NHL analyst Ryan Whitney reacts to Buffalo Sabres’ billboard trolling

Former NHL player Ryan Whitney has made a name for himself since retiring in 2015.

The nine-year pro joined Barstool Sports to remain close to the game he loves. In 2016, he and blogger Brian McGonagle launched the podcast “Spittin’ Chiclets.” Since then, the show has become a prominent voice in hockey and one of the most popular sports podcasts. Now, Whitney shares the platform with former players Paul Bissonnette and Keith Yandle, with McGonagle on an indefinite break from the show.

MORE: NHL legend Wayne Gretzky explains why Connor McDavid deserves Hart Trophy

As Whitney learned recently, having a large presence can have a downside.

The Buffalo Sabres’ social media team decided to gather receipts from media personalities and X users who had negative things to say. The Sabres entered the 2025-26 campaign with an NHL-record 14-year playoff drought before winning the Atlantic Division.

Unfortunately for him, Whitney paid the biggest price. The Sabres purchased a pair of billboards in Buffalo featuring Whitney’s face and his quote, “Buffalo’s not making the playoffs. ….. 0.000%.”

On Friday, April 17, Whitney reacted on “Spittin’ Chiclets,” shared in an X post from Viva La Stool.

“Bravo. Bravo,” Whitney said. “Just incredible, incredible trolling by them, to a guy who deserves it, a true scumbag, myself. Somebody who doesn’t know what he’s talking about. … The way they went about this was so perfect.”

At first, Whitney said, he didn’t think a video of the billboard was real. “Good AI,” he said. But he soon learned from X users that it was real and one of two.

A humbled Whitney admitted this isn’t the first time he has been called out by an NHL team. The Vegas Golden Knights played a recording of him predicting they would be the league’s doormat before Game 1 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. The Golden Knights hoisted the cup that year.

“I have quite the reputation in terms of a guy who, if I say something, the opposite happens,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Sabres are preparing for their first playoff series since 2011. They host the Boston Bruins in Game 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET Sunday on ESPN and the ESPN app.