Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 595: Featuring Jon Gruden, Jeff Blashill, Bob Stauffer, and Darren McCarty

Date: November 10, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette (Biz), Rear Admiral (RA, remote), Mike Grinnell (G)
Notable Guests: Jon Gruden, Bob Stauffer, Jeff Blashill, Darren McCarty

Episode Overview

Episode 595 is a classic “Chiclets jam sandwich” of hockey insight, laughs, irreverence, and storytelling, featuring a heavyweight guest lineup: Jon Gruden (ex-NFL coach and hockey convert), Bob Stauffer (Edmonton Oilers broadcaster), Jeff Blashill (Chicago Blackhawks head coach), and Red Wings legend Darren McCarty. The crew navigates NHL news, player development, coaching philosophy, and insane behind-the-scenes stories, all with their signature unapologetic banter.

Main Themes & Purposes

• Integrating football and hockey cultures through Jon Gruden’s new hockey fandom.
• Analyzing the troubles and trajectory of the Edmonton Oilers.
• Revealing inside stories on building team culture and player development in Chicago with Jeff Blashill.
• Spotlighting Detroit’s renaissance and celebrating team/individual legacy with Darren McCarty.
• Debates on the NHL’s new wave of stars, team speed, and style trends.
• Classic Chiclets locker-room stories and chirping.

Episode Breakdown & Key Discussion Points

1. Jon Gruden: From NFL to NHL Superfan

[00:42 – 18:44]

Meeting Ovechkin, Coaching Mentality, & Falling for Hockey

• Anecdote: Hilarious mix up at a Bucs game suite where Ovechkin (OVI) wanted a photo with Gruden, and not Barstool’s crew—Portnoy left in the cold.

  "The second he said that, I knew he meant Gruden. He's like, well, Gruden and I aren't together. ...I got crickets from Ovechkin." — Merle [02:10]

• Gruden’s Hockey Conversion: Recaps first-hand meeting the Caps rookies and Ovechkin and being awestruck by the camaraderie.

  “I got chills just talking to you guys about it…it’s the greatest team sport. These guys are animals—really powerful, fast, highly conditioned badasses.” — Gruden [09:21, 11:03]

• Team Camaraderie: Gruden translates his NFL background to hockey, riffing on what makes tight teams win.

  “Every team that’s worth a sh*t has a leader or two or three…and I could just sense by being around these guys yesterday, they liked each other.” — Gruden [12:25]

• Comparing Locker Rooms and leadership styles—trash talk, accountability, and how competition brings out greatness.

  “You want to coach again…I hope you do.” — Keith [14:22]

• Intensity & Passion: Gruden’s tireless energy and mentorship post-NFL; still “in the game” with weekly film and phone therapy for current coaches.
• Bottom Line:

  “If you find your passion, you’re a lucky person... I love helping people, players, coaches, if I can help them get 1 or 2% better, I love it.” — Gruden [15:43]

2. Bob Stauffer: Edmonton Oilers Therapy & Analysis

[21:32 – 39:15]

• Stauffer joins to dissect the Oilers’ worst home loss in 16 years (9–1 blowout).

  "The team got counted—nine to one. I went off. It doesn't happen often, but it was humbling." — Stauffer [23:40]

• Oilers’ Issues: Defensive system failures, too many odd-man rushes, weak pushback/fight level, lack of leadership when losing, and a goaltending crisis.
• Inside the Room: Defensemen Bouchard’s struggles; why stars McDavid and Draisaitl didn’t speak to media after the loss.

  “It had nothing to do with McDavid and Draisaitl not being available. Those guys…are available before/after every playoff game.” — Stauffer [29:01]

• The “Hollywood” Selfie: Stauffer jokes about going viral for a throwback topless tree-planting photo—“Is it weird being a Canadian sex icon?” banter.
• Physicality Debate: Are the Oilers “too easy to play against”? Lamenting loss of pushback (example: what Corey Perry or Evander Kane would’ve done).

  “There was no exasperation or frustration or physicality shown…Corey Perry drags a team into his fight.” — Stauffer [33:45]

• Goaltending Angst:

  “When asked about his confidence in the goaltending, Knob Block paused for five seconds before answering. That’s the tell.” — Stauffer [36:21]

• Insider Nuggets: Rises and falls of promising prospects (Verhoff—“best defenseman out of western Canada in 25 years”).

3. Jeff Blashill: Blackhawks’ New Culture & Bedard Glow-Up

[51:38 – 77:23]

Rising Youth, Leadership & Rebuilding Right

• Coaching Connor Bedard: Blashill details Bedard’s growth, maturity, and earning leader-of-men status despite early growing pains.

  “He’s trying to do it the right way. …I think he's getting rewarded with lots of points and also we're winning games.” — Blashill [53:58]

• Development Focus: Importance of balancing hockey IQ with skill set (Bedard likened to Kucherov: “a brainy creator more than raw speed guy”), patience with player development, and managing young personalities like Frankie Nazar.
• Goaltending Stability: Shout-out to Spencer Knight’s resurgence; critical for a young D corps.
• Player Culture: Bertuzzi’s fun, blue-collar style; young players making coming to the rink “fun” and positive.
• Reflections on Leadership: Lessons from prior Detroit tenure, appreciation for “reset” as Tampa assistant, and resolution to enjoy the job.

  “The best thing that happened to me was I didn’t get a head job right away after being fired…I’m going to enjoy this one for sure.” — Blashill [68:19]

4. Darren McCarty: Red Wings Legacy, Life Lessons & Sobriety

[93:49 – 122:24]

Celebrating 10 Years Sober, Fedorov’s Jersey Retirement, & Detroit’s Next Step

• 100th Red Wings Anniversary: McCarty reflects on weekend alumni reunion, hilarious Sean Avery stories, and the enduring brotherhood among players.

  “When the boys get back together, it’s back to the locker room. And I think that’s what you miss the most.” — McCarty [97:14]

• The ISER Plan: Fans now see the “method to the madness,” with youth movement, commitment to culture, and refusing shortcuts or Philly-style mediocrity.
• Sergei Fedorov’s #91 Retirement (Jan. 12)

  “It’s like an honor to all our teams...But I guess to me I’m a big karma guy. The Red Wing world…is getting right. So, look out.” — McCarty [107:36]

• Classic Behind-the-Scenes: Stories of Iginla, Ted Lindsay, and how Scotty Bowman “railed” on assistants to motivate players; how Iserman’s truth and accountability helped McCarty’s own sobriety.
• Sobriety Milestone: Marking 10 years, McCarty credits hockey fraternity and offers gratitude, inspiring listeners.

  “The reason that tomorrow’s my 10-year sobriety anniversary is for men like [Steve Yzerman]… Without it, I wouldn’t be here.” — McCarty [112:48]

5. NHL State of Play: Young Stars, Team Speed, and “Golden Era”

[45:01 – 51:38; 78:40 – 93:00]

Scoring Surge, Future Faces, and Team Trends

• Epic Scoring Race: McKinnon’s five-point game, Bedard’s rookie brilliance, Leo Carlson’s man-child run—Chiclets crew relishes a “golden era” with three generational talents (Bedard, Celebrini, Carlson) and Montreal’s Suzuki emerging as an unexpected star.

  “This is the golden era…it’s probably Ovi’s last year. But now you’ve got unbelievable young, generational talents sprouting at the right time.” — Merle [46:17]

• Team Talk:
  • Colorado lauded as fastest, deepest team (“If they’re on, I’m watching. That’s it.” — Merle [78:45])
  • Anaheim’s rebuild celebrated.
  • Debates on Toronto’s plodding play, Rangers’ home scoring woes, and Bruins’ surprises.
• Defenseman Spotlight: Suzuki’s two-way game, continued chatter about Darlene and disappointing franchises (e.g., Oilers, Flyers).

6. Locker Room/Media Controversies

[123:28 – 129:46]

• Flyers Drama: Fan backlash after Sean Couturier’s honest assessment of Matvei Michkov’s “playing the right way” drew accusations of “throwing him under the bus.” Hosts defend Couturier, debating honesty, language barriers, and double standards for prospects.

  “If he’s saying it, I need to get better. Coots is a great leader…most honest guy I’ve ever played with.” — G [127:54]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Jon Gruden on Competing & Leadership:
  "Every team that's worth a sh*t has a leader or two or three...I could just sense by being around these guys yesterday, they liked each other." [12:25]
• Stauffer on Oilers’ Humble Pie:
  "The team got counted—nine to one. I went off. It doesn't happen often, but it was humbling." [23:40]
• Blashill on Bedard’s New Mentality:
  "He's trying to do it the right way. He's getting rewarded with points, but we're also winning games." [53:58]
• Darren McCarty on Sobriety & Team Culture:
  "The reason that tomorrow's my 10-year sobriety anniversary is for men like [Yzerman]...without it, I wouldn't be here." [112:48]
• Merle, tongue-in-cheek, on NHL’s young guns:
  "Pick your poison—Sasha Barkov, Anze Kopitar in Leo Carlson; Celebrini as Crosby; Bedard’s something else entirely..." [47:36]

Memorable Moments

• The Ovechkin Suite-Photo Snafu: Portnoy left out of a suite photo with Ovechkin, all comedy ensues [01:45–03:19].
• Stauffer “Sex Icon” Meme: Panel riffs on Stauffer going viral for a glamour shot, and his sheepish deletion [24:44–26:55].
• McCarty’s Stone Temple Pilots Night: Sergei Fedorov teaches a rookie how to live it up proper—limo, concert, after-parties [109:56].
• Realest Threat: G remembers McCarty's “polite but chilling” warning during a scrum—"If you want to live, get out of here." [120:04].
• Bruins Debates & Power Stats: Pasha’s power stat: Devils have more home wins than Rangers have home goals [90:44].

Episode Runsheet - Key Segments & Approximate Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | Key Guests/Panels | |---------------------------------------------- |--------------- |-------------------------| | Gruden, Ovechkin suite story, coaching story | 00:42 – 18:44 | Jon Gruden, core hosts | | Bob Stauffer on Oilers, Oilers struggles | 21:32 – 39:15 | Bob Stauffer, Chiclets | | NHL scoring, generational stars debate | 45:01 – 51:38 | Chiclets panel | | Jeff Blashill, Bedard, Blackhawks culture | 51:38 – 77:23 | Jeff Blashill | | Darren McCarty, Detroit legacy, sobriety | 93:49 – 122:24 | Darren McCarty, panel | | Locker room/Media—Flyers/Michkov | 123:28 – 129:46| Chiclets panel |

Tone and Style

The show is openly irreverent, emotionally real, and full of inside hockey banter. No subject is too silly, and tough truths are stated with a twist of humor. There’s a premium on competitiveness, leadership, and “keeping it real.” The crew chirps guests and each other with affection and mutual respect, celebrating vulnerability (see: sobriety milestones), the grind, and the insane circus of both the NHL and “Chiclets universe.”

For New Listeners

Episode 595 is a perfect introduction to Spittin’ Chiclets’ blend of laugh-out-loud humor, in-depth hockey shop talk, and genuine tales of triumph, adversity, and friendship. Whether you care about the Oilers’ existential crisis, marvel at what makes Nathan MacKinnon elite, or just want unfiltered stories from old-warhorse guests—this episode gives you “the room” in all its chaotic, glorious energy.

Jump to:

• [00:42] Jon Gruden suite story & NFL to NHL conversion
• [21:32] Bob Stauffer calls out Oilers’ flaws
• [53:58] Jeff Blashill on Bedard and new Blackhawks
• [93:49] Darren McCarty: Red Wings, Fedorov, sobriety
• [123:28] Flyers drama—Couturier/Michkov reaction