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

Date: January 20, 2026
Hosts: Dan Powers (A), Sean Buffini (C), Chris Powers (B)
Key Theme:
This episode dives into the blockbuster trade bringing Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights, debates whether Vegas can win the Cup with this move, and delivers the hosts’ trademark mix of sharp hockey analysis and hilarious, meandering beer-league banter. The episode also explores Boston’s near-miss in landing Andersson, the return of Matthew Tkachuk for the Panthers, critical playoff race discussion for both conferences, plus "hot ice," college hockey updates, gym etiquette debates, and beer league shower shenanigans.

Main Trade Breakdown: Rasmus Andersson to Vegas

[04:49-15:51]

The Deal

• Rasmus Andersson traded to Vegas Golden Knights (50% salary retained).
  • Calgary receives: Zach Whitecloud, prospect Abram Wiebe, 2027 conditional 1st, 2028 conditional 2nd.
  • Vegas trades away almost every first-round pick since 2017. Continues the “go big or go home” strategy.
• “Trading your first round pick for certified good players is the same thing as using your first round pick...if not smarter.” – Dan [03:58]

Why It Works for Vegas

• Vegas always makes the big move; every year they're in Cup contention.
• Player culture is "cutthroat" but attractive: high-end players (Eichel, Marner, Hannifin, Hertl) want to stay and extend in Vegas.
  • “They do want to play there because...they compete for sh.” – Chris [04:22]
  • “Everyone wants to go and stay there...What would make us think [Andersson]'s not going to extend?” – Dan [05:43]
• Even with no extension in place, expectation is Andersson will re-sign.
• Vegas doesn’t fear burning picks—late picks are a crapshoot for contenders.
• “As long as you’re willing to bob and weave like that, it hasn’t really hurt the culture at all.” – Chris [04:22]

What Boston & Dallas Missed

• Real contenders for Andersson were Dallas and Boston. Boston’s deal: Toronto 1st, Mason Lohrei, possibly Matt Poitras, and extension talks (Boston only doing it with extension).
• “There was a deal in place at the one-yard line...then it falls apart. Vegas jumps back in and gets their guy, as they f***ing always do.” – Dan [08:19]
• Chris (as a Bruins fan) is relieved the deal didn't go through at that price, but agrees Rasmus would’ve been a spectacular addition.

Stanley Cup Outlook – Can Vegas Win With Andersson?

[13:12-15:51]

• Andersson fills the right-shot D void left by Petrangelo’s departure—critical for top-pair balance.
• “Petrangelo and Andersson are different players, but is Andersson the bolster...that puts them back in this [Cup] conversation?” – Chris [13:11]
• Goaltending remains the “swing” for Vegas (Hill, Hart: injury/inconsistency worries), but Andersson is the blue-line fix.
• “With Vegas, everything for me comes back to goalie.” – Dan [14:23]
• Praises Vegas for aggressive, early trade action—not waiting for deadline chaos.
• “Get him in, get him situated...this was genius, dude.” – Chris [15:28]

Florida Panthers: Matthew Tkachuk Returns; Playoff Implications

[15:51-21:17]

• Tkachuk is back, Barkov likely to follow; team survived injury crisis and is 4 points out of wild card.
• “All they needed to do was survive...now one of your top two forwards is back.” – Dan [17:27]
• Both agree: Tkachuk has to be point-per-game down the stretch.
• “I’m gonna be harsh. I need a point per game.” – Dan [20:16]
• “I think...even more...you gotta be the guy. 100, come do it.” – Chris [20:57]
• Playoffs remain likely; Tampa faces a dangerous potential matchup if Florida nabs a wild card.

“Cannot Miss Playoffs” Teams: East & West

[21:17-31:37]

Eastern Conference [22:42-26:30]

• Teams that cannot miss playoffs: Detroit, Toronto, Washington, Florida, Devils (agreement from all).
• “Devils missing playoffs is a catastrophe...so many heads need to roll...I would blow this team up.” – Dan [23:34]
• Montreal and Ottawa are close to the “must” category—missing is “unacceptable.”
• General consensus: Some recent playoff teams (Buffalo, Boston) have a bit more leash; Philly, Rangers could use a retool.

Western Conference [26:30-31:37]

• “Cannot miss”: Jets, Kings, Oilers.
• Jets and Kings missing would be “astounding” and “inexcusable” especially given the open Pacific playoff race and the Kopitar retirement year.
• “If you are the LA Kings...and you are letting what’s happening currently happen and doing nothing about it, it is inexcusable.” – Dan [29:34]

Hot Ice Wrap-Up (Trade/League News and College Segment Setup)

[31:51-39:33]

• Kiefer Sherwood traded to Sharks for Cole Clayton and picks—Sharks chasing the open Pacific spot early.
• Both praise early moves as “genius”—making moves well ahead of deadline.

Netters College Puck Drop – NCAA Updates and Rankings

[33:46-47:49]

Recap Highlights

• Michigan State sweeps #2 Wisconsin—asserts they may be nation’s best (despite Dan’s Michigan bias).
• “Wins like this make me feel they are actually the best team.” – Chris [34:21]
• Providence sweeps BC in huge Hockey East result.
• Michigan sweeps Minnesota—seals their #1 status.
• Quinnipiac, Penn State, and others notch crucial victories.
• “Quinnipiac...very good program.” – Dan [35:59]
• Fights in college hockey: Hosts debate if full-tilt fights are worth the suspensions (2 games), and whether calling it “disgusting” is over the top—or if players are letting their teams down.

Top 10 Rankings (Consensus)

1. Michigan
2. Michigan State
3. Western Michigan
4. Wisconsin
5. North Dakota
6. Quinnipiac
7. Penn State
8. Duluth
9. Denver
10. Providence

• Game of the Week: Western Michigan @ Minnesota Duluth – “Foreman vs. Ali. Frazier. Going to be a battle!” – Chris [47:20]

Not Ice: Gym Etiquette, Interactions, & Romance

[52:17-70:36]

Talking to People in the Gym

• Hosts divided but agree: a brief, “hello” is always fine; once AirPods are out, the clock is ticking.
• “You now have 30-45 seconds to converse with me...once the AirPod goes back in, our interaction is over.” – Dan [53:32]
• Biggest gym frustration: people chatting when you’re on a schedule—“the ab curler is now dead, you cost me everything.” – Chris [56:28]

Giving Unsolicited Advice

• Dan: Fine if they're actually knowledgeable—otherwise, “get away from me.”
• Chris: Most people are on tight time; don’t want advice from a “jamoke.”

Flirting at the Gym

• Consensus: Tricky, has to be very subtle; shoot your shot, but only after a careful social slow-burn.
  • “Approaching someone in the gym with romantic intent is possibly the most delicate thing on earth.” – Dan [66:18]
  • “Probably only after several interactions; maybe at the smoothie bar, never at the squat rack.” – All hosts
  • “If you get rejected, now you have to see them every day at 4:00am!” – Sean [67:40]

Modern Gym Life

• Nobody goes without headphones anymore.
• “I would call the police immediately” if someone works out with no music – Dan [70:36]

Bonus: Gym Membership Economics

• Dan pitches a “frequent flyer” point system for gyms.
• Sean suggests government-mandated gyms (“communist option”) or Coke/Nestle ad-supported gyms (“capitalist option”).

Beer League Hotline: Shower Loofah Guy

[73:26-79:47]

• New teammate brings shower sandals, full kit (body wash, shampoo, conditioner), and A LOOFAH—uses it openly in postgame team shower.
• Hosts’ verdict: “Protect this man at all costs” – Dan [75:09]
• “Nothing wrong ever with classing up your life a little bit.” – Dan [75:01]
• Team should all get loofahs; if the loofah = wins, change the team name to The Loofahs or Shower Caddies.
• “Never touch a man’s loofah.” – Chris [75:54]
• Speculation about high-tech drying cases, logo possibilities, and the loofah being a statement of confidence—if you can play, you can bring any soap you want.

Bauer Blind Ranking: NHL Goalie Numbers Edition

[80:31-88:49]

• Sean presents random goalie numbers for the hosts to rank, NOT based on famous players.
• Both hosts have a (self-confessed) disastrous result:
  1. 70
  2. 1
  3. 50
  4. 34
  5. 74
• “Worst blind ranking we've ever done. Absolutely atrocious.” – Dan [88:06]
• Lesson: 30s are classic. 50 is ugly. 1 is iconic. Odd numbers > even numbers (per Dan).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Vegas is a contender every single year...trading your first round pick for certified good players is the same thing as using your first round pick.” – Dan [03:58]
• “Everyone wants to go and stay there [in Vegas]...what would make us think he's not going to extend?” – Dan [05:43]
• “The Devils missing playoffs is a catastrophe...I would blow this team up if they miss.” – Dan [23:34]
• “You never touch a man’s loofah, dude.” – Chris [75:54]
• “You now have 30-45 seconds to converse with me, and...once the AirPod goes back in, our interaction is over.” – Dan [53:32]
• “Approaching someone in the gym with romantic intent is possibly the most delicate thing on earth.” – Dan [66:18]
• “Never touch a man’s loofah.” – Chris [75:54]

Episode Structure/Flow

• Intro/trains banter → Trade & analysis (Andersson/Vegas, Boston’s miss, Pacific playoff race) → Matthew Tkachuk/Florida update → "Cannot Miss" Playoff Teams debate → Sherwood trade/news → College Hockey breakdown & rankings → Not Ice (Gym etiquette & flirting) → Beer League Hotline (Shower loofah hero) → Bauer Goalie Numbers Blind Ranking (comedic disaster) → Outro

Whether you’re in the gym, a beer league shower, or debating if Vegas is Cup-bound, this episode hits peak hockey culture, irreverence, and analysis—always with the Empty Netters’ unique brotherly chemistry.