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
How The Sabres Avoided The Eastern Playoff Race Slop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:05
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by broadcaster Steve Bermel to discuss a handful of Buffalo Sabres and Bills topics, including how the Sabres have managed to avoid a complete slop of a playoff…
Explaining The Josh Allen Rub [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:03
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by Joe From Queens to discuss several Buffalo Bills and Sabres topics, including an explanation of what the "Josh Allen Rub" is and means in addition to noticin…
Reaction To All Bills Offseason Moves So Far (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:21
On this rare Saturday edition of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is sharing his thoughts on every addition the Buffalo Bills have made so far this offseason in addition to what he thinks may lie ahead for the organization…
Reaction To All Bills Offseason Moves So Far (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:13
Today on Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is back from a vacation (of sorts) in Florida and shares his thoughts on every move the Buffalo Bills have made so far this offseason, big and small in the first part of a two epis…
Huge Road Stretch For Sabres Could Determine Standings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:35
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by Chris Ostrander to discuss several Buffalo Sabres and Bills topics, including a four-game road trip this week for the Sabres that could go a long way in dete…
Are Brandon Beane Big Swings Aggressive Or Reckless? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:37
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by PK from the Buffalo Sports Collective to discuss among other topics Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane taking a big swing by signing defensive edge…
Are We Sleeping On Josh Palmer, Plus Full Marks To Alex Tuch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:48
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran shares thoughts on several Buffalo Bills and Sabres topics, ranging from thinking people are prematurely writing off Bills receiver Josh Palmer to giving props to Alex Tu…
Bills Are Barely Tampering & Sabres May Never Lose Again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:58
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by Joe From Queens to discuss how the NFL legal tampering is coming to an end and the Buffalo Bills added very little and meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres may neve…
Make Or Break Time For Brandon Beane Has Arrived [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:31
On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by Joe From Queens to discuss how the time is now for Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane to pull the pin on at least a handful of moments that could de…