Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 596: Featuring Marián Gáborík
Date: November 14, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette (“Biz”), Rear Admiral (RA), Mike Grinnell
Special Guest: Marián Gáborík (Retired NHL Star & 2014 Stanley Cup Champion)
Episode Overview
This episode delivers a classic blend of irreverent, insightful NHL talk, highlighted by an in-depth, wide-ranging conversation with Slovakian hockey legend Marián Gáborík. The Chiclets crew dives into the NHL’s week-to-week drama—maple leafs’ woes, surging Bruins, wild statistics, and trade rumors—before delving deep into Gáborík’s journey from Slovakian prodigy to NHL star, his battles with injury, infamous speed, stories from the 2014 Kings Cup run, and post-career life (including a wild foray into “Dancing with the Stars”). The episode closes with a reflective tribute to legendary sportswriter Larry Brooks and RA’s movie & betting picks.
Main Themes
- Marián Gáborík’s career journey, highlights, and mentality
- Key current NHL storylines: team struggles, trades, goalie debate
- Locker room culture, leadership, and coaching influence
- Reflections on media, legacy, and player wellbeing
- Off-ice life, injuries, and new adventures
NHL Roundup & Panel Banter
Teasing Big Interviews & Fan Pressure
[02:23]
- Biz hints at a potential Tom Brady Winter Classic interview, encouraging fan pressure.
- “Maybe a little pressure from Chiclets fans.” (Biz, 02:31)
Biz’s Head-Shaving Bet, Injury Talk & Maple Leafs’ Struggles
[03:09 – 06:52]
- Biz addresses criticism for not going “all the way” shaving his head after a lost bet.
- Maple Leafs’ spiral after trading away draft picks for little playoff ROI:
- “Since Matthews has come to Toronto, they've traded 41 draft picks, including seven first-rounders for just a couple losses in the second round. Kind of crazy.” (Whitney, 05:55)
Bruins’ Identity & Zadorov’s Physicality
[06:52 – 08:01]
- Bruins praised: Zadorov’s impact and team’s physical resurgence; 7-game win streak.
- “He's playing like a man possessed... helping instill that big, bad Bruins team again. That's what their identity has always been.” (Biz, 07:32)
Young Teams Rising: Anaheim vs Colorado & Standout Players
[08:01 – 11:37]
- Anaheim Ducks' growth despite a 1-4 loss to Colorado.
- Praise for Truba’s development and McKinnon’s dominance:
- “McKinnon is just totally... he is the best player in the world right now. It's not even close.” (Whitney, 09:39)
More Around The League: Kings, Sharks, Wild, Blackhawks
[12:08 – 15:57]
- LA Kings quietly roll; Sharks & Celebrini impress; Wild correct course post-players-only meeting.
- “Sharks are, I mean, at the beginning of the year we were like, what is going on?” (Whitney, 13:05)
- Blackhawks' United Center rekindles “dynasty” atmosphere.
Surprising Power Play Stats & Trade Takes
[15:57 – 18:47]
- Hurricanes’ power play is among the league’s worst.
- “There's zero chance you will do a thing come playoff time without a power play.” (Whitney, 16:21)
Fights & Toughness: Young Players Stepping Up
[17:05 – 18:47]
- Stankhoven's first fight and the value of toughness and sacrifice in today’s league.
- “That is so powerful within the room... shows like he's sick and tired of kind of maybe hearing some of those rumblings like what are you going to do for us here?” (Whitney, 18:25)
Goalie & Team Canada Debate
[19:01 – 21:59]
- Logan Thompson making his case for Team Canada; Wedgwood praised as well.
- “If [Logan Thompson] continues these numbers, he has to be on that team... he's the best Canadian goalie on the planet over the last 18 months.” (Biz, 19:29)
Major Contract Signings & The Tkachuk Brothers’ Podcast
[22:06 – 28:53]
- Shane Pinto signs four-year extension with Ottawa.
- Tkachuk brothers launch “Wingman” podcast, ideas to change NHL’s point system.
Team Trends: Ottawa’s Leadership & Nashville’s Downturn
[28:53 – 31:49]
- Pinto’s 4-year deal seen as “betting on himself.”
- Nashville Predators’ collapse and debate if to “sell the farm.”
- “They're horrible. Sell the farm legit.” (Whitney, 29:29)
Miscellaneous Notes:
- Rangers’ wild first periods, Devils’ Jack Hughes analytics, and shout-outs to under-covered teams like Vegas, Winnipeg, and Dallas [32:29 – 35:09]
- Defensive hat tricks in Devils history: Nemec joins the club [35:52 – 36:47]
FEATURE INTERVIEW: Marián Gáborík
[45:46 – 129:45]
Theme: Journey from Trenčín, Slovakia to the NHL, highs/lows, locker-room stories, injuries, and life after hockey.
Meeting Gretzky & Slovak Hockey Culture
[46:20 - 50:25]
- Gaborik recently spent time with Wayne Gretzky:
- “He told me he almost remembers every game and every goal he scored... It’s unbelievable.” (Gaborik, 47:27)
- On Slovakia’s “confidence gap”:
- “You guys have it in your DNA... Slovakian athletes... miss that extra juice of confidence.” (Gaborik, 49:10)
Early Career, Resources, and Grit
[58:20 – 68:23]
- Grew up using hand-me-down gear, resourceful childhood:
- “We didn’t skate up until the third grade... you just had skates on and gloves... inherited gear from sixth graders.” (Gaborik, 59:30)
- Early pro experience as a teen taught him resilience:
- “Imagine a young guy taking a 35-year-old’s spot... I grew a thicker skin from those experiences.” (Gaborik, 66:48)
Adjusting to the NHL & Playing for the Wild
[68:55 – 72:28]
- Expansion made rookie transition easier in Minnesota.
- Praise for coach Jacques Lemaire’s balance between demands and support:
- “He sat me down...you cannot play like this...defensively do whatever you want, but...” (Gaborik, 69:26)
The 2003 Wild Playoff Run
[80:21 – 85:20]
- Comebacks against Colorado and Vancouver.
- “We’re down 3-1...Bruno was the guy in Game 7 who scored, who pretty much put Patrick Roy into the retirement home.” (Gaborik, 81:19)
Injuries and Playing Too Fast
[88:24 – 90:56]
- Long battle with groin and hip injuries—a consequence of his blazing speed.
- “My legs were money makers...maybe because of that I’ve had a lot of issues with my groins and hips.” (Gaborik, 55:43)
- 14 surgeries total, including hips, hernia, and shoulders.
Locker Room Leadership and Growth
[76:10 – 78:54]
- Critical advice from Andrew Brunette early in Minnesota:
- “He pulled me in... told me like to come back down to earth... that stuck with me.” (Gaborik, 76:10)
New York Rangers & Coaching Clashes
[96:38 – 103:56]
- Big Apple experience, Torts’ explosive leadership style.
- “Sometimes it was heated... at the same time... you have to have a really thick skin to play for Torts.” (Gaborik, 99:00)
- Funny/hard moments with Slats (Glen Sather), blocking shots, and demanding video sessions.
2014 Stanley Cup Run with LA Kings
[110:26 – 121:09]
- Overcoming injuries and near-retirement:
- “I was like, I was done... talking to my wife that I’m done... 6 months later, I was holding the Stanley Cup.” (Gaborik, 110:27)
- Daryl Sutter’s unpredictable but effective coaching.
- Composure and belief in Kings’ locker room.
- “There was no doubt that we can... there was nothing, nobody was down. Everybody was just like, you know, we can make this work.” (Gaborik, 111:21)
- Scoring huge playoff goals, vindication against the Rangers.
Post-Career: Dancing with the Stars, Injuries & Legacy
[126:28 – 129:33]
- Participated with his wife in Slovakia’s “Dancing with the Stars,” which “was the nail in the coffin for my knee.”
- Needs knee replacement; reflects on playing 1000 NHL games.
- “I don’t think I even realized what kind of career I had... sometimes I pinch myself.” (Gaborik, 123:58)
- On leadership and treating rookies:
- “I never bullied anyone or... spoke down to anybody. I try to treat everybody the same way.” (Gaborik, 77:55)
Notable Gáborík Quotes
On Meeting Gretzky:
- “He almost remembers every game and every goal he scored.” ([47:27])
On Slovak Hockey Confidence:
- “Slovakian athletes... miss that extra juice of confidence.” ([49:10])
On Playoff Comebacks:
- “Bruno... pretty much put Patrick Roy into retirement home.” ([81:19])
On Career Reflection:
- “I don’t think I even realized what kind of career I had... sometimes I pinch myself.” ([123:58])
Remembering Larry Brooks & Media Reflections
[163:45 – 168:05]
- Tributes to Larry Brooks, Hall of Fame Rangers beat writer, who passed away at 75.
- “He was a staple in that locker room and he'll be missed... I hope his family is doing as good as they can.” (Yandle, 167:46)
- “He was a true journalist... leaves his mark on the hockey world.” (Biz, 164:33)
RA’s World: Movies, Picks & What’s Grinding His Gears
[146:02 – End]
Movie Recommendations
- Sinners (4.5/5 warthogs): Vampire/gangster drama
- Superman Reboot (3.5/5): “Optimistic”
- Naked Gun Reboot: Praises Liam Neeson, Pam Anderson dynamic
- One Battle After Another (5/5): Leo DiCaprio, Sean Penn political chase movie
- Nonnas (Netflix, 4/5): Vince Vaughn, “heartfelt… Kleenex required”
- Classic: LA Confidential (1997, 5/5) – “Put your phone down, pay attention start to finish.”
Betting Picks
- Nashville over Pittsburgh in Sweden
- Tampa over Florida motivated by goaltending
- Anaheim over Minnesota, San Jose for value plays
Grinding Gears
- Digital movies: You don’t actually “own” them; they can disappear; pushes for buying physical media to avoid edits and censorship (e.g., Splash, French Connection).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
Biz on player injuries:
- “If you see me shave my head down to this short and you say that I'm a fraud, you're a fucking clown.” (05:05)
On Gáborík’s 5-goal game:
- “You could have literally scored seven.” (Gáborík, 92:00)
Whitney on Pinto contract:
- “This is their time... if it doesn't work out... it's an identity crisis.” (28:53)
Gáborík on locker outsider status as a Slovak in NHL:
- “I was always young. I never was the older guy.” (77:55)
Timeline of Key Segments
- 03:09 – 06:52: Maple Leafs’ meltdown & Biz’s head bet
- 08:01 – 11:37: Ducks-Avs game breakdown
- 22:06 – 28:53: Pinto extension & Tkachuk brother pod
- 45:46 – 129:45: Marián Gáborík feature interview
- 163:45 – 168:05: Tribute to Larry Brooks
- 146:02 – End: RA’s movie & betting picks
Summary Takeaway
This episode is a must-listen (or must-read summary) for fans of NHL lore, leadership evolution, relentless drive, and the joy (and pain) of professional hockey. Gáborík’s forthright interview is a highlight, mixing humility, candor, and humor—from his “money-making legs” to dancing in feathers on TV. The episode is laced with classic Spittin’ Chiclets banter, sharp league analysis, poignant tributes, and cultural asides that only this crew can deliver.
Recommended Segments for Any Listener:
- Gáborík’s Minnesota childhood & pro debut: [58:20–68:23]
- LA Kings Cup journey & resilience: [110:26–121:09]
- Tribute to Larry Brooks: [163:45–168:05]
- RA’s World for movie fans: [146:02–end]
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