Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 612 Featuring: Barret Jackman
Released: January 16, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode is classic Spittin’ Chiclets: sharp-edged NHL commentary, locker-room storytelling, some brutal chirping, and a can’t-miss interview with rookie-of-the-year-turned-blues-legend Barret Jackman. Hosts Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette ("Biz"), Rear Admiral, Mike Grinnell, and guest Keith Yandle banter about recent NHL dramas, passionate fan bases (looking at you, Buffalo and Philly), evolving team cultures, the nuts and bolts of calling games at ice-level, infamous hockey brawls, and reflect on the state of the game. The centerpiece is their extended, hilarious, and insightful conversation with Jackman, who brings vintage tales about the St. Louis Blues, old-school junior hockey, and the realities of raising tough hockey kids today.
Key Segment Timestamps and Topics
1. Biz’s Buffalo Bit & TNT Experience [01:47–16:39]
- Biz describes being between the benches for Flyers vs. Sabres and taking a “paddle bet” from Rob Ray.
- [01:47] Biz: “You took not one but two…paddles to the ass cheeks.”
- [02:43] Shoutout to behind-the-scenes staff for executing the bit.
- Comic banter about locker room pain and broadcasting antics.
- [04:08] “Funnier than anything SNL has done in 25 years.” – Rear Admiral
- Biz's self-deprecating humor about old injuries and “conky” moments.
- Reflections on the challenge and adrenaline of in-game analysis.
- [10:08] TNT contract renewal announcement.
- [12:21] Discussion on the demands of being live between the benches.
- [14:39] Ice-level respect for players and breakdowns of Buffalo’s emerging “five-man unit” D-system.
2. Buffalo Sabres Deep Dive [14:44–18:54]
- Analysis of Buffalo’s defensive turnaround and culture shift.
- Whitney: “They’ve drastically improved…teams realize how much skillset they have.”
- Discussion of D-men actively jumping into the play and the importance of signing Alex Tuch.
- Contract situations and team-building philosophy.
- [18:54] Biz: “If ten or north of ten is what [Tuch] wants, he has them by the balls.”
3. Josh Doane’s Impact & Flyers Fandom Meltdown [20:22–35:59]
- Rising two-way play in Buffalo under Josh Doane.
- [22:13] Yandle: “The commitment to playing the 200-foot game is very impressive from a young kid.”
- Flyers’ Matvei Michkov saga and Talkett criticism.
- Whitney: “If you think he isn’t getting ice time that he deserves because Talk doesn’t like him, I’m telling you: you’re insane.” [25:46]
- Candid talk on fan expectations vs. reality, Michkov’s language/cultural barrier, and sophomore NHL slumps.
4. Around the NHL – Contracts, Trades & Team News [36:23–54:46]
- Lightning’s Braden Point injury and Team Canada debate
- Sam Bennett, Connor Bedard, Zach Hyman—who gets the call if Point misses the Olympics?
- Utah (formerly Coyotes) resurgence
- [41:16] “They have a nice future set up there…owner wants to win now.”
- Nashville and Vancouver trade speculation
- [45:24] Whitney: “Do you want to be stuck in mediocrity?”
- [46:13] Pederson and Garland discussed as trade chips; Toronto/Dallas as destinations for D-men.
5. St. Louis Blues and the Trade Windmill [50:54–54:46]
- Who should stay/go in a potential Blues blowup?
- [51:35] Whitney: “Braden Schenn on a playoff team…imagine adding that guy.”
- Pareko and Kyrou as other prime trade candidates.
- Conspiracy theory: Are the Blues building a “Swedish hub?”
Feature Interview: Barrett Jackman [54:47–117:53]
Early Career & Blues Culture [54:47–62:49]
- Life in retirement and the tight-knit Blues alumni scene.
- Jackman now directs the alumni association, wrangling “a lot of old hockey players.”
- Winning the Calder Trophy as a stay-at-home D.
- [57:53] “You got Al MacInnis…on your right side. It made things so much easier for me.”
- Brian Burke’s quote before the awards: “You might not win this…you deserve it more than those other guys.”
- Fighting and toughness as a rookie.
- “I told [the team], ‘You want me to be a prick, I’ll be a prick.’”
Growing Up Tough in British Columbia [61:46–66:54]
- Small-town, physically demanding hockey upbringing.
- Wild stories about brawls, Moose Jaw fans, and his “tough as nails” single mom.
- Mentorship and leadership roots.
- Looked up to figures like Hank DeMarche and Scott Niedermayer.
Old School Blues Teams & Veteran Lessons [68:08–76:41]
- Legendary teammates: Keith Tkachuk, Al MacInnis, Pronger, and more.
- “Be seen, not heard. You sit in the corner.”
- Epic bar tales: “You never wanted to leave.”
- Learning from MacInnis:
- “He just made you feel comfortable as such a legend…he really let me relax and play my game.” [72:47]
Physical Pranks, Leadership, and the Kachuk Boys [76:41–82:55]
- Transitioning to leadership as younger talents emerged.
- “As these guys started coming in…they were building something special.”
- Stories of a young Matthew and Brady Tkachuk brawling in the locker room.
Mentoring TJ Oshie and Ryan Reaves [79:30–84:18]
- Hilarious “bed-warming” prank by Oshie.
- “He was just doing snow angels for 10 minutes in my bed.”
- On being asked to join Reavo’s father/mentor trip.
- “You see all the dads around…that group seems very special. It starts with Revo.”
Hitch Moments and Playoff Heartbreaks [87:24–95:24]
- Classic Ken Hitchcock bench meltdowns.
- Jackman: “I just lost it…I yelled at Hitch for probably a full minute; next day, it was like nothing happened.” [88:51]
- Playoff series vs. Blackhawks/Kings and the agony of falling short.
- “It just seemed like everything went wrong…so hard to win in this league.”
Best Battles, Retirement, and Reflections [95:24–112:13]
- Who was the toughest to play/fight?
- Bertuzzi, Milan Lucic (“he knocked me out”), Andrew Shaw ("I hated you for so long but thanks for finally fighting me")
- Leaving St. Louis, Nashville years, knowing when to hang ’em up.
- Parenting perspective: Coaching his son and the state of youth hockey today.
- “Kids are specializing way too young…hockey IQ is definitely lacking.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Whitney (re: fanbase conspiracies):
“If you think he isn’t getting ice time that he deserves because Talk doesn’t like him, I’m telling you: you’re insane.” [25:46] - Biz, on in-game broadcasting:
“I would love to see somebody who tweets negativity…pick them up, yoink them in there for a game and just…let the other miserable fucks on Twitter have at it.” [11:36] - Jackman, summing up his legacy:
“Every day I wake up and see the number 5 with [Bob Plager’s] wings on it, and think of him…he was more proud to wear a blue note than anyone.” [75:40] - On NHL culture: “Back in the day, people weren’t handed things…” [26:57]
Rear Admiral's World & Hockey Ephemera [126:01–147:51]
- Storytime: Bar brawls after jersey retirements, iconic hockey photos (e.g., Bobby Orr leaping, Gretzky/Howe), and behind-the-scenes in St. Louis “man cave” garages.
- Classic RA: “I lost my task bobblehead and one of my buddies got shanked that night.” [130:34]
- Hockey photo Mount Rushmore:
- Gretzky/Howe, Bobby Orr, Bobby Clarke with the Cup, Mark Messier/Gary Coleman.
- TV & pop culture picks:
Brockmire on Netflix, Clooney’s Jay Kelly, and more.
Final Notes, Merch Drops, and Shoutouts
- Chiclets drops Penn State “Hockey Valley” merch with NIL deals for prospects.
- RA plugs Patriots Moneyline in a New England winter storm.
- Biz closes with:
- “Thank you to everybody in Buffalo who made that a very special night, including you guys…looking forward to just keep doing more.” [149:01]
Tone & Takeaways
- Unfiltered, funny, and reflective:
The episode swings from hijinks and chirps to respect for the grind of in-arena broadcasting, tributes to hockey’s old-school enforcers, and sharp debate about team-building philosophies in today’s NHL. - Jackman interview is a gem:
Honest, self-aware, and deeply proud of both his scrappy career and his role now shaping the next generation. - Core message:
The sport and its people are always evolving, but toughness, accountability, and real locker room camaraderie are timeless.
Recommended Listening
Segment start times for tuning in:
- Biz’s Buffalo Broadcast/Rob Ray Paddling: [01:47]
- Buffalo D-Unit Analysis: [14:39]
- Barrett Jackman Interview: [54:47]
- Classic Hitch Stories: [87:24]
- RA’s World (iconic photos, TV picks): [126:01]
For full episodes/archives: Barstool Sports: Spittin’ Chiclets