Overview of Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 674: Featuring Swaggy P & Terry Ryan Jr.
This episode is a wide-ranging hockey-and-life conversation centered on the upcoming Chicklets Cup, the state of the NHL early in the season, and two standout guest appearances: Swaggy P (the elite skill coach/content creator) and Terry Ryan Jr. The hosts also spend time on major league storylines like Alex Ovechkin’s farewell tour, Dylan Larkin’s relationship with Detroit fans, Connor McDavid/Evan Bouchard/Oilers hype, and a few off-ice causes including breast cancer awareness and blind hockey.
Biggest Hockey Headlines Discussed
Ovechkin’s final season
- The crew reacts to Alex Ovechkin announcing this will be his last NHL season.
- They emphasize how special the Crosby vs. Ovechkin era has been for the league and how rare it is to have two generational stars enter at the same time.
- They note the symbolism of Ovi’s farewell, including his sons introducing him before a game and the league-wide respect he’s earned over a legendary career.
- The hosts also discuss:
- Ovi’s physical style early in his career
- His historic scoring records
- The idea of honoring him with an “8” at his one-timer spot, similar to how Gretzky was honored with “99” behind the net at MSG
Dylan Larkin and the Red Wings
- A major portion of the show is devoted to Dylan Larkin’s frustration in Detroit and the fan reaction around him.
- The hosts argue strongly that Red Wings fans should stop booing Larkin and instead recognize how long he’s carried the team.
- They criticize Detroit’s ownership/front office for not surrounding him with enough talent, especially after the team failed to land major free agents and has been slow to improve the roster.
- Their overall stance: Larkin is justified in being frustrated, and the fans should be more supportive.
Winnipeg, Hellebuyck, and team decisions
- The crew compares Larkin’s situation to Connor Hellebuyck sitting out/being patient in Winnipeg, noting how difficult those decisions can be.
- They also praise Winnipeg’s strong start, the team’s depth, and the leadership vibe in the room.
- They mention how valuable a good return would be if Winnipeg ever moves Hellebuyck.
Oilers praise and Evan Bouchard love
- The episode turns into a big Edmonton Oilers hype segment.
- Bob Stauffer’s text to the show is read on air, making the case that Evan Bouchard has been one of the NHL’s best defensemen and deserved more respect.
- The hosts gush about:
- Bouchard’s passing and puck movement
- McDavid and Draisaitl’s insane start
- Edmonton’s offensive ceiling
- The Oilers being a genuine Cup threat
The Devils, Rangers, Leafs, Panthers, and more
- Devils: The hosts say it’s far too early to panic after three games and dismiss the early “fire Keefe” chatter.
- Rangers: They discuss the team’s early-season expectations and how fans/media react to slumps.
- Leafs: They highlight Auston Matthews’ big night, plus the interesting “sleepover” storyline with Gavin McKenna and the first-overall-pick group.
- Panthers: Good news on injuries to Barkov and Marchand is viewed as huge for Florida.
- Wild: They briefly touch on the concern around Brock Faber and note that it didn’t sound minor.
- Sabres: They point out Tage Thompson’s bargain contract relative to today’s market.
Key Themes and Takeaways
Team-building matters
- A recurring theme is that stars can only do so much without organizational support.
- Larkin, Hellebuyck, and even Ovi are framed through the lens of whether their teams are actually giving them a real chance to win.
The NHL is in a new contract era
- The show repeatedly returns to how quickly salaries have exploded.
- The hosts note how older contracts now look like bargains and how teams need to adjust fast if they want to keep up.
Respect for players who carry franchises
- Larkin, Ovi, McDavid, Crosby, and Bouchard are all discussed as players who define eras or franchises.
- The hosts are big on rewarding players who consistently show up, compete, and carry the load.
Guest Spotlight: Swaggy P
Swaggy P joins for a long, entertaining interview that covers his background, development, and current work training players.
Who he is
- A high-skill hockey personality and trainer known for creative stickhandling, skating, and social-media hockey content.
- He explains how he got the nickname “Swaggy P” and how the name stuck as part of his brand.
His backstory
- Grew up in Vermont, where he says there wasn’t much of a hockey pipeline back then.
- Played at Tabor Academy, where he had to work hard on academics to qualify and get noticed.
- Talks about being a bigger kid early on and developing skill through constant play rather than structured training.
- Shares his path through UVM, the ECHL/Coast, and several years of pro hockey in Europe.
Europe and the chaos of pro life
- He tells wild stories from overseas:
- A broken jaw treated in Italy/Austria
- Getting sent alone to a hospital with a language barrier
- Having to take a train home still in hockey gear
- Another story involving a relationship mess that ended in a tragic murder at a house
- These stories underline how unpredictable lower-league and European pro hockey can be.
Training and content creation
- Now focused on:
- 1-on-1 and small-group skill work
- Running a hockey training facility
- Bauer sponsorship work
- Social media content creation
- He says his favorite part is helping kids fall in love with hockey and get better at the game.
- He explains that the work is satisfying because it lets him positively affect the next generation.
Ice-related chaos
- He shares a funny/scary story about falling through thin ice on a frozen pond in Vermont, then going into a grocery store still wearing skates.
- The story highlights both his obsession with the game and his willingness to grind for content and training.
Terry Ryan Jr. / R.A.’s World Highlights
Terry Ryan Jr. appears in the back half and brings his usual mix of hockey insight, humor, and old-school storytelling.
McDavid and the Oilers
- He talks about spending more time around Connor McDavid through events and commercials.
- He describes McDavid as surprisingly relaxed and personable away from the spotlight.
- He and the hosts continue the discussion about Edmonton’s strong start and why Bouchard has been so important.
Celebrini gift and Shark talk
- R.A. brings out a signed Macklin Celebrini Sharks jersey for one of the hosts, calling out how exciting the young star is.
- They joke about the Sharks, young talent, and how attention around the team can get weird or overblown.
Odie story and hockey etiquette
- R.A. shares a memorable old story about Odie giving him a fresh suit and telling him to “dress like a pro.”
- It becomes one of the episode’s nicer old-school hockey anecdotes.
Cancer awareness and anti-conspiracy rant
- R.A. uses his segment to bring attention to a teacher’s hockey challenge for kids and to send support to a media member battling cancer.
- He also goes on a passionate rant against moon-landing denial, emphasizing respect for the real history and sacrifice involved.
Relationship and media reflections
- He talks about his experience working on comedy/hockey projects like Shorzy and meeting McDavid through a commercial shoot.
- He explains how surreal it can be to go from junior hockey and content work to rubbing shoulders with the biggest stars in the sport.
Community and Cause-Based Moments
Breast cancer awareness
- The show promotes a Spittin’ Chiclets “Shot at a Cure” merch push.
- They say 100% of net proceeds go to Move Over Breast Cancer, which they describe as a meaningful and impactful cause.
Blind hockey at Chicklets Cup
- The hosts also spotlight blind hockey at the Chicklets Cup.
- They explain that attendees will be able to try simulated equipment and goggles to understand what blind hockey players experience.
Notable Takeaways
- Ovechkin’s final season is one of the biggest stories in hockey and will be celebrated all year.
- Larkin, Hellebuyck, and McDavid are all framed as franchise-defining players whose situations reveal a lot about organizational quality.
- Evan Bouchard is getting major early-season love from the hosts and from insiders like Bob Stauffer.
- Swaggy P brings a compelling story of hockey skill, self-made training, and the grind of lower-league/European pro life.
- Terry Ryan Jr. delivers classic hockey storytelling mixed with strong opinions and a few unforgettable tangents.
Final Note
This episode has a little bit of everything: hockey analysis, funny stories, charity promotion, guest interviews, and old-school locker-room energy. If you want the big picture, the core themes are respect for legends, frustration with underperforming organizations, and appreciation for the people who keep hockey culture entertaining on and off the ice.