The Instigator Podcast

Konsta Helenius and Radim Mrtka both showed well in Buffalo's first two preseason tilts. Does that mean they should land in Buffalo and Rochester, respectively? Maybe not yet, but how the Sabres handle their two most recent first rounders has been a topic of conversation and I meet it head on in this week's show. Also on the show is some additional thoughts on Buffalo's first two preseason games and answers to listener-submitted questions.   Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas).Fees may apply in IL. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bonus bets expire seven days after issuance. See sportsbook.draftkings.com slash promos. NFL Sunday Ticket offer for new subscribers only and auto-renews until cancelled. Digital games and commercial use excluded. Restrictions apply. Additional NFL Sunday Ticket terms at youtube.com/go/nflsundayticket/terms. Limited time offer. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Goaltending will be the key storyline at Sabres training camp after it was reported that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is injured. Alex Georgiev is here as an insurance policy and we run through the problems a Luukkonen injury creates for the Sabres. We also talk through some of the other storylines of note at training camp while celebrating the anniversary of the Slug jerseys.   Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas).Fees may apply in IL. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bonus bets expire seven days after issuance. See sportsbook.draftkings.com slash promos. NFL Sunday Ticket offer for new subscribers only and auto-renews until cancelled. Digital games and commercial use excluded. Restrictions apply. Additional NFL Sunday Ticket terms at youtube.com/go/nflsundayticket/terms. Limited time offer. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2025-26 NHL season is right around the corner and there will be Sabres' games played this weekend as the annual Prospects Challenge kicks off. The Sabres Prospects Challenge roster was released on Tuesday and we highlight some of the most notable players expected to play on the weekend. In addition to big name prospects like Radim Mrtka, Noah Ostlund and Konsta Helenius, the Sabres will have four goaltenders at the tournament. We walk through those storylines along with some thoughts on reports that Kirill Kaprizov turned down a big money contract along with the latest on Connor McDavid's future in Edmonton.   Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas).Fees may apply in IL. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bonus bets expire seven days after issuance. See sportsbook.draftkings.com slash promos. NFL Sunday Ticket offer for new subscribers only and auto-renews until cancelled. Digital games and commercial use excluded. Restrictions apply. Additional NFL Sunday Ticket terms at youtube.com/go/nflsundayticket/terms. Limited time offer. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The DL&W Terminal is coming back to life. The NFTA will be welcoming light rail service to the facility in the coming weeks and the second floor of the sprawling facility is poised for an impressive redevelopment plan led by Savarino DL&W Development. Sam Savarino, CEO and President of the Savarino Companies is the subject of the latest Instigator Interview and provides excellent insights as to the challenges the project faces along with the exciting features that will define the second floor space. Sam offers historical perspective on the building's former uses while highlighting what the development will bring to Buffalo's waterfront once it's complete. Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas).Fees may apply in IL. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bonus bets expire seven days after issuance. See sportsbook.draftkings.com slash promos. NFL Sunday Ticket offer for new subscribers only and auto-renews until cancelled. Digital games and commercial use excluded. Restrictions apply. Additional NFL Sunday Ticket terms at youtube.com/go/nflsundayticket/terms. Limited time offer. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Serving up a short episode to touch on a few news items as we are just a week away from the Prospects Challenge. This episode opens up with some thoughts on the report from Expected Buffalo that Alex Tuch may be inching closer to an extension in addition to a few thoughts on the brief drama surrounding the offer of swapping nameplates on Josh Norris and Zach Benson jerseys. The episode also covers the new Carolina Hurricanes jerseys, the latest on the World Cup and my thoughts on Tage Thompson's outlook for the US Olympic team.   Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas).Fees may apply in IL. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bonus bets expire seven days after issuance. See sportsbook.draftkings.com slash promos. NFL Sunday Ticket offer for new subscribers only and auto-renews until cancelled. Digital games and commercial use excluded. Restrictions apply. Additional NFL Sunday Ticket terms at youtube.com/go/nflsundayticket/terms. Limited time offer. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kevin Woodley of InGoal Magazine and NHL.com returns to the show for a conversation about Buffalo's goaltenders. We go deep on technical and team aspects that affected Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen last year and look ahead to what he and Alex Lyon can do together as a tandem. We also discuss Devon Levi's growth and the best way the Sabres can manage their minor league goaltenders as Levi is set to be joined by Scott Ratlzaff and Topias Leinonen in Rochester this year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The latest Instigator Interview features Craig Barnett, the executive director of the ACHA. Our wide ranging conversation covers several topics pertaining to the latest developments in college hockey and how the ACHA stands to benefit from them. We talk through the key aspects of how the ACHA functions and the players and schools they serve. Along the way, Craig highlights the newest initiative from the ACHA, a conference designed to help cultivate new collegiate hockey programs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To help get you through the dog days of summer, we are serving up a quick mailbag of listener questions. This mailbag tackles questions on Alex Tuch's extension, which prospects will see the most playing time and what sort of outlook there would be for this roster if they managed to snap Buffalo's playoff drought. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bowen Byram will head to the arbitration table after the Sabres decided to opt for club-elected arbitration. We talk about the implications of Byram heading to arbitration and how that affects the short and long term outlook for the player and team. We also run down what looks to be a fairly set roster, exploring what looks to be yet another year of banking on internal growth to break Buffalo's playoff drought. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New Highmark Stadium will contain a range of features that are totally foreign to the confines of the Buffalo Bills current home and KeyBank Center is poised to get renovated any time now. With both of Western New York's major sports venues in the construction crosshairs, it was a perfect time to bring in an expert in the stadium industry to offer insight and background on the process. Ryan Aylmer of Brailsford & Dunlavey joins the show for a conversation that covers the changing trends and desires of sports fans, how teams and stadiums are adapting to meet those needs and what sort of features fans can expect to see in their venues as a result. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Day one of free agency is in the books and the Sabres did a bit of work on Tuesday. They shored up their goaltending and signed a few depth pieces. We run down their work on July 1 and analyze it against the other moves they made at the draft and last week. We also provide some insight into the 2025 draft class and offer a few thoughts on Jacob Bernard-Docker and development camp. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kevyn Adams held fast at pick number nine and selected Radim Mrtka, a gigantic defenseman out of the WHL. Adams didn't get much more done on Friday and I offer up some thoughts on what has and hasn't gotten done in Buffalo this week. I also hit on a few aspects of the de-centralized draft, the CBA extension and Jack Quinn's extension. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 the players we like best at pick nine. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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, Rasmus Dahlin's selection to Sweden's first six players for the 2026 Olympics and Peterka's snub from the Germany roster (5:20). We also revisit the conversation around Bowen Byram, offering some potential packages to go along with the landing spots we feel are most likely for the defenseman (39:30). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-7899-7777 or visit ccpg.org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 the Buffalo Bills war room (10:08) for this month's draft. Lastly, we wrap up with a discussion of Matt Fairburn's article in The Athletic that details how Kevyn Adams rose to the position of general manager (44:30).   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. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-7899-7777 or visit ccpg.org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 to the news, including what set the Outer Harbor apart as the site for docking, and what Visit Buffalo Niagara is doing in the meantime to help ensure the region is ready to hit the ground running once the facility is ready to host ships. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 signed. We also offer some thoughts on the conference finals (:45) before diving into the tragic end of the year for the Leafs (6:30). 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. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 summer (32:51).   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. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.