Oct 20, 2026 · 2h 42m
Kirk Muller revisits Montreal’s 1993 title and hockey’s changing culture
Spittin' Chiclets Episode 677: Featuring Kirk Muller
Muller’s stories connect today’s NHL debates over accountability, player development and ticket prices with the risks and rituals of an earlier era.
- 1Kirk Muller explains why he stepped away from coaching and recalls the sacrifices behind Montreal’s 1993 championship.
- 2The hosts debate Connor Hellebuyck’s Winnipeg standoff, Toronto’s handling of Gavin McKenna and Philadelphia’s need for patience.
- 3Muller describes coaching Alexander Ovechkin during his record chase and the obsessive preparation behind every scoring chance.
Don't miss
Muller explains how Montreal identified and tested Marty McSorley’s illegal stick during the 1993 Stanley Cup Final.
The brief
The hosts open with current NHL pressure points: Connor Hellebuyck’s Winnipeg standoff, Philadelphia’s rebuild, Toronto’s limited use of Gavin McKenna and rising arena prices.
Hot starts from Florida, Boston, Vegas, Edmonton and Minnesota lead to arguments about accountability, player development, playoff potential and whether old-school hockey still has a place.
Kirk Muller explains why he stepped away from coaching, then revisits Montreal’s 1993 championship, including playing through injury and facing Wayne Gretzky’s Los Angeles Kings.
Muller’s stories move through illegal equipment, trades, contracts, junior hockey, Pat Burns and the chaotic locker-room culture of the 1980s and 1990s.
He also recalls coaching Alexander Ovechkin during the record chase, describing a scorer who tracked every shot and treated preparation as a daily obsession.
Weekly email
State of the Pod, every Monday
The week's most-discussed names and stories from podcasts, with the moments behind them. Free, five minutes, unsubscribe in one click.