Overview of Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 673
Episode 673 is a fast-moving NHL roundtable centered on the league’s opening-week chaos, with extended discussion of the Detroit Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin situation, the San Jose Sharks’ surprising energy, strong starts from the Rangers/Devils/Avalanche/Canucks, and a remembrance of former NHL defenseman Lyle Odelein. The episode also features a long-form interview with former BU and NHL defenseman Freddie Meyer, joined later by his son Carter Meyer, who is charting his own path as a highly regarded young prospect.
Major NHL Storylines Discussed
Dylan Larkin, Detroit, and the Red Wings’ mess
- The hosts revisit the controversy around Dylan Larkin being announced at Detroit’s home opener while scratched, initially debating whether the team “fed him to the wolves.”
- After learning more context, they soften their take and credit Larkin for wanting to be there so the other scratches wouldn’t be singled out.
- The conversation expands into Detroit’s broader dysfunction:
- frustration with ownership,
- the Edvinsson trade-request talk,
- lack of elite free-agent additions,
- and the fan base chanting “sell the team.”
- The panel argues that Larkin has carried a heavy load for years with little help and that his frustration is understandable.
Sharks and the “new energy” in San Jose
- San Jose gets a lot of praise for looking fun, fast, and physical.
- They highlight:
- Macklin Celebrini’s immediate impact,
- Will Smith producing,
- the atmosphere at the renovated Shark Tank,
- and how the team no longer feels like an easy night for opponents.
- The hosts repeatedly say the Sharks are one of the most interesting early-season watches.
Rangers, Devils, and other early-season standouts
- Igor Shesterkin scoring a goal gets a big reaction, with the crew joking it gives the Rangers even more momentum.
- The Rangers are described as looking connected and dangerous, especially with Artemi Panarin rolling.
- On New Jersey:
- Jack Hughes looks electric in the home opener,
- but the Devils’ second game is a brutal dud,
- and Timo Meier is singled out as generating chances but struggling to finish.
- Around the league, they also touch on:
- Colorado looking like a wagon,
- Utah (the Mammoth) being fast and dangerous,
- Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson looking meaner and more engaged,
- Pittsburgh’s veteran core still competing hard,
- and Edmonton’s wild, high-scoring starts under Babcock-era humor and sarcasm.
Light debate on standings, prospects, and early overreactions
- The show spends a lot of time on the danger of overreacting to two-game samples.
- There’s also discussion about:
- Gavin McKenna and why he should be given time,
- the changing landscape of junior hockey and NCAA recruiting,
- and how the new CHL/NCAA environment could reshape player development.
Guest Interview: Freddie Meyer and Carter Meyer
Freddie Meyer’s career path
- Freddie Meyer talks through his route from small-town New Hampshire to Cardigan Mountain, the U.S. National Team Development Program, Boston University, the AHL, and eventually the NHL.
- He explains:
- how regimented prep and development hockey shaped him,
- how his game was built on skating, compete level, and hockey IQ,
- and how small defensemen benefited from rule changes in the post-lockout NHL.
- He also shares memorable stories from his playing days:
- strict coaching and punishment systems in junior,
- fighting culture in the minors,
- wild locker-room characters,
- and multiple NHL/AHL transactions that changed his career path.
Injuries, retirement, and life after hockey
- Freddie opens up about recurring back problems and concussions that eventually shortened his career.
- He describes the fear of the next concussion as a major factor in stepping away.
- After hockey, he’s now coaching and raising two sons who are both heavily involved in the game.
Carter Meyer’s outlook and the father-son hockey path
- Carter joins the conversation toward the end and comes across as a mature, thoughtful prospect.
- He talks about:
- wanting to follow in his dad’s footsteps,
- his development goals,
- and the current pressure of being a well-regarded young player.
- The family discussion also touches on:
- the changing junior hockey landscape,
- Quebec Major Junior vs. U.S. development routes,
- and how the new NCAA/CHL rules may change the path for American prospects.
Notable Moments and Side Topics
“Hot for Hockey” marketing campaign
- The crew reacts to the NHL’s bizarre new romance-audio marketing tie-in built around hockey players and “smut” style storytelling.
- Their take: weird, but maybe smart if it gets attention.
Chicklets Cup and event details
- A chunk of the opening banter is dedicated to Chicklets Cup:
- public games in Boston,
- Harpoon Brewery events,
- and the usual tournament chaos.
- They joke about sleep tracking players, late nights, and trying to manage team behavior.
Tribute to Lyle Odelein
- The episode ends on a somber note with a tribute to Lyle Odelein, who passed away.
- The hosts remember him as:
- a true old-school pro,
- a great teammate,
- a great storyteller,
- and one of the good guys of the game.
- They share stories about his leadership, professionalism, and personality, and emphasize how deeply he was respected.
Main Takeaways
- Detroit is the biggest early-season soap opera in the episode, with Larkin at the center and ownership under fire.
- San Jose and the Sharks are emerging as one of the league’s most exciting stories.
- The Rangers, Devils, Avalanche, and Canucks all get positive early-season attention for strong starts or standout individual play.
- Freddie Meyer’s interview is a career-depth look at a gritty, undersized defenseman’s journey through elite hockey, injuries, and life after playing.
- The episode balances comedy, insider hockey talk, and a heartfelt remembrance of Lyle Odelein.