Overview of Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 677
Episode 677 is a classic Spittin’ Chiclets mix of hockey chaos, current NHL debate, and an excellent long-form interview with former NHL star and coach Kirk Muller. The boys spend most of the episode riffing on early-season storylines — especially the Connor Hellebuyck/Winnipeg Jets situation, Connor McDavid’s absurd start, the Flyers’ struggles, and a wild set of around-the-league takes on Florida, Boston, Calgary, Minnesota, and Vegas. The interview with Muller is packed with old-school hockey stories, including locker room legends, playoff grit, coaching life, and behind-the-scenes tales from the 1980s and 1990s.
Main NHL Topics Discussed
Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets drama
- The biggest debate of the episode centered on Connor Hellebuyck’s suspension/trade situation in Winnipeg.
- The crew discussed:
- the team’s public comments,
- whether the room can repair the relationship,
- and whether Hellebuyck would even return to the Jets locker room.
- Their takeaway: it feels increasingly unlikely that he’ll play for Winnipeg again, and a trade or mutual separation seems more realistic.
Connor McDavid is on another level
- The hosts went all-in on Connor McDavid’s ridiculous start to the season.
- They argued he’s playing at a level reminiscent of Mario Lemieux-era dominance.
- The episode also touched on the Oilers’ offensive explosion, Jack Eichel’s strong start, and why Edmonton and Vegas look like legitimate powerhouses.
Flyers criticism and the team’s early struggles
- The Flyers got blasted repeatedly, mostly for:
- lack of scoring,
- poor roster construction,
- and fan outrage online.
- The guys defended their criticism by saying the Flyers are simply not a playoff team right now and that fans need to accept the reality of the roster.
- Rick Tocchet-style “tough love” was a recurring theme in the rant.
Gavin McKenna benching in Toronto
- A major discussion point was Gavin McKenna getting limited ice time and then being benched late in a game.
- The hosts thought the explanation given by the coach made little sense and argued that:
- an 18-year-old top prospect should be playing,
- one mistake shouldn’t bury him,
- and the handling of the situation was questionable.
Other around-the-league notes
- Florida Panthers: hot start, multiple natural hat tricks, and the boys loved the chaos.
- Boston Bruins: praised for strong play and for Marco Sturm’s willingness to scratch Nikita Zadorov to set a standard.
- Calgary Flames: a huge nod to rookie/goaltender Devin Cooley, whose postgame interview impressed them.
- Minnesota Wild: the crew admitted the Wild are better than expected and that Kirill Kaprizov is carrying the offense.
- Vegas Golden Knights: strong start, with Jack Eichel singled out as a huge reason why.
- Quinn Hughes: brief mention of his return and whether he might get booed in Vancouver.
Kirk Muller Interview Highlights
Career and draft history
- Kirk Muller joined the show as a guest and immediately fit the episode’s old-school hockey tone.
- He was drafted second overall in 1984, right after Mario Lemieux.
- He joked that going second behind Mario meant he was in good company, while the guys noted how strong that draft class was overall.
Classic hockey culture in the 1980s and 1990s
Muller told a ton of stories about how different the NHL used to be:
- players smoking in the room,
- insane road-trip routines,
- loose team environments,
- and the gritty, physical style of the era.
Montreal, the 1993 Cup, and old-school legends
- Muller reflected on the 1993 Canadiens Cup run and the contributions of teammates like:
- Lyle Odelein,
- Vincent Damphousse,
- Eric Desjardins,
- Jocelyn Thibault,
- and many others.
- He spoke highly of Lyle Odelein as the kind of teammate every room needs — tough, loyal, and always willing to have someone’s back.
Playing through injuries
- Muller told the story of playing through a torn collarbone during the playoffs and getting shot up before games.
- It was a reminder of just how different playoff hockey used to be, with guys routinely playing through major pain.
Coaches and legends: Burns, Keenan, and others
- He had great stories about:
- Pat Burns,
- Mike Keenan,
- Hitchcock,
- Lou Lamoriello,
- and Bob Gainey.
- One of the funniest stories involved Hully and Hitch and a road-trip prank that ended with Hully and another player heading out to golf after practice.
Lou Lamoriello loyalty story
- Muller told a memorable story about Lou Lamoriello sending a college team down to New Jersey, covering travel, food, tickets, and practice ice.
- It was used as an example of Lou’s loyalty and generosity — something not everyone associates with him.
Ovechkin and the goal-scoring obsession
- Muller also discussed coaching Alex Ovechkin and how obsessive he is about every shot he takes.
- He said Ovi checks every shot, wants feedback, and is always trying to understand how to score more.
- Muller emphasized how much personality and fun Ovechkin has behind the scenes, even if he’s more reserved in interviews.
Coaching and speaking now
- Muller explained that he stepped away from coaching for now, but he enjoys the break and has been doing speaking engagements.
- He framed his hockey philosophy around three pillars:
- clarity
- accountability
- working with people
- He said those principles translate from hockey to business and leadership.
Notable Stories and Bits
The Pink Whitney / Reese’s candy conversation
- The episode opened with sponsorship banter and a long tangent about Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups being the best Halloween candy.
- The crew also joked about a custom Chicklets/Reese’s plate as a prized possession.
Brian Yandle and greasy youth hockey memories
- The hosts shared old youth hockey stories about:
- cheap shots,
- fights,
- long rides home with parents,
- and the general chaos of growing up in the game.
- Those stories set the tone for the Muller interview, which was full of similarly old-school hockey energy.
United Heroes League shoutout
- They highlighted Jeff Taffe’s work with United Heroes League, which supports military families and gives kids access to hockey.
- The guys praised his efforts and talked about future collaborations.
Key Takeaways
- Hellebuyck’s future in Winnipeg remains the biggest unresolved storyline.
- McDavid is playing at an absurd, historically elite level.
- The Flyers are still a mess, and the hosts are not backing off that opinion.
- Kirk Muller delivered one of the episode’s best interviews, full of old-school NHL stories and great historical context.
- Devin Cooley stood out as a surprisingly thoughtful and entertaining young goalie voice.
Action Items / Mentions
- Watch the upcoming Wednesday night hockey slate, especially the Panthers and other top teams.
- Keep an eye on the Jets/Hellebuyck situation as the suspension window winds down.
- Check out United Heroes League if you want to support hockey accessibility for military families.
- Watch for more from Devin Cooley — the hosts clearly loved his personality and mindset.