Overview of Spittin' Chiclets Episode 638: Featuring Joey Kocur
This episode (Barstool Sports’ Spittin’ Chiclets #638) mixes playoff-era NHL news, first‑round previews, and a long interview with former Detroit Red Wings enforcer Joey Kocur. The hosts (Biz, Ryan Whitney, and Yanni) run through league headlines (Sabres trolling, Rick Bowness’s Columbus rant and subsequent return, Ovechkin talk, Maple Leafs dysfunction), make series-by-series playoff predictions for the East (plus quick West notes), and then sit down with Joey Kocur for career stories, Stanley Cup memories, and behind‑the‑scenes locker room anecdotes.
Main segments
- Quick ads/host banter and sponsor reads (Pink Whitney, Stella Blue, Who’s The Bad Guy, Noble shoes, Shell V‑Power).
- Headlines and viral moments: Buffalo Sabres billboards, Rick Bowness rant in Columbus and his one‑year extension, Ovechkin retirement chatter, Toronto Maple Leafs organizational/MLSE dysfunction article.
- Eastern Conference playoff previews — deep discussion of all first‑round matchups and hosts’ picks.
- Short West preview notes (Vegas vs Utah etc.) and promo for the live Netflix shows (Mondays & Thursdays, 11 a.m. ET).
- Long guest segment: Joey Kocur interview — career highlights, upbringing, fighting stories, Stanley Cup tales (Rangers & Red Wings), injuries and post‑playing roles.
Key takeaways and highlights
- Buffalo Sabres pulled off an elaborate trolling campaign (real billboards) targeting Ryan Whitney and others; hosts gave props for the trolling and acknowledged Sabres’ surprising season/energy.
- Rick Bowness (Columbus) publicly ripped his team for lack of “hate losing” mentality after a terrible finish; despite the media rant, he signed a one‑year extension — hosts debated whether airing that in public was appropriate but agreed his passion and accountability were clear.
- Toronto Maple Leafs: hosts discussed a recent deep, critical article about MLSE’s corporate changes and fan treatment; concerns about management, fan experience, and potential roster fallout (Austin Matthews’ future, coaching/GM searches).
- Alex Ovechkin’s future is still uncertain. He suggested he’s likely not done but was noncommittal; hosts discussed the possibility (and improbability) of him signing elsewhere if he continued.
- Playoff predictions (hosts offered varied views; these are the episode consensus picks):
- Pittsburgh over Philadelphia (most expected Penguins to advance; Biz predicted Pittsburgh in 6).
- Montreal over Tampa Bay — several hosts liked Montreal’s speed and upside as an upset pick.
- Buffalo vs Boston: tightest and hardest to pick — hosts leaned Buffalo (many picked Buffalo in 6–7).
- Carolina vs Ottawa: split, but several hosts favored Carolina; Ottawa also had believers (very close).
- Western preview: Vegas favored over Utah; Utah seen as an exciting young team but Vegas experienced.
- Promo: Spittin’ Chiclets will be doing live previews on Netflix Mondays/Thursdays at 11 a.m. ET during the playoffs.
Notable quotes & lines
- On Columbus / Bowness: “Not enough of these guys hate losing more than they enjoy winning.” — Rick Bowness (used repeatedly in the episode).
- On Buffalo trolling/AI billboard: hosts called it “bravo” trolling and acknowledged Buffalo fans deserve playoff joy after years of suffering.
- On Ovechkin: “I’m pretty sure it’s not my last game” — Ovechkin, noncommittal but leaning toward return.
Joey Kocur interview — highlights and memorable stories
- Background: grew up on a Saskatchewan farm (Kelvington), learned toughness and work ethic early.
- Early career: junior hockey in Saskatchewan, transitioned to pro; first fights started in junior after coach encouraged tougher play.
- NHL path & big teams:
- Played for Detroit and the NY Rangers; part of Rangers’ 1994 Stanley Cup run (memories from the Cup parade, the Canyon of Heroes, and the club atmosphere).
- Returned to Detroit, helped win additional Cups with the Wings.
- Famous anecdotes:
- Probert helped get Kocur back into the NHL — Kocur beat Probert in a fight in San Antonio, then Probert later helped “get him back in” to the Wings.
- Story of receiving the Stanley Cup in a damaged case, soldering it temporarily himself before the league introduced a “keeper of the Cup.”
- Serious hand infection from a fight wound early in career that required emergency surgery and kept him in hospital for a week — credited being in Detroit with saving his hand.
- On locker room culture, coaches (Keenan, Scotty Bowman), and the evolution of video coaching; described Bowman as the best coach he played for.
- Post‑playing: became a video coach/assistant in Detroit, runs the Joe Kocur Foundation, stays involved with charity and community hockey.
- Personality: warm, self‑deprecating, proud of roots, generous with stories about teammates and old barn‑style NHL days.
Detailed playoff preview (condensed)
- Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia
- Penguins expected to lean on Crosby, playoff experience. Hosts mostly favored Pittsburgh (many said Pittsburgh in 6).
- Flyers are young, energetic, and could surprise; power play/penalty kill are concerns.
- Montreal vs Tampa Bay
- Tampa has veteran nucleus (Kucherov, Vasilevskiy) but recent first‑round exits raise questions. Tampa was a heavy favorite on betting lines.
- Many hosts liked Montreal as a value upset pick (speed, youth: Suzuki, Caulfield).
- Boston vs Buffalo
- The most unpredictable series; Boston has a rugged, heavy defensive corps (McAvoy, Swayman in goal) while Buffalo has offensive fire and momentum.
- Most hosts tilted to Buffalo (many picks Buffalo in 6 or 7), but noted Swayman could steal games for Boston if he’s on.
- Carolina vs Ottawa
- Carolina has depth, structure, and strong D corps; Ottawa has goaltending and center depth.
- Close opinions: Carolina favored by some, Ottawa seen as capable of an upset.
- West notes
- Vegas vs Utah: Vegas recent form under Tortorella made many pick Vegas; Utah viewed as an exciting young franchise that could surprise.
Other news / topics touched
- Pink Whitney merch & podcast culture bits (ads, host stories).
- Toronto Maple Leafs internal dysfunction article — expensive fan packages, corporate culture concerns, possible player unrest (Matthews noncommittal), and potential for roster/management shakeups.
- Ovechkin’s retirement: mixed signals; hosts think he may return if family/children encourage it.
- Ryan Whitney placed on Buffalo billboard roast — hosts laughed and accepted the roasting.
- Brendan Bowness/Columbus: debate whether public shaming of players was the right move; extension shows management still believes in him.
- R.A.’s World appearance: rear admiral previewed Bruins vs Sabres and offered his take on TV/entertainment picks.
What to watch / listen for
- Full Joey Kocur interview for classic locker‑room stories (particularly the Stanley Cup soldering story and Probert/Kocur relationships).
- Playoff previews live on Netflix: Mondays & Thursdays at 11 a.m. ET (hosts said they’ll go live and preview series).
- Keep an eye on Columbus next year — Bowness’s “culture change” sets a tone for an intense training camp.
- Watch Montreal vs Tampa as a potential upset/value series, plus Buffalo vs Boston as the most unpredictable first‑round matchup.
Quick episode verdict
- Mix of hot‑take debate and real locker‑room storytelling. Best for listeners who want a blend of playoffs analysis, viral NHL headlines, and longform nostalgia with a heavyweight guest — Joey Kocur delivers the storytelling. Hosts are opinionated about bets/predictions (expect disagreement and banter).
If you want a one‑line summary: big NHL playoff preview episode with viral headlines, Rick Bowness fallout, Maple Leafs dysfunction discussion, and a long, must‑hear interview with former enforcer Joey Kocur full of Stanley Cup-era stories.