Episodes

  • Hire to Fire Coaching

    Hire to Fire Coaching
    Jun 5 2026
    The PWHL coaching carousel continues to spin and we talk a bit about expansion. Then we switch to some news in the NHL across coaching, front office moves, the tragic death of Claude Lemieux, and more.

    SJ welcomes Emily and Trevor to the Neutral Zone Hotel

    01:15 Does the PWHL have a coaching problem?

    15:20 Alex Carpenter and Sarah Nurse re-sign and expansion process talk

    30:24 The Vancouver Canucks hire Manny Malhotra as head coach

    37:59 Chris MacFarland goes to Nashville and Joe Sakic steps back into the GM role in Colorado

    45:04 Stanley Cup Final

    48:35 Claude Lemieux dies - Content warning for discussion of suicide. If you are in crisis and need help, reach out to 9-8-8 or https://988lifeline.org/ for resources.

    51:35 Memorial Cup and Men's World Championship results


    Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
    More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
    Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
    We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
    You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined:
    Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
    You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord
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    56 mins
  • Predilections

    Predilections
    May 29 2026
    This week the NZH crew celebrates the Everett Silvertips winning the WHL Championship! They also discuss PWHL player salaries, GMs and coaches being hired and moving around, and then spend a grand time speculating about who existing teams should protect in expansion.

    Benjamin welcomes Madison and SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel

    01:31 Tips Talk

    11:45 PWHL player salaries released

    29:41 Discussion of PWHL GM and head coach movement

    38:02 Who would you protect in PWHL expansion?


    Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
    More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
    Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
    We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
    You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined:
    Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
    You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Flagrant Violations of the NZH Media Policy

    Flagrant Violations of the NZH Media Policy
    May 22 2026
    0:00 - Benjamin welcomes Trevor and Madison to the Neutral Zone Hotel.
    1:44 - Benjamin deals with SJ's truancy in a fair and just manner.
    3:14 - NHL Finals Preview Time!
    22:38 - The gang discuss the recent dismissal of Craig Berube & Adam Foote and ramifications for the league, plus Cassidy shenanigans.
    30:29 - The crew discusses the PWHL's new cities and ranks the new colour schemes.

    Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
    More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
    Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
    We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
    You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined:
    Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
    You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord
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    46 mins
  • Viva Las Vegas (and Hamilton)

    Viva Las Vegas (and Hamilton)
    May 15 2026
    The NZH crew brings you a PWHL-heavy episode, discussing the playoffs and making sense of the PWHL's decision to expand to Las Vegas and Hamilton.

    Benjamin welcomes SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel

    1:03 Junior hockey talk because SJ just can't help themself

    11:12 PWHL playoffs and Ottawa's move to the Canadian Tire Center

    23:30 PWHL expansion to Las Vegas and Hamilton

    45:13 NHL playoff predictions, a tangent on PWHL refereeing, and the need for more diversity in hockey


    Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
    More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
    Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
    We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
    You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined:
    Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
    You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord
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    55 mins
  • It's About Being Miserable In A Group

    It's About Being Miserable In A Group
    May 8 2026
    The Neutral Zone Hotel crew react LIVE to the NHL Draft Lottery! You, too, can experience Trevor's misery in the moment it occurs. After that, they chat about PWHL expansion news. Detroit is getting a team and the expansion process is very complicated!

    Benjamin welcomes Trevor, Emily, and SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel

    04:26 The Toronto Maple Leafs hire John Chayka and Mats Sundin

    09:34 NHL Draft Lottery live reaction and continued Leafs talk

    20:05 Live reaction to second draft lottery draw

    27:48 Very brief NHL playoffs talk

    29:37 PWHL expansion news and process explainer

    54:26 A short discussion of the recent Curl and McAvoy dirty plays


    Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
    More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
    Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
    We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
    You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined:
    Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
    You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Frankel the Tankel and Spinneth Gwyneth

    Frankel the Tankel and Spinneth Gwyneth
    May 1 2026
    Some celebration, some speculation, some PWHL playoff and expansion talk. And finally, a tribute to a great one. This episode has everything.

    Benjamin welcomes Trevor, Emily, and Madison to the Neutral Zone Hotel

    02:47 Anže Kopitar retires

    10:38 Will Brady Tkachuk remain an Ottawa Senator?

    21:39 PWHL playoffs matchups

    35:23 Current reporting on PWHL expansion cities

    48:48 Trevor pays tribute to John Garrett after his sudden and unexpected passing


    Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
    More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
    Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
    We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
    You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined:
    Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
    You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord
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    53 mins
  • It's Awards Time, Baby!

    It's Awards Time, Baby!
    Apr 24 2026
    This week, the crew talks awards and playoffs.

    0:00 Benjamin welcomes SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel

    1:58 SJ gives an updated on the Everett Silvertips

    10:17 It's time to announce the winners of the 2026 Neutral Zone Hotel Awards.

    17:54 A discussion about the start of the NHL playoffs turns into wide ranging discussion on NHL ownership and history.


    Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
    More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
    Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
    We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
    You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined:
    Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
    You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord
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    46 mins
  • Introducing the Jim Benning Memorial Trophy

    Introducing the Jim Benning Memorial Trophy
    Apr 17 2026
    The crew lets you know which teams to bandwagon in the NHL playoffs and then discusses the nominations for the 2nd Annual Neutral Zone Hotel End of Season Awards. You can vote for the winners on discord!

    Benjamin welcomes SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel

    01:45 Carney and Stubb skate with the Ottawa Charge

    04:35 NHL playoffs bandwagon rankings

    21:58 The 2nd Annual Neutral Zone Hotel End of Season Award Nominations!


    Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
    More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
    Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
    We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
    You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined:
    Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
    You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord
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    58 mins