Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 618: Featuring Marc-André Fleury

Release Date: February 6, 2026
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette (“Biz”), Rear Admiral, Mike Grinnell
Special Guest: Marc-André Fleury

Overview

This episode delivers the unfiltered, hockey-centric banter Spittin’ Chiclets fans expect, with plenty of laughs, player stories, and sharp insight on current NHL events. Most notably, Stanley Cup-winning goalie Marc-André Fleury joins the crew for a lively, warm-hearted discussion about his legendary career, retirement, and life beyond the rink. As always, the hosts take aim at hot NHL topics: the Gavin McKenna altercation, Panarin’s big trade and its fallout, Oilers and Leafs drama, and much more.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter & Listener Mail (00:40–11:41)

• Pink Whitney Love: Recurring jokes and self-referential humor about their Pink Whitney vodka line.
• Fan “Seekers” & Mailing Drama (02:39–11:41):
  • Biz shares an ongoing dilemma: autograph “seekers” blasting his home address online, flooding him with 50–60 fan mail items per week.
  • Differentiates between respectful fans (a few cards, nice notes) and extreme seekers (boxes of baseballs, etc.).
  • Discusses returning mail, including tricks for easier mail returns (raise your mailbox flag!).
  • Whitney: “I wrote Wayne Gretzky a letter with a card, and he sent it back signed.” (08:15)
  • Both reflect on the importance of giving back to fans despite hassles.

Biz: “You try to do a good deed, and no good deed goes unpunished.” (04:13)

2. Gavin McKenna Campus Altercation (12:05–25:31)

• Incident Overview: Top NHL prospect Gavin McKenna charged with assault after a fight at a college bar, breaking another student’s jaw.
• Context & Reactions:
  • McKenna allegedly responded after the other party insulted his mother; described as defending his family’s honor.
  • Whitney feels this raises McKenna’s draft stock: “If scouts liked him, they now love him… this kid should go first overall. He defended his mother in a bar.” (13:30)
  • Bissonnette jokes about tanking for the chance to draft McKenna.
  • Hosts swap stories of fights sticking up for loved ones or teammates, connecting it to hockey’s culture of standing up for your “family.”
• Learning Moments:
  • Reflection on the risks and seriousness of physical altercations, including legal jeopardy.
  • Biz suggests creative fundraisers (e.g., “Go Fish Me” fly fishing trip, “the Right Hook” fishing lure) to help offset McKenna's legal fees.

Whitney: “If my son is Gavin McKenna… if someone’s calling his mom a whore, as a dad, you’re just like, good, go defend your mom.” (20:00)

Biz: “As crazy as this situation is…there is another side to it where you can end up going to jail if things go wrong.” (25:26)

3. Artemi Panarin Trade & Rangers Drama (29:44–41:30)

• Trade Details: Panarin traded to the LA Kings for prospect Liam Greentree and picks; signs a 2-year, $11M extension.
• Rangers Fan Reaction: Disappointment at the return—lack of a first-rounder, perceived loss of organizational leverage.
• LA’s Perspective: A necessary offensive boost for a low-scoring team; more stars may consider short-term deals in LA for lifestyle reasons.
• Rumors & Comic Relief: Biz claims Panarin’s family refused Seattle due to their fear of the Kraken mascot, “Bowie.”
• Wider Implications: Discussion on the impact of public negotiations and leaks, and how management should keep things tighter.

Biz: “They gotta fucking tighten that ship up, and this should be a big-time learning experience.” (31:45)

Whitney: “I do feel for Rangers fans… one of the best Rangers of all time… and you didn’t even get a second rounder.” (41:30)

4. Oilers & Maple Leafs—State of the Union (41:39–56:04)

• Oilers on the Brink:
  • Whitney laments the Oilers’ inconsistent play, especially defensive breakdowns and issues with their “team D.”
  • Oilers' coach Knoblauch calls for a “mini training camp” post-Olympics to fix defensive issues.
  • Streaks and slumps: They win three in a row, then lose three, raising doubts about playoff potential.
• Leafs’ Supremacy Claim:
  • Biz fires back at Whitney, citing the Leafs’ Atlantic Gauntlet and more wins than the Oilers despite being in a tougher division.
  • Leaf/Oiler rivalry jabs escalate to bets and playful punishments.
• Connor McDavid's Players' Tribune Article: Discussed as a response to media/fan speculation about his loyalty and love for Edmonton.

Whitney: “I would rather walk up to Gavin McKenna, say something about his mum, and take a straight right fishing hook to the jaw, followed by surgery, than apologize to you and the Maple Leafs.” (47:02)

5. Olympic Roster Moves, Players to Watch (57:19–60:59)

• Roster Replacements:
  • Sam Bennett replaces Anthony Cirelli for Team Canada after injury.
  • Potential for Zach Hyman if other injuries happen; speculation about Braden Point’s status.
• Comments on Standout Players:
  • Kucherov’s January performance: 39 points in 15 games, on pace for 220+ if projected over a season.

6. Defensemen & League Trends (61:57–68:07)

• Darren Raddysh’s Hot Streak: Five-game goal streak; speculation on joining the Leafs as a big offseason move.
• Morgan Rielly & Darnell Nurse:
  • Compared as high-paid, under-appreciated “locker room glue” guys.
  • “You take him out of that locker room, it’s going to be hard, man.” – Biz (65:55)

7. Coaching Changes & Team Turnarounds (68:07–73:08)

• Rick Bowness’s Effects in Columbus:
  • Blue Jackets go 10-1 under the new coach; emphasis on improved team defense and more committed play in front of the net.
  • Goalie Merzlikins’ performance rebounds.
  • Anecdote: Jody Shelley brings Oldie to fire up the room pre-Chicago.
• Montreal’s Martin St. Louis: Inspires Canadiens with his energy and pride postgame (“I’m so fucking proud to be your coach!”).

8. Norris Trophy Race & Standout Defensemen (73:15–75:32)

• Race Breakdown:
  • Hudson, Makar, Hughes, Werenski, Bouchard all in the conversation.
• Bouchard’s Points: Highlight—only 20/63 points on the power play; “not getting the respect he deserves.” (74:13)
• Olympic Hype: Werenski to carry U.S. flag in opening ceremonies; Draisaitl to carry for Germany.

Featured Interview: Marc-André Fleury ("Flower") (77:08–119:32)

Key Segments:

• Retirement Life
  • “More freedom… finally nice now to be home a bit more and less on the road.” (82:11)
  • Enjoying family time, dabbling in skiing, tennis, and coaching his son’s hockey team.
• Getting Pranked & Legendary Locker Room Stories
  • “Took all the tires off his car… it was worth it!” (On Pranking Duhaime, 84:51)
  • Reflects on Pittsburgh’s prank culture: “Nobody was safe… It’s kind of a dying thing, but it’s sad because I always loved that.” (85:56)
• Career Milestones & Mindset
  • Greatest save: 2009 Cup Final Game 7, diving stop on Lidstrom.
    “As a kid, I’d made that save so many times… To do it for real… nothing like it.” (100:03)
  • “I always cared about the win. I never really looked too much at ‘save percentage’ or ‘goals against.’” (109:01)
• Goaltending Evolution & Technique:
  • On why French goalies are rarer now: Blames cost/commitment, other countries catching up, changing style.
  • Talks butterfly, gear size changes, and recalls Patrick Roy as “the first” to popularize the butterfly.
• Dealing with Adversity:
  • World Junior heartbreak: “It was not water off my back… I felt like I let my country down. But it taught me how to persevere and fight through.”
• Goalie Fights & Missed Opportunities:
  • Never had a goalie fight, but jokes about wanting to scrap.
• Retirement Celebration:
  • Reflections on the “retirement party” tradition and importance of reconnecting with hockey friends post-career.
• Surprises:
  • Former teammates Matt Murray and Army join the call for a mini-roast and reminisce.

Notable Quotes from Fleury

• “The first [Cup] is the best… nothing like it.” (87:33)
• “Meeting so many good people—good times. That’s what I’ll remember.” (116:57)
• On adversity: “It helped shape me as an athlete and as a person… taught me how to persevere and fight through, and find my way back.” (102:07)

9. Rear Admiral’s World: Stats, Memories, and Super Bowl Picks (120:13–143:23)

• Playoff Trends: Analysis of East/West teams’ probability to maintain playoff position.
• Miracle on Ice Netflix Doc:
  • Praised for deeper, more personal stories from the 1980 players and fresh insights.
  • “I’m not gonna say the Russians enjoyed watching us, but they probably forgot how much fun it was to win.” (134:42, quoting Mark Johnson)
• Tributes & Nostalgia:
  • Remembers the late, great Catherine O'Hara and her comedic influence.
• Super Bowl Picks:
  • Predictions, MVP long shots, and celebration of producer G’s birthday.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the “seekers”:
  Biz: “You try to do a good deed, and no good deed goes unpunished.” (04:13)
• On McKenna defending his mom:
  Whitney: “If scouts liked him, they now love him. If scouts loved him, they’re now obsessed with him.” (13:30)
• Biz to Wit (Leafs/Oilers spat):
  “All this negativity you send my way…you’re in the easiest division in the NHL and the Leafs have to play in the Atlantic gauntlet…” (45:52)
• Fleury on saving Game 7:
  “Just diving…as a kid, I’d made that save so many times. And to do it for real—nothing like it.” (87:33, 100:08)
• Fleury on pranking in the NHL:
  “Nobody was safe…it’s kind of a dying thing, but it’s sad because I always loved that…how much laugh you can get.” (85:56)

Essential Timestamps

• [00:40] — Episode begins; Pink Whitney banter
• [02:39–11:41] — Fan mail/seekers saga
• [12:05–25:31] — Detailed breakdown of Gavin McKenna’s alleged assault and culture of fighting
• [29:44–41:30] — Artemi Panarin blockbuster trade fallout
• [41:39–56:04] — Oilers’ struggles, Leafs/Oilers feud, McDavid’s Players' Tribune
• [77:08–119:32] — In-depth interview with Marc-André Fleury (career, retirement, pranking)
• [120:13–143:23] — Rear Admiral’s World: stats, Miracle on Ice doc, pop culture, and Super Bowl picks

Tone

The show ranges from playful chirping and sarcasm to genuine admiration for hockey’s culture and its characters. Fleury’s segment is warm and sentimental, loaded with gratitude, memories, and a dose of classic self-deprecation. Elsewhere, the tone vacillates between locker-room humor, passionate debate, and reverence for the sport's drama and lore.

Final Word

Packed with nostalgia, hockey analysis, and trademark Chiclets humor, Episode 618 is a must-listen for fans—especially for Fleury admirers, those following draft drama, or anyone who wants an insider’s take on hockey’s biggest stories.