Episode 88 - Who's Laughing at the Sabres Now? - With Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News

They started 0-3-0 and were still three games below .500 on the morning of Dec. 9. Simply put, 2025-26 was shaping us the same way as the past 14 seasons have for the Buffalo Sabres.

28 games later, nobody's laughing at the Sabres any more. Though there's been a slight cool down over the past week, Buffalo News columnist Mike Harrington returns to the show to share what's been behind the stunning turnaround.

In Three Things You Need to Pay Attention to, the Olympic break is upon us, the Panthers and Lightning were at it again and Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl calls the coaching staff.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:19] – Three Things You Need to Pay Attention To.

[11:49] – Mike Harrington from the Buffalo News makes an encore appearance and immediately dives into why the Sabres have done such an about-face - without moving any players.

[15:16] - Neil poses the question as to when team owner Terry Pegula got an epiphany to finally make moves within the front office - moves which have quietly altered the culture of the franchise.

[17:31] - The difference in the on-ice product under the guidance of head coach Lindy Ruff.

[19:34] - Further elaboration on the Sabres depth and potential damage they could do if they qualify for the post-season.

[21:41] - Mike shares a pattern he sees with the 2025-26 Sabres and the one coached by Ruff in 2006 which reached the seventh game of the East Final.

[23:29] - Will pending UFA Alex Tuch remain with his hometown team beyond this season?

[25:56] - As the trade deadline looms, the holes which need to be filled in order to secure that elusive playoff spot.

[30:30] - Wrapping up the discussion with Mike Harrington.

[31:48] - With the Rangers trade of Artemi Panarin to the Kings, Neil looks at the moves made by GM Chris Drury since taking the team over in 2021.

[35:59] - Top NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna charged with in connection with an altercation Saturday evening that left a man with a broken jaw.

[39:30] - Matvei Michkov's playing time has decreased under Rick Tocchet in Philadelphia. The GM isn't moving the player and head coach is in the first year of a five-year deal.

[42:19] - Plaudits for the offensive defensemen, two of which hit the 20-goal mark over the past couple of days.

[44:00] - Personnel notes with best wishes to Hall of Fame Craig Patrick, who is recovering from a stroke.

[46:21] - What the Olympic break means for NHL teams...and us.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

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