Go Behind The Scenes In Buffalo Sabres: Embedded | 2025 NHL Draft and Free Agency

Go Behind The Scenes In Buffalo Sabres: Embedded | 2025 NHL Draft and Free Agency

[John Manzi] What’s up pal? How are you? Long time no see, huh? [Pat Kaleta] Have you ever been here? [Greg Manzi] I feel like the downstairs part once before a Bills game. [Manzi] Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you. [Chris Dierken] Greg’s actually going to be making our second-round pick today. Nice to meet you. [Ed Grudzinski] Do you want to meet some of our staff? Sure. [Ed Grudzinski] Some people I work with. Why not? [Jourdon LaBarber] Are you excited to make the pick? Very. It’s gonna be cool. You’re gonna be on ESPN. We all work in the media. None of us ever been on ESPN. [Kevyn Adams] How we doing? – [Adams] How are you?
– [Manzi] Good. How are you? Good. Good to see you. How we doing today? Pretty good. You ready to get us a good player? Oh yeah. Where’s your Dad? – [Adams] Hey John, how you doing?
– [Manzi] Hello. How are you? – [Adms] Nice to see you.
– [Manzi] Hello. How are you? Hey bud. What’s up? Good to see you, kid. Hey Patty. How we doing? Good to see you. How we doing? – [Adms] You alright?
– [Manzi] Good. Ready. I’m going to bring you in and I’m going to introduce you. Ok? Oh yeah. Alright. Come on in. Greg Manzi is a member of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres. And unfortunately had a very significant injury that’s put him in a really challenging spot. [John Manzi] He was injured in a game over in Utica. [Manzi] He was hit in the front and his back hit the boards. This could have been a lot worse. He has a chance to walk again. But as a parent, it’s your worst nightmare. You never want to see anyone go through this especially your own child. One of the advantages of us being able to be in Western New York for the Draft, was to be able to provide that opportunity for Greg and his family, which was really special. [Curtis Rukavina] Josh Allen. Mister MVP. I think he’s the most fun quarterback to watch in the league. [Adams] You watch the draft last night? Yeah. The first five picks I felt like took the longest. And then they finally started going. How’d you like our pick? He was huge. [Gary Bettman] Welcome to the 2025 NHL Draft! Yeah, I’m probably going to stick with the pick. We’re doing Mrtka. 6’6” right shot D. Top four. Gotta take him. We have to try to find a way to make our team better. We got to figure out if there’s something we can do here to help our roster. Yeah. I mean we have serious offers now on the Peterka thing. He’s just not moving (Josh) Doan he said. Too core of a guy. It’s Jack Quinn. You were the first player I drafted… I’m really happy for you. And let’s make sure that it’s a good one this year. [Dan Dunleavy] Jack Quinn! [Lindy Ruff] 12:01. [Ruff] I do like him a lot. [Ruff] I think he fits what we’ve been… [Ruff] Hard. [Ruff] Tenacious. [Adams] Clouder wrote… appreciate the text. Excited for playoff hockey in Buffalo. That’s what I’m looking for. [Kevyn Adams] I can kick it off here. First of all, I guess just welcome everyone to draft week. I think it’s actually pretty cool opportunity for us to be able to be here and at One Bills Drive and use their facilities so Curtis and Terry and everybody else, thank you. And I do think it’s unique though. This room is made for this. And I probably say it every year but I’ll say it again, I mean I think we have to prepare for every possible situation as we get toward Friday and Saturday. So, I think it’s just important that we go through this with discipline, like you guys always do. And, I think by this time you guys have been watching these guys play for a year or two years in some cases or more. We know the players, we know the talent. But does it fit what we’re looking for? Do they want to be a Sabre? So, thanks for all the hard work for the year to lead to today and into the weekend. And let’s do our thing and get after it. Jarmo… if you want to say anything or give a little standup. So, welcome to the Sabres. I’m excited to be part of the group. I know lots of familiar faces from the scouting trail for me. I’ve got a lot of appreciation for what the scouts do. The heavy miles you put in and the work. And it’s so important for an organization that ever wants to win anything to get players out of the draft. And so, I appreciate all the work you guys put in and I’m proud to be a part of this group now. And do everything I can for us to take the next step. Thanks for having me. [Jerry Forton] In terms of the first-round picks, what was your general philosopy of drafting? [Kekalainen] Put big-time emphasis on drafting centers and top four defensemen. Because those guys are hardly ever available through a trade. Let’s get right to the top of the list here. [Lukas Sutter] This is a kid that if we pass him, and he goes pick eleven, he might bite us for a long time to come. [Jason Nightingale] I just think this guy’s got ice in his veins. No fear. You don’t see packages like this very often. That play like this already. Is that fair? [Jason Karmanos] You guys are saying all the right things. I know there’s passion for the player. I’m just asking the questions. [Sam Ventura] And as you know Jerry, this is something I keep bringing up. This is something I want more of on the Buffalo Sabres. [Kevyn Adams] Is this the player in the Combine that I asked about scoring versus… [Jason Nightingale] Hitting. [Adams] And he just lit up and said I love hitting. [Jerry Forton] Lukas, why don’t you talk about Mrtka. [Sutter] Long range. He skates well. Kills plays. Advances pucks. Kids like this don’t grow on trees. That’s the reality. A lot easier to tame a tiger than paint stripes on a pussycat. If you’re thinking about Friday night, we’re in the meat of it right now. [Jerry Forton] What do you think your game is right now? What do you need to work on? And what’s your game in the NHL if you make it to the NHL? So, I would say that I’m a two-way defenseman. And I would like to improve my skating. I think this can put me on another level. So, no skating coach ever? No. [Announcer] Back up top to Mrtka at the blue line. A shot through traffic and he will score! What a shot by Radim Mrtka. Blue line, Mrtka. The shot! Scored! There it is! A long range wrister! [Frank Musil] Not as much exposure as Prague or Brno. – [Forton] No skating coaches.
– [Musil] He knows what he is. No skating coaches. No money. Really ever, right? [Announcer] The big man Mrtka who will get it. When you see a kid that’s as good a player as he is right now with that size, and you realize once he gets exposed to even more from a strength and conditioning, skating skills instruction and so forth… then you start dreaming a little bit on even more upside then you would normally expect with a player that age. [Announcer] Towers over everybody. He’s a massive human. Mrtka centers for the one time shot. Pad save. Rebound. Scores! [Kevin Devine] He’s 6’6”. He’s got the long reach. [Devine] He moves pucks very well. The toughness will come. [Graham Beamish] If he was at nine and we traded out of it, [Beamish] I’d be sick to my stomach that we didn’t get him. [Beamish] I love this guy. [Adams] Do you watch a lot of NHL hockey like… is there guys you like to watch on TV or no? Yeah, I love Hedman and Seider, personally. Even Dahlin. He’s a great two-way player. So, I would like to play like those three guys. The 6’6’’ isn’t going away. And the right shot isn’t going away. And he’s a defenseman. Which as Jarmo said are hard to find. Top four defenseman. If we think he’s a top four defenseman. [Adams] The Goo Goo Dolls are making the pick for us. [Announcer] Tonight the NHL entry draft lands in Los Angeles. Lots of talent about to find their NHL homes. [Kekalainen] I would read this as if… the first two columns are gone I would trade down. [Forton] Our overall list and the way we form our list stayed the same. But Jarmo had a grid that when he and I walked through it I thought could be very useful for us in a few different areas. [Adams] Do I like Mrtka too much? I feel like watching him, that’s a pretty… – [Jason Karmanos] I’d be happy with Mrtka.
– [Adams] Yeah. Like that’s the one scary part about trading down and passing on Mrtka. [Kekalainen] Then he should be in the impact column if you like him that much. Basically, it categorized players in terms of where the drop-offs were you know within the first round and round-to-round. [Adams] I guess my point to, like, what Jarmo is saying though is… and maybe if I’m alone then tell me but I would get nervous moving out of nine – [Forton] If Mrtka was the only one still there.
[Adams] If Mrtka was… Yeah. Because I would be pretty excited taking Mrtka. [Gary Bettman] Welcome to the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft. [Adams] But is there a cutoff for you that you say the risk is the reward? [Karmanos] I think Mrtka is one. Mrtka is the cutoff for me. That’s where I’m at. [Karmanos] I mean does Jerry agree with that? Yeah. Yeah that’s where he… [Kekalainen] You’d take Mrtka? Yes. If Mrtka is gone and our list down, then I think we try to make the trade. Yeah, I’m probably going to stick with the pick. We got two guys right now and only one pick ahead of us that we’re really excited about so it would so it would have to really, really blow me away. We’re doing Mrtka. Hey, we’re going to make our pick. All right, bye. [Forton] What’d he say? He said, “okay you’re giving us some drama.” 6’ 6” right shot D. Top four. Gotta take him. [Bettman] Making the selection for the Sabres are members of the Goo Goo Dolls. A band that got its start in Buffalo. [Adams] I think I had been told maybe that day [Adams] or the day before they were doing it. Because I did know there was a memo that came out that people were going to be making the pick. So, I thought it was great. I mean, hey a Buffalo band and I’m a Goo Goo Dolls fan. [Forton] These guys grew up right down the street from me. [Pegula] From you? [Forton] The Goo Goo Dolls, oh yeah. [John Rzeznik] All right. With the ninth overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft the Buffalo Sabres are proud to select from the Seattle Thunderbirds Radim Mrtka. Yeah! [Announcer] This is the kind of guy they need. [Adams] Radim. Congratulations. Welcome to the Buffalo Sabres. [Robbie Takac] Welcome to Buffalo, my brother. [Mrtka] Thank you, man. I have Lindy Ruff here, our head coach so. More than anything, we just wanted to say how excited we are to have you and can’t wait to get you to Buffalo and just we believe in you. We think you’re going to be a great player for us. Thank you very much for the trust you put in me. So, it definitely feels good to be in Buffalo. I have our Czech scout, Frank Musil. [Frank Musil] Hi Radim, congratulations! [Radim Mrtka] Good day, thank you very much. You are glad, aren’t you? Oh yeah, of course. It’s awesome. I’ve seen everything, so I’m very glad! – [Musil] He’s really excited.
– [Adams] He’s happy? [Musil] Happy. [Musil] He was very excited and I was pleasantly surprised. Like, he was asked three or four questions and he had no problems answering. [Jamison Coyle] What they’re getting in a player like you, what would that be? Definitely a two-way player who works hard for the team. And does everything for the team. [Musil] There must of been a lot of adjustments not only on the ice but off the ice. And he met all those expectations I see a player that he’s just scratching the surface. So, I’m really excited. I’m really excited about Radim joining our organization. [Mrtka] Hey, congrats man. [Jake O’Brien] Yeah. All right, my city. [Jake O’Brien] Congrats. [Jason Nightingale] I think it starts anytime [Nightingale] there’s a player from another country and his ability to communicate. And I think he was very comfortable in the interview [Forton] Are you done growing? Probably. I don’t know. I think I’m done. But my Mom always says I’m bigger and bigger so. And I think he understood his game, too. And that we like to see players that have a self-awareness. Where’d you get the skill, the hands? When I was fifteen, I moved to the bigger club. And then I realized I’m so far behind the guys at my age. So, I just went to the shooting lane and shooting and stick handling. Shooting and stick handling? Yeah. On your own? Shooting room. Like they have a stick handling, shooting room? Yeah. [Forton] Anytime a kid’s had challenges and had to work through those challenges at a younger age, you’d like to think that ultimately that’s going to help them when they have some adversity at the pro level in the American League or the NHL level. [Photographer] How do you feel? It’s just a dream and I’m really excited for my next team. The Buffalo [Sabres] have pretty amazing players. For me, especially Dahlin is one of the idols. It’s going to be great to learn from him and play with him. So, I’m definitely excited. [Announcer] Radim, welcome to the NHL. [Mrtka] Thank you. Oh, it’s been a busy day but it’s definitely one of the best days of my life. All right, everyone, excited to start day two. I wanted to introduce you to a special guest that’s going to make our our next pick. Greg Manzi is his name. Nice to meet everybody. Yeah, so let me tell you a little story about Greg. Greg is a heck of a hockey player. I’ve watched him play multiple times. I’ve had some great conversations at Harborcenter over the years with John, his father. And, uh, Greg had an unfortunate accident this year but he’s working his tail off. He’s doing everything he can to keep battling. So, what I thought we could do today is present him with a jersey, hat, have him make our pick. And he’s going to he’s going to stick around and hang out and watch a little bit. So, maybe we could all stand up and give him a special… [Clapping] [Manzi] Thank you. So, here’s a jersey for you. You can wear it if you want. Thank you. And here, we’re going to put a hat on you, too. [Manzi] Okay. All right. So, we’re really proud of you. We’re pulling for you. – We’re here for you if you need anything.
– Thank you. – Okay?
– Yep. And, just take it in and make sure you get us a good pick. Will do. – All right?
– Yep. And if we trade it, you’ll make the next pick. – All right?
– Will do. All right, let me let me talk to my guys quick but, um… It’d be… it might be tough with the passion. But let me, let me find out. I’ll call you right back. We should… We should talk about this. Jason? So, we could… 39. But they want to do it now. They need it. They can’t wait with the passion we have. Where are you at? [Ventura] They’re looking to move up from 39 [Ventura] to something higher. [Ventura] That’s why they want to do it now. [Forton] I’m on board. You’re on board? I love these two players, but All right. – [Adams] He’s like 6’2”?
– [Forton] 210, 215 pounds. Hey Kyle, one second. In your mind, so, it’s Belliveau and Timmins and you’d be getting 39 and Clifton. Unless these guys are pounding the table we have to make the pick. [Forton] I’m not pounding the table for that. [Forton] I want to make our team better right now. All right. Yeah, we’re good on our end. Pittsburgh trades Conor Timmins and Isaac Belliveau to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for pick 39 and defenseman, Connor Clifton. Correct. Yep. Okay, okay, sounds good. – Okay. Thanks, Kyle. Good job.
– Yep. Congrats. Bye. Thanks. Bye. [Forton] Hey, guys… we traded the second-round pick. I just said over here we’ve made 14 first-round and second-round picks in the last five years. I think we’ve been very fortunate in that regard. As an amateur scouting staff we’ve always said if we think there’s something we can do to make our NHL team better right now we’d be happy about that. I’m very happy about the pick. I know it’s always tough when there’s a guy that we’ve been passionate about following all year and we’re maybe passing on them. But it’s something that’s going to help our team in the very near future. Hey, this is about this is about making our team better. And we still got plenty more picks. So, let’s let’s keep at it here. I said that morning first thing to the staff pick 39 is a very valuable asset. Let’s really push to see if there’s a way to improve our roster. And fortunately, we were able to do it. Hey, so I’ll explain what what happens. So, we just made a trade. And so what happens when you finalize a trade is it has to go through what’s called central registry. And then that’s when they go call Mark. He’s Assistant General Manager. Both sides get on the phone. Once the trade’s approved it’s official, okay. And you can stay as long as you want. Spend the day with us, whatever it is. So… okay? – [John Manzi] It’s a pleasure to meet you.
– [Terry Pegula] Nice to meet you. [Greg Manzi] Nice to meet you. [Pegula] Good to see you. [Pegula] So you didn’t get to make the pick? [Greg Manzi] It’s cool to still see it go down. [Pegula] We’ll try to get there for you. [Greg Manzi] Got all the time in the world. Listening to he and his dad talk about how cool it was to be in the draft room so for them to just see it you know, I think meant a lot. But, you know it’s such a little thing that we could do to make a big you know, positive impact for them. And I’m glad we’re able to do that. Conor, Kevyn Adams calling. Your head’s probably spinning a little bit but I just wanted to welcome you to the Buffalo Sabres and tell you how excited I am and we are to be bringing you on board. You’re exactly what we’ve been looking for. A guy that… I have been watching you for a while and trying to see if there’s a way to get you. And finally we were able to do it. I think you’re going to be really, really excited about the the group that you’re coming into. So, I just wanted to make sure you know how excited we are. All right, Conor. Congrats. See you. Bye. He’s excited, I think. Yeah, he said, “I grew up going to Sabres games.” He said, ‘I’m standing in my parents yard right now and I can see the KeyBank Center.’ Hey, Sabres fans. Connor Timmins here. Just wanted to say how excited I am to be joining the Buffalo Sabres organization. I grew up going to games with my family and I’ve heard nothing but great things about the city and the fanbase. Looking forward to getting started and seeing you all soon. [Background Noise] All right, one more, Terry. The New York Rangers are on the clock. So, it’s Bedkowski if he’s there. [Adams] The big right shot D. [Forton] Big. Right. Hard to play against. Some kids struggle with their identities as young players. They’re trying to figure out what they’re going to be going up levels. You know, David’s completely the opposite. [Forton] I assume you kind of view yourself as a (defensive) D. – [Bedkowski] Yeah.
– [Forton] Hard to play against guy. Yeah, that’s exactly it. That’s like the identity I’ve had to build. Since coming to the league at 15 it’s kind of been a process for me. But you know, that’s my bread and butter is playing it simple like, meat-and-potato-style game. You know, using my 6’5” like 220-pound frame already to, you know, impose it on top forwards. [Announcer] Coming through, Buckley… [Announcer] Puck came to him and he got drilled. [Announcer] What a hit by David Bedkowski there. He decided his identity was going to be a hard-to-play-against defensive defensemen that made it difficult for other teams’ best players. [Nightingale] Physically, this guy is very unique looking. [Nightingale] I mean, the size… [Nightingale] I like the skating on ice. [Nightingale] Like his aggression. [Nightingale] I think the puck skills and fluidity [Nightingale] are actually better than we thought. [Ventura] He was the guy that felt like [Ventura] had the most well-rounded profile [Ventura] and probably the most upside. [Ventura] Just the combination of size… [Ventura] I think he competes. [Ventura] I think he’s willing to use his body. [Beamish] For me, I like the idea of Bedkowski more. [Beamish] I think the style of player, [Beamish] the feedback I get on the kid, an alpha, [Beamish] he wants to be a player. [Beamish] He’s a hulking human being. No, I’m good. Yeah. All right. Yeah. Go ahead. Put him in. Yep. Bedkowski. [Terry Pegula] Don’t get nervous now. No, I’m not. It’s an easy name. Yeah, we could have given you a really hard name. All right, Buffalo Sabres on the clock. The pick is officially in. A very special pick coming up. For more on that we send it down to the Deputy Commissioner, Bill Daly. Before Buffalo makes their selection please direct your attention to the screens and meet Greg Manzi from the Jr. Sabres. We wanted to invite you down to the draft experience at One Bills Drive there. We would love it if you could announce the second-round selection for us. Wow. Yeah, that’d be awesome! Excited that you’re able to do this. I think it’ll be a lot of fun. And it’s a cool experience. It’ll be really cool to get to hang out with the insiders of the Sabres, like what they do throughout the draft process. It’ll be a really cool experience. Thank you! Let’s go to Buffalo now for the Sabres selection. Excited to have Greg Manzi here from the Buffalo Jr. Sabres to make our next selection. With the 71st pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres are proud to select, from Owen Sound, David Bedkowski. Go Sabres. [Producer] And we’re clear. Good job. Nice work. You nailed it. Nice job. Okay. Yeah, yeah. They’re clapping for you. Nice. [Adams] Thanks for doing that for us.
[Pegula] Good job. Hey we’re proud of you. Keep up the good work, okay? [Manzi] Will do. David, how are you doing? [Bedkowski] Nice to meet you. Congratulations. [Bedkowski] Thank you. [Bedkowski] Thanks for picking me. Hey, you have no idea. We’re excited. We were sweating it out there the last few picks because we we had you much higher on our list and can’t wait to have you join us. [Bedkowski] I mean, you know, it’s a blue collar city. [Bedkowski] You know [Bedkowski] there’s a lot of rich history [Bedkowski] within the city you know. I believe it was steel or wheat you know, those were the industries there. And so, you know I’m sure the fans will appreciate my game. It was really perfect you know, seeing that video, seeing Greg’s story. I’m sure Greg would give up absolutely everything and his family would give up absolutely everything for him just to be able to play hockey again. He just said it was pretty cool seeing your story and how much it meant to him that you made the pick. So, I think you guys need to meet in person. [Manzi] It’s been unreal [Manzi] the last couple of months. [Manzi] That like really shows [Manzi] how like the hockey community [Manzi] comes together as one. No matter, like, where you’re from, who you are everyone comes together to help someone out. [Manzi] Thank you very much. [Manzi] Means a lot to us.
[Adams] Hang in there, okay? [Manzi] Yes, thank you.
[Adams] All right. Okay. And I just think that was a reminder to me that it’s perspective and what he and his family are going through is a lot harder and bigger. – Thank you.
– Good luck. – Thank you.
– Yeah, thanks a lot for coming. – Okay.
– Thank you. I just think the NHL did an incredible job with it, too. For them to take that much time and get into the story and I think it was emotional for all of us. And then to see David Bedkowski’s reaction to it and when we were talking to him after we picked him was incredible. [Bedkowski] Seeing Greg’s story there [Bedkowski] I mean, that was so special to hear him [Bedkowski] say my name.
[Adams] That’s cool. [Bedkowski] You know, [Bedkowski] just really helped put into perspective [Bedkowski] just to be grateful for little things. [Bedkowski] Just like health, so… [Bedkowski] It’s so great. It’s just been a very difficult time for all of us. And, Greg especially. But the whole atmosphere it’s just been unbelievable. And we can’t thank the organization enough for what they’ve done today. We’re extremely happy with the draft, but that’s only one tool for the ability to make your organization better. Hey, Bill, how you doing? Nice and early out west, huh? Our conversations have been ongoing or whatever, and I just… before I do anything, I wanted to take one more one more swing with you here on Kesselring, Doan. I had been in conversations with Utah well before the trade deadline. So, when I talk about publicly, like, there’s times where conversations you’re ramped up and then they hit pause and then you pick them back up later. This would be a perfect example. The right shot D comes into play. I’ve been focused on on Doan because, you know, I mean, I… you like him for the same reason I do. Yeah, there’s some urgency on my end. But, yeah, sit with your guys and just get back to me as soon as you can. He’s just not moving Doan, he said. Too core of a guy. He clearly values him. [Jarmo Kekalainen] I don’t blame him. Yup. There’s a long path to getting the deal across the finish line. And what I made clear to them was that Kesselring and Doan were critical pieces in any sort of trade that we would be making. [Brian Duff] One big move down for the Sabres heading into the off-season and of course the 2025-26 campaign. If you were up late, one of us was, one of us wasn’t. You would have know that this deal between the Sabres and the Mammoth, never said that before, went down last night with Peterka to Utah in exchange for Kesselring and Doan. Kesselring for us, just felt like the player that exactly what we were looking for in terms of age, experience, upside, competitiveness. Someone that we think will grow with our team for years to come. [Announcer] Nice move, Kesselring. Wrister, he scores! Oh, what a shot and a heck of a move, Michael Kesselring! Well there’s some instincts that you just can’t teach. And then, you know, Josh Doan, I had played with his dad. I know the character of the person, the family. We loved his game and just felt like these were where we couldn’t compromise. [Announcer] Through to the front, a chance and a goal and it’s Josh Doan! How about that! What I was extremely impressed about with Kesselring and Doan, both of them was their in-the-moment ability to completely look at the opportunity that they were excited to come to. Both of them were I am all in and I just can’t wait to be a Sabre. I am an east coast kid. It’s close to home for me. You know, I want to succeed here. I want to be a part of the solution here. Just talking to Tage about it, Tage had nothing but good things to say about Buffalo. I think the potential of the team is huge. Kess and I are really close. We’ve lived together for two years in a row now. To go into this together is something really cool and I think as a duo we are excited to come to Buffalo and help the team out. We have to be harder to play against. We have to have guys in our lineup that raise the compete level and some of that can be our own internal growth. Getting harder and stronger and even a year older. Some of that happens in the maturity. That will be our focus the rest of the way. [Phone rings] That’s Jack Quinn. Hey, you in the weight room? [Laughter] I love it, congrats kid! Happy for you. You pretty excited right now? [Jack Quinn] Yeah, fired up! Yeah, you should be. You were the first player I drafted and I know you are going to be a great player and there’s ups, there’s downs but if anyone is going to do the work and do the right things and get themselves to maximize it’s going to be you. Awesome, man! I am really happy for you and let’s make sure that it’s a good one this year. That’s a good kid. [Ruff] What did he have to say? He just said, “I am going to prove you right.” You know what he said, Seth, when I said… when I answered and said “are you in the weight room”? He said “did Seth tell you to say that?” [Laughter] [Seth Appert] That’s what I say to him every time I call him. Oh really? People that know me know how strongly I feel about the upside of Jack Quinn, the character of Jack Quinn. My feeling all along has been that the stuff that Jack needed to focus on and improve on from last season, he will be doing 100% of that need this off-season. I’m glad we were able to do that deal. And two years gives him a little bit of a runway to continue to build his game. But us also to be able to you know, know, going into free agency where our cap and everything was as well. [Ruff] 12:01. [Ruff] It should happen now, eh? A lot going on. Busy, busy, busy. I’ve got a couple different options here so I kinda need to know where you’d be. Hey, Pete. Hey, I am calling on Alex Lyon. I want to offer Alex a two-year deal. Before free agency, as you prepare for this, who could be available potentially. You go through scout notes and looking at due diligence and you may ask your own players, hey, have you ever played with this guy? What’s he like? And across the board all you hear on Alex Lyon is incredible character, teammate, work ethic, competitiveness. Just all in, wants to win. Hey, Alex, Kevyn Adams calling. How are you doing? I’ve done my homework on you as a person and just everything we are looking for is what I kept hearing. Great person, great character, competitor, team guy. We’ve got a really good locker room. You are going to come into a really exciting opportunity so I can’t wait to have you here. Congratulations and welcome to the Sabres. Excited to have you. [Jeremiah Crowe] I like the fact that Danforth is a culture-driving type of player. I do like him a lot. I think he fits what we’ve been… Hard… Yeah. Tenacious. [Forton] Jarmo, he’s the ultimate -[Forton] Swiss Army Knife, right?
-[Kekalainen] Yeah. [Kekalainen] Very smart player. [Kekalainen] Really good pro. [Kekalainen] Thinking of the locker room, [Kekalainen] he would be great for the locker room. [Forton] You said holds guys accountable? [Kekalainen] Holds guys accountable. The expression would be he’s a glue guy. You know, he just, he’s one of those guys that just, you know, helps your team in so many different ways. And like I said, he’s competitive and he’s hard to play against which are areas that we needed to be better at. Hey, Justin, how are you doing? Congratulations! Welcome aboard! I believe in you. I believe you are going to help change the culture and the way we are headed, the positive direction we are headed you are going to help drive that forward. I think you are really going to enjoy this, it’s a great place to live, great people, great town. Awesome. All right, congratulations and welcome. We are getting a character and a competitor that’s what we’ve been talking about. Clouder wrote… “Appreciate the text.” “Excited for playoff hockey in Buffalo.” That’s what I am looking for! Ryan McLeod. Ryan is an extremely important player for us. He’s a centerman that can play top minutes, all special teams situations. He is out there when you pull the goalie and you’re protecting a lead. He’s out there when you need a goal at the end of games. So he’s just a really valuable player, right in his prime at a very important position. So it was very, very critical that we got that signing done. [Announcer] Ryan McLeod turned on the rockets. Scores! What a beautiful goal by McLeod! The expression that I like to use, especially with our staff is you have to be able to anchor back to something because there’s a lot of pressure and there’s a lot of stress and things move fast at times. For me, that’s being a team that’s more responsible, harder to play against, competitive, and better defensively. But when you were in these moments of having to make a decision, are you doing those things to improve your roster? And if you are, then it makes you more comfortable with making a big trade or signing or whatever it might be. What I am looking for is a team that understands that we need to take the next step to play winning hockey more consistently. Hard compete with skill and guys who will do anything to win. To me, it’s just an identity of winning hockey and that’s our goal.

The newest episode of Buffalo Sabres: Embedded features the 2025 NHL Draft and Free Agency. Go behind the scenes with general manager Kevyn Adams and the Sabres’ front office as they navigate the 2025 offseason, from their decisions to draft Radim Mrtka and David Bedkowski to the acquisitions of Michael Kesselring, Alex Lyon and more. 

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