Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 587: Featuring Seth Jarvis, Rick Tocchet & Jody Shelley

Date: October 13, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette, Rear Admiral, Mike Grinnell
Guests: Seth Jarvis (Carolina Hurricanes), Rick Tocchet (Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach), Jody Shelley (Columbus Blue Jackets Broadcaster)

Episode Overview

This week’s episode is a jam-packed Metro Division NHL preview with three signature Spittin’ Chiclets-style interviews. Whitney, Bissonnette, and the crew bring their trademark blend of hockey analysis, locker-room storytelling, wild tangents, and irreverent humor. They break down the Metro’s outlook, check in on fan-favorite teams and young stars, share personal anecdotes, and chop it up with guests Seth Jarvis, Rick Tocchet, and Jody Shelley for exclusive insights and plenty of laughs.

Opening Banter & Housekeeping

[01:12-02:36]

• The hosts riff on recent adventures, the return of cozy season, and seasonal sponsors (Pink Whitney, Bombas).
• October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; 100% of proceeds from select merchandise go to charity.
• Shoutouts to sponsors and hockey community partners.
• The regular banter sets the show’s light-hearted, “boys in the locker room” tone.

Early NHL Season Storylines

[02:36-13:00]

• Paul Bissonnette addresses criticism about his role in the Mitch Marner trade:
  “If me saying ‘Selkie my dick’ was really what did it, then…I’ll take the blame for it, okay? But I ain’t fucking calling in death threats and sending them DMs.” (05:14, Bissonnette)

  • The hosts debate whether media pressure impacts star movement.
  • Lots of jokes about marriage, exes, and being “run” by wives (“Every guy ever who has been married bitching about their old ladies — Hey Biz, when you gonna get married?”)

• Leafs and Vegas Cross-Talk:

  • Biz declares himself off the Leafs/Vegas bandwagon drama.
  • Reminiscing about team loyalty, locker-room chirps, and jersey swaps.
  • Detroit’s feisty start and Anaheim’s young team both draw praise.

• Detroit & Anaheim Rookies:

  • “McTavish looked unbelievable… rookies making imprints early on.” (13:26)
  • Detroit’s bounce-back after a rough opener signals possible upside.

Segment: Metro Division State of the Union

[13:57-26:54]

• Toronto, Florida & Around the League:

  • Patrick Kane’s resurgence.
  • Bruins’ hot (defensive) start and the viability of their “boring” style.
  • Florida’s elite play and why they continue to be a juggernaut:
    “I don’t see many teams that can beat Florida…they’re amazing, their ability to plug guys in is insane.” (25:51, Yan Stastny)

• Buffalo Sabres Troubles & NHL Conspiracy Theories:
  “If I’m them, blow it up now. Rasmus Dahlin, come on down to Toronto, please.” (30:32, Bissonnette)

  • The crew riffs on Buffalo’s futility, Eichel’s exit, draft conspiracies, and NHL business-side rumors.

INTERVIEW: Seth Jarvis (Carolina Hurricanes)

[37:49-62:57]

Interview Highlights

• Summer Recap & Living at Home:
  “I’m still with my parents. I’m still at home…” (40:03, Jarvis)

  • Lots of self-deprecating humor about still needing swimming lessons and not touching the big contract cash.

• Vision Boards, Motivational Quotes, and Childhood idols: “I think I had like every motivational quote you could ever imagine written on that board.” (40:54)

  • Jarvis as a die-hard Matt Damon fan (The Martian, Ford v Ferrari).

• Team Chemistry and the Canes outlook:

  • Insists relationships in the room are tight; the “marathon” theme from Rod Brind’Amour.
  • Fitness testing anecdotes, Rod Brind’Amour’s freakish conditioning, and the “torture” of the team bike test.
  • “He still kills it. So it kinda sucks when I come in…it’s just shitty.” (48:29, Jarvis)

• Locker Room/Power Play & Burns’ 1,500th Game:

  • Inside anecdotes on Brent Burns’ clappers: “It’s the worst feeling to be in front of the net when that guy has the puck at the point.” (52:10, Jarvis)
  • Rapid-fire trivia: celebrating NHL’s ironman defensemen.

• Food Tangents & Hockey Personality:

  • Jarvis confesses love for peanut butter and pickle sandwiches—offering to make them a Gargoyles arena specialty.
  • How being featured in the Amazon docuseries put his habit of “eating like a child” on blast.
  • “They had me cooking chicken nuggets in my air fryer for the cameras.” (59:56, Jarvis)

• Team Prediction:

  • Jarvis thinks the Canes’ experience & chemistry could push them over the top.
    “We have so much experience, especially with our younger guys now going on a deep playoff run…we have a lot of guys in that room that have been around for a while.” (62:30, Jarvis)

[Notable Quotes & Moments]

• “I can’t really swim, so I don’t trust myself behind a boat or doing anything like that.” (39:26, Jarvis)
• “Believe it or not, [my diet] has taken a lot of steps…But yeah, it’s gotten better, unfortunately.” (60:45, Jarvis)
• “I will 1000% skip a Hurricanes game to drop the puck in Greensboro.” (67:11, Jarvis)

Quick Hit: Islanders, Schaefer Mania, and the Barzell Watch

[70:06-77:37]

• Frankie Borelli’s fan report: “It’ll be a frustrating season in the sense that it feels like they will compete in every game…but can they finish them off and get wins?” (71:41)
• Matthew Schaefer emerges as a reason to actually tune in (“worth the price of admission”).
• Islanders coach Patrick Roy’s “softer, warmer” style is noted as a positive culture shift.

INTERVIEW: Rick Tocchet (Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach)

[78:44-139:11]

Interview Highlights

• Old School Training Camp Memories:

  • Epic stories about getting bag skated, fighting, doing blood-draw fitness tests, and “pitchforking” an opponent for a quick ejection.
  • “First shift, a guy named Dwight Schofield…I turn around, pitchfork him—get kicked out.” (80:32, Tocchet)

• Coaching Approach & Communication:

  • Discusses the evolution from old-school to modern, relationship-based coaching.
  • “It’s a partnership with the players… they have to have a voice.” (93:00, Tocchet)

• Flyers’ Direction & Rebuild:

  • Tocchet lauds patience from management, the deep prospect pool, and the organizational structure with Keith Jones and Daniel Briere.
  • On integrating new staff: “I’m a big teacher guy…coming in every day excited to teach a player.” (94:56)

• Handling Top Prospects:

  • Thoughts on managing Matvei Michkov’s development, language barrier, and being patient with creative talents versus defensive accountability.

• NHL Media, Canadian Pressures:

  • Vivid stories from the firestorm of Vancouver’s media and “cheap shot journalism”.
  • “I pulled a couple [media] guys aside…It was cheap shot journalism, what I thought.” (129:41, Tocchet)

• Flyers & Philly Sports Culture:

  • Reminiscing about the Spectrum, Flyers/Eagles crossover, and navigating Philly’s passionate—and brutally honest—fan base.
  • “If you had a Rangers or Devils jersey on…you’re not walking out.” (119:20, Tocchet)

[Notable Quotes & Moments]

• “I just survived Vancouver Twitter. If you can survive that, that’s like climbing the mountain.” (114:59, Tocchet)
• “You can’t just create a culture overnight…he’s got five years to work his magic, man.” (142:26, Bissonnette)

Rapid Previews & Guest Analysts: Metro Teams

New Jersey Devils – Fan Lunatic Pasha

[144:45-156:13]

• Pasha: “Jack looks like Jack…engaged, skating, threw a hit on Gensel—he looks engaged.” (145:50)
• Optimism is strong; key rookies cited (Nemetz, Gritsuk), but some criticism for Palat’s contract and concern about goaltending.
• Lively debate on whether the Devils are a playoff lock; Pasha bets on it, others less sure.

New York Rangers

[156:13-159:09]

• Slow start, scoring woes, and Trocheck’s injury alarm the hosts.
• Bissonnette declares: “I have them missing the playoffs.”

Washington Capitals

[159:09-163:04]

• Leonard’s rookie impact praised; lingering questions about sustaining previous success.
• “Ovi’s gonna get 35, 40 goals…I feel like this year they’re playing because they probably know it’s Ovi’s last year.” (162:21, Bissonnette)

Pittsburgh Penguins – Colby Armstrong (“Arm Dog”)

[164:32-182:13]

• Excitement about youthful infusion (Kendall, Brunic), finally seeing homegrown talent get NHL chances.
• “This team is easy to cheer for…they work hard. This team’s fun to watch.” (179:54, Armstrong)
• Geno Malkin is off to a hot start, Crosby’s continued point-per-game pace is “wired different”.

Columbus Blue Jackets – Jody Shelley

[182:19-207:47]

• Shelley details a tight, motivated team blending young talent (Fantilli, Johnson, Marchenko) with savvy vets (Charlie Coyle, Miles Wood).
• “This is a group that loves each other…It just kind of feels like an extension of last season.” (183:49, Shelley)
• Praise for captain Boone Jenner as the “definitive leader” and a hilarious anecdote about the team’s beloved “donkey hat”.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Seth Jarvis on his cash management:
  “Just fixed up the fence this summer. That was the big one.”
• Paul Bissonnette on locker room blame:
  “I’ll be your fucking punching bag. You guys get your fucking shows ran by your wives all day long…if you need a punching bag on the podcast, let it be me.”
• Rick Tocchet on Philadelphia:
  “If you had a Rangers jersey on at the Spectrum, you’re not walking out.”
• Colby Armstrong on Penguins Youth:
  “For once they actually took some kids…not just the ‘everyone’s got a chance, but you know it’s not true.’”

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening NHL Banter & Marner/Leafs Fallout: [02:36-07:55]
• Seth Jarvis Interview: [37:49-62:57]
• Islanders/Schaefer Hype: [70:06-77:37]
• Rick Tocchet Interview: [78:44-139:11]
• Devils with Pasha: [144:45-156:13]
• Armstrong (Penguins): [164:32-182:13]
• Jody Shelley (Blue Jackets): [182:19-207:47]

Metro Division Picks

• Unanimous: Carolina Hurricanes as division favorites.
• Washington and New Jersey generally projected in.
• Mixed outlook on Rangers, Columbus, Penguins—jury is out, but lots to watch for.

Final Thoughts

This episode fires on all cylinders, delivering Metro Division breakdowns the only way Chiclets can: with in-depth hockey knowledge, hilarious asides, and barroom storytelling. Listeners get a sense of evolving NHL culture, the complexities of coaching and player personalities, and the mixture of optimism and reality that defines the new season.

Next up: Pacific Division Deep Dive, more player interviews, and the latest on the Greensboro Gargoyles home opener.

[End of Summary]