Good Cop/Bad Cop With Sabres Hope Strategy

Good Cop/Bad Cop With Sabres Hope Strategy

Author: Blue Wire July 17, 2025 Duration: 1:18:32

On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by broadcaster and Buffalo sports fan Steve Bermel to talk a variety of Buffalo sports topics, including strong debates over  how the Buffalo Sabres have handled the offseason and what the prospects are of finally ending their historic playoff drought this upcoming season.

Regardless of whether you're an optimistic or pessimistic fan of the Sabres, it's pretty universal in that it appears like the team didn't much in terms of any offseason overhaul between free agency or trades, at least not until this point. Because of that the feeling is Terry Pegula, Kevyn Adams and the Sabres are set to rely on a series of factors focused on hope internally within the team to finally get out of the rut they've been stuck in for nearly a decade and a half. Patrick's been clear on this show that he doesn't believe in the organization. Steve on the other hand is very much still a believer so the two of them play sone good cop/bad cop when it comes to several things that need to happen in Buffalo's favor.

Among them are Josh Norris staying healthy, Jack Quinn and Zach Benson significantly raising their games offensively, Jiri Kulich showing he's ready to be a full-time top six center, Owen Power starting to look a top overall pick, Mattias Samuelsson changing plenty about his game, UPL being more consistent in net and the power play doing something other than terrible.

Also, the guys have thoughts on the just released Sabres schedule. That plus some Bills training camp thoughts as it's now just days away and plenty more.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveBurmel.

The Talking Buffalo online merch store is now live! You can purchase t shirts, hoodies, zip ups, crewnecks and polos in a couple of different styles and colors. Visit our online page for pricing and options and while there, check out Buf on Weck for tons of cool gear!

Major props to Talking Buffalo sponsor, Sonny Red’s at 1841 Abbott Road in Lackawanna, just minutes from Highmark Stadium. We consider them THE most underrated spot for wings, pizza and other great food in Western New York plus it’s a great place to drink and have a great time. Also big thanks to Imperial Pizza and their two locations (1035 Abbott Road and 1655 Main Street), home of not only great pizza and tons of other delicious eats but also the best everyday lunch special in town.

Special thanks to local Buffalo band, Orange Zest for allowing us to use their awesome single, “Old Friends” as the new official intro music for Talking Buffalo.

♦♦♦♦♦

Follow Patrick Moran/Talking Buffalo Podcast 

Substack: Patrick Moran’s Substack

Twitter: @PatrickMoranTB

Blue Sky: @PatrickMoranTB.bsky.social

Instagram: @PatrickMoranTB

Facebook: Talking Buffalo Podcast 


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


There's a particular kind of passion that comes from following Buffalo sports, a mix of unwavering hope and hardened realism that Talking Buffalo captures perfectly. Hosted by Buffalo-born Patrick Moran, this Blue Wire podcast dives deep into the heart of the city's teams, with a primary focus on the emotional rollercoasters provided by the Bills and Sabres. Patrick doesn't just report on games; he lives them, offering a perspective that can swing from critical skepticism to full-blown optimism in a single conversation. That authentic, sometimes self-deprecating fan voice is exactly what drives each episode. The show regularly features interviews with guests from across the sports world, media, and even pop culture, providing unique angles and insider insights you won't find elsewhere. It’s this blend of local passion, candid analysis, and diverse conversations that gives the podcast its character. You'll hear the highs, the lows, and all the gritty commentary in between, all filtered through the experience of someone who truly understands what it means to invest in these teams. For anyone who bleeds blue and red or simply appreciates the complex narrative of a sports city, Talking Buffalo feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable, and admittedly opinionated, friend.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

Talking Buffalo
Podcast Episodes
Buffalo Bills Week Four Grades, Plus A Look Towards The Patriots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:03
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by Matt Warren of SB Nation for their weekly chat about several topics, including their analysis and grades positionally for the Buffalo Bills from their Week f…
Bills Post Film Biggest Takeaways From Week Four Win [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:04
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is going over several of his biggest takeaways after spending time watching back the film from the Buffalo Bills 31-19 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Hi…
Bills Make Things Hard Versus Big Easy (Live Reactions) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:01
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by Joe From Queens for plenty of live reaction not long after the Buffalo Bills had way more ugly moments than desired but still beat the New Orleans Saints, 31…
Bills vs Saints Preview & Bold Predictions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:31
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran has a preview of the Buffalo Bills week four tilt against the New Orleans Saints at Highmark Stadium this coming Sunday, including keys to the game for Buffalo, five bold…
Lowkey Components Of The Bills Hot Start (Sabres Hot Early Too) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:39
On today's Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by broadcaster Steve Bermel to talk plenty of Buffalo Bills and a little Buffalo Sabres too, including discussing a few factors a bit under the radar that've helped all…
Bills Positional Grades & Analysis, Plus A Look At The Saints [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:20
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by Matt Warren (SB Nation) to go over the Buffalo Bills positionally and assign a grade from their Week three performance last week against Miami before taking…
Why We Should Care The Sabres Are Back (Plus, Bills Talk) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:19
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by blogger and podcaster Chris Ostrander to talk Buffalo Bills and Sabres topics, including why we should even care that the Sabres are back in action with four…
What We're Learning About The 3-0 Buffalo Bills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:35
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by Joe From Queens to discuss several Buffalo Bills and other topics, including a look at some of things being learned by the Bills in the midst of their 3-0 st…
Bills Biggest Week Three Takeaways (Weekend Bonus Episode) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:54
On this bonus weekend episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is going over his biggest takeaways after watching the game back on film from the Buffalo Bills 31-21 Week three victory over the Miami Dolphins at Highmark…
Bills Survive Dolphins (Week 3 Instant Live Reactions) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:25
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by Joe From Queens for plenty of instant live reaction just moments following the conclusion of the Buffalo Bills defeating the Miami Dolphins, 31-21 to win the…