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 talk about which players we’re most interested in watching, who we expect to shine, who has a chance to improve their stock and which players might be most likely to surprise. We also touch on the situation unfolding between Paul Bissonnette and Mike Babcock after Bissonnette’s comments on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast.
Expanding and Realigning College Hockey
Tyler Roeder contributed to this post.
The tumult of realignment has turned college football inside out in recent seasons and is the most talked about subject in the sport this side of NIL.
As this summer’s round of conference poaching wrapped up, the idea of what this sort of practice might look like in NCAA hockey sprang to mind. Conference realignment isn’t foreign to college hockey either, as the formation of the B1G Conference created a domino effect when plans for the conference were first announced in 2011. The ripple effect of the B1G creation is still being felt after the CCHA’s recent reformation and the subsequent folding of the WCHA. Unlike the TV-money fueled change in football, much of the reshuffling in hockey has been driven by the need for a more manageable geographic region of conference play. Even still, several programs have had to shut down over the last five years due to budgetary constraints, something not felt by revenue sports like football. Interestingly, that hasn’t prevented schools from adding DI hockey programs. In fact, despite the struggles faced by the likes of Alabama-Huntsville, Alaska-Anchorage and Robert Morris, there continue to be reports of schools conducting studies to add the sport to their offerings.
With that in mind and in addition to the recent college football realignment in mind, we put our heads together to come up with ideas for not only conference realignment, but further expansion of college hockey’s footprint. What follows is a combination of the ideas floated on the most recent episode of The Instigator Podcast. It is a blue sky concept for reshaping or creating various conferences, adding schools which we feel would be strong supporters of hockey and creating an ecosystem where every program can thrive in their own right.
Continue readingWelcome Back Your Buffalo Bills to the Field With Your Very Own Josh Allen & Jim Kelly Bighead Bobbleheads
We have waited a long 8 months for Buffalo Bills football to return to our television screens. The Bills
had their first major test of the 2023 NFL Season after facing a revamped New York Jets football team with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback (for a few plays at least). The AFC East just got a whole lot more
competitive as we can easily see 3 of the 4 teams in the division competing for a divisional title this
season.
The Instigator Podcast 12.2 – NCAA Hockey Realignment Sandbox
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 and expand college hockey’s footprint. We discuss opportunities to further expand the Big Ten, to bring in new programs in the west and taking a deep dive into the machinations necessary for UB to add a D1 program.
Reel in the NFL Season Bills Mafia Style with The New Stefon Diggs Buffalo Bills Mini Bighead Bobblehead
Just less than a couple weeks away, the Buffalo Bills will travel across the pond to Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ to take on their long time division rivals, the New York Jets, with their brand new hall of fame quarterback addition, Aaron Rodgers, and a newly revamped New York Jet offense. Should be a tougher task than usual against the new regime, but as always, Bills Mafia is always ready for the challenge as their push to a Super Bowl championship starts NOW!
Continue readingThe Instigator Podcast 12.1 – PSE Dissolved and what Comes Next
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 of the Sabres, a title he also holds for the Bills and at PSE prior to its dissolution. We talk about the news, what it means for the Bills and Sabres and how it has helped to fuel rumors surrounding the future ownership of the Sabres.
RJ Night Episode: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/49323198
Reel In The New Season Bills Mafia with FOCO’s Josh Allen Spinner Bighead Bobblehead
As expected, it has been nothing short of an excellent camp for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Very excited to see our guys get after it as they prepare for what seems to be another very competitive battle all year in the AFC Conference. With the ecstatic return of Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, and the crazy route running from Stefon Diggs, along with some new additions in this year’s NFL draft and the offseason moves that were made by this front office, it is safe to say Bills Mafia is ready for what’s in store week 1 versus the Jets at Metlife Stadium!
Continue readingBe The Bills Fan of all Bills Fans with FOCO’s Josh Allen Buffalo Bills 2023 NFL Training Camp Bobblehead
The month of August is here, training camp is in full swing, and the NFL preseason is right around the corner which means we are so close to week 1 of the 2023 NFL campaign. After a tough end to the 2022 NFL season for the Buffalo Bills, with some new additions to the 2023 sqaud with free agent signings, trades, and draft picks, the Buffalo Bills are looking to make some noise in their quest to finally reach the Super Bowl and conquer a tough AFC conference in the Josh Allen era.
Continue readingThe Instigator Podcast 11.44 – Listener Questions for the Dog Days of Summer
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 tending targets and analytics projections. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions for this week’s show.
The Instigator Podcast 11.43 – The Future of Women’s Hockey Unfolds
One of the most significant stories in hockey this year is unfolding as the PHF was acquired by the Mark Walter Group in a step that will see professional women’s hockey moove forward under a single banner. This will unify all of the best talent in one league, creating an opportunity for new growth in the women’s game and an exciting outlook for the future of the new league which is set to begin play in January.
Two in the Box 