Empty Netters Podcast Summary
Episode: Did The Panarin Trade Save The Kings Season w/ Bayne Pettinger
Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Dan Powers, Evan Watkins (Almost Friday Media)
Guest: Bain Pettinger (NHL Agent, founder of Apollo Athletes, LGBTQ+ advocate)
Special Segments: Breaking news on the Artemi Panarin trade, deep dive interview with Bain Pettinger, Team Canada/USA Olympic roster talks, and more.
Main Theme
This episode focuses on breaking down the blockbuster Artemi Panarin-to-the-Kings trade and its ripple effects on the NHL. The hosts also deliver their usual blend of banter, beer-league humility, and sharp hockey analysis, followed by an in-depth interview with agent and advocate Bain Pettinger. The show then pivots to Olympic rosters, storied player legacies, and meaningful discussions on inclusion and representation in hockey.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Breaking News: Artemi Panarin Traded to the LA Kings
(Timestamp: 02:41 – 15:26)
- Trade Details:
- Panarin moves from NY Rangers to LA Kings; Rangers retain 50% salary.
- Panarin signs a 2-year, $11M AAV extension.
- Rangers receive prospect Liam Greentree (24th overall, 2024), a conditional 2026 3rd round pick (upgrades to 2nd if LA advances), and a 2028 conditional 4th.
- Immediate Reactions:
- Hosts are surprised by the modest return given the rumors (e.g., Will Smith from San Jose, Ryan Leonard from the Capitals).
- “Rangers fans are expecting them to get this... but you were only ever going to get this.” — Evan Watkins [04:33]
- Context: Panarin had full control—would only waive for LA.
- Trade Impact for Each Team:
- Kings:
- Fill Kopitar’s role, power play boost for one of the weakest PP units.
- Enter full “win-now” mode: “They just got better. A lot better.” — Dan Powers [06:19]
- Rangers:
- Greentree is a high-IQ prospect, compared to DeBrincat in junior numbers.
- The return was the best available, given Panarin’s leverage.
- NHL Landscape:
- Competitive West, Kings needed to keep pace with Vegas, Edmonton, etc.
- Trade blocks rivals from upgrading: “None of their competitors acquired Panarin… might as well be you.” — Evan Watkins [12:03]
- Kings:
- Notable Moment:
- Hosts react in real-time to rumors, acknowledge the frustration from Rangers fans, but insist on the logic behind the assets.
2. Team Chemistry, Coaching Systems, and the LA Kings’ Playoff Push
(Timestamp: 15:26 – 15:47; 14:58 – 15:26 references)
- System Fit Concerns:
- Debate if Panarin will thrive under coach Jim Hiller’s defense-first style.
- Hosts hope the system “will adjust” to maximize 'Breadman's' elite playmaking.
- “If I’m Artemi Panarin… I’m not looking at Jim Hiller.” — Dan Powers [14:58]
- Kings in Context:
- Sitting just outside the playoff picture, but poised to surge.
- Expected immediate on-ice chemistry with new teammates.
3. Connor McDavid’s Players’ Tribune Article: “Robot or Hockey God?”
(Timestamp: 15:32 – 25:44)
- Article Highlights:
- McDavid expresses deep national pride and devotion to winning—both for Edmonton and Team Canada.
- “This man cut his bachelor party short because he was so pissed. If that’s not the most hockey guy thing ever…” — Dan Powers [18:42]
- Signals he will never leave Edmonton: “He will die in Edmonton. For good or for bad.” — Evan Watkins [21:54]
- Emotional Impact:
- The article rallies Canadian pride, even swaying devoted USA fans in the moment.
- “If you weren’t already a McDavid fan…you are now.” — Dan Powers [25:58]
- Olympic Implications:
- McDavid, Crosby, and the current generation are now laser-focused on international competition after years of missing out due to NHL/Olympic conflicts.
4. Team Canada and USA Olympic Roster Analysis & Debates
(Timestamp: 25:58 – 38:19)
- Sam Bennett Replaces Anthony Cirelli (injury):
- John Cooper (Canada’s coach) “desperate” to get Bennett on team.
- “He might be one of the top five big game players in the NHL.” — Dan Powers [30:35]
- Embarrassment of riches: “Canada suffers a brutal injury, and then the team gets better.” [29:32]
- Roster-Building Philosophies:
- Critical discussion on USA’s outdated ‘Miracle on Ice’ grit-first bias.
- “Now the skill can match up, and yet we’re still not building the roster.” — Dan Powers [32:55]
- Ryder Cup-style hypothetical: Who would make teams strictly by points? (US leaves off several top scorers.)
- Chemistry and International Preparation:
- Nostalgia for ‘Miracle’ year, where Team USA played a full season together.
- “No wonder they won.” — Dan Powers [40:45]
- Olympic Arena Anecdotes:
- Milan venue quirks, security, and fan excitement, reminiscent of grassroots travel hockey.
5. Pittsburgh Penguins: Analysis & Playoff Prognosis
(Timestamp: 41:50 – 50:22)
- Recent Hot Streak:
- 11-2-2 in January, climbing Metro standings.
- “This Pittsburgh team is good. They’re making playoffs. It’s locked. Book it.” — Dan Powers [48:54]
- Key Contributors:
- Sid Crosby, Geno Malkin still leading.
- Depth scoring from Justin Brazeau, Manta, Rust.
- Goalie Stuart Skinner thriving since trade.
- Caution:
- Cited past failures from disrupting chemistry with splashy moves.
- Playoff matchups (Islanders, Carolina) discussed; Metro called “really bad” overall.
- Memorable Quote:
- “You are the Sidney Crosby Penguins…in playoffs you are more.” — Evan Watkins [48:43]
6. Interview: Bain Pettinger (NHL Agent, Advocate)
(Timestamp: 52:10 – 116:35)
- Career Overview:
- From Hockey Canada intern to Team Canada Manager, Olympic gold, now founder of Apollo Athletes.
- Focus on multi-sport athletes, mental fitness, and long-term growth.
- “Hockey is a contact sport on and off the ice.” — Bain Pettinger [53:57]
- Role as Agent:
- Puts out fires, supports clients through adversity.
- Boutique approach: small client list, tailored advice, holistic development.
- 60-70% of agent’s role is “sports psych”: “Never too high, never too low.” [71:26]
- Coming Out Journey & LGBTQ+ Advocacy:
- Candid stories about coming out to friends and NHLers, the anxiety and relief.
- “You think the worst will happen…now that I've been out five years, I laugh.” [79:44]
- Co-founded Alphabet Sports Collective to support queer people in hockey.
- Emphasizes positivity, community, visibility over fixating on negativity and online trolls.
- “The day I came out was the best day of my life.” — Bain Pettinger [90:44]
- Heated Rivalry (TV Show) Commentary:
- Praises its realistic depiction of the closeted athlete experience.
- “If I would have seen that when I was in the closet, I'd be like: ‘Okay, people are cool with this.’” [97:51]
- Calls for hockey to keep building on momentum for inclusivity.
7. Olympic/International Hockey: The Big Picture
(Timestamp: 104:05 – 115:25)
- Olympic Culture:
- Inside stories: Olympic village, spirit of national teams, cross-sport camaraderie.
- Emphasizes how best-on-best events push hockey to its highest level.
- “John Cooper said after Four Nations: coming back to the NHL felt like a lesser league.” — [113:51]
- Broadcast Reach:
- Olympics generate unrivaled global exposure—vital for growing the game.
- Hopes for Russian re-entry but acknowledges current geopolitical realities.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "This is a win for the Kings...they just got better this year. Come on." — Dan Powers [10:47]
- “If Panarin said, ‘I’m only going to one team, you are fucked.’” — Evan Watkins [10:05]
- “That Players’ Tribune article was essentially the sports almanac from ‘Back to the Future.’" — Dan Powers [25:05]
- “You never get this in the NHL…he just gets to come hang out, meet the boys, meet the city, everything’s good, hit the ground running.” — Evan Watkins [13:24]
- “Never too high, never too low…that’s 60-70% of my job as an agent.” — Bain Pettinger [71:26]
- “The big, bad hockey world isn’t that bad. Some of the greats in the game…are more than allies.” — Bain Pettinger [89:44]
- “If you weren’t already a Connor McDavid fan…if you’re not now, I don’t care what you have to say!” — Dan Powers [25:58]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 02:41 — Breaking Panarin trade discussion begins
- 06:56 — Deep-dive on prospect Liam Greentree
- 09:00 — Salary retention, extension, and why Rangers didn’t get more
- 10:47 — “Win-now” analysis on Kings, LA’s playoff math
- 15:26 — McDavid’s Players Tribune & Canadian national pride
- 25:58 — Canada/USA Olympic roster impacts, Sam Bennett talk
- 32:13 — How Olympic roster construction philosophies differ (US vs Canada)
- 41:50 — Penguins segment: playoff positioning, team chemistry
- 52:10 — Bain Pettinger interview: hockey career, agenting, inclusion, advocacy
- 104:05 — Olympic inside stories & hockey culture
- 116:35 — Where to find Bain Pettinger’s initiatives
Tone
The show brims with irreverent hockey fan energy—honest, enthusiastic, informed, and self-deprecating. The hosts mix sharp, researched analysis with in-the-room style banter and beer-league humor. Bain Pettinger’s interview provides deeply personal, inspiring perspective, mixing serious moments with wisecracks and a practical “just be yourself” ethos.
For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In
This episode provides an on-the-fly reaction to one of the NHL’s biggest trades, a rundown of its implications for the season, and a peek into the unique pressures of player, fan, and management perspectives. The Bain Pettinger interview delves into the state of player development, agency life, mental health, and LGBTQ+ visibility in sports, all with candor and warmth. The episode wraps up with Olympic anticipation and the hosts’ signature betting banter.
Links & Resources
- Bain Pettinger / Apollo Athletes: @BainP, Apollo Athletes, Alphabet Sports Collective
- Empty Netters on YouTube, Spotify, Apple
- Almost Friday Media
Related Episodes
- Jack Eichel Interview: “Why Vegas is Built For Cups” (Ep. 62)
- Olympic Preview & Roster Deep Dive (Jan 2026)
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