The Instigator Podcast
A Buffalo Sabres podcast hosted by Chris and Tyler of the Buffalo blog Two in the Box. The Instigator focuses on Sabres hockey, the NHL and other Buffalo-related topics.
Episodes
May 18, 2022 • 74 min
With the first round of the NHL Playoffs complete, we look at which teams could be looking to make adjustments this offseason and whether or not the Sabres can capitalize on any such moves. We also touch on the signing of Alexander Kisakov and the latest on the Arizona Coyotes arena saga.
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The Sabres didn't see their picks move in the NHL Draft Lottery and they will draft ninth and 16th in this year's draft. The only first round pick to be determined is that of the Florida Panthers, which will fall between 28th and 32nd depending on their finish. On this week's show we talk about the lottery results and who the Sabres could be looking at with their top two picks. We also talk about Barry Trotz' depart...
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May 4, 2022 • 65 min
Another season is in the books and we look back at the way the Sabres played over the course of 2022-23 and what it means for them going forward. While we don't assign grades to any individual, we break down each of the team's position groups to see where the bright spots were and where the Sabres need to improve most.
We wrap up the show with a brief conversation on the NHL playoffs and which early storylines in the postse...
We wrap up the show with a brief conversation on the NHL playoffs and which early storylines in the postse...
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Matt Keeler and Nick Ciavarella of JustDishin join the show to discuss SkateSkins and the product's introduction into the NHL. They also offer some tremendous insight into the intersection of hockey and fashion and how that evolution has the ability to move the sport forward on a number of levels. This wide ranging conversation touches on a number of intriguing topics, including SkateSkins, a product that made a huge splash in ...
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It's another Ask Instigator version of the podcast as we answer a number of listener questions on everything from trading their first round picks and what a lottery win would mean for the Sabres to which player from 2005-06 or 06-07 would we pick up and place on the current iteration of the Sabres roster.
We also touch on Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka's All-Rookie Team nomination in the AHL and discuss Vegas impeding eliminatio...
We also touch on Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka's All-Rookie Team nomination in the AHL and discuss Vegas impeding eliminatio...
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April 20, 2022 • 62 min
Owen Power's NHL career is a week old and we spend some time reflecting on his strong play through the first four games he's appeared in. We also touch on how he and Rasmus Dahlin are rounding out a formidable top-four for the Sabres.
Also on the show is a discussion over Devon Levi and Erik Portillo each returning to school and how that affects Buffalo's decisions in net for the offseason. We wrap up this week's sh...
Also on the show is a discussion over Devon Levi and Erik Portillo each returning to school and how that affects Buffalo's decisions in net for the offseason. We wrap up this week's sh...
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April 14, 2022 • 56 min
Jason Moser of PuckLuck.com joined the show this week to discuss the way he applies advanced analytics to betting NHL games and how his model can help give bettors an edge in winning hockey bets. We discuss how he developed the model using common analytics such as expected goals and how those models are applied to determine which NHL games offer the best opportunity for betting wins on a night-to-night basis.
We also touch on how m...
We also touch on how m...
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April 5, 2022 • 63 min
The Sabres celebrated Rick Jeanneret on Friday night and they put on quite a show in the process. We talk about the whirlwind evening and many of the highlights of the team's impressive pregame ceremony, decisive win over the Predators and touching post-game tribute.
We also touch on prospect Devon Levi and the news that he will be returning to Northeastern for his junior season after finishing 2021-22 as a Hobey Baker finalist...
We also touch on prospect Devon Levi and the news that he will be returning to Northeastern for his junior season after finishing 2021-22 as a Hobey Baker finalist...
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March 30, 2022 • 63 min
The Sabres pushed their point streak to six games and improved to 8-3-2 in the month of March. We discuss how the continued success of the team could potentially cloud the longer term needs when it comes to making sure the Sabres take the next step in their rebuild. Namely, we discuss the discourse around Craig Anderson and where the team would be had he been healthy for the entire year.
Also on the show is a discussion over the ne...
Also on the show is a discussion over the ne...
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March 22, 2022 • 68 min
Kevyn Adams stood pat at this year's trade deadline, only moving out Robert Hagg on Sunday. We talk about what the lack of action means for the team as they prepare for the stretch run, how they might fit key youngsters into the lineup and whether or not Adams made the right call by not making additional moves.
We also touch on moves from around the league. Who we felt were the big winners of this year's deadline and even d...
We also touch on moves from around the league. Who we felt were the big winners of this year's deadline and even d...
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March 16, 2022 • 65 min
We are bathing in the good vibes surrounding the Sabres this week as we discuss how things have seemingly started to gel for the team and its young core. We discuss the impressive win over the Maple Leafs in the Heritage Classic, touch on the impressive impact that the likes of Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner have on the club and look ahead to next week's deadline.
Our deadline discussion focuses on players the Sabres could attempt ...
Our deadline discussion focuses on players the Sabres could attempt ...
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March 8, 2022 • 60 min
The trade deadline is two weeks away and we spend this week's episode discussing where Buffalo's pending UFAs could go and how the Sabres can leverage this year's deadline into even more draft capital for the club. We also touch on Kevyn Adams' public statements about the Sabres ability to weaponize their cap space at the deadline.
Also on the show is a quick chat about the returns of Sam Reinhart, Jack Eichel and S...
Also on the show is a quick chat about the returns of Sam Reinhart, Jack Eichel and S...
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March 2, 2022 • 61 min
The hockey world has reacted to the war in Ukraine, as Russia and Belarus have been suspended from international play by the IIHF and the 2023 World Junior Championships have been removed from Russia as well. Additional hockey-related sanctions have been placed on the two countries and we discuss the fallout that will come from the actions taken by both sides, from a hockey perspective. We also discuss the new initiatives being tak...
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February 28, 2022 • 42 min
Eric makes his triumphant return to the show to reflect on the humble beginnings of the podcast, what's unfolded over the last 10 years for the show, the Sabres and his career with the Nashville Predators. We talk about a host of NHL and hockey topics, including the fan engagement that's been cultivated in Nashville and some of the big events Eric has experienced with the Preds.
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February 23, 2022 • 63 min
The Sabres will have some work to do in order to reach the cap floor for the 2022-23 season. That will mean some creative moves will need to be made via free agency and the trade market in the coming weeks and months in order to hit the minimum salary cap figure. We run down a list for forwards, defensemen and goaltenders who the Sabres could target to not only fill their cap void, but to help push the team closer to competitivenes...
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February 16, 2022 • 54 min
The main focus of this week's show is Alex Tuch and the impressive impact he's had since arriving in Buffalo. We talk about the underlying numbers he's carrying, the incredible point production and simply how good he's looked taking a step up in the lineup and helping to anchor Buffalo's top line.
We add some thoughts about how Tuch's emergence can help fuel the next moves the Sabres make in terms of free ag...
We add some thoughts about how Tuch's emergence can help fuel the next moves the Sabres make in terms of free ag...
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February 10, 2022 • 56 min
The Montreal Canadiens fired Dominique Ducharme and named Martin St. Louis as their interim head coach as they work through a very difficult season. We discuss the Habs' decision to go with a somewhat unexpected hire for their interim coach and whether or not St. Louis will have the inside track to take over in a more permanent capacity. Tuukka Rask called it a career and we celebrate his career while bidding him adieu We also ...
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February 3, 2022 • 76 min
We answer listener questions on air, but before we do, we discuss Rocky Wirtz's outburst at a Blackhawks town hall rally and what the fallout could be for the troubled franchise. We also talk about some of the adaptations being made to the All Star Skills Competition and which Sabre player we think would be the best representative at this year's All Star Game.
We wrap up the episode with a handful of #AskInstigator question...
We wrap up the episode with a handful of #AskInstigator question...
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January 27, 2022 • 60 min
It's been a busy week in the NHL and we open this week's episode with a conversation over Aaron Dell's suspension and the bind that it has put the Sabres in to with their goaltending. Not only do we discuss how the suspension affects the Sabres but the actions Dell took and if he was deserving of the penalty he received.
Along the way, we touch on the new hirings of Kent Hughes, Patrick Allvin and Émilie Castonguay. The...
Along the way, we touch on the new hirings of Kent Hughes, Patrick Allvin and Émilie Castonguay. The...
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January 20, 2022 • 71 min
One half of the Maintenance Day podcast team joined the show this week as Joe Yerdon was back once again. Unfortunately, Lance Lysowski was unable to join for our roundtable discussion. We touch on the Sabres difficult injury luck and how they will be addressing their goaltending pipeline as Devon Levi and Erik Portillo continue to impress in the NCAA. We also touch on the NHL's announcement of rescheduled games and how the str...
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