Empty The Benches

In this episode, Nick and Mac recap the 2026 NHL Draft, summarize the latest offseason trades, and preview the biggest free agency rumors. They also hit you with a killer hockey trivia, a guess the NHL player, and a this or that.    Chapters   00:00 Heat Wave and Weekend Adventures 05:50 Nonsensical Questions of the Day 11:46 Draft Day Highlights and Reactions 17:43 Team Trades and Offseason Moves...

In this episode, Nick and Mac are joined by friend of the show and writer/creator of puckuomi.com, Anders Hall, to break down the impending NHL draft and a crazy week of trades. They also discuss the 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame class, preview the 2026 NHL Draft, and the official hiring of Mike Babcock by the Oilers.   Chapters   00:00 Introduction and Initial Reactions 01:47 Brady Tkachuk's Trade to...

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 St...

Nick and Mac are back to get you up to date on all the action from this crazy Stanley Cup Final. They get you ready for a pivotal game 6, discuss their Conn Smythe picks, and take a look at Carolina's goaltending situation. They also dive into the incredible atmospheres in both buildings, the Dylan Larkin trade request, and the Oilers insane move to try and hire Mike Babcock.    Chapters   00:00 I...

Its Stanley Cup Final time! Nick and Mac are back to get you set for the showdown between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes. They start off the episode by naming five thing they would rather have happen than the Hurricanes winning the Cup, listing some of the greatest toys from their childhood, and the Finns capturing the World Championship in overtime. They also dive into the a...

In this episode, Nick and Mac dive into the shocking 3-0 series lead for Vegas over Colorado, the continued overtime magic of the Carolina Hurricanes, and the first Walter Cup for the Montreal Victoire. They also take a look at teams to have overcome the 3-0 deficit, Vegas leading the playoffs in just about every stat category, and Evgeni Malkin's return to the Pittsburgh Penguins for next season....

Welcome to the Conference Finals! Nick and Mac get you set with all their takes on the final four NHL teams remaining. They break down the goaltending matchup between Andersen and Dobes, the absence of Cale Makar in game 1, and the nearly two weeks off for the Hurricanes. They also list their 3 most hated NHL teams, debate which team should be the most concerned with heir 3rd round matchup, and ta...

The boys are back to break down the latest of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nick and Mac dive into the Canes sweep of the Flyers, the seemingly unstoppable Colorado Avalanche, and the electric series between Vegas and Anaheim.  The boys are also joined by Charlie McCulley of Triple Deke Vintage, who stops by to chat all things vintage hockey gear. Nick and Mac also take a look at the game 5 postponeme...

Join Nick and Mackane as they dissect the first round of the NHL playoffs, share their insights on series outcomes, standout players, and the upcoming second round matchups. Get expert analysis, hot takes, and predictions for the Stanley Cup race.   Chapters   00:00 Beach Time and Friendships 03:04 Hockey Postseason Overview 06:02 Hurricanes vs. Senators: A Boring Sweep 08:08 Buffalo vs. Boston: A...

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...

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 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...

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...

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 Jo...

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...

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,...

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 Lea...

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 a...

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...

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 trad...

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 incid...

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...

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...

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 pe...

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 s...