Empty Netters Podcast: "Buffalo Is For Real This Time… We Swear"

Host: Almost Friday Media
Air Date: January 29, 2026
Special Guest: Jack Jablonski

Episode Overview

This episode delivers the quintessential Empty Netters blend of humor, irreverent banter, sharp hockey analysis, and genuine human stories. The central themes are the red-hot Buffalo Sabres, defensemen’s hat tricks, and an inspirational extended interview with Jack Jablonski. There's also spirited talk about the NHL Stadium Series game in Tampa, the Minnesota Wild and LA Kings’ playoff jockeying, the evolution of inclusivity in hockey, and a handful of signature degenerate betting segments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Banter, Beer League, and Potatoes (00:00 - 03:00)

• Hosts Dan and Sean open with their trademark blend: playful insults, digestive theories (“your immune system is like a brisket”), and somehow, an extended riff on Irish potato preferences.
  • Quote (Potatoes): “We do like a kind of like a breaded thing called a croquette. It's like these little cylinders of bread and potato and... goodness.” — Dan [01:18]

2. The NHL’s Hat Trick Frenzy & The Rarity of D-Man Hat Tricks (03:07 - 13:00)

• Hat Trick Explosion:
  • Multiple hat tricks in January, including Rasmus Dahlin’s for Buffalo, prompt speculation on why so many, especially from defensemen.
  • EdM's Bouchard and Ekholm scored D-to-D hat tricks in back-to-back games—historic.
• Discussion: Rare defensemen with >1000 games and no NHL hat tricks.
  • Interactive, comedic list-building (Luke Schenn, Victor Hedman, McDonagh, Petrangelo, Letang, Doughty, OEL, Nick Leddy, etc.)
    • Quote: "This is a defenseman problem. ...But this is what I'm saying—teams, I'm putting your teams on notice. We got to get these guys hat tricks." — Dan [12:58]

3. Buffalo Sabres: “Are They For Real?” (13:37 - 22:49)

• Hosts debate the seriousness of Buffalo’s turnaround:
  • Sabres are on a tear: 16-6-3 at home, third in the Atlantic, four-game win streak.
  • Quote: “The only way you become a serious franchise is by stacking runs of iterations of serious teams. And this appears to be one.” — Sean [13:59]
• Importance of Midseason Turnarounds:
  • “It almost never happens where you go: Sabres stink—and then halfway through, they go bang, we’re actually fucking nasty.” — Dan [15:32]
• Role of Lindy Ruff:
  • Initial skepticism reversed as team culture shifts.
• Buffalo as Philly’s Obi Wan:
  • After Bills heartbreak, “The Sabres have officially become Buffalo’s Obi Wan. They are their only hope.” — Dan [16:40]
• Trade Deadline Wishes:
  • Both want Buffalo to go after a “whale” (big-time player); suggestion ranges from “middle-six help” to an Artemi Panarin-level star.

4. Emotional Note: Rasmus Dahlin’s Recent Family Tragedy (20:41)

• A heartfelt segment on Dahlin’s loss, the strength of his family, and support from the hockey world.

5. Stadium Series Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins (24:03 - 30:07)

• Enthusiastic preview of the upcoming outdoor game at Raymond James Stadium (Tampa).
  • Pirate Theme: Hosts riff on the idea of fully embracing pirate aesthetics—penalty box “walking the plank,” refs with parrots, players in pirate hats and eyepatches.
• Weather Ironic:
  • “Gary’s batting a thousand lately—and somehow he’s turned off the heater ... couldn’t be freezing in Tampa!” — Dan [30:44]
• Jersey, Stadium Talk: Home field advantage, unique spectacle of football vs. baseball stadiums.

Featured Interview: Jack Jablonski (32:09 - 63:45)

1. Early Life, Injury & Community Support

• Jack’s Minnesota Hockey Roots:
  • “In Minnesota, it’s about winning the state tournament. That’s goal number one.” [33:31]
• Spinal Cord Injury Story (Age 16):
  • Sustained from an illegal hit, changed his life trajectory.
  • Waves of support from both Minnesota and the broader hockey world.
• Athlete Mindset’s Role:
  • “I never quit... The athlete mindset, the way you deal with adversity, just kind of put me in the mindset of, you know, this was the next step.” [36:59]

2. On Mental Health and Positivity

• Resilience, Mindset:
  • “I understand my injury. I don’t accept it.” [40:47]
  • Details about adjusting to new normal, value of inner dialogue, importance of daily care and effort.
• The Power of Community:
  • “I was so fortunate to have an overwhelming support system...It almost put me in a mindset of: I can’t let these guys down.” [42:00]

3. The Jack Jablonski Foundation & SCI Research

• Formation of Foundation:
  • "Founded to improve the quality of life for those living with paralysis—through research, clinical trials, and different kinds of medical advancement." [44:42]
• Progress and Fulfillment:
  • “It’s extremely fulfilling... I know that the work I do with the foundation is going to a good cause, and B, I know that the work I’m putting in on myself...is going to benefit in both ends.” [47:03]
• Event Promotion:
  • Annual events, including a pickleball tournament in LA; donations impact cutting-edge research. [90:38]

4. Being Out and Representation in Hockey

• Jack's Experience Coming Out:
  • Fear and anxiety about acceptance in hockey circles—eventually met with support.
  • “All you want to do is just be yourself and not have anything change. I was so nervous...thought my career would be over.” [53:08]
• Importance of Inclusion:
  • “We want to be included, but we also don’t want to be treated any different.” [60:16]
• Media Impact – ‘Heated Rivalry’:
  • Show’s impact in spurring confidence and dialogue around sexuality and inclusivity in hockey.
  • “I literally just felt like I was watching, like, a documentary if I didn’t get injured.” [57:45]

5. The Locker Room: Realities and Hopes

• On the prospect of an active NHL player coming out:
  • “You hope that teammates—everybody in the locker room—can just be a good friend. ...Are you a team, or are you a family?” [58:24]
• TED Lasso reference: Not being treated differently, but being genuinely cared for.

NHL Analysis: Wild, Kings, and Playoff Races (63:45 - 88:48)

1. Minnesota Wild: Most Exciting Team Yet? (63:46)

• Wild’s three-and-nine start flipped to top-tier play post-Quinn Hughes trade (18 assists in 13 games).
• Goaltending Crisis/Trade Rumors:
  • Potential trade of Wallstedt for a young first-line center; only one net available (Gustafsson vs Wallstedt debate).
  • “If they’re going to move on this year, I think the one to move would be Wallstedt, simply because of what you’d get back.” — Jack [72:11]
• Depth, injuries, and special teams performance as central concerns for playoff run.

2. LA Kings: Buyers or Sellers?

• Dilemma: not enough scoring, world-class defensive group, and must make a playoff push for Kopitar’s last year.
• “Greatest King of All Time” Debate (kopitar vs Gretzky):
  • “Wayne is the greatest player to ever play for the Kings, but he’s not the greatest King.” — Jack [83:11]

3. California Market, Attracting Players

• The lifestyle advantages of SoCal for NHLers.
• An outlier: Trevor Zegras “didn’t love it here; wanted a Philadelphia winter.” [87:44]
• “Few better places to play in the NHL than LA.” [86:35]

Segments, Games & Betting (93:41 onwards)

Friday Fade, Saturday Sally & Sunday Hat Trick Parlay

• Spirited degenerate betting segments with strong comedic flavor.
• Dense, lightning-round analysis of weekend picks—no major reveals but provides texture of the show.
  • Quote: ”We vowed to be better here...and this surely should have been the one. ...Yes. It was I that picked the Bolts—for the second week in a row, I might add.” — Sean [95:05]

Professor Segments:

• Character-driven rapidfire parlay choices, humorous hockey haikus, and wordplay-laden pick explanations.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Hat Tricks:
  • “An NHL hat trick is insane. ...Of current active players with over a thousand games, we've got at least seven who've never had one.” — Dan [08:01]
• On Buffalo's Playoff Hopes:
  • “Playoff Buffalo would be an absolute zoo. ...If they make playoffs, I will be there for game one. Bowl of cereal in hand.” — Dan [21:54]
• On LA Living:
  • “Sunshine and warmth is what I strive for. And so this is paradise. In terms of living, I truly don’t think there’s a better situation and lifestyle than being a hockey player in Los Angeles.” — Jack [88:10]
• On Coming Out in Hockey:
  • “We want to be included, but we also don't want to be treated any different.” — Jack [60:16]

Other Highlights

• Emotional Depth:
  • The entire Jack Jablonski segment is required listening for those interested in resilience, sports community, and personal growth.
• Playful Tone:
  • Witty, sibling-like banter sets the show's vibe; long-running inside jokes and self-effacing humor sprinkled throughout.
• Interactive Research:
  • The live, comedic analysis of odd hockey stats exemplifies the show’s interactive approach.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Potatoes, Banter, Opening: [00:00 – 03:00]
• Hat Tricks, Defensemen, Trivia: [03:07 – 13:37]
• Sabres “Are They For Real?”: [13:37 – 24:03]
• Stadium Series Talk: [24:03 – 32:09]
• Jack Jablonski Interview: [32:09 – 63:45]
• Minnesota Wild/Kings Analysis: [63:45 – 88:48]
• Foundation Info & LA Living: [88:48 – 91:36]
• Bets / Friday Fade, Parlays: [93:41 – 107:29]
• Game: Connective Tissue (Player Trivia): [115:17 – 121:44]

Where to Find Jack Jablonski

• Twitter: Main place for content updates.
• Foundation: jablonskyfoundation.org (Info, donation links, upcoming events including the LA Pickleball Tournament in June).
  • “Any donations go to spinal cord injury research...Ironically, there’s no time better to be in a spinal cord injury, I guess, if that's a positive.” — Jack [91:25]

Summary

The episode is a microcosm of why Empty Netters has found resonance: zany brotherly chemistry, raw hockey stats and stories, plus a willingness to dig deep on both the game and life’s harder topics. The Buffalo Sabres’ redemption arc, the wild defenseman hat trick stats, and Jack Jablonski’s powerful narrative give the show a balance of laughs and impact, underscored by inclusive optimism for the future of hockey.

For more, catch all the guests, betting picks, and classic Empty Netters energy in your favorite podcast player. Until next time, skate hard!