Spittin' Chiclets Episode 627: Trade Deadline Recap

Date: March 9, 2026
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette (Biz Nasty), Rear Admiral (RA), Mike Grinnell

Overview

This episode of Spittin' Chiclets is a deep dive into the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline—a trademark episode filled with the signature irreverence, banter, and inside stories from Whitney, Biz, RA, and Grinnell. The roundtable breaks down the major storylines and most impactful trades, reacts in real time to rumors and late-breaking news, and provides honest takes on team strategies, locker room reactions, and broader league trends. The hosts also share memorable moments from deadline coverage and touch on the unique personalities shaping the game on and off the ice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trade Deadline Vibes and the New “Pinkies Up” Movement

• [02:24] Whitney and Biz riff on the viral “Pinkies Up” campaign for Pink Whitney:

  “It’s all one and the same because we got the pinkies up. We got Pink Whitney. Big part of this show...When I get some sun, my legs and skin are pink.” – Ryan Whitney

• [04:05] Observations on fan engagement with “Pinkies Up”—a sign of the show’s pop culture reach.

2. Trade Deadline Coverage: A Slow Start, Late Fireworks

• [05:13] Biz recounts his long, grindy day on the studio desk:

  “There were a lot of lulls... We got to weigh in deeper on certain things...Morale was probably the highest it’s ever been.”

• [07:59] Highlights the authenticity of the behind-the-scenes: closing on houses, prop backpacks, TV personalities turning into baristas for lack of trade action.

3. Washington Capitals & John Carlson Trade Fallout

• [15:07 - 23:10]
  • The midnight move of John Carlson to Anaheim stuns the hockey world.
  • [17:00] Whitney on the move’s emotional weight:

    “I just didn’t like how it went down, man. To wake up to that...”

  • [19:28] Biz on franchise icons and organizational loyalty:

    “He’s in that category of player, especially for Washington.”

  • The panel debates whether OV deserved one last run and discusses the impact of a lack of no-trade clause on how legends are treated.

4. Anaheim Ducks Become Legit Contenders

• [27:17] Whitney:

  “Now you got the young bucks on the left side, and you got the older vets on the right... That Lacombe, is it Zellweger? They got a nice team over there.”

• Anaheim’s deliberate moves and youthful talent position them for a deep run.

5. Colorado Avalanche's Kadri Blockbuster

• [30:47] Ryan Whitney on Colorado’s late addition of Nazem Kadri:

  “The Avs said fuck it, we’re all in... That’s maybe a top three most important piece from their Cup win, and Kadri’s back.”

• Discussion of Colorado’s stacked center group: McKinnon, Rantanen, Kadri, and their management’s unseen but effective moves.
• [35:26] Biz:

  “90% of the hockey world doesn’t even know what [GM Chris MacFarland] looks like… he’s just making his team better every single year.”

6. Trade Deadline’s Winners, Losers, and Emotional Fallout

• Washington:
  • Disbelief over handling of Carlson’s trade; questions of respect for icons.
• Calgary:
  • Fully embracing a true rebuild after failed “retool” attempts.
• Buffalo & St. Louis:
  • Buffalo’s energized fanbase, smart back-end acquisitions; Parayko trade saga and Armstrong’s search for leakers in the Blues’ organization (noted as “CIA shit!” at [60:25]).
• Toronto Maple Leafs:
  • A “disastrous” season, asset management woes, and ambiguous front-office dynamics.

  “I don’t know if he makes it through the summer based on how the team played. Asset management is going to be something that's held against him...” – Whitney [80:44]

7. League Trends & Trade Deadline Patterns

• No-Move Clauses and Player Movement Frustrations

  “Now we’re at 37% of guys in the league have some form of modified no-trade clause… they're acting like getting traded to Buffalo’s like they’re going to Chernobyl.” – Whitney [61:49]

• General agreement that player protection is good for individuals, but stifles deadline fireworks.

8. Other Notable Trades & Impact Players

• Brayden Schenn to Islanders: The personal approach in trade pitches, Patrick Roy’s influence, and the power of superstar character in attracting talent.
• Corey Perry to Tampa Bay:

  “Is there a person that loves hockey more than Corey Perry? This guy is going to play until he cannot get a contract.” – Whitney [88:25]

• Warren Foegele to Ottawa, Lawton to LA, Bunting to Dallas: Strong opinions on teams addressing depth in preparation for the postseason grind.
• Minnesota Wild: Bringing the Foligno brothers together and their impact on team culture and playoffs.

9. Eastern Conference Playoff Bubble

• Discussion of who sneaks in: Buffalo, Ottawa, Columbus, Boston, Pittsburgh, Detroit.
• Noting Ottawa’s legit strength down the middle: “That is a good team up front.” [101:37]
• Bruins' late-season wobble, possibility of missing out for the first time in years.

10. Carolina Hurricanes’ Underwhelming Deadline

• Hosts believe Carolina missed an opportunity to solidify their center depth by not acquiring Trocheck.

  “Fans have a right to be pissed off… It’s a joke.” – Whitney [99:43]

11. Team Snapshots & Prognostications

• Detroit: Praised for measured moves, but questions about true Cup contention timeline. Confidence in Steve Yzerman’s vision.
• Winnipeg: Solid foundation, but challenges attracting free agents; possible market challenges loom.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Whitney on Insiders’ Stress:

  “The information that Elliot [Friedman] has on his phone is like, more important than any CIA agent in Canada would have.” [13:45]

• On Twitter Hate:

  “Sometimes I’m curled up in the fetal position from the Internet.” – Ryan Whitney [13:15]

• Colorado Depth Check:

  “They got Lekonen, they got f—ing the choo choo train. What don’t they… They got naches. They got weapons, man.” – Whitney [34:38]

• On No-Move Clauses:

  “They're acting like getting traded to Buffalo’s like they’re going to Chernobyl.” – Whitney [61:49]

• On Maple Leafs’ State:

  “It just seems like nobody's really happy. Nobody knows where they sit. Brutal year. I hope they learned from it...” – Whitney [86:12]

• On Anaheim’s Window:

  “Anaheim, the fans should be excited. It’s been a while since they’re looking at two winnable series.” – Whitney [28:31]

• Corey Perry, Hockey Lifer:

  “This fucking guy is going to play until he cannot get a contract… in an east coast league at 55.” – Whitney [88:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:24] – Pinkies Up Campaign and Cultural Impact
• [05:13] – Behind-the-Scenes of Trade Deadline Coverage
• [15:07] – John Carlson Trade Analysis & Capitals Fallout
• [27:17] – Anaheim Ducks Emergence as Contender
• [30:47] – Avalanche Nab Kadri, Build “Unbeatable” Center Depth
• [39:34] – Eric Johnson Joins, Sabres and Avalanche Double Fandom
• [57:14] – Blues Rebuild, Pareyko Saga, and Trade Leaks
• [80:44] – Toronto Maple Leafs Self-Reflection and Offseason Outlook
• [94:04] – Dallas’ Physical Trade Deadline, Adding Bunting
• [99:43] – Hurricanes Deadline Letdown
• [101:37] – Who Gets In? Eastern Conference Playoff Bubble

Tone & Style

The episode is classic Spittin’ Chiclets: passionate, candid, locker-room honest, and packed with playful sarcasm and NHL inside jokes. The hosts are frank in their evaluations, quick with the chirps, and often turn league drama into running gags while respecting the gravity of certain franchise-altering moves. There’s a palpable sense of hockey brotherhood and no-holds-barred debates.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode is a must-listen if you want a comprehensive, inside-baseball (inside-hockey?) breakdown of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. The Chiclets crew dissects headline trades, locker room emotions, sagging franchises, and surprise contenders. You get a full sense of the behind-the-scenes grind, the impact of front office chess moves, and how players and cities deal with the fallout. Plus, plenty of laughter, chirping, and unique “only on Chiclets” moments—from Cheeto-toe tattoos to Corey Perry’s hockey addiction.

Bottom Line:
If you want unfiltered, entertaining, and deeply knowledgeable trade deadline analysis—with the best banter in hockey—this episode delivers.

(Episode content covers through [109:52], skipping advertisements and non-content outros.)