matthewfairburn.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

Everybody seems to want the toughness the Panthers have. The Sabres could use more of it. Can they find it in the 2025 NHL Draft? A look at some prospects who fit that mold and why scouting toughness in the draft can be tricky: www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 12 hours ago • 0 comments

Could James Cook and the Bills provide the juicy storyline "Hard Knocks" cameras covet? I spoke with Mike Tannenbaum (Darrelle Revis) and Herm Edwards (Larry Johnson/Dwayne Bowe) about how the show influenced their notable contract squabbles.

submitted 1 day ago • 2 comments

What we learned about the Sabres at the NHL Scouting Combine. Some news and notes on potential options at 9 plus some other offseason items: www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

What should the Sabres do with JJ Peterka? His name is on plenty of trade boards. But why? Taking a look at some key questions to consider as one of Buffalo's top young players is set to become an RFA www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 5 days ago • 1 comment

What should the Sabres do with JJ Peterka? His name is on plenty of trade boards. But why? Taking a look at some key questions to consider as one of Buffalo's top young players is set to become an RFA www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 5 days ago • 1 comment

🚨Talking Buffalo🚨 @matthewfairburn.bsky.social joins for a deep dive into his excellent Adams/Pegula "hamster wheel" Sabres story in The Athletic this week. What went into the story, observations and tons more. This is good stuff with Matt, trust me. Full EP: talkingbuffalo.com/tbp1067-buff...

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

How did Kevyn Adams cut the GM line and keep his job despite five seasons of failure? A "Tim Graham And Friends" by CTBK conversation with @matthewfairburn.bsky.social. Amazon music.amazon.com/podcasts/6b0... iTunes podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t... Spotify open.spotify.com/show/5yc8Cjb...

submitted 7 days ago • 2 comments

Let's talk some hockey. Lots of Sabres happenings to discuss.

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

How did Kevyn Adams earn Terry Pegula’s trust and how has he kept it? After conversations with 10 people in and around the Sabres the last decade-plus and a lengthy sit down with Adams, a story on a record playoff drought. “They’re on a hamster wheel.” www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 10 days ago • 7 comments

How did Kevyn Adams earn Terry Pegula’s trust and how has he kept it? After conversations with 10 people in and around the Sabres the last decade-plus and a lengthy sit down with Adams, a story on a record playoff drought. “They’re on a hamster wheel.” www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 10 days ago • 7 comments

The Sabres made a much anticipated addition to the front office hiring Jarmo Kekäläinen as a senior advisor: www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 12 days ago • 1 comment

Some weekend hockey reading: What we saw from the Sabres’ prospects throughout Rochester’s run in the AHL playoffs: www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 12 days ago • 1 comment

The Sabres hired Jarmo Kekalainen as the team’s senior advisor. Kekalainen will report to GM Kevyn Adams and will be involved in all areas of the hockey department.

submitted 13 days ago • 3 comments

Fixing the blue line should be a priority for the Sabres this summer. But what do they need to do to find the right mix? Some thoughts on that ranging from Bo Byram's future, free-agent options and some trade targets: www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 15 days ago • 2 comments

Sabres associate GM/Amerks GM Jason Karmanos on reports that his job status is uncertain beyond this season said he's under contract and doesn't know of any change to his status with the organization.

submitted 16 days ago • 2 comments

I'm pleased to share the cover of my upcoming book, Black Aces! It features essential stories from some of hockey's most iconic and prominent Black figures. It'll be available for all on Feb. 3, 2026. But you can pre-order your copy now: @triumphbooks.bsky.social www.amazon.ca/Black-Aces-J...

submitted 21 days ago • 14 comments

Against their will: Bills are 2025 content darlings, but “Hard Knocks” a spotlight they’ve long wanted to avoid

submitted 21 days ago • 1 comment

Toward the end of the season I started to ask around the league about what the best forecheckers in the NHL look like. Two teams came up often. They're the last two teams standing in the East. On the Panthers and Hurricanes and the art of forechecking: www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 21 days ago • 3 comments

How plausible is the idea of Mitch Marner on the Sabres? What would he bring to Buffalo's lineup? And could the Sabres actually make it work? Explored that topic today @TheAthleticNHL: www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 21 days ago • 4 comments

Oh, how we got this PGA Championship all wrong. On the nonsense at Quail Hollow. www.nytimes.com/athletic/636...

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

From yesterday, some offseason Sabres thoughts - On the ongoing senior advisor search - Quick hit on the Amerks' playoffs - Bo Byram switching agents - Seth Appert www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 28 days ago • 1 comment

The Sabres have hired Brian Galivan as their director of performance. He spent the last six years with USA Hockey, most recently as the director of sports science for the National Team Development Program. He's currently serving as the performance coach for USA at Worlds.

submitted 34 days ago • 2 comments

Busy day for the Sabres. Let's talk it out. Going live momentarily.

submitted 36 days ago • 1 comment

The Buffalo Sabres are adding Eric Staal to the front office as Kevyn Adams stays on GM for a sixth season: www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 36 days ago • 5 comments

The Buffalo Sabres announced they've hired Eric Staal as special assistant to the general manager. He will report directly to Kevyn Adams and assist in all aspects of the hockey department, including scouting and direct involvement with players and prospects.

submitted 36 days ago • 8 comments

The Sabres have the 9th pick in the draft. They moved down two spots based on their odds after the Islanders and Utah won the first two draws.

submitted 38 days ago • 2 comments

Happy NHL Draft lottery day, Sabres fans. Here's what to know for tonight, including a quick initial list of some prospects to know ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft: www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 38 days ago • 2 comments

Setting the table for the Sabres' salary cap situation this offseason. Will JJ Peterka and other restricted free agents force the Sabres to finally spend to the cap ceiling? www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 42 days ago • 2 comments

It's been long enough. The Baker Fairburn Hockey Show is going live in moments as we begin the season autopsy and launch the offseason. @matthewfairburn.bsky.social www.youtube.com/live/ZAz44mf...

submitted 43 days ago • 0 comments

The NHL announced that the draft lottery will be held on May 5. The time is still TBA. The Sabres have a 6.5-percent chance at the first pick, seventh best odds in the NHL.

submitted 44 days ago • 2 comments

Alex Tuch said he hasn’t thought much about his next contract. But I have. I took a look at some comparable contracts to get an early idea of what is reasonable to expect with Tuch’s next deal: www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 47 days ago • 0 comments

Cornerback Maxwell Hairston is the newest Bills player and first-round pick, and they hope he’ll be a key piece of their defense for years to come. With Day Two on deck tonight, we’ve got plenty to get you ready for it. Thread incoming ⬇️

submitted 48 days ago • 1 comment

Bills’ core-four special teams is a legitimate need that should get attention at NFL Draft

submitted 49 days ago • 2 comments

The NFL Draft is tomorrow, and the Bills have plenty of variables leading up to pick No. 30. As is my draft week tradition, I unpacked my notebook with everything I've studied and deciphered from a Bills perspective. It's a total draft brain download. And all here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...

submitted 50 days ago • 5 comments

Multiple Sabres called this season a failure. It’s tough to argue with that from a team perspective. But how did each individual perform relative to expectations? Here’s a season ending report card www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 50 days ago • 2 comments

Bills RB James Cook absent from OTAs as two-time Pro Bowler awaits contract extension

submitted 51 days ago • 2 comments

The Sabres announced they hired Jake Vernon as chief commercial officer. He'll oversee ticketing, sponsorship and the team's business intelligence department. He spent the last 12 years with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx, most recently as chief sales officer.

submitted 51 days ago • 5 comments

Can Kevyn Adams convince Terry Pegula he deserves more time as Sabres GM? After five years and a lot of talk about fixing a culture that Adams built, his end-of-season review with the owner should have different tone www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 53 days ago • 11 comments

Come talk some Sabres hockey after a busy couple of days at the arena

submitted 53 days ago • 1 comment

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said, "We'll take a look at everything," when asked about any potential changes to the coaching staff or front office. He said they have meetings with Terry Pegula to review the season in the coming days.

submitted 54 days ago • 3 comments

Sabres defenseman Owen Power said he's going to be able to avoid surgery. He had recovery will be a couple of months but he'll be ready to go for next year.

submitted 54 days ago • 0 comments

Sabres forward Josh Norris said he had a torn oblique. That's what kept him out. He came back a little early and it kept getting worse.

submitted 54 days ago • 0 comments

“Hope is a shitty strategy.” On a downtrodden locker clean out day, Jason Zucker offered a valuable perspective. That plus Alex Tuch’s contract comments, Jordan Greenway’s injury and more from the day. More to come tomorrow www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 54 days ago • 1 comment

“Hope is a shitty strategy.” On a downtrodden locker clean out day, Jason Zucker offered a valuable perspective. That plus Alex Tuch’s contract comments, Jordan Greenway’s injury and more from the day. More to come tomorrow www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 54 days ago • 1 comment

According to the AHL transactions website, the Sabres assigned Jiri Kulich to Rochester. Seems like he'll play in the AHL playoffs. Wrote about why that made sense last week. Sabres also assigned Isak Rosen, Noah Ostlund and Tyson Kozak to Rochester: www.nytimes.com/athl...

submitted 55 days ago • 0 comments

Ryan McLeod said, "I love it here," when asked about his status as an RFA. He hopes to stick around and be here long term to help get the Sabres to the playoffs. Said he made a lot of good relationships in the locker room this season.

submitted 55 days ago • 2 comments

Sabres forward Jordan Greenway said his injury was related to the surgery he had earlier in the year. "It just took a little bit longer than we all wanted."

submitted 55 days ago • 0 comments

Alex Tuch won't be playing for Team USA at Worlds. He and his wife are expecting their second son next month.

submitted 55 days ago • 0 comments