The intent of The OT is to run shortly after Elliotte Friedman’s excellent 31 Thoughts hits the web each week. That is not what happened with the most recent edition. Or the last one. So, once again this rundown of some of the juicier topics in the most recent 31 Thoughts is about a week late. Good stuff! Continue reading
Author: Chris Ostrander
Reflecting on Some of the Most Noteworthy Trades in Sabres History
In 50 years of hockey, the Buffalo Sabres have swung their fair share of trades. From minor league swaps to marquee blockbusters, the club isn’t lacking when it comes to trade history.
Buffalo’s transaction history provides a beautiful cross section of NHL history. From the 70s and 80s eras where blockbusters came about regularly to the modern era where GMs are loathe to make any waves for fear of immediate retribution. In attempt to celebrate some of the club’s history, I ran down a list of some of the most noteworthy trades in franchise history. This isn’t a proper ranking or numbered list, nor is this meant to be a full accounting of every important trade in club history. Some of these trades in and of themselves are little more than blips on the radar, but they set the stage for bigger things down the road. Meanwhile, others are tried and true blockbusters, noteworthy for all the reasons you’d expect.
One thing that ties them all together is some sort of noteworthy feature or function, whether the inclusion of a franchise cornerstone or setting the wheels in motion for something bigger. Like laying the foundation to acquire a franchise cornerstone.
Over-Thought: Better Late Than Never
I’ve slacked a bit with my usual breakdown of 31 Thoughts, though I’m sure no one has really missed it. This is going to drop about five minutes before the newest edition hits, so I’m really batting 1.000 on this one.
I wanted to run it back though because last week’s version was packed with some interesting trade thoughts that I wanted to opine on. So, without further ado, here is a week-old version of The OT.
The Instigator Podcast 8.10 – Sabres European Vacation
Tyler is following the Sabres to Sweden as the official Two in the Box European Correspondent. We open this week’s show sharing some stories and thoughts on how great sports roadtrips can be with the team participating in the Global Series next week. Among other topics, Casey Mittelstadt and Buffalo’s defense pairs were our primary focus along with a quick UPL update at the tail end of the show.
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You can listen to The Instigator Podcast on most podcast streaming services, including large providers such as iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio and TuneIn and most other third-party podcast streaming apps. You can find links to subscribe and rate the show below:
The Instigator Podcast 8.9 – Blueline Decisions Looming for Sabres
The Sabres start couldn’t be going much better, as they’ve shot out of the gates at 8-1-1. Part of their success has come from improved play on the blueline, a unit bolstered by offseason acquisitions. It’s been a crowded group that’s going to get packed even tighter as Brandon Montour is nearing a return to action. His return is going to necessitate at least one move from Jason Botterill and we discussed just what options lay in front of Buffalo’s GM. We also touch on the pros and cons of Buffalo’s third periods, an area that’s lacked some of the consistency that’s defined the Sabres’ success early in the year.
You can listen to The Instigator Podcast on most podcast streaming services, including large providers such as iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio and TuneIn and most other third-party podcast streaming apps. You can find links to subscribe and rate the show below:
Over-Thought: Defenseman Market is Starting to Sizzle
The Sabres have gotten off to a better start than I have this year when it comes to recapping 31 Thoughts. But I’m back on the wagon for Sabres After Dark and there are a few juicy tidbits in this week’s edition. Including trade whispers related to both Buffalo’s and Pittsburgh’s bluelines. Continue reading
The Instigator Podcast 8.8 – #SabresAfterDark Foreplay
Sabres. After. Dark. One of the greatest parts of the season has arrived. We jump in on identifying the impressive results the team’s “fourth” line has produced while also digging into the lack of success from Buffalo’s “third” line. We also look ahead to the upcoming West Coast road trip and how it might affect the club’s 5-0-1 record.
You can listen to The Instigator Podcast on most podcast streaming services, including large providers such as iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio and TuneIn and most other third-party podcast streaming apps. You can find links to subscribe and rate the show below:
The Instigator Podcast 8.7 – Sabres Enjoy Strong Early Returns
The first three games of the 2019-20 season are in the books and the Sabres have impressed early on thanks to a pair of wins over Pittsburgh and New Jersey. We run through some of the key factors to Buffalo’s 2-0-1 start, including just what’s working with Ralph Krueger’s system and the players who have impressed thus far. We also offer up a loose prediction for how we think things could unfold if these first few games are an indication of what’s to come.
You can listen to The Instigator Podcast on most podcast streaming services, including large providers such as iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio and TuneIn and most other third-party podcast streaming apps. You can find links to subscribe and rate the show below:
Two in the Mailbox: The Lines, The Outlook and The Goalies
Another season of Sabres hockey is underway and the 2ITB Mailbag is back for another run. This will be a weekly (sometimes) edition that runs down questions on the Sabres, Bills and just about anything else you can come up with.
I’m also going to use this as a quasi-season preview since I haven’t done one quite yet and it’s worth trying a different approach when it comes to a season preview. Especially when it’s written during the first game of the year and every other season preview is days or weeks old.
This is the first season in quite a while that I didn’t look forward to with some level of optimism. That’s softened a bit after Thursday’s performance, but it was still hard to really get up for the opening of the season with so many of the same faces on this roster. Not only are players like Sobotka, Scandella and Girgensons still around, but they’re all playing prominent roles. Add in the new coach giving them all sorts of love in the press and any frustration from the end of last year comes roaring back.
Sobotka got tons of credit for his play in the preseason, but I saw a lot of the same from last year. A black hole when the puck goes near him and very few positive traits. How he wound up in Buffalo’s top six is beyond me and I can only hope Krueger finds a new spot for him in short order.
It’s nice that Thursday went as well as it did, because that will help stoke the flames of optimism. The Mittelstadt line looked excellent and despite being an island of misfit toys, the Girgensons, Larsson and Okposo line was efficient as well. If there’s one spot on the roster I’m optimistic about, it’s the blueline. And that unit was quite good on Thursday. So, let’s see if they can string some wins together and prove everyone who was doubting their roster decisions wrong.
Now, on to the questions. Continue reading
The Instigator Podcast 8.6 – Sabres Season Preview featuring Ben Mathewson
With yet another Buffalo Sabres season upon us, Ben Mathewson joins the show to help us share some thoughts on the team’s outlook for the year. We spend a lot of time digging into the forward lines, what doesn’t make sense on the unit and the few things that are poised to work for the club. We touch on the defense corps as well before offering up some loose predictions for the 2019-20 season.
You can listen to The Instigator Podcast on most podcast streaming services, including large providers such as iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio and TuneIn and most other third-party podcast streaming apps. You can find links to subscribe and rate the show below:
