Overview of Spittin' Chiclets Episode 618
This episode of Spittin' Chiclets (presented by Pink Whitney) features the hosts (Biz/Paul Bissonnette, Ryan Whitney, “Yans”/Yannick, and others) and a long interview with Marc‑André Fleury. The show mixes sponsor plugs and locker‑room banter with hot NHL news: a high‑profile college bar fight involving top prospect Gavin McKenna, Artemi Panarin’s trade/short extension, Oilers/Leafs division drama, Olympic selection chatter, and a wide‑ranging, candid interview with Fleury about retirement, pranks, goalie technique, and life after hockey. R.A.’s World closes the episode with personal stories, Super Bowl picks and pop‑culture notes.
Main segments & topics covered
- Pink Whitney sponsor opening and regular plugs.
- Hosts’ anecdotes: fan mail issues (addresses posted online), old fight pics (Tim Jackman story), mailing logistics (mailbox flag tip), and bartender/seekers anecdotes.
- Gavin McKenna bar fight (Penn State): alleged mother‑insult led to McKenna knocking a fan out; legal charges reported; hosts debate impact on draft stock and character.
- Artemi Panarin trade: moved to Los Angeles and signed a 2‑year, $11M deal; Rangers fans upset about perceived low return (prospect + conditional picks); discussion of Panarin’s leverage and market.
- Edmonton Oilers review: McDavid Players’ Tribune piece, team struggles, coaching concerns, D‑zone breakdowns, and comments on roster/conditioning heading into Olympic break.
- Maple Leafs banter: Leafs vs Oilers results, roster/coach/leadership talk, Morgan Rielly discussion.
- Columbus Blue Jackets surge under Rick Bowness; Merzlikins’ hot play; Cam Hudson breakout and Norris conversation.
- Olympic roster notes: Sam Bennett in for Canada; injuries/availability chatter (Braden Point, others).
- R.A.’s World: personal updates (divorce crypto email anecdote), injury talk (disc extrusion), Super Bowl picks, and reflections on Miracle documentary.
- Guest interview: Marc‑André Fleury (lengthy, candid).
Guest highlight — Marc‑André Fleury (summary of interview)
- Retirement life: enjoying freedom, family time, skiing, more home time with kids, casual skate appearances (e.g., with Minnesota Wild).
- Not coming back: clarified he’s done as an NHL player, skating now for fun and part‑time with teams as an extra/equipment guy.
- Competing nature: loved the exhibition comeback and shootout; still competitive but content.
- Career memories: firsts (first win/shutout), Game 7 Cup clincher vibes, deepest memory is the feeling of winning the Cup (esp. first).
- Goalie technique & evolution:
- On butterfly and earlier styles (Patrick Roy/Patrick Waugh influence).
- Comments on modern variations (reverse VH) — not “lazy,” but a tradeoff (hips and workload).
- Gear rule changes (pad sizing) and their effects on mobility.
- Health & longevity: body wear (hips/low back), dealing with injuries, managing workload later in career.
- Post‑career plans: not rushing into management/GM work; open to projects, enjoying slower pace, potentially media/creative ideas (prank/show concepts discussed).
- Locker‑room/prank stories: famous team pranks, fond memories of teammates, appreciation for team culture.
- International experience: played last year’s Worlds with Team Canada; thoughts on Olympic goalie selection (leans toward Bennington starting, but wants others to get games).
- Final thoughts: grateful for career, pride in relationships/teammates, supportive of youth hockey initiatives (Kraft Hockeyville).
Notable Fleury quotes/paraphrases:
- Retirement best parts: “More freedom…put the kids to bed every night.”
- On the Cup: “The first is the best…nothing like it.”
- On gear changes: they made him more agile and changed how goalies play.
Key takeaways & analysis
- Gavin McKenna incident: if allegations (insulting McKenna’s mother) are true, hosts feel his draft stock likely rises — scouts often value toughness/family defense. Legal consequences and public perception remain uncertain; hosts suggest fundraising ideas (GoFishMe / “Right Hook” lure idea) to help legal costs.
- Panarin to LA: short‑term deal (2 years, ~$11M) suggests limited leverage for Rangers once he sought an extension. Rangers fans upset about return; hosts frame it as a market/negotiation consequence (public knowledge of extension narrows trade partners).
- Oilers: deep concern over team D‑zone structure, run of poor play; McDavid article shows his commitment to Edmonton but team performance and coaching/structure issues worry hosts heading into the Olympic break.
- Columbus turnaround: Rick Bowness’ arrival and Merzlikens’ improved play are highlighted as an example of coaching impact.
- Goalie management trend: rotating goalies/playoff rest discussed — the modern season’s speed and travel create more incentive to rest starters when possible.
- Fleury’s interview: great primer on goalie perspective, evolution of style, post‑career life and the human side of retirement.
Notable quotes & moments
- “If scouts liked him, they now love him. If scouts loved him, they're now obsessed with him.” — on Gavin McKenna.
- Biz to Ryan Whitney: playful rivalry about Maple Leafs/Oilers and trade/roster banter (episode’s recurring comedic throughline).
- Fleury on the Cup: “You make a save...and you win the cup — nothing like it.”
Practical listener tips, jokes & small items worth remembering
- If you get outgoing mail in a rural mailbox, raise the mailbox flag and the postal carrier will pick it up — you can avoid a post office trip.
- Don’t clean open wounds with rum (Biz’s anecdote — “don’t use Captain Morgan”).
- If you’re a public figure sending signed items, be cautious: posting your address online can create heavy mail volume and security headaches.
- Pop culture: hosts recommend the Miracle documentary (new Netflix doc) and Eddie Murphy’s 48 Hours as a classic film rec.
Action items / links mentioned
- Fleury interview: full conversation is a highlight—expect the longer Fleury segment to be the value listen for hockey fans.
- Upcoming content: Chris Pronger interview (long, in‑depth) to be released Monday.
- Kraft Hockeyville: vote (campaign mentioned) — idea to help small rinks, with special interest in Northern communities (example: Yukon nomination for Gavin McKenna hometown).
- Sponsor plug: Pink Whitney — repeated throughout the episode.
Who should listen
- Fans of behind‑the‑scenes hockey locker‑room talk, goalie/technique nerds (Fleury segment), prospect/draft followers (McKenna discussion), and listeners who enjoy Barstool style banter and hot takes on trades and NHL standings.
If you want a one‑sentence takeaway: this episode blends hard news (bar fight, Panarin trade), divisional drama (Oilers/Leafs), and a warm, candid Fleury interview that’s essential listening for goalie and player‑life insights.