Empty Netters Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: 2026 Milan Olympics Were A Dream w/ Hampus Lindholm and Nikolaj Ehlers

Podcast: Empty Netters – Almost Friday Media
Date: February 26, 2026
Hosts: Chris Powers & Dan Powers
Guests: Hampus Lindholm (Team Sweden, Boston Bruins), Nikolaj Ehlers (Team Denmark, Carolina Hurricanes)

Overview

This special post-Olympics episode finds Chris and Dan Powers recording from the Italian Alps, fresh off covering the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. They share instant reactions, hockey news, and in-depth interviews with two international hockey stars: Hampus Lindholm and Nikolaj Ehlers. The hosts reflect on the atmosphere of the Olympics, their behind-the-scenes experiences, and the significance of the tournaments for both players and nations. The show captures the raw emotion, camaraderie, and wild stories that make the Olympics unforgettable for both athletes and fans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

A. Olympic and NHL Catch-Up

• Sidney Crosby Injury (02:19)
  • Dan and Chris react to the devastating news: Crosby is on IR, out up to 4 weeks post-Olympics.
  • Chris: "This is not a sustainable injury for this Penguins team, period… If they just lose a bunch of games and fall out of a playoff spot, I don’t know what I’ll do." (05:22)
• Panarin’s Move to LA Kings (07:11)
  • Artemi Panarin’s debut with the Kings, wearing #72 after a "Rolex bribe" to mascot Bailey.
  • The hosts riff on mascot numbers, coach numbers, and sports traditions with their classic comedic banter.

B. Interview: Hampus Lindholm (Team Sweden & Boston Bruins)

Dreams Realized & Swift Olympic Turnaround

• Making the Olympic Roster (11:52)

  • "Getting the call was obviously a nice feeling… All the work you put in the summer, that’s kind of got paid off, man." – Hampus Lindholm

• Olympic Experience and Swedish Culture (13:43)

  • "Representing your country… speaking your own language in the locker room… all those little things, it’s just such a fun experience."
  • Discusses the unique dynamic of returning to Swedish language and customs after years in the NHL.
  • Fun language moment: “Sometimes saying hockey stuff in Swedish sounds so soft, like a schoolboy.” (15:04)

• Missing Out on Vacation Plans (16:39)

  • With travel insurance and the possibility of being called, Hampus smartly covered canceled Bahamas plans at the last minute for the Olympics.

• Olympic vs. Other International Tournaments (17:17)

  • "Olympics is… almost more for everyone else around you. As a country, every fourth year, it means so much... It’s so special." (17:17)

• Olympic Village Shenanigans (34:32)

  • Describes pranks with Italian cell phones, veterans pulling fast ones on rookies, and the general vibe in the Swedish team dorm.

• Tournament Analysis & Emotions (20:43, 27:25)

  • Detailed musings on Sweden’s unique tie-breaker scenario, the intensity of knockout games, and the “chess with only queens” feel of coaching elite teams.
  • On OT loss: "You’re just kind of left empty… It’s quiet, but proud that we played our best hockey in the last few games." (28:58)

• Representing Sweden — Emotional Reflection (33:15)

  • On learning to use adversity: "Over the years, I’ve learned how to put it into words… to use it as motivation."

• Best Off-Ice Moments in Milan (34:20)

  • Praises pasta vongole, lemon pasta, and hilarious rebuffs from Italian waiters ("You drink red wine in Italy!")
  • Stories about Italian food culture and the cross-sport Olympic camaraderie.

Notable Quotes:

• "When you put the best on best, everyone’s such a good pro… It’s almost like playing chess with only queens." (22:39 – Hampus Lindholm)
• “There weren’t many guys that would be like, I would think that in a tournament like that really stood out... It kind of levels out. Who works hardest.” (24:22 – Lindholm on playing ‘best on best’)

C. Interview: Nikolaj Ehlers (Team Denmark & Carolina Hurricanes)

Denmark’s Underdog Spirit: Family and Country

• Olympic Debut – Historic for Denmark (41:53)

  • "Finally getting the chance to play for Denmark at the Olympics was obviously a dream come true… I got to do it with Freddy [Andersen], my cousin, and family there."
  • Unique that Denmark’s NHLers feel like outsiders joining national team regulars pre-tournament (44:11)

• Team Culture and Tight Knit Bond (44:43)

  • "For a small country like Denmark, that’s not really a hockey country, [success] makes it so much more special."
  • Happy to chirp NHL guys: “I got one guy, Blake [Felt], he’s definitely got some comments once in a while. 'I'm done with you guys.'” (46:30)

• Tournament Recap, Big Games, and Format (50:19)

  • "Germany game, I thought we played really well… Latvia has been a team we’ve had trouble with… You get in three days before, you’re trying to scramble the power play together.”
  • On Denmark’s progress: "Denmark has been in the top group in the World Championship since 2002 or 2003… It’s pretty impressive." (49:13)

• Family Ties and Inspirational Moments (55:39)

  • Describes playing on the same Olympic line with cousin Alex — and their fathers played on the Danish national team together decades earlier.
  • "The Olympics, scoring a goal and you’re celebrating with your cousin, right? It’s pretty sick." (57:09)

• Inside the Village: Ping Pong Wars & Food! (59:53)

  • Candid takes on “cafeteria food fatigue” ("I've had enough of the pasta-meat sauce at the Village"), sneaking out for real Italian pizza, and wild ping pong punishment rituals (“We were taking shots at each other… shirt off, five marks on the back!”) (63:14)
  • Best: Ehlers refuses to give the ping pong crown to his buddy, “He knows who it is, but I’m not gonna say it.” (65:05)

• Camaraderie with Freddie Andersen & Looking Toward NHL Playoffs (58:10, 66:27)

  • How sharing both a new team and Olympic experience with another Dane elevated the year.

Notable Quotes:

• "To be able to play in these big tournaments like the Olympics… with how many hockey rinks we have in Denmark and how many players we have… It’s pretty impressive." (49:13 – Nikolaj Ehlers)
• “The Olympics, scoring a goal and you’re celebrating with your cousin, right? It’s pretty sick.” (57:09 – Ehlers)

D. Women’s Hockey & U.S. Team Support (68:08)

• Both hosts passionately champion the U.S. Women's National Team and women's hockey, calling on fans to appreciate both the men's and women's gold medal runs.
• “If you are not supporting women’s hockey, this women’s team, you have a dump in your pants. It’s that simple. Facts.” (70:20 – Chris Powers)
• Express their hope the moment is remembered for unified U.S. Olympic success.

E. Personal Reflections: Behind-the-Scenes in Milan (74:09)

Italy Observations & Life Abroad

• Longform storytelling about Milanese quirks: dogs, dining hours ("mid-afternoon siesta" issues), bar bathrooms (foot flushes!), rink customs, and the lawlessness of entering seats mid-game.
• Amusing reflections on parking on sidewalks and cars driving on tram tracks.

Favorite Moments & Parties

• Warm recollections of Olympic parties, mingling with both U.S. and Canadian hockey families, Bauer and NBC parties, and the “epic” post-gold medal celebrations:

  • On seeing Jeremy Swayman put his medal around Dan’s neck: "I was like, wait, this isn’t the Cup, I’m okay with this." (96:22)
  • “There were some epic moments with Rizzo. Michael Eruzione was there… That’s an incredible moment, seeing him hold the gold medal.” (99:09)

• Deep appreciation for getting to witness and celebrate lifelong dreams:

  • “Seeing the sisters and the brothers and witnessing their family members, their sons... experiencing the lifelong dream… That was so heartwarming.” (97:42)

F. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Let him fly. Don’t make him be a flightless bird.” (05:40 – Dan Powers, on Sidney Crosby)
• “It’s almost like playing chess with only queens.” (22:39 – Lindholm, on elite Olympic teams)
• "One of our guys answered a fake call about failing a drug test… Walked out to find two teammates giggling in the hall." (35:07 – Lindholm on Olympic village prank)
• “Literally, you score that goal and you look over and he jumps into your arms and you’re like, holy—Yeah, this is all time.” (57:14 - Chris Powers on Ehlers/cousin Olympic moment)
• “We’re in Italy. Pizza… For me, it’s a regular [meal].” (62:40 – Ehlers on Olympic village food fatigue)
• “Put your fork down. Just changes the entire flow of dinner.” (80:40 – Chris Powers on Italian dining pacing)
• “There were a lot of big, shaggy dogs… it was some dire wolf stuff going on here.” (76:08 – Dan Powers, on dogs in Italy)
• “The US Women and the US Men went over to Italy for the Olympic Games and they both came home with gold. And that is something truly incredible and worth celebrating.” (99:50 – Dan Powers)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sidney Crosby Injury News – 02:19 to 05:22
• Artemi Panarin to LA Kings – 07:11 to 09:46
• Hampus Lindholm Interview – 10:04 to 39:33
  • Olympic call & Swedish pride – 11:52
  • Locker room language – 15:04
  • Village prank – 34:32
  • Pasta/wine culture stories – 36:46
• Nikolaj Ehlers Interview – 41:16 to 66:27
  • Denmark family history – 55:39
  • Village ping pong & food – 59:53
• Women’s Hockey support discussion – 68:08 to 73:14
• Italy Observations and Milan Reflections – 74:09 onward
• Olympic gold medal parties & closing thoughts – 93:20 to end

Conclusion

With raw post-Olympic energy, this episode delivers unique insight into the player experience (on and off the ice), the emotional weight of international play, and the joy of being part of the Olympic community. Crammed with banter, deep hockey analysis, wild stories, gratitude, and a celebration of the game’s unifying power, it’s a travel diary and hockey show in one—a must-listen for fans craving authentic inside access to hockey’s biggest stage.

End with:

“Do what the US Women and the US Men do. Oh yeah. Skate hard.” (100:39 – Chris Powers)