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 Mock Draft, Version 3.0 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:06
On this episode of Talking Buffalo Podcast, Patrick Moran is joined by friend and recurring guest Aaron Quinn from Cover 1 for the third in a five-week series on Wednesdays consisting of full seven-round Buffalo Bills mo…
Buffalo Bills Mock Draft, Version 2.0 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:54
On this episode of Talking Buffalo Podcast, Patrick Moran is joined by friend and recurring guest Aaron Quinn from Cover 1 for the second in a five-week series on Wednesdays consisting of full seven-round Buffalo Bills m…
Discussing YOUR Buffalo Bills Offseason Takes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:57
On this episode of Talking Buffalo Podcast, Patrick Moran is discussing tweets sent from several Buffalo Bills fans regarding how they think the team’s offseason has looked as we get ready to hit April.From the huge sign…
Spirted Sabres, Bills.....and Dolphins Talk With Chad DeDominicis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:50
On this episode of Talking Buffalo Podcast, Patrick Moran is joined by Chad DeDominicis to talk Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bills and also the Miami Dolphins attempting to make some noise in the AFC.On Wednesday afternoon th…
Buffalo Bills Mock Draft, Version 1.0 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:07
On this episode of Talking Buffalo Podcast, Patrick Moran is joined by friend and recurring guest Aaron Quinn from Cover 1 to kick off a five-week series consisting of full seven-round Buffalo Bills mock drafts.The guys…
St. Patrick's Day And Von Miller Are The Best [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:05
In this solo mini-pod version of Talking Buffalo Podcast, Patrick Moran discusses how happy he is to be back living in Buffalo now that St. Patrick's Day has arrived, with beautiful weather as an added bonus, as well as…
Buffalo Bills Dollars and Sense with Greg Tompsett [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:42
On this episode of Talking Buffalo Podcast, Patrick Moran is joined by popular Cover 1 content creator Greg Tompsett to discuss all things going on with the Buffalo Bills now that free agency has officially begun, with B…
Chad DeDominicis On Eichel's Return, Sabres & More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:42
Chad DeDomincis subs in for Joe Yerdon on this Friday episode of Talking Buffalo Podcast, joining Patrick Moran to talk about former Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel’s return to Key Bank arena as a member of the opposi…
Discussing Tyler Dunne's 13 Seconds Bills Deep Dive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:03
On this bonus Monday episode of Talking Buffalo Podcast, Patrick Moran is joined by friend, recurring guest and curmudgeon Joe (@BuffaloWins) for a discussion focused on Tyler Dunne’s recent 13 seconds deep dive that fea…