Empty Netters Podcast - How Carter Hart Signing Will Affect The Vegas Golden Knights

Episode Date: October 16, 2025

Chris Chelios is here to rank NHL teams into how tan they are for the first of his new monthly segment on Empty Netters! Eva Erickson from Survivor 48 is here to talk Minnesota Wild, club hockey, and being the first openly autistic Survivor contestant. Carter Hart to Vegas looks like a done deal. Brady Tkachuk is hurt. Professor Puckline is filled with money making genius. And the What’s The Connection game is fantastic this week.  NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY! 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! (0:00) - Intro (2:31) - Carter Hart to VEGAS (15:05) - Brady Tkachuk Injury (21:35) - Rangers Can’t Score (36:49) - Chelly Tiers (1:07:34) - Professors PuckLine (1:20:44) - Eva Erickson (2:03:18) - What’s The Connection 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? Not 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 guineasas 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 BedMGM. I'm your host, Dan Powers, producer Redman, still on the sticks. What a pleasure it is. And this man over here, he might be the smartest guy in the room, but he can't spell for shit.

Chris Bowers. As all. Spell that. Spell cantankerous. Got it from dad. Terrible spellers. Is dad a bad speller? Awful.

I didn't know that. Awful. You know, I think I'm a very very. good speller yeah but I have a brutal memory being in fifth grade oh no and doing uh not a spelling bee but it was we went around my my homeroom I think you had like home room oh yeah in fifth grade and we went and I was a very good speller and everyone is like oh yeah Dan's a great speller he's probably going to win this literally Chris I that are my my teacher mr. Vincent went around the room and he was like Chris gave a word and if you got it wrong

you sat down. Yeah. First word, it came to me, and he was like, awful. And I just completely panicked. Yeah. Like, it literally got to me, and I didn't know what to do. He said awful, and I just sat there, and I froze. And I didn't say anything.

He's like, got to spell it. And I was just like, you don't just listen to it, actually. And he was like, got to give me something. And I was like, oh, F. And he was like, sit down. And I was like, it's the most embarrassed I've ever been. Dude, I actually had a funny first grade, one of those. Maybe it was the end game, but we called it around the world

because the class sat in a circle and the desks and you would just go to the next desk and you'd get a word and if you spelled it right you went to the next desk but if you spelled it wrong you sat down and they went

and no one had ever made it around the world and I did and the last word I got was about a boot and I got it right and I was like wait am I goaded at spelling? Yeah

and that was the last time I spelled the word right in my entire life Yeah after that it completely went down now speaking of going downhill we've got some shit to talk about oh yeah

Tons of news going on, including some potentially breaking news, hasn't officially broken, but we think it's going to any moment. Last episode, I said, I wonder if we have to be worried about Aden Hill. You said, feels like Carter Hart might be in Vegas imminently. Looks like Carter Hart is about to sign with him. I think it was you even. Yeah, I was going to say Red was like, I'm hearing Carter Heart to Vegas. There you go, Red?

Insider. That was really good. Shout out Murals. He really seems to be the one driving the narrative on the scoop. that it's going to, I actually thought we would wake up today because we're West Coast and it would be done. We had to record early today, so maybe it'll happen while we're going. But everything online is like Carter Hart signing in Vegas today. The timing actually, despite even the Adenhill play could be perfect because Aden Hill left the game last night.

He took one off the mask and then like he actually saved another puck without the mask on, which was kind of gas. But then he flopped really awkwardly. they're saying lower body. I don't know if it was actually head, kind of like what happened to Stoli in the playoffs, but he's hurt, so it could be even more fortuitous. Is their backup still,

Samsono? No, dude. Asso Katano, Akir Shmead. Yeah. Yep. Jedi Master. Yep. And he's playing pretty good.

Played pretty good. They came back. They were down to nothing. They came back in one. Here's the question. People are. kind of mad online, which I guess was always going to happen. You know, absolutely.

That was always going to happen. People are always going to get butt hurt about something. And this one, I don't even want to get into if you should be mad, it shouldn't be mad. Yeah, yeah. What I will say, when these boys were reinstated, if you will, able to sign NHL contracts, there was a lot of rumblings. Edmonton had a ton of rumblings with Carter Hart specifically. And we then saw some reports that these guys were like,

no one is signing with a Canadian team. It's just not worth the noise. And I mean, we haven't seen the official announcement yet, but already it feels like that was a good decision. Because even just us, you know, tweeting like, hey, Merles kind of broke this. We, you know, retweeted Murles and we're like, looks like this is happening. the response has been way tamer than if it was Edmonton, for example. So good on them, I suppose.

It's tough that there's some of the people that I was seeing are pissed that they're like, oh, this sucks for Asoka because he's losing his job to blah, blah, blah. And I'm like, okay, if you are a backup, think about it this one. If you were a backup goalie in the league, your job is always in question, right? Like that is the nature of your position. You could lose your job at any moment. You are a backup goalie. So this is kind of the way, though, cookie crumbles, as Bruce Almighty would say.

Aidan Hill this year so far, 854, 324-4-safe goals against 8-5-4-said percentage. Obviously not up to his standards, but also not anywhere near acceptable at. Don, I'm not even talking win a cup level. I'm talking be an NHL goalie level. Yeah, yeah. Cannot have that. Carter Hart last played start of 2023-24 season, played 26 games.

906, save percentage, 2-80 goals against, which is right on his career averages too. So it's not like he was playing extra well, but you do remember how good the Flyers were. Remember where everybody was like, whoa, Philly, what are you doing? You know what? Is interesting.

There's a couple of things here. First, to your point about Schmead, I give that narrative a little more leeway because he's 25 and when he had his shot with the devils it was like oh maybe this kid's sick so he's not like a Eunice Corpusallo for example no offense Corpi

but like there are guys who are in their 30s who are like I am a backup like I'm gonna get tossed around and if I get a good run great but like Schmead is probably like I would like to be a starting goal day so I actually do think this sucks for him if like all of a sudden

he's not going to be getting the looks. And who knows, if Hill is out for a little bit, there's a chance they're like, Schmead is the guy and Hart is the backup. And I would imagine that's certainly how they're going to start. This guy isn't fucking played hockey in for a long, long time. Which is hard for anybody, as we saw with Landy, as we're seeing with Taze. But I also think goalie.

Like we talk about, Swamen talks about missing preseason how hard it is, right? And let alone missing well over a year of hockey. Yeah. So he'll definitely need to ease into it. For sure. my next point was going to be I feel like people remember Carter Hart as if he had a 9-5-4

say a great yeah everyone is like Carter dude the flyers were going to win the fucking Stanley Cup no question I'm like it was just so highly touted yeah it was just like yeah

like when is he gonna when's he gonna be the guy when's gonna be the guy and then this happened yes like I think he was like he was 21 yeah

and people were like holy shit dude the flyer starter is 21 next price next flurry that that was it everyone was like he's so young he's playing so well. And you look at the numbers and he's like,

he was playing pretty good. Yeah. Like, it's so funny how people kept saying, I mean, it was everywhere with Edmonton. If Carter Hart goes to Edmonton, they win the cup like that.

Yeah, I'm like, Stu Skinner has better career numbers than Carter Hart. So. Yeah, and God, Carter has, were those Flyers teams

any good ever during his tenure? I think that they made it to this. And I'm wondering playoffs. I think that was part of the excuse for Carter Hart too. He's young. The team's not good. So we're going to cut him all the slack in the world that he will eventually be this

unreal starting. Yeah, dude, this is exactly what it is. I forgot about this. 2019, 2020, his second season, his 21-year-old season, he, it's the only time they made playoffs his entire career. They played 14 games. He went 9 and 5 with a 9-26 and a 2-2-3, which is well better than his career numbers. Yeah, yeah.

That's fantastic. So he had that awesome playoff as a 21-year-old than every. everyone went, goaded. The guy. We're done here. And then he was pretty good. Like, dude, after that season, though, here's his regular seasons. 8773-66.

Yikes. 905-316, 907-294, 906-280. So he was kind of like rounding into, like he had that great 21-year-old year. Great, great year. Then bad and then kind of creeping back towards it. I do think this one's hard for me here's what I think is interesting

you're so right about the narrative on both sides because I think if I am a team like Edmonton I've probably talked myself into this would have been awesome and you go God damn it dude happens to Vegas a direct competitor in our division like this sucks that would have made all the difference

we clearly have a problem a team like the Cains I go fuck why didn't we do something like that because because for the most part game changing season altering goalies don't and i'm not even saying he is that but that's the perspective yeah don't just appear like i saw fans like Vegas fan uh people mad in the comments being like we oh we signed this guy after all that stuff we couldn't hit the waiver wire and i'm like oh yeah i forgot there's actually cup winning goalies on the waiver

wire yeah fuck i forgot to check the waiver wire oh my god Dude, our boy perish is the e-bug for the Kings. Pick him up. Like, it's, people, it's, I always love that too. Teams who are, like, struggling on D. They're like, we got to hit the waiver wire. I'm like, who do you think is available? Literally think they're playing like NHL, fucking GMO and shit.

Actually. It's like, who do you think is available, dude? So, on the one hand, if I am a team like Edmonton, but maybe they were never doing it because of Canada, not maybe, they weren't never doing it because of Canada. But if I'm a team like the Keynes, I go, fuck, should we, I'm having self-doubt right now because I'm wondering deep down if we should have reacted.

And God forbid, if you're them, Carter Hart is nasty this year because he's got something to prove he's pissed off, he's fresh as lettuce. And then Vegas waltzed to the cup on the back of his cons, my performance, and the canes blow their brains out because they're like, why didn't we just get him? He's just sitting there, right? That's the one way this goes.

But the other way is Carterhart isn't, that good. And I don't know, goalies wear a position. I just think you fuck up Aden Hill with this move. Look, I think you're like, oh, dude, like, we're bringing in Carter Hardy, splitting time with you. I think that is not the best strategy. And I know you were kind of like maybe they needed to change, but this is, this was diceier than people think in my opinion. I wonder if this is the best team that could have signed. Yeah, it probably is. And, you know, it's, like I said earlier, I don't want to get into this podcast, this show, and you and I are not the people that are going to have the discussion of whether or not it's okay for Carter Hart or any of these guys to be back in the NHL. That is above my pay grade.

The fact of the matter is, he is getting signed. So we're going to talk about him on this team. And I do think Vegas is probably the best team that could have signed up as far as. where's it going to make the least amount of noise? Where is there a decent opportunity around a good team? It's like truly, man, if Carter Hart comes in and starts playing pretty well for this Vegas team, you'll hear it from a couple of pissed off Pacific Division fans of being like fucking Vegas, classic Vegas.

But other than that, I think it will be very muted, honestly. Yeah, once we're cooking with gas. Yeah. Yeah, no, this is this, Vegas is a machine. Vegas is a well-oiled machine. It's interesting how much success Vegas has had immediately and the way they've managed their roster with how much, I guess I'll use the word,

turmoil has happened in the goalie position pretty much their entire time. Yeah, I'll call it turnover. Turnover, I think, is the better word. It's nuts. Spell turmoil. No. No, you're totally right, man.

I mean, even when they won the cup, It was like they had four different goalies. Legitimately. Legitimately. Like it was like LT, LB, Hill, and Quick, I think. We're all like playing. Yep. It's insane.

And Flower kind of like. And Liner. And Lennar. Yeah, like these guys like lost their jobs who are all like, I'm very good and I should be playing. Like everyone wanted to play L.T. Obviously it was like, what is going on here? It's just crazy that this is just another feather in the cap of that saga.

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visit medcan.com slash moments to get started. Yeah, dude, maybe this is just what he needed, Red. Maybe this is just what he needed. He's C biscuit. Aiden Hill is C biscuit and he's like, okay, dude, Carter Hart's here. Now you're going to get the best version of Aden Hill.

Yeah, I mean, I hope he's not hurt more than anything. I, I, because we love Aiden. But I'll tell you what, this is interesting. This is a, this is going to be very interesting to watch. From every aspect, the reception, the way the boys handle it, the way the media handles it, the way the fans handle it,

and then the way he plays. Well, I mean, do you know, the last time he played was 23, 24? Yeah. Yep. I mean, damn, this is going to be wild to see.

He'll need to see some pucks, dude. He's going to need to see some puck, see some rubber before he's ready to go, before he goes double slot line, double slot line, cried or bang, how are you? Do they do a conditioning stint, H.L for Carrhart type thing?

Like, are they out of a lot? I guess it would depend what contract you sign. I'm sure it's allowed. Yeah. And yeah, good point. I wonder if they do do that. I would probably do that. I would strongly suggest it.

I highly recommend you should do that. So yeah, we'll see how this shakes out. But I imagine by the end of the week, we're going to see an announcement and this is going to be flying. I bet it happens today. I bet it happens today. Getting into some injury news, Brady Kachuk. Fuck.

Oh, man. Hurt. Not, it was a weird play. He kind of, he kind of. kind of took a push from behind by Roman Yossi. He went into the boards awkwardly, but then seemed to be okay. Came back in the game, but then was all over the flexing his hand. It did look like he was going to still throw, though.

Like he was going to the Preds bench. Try to be like, I'll go, dude. And I was like, you literally have a broken hand already. Like you didn't break your hand in a fight. Your hand is already broken. Please don't fight. Brady, unlike his brother, has actually been a savage with playing full seasons. Like he eats games.

He plays so hard, doesn't matter. The first crack at all we saw was right after Four Nations last year, after he had battering rammed himself into the headboards. Actually, the man was a kamikaze pilot, all Four Nations. Poor Dewey, dude. Dewey's taking the blood. Like, what the hell are you doing? Every time, dude.

But yeah, so we saw him miss a few there, but really only a few. I remember saying after Four Nations, I was like, he just cost the senators the playoffs because he's going to miss the rest of the fucking season just to get silver at Four Nations. But then he only missed a few who came back and finished really strong and was great in class. This, they're saying four months or excuse me, four weeks minimum. Yeah. Surgery might be on the table.

I think if it's just a broken bone, he probably can get back in about four-ish. But if they need surgery, it's going to be longer. This blows for a lot of reasons. First and foremost being Ottawa is good. And he is the man. And they, these, I do, I still think the Atlantic is really crowded. and like these, you don't want to go on a month-long skid without Brady, and I'd be like, fuck, dude, now we're really grinding for those playoff spots.

Gun to your head. You're Brady Kachuk. I'm a doctor. Team doctor, I come up to you right now. I go, hey, if you get surgery right now, you are guaranteed to be full health for the Olympics. You maybe don't need surgery, and you could come back sooner to play for the sentence. Make your decision. Can you tell me my injury?

No. something broken in your, I don't know. I think if it's just a broken bone that I go, I'm fine. But if you go, you're fine, then you're probably, you might miss Olympics. Oh, then 100% I take the Olympics. So you are choosing the Olympic team over the senators. But you parlay that into playoffs, the sense. That's how you justify it.

That's how you justify it. If you're Brady. Yeah. But then the doc goes, but Brady, they're not going to make playoffs. You're going to finish fifth in the wild card. And it's going to be a coin flip. And the doc goes like this. You don't know that.

Yeah. Or Brady goes like that. Yeah, yeah, Brady says that. And I go, and the doc goes, I do know that. I'm from the future. And I go, do we win gold? Hold on. Who's Brady in this scenario?

You. Okay. If you're from the state, hold you. Let's just, let's do it. How do I know you're from the future? Because. Great Scott. Yeah, because I know things about you that you couldn't pause, that I couldn't

pass. I've just met you, Brady. I got hired yesterday. Name one, name one thing. Remember that time that you were talking about the past now? Yeah, because I'm so far from the future, I went back to the past to learn everything about you. Okay. So you've Doc Brown yourself. I've Doc Brown myself.

Okay. Tell me something for my past. You and Matthew, remember that time you guys were fighting and you were playing mini stick downstairs and the stick broke and he swung at you and he sliced you just under your left buttocks and you have a little scar there. Do we win gold? No. Well, what's the point of any of this? You don't win gold or a cup ever. You should retire now for the sake. for the sake of your health.

Well, that's tough. Listen, I bring it up as to say, if I'm Brady, I'm like, give me the surgery immediately. Because I want to play in Olympics. Agree, and I was saying, dude, I forgot. And I guess we experienced this with the Four Nations, so I shouldn't say I forgot, but I'll say it again. I forgot what it's like to be an Olympic year

and how scary injury updates are. Like you hear someone got a knock and normally you're like, oh, that sucks. but whatever, it's the middle of the season. And now I'm like, oh, it's a disaster. Yeah, like. It's an absolute disaster. Yep.

We've got more coming in this, just in this hot ice. But I wonder if the Cucchuk brothers need to calm down a little bit. Brady's been so good in terms of playing, in terms of availability. He has been. He has been. But, you know, he got a little hurt last year. Now he's hurt this year. Matthew's hurt.

Matthew needs to calm down. Brady, this was a freak accident. You too. You are too good and too important to both of your teams and your country to be getting hurt this much. I need them both to settle down. Yep. We need you. We need everybody need you.

The Sends need you. We need you. Everyone in your life needs you. Yeah. We love you. We support you. You have support. You have friends.

You have people that care about you. Yeah. It's just we need them to not be getting hurt so much and to be available for their teams. I'm feeling like Actually I guess I'm not really basing this anything But I'm feeling like I just get them getting the vibes That it's just a broken bone And they're gonna go dude you're fine

Yeah You just broke something It's gonna heal right up in four weeks and you're good I mean let's hope that's the case Yep maybe maybe six But man I will say dude I'll say again This is no joke for Ottawa Like I know we're so high on them

They look great they've got a ton of great players They're not just Brady Kachuck Yeah don't get me wrong True. But he is a driver on that team in a big, big way. And if you're Ottawa, I mean, let's say it again, Red. Maybe this is just what they needed. Maybe this is just what they needed to come together, step up a little bit, grind, grind some points, grind some points while Brady heals.

Then they return to him and they go, our gift to you, Brady, is that we are still the three seat. I will say through three games, Brady has zero goals, three assists. He's a plus one. So it's not like he was absolutely firing. So they're doing well, and clearly other people are, you know, we said Shane Pinto is doing, he's on a nice heater. So at least it's not like he's having the highest production output of his career and it goes down. Yep.

But either way, this sucks. You would like to see it stop. You'd like to see him come back immediately. ASAP. Going on to another injury, which will lead to a team. Yeah. Vincent Trocheck placed on LTIR with an upperc. with an upper body injury.

One of the leaders of this New York Rangers team, one of the most valuable players of this New York Rangers team, brutal, brutal news goes on LTIR. Could have been captain. Could have been captain, a huge player on this team. And the New York Rangers had become the first team in NHL history to get shut out in their first three home games of the season.

Haven't scored. Yikes. They can't score. they can't score they literally cannot score goals no nonsense though no BS no no BS dude

no BS no BS what did the thing that stood for no um something scoring no basic scoring yeah no basic scoring no basic no Broadway scoring no Broadway scoring

no Broadway scoring no BS no Broadway scoring they gotta burn the shirts oh you gotta burn the shirt shirts. No Broadway scoring is what those shirts stood for. I love it when, I love this from so many angles. The, I tweeted yesterday, bolts are on fraud watch. I think they're like one, two and one. And so many pissed off Tampa fans came in the comments and they were like, love when fucking morons do this after four games. And I'm like, it's a fraud watch is a joke. It's a watch. I'm watching. Watch. I'm just, you're on.

Also, we are a joke. Everything here is a joke. But also, no one reacts that way if you're not actually feeling a little sweaty. Yeah. And I love when J.T. Miller in the locker room here is like, I mean, first of all, I think everyone just needs to calm down. I mean, it's four games. It's whatever many games. And like, everyone just needs to like relax with this. We're actually playing incredible. We hit the cross bar three times. Yeah. Some of the best hockey we ever play.

It's like bad bounces, this and that. And listen, look at Edmonton last couple. You're like, start slow and then they go to the cups. So like, yes, absolutely. this can happen, but I'm like, it's also not nothing, dude. This is the first time in NHL history this has happened. So it's not nothing. So don't tell these reporters that they need to settle down because nothing is going on here. Because something is going on. Dude.

You might be fine, but let's stop pretending like nothing is happening. I get so torn on that stuff because I want, I do think gripping the stick too tight is a thing, right? If you start going, we got a fucking score, then that you're actually hurting yourself. And you probably, certainly everyone in that. room should be being calm because you have great players on that team and they are going to score you pump six past pit in one game on the road but I kind of prefer my this is completely personal preference and personality but I think I kind of prefer my athletes to be pissed in this

situation you know I I wish that interview goes it's a fucking joke like I literally cannot believe we haven't scored a goal our fans that love us we have the best and all of hockey and they show up every night at the best rink in the world, the best arena in the world, and they expect to see us put on an entertaining show. And we haven't scored for three straight games. We haven't scored at home to start the season and it's fucking unacceptable. That's what I want. And again, personal preference. Maybe some people are like, no, I want my captain to go, no BS. No BS. Everything's fine. But I, I think I want, are you fucking kidding me. That's how I feel. There's no BS.

No, there's no. You'd prefer him to pull a Cam Ward with the Titans when he is getting interviewed and he goes, let's be honest, we ass right now. Yeah, I want him to go, we ask. I want him to say we ass. We haven't scored at home. And it's paying top dollar. I would respect you more to come to MSG. Don't ignore it. They can't see it. They can't see a goal get scored. Don't ignore it. I would respect you more if you went, we ask. Dude, it's, you know, sometimes, we were obviously big soccer fans.

sometimes I will wake up early to watch a Chelsea game and it's just, God forbid, Chelsea loses. Or it's like a nil-nil draw and I'm just like, I'm so mad that I even watched it because I'm just like, especially if you get up early. That's what I'm saying. I'm like, what is this, dude? No, but I'm saying if you get up early.

Spell early, dude. And the, if you show up to a hockey, if you fucking subway your ass to MS. Can you imagine? And the Rangers don't score. Yeah. You're like, what am I?

get your money back. You should get your money back if the home team doesn't score. You commute across town. You go into that dump piece of shit. No, no, no. Good food. And then they just don't score for the third game in a row. I actually think that's fair. Not if the home team loses. If the home team gets dummies 7-1, you fucking suck it. You paid for that ticket. Yeah. But if the home team doesn't score, I think you should get your money back. Is that fair? Any time? Yeah. No. How many times do you think you get shut out at home? It should be like one of those things or you get like a slice of pizza or something.

Yeah, yeah, oh, I like that. That's pretty cool. A pot, New York slice. You know, they always do those promos. Like, they're like, if, if, uh, Ducks players, I say this because we go to, went to the Ducks game last night,

but they're like, if a Ducks player scores in, you know, the, yeah, between minute five and 15, everyone gets a bucket of chicken. It's a McFlurry.

Yeah, the McFlurry minute. In reverse. They go reverse. If the team gets shut out, you get a slice of Sabaros, pizza on the way. It's like a Jackie Moon situation too. You're just trying to stop from. Yeah. Yeah. No. I think, I think we need to

institute something like this across every franchise. If you get shut out at home, every fan gets something. Because dude, that sucks. You've obviously lost. And then you're walking back and you're like, it didn't even fucking score. I didn't even get to get out of my seat and cheer once all game. It really, really blows for the fans. You know, you don't think about this, the fans that travel dude, we talked about when schedule release, they go, God, exactly. I guess that's the road team

though, but the amount that I've talked shit about, I've been like, who cares about that, but it's like, dude, there are people who live out of state now, they love the Rangers so much, they travel, maybe they're there for work and they're like, I get one game. It's a Rangers game while I'm there. And you get blanked. You should get a piece, get a slice, get a New York

slice. I really love the idea of it's been, it's been what, one week? Yeah, it's Wednesday, It's been one week. So they played three times at home. Imagine someone who's a huge Rangers fan who is from out of town and they happen to be in New York for a week for work.

And they're like, I'm going to catch three Rangers' groups. And they get blanked all three. Dude. That guy exists. That happens to someone. And he's also... That's brutal. He's also...

That guy, he's 16. So he's not there for work because he is only 16, but he went away to school. He went away to prep school. So he's not in the city anymore. And he's back for something. I don't know what. And caught all three games.

And he's also a huge Yankees fan. And he's lived 16 years without them winning a championship, one of their longest droughts in history. And he goes, I fucking hate sports. I hate New York sports so much. He's also a Jets fan. He's a Jets fan, a Yankees fan, a 16-year-old Yankees fan, a Rags fan.

And what's sports? am I missing. Oh, the Knicks. He's a Knicks fan. Yeah, this just went bad for it. And I'm like, dude, this is terrible. You have a bad life. Yeah.

And I'm sorry for you. I'm not sorry, actually, but you have a bad life. I mean, that's tough. Do you think there's a curse? Do you think a curse has been placed on the Rangers, a la Babe Ruth when in reverse, because it went away from Boston to the Yankees? Do you think there's a curse because you traded away the guy with the most goals in Rangers history?

Most goals in MSG ever? He doesn't have the most in Rangers history. Most playoff goals in Rangers history. And then you go, now he's on the ducks. I love to think. Now there's no goals. I love to think that that's the case because I love Criads. I don't think.

I think they need to emergency retire his jersey to lift the curse off of MSG. If they retire Cryder's Jersey tomorrow night, they will start scoring at home. But until then, I'm not sure that they will show. I have made the mistake of speaking ill of the New York Rangers on this podcast in the past. Yes, you have. I think this is, we joked about the no BS shirts.

Like, I think there's a lot of BS in this organization. I think there's a lot of BS that goes well beyond the ice. Yeah. About what's going on on the ice. I think this is a rotten, to its core organization right now. And I think it's hilarious that they made no bullshit shirts as their slogan this year when that's going.

And all of them know. Every single player on that team knows what's going on. He knows there is BS. And I'm like, it just feels crazy that they did that because I'm like, guys, what is happening? And there's nothing to say that this team won't turn it around. They've got great players on that roster. but I don't know man I just think it is fucking hilarious the shit that you hear about this team and the way it's run and all the nonsense going on and they wear no BS shirts and then they come out they can't score and they come out this season and get goose in their first three home games it's dude and now they're going on the road okay so they can't fix this just yet they go on the road to Toronto and Montreal come back home wild tough game should you know you should always score but tough game yeah and then 23rd God forbid they haven't scored against the wild,

but then they have 23rd home against the sharks. And that better be point night. If you get shot out by the sharkies with how things have gone for the sharkies? Will you accept that if they don't score against the wild or the sharks, that there is a Crider curse? A hundred percent. Chris Criter has placed a curse on this organization.

And he didn't do it, by the way. He didn't do it. They, them trading him, the same way the Red Sox trading, Babe Ruth, them trading him cursed themselves. 100%. emergency retire his jersey, they will never score. If you get, if you get goosed by the wild and then the sharks, you, something happens.

Something has to happen. Yes, correct. You need to trade the entire team or sell the team. Dude, Chesty. Can you imagine? Chesdy is like, dude, can I, can I? If Igor Shasturkin, could I give you this, dude, Chesdy, I don't know if he's played every game.

Oh, his numbers are preposterous. They lost to the penguins 3-0. Two were empty-knitters. They shut out the sabers. They gave up one to the penguins. They lost to the caps, one-nothing. They lost the one was 2-0-0, and I'm pretty sure one was an empty-d-dnetter.

And I'm like, he's like, hey, assholes. He must sit in that locker room and go like this. How did you guys feel that that game went? Did you guys have fun out there? What were you seeing? Dude, I've been pretty critical of him in the past because I think he's a great guy. I've always said that,

but I just think the media crowned him as, like, the best goalie in the league when I'm like, there are literally better goalies everywhere. Like Vassie, hell of all. Like, these goalies are better than him, period. But the second half of last year, maybe even all of it. The second half of last year and this year so far,

I'm like, well, you're doing your job. I had my guy. He must hate his team. How could you not? Oh, dude. What if he was on Edmonton? How could you not? What if Jesse was on Edmonton?

I mean, especially after signing that fucking contract. Crazy, dude. At this point, imagine if Shesty was on any contender. Any contender, they would be a lock for the Stanley Cup. This man is standing on his head, and they literally can't score. Oh, dude, I had one more thing for you, speaking of goalies, just because I thought this was so fun. And this is one of those things that happened in the dead of night. I didn't even notice.

Yeah. I was watching the Canes highlights last night. Big win, 5-1 against Sharks. And it was like this, Brandon Bussie makes the NHL debut, beats the Sharks 5-1, with only 16 days, but hell, you'll take that in your NHL debut. And it was all, and I was looking because it was Mesa debuted too. Dash 2, not a big deal, he'll be fine.

And I go, Bussie? I thought he was on the Panthers. Because we were joking. You is your joke, which was hilarious. It was like, I can't believe the Panthers just picked up Brandon Bussie, no one's paying attention and then Bob will retire and they'll be like, we actually have the next great goalie that was like waiting. He got waved and scooped by the canes.

Yeah. And I love me some Freddie Anderson, but that's been an issue in the past. And I was like, wow, what? We were just joking. Like, there's no goalies on the fucking waiver wire. And I was like, whoa, dude, did the canes actually find a potential sick future star goalie on the waiver wire? And at this point, I trust that professional sports leagues and professional sports GMs are good enough that if a guy's been waived a few times, he's probably not, not necessarily not good, but probably not.

There's something there. A mega superstar that's just waiting to break out. And unfortunately, Brandon Bussie, who I wanted to be a mega superstar in Boston, has been waived a few times. So probably not. But I am not ruling out that Brandon Bussie has a rock star year, stole our style or something. And the canes are like, oh, shit. Man, we're actually going to the cup. Bussie was for a long time in Boston.

The air apparent, people were like the tandem of Swamen and Bussie will feed families. Feed families and move mountains. He's a Western Michigan Bronco. He was nasty there. And his HL number, he's 915-262, AHL career. Like, good. Could get the job done. And I, yeah, I've just been like, how does this guy not get a shake?

He's 27 years old, signed a one year deal with the Panthers. And yeah, like two weeks ago. I think October 5th, yeah, signs with Carolina, and holy hell would that be safe. That would be such a story. I'm actually, and this sucks because I do really love Freddie and his journey's been awesome, so I'm not rooting against him. Yeah. But I.

Tandum. Yeah, it would just be, what a Hollywood story if Bussie got the nod in playoffs and was like, I'm the missing piece. Yeah, Bussie coming through for Carolina and being nasty. I was like, oh my God, this is unbelievable. So dope. Maybe we see a nice little Bussie run. That would be cool.

The busie. Take the bus. Take the bus. Take the bus to the cup. All right, now we've got a little something exciting for everybody. We're introducing a new segment on the Emton Nitors podcast. It's a monthly recurring segment for the entire season. Welcoming a brand, well, not a brand new guest, but a brand new segment.

Official recurring monthly guests, our boy, Chris Chelyos. Come on. We're going to do some really fun stuff with him. So let's kick it to that right now. We're joined by our great buddy, Chris Chelyos, going to come. and do a little bit of NHL team ranking so far, just about four or five games into the season. But we're doing a special ranking, Chelly.

We gave you a little bit of insight. We're doing it on a tan scale because we all know everyone here loves a nice tan. So here's our categories, and we can go over them, but our categories are, from the bottom up, count Dracula, as white as it gets.

Queen Elizabeth I first, also pasty as hell. Next one is, where's a t-shirt at the beach? At least they're getting outside, but like, you know, still not great. Next one is passed out drunk at the pool with a sunburn. They made an effort, but it's still not going well. Then we got golf tan.

Looks good on the surface, but it's not complete. Then we got spray tan. May not be real, but it's still pretty good. Then we got Fourth of July cookout. That's when you're really hitting your midsummer, nice golden layer. Then we got Pamela Anderson and Baywatch, almost the elite of the elite. And then top is going to be Chelly Malibu. Because we know that that's the best

tan that exists. And the summer, yeah. Yeah, still reigning champion of the tan and the team picture. No question. Exactly. Exactly. So, again, we can revisit all those, but CP, take us through the teams in alphabetical order, and then we will decide which

tier they're going to go in. Yeah, I'll be our secretary keeping the time here, keeping the documents. We're going to go alphabetical. The first team that we've got is the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks through three games are two, one, and two in one.

They beat the Sharks, and they beat the Penguins in a little comeback last night. What do we think about the Ducks, boys? I'm high on the Ducks. Up and coming for sure. Pat Burbique, love them. No one works harder as a GM. Had some good mentors and teachers.

So, yeah, I like the Ducks. So we're thinking like... Golf tan, maybe? Somewhere in the middle there? Yeah, like I kind of like golf tan. It's like, like I said, looks good on the surface, maybe not complete. Like they might not be the finished product, but like I could see Ducks being in Gulf tan.

I'm with you. I'll pick golf tan like a minus. Yeah, golf tan minus. Golf tan minus. Okay. We're going Ducks, Golf Tand minus. Next one up Boston Bruins, Pesky Bruins. A lot of people didn't have them going high, but start three and O start.

What do we think, boys? They're kind of cooking right now. I'm going to give them better. the fake tan or whatever you want to call golf tan plus because maccoy pasturac those guys are leaders um they're still the bruin's they've built up a pretty good uh you know they've got great chemistry i think losing marchant was a big mistake letting him go with just a gift of florida and i'll leave it that but the culture they've built they're still lingering you know from the bursar on days so charra i like them i'm into that spray tan

It was spray tan? Spray tan feels good. Spray tan feels good. Spray tan for the bees. Okay, now, now, boys, I'm sorry to bring it up, but we've got to go Buffalo Sabres. We've got to go sad Buffalo Sabres. I mean, Chelly, if this isn't Count Dracula,

I don't know what is. Dracula. Count Dracula. And I don't, nothing against Lindsay, nothing against Lindsay Ruff. Yeah, Count Dracula, Bella Legosi, whatever. But, yeah, no, nothing is changing, I don't think, until, you know, I'd like Lindsay Ruff.

He's established himself as a good coach, but I just don't think that's going to do it for them. And nothing will ever change, it feels like. It's like get young player, trade them away, they win cup, we finish last, rinse, repeat. Honestly, it's like, I mean, put them in the fucking coffin, boys. Like, that's count Dracula. Put a stake for their heart, dad. Put a wooden stake to their heart. 100%.

They're big on the back end, but they're easy to play against. or just whatever, they don't play hard. Yep. Yeah, it's true. Okay, now we're going Calgary Flames, who I kind of thought, after the race for the playoffs last year might be interesting, but really slow start this year.

Four games are one and three. What do we think? Not spray tan. What's just above spray 10? I think that's golf tan again. Yeah, that's ducks. Golf 10, I'm sorry, golf 10. What's right below that?

Not Dracula. What's right above Dracula? We've got passed out drunk at the pool, so you've got a sunburn, but at least it becomes the base. Passed out drunk of the pool. Matches that red, that horrible red flame stuff. Oh, shit, that's so perfect.

The goaltender, overachieved, you know, I like him. I just don't like his size. Are you worried about Wolf? Are you worried about Wolf, Shelly? Yeah, I am. Yeah. So that would be the big question mark. You're going to have to, you shouldn't have to stand on his head, you know, every night.

It looks like that because he's so small and he's making those stays. but no, no good, sunburn. I like that, I agree. Passed out drunk at the pool, flames. They got to figure it out. Okay, now we're going Carolina Hurricanes. Vegas favorite to win the cup right now. What do we think?

I'm not ready to give them, I'm not ready to give them Chelly, for sure. Oh, God, I can see them, I could see them being Pamela Anderson. I mean, they haven't lost. Like, they were off. Are they? No, no, no, you were right, three and oh.

Yeah, yeah. Like, they're three and. know, you don't think that gets them Pamela Anderson status? Nope. I don't like, you know, I think Brenda Moore is a hell of a coach defensively. They just don't go outside the box. I don't know when the last time they had a breakaway, you know, in the playoffs. They just, you know, I think Brandenmore calls it cheating, but most teams are called

to anticipation. Yeah. Got to let some of those guys with a longer leash. They got some skilled guys, but they all buy into the system. No question it works. They win. They're in a playoffs and the thick of things every year. But to take that next step, they just haven't able to do that.

So, Chely, what do you say? Either Fourth of July cookout or you want to go spray tan with the Bruins? Hurricanes or Bruins? This is for Keynes. But if we go spray tan, they're with the Bruins then. Yeah, I'll put them right in the same boat. Okay. Damn, okay.

All right. I love that. Cain's only getting a spray tank. I like it. Next one, Chely. I can't believe it on the goalie. Yes, correct. Next one, Chelly, your Blackhawks.

What do you think? I see a definite improvement. I don't quite see them being a playoff threat yet. I don't know who they're going to pass, quite honestly. Detroit, they got to make a run, but back to the Blackhawks. You know, Badard's second year, he's, you know, changed a little bit. His size is still his, you know, thing. But with a little more help, new head coach, better structure,

but still you know work to be done lots of work to be done yeah okay do you want to go queen elizabeth or do you want to go t-shirt at the beach i think we go queen elizabeth here like i'm not ready to give that i don't even think they're on the beach yet

like they're still caking on the makeup this is queen elizabeth status i like it they're not draculate with their queen elizabeth yeah okay all right now here we go here comes to heavyweight colorado avalanche i mean that team baffles me how they can be so inconsistent with the players they have. Landisog's back, which is huge.

For them, having him on the ice and his presence, I think it's going to help them. But they're right above the Bruins and right above the hurricanes, I think. They've got the capability of being a Stanley Cup team, like a legit Stanley Cup team. So I'll give them the Pam Anderson. Yeah, maybe his highest.

There you go. I think that's right. There we go. I think that's right. Little Nick Tom and Sam Anderson. I think Aves fans are going to be happy with that, being Pam Anderson. That's solid. They'll take it.

Who wouldn't, Dan? Who wouldn't? Yeah. Okay. Come on. Next one is the Columbus Blue Jackets. Oh, God. A hell of a year last year.

I mean, they definitely definitely right direction. They're going on the right direction. Still not sold on them yet. So they're going to be. Pastile drunk at the department. pool with the flames or t-shirt at the beach or golf tan with the ducks

a t-shirt at the beach I guess I think so too yeah t-shirt at the beach I guess they'll be ready to think of things again towards the end but I don't know they just kind of they didn't at the end of the year really they didn't I know they ran out of steam

they ran out of steam I'm worried slow start too slow start yeah well you got to play play playoff hockey all year that's going to happen I know so true actually Okay, Dallas Stars. Talk about Hot Star. Dallas Stars, Undefeated, looking great. What do we think, Kelly?

They're Pam Anderson, for sure. New coach, after that Bumble, whatever you call it, I won't say it. By the coach, really shocked, but they got that goaltender, Ottinger, and you got him, you're always in it. So they got a great team. I love the veteran presence,

so they're definitely Pam Anderson. I love that roster. Yeah, that West is tough. You know, it could be anybody's... The Central is so brutal, God. Yeah, exactly. Dan, you're good with Pam? Yeah, absolutely.

I mean, like, I don't know if anyone is quite yet Chelly status, but... I know. They're close. Like, I think Dallas has come out hot. Yep. Okay, Detroit Red Wings, boys. A lot of pressure this year, two and one so far. I see them in the same boat as last year. Yeah, I'm afraid to write.

barely, you know, struggling to try and make the playoffs. Again, I don't know who they're going to pass. Yeah. In that, in that side. So spray tan, not even. Yeah. So, yeah, I think golf tan. I think golf tan.

I'm sorry, golf tan. Like, I like golf tan for the wings. Chelly, I think you're on it. Like, they're not quite spray tan. Because, like, spray tan looks good at least. But, like, I think they're golf tan. They responded well after that brutal first loss. So we got to give them.

They've got a tan, but I think it's a golf tan. Yeah, goal-tending. Goaltending, again, it's okay last year. But who's it, Gibson's there now? Yeah, yeah. So, you know, he's going to have to step up. One of them is going to have to step up and win some games for them as opposed to losing some games for them.

Yeah, which has been what's happening. Okay, next one off is the Edmonton Oilers' boys. They going back to the cup? I don't know. I mean, Oilers are two. Like, they, they's 2.0 and 1. They started pretty good. Connor's not scoring.

I kind of like Fourth of July cookout, Tann. I mean, like, that's, I'm not putting them with the abs and the stars or, you know, anything like that yet. But they've got to be a step above Boston and Carolina, I think. Yeah. Yeah, agreed. Yeah. I thought losing Cory Perry was, I think that's going to hurt them because he was. 100%.

I know. Very instrumental in their playoff success. And to give them to L.A. Yeah, right. Because L.A. had them on the ropes last year, and they let them off. So, yeah, I don't, Edmonton, not Pam Anderson, but. Yeah, we'll go right below. We'll go right below.

Okay, next one up, the defending champs, Florida Panthers, 3-0-1 start. They look, they get a lot of injuries, though, but they're hot out the gates. Missing their two top players. It's crazy. You know, just the way Maurice coaches these guys, they all play the same way, they all finish their hits. You know, they know how to, they just do it right. And once Kachuk and Barkoff will be back, you know, ACL is usually, you know, they say six months, but you'll come back quicker if need be. But I like them.

They're still, someone's got to take them off the top of the mountain. They're the best team in the NHL. I think so too, but do you think we can go Cheli Malibu with the injuries? we have to knock them down one? I don't, right now I would say no, but in three months, if they're all healthy, there's Kelly Malibu. There's threat. There's threat.

Okay, let's put them, let's put them, uh, let's put them pay them for now. Okay, next one, uh, L.A. Kings. Again, they, they play hard. I like how they compete. Um, they give Edmonton and run for their money two years in a row. So, maybe with the Oilers then, Fourth of July, I kind of like that for the Kings. But they started a little. I think we're being a little generous here.

Like, you know I love my kings. But like, dude, they're one, two, and one that third deep hair is struggling so bad already. Like, I love the Kings, but I think they, again, we're going to do a lot of these rankings right now. I can't go higher than spray tan for them. Yeah, that is. But I like Kenny Holland. I think Kenny Holland's going to make some moves. So, you know, give him some time.

But yeah, spray tan for now. but Kenny Holland is going to make some trades. Spray tan plus. Spray tan plus. I like it. Minnesota Wild, two and two out the gate. Krill signs for a billion dollars. A lot of pressure there.

How do we feel about the wild start? I mean, I don't see them a lot, quite honestly. What's his? Caprisoff? Yeah, yeah. He's amazing. No question. He's a poor man, Kuturov.

It's so true. but he's very skilled. I don't think he's got the grit that Kooch has and the leadership qualities to just go out there and take over a game. But, yeah, I don't call it. Yeah, I'm not that high. Dan, I kind of want to go maybe golf,

or I would even go past out of the pool, but you like golf tan? Golf tan, yeah. I mean, at least golf tan. Playoff tan. Yeah, yeah, yeah, they're solid. They're solid. Okay, now we get the Montreal Canadiens.

three and one out the gate, some good wins on the resume. Lane Hudson takes a good deal. How do we feel about the halves? Well, I watched them play the other night. They play hard. They're big, skill, toughness, everything. Okay, you're hot. Yeah, I'm going to give a little hot.

Definitely on their way up. There's no question. Playoff team. Fourth of July, maybe with the Oilers? I'm sorry? I deserve it. Yeah, Fourth of July cook out with the Oilers, maybe? I can see them being Fourth of Jill.

I mean, like that, to clawback, get to O.T. And win an O.T. Like, they're showing that they learned stuff from last year. And they're coming out hot again. I don't hate that. Okay, let's do it. Let's do it. All right.

Then we got the Preds, who actually 2-1 and 1 through 4 after last year. That's actually kind of exciting compared to what everyone expected. Any love for the Preds, Chely? I mean, I look at their lineup, and I can't understand why they struggled so much. quite honestly you know maybe stamp coach you know these guys will figure it out this year and you'll see and they need good goaltending obviously I like their lineup I just like I just I don't know maybe just an off year somewhat like the Rangers I think the Rangers they're a better team than they showed last year yeah no one had a good year and that went

the same for Nashville so their best players got to be better for them to have success Dan, I would go as high as spray. What do you want golf? What do you think? I'm in golf tan, spray tan category here. I can't, I just don't know that I buy them yet. I mean, the struggles last year being from game one to game 82 was so glaring. Like, they never had a good stretch.

No. So they started well, but like, I think we need to see, give them a few more weeks of this and I'll bump them to spray tan, but I think golf tan right now. Okay, we'll go. golf, we'll go golf, and then next we've got the Devils. Devils, I'm really excited about this year, honestly, two and one through three so far. But that's another one where I need Jack to stay healthy. Where are you at on the Devils, Chelly? That's it. Hughes, the brothers, they're key to their success. Jack's got that reoccurring shoulder thing. I feel terrible for him. That's a bad thing, you know, especially his size. And you're going to have to learn how to

stay away from those danger zones, you know, but they need him for sure. I don't, you know, without him, it's going to be tough. So he stays healthy, you know, after he comes. He's out now, quite honestly, right? So is he out or is he playing now? He's in, but he's only got two assists, no goals through three games. Like, he's slow. He started slow for sure.

Yeah. So I think you're right. I think he's a little rusty coming back from the injury. But, I mean, the fact that he's starting slow and they're still two and one, you know, other guys are getting the job done. And I agree with you, Chelle. I like the team. Markstrom's still great. And the D looks pretty good.

I could see a spray taint here. Yeah, we'll go spray. We'll go spray Devils. Okay. Okay, next up, the New York Islanders, O'N three to start. Schaefer looks good, but they might be in trouble, boys. Not a fan of the Islanders. I love Patrick, but no.

I just don't see them. Yeah, I don't see them. We go in Dracula? We go giving them Dracula. I might put a stake in them just like the savers, honestly. Yeah, like a team with no direction. Yeah, Dracula, that's Dracula. Okay.

Hey, Schaefer looks good. Yeah, bright future. New York Rangers, Shelley, like you said, hopefully having a better season, but they can't win at home. 0-3 at Madison Square Garden. They can't even score at home. No, it's crazy. And if this continues, it's going to be tougher.

to get out of that rut. You know, they're best players, and Criter's gone, but, you know, Panarin, these guys, Jabanzad, you know, they got the best goal in the league, or at least he should be, you know, making him look average, which is, you know, their defense. Losing Truba, I don't care what you said. That was like cutting the head off the snake for me. Yeah, the money was an issue, but, you know, you watch and see what he's going to do for Anaheim and help Anaheim.

Yeah, already, God. Great point. We go in T-shirt at the beach. or passed out at the pool. Pack the makeup on, dude. That's Queen Elizabeth. They fucking stink, dude. It's like, you can't score at home.

Like, again, this can change when Charlie comes back on. But like, right now, like, we got to call them how they are. It's the, they're brutal. Yeah. Yeah, I hate to say because I do love New York and the rain to garden, but yeah. Yeah. Okay. Ottawa senators, a lot of hype for them this year.

Started one and two, though. And now Brady heard. I'm a little worried. Yeah. Not enough. without him, he's their team. He makes them go. That's a single-handedly leads that team.

So, you know, a healthy Brady, he got him in the playoffs last year. So, yeah, I don't think they'll be fighting to make the playoffs. I know, God, Dan. Yeah, T-shirt a T-shirt on, honestly. Yeah, that's T-Stra. You lose Brady, too. Like, and it sounds like Brady's immediately going to get surgery,

so it's at least four weeks without him. We're putting the sense. in a t-shirt. That's tough. Yeah. Okay, Philadelphia Flyers. Probably a tough one again. Bad goalie room over there. Not quite Dracula.

Yeah, Queen Elizabeth. Queen Elizabeth. But new leadership, you know, new coach. I like Jones, Keith Jones. I think he's going to get them going, but they're not good. Yeah, yeah. They still go to wait a way to go. They're not good.

To simply put boys, they are not good. They're not good. Yeah, I think that's right. Now we go, Sydney Crosby and the Penguins, man. Hot start, kind of, but now tapering out a little bit, and I'm still worried about their season. Yeah, older, you know, the real important for them to start well, no question. But again, last year, you know, he's got the free pass Sydney for the regular season.

They let him do what he wants. Malkin shows up when he feels like it. He's just kind of long for the ride. A lot of games doesn't take charge like he should because he's an unbelievable player when he's on. He's still got back on D. I love him, Latang. Yep.

So he's a little slower, but he's still, you know, big part of their success. But they're going to be fighting for a playoff spot also. Maybe not even, yeah, they'll be right there again, I think. I think that's right. And, listen, I, I, I, I kind of, let's put them at the pool with a sunburn. They're passed out drunk.

Because of the hot start. Because of the hot stuff. And Shelley's right. They're fighting. Like, they're fighting. They had a hot start. Brazos scoring, you know, Malkin is a bit of a passenger. I agree.

But he's also got points in every game. So, yeah. Put him at the pool. Okay, now we go San Jose Sharks. Probably another bottom feeder, but they got a lot of talent on that team. I'm excited about the future, but they haven't started that hot yet. No, what are they, one and two, I think? Oh, 1 and 2.

Yeah. Yeah, I'm not, yeah, they're Dracula. For one more year at least. For one more year at least, I think the sharks are going to be Dracula. Honestly, I would have liked to say Queen Elizabeth, but Chelly's right because of last night's game. Like they just got fucking piss pumped last night. So I do think that they are unfortunately going to be in the coffin.

Okay, Dan, Seattle Cracken, who actually I thought was going to be horrible this year, but 2-0-1 to start the year. So I think we've got to show them a little bit of love. definitely definitely um i'll uh yeah i mean they're definitely not pam andersen the question is are are they have they hit fourth of july with a nice crispy base or are they still rocking a spray tan because it might not be real yeah it might not be real uh but like they look good you know it's like they've they've had some good wins i don't know what do you think chel they play hard no question

they need scoring that that's their thing they just they got to get scoring from within and some surprises for offense. But they definitely play hard. I like watching their team play. They're fast, you know, great transition team. But again, the scoring, that's hard for them to find. Yeah. I think, yeah, I think spray team.

They haven't proven it to us yet. Yeah. Okay, St. Louis Blues, another team that we're really excited about, two and one look okay. Jimmy Snuggs looks pretty good. How do you feel? Yeah. I like St. Louis. I love Montgomery.

Okay, me too. God. I like the way he has them playing. So I put them again last year, they, you know, a few minutes away from advancing. So the role they got on towards the end of the year was incredible. So I see them to continue to get even better that St. Louis team. Okay, I like that. I like that.

Fourth of July cookout, as high as that? Yep. I agree. Everything, Charlie, just. said to me sounded exactly like the way we talked about the habs and we put the habs at the cookout. So I think that's right. Like the blues, you know, they took everything they learned last year and they're rolling through it.

I love it. Tricky one here, Tampa Bay Lightning, a lot of people's cup pick and one, two and one to start the year with some tough loss. Yeah, I'm curious what you think on this one, Shelley. Well, I think their team's fine. They got solid D, good forwards, scoring, Kutrov, goaltending. What's happening? Vasilevsky has not, whether he's tired or, you know, whatever his timing, he has not been the same guy that he was two years ago.

Both those goaltenders got blocker problems. You know, they're both different hands, but they got something wrong. Coup should get them bigger blockers, but never count out Coup. They got fire, you know, a lot of fighting them. You saw the two exhibition games where Tampa and Florida absolutely killed each other. so they still got a lot of fire left in them. Okay. But I don't, Dan.

Yeah. What do you got? I was thinking pool, maybe. I like, you know what I like about the pool? Because, like, listen, we're not going to put a T-shirt on this team yet. But I like passed out drunk at the pool because they feel drunk. Like, that is the takeaway here. Like, that team is too good to be playing like this.

They're just drunk. So they're passed out drunk at the pool. I like that. I love it. Toronto Maple Leafs without Mitch Marner. Two and two, Matthews was having a hard time. He got going last game a little bit, but what do you think about the lease without Marner, Chely?

God, they're like the Cubs. Without Marn. That's a big loss. But they're like the Cubs. Like, you're just always waiting for something bad to happen like it did last week for the Cubs. Great regular season, again. I see him having a really good.

I love Barubi as a coach. He'll keep them in line. That grit they lack. I think they need to strengthen their defense. That's always been an issue. The defensemen not having a top, you know, top two tandem two that can shut down other teams' top lines. Goaltending, again, it wasn't an issue for them this year. It's just they just can't win the big ones.

They just cannot win the big games. So maybe spray, what do we think? Spray tan, golf tan? I think it's harsh to put them at golf tan. Yeah. But they just talking to a little slow, but I'd go spray. I'll go spray. Yeah, let's go spray tan.

I think that's right. Okay, the Utah Mammoth. Everyone wanted them in playoffs last year. Everyone wants them in playoffs this year. Right now they sit eighth in the central at one and two through three games. Not ideal. I still kind of like them, but not ideal start. Yeah, to me, they're Seattle, very similar teams.

You know, they just don't have the depth for the scoring. They play hard. They play hard. They play the Hawks second game, and I think they outplayed. the Hawks, ended up in a tie. But, yeah, so I don't know. I don't like them as a playoff team, quite honestly. Yeah, I kind of don't either, Dan.

Maybe T-shirt, maybe he's too harsh though? No, I think you like a T-shirt on them. I think pop a T-shirt on him. You know why for me, it's like everyone was talking about, you know, like they got to get healthy, and they are healthy, and they've started this slow. So I'm like, you're wearing a T-shirt, dude. You're the fucking pasty fat kid at the pool. and you got to figure it out.

Cover up, buddy, cover up. Okay, Vancouver Canucks, also a little bit of a slow start, one and two. Quinn Hughes doesn't want to play there anymore. Let's see. I think they're right. Nobody wants to play there. Yeah, no one does.

I think they're right there, right there with the mammoth, put a T-shirt on him. Like, I, Elias Pedersen, not doing anything. Like, Brock Bess are sticking around, didn't do anything for morale? It's just like, how many times are we going to fall for this team's roster? I'm like I'm I want I'm ready to move on from them yeah the fact that Tocget couldn't hold that room together there's something going on there great call great call okay Vegas golden nights

Mitch Marner there new home maybe Carter Hart coming in to play gold do you like the nights shelley love them they just got a big bill for playoffs yeah you know led by Ikel the rest of them big D the goal tender doesn't matter you saw it what they put in a couple years ago when they won the Cup. They just play, Ray, D, and play to their goaltenders. So they got to be Pam Anderson. Yep, that's right. I think that's right.

Nailed it. That makes sense. I love Cassidy, their coach, incredible coach. So yeah. Okay, then we go Washington Capitals. Unbelievable season last year. Hot start again, three and one through four without Ovi doing a ton. They added some youth.

I think they're still, I think they're a legit team. Yep. I mean, I don't see anything changing there. Always another year older, but, you know, he's still lighting it up. Doesn't have to break a sweat for a game, just stands there and that crazy shot of his. But, yeah, they got veteran presence. Carlson on the back end still puts up numbers consistent. It plays every game.

Yeah, they're getting good goal tending. So, yeah, they're going to be right there again. Maybe Fourth of July, like just below Pam? Yeah, I like that. Yeah. I think that's right. I'm not ready to give them Pam Anderson treatment, but they're at the cookout, no doubt.

Yeah, and then another one, Winnipeg Jets, also unbelievable season last year. President's Trophy, 2-1 through 3 this year. They got the goalie. Kyle Connor stayed. Do we think they're the real deal? I think so. They'd say you learn by losing or making mistakes, and

they've definitely matured over the course of when they got knocked out first round and that debacle giving up all those goals two years ago. We're better last year. So, yeah, they're a team to be reckoned with. So I would say, again, Fourth of July cookout, I think, just under panel. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, so that's our rundown. Let me give you the recap, boys. This month, the NHL tiers, Chely Malibu, nobody. Tough bucket to crack. Pam Anderson. Yeah, Pam Anderson and Baywatch, we've got Avs, Stars, Panthers,

Vegas. Fourth of July cookout, we have Oilers, Habs, Blues, Caps, Jets, Sprayton, And we've got Bruins, Cains, Kings, Devils, Cracken, Leafs. Golf tan, we've got ducks, red wings, wild predators. Passed out drunk at the pool, we've got flames, penguins, and Tampa. We're in a t-shirt at the beach is the blue jackets, the senators, the mammoth, and the Canucks. Queen Elizabeth is the Hawks, the Rangers, and the Flyers, and Count Dracula is the savers, the islanders, and the sharks. Pretty good, looking. Fantastic tan tears.

Absolutely love it. Chely, you're the best for popping on. Can we see how this shakes out over the course of the season? Yep. I hope we're a little bit spot on halfway through. We'll see. Yeah. We'll check that kid.

Great. It's going to be awesome. Welcome to a new segment on the podcast where we are going to take you folks through some delicious, delightful picks. The Professor's Puck Line is what we've decided to call this segment. We'll be going through best. Get's, money lines, puck lines, palais, whatever you prefer. But this is our gambling segment of the podcast.

Daniel, the situation we have in front of us is a money-making situation. I'd first like to recap the mega parlay from last one. Please, please, sir. That'd be fantastic. Jets, yes. Yes. Blues, yes. Indeed.

Bruins, yes. Leaves, no. Christ. Who could have possibly made that decision? Bolt's no. Bolt's terrible. Terrible. They're on fraud watch, people have said.

Sends, no. Caps, yes. Yes. Rags, yes. Only time they've won all year. They've only time they've scored all year. And we got it. Cains, yes.

Indeed. Habs, yes. Mammoth, yes. Wild, no. Unbelievable. Stars, yes. Ginnucks, no. Ducks, yes.

Ducks, yes. Ducks, yes. Nights. Quack, quack, quack, they say. Knights, no. Ten and six. Ten and six in the Mega Parlay. That is not terrible. Tell me how much that pays, Red. Absolutely nothing. You get nothing.

Zero dollars. We get nothing, but we do get to hang our hat, our tweed cap, on the fact that we did quite well. Ten and six. We have some new... We will give you a Saturday Mega Parlet every week. Every week, even if there are only a couple of games. But there always will be a lot of games we've checked. Always will be. We have checked. We have checked. We will. looked at the future. Here are the bets we will also be giving you.

Saturday Selly, and anytime goal score on Saturday. We love. A hat trick, parley. Three legs from the same game. You sounded a bit like Jack Sparrow when you said parley there. You only say parley like that. I'll tell you, my friend. You only say parley.

I liked it a lot. And then, of course, the Friday fade, which is a game we pick from Friday night that we are 100% positive, who will win, and then we will take the other team. Because whenever we are certain, Whenever we're completely sure, it goes the other way. So, we shall fade that pick.

Let's begin with the Friday fade. The Friday fade. October 17th, we have bolts at wings, wild at caps. Yes. Canucks at hawks, sharks at mammoth. It feels as though the certain win here is that the sharks losing to the Utah Manon at home. Of course the mammoth will beat the sharks at home. Of course they will.

That is a certainty, my friend. Of course they will. We love the sharkies. They're playing exciting, exciting young hockey. So without fail, we will fade the mammoth. We are going to fade the mammoth. The Utah mammoth will surely lose to the San Francisco. But we are saying that the mammoth will certainly win.

Certainly win. They could never lose to the sharks at all. So the Friday fade will be fading. Sharks Money Line. Sharks. You're welcome. Enjoy. Your welcome.

That will be the Friday fade. The certain winners, Utah Mammoth will certainly lose to the Sharks. Now let's get into the Hat Trick Parlay. We're going to do a Sunday game. A nice parlay. A Sunday Parlay. A Sunday roast. A Sunday...

Christopher. Our Sunday roast. We're going to enjoy a nice Sunday roast. During our Hat Trick Parlay, we've chosen the Edmontonton-Ollay. We've chosen the Edmonton-Ole. Spoilers visiting the Red Wings of Detroit. Detroit. We are going to select a three-leg parlay single game.

We like the over in this game. We love the over in this game. We're going to be stuffed with goals. Full of roast. Stuffed full of goals. We love the over. It looks like we might have a duel of backup goaltenders in this game, which feels natural that we will see an over.

Also, some of us had Connor McDavid. on the Rocket Watch. That's interesting. Feels dead because he does not have a single goal yet this season. Might as well play for the Rangers. He cannot score a goal. What a perfect time for Young Connor to get on the score sheet during the Hat Trick Parley on a nice Sunday feast.

We're going to take Connor McDavid as our goal scorer, the Edmonton Oilers money line. Because of course they would win. and the over and the over. Hattrick parley Sunday roast. Beautiful, beautiful combination. The stews, the roast, the potatoes, everything together is going to create the most delicious roast. You could ever imagine that will turn into a perfect hat trick palais.

Now then, the Saturday Selly. We have 13 games on Saturday. The mega parlay is coming. but the Saturday Selly bet is an anytime goal scorer from a Saturday game. We've got a lot of teams to choose from 26. In fact, who is lighting the lamp on Saturday? Oh my goodness, there's so many to choose from. I feel as though the young man in Minnesota who has signed the large contract is off to a ferocious start to his NHL season.

Already with four goals. Krill Kaprizov feels very interesting to me. That is interesting at Philadelphia. I also feel that it is almost a certainty in the Carolina Hurricanes Los Angeles Kings game. We've yet to see the captain on Jakopatar score a goal. I don't mind that. I also think Adrian Kempi is heating up quite nicely as well as young Seth Jarvis. Well, those are a lot of options.

Is there any that you like? I'm trying to present opportunity. Those are good options. Those are good options. I actually think I like a home team. You like a home team? Maybe I do go Kings. Maybe we do go Kings.

We could go Kings, but also Minnesota is away. Minnesota is away. They are away? They are away? Maybe it is the captain. It might be Adrian Kempi. It also might Colorado at home against the Bruins. They handled the Bruins quite well.

That is interesting. That is interesting. Nathan McKinnon scores every game. Every game, it seems, the young lad, he's on fire. He's on fire. So it's between the alternate captain of Colorado and the captain-captain of Los Angeles. That's what I'm between. Maybe we land on...

I've got a new one. Oh, no. Out of the blue, and I like it. It feels very on par with the MT Netters program. On par, I hope, moving forward with Professor's Parkline, there's a team north of the border playing home against a struggling

New York Rangers team in Montreal. Canadians will be in the Saint-Trabel and a young man named Goal-Calfield. Oh, feels like a perfect first Saturday Selly sold. Saturday Selly

anytime goal scorer goal-carfield of Montreal. Toot sweet young Cole, let's get you on the score sheet. Toot. Close out the professor's puck line. As we will every episode, it will be with the Saturday Mega Palais. A Mega Palais.

We go around the horn, picking winners, because if you try to do it yourself, you will lose every time. That is a fact, my friend. I should have actually tracked which one of us lost. How many of ours lost from the last one, but I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to do that. No, we don't need to institute that sort of negativity into this space. Last time we started with Red today. We will start with Professor Powers here to my right.

Saturday Megaparly, 13 games. Panthers at Sabres. I will take the cats, my friend. Isles at Senators without Brady Kachuck. I will go... Sir, you are taking quite long. I will go Islanders. Interesting.

Red. Young David. Oilers at Devils. Oil. Daniel. Crackin at Leafs. I will take the Crackin. Chris, rags at Habs.

On the road. Rags. Interesting. Hopefully we still get that cool carfield goal. Red, wild at Flyers. Wild. Dan Bolts at Jackets. Give me the lightning, sir.

I believe they write the show. Wow. Christopher, stars at Blues. Give me the stars. Red, Preds. At Jets. Jets. Daniel, Bruins at Avs.

It must simply be the tumbling snow of the avalanche, my friend. Christopher, Keynes at Kings, I'll take the Kings. Red flames at nights. Knights. And Daniel, penguins at sharks. It feels disingenuous to choose with my heart here. I love the sharkies. I love our young boys, but I believe after.

a difficult loss to the ducklings. The ducklings. The penguins must simply find a way to win. I will take the penguins. Panthers, islanders, oil, cracking, rags, wild, bolts, stars. Preds, jets, jets, avs, kings, knights, gwyns. Enjoy your money on the Saturday megapaulet. That is the Saturday Mega Parlay, the selections have been laid out. We now must watch our fate. That will be the Professor's Puckline segment and a beautiful way for you to find riches in your life. Let us take an ad break. What a perfect time to take an ad break and hear from our lovely, lovely sponsors.

Darling's by now, you know that we have teamed with BetMGM all season long for your greatest, greatest online sports book that you could ever find. BetMGM is taking care of you in ways that no one else is. We are in the midst of the MLB postseason. We have international football happening. You know I love that. And we also are back in the swing of things with hockey season. BetMGM is presenting you with every pick, every game and every sport that you could ever imagine. And if you sign up now with promo code netters, N-E-T-T-E-R-S, they are giving you a delightful, delicious deal. You can bet up to $1,500 US dollars. And if you lose it, every single one of those will go back into your account in bonus bets, $1,500 back into your account in bonus bets. And on top of that,

we have the hat trick jackpot. You can bet any player you like to be an anytime goal scorer. We love anytime goal scorers. And if that player scores three or more goals, thus achieving the coveted hat trick, you will be put in a pot of up to $10,000 in bonus bets. So get your anytime goal scorer bets in, sign up with promo code Netters, any T-T-E-R-S, and get all of these unbelievable, delectable deals from BedMGM, the best sportsbook in the world. All right, we have a very, very special guest in the Nod Ice portion of the Empty Netters podcast today. We are honored to be joined by Eva Erickson, the runner-up of Survivor 48,

and the first openly autistic person in Survivor history, Eva. And club hockey legend. Aater of wet socks. Yeah, yeah. Dominant hockey player on... Where did you get a hater of wet socks? How do you just know that? Like, what do?

We do our research here, okay? And I'm with you. I actually went for a run the other day and it was raining out here in L.A. and I got wet socks and I wanted to die the whole time. Let me just add too. I, we, it was raining here in L.A. yesterday for the first time in a billion years.

And we had a crazy day. We were scrambling all around. And then we were going to the Ducks home opener. And my feet got wet in the rain during the day. And I never got to change. And then we went to the rink. And that was the coldest rink I've ever been in my life. And the wet socks was a real problem.

So miracle you don't have frostb. I thought I was going to get prospect. I thought I was going to get frost. Unbelievable. But anyway, Eve Erickson, welcome to the Empty Netters podcast. How are you? I'm pumped to be here. This is so fun. Thanks for having me.

Absolutely. We're thrilled that you're here. I want to start off with the hockey journey and hear your story about how you got so into hockey because as people can see, your background, we've got amazing jerseys hanging all over the place. You're a collector. This is fantastic. Was it just being from Minnesota that got you into hockey immediately or is your family super dialed in hockey as well? I mean, my earliest memory was learning to skate. Like, that's how deep it goes into my, like, being as a human is that, like, first thing I remember is being out on the pond with my dad and having him teach me to skate. And so I just, like, wanted to play hockey because, yeah, the culture of Minnesota, like, that's what it's all about. Like, I started playing hockey when I was five years old.

And so it's just, like, all the way up, like, all of my friends played hockey. We were, like, this tight group got to play in some, like, amazing plays. is playing at the XL Energy Center for the like state tournament in high school. And you know how big that is in Minnesota. Like it's just that is something that's carried me through. And also it was just like a huge like fixation for me because like you said, I have autism and I get very fixated on specific things. And so hockey has always been that like special interest of mine.

So whether I'm playing, I'm refing or watching like that's that's what like I'm all about. So then yeah, going to college playing being the first and only girls. to play on the men's club hockey team at Georgia Tech. I got Jersey right back there for that one. Yeah, I love it. That was a big deal for me and just brought my game to the next level, playing with men. And now I'm the captain of the men's club team at Brown currently.

So that's a lot of fun. Plus, I also just, like, being part of the game, I am a linesman for hockey east currently, which is really fun too. It's so sick. It's amazing. We're going to get into all of that. I love it. We're going to get to all that, but I want to go back first.

We actually went to the Minnesota high school tournament this past season. for the first time. Yeah. And it was so cool. Like, I could not believe how many people should. They pack the Excel Center on a Thursday. It's Thursday at noon and the place is packed. Oh, yeah.

Your school gets the day off. So, like, when we played in the state tournament, we were unseated. And so we were kind of like, we were underdogs coming in and we won that first game. It was at, like, noon on Thursday. And our whole school, like, bust in. It was packed. It was the coolest thing I think, like, I've ever, the best crowd I've ever played in front of, because it was like everyone you know from school is just like so fired up for you.

Like so much fun. That was so funny. Eva, we went. And on the Thursday, like those first games at noon, we're sitting in there walking around. And I literally turned to Chris and they go,

these fucking kids go to school or like, what's going on here? And then people were like, yeah, no, they all have the day off. Like, and you forget how big Minnesota is.

Like some of these buses are coming from like nine hours away for this thing. It was unbelievable. So cool. And in the student section, everyone's in the corner, you know, they give you guys your own little corner. So it's like every goal, just race to the corner, jump into the glass.

It was epic. That was unreal. So when you went down to Georgia Tech, were there any hesitations for you of joining a men's team, especially also in Georgia? Like, you know, it's not like it's, yeah, you're in Minnesota. Everyone knows that girls play hockey and are amazing at hockey. You're down in Georgia playing at this massive school. Did you have any hesitations or were you like, no, I love this.

I'm obsessed with this. And I'm great. So let's get it. Yeah. I mean, I, Georgia Tech was like my dream school, right? Like, I knew I wanted to go to school for school. Like, I studied physics there. I am like very big into engineering. Like, I was like, I don't want to like go play like D3, try for like being bottom with D1. You know, like, I was like, I want to go to school for school. And so when I found out that Georgia Tech had a hockey team, like I was just like, okay, this is even better. Like I want to play. And whenever I have like a goal, like I just get after it. Like, yeah, I was like, okay, they've never had a girl before. But like, my teammates all were like afraid. to play against me in drills because I was the most physical girl on our team. Like they, like, they, I'm a very like aggressive, feisty little player. And so I was like, okay, that should help me like in a men's game, right? Like, and I know I was fast. I know that like my strong suit is just being a

very stay at home defenseman. Like I was like, okay, I just have to like demonstrate that I have these skills that like I am like very coachable. I'll take any feedback. Like I just want to play. And so I showed up to be on that team. And at first, like a lot of the guys were kind of like iffy about me, right that they're like okay like who's this girl think she is like a lot of them from the south have never played with a girl before like that's just not a thing down there and so i just very quickly kind of like showed my my stuff showed who i am and that like i'm going to work harder than anybody else on this team on and off the ice to like be the best i can be and so very quickly was just ingratiated into the team and it's really funny like i i just remember like after like the

first like away tournament i think we went and played at auburn um then the guys were like hey like, do you feel bad when we say, like, let's go boys? Like, do you, is there something else you want us to say? And I was just like, look at you guys trying to be inclusive. And I'm like, nah, man. Like, I'm part of the boys. And they're like, yeah, like, this is your pack. Like, let's go.

So really just showed me like, yeah, I'm one of them. And they never treated me any different after that. So it was great. That is so funny. That is the right mentality, right? Like, you're just one of the boys. Like, that's it. And I think the answer is going to be no.

But I wonder if it was an adjustment for it was, you're describing how it was an adjustment for them. Was an adjustment for you? you at all because you come from a place where there is so much women's hockey because we grew up in a town in Maine and there was a girl that played on our high school team and she was nasty. She went to Minnesota, the gophers. Like she was so good. But there just wasn't women's hockey where in my tiny beach town.

So she had no choice. So she'd been playing with boys her whole life, right? Literally it wasn't until college that she was finally on a women's team. But you obviously had so much experience to be on a women's team. Was there, were you nervous at all being like, oh shit, I'm just going to go play with the guys or you didn't care. I was nervous about the checking. Like, right?

Like, I had not played checking hockey. That I switched over to girls hockey when checking hit. And so I was like, okay, this is going to be new to me. Like, but like I said, I'm a very physical player. I am very strong. Even though I'm 5'4, like, I am very dense. Like I, I had like faith in myself. But like, it was definitely adjustment where the speed is so much faster, the physicality.

It really forced me to step up my game. And ultimately, like, that is what has made me the best player that I could be. for myself. And so then when I went back and I played a couple games in like a college women's like summer league after having played boys hockey for a few years. And oh my God, night and day difference. Like I was scared I was going to hurt people. Like I'm used to like bodying guys twice my size. I had to like quit the league because everybody hated me because I was so much faster. Like I'm a defenseman. I never score. I like was getting a hat trick every game and I didn't know any of these girls. And they were all like, oh, like she thinks she's so good. And I was like, dude,

I don't. Like I'm just, this is great to play. I guess people my size. So it definitely, it was a huge adjustment that, like, ultimately made me a much better player. So I was really, really happy to have that. And I can't imagine going back to a non-checking game. I'm picturing people out open ice. Just bundling girls in open ice.

No, these little, these girls who were like a freshman in college. And I was at this point, like, this was when I had come to my PhD here. So I'm, I'm, what, 21 years old. And they're like, they're like a hundred pounds soaking wet. I weigh like 145 pounds at this point. And I'm just like dense as hell. I barely touch someone. They go flying and I'm like, I'm so sorry.

It's like child abuse. Just bundling these kids. I love it. How was the transition for you with playing and like, you know, like this journey is so cool playing with guys and all this? And then deciding you wanted to ref. When did that come about? I've actually been reffing since I was 13.

There you go. Amazing job. Yeah. amazing. Like when you're a hockey player, right? Like you have practice every day when you're in high school. I'm hard to have like a normal like job at Wendy's, you know? So, yeah. Roughing was great because it worked with my schedule. So I'd already be at the rink all the time. Why not hop on and do a few games? And so I I did that from 13 up through like graduating high school. And then when I moved to the northeast here, I got in touch with some of the coordinators around here and was then like scoped out by the supervisors.

for the NCAA leagues, which was great. And so I had a tryout and ultimately then was selected to work for Hockey East, which is like a big honor. They're the best of the best in this part of the country. So I'm very, very proud of that. And just it's amazing to get to work at high levels that I never got to play at. Like these are the best women's players in the country that I'm getting to drop pucks for. And I'm like, ice.

Like it just, it's great. What's your favorite call to make? icing yeah good call I yeah ice is kind of fun because you get to like yell it and I use like my reffing voice right where I'm like ice like you throw yeah that's that's pretty fun um

like I mean as a linesman it's mostly off sides and icing so I prefer that I'm not big on calling penalties because I'm often too lenient on penalty calling so I'm like I think my role is liney that would be my problem too was there must have been obviously we all are hockey players and there's nerves that come with that the

butterflies before games and everything, but I got to imagine you're getting butterflies before reffing too, because there's a lot of pressure in there. What's that like? Yeah, my first hockey East game was at Northeastern. They had the band in there. It's in Matthews. And it just, it felt so big. And I was, I was scared shitless. Like, I was like, I'm going to like fuck this up somehow. I'm going to like not drop the puck right. And it's going to like do something terrible. I did actually in that game, I've totally messed up a hybrid icing call and just came. I picked myself for the rest of the game and was like, they're never gonna assign me another game.

I'm terrible. And so it is like, yeah, like you're so in your head. And you also have to remember as a player, if you make a mistake, you get off the ice. You get to sit on the bench and then you're like, okay, like let me reset and I'll get back out there, do better. As a ref, you never get off the ice. Like you're just out there.

And then you have to like deal with like, oh, I messed up. And now the coaches are mad at me for the next 20 minutes until the Zam cut and I'm like, I hate myself. So you're just going, going, going and have to like lock in. all times. So it is definitely a different kind of grind. Absolutely. And my God, people, you know, especially in Stanley Cup playoffs, people are so mad at the refs all the time. And we always try to say, I'm like, do you have any idea how hard this is the offside calls that reps make where I'm like, I'm all watching it's super slow mo. And I'm like, wow, that was actually correct. I can't

believe they nailed that. So I imagine that's this grind too for you when you're like, I don't know how you do it, just hawking the blue line. Yeah, it must be insane. Yeah. I think it's kind of funny because so for me, so I'm a defenseman and I'm a linesman. Um, and both of those things for me are very formulaic. Like I am not a creative player. I am not like, I'm a very like, this is the formula for how I stop someone from scoring a goal. Like this is what I do, where I need to be. That's how my brain works. Like I'm a very mathematical thinker. And same thing with lining. There are always, these are the spots you need to be in, be exactly on this line. You own this line. It is a formula and you follow that formula to a T to wrap the game the best you can. Um, whereas

If you're the ref, so you're calling penalties, you're more fluid. You're moving around. It's a very different kind of role that is more similar to like being the creativity you need as a forwards where you're kind of like reading what's going on and how am I going to best handle this. So it's very different. And so that's kind of where I find that I fit best in with being a defenseman, being alignsman. So it's just kind of a unique thing that everyone finds like what role they fit better in. And of course, I do rough games when I do like national tournaments and stuff too.

So then I'm having to call penalties. but for the most part, I like for collegiate games doing lining. Yeah, I love that. So for those who don't know, and you mentioned a little bit, you're at Brown, you're getting your PhD, you're a whiz with things like mathematics, physics and stuff like that, in engineering. And then you're also so dialed into hockey like this and you're working as a ref and a linesman.

Where are we going here? What do you think? I mean, because I see how focused and in love with the game of hockey you are. I can't imagine you're just going to be dropping that anytime soon. So, you know, what are your biggest passions right now? Where are you thinking you're leaning towards? Yeah, that is a really cool thing to bring up because I am near the end of my PhD, right? Where I'm thinking, okay, what am I doing next?

And the work that I've been doing, I like, I enjoy, but I'm not passionate about it, the same way I'm passionate about hockey. And I've been wanting to find a way to kind of bring my love of the game, connecting that with my extreme background in physics and engineering. And so I'm looking at trying to get into the like sports engineering sphere, whether that's in doing R&D for sports equipment. Like we would love to work for someone like Bauer or something like that. And I've had some meetings with women who work in their other R&D headquarters in Montreal. And I'm like, their job is the coolest thing ever.

But also there's another element that people don't often think of, which is how we can improve the way the game is played by tracking data. So there's a lab at MIT that is called the MIT Sports Lab where they're looking at creating flow models for how players and officials move throughout the game. So we can analyze things like, is the officiating system we're using that formula I was talking about? Is that the best way to manage the flow of a game? And so as a fluids engineer, I have a lot of experience with flow. And so that's something that I'd be really interested in getting in on like a research perspective and perhaps going into academia to try to like science out our game to be better based on all that tracking data that we now have access to in both the PWHL and the NHL.

It's very cool stuff. So those are two things that I'm kind of like looking into for where I want to go when I graduate here. I love that so much. That's kind of what I was leaning towards because I imagined there was a crossover right here. But now learning that Eva is going to replace all reps with AI is kind of tough to hear. Not replacing it with AI. But like seeing like, can we position the officials better?

Can we change the system to make the best calls possible? Because that's like the number one thing the leagues are trying to get out of this data analysis. Is they're like, are we officiating the best we can? Because officials can make or break a game. Definitely, definitely. It's so cool. It's such a good space to be in. They do.

There's a skate out here in L.A. where they, it's a try out for refs to go on and do HL games and stuff like that. And I know you're right about that because they have their whole map of like, here's you are when the puck's here, here's where you are in the puck's here. And I've always wondered who made that up. Like, where did that come from? So this is a really cool idea to be like, is that the best it can be? Can we improve on that? I love this. I love this thought process. Yeah, it's amazing. Before we transition away from hockey, I do want to ask, because I know you're a big Wild fan. How do you feel about the krill contract? How do you feel about the Wilde in general

right now? Oh, okay. I, the Wild have let me down the last few years. I've been very sad with performance. I feel like every year we get let down because they'll have a great like regular season. You're like, okay, like things are going well and then playoffs. And we're just like the new Leafs. Like we just, first round exit. It's so sad. You literally, you just, you just quoted me. Like last year. Yes, last year, I was like, I think the Wilder the New Leafs and we we kind of dubbed them the Leafs of the West. Like people don't really talk about it. Oh no. But they just lose in the first round. It's crazy. Yeah, yeah. It's just like lower profile because like the Leafs is a long standing like meme in that way and we're just kind of there and now I'm like guys we need to do

better but like with the Carrille contract I I think that that's fantastic I think we don't have another star player like that we're not the kind of franchise that draws in these big star players so I think given him that kind of deal showing him his worth that we value him hopefully that steps up his game my one worry is that he is injury prone and so I I don't want us to see that we're paying this crazy amount of money to him and then it just going nowhere because he gets hurt halfway through the season. So that's tough. But I actually have a funny thing with the wild fur that I'm also excited for this season is Danila Yorov. He came from the KHL this year. This is really funny. I have this is a crazy story.

I helped him get drafted. Like this is so this is so ridiculous. So in January at like 2022, I get a random DM on Instagram from an account that like is pretty, pretending to be Danilla you're off. Like, I am nobody. I wasn't on Survivor at this point. I've got like a thousand followers on Instagram. There's no reason that a KHL player would be DMing me. And I'm like, okay, what is this?

Asking for news, classic. I'm like, there's no way. There's no way this is real. But the thing is the account, the account looks really real. Like the following ratio is good. Like, you got a handful of posts. Like has like 5,000 followers. And I was like, there's no way this is real,

but like it looks real enough that people are probably falling for this. Like, this is bad. So I do a little digging and I like find Danilla's actual account, which only has like 300 followers, no posts. And I'm like, I don't even know if this is him, but like I'm going to let him know that somebody's doing this. And I send him screenshots and I'm just like, hey, heads up. And he gets back to me and like he's like broken English. Like clearly only speaks Russian. He's like, he's like, not me. Agent will fix. I'm like, cool. Good luck, man. Yeah, yeah. Six months later, now we're. We're right around the draft, right? Now, real Danilo reaches out to me again. And he goes, he goes, hey, I don't know if you know this, but I'm, like, slotted to go in the first round of the NHL draft. But somebody filed a harassment case against me for this fake account, pretending to be me asking girls for nudes.

You are the only person who has proof that that wasn't me. Can you write a testimony to the NHL on my behalf? And I was like, I was like absolutely anything you need. So I type up this whole thing, send it to Jared Maples, like chief security officer of the NHL. And he gets back and he's like, thank you, we will take this into consideration. So he's like having like a mini like trial within the NHL.

And this is like in Montreal right before the draft. Like yeah, it's like freaking out. And I'm like, I'm like, hey, like I'm sure it'll work out. Like I sent all the stuff like what what teams are you talking to? And he's like, oh, like I was predicted to go in like 11. or 12th, which would be like the Sabers-ish, but because I'm Russian, this was when there was that time where a lot of the Russian players were worried about being able to come back. Yeah. And so he's like, oh, because I'm Russian, I might fall a little bit. So I've talked to the Blues in the Wild. And I'm

like, well, I'm a Wild fan. So I really hope you go to them. Um, then he goes 24th pick in the draft, the first round to the Minnesota Wild. And while he's still at the draft, he like, DM's about Instagram, he's like, did you tell them to pick me? Like, I wish I had that kind of Yes, yes, I did. But just, yeah. So I've been, like, extremely invested in his career, and now he's finally here. And I'm like, I, without me, this man would not be in the NHL because some random person was taking advantage of the fact that he did not use his Instagram. So that is, yeah, that's my crazy connection to the millier of.

This is legitimately the craziest story I've ever heard in my entire life. That is ridiculous. I mean, like, have you gone to a game yet? Like, we need a picture of YouTube. Like, this is unbelievable. I know. I know. Yeah, no, he just had his first game the other night.

And I watched that. I was like so pumped. I like DMs him after. And I was like, dude, I'm just so happy you finally made it here. Like I've been like checking in with him while he's been in the KHL the last couple of years. Just to be like, hey, remember me when you're famous. It's, yeah, just wild. So it's probably even wilder for him on his side.

Yeah, that he now like, now he sees like I have like, what, 150,000 followers on Instagram, I'm just like randomly famous and he's like, who are you? Like what? Like, you know, like that's got to be so weird on his side. Yeah, yeah. You guys in such a strange way, you guys have both watched each other come up. Yeah. Like, it's ridiculous. Yeah. This is remarkable. This is truly like, that's the craziest thing. The combination of some asshole taking advantage of a fake Instagram, you being an internet sleuth and then him getting drafted by your hometown team is preposterous. This is so funny. I know. It's like

storybook. It's just so funny. And I just, it's ridiculous to me that I was just like literally typing up a thing with all the screenshots the messages this guy said, like, and everything to the NHL. Holy hell. This is, I,

let me tell you what. I knew this was going to be a fun conversation. Did not expect this type of a story. You just never like, you never think anyone's going to see your DMs. And next thing you know, you're screenshoting them to the NHL and you're like, God, I'm so glad I reacted appropriately at this moment. Oh my God.

Yeah. No, and the thing was when I like looked at this account too that was pretending to be him, all of the people it was following were girls and a lot of them were hockey girls too. Like it specifically was like, I was like, oh, like who's going to be interested in the fact that this is a KHL player, probably some girl who plays hockey. Like they weren't thinking. And it definitely worked on people because like the fact that it had so many followers and that like there was this whole harassment charge against the Danilla.

Like it was just so sad. So that like that just shows like you need to get that blue check mark like ASAP if you're anywhere near that because that's yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Like without me like I don't know where he'd be. So I mean, yeah, correct. You're a hero. It's unbelievable.

I mean, I don't even want to leave talking about hockey now after that. But I mean, I feel like everyone would lose their minds if we don't talk about Survivor. Yeah. And and and and also the whole life even. for sure. So actually let's start with this. You get your diagnosis, right? And can you just elaborate on what it is meant to you to be, have been told what you were told at the beginning of your life and to have lived the life you have so far. And if you don't mind, just the messaging. Because I thought that was so important. I agree. Like nothing is wrong with me. This is and

using your platform to get that out. I think that's just incredible. Yeah. Thank you so much. Yeah, I was diagnosed when I was just around a year old, so very, very early. And doctors told my parents that I would never hold a job. I would never live independently. That, like, at most, they could hope that I would marry somebody who else had autism. And, like, my parents were just like, like, we're not just going to give up on the life of our child. Like, we're going to put everything we have into getting her the help she needs. And so I went through so many different types of therapy.

Like, I was doing physical therapy. occupational therapy, speech therapy, and all of these things, like, I have no recollection of. Like, I was so young that it's just, I've just been the way I am my whole life. But it had a huge impact on me. And an additional thing that really impacted me as a kid was starting playing hockey, actually, because at that age, that was when I was going through all this therapy. And hockey was a way to help me apply the skills I was learning in therapy to something that I enjoyed. And it forced me to socialize with kids because I didn't.

know how to interact with my peers. And so my mom always, like, attributes to that I showed a huge growth once I started playing hockey. And so that's also why, like, I love the sport so much is because it really, like, helped me become who I am today. And I really just went through my life with my parents always telling me that there was nothing wrong with me, that autism was just part of who I am. And it's going to give me some challenges that are different than other people, but it also is going to give me strengths. And so that's kind of how I've always seen it. And it. And it's, it wasn't until I was in middle and high school that I found out how other people viewed people with autism. And that kind of just like hit me like a truck that it was like, oh, wow, like people think that this is something bad.

Like they don't understand. And nobody knew that I had autism unless I told them. And so it was kind of for a while, I kind of kept it close to my chest that I was like, oh, like, is this something weird? Like I know that I'm different than those around me. I know I don't pick up on social cues. I know that I get way more intense and thick. excited on things, like, is this bad? But ultimately, like, as I've grown and really heard the words of my parents of the people around me that, like, they love me for who I am, I just totally want to share that with others, that it is never something wrong with you, that, yes, it's going to give you challenges. And I have my own challenges in so many ways that come from my autism, but all of my successes in my life would not have happened without for my autism as well. So I'm going on, survivor and then sharing this message has really changed my life, has changed the lives of so many people in ways that I never expected. And so I am just so very proud to get to say something that just seems so easy to say, right? That it's like, oh, like autism is not something wrong with you, but just those words alone have changed lives with so many because so many people believe that it is something terrible when it's not. It's just another thing that impacts who I am and I'm

proud of it. Absolutely, as you should be. I'm so glad that you say that because you should feel proud. And it is really remarkable to see it's like you just said, when you take ownership of something, it doesn't become as challenging and it doesn't control what you do because now you're in the driver's seat. And it's amazing the way that you've done it. Do you think that so much of this and your strength and your confidence in yourself has kind of forced you to take on even more challenges because it does feel like you look at things like this as just a reason to go, well, you know what, I'm going to do this next challenge and prove people wrong because nothing's going to hold me back.

Yeah, it's not even like, oh, I'm going to prove people wrong. It's a, I want to do that, so I'm going to do it. Like, same thing with going and trying to play men's hockey in Georgia. It was just like, that's what I want to do, so I'm going to do it. And I think some of that, like the not recognizing social cues, just being fixated on things. Like, that's why I'm able to just go after that. Because sure, people probably looked at me weird for like trying out for this team

and being so tiny and whatever on the ice. but like I don't see that. Like it goes over my head. I'm not aware of these, these cues that other people give off that might make someone else self-conscious. I'm just like, this is what I want, so I'm going to get it.

And like going on, yeah, on all of my platforms, going on national television, just speaking these words that, of something that I'm so, so like, just feel so strongly in my heart,

you know, like that's something that other people might like frown on. They're like, oh, like, that's weird, whatever. But no, like,

it's something so important to me. And I think it is just, yeah, like, I want to go after that next challenge. I want to be the best me I can be, and I want to help make the world a better place as I'm going along that journey, you know? Yeah. It's amazing. I love it. And in what I want to ask about Survivor because funnily enough, my girlfriend's sorority sister, really good friend is on the season right now. So it's been fun watching that. Wait, who is it? It's Sophie, but there's two Sophie. She's the one in the yellow tribe, not the blue tribe. Like the one of the blue tribes. Oh, yes, yes. She, oh my gosh, she was our alternate. Oh, no.

Like, she was on our season. She tried out the year before, too. Yeah, that's right. 100%. Yes, she was there. It's been crazy because Sandra's been like, like, I'm best friends with her, you know, and it's nuts watching. Oh my God.

But one thing I wanted to ask you, because I've been so invested in watching this, you obviously have your mega viral moment, right, during the immunity challenge and with Joe, when you tell everybody the whole story, it's, it must be crazy. I think it's impossible for us watching Survivor. We know it's intense and everything, but it must be crazy to, be in that actual moment and having the challenges of the game, the cameras everywhere, you're miced up, having an episode because you're so oversimulated and emotional, Joe, they're like, how was that actually for you in real time? Of course, the video is amazing.

I'm crying. Everybody's crying. But in real, in the moment, what was that like for you? Yeah, I think they did a really great job capturing that and the emotions that were involved, because it really was this kind of like very quick up, quick down kind of episode where I, I got overstimulated very quickly. Like you saw the first part of the challenge was fine, right? Where we get through that, we're grinding. We're doing really well. And because it's just like we've done a million challenges.

But the thing that gets me is that we come to that table maze. And when I am not succeeding in something, I will get kind of stuck in this cycle of my head. And that happens from getting overstimulated in other ways as well. But like here, I just kept failing on the table maze over and over and my brain got stuck in this loop and I couldn't get out of it. And now everybody's yelling at me. It's hot where there's so much energy and just it's so intense. And I am just trying so hard to focus on this maze and I keep failing. And you can see like I have to release this intensity somehow.

So I'm kind of like yelling at myself and I was just like screaming and swearing a little bit while we're doing the challenge. I was like, no, it's okay. You got this. And they just think that it's just normal like intensity of the moment. Right. They don't understand that there's something else going on in my brain because nobody else on that beach knew that I had autism other than Joe. And so when we get to that moment where I succeed, I finish the table maze and you think that it's like, oh, okay, now like you get to relax, it's chill, it's fine. No, like for me, I have had all of this building for so long that now it has to explode. And so I start screaming and screaming and I'm completely ungrounded. And this happens in my life. It's happened so many times, but nobody else had seen that there yet. So they

don't know what's going on. They're they they just are like, oh, like, is she okay? Like, what's happening? Joe is the only person who understood that I was, I was not having a panic attack. I was not like having anxiety attack. Like, no, like I was just overstimulated. And so he was able to jump in with the exact help that I needed because I advocated for myself early on. And that's what's really, really important. And is the big success here is that I had advocated and in the first few days of the game for myself in telling Joe that if something like this were to happen, here are the things you can do to help me. And that's what's really important for people with autism to recognize too, is that advocating for yourself is what can help you have success. And so he then stepped in. He gave me the

help I needed and I was able to come down out of it. And it's not to say that I couldn't have come down out of it by myself. Like I have my own strategies that I use, but it comes down much quicker when I have help from somebody else. And so it was just a very beautiful moment. And then I had the opportunity to then speak about my life and what had happened to everybody. And I truly just believe that like God was working through me in that moment. Because I don't know how I was able to speak so eloquently on something like there. There was no break there. Like it was like a okay, we're done. Now like, do you want to talk about it? And it's like there was no like rest. So it was a very beautiful moment overall. And I'm just so glad that it has reached so many people to have an

impact in our world. Did and maybe you can't tell us this because it's TV secrets. But did Jeff Like when Jeff asked you, do you want to tell what's going on? Had you told him I'm ready to talk about it? Or was he just like, if you want, go ahead? So Jeff was aware that I had autism. All of the producers, everyone part of the crew, they all knew. It's just like the people in the tribes don't know. And so Jeff, he did not ask me prior if it was okay to talk about.

They knew from all my interviews. Yeah, they knew from my interviews going in, like that I am very open about talking about it and stuff. So they knew it wasn't like some big secret that he was trying to like pull out of me. It was just I had expressed to them that I wasn't going to share it in the game because gameplay wise someone could take advantage of me. Because it's like if they know that I can't pick up on when someone's lying, then they're just going to lie to me. So it was, yeah. So he was aware that like I'm comfortable talking about it. And so then him just, yeah, he just opened it up and was like, do you want to explain what happened?

Yeah. Yeah. Oh, my God. So amazing. Yeah, it's just such a good moment. And it's like the way you handled it was. so beautiful and the way it, like you said, that it's touched so many people is the greatest thing that could have happened from it. So it's just such an amazing situation that you found yourself in

that's turned into such a beautiful thing. Overall, I mean, you did so well, obviously, which is fantastic. Overall, I don't think people realize that, you know, we talk about unscripted TV all the time and it's, we always go like this. It's unscripted. There's a lot of things that are set up, but I don't think a lot of people realize how grueling survivor really is. You clearly are a person who loves a challenge. You love being competitive. You love competing. Overall, did you love this experience? Was it harder than you thought it might be? Was it more fun than you thought it might be? What was the sort of big picture takeaway for you? It was so much everything more than I thought it was going to be. I had like a picture in my mind. Like I went into this being like, oh, it's a sporting event.

Like I'm going to train for sports. Like I didn't like think about as much like the relationships you would build out there. I didn't really like fully understand the physical toll that like losing all that weight takes on you. Like I went into this game. I had bulked up more than anything in my life. Like I was weighing like I think I was 151 pounds when I entered the game. I was like bench pressing 170. Like I was big.

And I lost 25 pounds in 26 days. which was so hard on my body. And that just, and then again and again, like, losing these challenges, how does that take a psychological toll on you? And just day in and day out, you're losing and losing and you're losing weight, and you're just feeling like shit all of the time. And the only thing you have are these other people who are also trying to vote you out of this game. Like, it's so intense in so many ways.

but it also, I made the closest friends of my life. Like, Joe is someone who is a family member to me. Like, that was a connection that I, I'd never would have expected. And Kyle is legitimately my brother. Like, we call almost every day. Like, I talked to him this morning. Like, he, I went to his wedding and I, like, bawled because I was just like so. And his wedding was like two weeks after we got back from the islands.

Like, it's, it's so, it's such an amazing experience. And when you say, like, oh, it's unscripted. No, it truly is like all just. you are doing whatever you want to do like nothing is written out for you you have the ability to make your own choices do the game how you want to do it and i think i did it in a very unique way for the game of survivor where i i played by having this this team that i worked with to the end and that team are people that i've carried through into my real life that i are i'm very very close with and love it's the best that's so cool it's the best are you do you think that you're you're in it now like

you're in the survivor world. You want to go back when they do some of like the, you know, like the group challenges where the, what is it like the heroes and villains was the thing once? Like, or is this something you want to do forever? I mean, I definitely want to go back because I didn't win.

Like I, I'm so competitive. I got so close. Like second place is not good enough. I want to win. And I love Kyle. I'm so proud of him for winning. Like,

but I'm just like part of me is like, man, like what, like I, there's not anything I would have changed about my gameplay. but there are things I would have changed about that final tribal council and how I spoke about it. And obviously, like, it's an edited show. So you guys didn't get to see all the stuff that I was doing and whatever.

Like, we all get our edits in this way or that. So I do get frustrated with myself. And I'm like, oh, I was so close. Like, I could have won. And so, yeah, I want to go back. I want to do it again. I want to try to win. And so I would love to get any chance to go back out there.

And I have heard that they are going to be doing some returning seasons coming up. I know 50 is obviously returning season, but beyond that, there are talks of someone's coming up here in the mid-50s, which is, I'm really hoping that they invite me. Okay. I like that. Yeah. I love that too. That's fantastic.

Well, I can't begin to describe how fun this has been. Yeah. Like, truly, like I said, I knew it was going to be amazing, but I could have never guessed this much. Before we let you go, I want to give you the platform. If there's anything that you've got going on, anything you're working on, anything you're working on that you need people to know about, want people to know about. Tell us, tell the people what you've got going on in your life. Yeah, I actually do have a really exciting thing coming up

with the NHL. I am going to be a ambassador for Culture City, which is the sensory partner of the NHL. And they provide sensory support at games in bags where you can get headphones, you can get fidget toys, sunglasses to help people who might get overstimulated from the environment that a game And they also at many different arena arenas, wow, I can't even talk, many different arenas have different sensory rooms where you can go to kind of calm down from an event. And so if you're someone like me who gets overstimulated and you might have an episode of some sort kind of like me, if you want to take a step away, you can go into those kind of rooms. And so I'm going to be working as ambassador for them coming up here starting in January.

And so I'm super excited for that to kind of just spread the word that there are these, these, assists out there so that people who of any background can enjoy hockey. Like hockey is for everyone and you should be able to attend games, whether you have a sensory issue, you have an invisible disability, you have autism like me, anything like that, you're still welcome out of that and there's support for you.

So that's something I'm really pumped about going forward here. So that's with Culture City. That is so cool. I'm so glad that you got hooked up with them to do that. And another reason the NHL is the best, because I can't think of anyone better to help spread the word about that and that is such a cool thing. And speaking of January, we were saying, yes, the wilder here playing the Kings, January 3rd and 5th. So we're going to,

we're going to get you out here to come to a game with us and come see crypto.com, because that has to happen. Oh, hell yeah. I would love that. Let's do it. We need a split, though. Like, let's get the Kings a win and the Wilde win and then everyone will be happy. I don't know about that. I think I think I'd be happy with the wild. I think you've got to give her both. So yeah, if you're off, If you've got that time off from break or whatever, that's a note. Yeah. We got to do it.

No, let's do it. I am going to be attending the Winter Classic, but that's on the second. Yeah, same. They were there as well. Culture City is setting. Oh, awesome. We'll have to link up there. Yeah.

Hell yeah. We'll just bring you back from Florida. It'll be perfect. Yeah, we'll just fly right out. Yeah. Perfect. Yeah. Okay.

We'll set this up. Come on. Well, Eva, thank you so much for coming on. Seriously, this has been a blast. Can't wait to see. to see everything that you got going on. We'll also have to have you back on soon. When the Wild Make is around two.

Yes. Yes. Please don't jinx it. I won't. I won't. I won't. Huge thank you to Eva for coming on the show. Our first Survivor legend.

Yeah. That's actually sick. On the program, so sick. I've becoming, as I told her, I've becoming a new survivor person. And even though I know how hers ends now, and even though I've seen already the epic episode, I kind of want to go back and watch that whole.

season now. Dude, same. Also, just what a badass. I love badasses. Me too. And when rarely am I emotional, actually no, I get emotional

online, but put it this way. I could stop there. Someone, rarely am I emotional. Posted that and I was like, I'm not going to cry during this. I'll watch this and feel something when I'm not going to cry.

And then as watching all of her cast members, I guess you call them cast members or her people playing the game too. started, as they were starting to cry, I was like, oh, fuck. Yeah, I'm in trouble. I'm in trouble. But, dude, that's what that show is about. That's why she went on that show to get that message across and dominate like she did,

extremely sick, honor to have her on the afternooners podcast. Oh, my God, complete legend. All right, let's kick it to a quick ad break, and then we'll get into a game to close out the app. All right, I've got to talk to you guys about one of our sponsors, BetterHelp. BetterHelp has therapists that have helped over 5 million people worldwide on their mental health journey. This is something that's so important to us and so important in the world today. If you need someone to show up, to listen to you, to just take a step forward in your life, better help is the place for you.

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That's betterhelp.com slash netters. All right, we are back, and we're going to finish with a game of what's the connection. It's your favorite game. I know this one. It's my favorite game. It's your favorite game you know exactly what it is. In this game, I asked Dan nine trivia questions, and he will give me answers and then in the last question the 10th question I will ask him what the connection is between

the nine answers of the previous questions the last one Dan did for me the connection was the TV show the OC it was so good it was really good there was awesome awesome questions in there things from the lighthouse to the Pacific Pacific High School very good very good Dan felt great about it okay are you ready yeah question one during the Stanley Cup playoffs, players are added to the team roster. Usually minor leaguers within the organization, they practice with the team during the playoffs in case of an injury. They are known as a black blank. And I can't tell Dan if he's right yet because it would give the game away, but he can say what he thinks his answers are. That's going to be an ace. Question number two. After giving up

five unanswered goals and taking too many stupid penalties in a humiliating 5-1 loss, most players will dread practice the next day. No pucks on the ice means it's a blank skate. A bag skate. Red agrees it looks like. Red thinks that's right. Question number three. Even though this franchise has 267 playoff wins, sixth all time, but sixth of the original six teams, I might add, you'd think they would have more than only four Stanley Cups. Their current drought isn't helping much. Is the team name? Yep. Okay, I'm going to say that's the Rangers. Okay, he's going Rangers for number three.

Number three. Okay, question number four. A 1960s Boston Bruins trainer, John Frosty Forrestall, painted these on the mask of one of his goalies after a pocket hit him in the face. Eventually, over 150 of these were painted on, making it one of the most famous goalie masks in hockey history. I'm going to say stitches. Question number five. If you want to win a hockey game, you need to win the fundamentals. And that starts with taking care of the puck at both blue lines and behind the goal lines.

Chip the puck out at your blue line, get the puck deep at their blue line, and blank the puck behind their goal line. That could be so many words. You can come back to it, too, because you'll come back to that. Question number six. This player has won a world junior gold medal and a world championships gold medal in his birth country. but he wasn't playing for the home team either time, which weirdly makes sense for him because he was drafted by a team fifth overall,

but has only ever played in their home rank wearing a different jersey, traded before his first pro game. The only place he has loyalty to is his hockey east school. Okay. What is his first name? That's going to be Cutter, and I think I just learned that he was born in Sweden.

Yeah, same. Crazy. You just admitted it was Cutter. Fuck. Got you, bitch. No, I just learned, I admitted I learned Cutter was born in Sweden. Oh, okay, fair. That's all I admitted. Question number seven.

Only four goalies in history, Marty Burdur, Luongo, Flower, and Patrick Waugh have more than 25,000 of these in their career. Saves? Dan's going saves for number seven. Question number eight. The 2024 Panthers version had a hefty five-fifty four, but it was the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 that set the record with 669 of these on their Stanley Cup ring. I'm going to say goals. Okay, he's going goals for number eight. Now, question number nine.

From 1990 to 1994, the Pittsburgh Penguins affiliate in the East Coast Hockey League was the blank ice hawks, hailing from this, the most populated town in Kentucky. That is sick. So, I'm guessing, like, the town name. Yes. The blank ice hawks. The Coast League, Penguin's affiliate. That's got to be Louisville, I think.

That's my guess, Louisville. Do you want to make a guess at the connection on 10, or do you want to go back and try to find some? I got to go back and try to find some. Okay. So I'm currently sitting at... Five, six, you don't know. Ace bag, Rangers, stitches.

Read me five again, because I'm either thinking rag or eat. Chip the puck out at your blue one. line, get the puck deep at their blue line, and blank the puck behind their goal line to win a game. Don't. But you wouldn't dump it if you're behind their goal line. And I would say you have the puck already. Possess?

I would say it's more cliche than that. These are things that everybody says. Puck's in deep. Get the puck in deep. The puck in deep, maybe. Cycle? I can't tell you yet, but I'm just. cycle the puck. That feels, that feels cliche. Okay, so CP, I believe I've got Ace,

bag, Rangers, stitches, cycle, cutter, saves, goals, and Louisville. And I can tell you, you have one wrong answer. Fuck. Is it Louisville? Nope. Okay. Is it saves? Nope. It's goals. It's goals. It's goals. Fuck. I'll read it again. The 2024 Panthers version had a hefty 554, but it was the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 that set the record with 669 on their Stanley Cup ring. 669. Like what?

Oh, the ring. I was thinking the ring around the cup, and I was like maybe it's a stat on there. Okay. Uh, uh, stone, diamonds, diamonds, stones, diamonds. Jackal, Jack. So jackal, I'm going to say diamonds. Okay, so I've got Ace bag, Rangers, stitches, cycle, cutter, saves, diamonds, Louisville.

I just got it. The connection is B-Ace ball. B-Ace, playoff, B-Ace ball. Did you really just get it? Literally, saying it, reading them, I got it to. Usually you get it so quickly. It is baseball. I didn't have it until...

I think I was so focused on the ones I didn't have. Yeah, right. That's great. Those are good. Those are really good. Louisville's fun. I put Louisville at the end because I was like, you'll get it that way. The Louisville slugger.

Cutter is a good one. Stitches is a good one. Yep. The connection is baseball. Ace, pitcher, bag, bases. The Texas Rangers. Stiches in the baseball. Hit for the cycle.

Christopher. Saves baseball diamond. That's great. That's great. That's good stuff. That's good stuff. That's good stuff. Well, that's going to do it for us.

At this episode of the Empty Netters podcast, huge thank you, love and shout out to Eva Erickson. What an unbelievable guest. Dude, she is a legend. A legend. So pumped to have Chelly on in a recurring fashion. That's beautiful stuff. Crazy shit gone on in the NHL. If you haven't checked out Netters College Puck Drop, our college coverage show

that dropped on Wednesday. Make sure to do that right now. We'll be covering all those games this weekend. Tomorrow we got a huge tilt game of the week. BU, Michigan State. Let's go. Phenomenal stuff. Beautiful week from the team.

Hoc season is kicking. Make sure to buy some new merch. CPs rocking the Netters Bear. I got the rink rats on. It's all beautiful stuff. Guys, we love you. Have an amazing weekend. Until we see you next week.

Skate Hard.