Overview of Spittin' Chiclets Episode 675
Episode 675 is a mix of full-throttle Chicklets Cup chaos, a wide-ranging and very candid interview with Kevin Hayes, and a bunch of league talk touching the Rangers, Leafs, Flyers, Oilers, Canadiens, and more. The episode centers on Hayes’ retirement, his injury history, his time in Philly, Pittsburgh, and Russia, plus a thoughtful discussion about Mitchell Miller. It also includes RA’s World, where RA breaks down his surprising new coaching obsession from the tournament.
Chicklets Cup Recap: chaos, controversy, and community
- The hosts spent a huge chunk of the episode reliving the 7th annual Chicklets Cup in Boston.
- The biggest storyline was the Big Deal Selects again falling short, including a heartbreaking overtime loss in the semifinals to the eventual champs.
- There was a major dispute over:
- a no-goal call that the crew believed was clearly in,
- whether the game should have been ended by mercy rule,
- and the fact that the refs seemed to have no interest in helping them.
- The Big Deal Selects appear to be done after a seven-year run, with Terry Ryan jokingly accused of being both a great organizer and a growing liability.
- The tournament also featured:
- strong play from Quebec/New Brunswick ball-hockey talent,
- blind hockey participation and awareness,
- and several divisions paying out $5,000 prizes.
- Boston turnout was strong, and the event drew a lot of attention from fans, sponsors, and friends of the show.
Kevin Hayes interview: retirement, injuries, and the mental grind
Kevin Hayes joined for a long, honest conversation about the final stretch of his career and life after hockey.
Why he retired
- Hayes said his brief stint in Russia helped him realize it was time to stop.
- A groin injury, combined with being away from his wife and kid, made hockey stop feeling fun.
- He said retirement has been a huge relief mentally:
- better sleep,
- less anxiety,
- no more daily stress about being scratched or not producing.
Injuries and the Philadelphia years
- Hayes opened up about how his sports hernia / groin issues in Philly never fully healed.
- He had multiple surgeries and said his body never got back to the player he was before.
- He described the frustration of knowing he could still play, but not quite at the level he wanted.
Tortorella relationship
- Hayes and John Tortorella had a classic love-hate, high-standards relationship.
- He described Torts publicly challenging him on everything from effort to appearance.
- Even with the criticism, Hayes was clear that:
- he respected Torts,
- Torts got the most out of certain players,
- and their relationship, while tense, was real and meaningful.
Pittsburgh and being a veteran presence
- He said Pittsburgh was a great place to finish because he felt valued, even when he wasn’t playing much.
- Hayes embraced being a mentor and “cheerleader” for younger guys.
- He talked about helping prospects, taking teammates to lunch, and trying to lead the right way even while scratched.
Russia and the KHL
- Hayes described Russia as both fascinating and unsettling:
- language barrier,
- war-related sirens and drones,
- strange travel issues,
- and unfamiliar training/medical routines.
- He also said the hockey culture was unique and the players were extremely skilled.
Mitchell Miller discussion
- The interview also covered the Mitchell Miller situation.
- Hayes did not excuse what happened, but he argued the story is more complicated than the public version suggests.
- His main point was that the league should do proper due diligence and that people should understand the full context before making permanent judgments.
Sidney Crosby stories
- Hayes shared several stories about Sidney Crosby, emphasizing:
- how thoughtful and detailed he is,
- how intense and professional he is every day,
- and how even small personal gestures from Sid stuck with him.
- He also shared a few funny Crosby quirks, like his bird knowledge and banana bread tradition.
Around the NHL: Rangers, Leafs, Flyers, Oilers, Canadiens
Rangers and Shesterkin injury
- The Rangers were buzzing early, but that mood changed fast after Igor Shesterkin went down.
- Biz admitted he was tempted to hop on the Rangers bandwagon before the injury.
- The crew talked about how brutal it is when a team looks good and then loses its star goalie.
Canadiens, Dylan Larkin, and Montreal buzz
- The Montreal crowd’s positive treatment of Dylan Larkin led to more trade speculation.
- The hosts joked that Montreal is making a strong pitch to lure him, even if he’s not necessarily on the move.
- They also noted Montreal’s atmosphere and the way fans can influence perception around a player.
Flyers concerns
- Philadelphia’s rough start came up as a warning sign.
- The hosts said the Flyers need better team chemistry, healthier bodies, and a stronger sense of cohesion.
- They compared it to teams that look good on paper but aren’t yet “vibing” as a group.
Leafs and Senators
- Toronto’s strong start and improved vibe got a shoutout.
- Ottawa was framed as a team that may have been underestimated.
- Brady Tkachuk’s upcoming return to Ottawa was mentioned as a potentially emotional moment.
Oilers and the “low IQ” Darnell Nurse clip
- One of the funniest clips discussed was Darnell Nurse responding to a reporter with:
- “With my low IQ, I don’t know if I’m able to answer your questions.”
- The guys loved the timing and delivery, calling it a perfect veteran clapback.
RA’s World: coaching bug unlocked
RA’s segment focused on his surprise role coaching the women’s team at the Chicklets Cup.
The big takeaway
- RA said coaching lit something up in him that he didn’t expect.
- He got emotionally invested fast and felt the bond with the team almost immediately.
What happened
- He coached a team that had several players he didn’t know beforehand.
- They were all competitive, physical, and fully committed.
- RA described:
- bench drama,
- goalie-pull decisions,
- and the emotional high of coaching in a real tournament setting.
Why it mattered
- He said the experience felt more meaningful than he expected because of how quickly the group became a team.
- He’s now openly thinking about coaching again next year.
Recommendation of the week: Nick Saban documentary
- RA recommended the Nick Saban documentary, saying it’s excellent so far.
- The doc stood out for showing:
- Saban’s relentless work ethic,
- his honesty with recruits,
- and how he helped shape elite players.
- The crew especially liked the stories about:
- recruiting philosophy,
- Jalen Hurts/Tua decisions,
- and how Saban’s style demanded accountability.
Main takeaways
- Kevin Hayes gave one of the most honest interviews of the season so far, especially about injuries, retirement, and the emotional burden of being scratched and underperforming.
- The Chicklets Cup remains pure chaos in the best way: competition, trash talk, bad reffing, and a lot of fun.
- The show continues to mix hockey analysis, player stories, and self-aware humor better than almost anything in the space.
- RA’s coaching segment was a genuine surprise highlight, and it sounds like that won’t be his last bench assignment.