Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 598 Summary
Featuring: Sean Avery & Empty Netters
Date: November 21, 2025
Live from LA Kings Practice Facility, El Segundo
Episode Overview
This episode brings the Chiclets crew—Ryan Whitney, Paul “Biz Nasty” Bissonnette, Rear Admiral, Keith Yandle, and Pasha—together in Los Angeles for a live episode. The show features two main interviews: the outspoken former NHLer Sean Avery, and Chris & Dan Powers of the Empty Netters podcast. The hosts recount their LA trip, dive deep into current NHL storylines, spar with fan criticism, and go off the rails with classic locker room humor. Expect candid discussion around the Kings, Kempe’s contract, Team Canada Olympics, player development, relentless chirping, and stories from LA nightlife, as well as deep dives into film and pop culture.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. LA Trip & Team Chemistry (02:00–11:30)
- Crew talks about their time in LA, mocking Biz for ordering four entrees at dinner (09:00).
- LA Kings’ practice facility lauded as “beautiful.”
- Recap of production projects like Biz’s Sandbagger series (“wantondons” on YouTube), and debate over AI editing in their content (05:00).
Notable Quote
“You’re watching a free Sandbagger with three former Boston Bruins, we’re laughing our cocks off, and you’re complaining about an AI bear? Literally, lick my fucking corner.”
– Biz Nasty, 06:00
2. Fan Culture, Content, and Critique (05:00–08:30)
- The crew addresses fan criticism head-on, especially complaints about AI in video intros and non-hockey talk.
- They defend their mix of topics (golf, pop culture), encouraging unhappy listeners to “hit the fucking fast forward button.”
Notable Quote
"We love our fans, but we also want to do what we want to do... if you don’t like it, just skip ahead."
– Ryan Whitney, 07:29
3. LA Kings, Kempe’s Contract, and Team Building (12:10–16:58)
- Discussion of Adrian Kempe’s new 8-year, $10.625M AAV deal.
- Biz places Kempe in the “top line” category, possibly more clutch in playoffs than Marner.
- Yandle: Kempe won’t shy from leadership after Kopitar retires.
Timestamps
- Kempe contract deep-dive: 12:26–16:30
Notable Quote
"He knows it’s a team game and LA’s been good to him—he left money on the table.”
– Biz Nasty, 15:06
4. Olympics and Team Canada Debate (26:00–34:00, 71:00–74:00)
- Heated breakdown of who makes Canada’s 2026 Olympic roster: Bedard, Celebrini, Schaefer.
- Biz & crew skeptical that Bedard deserves to start over Tom Wilson or Mark Stone as a winger.
- Deliberations on centermen depth: McDavid, Crosby, McKinnon, Suzuki, Scheifele.
Timestamps
- Olympics roster discussion: 26:37–34:14, 71:00–74:00
Notable Quote
“If you think Bedard is a more valuable winger than Tom Wilson, you’re out of your fucking mind.”
– Biz Nasty, 29:37
“Just to see this step…we got a superstar.”
– Ryan Whitney, 34:14
5. NHL Rundown: News & Narratives
- Adam Lowry’s captaincy and new contract in Winnipeg: praised for leadership, “makes the coach’s job easier.” (19:14–22:00)
- Central Division surge: Chicago, Minnesota, Wallstedt’s emergence. (20:47–21:28)
- Oilers' struggles: Bouchard, goaltending woes, locker room issues (77:30–78:39).
- Injuries: Looserrainen’s barbecue accident, Jack Hughes’ recent mishap. (34:35)
- Islanders’ Romanov vs. Rantanen hit—Patrick Roy’s heated response and coach-player “code.” (22:02–25:50)
- Pettersson’s resurgence in Vancouver (38:54), Horvat thriving with the Islanders.
6. Locker Room Stories & Behind the Scenes
- Merls’ notorious stubbornness at casinos (17:54–18:25).
- Presti's ultra-physical play at alumni games, Avery’s reminiscing about street fights (57:06).
7. Player Development, Drafting & Identity (86:05–114:22)
- Sharp criticism of Rangers’ and Leafs’ drafting and lack of “dogs”/identity.
- Avery: “You can't build a team through free agency.”
- Yandle: Marshawn would transform the Leafs’ culture.
Notable Quote
“They don’t have an identity… look worse now than four years ago.”
– Ryan Whitney, 86:38
8. Sean Avery Segment (42:23–140:42)
- Avery on LA lifestyle, dating, hot Pilates, and youth hockey dress codes (46:39–48:53, 98:36).
- Jiu-jitsu and fighting stories: alumni games, "choking out" in fights (59:14, 61:14).
- Detroit Red Wings alumni weekend: Iserman anecdotes, Draper’s competitiveness, memories with Chelios, and Babcock shade (76:31–83:20).
- Acting gigs, filmmaking, and respect for top actors (126:13 onward).
Notable Quotes
“Never wrong, just early.”
– Sean Avery, 51:23
“If you want to fight now, I’d immediately try to choke you with your jersey.”
– Sean Avery, 62:45
9. Empty Netters Interview (147:00–188:00)
- Chris & Dan Powers (Empty Netters) join for a lively segment about hockey podcasts, creating content in LA, backgrounds in engineering and screenwriting, wild bartending stories, and their relationships with the Kings (147:00–154:00).
- Inside look at LA beer leagues featuring ex-NHLers, confrontation stories.
- Selling scripts in LA: how filmmaking budgets work, guerrilla shorts, and why YouTube is the new frontier.
Notable Quote
“We took our fancy degrees, lit them on fire, and moved to LA to write movies.”
– Chris Powers, 157:19
10. Pop Culture, Film, and Hockey Crossover
- Long debate on actors: Damon, DiCaprio, “There Will Be Blood,” “Heat” (130:01–181:00).
- Recommendations for hockey players and stars to watch these films (Ryan Whitney, 179:41).
Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- “Lick my fucking corner.” – Biz Nasty fires back at AI/content haters (06:00)
- “He left money on the table... LA’s been good to him.” – Biz on Kempe’s deal (15:06)
- “If you don’t like it, hit the fucking fast forward button.” – Biz (07:44)
- “Never wrong, just early.” – Sean Avery on his life motto (51:23)
- “If you think Bedard is a more valuable winger than Tom Wilson, you’re out of your fucking mind.” – Biz (29:37)
- “That team does not have an identity... They look worse now than four years ago.” – Whitney on the Leafs (86:38)
- “You can't build a team through free agency.” – Avery (88:22)
- “We took our fancy degrees, lit them on fire, and moved to LA to write movies.” – Chris Powers (157:19)
- “If you want to fight now, I’d immediately try to choke you with your jersey.” – Sean Avery (62:45)
Key Timestamps for Major Segments
- 05:00–08:30: Fan culture and AI/video intro backlash
- 11:30–16:58: LA Kings & Kempe contract
- 22:02–26:37: Romanov-Rantanen incident, Patrick Roy, code
- 26:37–34:14: Team Canada, Olympics, Bedard-Schaefer debate
- 38:54–40:00: Pettersson resurgence, Horvat’s season
- 42:23–140:42: Sean Avery main segment—life stories, hockey, LA, fighting, acting
- 147:00–188:00: Empty Netters interview—beer leagues, LA careers, film production
- 130:01–181:00: Movie/actor discussions, pop culture crossovers
Tone & Style
The episode is raw, irreverent, and deeply locker-room in tone. Humor, personal anecdotes, expletive-laden rants, and honest opinions about hockey (and Hollywood) dominate the conversation. The hosts’ chemistry, sharp wit, and experience as former players keep everything spontaneous and energetic, with frequent ribbing and tangents.
For the Listener: Why is This Episode Special?
- Ultimate inside pass: Candid stories from NHL vets on and off the ice.
- Direct fan engagement: Hosts openly respond to online criticism.
- Deep hockey talk: Real analysis of contracts, team-building, and Olympic team construction.
- Pop culture blend: Movies, acting, and sports collide.
- Fresh voices: Strong personalities like Avery and the Empty Netters, showing the growing LA hockey/media community.
- Classic Chiclets: Outspoken, unscripted, and always entertaining—perfect catch-up for fans who missed the live episode.
Want More?
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube—search “Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 598: Sean Avery + Empty Netters” for the full ride. For visuals (like the infamous photo roast), watch the YouTube version.