Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 613 Featuring Sergei Fedorov (January 20, 2026)

Podcast by Barstool Sports
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette (Biz), Rear Admiral (RA), Mike Grinnell (G)
Special Guest: Sergei Fedorov

Episode Overview

This episode delivers the trademark irreverent, energetic breakdown of current hockey and sports news that devotees expect, highlighted by an in-depth, candid, and inspiring conversation with Russian hockey legend Sergei Fedorov in the wake of his jersey retirement by the Detroit Red Wings. The hosts swap stories from their travels and offer their takes on breaking hockey trade news, the NFL playoffs, and hot-button topics around the NHL, before diving into an hour-plus interview with Fedorov that covers his defection, career in Detroit, memories of the Russian Five, and lessons learned in the game and beyond.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• [00:00–04:00] Banter, brand shoutouts, and weekend recaps
• [04:00–10:00] Host travel stories: London, Patriots fandom abroad
• [10:00–18:30] Sports culture abroad, Biz in Welland, NHL grassroots
• [18:30–32:50] NFL playoff round-up and culture discussion
• [32:51–44:50] NHL News: New York Rangers moving from Panarin, trade talks, franchise directions
• [44:51–57:00] Trade market heating up: Boston, Vegas, Calgary moves
• [57:01–66:15] League trends and controversies: Leafs, Jets, Blue Jackets, goalie controversies
• [66:16–73:07] Sanderson comments and goaltending in Ottawa
• [73:08–135:26] SERGEI FEDOROV INTERVIEW
• [135:27–149:55] Host reactions, additional NHL/college hockey/AHL news
• [149:56–end] Upcoming events, shoutouts, and closing

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Brand Energy, Banter, and NFL Wild Card Mayhem

• The hosts kick things off hyped about their various travels, with plenty of Pink Whitney love (01:45). Biz brings tales from London – including the challenges of finding NFL games and the surprisingly passionate New England fan base overseas (04:10).
• Whitney details the cultural differences in watching sports in England (“cigs don’t count on vacation”), the iconic neighborhood stadiums, and the quirks of UK sports bars vs. US fan culture.
• Biz drops a classic story about his dad, Cam, forgetting his mother in a car for 90 minutes while having beers post-game (14:00), encapsulating the pod’s irreverent, family-centric humor.

NFL Playoffs: Hot Takes & Heartbreaks

• Whitney and Biz deep dive into the wild NFL divisional round (18:51):
  • Debate on controversial no-calls, rules, and the agony for Bills fans (“eight years of Allen, one AFC title game, rest divisional or wild card losses”—Whitney, 21:45).
  • Patriots fandom boasts as the team storms back to AFC title contention after quick rebuild (“People hate the Patriots. Finally, they’ve gone away—oh, nope!”—Whitney, 23:00).
  • Debate on part-time officials in a billion-dollar league (31:00).

NHL Rumblings: Rangers Retooling, Vegas All-In

• Rangers’ “retooling” letter analyzed:
  • Artemi Panarin set to be moved (33:01), possible landing spots debated (Florida, Washington, Carolina, Colorado, Dallas).
  • Reflection on front-office decision-making and impact on locker room culture:
    • “They gave Trooper the Dougie Hamilton treatment” – G (46:58)
    • Drury’s GM tenure hangs on how the next two years play out.
• The Boston Bruins, retool vs. rebuild debates, and whether to part with defensive prospects or draft picks. (“I just don’t want them getting rid of those first-round picks”—G, 41:07)
• Vegas Golden Knights’ relentless pursuit of the Cup, trading yet more first-rounders for Rasmus Andersson (51:37).
  • Notable list: “Since its inception, Vegas has only picked one time in the first round…The other list: players Vegas has traded for at the deadline since inception—it’s a murderers’ row.” – G (53:09)
  • Vegas as the ultimate “win now, figure out later” club

Around the League:

• Columbus Blue Jackets: “New coach. That’s it.” – Elvis Merzlikins on winning streak and firing of Dean Evason (59:44). Biz and Whitney sympathize with the challenges of coaching in today’s NHL and praise the immediate impact of ‘Bones’ as the new bench boss.
• Ottawa’s goaltending woes and Sanderson’s too-candid postgame comments (68:17). Debated as a lesson in leadership and the weight of frustration.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On London’s Sports Scene

“I had to call like three different bars…The Buffalo Bills are playing! …So, you gotta go find—last night we watched at a casino, a Patriots game at the casino.” (Biz, 04:18)

On Trade Deadline Madness

“Vegas goes out and gets their guys. They always do. And they’re probably not done. Can you see them grabbing more? I can.” (Whitney, 52:48)

On Locker Room Culture

“If you’re telling me the Rangers fell apart because of the way those guys were shipped out of town and that the team lost its morale, it’s like, boys, figure it out.” (Whitney, 46:52)

Soundbite of the Week

“New coach. That’s it.” (Elvis Merzlikins, 59:44)

FEATURE INTERVIEW: Sergei Fedorov

(73:08–135:26)

Highlights & Insights

Childhood & Early Career

• Grew up skating outdoors in arctic Russia, relentless training (“nine months winter; skate on real ice, every day” – 91:25).
• Did not “dream” of the NHL—childhood focus was making Red Army (“Came absolutely from clean sheet…did not know anything, honestly” – 77:35).
• Early grind: “27 tons of weights in 2.5 hours”—Fedorov describes Red Army workout regimens (88:19).

Defection Story

• Recalls the tension and risk in defecting after the 1990 Goodwill Games, aided by Jimmy Lights from Detroit ("Had to kind of figure out how I come around that issue… while he [the chaperone] was eating, I was gone" – 81:03).
• On what drove him to leave: despite being an international champion by 20, basic needs like a car for his parents were denied, spurring thoughts of taking the chance abroad (84:16).
• Friendship & crossing with Alexander Mogilny—supporting his move, but not realizing he’d do the same himself (79:52).

Detroit, Team Culture & NHL Adaptation

• Immediate “overwhelming” welcome in Detroit—relates to the “Corvette, downtown apartments, two bedrooms” (106:51).
• On Russian Five: joy and surprise at being able to bring the Russian style to North America, made possible by open-minded coaches (especially Scotty Bowman).
  • “We didn’t say to each other one or two words… we just kept the puck as much as we could and never throw it anywhere” (114:16).
• On adaptability: within seven months, conversing in English, helping others adapt.

Rivalries, Cups, Playing D & Being a Star

• 1996–1997 rivalry with Colorado, measuring the pain and psychological importance of battling (123:55: “Definitely that fight...got us mentally over the hump.”)
• On Bowman asking him to play defense:
  • “This is my favorite question, because now I get to brag about myself how great I am” (124:15, laughs).
  • “I got the best partner I ever played with defense… Larry Murphy. What a classy and smartest boy on earth.” (125:34)
• On his “flash,” style, and being the original Nike-endorsee:
  • “I like long hair. It’s one of my beliefs that when I had long hair, I could score 50, 60.” (129:06)
  • “White skates? I paid for those, too. You know, a lot of cross[checks]…” (130:06)

Reflections: Regrets & Lessons

• Honest commentary about the complicated feelings after departing Detroit, regret about the long contract squabbles, and what he’s learned since (“Off the ice, I had very little experience…you only realize later in life”—134:39).
• On being a role model, the uniqueness of the Red Wings organization, and the Ilitch family’s immense legacy (137:19).

Notable Quotes (with timestamps):

• “I remember when I met Steve [Yzerman] first time in Detroit… I came absolutely from [a] clean sheet. I don’t know much about—I don’t think much about…” (77:35)
• “We survived… [by] lifting 27 tons of weights in two and a half hours.” (88:19)
• “Every game I played, I wanted to play. So people see how easy that is… It’s not like that. It’s a lot of work in the gym, understanding what coaches want.” (130:10)

Additional Segments and Memorable Bits

• Ottawa’s Jake Sanderson caught heat for a blunt postgame critique of his goalie, compared to how team leaders Tkachuk and Stützle handled media after losses (68:17; 69:08).
• Vegas’s ceaseless roster churn: “You get drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights, they shouldn’t even send you a jersey.” (Biz, 51:43)
• BU hockey fight: Hosts muse on changing college hockey rules after a rare full-blown scrap between players (146:18–147:59).
• RA’s Twitter hack leads to comic speculation about “Elon Musk” tweets (144:58–146:14).

Episode Takeaways

• The Fedorov interview is a must-listen for hockey historians and fans alike. His humility, candidness, and stories paint a clear portrait of what it took to become a transcendent player crossing from Soviet Russia to NHL stardom.
• The hosts’ blend of humor, storytelling, and sharp insight continue to set the standard for personality-driven sports podcasts: from hilarious family stories and international adventures to biting takes on the state of modern sports leagues.
• Vegas’s trade-strategy and the Rangers’ upcoming overhaul are shaping league dynamics as the Olympics approach.
• There’s an undercurrent of nostalgia, gratitude, and reflection—particularly in the hour with Fedorov and the following debrief.

If You Listen to One Thing… (Timely Highlights By Timestamp)

• Fedorov’s defection and risk: [79:46–83:02]
• Coping with new cultures & adaptation: [91:25–108:06]
• Russian Five, teamwork, and Bowman: [113:22–116:16]
• On being the NHL’s first strong Russian “superstar”: [129:06]
• On regrets leaving Detroit and what fame taught him: [132:43–134:39]

Tone & Style

The pod is fast-paced, irreverently humorous, refreshingly candid, and rich with first-person stories and breaking hockey news. Fedorov’s segment is heartfelt but still relaxed and accessible, with plenty of storytelling and humble reflection befitting a legend.

For New & Casual Listeners

This episode serves as a vibrant tapestry of locker room stories, trade analysis, and the genuine underdog-to-superstar journey of a hockey great. It strikes a balance between humor and gravity, making it engaging for die-hard fans and newcomers alike. If you’re exploring hockey’s history or want a window into the personalities changing the game, don’t skip this one.