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The Instigator Podcast

Sports & Recreation Podcasts

A Buffalo Sabres podcast hosted by Chris and Tyler of the Buffalo blog Two in the Box. The Instigator focuses on Sabres hockey, the NHL and other Buffalo-related topics.

Location:

United States

Description:

A Buffalo Sabres podcast hosted by Chris and Tyler of the Buffalo blog Two in the Box. The Instigator focuses on Sabres hockey, the NHL and other Buffalo-related topics.

Language:

English


Episodes

The Instigator Podcast 12.29 - Breaking Down the Sabres Deadline

3/11/2024
Kevyn Adams made a big splash ahead of the deadline, acquiring Bowen Byram from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt. We dig into the deal, discussion what Byram can bring to the table for the Sabres and what this means for the next acquisitions Adams needs to make as he tries to shape the Sabres into a playoff roster. We also touch on some of the deals from around the NHL, reviewing the work done by Vegas, Winnipeg, Carolina and Colorado at this year's NHL Trade Deadline.

Duration:00:54:57

The Instigator Podcast 12.28 - NHL Trade Deadline Preview

3/5/2024
It's deadline week and the rumors are flying left and right. We run through a number of topics on this week's show, including the most recent trades to have been made around the league while offering up one trade that each of us would make if we were in charge of another NHL team. We then talk about Buffalo's apparent strategy ahead of this year's deadline and the trio of pending UFAs Kevyn Adams appears poised to move. We close the show with a pair of trades we'd like to see Adams make before the 3 p.m. deadline on Friday.

Duration:01:06:01

The Instigator Podcast 12.27 - Targeting Mission: Eastern Conference

2/28/2024
In a follow up to last week's episode, we run through the NHL's Eastern Conference to determine viable trade targets for the Sabres at this year's deadline or in the offseason. We hit on each team in the East, identifying players who can help on the fringes of the roster and even a few blockbuster candidates. We also hit on the news that the Sabres will be bringing in a new scoreboard for the 2024-25 season along with repairing the roof of KeyBank Center.

Duration:01:14:59

The Instigator Podcast 12.26 - Targeting Mission: Western Conference Edition

2/21/2024
We thought we'd try something different with this week's episode. Rather than go on about another squandered pair of points, we dive into the Western Conference to come up with players the Sabres could target in a trade. We touch on each team in the West, highlighting players that range from pie-in-the-sky dreams, to valuable fits deeper in the lineup.

Duration:01:12:50

The Instigator Podcast 12.25 - Slotting Sabres into the 4 Nations Face Off

2/14/2024
With the 4 Nations Face Off on the way, we take a look at how many Sabres are likely to snag a roster spot playing for their respective countries. We also discuss the Morgan Rielly suspension, the latest comments made by Kevyn Adams regarding Casey Mittelstadt and offer a brief update on the current state of the Sabres.

Duration:01:00:37

The Instigator Podcast 12.24 - Going Mittelstadt Mode

2/5/2024
This week is the Mittelstadt episode. In the wake of the deals that shipped out Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan, questions about Casey Mittelstadt's availability have cropped up. We dive into the important role Mittelstadt has played for the Sabres this season while also discussing where he fits in to the team's future along with the difficulty the Sabres will face in replacing him should they move him in a deal.

Duration:01:15:18

Warpath #2: Crest & Colors

2/2/2024
The second episode of Warpath is devoted to the crest and colors of the Buffalo Sabres. Featuring interviews with Eric Bodamer and Paul Lukas, this episode explores the background of the team's blue and gold color scheme, the meaning behind the logo along with additional stories and facts about the uniforms the Sabres wore when they first took the ice in 1970. References: American Indian College Fund National Park Service Colorado University Buffalo Sabres 40th Anniversary Website Buffalo Sabres 1970-71 Media Guide US Polo Association The Buffalo News

Duration:00:33:28

The Instigator Podcast 12.23 - All Star Week Musings: Levi, Jiricek, West Coast Trip

1/31/2024
The Sabres are off for a week and the All Star Game is here. We have a slightly longer episode this week that tackles the Sabres' results from their west coast trip, Devon Levi's return to Rochester during the team's time off and we spitball about David Jiricek who has openly complained about his situation in Columbus.

Duration:01:16:10

The Instigator Podcast 12.22 - Hockey Canada Investigation Takes a Step Forward

1/25/2024
After a lengthy period of investigation, the sexual assault case related to the 2018 Canadian World Junior Championship team has progressed as five players were instructed to surrender to the authorities in London, Ontario. With four NHLers taking leaves from their respective teams, speculation has run rampant online. We discuss the latest developments in the case and the players thought to be involved in the ongoing proceedings. Also on the show is a conversation about the differences in standards and situations between the Sabres and Islanders after the latter replaced their head coach with Patrick Roy. We talk about Don Granato's outlook and whether or not he has the ability to survive as Buffalo's head coach given the struggles the Sabres continue to suffer through.

Duration:00:57:06

The Instigator Podcast 12.21 - Skinner Injury Should Create Lineup Opportunities

1/17/2024
Buffalo's ongoing injury bug bit again, this time sidelining Jeff Skinner and Mattias Samuelsson. We talk in detail about Skinner's absence and what options the Sabres have to fill his spot in the lineup. Also on the show is a conversation over Rasmus Dahlin's recent quotes regarding his committment to defense and just what that means for the team and the player. Also on the show is a discussion over the retirement of Tyler Ennis and Cody Hodgson's return to hockey.

Duration:00:59:46

The Instigator Podcast 12.20 - Some Thoughts on Buffalo's Direction in Goal

1/12/2024
The Sabres aren't in a great place when it comes to goaltending. It may not be their biggest issue, but it's a problem that could have the most long term impact on the club. I string together some rambling thoughts on the performances of Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, how the Sabres are handling Levi and what they can do to ensure Levi's ongoing growth. Perhaps it's time to make a sizeable investment in a goaltender outside the organization. Is the risk worth the reward and if a new face allows Levi to grow in the AHL, does that increase the return for the Sabres?

Duration:00:42:05

The Instigator Podcast 12.19 - New Year's Resolutions for the Sabres

1/3/2024
The Sabres have plenty of issues to work on and we thought there would be no better way to fix them than by suggesting some New Year's resolutions for the club. We each run through a pair of resolutions for the Sabres, focusing on special teams, Dylan Cozens, goaltending and the front office. And we wrap up with one last brief suggestion for good measure. Whether or not these resolutions can be kept is an entirely different question for a Sabres team desperately in need of a winning streak.

Duration:00:59:57

Warpath #1: The Founding

1/2/2024
The founding of the Buffalo Sabres is an interesting tale of dogged hard work by the Knox brothers mixed with a bit of vintage NHL chicanery. Follow the path the Knoxes took from prospective NHL owners, through their dalliance with the Oakland Seals and, finally, to the succwssful end of their pursuit of bringing NHL hockey to Buffalo. Sources: Buffalo Sabres 1970-71 Media Guide: https://sabresdigitalpressbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/1970-71-media-guide.pdfBuffalo Sabres 40th Anniversary Website: https://web.archive.org/web/20110307143201/http://forty.sabres.nhl.com/history.asp?year=1967 The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/1312341/2019/10/22/seals-of-approval-buying-oaklands-team-gave-the-sabres-their-ticket-to-the-nhl/ Golden Seals Hockey: https://goldensealshockey.com/Pittsburghhockey.net: https://pittsburghhockey.net/penguinsUSA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/06/08/jack-mcgregor-pittsburgh-penguins/102639134/ Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame: https://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/member/northrup-knox/https://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/member/seymour-knox-iii/ Aiken Polo: https://www.uspolo.org/news-social/news/remembering-seymour-knox-an-article-in-the-2021-aiken-polo-club-magazine

Duration:00:30:55

The Instigator Podcast 12.18 - Wrapping up 2023 with Listener Questions

12/28/2023
To wrap up the calendar year we took some listener questions (submitted during the team's loss to Boston) and tried to get to the bottom of what's ailing the Buffalo Sabres. On the list of topics are special teams, the lack of trades, the club's financial viability and much more.

Duration:00:42:11

The Instigator Podcast 12.17 - Granato on the Hot Seat?

12/22/2023
The Jekyll and Hyde Sabres continued on their merry way this week, dropping an embarassing contest to the Blue Jackets before hanging nine goals on the Maple Leafs. Don Granato's job status was in sharp focus after the loss to Columbus and we dive in to just how hot his seat is and whether or not it should be quite as hot as it seems given what he has done well and his deficiencies as a coach.

Duration:01:03:41

The Instigator Podcast 12.16 - Caps on the Move?

12/12/2023
The Instigator Podcast luck has struck again, with the Sabres swinging a deal less than a day after we recorded last week. We talk about Eric Robinson's arrival and some of the challenges the Sabres will face in balancing their roster once they return to health. We also touch on some stories from around the NHL as news broke on the upcoming changes to the NHL Skills Competition in addition to a big story out of Washington DC. The Skills Competition updates are promising as the focus on in-game skill seems to be the crux of the changes. Meanwhile the Capitals appear poised to be taking a big step towards building a new area in Alexandria, Virginia and moving from their home at Capital One Arena. We wrap up the show with listener questions.

Duration:01:05:22

Coming Soon - Warpath: The History of the Buffalo Sabres

12/8/2023
In the coming weeks, a new series will be added to The Instigator Podcast lineup. This new show, titled Warpath: The History of the Buffalo Sabres, will chronicle the winding road the Sabres have traveled. The show will highlight the stories, players and events that have shaped over 50 years of NHL hockey in Buffalo. Drawing on historical sources and interviews, this show will help to illustrate some of the highest and lowest points in franchise history. You will be able to listen to every episode of Warpath right here, where you already catch The Instigator Podcast. Keep your eyes peeled, the first epsiode of Warpath will be coming soon.

Duration:00:02:59

The Instigator Podcast 12.15 - Searching for a Fix to the Sabres Woes

12/5/2023
The Sabres recent skid has raised questions about virtually every aspect of the roster and coaching staff. We try to get to the bottom of some of those issues and determine what buttons can be pushed to address Buffalo's struggles. We discuss Don Granato and whether or not his seat is getting hot, Kevyn Adams' lack of action in the offseason (and thus far in-season) along with exploring what solutions could be available to the club. We wrap up the show with a quick discussion over the expected increase in the salary cap for 2024-25 and other changes that have come from this week's Board of Governors meeting.

Duration:00:48:29

The Instigator Podcast 12.14 - Levi Shuffled to Rochester

11/29/2023
The Sabres goaltending came into focus as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has taken control of the crease in Buffalo and Devon Levi has been sent to Rochester. We talk about what it means for Levi, where he's struggled this year and how Rochester can help shape him into the goalie we saw last spring. This week's episode also touches on the story unfolding with Corey Perry in Chicago, Pat Kane's move to Detroit and the dismissal of Dean Evanson from Minnesota.

Duration:00:54:28

The Instigator Podcast 12.13 - Benson Decision Looming for Sabres

11/22/2023
The Sabres approach Thanksgiving very much alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race, but their inconsistency on offense threatens to derail any playoff push. We dicsuss those offensive issues while also highlighting the looming decision that is coming for Zach Benson and the Sabres. Will the team opt to burn a year of his entry level contract? Or will he be sent back to the WHL in preparation for a starring role in the World Junior Championships? This week's episode also features a debate over the NHL's plans for a return to international play, as there are reports the league will host a scaled down international event between the USA, Canada, Sweden and Finland in 2025, with an expectation to return to a regular World Cup rotation after the 2026 Olympics. All of that, and more, on this week's episode.

Duration:00:56:57