Spittin' Chiclets Episode 667: Metro Division Preview

Summary of Spittin' Chiclets Episode 667: Metro Division Preview

by Barstool Sports

4h 22m•September 1, 2026
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Overview of Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 667: Metro Division Preview

This episode is a Metro Division preview packed with offseason NHL news, multiple interviews, and a lot of classic Chiclets banter. The biggest hockey topics were Cale Makar’s record-setting extension, Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request, and whether teams like Washington, Carolina, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, the Islanders, the Rangers, and Columbus are playoff teams. Along the way, the guys also went deep on golf stories, the JT Miller sandbagger, and a surprising amount of discussion about bats, poker, and bad internet connections.

Biggest NHL News and League Storylines

Cale Makar’s massive extension

  • The crew opened with a strong reaction to Cale Makar’s 8-year, $20.4M AAV contract with Colorado.
  • They viewed it as:
    • an obvious win for the Avalanche
    • a fair deal for one of the best defensemen ever
    • another sign that top NHL talent is finally entering the $20M+ salary tier
  • The discussion also touched on how Makar’s deal fits the broader cap landscape and the coming McDavid contract decision.

Connor Hellebuyck trade request

  • A major chunk of the episode centered on Connor Hellebuyck asking out of Winnipeg.
  • The hosts argued that:
    • Winnipeg has likely underappreciated how good he’s been
    • his trade request makes sense if he wants a real shot at winning
    • the situation could get ugly if he refuses to report
  • They also discussed how the trade market might be limited because:
    • his contract is long and valuable
    • Winnipeg may not love what they’d get back
    • after this season, his no-trade list reportedly shrinks

Metro Division Preview and Predictions

New York Rangers

  • The Rangers were debated heavily because of:
    • JT Miller’s captaincy
    • a disappointing season last year
    • big questions about scoring depth
  • The group liked:
    • Igor Shesterkin as an elite goalie
    • Adam Fox if healthy
    • some of the new depth additions
  • Concerns:
    • not enough offense
    • too much reliance on defense and goaltending
    • uncertainty about whether the roster is actually improved
  • Verdict: mostly skeptical, with one host eventually taking them as a heart pick.

New York Islanders

  • Frankie Borelli sent in a passionate Islanders rant arguing they’ll surprise people because of:
    • Matthew Schaefer becoming a star
    • Pete DeBoer-style structure being the missing ingredient
    • Sorokin’s ability to carry them in net
  • The panel liked Schaefer and DeBoer’s fit, but still saw:
    • an aging roster
    • limited scoring depth
    • too many similar middle-tier players
  • Verdict: fun team to watch, but most of the panel left them out.

Washington Capitals

  • This was one of the biggest “positive” teams in the preview.
  • The panel loved what Washington added:
    • Alex Tuch
    • Jordan Kyrou
    • Boone Jenner
    • Logan Thompson in net
  • Spencer Carberry explained how the team:
    • builds culture around making players feel welcome
    • balances development with winning
    • expects to compete in a brutal Eastern Conference
  • Verdict: clear playoff team, and one of the East’s more intriguing threats.

Carolina Hurricanes

  • The Hurricanes were basically treated as a known commodity:
    • deep
    • fast
    • structured
    • defensively elite
  • The only real question was whether they can carry over the Cup hangover after winning it all.
  • They talked about:
    • the strength of the blue line
    • the possible Hellebuyck interest
    • whether the group can repeat
  • Verdict: still a top contender, and likely in the playoffs again.

Pittsburgh Penguins

  • The Penguins were seen as a team that overachieved last year and may have to do it again.
  • Concerns included:
    • aging core
    • whether Malkin/Crosby/Letang can repeat their best versions
    • uncertain goaltending and depth
  • Positives:
    • some career years from role players
    • a strong camp battle for roster spots
    • some interesting young prospects
  • Verdict: borderline, with the panel leaning out unless a lot breaks right.

Philadelphia Flyers

  • The Flyers were viewed as a team on the rise but still inconsistent.
  • They’ve got:
    • more young talent
    • some veterans who can push the group
    • improved structure and push from the coaching staff
  • Concerns:
    • power play issues
    • goaltending questions
    • whether the young core can take a real step
  • Verdict: right on the bubble, with some optimism but not unanimous belief.

Columbus Blue Jackets

  • Jody Shelley’s short-but-good cameo set up the Columbus discussion.
  • The vibe:
    • Rick Bowness’ blunt season-ending comments were seen as necessary
    • Zach Werenski’s summer drama was a major story
    • Adam Fantilli has to become “the guy”
  • They also joked about the team’s fan base being loyal despite years of disappointment.
  • Verdict: not many believers, though everyone respected the fight.

New Jersey Devils

  • The Devils segment was driven by the interview with new GM Sonny Mehta.
  • Main positives:
    • Jack Hughes
    • Nico Hischier’s extension
    • strong organizational math/cap management
    • additions like Anthony Mantha and Declan Chisholm
  • Main questions:
    • whether Quinn Hughes could ever become a possibility
    • whether the defense is good enough
    • goaltending and health
  • The final on-air debate got heated, with one side putting the Devils in and the other pushing them out.
  • Verdict: polarizing, but clearly one of the most fascinating teams in the conference.

Featured Interviews

Spencer Carberry, Capitals head coach

  • Great interview about:
    • Ovechkin’s usage and the famous “D-zone start” debate
    • Washington’s culture and leadership
    • developing young players in a win-now environment
    • balancing standards with keeping the room loose
  • He praised Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, and the organization’s ability to welcome new players.
  • He also emphasized how difficult the East will be this season.

Sonny Mehta, Devils GM

  • The most notable interview of the episode.
  • Highlights:
    • He explained his unusual path: music school, poker, data science, then NHL GM
    • He described using analytics and scouting together, not as substitutes
    • He talked about building the Devils’ roster and cap structure
    • He strongly praised Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, and young players like Grützky/Grizek, Chisholm, and Mantha
  • He also gave a fascinating answer about poker pressure being worse than NHL GM pressure.

Colby Armstrong

  • Army previewed the Penguins and Flyers and gave his view on why both teams overachieved last year.
  • He also talked about:
    • his son’s WHL camp
    • the Saskatchewan farming landscape
    • prospects and development
    • why he thinks both Pittsburgh and Philly are still in a tough spot

Jody Shelley

  • Due to technical issues, Shelley’s appearance was extremely short.
  • He was still used to tee up the Blue Jackets discussion and the Werenski storyline.

R.A. and Frankie Borelli

  • R.A. added his usual pop-culture and hockey side commentary.
  • Frankie gave a passionate, delusional-but-fun Islanders pep talk that the crew loved.

Off-Ice Banter and Side Stories

Golf and the JT Miller sandbagger

  • Biz told a long story about witnessing an albatross at a golf trip.
  • They also revisited the JT Miller sandbagger, where Biz got absolutely cooked while off the drinking wagon.
  • The crew joked about:
    • Pasha becoming a JT Miller superfan
    • whether the uncut version of the sandbagger would be even wilder
    • Biz’s drinking choices and travel habits

Good Good / Callaway controversy

  • The episode closed with a surprisingly serious discussion about the Good Good Callaway commercial backlash.
  • The crew felt:
    • the ad was badly conceived
    • the punishment felt excessive compared to the mistake
    • the brand partners and golf tour should probably share more blame
  • They were sympathetic to the creators and confused by how far the fallout went.

Random cultural detours

  • There were also side conversations about:
    • Dolly Parton
    • Barbara Walters
    • bats and bees
    • poker
    • music history
    • movie soundtracks
    • and RA’s hair

Main Takeaways

  • The Metro Division is loaded, and the panel saw very few easy outs.
  • Washington and Carolina were the clearest playoff bets.
  • Pittsburgh, Philly, the Islanders, the Rangers, Columbus, and New Jersey all had real arguments, but almost every one of them came with major caveats.
  • The big hockey themes of the episode were:
    • elite defensemen getting paid
    • star players taking control of their futures
    • teams trying to win with better cap management and culture
    • how hard the East will be from top to bottom

If you want, I can also turn this into a team-by-team Metro cheat sheet or a shorter executive summary.