The Instigator Podcast

As July comes to an end, it seemed like a perfect time for a mailbag episode. This edition's listener questions include a querey on Connor McDavid, line combinations for next season, the ever concerning power play and more! Thanks to everyone who submitted questions.

The Sabres were active in the leadup to the NHL Draft, moving on from Bowen Byram and Alex Tuch. Olen Zellweger and Louis Crevier have arrived to shore up the blueline, but it appears to be status quo up front. We discuss whether or not the Sabres are a stronger team after the moves made by Jarmo Kekäläinen this offseason. A packed, but young forward group is the focus of the conversation and the expectation of big contributions from Buffalo's youth to carry them forward. We also discuss the scuttled Connor Hellebuyck trade, the Pat Kane rumors and the shifting economy in the NHL under the rising salary cap.

The Sabres exited the draft with a pair of first round prospects and Olen Zellweger. We run through the work that wrapped up the prior week for the Sabres, where Zellweger fits and what Buffalo's trade chips look like after the draft. We also discuss what's left to do in order to round out the roster and which players in a thin free agent class would fit on the Sabres roster.

Bowen Byram was traded to Chicago in a stunning deal that sends the fourth overall pick back to the Sabres just three days before the 2026 NHL Draft. We break down the Bryam trade and offer our insight on what may be coming next for the Sabres who suddenly have the ammunition to make a big deal of their own. We run through Buffalo's options with the fourth pick, the 20th pick and which players they could target in trade discussions.

Now that the offseason is officially underway, it's time to get down to business determining who the Sabres should be pursuing. We break down a few teams that fell outside of the playoff picture as potential targets not just for acquisitons, but for shedding salary in order to allow for more flexibility in future discussions. Along the way we offer up some final thoughts on the Stanley Cup Final, Vinny Prospal's hiring in St. Louis and the prospect of a sign and trade with Alex Tuch.

The Sabres have several key free agents to either re-sign or allow to walk to free agency. We break down the key choices facing the club, including Peyton Krebs and Beck Malenstyn, Alex Tuch and Michael Kesselring. With Buffalo facing a tight cap situation, we also talk through which players would serve best as cap casualties if the Sabres wish to make any meaningful additions to their roster.

While the Cup Final isn't one that many fans in Buffalo will be excited about, this mailbag episode offers insight on a pile of Sabres-related topics. Along the way, we run through how the Sabres might replace Alex Tuch, what areas of the roster should be targeted for improvement and if the Sabres would be wise to keep the likes of Konsta Helenius and Noah Ostlund in-house, or to use one for a significant upgrade.

We bring back our old plus/minus bit to serve up our thoughts on the full run of Buffalo's playoff roster. Each player gets a hit and our thoughts on what they did well, where they struggled and who drove the bus for the Sabres on their run. This is a cutout from the episode which dropped earlier this week, so forgive any odd edits you may encounter.

Alex Newhook, who shot the lights out all series, ended Buffalo's season on a knuckle ball from the left circle. The Sabres charged hard in game seven, rallying from two goals down and dominating puck possession. Jakub Dobes was too good in game seven, holding Montreal above water until they could find the winner. We run through the series and game seven, highlighting where the Sabres succeeded and where they fell short, while also looking back on a memorable season that reinvigorated the city and fanbase.

We're back to talk through the last three games of the Sabres series with the Canadiens, with a focus on game four. We talk through Buffalo's penalty troubles, their five-on-five success and the choices Lindy Ruff made with his lineup. We look ahead as the series is now a best of three and what the Sabres will need to clean up if they hope to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Sabres and Habs are set to face off in round two. We break down the series by looking at how the two clubs matchup across each lineup. We break down where Montreal may hold an advantage over the Sabres and where the Sabres could find success against Montreal. We also offer a few thoughts on the ending of the Bruins series and Tuesday's NHL draft lottery. --- Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777 or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Limited time offer. Copyright NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

The Sabres took both games in Boston and return home with a commanding 3-1 series lead. They have the opportunity to close out a series on home ice and we talk about the keys to Buffalo's game that will be imperative to earning a 4-1 series win. We break down Buffalo's relentless forecheck, how their defense has played a major role in their success and where they've taken advantage of the Bruins. We also share some of our favorite memories from home ice close-out games over the years. --- Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777 or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Limited time offer. Copyright NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Oxford Pennant Co-Founer Dave Horesh joins the show to talk about the deep Buffalo roots of Oxford Pennant and the unique set of offerings they have produced for the Sabres playoff run. We also talk about Dave's love of the Sabres, what it's meant for Oxford Pennant to work so closely with the organization (including the production of retired number banners) and, of course, how he has been celebrating the end of the drought and the return of playoff hockey in Buffalo.

Buffalo's power play has been an issue all season and it's been particularly awful in the month of April. The power play woes have continued into the playoffs and could derail Buffalo's efforts to take down the Bruins in round one. We discuss games one and two, what worked well for the Sabres in their thrilling game one victory and what didn't work as the Bruins returned the favor in game two. We spend time talking about the choice in goal for game three and what could spark the power play as the series continues. -- Gambling Problem? Call one eight hundred GAMBLER or one eight hundred MY RESET. New York: call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY. Connecticut: call eight eight eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven or visit CCPG dot org. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino in Kansas. Wager tax pass-through may apply in Illinois. Twenty one plus in most states. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see D K N G dot co slash audio. Limited time offer. Copyright 2026. NHL. All Rights Reserved.

The Sabres are Atlantic Division champs, an amazing result considering where they came from in early December. We break down the Atlantic Division title and how it will shape expectations for the postseason. We also break down Buffalo's matchup with the Bruins and the pros and cons of the round one series for both clubs.

The drought is officially over. The Sabres clinched a playoff spot over the weekend and celebrated inside a raucous KeyBank Center on Monday. We talk through the end of the drought, Monday's win and the remaining work to be done in the playoff race. We also float who could get the biggest pop for banging the drum for game one and discuss which drought-era Sabres we would add to the current roster. We also touch on the slew of firings from around the NHL that have come late in the season.

Jordan Greenway, like Conor Timmins last week, has returned from injury. Zach Metsa is back from Rochester. Buffalo's roster is as close to 100% as it has been all season (though they will likely lose Sam Carrick for a period), how Lindy Ruff refines his lineup now that he's spoiled for choice will be telling. Timmins and Logan Stanley had their ups and downs as a pair, but with Metsa back, is he the best choice for Stanley's partner? Is Greenway a lock for the fourth line? How do they manage their skaters once the playoffs open? We also devote some time to tryout season in youth hockey as families throughout Western New York will be navigating tryouts this week, or earlier in the month for the younger age groups.

Who do you think is the best matchup for the Sabres in round one? There are still upwards of eight teams that could wind up playing the Sabres in the first round. We spend this week's episode talking through Buffalo's potential opponents in round one, providing insight into the strengths and weaknesses of each team and which we feel would be best for the Sabres to avoid and which would be favorable to draw.

Is Lindy going to win the Jack Adams? Will he retire if he does? Who should be the playoff starter and what will the Sabres do with their third pair? All of those questions and more are addressed on this mailbag edition of The Instigator Podcast.

It's been quite the week for the Sabres. Under normal circumstances, the trade deadline would have offered more than enough fodder for an episode, but then the Sabres and Lightning put on the most exciting game of the season. We talk through the aftermath of Sunday's barnburner, dig in on Buffalo's deadline acquisitions and look at the road ahead. We also talk about Lindy Ruff's bonafides as a coach of the year candidate and whether or not he can overtake John Cooper to win the Jack Adams Trophy. --- Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777 or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Limited time offer. All Rights Reserved.