The Toronto Maple Leafs have finished top-three in the Atlantic Division every season since 2017, but now will have to do it again, this time without Mitch Marner, who has left for Vegas. Do the Maple Leafs have the depth up front to replace a 100 point player? Sneaky Joe points to some of the Leafs 5v5 numbers in 2024-25 that indicate a team that is going to have trouble matching what they did last season. 

No one expects the Buffalo Sabres to finish anywhere near the Leafs in the standings this season, but there's one path to the two teams being within a few wins of each other in the standings. It will all likely come down to how Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll hold up this season.

Plus, what form John Tavares is in at this age, as he'll be asked once again to play a huge role offensively.

 

Listener Survey
We’ve put together a survey to learn more about our listeners and make your favorite podcasts even better. Go tohttps://lockedonpodcasts.com/survey/ to get started. Everyone who completes a survey will be entered for a chance to win one of ten $100 Amazon gift cards. 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. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

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)

 

 

Next up in our look through the Atlantic Division, the Tampa Bay Lightning, who showed signs of decline last season, but are still built to be a playoff team every single season. A group of superstars at the top of the lineup featuring Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Victor Hedman, Brandon Hagel, Jake Guentzel, and Andrei Vasilevskiy is enough to lift up a horrible group of depth players. Can just six great players carry Tampa deep into the playoffs at this age?

While Tampa shows signs of decline, Sneaky Joe believes future increases in the salary cap will allow the Lightning to stay above teams like the Buffalo Sabres. Also, why the Lightning should be considered the favorite to land Connor McDavid, should he make it to free agency.

 

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. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.

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 Sabres and Senators struck a big trade last season sending Dylan Cozens to Ottawa. In 21 games, Cozens put up good numbers with the Sens... or did he? Sneaky Joe argues that Cozens is the same lost player we saw in Buffalo the last two years, and he is not in line for success in Ottawa. HOWEVER, the Senators should have more than enough talent with the likes of Tim Stuzle, Jake Sanderson, and Linus Ullmark to be not just a playoff team, but a team that could finish top three in the division, and even win a playoff round.

A look at how the Senators built a team like this shows important lessons for Kevyn Adams and the Sabres. Do the Sabres have any chance to leap frog Ottawa in 2025-26?

 

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. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.

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 have been passed by the Montreal Canadiens in the Atlantic Division after Montreal found a way to make the playoffs last season, despite not being great at 5-on-5, powerplay, or goaltending. Despite having, what was maybe, a lucky season, the Habs added this offseason with Noah Dobson and Zack Bolduc to offset any possible regression. Will Montreal come back to the pack? Or are they building towards being a playoff winner?

Sneaky Joe compares the Sabres and Canadiens and how much of a lift it would be for Buffalo to catch Montreal this season, something they'll likely have to do to make the playoffs.

 

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. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.

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)

Last season, the Boston Bruins finished dead last in the Atlantic Division, behind even the Buffalo Sabres for the first time since 2010. Was this just a fluke year for Boston, or is this a sign of an era of bad Bruins hockey? Sneaky Joe believes the latter is more likely. A look into a thin roster, a GM that has been unable to replace Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, and David Krejci, and a goalie coming off a horrible year makes it seem that the Bruins are just a flawed hockey team.

Plus, the Bruins are looking to move Casey Mittelstadt, should the Sabres look for a reunion? And why Jeremy Swayman, Charlie McAvoy, and Hampus Lindholm are the keys to Boston not being terrible this season.

 

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. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.

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)

It's been over a month since Alex Tuch was eligible to sign a contract extension with the Buffalo Sabres, and so far... no deal. Should we be worried no deal has been struck? At what point should we be? Sneaky Joe goes through Tuch's past comments about a deal, what he's worth to the Sabres, and what could be motivating him going forward. Plus, a new comparison for Zach Benson. 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)

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.

 

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)

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.

 

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)

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).

 

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)

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.

 

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)