BFHS 1/2/26: Trending to contending
Kris Baker and The Athletic’s Matthew Fairburn discuss everything Buffalo Sabres. Hit those like and subscribe buttons and be sure to read Matthew’s latest at The Athletic:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6935011/2026/01/02/sabres-playoff-chances-ostlund-thompson-doan/
23 Comments
One thing at an elite level and if he’s on the Olympic team, you’ll let him do. What is he elite at not be a role player or ask him to do something he’s not elite at.
That seems to be what USA hockey does though running things like it’s 2005
You can trash Kevyn Adams all you want but this is his team. He either acquired or drafted these players. Yes some were already here but Kevyn should be applauded
Any trade upgrades positions players emphasis?
They look exactly like one of Lindy’s great teams. Forwards being disciplined getting back or covering for pinching D men. Lets D men play with confidence and physicality, which, lets the goalie play confident and makes the saves he’s supposed to make.
Top end players are well supported by strong up and coming youth. It sounds like I’m describing the 05-06 team but it’s this years team.
Back to work . In my tractor trailer with coffee, Kris and Matt in the morning😁
What happens to the talk of all the teams? The last place team has to jump. Doesn’t Columbus have to jump over all these teams? Where did that conversation go?
noah ostlund is doing great, whilst limiting mistakes and not giving the coaching staff any reason to send him down.. when ostlund gets more established/comfortable, i think there is more production in him. he also proves not everything is about size if you got a brain.
Doing this without Kulich & Zucker is worth noting. Top 6 forwards
A root for Carolina Tampa Bay and anybody in the west who plays someone in the east
when the streak ends.. will they have spare helium to re-inflate the balloon? that is my question right now.. this is where the coaching staff comes in to hard wire the right message into the guys.
the olympic rink debacle makes no sense.. they got spare room on all sides in that arena if you look at the pictures, they have space put in a olympic size rink if they wanted too.
Great show.. its not a kissass fanboy show.. they are fans but give great details and insight. I look forward to it here in Charlotte NC
is there a singular player you think jarmo kekä has good relation with that he can carrot to buffalo? maybe a finnish player or someone from his blue jacket days.
Just a note that Athletic subscribers can share up to 5 30-day free subscriptions with others. Don't think Kris has mentioned that? but it is a good way to get non-subscriber/Sabres fans hooked on Matt's coverage. Which we want to happen. 🙂
Is a little time little or is that like when you call your 400 pound friend tiny
If they win Saturday, that chant during Tuesday’s home game is 1,2,3….WE WANT 12!
Does all skepticism go away if/when they beat Columbus for eleven? The Adams cloud is gone.
I see a tough game Saturday but the boys are ready for a heavy Columbus team. I think we can extend the streak to 11
They one ten in 2018 on a red hot 1st line and white hot goal tending. They weren't playing particular well. This team looks like they've finally figured out you have to play every game. We'll see when they hit some obstacles.
What ? What ? No sound once again!
How about for once giving Lindy Ruff some credit. This game the Sabres are playing is Lindy’s system and the players whom I didn’t think had it into have finally learned what it takes to consistently win games.
You brought up Mrtka, so there's my entree. We're going to need a Prospects Avenue pretty soon.
For those who don't follow the World Junior Championships, Mrtka is on Team Czechia, but missed the first two games with an undisclosed injury he suffered in a pre-tournament game vs. Latvia. He came back for Czechia's last two games of the preliminary round, but instead of logging his usual 25+ minutes, they've kind of eased him back in with an average of 17:29. Comparing him to the guy my eye saw in NHL preseason games, he doesn't look like he's hitting on all cylinders yet, injury may still be bothering him.
Sabres prospects Luke Osburn (2024 4th round pick, FR at Wisconsin) at 22:00 and Adam Kleber (2024 2nd round pick, SOPH at Minnesota-Duluth), at 21:46; along with duct tape, a golf tee in the vacuum line, and thoughts and prayers; is all that's holding Team USA's defense together with Cole Hutson hurt in their 2nd preliminary round game.
Mrtka, Kleber, Maxim Strbak (JR at Michigan St.) and Gavin McCarthy (JR at BU) are all big, stay-at-home RHD, and at least one of them could be a trade chip for immediate help for a playoff push. I can't see a point in the future where the Sabres will have roster spots for all four of them. RHD is a good position to be able to deal from.
Team USA's Captain Brodie Ziemer (2024 3rd-rounder, SOPH at Minnesota) is also having a good tournament. He's at least two, probably more like 3-4 years away, but he's going to play.
Draft stuff. Who ya got, Bakes? McKenna or Stenberg? Reid or Verhoeff? Unusual tournament in that there are more than the usual number of highly rated draft-eligibles playing at 17 in what's typically a tournament for 19 year-olds. i count 11 guys with 1st-round grades spread among the WJC rosters.
Man, I love this tournament. Best two weeks of the hockey calendar. FOur blood-&-guts games a day of high-level hockey.
Trying to imagine the Sabres picking in the late-teens or twenties, instead of the top-10. Almost does not compute.
If the Sabres keep up this new look…..does the rest of the league look at Adams in a different light?
I mean the Sabres still have plenty of talent in the pipeline…the future is bright. Im happy that Adams gets some credit because he definitely deserves to take a bow.