The Instigator Podcast – Two in the Box: Recent Episodes
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Elliotte Friedman reported last week that Kevyn Adams is among the busiest GMs in this young season as he likely shops around for a forward who can supplement Buffalo’s offensive attack. We talk about the many challenges Adams will be facing in trying to make a deal at this stage of the season and the (very) short list of players available to him to acquire given how few teams would be willing to shop a higher end piece of their roster.
We talk through some potential scenarios, in terms of players who could theoretically be targted while acknowledging the many struggles Adams faces in trying to fill such a notable hole on his roster.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/62616462/download.mp3
The Sabres are getting scary play from their second line and it isn’t scary good either. We talk about the struggles of Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn and Buffalo’s limited options to solve the issue. We also talk about the performance of Buffalo’s goaltenders and how a bit more consistency from the pair could pay dividends through a friendly upcoming schedule.
The show kicks off with a conversation about the recent Sportico team valuations and the Sabres 26% increase to a reported $1.13 billion.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/62564367/download.mp3
The Sabres sluggish start has overshadowed some positive play from the roster. It’s also been driven by a few notable, questionable performances from players who many were counting on driving the bus for the Sabres this season. We talk about Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn underperforming and how a resurgence from that pair could push the Sabres into contention in the East. We also discuss how Buffalo’s third line has helped carry the mail for the struggling second line.
Along the way we touch on Frozen Frenzy and the news that a pair of USHL teams approached the OHL about formally joining the league.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/62468857/download.mp3
The Sabres enjoyed two strong performances upon their return from Europe, though they only came away with one win. One reason is the team’s power play has yet to score this season. We devote this episode to discussing what has and hasn’t worked for Buffalo’s power play and what areas we think could serve to improve the unit’s potential for success.
Along the way we touch on the rumors that the Bills may sell a stake to a group of former athletes with ties to no other city but Toronto and we offer some reflection on the touching tribute to Johnny Gaudreau ahead of the home opener for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/62380329/download.mp3
The Sabres fell flat in their opening games against the Devils in Prague, with many key areas of their game serving to derail the pair of losses. We discuss the disappointing opening games and what will need to be fixed if the Sabres hope to get back on track. Along the way we touch on James Reimer moving on to Anaheim after being claimed on waivers, the injuries the Sabres are working through and when the right time will be for fans to hit the panic button.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/62278239/download.mp3
The Sabres desperately need to snap their playoff drought and if they’re to do it, there are several key factors that will get the job done. In a different type of season preview, we discuss which players will serve as the key drivers for Sabres if they’re to get back into the playoffs. We also touch on other factors that will be at play, such as the power play, and if all of the things the Sabres need to go right, will be too much for a team with a lengthy run without postseason hockey.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/62203827/download.mp3
The Sabres roster has officially split as the team’s 27-man traveling group departed for Europe on Tuesday. The players remaining in camp are made up of the bulk of the Rochester Americans roster. We discuss the final choices to round out that traveling party and how Lindy Ruff may have a tough choice to make in terms of how he handles his goaltenders once the team arrives in Europe. We also offer up some thoughts on the team’s progress early in preseason while running through where some Sabres landed on The Athletic’s player tier rankings.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/62098435/download.mp3
The Sabres hit training camp with 59 players but very few questions about what the final 23-man roster will look like. Kevyn Adams’ offseason yielded a number of new additions and has left very few openings for a training camp surprise like Zach Benson last season. We run through Peyton Krebs’ new contract, the new roof and scoreboard along with Buffalo’s roster as they prepare to open camp on September 18.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/62003734/download.mp3
Hockey will be played by players wearing Buffalo Sabres uniforms this week as the Prospects Challenge kicks off on Friday. The Sabres are bringing a few star prospects along for the ride. This episode highlights some of the key players to watch for this weekend at The Prospects Challenge along with others who will have an opportunity to make an impact over Buffalo’s trio of games. Each position group is touched on, with the likes of Nikita Novikov and Anton Wahlberg getting some added focus.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/61333175/download.mp3
Episode three of the PipelIne Update series is here, featuring an in-depth conversation with Kris Baker of Sabres Prospects on the state of the Buffalo Sabres forward group at forward. We touch on several of Buffalo’s top prospects, along with others who haven’t gotten quite as much attention compared to the likes of Jiri Kulich or Noah Ostlund. Kris gives a thoroguh breakdown of the season outlook for the likes fo Brodie Ziemer, Kulich, Ostlund, Konsta Helenius and many more. We also touch briefly on how things may shape up for next week’s Prospects Challenge and Sabres training camp.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/61274709/download.mp3
The Buffalo Sabres made their official entry to the NHL on October 10, 1970. This episode follows the the Sabres from the draft and offseason acquisitions made in the summer of 1970 as they prepared for their inagural season. Then follow the team through the ups and downs of their expansion year with an eye on how they would grow in those early years in the NHL.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/60655243/download.mp3
References:
Historical Hockey
Sportsnet
Buffalo Sabres 1970-71 Media Guide
We’re back for another mock offseason. This time, Chris takes over the controls and navigates through the summer, picking the trades and signings he’d like to see the Sabres make. This comes after last week’s episode when Tyler offered up his approach to the Sabres offseason gameplan.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/60440393/download.mp3
The days of trades and free agency are almost upon us so Tyler and Chris decided to try their hands at some GM work. In this episode, Tyler offers up his approach to Buffalo’s offseason and the way he’d reshape the roster if he occupied Kevyn Adams’ office. Next week, Chris tries his hand at the practice.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/60431835/download.mp3
Jeff Skinner’s contract makes him a popular target for roster speculation. We use this episode to discuss what Skinner’s future in Buffalo entails. We talk about where he fits on the roster, what the outlook is for a buyout and just what the best solution for the Sabres is when it comes to Skinner and the 2024-25 NHL season.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/60193386/download.mp3
Seth Appert was named to Lindy Ruff’s coaching staff this week, rounding out who will join Ruff behind the bench this year. We talk about Appert’s promotion and what it means for the team as a whole and Appert himself. We also touch on Matt Ellis’ move upstairs and the debate that has stirred throughout the fanbase.
The second half of the show focuses on a few listener questions, where we hit on Kyle Okposo’s comments to the media about this season’s struggles, our belief on what sort of roster turnover there will be and what would qualify as a true shake up when it comes to offseason moves for the Sabres.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/60039081/download.mp3
The first round of the playoffs is behind us and that means it’s time to identify which teams may be feeling desperate after an early playoff exit. We touch on some of our favorite targets from the eight eliminated clubs, highlighting players who could help put the Sabres over the top. We also dissect the Maple Leafs latest first round exit and the drama surrounding them after the loss. We kick off the show with a brief conversation about the NHL Draft Lottery and why we think the Sabres ought to move their pick.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/59911232/download.mp3
The first round of the playoffs are chugging along and we are here to catch up with what we’ve missed. We touch on the few series that have impressed us and the ones that haven’t. We look ahead to what could be a very impressive slate of second round series while we wait to see if any of the trailing teams catch up in their respective series.
We also spend some time breaking down the league’s move from Arizona to Utah. We discuss some of the biggest pitfalls of the Coyotes’ time in Phoenix while sharing our optimism of what’s to come for the NHL in Salt Lake City.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/59745898/download.mp3
Kevyn Adams landed on his head coaching hire and it’s a familiar face. Lindy Ruff will be back behind the Buffalo Sabres bench for the 2024-25 season and we dig into the decision to bring Ruff into the fold after moving on from Don Granato. We touch on his tenure in Dallas and New Jersey and attempt to translate which traits and aspects of those seasons may serve the Sabres in trying to snap their playoff drought.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/59606546/download.mp3
Don Granato was relieved of his duties by the Buffalo Sabres. We break down the firing and begin to discuss who might come in to replace him as Buffalo’s bench boss. We spend some time on the likes of Lindy Ruff, David Carle, Bruce Boudreau and many others.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/59496548/download.mp3
The Sabres were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs and, like last season, there isn’t one single reason they will miss out on the postseason. But that didn’t keep us from trying to pin it down. We spend this week’s episode running through the myriad reasons the Sabres couldn’t keep pace in the Eastern Conference and will be watching the playoffs for the 13th straight season.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/59382060/download.mp3
Should the Sabres first round pick be offered up in a trade this offseason? We run down just why we feel so strongly that the Sabres shouldn’t just be shopping their first rounder, but several other pieces this summer in an attempt to get the right mix with their group and to break their playoff drought.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/59270456/download.mp3
The NHL will be highlighted in a new reality series that will air on Amazon. We spend some time talking about the outlook for the show and some of the players we’d like to see highlighted by the production. We kick off this week’s episode discussing the Sabres west coast trip and offer up some thoughts on how things should unfold in the offseason before jumping into a conversation about rule changes and the upcoming Amazon series.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/59190258/download.mp3
The Sabres are trying to claw their way back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. We talk through the challenges they face as they chase down the Red Wings, Islanders and Capitals for a potential wild card berth. We also field a couple of listener questions after breaking down the playoff race, touching on topics that relate to the future of Buffalo’s blueline and Zemgus Girgensons.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/59108085/download.mp3
Kevyn Adams made a big splash ahead of the deadline, acquiring Bowen Byram from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt. We dig into the deal, discussion what Byram can bring to the table for the Sabres and what this means for the next acquisitions Adams needs to make as he tries to shape the Sabres into a playoff roster.
We also touch on some of the deals from around the NHL, reviewing the work done by Vegas, Winnipeg, Carolina and Colorado at this year’s NHL Trade Deadline.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/59010513/download.mp3
It’s deadline week and the rumors are flying left and right. We run through a number of topics on this week’s show, including the most recent trades to have been made around the league while offering up one trade that each of us would make if we were in charge of another NHL team.
We then talk about Buffalo’s apparent strategy ahead of this year’s deadline and the trio of pending UFAs Kevyn Adams appears poised to move. We close the show with a pair of trades we’d like to see Adams make before the 3 p.m. deadline on Friday.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/58938675/download.mp3
In a follow up to last week’s episode, we run through the NHL’s Eastern Conference to determine viable trade targets for the Sabres at this year’s deadline or in the offseason. We hit on each team in the East, identifying players who can help on the fringes of the roster and even a few blockbuster candidates.
We also hit on the news that the Sabres will be bringing in a new scoreboard for the 2024-25 season along with repairing the roof of KeyBank Center.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/58858947/download.mp3
With the 4 Nations Face Off on the way, we take a look at how many Sabres are likely to snag a roster spot playing for their respective countries. We also discuss the Morgan Rielly suspension, the latest comments made by Kevyn Adams regarding Casey Mittelstadt and offer a brief update on the current state of the Sabres.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/58679830/download.mp3
This week is the Mittelstadt episode. In the wake of the deals that shipped out Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan, questions about Casey Mittelstadt’s availability have cropped up. We dive into the important role Mittelstadt has played for the Sabres this season while also discussing where he fits in to the team’s future along with the difficulty the Sabres will face in replacing him should they move him in a deal.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/58581678/download.mp3
The second episode of Warpath is devoted to the crest and colors of the Buffalo Sabres. Featuring interviews with Eric Bodamer and Paul Lukas, this episode explores the background of the team’s blue and gold color scheme, the meaning behind the logo along with additional stories and facts about the uniforms the Sabres wore when they first took the ice in 1970.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/58537215/download.mp3
The Sabres are off for a week and the All Star Game is here. We have a slightly longer episode this week that tackles the Sabres’ results from their west coast trip, Devon Levi’s return to Rochester during the team’s time off and we spitball about David Jiricek who has openly complained about his situation in Columbus.
After a lengthy period of investigation, the sexual assault case related to the 2018 Canadian World Junior Championship team has progressed as five players were instructed to surrender to the authorities in London, Ontario. With four NHLers taking leaves from their respective teams, speculation has run rampant online. We discuss the latest developments in the case and the players thought to be involved in the ongoing proceedings.
Also on the show is a conversation about the differences in standards and situations between the Sabres and Islanders after the latter replaced their head coach with Patrick Roy. We talk about Don Granato’s outlook and whether or not he has the ability to survive as Buffalo’s head coach given the struggles the Sabres continue to suffer through.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/58440788/download.mp3
Buffalo’s ongoing injury bug bit again, this time sidelining Jeff Skinner and Mattias Samuelsson. We talk in detail about Skinner’s absence and what options the Sabres have to fill his spot in the lineup. Also on the show is a conversation over Rasmus Dahlin’s recent quotes regarding his committment to defense and just what that means for the team and the player.
Also on the show is a discussion over the retirement of Tyler Ennis and Cody Hodgson’s return to hockey.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/58339946/download.mp3
The Sabres aren’t in a great place when it comes to goaltending. It may not be their biggest issue, but it’s a problem that could have the most long term impact on the club. I string together some rambling thoughts on the performances of Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, how the Sabres are handling Levi and what they can do to ensure Levi’s ongoing growth. Perhaps it’s time to make a sizeable investment in a goaltender outside the organization. Is the risk worth the reward and if a new face allows Levi to grow in the AHL, does that increase the return for the Sabres?
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/58271633/download.mp3
The Sabres have plenty of issues to work on and we thought there would be no better way to fix them than by suggesting some New Year’s resolutions for the club. We each run through a pair of resolutions for the Sabres, focusing on special teams, Dylan Cozens, goaltending and the front office. And we wrap up with one last brief suggestion for good measure. Whether or not these resolutions can be kept is an entirely different question for a Sabres team desperately in need of a winning streak.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/58193739/download.mp3
The Sabres tough Saturday carried to Tuesday and it got worse with Tage Thompson’s injury. We discuss how Buffalo’s injury woes at forward have thinned their lines, and Thompson’s injury exacerbates the problems. We talk about the holes in Buffalo’s lineup and how it’s past time for Jiri Kulich and other high-end prospects to get a look. We wrap up this week’s episode with a brief conversation on the team’s struggling power play and a few adjustments we’d make to clean it up.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/57638015/download.mp3
Alarm bells are going off in Edmonton and we start this week’s show talking about everything that seems to be ailing the Oilers. We also tie in our Oilers discussion, and their need to stay competitive with the push the Sabres will start to feel when it comes to making a big trade of their own.
We also talk about Buffalo’s young stars, namely Matthew Savoie and Jiri Kulich. Savoie has arrived after his two week conditioning assignment and will likely slot into the lineup this week. But even though Kulich has been scoring at a torrid pace, he hasn’t earned a call up just yet. We talk about where in the lineup he could fit and how much longer the Sabres can realistically wait before bringing him up.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/57550975/download.mp3
We took listener questions and ran through topics like the Shane Wright plan, expectations for Devon Levi, how Peyton Krebs and Casey Mittelstadt should be handled and line juggling as the team finds the right fit for their forwards. We open the show with a discussion on the adoption of neck guards, what might be preventing early adoption for NHL players and how a grandfathered requirement could come into play.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/57490149/download.mp3
The Prospect Challenge kicks off this week, which means there is (semi) meaningful Sabres hockey to discuss. We talk about some of the most notable players coming to face Buffalo’s prospects and run through the Sabres’ Prospects Challenge roster. We… Continue reading →
Given the game of musical chairs unfolding in college football, we felt it necessary to play our own version of the game with college hockey programs. This week’s show focuses on the different avenues that could be explored to realign… Continue reading →
Monday was a big news day as it was announced that Pegula Sports and Entertainment has been dissolved and, most notably, the Bills and Sabres will be operating as separate entities moving forward. Pegula will also now serve as president… Continue reading →
As we are in the dullest point of the hockey offseason, it felt like a good time to reset and take listener questions once again. This week’s episode includes questions on the Bills and red helmets, prospect trade options, goal… Continue reading →
We are back breaking down Buffalo’s moves on the opening day of free agency and looking back at the Sabres’ haul from the 2023 Draft. We talk about how Connor Clifton and Erik Johnson will fit on the depth chart… Continue reading →
Draft week is here and we dig in on some of the players we think could be targeted by the Sabres with their first round pick and their pair of second round selections. We talk through a number of topcis,… Continue reading →
The Sabres handed out contract extension to Zemgus Girgensons and Lukas Rousek on June 20. We talk about the decision to re-sign both players and dig into where each of them will fit in to the Sabres roster this coming… Continue reading →
The Stanley Cup Final has wrapped up and we go deep on the series betwen the Golden Knights and the Panthers. We touch on the dominance Vegas exerted in the series and dig into Jonathan Marchessault’s Conn Smythe winning performance.… Continue reading →
This week, we take listener questions and offer up some reactions on topics such as the Bills stadium project, arena renovations, choices in goal and Buffalo’s front office outlook. We kick things off with a breakdown of the three-team trade… Continue reading →
We couldn’t catch up on the latest exploits for the Rochester Americans last week, so we devoted time this week to their impressive run in the Calder Cup playoffs. The Amerks have reached the Eastern Conference Final and are in… Continue reading →
The Conference Finals are set to begin and we run through the matchups in the East and West, giving our outlook on both series. We transition to a discussion about Connor Hellebuyck and the fresh rumors connecting him to the Sabres.
The Instigator Podcast is sponsored by Betstamp. Download the Betstamp app by visiting betstamp.app/instigator
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/53899475/download.mp3
The first round of the NHL Playoffs are behind us and we reflect on some of the teams who were dispatched early. We dig in to the potential fortunes of the Winnipeg Jets and the New York Rangers while sprinkling in some thoughts on the Calgary Flames (though they didn’t make the playoffs). The show kicks off with a conversation about newly signed prospect, Viktor Neuchev and when we might see Nikita Novikov follow with his entry level contract.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/53723501/download.mp3
Round one of the NHL Playoffs are still rolling along and we offer up some thoughts on how the series have played out thus far. In addition, we discuss one of the hottest topics of the playoffs: officiating.
Our main topic is a discussion around a Tweet asking what goal you celebrated hardest for. We offer up a handful of memorable highlights to try to best answer the question posed by the tweet.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/53660771/download.mp3
There are a host of job openings around the NHL with the regular season concluded and we run through some of the most notable firings and departures that have come down. We also run through the NHL Playoffs lineup and provide some thoughts on what will tip the scales in each series this spring.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/53577192/download.mp3
The Sabres playoff push came up short and we serve up a post mortem as the dust settles on the chase for a wild card spot. We examine the 2022-23 Sabres season and identify some of the games that stand out most as squandered opportunities to capture points for a team that will so narrowly miss the playoffs. We also look ahead to what could be an exciting and busy offseason thanks to such a promising season.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/53519957/download.mp3
Devon Levi has hit the ground running for the Sabres with a pair of impressive starts over the last week. We talk about how impressive his play has been and try to determine how many more games he will see between now and the end of the season. We also touch on Tuesday’s loss to the Panthers and the implications it will have on Buffalo’s playoff hopes. The show closes with a frank discussion about the Arizona Coyotes and how much more rope the league should be giving the franchise before exploring other options.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/53457783/download.mp3
Joe Yerdon and Lance Lysowski of Maintenance Day join the show for a roundtable conversation on a number of hot topics from around the NHL. We tried something a little different this week and got together for a mock GM meeting that allowed us to tackle a number of topics which we see as ways to improve the league. We touch on off-ice topics like playoffs and the World Cup and on-ice issues like overtime and the shootout.
Thanks again to Joe and Lance joining the show.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/53385681/download.mp3
A combination of poor goaltending, injuries and some more poor goaltending has all but dashed Buffalo’s hopes for a playoff push. With the team falling out of the race, and doing so in astonishing fashion, we talk about how this run of play could affect the team’s plans for the offseason. We also discuss how the utterly dismal goaltending performances of late could cause Devon Levi to see a bit more action than previously anticipated, or perhaps get his first look at an NHL game earlier than previously believed. We also have a brief Matthew Savoie update as the Sabres’ prospect has remained red hot for the Winnipeg Ice and ought to be a hot topic of conversation this offseason.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/53311655/download.mp3
Devon Levi’s season at Northeastern is over and the waiting over when he signs his Sabres contract has begun. We talk about Levi’s impressive two seasons with the Huskies and dig in to what the next steps for Levi will look like between now and the end of the NHL season. We also reflect on the Sabres recent losing streak and how this skid affects the outlook on the playoff race ahead of Monday’s victory over Toronto.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/53189967/download.mp3
We recap the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline and reflect on the busiest deadline for the Sabres since 2015. Each deal the Sabres made over the last week is analyzed as we discuss how Kevyn Adams’ roster tweaks can aid Buffalo’s push for a playoff position. How the Sabres stretch run will shape up ties into our deadline conversation as the team faces a difficult run in to end the season with a tough hill to climb to sneak into the playoffs.
We also give a rundown of some of the most notable deals that were made at this year’s deadline, offering up our favorite, least favorite and biggest surprise.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/53129861/download.mp3
With just a few days to go until the trade deadline, the Sabres made their first move of the season. We run down the deal Buffalo made to acquire Riley Stillman and offer up some deeper insight on which other players the Sabres may target before Friday afternoon. We also break down the trades that saw Timo Meier, Jake McCabe and Tanner Jeannot move over the weekend and asses where the market stands after many of the most notable names have been gobbled up.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/52873006/download.mp3
With the deadline just over a week away, we dig into some of the players who have been most commonly brought up in trade rumors and determine which would be a fit for the Sabres and which would be best left for another team to acquire. We also revisit the approach the Sabres should be taking ahead of the deadline given their place in the standings, trade assets and prior comments made by Kevyn Adams. Buffalo’s opportunity to serve as a broker was another topic we touched upon as there are a number of high profile targets who would be easier to acquire with an additional team to retain salary along the way.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/52821384/download.mp3
Buffalo’s play after the All Star break has been suspect as the team has dropped four-straight and face two key contests to close out their West Coast trip. We talk about what we feel to be overreactions to the teams’ most recent skid and how things look in the bigger picture for the club. We also touch on the latest trade chatter, including two defensemen who could be of interest to the Sabres ahead of the March 3 deadline.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/52749776/download.mp3
Dylan Cozens has signed long-term with the Sabres, inking a seven-year deal on Tuesday. We talk about the deal and how the structure helps the Sabres and how it posiitons Cozens with other recently signed centers around the league. Before that we talk about Jessica Pegula’s article in The Player’s Tribune which gives an encouraging update over her mom’s health, along with some other notable peices of information as it pertains to the Bills and Sabres.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/52667134/download.mp3
With the All Star break around the corner, I took some listener questions on trade thoughts, reverse retro jerseys, old hockey brands and much more. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions for this week’s show. Looking forward to getting back up and running after the break and the Sabres bye.
https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/52611719/download.mp3
Lots of trade talk on this week’s episode as we have a little fun and look around the league to see which teams we would willingly swap Buffalo’s roster for. It’s a lighthearted exercise but with a sign towards the traits on the current roster which has made this season so encouraging. Before we get to that, we discuss the early rumors connecting the Sabres to Timo Meier and offer up some thoughts on Ryan Miller night. We also dip our toe in the water with some scoreboard watching as the Sabres remain in the thick of the Eastern Conference wild card race.
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The Sabres waived Vinny Hinostroza on Wednesday afternoon, opening the door for the team to officially carry three goaltenders on the roster. We discuss the decision to waive Hinostroza, the challenges of carrying three goalies and how this decision affects Buffalo’s outlook as they work to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff race. We start the show with a conversation about Ivan Provorov and his decision to not wear the Flyers Pride Night warmup jersey earlier this week.
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We’re back to discuss the Sabres continued improvement and some thoughts on how to judge this team as they creep into the playoff picture. We talk about resetting expectations for a team that is still growing in order to remain realistic regarding the outlook for the remainder of the season. We also talk about the back-to-back losses the Sabres suffered and even bring back some conversations about potential arena renovations and just when we may see those plans resurface.
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We turn the calendar to 2023 and offer up the resolutions we have for the Sabres in the New Year. The Sabres find themselves creeping up on the playoff race in the Eastern Conference and are enjoying impressive seasons from a number of key contributors. With their impressive improvements in mind, we dig into a few areas we hope to see the team focus on in 2023.
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The Sabres return home from a West Coast swing with a trio of key victories. They’ve vaulted themselves into the Eastern Conference wild card race and look poised to take a significant step forward in the ongoing rebuild. The team’s impressive run off their previous losing streak hasn’t just put them back within sight of a playoff position, but it has reset expectations within the fanbase. As the NHL’s highest scoring team with a handful of individual award candidates, the question has become whether or not it’s time for Kevyn Adams to take the next step in building his roster. We look at what that could mean for the Sabres and even offer up a few names which would provide an opportunity for improvement in both the short and long term.
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The Sabres have played 28 games and it feels like a good time to take an assessment of their progress thus far. We talk about our choice for MVP, top rookie and breakout performer through the first portion of the year. We also touch on what’s been the most frustrating and disappointing aspects of the season to this point. Also on this week’s show: a discussion over the Bo Horvat and Jesse Puljujarvi trade speculation and a brief rundown of the potential Sabres attendees at the World Junior Championships. Plus some thoughts on Matt Savoie not receiving an invite to Team Canada’s camp.
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Jakob Chychrun’s name has been all over Sabres Nation since Jeff Marek first asked if the Sabres could be a darkhorse contender for the defenseman. We talk about what sort of fit Chychrun would be and lay out the potential… Continue reading →
The Sabres losing streak hit eight games after Saturday’s loss in Toronto. Buffalo’s issues seem to have run deeper as this skid has continued with frustrations mounting and obvious solutions at a minimum. We talk about the problems the Sabres… Continue reading →
We were overdue for a listener Q&A so we opened up the replies maybe one last time) to gather some talking points for this week’s show. Topics include when Kevyn Adams will be moved to make a trade, who might… Continue reading →
Rasmus Dahlin was named first star of the week in the NHL after setting a new record for consecutive games with a goal by a defenseman to start the season. We discuss Dahlin’s impressive start and the other bright spots… Continue reading →
It’s only been two games but we are on the verge of Sabres After Dark with Buffalo set to embark on a west coast swing through Canada. We talk about what went well and what went wrong in the first… Continue reading →
The Sabres are set to kick off their 2022-23 campaign and we dig into their lineup ahead of the season opener and how we see them faring this season. We look into each position group, determining where the team’s strengths… Continue reading →
We kick off another season of the podcast with a conversation about the Prospects Challenge. We run through the highlights of the roster expected to play this coming weekend and even dip into the invites who will be helping to… Continue reading →
The Sabres, at long last, have announced they will be bringing back their red and black uniforms as an alternate jersey for the 2022-23 season. The team made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that they will wear the jersey 12… Continue reading →
Pete Jensen of NHL.com joins the show to offer up a fantasy hockey outlook for the coming season. Pete lends his expertise to discuss which players are candidates to climb up draft boards, players poised for a breakout year in… Continue reading →
Noah Ennis, goal mask artist and owner of Shell Shock Paint joins the show for an expansive conversation about goalie mask art and the pro clients Noah works with. New Sabres goalie Eric Comrie is among the roster of pro… Continue reading →
As we continue through August, it seemed like a good time to field a few more listener questions. This week’s episode tackles a bunch of different topics including the Sabres Reverse Retro sweaters, shoulder patches, goaltending plans, special teams alignments… Continue reading →
Chad and Anthony from Expected Buffalo join the show for another roundtable discussion. This time we talk about when the Sabres will be ready to take the next big step in their rebuild and when the right time for it… Continue reading →
This week we tackle the 2022 Stanley Cup Final and offer up our thoughts on the postseason. We move on to discuss Alexander Mogilny missing out on induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame once again and whether his resume… Continue reading →
For some lighter offseason content we decided to dig into who we deem to be the best draft pick in Sabres history. We considered a few permutations for our discussion as Gilbert Perreault is an obvious and easy answer to… Continue reading →
The newest Sabres beat writer joins the show as we welcome Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic to discuss a host of Sabres offseason topics. Matthew offers his thoughts on where the Sabres stand with regard to their rebuild and what… Continue reading →
Despite their Western Conference ouster, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl put on one of the most memorable playoff performances of recent memory. We discuss whether or not their play would be strong enough to garner attention for the Connn Smythe… Continue reading →
We run down both the Eastern Conference Finals and Western Conference Finals now that the NHL’s second round is complete. We touch on the no speed limit Western Conference Final and the goaltending battle that looms in the east. We… Continue reading →
The Sabres didn’t see their picks move in the NHL Draft Lottery and they will draft ninth and 16th in this year’s draft. The only first round pick to be determined is that of the Florida Panthers, which will fall… Continue reading →
Another season is in the books and we look back at the way the Sabres played over the course of 2022-23 and what it means for them going forward. While we don’t assign grades to any individual, we break down… Continue reading →
Matt Keeler and Nick Ciavarella of JustDishin join the show to discuss SkateSkins and the product’s introduction into the NHL. They also offer some tremendous insight into the intersection of hockey and fashion and how that evolution has the ability… Continue reading →
It’s another Ask Instigator version of the podcast as we answer a number of listener questions on everything from trading their first round picks and what a lottery win would mean for the Sabres to which player from 2005-06 or… Continue reading →
Owen Power’s NHL career is a week old and we spend some time reflecting on his strong play through the first four games he’s appeared in. We also touch on how he and Rasmus Dahlin are rounding out a formidable… Continue reading →
Jason Moser of PuckLuck.com joined the show this week to discuss the way he applies advanced analytics to betting NHL games and how his model can help give bettors an edge in winning hockey bets. We discuss how he developed… Continue reading →
The Sabres celebrated Rick Jeanneret on Friday night and they put on quite a show in the process. We talk about the whirlwind evening and many of the highlights of the team’s impressive pregame ceremony, decisive win over the Predators… Continue reading →
Kevyn Adams stood pat at this year’s trade deadline, only moving out Robert Hagg on Sunday. We talk about what the lack of action means for the team as they prepare for the stretch run, how they might fit key… Continue reading →
The hockey world has reacted to the war in Ukraine, as Russia and Belarus have been suspended from international play by the IIHF and the 2023 World Junior Championships have been removed from Russia as well. Additional hockey-related sanctions have… Continue reading →
Eric makes his triumphant return to the show to reflect on the humble beginnings of the podcast, what’s unfolded over the last 10 years for the show, the Sabres and his career with the Nashville Predators. We talk about a… Continue reading →
The Sabres will have some work to do in order to reach the cap floor for the 2022-23 season. That will mean some creative moves will need to be made via free agency and the trade market in the coming weeks and months in order to hit the minimum salary cap figure. We run down a list for forwards, defensemen and goaltenders who the Sabres could target to not only fill their cap void, but to help push the team closer to competitiveness for the coming season.
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The main focus of this week’s show is Alex Tuch and the impressive impact he’s had since arriving in Buffalo. We talk about the underlying numbers he’s carrying, the incredible point production and simply how good he’s looked taking a step up in the lineup and helping to anchor Buffalo’s top line.
We add some thoughts about how Tuch’s emergence can help fuel the next moves the Sabres make in terms of free agent or trade acquisitions, and how he’s become a cornerstone of the young core they’re building with.
Prior to that, we touch on the trade between the Montreal Canadians and Calgary Flames that saw Tyler Toffoli head to Alberta. We discuss Jack Eichel’s impending return and the disappointment in not seeing Devon Levi receive any action for Team Canada at the 2022 Olympic Games.
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The Montreal Canadiens fired Dominique Ducharme and named Martin St. Louis as their interim head coach as they work through a very difficult season. We discuss the Habs’ decision to go with a somewhat unexpected hire for their interim coach and whether or not St. Louis will have the inside track to take over in a more permanent capacity. Tuukka Rask called it a career and we celebrate his career while bidding him adieu We also discuss the NHL All Star Game and NHL Skills Competition before closing the show with a brief conversation about the men’s and women’s hockey tournament at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
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We answer listener questions on air, but before we do, we discuss Rocky Wirtz’s outburst at a Blackhawks town hall rally and what the fallout could be for the troubled franchise. We also talk about some of the adaptations being made to the All Star Skills Competition and which Sabre player we think would be the best representative at this year’s All Star Game.
We wrap up the episode with a handful of #AskInstigator questions from our listeners where we discuss offseason acquisitions, the Heritage Classic and where we see Rasmus Dahlin at the end of his current contract.
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The Sabres have dropped three straight since returning from the holiday break. We discuss the debuts of Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs and JJ Peterka, offering thoughts on how each looked as they played their first games in blue and gold. We also touch on the roster issues that face the Sabres as they work through what appears to be a growing COVID outbreak in the locker room.
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Peyton Krebs and JJ Peterka are poised to make their Sabres debuts as the team finally gets back to playing after an extended absence due to the league’s COVID influenced pause. We chat about how the pair will factor into the lineup along with another debutant: Alex Tuch. Beyond our excitement with Buffalo’s recent recalls, we also chat about the cancellation of the women’s U18 World Championships, how COVID has impacted the World Juniors and other topics from the past week in the NHL.
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The NHL has extended their Christmas holiday break in an attempt to curb the COVID outbreak that has swept through the league. The result of the postponed games officially put the NHL past the breaking point on Olympic participation and the league and player’s association are expected to make a formal announcement on the withdrawal from the 2022 games soon. We close this holiday edition of the show with a couple listener questions on the Sabres potential deadline moves and what the future might hold for Casey Mittelstadt.
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COVID outbreaks continue to impact the NHL schedule as this week has seen a number of teams impacted by positive tests and game postponements. We discuss how these most recent outbreaks are affecting the NHL schedule and what influence it may have on the league’s ability to send players to the Olympics. Also on the docket is the impressive play of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and how he may be influencing Buffalo’s choices in net. Lastly, we touch on the World Junior Championships rosters, the Sabres prospects expected to participate and who we predict to take home gold in this year’s tournament.
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Malcolm Subban has been acquired, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been recalled and there’s still no end in sight for Buffalo’s issues in net. We discuss what options are left to the Sabres as they navigate an injury crisis to their goaltenders and how it could affect the remainder of the season. Along the way we touch on the latest round of firings as Jim Benning and Travis Green are out in Vancouver and Alain Vigneault has been fired by the Flyers.
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It was a huge news week in the NHL as the Montreal Canadiens fired Marc Bergevin, cleaned house with the rest of their front office and brought in Jeff Gorton to head up the hockey department. We discuss everything surrounding the moves and the difficulty in Montreal continuing to maintain hiring French speaking executives and coaches. Elsewhere, the Penguins have new owners in Fenway Sports Group and more COVID cases may just threaten the NHL’s ability to send players to the Olympics.
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The Sabres are slowly returning to health which means reinforcements are hitting the lineup. While Buffalo isn’t back to full health, the return of Victor Olofsson and Henri Jokiharju will help boost the Sabres’ lineup and we talk about what’s on the horizon for further additions from within. The challenge surrounds how the Sabres and Don Granato will shape Buffalo’s lines once more reinforcements come along. Will the additions give the Sabres the help down the lineup or will their forward corps still have holes? We also touch on some of the bright spots that have popped thus far this season, including Tage Thompson, Victor Olofsson and more.
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The Sabres are off to a rough start at the box office. Ranking last in the NHL in ticket sales by a wide margin. We discuss all of the factors that have led to the Sabres averaging fewer than 8,000 tickets sold per game and debate whether or not they can turn a proverbial corner and push their ticket sales back up above 10,000 or potentially higher. We also touch on the situation playing out with the Omaha Lancers and offer up a brief look at the standings and the teams who have impressed thus far, and those who haven’t.
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