We’re back to discuss the Sabres continued improvement and some thoughts on how to judge this team as they creep into the playoff picture. We talk about resetting expectations for a team that is still growing in order to remain realistic regarding the outlook for the remainder of the season. We also talk about the back-to-back losses the Sabres suffered and even bring back some conversations about potential arena renovations and just when we may see those plans resurface.
The Instigator Podcast
The Instigator Podcast 11.16 – Sabres New Year’s Resolutions
We turn the calendar to 2023 and offer up the resolutions we have for the Sabres in the New Year. The Sabres find themselves creeping up on the playoff race in the Eastern Conference and are enjoying impressive seasons from a number of key contributors. With their impressive improvements in mind, we dig into a few areas we hope to see the team focus on in 2023.
The Instigator Podcast 11.15 – Are the Sabres Ready for the Next Step?
The Sabres return home from a West Coast swing with a trio of key victories. They’ve vaulted themselves into the Eastern Conference wild card race and look poised to take a significant step forward in the ongoing rebuild. The team’s impressive run off their previous losing streak hasn’t just put them back within sight of a playoff position, but it has reset expectations within the fanbase. As the NHL’s highest scoring team with a handful of individual award candidates, the question has become whether or not it’s time for Kevyn Adams to take the next step in building his roster. We look at what that could mean for the Sabres and even offer up a few names which would provide an opportunity for improvement in both the short and long term.
The Instigator Podcast 11.14 – Sabres Status Report After 25 (Plus Three) Games
The Sabres have played 28 games and it feels like a good time to take an assessment of their progress thus far. We talk about our choice for MVP, top rookie and breakout performer through the first portion of the year. We also touch on what’s been the most frustrating and disappointing aspects of the season to this point. Also on this week’s show: a discussion over the Bo Horvat and Jesse Puljujarvi trade speculation and a brief rundown of the potential Sabres attendees at the World Junior Championships. Plus some thoughts on Matt Savoie not receiving an invite to Team Canada’s camp.
The Instigator Podcast 11.12 – Jakob Chychrun and the Sabres Interest
Jakob Chychrun’s name has been all over Sabres Nation since Jeff Marek first asked if the Sabres could be a darkhorse contender for the defenseman. We talk about what sort of fit Chychrun would be and lay out the potential trade chips the Sabres would have to offer Arizona in a potential deal. We also ran through a few other topics including the new contract for Roope Hintz and the Sabres moving to terminate Riley Sheahan’s contract.
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The Instigator Podcast 11.11 – Searching for Answers for the Sabres Skid
The Sabres losing streak hit eight games after Saturday’s loss in Toronto. Buffalo’s issues seem to have run deeper as this skid has continued with frustrations mounting and obvious solutions at a minimum. We talk about the problems the Sabres have faced in preventing goals, getting contributions from their depth and even in goal.
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The Instigator Podcast 11.10 – Taking Listener Questions Before Twitter Dies
We were overdue for a listener Q&A so we opened up the replies maybe one last time) to gather some talking points for this week’s show. Topics include when Kevyn Adams will be moved to make a trade, who might be the first player dealt, some thoughts on Peyton Krebs and which goalie number is the best one. Thanks to everyone who turned in a question for this week’s show.
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The Instigator Podcast 11.7 – Dahlin Soaring to Start the Season
Rasmus Dahlin was named first star of the week in the NHL after setting a new record for consecutive games with a goal by a defenseman to start the season. We discuss Dahlin’s impressive start and the other bright spots for the 4-1 Sabres. We touch on the challenges facing Don Granato with recent injuries and other roster needs and look ahead to the final four games of October.
The Instigator Podcast 11.6 – Gear Up for Sabres After Dark
It’s only been two games but we are on the verge of Sabres After Dark with Buffalo set to embark on a west coast swing through Canada. We talk about what went well and what went wrong in the first two games and how Don Granato’s line shuffling may shift how the Sabres attack this upcoming trip.
The Instigator Podcast 11.5 – It’s Time for a Sabres Season Preview
The Sabres are set to kick off their 2022-23 campaign and we dig into their lineup ahead of the season opener and how we see them faring this season. We look into each position group, determining where the team’s strengths and weaknesses lie. We also offer up a few thoughts on the rest of the league as the NHL regular season gets rolling.
You can catch The Instigator Podcast on these platforms any virtually everywhere else you find your podcasts:
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Two in the Box 