The Instigator Podcast

Is Hellebuyck Still On the Radar Ahead of Camp?

The Sabres open training camp this week with the door open for their exciting young core. We run down Noah Ostlund's new contract and how it fits into the other contracts

Previewing the Queen City Hockey Expo

The first Queen City Hockey Expo takes place on Sunday, August 9 at Buffalo Riverworks. Event organizer and founder Chris Holmes joins the show to discuss the event and w

Two in the Mailbox: Mid-Summer Mailbag

As July comes to an end, it seemed like a perfect time for a mailbag episode. This edition's listener questions include a querey on Connor McDavid, line combinations for

Have the Sabres Improved their Roster?

The Sabres were active in the leadup to the NHL Draft, moving on from Bowen Byram and Alex Tuch. Olen Zellweger and Louis Crevier have arrived to shore up the blueline, b

Breaking Down Buffalo's Draft and Free Agent Shopping List

The Sabres exited the draft with a pair of first round prospects and Olen Zellweger. We run through the work that wrapped up the prior week for the Sabres, where Zellwege

Sabres Deal Bryam to Chicago in Draft Week Stunner

Bowen Byram was traded to Chicago in a stunning deal that sends the fourth overall pick back to the Sabres just three days before the 2026 NHL Draft. We break down the Br

Sabres Targeting Mission

Now that the offseason is officially underway, it's time to get down to business determining who the Sabres should be pursuing. We break down a few teams that fell outsid

Who Stays and Who Goes From the Sabres Roster?

The Sabres have several key free agents to either re-sign or allow to walk to free agency. We break down the key choices facing the club, including Peyton Krebs and Beck

A Sabres Mailbag to Distract from the Cup Finals

While the Cup Final isn't one that many fans in Buffalo will be excited about, this mailbag episode offers insight on a pile of Sabres-related topics. Along the way, we r

Playoff Plus and Minus for the Sabres

We bring back our old plus/minus bit to serve up our thoughts on the full run of Buffalo's playoff roster. Each player gets a hit and our thoughts on what they did well,

The Bill Comes Due for the Sabres in Game Seven

Alex Newhook, who shot the lights out all series, ended Buffalo's season on a knuckle ball from the left circle. The Sabres charged hard in game seven, rallying from two

Sabres and Habs Down to a Best of Three

We're back to talk through the last three games of the Sabres series with the Canadiens, with a focus on game four. We talk through Buffalo's penalty troubles, their five

Sabres-Canadiens Round Two Preview

The Sabres and Habs are set to face off in round two. We break down the series by looking at how the two clubs matchup across each lineup. We break down where Montreal ma

Sabres in the Driver's Seat Entering Game Five

The Sabres took both games in Boston and return home with a commanding 3-1 series lead. They have the opportunity to close out a series on home ice and we talk about the

Dave Horesh of Oxford Pennant Knows Puck

Oxford Pennant Co-Founer Dave Horesh joins the show to talk about the deep Buffalo roots of Oxford Pennant and the unique set of offerings they have produced for the Sabr

Power Play Woes Plague Sabres Playoff Return

Buffalo's power play has been an issue all season and it's been particularly awful in the month of April. The power play woes have continued into the playoffs and could d

Sabres Lock Up Atlantic and a Date with The Bruins

The Sabres are Atlantic Division champs, an amazing result considering where they came from in early December. We break down the Atlantic Division title and how it will s

Which Drought-Era Sabre Would You Add to This Year's Roster?

The drought is officially over. The Sabres clinched a playoff spot over the weekend and celebrated inside a raucous KeyBank Center on Monday. We talk through the end of t

Lineup Refinement Coming as Sabres Inch Closer to Clinching

Jordan Greenway, like Conor Timmins last week, has returned from injury. Zach Metsa is back from Rochester. Buffalo's roster is as close to 100% as it has been all season

Who Do You Want the Sabres To Draw in Round One?

Who do you think is the best matchup for the Sabres in round one? There are still upwards of eight teams that could wind up playing the Sabres in the first round. We spen