Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 591 – Featuring Ryan Smith, Bob Heethuis & John-Michael Liles

Date: October 28, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette, Rear Admiral (RA), Mike Grinnell
Guests: Ryan Smith (Utah Mammoth Owner), Bob Heethuis (“Heater”, Utah Mammoth Play-by-Play), John-Michael Liles (Colorado Avalanche Analyst)

Episode Overview

Episode 591 of Spittin’ Chiclets opens with a somber tribute to two members of the Barstool community who recently passed away, before pivoting to the usual irreverent, insightful hockey banter. The episode features timely NHL talk—highlighting the surprising early success stories, in-depth analysis of the Utah Mammoth with owner Ryan Smith and play-by-play voice Bob “Heater” Heethuis, and an extended segment with John-Michael Liles on the Colorado Avalanche’s season. The show’s typical blend of offbeat humor, inside stories, and candid takes on the hockey landscape is present throughout, with several notable memorable moments.

In Memoriam: Nick Mangold and “Barstool Beef”

[01:11–08:07]

• The episode begins on a somber note, as Ryan Whitney and Yan Stastny share heartfelt thoughts about the recent passing of two friends of Barstool:
  • Nick Mangold: Former New York Jet, admired for his kindness and “giving people the shirt off his back” ([06:59] Keith Yandle: “It’s a lot easier to be a nice person than it is to be a... and those guys did it the right way.”).
  • Cody “Beef” Frankie: Foreplay podcast’s “nicest guy in the world”, beloved for his humility and warmth.
• The hosts emphasize the importance of kindness and perspective:
  • Yan Stastny [05:08]: “You gotta live every day to the fullest, guys. You never know what’s coming. It’s brutal.”
  • Ryan Whitney [05:49]: “It puts everything into perspective in a crazy, sad way…live every day to your fullest.”
• A moment of acknowledgment for tough days and the Barstool family’s loss.

RA’s Return & Classic Chiclets Banter

[08:07–16:25]

• Celebratory return of Rear Admiral (RA) to the show, with gratitude from the hosts and stories of personal struggle and support.
  • Ryan Whitney [08:30]: “Especially I am…this show began with me and RA on his couch, sharing a microphone…everyone’s going through something.”
  • Keith Yandle [10:53]: Shares a moving story about RA’s mom supporting someone in recovery: “Just goes to show you what type of family he comes from.”
• Playful debate about “birthday weeks” and yoga mishaps.
• Favorite RA memorabilia stories, including:
  • Old wrestling photos with Andre the Giant
  • Iconic Rolling Stones concert photo
  • Crusty the Clown figurine and Simpsons references ([15:13] Yan: “His Simpsons stuff is…above and beyond with some of our listeners.”)
• Running joke about Pasha’s harrowing car ride with RA ([16:48] Ryan Whitney: “He just ripped right through the stop sign…”), spawning the idea for “RA Cab” trivia.

Quick Hits: MLB World Series, Toronto Sports Scene

[18:27–24:34]

• Excitement over Toronto’s electric World Series atmosphere, comparisons between MLB/NHL playoff formats, and animated discussion of stadium vibes.

• Tom Green shoutout—Biz will film a segment on Green’s ranch. (“Legend,” [23:25] Yan Stastny.)

Utah Mammoth: “Wagon” Status and Team-Building

Segment Start: [25:46] | Guest: Ryan Smith [41:00]

Bob “Heater” Heethuis on Mammoth’s Hot Start

• Utah sitting atop the Central Division, winners of seven straight, driven by young stars Nick Schmaltz, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, and a dominant Karel Vejmelka in goal.
  • Heethuis [26:54]: “They are unstoppable during this seven-game winning streak…Schmaltz is co-leading the league in scoring with 16 points…career year incoming.”
  • Ryan Whitney [29:54]: On Guenther: “A straight up sniper…leads the league in one-timers. Like Brett Hull-esque.”
  • Keith Yandle [29:54]: “11 of his last 17 goals have been game-winners. He’s scoring huge goals.”
  • Praise for the “two first lines” dynamic and Barrett Hayton’s “lunchpail” contributions.
  • Areas for improvement: More depth scoring, especially with Kerfoot’s injury.
  • Stability in Salt Lake—players and families now settled after the franchise moved from Arizona.

Ryan Smith Interview [41:00–59:13]

• Owner’s perspective on the team’s meteoric rise, stadium renovations for NHL hockey, and embracing hockey’s immersive experience.
  • Ryan Smith [41:29]: “The wagon is open for anybody and everybody. We’re young, it’s going to be this way for a long time.”
• Inside Tusky, their lovable new mascot: Smith’s hands-on nervousness pre-unveiling and the importance of nailing branding for “the kids.”
• Locker-room culture: Smith and wife Ashley treat players in both Jazz and Mammoth systems “like family.”
• Synergy: Mammoth and Jazz athletes practice side by side, supporting each other’s games and groundbreakings.
  • Ryan Smith [48:41]: “Hoops is my first love…but hockey’s just different. It’s a little more rowdy. Bringing that experience to Utah—there’s nothing else like it.”
• Forward-thinking: Discussion of making hockey more “mobile-friendly” for new fans—non-traditional broadcast angles, alternate digital viewing options.

NHL Notables: Around the League

Kraken, Avalanche, and Standouts
Segment Start: [38:44, 64:47]

Seattle Kraken Surprise

• Start strong, despite lack of scoring stars ([39:46] Heater: “They are scoring by committee...six players with at least five points.”)
• Joey Daccord—“stealing games” in net.

Colorado Avalanche Deep Dive (John-Michael Liles) [64:47–90:59]

• Liles details Colorado’s dominance, especially their “throwback” Nordiques jerseys ([65:17]).
• Power play struggling (“clicking at like 11%”), but their five-on-five play and defensive depth is elite.
  • Liles [68:20]: “Teams are just going right at Makar and McKinnon, saying, ‘we’re not gonna allow them to dictate.’”
• Roster movement: Adjustment to losing Mikko Rantanen, new addition Marty Necas; value of Artturi Lehkonen (“wins every battle” – [72:29]).
• Brent Burns signing: Veteran stability and presence.
• Malinsky—a solid undrafted “late bloomer” on D.
• Goaltending: Blackwood dealing with injury, Wedgwood a “1B, not a backup.”
• Liles opines on trade rumors, Nazem Kadri’s potential return, and the Avs’ playoff needs.

Quick Team Check-ins & League Trends

[92:06–109:47, 119:11–122:46]

• Penguins Turning Back Clock:

  • Malkin and Crosby producing at near-peak rates; Malkin 14 points in nine games.
  • Yan Stastny [108:47]: “If they get goaltending, Pittsburgh can be a playoff team if these guys play the way they play.”

• Oilers’ Malaise:

  • Lethargic, “uninspired” start, lack of jump.
  • Questions about Bouchard’s contract; “wait until January to talk about the Oilers.”

• Montreal Canadiens Youth Movement:

  • Demidov comparisons to Kaprizov and Kucherov; Matheson praised as top D-man.
  • Keith Yandle [97:07]: “The vision he [Demidov] has, the poise—especially in tight…Anytime he’s on the ice, you need an iso-cam.”
  • Canadiens’ pipeline highlighted: Zarovsky, Haig as future stars.

• Maple Leafs Reality Check:

  • Yan admits Leafs are “in the back half of their Stanley Cup window,” but feels bullish about current roster and goaltending.

• Rangers Struggles:

  • Defensive structure strong, but lack of scoring.
  • Lafreniere under scrutiny among Ranger fan base.

Memorable Quotes & Comic Moments

• On kindness:
  • [06:59] Keith Yandle: “It’s a lot easier to be a nice person than it is to be a… and those guys did it the right way.”
• On mascot anxiety:
  • [46:23] Ryan Smith: “I was like, so no one in here has seen the finished version?…I own the team. Have to be a little careful with that creature.”
• On family culture in sports ownership:
  • [52:49] Ryan Smith: “We don’t have a playbook. We just treat them like family… It’s worked for us.”
• On fans and viewing hockey on mobile:
  • [55:58] Ryan Smith: “We signed an $8 billion deal annually for hoops…look how easy basketball is to watch on your phone. Hockey, we need to figure out a new way.”
• On being new to hockey:
  • [44:47] Ryan Smith: “With these 21- and 22-year-olds, we gotta be smart. Gotta stack good decisions.”
• Comic banter:
  • [16:59] Pasha’s infamous car ride with RA – “He just ripped right through the stop sign…”
  • [131:02] Yan describes his “genie” belly shirt and restaurant antics.

Notable Timestamps

• 01:11–08:07 – In memoriam openings, Nick Mangold & Beef
• 08:07–16:25 – RA’s return, birthday/yoga/gag gifts, Simpsons references
• 25:46–41:00 – Bob Heethuis on Utah Mammoth’s season
• 41:00–59:13 – Ryan Smith (Utah owner) interview
• 64:47–90:59 – John-Michael Liles (Colorado Avalanche analysis)
• 92:06–109:47 – NHL team check-ins: Penguins, Oilers, Habs, Leafs, Rangers
• 119:11–122:46 – Ovechkin’s 1,500th game, Capstone
• 131:08–136:25 – Barstool family shoutout, support for Ebony

Closing & Support

• The hosts underscore the value of family—both Barstool community and in hockey.
  • [136:14] Keith Yandle: “Tell your loved ones and family members you love them—you never know what’s going to happen.”
• Shoutout and support for Barstool staffer Ebony, who tragically lost her sister. The show encourages listeners to support her OnlyFans/Venmo (OnlyFans.com/securedeez).

Final Notes

• The episode blends thorough hockey analysis with trademark Chiclets humor, poignant moments about loss and community, and authentic, unfiltered insight from insiders and alumni.
• Must-listen segments: Ryan Smith on ownership, John-Michael Liles Avalanche breakdown, and heartfelt tributes at the top of the show.

For a full, unfiltered ride through the state of the NHL, Barstool family moments, and the latest locker room scoops, Episode 591 is quintessential Spittin’ Chiclets.