Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Showdown Episode 1 – 1979-80 vs. 1992-93

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Sabres Showdown, a limited series presented by The Instigator Podcast and Straight Up Sabres, will break down and debate the best teams in Sabres franchise history. In the first episode of Sabres Showdown, we debate the merits of the first matchup of our bracket, the 1979-80 vs. 1992-93 Buffalo Sabres. This episode breaks down the pros and cons of both the 79-80 and 92-93 Sabres teams and we make a determination which of the two were the better side when reflecting on franchise history. 

We begin the show with a fun discussion about some of the teams that just missed the cut for our bracket. The 1997-98, 2009-10 and 1978-79 teams were the trio of honorable mention teams that we didn’t include in the bracket, but deserved some recognition in this exercise. 

The Instigator Podcast 13.11 – A Cornucopia of Listener Questions

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On Thanksgiving Eve we fired up the mailbag to field a few questions from our listeners and run through some hot topics in Sabres nation. We hit on Jiri Kulich, Kevyn Adams trade activity, playoff positioning and more in this holiday special. 

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Overthought: Development is the Key to Levi’s Demotion

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Overthought is a semi-regular series that takes a look at some of the more interesting and notable tidbits shared by Elliotte Friedman in his weekly 32 Thoughts column. Each edition will feature some unique thoughts on the state of the Sabres or league as a whole before digging in on some of the notes from Freidman’s weekly column.

History repeated itself, as Devon Levi was sent to Rochester earlier this week, not far off from his initial demotion last season after a similarly rocky start to the season. 

Like last year, the choice to send Levi down is sound. His play wasn’t up to an NHL standard and the Sabres risked bleeding points with every game Levi started. This isn’t a sign of defeat for Levi, however. At 22 years old, he has a lot of runway before any definitive proclamation about his career can be made. He has only played 63 professional games and he will benefit from an increased workload in Rochester; another benefit he enjoyed last year as well. 

If the Sabres have made any error with Levi, it has been expecting too much of him too soon. He was steady in his initial seven-game cameo in 2022-23 after signing his entry level contract, but his consistency has waned since. Few, if any, goaltenders are capable of stepping into a full time NHL job from NCAA or junior. Those that have are either developmental exceptions or have had to work their way through regression in their play as teams and shooters have adjusted. Levi appears to be more the rule than exception when it comes to his development track. 

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The Instigator Podcast 13.10 – The Sabres Head West and Devon Levi Heads to Rochester

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It’s time for Sabres After Dark but Devon Levi will have to participate like the rest of us as the goaltender was sent to Rochester. James Reimer will be taking over backup duties while Levi gets to take over as the starter for the Amerks. We talk about how this move is the best option for Levi’s development while also reflecting on how his play led the Sabres to this decision. 

We also touch on the need for the Sabres to perform well on this California swing if they hope to make any headway in the standings. Additionally, we discuss Jim Montgomery’s firing in Boston and how Alex Ovechkin’s injury will affect his chase of the goal scoring record. 

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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 13.5 – 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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