October 15, 2025 • 39 mins
In this episode, Brandon Caputo is joined by Sabres daily media member Bill Hoppe of Buffalo Hockey Beat and Olean Times Herald to update the lineup, injury report and team quotes from what was a tumultuous opening week of the 2025-26 NHL regular season for the Buffalo Sabres starting off 0-3, with injuries already piling up and pressure being on early for a team going into Year 15 of a playoff drought.
Follow Bill Hoppe: https://x.com/BillHoppeNHL
Segments
Intro: 0:00
Segment 1: 01:13 - What went wrong in the first 3 games? Panic time?
Segment 2: 28:38 - Updated lineup and injury report. Enough roster depth?
Promotion with Buttendz #1 hockey grips to get 10% off your order as part of the network: buttendz.com/discount/ArmchairGM
Intro Songs Credit:
Ivan from Guitar Logic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmy9KGCcfVA
Joe Bucci: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5ZiMjXQDtY&t=1s
== FOLLOW THE NETWORK ==
X: https://x.com/ArmchairGMPod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCJUaG5QNg1jwQ5a_32rZs1Q
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmchairGMsNetwork/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armchairgmsnetwork/
Website: https://www.armchairgmsports.com/
== ALSO AVAILABLE TO LISTEN TO ON ==
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/thearmchairgms
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-armchair-gms-sports-network/id1462505333?uo=4
Spotify: http://bit.ly/ArmchairGM
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/f69c2372-97f9-4c0e-8d52-ade7d7591cd4/the-armchair-gm's-sports-network
== FOLLOW US ON TWITTER ==
Brandon Caputo: https://x.com/BCaputo_AGM
Follow Bill Hoppe: https://x.com/BillHoppeNHL
Segments
Intro: 0:00
Segment 1: 01:13 - What went wrong in the first 3 games? Panic time?
Segment 2: 28:38 - Updated lineup and injury report. Enough roster depth?
Promotion with Buttendz #1 hockey grips to get 10% off your order as part of the network: buttendz.com/discount/ArmchairGM
Intro Songs Credit:
Ivan from Guitar Logic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmy9KGCcfVA
Joe Bucci: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5ZiMjXQDtY&t=1s
== FOLLOW THE NETWORK ==
X: https://x.com/ArmchairGMPod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCJUaG5QNg1jwQ5a_32rZs1Q
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmchairGMsNetwork/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armchairgmsnetwork/
Website: https://www.armchairgmsports.com/
== ALSO AVAILABLE TO LISTEN TO ON ==
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/thearmchairgms
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-armchair-gms-sports-network/id1462505333?uo=4
Spotify: http://bit.ly/ArmchairGM
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/f69c2372-97f9-4c0e-8d52-ade7d7591cd4/the-armchair-gm's-sports-network
== FOLLOW US ON TWITTER ==
Brandon Caputo: https://x.com/BCaputo_AGM
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're listening to the Armchair GM Sports Network.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Time to sharpen those swords. You're listening to Saber Semantics,
a hard hitting interview and discussion show featuring players, alumni,
media and all others who covered the NHL's Buffalo Sabers.
(00:57):
With interesting stories from the past and current of analysis,
this show is sure to provide an entertaining and unique
perspective for both savers and hockey fans alike. Exclusively on
the arm shaired GM Sports Network.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Welcome into another episode of Saber Semantics right here on
the armchaired GM Sports Network. Thank you those that are
tuned in on our video version on YouTube, and thank
you to those that are choosing to listen to us
in your favorite on demand audio platform. Make sure to
hit like hit subscribe to smash that belt to stay
up to date with all of our coverage here on
the network. Is going to pop up on the video
version on the screen, and make sure to give us
a follow on x at Saber Semantics. They update with
(01:34):
our Sabers coverage as well as on Instagram, TikTok and
Facebook by searching the Armchair GMS Sports Network. As you
can see on the video version, today and in the
description of the video, I'm very pleased to be joined
by a special guest today on the show, and it
is Bill Hoppey from Buffalo Hockey Beat and Oleian Times Herald. Bill,
thanks so much for being able to join us today
(01:56):
and first time on the show as well. And look
forward to check and with you throughout the season. And
got to know you a little bit at a couple
of Sabers games been able to cover. But I really
appreciate you being able to come on today. Where can
people find I mentioned some of the outlets you're working for,
but where can they find some of your great work
and what you're doing with the Sabers.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Thank you. You can find it at Buffalo Hockeybeat dot com.
You can find it at you know in the Only
Times Herald Niagara is that Lackport Union son In journal.
So it's in a few papers out there for sure.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
So how long have you been covering the Sabers Bill.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
Since late two thousand and two? Long time?
Speaker 1 (02:36):
So you've been through the ups and downs and seeing
what this franchise has had over the last last little bit.
And I wish I would have been able to have
you on to talk about a little bit more of
the positive opening week of their regular season. But look
forward to getting your updates on a few of the
players and a few of the updates regarding the lines
and things like that. But you know, sort of, I guess,
(02:58):
and as we get going here, zhero to three start,
you know, not what the team wants fourteen year playoffs drought.
We know that the pressure is on this franchise, in
the organization from somebody that's there at practice every day
and at the games and everything like that. Do you
see a little bit more added, I guess pressure and
urgency from maybe the front office, the coaching staff, the players, Like,
(03:21):
do you notice anything a little bit different because it's
obviously been you know, they're they're weighing a lot right
now on their shoulders going into this season.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Well, I think they definitely feel pressure to get it
done and to get in the playoffs and just just
end end this thing. I mean, I mean, it's a
black cloud that hangs over the organization. I mean it's
the longest drought in NHL history. I mean, I think
it's the second longest in pro sports behind the Jets
made New York Jets. So I mean it's been a
(03:53):
tough go for a long long time. And I don't
know if I see you know, Lindy reacting to pressure
or feeling pressure that type of thing. But I mean
there's definitely an urgency within the organization, you know, to
get this right. And it's funny. They seem to have
(04:15):
a good, productive training camp. I don't know how much
stock you can always put in a training camp, but
it seemed like they liked what they did. They they
had a lot of you know, longer practices. They targeted
certain areas, which I probably say every team does that,
but they you know, they really focused on, you know,
(04:36):
shaving the goals against I think, playing with more purpose,
you know, that type of thing. And here they had
three games of the season, oh and three. And I
mean throughout the course of a six month, eighty two
game schedule, you're gonna lose three games in a row.
That's just the way the NHL is. But for them
(04:57):
to lose three games in a row to start the
season with all this pressure on them, uh, you know,
it's just it's the worst. You know, it feels like
the worst possible start. And not not just lose three games,
they've lost all three games in regulation, they've scored two goals.
I don't know if they've been awful in the games.
I shouldn't say I should I should say they haven't
(05:19):
been awful in the games. They had a rough first
period in Boston, but overall they haven't been like bad bad,
But they they certainly haven't been good, and they, you know,
certainly haven't done enough to win. You know, you look
at the lineup, they haven't two goals. I mean, again,
small sample size, but you know, with how excited these
(05:40):
guys seem to be to start the season and just
what they were able to end last season on that
that run over the final quarter of the year, I
think they they seem to figure things out. And here
we are, we're talking about them. You know. I guess
they're the one of two teams that hasn't held a
lead this year, the others the Ducks, although the Ducks
(06:01):
have won a game in overtime. So I mean, it's
barely a weekend and it's not looking good.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
No, And I've got the player stats up on the
screen for everybody that's watching on the video version, and
you know, Jason Zuker leads the way right now. And
again you mentioned like you're not gonna you're not gonna
win many games. You're only scoring two goals over three contests.
And and I'm aware that Colorado is one of the
better teams in the National Hockey League, but I just
(06:31):
from what we saw in the first week bill like,
it's just hard for me to wrap my head around again,
seventy nine games left. I don't want to get too
ahead of ourselves here. And like you mentioned, teams go
through three game stretches or even longer throughout a long
eighty two game season. But with the injuries piling up,
which we'll get to as well. Like just again you
talked about it not being pretty much couldn't have been
(06:53):
a worse start all around. But like with the schedule
they've got coming up, they still have to to prepare
for these games. Any rough talk to a lot in
the practice availability with you guys today about just the
compete level and making sure that guys you know, are
bringing their best effort, like already a week into the season,
Like to you, is that something that a week end
(07:15):
of the season should be having those conversations because they've
had the whole offseason, Not like we're talking about games
in December, January, February here where guys start to get tired, fatigue,
things like that.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Yeah, I think he meant that his top four defensemen
were kind of we're pretty gassed. Although to me, they
didn't against the Colorado They didn't have much of a
push in the or. They really didn't have any push
in the third period, maybe three shots before they pulled
the goalie, something like that, four or five overall, So
they didn't have any push in the third period against Colorado.
(07:47):
So I mean interpret that as you will. I mean,
maybe they are gased as a whole. They shouldn't be.
I mean, they had a demanding training camp, they're trying
to raise the standard, and yeah, three games in, I mean,
you shouldn't be feeling that they haven't. I don't think
(08:07):
they've had any back to backs yet. You know, the
schedule is only gonna get tougher. I mean an Olympic year.
I mean at a certain point, it's gonna get really
really hard, and they're not even gonna have practice time. Really,
They're gonna get their practice with some morning skates more
or less for the latter part of the year. So
(08:27):
but I think I think I think Lindy rough one
to make it clear today that that was his top
four defenseman had had played a lot. So but we'll
see how they respond against Ottawa. I mean Ottawa is
I mean another good team. I mean, I know people
don't think of them in the same category as you know,
(08:48):
Toronto or Tampa or whoever. But I mean they had
a very nice year last year. To me, they seem
pretty built, you know, to keep moving up. So I'm
this is a tough stretch for them. They have the Panthers,
they have the Canadians, I mean a couple of games
against the Leafs before the month ends. So they're in
(09:11):
it right now. They're in it, and they just they
gotta rattle off a couple of wins here. I mean,
you know, if they're two and three by the end
of the week, you can take a deep breath and say, okay,
they've they've settled down. But I mean if they have
one win or one point or nothing, I mean, you
don't know. I mean there's gonna be a lot of questions.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Yeah, and you have seven home games in the first month,
and you mentioned not really a lot of back to backs.
Accept the back to back, but Toronto, which again it's
only a two hour commute, right or even less if
they're flying. So it's sort of like, just again, they
have really no excuse to have those types of efforts
early on in the season with the way their schedules
sort of are playing out. And again, when you talk
(09:53):
about the standings already early on and we're still in
October here, and the Sabers obviously haven't pay up a
point yet. And again, ninety points was sort of where
everybody had projected them to be, and that would be
a fifty to fifty shot at the playoffs. I'm sure
that they would definitely take that, considering having a thirteen
game losing streak last year. If they didn't go through that,
(10:14):
maybe half of that they would have been right there.
So like, when when do you think that they start
to hit the panic button or do you think the
panic button's already been hit, like with the injuries that
have have come up as well, Like in your mind, Bill,
like when do we really need to start panicking if
this team doesn't start to pick up some wins here, Let's.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
Say by the end of the week. It's just as
you know, the NHL standings, are you know a little
odd in that by you know, the beginning of November
American Thanksgiving Christmas time. If you're in a playoffs, the
teams that are in a playoff spot are typically the
(10:53):
teams that don't that make it. And I mean if
you're on the outside looking in at that time, even
though you're a third, not even halfway through the season,
maybe even a quarter of the season, I mean, to
get into that the top eight is really really difficult,
and typically maybe only one or two teams over that
final over those final few months can creep in there.
(11:17):
So these early season games are just very very critical
and they got to get going here or I mean
if they're in you know, eighth place, or excuse me,
if they're in whatever fourteenth place in the conference or
thirteenth place or whatever, you know, in three weeks, I mean,
(11:37):
they're going to be in very rough shape and it's
going to be a ton of ground to make up.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Yeah, I mean again, when you have to leap frog
so many teams you talk about, you can pick up wins,
but you also need those four or five teams that
are in front of you to also lose games as well,
and then you're gonna have four points wing games if
you're playing against those opponents. So again, you just don't
want to dig yourself such a big hole to overcome
early in the seas. But you look at how injury
plague the Florida Panthers are right now, You look at
(12:03):
Ottawa's gonna be with out Brady Kachuk tonight and long term,
it seems like and you see these opportunities within the
Atlantic Division. Again, not really expect them to be a
top three team there, but you would expect them to
be able to take advantage of some of these teams
that are going through the injury bug, and then they
obviously have gone through the injury bug themselves. So you
(12:24):
just you see sort of like a missed opportunity right
now with the Atlantic sputtering and having these teams that
look like they can be had right now that they're
not being able to really take advantage and make up
some ground.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Sure, sure, and you know they're with the Atlantic Division
for a couple of years now. You thought Tampa would
take a step back, and they they really haven't. I mean,
on one him, they have, but they really haven't. You
thought Boston would take a step back. They have, but
I mean they've looked pretty good so far, small sample size.
I mean, it's a tough, tough division. I mean, uh,
(13:00):
you know, I think a lot of people thought the
Sabers were well out of the Canadians, and the Canadians
made the playoffs last year. I think a lot of
people thought the Sabers were ahead of Ottawa, and Ottawa
made it last year. I think people have been waiting
on Detroit for a long time and they're a team
that could. I mean, if they made the playoffs, it
wouldn't shock me. So they're in a very competitive crowd
division with the with the team and the Panthers, who
(13:22):
you know, maybe a potential dynasty type team. So they
have their work cut out for them, and i they
just they just got to rattle off a couple of
wins here to settle things down. I mean, they have
such a great opportunity with these early home games, as
you mentioned, and it's it's just an opportunity. Key Bank
(13:45):
Center over the years hasn't been a tough place for opponents.
Let's face it, when they're winning like they were a
decade and a half ago, two decades, it's it's a
pretty rockous arena. It's a lot of fun to watch
a game there. It's a our rink opponents don't like visiting.
But I mean it hasn't been like that for a
long time. So it's also an opportunity just to make it,
(14:09):
you know, make it a tough place to play again.
I mean, I can't underscore that enough. I mean, right now,
the crowd gets on the Sabers and they tighten up.
They don't react well to it, the booing, just the
general whatever, just the general feel of it sometimes and yeah,
it's a lot of nights it's not a good environment.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
And quickly before we hit the brake bill on that point.
I think what made the home opener even more disappointing
was that it was virtually a sellout, and for the
Sabers to have those the last few seasons has been
few and far between with what the team has put
out on the ice, and we remember those days when
the place was humming and the atmosphere was incredible and
(14:53):
one of the best home atmospheres in the National Hockey League. Like,
what was the feeling like going into that game with
a sold out building and everybody you know filing in
and just dying to be able to have something to
cheer for, and they really didn't have it the entire night.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Well, I made the comment early on when they they
did have a few opportunities early in the game against
Egersiustrick in there it felt like, you know, they might
blow the roof off the building if if they scored
an early goal. It just had that feel early and
then it just kind of disappeared, which was kind of sad.
I mean, they had really not I mean they got
(15:28):
shut out, really nothing to cheer about the whole night,
and you know, a lost opportunity there just to not
only whatever win a game, but to just play a
memorable opener and establish something. So I don't know how
the crowds are going to be coming up here. You know,
(15:50):
Ottawa is a very good team, but on a Wednesday night,
I don't expect a big crowd. I mean, they have
Columbus later this month Montreal. Excuse me, they're in Montreal
floor afternoon said afternoon. You know, Stanley Cup champion. They
might get a good crowd, but if this keeps going on,
there could be some very small crowds. And yeah, I
mean just you know, to have that building packed opening
(16:12):
night with special with all they've been through and they
just they couldn't get it done.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
Yeah, and uh again, that's just very unfortunate for a
team that's looking for some positivity with something like that
to be able to latch onto. But we're gonna get
more more reaction here with Bill Hoppey, longtime Savers media
member after this commercial break, or to get into the
lines and the power playing things like that going into
tonight's game against Ottawa. Stay with us.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
G and L Flooring is Niager's specialty flooring and design company.
They take great pride and provide a leade customer service
and support with a beautiful showroom, great pricing, and a
wide variety of truly unique products. J and L Flooring
is your specialty flooring and the core Batique shop. All
of their products are environmentally friendly and responsibly produced, so
you can feel good about your flooring choices. Their goal
(16:59):
is to build authentic relationships based on honesty and integrity
that they foster with respect and authenticity, offering a unique
and wide range of quality products presented by a knowledgeable,
impatient team. They simplify the process to make your life
easier and to make your home more beautiful. Visit them
at forty four twenty four Montrose Road in Niaga Falls,
(17:20):
or find out more at jmail Flooring dot com. If
you think you can get a better deal anywhere else,
you don't know Jack at jmail Flooring.
Speaker 4 (17:31):
Whether you just brought home a new furry member of
the family, or would like help finding something new for
your picky eater. Maybe you've done your research and want
to upgrade your pets nutrition from an entry level food.
The staff at any of the Global Pet food stores
in the Niagara region would love to help you out.
Let them show you why our lesser known premium brands
are so much better than highly advertised, big corporate brands.
The value from the brands we carry is not only
(17:53):
visible in the health and vitality in your pets, but
also because you won't need to feed as much as
with the other brands, better new attrition from a longer
lasting bay. We hope to see you at one of
the following locations across Niagara thirty six forty three Portage
Road in Niagara Falls, one sixty Highway twenty in font Hill,
as well as four hundred Scott Street, Saint Catharine's Global
pet foods where pets are undeniably part of the family.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Are you currently looking for work in the Nico region.
If so, you owe it to yourself to check out
the services provided by the NICRO Employments Health Center, located
at sixty one hundred Thoroldstone Road and Niagara Falls. There
are many free services include a fully staffed resource area
open to the public, resume and cover letter writing, local
labor market information, job search strategies, assistance with clarifying employment,
(18:44):
training and career goals, employment counseling and job search support,
better Jobs Ontario information and registration assistants. Check out their
websites at EHC dot own, dot CAA or called nine
zero five three five eight zero zero two to one
for more information than Nigro Employment Health Center helping people
find work since nineteen eighty three. This Employment Ontario program
(19:04):
is funded by the Government of Ontario.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
Wild Bill's Auto Repair is your local center for auto
maintenance and repair in the Niagara region. Since twenty twelve,
wild Bill's Auto Repair and Body Shop has been helping
customers stay safe and confident on the road, knowing their
vehicle is in top running condition through the garage's services
located at seventy eight sixty eight oak Wood Drive in
Niagara Falls. The garage started as a tribute to the
(19:26):
owner's father, William Robert Hunter, who passed away continuing the
same community spirit and high level of service which customers
can expect from him back at Hunter's Auto Repair. Their
multi award winning auto shops earned the trust of the
Niagara community with its fair treatment of all customers, who
can feel confident they'll get trustworthy advice and repairs during
their visit. Their experienced crew loves meeting new people and
(19:47):
looks forward to forming a lasting partnership for the care
of your vehicles. To find out more or to book
a service, contact them today at nine oh five, three five,
eight seven, eight six eight or wild Billsauto dot CA
Wild Bill Auto Repair helping customers stay safe and competent
on the road since twenty twelve.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
You're listening to the Armchair GM Sports Network.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
Hey here we call we's talking din and blocky.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Here we call the Boys and Blue.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Why yey?
Speaker 1 (20:22):
Here we call me some noise getting into so from
one and one let's hear you from your ons same
Welcome back to part two of today's Saber Semantics episode
right here on the Armchair GM Sports Network. Thank you
(20:42):
those that are tuned in on our video version on
YouTube and those that are listening on your favorite on
demand audio platform. Make sure to give us a follow
on Exit Saber Semantics. Stay update with all of our
Sabers coverage as well as on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok
by searching the Armchair GM Sports Network for all of
our short reels and content for Innocuto. Back with you,
and I'm very pleased to be joined again by Bill
Hoppey from Buffalo Hockey Beat and Olian Times. Harold longtime
(21:06):
Sabers media member. Bill. Before we get further into sort
of the meat and potatoes of how the Sabers are
gonna look tonight's game and going for the rest of
the week with some of the injury report, a friend
of the show and I know a friend of yours,
Joe Jurden, fellow Buffalo Sabers media member, wanted me to
ask you a very hard hitting question here show today,
(21:27):
and he wants to know what is your favorite place
to eat on the road.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
My favorite place to eat on the road, Oh boy,
probably Montreal. Just a very good meal. They have hot
dogs with toasted rolls in the intermission. It's just a
it's just a very good meal. A lot of variety,
a lot of selections. I enjoy eating at the at
the Bell Center.
Speaker 1 (21:52):
Yeah, I mean Montreal smoke meat, you know, one of
the best. So yeah, Montreal. I guess that's a good one.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
Definitely, I guess. All right, thank you for the question.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
And Joe, Yeah, Joe might have another opinion, but I
guess I'll have to have him back on for his
expert analysis of a way media food. Okay, but getting
in getting into it further here, Bill, I'm gonna pull
something up on the screen here about something Lindy Rouff
talked about, and I know it's a it's an article
that you wrote as well about Eerie Kooleiach And you know,
(22:22):
with the injury to Josh Norris, they gave Kolach that
that number one center role right away, it seemed like
for the first week and just hasn't seemed to play well.
He's sort of practicing as an extra forward earlier yesterday
and looks like he could possibly be scratched versus Ottawa.
We'll have to wait and see. But you talked about
it here in your article. But you know, what did
(22:43):
you and sort of what was the vibe when he
sort of said that about Yuri Kolach just simply put
needed to be better as a young player.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
Yeah, I mean he really, he didn't mince words. He
said he has to be better. He's capable of more.
He just he's not getting it done basically, and he
could very well be a scratch against the Senators. He
practiced on the I guess the fifth line with Mason
Gertzen and Jordan Greenway, who was just returning to practice.
(23:11):
Is he I mean, he's clearly sending a message. Will
it just will it just end there? Will he? He said?
He stopped short of saying he would scratch him. He
said they were just kind of playing with things, you know,
trying some things out. But I mean Lenny Rough's not
afraid to scratch players. So I mean maybe he sits
against the Senators. But yeah, I mean three games, I mean,
(23:32):
small sample size again, but you know, they had big
expectations for Yuri COOLi. He scored fifteen goals in whatever
sixty two games last year. I think they think of
him as a you know, easily a twenty goal scorer more.
I mean he can. He can be a thirty goal
scorer in my opinion in the NHL. He's a guy
(23:53):
that centered the top line a lot of times down
the stretch last year. And through three games, you've, i mean,
really haven't noticed him. I mean he's a minus four.
I mean you've noticed him at least on the offensive end.
He just he hasn't done anything. And with Josh Norris injured,
some other guys injured, I mean, they they need him
(24:14):
badly to just step up and contribute, and we haven't
seen anything so far.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
Something that glaring. I got to Heather angles tweet about
the lines and pairings up on the screen. Bill and
Tage Thompson moving back to center. Do you think that
that is something that's a long term play short term play.
Norris being out for upwards of eight weeks is going
to put a wrench into things. But Tage is obviously
no one is a natural center, but has been playing
(24:41):
on the right wing ever since that injury last year.
But do you see him sort of staying in the
middle or where are we at there?
Speaker 3 (24:48):
I'm not sure. I think with Lenny Ruff and Tage Thompson,
I don't I don't think Tage cares cares either way,
and I don't think the rough is married to one
one position, So I think it could be a switch
from game to game, or within a game, or from
week to week. But I think, I mean, they're you know,
(25:11):
they're already had kind of a critical juncture here and
they're not you know, Josh Norris is hurt. They're not
getting any production from Yurikolich down the middle. Ryan McLeod's
had a rough start. I think he's a minus five
no points, I believe, So yeah, why not throw Tage
Thompson in there. He's he's your top offensive threats. He
(25:36):
I mean, he produces at both positions. So I think
if you just want a little spark, put Tage in
the middle, and maybe it, maybe it lasts for a while,
maybe it maybe he's back on the wing by the weekend.
But you know, it's funny because I thought I thought
Tage Thompson was a center forever. I really did. That's
where he just broke out four years ago into one
(25:59):
of the league's elite scores. And like you said, he
went to the wing because of the injury last year around.
I don't know maybe after Christmas, and he Lindy rough
liked him there. He produced, I mean it was it
was easier for him with his injury there for a
little while, so he left him there. So that was
not something I expected. But I mean, who's to argue
(26:20):
with it when you have Josh Norris and Uriku Leach
and you know Ryan McLeod's coming off a breakout career season,
so they had that option, but now they kind of
don't have that option.
Speaker 1 (26:34):
And something else that was glaring about the About the
Lines today Bill was Josh Doone being elevated to the
right wing two spot and also on the top power
play unit. Do you see that sort of being just
a short term play, maybe rewarding Josh Done for solid
play through the first three games in Lindy's opinion, or
like what what what? What kind of mix do you
think Josh Done puts into this, this top six and
(26:56):
then on the first power play unit.
Speaker 3 (26:59):
I think they, well, well I think he'll they want
him on the second or third line. They really like him.
I think they just like this all around game. You know,
some of the tenacity he brings in just a smart player,
a very humble kid. He thinks he has more. I
think the Sabers think he has more Offensively, what that is,
(27:21):
I don't know if that's a fifteen to twenty goal
type guy, but they're giving him every chance to succeed.
They put him in situations all throughout camp on scoring lines.
He's gotten power play time. I forgot if he was
on the top unit the other day, but yeah, I
mean they're giving every chance and it's just a matter
(27:43):
if he seizes it. But I mean that JJ Pitturk
trade getting Michael Kesseler and got a lot of the
attention just because you know, he's a right shot d
that the Sabers really wanted to play with Owen power.
But Josh don was a big part of that deal too.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
For sure, And it seemed like in that Sabers embedded
episode that they posted that Kevin Adams is going back
and forth with Bill Armstrong, you know, about trying to
get Josh doone in that trade. So it sounds like
he wasn't just a throw in type of player that
they really wanted them to be a part of this.
And with his dad's you know, pedigree in the NHL,
you think that he'd be a very valuable player going forward,
so we'll see how long he sticks on that. As
(28:20):
far as the injury report, you mentioned it Bill about
Michael kessel Ring being out week to week, we know
Norris is going to be out for upwards to eight weeks.
Samuelson day to day as well, lucing in practice today,
saw your tweet there as well, and then Jordan Greenaway
still working his way back from a long recovery in
the offseason. So it doesn't look like much is coming
(28:41):
as far as reinforcements in the short term. So sort
of where what are we looking at? Is this sort
of going to be the line like you can't make
trades this early on in the season and you don't
even know what Rochester has at this point, so you
know when you see the week to weeks injuries and
they're just gonna have need the guys to step up.
Speaker 3 (28:58):
No, yeah, I think so. Theny Rough said today they
kind of toyed with calling up like a you know,
a Noah Ausland or maybe Helenius. I forgot the names
that were mentioned from Rochester offensive type guys, but he
I think he thinks the windows kind of closed for
that just because they've gotten Zach bentson back, Greenway's on
(29:20):
his way back and so forth. But yeah, I mean
a lot of us are just gonna have to come
from within. I mean, say what you will about them.
I think they've assembled some pretty good depth, not elite depth,
but you know, higher end depth. I would say, just
with some of these guys they have out of the lineup,
(29:43):
I mean it's being tested early and some of it,
some of it has responded well. I thought Jacob Brison
and Ryan Johnson, they played together on Monday afternoon. They
look very good together. I mean, those guys are probably
slotted to be their seventh and eighth defenseman. You know.
Josh Dunn, I think he's a guy they liked, they've
(30:04):
they've worked in the lineup. He was recalled after the opener.
So I mean they do have, you know, good guys
that can plug in there. But I mean, realistically, if
they're gonna get through this, I mean, they need, you know,
their top end guys, you know, to to step up
the You know, Urikoluch is a guy a perfect example.
(30:25):
You know, he kind of moved up to the top
line and you know, now we're wondering if he's going
to be a healthy scratch. So yeah, internally, I mean
it's gonna be tough, though, I mean Josh Norris, I mean,
Josh Norris looked like he looked like a thirty five
goal seventy five point player at least during the preseason.
(30:46):
And I know it's the preseason, but he was healthy
and he just I mean, he had a terrific summer apparently,
which is something you hear all the time, but he
actually got to work out this summer. He was healthy,
excuse me, and he was, you know, really able to
find a good, good place with his body and just
you know the excitement of coming into this new opportunity
(31:07):
and it really looked like he was poised to do
something special this season. And you know, to lose that
and the opener, after all Josh Norris has been through,
I mean, it's it's tough for them. So there's no
guy in Rochester. I think they can recall that's gonna
obviously replace that. But they do have some depth and
you know, you look at down the middle, like I
(31:29):
was saying earlier, I mean when they're going I mean
they're centers are I mean, Ryan McLeod's a very good center.
Kolitch has a lot of potential. They have Tage Thompson.
I mean, they do have some good things down the middle,
so there is a little depth there. It's just that
the depth hasn't been playing that well.
Speaker 1 (31:47):
Yeah, when you lose your top line center in Norris
Page has moved there, but he's playing a wing, and
then you you lose Cassel Ring was your top top
four defenseman, and you just lose these big pieces. As
you mentioned, it'd be hard for a lot of teams
to overcome. But again that the Sabers thought that they
had the quality depth to be able to overcome something
like that, and just through the first three games or so,
that hasn't shown up. But quickly, I want to touch
(32:11):
on the goaltending bill because that's been a topic of
conversation going into the season. Got your tweet up there
about lucan In taking some shots in practice today, so
that was very encouraging. We know, you know, something popped
up right around the prospect camp and then he came
back and then went right back to to the injury
report again and they had signed Gorgiev and then waived
(32:33):
him because they had claimed Colt Nellis off waivers from
Saint Louis. So it looks like we're running with they're
running with Alex Lyon and Colt Nellis right now and
Lions played really well, you know, barring everybody else in
front of them. But you know, as far as getting
Lucan in back, like, do you think that's going to
make the world of difference or what Lion's given them
(32:53):
has been enough for winning hockey?
Speaker 3 (32:55):
Well, what Lion's given them is you know, he's given
them more than enough to keep them in every game,
you know, to maybe steal a game if they played
a little better. I mean, he's been fine. Goaltending hasn't
been a problem at all. Of course, they'd like Ukapeca
Lucanan back just because he's their number one goalie and
he you know, he can be a difference maker. We
(33:18):
saw that down the stretch in twenty three to twenty
four where he was truly one of the league's elite
goalies for the final three four months. If they can
get that Ukapeca Lucanan, I mean, they're gonna have a
chance every night. I mean, they're gonna steal games. I mean,
he's that good when he's on. But they didn't have
that Ukapeca Lucanan last year. So I'm interested to see
(33:42):
which one they get this year because he had some
good stretches last year, but he just he wasn't anywhere
near that level. And you wonder, you know, having gone
through two injuries, he's played twenty minutes so far this season,
you just wonder where he's gonna be when he comes back.
Now there's been speculation about would they send him on
a conditioning assignment and can play a couple of games
(34:04):
in the Myers. I mean that would help, but you
just wonder, you know, when they get him back. You know,
you assume he's healthy, but where will he be just
having missed you know, I guess at least a total
of three weeks of practice and all the twenty minutes
of the preseason.
Speaker 1 (34:24):
Yeah, and again with goalies, like if they've got a
nagging injury, that's not something that they're going to be
able to recover through the season with. They sort of
need the offseason for that and it's all about feel
and the net. So we'll see how luken In is
when he gets back. But lastly, on Lindy Ruff's updates
that you had tweeted out, you know, that upl and
Jordan Greenway need a bit more time. Zach Benson expecs
(34:44):
to play tonight against the Ottawa Senators. Was rocking a
nice shiner there, look like a really look like a
true hockey player the way that he was he was
looking today and being able to battle through that. But
you know, encouraging to see him get back in the lineup.
But I think you asked him about Jordan Greenway what
he sort of brought to the practice, and Lindy talked
(35:04):
about He talked about energy from Jordan Greenway and and
where he could possibly slide in when he's ready to go.
But what were your Were you encouraged by what Lindy
had to say about some of those guys.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
Yeah, it's I mean, if they're back at practice, you
would think that they're on their way back. I don't
know if that means three days, if it means a week,
ten days, but they should be on their way back,
you know. For Jordan Greenway, I mean it's it's it's
been tough and he's a ton of injuries. He had
(35:37):
surgery in December to repair I guess a mid body
injury whatever that is, and he missed time and he
came back and it was still bothering him. Then they
shut him down in I guess late March, and then
he had surgery again in July to repair it. If
there's just too much pain. He couldn't get over that,
Humpy said today. And you know, and they have him.
(36:00):
I mean he's you know, he's not a star, but
I mean you can tell when they have him. He's
just he's often their most physical forward. He's a great
penalty killer, he can score some timely goals. I mean,
he's a guy they need. And you know, I think
when they plug him in, when he's able to come back,
I think, you know, that's an addition. I think you
(36:21):
should notice.
Speaker 1 (36:23):
Yeah, and he's a guy that has shown that he
can play a valuable bottom six row for this this
hockey club when he's been healthy and playing the last
few seasons. So as we wrap up, Bill, I mean,
we talk about Ottawa tonight. It's a big game. They
got two days off and then they get the Stanley
Cup champion of Florida Panthers coming into Buffalo. They got
a lot of divisional games right here in this month.
(36:43):
Like you love Ottawa, Florida, Montreal Detroit two against Toronto
and then you got Boston at the end of the
month with a Columbus game there at home. So again,
like I guess in closing, like what do you want,
Like obviously you want to see the team pick up
some points here, but in the next couple of weeks,
with all these divisional games coming up that are going
to be so valuable, Like, what do you want to
see other than players coming back from injury that they
(37:05):
just want to have a better overall outlook on where
the team's going to be and not be sputtering at
an oh and six oh and seven record to begin
the year.
Speaker 3 (37:14):
I think, you know, win games, of course, but just
within those games, just establish an identity as a as
a season. War on last year and they finished whatever
it was twelve seven and one down the stretch, which
you know that's basically a quarter of the season. I mean,
they were able to do a lot of what with
n Rough wanted. It's just you know, cut down the
(37:37):
goals against, just be harder to play against. That doesn't
and that doesn't mean you know, running guys through the
through the glass or fighting all the time. It just means,
you know, just just being more sandpaper, more grit making
guys know you're there, and they probably did that a
lot better, and we haven't seen that so far, but
(37:58):
I mean that's something to look for us, an identity
consistency from game to game of what you see, because
I mean, you know, we really haven't seen anything so far,
and that's why they're owing three for sure.
Speaker 1 (38:11):
And again, Bill, I wish I could have you on
here and talking about some some more positive things. But again,
I really appreciate your time today and being able to
come on and just give our give some insight for
somebody that's on the ground there every day and asking
the questions and putting in the hard work. So really
appreciate what you do and being able to come on today.
Speaker 3 (38:28):
But I thank you Brandon any time. I love your set.
What a set you got there? Is it a green screen?
Is it a green screen? What is it?
Speaker 1 (38:38):
That's that's all my background there, that's I put it
all up there, so if I ever move, I got
to take it all with me.
Speaker 3 (38:43):
But I like everything except your sweatshirt.
Speaker 1 (38:47):
So hey, big win against the Bills the.
Speaker 3 (38:49):
Other night whatever whatever.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
So so that's our Sabers update from Bill Hoppy A
Buffalo Hockey Beat and Olian Times Herald, a longtime Sabers
media member and given some insight on whookespec expect from
the team tonight as far as the lineup, the injury
report and everything like that, and look forward to having
Bill on again throughout the season here. So thank you
(39:14):
very much for those that tuned in today on our
YouTube channel, on the video version and those that all
on demand audio platforms. Make sure to give us a
follow on x at Saber Semantics as well as on Facebook,
Instagram and TikTok So for my guest, Bill Happy, my
name is Brandon Puto. That's it for another episode of
Saber Semantics right here on the Armchair GM Sports Network.
Talk to you again very soon. You're listening to the
(39:35):
Armchair GM Sports Network.
You're listening to the Armchair GM Sports Network.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Time to sharpen those swords. You're listening to Saber Semantics,
a hard hitting interview and discussion show featuring players, alumni,
media and all others who covered the NHL's Buffalo Sabers.
(00:57):
With interesting stories from the past and current of analysis,
this show is sure to provide an entertaining and unique
perspective for both savers and hockey fans alike. Exclusively on
the arm shaired GM Sports Network.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Welcome into another episode of Saber Semantics right here on
the armchaired GM Sports Network. Thank you those that are
tuned in on our video version on YouTube, and thank
you to those that are choosing to listen to us
in your favorite on demand audio platform. Make sure to
hit like hit subscribe to smash that belt to stay
up to date with all of our coverage here on
the network. Is going to pop up on the video
version on the screen, and make sure to give us
a follow on x at Saber Semantics. They update with
(01:34):
our Sabers coverage as well as on Instagram, TikTok and
Facebook by searching the Armchair GMS Sports Network. As you
can see on the video version, today and in the
description of the video, I'm very pleased to be joined
by a special guest today on the show, and it
is Bill Hoppey from Buffalo Hockey Beat and Oleian Times Herald. Bill,
thanks so much for being able to join us today
(01:56):
and first time on the show as well. And look
forward to check and with you throughout the season. And
got to know you a little bit at a couple
of Sabers games been able to cover. But I really
appreciate you being able to come on today. Where can
people find I mentioned some of the outlets you're working for,
but where can they find some of your great work
and what you're doing with the Sabers.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Thank you. You can find it at Buffalo Hockeybeat dot com.
You can find it at you know in the Only
Times Herald Niagara is that Lackport Union son In journal.
So it's in a few papers out there for sure.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
So how long have you been covering the Sabers Bill.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
Since late two thousand and two? Long time?
Speaker 1 (02:36):
So you've been through the ups and downs and seeing
what this franchise has had over the last last little bit.
And I wish I would have been able to have
you on to talk about a little bit more of
the positive opening week of their regular season. But look
forward to getting your updates on a few of the
players and a few of the updates regarding the lines
and things like that. But you know, sort of, I guess,
(02:58):
and as we get going here, zhero to three start,
you know, not what the team wants fourteen year playoffs drought.
We know that the pressure is on this franchise, in
the organization from somebody that's there at practice every day
and at the games and everything like that. Do you
see a little bit more added, I guess pressure and
urgency from maybe the front office, the coaching staff, the players, Like,
(03:21):
do you notice anything a little bit different because it's
obviously been you know, they're they're weighing a lot right
now on their shoulders going into this season.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Well, I think they definitely feel pressure to get it
done and to get in the playoffs and just just
end end this thing. I mean, I mean, it's a
black cloud that hangs over the organization. I mean it's
the longest drought in NHL history. I mean, I think
it's the second longest in pro sports behind the Jets
made New York Jets. So I mean it's been a
(03:53):
tough go for a long long time. And I don't
know if I see you know, Lindy reacting to pressure
or feeling pressure that type of thing. But I mean
there's definitely an urgency within the organization, you know, to
get this right. And it's funny. They seem to have
(04:15):
a good, productive training camp. I don't know how much
stock you can always put in a training camp, but
it seemed like they liked what they did. They they
had a lot of you know, longer practices. They targeted
certain areas, which I probably say every team does that,
but they you know, they really focused on, you know,
(04:36):
shaving the goals against I think, playing with more purpose,
you know, that type of thing. And here they had
three games of the season, oh and three. And I
mean throughout the course of a six month, eighty two
game schedule, you're gonna lose three games in a row.
That's just the way the NHL is. But for them
(04:57):
to lose three games in a row to start the
season with all this pressure on them, uh, you know,
it's just it's the worst. You know, it feels like
the worst possible start. And not not just lose three games,
they've lost all three games in regulation, they've scored two goals.
I don't know if they've been awful in the games.
I shouldn't say I should I should say they haven't
(05:19):
been awful in the games. They had a rough first
period in Boston, but overall they haven't been like bad bad,
But they they certainly haven't been good, and they, you know,
certainly haven't done enough to win. You know, you look
at the lineup, they haven't two goals. I mean, again,
small sample size, but you know, with how excited these
(05:40):
guys seem to be to start the season and just
what they were able to end last season on that
that run over the final quarter of the year, I
think they they seem to figure things out. And here
we are, we're talking about them. You know. I guess
they're the one of two teams that hasn't held a
lead this year, the others the Ducks, although the Ducks
(06:01):
have won a game in overtime. So I mean, it's
barely a weekend and it's not looking good.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
No, And I've got the player stats up on the
screen for everybody that's watching on the video version, and
you know, Jason Zuker leads the way right now. And
again you mentioned like you're not gonna you're not gonna
win many games. You're only scoring two goals over three contests.
And and I'm aware that Colorado is one of the
better teams in the National Hockey League, but I just
(06:31):
from what we saw in the first week bill like,
it's just hard for me to wrap my head around again,
seventy nine games left. I don't want to get too
ahead of ourselves here. And like you mentioned, teams go
through three game stretches or even longer throughout a long
eighty two game season. But with the injuries piling up,
which we'll get to as well. Like just again you
talked about it not being pretty much couldn't have been
(06:53):
a worse start all around. But like with the schedule
they've got coming up, they still have to to prepare
for these games. Any rough talk to a lot in
the practice availability with you guys today about just the
compete level and making sure that guys you know, are
bringing their best effort, like already a week into the season,
Like to you, is that something that a week end
(07:15):
of the season should be having those conversations because they've
had the whole offseason, Not like we're talking about games
in December, January, February here where guys start to get tired, fatigue,
things like that.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Yeah, I think he meant that his top four defensemen
were kind of we're pretty gassed. Although to me, they
didn't against the Colorado They didn't have much of a
push in the or. They really didn't have any push
in the third period, maybe three shots before they pulled
the goalie, something like that, four or five overall, So
they didn't have any push in the third period against Colorado.
(07:47):
So I mean interpret that as you will. I mean,
maybe they are gased as a whole. They shouldn't be.
I mean, they had a demanding training camp, they're trying
to raise the standard, and yeah, three games in, I mean,
you shouldn't be feeling that they haven't. I don't think
(08:07):
they've had any back to backs yet. You know, the
schedule is only gonna get tougher. I mean an Olympic year.
I mean at a certain point, it's gonna get really
really hard, and they're not even gonna have practice time. Really,
They're gonna get their practice with some morning skates more
or less for the latter part of the year. So
(08:27):
but I think I think I think Lindy rough one
to make it clear today that that was his top
four defenseman had had played a lot. So but we'll
see how they respond against Ottawa. I mean Ottawa is
I mean another good team. I mean, I know people
don't think of them in the same category as you know,
(08:48):
Toronto or Tampa or whoever. But I mean they had
a very nice year last year. To me, they seem
pretty built, you know, to keep moving up. So I'm
this is a tough stretch for them. They have the Panthers,
they have the Canadians, I mean a couple of games
against the Leafs before the month ends. So they're in
(09:11):
it right now. They're in it, and they just they
gotta rattle off a couple of wins here. I mean,
you know, if they're two and three by the end
of the week, you can take a deep breath and say, okay,
they've they've settled down. But I mean if they have
one win or one point or nothing, I mean, you
don't know. I mean there's gonna be a lot of questions.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Yeah, and you have seven home games in the first month,
and you mentioned not really a lot of back to backs.
Accept the back to back, but Toronto, which again it's
only a two hour commute, right or even less if
they're flying. So it's sort of like, just again, they
have really no excuse to have those types of efforts
early on in the season with the way their schedules
sort of are playing out. And again, when you talk
(09:53):
about the standings already early on and we're still in
October here, and the Sabers obviously haven't pay up a
point yet. And again, ninety points was sort of where
everybody had projected them to be, and that would be
a fifty to fifty shot at the playoffs. I'm sure
that they would definitely take that, considering having a thirteen
game losing streak last year. If they didn't go through that,
(10:14):
maybe half of that they would have been right there.
So like, when when do you think that they start
to hit the panic button or do you think the
panic button's already been hit, like with the injuries that
have have come up as well, Like in your mind, Bill,
like when do we really need to start panicking if
this team doesn't start to pick up some wins here, Let's.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
Say by the end of the week. It's just as
you know, the NHL standings, are you know a little
odd in that by you know, the beginning of November
American Thanksgiving Christmas time. If you're in a playoffs, the
teams that are in a playoff spot are typically the
(10:53):
teams that don't that make it. And I mean if
you're on the outside looking in at that time, even
though you're a third, not even halfway through the season,
maybe even a quarter of the season, I mean, to
get into that the top eight is really really difficult,
and typically maybe only one or two teams over that
final over those final few months can creep in there.
(11:17):
So these early season games are just very very critical
and they got to get going here or I mean
if they're in you know, eighth place, or excuse me,
if they're in whatever fourteenth place in the conference or
thirteenth place or whatever, you know, in three weeks, I mean,
(11:37):
they're going to be in very rough shape and it's
going to be a ton of ground to make up.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Yeah, I mean again, when you have to leap frog
so many teams you talk about, you can pick up wins,
but you also need those four or five teams that
are in front of you to also lose games as well,
and then you're gonna have four points wing games if
you're playing against those opponents. So again, you just don't
want to dig yourself such a big hole to overcome
early in the seas. But you look at how injury
plague the Florida Panthers are right now, You look at
(12:03):
Ottawa's gonna be with out Brady Kachuk tonight and long term,
it seems like and you see these opportunities within the
Atlantic Division. Again, not really expect them to be a
top three team there, but you would expect them to
be able to take advantage of some of these teams
that are going through the injury bug, and then they
obviously have gone through the injury bug themselves. So you
(12:24):
just you see sort of like a missed opportunity right
now with the Atlantic sputtering and having these teams that
look like they can be had right now that they're
not being able to really take advantage and make up
some ground.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Sure, sure, and you know they're with the Atlantic Division
for a couple of years now. You thought Tampa would
take a step back, and they they really haven't. I mean,
on one him, they have, but they really haven't. You
thought Boston would take a step back. They have, but
I mean they've looked pretty good so far, small sample size.
I mean, it's a tough, tough division. I mean, uh,
(13:00):
you know, I think a lot of people thought the
Sabers were well out of the Canadians, and the Canadians
made the playoffs last year. I think a lot of
people thought the Sabers were ahead of Ottawa, and Ottawa
made it last year. I think people have been waiting
on Detroit for a long time and they're a team
that could. I mean, if they made the playoffs, it
wouldn't shock me. So they're in a very competitive crowd
division with the with the team and the Panthers, who
(13:22):
you know, maybe a potential dynasty type team. So they
have their work cut out for them, and i they
just they just got to rattle off a couple of
wins here to settle things down. I mean, they have
such a great opportunity with these early home games, as
you mentioned, and it's it's just an opportunity. Key Bank
(13:45):
Center over the years hasn't been a tough place for opponents.
Let's face it, when they're winning like they were a
decade and a half ago, two decades, it's it's a
pretty rockous arena. It's a lot of fun to watch
a game there. It's a our rink opponents don't like visiting.
But I mean it hasn't been like that for a
long time. So it's also an opportunity just to make it,
(14:09):
you know, make it a tough place to play again.
I mean, I can't underscore that enough. I mean, right now,
the crowd gets on the Sabers and they tighten up.
They don't react well to it, the booing, just the
general whatever, just the general feel of it sometimes and yeah,
it's a lot of nights it's not a good environment.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
And quickly before we hit the brake bill on that point.
I think what made the home opener even more disappointing
was that it was virtually a sellout, and for the
Sabers to have those the last few seasons has been
few and far between with what the team has put
out on the ice, and we remember those days when
the place was humming and the atmosphere was incredible and
(14:53):
one of the best home atmospheres in the National Hockey League. Like,
what was the feeling like going into that game with
a sold out building and everybody you know filing in
and just dying to be able to have something to
cheer for, and they really didn't have it the entire night.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Well, I made the comment early on when they they
did have a few opportunities early in the game against
Egersiustrick in there it felt like, you know, they might
blow the roof off the building if if they scored
an early goal. It just had that feel early and
then it just kind of disappeared, which was kind of sad.
I mean, they had really not I mean they got
(15:28):
shut out, really nothing to cheer about the whole night,
and you know, a lost opportunity there just to not
only whatever win a game, but to just play a
memorable opener and establish something. So I don't know how
the crowds are going to be coming up here. You know,
(15:50):
Ottawa is a very good team, but on a Wednesday night,
I don't expect a big crowd. I mean, they have
Columbus later this month Montreal. Excuse me, they're in Montreal
floor afternoon said afternoon. You know, Stanley Cup champion. They
might get a good crowd, but if this keeps going on,
there could be some very small crowds. And yeah, I
mean just you know, to have that building packed opening
(16:12):
night with special with all they've been through and they
just they couldn't get it done.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
Yeah, and uh again, that's just very unfortunate for a
team that's looking for some positivity with something like that
to be able to latch onto. But we're gonna get
more more reaction here with Bill Hoppey, longtime Savers media
member after this commercial break, or to get into the
lines and the power playing things like that going into
tonight's game against Ottawa. Stay with us.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
G and L Flooring is Niager's specialty flooring and design company.
They take great pride and provide a leade customer service
and support with a beautiful showroom, great pricing, and a
wide variety of truly unique products. J and L Flooring
is your specialty flooring and the core Batique shop. All
of their products are environmentally friendly and responsibly produced, so
you can feel good about your flooring choices. Their goal
(16:59):
is to build authentic relationships based on honesty and integrity
that they foster with respect and authenticity, offering a unique
and wide range of quality products presented by a knowledgeable,
impatient team. They simplify the process to make your life
easier and to make your home more beautiful. Visit them
at forty four twenty four Montrose Road in Niaga Falls,
(17:20):
or find out more at jmail Flooring dot com. If
you think you can get a better deal anywhere else,
you don't know Jack at jmail Flooring.
Speaker 4 (17:31):
Whether you just brought home a new furry member of
the family, or would like help finding something new for
your picky eater. Maybe you've done your research and want
to upgrade your pets nutrition from an entry level food.
The staff at any of the Global Pet food stores
in the Niagara region would love to help you out.
Let them show you why our lesser known premium brands
are so much better than highly advertised, big corporate brands.
The value from the brands we carry is not only
(17:53):
visible in the health and vitality in your pets, but
also because you won't need to feed as much as
with the other brands, better new attrition from a longer
lasting bay. We hope to see you at one of
the following locations across Niagara thirty six forty three Portage
Road in Niagara Falls, one sixty Highway twenty in font Hill,
as well as four hundred Scott Street, Saint Catharine's Global
pet foods where pets are undeniably part of the family.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Are you currently looking for work in the Nico region.
If so, you owe it to yourself to check out
the services provided by the NICRO Employments Health Center, located
at sixty one hundred Thoroldstone Road and Niagara Falls. There
are many free services include a fully staffed resource area
open to the public, resume and cover letter writing, local
labor market information, job search strategies, assistance with clarifying employment,
(18:44):
training and career goals, employment counseling and job search support,
better Jobs Ontario information and registration assistants. Check out their
websites at EHC dot own, dot CAA or called nine
zero five three five eight zero zero two to one
for more information than Nigro Employment Health Center helping people
find work since nineteen eighty three. This Employment Ontario program
(19:04):
is funded by the Government of Ontario.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
Wild Bill's Auto Repair is your local center for auto
maintenance and repair in the Niagara region. Since twenty twelve,
wild Bill's Auto Repair and Body Shop has been helping
customers stay safe and confident on the road, knowing their
vehicle is in top running condition through the garage's services
located at seventy eight sixty eight oak Wood Drive in
Niagara Falls. The garage started as a tribute to the
(19:26):
owner's father, William Robert Hunter, who passed away continuing the
same community spirit and high level of service which customers
can expect from him back at Hunter's Auto Repair. Their
multi award winning auto shops earned the trust of the
Niagara community with its fair treatment of all customers, who
can feel confident they'll get trustworthy advice and repairs during
their visit. Their experienced crew loves meeting new people and
(19:47):
looks forward to forming a lasting partnership for the care
of your vehicles. To find out more or to book
a service, contact them today at nine oh five, three five,
eight seven, eight six eight or wild Billsauto dot CA
Wild Bill Auto Repair helping customers stay safe and competent
on the road since twenty twelve.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
You're listening to the Armchair GM Sports Network.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
Hey here we call we's talking din and blocky.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Here we call the Boys and Blue.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Why yey?
Speaker 1 (20:22):
Here we call me some noise getting into so from
one and one let's hear you from your ons same
Welcome back to part two of today's Saber Semantics episode
right here on the Armchair GM Sports Network. Thank you
(20:42):
those that are tuned in on our video version on
YouTube and those that are listening on your favorite on
demand audio platform. Make sure to give us a follow
on Exit Saber Semantics. Stay update with all of our
Sabers coverage as well as on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok
by searching the Armchair GM Sports Network for all of
our short reels and content for Innocuto. Back with you,
and I'm very pleased to be joined again by Bill
Hoppey from Buffalo Hockey Beat and Olian Times. Harold longtime
(21:06):
Sabers media member. Bill. Before we get further into sort
of the meat and potatoes of how the Sabers are
gonna look tonight's game and going for the rest of
the week with some of the injury report, a friend
of the show and I know a friend of yours,
Joe Jurden, fellow Buffalo Sabers media member, wanted me to
ask you a very hard hitting question here show today,
(21:27):
and he wants to know what is your favorite place
to eat on the road.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
My favorite place to eat on the road, Oh boy,
probably Montreal. Just a very good meal. They have hot
dogs with toasted rolls in the intermission. It's just a
it's just a very good meal. A lot of variety,
a lot of selections. I enjoy eating at the at
the Bell Center.
Speaker 1 (21:52):
Yeah, I mean Montreal smoke meat, you know, one of
the best. So yeah, Montreal. I guess that's a good one.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
Definitely, I guess. All right, thank you for the question.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
And Joe, Yeah, Joe might have another opinion, but I
guess I'll have to have him back on for his
expert analysis of a way media food. Okay, but getting
in getting into it further here, Bill, I'm gonna pull
something up on the screen here about something Lindy Rouff
talked about, and I know it's a it's an article
that you wrote as well about Eerie Kooleiach And you know,
(22:22):
with the injury to Josh Norris, they gave Kolach that
that number one center role right away, it seemed like
for the first week and just hasn't seemed to play well.
He's sort of practicing as an extra forward earlier yesterday
and looks like he could possibly be scratched versus Ottawa.
We'll have to wait and see. But you talked about
it here in your article. But you know, what did
(22:43):
you and sort of what was the vibe when he
sort of said that about Yuri Kolach just simply put
needed to be better as a young player.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
Yeah, I mean he really, he didn't mince words. He
said he has to be better. He's capable of more.
He just he's not getting it done basically, and he
could very well be a scratch against the Senators. He
practiced on the I guess the fifth line with Mason
Gertzen and Jordan Greenway, who was just returning to practice.
(23:11):
Is he I mean, he's clearly sending a message. Will
it just will it just end there? Will he? He said?
He stopped short of saying he would scratch him. He
said they were just kind of playing with things, you know,
trying some things out. But I mean Lenny Rough's not
afraid to scratch players. So I mean maybe he sits
against the Senators. But yeah, I mean three games, I mean,
(23:32):
small sample size again, but you know, they had big
expectations for Yuri COOLi. He scored fifteen goals in whatever
sixty two games last year. I think they think of
him as a you know, easily a twenty goal scorer more.
I mean he can. He can be a thirty goal
scorer in my opinion in the NHL. He's a guy
(23:53):
that centered the top line a lot of times down
the stretch last year. And through three games, you've, i mean,
really haven't noticed him. I mean he's a minus four.
I mean you've noticed him at least on the offensive end.
He just he hasn't done anything. And with Josh Norris injured,
some other guys injured, I mean, they they need him
(24:14):
badly to just step up and contribute, and we haven't
seen anything so far.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
Something that glaring. I got to Heather angles tweet about
the lines and pairings up on the screen. Bill and
Tage Thompson moving back to center. Do you think that
that is something that's a long term play short term play.
Norris being out for upwards of eight weeks is going
to put a wrench into things. But Tage is obviously
no one is a natural center, but has been playing
(24:41):
on the right wing ever since that injury last year.
But do you see him sort of staying in the
middle or where are we at there?
Speaker 3 (24:48):
I'm not sure. I think with Lenny Ruff and Tage Thompson,
I don't I don't think Tage cares cares either way,
and I don't think the rough is married to one
one position, So I think it could be a switch
from game to game, or within a game, or from
week to week. But I think, I mean, they're you know,
(25:11):
they're already had kind of a critical juncture here and
they're not you know, Josh Norris is hurt. They're not
getting any production from Yurikolich down the middle. Ryan McLeod's
had a rough start. I think he's a minus five
no points, I believe, So yeah, why not throw Tage
Thompson in there. He's he's your top offensive threats. He
(25:36):
I mean, he produces at both positions. So I think
if you just want a little spark, put Tage in
the middle, and maybe it, maybe it lasts for a while,
maybe it maybe he's back on the wing by the weekend.
But you know, it's funny because I thought I thought
Tage Thompson was a center forever. I really did. That's
where he just broke out four years ago into one
(25:59):
of the league's elite scores. And like you said, he
went to the wing because of the injury last year around.
I don't know maybe after Christmas, and he Lindy rough
liked him there. He produced, I mean it was it
was easier for him with his injury there for a
little while, so he left him there. So that was
not something I expected. But I mean, who's to argue
(26:20):
with it when you have Josh Norris and Uriku Leach
and you know Ryan McLeod's coming off a breakout career season,
so they had that option, but now they kind of
don't have that option.
Speaker 1 (26:34):
And something else that was glaring about the About the
Lines today Bill was Josh Doone being elevated to the
right wing two spot and also on the top power
play unit. Do you see that sort of being just
a short term play, maybe rewarding Josh Done for solid
play through the first three games in Lindy's opinion, or
like what what what? What kind of mix do you
think Josh Done puts into this, this top six and
(26:56):
then on the first power play unit.
Speaker 3 (26:59):
I think they, well, well I think he'll they want
him on the second or third line. They really like him.
I think they just like this all around game. You know,
some of the tenacity he brings in just a smart player,
a very humble kid. He thinks he has more. I
think the Sabers think he has more Offensively, what that is,
(27:21):
I don't know if that's a fifteen to twenty goal
type guy, but they're giving him every chance to succeed.
They put him in situations all throughout camp on scoring lines.
He's gotten power play time. I forgot if he was
on the top unit the other day, but yeah, I
mean they're giving every chance and it's just a matter
(27:43):
if he seizes it. But I mean that JJ Pitturk
trade getting Michael Kesseler and got a lot of the
attention just because you know, he's a right shot d
that the Sabers really wanted to play with Owen power.
But Josh don was a big part of that deal too.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
For sure, And it seemed like in that Sabers embedded
episode that they posted that Kevin Adams is going back
and forth with Bill Armstrong, you know, about trying to
get Josh doone in that trade. So it sounds like
he wasn't just a throw in type of player that
they really wanted them to be a part of this.
And with his dad's you know, pedigree in the NHL,
you think that he'd be a very valuable player going forward,
so we'll see how long he sticks on that. As
(28:20):
far as the injury report, you mentioned it Bill about
Michael kessel Ring being out week to week, we know
Norris is going to be out for upwards to eight weeks.
Samuelson day to day as well, lucing in practice today,
saw your tweet there as well, and then Jordan Greenaway
still working his way back from a long recovery in
the offseason. So it doesn't look like much is coming
(28:41):
as far as reinforcements in the short term. So sort
of where what are we looking at? Is this sort
of going to be the line like you can't make
trades this early on in the season and you don't
even know what Rochester has at this point, so you
know when you see the week to weeks injuries and
they're just gonna have need the guys to step up.
Speaker 3 (28:58):
No, yeah, I think so. Theny Rough said today they
kind of toyed with calling up like a you know,
a Noah Ausland or maybe Helenius. I forgot the names
that were mentioned from Rochester offensive type guys, but he
I think he thinks the windows kind of closed for
that just because they've gotten Zach bentson back, Greenway's on
(29:20):
his way back and so forth. But yeah, I mean
a lot of us are just gonna have to come
from within. I mean, say what you will about them.
I think they've assembled some pretty good depth, not elite depth,
but you know, higher end depth. I would say, just
with some of these guys they have out of the lineup,
(29:43):
I mean it's being tested early and some of it,
some of it has responded well. I thought Jacob Brison
and Ryan Johnson, they played together on Monday afternoon. They
look very good together. I mean, those guys are probably
slotted to be their seventh and eighth defenseman. You know.
Josh Dunn, I think he's a guy they liked, they've
(30:04):
they've worked in the lineup. He was recalled after the opener.
So I mean they do have, you know, good guys
that can plug in there. But I mean, realistically, if
they're gonna get through this, I mean, they need, you know,
their top end guys, you know, to to step up
the You know, Urikoluch is a guy a perfect example.
(30:25):
You know, he kind of moved up to the top
line and you know, now we're wondering if he's going
to be a healthy scratch. So yeah, internally, I mean
it's gonna be tough, though, I mean Josh Norris, I mean,
Josh Norris looked like he looked like a thirty five
goal seventy five point player at least during the preseason.
(30:46):
And I know it's the preseason, but he was healthy
and he just I mean, he had a terrific summer apparently,
which is something you hear all the time, but he
actually got to work out this summer. He was healthy,
excuse me, and he was, you know, really able to
find a good, good place with his body and just
you know the excitement of coming into this new opportunity
(31:07):
and it really looked like he was poised to do
something special this season. And you know, to lose that
and the opener, after all Josh Norris has been through,
I mean, it's it's tough for them. So there's no
guy in Rochester. I think they can recall that's gonna
obviously replace that. But they do have some depth and
you know, you look at down the middle, like I
(31:29):
was saying earlier, I mean when they're going I mean
they're centers are I mean, Ryan McLeod's a very good center.
Kolitch has a lot of potential. They have Tage Thompson.
I mean, they do have some good things down the middle,
so there is a little depth there. It's just that
the depth hasn't been playing that well.
Speaker 1 (31:47):
Yeah, when you lose your top line center in Norris
Page has moved there, but he's playing a wing, and
then you you lose Cassel Ring was your top top
four defenseman, and you just lose these big pieces. As
you mentioned, it'd be hard for a lot of teams
to overcome. But again that the Sabers thought that they
had the quality depth to be able to overcome something
like that, and just through the first three games or so,
that hasn't shown up. But quickly, I want to touch
(32:11):
on the goaltending bill because that's been a topic of
conversation going into the season. Got your tweet up there
about lucan In taking some shots in practice today, so
that was very encouraging. We know, you know, something popped
up right around the prospect camp and then he came
back and then went right back to to the injury
report again and they had signed Gorgiev and then waived
(32:33):
him because they had claimed Colt Nellis off waivers from
Saint Louis. So it looks like we're running with they're
running with Alex Lyon and Colt Nellis right now and
Lions played really well, you know, barring everybody else in
front of them. But you know, as far as getting
Lucan in back, like, do you think that's going to
make the world of difference or what Lion's given them
(32:53):
has been enough for winning hockey?
Speaker 3 (32:55):
Well, what Lion's given them is you know, he's given
them more than enough to keep them in every game,
you know, to maybe steal a game if they played
a little better. I mean, he's been fine. Goaltending hasn't
been a problem at all. Of course, they'd like Ukapeca
Lucanan back just because he's their number one goalie and
he you know, he can be a difference maker. We
(33:18):
saw that down the stretch in twenty three to twenty
four where he was truly one of the league's elite
goalies for the final three four months. If they can
get that Ukapeca Lucanan, I mean, they're gonna have a
chance every night. I mean, they're gonna steal games. I mean,
he's that good when he's on. But they didn't have
that Ukapeca Lucanan last year. So I'm interested to see
(33:42):
which one they get this year because he had some
good stretches last year, but he just he wasn't anywhere
near that level. And you wonder, you know, having gone
through two injuries, he's played twenty minutes so far this season,
you just wonder where he's gonna be when he comes back.
Now there's been speculation about would they send him on
a conditioning assignment and can play a couple of games
(34:04):
in the Myers. I mean that would help, but you
just wonder, you know, when they get him back. You know,
you assume he's healthy, but where will he be just
having missed you know, I guess at least a total
of three weeks of practice and all the twenty minutes
of the preseason.
Speaker 1 (34:24):
Yeah, and again with goalies, like if they've got a
nagging injury, that's not something that they're going to be
able to recover through the season with. They sort of
need the offseason for that and it's all about feel
and the net. So we'll see how luken In is
when he gets back. But lastly, on Lindy Ruff's updates
that you had tweeted out, you know, that upl and
Jordan Greenway need a bit more time. Zach Benson expecs
(34:44):
to play tonight against the Ottawa Senators. Was rocking a
nice shiner there, look like a really look like a
true hockey player the way that he was he was
looking today and being able to battle through that. But
you know, encouraging to see him get back in the lineup.
But I think you asked him about Jordan Greenway what
he sort of brought to the practice, and Lindy talked
(35:04):
about He talked about energy from Jordan Greenway and and
where he could possibly slide in when he's ready to go.
But what were your Were you encouraged by what Lindy
had to say about some of those guys.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
Yeah, it's I mean, if they're back at practice, you
would think that they're on their way back. I don't
know if that means three days, if it means a week,
ten days, but they should be on their way back,
you know. For Jordan Greenway, I mean it's it's it's
been tough and he's a ton of injuries. He had
(35:37):
surgery in December to repair I guess a mid body
injury whatever that is, and he missed time and he
came back and it was still bothering him. Then they
shut him down in I guess late March, and then
he had surgery again in July to repair it. If
there's just too much pain. He couldn't get over that,
Humpy said today. And you know, and they have him.
(36:00):
I mean he's you know, he's not a star, but
I mean you can tell when they have him. He's
just he's often their most physical forward. He's a great
penalty killer, he can score some timely goals. I mean,
he's a guy they need. And you know, I think
when they plug him in, when he's able to come back,
I think, you know, that's an addition. I think you
(36:21):
should notice.
Speaker 1 (36:23):
Yeah, and he's a guy that has shown that he
can play a valuable bottom six row for this this
hockey club when he's been healthy and playing the last
few seasons. So as we wrap up, Bill, I mean,
we talk about Ottawa tonight. It's a big game. They
got two days off and then they get the Stanley
Cup champion of Florida Panthers coming into Buffalo. They got
a lot of divisional games right here in this month.
(36:43):
Like you love Ottawa, Florida, Montreal Detroit two against Toronto
and then you got Boston at the end of the
month with a Columbus game there at home. So again,
like I guess in closing, like what do you want,
Like obviously you want to see the team pick up
some points here, but in the next couple of weeks,
with all these divisional games coming up that are going
to be so valuable, Like, what do you want to
see other than players coming back from injury that they
(37:05):
just want to have a better overall outlook on where
the team's going to be and not be sputtering at
an oh and six oh and seven record to begin
the year.
Speaker 3 (37:14):
I think, you know, win games, of course, but just
within those games, just establish an identity as a as
a season. War on last year and they finished whatever
it was twelve seven and one down the stretch, which
you know that's basically a quarter of the season. I mean,
they were able to do a lot of what with
n Rough wanted. It's just you know, cut down the
(37:37):
goals against, just be harder to play against. That doesn't
and that doesn't mean you know, running guys through the
through the glass or fighting all the time. It just means,
you know, just just being more sandpaper, more grit making
guys know you're there, and they probably did that a
lot better, and we haven't seen that so far, but
(37:58):
I mean that's something to look for us, an identity
consistency from game to game of what you see, because
I mean, you know, we really haven't seen anything so far,
and that's why they're owing three for sure.
Speaker 1 (38:11):
And again, Bill, I wish I could have you on
here and talking about some some more positive things. But again,
I really appreciate your time today and being able to
come on and just give our give some insight for
somebody that's on the ground there every day and asking
the questions and putting in the hard work. So really
appreciate what you do and being able to come on today.
Speaker 3 (38:28):
But I thank you Brandon any time. I love your set.
What a set you got there? Is it a green screen?
Is it a green screen? What is it?
Speaker 1 (38:38):
That's that's all my background there, that's I put it
all up there, so if I ever move, I got
to take it all with me.
Speaker 3 (38:43):
But I like everything except your sweatshirt.
Speaker 1 (38:47):
So hey, big win against the Bills the.
Speaker 3 (38:49):
Other night whatever whatever.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
So so that's our Sabers update from Bill Hoppy A
Buffalo Hockey Beat and Olian Times Herald, a longtime Sabers
media member and given some insight on whookespec expect from
the team tonight as far as the lineup, the injury
report and everything like that, and look forward to having
Bill on again throughout the season here. So thank you
(39:14):
very much for those that tuned in today on our
YouTube channel, on the video version and those that all
on demand audio platforms. Make sure to give us a
follow on x at Saber Semantics as well as on Facebook,
Instagram and TikTok So for my guest, Bill Happy, my
name is Brandon Puto. That's it for another episode of
Saber Semantics right here on the Armchair GM Sports Network.
Talk to you again very soon. You're listening to the
(39:35):
Armchair GM Sports Network.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com