The Instigator Podcast

Jarmo Kekäläinen made his first front office additions, bringing in Marc Bergevin and Josh Flynn. We talk about those additions and what else may be on the horizon for Kekäläinen and the Sabres hockey department as the new GM settles in. This episode also runs through some players who may have been Adams' guys but potentially not Jarmo's guys. We touch on the upcoming World Junior Championship and offer up a gift that each of us would give to the Sabres.   Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777
or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds
required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Limited time offer. Copyright NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Kevyn Adams was relieved of his duties as Buffalo Sabres general manager, a move that was eagerly anticipated by Sabres fans. Jarmo Kekäläinen steps into the role, the first time Terry Pegula has hired a general manager with prior experience in his time as owner. We break down where things went wrong for Adams and what led to his firing. We also dig in to what makes Kekäläinen an intriguing fit for the Sabres and the biggest issues he'll need to manage in the role.      Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777
or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds
required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Limited time offer. Copyright NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Alex Tuch's contract negotiations seem about as icy as Buffalo's weather. The potential he's moved increases by the day and this episode focuses on what it will look like if and when the Sabres trade Alex Tuch. Who should they target when they shop him? What should the trade package for Tuch look like? And how can the deal help push the Sabres forward?   Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777
or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds
required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Limited time offer. Copyright NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Josh Norris made his return from injury and posted an impressive stat line. Combined with Noah Ostlund, the Sabres center group looks much more confidence inspiring than it did just a couple of weeks back. Norris, Ostlund and a few other key performers are the focal point of this week's episode as is our take on the delays with the arena that is suppose to host the Olympic hockey tournament in Milan.   Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777
or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds
required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Limited time offer. Copyright NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Thanksgiving came and the Sabres sit last in the East. As one of the most notable schedule benchmarks passes with the Sabres facing a daunting climb, what is to be made of the general manager and how are they going to solve the three-headed monster in goal?       Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777
or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds
required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Limited time offer. Copyright NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

The Sabres may finally be getting some injury relief, which will cause some difficult roster choices to be made once Zach Benson, Josh Norris and Jason Zucker finally return. Buffalo's trio of goaltenders will make the roster choices tighter, unless the team finds a path to running just two goalies. We discuss the pros and cons of Buffalo's three headed goalie monster and the implications in net and on the rest of Buffalo's roster.     Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777
or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds
required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Limited time offer. Copyright NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

An unbelievable run of injuries and illnesses have hamstrung the Sabres and put them in a monumentally difficult position. Without four key forwards and Rasmus Dahlin, the Sabres are in the midst of a challenging roadtrip that could put the team behind the 8-ball in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. We break down the key aspects of the run of injuries and offer up some views on how the team can dig out of the hole...and whether or not they're positioned to do so.     Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777
or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds
required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Limited time offer. Copyright NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

In addition to a brief update post-OT loss to the Mammoth, I take some listener questions on this week's show. Among the topics are Owen Power, what the Sabres do with their lineup once they're healthy and how to fix their three on three woes. Also on the show, a discussion on the loser points they're racking up and how they're keeping the Sabres alive in a tightly packed Eastern Conference, but also how a few wins stacked up wouldn't just have the Sabres in the hunt, but with a firm grip on a playoff spot.     Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777
or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds
required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Limited time offer. Copyright NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Whether it be the play of Alex Lyon, Josh Doan, Zach Benson or their improved special teams, the Sabres have shown some promise early in the 2025-26 season. They are at NHL .500 after 10 games and we dig into what's gone right, what needs to be cleaned up and why were still feeling good about their outlook even in the wake of two disappointing OT losses.     Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777
or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds
required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Limited time offer. Copyright NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

The Sabres rebounded after a dreadful set of opening games. With wins against Ottawa and Florida, and a quality outing in Montreal, things are looking brighter in Buffalo. There is still work to be done as we discuss Buffalo's sluggish first period results and their substandard goal scoring results through their first six games. We also highlight the bright spots, including Zach Benson, Josh Doan and others who may just help pull the Sabres into the fight as they try to break their NHL record playoff drought.   Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-878-9777
or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. 21-plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds
required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG.co/audio. Limited time offer. Copyright NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.