Overview of Spittin' Chiclets Episode 681
Episode 681 is a wide-ranging mix of NHL reaction, Halloween banter, and a long-form interview with former NHLer Blake Wheeler. The biggest hockey takeaway was the crew’s fiery reaction to Nikita Kucherov’s reported trade request from Tampa Bay, which sparked a bigger debate about respect, contract negotiations, and how teams treat franchise players. The second half of the episode shifts into a strong conversation with Wheeler about his career, Winnipeg, mental performance, family life, and the realities of playing in a Canadian market.
Biggest Hockey Story: Nikita Kucherov Trade Request
The hosts spent a long stretch on Kucherov reportedly wanting out of Tampa Bay, and they were adamant that the Lightning’s offer was disrespectful.
Main points from the discussion
- They said Tampa’s first offer to Kucherov was reportedly far below his value, and that it sent the wrong message.
- Their core argument: you don’t lowball a franchise player who has done everything for your organization.
- They felt the issue was less about money and more about respect, communication, and trust.
- They compared it to how other stars are paid, noting that Kucherov’s resume includes:
- multiple Hart-level seasons
- Art Ross trophies
- two Stanley Cups
- years as the engine of Tampa’s offense
- The crew repeatedly said they would rather go “down with the ship” with Kucherov than risk losing him for nothing.
Broader takeaway
The episode turned into a bigger conversation about how NHL teams handle superstars once they move out of their prime, and whether franchises should prioritize loyalty and relationship-building over hardball negotiation tactics.
Blake Wheeler Interview Highlights
Blake Wheeler joined the show for a long interview that covered his career arc from college hockey to Boston, Winnipeg, New York, and beyond.
Career path and NHL journey
- Wheeler talked about how hockey wasn’t always about the NHL for him growing up.
- He said his dream was originally to play Minnesota high school hockey and eventually for the Gophers.
- He reflected on:
- Boston University
- his first NHL years with the Bruins
- Winnipeg, where he became a franchise leader and captain
- his time with the Rangers
- international play with Team USA
Boston and early NHL development
- Wheeler said he was schooled hard in Boston by veteran leaders and learned by being “seen and not heard.”
- He mentioned playing with and around elite leaders and future Hall of Famers, which shaped him as a captain later in Winnipeg.
- He also talked about how quickly the NHL teaches you structure and responsibility.
Winnipeg leadership and the rise of the Jets
- Wheeler spoke with real emotion about Winnipeg and said the city and team meant a lot to him.
- He credited the organization’s success to a mix of strong leadership, culture, and a deep roster.
- He discussed:
- playing alongside Dustin Byfuglien
- the impact of coaches like Paul Maurice and Claude Noel
- how the Jets’ identity changed when key veterans left or retired
- He described Winnipeg as a place where fans truly care, comparing it favorably to other intense hockey markets.
Byfuglien, Maurice, and culture
- Wheeler said Byfuglien’s retirement was a huge turning point for the team.
- He also explained why Paul Maurice was such an effective coach:
- great communicator
- adaptable
- understood that players respond differently
- didn’t rely on a stale “shtick”
- He made it clear that Winnipeg’s success was built on a strong internal standard, not just talent alone.
Mental performance and life after hockey
- Wheeler discussed working with mental performance support later in his career and now helping others through similar work.
- He said many players don’t seek that kind of help until things are already going badly.
- His post-playing life is centered around:
- his kids
- coaching youth hockey
- mental performance coaching
- being more present at home
Wheeler’s Advice on Youth Hockey and Parenting
One of the strongest parts of the interview was Wheeler’s perspective on youth hockey development.
His advice
- Youth hockey should first and foremost be about fun.
- Parents often overreact or chase the wrong things because they’re trying to “keep up.”
- If a kid is truly good enough, they’ll eventually get found.
- He encouraged parents to let kids enjoy the game and their teammates instead of turning it into a nonstop pressure cooker.
Personal approach with his own kids
- Wheeler said he tries not to force hockey on his children.
- His rule of thumb: if they love it, he’ll help them; if he has to drag them out of bed, that’s a problem.
- He emphasized that the best memories often come from:
- locker room friendships
- youth tournaments
- high school hockey
- playing with buddies, not just chasing rankings
NHL News and League Talk
The episode also had a classic Chiclets league-roundup feel, with the hosts bouncing around from team to team.
Teams and storylines discussed
- Winnipeg Jets: struggling, with concern around the team’s direction and whether the front office or coaching staff bears more blame.
- Ottawa Senators: criticized for an ugly scheduling stretch, including too many back-to-backs.
- Chicago Blackhawks: called out for being a mess despite Bedard and a few promising pieces.
- Calgary Flames: praised for competing hard and playing with some life.
- Minnesota Wild: buoyed by strong play from Kaprizov.
- Edmonton Oilers: celebrated for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins hitting a major franchise milestone.
- New Jersey Devils: praised as one of the best teams in the league.
- Carolina Hurricanes: described as a machine.
- Pittsburgh / Utah / Colorado / Nashville: used in broader trade and roster speculation.
Trade and roster chatter
- The guys speculated about potential future movement involving stars like:
- Roman Josi
- Jason Robertson
- Artturi Lehkonen
- possible domino effects from Kucherov’s situation
- They also debated how aggressive teams should be at the deadline or in long-term contract negotiations.
Fun Side Topics and Off-Ice Moments
Halloween recap
- The crew kicked things off talking Halloween, Reese’s, costumes, and how rare it is for Halloween to land on a Saturday.
- There was plenty of dad humor, candy talk, and jokes about kids hoarding candy for later.
A viral beer incident
- They spent time breaking down a wild clip of one friend elbowing another’s beer out of his hand while he was trying to talk to a girl.
- The moment became a running joke and a metaphor for petty competition and chaos.
Internet Invitational / YouTube golf
- The crew also discussed the viral golf event and some of the dramatics around pressure putts, missed tap-ins, and the personalities involved.
- Big John Golf, Grant Horvat, and others were singled out for the attention their play generated.
Charity and Promo Mentions
A few charitable and sponsor-related notes came up throughout the episode:
- The show mentioned breast cancer awareness merch supporting Move Over Breast Cancer.
- There was also discussion around a potential raffle or donation setup for a signed jersey tied to Jeff Tafes’ charity, especially around veterans and military families.
Key Takeaways
- The episode’s central hockey debate was that Kucherov’s treatment in Tampa felt like a major disrespect of a franchise icon.
- Blake Wheeler came across as thoughtful, grounded, and highly reflective about:
- leadership
- Winnipeg’s hockey culture
- mental health
- family life
- youth hockey development
- A recurring theme throughout the show was that hockey relationships matter, and teams that forget that risk losing more than just a player.