Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 580: Featuring T.J. Oshie (September 2, 2025)

EPISODE OVERVIEW

Episode 580 of Spittin' Chiclets, hosted by Ryan Whitney, Paul "Biz Nasty" Bissonnette, Rear Admiral, and Mike Grinnell, is a wide-ranging and high-energy installment blending classic hockey talk, pop culture, and a deep-dive interview with recently retired NHL forward and Stanley Cup champion T.J. Oshie. The crew covers everything from life after pro hockey, wild golf stories, and hot takes on the NHL offseason to a candid and emotional conversation with Oshie about his life, career, and what’s next. The show is rich in locker-room banter, heartfelt reflection, and laugh-out-loud moments.

HOST CHAT & OPENING SEGMENTS [01:15 - 30:00]

Labor Day Catch-up [01:15 – 14:18]

• Hosts share their Labor Day stories:
  • Biz Nasty visits Qualicum Beach and enjoys a chill long weekend.
  • Keith plays (and wins) money golf games against Bob Does Sports and Anthony Rizzo and has a fantasy football draft.
  • Whitney recounts father-son golf tournaments and marvels at bizarre cloud formations, sharing a photo his in-laws took:

    “As a cloud guy, I’ve never seen a cloud like this. Beautiful.” — Whitney [13:54]

• Golf Talk:
  • Humorous tales of bad rounds:
    “I won a hole with a double bogey.” — Whitney [13:11]

Bissonnette on Sobriety & Creativity [02:36 – 05:41]

• Biz celebrates one year sober from alcohol. Now tries to go a year without weed:
  “It's been way hard. You don't want that edge, but I think it'll be good… sometimes you'll just snap over everything.” — Biz Nasty [02:45, 03:35]
• Discusses the role of weed in his creative process and potential new vices.

College Football & Barstool News [15:47 – 26:53]

• Big segment on Barstool’s move into college football with Fox and praise for Dave Portnoy’s viral moments at Ohio State/Texas game:
  “He’s the master of chaos.” — Whitney [20:58]
• Jokes about how Portnoy got trolled by a kid on camera:
  “You got me. You can’t switch that one around… a nine-year-old just owns you.” — Whitney [21:33]
• Commentary on NIL money in college sports, transfer portal, and the evolution toward a more cutthroat, professional atmosphere in NCAA athletics.

HOCKEY HOT STOVE & NHL CHAT [26:53 – 51:29]

NHL Contracts & Roster Moves [27:32 – 36:00]

• Discussion about young player contracts, focusing on Chicago’s Nazar and Bedard deals, and how the league now pays for potential rather than past performance:

  “You're getting paid based on potential now … before, teams had you right by the goads.” — Biz Nasty [30:11]

• Notable examples: Nathan MacKinnon’s team-friendly contract, Bedard’s future payday predictions.

  “If you have two good years, all of a sudden, you’re signing an $80 million ticket and you’re set for life.” — Biz Nasty [33:25]

McDavid/Marner Extension Drama, Fan Conduct [34:33 – 42:21]

• Heated (but humorous) debate about whether Connor McDavid will re-sign with Edmonton.
• Mitch Marner’s security concerns after receiving threats, leading to broader themes:

  “If you send a guy a direct message or a message like that in general, you’re an absolute donkey.” — Biz Nasty [37:40]

• Candid self-awareness:
  “As a fan, I’m allowed to say I’m not happy with the way he dug in … But sending threats? You’re a clown.” — Biz Nasty [36:35]
• Reflection on the impact of social media and gambling on fan/player interaction.

FEATURED INTERVIEW: T.J. Oshie [51:29 – 1:39:28]

Returning to Minnesota & Family Life [51:29 – 54:49]

• Oshie on retiring, moving back to Minnesota, and why family and kids’ sports prompted the transition:

  “We decided a couple months ago to move back to Minnesota … school started this week. It’s good to get the kids friends in the neighborhood.” — T.J. Oshie [51:35]

Leaving the Capitals [52:28 – 54:49]

• Emotional on leaving DC after ten years:

  “It was a tough decision… my wife cried for a week. Not just the team, but the people and fans – leaving that is super tough.”

Health & Retirement Decisions [59:53 – 65:45]

• Oshie describes his debilitating back injury in detail and his treatment journey with stem cell injections:

  “I was in really bad shape. I had to flex my glutes and squeeze my abs just to get my baby out of her crib.” — T.J. Oshie [59:53]

• Illustrated the emotional decision to retire and his grueling, physical playing style, despite injuries:

  “If I had a boy and he played hockey, I’d have him watch your game, because you played harder than anyone.” — Keith [65:45]

The Physical Side & “One Speed” Reputation [66:29 – 70:18]

• On being a skilled player who always played physical:

  “I loved football growing up … learned as a little guy to stand my ground and hit bigger guys… I really, really enjoyed the physicality…” — T.J. Oshie [66:50]

Early Days & Minnesota Hockey [70:38 – 82:23]

• Insights into his mentality, following sports movie heroes, and how small-town Minnesota shaped his ethos.

  “If I didn’t move to Warroad, I’d probably be coaching middle school basketball right now.” — T.J. Oshie [75:36]

Decision-Making: High School, College, & Loyalty [82:23 – 85:46]

• Strong views against transfer portals (“I personally hate it”) and about staying with high school/college teams rather than chasing the next opportunity:

  “There’s something to not being the best player and not being treated like an all-star. I just don’t love the transfer portal thing.” — T.J. Oshie [82:42]

Career Milestones & Regrets [85:56 – 87:28]

• Misses college camaraderie and “the boys,” considered giving rookie contract back for more NCAA fun.

Playing with Stars & Team Chemistry [87:58 – 92:05]

• Talks about Jonathan Toews, Nicklas Backstrom, the ARP training method, and the culture in St. Louis vs. Washington.

The Big Trade & Capitals Career [97:38 – 103:30]

• Emotional recounting of learning he’d been traded:

  “For the first time in my life, I really felt defeated…” [100:06]

  • But quickly motivated when realizing he’d play with Ovi and Backstrom.
  • Describes the freedom Capitals gave star players compared to St. Louis structure.

The Olympic Shootout & “American Hero” [103:44 – 112:41]

• Relives his legendary Sochi shootout vs. Russia, including fears about Putin being in attendance:

  “Be careful, you’re in Russia. Putin was here… I was like, yeah, I love you.” — T.J. Oshie [105:44]

• Addresses his humility after the game:

  “The real heroes are wearing camo, not me.” — T.J. Oshie [111:14]

Ovechkin Stories & Team Culture [113:20 – 121:32]

• Heartfelt details about Ovechkin’s legacy:

  “He’s just one of those guys… whatever he says he’s going to do, he’s going to do.” — T.J. Oshie [115:39]

  • On Ovi’s Hall-of-Fame mentality and the infamous “hole-in-one” story.

Stanley Cup, Vegas Stories, & Celebrations [126:34 – 130:45]

• Recounts the night the Capitals won the Cup:

  “I wanted to stay up and watch the sunrise with the Cup on the steps. We split up and went door to door, getting everyone up for the flight home.” — T.J. Oshie [126:34]

  • Humorous mix-up with a teammate’s room and tighty-whities.

Entrepreneurship & Warroad Apparel [131:09 – 134:44]

• Talks about founding Warroad for hockey neck and wrist protection, passion for player safety:

  “We’re just trying to protect the youth… if not, just protect yourself.” — T.J. Oshie [133:44]

Life After Hockey & Media Plans [135:31 – 137:32]

• Oshie shares openness to TV and media work, broadcasting aspirations, and ongoing ties with the Capitals:

  “I will be doing things with the Caps on a part-time basis. I love the organization so much.” — T.J. Oshie [135:57]

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• “Everyone needs a vice. Just take up robbing banks.” — Whitney jokes to Biz Nasty [14:26]
• “If you have two good years, all of a sudden, you’re signing an $80 million ticket.” — Biz Nasty [33:25]
• “If I had a boy and he played hockey, I’d have him watch your game.” — Keith to Oshie [65:45]
• “The real heroes are wearing camo.” — TJ Oshie, after Sochi shootout (recounted at [111:14])
• “He goes, ‘Fun? 500 to go.’ And walked away.” — Oshie on Ovechkin’s one-liner after his 300th goal [121:32]
• “There's something super honorable about staying with your high school in Minnesota and playing for your hometown.” — T.J. Oshie [81:06]
• “I remember seeing one jacket with a New York Rangers patch. I thought: that could be a scout… but every car that drove by I thought could be a scout.” — T.J. Oshie [79:13]

TIMESTAMPS OF KEY SEGMENTS

• Labor Day Stories & Golf – [01:15 – 14:18]
• Biz's Sobriety & Vice Chat – [02:36 – 05:41]
• College Football & Barstool – [15:47 – 26:53]
• NHL Contract Debates – [27:32 – 36:00]
• Marner/McDavid/Leafs/Oilers Drama – [34:33 – 42:21]
• Player Mental Health & Social Media – [39:03 – 43:43]
• T.J. Oshie Interview Begins – [51:29]
• Health, Retirement, Back Injury – [59:53 – 65:45]
• Warroad, Roots, Minnesota Hockey – [70:38 – 82:23]
• Transfer Portal Critique – [82:23 – 85:46]
• Shootout vs. Russia & American Hero Talk – [103:44 – 112:41]
• Ovechkin Stories & Cup Run – [113:20 – 121:32]
• Stanley Cup Celebrations (Vegas) – [126:34 – 130:45]
• Warroad Hockey Apparel – [131:09 – 134:44]
• Life After Hockey/Media Plans – [135:31 – 137:32]

FINAL THOUGHTS

Episode 580 is a quintessential Spittin’ Chiclets episode: irreverent, insightful, hilarious, and at times deeply moving. The crew’s chemistry and storytelling are on full display, highlighted by Oshie’s honest, unfiltered, and thoughtful conversation about career, family, pain, triumph, and what it means to leave an indelible mark on and off the ice.

For fans of hockey, behind-the-scenes stories, or podcasts with heart and humor—this is a must-listen.