Spittin' Chiclets Episode 609: Featuring Tage Thompson

Date: January 5, 2026
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette (“Biz Nasty”), Rear Admiral (Yancey), Mike Grinnell, Keith
Special Guests: Tage Thompson, Army Armstrong, Merles, Pasha

Overview

The irreverent Spittin’ Chiclets crew returns with a densely packed episode diving into the latest NHL storylines, global hockey tournaments, the state of the game’s culture, and a long-form interview with Buffalo Sabres forward and Team USA Olympian, Tage Thompson. Key discussions include Team Canada and Team USA Olympic roster debates, the fallout of the World Juniors, fiery fanbases, and behind-the-scenes team stories. The hosts bring their usual banter, razor-edge chirps, and in-depth analysis, with notable contributions from recurring personalities and guests.

Key Topics & Segments

1. NHL Storylines Kicking Off

• [01:41] Immediate talk about Maple Leafs’ stars and wardrobe choices (Nylander, Matthews).
  • “For us who doubted Auston Matthews… shame on me, shame on you.” – Yancey ([01:47])
  • Praise for Matthews’ franchise goal record, quick climb up the charts ([02:02–02:37]).
• [03:06] Biz recounts mosh pit “performance” at the Winter Classic and subsequent TV hijinks.
  • Quote: “Auctioned off the jacket too. Game worn. He wrote ‘game worn jacket’ and it’s going to smell like his onion.” – Biz ([03:06])
• [04:52] Banter on towel etiquette (“flossing the ass cheeks”), hotel shenanigans, and locker room culture.
• [07:43] Reflecting on the recent Winter Classic in Florida:
  • Debate over authentic cold-vs-warm weather venues.
  • Praise for fans and sold-out stadium but noting letdown of actual on-ice product.
  • “If you just turned on that TV and didn’t know it was in Miami, you’d be like, this is unbelievable.” – Biz ([10:32])

2. Team Canada & Team USA Olympic Rosters

Team Canada Debates

• [31:56]
  • Sam Bennett’s snub is a heated topic; hosts shock at his omission after two Cups and a Conn Smythe.
    • “That might be in the history of best-on-best…maybe Crosby in 2006 and Sam Bennett.” – Yancey ([31:57])
    • “He can play on your first line, you can play on your fourth line… just put his work boots on and go to work.” – Biz ([33:30])
• Considerations for Sorelli, Horvat, Suzuki as back-end roster additions.
• Debate over Drew Doughty’s spot versus rising young stars like Matthew Schaefer.

Netminder Strategies

• Humor about Binnington’s “psycho” attitude and using mind games to unleash his best:
  • “He’s putting lipstick on and crossing Thompson’s name off a list like Billy Madison.” – Army ([60:26])
• On Binnington: “Unleash the fury.” ([60:59])

Youth Movement & Torch Passing

• Bedard and Schaefer as “snubbed” but discussed as the next generation.
  • “Just gives you perspective on… generational [players] do have an off year here or there.” – Keith ([150:22])

Team USA Roster & Goalie Battle

• [85:12, 117:23] Interview with Tage Thompson (see dedicated section).
• Outrage among panel & fans at Jason Robertson’s omission:
  • “He has the third most goals in the calendar year of 2025, so I would’ve thought... that’s a guy you want on the team...” – Merles ([115:23])
• Trocheck and Miller vs. Robertson argument.
• Adam Fox missing the team—the balance between power play needs and defensive dog mentality ([118:45], [120:17]).

Sweden & Finland Previews

• Sweden’s D considered the best in the tournament:
  • “Best D. I love the D. If, like, Headman... he’s on time… Headman and Darlene, Forsling, Carlson, Brodine…” – Merles ([131:12])
• Goalie depth, forward depth matchups, plus Danish meatball plate critiques for comic relief ([133:06]).

3. Team Culture, Player Development & World Juniors Discourse

• [71:55–84:59]
  • Profound concern from Canadian panelists about losing the “Canadian identity”—the grit, hitting, blue-collar edge in hockey development.
    • “Typical Canada. We overcorrected... we lost the dogs.” – Army ([75:38])
    • “You see the right dad who's not a hockey psycho... and teaching you what matters.” – Keith ([81:42])
  • Costs/pricing-out kids from minor hockey is driving out blue-collar talent.
  • Debate over when to allow hitting and impact on skill development.

4. Buffalo Sabres & Tage Thompson In-Depth Interview [85:20–108:57]

Olympic Call

• Tage’s nerves and excitement—didn’t know until the call came from Billy G.
  • “I felt sick to my stomach… It was a pretty good feeling, big relief.” ([88:46])
• Worlds experience helped his candidacy: a “win-win” to keep playing and raise profile.

Sabres Leadership

• Leadership group dinner led by Dahlin to “own the room”; honesty and accountability reset the season.
  • “We went for dinner… What can we do better? … Hold each other accountable.” ([90:35])
• Samuelson, Norris, and others’ contributions to the team's turnaround.

Locker Room, Coaching, and Chemistry

• Lindy Ruff: “Old school, pretty straight up. When I’m not playing well, he lets me know and when I’m playing well, he lets me know.” – Tage ([94:13])
• On Samuelson: “He’s an absolute mutant… the strongest human being I’ve ever seen.” ([97:56])
• Benson: “He’ll fight the toughest guy in the league. He doesn’t care… He’s one of those guys that just competes and works his nuts off.” ([100:52])
• UPL’s (Luukkonen) viral “pops” video: “It was Thanksgiving. We had a day off the next day. What’s he gonna do, sit in his apartment, stare at the roof?” ([103:21])

Serious Moments & Life Beyond the Rink

• Dahlin’s family emergency: “It’s insane, I actually can’t believe that he’s playing and playing as well as he is.” ([107:08])
• Tage on fighting for his teammates’ honor: “It’s kind of like the way I was raised… If I have to, I’ll take care of my own business.” ([102:40])

Goalie & Team Notes

• Goalie UPL’s Finnish drinking story; “in program” now, team’s dynamic and superstitions covered.
• Emphasis on chemistry, leadership, playing for each other: “We’ve got a great energy, a good calm in the locker room…” ([91:49])

5. Fan Meltdowns: Devils, Leafs, Trades, and Social Media [159:11+]

Devils Turmoil & Pasha’s Tirade

• Devils fans booing Luke Hughes (rookie defenseman) and internal scapegoating of Dougie Hamilton for not waiving his NTC.
  • “I think they should boo him because I hated them booing Luke.” – Pasha ([162:25])
• Calls for GM Fitzgerald’s job, frustration with stalled roster maneuvers.

Leafs Discussion & Matthews Record (With Trivia!)

• Deep dive into Matthews’ franchise lead in goal scoring.
  • “Matthews beat [Sundin’s record] in 317 fewer games… astonishing.” – Keith ([141:25])
• Line-by-line trivia of Original Six top scorers ([143:00]), assists on Matthews’ goals (Marner: 152, Nylander 104).

Winnipeg Jets, Shen’s 1,100th Game Snub

• Hosts rip the “horseshit move” by Jets’ coach for benching Luke Schenn in his milestone game:
  • “That’s such a move… every guy in the room’s like, what the…” – Yancey ([157:53])

Sucker Punch Drama

• Logan Stanley’s sucker punch on Brady Tkachuk: “He fucked up. That’s all you can say, and he deserved a game.” – Keith ([152:22])

6. Global Hockey, Future Stars, and “Bring Russia Back”

• Montreal Canadiens young stars like Lane Hutson, Demidov, Suzuki lighting it up ([174:21]).
• Strong opinions voiced (especially by Keith) that international best-on-best must include Russia:
  • “I want Russia in my best-on-best.” ([174:31])

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Unleash the fury.” – Biz on Binnington mind games ([60:59])
• “Typical Canada. We overcorrected… we lost the dogs.” – Army ([75:38])
• “He can play on your first line, you can play on your fourth… put his work boots on and go to work.” – Biz on Bennett ([33:30])
• “I felt sick to my stomach… It was a pretty good feeling, big relief.” – Tage Thompson on Olympic call ([88:46])
• “If you have anything, even tape, you can't be dropping them and chuckle him. So that's why Brady Tkachuk wasn't scrapping.” – Keith ([154:16])
• “Dougie Hamilton… before his goal the other night, this is a guy getting paid $9M and had one point since Nov 1st. He’s checked out.” – Pasha ([162:25])
• “He’s an absolute mutant… the strongest human being I’ve ever seen.” – Thompson on Samuelson ([97:56])
• “You got better forwards that can score… but it just has to change this year.” – Yancey on Team USA vs. Canada ([128:54])
• “That’s a guy who can run your first line, your fourth line… I don't understand not taking [Bennett].” – Biz ([33:30])
• “We lost the dogs.” – Army ([75:38])
• “I want Russia in my best-on-best.” – Keith ([174:31])
• “He’ll fight the toughest guy in the league. Doesn’t care.” – Thompson on Benson ([100:52])

In Closing

This episode is a signature Spittin’ Chiclets tour de force: loud, sprawling, hilarious and insightful. Fans of the game get an all-access pass to the authentic player mentality, culture clashes, and tournament intrigue driving hockey into 2026. Tage Thompson’s segment (starting ~[85:20]) is a highlight for fans of the Sabres, Team USA, and anyone interested in leadership, bouncebacks, and real locker room life. The episode is especially a must-listen for those invested in Olympic roster drama, Team Canada’s cultural identity crisis, and unfiltered “hockey therapy” from the sport’s most colorful commentators.