Spittin' Chiclets Episode 605 (December 15, 2025)
Featuring: Bill Guerin & Brandon Bussi
Hosted by: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette, Rear Admiral, Mike Grinnell (Barstool Sports)
Episode Overview
This episode of Spittin’ Chiclets centers on the biggest NHL trade of the season, with Bill Guerin bringing Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. The hosts break down the impact of the blockbuster deal, analyze the fallout for both teams, and touch on broader implications for the NHL. Special guests include Bill Guerin (Minnesota GM and Team USA executive) and Carolina's red-hot goaltender, Brandon Bussi. The crew also swaps stories from their own weekends and covers a wide range of league happenings—from the state of the Buffalo Sabres, to the evolving roles of modern goalies, to personal stories about community heroes.
1. Main Theme: The Quinn Hughes Blockbuster Trade
- Minnesota acquires defenseman Quinn Hughes in a franchise-altering move
- Deep dive: how and why the trade happened, its stakes, and immediate effect for the Wild
- Guest: GM Bill Guerin shares the inside story of how the deal came together
- Reactions and implications for the Vancouver Canucks, NHL landscape, and Team USA
2. Key Discussion Points & Episode Segments
A. Opening Banter & News Recap
Timestamp: 00:00 - 14:45
- The episode opens with excitement over the amount of NHL news outside of playoff season.
- Shoutouts to Pink Whitney & Spittin’ Chiclets sandbagger content.
- Weekend stories: Biz in Aspen for Colorado Extreme charity event, the member-member golf tradition, sandbagging with Paige Spiranac, and catching Andrew Santino’s comedy show.
“Holy boys, I don’t know if we’ve ever had more to talk about in one episode that wasn’t in the middle of the Stanley Cup playoffs than we do today.” – Ryan Whitney (00:42)
B. Quinn Hughes Trade: Breaking Down the Blockbuster
Timestamp: 14:45 - 51:48
- Minnesota acquires Quinn Hughes for a huge package including top prospect Z. Bouilliam.
- Reactions: No one saw the Wild as the most likely landing spot.
- How GM Bill Guerin “pushed the chips in”—the biggest trade in franchise history.
- Evaluation of the return for the Canucks: “You can’t hope for a better return if you’re a Vancouver fan.”
- Debating the risks: What if Hughes only stays for a brief window in Minnesota?
- The trade’s ripple effect on Western Conference contenders and league playoff dynamics.
“This is the biggest trade in Minnesota Wild history... The fact that Billy G presents an offer like that—if you’re a Vancouver Canuck fan, you cannot hope for a better return.” – Paul Bissonnette (20:48)
C. Special Guest: Brandon Bussi (Carolina Hurricanes Goalie)
Timestamp: 51:48 - 76:45
- Bussi recalls being claimed on waivers by Carolina while en route to Charlotte—now the NHL’s hottest rookie goalie.
- Talks about his adversity-packed journey (undrafted, underdog) and how that shaped his mental game.
- Integrates the episode’s broader theme about the unpredictability and pressure of goaltending.
“Every day is just kind of house money. I appreciate where I’m at and I don’t take anything for granted.” – Brandon Bussi (58:19)
D. Special Guest: Bill Guerin (Minnesota Wild GM, Team USA Boss)
Timestamp: 77:36 - 99:35
- Guerin shares the blow-by-blow of the Quinn Hughes trade—from idea to execution.
- Insights on negotiating with Vancouver and what it’s like to swing a franchise-changing trade.
- Talks openly about going to therapy and the importance of mental health for athletes and executives.
- Touches on how Hughes and Faber could become a top pairing, and how this impacts Team USA.
“It’s Quinn Hughes. If we had an opportunity to add this player to our team, we got to try and do it.” – Bill Guerin (84:32)
E. Sabres Woes and Ownership Debate
Timestamp: 103:07 - 117:48
- Deep dive into Buffalo’s mess: new GM Yarmo Kekalainen, coaching questions, and a frustrated fan base.
- Conversation veers toward ownership’s role in Buffalo’s perennial playoff drought (0 playoff appearances since 2011).
- The difficulty of building a winning culture when ownership is micromanaging or under-resourcing hockey ops.
“Since Terry Pegula bought the Sabres in 2011... zero playoff appearances. At some point you look at ownership, buddy.” – Ryan Whitney (109:32)
F. Goalie Carousel: Edmonton/Pittsburgh Swap
Timestamp: 119:46 - 130:51
- Edmonton Oilers swap goalies with Pittsburgh: Tristan Jarry (EDM) for Stuart Skinner (PIT).
- Whitney defends Skinner’s professionalism under pressure but says the upgrade was needed.
- Jarry’s potential upsides, why he wasn’t claimed previously, and what both teams hope to gain.
“Tristan Jarry is a better goalie than Stuart Skinner. Is the health an issue? Yeah. But the time had come.” – Ryan Whitney (123:22)
3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
“If you want to define goaltending success, maybe look at [what you do in key moments] more than the actual numbers.” – Brandon Bussi (68:11)
“Ownership matters. It’s very clear. Look at Florida since their new ownership. Look at Edmonton. Ownership matters.” – Ryan Whitney (109:32)
“My first offer was what the trade actually was... You don’t get guys like this unless you give the other team something significant.” – Bill Guerin on the Quinn Hughes offer (82:49)
4. Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:42 | Setting the table: “Most to talk about non-playoff ep ever”
- 14:45 | Beginning Quinn Hughes trade discussion
- 20:48 | Biz's take: “Biggest trade in franchise history”
- 51:48 | Brandon Bussi join-in, goaltending chat
- 77:54 | Bill Guerin enters, mental health & story behind the trade
- 84:32 | Guerin: “It’s Quinn Hughes. We got to do it.”
- 109:32 | “Ownership matters” and Sabres postmortem
- 123:22 | Trio debates Oilers/Pens goalie swap
5. Additional Episode Highlights
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Chiclets Community & Charity:
- Biz recounts Colorado Extreme’s impact on El Jebel, CO and the value of hockey in building community.
-
Culture & Comedy:
- Sandbagger with Paige Spiranac; Andrew Santino podcast & comedy nights; shoutouts for Francis Ellis and blending pop culture with hockey.
-
Kids, Rinks & Memories:
- Whitney builds a backyard rink for his kids, and the guys wax nostalgic about childhood dreams.
-
Mental Health Message:
- Multiple hosts and Guerin advocate for therapy, highlight BetterHelp. Guerin: “It doesn’t make you weak. If you’re not in crisis, it’s still good to go.”
6. Episode Tone & Style
The pod is faithful to the usual irreverent, outspoken Chiclets energy—mixing deep NHL analysis with “locker room” banter, inside jokes, chirps, and spontaneous digressions. Whitney and Biz keep the mood light even while unpacking major hockey storylines and the occasionally serious themes (mental health, team culture, adversity). The segments with Bussi and Guerin strike a candid, authentic tone.
7. End-of-Show Tributes
Tribute to Brian “Dookie” Walsh (152:54 – 158:09)
- Heartfelt stories by Whitney and Yandle about Boston hockey legend and community leader Brian Walsh, who recently passed away.
- Emphasis on how his spirit and generosity epitomized the best of hockey culture.
“Be more like Dookie—root for everyone, be there for everyone, and lead by example...that’s lost. There’s none of that anymore. And that needs to come back.” – Keith Yandle (155:48)
8. Closing Notes
- Sandbagger and Chicklets YouTube content updates
- Chiclets U episode plug (UConn)
- Lighthearted outro, friendly jabs, and sign off expressing gratitude for the audience
Summary Table
| Timestamp | Segment | |--------------|---------------------------------------------------| | 00:42 | Opening remarks, weekend stories | | 14:45 | Quinn Hughes trade: first reactions | | 20:48 | Trade assessment: winners/losers analysis | | 51:48 | Guest: Brandon Bussi, journey to NHL | | 77:54 | Guest: Bill Guerin, inside story of the trade | | 109:32 | Buffalo Sabres' struggles/ownership conversation | | 119:46 | Edmonton/Pittsburgh goalie trade | | 152:54 | Tribute to Brian “Dookie” Walsh |
For Newcomers:
This episode is a quintessential “can’t miss” for hockey fans: a wild trade, top-tier guests, strong analysis, emotional moments, and authentic locker room humor—all bundled in the Chiclets package. Whether you follow the Wild, Canucks, or simply love the inside game, this is a prime example of why Spittin’ Chiclets remains at the top of sports podcasting.