What would the Buffalo Sabres have accomplished if Daniel Briere and Chris Drury never left the team? What happens if the team didn't have all it's defensemen get hurt in 2006? What about if the Sabres never tanked in 2015? Sneaky Joe asks AI some of the biggest 'what ifs' in Buffalo Sabres history, including a long ripple effect that would've started with a Stanley Cup in 2006. Plus, what AI thinks the Sabres will do in 2025-26, a much more positive prediction than what Joe thinks of this team.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Can Tage Thompson rise to MVP status and claim the Hart Trophy in 2025-26?

Once considered a long-term project, Thompson has evolved into one of the league’s most dynamic offensive forces. We explore his journey, assess his impact on the Buffalo Sabres, and ask whether individual brilliance is enough without deep team success. The conversation touches on his scoring consistency, power-play dominance, and how he stacks up against perennial MVP contenders like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Nathan MacKinnon.

We also take a look at what the Hart Trophy truly represents — value to one’s team — and whether Thompson’s presence in Buffalo’s lineup meets that definition. Is he just putting up points, or is he driving results in a way that could sway voters?

With stats we break down whether Tage Thompson’s star power is peaking at just the right time.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Terry Pegula and the Buffalo Sabres had a big press conference to announce extended naming writes with KeyBank for the arena. Why did the Sabres make such a big deal out of such a small story? And why can't the Sabres stay out of their own way with memeability? Sneaky Joe talks how negative and sarcastic Sabres' fans are towards their team, but also why fans have earned the right to be that way after 14 seasons of missing the playoffs. Plus, whether the Sabres should even think about brining in Carter Hart (no, they shouldn't).

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

For the Buffalo Sabres to snap their playoff drought, they will likely need several players to have career seasons. At the forward group, Jiri Kulich and Zach Benson lead the list, but is Jack Quinn still capable of taking a huge step forward? How many points is acceptable for Kulich to realistically be the team's first line center?

Plus, why Owen Power HAS TO be one of the breakout players for the Sabres this season. Going from a very good defenseman to a star defenseman, and what Michael Kesselring's role is in Power's potential. Finally, whether this is the year that Devon Levi finally breaks out for the Sabres.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The Buffalo Sabres playoff drought enters it's 15th season, but there have been a lot of really good players to play for the team during those fifteen years. Who are the best of them? Sneaky Joe builds a lineup with the likes of Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson, Jack Eichel, and many others. Did Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek play enough games to make the team?

Has anyone played enough to unseat Ryan Miller? And how have the Sabres not had six good defensemen play for the team in this amount of time?

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The Buffalo Sabres are riding the longest playoff drought in NHL history and the league is reportedly concerned about the state of the franchise. What could that concern rise to? What could Gary Bettman and the league really do about a team that doesn't have a stadium problem, or a financial problem, just a 'they're really bad all the time' problem? Sneaky Joe looks at attendance numbers, the state of the Buffalo hockey market, and Bettman's history with Buffalo.

Plus, what we learned from the Sabres 'Embedded' series that featured Terry Pegula and Jarmo Kekalainen front and center, but also a revelation from Kevyn Adams about how far back the JJ Peterka trade talks with Utah went.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The Buffalo Sabres and defenseman Bowen Byram have come to an agreement on a two-year, $6.25M extension, that walks him to unrestricted free agency. Is the two-year deal a risk for Kevyn Adams and the Sabres? Does the extension kill the possibility of a trade? Sneaky Joe goes through the possible scenarios for Byram this offseason and the next two seasons.

Plus, the 2025-26 NHL schedule is out! A look at the Sabres schedule sees a lot of home games early in the season, a home-and-home with the Maple Leafs in October, and a looooot of road games in the month of December.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Brendan Shanahan reportedly showed interest in being the Sabres President of Hockey Operations, but Terry Pegula said 'thanks, but no thanks', due to Pegula viewing himself as that person. Should we be surprised Shanahan was interested in the first place? And why this basically means the team will never have someone in that role again, as long as Terry is the team's owner. Plus, why Jack Roslovic is maybe the only remaining free agent that the Sabres should be interested in at all. And Zach Benson is posting social media videos working hard this offseason.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The Buffalo Sabres opt to take defenseman Bowen Byram to arbitration, which eliminates the possibility of an offer-sheet. Was this the right call? With the decision, Byram gets the chance to choose a two-year deal, which would take him to unrestricted free agency. Sneaky Joe explains why he does not believe that there is much downside for the Sabres making this call.

Plus, with Devon Levi being a restricted free agent and the Sabres signing Alex Lyon, is it an automatic that Levi and the Sabres will come to an easy agreement on a new contract? And what Conor Timmins could stand to make as he takes the Sabres to arbitration.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Eddie Garcia (Locked On Kings, David Morassutti (Locked On Leafs) and Seth Toupal (Locked On Wild are here to talk about the big moves of free agency so far, including the Mitch Marner saga finally coming to an end, what the heck the LA Kings are doing, and where Nikolaj Ehlers is going to end up!

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new FanDuel customers can get $150 in Bonus Bets if your first $5 bet wins!

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)