Author: Chris Ostrander

Pinpointing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s Contract

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Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen needs a new contract this offseason and after an impressive campaign in which he solidified himself as Buffalo’s starting goaltender, he’s on track to receive a healthy raise and more term than the two-year deal he just completed. 

Luukkonen and Jeremy Swayman will be the two most notable RFA goaltenders to track this offseason. Swayman will be coming off a one-year, $3.475 million deal and will be in line for a substantial raise as he too has taken over the starting duties. Swayman could garner a contract north of $6 million a year, especially after his playoff heroics. Luukkonen doesn’t have the same track record as Swayman and won’t be flirting with the upper echelon of goaltender salaries. But he is still set to see a substantial pay increase. 

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The Instigator Podcast 12.39 – What is Jeff Skinner’s Future in Buffalo?

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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. 

Two in the Mailbox: An Abrasive Attitude

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It’s another edition of the mailbag and this time we’re tackling what the Sabres would need to change to adapt to the physical nature of the playoffs, how many new faces might be on the roster and Kyle Okposo’s recent comments on this year’s Sabres.

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The Instigator Podcast 12.38 – Seth Appert Promoted and Listener Questions

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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. 

Trade Market Indicates the Sabres Will Need to Offer More Than the 11th Pick

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Kevyn Adams hasn’t been shy about characterizing where he and the Sabres are in their build. He just recently appeared on Frank Seravalli’s show on Daily Faceoff and stressed urgency, saying they are “in the next phase,” a quote that strikes a different tone than the sort of comments he had made in past offseasons. 

Adams enters the summer with some expectation that he will be aggressive in making acquisitions that will finally put the Sabres back into the playoffs. One key piece in his arsenal is his 2024 first round pick, which falls at pick 11 after the NHL Draft Lottery. The 11th pick is a valuable trade chip for Adams, who could be shopping for wingers to round out the top six, a center who can take matchups in the middle of the lineup or even one more piece to bolster his blueline. Regardless of how Adams could spend that pick, there is a strong consensus among the fan base that it should be for sale to the highest bidder. 

What may get overlooked is the value a first round pick carries in today’s NHL. A pick in the top half of the first round carries substantial weight but if Adams has visions of bringing in a player who will contribute, he’ll almost certainly need to add to any offer involving the Sabres first round pick. There are plenty examples from around the league to look at and even two of Adams’ most notable deals – the Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen trades – included more than just a first round pick coming back. 

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The Instigator Podcast 12.37 – Trade Targets from First Round Eliminations

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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. 

The Instigator Podcast 12.36 – Catching Up With the NHL Playoffs and Utah

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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. 

The Instigator Podcast 12.35 – Lindy Ruff Returns as Sabres Coach

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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. 

The Instigator Podcast 12.34 – Don Granato Out as Sabres Head Coach

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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. 

The Instigator Podcast 12.33 – What Sank the Sabres Season?

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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.