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PODCAST

The Instigator Podcast

Two in the Box, Bleav

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.

sports hockey

All Episodes

00:34:39

News and Notes as the 25-26 Sabres Season Approaches

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/09/05

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

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00:50:15

Breaking Down the Sabres Goalie Stable With Kevin...

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/08/11

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.

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00:57:26

The ACHA's Role in America's College Hockey Landscape

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/08/04

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.

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00:30:50

Sabres Summertime Mailbag

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/07/18

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.

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00:59:34

Byram to Arbitration while Kevyn Adams Heads Back to...

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/07/09

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.

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00:36:54

The Instigator Interview: Stadium and Arena...

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/07/07

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

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01:03:19

Recapping the Sabres Work After Day One of Free Agency

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/07/02

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.

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00:28:54

Quick Hit: Sabres Pick Radim Mrtka on a Quiet Friday

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/06/28

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.

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01:30:00

Looking Ahead to the NHL Draft After Another Adams...

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/06/25

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.

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01:03:33

JJ Peterka Takes His Turn on the Trade Rumor Carousel

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/06/18

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

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01:06:07

Shaping the Sabres Offseason: Trading Bowen Byram and...

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/06/11

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

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01:09:15

Sabres Bring Jarmo Kekalainen Into the Fold

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/06/04

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

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00:29:03

Digging into Bowen Byram and JJ Peterka's Spots on...

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/05/29

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.

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00:41:48

The Instigator Interview: Featuring Patrick Kaler of...

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/05/22

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

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00:50:53

Should the Sabres Target Mitch Marner?

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/05/21

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)

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00:54:32

Has the Front Office Search Staaled?

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/05/13

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

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00:48:34

The Instigator Podcast 13.33 - Isles Win NHL Draft...

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/05/06

A pair of teams leapt up the draft order after the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery. The New York Islanders will be picking first overall while the Utah Hockey Club moved from 14th to fourth, locking in the San Jose Sharks at second overall (:20). The Sabres were bumped to ninth overall after two teams from behind them moved up. We walk through the lottery results and offer a few thoughts on the direction we'd go if we were in the GM chair with the Islanders (6:58). Then we tackle the Sabres options at ninth

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00:57:57

The Instigator Podcast 13.32 - Searching for a Standard

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/04/30

While there was some expectation the Sabres could make some changes in the front office, it appears as if no changes are in store for the club. Meanwhile, teams across the league have made substantial changes at coach or GM. We ask why the Sabres haven't determined that this sort of action is necessary after another season without the playoffs and whether or not there is any sort of organizational standard here in Buffalo (29:30). We kick off the show with a conversation on the first round of the

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01:04:07

The Instigator Podcast 13.31 - Post Season Post Mortem

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/04/22

Kevyn Adams and Lindy Ruff wrapped up the Sabres season with a joint press conference, coming after two days of locker cleanout and player interviews. We run through some of the most notable talking points from the weekend, reflecting on the pros and cons of an eventful weekend for the Sabres. While Adams spent a lot of time saying very little, he still made a few comments that stood out against a 14th straight season without a playoff berth.

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00:35:11

The Instigator Podcast 13.30 - Opening the Mailbag...

The Instigator Podcast ·

2025/04/17

It's time for a listener mailbag as game 82 of the Sabres season approaches. This episode takes on questions about Buffalo's offseason plans, what the blueline should look like, if Lindy Ruff will get any assistants of his choosing and more.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

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283 results

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