Spittin' Chiclets Episode 638: Featuring Joey Kocur

The episode opens with sponsor segments for Bombas and Stella Blue Coffee, followed by a spirited analysis of Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Boucher's emotional post-game outburst, debating its impact on team culture and player morale. The hosts then dive into detailed previews of the NHL's Eastern and Western Conference playoff matchups, offering bold predictions and playful nicknames like 'Darth Vladar' for the Flyers' goalie, while criticizing Toronto Maple Leafs' corporate missteps under Keith Pelley. The tone shifts dramatically with the surprise arrival of guest Joey Kocur, who shares vivid, heartfelt stories from his legendary career, including soldering a broken Stanley Cup after the 1994 Rangers' victory and his pivotal role in the 1997 Detroit Red Wings' championship run, marked by a unifying brawl and intense team chemistry. Kocur recounts his dramatic comeback after being cut, sparked by a chance conversation with Bob Probert, and reflects on the physical toll of his career, including a near-fatal hand infection. The conversation transitions to current NHL playoff odds, with strong picks for Vegas and Anaheim, before turning sharply critical of the upcoming World Cup, condemning the U.S. soccer federation’s leadership for switching allegiance to Saudi Arabia and decrying exploitative ticket prices and bans on tailgating. The episode closes with excitement over the upcoming film 'The Social Reckoning,' starring Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg, praised for its method-driven performance and early buzz, while celebrating R.A.'s World and looking ahead to future episodes of 'I Ride Hamilton'.