The Instigator Podcast

Strap in for a big episode as Kevyn Adams' pre-draft press conference left people with far more questions than answers. We run through the big talking points, particularly the bizarre rebuke he gave to rumors of a Mattias Samuelsson buyout. We also serve up a discussion of our respective mock offseasons before diving into the 2025 NHL Draft. Our draft conversation hits on the handful of players we think the Sabres could take and th...

Elliotte Friedman put JJ Peterka into the thick of the rumor mill last week, noting that the Sabres had ever so slightly altered their stance on the RFA winger. We break down the latest on Peterka (9:55) and talk through what it would mean to move him this offseason. We open with a conversation on this year's Conn Smythe trophy, and make our pick in the midst of game six and the Stanley Cup Final wrapping up (0:35). In addition, Ra...

With Bowen Byram's name at the top of the rumor mill, we break down what it would look like for the Sabres to move on from him and how the return could shape their strategy this summer. We also break down another popular rumor target, Jason Robertson. The trade package, why he's on the block and just how much of an impact he could have on this Sabres roster.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In New York call 877-8-HOPENY...

The long awaited addition to the Sabres front office has been made as Jarmo Kekalainen has been hired as a senior advisor. We discuss Kekalainen's hiring (20:32), where he succeeded in Columbus and what made him a qualified candidate. We also touch on the potential speed bumps that Kekalainen, Adams and the Sabres may encounter as Kekalainen gets up to speed in Buffalo. We also talk about the reaction to the Sabres decision to use ...

Both Bowen Byram and JJ Peterka have become subject to trade rumors, as the pair have slotted in on trade boards ahead of the offseason. While there has been plenty of smoke around Byram for some time, Peterka is a bit more of a surprise. This episode touches on some thoughts on each player, the viability of each as a trade target and how it may shape Buffalo's offseason.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In New York cal...

New York State has put the wheels in motion for Buffalo to become a port city for Great Lakes cruises, potentially as early as 2027. Patrick Kaler, CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, joined the show to provide some insight into this process. He paints a detailed picture of how Great Lakes cruises operate, how they benefit the cities where they stop and how Buffalo is poised to capitalize on them. We touch on a number of topics related t...

The Maple Leafs suffered another game seven letdown, raising new questions about their core players, specifically Mitch Marner. We discuss the feasibility (or lack thereof) of the Sabres targeting Marner if he reaches free agency (21:01). We touch on the cap work the Sabres would need to fit his contract, the players who would need to depart to provide the needed flexibility and how Marner would complement the roster if he were sig...

The Sabres made their first new hire in the front office, adding Eric Staal in a special assistant role under Kevyn Adams. We discuss Staal's hiring (1:05) and whether or not they can land a special advisor in a more senior position as the offseason progresses (9:40). We wrap up with a conversation on Connor Clifton, the first player in our offseason series analyzing the players who could (or should) be targets for trade this summe...

A pair of teams leapt up the draft order after the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery. The New York Islanders will be picking first overall while the Utah Hockey Club moved from 14th to fourth, locking in the San Jose Sharks at second overall (:20). The Sabres were bumped to ninth overall after two teams from behind them moved up. We walk through the lottery results and offer a few thoughts on the direction we'd go if we were in the GM chair w...

While there was some expectation the Sabres could make some changes in the front office, it appears as if no changes are in store for the club. Meanwhile, teams across the league have made substantial changes at coach or GM. We ask why the Sabres haven't determined that this sort of action is necessary after another season without the playoffs and whether or not there is any sort of organizational standard here in Buffalo (29:30). ...

Kevyn Adams and Lindy Ruff wrapped up the Sabres season with a joint press conference, coming after two days of locker cleanout and player interviews. We run through some of the most notable talking points from the weekend, reflecting on the pros and cons of an eventful weekend for the Sabres. While Adams spent a lot of time saying very little, he still made a few comments that stood out against a 14th straight season without a pla...

It's time for a listener mailbag as game 82 of the Sabres season approaches. This episode takes on questions about Buffalo's offseason plans, what the blueline should look like, if Lindy Ruff will get any assistants of his choosing and more.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In New York call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-7899-7777 or visit ccpg.org. Plea...

The Sabres resurgent play won't get them in the playoffs as they were officially eliminated on Tuesday despite a shutout of the Hurricanes. This episode explores some of the bright spots and building blocks on the Buffalo roster, plus an Eastern Conference Wild Card race that inched along for the second straight season. We also celebrate Alex Ovechkin breaking the all time goal scoring record to open the show.

Gambling problem? Cal...

Alex Ovechkin is on the brink of breaking Wayne Gretzky's all time goal scoring record and we devote the opening portion of this episode to discussing his feat, where he fits in league history and whether or not we'll see the record broken this year. We also discuss the 180 Buffalo's goaltending hierarchy has undergone as James Reimer has seemingly taken the net from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Also, how has Noah Ostlund's hot second hal...

The Sabres hosted a season ticket holder event that produced a few interesting tidbits and we frame a conversation on the boiling fan unrest around the event and the ongoing injury issue facing Josh Norris. We also pose a question of which Amerk you'd like to see recalled for a short look over the final few weeks of the 24-25 season. The show wraps up with a brief discussion of the upcoming NCAA National Tournament.

Gambling prob...

It was another week full of frustrating press coverage centered on thee Sabres and their struggles. Joe Yerdon joins the show this week to dig into the latest coverage while offering some insights on what has plagued the Sabres as of late. We talk about what's shaping up to be a new storyline for the end of the year and look ahead to yet another pivotal offseason for Kevyn Adams.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In New York ...

This week's episode runs through the aftermath of the deadline, looking ahead to what comes next for Kevyn Adams and the Sabres. We walk through the remaining holes to plug in Buffalo's lineup and how the Josh Norris acquisition fits within the larger scope of the club's ongoing build. Prior to that, we talk through the explosion of takes spurred by Paul Bissonnette over Rasmus Dahlin drawing a line in the sand with Adams. While Da...

Josh Norris was the big addition for the Sabres on deadline day and Kevyn Adams did a fair bit of work moving out Dylan Cozens and Henri Jokiharju and extending Jason Zucker. This episode is a quick rundown of Friday's work by Adams, offering a brief breakdown of the Norris acquisition. In addition, this episode takes a look at a busy deadline around the league, highlighting the most notable deals made at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadlin...