Empty Netters Podcast - Can Vegas Win The Cup With Rasmus Andersson?

Episode Date: January 20, 2026

Rasmus Andersson has finally been traded! It looked like Boston for a minute there, but Vegas swooped in and got it done. Did they bolster their blueline enough to win a cup? Matthew Tkachuk is back! Can the Panthers save their season or is it too late? There are a few teams outside looking in that need to right the ship and make playoffs or it’s going to spell trouble. College hockey had an insane weekend. The boys hash out if you can make friends at the gym. And what’s the deal with showers at beer league? NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY! Watch full episodes, shorts, and clips right here on YouTube. Listen to the podcast on Spotify or anywhere you get your pods. Subscribe & follow Empty Netters everywhere: YouTube: / @emptynetters Instagram: @EmptyNetters TikTok: @EmptyNetters X: @EmptyNetters PRESENTED by BetMGM. Download the BETMGM app and use code “NETTERS” and enjoy up to $1500 in bonus bets if you lose your first wager! Thanks to our Sponsors! BetMGM: Use bonus code NETTERS when signing up to receive up to $1500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses. FACTOR: Head to FactorMeals.com/netters50off and use code netters50off to get 50% off your first Factor box PLUS free breakfast for 1 year. Make healthier eating easy with Factor. Bauer: Get your hands on Bauer’s newest innovation — the PULSE stick — and feel the difference. Get your hands on one at https://Bauer.com Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Empty Netters podcast. Can you believe what this has become? There was a full 48 hours where I felt like I was like literally Superman. Jumbo loves playing Fortnite, so he gets on the sticks. Did TR show you the sauna cycle or was that all year? No, I invented that. Almost a year now that I haven't taken a body check. That's kind of nice.

Finish tonight with some chicken fingers and a few guineas is right into you guys. That's where this pod came to life. Ice is ready and we are back with another episode of the Empty Netters podcast. brought to you by BetMGM. You can see that we are remote because it is a holiday, folks. It's a holiday here in the States. But as always, I am your host, Dan Powers. And on the sticks, this man makes this show run like Forrest Gump,

Sean Buffini. And this man over here makes this show go off the rails like the train and the fugitive. Chris Powers. How are we doing, boys? As always. A couple trains. A couple running trains. Forrest Gump running, I guess he's not a train.

Does he ever take a train in that movie? He probably does. Even if it's not on screen, I think you, as a betting man, you would say for scum. He's on a train at some point, I am sure. I mean, the man was in the war. You've got to be on trains. You fuck with the war. Sean, do you like trains?

I'm a big train guy. I, look, I got, this is the Southern California train museum shirt on right here. I need the people at home to know that. but I did not see that shirt on Sean before I started making train comparisons to start this episode. It tickles a certain part of the tism for me, you know? Yeah. I love. The museum, Sean, that must have been nice.

Oh, the museum was sick. Yeah, to have all the old, you know, the street cars that they took off of L.A. They're all there. Wow. You can ride around on a little Santa Monica street car. It's great. If trains were more readily available in the United States, I would, even if it meant the time for me to get to my destination,

was doubled or more, I would take trains. I think trains are so fun. But you mean like old school trains, though? No, any train. I love trains now. Okay. I feel like we've had a couple chances to take trains from New York to Boston and we're like, that would be a disaster.

I'm not doing it. I have done the train from New York to Boston, and it's great. The only issue is that it's as expensive as a plane. It's frustrating. Yeah, and it's the, we're the greatest nation on earth. Why are our trains so slow? Yeah, dude. Why are our trains slow and expensive?

It's like, we got to get better. But hey, we're not bad-mouthed trains here. We love trains. We need more trains. You better not be. Yeah. All right, lots to talk about in this episode. We're going to jump right into hot ice because we had a big weekend of news and spicy things going on.

Rasmus Anderson. Possibly the number one defense. trade target going into this season. He has finally been moved. And it went to a familiar name, although it didn't look like it at first. Rasmus Anderson traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, 50% salary retained. Going the other way, we got Zach White Cloud. We got Prospect, Abram Weeby, a 2027 conditional first round pick, a 2028 conditional

second round pick. Unbelievable deal. Vegas yet again gets their guy. And CP, I don't know if you're aware of this from 2017. to 2026. Vegas has traded all but one of their first round. Or excuse me, to 2027, because this was a 27 first round pick. They have traded all but one of their first round picks.

And you know what? Vegas is a contender every single year. Don't know how many times we need to say this to fans. Trading your first round pick for certified good players is the same thing as using your first round pick. Stop overvaluing first round picks. Know that it is okay and smart to use them for players who are established NHL talent. It is the same thing, if not smarter, because you know the player is already good in the NHL.

And I will add that it's late picks because you're good. So the scouting is so good now that these top, top end prospects, are rarely missing, rarely. But the back end of the first round is a total crapshoot, not total crap shoot, but you know, it's going to be something down the road. And it's incredibly helpful

if you have young stud NHL players on tiny, tiny contracts. And doing what Vegas does requires you to get really creative and be very cup-broke. Move on from a Logan Thompson. Move on from a Jonathan Marshall, so where you're like, hey, we can't afford you because of this and that and this move.

But as long as you're willing to bob and weave like that. And it hasn't really hurt the culture at all, right? Like, I don't think players know Vegas is cutthroat, but they're not like, I don't want to play there. They do want to play there because they go, it's fucking cutthroat and they compete for ships. So you got to know that's what you're going into.

But man, it must be so fucking fun as a Vegas fan. Not to ricochet anybody, but just to use a topical example, how much have we heard from Wings fans over the last few years of like, God, we don't do anything. You know, like make a fucking move. Vegas fans, like every year. It's like, we're fucking haymaker. Are we going to throw down on somebody to make sure we're in the mix for a cup?

And then it comes. It comes every time. It's unbelievable, man. It's unbelievable. It's a good deal. It doesn't come with an extension, which is the, you know, concern. But at the same time, like you just said, Chris, you know, if anyone is curious, if people want to play in Vegas, Jack Eichel makes, it was the captain of Buffalo, you know, gets a move going, goes to Vegas.

extends in Vegas. Mitch Marner chooses Vegas. Noah Hannifan chooses Vegas. Tamash Hurtle chooses Vegas. Everyone wants to go and stay there. And let's remind people this summer, end of last year, Vegas was always coming up with Rasmus Anderson. This is a top defenseman in the NHL, a Swedish guy who is choosing Las Vegas to play in.

And I mean, what would make us think that he's not going to extend? end. We'll see what happens if he hits free agency. Sure, maybe. But it's like this was a team that was always coming up for Anderson. And then this is the trade that they agreed upon. It's, you know, it's not surprising. And it makes you be like, yeah, okay, this is probably where he's just going to end up and go. So let's talk the misses real quick. Yes. Let's talk the misses. There's really only two that I want to bring up. People want to talk about Toronto being in the mix. They want to talk about Detroit, this, that, and the other. Really from what we're hearing and believe it or not, folks, we do have. sources. The only teams that were really in the mix other than Vegas was Dallas and Boston. Dallas was definitely in the mix and they were kicking tires. This was a player that fits with their group and it does look like defense being bolstered up in Dallas is something that they care about. Boston was the big one though. There was, you know, you heard us talking about it. You heard Elliott Friedman talking about it very, very heavily. There was a deal in place with Calgary and Boston. Rasmus Anders.

was very aware of it, both GMs were talking, the deal involved the Toronto first round pick that Boston has. It involved Mason Lurie, and there are discussions that it also might have involved Matt Potra, whether immediately or later. The deal in place then allowed Raspas Anderson to talk to Boston and talk about an extension, because that was important to Boston. They were only making this deal if Anderson was going to sign. The deal was looking like eight years by 7.9, or $8 million a year, would have given Boston, arguably, if not certainly the best top four in the NHL,

in my opinion. If you have McAvoy, Rasmus Anderson, Hampus Lindholm, and Nikita Zadorov in your top four locked up long term, that is unbelievable. You're feeling good. Yep. Feeling very, very good.

Now, the deal fell apart, whether it be Conroy, got a little greedy, asked for more, and it made Sweeney a little bashful, didn't want to do it, whether it be Anderson not wanting to extend in Boston, Either way, kind of at the one-yard line, the deal falls apart. Vegas is able to jump back in.

And again, no extension, but they get their guy as they fucking always do. Unbelievable. Oh, dude. And you're right. It's always going to go that way. As a Bruins fan, when I first heard the smoke, I was like, oh, wow, that would be crazy because it's a great player. And it's time for the Bruins where I personally have said a few times.

I don't think I need to be a massive buyer here. I don't need to push for playoffs here. I am completely comfortable as a Bruins fan of missing playoffs this year and continuing to build and keep going. But if you have a chance to get a guy like Rasmus Anderson and everybody's happy with it, then like you just said, why not walk up that incredible top four on defense? Once the package came out,

I am kind of sitting here happy it didn't go through. and I don't know how you feel. And I'm not saying I'd be mad if it went through. I'd be like, okay, we got a great player and whatever. But I'm kind of pleased that I, because I'm, again, I'm not a big, we need to make playoffs this year. What the fuck guy? Yeah. So I'm like, all good.

I'm okay. How do you feel? I have a lot to say about Boston. I called, when we talked about this, I sort of tweeted out and I was like, Boston was unexpected for me. I think coming into this year, everyone was curious about what Boston would and could do. And then going after a guy like Raspus Anderson feels like a win now type of move. So I was like, fucking right, Sweeney. And listen, man, I have been very open about my criticisms of Don Sweeney over the last few years. And I stand by every single one of them. But I also stand by everything that

I've said in the last 10 months with Don Sweeney. I think he's got a plan. I think, as much as the Marchand, Carlo and Coil trades and like that hurt, every Boston Bruins fan, look at where you are now. Yes. Look at guys like Fraser Minton and how well he's playing. Everyone is stroking themselves to this Toronto first round pick. You don't have that without those moves by Sweeney. And it's like, I think the vision is actually pretty interesting.

And I'm also going to give him a ton of respect for, you know, being aggressive here and wanting to make a move. And it sounds like for Boston fans, if anyone's upset that this, trade fell through, they're not done. Like, they're moving on to the next option here. I think that they are looking for the future and they're also looking for right now because the East is wide open. I am a massive Mason-Lauri believer. He is a friend.

I'll be honest with that. But at the same time, like, I love this kid's game. The fact that Mason is a 25-year-old, six-foot-five left-shot D-Man who moves the way that he does and has the hands that he does, I think he's a special player. got him at 3.2 mill for this year and next year. So I'm not sad that Mason didn't leave the Bruins if I'm a Bruins fan. I think he, I think the defensive side of his game is what he needs to work on,

if there's anything he needs to work on. And I know that he knows that and is working on that. So yeah, man, this is a trade that falls through that you're, that you're like, ah, shit. But you're also like, well, that means we get to keep Mace. That's, that's great. So I think it would have been a great move, man. I mean, it's like there's a big Swedish contingency in Boston now, adding Rasmus, he would have fit in great.

I think he would have loved Boston, and I think he would have done very well in Boston. So it's one of those ones where, as a Boston fan, I think you should say, shit, that would have been cool. And also, man, if you get 29-year-old Rasmus Anderson at 8 by 8, that's a good fucking deal. Yep. So I don't think you should be devastated either way here, I suppose, is my answer. I could have made myself happy either way, but I guess I'm not devastate. I feel glad. Usually when your team is this close to a huge trade, and there's even reports that it's through,

and then it goes away, you're like, oh, my fucking God, dude. We can never have nice things. And I'm happy that I don't have that level of devastation right now. So that's good. On the Vegas side, dude, Pacific's a nightmare. We've been joking about that all season. Vegas looks like the best team. Jack's been incredible.

Marner's been very good, right? Like, I wouldn't say Marner's been incredible because you had such high hopes. Agreed. By pairing him with Jack, but Marner's been very good. Yeah. And you've survived a lot of goalie issues and are still, you know, bumping around first in the Pacific. But we had said preseason that Vegas was a popular Stanley Cup pick after the Marner pick up over the summer, popular popular pick. And I was just like, I don't know how you win the cup with losing Petrangelo.

I don't think you can win this cup, losing Petrangelo, and with this current team. I think his current team is very good. You make playoffs, and then that's it. And Petrangelo and Anderson are different players, but is Anderson the bolster on the blue line that maybe we felt like Vegas was missing, that actually puts them back in this conversation of Vegas is a machine, a well-oiled machine at every level, and they can now win the cup. Yes, he is, in my opinion. People forget, man, it's,

we always talk about it on this show how important right shot, left shot is on D. And it's one of those funny things where we're like, I don't get this. Why is this so important? But it is so important. And right shot D is rare. Bizarrely in the league,

which is just so embarrassing that I'm not in the league. Like, what the fuck? It didn't, yeah, it goes in waves. But Alex Petrangelo is a right shot D. And that is a massive loss. And Rasmus Anderson is a right shot D. So it's like you just added, I mean, frankly, Chris, you know, it's like you have your first line right shot D now on this team.

So it's huge. But with Vegas, everything to me comes back to goalie. It feels like Vegas feels confident about whether it's Hill or Hart coming back, which is. frankly shocking to me. I don't know how they can be confident at all. Only because the injuries and the inconsistency has been so prevalent that I'm like, I don't know how you're confident

about any of this. But I mean, this was their move. They make a move every season and this was their move. That's like, yep, here we go. That is our big move. It might be the biggest move of the season and the deadline. But I mean, shit, it's, you're pumped right now. If you're a Vake.

And I love that they did it now, Dan. You know, like, I'm sure there was conversations of deadline and stuff. It's like, bro, get them in, get situated, get comfortable with the team and the system and everything so we can really go. Because post-Olympics into trade deadline is going to be such an insane sprint to the playoffs. And that can be chaotic. This was genius, dude. This was, and you don't get swooped. This was awesome.

Agree. It's massive. Another massive move. Matthew Cachuk is back. Tonight. Matthew Kachuk is officially back tonight, Monday the 19th. It's playing against the sharks. Yeah.

Matthew Kachuk back in the lineup. So that is one of the pieces, one of the biggest pieces that we keep talking about with this Florida Panthers team. And actually, it's come up a bunch recently with Florida Panthers fans. I keep saying it every single week and CP, you wrote it down. But yeah, with the injuries to this team, you had Kachuk, Barkov, Kulikov, Gajv, Nosek, Nosek, Seth Jones. and now Marci is day-to-day as well. But here you go. One of the biggest pieces of the puzzle, Matthew Kachuk, he's back.

He's back before Olympics, which means he's going to get, you know, a good sample of games in here to get back in the rhythm. Then he'll get going with Team USA and now you're back on the team. And here's the big thing, man. Everyone keeps talking about playoffs. Everyone keeps talking about the standings, how things are changing, where teams are, this, that, and the other. And every fucking Sunday, when we're doing hockey, talk, we get people going, should I be worried about the Panthers? Are the Panthers cooked, this, that, and the other?

The Florida Panthers are four points, four out of a wild card spot, and they just got back Matthew Kachuk, and they're going to get back these other guys. This team is exactly where we said at the beginning of season, when Barkov went down as well, we went literally all they need to do is survive. Yep. And they are fine. And now you're, one of your top

two forwards is back. I do think that they are completely fine but I wonder if you could get them in a interrogation room to tell the, tell the truth, tell the truth. If you could get them to tell the truth, I think

they would go Matthew came back a little bit, tiny bit later than we thought slash hoped, and we are a little bit lower than I thought and we hoped. I think they were going, we are the clear one seed, if healthy, which we're not. So we will probably be not even the two, not even the three, but we will be like bumbling around as the wild card team. And then we get the boys back. We're going to make a real push for it.

and now they are currently in a, and it's only four points. That's why I agree we do. They're completely fine. But I do think they're like, ooh, we got a little work to do. You know, where it's like, yeah. Of course. Obviously, they would go in a perfect world. We're just in playoffs still.

We're fine. Yeah. But again, it's, you know, the big ones were Kachuk was out, Barkov then was out. You didn't anticipate all of these other ones, dude. It's like Kulikov getting hurt was insane. Gadjavik getting hurt sucks. Seth Jones getting hurt is brutal.

Now, Marci. they've had even more than they expect or than they knew and they're still right here. So certainly they know they have work to do, but I think if I'm this team, I'm laughing, dude. I'm like, yeah, man, we're fine. But at the same time, you can't say that and then fuck up and, you know, continue to slip. But this is the first step. We always knew these steps were coming in terms of guys coming back into the lineup and getting Matthew could chuck back is huge and and frankly I think what's funny with him

is you could make the argument because he plays so hard and he's always fucking injuring himself because he's so intense that you don't want Olympics but in this circumstance since he hasn't played all year and Olympics isn't as you know with IAHF it's not as physical there's no fighting I am if I'm a panthers fan I love that Olympics is coming up for this guy because he's just going to go out there and get to wheel around and get back in the rhythm. So I think that this is, and frankly, for everyone else in the East, it's the most terrifying thing in the world. As we said last week, Tampa Bay Lightning are absolutely firing. But if you're the Tampa Bay Lightning and you're looking at the fact that you're top of the Atlantic and there's a chance that the Florida

Panthers are going to get the second wild card and you see them in the first round, you are crying yourself to sleep. What do you need from Matthew rest of the way? There's 30, 35 games left for the Panthers. I'm going to be harsh. I need a point per game. I think so too. Matthew Kuchuk is a 100 point a season type of player. He is a heartbeat type of guy. I don't necessarily need him to do that right off the rip. I don't need him in this.

I don't need him tonight to have a goal and assist. But I need him to, by game 10, be in a rhythm. And I think he wants it, man. Like he hasn't played hockey since lifting the Stanley Cup. I think he needs to get back in rhythm because he's not a guy who looks at their two Stanley Cops and is like, I'm chilling. No, he wants to win every single day.

He wants to win a gold medal in February. So, yeah, I need him to be point per game. No, and he's been over point per game in the last four years, four years and three years ago, way over, and then the last two barely over. But I think that's right, dude. I think I might need, like, you know, even more. I'm like, especially with some of these guys out,

Barkoff out, I'm like, dude, you've got to step up. These are times when you've got to be the guy. You got to be Matthew Kachuk, the guy we wanted. 100%. Come do it. Okay, one last topic in Hot Ice that I wrote down. Given this discussion, we are close to 50 games through the season. I have no idea how that has happened.

We're about to head to Olympics here, but we got, you know, 35 or so games left in the season. And we're starting to see the shape of the playoff picture. Who CP, because there are a lot of surprises this year. If you're looking at the standings right now, There are a lot of big, big surprises. Who in the East and the West are teams that are cannot miss playoffs for you? And I'll give you an example of this discussion. So I'm looking at the East right now.

You look at the bottom of the standings. I see a team like the New York Rangers, for example, who are in the last place in the East. I do not consider them a cannot miss. I actually think the Rangers at the beginning of the season, I picked them to miss the playoffs, and I said that that is a good thing. because I think the retool is here.

It needs to happen. It needs to start going. So I actually am not looking at the Rangers being like, shame on you. You can't miss. I'm like, no, that's okay. You're in a space where you can miss. The Philadelphia Flyers,

I know they've been up and down. They've been in playoffs, out of playoffs. If they miss the playoffs, I don't think that that's sound the alarms. You cannot miss. But there are teams where I'm like, yikes. You missing playoffs is a bad look. And I'm curious what your picks are in that topic.

should I include the Red Wings or do we just we both think they're going to make it but like they're just so absolutely I mean like they are securely in second place in the Atlantic right now but yeah if you want to include them you can include them for sure

Here's my entire list of teams where I go if you miss this is fucked because like something bad has happened my list is Detroit Toronto Washington I'm going to say Florida yeah

Agree. 100% agree. And I got to say the Devils, too, I think. But that's it for me. That's my entire list for the East for me. Okay. I'm going to, I agree with all of those. Okay.

I didn't know if you were going to include the Devils. Oh, dude. The Devils are, the Devils should be winning the Metro. Like, the devil's missing playoffs is a catastrophe. And frankly, when I look at this team, they're barely above 500. They have a minus 22 goal differential. The Dallas, or excuse me, the New Jersey Devils being this bad is inexcusable. It's utterly inexcusable.

And I'm like so many heads need to need to roll on this team if they miss playoffs. I'm talking, I'm going Elyn Payne executioner. I am lob. I am lopping heads off like you wouldn't believe on this team if they miss playoffs. And I'm talking trades too. Like I would blow this team up if they miss playoffs. This is insane. So the devils for sure are in there.

You didn't say Boston and Buffalo. And I agree. And it's funny because they're playing, they're both playing so well. I mean, Buffalo's got like a 606 point percentage. Like they're buzzing right now. Yeah. But you didn't include, so I agree with those. You agree to not include them?

Yes, but like barely. You did not include Montreal, which shocks me. Because Montreal, you know, playoff team last year and in a first round, a matchup against Washington, a lot of Montreal fans are like, we should win this match. I think with how good that they've been from the very start of the season, with the situation they have with trades that they can make, and the state of the Atlantic, the state of the east,

then if somehow they slip out and they miss playoffs, that is unacceptable. Yeah, I think I was like they, I kind of pegged them for like a, it would be bad. It would be bad. But I was like, uh, they'll survive basically. If they miss playoffs this year, they're going to go, fuck, and then, you know, be okay.

Unacceptable. And one that is slightly less unacceptable, but one that I'm also kind of being like, guys, I think the Ottawa senators, I think that it is crazy that we are letting this team off the hook. And it's you especially because you are such a senator's guy, just banging the drum of how good this team is. And I think it is crazy that none of us in the media are giving them shit

because I am blown away with how mediocre this senator's team has been and everyone is just being like, whatever. What you're right about is it was like this earlier too. Like all hell's broken loose now. So like that's kind of why I didn't. say anything, but the, but they were, they were flirting with missing playoffs all year. Correct. So that is, that is a fair take and correct, because we, they were like, we're going to

beat the Leafs last year, you know, and now I'm like, did you go, did you fall back into nothingness again? Like, God, that is unacceptable. It's crazy. All right, let's kick it to the West. Any teams in the West that you think cannot miss playoffs? And again, like on the, in the East, I didn't even say to Tampa and Carolina, because I'm like they're making it, you know?

Yeah. Those teams I'm ignoring because I'm like, I assume you are absolutely and obviously making playoffs. Right. So I would say you cannot miss the playoffs. And this one's a little trickier, actually. Because everyone that is going to miss, I'm kind of like, that's okay. You cannot miss.

This is probably harsh because they're going to miss. but you cannot miss if you're the Jets and you cannot miss playoffs if you're the Kings and that maybe is it Utah and Anaheim I almost said I'm going to go up and say Edmonton you cannot miss playoffs but to your point

and I never thought that was ever in question but obviously you cannot miss playoffs if you're Edmonton but they're fine They're in playoffs. The big ones to me are the Jets. The Jets, this is unbelievable what's currently happening. And if you miss playoffs, I think that that is astounding. And I actually have really loved the spin zone Jets fans are trying to do.

They're being like, no, dude, this is always the plan. We're going to go get Gavin McKenna and blah, blah. I'm just like, okay, I don't think that was always the plan, guys. Preseasoned. Everyone said this. Yeah, hell yeah. We picked the Canucks to miss playoffs. but what is going on with this team is insane. Yeah.

Fair. I don't want to harp on the Canucks, but we all just conveniently forget that it was, what, three years ago, two years ago when they were the best team in the league. Yeah. And now we just have two years in a row where they're just so bad and they've traded away their captain. And now people are being like, and now we're going to trade away Pedersen. We've got to trade away. And I'm like, what happened, guys? But I do think you're right.

The big ones are the Jets and the Kings. And I don't think the King's situation is getting talked about enough. It's interesting when we talk about the Pacific, you've got Seattle, San Jose, and the Kings really in that last Pacific spot, if we're being honest. And if you let the Seattle Cracken get into the playoffs over, if you're the Ducks or the Kings, frankly, and what's crazy is I want to put the sharks in there now.

I think preseason we never thought the sharks would be this good. But now that you are this good, I think you have to, Will Smith is back in the lineup. You have to have a conversation about that third Pacific spot is so up for grabs. But if you are the L.A. Kings and you have the talent you have on this team, and it's Cope's last year where he has announced his retirement. Yep.

And you are letting what is happening currently happen and doing nothing about it. It is inexcusable. And the quick rant on the Kings will be, I've been saying this. I believe firmly that the tools to this team's success are in the locker room and they're being misused. I feel passionate about that. And I think you can see it. I think you can see the frustration on the players' faces with how things are going and how they're being used. And also this, no one's talking about this, man.

Going into the season, so many people had all these questions about the King's defense. dude, every game goes to overtime and they go and the Kings can't score. Well, I got news for you. If the Kings can't score and you're going to overtime every game, it means you're not given up a lot of goals. Yep. Which means Darcy Kemper is a Vesna caliber goalie yet again. Again.

It means your defense is playing incredible. So something needs to change. Fifth least amount of goals given up in the league. Yes. Something needs to change with your team. And I don't think it's the players. and frankly the fact that you have waited till game 48 of the season before doing anything about it is fucking mental to me by the management so totally with you there is given how open that third spot in the Pacific is it is ridiculous and honestly man the the you look at the top i know the abs are such an outlier but like 74 points for the abs 63 and 63 for dallas and minnesota the top of the pacifes is only 60.

And then after that, it's 58 with Edmonton. And Edmonton has two games. That's the wild card in the east. Like the sabers have 57, I think. Yeah. So it's like, guys, the Pacific is there for you to get into the playoffs and to be doing what you're doing is inexcusable. I completely agree.

Yeah, that might be my biggest one in the league. Like, if you combine and you're like, who cannot miss? Like, them are the Leafs, I guess. You know, it's like. Yeah, the Leafs would be insane. But you're being, you're being way too easy on the dead. Devils again, dude. Yeah.

It's ridiculous. All right. That's it for Hot Ice. Let's do a quick ad break and then jump on into some other stuff. All right, everybody, every single Tuesday of the NHL season, BetMGM, our favorite partners are dishing out extra winnings. And how do you get extra winnings, Chris? That sounds sick.

I would like those. Well, use the NHL odds boost token. All right? So to get in on that fun, you just log into your BetMGM account and you add any NHL bet to your betslip. It can be a goal score or money line, whatever you're you. you feel like. And then you just activate the NHL odds boost token. And then if your boosted bet hits, you get an even bigger payout than you would have. That is sick. That does sound sick.

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Oh, definitely a big name. Big name that's been floated around. Kiefer Shirwood goes to the Sharks from Vancouver. Vancouver gets Cole Clayton, defenseman, a 2026 second round pick and a 2027 second round pick. So two seconds. And Cole Clayton go to Vancouver, Kiefer Shirewood, to the Sharks. Again, that was a,

Sherwood is such a classic, great name, like middle six guy, gritty guy, does it all. He was always getting moved. Love that he's moved to the sharks, because that is the sharks, given what we just talked about, identifying there's a massive opening to get into playoffs here. Sherwood helps you.

Love that they're making moves, and they didn't give up too much. And making them now, right? Just like we were talking about with Anderson, dude. Like, go, let's go. Don't wait. I need to wait till March. Let's do it.

Yep. Unbelievable. Okay. C.P. Nettors College puck drop. Let's get it going. and talk to me about what happened last weekend in the college game. Well, we had our game of the week highlighted last week,

which was number four Michigan State going to number two, Wisconsin. Absolute Tilt. And we had Michigan State take care of business, beat them 4-3 on Friday and 4-1 on Saturday. Wisconsin had some epic wins earlier this year, and they deserved their ranking. But we always did feel like Michigan State was lurking, right? Like they've at times looked like the absolute class of college hockey.

Monster Weekend and I'm not saying they're taking the top spot, but I am saying wins like this make me feel like they are actually the best team. Yeah, I hear you. Like, you know, it's hard to argue with that. And I hate to say it because obviously I'm a Michigan man. Number 14, Providence went to 12 BC on Friday. They beat them 4-3 in OT and then hosted them on Saturday and beat them 4-3 in regulation. I hate to see that for the Eagles,

but that's a monster, monster result for Providence. That's going to be a big switch. Unbelievable stuff. And then my boys, Michigan went to Minnesota. They went 5-1 on Friday and 3-2 in OT on Saturday. But a big two-win game against a tough, tough team for Michigan. They're the best team in the country. They will remain the best team in the country.

Minnesota had such a great surge right before the holidays. And them in Arizona State, and I was being like, man, they're going to save their season. And, you know, losing to the number one team in the country, is not a bad thing, but I feel as though this is the nail on the coffin for Minnesota, just because it's like you needed to steal some of these, you needed some of these huge upset wins to prove that you're an at-large team, even though you stunk for long stretches.

So that's tricky for me. But fuck, good, good, good, good weekend, though. I know. Okay, a little bit of kind of like round-robony chaos action. 13 Cornell had 18 Princeton in town for an Ivy Battle. Cornell won that game 2-1 on Friday. Then Cornell hosted number seven, Quinnipiac on Saturday and lost 4-1,

Quinnipiac Wagon. Princeton lost 2-0 to Colgate on Saturday, so it was actually a really tough weekend for the Tigers. Roodle weekend for the Tigers. Quinniak beat Colgate 5-1 on Friday, so good weekend for them, including that great win over Cornell. Yeah, and you're absolutely right.

You've been saying it all year. Quinnipak is a very, very, very good program. Number eight, Penn State. We've been given Penn State a lot of grief saying that, you know, they've got to fit your stuff out here. had all the hype going into the season. Well, they beat Notre Dame at home 4-1 on Friday and 6-3 on Saturday. McKenna had five points over the weekend and two goals on Saturday.

So we gave McKenna a little bit of a kick in the ass. And there you go. He gets two goals. He hadn't been popping the net, pucking the net too often, but two on Saturday, a five-point weekend. That's going to be nice every single day of the week. Big stuff for Penn State. Maybe they're starting to find the rhythm here in the new year.

You like to see it. Yep. A couple hiccups around right at the 10 mark. Number 11, Yukon. They beat Vermont 4-1 at home on Friday, but then lost 4-2 on Saturday. Vermont's had some good wins this year. And then 10 Dartmouth tied Clarkson at home 2-2 on Friday. Say it with me, dude, Clarkson. Clarkson. Always giving people fits. It's crazy. Making some noise. Dartmouth responded with a win over at St. Lawrence for nothing at home on Saturday, but some minor, minor stumbles there for 10-11 in the country. Yeah, absolutely. BU, 20th in the country, they lost at home to Lull, 4, 3 and O.T on Friday, but then they beat Lull at Lull 3-0-0 on Saturday. I feel like this is BU's M-O, man. It just splits all day.

They're going to stay in this like 25 to 20 to 18 ranking range, because they can never get the two wins in a weekend, it feels like it's frustrating. And take care of home ice, dude. Like they'll get these rebound wins on the road, which is great. but I'm like, dude, win in front of your fans, you'll turn it from this whole season around. Beanpot right around the corner, though. We heard Cole Eisenman say that the bean pot changed their whole season last year. So I'm very excited for that.

First two Mondays of February is going to be incredible. Number 17, Minnesota State went to Michigan Tech, lost 3-1 on Friday, lost 4-1 on Saturday, tough weekend. Minnesota State slipping a little bit here in the new year. Once the calendar changed, they've been in a little bit of trouble. Yeah. Number six, Duluth, St. Cloud on Friday. They lost six nothing.

but then they responded with a 5-3-1 on Saturday. At the end of the day, this is a loss on the weekend for me. Oh, yeah. You get pumped six ripped to St. Cloud when you're the number six team in the country, and we keep talking about how Duluth people are sleeping on Duluth, this, that, and the other. Six-nothing loss is no joke. I know it's an in-state situation, but that is brutal stuff. And it's not okay.

It's not okay for Duluth. That's going to make them slip in our rankings, I promise you that. Another huge tilt. Number nine, Denver went to number three. 5, Nodak. No, DAC won 5-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-1-1-1-1-1-1-7. Those are two fucking heavyweights. And good win, because if you jump two there, if you're Denver, I know it's on the road,

but you dump two there, that's, you know, now I'm like, oh, shit, it's early season Denver again. So good recovery on that one. That's a tough place to play. Yeah, and then rounding it out. Number 15 Augustana, I feel like people sleep on the fact that Augustana is 15 in the country. They beat Fair State 4-0 on Friday and 4-3 in O-T on Saturday. Two good wins.

I know unranked fair state, but that's what we always say. You have to beat unranked opponents. And when you're a smaller school like this, who's in a top 20 ranking spot, you get a 2 in O weekend. It's exactly what you want. Some fireworks over the weekend, though. We had the fight. We had the dust up. And I have, I think what you might think is a crazy take on this CP.

Go ahead. I absolutely hated this. Why? Dude, I think Let me say this. So there was a massive fight over the weekend. Like this was just a full-on hockey fight. You had Sasha Boisvert, who is a big NHL prospect,

fighting Connor Eddy. And like, dude, these kids, they take off their buckets. They drop their gloves. they get in a full tilt. I was actually shocked to see how much the refs let it go. Yeah. They let them fight. I absolutely hated this, not because I hate fighting,

not because I don't want the boys to, you know, have emotions and get in the mixer. I think this is insane, given that they're both now tossed from the game and tossed. What is their suspension now? Two games. Two games. If I'm on that team, if I'm on BU, I'm looking at Sasha and I'm going, hey dude fuck you

you're a super important player on this team we are ranked 20 in the league and we're losing to fucking UMass Lowell like we we can't lose you for two games if I'm on that VU team

I'm pissed at him that's that's my take that fighting is not allowed in college hockey for any new listeners who are unaware of this it is not part of the game it's not allowed and so many people who are like what are the refs doing getting involved there.

This is another thing, guys, like if those kids fall and they smash their head or something, like you got a whole bag of issues, so don't get on the refs about getting involved. I just thought from a, again, I have no problem with fighting in general. I think if I'm a member of this team, I'm pissed off of my teaming.

That's why I hate it, because I'm like, dude, that's not allowed. You just got kicked out of this game, so you're hurting us for this game, and now you're suspended for two games. You're an important player. You're hurting us for this season. If I'm on that team,

I'm trying to win a national championship. I'm trying to win hockey east. I'm trying to win a bean pot. And like, you're getting kicked out of the game doesn't help us. Yeah, I, those are all the right. That's the right thing to say. I guess my only issue with, I don't even that mad about the penalty because it's not allowed. These are the rules.

Like, you have to follow the rules. And I was actually afraid they were going to get tossed for the fucking year. Like, I literally thought they might be like, you're done for the rest of the year. So I was like, please don't freak out and throw the book at them. So two games, I'm honestly like, okay. That was, that was fun. because you're trying to set an example, but you didn't completely overreact. I guess I just didn't love Steve Metcalf, who's the hockey commissioner,

and I know he has a job to do. And as I just said, these are the rules. But his comment on, it was like, what took place on the ice Friday night was entirely unacceptable and has no place in college hockey. And I'm like, I guess that language was a little harsh for me, where it's like, dude, this is in the game. Like, this is in the game of hockey, something I have said I like that's in the game of hockey.

You agree with that. Where, yes, you're not supposed to fight in college. But I think if they went, hey, fighting's allowed, nobody. Not nobody, certainly, because some people hate fighting in the pros. But many people would not care at all. They think it's awesome. They'd like, oh, wow, you can fight in college now. That's cool.

I actually don't need to open this whole can of worms about what I think about fighting in college. No, I get what you're saying. My point is just it going, like, the way he was like that was a disgusting act. And I'm like, bro, fighting is people fight in hockey. Like, yeah, these guys got in a fight. It wasn't a disgusting act. I wish you would just gone like, unfortunately, that's not in the rules. So they will be punished accordingly, you know, instead of just being like,

there's no place for that. And I was like, well, there is a place for it, actually. I completely agree with that take. I think calling it disgusting is such a clutching your pearls. It's like, shut up. Yeah. I just thought it was dumb. The reason I hated it, that's where I thought it was dumb.

Yep. I thought it was so dumb. I, I, it's, it's, it's, it's like honestly my take on anything. It's, uh, uh, the, the liar, liar clip of Jim Carrey grabbing the phone and going, stop breaking the law, asshole. Yes. That is how I feel every time someone breaks the law or doesn't follow a rule. Yep.

There are rules in this game. There are rules in life. Follow them and you won't get in trouble. The picture is so sick though. And yeah, it's, it's so sick. But yeah, I, I, I stand by my. take, I mean, I remember, I remember being on teams in my life and got, I mean, go back all the way back to high school.

When a guy on my team would get kicked off the team for however many games for drinking, getting caught drinking, I'd be like, you are an asshole. You are hurting this team because you wanted to be cool and drink beer and then you got caught. You're a moron. And it's like, anytime something like that happened, I was like, you're an asshole. The teammate who breaks a rule and gets kicked off a team is an asshole. Agree.

agree agree agree that is that all right let's get into our new rankings i think we've got to be in one too obvious one too obvious well i think it's michigan michigan state yeah yeah 100 okay and then wisconsin dude i want to go western michigan respect fine like listen i'm pretty sure that's the rank i think western michigan is number three in the official rankings right now so that's fine with me they've been incredible and they beat Wisconsin. So I'm like, they're going three. Okay, so yeah, we're going Michigan, Michigan State, Western Michigan. Yep. Now Wisconsin.

I would go, I would be down with Wisconsin or North Dakota. I like Wisconsin more than North Dakota. I just think Wisconsin is a better team still, even with the weekend results. So I think we go Wisconsin, Nodak. NoDak is now five. Yes. Okay. Yes. Yep, Michigan, Michigan State, Western Michigan, Wisconsin, No DAC at 5. So now we got 6 through 10.

I like Quinnipiac here. Ooh. Dude, Chris, Duluth is like... They're getting peepy whack. They're in trouble. They're getting peepyback. They're in trouble. Okay, yeah, let's go Quinnipec 6.

And then I, Dan, would go, I'd go Penn State 7. Completely agree. To give them some love. Because, like, great job. They deserve it. They deserve the love. So let's go Quinnip, 6, Penn State 7. Yep. So now we've got Denver, Dartmouth, Duluth.

Denver tough loss, but had a loss. Dartmouth little slip up. Oh, we haven't put Duluth in yet. Okay, yeah. Then let's go Duluth, 8. Duluth 8? Just because I think they are that good. They are pretty good.

And yeah, that's a good enough punishment. We're dropping them down to what were they six. Now we're going to drop them to eight. I'm okay with that. Yep. I want to reward Providence because they had a great weekend. I know. Do, does Providence get top 10 for us, though?

I think so. I mean, I like Providence over BC, obviously. Yep. I still like them a little bit more than Yukon. Yeah, because, like, Yukon had a bad loss. But do I like them more than Denver and Dartmouth? Because we've got 9-10 available here, and we've got Denver, Dartmouth, Providence. Yeah, I want to reward them for the wins because Dartmouth tied Clarkson.

But I could go Denver 9. But Denver was nine, and that's a tough law. I mean, they lost to Nodak at Nodak. Like, it's a hard game. That's a hard game. So I could keep them nine if we want and go nine, Providence, 10, or I could go Providence 9, Denver, 10. So you're deading.

Dartmouth. Dartmouth, out, Yukon, out, you lost, you tied. Good day. Okay, I think we got to go Denver, 9, Providence 10. Done. Boom. Done.

That is Netters College puck drop. Actually, no, it's not. Game of the week. Game of the week, Dan, big one for me. Big one for everyone. Big one for the world. Big one for college hockey fans. Western Michigan at Minnesota Duluth Friday, Saturday. Two teams that at times have looked like the best team in the country. So this is, this is Foreman. This is Ali Frazier, you know. Can't wait going to be an absolute battle this weekend. I will find myself in front of a TV with ways to illegally stream that game. Thank you very much. I love it. I absolutely love it. That is Nettors College puck drop. Make sure to tune into these games. If you're not yet watching college hockey, get in on it now. We're going to take a quick ad break and get into some knot ice. You know that our favorite sponsor in the world is Bauer,

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Let's get into some non-hockey topics to get the wheels turning. Get the train pumping to bring it back to trains. CB, you had some gym issues going on recently? Yeah, yeah. Basically, something came up, a story came up, and then people were so divided, and I was shocked at the controversy. So I needed to know where you guys net out.

So I'll start with the basic. I'll start with the baseline. All right. If you are at the gym, and I'm not saying you're working out at home, I'm saying you are at a gym. Any gym. LA Fitness, Equinox, whatever. How do you react if someone talks to you? If a stranger at the gym talks to you.

Baseline question. You get your headphones in, dude, and you're like, they're like, yo, and then you go, and then you go like this, sorry, I couldn't hear you. My headphones were in. What did you say? and how do you feel in that moment? This is complicated because I think for me, I'm fine with a hello.

I'm fine with a quick comment. Maybe someone sees my shirt and it's a shirt that they have something in common with and they just want to say something quickly. If I, when I go like this, one ear butt out, you now have 30 to 45 seconds to converse with me. And I'll tell you. Just to be clear, Dan, are you actually fine with a just hello? Like if that person goes, you go, boop, and they go, hey.

And you go, is that it? Absolutely, because I'll tell you this, buddy. If we get to a place in society where we're chastising folks for saying hello to each other, then we're falling apart. I am a big, we need more kindness in today's day and age. How nice is it, man, when you're walking down the street and someone just goes, how are you? You're like, that was kind of nice. You're walking past them, and it's kind of like, I'm not going to mug you on the middle of this empty street. But like, if you're in the middle of, I mean, Dan, I'm guessing you're like bench pressing like 250 at least.

Yeah. You're in the middle of doing that. And someone comes up and they go, hi, and you go, what? You put it down. You take out your air pot. You're like, what? And they go, hi. And then they just walk off again.

And then they put their shit back in and leave shot. Dan goes like, Kindness, baby. Thank you. Nice to see you too. All right. All right. No, we're not,

I'm not saying come and interrupt people's workouts. Like, that's a little too much. But if you're just like walking through the gym or like coming out of the locker room or something, and so I'm just like, hey, like that's fine.

Because you can do that with the pod still in. Like I do that. I'll be like, hey, yes. And then whatever, yeah. Let's say, let's,

I'm not saying say hi. while people are in the middle of a set. Let's remove the high thing. If someone comes up to say something, yes. When I go like this, you got 30 to 45 seconds. And I'll tell you what, if you see me motion back in, don't you're done. Don't you dare have an add-on.

There are no add-ons. So once the AirPod goes back in, our interaction is over. And I do think, I was talking to someone about this the other day. it's like I if you're at the gym with a friend and it's a weekend and maybe you've got some time, I'm okay with like a kind of leisurely social gym session where you're taking your time with exercises and you're kind of like hanging out. As long as you're not interrupting other people and having people wait on you. Because I will say when you're in a crowded gym, there are a few things more frustrating than when you're watching someone just yucking. it up with their buddy when you're trying to like wait for a machine or wait for something

that I feel like the gym for a lot of people is like I've got maybe one hour in here I need to be as efficient as humanly possible so please no one do anything to disrupt that dude wouldn't you say like you just said a lot of people so I know you're you agree but I'm like I think that it's like that for 98% of people I get I know people personally they're like I think that's how I go to the gym and chill. Like, I want to be, I'm going to just leisurely be here for hours. But, dude, I have, like, worked backwards from when I arrive at the gym. Like, I know exactly how long my work it's going to take, and I have worked backwards for my daily schedule to arrive at the gym at that time. So if someone literally derails me for five minutes, just being like, cool shirt, I went to

college there too. I'm like, get away from me. I have now missed a workout. I have now missed an exercise because this five minutes cost me the ab curler, dude. And now I'm not. I'm dead and I gotta go now. But wouldn't it like make a big difference if it was like, I think it's like what they're telling you is going to be a huge, huge thing. Like if they're just coming up and they're going like, hey, I like your shirt, do you like Pokemon or whatever's on your shirt? Like that's kind of lame, but someone comes up and goes,

hey, I'm a big M.P Nettors fan. You know, that's the ab curler then. Fuck, hold on. Yeah, hold on. Hey, you want to get a coffee? Everyone, everyone timeout. Sean casually throwing in there, the possibility that Chris is in the gym with a Pokemon shirt on.

Dude, my squirrel will cut off. My squirrel will cut off absolutely fucking rips. That you would think that. I know it's hard to believe. I don't go to the gym very often. I'm not very familiar what the attire is. I'm wearing a train shirt right now if you remember. Yeah, true.

Well, I mean, I, yeah, I think you're a little high. I mean, how many times are you in the gym, Chris, and you see, I mean, there are people just chilling. I think it's less. 98% but it is yeah but I mean I think a quick hey go go Miami there's nothing wrong with that you know yeah in a live with that but what if what in Dan it's um okay so now we're entering a couple levels up of this of the controversy okay what if it's a form conversation what if someone a stranger comes up to you and they go hey just saw you noticed you doing um those those shoulder presses

and actually you're back, you're a little bit forward. And if you really want to get the most outwork out, you've got to keep your arms back and whatever. You're getting unsolicited form advice from a stranger. If you're, if you are you guys and you've been doing this all day, every day for decades, then like I could see you guys being pissed off with that. If that was me and I'm like, I have no clue what I'm doing. So it depends on how long I've been at the gym for and how long I've been doing these things, I think.

I actually, I have an interesting take on this one. I act truly, if this comes with caveat, as most things do with me, if the person knows what they're talking about, I love when people do that. I, it's, you know, the times in my life where someone has come up to me in the gym and given me either advice to fix form or to go, hey, if you like this workout, you'll love this and it's actually knowledgeable and great. I love it. I think that's what the gym and gym culture is all about. but if this person is some jimoke and they have no clue what they're talking about I will turn into you Chris and be like you have just wasted time in my life that I will never get back sir kindly get away curler dude the ab curler is now dead and you cost me everything yeah that's a that's a tough one that's a great yeah that's so it sounds like you're okay

with the idea of like a gym um and and there's like dana you obviously went to f45 for a while where it's kind of like a class and you have, I don't know why I feel that's different, but I can accept that you have a friend, you can't talk in like a Barry's class. Right, yeah, but if you were like always at the same Barry's class with someone, I get that you'd be like, we're friends now. Like I see you at the gym.

It's like you work for it, you know. But I sounds like you guys are okay with the idea of just like a random person you see at your LA, at your equinox all the time. If that person the first day goes, hey, with the pod in. And then the second day goes, boop, love the squirtle cut off. And you go, thank you.

And then the third day, it's like, yo, dude, if you like this exercise, this one's even sicker. And then the fourth day, now you're friends. Like now, now you guys,

now you do pause when you see each other. And you go, yo, dude, boom, boom, do your handshake. No. And then say, what's good.

Be careful. Because like I said, I don't care of where, I don't care if you're the groomsman in my wedding. You still only have 45 seconds. Oh, really?

Yes. Even when you become boys with, Yes. Because. Wow. And again, as long as it's not weekend chill time. No, it's a Wednesday, dude. It's a Wednesday.

I am like you. You could be in, again, you could be in my wedding. And I do not have time to spare during the week. I am on a very regimented, time sensitive situation. I don't care if you're my dad. I am not talking to you for more than 45 seconds because I don't have 45 seconds to give. So what if he was like, what if he goes, Dan? What if you establish that?

And so he knows. So then he sees you Wednesday and goes, boop. And then he goes, It's my birthday on Saturday. We're going to Waterfront at 7 p.m. It'll be really fun. If you can come, you can bring up plus one. It just gives you 45 seconds of a weekend plan.

And then you go, I'll answer you tomorrow. If he did that, unfortunately, that was the full 45 seconds. If he did that, I would kiss him on the mouth because I would go, you honor and respect my time, sir. If he straight up took an Ace Ventura, inhale and unloaded 45 seconds of information, I'd be like, God bless you, Sam. Okay, okay.

Well, hold on, hold on. I want to pitch Sean this idea because, Chris, I feel like you have heard this idea before. What do you think about this, Sean? I think gyms in general are, there are so many elements about gym life. I think gyms have become too expensive. and it sucks how if you want a nice gym experience, like an equinox, for example, and you have a steam room, you have a sauna,

you have nice showers and products and stuff like that, you have to be okay with paying $350 a month for a gym, which feels asinine to me. But you know, you got to pay for what you want. I think maybe not all gyms, but there should be a gym chain that operates like an airline in that you can earn points.

So if you go to the gym every day, like if you are a gym goer, you are logging hours, you're putting in time, I think you should get rewards and either like pay less or maybe it unlocks things. Maybe not everyone can use the steam room.

Right. But if you are, if you're Equinox platinum, you can. You can get in there. Okay. I think that would maybe incentivize people even more to hit their gym goals. I don't like this class structure that you have created.

It wasn't class at first, Sean. It was just like, oh, you get a free month for miles. And then I made it quickly became classes. I have two. I accidentally made it classist. I'm sorry. I agree with you. For the brief times of my life where I have been going to a gym, it has been prohibitively expensive.

Yeah, they're crowded too. options, which I think might be better. The first option is advertising. Every piece of equipment, every wall, every surface, like has Coca-Cola on it or like Nestle. And you're working out and it's free because you're inside the most advertising like space you've ever seen. It's like times where in there. Sean, crazy brands to say in the gym. Nestle and Coke, sugar Coke, chocolate I was like What the fuck?

Well it's like You know You gotta make them break They're You know I think I mean that was Temptation

No he's right Dan It's pizza Pizza Hut Pizza Hut When you're in the gym KFC and Pizza Hut Yeah You're in the gym

And you're like I'm putting in a workout I deserve a nice sweet treat After this Maybe I'll grab a Coke And And Nestle's Crunch Bar

You could also Go the other way With option number two So that was like the extreme capitalist version. The extreme communist version is that all gyms are government mandated. They're free. You don't want your population getting fat. So you're not only are they free, you're mandated to go.

Wow. And dude, there's someone knocking on doors at night. Like did you go to the gym? Let me see a gym card. And you're like, yes. And you have to punch in, you know, and you show the time. But people are forging gym cards now. So there's a whole other business.

We're creating jobs now. We're creating jobs. Creating the economy. Yeah. I love the idea of the gym Gestapo coming around. We hear you skipped out on gym day. Like, no, no, please. We saw you what the pizza hut.

Your door gets busted in. It's the gym secret service, and they're like, you haven't been working out, pal. So there's no in between. Those are the two options for free gym. It's like, it's like mandated military service in South Korea. This is mandatory gym time in the U.S. I think people would be better for it.

I know that I, look, if I had prison time, facing me if I didn't go to the gym, I would definitely go to the gym more often. I think it's a good point. This is the last level of the controversy from this topic. Okay. Because we seem pretty aligned on, you know, whatever. Everyone's on a crunch,

but be friendly, all good. Do you flirt at the gym? Can you meet a significant other at the gym? If there's a girl, and kind of specifically in that direction, if there's a girl working out, can the dudes come up and be hitting on her at the gym?

gym while she's trying to do squats. No. Absolutely not. Not while they're in the middle of a set. Well, not in the middle of the set, but like, you know, she finishes and you go, how many more you got? You almost know what that? Well, here's the thing.

I, I'm not going to be the one to stand in the way of love. I would never do that. And I think a huge part of relationships and love is finding mutual interests. You're in a place where you clearly have a mutual interest. and how many relationships, I mean, I'm in one of them. A huge thing for Alice and myself is our love for exercise and working out. We work out together all the time. It's great.

So why would I not want to live in a world where other people might find that? However, I think approaching someone in the gym with romantic intent is possibly the most delicate thing on earth. It is, you got to be leaving people alone in the gym unless you are absolutely certain there is an opening for a hello or a conversation. So I don't know what the rules are there, but all I will say is I want to live in a world where it's possible because you might find your person.

But be careful. Be careful. I think it's a dangerous game. Wouldn't it be super awkward? Like if you get rejected and now you still have only that one gym time that you have to go to. Yeah, Sean. It's like it's the 4 o'clock in the morning time where no one's there. Yeah, it's just the two of you every day.

It's just the two of you every day now. Yeah. Although if there are two people at a 4 a.m. gym session, those two should be married. So you've got to take that shot. I think, no, Dan, I think you're right. And you got to, you should be able to shoot your shot. but I almost think you have to wait till a time when she's leaving. Yes, that's like the way outside.

Absolutely. You just want to say hi. Yeah, careful. When she's on a rush. Chris is like, follow her to her car. Follow her to her car. You get a bag. You put it over her head.

You shove her in the back of your car. You drive to an undisclosed destination. Good God. In and out. In and out. That feels okay. I think, instead of mid-workout. Maybe at the smoothie bar.

Yeah. That's the dream. Yeah, maybe at the smoothie bar, maybe when you're sitting at the front desk. I don't know. Is the gym not like the perfect place for the slow burn, though, rather than just going up cold and being like, hey, I like when you do squats. You want to go see a movie with me? Dude, you put a fold-out chair in front of the squat rachshan. Yeah, watching.

You're like, close. Isn't it more ideal that you do the whole, like, hey, nice squirrel shirt? And then the next time you go, hey, blah, blah, blah. And then, you know, over the course of like, you know, a couple weeks maybe at that point, now I should make a move at this point since we've already made a rapport. I think it's whoever you're approaching in the gym, I think you're right, Sean. It's it is the, it's the Instagram reels that we've all seen. It's the slow progression.

It's the maybe you throw a high. Just a, hey, how are you? Next time, I love Squirtle too. Yep. Next time. Looks like we're on the same. schedule. We're here all the time.

And then if there is if the earbud out is getting longer and longer seems like maybe there's some mutual interest talk to this person and say maybe you and I go get a blueberry banana smoothie together after this and bang, bang.

I do have one question about Jim's nowadays. Do you find that These mythical gyms Are people not listening to music Are they generally more conversational? Are people going to

Like going to the gym without headphones? No, God no. They'll strike up conversation? I can't remember the last time I saw a human in a gym Without their own personal headphones on And frankly, if I did see that I would call the police on them immediately.

Dude, agree. And Sean, we actually had this conversation too because, and now I'm aging ourselves, but there were moments in my life where I was going to the gym regularly before there was, like, there was always like Walkman and shit, but like I just never was going to clip

a fucking CD player to my waistband, you know? So I have stretches of life where I was a regular gym goer where you're just listening to the music they're pumping on the speakers. And conversation was way easier because you were like, hey, I'm just fucking sitting here.

You know, I actually really think gym interactions have gone way down with the invention of the iPod and all this shit, because it's like, you're also now seeing people with the, the new Apple over-ear ones, and it's like they're basically strapped into a pillowcase that they can't see or hear you. They're harder to talk to.

I'd rather talk to an AirPods guy than an over-ear guy. People are in their own world with the headphones out. Dude, I don't, I have to tell the story because it was so good. There was a guy. I at the gym, at the equinox in the marina with Sandra. And he, she, he, like, walked up. She was on a machine. And he go, and I think they have seen each other many times.

So it wasn't like a complete cold open walking up. Sure. And he walks up and asks if she has one more set or something, you know? Or she's like, how many sets you have left? And she's like, one more. And she's kind of, like, about to put her headphone back in. And he goes, what do you, what are you doing today? And it's like a Saturday morning, Sean, you know?

She goes, what do you, what are you doing today? And she's like, I'm having brunch with my boyfriend, you know, because which wasn't even true. Like we didn't have plans, you know, but she was just like, I have a boyfriend and I need you to not be hitting on me while I'm doing this. No, Sandra, she's one of those. She goes, I'm having brunch with my boyfriend. And he goes, no, I meant like, buys, try, like, what are you working on today?

And she was like, oh, I'm sorry. I am doing arms. Not everything's about you, Sandra. That is a good save, though. Yeah, I think he was asking. That's like, it lines you up perfectly to be like, oh, I wasn't actually interested. I was just wondering about her.

Just asking what workouts you were doing. Yeah. She's like, I'm on the arm machine. What the fuck do you think I'm doing? She's like, I'm getting brunch with my boyfriend. And he's like, yeah, me too. I meant what muscle groups are you hitting? Then he's at brunch with us, Stan.

It's the three of us. He's like, I was also getting brunch with Chris. What are you talking about? Oh, my God. Oh, Jim. Jim etiquette. It's a tough one. Let's jump on into a beer league hotline.

Sean, what do we got today? All right. We have a new guy on the team, and we can tell right away he's pretty good. Then after the game, it's shower time. He pulls out some shower sandals, fine. Then a shower kit with body wash with body wash shampoo and conditioner Not a three way all three So that's a little odd

Then homie pulls out a lufa The guy went in there with us chatting about the game Not a care in the world While he was soaping his body with a yellow lufa Do we cut him Do we all get lufus? Thoughts I, I, okay, okay. The, the person who set this in completely saved themselves with that last line.

I am going to defend this man with my life, with my life. This is, you know what this makes me think of? I don't know of either of you are Seinfeld guys. This is like when George is eating his snickers with a fork and knife. There's nothing wrong ever with classing up your life a little bit. And frankly, I think it is hilarious. Sean, in Beer League, it is the most standard thing in the world that we all go into the showers, some with shower sandals, some with not, and we use the shittiest four, five-and-one body wash,

shampoo, conditioner, face wash, nonsense. And everyone just goes, yeah, whatever, that's what's normal. It's doing all the things it says it's doing. You know what? You know what? You know what? This is the exact same thing as, Chris. this is someone who brings beautiful bottled modellos instead of, you know, like,

you're just classing things up. This is great. I mean, if I were in the showers and someone had a shower caddy with like nice body wash shampoo and condition, I'd be like, can I get some of that? I'd love to wash my hair with not body wash. But dude, I don't know, though, Dan. Well, first of all, I think you might be right. But on that point, I think I have no issue bumming your 23 and 1.

You know, when I'm like, hey, dude, I just, I mean, you do it, you just put your fucking hand out. And I'm like, here you go, bang. And because I'm like, this is, this was five bucks and it's 23 and one. Who gives a fuck? But I'm not sure you can be asking for the nice shit. Like, if this guy comes in with a full set, you can't be like, boom, boom, boom. Can I borrow your lufa? Yeah.

Yeah. You never touch a man's lupa, dude. You never touch a man's lupa. This man, that's fair. I mean, Chris, I'm going to ask. If he says, no, you can't have my pantine pro. Yeah. I don't know what's nice shampoo these days.

But I feel like this is an awesome move. I mean, the man is exfoliating. He's taking care. He's going through his regiment. And he's having fun in there. That's, first of all, absolutely you do not cut this man. Like, you protect this man at all costs. This is a genius here.

This guy has taken things to the next level. Where is the lufa after? Like, does he throw the lufa in his bag? Tell me that's locks. Come on! Go canes! Come on! Does he put the lufa in his bag after?

Like, you've got a wet lufa. Well, I bet it's just in his, first of all, I mean, a lufa, like, you can squeeze that out. It's like a sponge, you know? It's not sopping wet. But it sounds. like he's got a shower caddy. So I think he puts it back in the caddy, which then goes back in the bag. And then you just air that out when you get home, I guess. And also, who are you acting like your hockey bag is this sacred place that something can't be wet in there? Like, it's just a

gross place. That's what I was afraid of. I don't want the thing cleaning me in my hockey bag. You're worried about the lufa. You're worried about the lupa. You're worried about the lupa. I'm like. Imagine that he has some sort of like UV lufa case. That's like decontaminating it while it's in like UV light. That's what I'm thinking. That's such a good call. John, like he is, his lufa is going back in this case. It's drying it out. It's sanitizing it immediately. He started his own business.

This is his own brand. I like this idea. I agree. It's also kind of a dominance thing when you show how comfortable you are. You know? Dude, just getting that thing sudsy as fuck, dude, you know? It's like you're holding a snowball. Bro, I think if he get, if they all start doing it and then they are good.

Like if this team goes on a team. Name to the lufus. If they win, if they start winning championships and the whole shower is just lufus everywhere, you will start a revolution. The entire fucking league will be chasing that high. Yeah. I mean, yeah, so let's bring it back. Great call, Chris. Bring it back to the question.

You all get lufus. Yeah. No question about it. No question about it. You all get lufus. And if you guys start buzzing, frankly, maybe even if you don't start buzzing, I think the question for us three is, do you change the team names? to the lufas or to the shower caddies. I feel like shower caddies is kind of an awesome team name.

But lufas is better. It makes for a better logo. The logo is incredible. Incredible. The lufus. Do you think that his lufa was like just a handheld sponge or was it one with the wooden stick? Oh my God. I pray it's the stick, dude.

I pray, I was picturing handheld. I pray it's the stick. I pray it's a stick. I've got a feeling it's a handheld. Yeah. I have a, I've a, I've a sickening feeling that's a handheld as well. I hope it's a stick. And he doesn't mention it, but I'm also hoping he has like a shower cap in there too.

Yeah, you can't get hair away. Well, I don't think so because he's got shampoo and condition. Like, this man's doing the full, full shabang. But, but Sean, like a crossed stick, lufa, like instead of hockey sticks on the look. Get some, get a little bit of suds in the background of the logo there, too. That's interesting. That's something really incredible. I love this move.

I love it. Yeah. Yeah, I think, and they say he's a pretty good player as well. Yeah. Yeah. He can do whatever he likes. This man's just confident. And, Sean, that makes a lot of the difference sometimes.

You know, like if you are a plug and you've got a lufa, maybe it's like, all right, dude, enough of that. But when you're nasty and you've got a lufa, then everybody gets lufus. That's how the world works. Unbelievable. Let's go to a Bauer hockey blind ranking. Bauer are just, they're our best friends. I love the guys. It's true.

I love Bauer products. Head to toe, merch, gear. It's incredible. We got the Pulse stick. Everybody's got a pulse on our team because we won't shut up about it. And now it's the greatest stick on Earth. And Bauer Blind Ranking is the greatest segment on Earth. So we're going to get into a Bauer Blind Ranking this time.

This week, Sean, we are blind ranking goalie numbers. Ooh. Numbers. If you are a goalie in the NHL, what number you wearing? How fucking cool is it according to us? And I'm going to say before you start, Sean, Chris, Chris, this is their numbers. Don't let your ranking be affected by who you associate said number with.

But, Dan, but that's part of it. Because players make numbers cool. No, this is just the number. 68 is a cool number. Totally because of Yager. Like 68 was not a cool number at all. It's double even, which is trash. You hate that.

Yeah, it's awful. And then yager made it cool and you wore it. I think you could make the argument that it makes it even less cool because anyone else who wears it looks like a plug. That will act that's part of it too. That it can go all the way. It can go too far, you know? All right. Like, oh shit, 68 not cool.

68 now cool. Wow, 68 not cool anymore because yager's too good. You're out of control. If you're not associating players, Dan, then are we just like picking our favorite numbers then? Yeah. Yes, that's what I want to do. That's what I want to do. And I want to do it based on the number four, a goalie.

Like, we're just ranking goalie numbers. I will let a little bit of a player association league in. A player can make a number cool. Yes. And I will let a little bit of player association leak in here, but not a lot. Okay. I can't help but notice that 6-7 is not an option, nor is 69. Yeah.

I don't think we've ever seen a goalie wear those numbers. But, dude, I bet the 6-7 is coming. I bet 6-7 is coming. and Dan, the new generation is going to get old. We're going to have a couple professional hockey players who are kids right now. And it's going to be, that's going to happen. That's possible. Yeah, for sure.

All right, you guys ready? Yep. All right. 34. Don't love this one. You might be right, dude. I don't love 34. Sean, if you didn't pick up earlier, I love odd numbers in hockey.

I'm not a big even number guy in hockey. That's how I introduce you to people. Yeah. It does not like even number. Dan, he sneezes like crazy. He loves odd numbers. 34. We've had some greats in 34.

No doubt. No doubt. But I'm going low here, I think. See, there are ones I like so much more, Dan, but also there are ones I like way less. Like when I actually think about it, I don't feel as though 34 is that bad anymore. My knee jerk was it's bad, but now I actually don't think it's that bad. Yeah. I want to go four here

I wanted to go three but I hate a three and you got to make a statement okay I'll go forward with you I mean I just think there are great numbers I don't want to gas I think four okay four four all right

I feel like I'm playing hosting bingo 74 I mean five five Now I'm terrified because we should have gone three with 34. But this is five. No offense. UC Soros, but 74 is like that is just an utterly insane goalie number.

It's not cool. It's not like, oh, shit, that's sick. I do think it's sick when goalies go in the 70s. You know, Bob right off the bat, 72. I'm like, that's cool that Bob made that cool. but 70s, I mean, 7 is my favorite number, and I, I goalie's wearing, starting with the 7, I find strange, but it's cool when they make it sick. And Soros has made 74 cool, but I, no, 74, that is 5. Fuck.

Okay. But we might have fucked ourselves. We might have fucked ourselves. Not with this one. I feel so confident with this at 5, but I am worried about what's coming next. Okay. Five. So 34 was 4.

And 74 is 5. And quick question. Is it 299? Can goalies have up to 99? Yes, you can, but no one wears 99 in the league because of way now. I think it's literally retired now. It is. Retired across the league.

And if a goalie wore 99, Sean, that would be one of the craziest things I've ever seen in my life. I don't know if players would allow it. But why don't they wonder if they did like 90s? If they came out and they're like, I wear 98, would they be like, no? No, I think people would go, that is crazy. I mean, a goalie wearing anything starting with a nine would be insane. Okay, yeah, you're right. All right, you guys ready?

Yeah, one. I love it. I mean, I love it. I love one. And I love that guys are bringing it back. Shout out Sway. I think one was, was, yeah, two. I think so.

Yeah, one was a really old school classic goalie number, and then it kind of went out of fashion. We went away from it. We went away from it. And I think we're bringing it back. I love it. Two. I'm cool, too.

And it's a great, it's fucking clean as hell. You got to be good. But when it's good, you're like, God, you're the fucking man. Okay, yeah, give me two. Give me two on one. All right. 50. Six.

Fuck. Six. Oh, okay, we got to go three. We literally have to go three. We have to go three, but that should be lower. And we, this can be salvaged, Dan, if a few things come up. If you could come up at one, it can be, this can be salvaged. 50 is absolutely atrocious, just an awful, awful, awful, awful goalie number.

It's an awful number in general. Actually, 50 might be the worst hockey number I never heard about. 50 steal your high school sweetheart. Yeah, I think five is just such an ugly. number on a hockey jersey for some reason. It's like I, it's crazy. It's a crazy take, I know. Sean, 55, Dan

throws up in the season. He pukes. I've seen him puke. Someone held it by 35, he puked. Difficult for me that guys like Chris Pronger and Sergey Ganchard were our favorite players of mine and they were just skating around with 55 on their back and I was like, what are you doing? Oh, terrible.

All right. Okay, the number one, the coolest goalie number on earth, according to us, is 70. Fuck. Oh, this is a terrible list. Terrible list. What happened?

Oh, no, Dan. Chris, it hasn't gone this badly in a long time. I think you provided Sean with way too big of a list. Like, you put on absolutely bizarre and obscure numbers that, like, one guy in the history of the league has worn, you fucking idiot. And that age... He had every number in the universe. that is disposable, every two-digit number in the universe

at his disposal. 99 numbers. Every number in the universe. Yeah. Jesus. What is so funny is, Sean, numbers in the 30s are historically very goaly heavy. And you said one of them.

Yep. And it was pretty good. That one's pretty good. My knee jerk was like 34 stakes. And I'm like, actually he's pretty good. I thought so many 30s were coming. All right, well, hey, listen, that's... So, hold on. It's 70.

One. One's good. One. 50. 50, 34. 74. This is going to go in the hall fame of maybe the worst blind ranking the Empty Netters podcast has ever done. Absolutely atrocious.

We're going to get killed. CP, what do you think your favorite goalie number is? 33. I think it's got to be threes. I think it's got to be threes. Do, are we like, who's rocking threes in the league right now other than Hill? There's got to be more. True.

But I can't picture one. And I apologize if I'm not thinking of them right now. You know what's coming through, having a moment is like the high 20s. Yeah, 29, good goalie number. 29 was on the list. I just didn't pick it. Sorry.

No, no. Hey, this is how we get better. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Did. You store this. You store this for future blind rank because you remember what can happen if you're not fucking careful. Yeah. All right. brutal blind ranking but a great great episode uh everyone happy MLK day we've got a really really fun interview and multiple fun interviews coming for you soon this week later this week we'll see

you in our next episodes as we rip through and just enjoy every day together we love you until we see you next time skate hard