Maintenance Day

We all knew there'd be some changes, but the Sabres firing of Don Granato and the feedback from the players in the days after illuminated what went wrong. Lance and Joe will break all of it down: - What went wrong- Why the move was made- What GM Kevyn Adams said he's looking for from the next coach- Who he should take the longest (and shortest) looks at- The case for Rochester Americans coach Seth AppertBuckle in, it's their longest episode to date, but it's more than worth the full listen.Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp

Lance and Joe saved up a lot of their words for the latest episode. This time around, the guys talk about Don Granato, his future, what could and should happen, and what's the best way for the Sabres to approach a vital offseason as well as their future. They'll also talk about JJ Peterka's breakout, particularly teaming up with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch on the top line. They'll also really get into it about the power play and how it's been a bit of a mess for a lot longer than you'd think it has. The guys also talk about the offseason, Peyton Krebs, the Amerks, and much more in their longest episode to date.  Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp

The guys are back and even though they managed to get a bit too tied up with the trade deadline, Lance and Joe are back to discuss what the Buffalo Sabres pulled off. They get into what it meant to send Kyle Okposo to a Stanley Cup contender and what he meant to the team and organization.They'll also dig into one of the biggest trades of the entire deadline in which the Sabres sent Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado for defenseman Bo Byram. The guys will get into what that move does and how it sets up what they'll be up to for the offseason and how vital it becomes to find a third-line center and how they'll attack things to get them to the playoffs next year.Wait... don't they still have a chance at that this year...? Don't worry, that gets discussed as well. Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp

Lance and Joe have a stacked up show this week in which they discuss the latest with Jeff Skinner and what Tyson Jost's recall means for the lineup. Losing Skinner right as they get on a roll? Sounds about right for this season, doesn't it?They'll also talk about:- Owen Power's return and the brilliance (and workload) of Rasmus Dahlin- Peyton Krebs getting an opportunity and running with it- How Dylan Cozens and Tage Thompson are getting their groove back even without goals- Erik Johnson and the trade deadline looming- A NEW SCOREBOARD?!?Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp

Today, Lance and Joe decided to send valentines out to all of you in the form of a normal length episode of the show. You're welcome!This week, the guys discuss Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen seizing the day and highlighting how doing goalie development on the right timeline CAN work!They also get into:Kyle Okposo on the first line with Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner and why it continues to be a thing.Casey Mittelstadt's future and if it's even a good idea to consider trading him.How the Sabres will approach the trade deadline and what sorts of deals should they be looking at as well as how to improve the roster in the current situation given all the prospects on the way and the needs they have to address. Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp

Why yes, Lance and Joe are still doing the podcast! With Joe away and ill-prepared to produce a show with his laptop, the guys get right to business discussing Jack Quinn's injury, how the Buffalo Sabres will go about replacing him in the lineup, and all the options available to GM Kevyn Adams to make it work for the next eight weeks. They'll also dig in about the players who are impressing, how they'll go about handling the stretch run and if they're actually as bad as some fans seem to believe they are.   Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod. Even more so, thank you all for your patience while Lance and Joe each sorted through an assortment of issues to tend to between episodes. Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher Report

Lance and Joe are back again this week and breaking down why it's OK the Buffalo Sabres didn't sign Patrick Kane even though it may have addressed some issues in the lineup.They'll break down the Sabres past few games including a stinker in Jersey and a big win against the Rangers while analyzing how they've needed Alex Tuch, gotten great play from other forwards, and also talk about Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen taking hold of the No. 1 job in goal.And while UPL is owning it, they'll talk about what to do next about Devon Levi and whether sending him to Rochester is for the best and how doing that could affect him and how Don Granato sets the lineup. Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp

Lance and Joe are back this week and unfortunately the Sabres won't have Tage Thompson around for nearly the next two months. How do the Sabres make up for his absence? The guys talk about what Dylan Cozens and Casey Mittelstadt mean to the lineup to help that out. The Sabres will get Alex Tuch back in the lineup and boy have they missed him recently. One thing the Sabres aren't doing enough right now? Scoring goals. What do Isak Rosen and Jiri Kulich do well in Rochester? Score goals. So where are they? Also... do they need Patrick Kane to help boost this offense? The guys also discuss Ryan Johnson's play making it really difficult to consider sending him back to the AHL and what the heck they're going to do about the logjam on defense. Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp

This week, Lance and Joe discuss how the injuries to Devon Levi and Eric Comrie brought Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen back into the fold and how he's started strong early on. The guys discuss the Sabres' 4-0 win against Colorado, the line shuffles in search of trios that can work all the time, JJ Peterka's great play of late, the return of Alex Tuch's game, Connor Clifton's suspension and Jacob Bryson's return to the lineup, what's next for Zach Benson, and who might be the next guy up from Rochester to help the lineup.Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp

This week, Lance and Joe get into the Sabres' 1-3-0 start and if there are big reasons to worry so early on into the season. They'll also discuss Devon Levi's early workload (and injury) and how that affects the three-man setup they're rolling with. Zach Benson is also a little banged up which brings Victor Olofsson back into the lineup and boy there's a lot to sort out there, too. And with a slow start comes new line changes to break down. Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp

It's time, at last. The Sabres season opens on Thursday and to celebrate they got Rasmus Dahlin locked up for an 8-year, $88 million extension for Lance and Joe to discuss. They'll get into that as well as 18-year-old Zach Benson making the team, Matt Savoie's recovery from injury and what's next for him, and a tour through the lineup (especially goaltending...) to look ahead to what should be a big season in Buffalo.Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp

Lance and Joe are back and so are the Buffalo Sabres. The guys lead off the show discussing what's going on with the lack of extensions signed by Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power and whether or not it's actually a big deal. Training camp is underway and there are battles to be had, but one player who won't be duking it out just yet is prospect Matt Savoie whose shoulder injury is keeping him on the sidelines and possibly off the Sabres roster this season.There are plenty of guys worthy of discussing to take the spot vacated by Jack Quinn thanks to injury, however, and Lance and Joe will mention each of them in great detail, of course. They'll also go over their initial impressions of the first couple days of camp.  Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp

This week, Lance and Joe decided to play the part of Fun Police about the upcoming long-term extension Rasmus Dahlin will (eventually) sign with the Sabres. Yes, we know the money and the years - big whoop, wanna fight about it?They'll also look ahead to the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo and who among the not-usual players they're looking forward to seeing the most. They'll also get into it the same way about Sabres training camp that will follow a week later. We know everyone wants to see Devon Levi, but who ELSE?!They'll also dig in on some of the Sabres Atlantic Division foes starting with Boston, Tampa Bay, and Toronto and breaking them down. They'll hit the other four teams next week, so don't sweat it. Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp

Lance and Joe are back this week and they're talking about Rick Jeanneret's passing and how the best way to honor him was to bring back everyone to share their great stories about him. They'll also dig in about the executive shuffling atop Pegula ownership, dissolving PSE, and what this could all mean for the Sabres in the meantime.Ilya Lyubushkin was traded to Anaheim recently and it doesn't exactly clear things up too well on defense. But that's OK, because competition is going to be the name of the game all across the roster when training camp takes off in a few weeks.Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp

Oh hey, Lance and Joe are back this week with a new episode in which they look back on the Jeff Skinner trade that happened in August 2018 and how a former head coach nearly helped make it the worst contract in NHL history through mismanagement. The guys also delve into what to do (if anything) about Jack Quinn's absence until January. Tomas Tatar sound good? How about Pius Suter?...how about Patrick Kane?There's also goalie talk (of course!), the effect of Patrice Bergeron retiring, and some Amerks, too. Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp  

Lance and Joe have dried out from the NHL Draft in Nashville and are neck-deep in Sabres development camp. They'll discuss the signings Buffalo made for free agency and break down how having nine defensemen on NHL deals is going to work. Yes, they'll talk about how the only goaltending moves made were for Rochester. They'll also discuss the NHL Draft and the new prospects for everyone to salivate over including first-round pick Zach Benson.Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp  

Lance and Joe are back this week going over what they saw at the NHL Draft Combine and the players they think would be interesting for the Sabres to choose in the first round when they pick at 13th overall. They also talk about the free agent defense market following the Blue Jackets trading for Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson (and also signing him to a goofball deal). Lance talks about Victor Olofsson's expectation to be traded and what that does with the Sabres forwards including UFA Zemgus Girgensons and RFA Tyson Jost.  Plus there's more!Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp  

Lance and Joe are BACK thanks to the Rochester Americans' playoff run coming to an end. You take the good with the bad, right? They'll discuss the Amerks and what their future looks like with a new infusion of talent. They'll also talk about who from that team we could see with the Sabres next season, too. With draft season upon us, there's a lot of prospect talk but more about guys the Sabres already selected including what's up with Jiri Kulich, Noah Ostlund, and Matt Savoie. Would you like to see Connor Hellebuyck on the Sabres? Would you be willing to pay the price to make it happen? Intrigue!Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp  

Lance and Joe are back and they've been watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs and have some thoughts about what's gone down so far including takes on the Leafs fumbling while the Panthers thrive and a handful of former Sabres all over the postseason doing things. They'll also talk about the Rochester Americans in the Calder Cup Playoffs: Getting by Syracuse, facing Toronto next, and how the wave of young guys are thriving.  Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp  

We made it everyone, the real end of the season. The part where the games are over, all the Sabres players have spoken, and Don Granato and Kevyn Adams got to assess how things went and deal with our questions for the last time for...a couple months anyway. This week, Lance & Joe discuss what Granato and Adams had to say about: goaltending, Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons maybe coming back, Matt Savoie and Jiri Kulich's future, Ryan Johnson and his maybe never signing self, a possible influx of Russian draft picks, and the inevitable extensions for Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. It's a lot, we know, but it's worth a listen as the guys hash it all out.Thanks for listening and thanks for letting us know you're enjoying the pod.Follow Lance and Joe on Twitter!Read Lance's work at The Buffalo NewsRead Joe's work at Noted Hockey and Bleacher ReportBig thanks to our musician friends --Intro: MerlinBerlin -- "Orbit" - Find them on BandcampOutro: Chips 'N Cellos -- Boss Fight (Sabre Dance, Khachaturian) - Find them on Bandcamp