Transcript

Rob Blake (0:00)

Hey, Spit and Chiclets listeners.

Biz Nunez (0:01)

You can find every episode on Apple.

Rob Blake (0:03)

Podcasts and Spotify Prime.

Biz Nunez (0:06)

Members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.

Rob Blake (0:08)

TaxAct understands you haven't memorized the tax code.

Ryan Whitney (0:12)

That's why Tax act has live experts to help.

Biz Nunez (0:16)

TaxAct can even do it for you if you prefer.

Rob Blake (0:18)

It's the easiest way to know you're doing it right.

Biz Nunez (0:21)

Well, other than going back to college and obtaining a bachelor's degree in accounting.

Rob Blake (0:25)

With a minor in finance, then interning.

Biz Nunez (0:27)

Somewhere and becoming fluent in all tax forms.

Rob Blake (0:30)

But that might be hard to accomplish before tax day. So maybe just stick with TaxAct Tax Act. Let's get them over with.

Mike Feuds (0:39)

Paramount plus is the new home of.

Ryan Whitney (0:41)

UFC and we're coming out swinging with UFC 324. Oh, what a shot. 325 on back to back weekends. The new era is here.

Biz Nunez (0:52)

Time.

Ryan Whitney (0:55)

Every fight. Bam. Let's go. One subscription. Oh my goodness. Pay per view just got knocked out. Back to back blockbuster UFC events this month only on Paramount Plus.

Biz Nunez (1:11)

Me and Ryan have been officially welcomed.

Ryan Whitney (1:14)

To the jungle that is barstool sports.

Mike Feuds (1:16)

I brought it towards the coyotes and I asked him if it was okay if I joined the Spit Chickens podcast full time.

Ryan Whitney (1:23)

Ryan Whitney's got a Pink Whitney out there now.

Summary

Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 614: Featuring Rob Blake

Date: January 23, 2026
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette (“Biz”), Rear Admiral, Mike Grinnell
Guest: Rob Blake

Episode Overview

Spittin’ Chiclets #614 features a classic in-studio roundtable of outspoken, irreverent hockey banter—this time with a deep-dive interview with Hall of Fame defenseman Rob Blake. The boys run through the latest NHL news: hot goalie stories, Olympic selection controversies, league transactions, and memorable career moments before launching into a rich, wide-ranging conversation with Blake about his path from farm boy to NHL stardom and management. As always, the show is laced with trademark Chiclets humor, insider stories, and a few off-the-rails tangents.

Main Topics & Highlights

1. Banter, Pink Whitney, and The Crew Assembles (01:11–03:08)

The hosts are together in Hoboken—and immediately riffing about infusing Pink Whitney into their coffee.
“It might sound disgusting. Don’t knock it till you try it!” – Ryan Whitney (01:44)
Reflections about how much the crew loves doing the show live and in-person.
Nostalgic shout out to Pink Whitney’s success.

2. League Rundown: Injuries, Schedules, and Team Struggles (03:35–09:27)

NHL injury updates: The Leafs bitten by the injury bug; hectic travel schedules, particularly for Florida Panthers—a major concern as the playoff race heats up.
- “Florida’s schedule is a disaster the rest of the year... That is the worst travel in the east.” – Ryan Whitney (04:41)
Bill Zito (Panthers GM) shoutout, his surprising backstory as a Milwaukee Brewers ball boy, and classic hockey media quirks.
Fun aside: What’s bigger—an athlete with a candy bar or a cereal? “The coolest thing you can have is vodka.” (06:43)

3. The International Factor: Netflix Expansion, Commonwealth Realms, and UK Listeners (07:06–09:15)

Chiclets now on Netflix in Canada; figuring out global content licensing (and accidental confusion about the UK/Commonwealth/Australia).
“Is Australia part of the United Kingdom?”—Team banter and self-roasting for bungled geopolitics. (08:05)

4. Inside Locker Room Banter: Pre-Game Rituals, Social Media, and Warmups (10:00–14:41)

Tales of viral memes, Olympic silver medal regrets, and how social media recirculates players’ worst on-ice moments.
Discussion of warmup routines—goalies getting prepped, players copying legends like Nick Lidstrom, and the rise of “performative” pre-game antics.
“The only time you went in the corner, too.” – Ryan Whitney to Biz, re: his passive style (14:11)
“Copycat league” stories: Players steal each other’s routines and tweaks.

5. Social Media, Heated Rivalry, and Modern Hockey’s Sex Appeal (16:28–18:01)

Gentle ribbing about fans (especially women) flocking to warmups to film players stretching (“making it so sexual”), fuelled by viral TikToks.
The evolution (and sometimes over-performance) of pre-game routines, growing fan engagement.

6. NHL News: Goalie Fights & Viral Moments (18:13–22:47)

Main Event: Goalie fight between Nedejkovic and Bobrovsky.
- “Bob went full blown, as fast as he could down there.” – Biz (20:25)
- The buzz of social media; NHL posting fight clips again; nostalgia for old-school hockey violence.
- Proposal: EBUGs should be “absolute savages.”
Shift in league culture: Embracing fighting after a period of shying away from it.

7. Goaltending Surprises, Olympic Snubs, and Team USA Decisions (23:09–34:43)

Brandon Bussi’s incredible start in net gets kudos; talk of late-blooming stars and career turnaround stories.
- “He was driving to Charlotte for the farm team, gets claimed by Carolina… So happy for him.” – Biz (25:01)
Vezina frontrunner debates and snubs.
Major controversy: Lane Hutson left off Team USA's Olympic D-corps in favor of Jackson LaCombe after Seth Jones’ injury.
The nationwide debate about “replacement” value, size vs. skill, and Canadian fans' outrage over snubs.

8. Team USA Roster Debates: Caulfield, Robertson, and Fan Backlash (27:19–34:52)

Ongoing outcry: Jason Robertson and Cole Caulfield left off the Olympic roster despite stellar seasons.
- “If the U.S. goes on to lose… it is going to be ridiculous—the second guessing, it’s already started.” – Whitney (31:08)
Debates around speed, size, and organizational philosophy for international play.
“I don’t think any outside noise is going to vary their opinion… Billy G’s done that, he’s not worrying.” – Biz (34:20)

9. Hot Teams & Players: Tampa Bay’s Resurgence, Radish’s Breakout, Pittsburgh’s Unexpected Rise (44:36–58:23)

Tampa: Since coach Jon Cooper joined the show, the Lightning are “39–2” (jokingly exaggerated, but on fire); major props for their continued roster mastery and comeback after injury-plagued stretches.
Darren Radish’s unexpected point-per-game pace and heavy shot (“48 shot attempts >90 mph”)—the group marvels at his development path.
Pittsburgh: Crosby and Malkin “turning back the clock,” Malkin’s willingness to take a pay cut to stay, the evolution in team depth and new coaching energy.
- “If he doesn’t allow Evgeni Malkin to come back on a discount, Dubas’ stock will plummet.” – Biz (53:05)

10. Personal Triumphs and Comebacks: Skinner’s Rebirth, Luke Hughes’ Injury Saga (57:52–72:08)

Stuart Skinner thriving after escaping the Edmonton media pressure; Pittsburgh’s defensive lockdown (“allowed the fewest goals against per game”).
New balance in Pittsburgh’s ice time, coaching staff praised for “hitting all the right buttons.”
Luke Hughes’ recurring shoulder injuries and tough choices—team calls Pasha for Devils’ perspective.
- “He's a warrior … but unless he changes his offseason habits, he's in trouble.” – (quoted by Pasha at 70:22)

11. Interview: Rob Blake—From Farm Boy to Hockey Hall of Famer (75:23–128:25)

Early Roots, Family & Farm Life (76:02–80:54)

Recalls starting on a frozen pond, coming from a hardworking farm background in Simcoe, Ontario.
Attributes much of his hockey work ethic and simplicity in management later to “doing it the farmer’s way.”
- “I referred to that so much during my time as a general manager… get rid of all the stuff around it and get to basics.” – Rob Blake (79:37)

Junior & College: Bowling Green and Jerry York (82:36–84:52)

Chose NCAA (Bowling Green) after a Junior B stint and a near-miss with the OHL.
Developed under Jerry York, who wisely advised him to mature another year before turning pro.
“You’re not ready yet. You need to come back for one more year.” (84:52 – on Coach York’s honest advice)

L.A. Kings, Gretzky, and Stardom (87:11–99:35)

Drafted to L.A., adjusting from small-town farm/kid to Hollywood life.
Surreal stories: Celebrities in the dressing room postgame, the only private jet in the league at the time, partying at the Forum Club.
- “President Reagan, Sly Stallone—they were coming around the dressing room.” (96:00)
Learning from Wayne Gretzky—Gretz’s constant: “You gotta hit the net!” (98:04)

Trades, Cup Runs, Colorado Avalanche Glory (98:41–102:54)

The trade to Colorado; Ray Bourque’s confidence: “See you in a month, we’re gonna get you.” (99:36)
Winning the Cup as a critical late addition to a stacked team featuring Roy, Sakic, Forsberg, Adam Foote.

Legends & Leadership (102:54–105:50)

Memories of playing with Peter Forsberg (“unbelievable edges and strength”), Sakic’s steady leadership, Adam Foote’s mutinous edge and incessant on-ice trash talk.
Defining moments: Olympic heartbreak in 1998, golden redemption in 2002 with Team Canada.

Coaching, Youth Hockey, and Management (113:15–120:26)

Blake’s post-retirement immersion into youth coaching and love for the game; pride watching LA’s growth as a youth hockey hub.
Insights on the grind and camaraderie of NHL management: “The best thing in the world is when you’re just talking about hockey… and you have the right guys around you.”
Reflections on player development, loyalty, and the value of honesty.

The Modern Game & Player Empowerment (120:35–124:32)

Contemporary players locking up life-changing contracts at a young age.
“It’s great the guys are getting rewarded now… if you’re paying these guys, you’ve got some real good players on your team.”
Expectations vs. reality: Transitioning from the farm to management and finding fulfillment in both.

Personal & Hall of Fame Reflections (123:37–128:25)

On Hall of Fame induction: “You think about the Stanley Cup as a kid… but you don’t think about the Hall… It’s a good remembrance of what you went through.”
Parting thoughts: He’s still loving the game, eager to get back into hockey at some level.

12. Closing & Rapid-Fire NHL Notebook (131:16–158:39)

Updates: Buffalo’s Josh Doan signs a life-changing contract (“in Buffalo, you’re a billionaire!” – Biz), Flyers’ Garnet Hathaway’s huge empty-net blunder, and thousand-game milestones for Charlie Coyle and Alex Killorn.
Celebrating under-the-radar pros (e.g., Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in Edmonton), Jonathan Toews’ emotional return to Chicago (“captain of a dynasty”), and the modern challenges of mental health, social media, and day-to-day life in the NHL—especially for goaltenders.
Classic Chiclets humor about early struggles, cheap dinners, and living the dream through hockey.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the NHL embracing fighting again:
“Bring back the violence.” – Biz (22:47)
On replacing injured stars on the USA Olympic roster:
“They’re not going to replace a defensive guy with Lane Hutson… It’s the size too. You’re preparing to face Canada.” – Biz (27:50–28:34)
On Pittsburgh’s resurgence and Malkin’s loyalty:
“If he doesn’t allow Evgeni Malkin to come back on a discount, Dubas’ stock will plummet.” – Biz (53:05)
Rob Blake on farm life shaping his NHL approach:
“I referred to that so much during my time as a general manager… very basic and very simple—get rid of all the stuff around it and get to the basics.” (79:37)
On Wayne Gretzky’s locker room presence:
“When Wayne walked in, everyone just stares… He knows it, too, but he handles himself so well.” – Rob Blake (127:45)
On winning gold and the cup:
“Stanley Cup, you’ve got the summer, the trophy tour… Olympics, it happens so quick, you’re on a flight the next day.” – Rob Blake (111:20)

Episode Structure – Timestamp Guide

00:00–03:08 — Opening chatter, Pink Whitney hype, hosts in Hoboken
03:09–09:27 — League updates: injuries, schedules, GMs, expanding distribution
10:00–18:01 — Locker room stories, warmups, performative antics, TikTok culture
18:13–22:47 — Goalie fights; the viral Bobrovsky–Nedejkovic scrap
23:09–34:52 — Goalie sensations, Team USA & Olympics, fan controversies
44:36–58:23 — Tampa’s resurgence, Radish’s breakout, Pittsburgh’s turnaround
57:52–72:08 — Skinner’s comeback, Hughes injuries; Devils check-in with Pasha
75:23–128:25 — FEATURED INTERVIEW: ROB BLAKE—career, stories, insights
131:16–158:39 — NHL notebook: player milestones, mental health, memorable blunders, closing
158:40–166:31 — Closing chatter, sponsors, and final banter

The Vibe & Tone

Chiclets regulars know the show blends deep league analysis with inside-the-locker-room storytelling, raw humor, occasional self-mockery, and sentimental pockets—this episode is classic Chiclets: knowledge-rich, hilarious, and heartfelt.

For fans who missed the episode, this summary covers every major angle: who’s hot (and who’s getting dunked on), behind-the-scenes stories from a Hall of Famer, and where the modern NHL is heading—plus plenty of reasons to keep Pink Whitney (and maybe your phone camera at warmups) close at hand.

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Spittin' Chiclets Episode 614: Featuring Rob Blake