![The art of the chirp: NHL players on what makes a good trash-talker, just in time for the season](https://www.ctvnews.ca/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/10/10/hockey-fight-1-6595101-1696938046712.jpg)
The art of the chirp: NHL players on what makes a good trash-talker, just in time for the season
CTV
Nazem Kadri has been involved in more than a few verbal sparring matches and the Calgary forward certainly knows how to dish it out during any on-ice war of words. But what makes a good trash-talker? Is it doing a deep dive into an opponent's past in search of that stinging nugget of information?
Nazem Kadri has been involved in more than a few verbal sparring matches and the Calgary forward certainly knows how to dish it out during any on-ice war of words.
"I've had my fair share," he told the Canadian Press. "You just gotta be on your toes. You just gotta be clever. Sometimes someone will say something and you'll be like, 'Oh, that was pretty good.' It definitely makes things interesting."
But what makes a good trash-talker? Is it doing a deep dive into an opponent's past in search of that stinging nugget of information? Or a heat-of-the-moment zinger?
"Guys who are just quick and witty," Carolina forward Seth Jarvis said. "I trip over my words and nothing good comes out. It's fun listening to guys that are almost like a smartass stuff that comes out naturally."
Winnipeg defenseman Josh Morrissey said opponents with knowledge of a players' career or an embarrassing moment are the ones that sting.
"They have got a book," he said. "They're ready to go."
He added the confidence and skill to try to get someone off their game by talking trash isn't in everyone's arsenal.