Jeremy White of WGR 550 joined Chris and Tyler to offer up a season preview for the 2016-17 Sabres season as we placed a particular focus on how the Buffalo blueline will shape the team’s success this year. We also touch on the new contract for Rasmus Ristolainen and the additional RFA contracts signed by Johnny Gaudreau and Nikita Kucherov. As always, you can find The Instigator Podcast on iTunes and through Google Play. Thanks again to Jeremy for joining the show and offering up his thoughts on the Sabres outlook for the year.
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres coverage. Related to the Sabres, their prospects and the minors.
Sabres Twitter Drinking Game
I like to have fun with the Sabres Twitter account as you usually don’t need to look too far for a poorly timed Tweet or a general lack of communicating key hockey facts. With that in mind, I thought it would be #fun to create a drinking game to accompany Sabres Twitter on game nights this year.
Have some fun with this and feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments section, we’ll make sure to update this as the season progresses. Continue reading
The Instigator Podcast 5.17 – Gudas, NHL Discipline and Projecting the Sabres Roster
We’re back to provide our thoughts on what the initial Sabres roster will look like for the season as Derek Grant, Hudson Fasching and Casey Nelson among those impressing in the preseason. Along the way we touch on some of the seemingly inaccurate statistical models projecting the Sabres season and the stunning lack of discipline applied to Radko Gudas’ latest indiscretion. Be sure to subscribe on iTunes so you never miss an episode.
The Instigator Podcast 5.16 – Sabres Camp and the Surprising Trouba Trade Request
After Jacob Trouba’s surprising trade request from Winnipeg, Chris and Tyler discuss the Sabres-related focus on the request and potential for the Sabres to acquire the young blueliner. We also touch on the beginning of Sabres training camp and the battle for spots in Buffalo’s bottom six. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, hit the link here to subscribe and rate.
The Instigator Podcast 5.15 – Talking Sabres Prospects Challenge and the World Cup of Hockey
After a short break Tyler and Chris are back with another episode of The Instigator. This week we touch on the Sabres Prospects Challenge and the World Cup of Hockey. We spend quite a bit of time on the early struggles of Team USA and whether or not they’ll find a way to come out of pool play. You can subscribe to The Instigator Podcast on iTunes by clicking this link.
Tim Murray should not hesitate to move the 2017 First Round Pick
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I just don’t feel quite confident with the prospects of the 2016-2017 Buffalo Sabres being a playoff team. Yet.
Considering the recent arrest of Evander Kane, missing out on Jimmy Vesey, and Rasmus Ristolainen still lacking a contract, there are more than enough possible impediments to Tim Murray’s club breaking its four season playoff drought. Its time for something positive to happen, and what better way to get the team on the right track than to make a trade. I think the Kyle Okposo signing will yield highly positive dividends for Sabres, and his acquisition cements a very formidable top six going into next season (and a scary good top six going into the future), but I do believe that more will be required to make that extra push. Continue reading
The Instigator Podcast 5.14 – Vesey Breakdown & the Sabres New Tickets
Chris and Tyler are back to discuss Jimmy Vesey’s decision to sign with the New York Rangers along with the reports that Alex Nylander will be likely playing in Rochester this season. We also take some time to discuss the new ticketing policy for the Sabres while also touching on the viewing party for The Tragically Hip’s final show at Larkin this past weekend. Listen to the podcast here or download the episode on iTunes. We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with a new episode previewing the World Cup.
The Instigator Podcast SWAG is here
After receiving some feedback that some Two in the Box or Instigator Podcast swag would be well received, we took the steps to get decals printed adorned with The Instigator Podcast logo.
Whether or not you’re familiar with the logo, it features the lightning bolts and stars from the Buffalo city flag along with Buffalo Sabres blue and gold. You can slap them on water bottles, lap tops, car bumpers or anywhere else you please.
The decals measure roughly three inches by three inches and will stick on anything. They’re vinyl automotive decals so they’ll stand up to abuse as well. We’re selling the decals for $4 each which will cover any postage necessary to get them sent your way.
If you wish to purchase one send an email to 2intheboxbuffalo@gmail.com or simply tweet to Tyler or Chris and we’ll get you set up. Thanks to everyone for continuing to listen to the podcast and reading the blog.
Grading Tim Murray’s Trade History
Tim Murray has been uncharacteristically quiet on the trade front during offseason, only making three deals of note. His wheeling and dealing was less than what fans have become accustomed to and, most surprisingly, came with a fair bit of criticism.
As Murray has dealt away analytical all-star Mark Pysyk and failed to bring old friend Jhonas Enroth back via free agency, some fans have begun to question Murray’s acumen, and a few have gone so far as to call for his job. Evander Kane’s off-ice activity has also draw ire for the deal which brought the winger to Buffalo along with Zach Bogosian.
I think those calling for his job are in the minority, but in order to see if they have a legitimate bone to pick I’ve decided to grade every deal Murray has made since he began calling the shots in 2014 (with the help of nhltradetracker.com). It’s tough to grade some trades simply because the pieces that were acquired or dealt away aren’t finished products yet, but this will still show whether Murray has been able to get the better of his fellow GM’s, or if they’ve been able to take advantage of his aggressiveness. Continue reading
The Instigator Podcast 5.12 – Grading the Sabres Trades
Chris and Tyler devote more time to this episode than usual as we got a little off track discussing the Bills injuries of late and the debate around Buffalo’s injury troubles. Our main point of focus is to analyze Tim Murray’s trades and whether or not he’s been successful on the trade market during his time as GM of the Sabres. You can catch the episode here or you can subscribe and listen on iTunes or tune in via Sticher.
Two in the Box 