Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 644: Featuring Kevin Bieksa

Summary of Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 644: Featuring Kevin Bieksa

by Barstool Sports

2h 28m•May 7, 2026
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Overview of Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 644: Featuring Kevin Bieksa

This episode is a wide-ranging playoff breakdown with Biz, Whit, RA, and guest Kevin Bieksa, mixing sharp game analysis with a lot of off-ice chatter around the NHL Draft Lottery, the Maple Leafs’ shocking turnaround, award finalists, broadcast/media drama, and the emotional side of hockey. The biggest themes were how the playoffs are shaping up, why certain teams are thriving, and what the lottery means for Toronto, San Jose, Anaheim, and the rest of the league.

Biggest Storyline: The Draft Lottery and the Leafs Fallout

Toronto wins the lottery

  • The Maple Leafs landing the No. 1 pick completely changed the conversation around their future.
  • The crew joked that this could mean Gavin McKenna ends up in Toronto, though nothing is guaranteed.
  • Biz’s reaction to Toronto’s win was tied to his personal history with the organization and his unresolved issue with how Shane Doan was treated in Arizona.

Why Biz walked away from the Leafs

  • Biz explained that his break from being a Leafs guy had less to do with fandom and more with loyalty and how the franchise handled Doan.
  • The group discussed how fans online oversimplified the situation.
  • The core point: Biz is loyal to people, not just jerseys.

Toronto’s draft-pick mess

  • They also discussed how Toronto’s draft-pick obligations to Philadelphia and Boston are confusing and likely need to be sorted out soon.
  • The consensus: the league has to clarify the setup because other teams need to know what assets they actually own.

Playoff Breakdowns

Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens

  • Buffalo won Game 1 with a strong start, timely scoring, and a better power play.
  • Josh Doan, Zach Benson, and Bowen Byram were key contributors.
  • The panel praised Buffalo’s second power-play unit for using a more varied setup and creating confusion.
  • Montreal had chances and better shot volume at times, but Dobes was inconsistent and Buffalo’s front-net traffic made a difference.
  • They noted that Montreal likely needs more from Cole Caufield and that the Canadiens can’t rely on a single line staying quiet much longer.
  • Big takeaway: a split in Buffalo would still be a solid result for Montreal.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Vegas Golden Knights

  • Anaheim was viewed as the better team through stretches of both games.
  • Leo Carlsson was singled out repeatedly as a future star and maybe the best player in the series.
  • Cutter Gauthier, Troy Terry, and the Ducks’ depth forwards were also praised.
  • Vegas was criticized for some coaching choices, including line juggling and the timing of a goalie pull.
  • The controversial icing/no-icing call in Game 1 was discussed at length; the panel felt the refs got it wrong.
  • Anaheim’s power play was still a concern, but the overall trajectory looked very encouraging.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild

  • Colorado was described as clearly better, with Nathan MacKinnon playing at an elite, dominant level.
  • MacKinnon’s physical strength, pace, and finishing ability were a major talking point.
  • Minnesota’s special teams were heavily criticized:
    • Power play: ineffective
    • Penalty kill: poor reads, especially against Colorado’s low plays
  • Injuries to Eriksson Ek and Brodin were seen as major obstacles.
  • There was discussion about whether Minnesota should go back to Jesper Wallstedt.
  • The Avalanche were praised for their depth and for making Minnesota play a style that feeds Colorado’s strength.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers

  • Carolina’s structure, pace, and depth were highlighted as a huge problem for Philly.
  • The Stankoven line got major praise for driving play and scoring.
  • Brind’Amour was applauded for adjusting lines and getting production from different combinations.
  • The Flyers were seen as needing more from players like Tippett and Martone if they want to push the series.
  • The panel openly discussed the possibility of a sweep or a short series.

Kevin Bieksa’s Hockey Notes and Player Analysis

Best players and modern defensemen

  • Bieksa talked about how hard it is to slow down players like MacKinnon, McDavid, and Quinn Hughes.
  • He said Hughes can be overused, but in elite matchups you still want the puck on those guys’ sticks as much as possible.
  • He noted that Dahlin is a complete defenseman and that Makar remains the standard.

Leo Carlsson praise

  • Bieksa said Carlsson stood out to him even as a teenager playing in Sweden.
  • He emphasized that scouts need to watch players live, not just rely on analytics.
  • Carlsson was compared stylistically to Barkov, with the suggestion that his offensive ceiling may be even higher.

Team culture and ice-time philosophy

  • Bieksa explained how some teams, especially Carolina, roll four lines and trust everyone.
  • He praised coaches who adapt and let players earn more ice time instead of forcing rigid systems.
  • The discussion also touched on how playoff hockey changes fatigue, both physically and mentally.

Awards and League News

Finalists announced

  • Norris Trophy finalists: Rasmus Dahlin, Cale Makar, Zach Werenski
  • Selke finalists: Anthony Cirelli, Brock Nelson, Nick Suzuki
  • Calder finalists: Matthew Schaefer, Ivan Demidov, and another top rookie candidate
  • Masterton finalists: Jonathan Toews, Rasmus Dahlin, Gabriel Landeskog

Takeaways on the awards

  • Makar was still called the best defenseman by the panel.
  • Dahlin’s year was viewed as especially impressive given the context of what he’s dealt with.
  • Landeskog and Toews were praised for their comeback stories and perseverance.

Media, Broadcast, and Hockey Culture

Criticism of bad questions and bad takes

  • The crew ripped some media questions, especially those aimed at Chayka, calling them disrespectful.
  • They also defended the OHL coach who said “No one cares, work harder” after a big win.
  • Their view: hockey media can be too sensitive and too performative.

Social media and mental health

  • They pushed back hard on toxic reactions to players stepping away or dealing with health issues.
  • Gabriel Landeskog and Victor Hedman were used as examples of why fans should stop piling on people dealing with real life problems.

Broadcasters they liked

  • Strong praise for Shane Knighty, Eric Johnson, and several other NHL broadcast voices.
  • They also mentioned Arda Ocal being let go and spoke positively about his work and character.

Other Notable Moments

  • The show spent time on the weirdly emotional aftermath of the Leafs lottery win and what it means for the franchise.
  • They joked about Biz’s upcoming appearance on Family Feud and other media spots.
  • RA also shared a moving local story about a Massachusetts state trooper who died responding to a dangerous roadway situation, and the crew paused to acknowledge it respectfully.

Main Takeaways

  • The playoffs are being shaped by depth, special teams, and elite stars taking over series.
  • Toronto’s lottery win changes the NHL conversation, even if there’s still a long way to go before anything becomes real.
  • Anaheim and Buffalo are both showing signs of being ahead of schedule.
  • Colorado looks terrifying when MacKinnon is rolling.
  • Carolina’s system and depth continue to make them one of the hardest teams to deal with.
  • The episode balanced analysis with a lot of personality, loyalty, and classic Chiclets chaos.