The Instigator Podcast

The Sabres hit training camp with 59 players but very few questions about what the final 23-man roster will look like. Kevyn Adams' offseason yielded a number of new additions and has left very few openings for a training camp surprise like Zach Benson last season. We run through Peyton Krebs' new contract, the new roof and scoreboard along with Buffalo's roster as they prepare to open camp on September 18. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hockey will be played by players wearing Buffalo Sabres uniforms this week as the Prospects Challenge kicks off on Friday. The Sabres are bringing a few star prospects along for the ride. This episode highlights some of the key players to watch for this weekend at The Prospects Challenge along with others who will have an opportunity to make an impact over Buffalo's trio of games. Each position group is touched on, with the likes of Nikita Novikov and Anton Wahlberg getting some added focus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode three of the PipelIne Update series is here, featuring an in-depth conversation with Kris Baker of Sabres Prospects on the state of the Buffalo Sabres forward group at forward. We touch on several of Buffalo's top prospects, along with others who haven't gotten quite as much attention compared to the likes of Jiri Kulich or Noah Ostlund. Kris gives a thoroguh breakdown of the season outlook for the likes fo Brodie Ziemer, Kulich, Ostlund, Konsta Helenius and many more. We also touch briefly on how things may shape up for next week's Prospects Challenge and Sabres training camp. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As summer winds down, we field some listener questions on the state of the Sabres and the world of hockey. On the docket is Pete Guelli's tenure thus far, Peyton Krebs' contract status and, perhaps most important of all, the red and black jerseys. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our offseason series highlighting Buffalo's prospect pipeline continues with a conversation with Scott Wheeler of The Athletic on Buffalo's defensive prospects. We discuss the formidable collection of right handed defenders in Buffalo's system, including Vsevelod Komarov, Adam Kleber and Maxim Strbak. We also talk about the outlook for the likes of Nikita Novikov and how the top-end talent on the Sabres roster puts Kevyn Adams in a unique situation when adding talent to this group. Thanks to Scott for joining the show, you can find his work at The Athletic. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Peter Marlette, President of Buffalo Pro Soccer joined the show to discuss his efforts to bring a USL Championship club to Buffalo. We discuss a wide range of topics with Peter regarding his bid for a USL club including the key benchmarks left to complete, goals for academy and youth integration and, of course, stadium questions. Peter was an open book, providing great insights on every facet of his work and what's still to come. The interview left us that much more excited for what's to come in the coming weeks and months from Peter and Buffalo Pro Soccer. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As the season approaches we will run through each position group in Buffalo's pipeline to look at how the Sabres are shaping up and what sort of talent they have coming in the future. For the first iteration of this series, Greg Balloch of EPRinkside joins the show to discuss Buffalo's goaltenders. We kick off with a conversation on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi before digging into the club's prospects, with Greg providing some great insight on newly drafted Ryerson Leenders and Scott Ratzlaff. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Buffalo Sabres made their official entry to the NHL on October 10, 1970. This episode follows the the Sabres from the draft and offseason acquisitions made in the summer of 1970 as they prepared for their inagural season. Then follow the team through the ups and downs of their expansion year with an eye on how they would grow in those early years in the NHL. References:Historical HockeySportsnetBuffalo Sabres 1970-71 Media Guide Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The offseason isn't over but as we get deeper into July, the odds that many more significant moves will be made decrease. In the wake of Buffalo's acquisition of Ryan McLeod, we discuss juust how well Kevyn Adams did this summer and if the moves he made are enough to end the Sabres' 13-year playoff drought. We kick off with a discussion on the McLeod acquisition before exploring the way the Buffalo roster will shape up and what holes may still exist if Adams is indeed done for the summer. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kevyn Adams got things rolling at the draft, making his first acquisition of the offseason, trading for Beck Malenstyn from the Washington Capitals. He added more depth to the roster in free agency though Buffalo's moves have been focused on the bottom six thus far. With a fanbase that's desperate for a move, Adams' inaction on the trade front has been a source of frustration. We talk through the work Adams has done thus far and dig in on the approach he'll need to take if he hopes to check a big acquisition off his to-do list. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A quick update from Vegas, recapping my afternoon with Fanatics and the new NHL jerseys and the first round of the NHL Draft from the Sphere. This is a quick rundown of the highlights of the new Fanatics NHL jerseys, some thoughts on Kevyn Adams' inaction thus far and on Buffalo's selection at 14, Konsta Helenius. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're back for another mock offseason. This time, Chris takes over the controls and navigates through the summer, picking the trades and signings he'd like to see the Sabres make. This comes after last week's episode when Tyler offered up his approach to the Sabres offseason gameplan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The days of trades and free agency are almost upon us so Tyler and Chris decided to try their hands at some GM work. In this episode, Tyler offers up his approach to Buffalo's offseason and the way he'd reshape the roster if he occupied Kevyn Adams' office. Next week, Chris tries his hand at the practice. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One of the best fan resources in hockey, CapFriendly, has been purchased by the Washington Capitals and will close down in July. We talk about the best aspects of CapFriendly and why it's such a huge loss in the world of hockey as the Capitals prepare to take it over. We also discuss how the NHL is missing a golden opportunity to remain engaged with their most passionate fans by developing their own version of the cap management tool. Along the way we offer up a roundup of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, the Sabres promotion of Jerry Forton and the report that some consideration could be given to shortening the NHL Draft. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There's been a lot of smoke surrounding Brady Tkachuk over the last few weeks. We dig into Tkachuk as a trade target and compare the public's percieved value of Tkachuk versus what he should probably be traded for, if he's traded at all. We also touch on the Sabres decision to not tender entry level contracts to three prospects, including Mats Lindgren and offer up a preview of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between Florida and Edmonton. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jeff Skinner's contract makes him a popular target for roster speculation. We use this episode to discuss what Skinner's future in Buffalo entails. We talk about where he fits on the roster, what the outlook is for a buyout and just what the best solution for the Sabres is when it comes to Skinner and the 2024-25 NHL season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seth Appert was named to Lindy Ruff's coaching staff this week, rounding out who will join Ruff behind the bench this year. We talk about Appert's promotion and what it means for the team as a whole and Appert himself. We also touch on Matt Ellis' move upstairs and the debate that has stirred throughout the fanbase. The second half of the show focuses on a few listener questions, where we hit on Kyle Okposo's comments to the media about this season's struggles, our belief on what sort of roster turnover there will be and what would qualify as a true shake up when it comes to offseason moves for the Sabres. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The first round of the playoffs is behind us and that means it's time to identify which teams may be feeling desperate after an early playoff exit. We touch on some of our favorite targets from the eight eliminated clubs, highlighting players who could help put the Sabres over the top. We also dissect the Maple Leafs latest first round exit and the drama surrounding them after the loss. We kick off the show with a brief conversation about the NHL Draft Lottery and why we think the Sabres ought to move their pick. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The first round of the playoffs are chugging along and we are here to catch up with what we've missed. We touch on the few series that have impressed us and the ones that haven't. We look ahead to what could be a very impressive slate of second round series while we wait to see if any of the trailing teams catch up in their respective series. We also spend some time breaking down the league's move from Arizona to Utah. We discuss some of the biggest pitfalls of the Coyotes' time in Phoenix while sharing our optimism of what's to come for the NHL in Salt Lake City. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kevyn Adams landed on his head coaching hire and it's a familiar face. Lindy Ruff will be back behind the Buffalo Sabres bench for the 2024-25 season and we dig into the decision to bring Ruff into the fold after moving on from Don Granato. We touch on his tenure in Dallas and New Jersey and attempt to translate which traits and aspects of those seasons may serve the Sabres in trying to snap their playoff drought. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Don Granato was relieved of his duties by the Buffalo Sabres. We break down the firing and begin to discuss who might come in to replace him as Buffalo's bench boss. We spend some time on the likes of Lindy Ruff, David Carle, Bruce Boudreau and many others. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Sabres were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs and, like last season, there isn't one single reason they will miss out on the postseason. But that didn't keep us from trying to pin it down. We spend this week's episode running through the myriad reasons the Sabres couldn't keep pace in the Eastern Conference and will be watching the playoffs for the 13th straight season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Should the Sabres first round pick be offered up in a trade this offseason? We run down just why we feel so strongly that the Sabres shouldn't just be shopping their first rounder, but several other pieces this summer in an attempt to get the right mix with their group and to break their playoff drought. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NHL will be highlighted in a new reality series that will air on Amazon. We spend some time talking about the outlook for the show and some of the players we'd like to see highlighted by the production. We kick off this week's episode discussing the Sabres west coast trip and offer up some thoughts on how things should unfold in the offseason before jumping into a conversation about rule changes and the upcoming Amazon series. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Sabres are trying to claw their way back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. We talk through the challenges they face as they chase down the Red Wings, Islanders and Capitals for a potential wild card berth. We also field a couple of listener questions after breaking down the playoff race, touching on topics that relate to the future of Buffalo's blueline and Zemgus Girgensons. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kevyn Adams made a big splash ahead of the deadline, acquiring Bowen Byram from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt. We dig into the deal, discussion what Byram can bring to the table for the Sabres and what this means for the next acquisitions Adams needs to make as he tries to shape the Sabres into a playoff roster. We also touch on some of the deals from around the NHL, reviewing the work done by Vegas, Winnipeg, Carolina and Colorado at this year's NHL Trade Deadline. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's deadline week and the rumors are flying left and right. We run through a number of topics on this week's show, including the most recent trades to have been made around the league while offering up one trade that each of us would make if we were in charge of another NHL team. We then talk about Buffalo's apparent strategy ahead of this year's deadline and the trio of pending UFAs Kevyn Adams appears poised to move. We close the show with a pair of trades we'd like to see Adams make before the 3 p.m. deadline on Friday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In a follow up to last week's episode, we run through the NHL's Eastern Conference to determine viable trade targets for the Sabres at this year's deadline or in the offseason. We hit on each team in the East, identifying players who can help on the fringes of the roster and even a few blockbuster candidates. We also hit on the news that the Sabres will be bringing in a new scoreboard for the 2024-25 season along with repairing the roof of KeyBank Center. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We thought we'd try something different with this week's episode. Rather than go on about another squandered pair of points, we dive into the Western Conference to come up with players the Sabres could target in a trade. We touch on each team in the West, highlighting players that range from pie-in-the-sky dreams, to valuable fits deeper in the lineup. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the 4 Nations Face Off on the way, we take a look at how many Sabres are likely to snag a roster spot playing for their respective countries. We also discuss the Morgan Rielly suspension, the latest comments made by Kevyn Adams regarding Casey Mittelstadt and offer a brief update on the current state of the Sabres. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week is the Mittelstadt episode. In the wake of the deals that shipped out Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan, questions about Casey Mittelstadt's availability have cropped up. We dive into the important role Mittelstadt has played for the Sabres this season while also discussing where he fits in to the team's future along with the difficulty the Sabres will face in replacing him should they move him in a deal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The second episode of Warpath is devoted to the crest and colors of the Buffalo Sabres. Featuring interviews with Eric Bodamer and Paul Lukas, this episode explores the background of the team's blue and gold color scheme, the meaning behind the logo along with additional stories and facts about the uniforms the Sabres wore when they first took the ice in 1970.References:American Indian College Fund National Park Service Colorado University Buffalo Sabres 40th Anniversary WebsiteBuffalo Sabres 1970-71 Media GuideUS Polo Association The Buffalo News Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Sabres are off for a week and the All Star Game is here. We have a slightly longer episode this week that tackles the Sabres' results from their west coast trip, Devon Levi's return to Rochester during the team's time off and we spitball about David Jiricek who has openly complained about his situation in Columbus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After a lengthy period of investigation, the sexual assault case related to the 2018 Canadian World Junior Championship team has progressed as five players were instructed to surrender to the authorities in London, Ontario. With four NHLers taking leaves from their respective teams, speculation has run rampant online. We discuss the latest developments in the case and the players thought to be involved in the ongoing proceedings. Also on the show is a conversation about the differences in standards and situations between the Sabres and Islanders after the latter replaced their head coach with Patrick Roy. We talk about Don Granato's outlook and whether or not he has the ability to survive as Buffalo's head coach given the struggles the Sabres continue to suffer through. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Buffalo's ongoing injury bug bit again, this time sidelining Jeff Skinner and Mattias Samuelsson. We talk in detail about Skinner's absence and what options the Sabres have to fill his spot in the lineup. Also on the show is a conversation over Rasmus Dahlin's recent quotes regarding his committment to defense and just what that means for the team and the player. Also on the show is a discussion over the retirement of Tyler Ennis and Cody Hodgson's return to hockey. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Sabres aren't in a great place when it comes to goaltending. It may not be their biggest issue, but it's a problem that could have the most long term impact on the club. I string together some rambling thoughts on the performances of Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, how the Sabres are handling Levi and what they can do to ensure Levi's ongoing growth. Perhaps it's time to make a sizeable investment in a goaltender outside the organization. Is the risk worth the reward and if a new face allows Levi to grow in the AHL, does that increase the return for the Sabres? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Sabres have plenty of issues to work on and we thought there would be no better way to fix them than by suggesting some New Year's resolutions for the club. We each run through a pair of resolutions for the Sabres, focusing on special teams, Dylan Cozens, goaltending and the front office. And we wrap up with one last brief suggestion for good measure. Whether or not these resolutions can be kept is an entirely different question for a Sabres team desperately in need of a winning streak. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The founding of the Buffalo Sabres is an interesting tale of dogged hard work by the Knox brothers mixed with a bit of vintage NHL chicanery. Follow the path the Knoxes took from prospective NHL owners, through their dalliance with the Oakland Seals and, finally, to the succwssful end of their pursuit of bringing NHL hockey to Buffalo. Sources:Buffalo Sabres 1970-71 Media Guide: https://sabresdigitalpressbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/1970-71-media-guide.pdfBuffalo Sabres 40th Anniversary Website: https://web.archive.org/web/20110307143201/http://forty.sabres.nhl.com/history.asp?year=1967 The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/1312341/2019/10/22/seals-of-approval-buying-oaklands-team-gave-the-sabres-their-ticket-to-the-nhl/ Golden Seals Hockey: https://goldensealshockey.com/Pittsburghhockey.net: https://pittsburghhockey.net/penguinsUSA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/06/08/jack-mcgregor-pittsburgh-penguins/102639134/ Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame: https://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/member/northrup-knox/https://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/member/seymour-knox-iii/Aiken Polo: https://www.uspolo.org/news-social/news/remembering-seymour-knox-an-article-in-the-2021-aiken-polo-club-magazine Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To wrap up the calendar year we took some listener questions (submitted during the team's loss to Boston) and tried to get to the bottom of what's ailing the Buffalo Sabres. On the list of topics are special teams, the lack of trades, the club's financial viability and much more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Jekyll and Hyde Sabres continued on their merry way this week, dropping an embarassing contest to the Blue Jackets before hanging nine goals on the Maple Leafs. Don Granato's job status was in sharp focus after the loss to Columbus and we dive in to just how hot his seat is and whether or not it should be quite as hot as it seems given what he has done well and his deficiencies as a coach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Instigator Podcast luck has struck again, with the Sabres swinging a deal less than a day after we recorded last week. We talk about Eric Robinson's arrival and some of the challenges the Sabres will face in balancing their roster once they return to health. We also touch on some stories from around the NHL as news broke on the upcoming changes to the NHL Skills Competition in addition to a big story out of Washington DC. The Skills Competition updates are promising as the focus on in-game skill seems to be the crux of the changes. Meanwhile the Capitals appear poised to be taking a big step towards building a new area in Alexandria, Virginia and moving from their home at Capital One Arena. We wrap up the show with listener questions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the coming weeks, a new series will be added to The Instigator Podcast lineup. This new show, titled Warpath: The History of the Buffalo Sabres, will chronicle the winding road the Sabres have traveled. The show will highlight the stories, players and events that have shaped over 50 years of NHL hockey in Buffalo. Drawing on historical sources and interviews, this show will help to illustrate some of the highest and lowest points in franchise history. You will be able to listen to every episode of Warpath right here, where you already catch The Instigator Podcast. Keep your eyes peeled, the first epsiode of Warpath will be coming soon. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Sabres recent skid has raised questions about virtually every aspect of the roster and coaching staff. We try to get to the bottom of some of those issues and determine what buttons can be pushed to address Buffalo's struggles. We discuss Don Granato and whether or not his seat is getting hot, Kevyn Adams' lack of action in the offseason (and thus far in-season) along with exploring what solutions could be available to the club. We wrap up the show with a quick discussion over the expected increase in the salary cap for 2024-25 and other changes that have come from this week's Board of Governors meeting. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Sabres goaltending came into focus as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has taken control of the crease in Buffalo and Devon Levi has been sent to Rochester. We talk about what it means for Levi, where he's struggled this year and how Rochester can help shape him into the goalie we saw last spring. This week's episode also touches on the story unfolding with Corey Perry in Chicago, Pat Kane's move to Detroit and the dismissal of Dean Evanson from Minnesota. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Sabres approach Thanksgiving very much alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race, but their inconsistency on offense threatens to derail any playoff push. We dicsuss those offensive issues while also highlighting the looming decision that is coming for Zach Benson and the Sabres. Will the team opt to burn a year of his entry level contract? Or will he be sent back to the WHL in preparation for a starring role in the World Junior Championships? This week's episode also features a debate over the NHL's plans for a return to international play, as there are reports the league will host a scaled down international event between the USA, Canada, Sweden and Finland in 2025, with an expectation to return to a regular World Cup rotation after the 2026 Olympics. All of that, and more, on this week's episode. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Sabres tough Saturday carried to Tuesday and it got worse with Tage Thompson's injury. We discuss how Buffalo's injury woes at forward have thinned their lines, and Thompson's injury exacerbates the problems. We talk about the holes in Buffalo's lineup and how it's past time for Jiri Kulich and other high-end prospects to get a look. We wrap up this week's episode with a brief conversation on the team's struggling power play and a few adjustments we'd make to clean it up.The original posting of this episode used an incorrect audio file. A new version of the episode was updated at 9:00 am on November 15. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alarm bells are going off in Edmonton and we start this week's show talking about everything that seems to be ailing the Oilers. We also tie in our Oilers discussion, and their need to stay competitive with the push the Sabres will start to feel when it comes to making a big trade of their own. We also talk about Buffalo's young stars, namely Matthew Savoie and Jiri Kulich. Savoie has arrived after his two week conditioning assignment and will likely slot into the lineup this week. But even though Kulich has been scoring at a torrid pace, he hasn't earned a call up just yet. We talk about where in the lineup he could fit and how much longer the Sabres can realistically wait before bringing him up. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We took listener questions and ran through topics like the Shane Wright plan, expectations for Devon Levi, how Peyton Krebs and Casey Mittelstadt should be handled and line juggling as the team finds the right fit for their forwards. We open the show with a discussion on the adoption of neck guards, what might be preventing early adoption for NHL players and how a grandfathered requirement could come into play. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's been quite the week in the NHL. Tuesday's 16-game slate was a hit, with ESPN's Frozen Frenzy the highlight of the evening. We talk about the effort to put the night together and how we look forward to the next iteration of the NHL's version of Red Zone. We also spend time talking about the league's movement to decentralize the draft. We weigh the pros and cons of pulling most, if not all, team staff from the on-site draft and the movement to a model that more closely resembles the NFL Draft. Along the way we touch on the Sabres first seven games, where they've struggled, where they're enjoying positive momentum and why we remain optimistic despite their early struggles on offense. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After offering a recap of Buffalo's first three games, we tackle a topic that's been circulating with Sabres fans for quite some time. Are the Sabres interested in Pat Kane and would he be a good fit with this roster? We dig into Kane's underlying stats, consider how he may look post-surgery and offer up some of the potential positives if he was indeed signed as a free agent in the coming weeks or months. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.