they provide an update on college hockey rankings and the competitive

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00:35:00

Adrian Kempe Gets Paid (EP. 280)

Empty The Benches ·

2025/11/20

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

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00:52:05

Michigan State Stays On Top (EP. 279)

Empty The Benches ·

2025/11/13

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

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00:36:34

The Devils in the Details (EP. 278)

Empty The Benches ·

2025/11/05

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection

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00:37:07

Harley & Cooley Extended + Frozen Frenzy Recap (EP. 277)

Empty The Benches ·

2025/10/30

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

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312 results

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