Spittin' Chiclets Episode 632: Darren McCarty & Charlie McAvoy

Date: March 27, 2026
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette (“Biz Nasty”), Yan Stastny, Keith Yandle, Mike Grinnell
Guests: Darren McCarty, Charlie McAvoy

Episode Overview

Theme:
A classic, irreverent Spittin’ Chiclets episode with two heavyweight guests—Red Wings legend Darren McCarty and Bruins blueline star Charlie McAvoy. The crew dives into NHL playoff races, wild stories from past and present, the mental/physical adversity facing top players, and plenty of banter about locker-room personalities, food monstrosities, and pop culture.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Viral Brock Lesnar Interview & Wrestling World Crossover

• Biz reflects on the massive response to their Brock Lesnar interview, shocked by the wrestling world’s online engagement ([03:14]).
• Wrestling icons and the art of promotion vs. maintaining mystique (e.g., Lesnar, Undertaker, Stone Cold).

  “There's an aura to some guys... he was one of those guys that you never—he lives off the grid.” – Keith Yandle ([04:03])

• Biz floats his fantasy of joining WWE or AEW, imagining himself as a heel with a Canadian flag and a Thai masseuse “Paul” manager ([04:49]–[05:56]).

2. NHL Playoff Races: Ottawa’s Surge and Injury Fallout

• Yan pivots to the heated playoff race, highlighting Ottawa’s surprise charge and resilience despite injuries ([06:29]).

  • Thomas Chabot injury (4–8 weeks) after a cross-check from J.T. Miller.
  • Discussion about the physicality and limits of retaliation in today’s game.
  • Ottawa’s next-man-up mentality impresses the crew, particularly the rookie Yakim Yakimchuk’s confidence in his first game ([11:15]).

  “For 12 minutes played, one of the most impressive debuts I’ve ever seen.” – Yan Stastny ([11:19])

• Linus Ullmark’s hot streak in net stabilizing the Sens. Ottawa now seen as a dangerous potential 8th seed ([13:05]).

• Coach of the Year (Jack Adams) debates, highlighting Travis Green’s leadership in Ottawa ([14:15]).

• The group lauds the old-school code of fighting to spark teams, referencing captain fights as a tone-setter ([16:07]).

3. Food Tangent: Boston Red Sox “Lobster Poutine”

• Yan and Biz can't believe Fenway’s new “lobster poutine” concession ([21:11]).
• Extended riffing on gross ballpark foods, “ball diamond” terminology, and why this menu item is a crime against humanity ([23:30]).
• Who would actually eat it? (Grinnell: “I'm not knocking it till I try it. I love poutine. I love lobster.” – [23:50]).

4. Darren McCarty Joins: Red Wings Reality Check

[25:12 – 42:30]

• McCarty talks Red Wings' playoff plight, tells fans not to quit despite a rough run:

  “The only way out is through sometimes, boys.” – Darren McCarty ([26:56])

• Talks 29th anniversary of “Fight Night at The Joe” and how emotional, galvanizing moments build championship teams ([28:41]).
• Riffs with Biz on wrestling, dyeing his goatee for luck, and why hockey room culture and brotherhood are irreplaceable.
• Highlights need for Detroit vets (Larkin, Copp) to lead – “now's the time the boys have to become the men” ([33:05]).
• Banter about McCarty’s wrestling school, cannabis brand, and what food he’d invent for Red Wings fans (edible chocolate guitars, naturally! [41:13]).

5. Deep Dive: Bruins Update with Charlie McAvoy

[53:54 – 83:40]

• McAvoy opens up on his journey from BU to Bruins, the difference in pro transitions now and then ([54:43]).
• Talks playing style evolution, offensive breakout, and the huge lift from Boston’s new power play coach ([56:36]).

  “Offensively... this year your offense to me has been the best it’s been in your career. What do you contribute that to, especially since the Olympics?” – Keith Yandle ([56:17]) “Transition-wise, it helps to be that fourth man and get involved... our power play’s been great all year.” – Charlie McAvoy ([56:36])

• Intense year: Adversity from injuries (jaw, teeth); hospital overlaps with family health scares ([58:16]).

  “That one in November was tough, man... my little guy was in the hospital... I broke the jaw. Now I’m in the hospital, she was in the hospital...” ([58:16])

• Locker room dynamics—playing without a captain, how leadership group works by committee ([77:02]):

  “We’d do it as a group anyway, whether Pasta had a C or I had a C. ...We would all collaborate... that’s how I’ve seen it work.” – Charlie McAvoy ([77:26])

• Best locker-room jokers, recounting the infamous $50 Secret Santa chirps ([71:43]).
• On Pasta’s evolution as a playmaker and how Bruins have adapted post-Bergeron (“He can do anything from there... not only can he score 50, but he’s a playmaker too.” – McAvoy [75:57]).
• Stories: Getting chirped in the airport after Matthew Tkachuk’s wedding (“Shawty, you crazy!” – [81:14]).

6. League News & More

• Nashville Predators on a heater—Forsberg & Josi leading the charge ([85:52]).
• Edmonton, McDavid milestones: 400+ goals, 1200+ pts; when Cup comes, “he’s going to relax a little bit” ([88:57]).
• Chicago prospect Anton Frondell’s debut, Bedard lets him take the first draw ([90:23]).
• Rocket Richard Trophy race: McKinnon, Caulfield, Wyatt Johnson all in the hunt ([91:52]).
• Gudis on remorse after hit on Matthews—Keith Yandle defends his character ([93:11]).

7. NCAA & Prospect Watch

• Ongoing regional tournaments; push to end neutral site regionals gains traction ([95:49]).
• Emotional segment on Michael Hage’s path to the NHL draft after tragedy ([120:34]).

8. Pop Culture Corner

• RA recommends Jeff Ross special “Take a Banana for the Ride”: part stand-up, part one-man show; deeply emotional and funny ([111:02]).
• Movie reviews: Ryan Gosling’s “Hail Mary” earns high marks for originality ([113:13]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The only way out is through sometimes, boys.”
  – Darren McCarty on Detroit facing adversity ([26:56])
• “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
  – Yan Stastny quoting Biz Nasty ([53:52])
• “Shawty, you crazy.”
  – St. Louis gate agent to hungover McAvoy after Chucky’s wedding ([81:14])
• “He can do anything from there... Not only can he score 50, but he's a playmaker too.”
  – McAvoy on David Pastrnak ([75:57])
• “That [Ottawa] team... if they finish eighth, whoever wins the East is just going to be sick to their stomach.”
  – Yan Stastny ([13:05])

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---|---|---| | 00:00 – 03:47 | Cold open, Lesnar response, wrestling world | [01:35]–[03:47] | | 06:29 – 15:16 | NHL playoff races, Ottawa’s rise, coaching debates | [06:29]–[15:16] | | 21:11 – 24:03 | Fenway’s lobster poutine & food horrors | [21:11]–[24:03] | | 25:12 – 42:30 | Darren McCarty interview, Red Wings, “Fight Night” | [25:12]–[42:30] | | 53:54 – 83:40 | Charlie McAvoy interview, Bruins, league trends | [53:54]–[83:40] | | 85:52 – 93:45 | League roundup: Preds, Oilers, rookies, awards | [85:52]–[93:45] | | 95:49 – 96:14 | NCAA regional site debate | [95:49]–[96:14] | | 111:02 – 117:01 | Pop culture talk, comedies, movie theaters | [111:02]–[117:01] | | 120:34 – end | Shout-outs, Michael Hage story, conclusion | [120:34]–end |

Final Thoughts

This episode is a true Spittin’ Chiclets romp—equal parts NHL expertise, personal storytelling, and locker room humor with insights from two generational guests. McCarty’s lived wisdom and McAvoy’s raw candor reveal the real stakes, both emotional and physical, inside the sport. Off-ice, the guys riff on everything from wrestling and food crimes to the mental grind of playoff races. A must-listen for hockey fans seeking both the pulse of the league and the camaraderie of the room.

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