Locked On Sabres - Daily Podcast On The Buffalo Sabres

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.

 

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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.

 

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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.Gametime
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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.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!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.Gametime
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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.

 

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!

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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!

 

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The Buffalo Sabres have only made a couple of signings in free agency and still haven't traded defenseman Bowen Byram, but is their offseason over already? Whether Byram signs a contract or gets dealt could take a little bit, as Kevyn Adams says the team will match any offer sheet he might get. Sneaky Joe puts together an opening night lineup for the Sabres if Byram is still on the team. Also, where did the Sabres get the impression that their broadcast is "too critical"? 
 

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
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The Buffalo Sabres made a big commitment to one of their own on free agency day, signing center Ryan McLeod to a four year extension, following his career year in Buffalo. Was McLeod worth $5 million per year? Plus, what the Sabres are getting in new goaltender Alex Lyon and depth forward Justin Danforth. With Lyon in the mix, is there room for Devon Levi in Buffalo? Also, what's interesting about Ryan Johnson's new contract with 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)

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The Buffalo Sabres select defenseman Radim Mrtka with the ninth pick of the NHL Draft. A big 6'6" right shot defenseman is a perfectly defendable pick by Kevyn Adams and the Sabres front office, but was it a need for the team? Sneaky Joe argues that the Sabres actually were lacking on the blueline in their organizational pipeline, and Mrtka instantly becomes their best prospect defenseman.

What are Mrtka's best attributes? What's his background? And how long until Mrtka will likely be in the NHL? Plus, should we be worried Bo Byram hasn't been traded yet?

 

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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
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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!

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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 Armando Velez (Locked On Panthers) are here to talk about the upcoming NHL draft, any potential free agency surprises, and about Alexander Mogilny finally making it into the Hall of Fame!

 

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Wonderful Pistachios
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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)

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The Buffalo Sabres have dealt JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth after months of trade speculation in exchange for defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan. A package that has most Sabres fans feeling underwhelmed, if not angry, getting back two players that were just role players last season in Utah. The motivation for why Peterka wanted out is also in question now, as he was willing to sign a long-term extension in a smaller market, on a team that also misses the playoffs constantly. Did Peterka have a problem with Lindy Ruff? Were the Sabres not willing to pay him?

Also, a breakdown of Kesselring and Doan's games, how much more they could grow, and how this deal impacts the Bowen Byram trade market.

 

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Rugiet
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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.Wonderful Pistachios
Get snackin' and get crackin' with the snack that packs a protein punch. Visit WonderfulPistachios.com to learn more!
 

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)

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