Empty Netters Podcast (Almost Friday Media)

Episode: Olympic Hockey Group Stage Recap – Canada and USA Dominate w/ Chris Chelios and Jason Demers

Date: February 17, 2026

Overview

In this electric Olympic edition, hosts Dan and Chris Powers are joined live in Milan by Jason Demers and, via remote, legendary defenseman Chris Chelios. The crew delivers a deep-dive recap of the men’s Olympic hockey group stage, focusing on the dominant performances from Canada and the USA, surprising disappointments (looking at you, Czechia), and a wild discussion of group dynamics, star performances, and Olympic atmosphere. Special insight from Chelios adds a veteran’s perspective on what it means to be at the Games, while Demers offers up stories as an Olympian himself.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Olympic Atmosphere & Tournament Setup

• Setting: The guys are buzzing in Milan’s YouTube studio, soaking in Olympic energy and loving the setup.
• The Olympics bring a unique bonding experience, camaraderie among NHL enemies now as teammates.
  • Jason Demers: "In that locker room right now, it’s like cruise control…They’re just having fun together. It seemed like everything just fit perfectly..." (02:19)

2. Group A Recap: Canada Untouchable, Czechs Collapse

• Canada: “Beat the wheels off everybody,” thanks to absurd roster depth, veteran leadership (Crosby, Doughty), and John Cooper’s cool coaching.
  • Jason Demers: "You just have such a great mix…John Cooper…keeps everything really cool, calm, collected." (02:52)
• Chemistry: Post-NHL return to Olympics, Canada feels like a true “team,” not an all-star squad.
• Czechia: Biggest flop; Zacha’s absence exposed lack of depth, Pasta underwhelms.
  • “I thought…we either overvalued and overestimated what Pasta was gonna…Pavel Zacha not being there is way bigger than people thought.” (04:37)
• Switzerland: Upset win vs. Czechia; Ginoni shines in net, Fiala injury devastates both Swiss and the LA Kings.
• France: Fun jerseys banter—worst ever for A, but “beer league practice tarps” for the whites. (05:44)

3. Massive Injuries: Olympic Risk vs NHL Drama

• At length about Kevin Fiala’s season-ending injury (“massive dagger for Switzerland...and for the LA Kings”), and debate about the inherent risk of sending NHL stars to the Olympics.
• Conversation about whether hockey should be a Summer Olympic sport to reduce these conflicts.
• Jason Demers: "There's a lot of banged up guys...some might play this and then they're done for the season." (12:08)
• Emotional player reactions—Tom Wilson visibly distraught after Fiala’s injury as no one, even physical players, want to see seasons ruined.
• Chelios and Demers reminisce about how competing in the Olympics is more meaningful than many realize (“this means more to me than winning a Stanley Cup.”) (12:24)

4. Group B & C: Tie-Breaker Chaos and Italian Goalie Heroics

• Group B (Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, Italy):
  • Three-way tie: crazy tie-break rules—goal differentials w/subgroups from Italy games removed decide the group.
  • Slovakia comes out on top; Finland snags a bye.
• Italy: Despite losing all games, their goalie Damien Clara becomes the “cult hero”—"firing squad," "peppered with 50 to 60 shots a game" (16:40).
  • Great backstory about Italian captain inspiring his squad after a close loss: “We were mad at how we played because we lost by one goal."
• Sweden: Chemistry comes alive vs. Slovakia, but inconsistent; questions around roster management (Why isn’t Wallstedt playing?), and whether teams should require NHL coaches.
• USA (Group C): Undefeated but not perfect—minor slip vs Denmark. Swayman’s own goal and colorblindness get laughs.

5. Interview with Chris Chelios [20:54 - 41:52]

- Olympic Memories:

• Four Olympics as a player—“It would’ve been six had they allowed pros in earlier!”
• Emotional letdown returning to NHL after Olympic “high.”
  • “It just takes a little bit to get back into…the NHL schedule.” (23:11)
• Team Chemistry: Bonding is "immediate…all excited you're on the same team representing your country."
• USA team MVPs: "The Kachuks...get the motor running," "Matthews stepping up," "That back end—most skilled offensively ever for a US team."
• Zach Werenski: "He just does everything perfect...that wrist shot of his is more effective than any slapshot I've ever seen..." (26:18)
• On a USA-Canada final: “No question...it could come down to goaltending—timely saves, and anything can happen.” (28:57)
• On Canada’s legends: "Crosby is still there, doing his thing…McDavid and McKinnon, they're all great players."
• Team Captaincy: “On that Olympic team...there’s so many guys that could easily be captain…you’ve got that support when you’re the captain.” (41:47)
• Olympic House Life: Families in national “houses” adds to the experience; cross-cultural exchange; pins as Olympic currency.

6. Player Deep Dives & Notable Storylines

Canada

• McDavid: Breaking records for points, but doing it subtlely with his signature—more assists than goals, but immensely dominant.
  • “He is the best player on the ice…You could blink and miss what he’s doing and he is the best.” (55:53)
• Sidney Crosby: Overtakes Iginla as all-time Canadian Olympic scorer.
• Macklin Celebrini: “No moment is too big for this kid.”
  • Team’s joy for his penalty shot (“the bench was electric at 6-1… that’s how much what this kid's done, you root for this…” 64:45)
• Goaltending: Early pre-tournament doubts about Binnington flipped to total confidence after his play.
  • “The scariest thing for Canada is that Binner turned the light switch on." (69:46)

USA

• Defense Depth: USA’s edge over Canada?
  • “Our back end, as far as talent and skill, our defenseman—I think we got the edge there." (30:00, Chelios)
  • Quinn Hughes (quiet domination), Zach Werenski ("moved up—God almighty, he's good"), Sanderson and Faber all get shine.
• Star Forwards:
  • Auston Matthews: Criticism about leadership and faceoffs roasted—“Give the guy a goddamn break…” (78:42)
    • Steps up in big moments, leads by actions not words; team MVP.
  • Jack Hughes: Huge step up; pairing with Brock Nelson (“Nelson is my MVP!”) unlocking line chemistry.
  • Kachuks: Emotional heartbeat, also effective shutdown line vs Germany/Leon Draisaitl.
  • Eichel: Now regarded as jumping Matthews for "best US center" in this group.
• Skepticism: Big test will be vs Sweden in do-or-die quarters—"nightmare draw". (73:13)

Sweden & Finland

• Sweden: Debate about use of Wallstedt, Forsberg’s ice time, and the lack of NHL bench bosses. Rasmus Dahlin and Lucas Raymond highlighted as tournament risers.
• Finland: “No one's talking about Finland…should have gone 3-0—throw out the 11-nothing game [over Italy]” (88:20). Finland as a dark horse pick for bronze or better.

Other Standouts & Moments

• Damien Clara (Italy): Becomes a cult favorite for heroic play despite blowouts; talk of him being a trade chip or future NHL starter.
• Jesper Bratt, Nylander, and other less-heralded Swedes impress fans.

Memorable Quotes

• Jason Demers (on Canada’s room):
  “In that locker room right now, it’s like cruise control. Like, they’re so relaxed…it’s like a different vibe.” (02:19)
• Chelios (on Olympic chemistry):
  “It’s immediate…You’re so excited you’re on the same team representing your country.” (23:31)
• Dan Powers (on McDavid):
  “Every single time he’s on the ice, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.” (56:23)
• Jason Demers (on Canada’s future): "Macklin is seats taken...he's raised in the US, went to a US college—give him to us!" (62:55)
• Chris Chelios (on legacy): “There’s so many leaders on that (Olympic) team…the room runs itself.” (41:47)
• Chelios on Werenski:
  “That wrist shot of his is more effective than any slapshot I’ve ever seen on a defenseman.” (26:18)
• On Matthews haters:
  “Give the guy a goddamn break…he’s leading the team in goals, leading the team in points…” (78:42)

Segment Timestamps

• [00:00–01:22] | Pod opens, Milan/set talk, Olympic energy
• [01:29–04:26] | Group A breakdown: Canada sweeps, Czech disappointment, Swiss upsets
• [05:49–08:20] | Fiala’s injury & the risk of Olympics for NHLers
• [09:23–12:24] | NHL season vs Olympic dreams, why players risk it
• [14:24–16:49] | Group B chaos: tie-breakers, Italian goalie heroics
• [20:54–41:52] | Extended Chris Chelios interview: Olympic memories, USA/Canada squads, being captain
• [43:48–47:34] | Sweden’s coaching questions, lineup management, danger for USA
• [53:44–57:34] | Deep-dive into Canada: McDavid’s records, Sid’s legacy, Macklin’s emergence
• [71:22–75:28] | USA’s D corps spotlight: Werenski, Hughes, Sanderson
• [78:41–82:39] | Matthews “proving the haters wrong,” leadership, line chemistry
• [86:00–89:23] | Predictions for elimination rounds, wild “Bizarro world” medal scenarios
• [92:04–92:39] | Beer at Italian hockey games: Only tiny Coronas—why?
• [93:11–94:16] | Women’s Olympics: likely Canada vs USA final, Sweden’s improvement
• [94:23–End] | Closing out from Milan (“Until we see you in the elimination rounds, skate hard!”)

Notable Running Jokes & Banter

• Studio envy: Obsessing over the Milan YouTube studio décor (“I’m genuinely considering redesigning our entire studio…” 00:55)
• Italian beer situation: Only tiny Coronas at games is “an international scandal,” especially for Czech fans. (91:53)
• Tom Wilson “no hit list": Demers reveals he’s lucky enough to be on it, sharing how Wilson secretly warns demers off checks during games (68:59)
• Macklin Celebrini & Lava Cakes: Hosts recount how buying dinner for Celebrini/Smith exposed their order for multiple chocolate lava cakes. (67:00)

Final Medal Predictions

• All agree: Canada looks like the team to beat for gold, but USA, Sweden, and Finland all touted as having a realistic shot in single-game playoffs.
• Jason Demers: “Canada gold, USA silver, Finland bronze” (89:53)
• Wildcard (“Bizarro world”) scenario: Finland or Sweden could swoop gold, Germany upsets for a medal, or a USA/Canada double-miss on the podium.

Conclusion

The group stage is over but the real tournament starts now. As the pod wraps, the hosts and guests are fired up for the elimination rounds, eyeing historic showdowns and ready for another round of Olympic magic—driven by best-on-best, the agony of risk, and the pure, unpredictable thrill of international hockey.

Hosts’ Send-Off:
“Until we see you in the elimination rounds, skate hard.”