The Instigator Podcast 13.9 – Good News on the Injury Front

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The Sabres exited their disappointing loss against the Canadiens with some concerning injury potential but they enter the end of the week with a bit of good news on that front. Both Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Tage Thompson couldn’t finish the game but are considered day-to-day, a huge victory as the pair are among the players the Sabres can’t afford to lose. News wasn’t as strong for Mattias Samuelsson as he will be out long term. We talk through the injury news and dig in on the injury-prone nature of Samuelsson and if it’s time for the Sabres to consider a buyout. 

We also touch on Buffalo’s continued efforts to make a splash trade, as Pierre LeBrun was the latest insider to report Kevyn Adams has been burning up the phone lines. 

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The Instigator Podcast 13.8 – Who is Kevyn Adams Shopping For?

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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. 

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The Instigator Podcast 13.7 – Buffalo’s Spooky Second Line

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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. 

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The Instigator Podcast 13.6 – Something to Build on

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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. 

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2024-25 Buffalo Sabres Fit Check

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New gear makes for one of the best parts of a new season and goaltenders are always at the center of attention in this department. Devon Levi, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Felix Sandstrom are no exception as all three have picked up new looks for the 2024-25 season. 

Levi has the most eye-catching set of the young season, option for a vintage-inspired look from CCM. The brown leather look hearkens back to pads from the 1970s and early 1980s before team colors started to become incorporated into the materials. There is some expectation that he will be receiving a set of pads in Buffalo’s colors and that he is wearing the brown pads in the interim. That would be too bad as the brown pads look especially good with Buffalo’s home and away uniforms. The vintage brown setup is right at home with a set of jerseys that draw their design from the team’s original uniforms. It’s a serendipitous outcome and I hope he keeps rolling with the brown pads when the team is in blue and gold. 

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The Instigator Podcast 13.5 – Power Outage

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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. 

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Sabres, Soccer Could Spur Arena District

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Thursday will be the first opportunity for many Sabres fans to see the team’s new scoreboard in person, among other improvements made at KeyBank Center. 

The new scoreboard is a massive improvement, literally and figuratively, for the building. Pictures don’t do it justice, it’s a stark difference in size and quality within the seating bowl. Few, if any, who questioned the need for a new scoreboard will have those questions answered when they see the new screen in action. It is a truly impressive addition. 

With apologies to the work done on the roof, the scoreboard is the first major step the club has taken in an effort to renovate their 28 year old building. Future plans for the structure remain unknown, but Pete Guelli hasn’t been coy on the subject and I won’t be surprised if more work is to come next offseason. 

In the meantime, it’s possible that the Sabres will have a new neighbor, one that could tie the area around the arena and Canalside into a more cohesive arena district. 

Buffalo Pro Soccer is down to their final two locations for their stadium site, and The Buffalo News lots are one of the two finalists. There’s a long way to go yet, and it’s entirely possible their other location is where they aim to build, but the potential for the club to call the Cobblestone District home could serve as a shot in the arm to further development in the area. 

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The Instigator Podcast 13.4 – Plodding Back From Prague

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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.

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The Instigator Podcast 13.3 – Who, or What, Makes the Sabres a Playoff Team?

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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. 

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The Instigator Podcast 13.2 – Sabres Set Roster for Jaunt to Europe

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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. 

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