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Published on:

4th Sep 2025

2025 NHL Summer Cooler - Buffalo Sabres

In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren assess the state of the Buffalo Sabres, a team that once again finds itself outside the playoff picture—with 14 consecutive seasons without a postseason appearance.

Despite fielding the 10th-ranked offense in the NHL last year (3.23 goals per game), the Sabres were undone by a porous defense, surrendering 3.50 goals against per game—tied for 29th in the league. That imbalance ultimately left them short once again, and this offseason’s moves raise more questions than answers.

Buffalo made a surprising decision to trade J.J. Peterka—one of their most promising offensive talents—to Utah for Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring, signaling a possible shift in identity. The hosts debate whether the team has improved at all, or if they’ve simply shuffled the deck with hopes of becoming "harder to play against."

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] The Sabres: Still on the outside looking in

[00:30] Trading Peterka: A puzzling move for physicality over skill

[01:00] Offseason additions: Doan, Kesselring, Timmins, Bevo, Jones, Danforth

[01:30] Goalie update: Devon Levi returns, Luukkonen still in the mix

[02:00] Key RFA re-signings: Byram, McLeod, Quinn, Johnson

[02:45] Where does the turnaround come from?

[03:15] Prospect watch: Anton Wahlberg & Konsta Helenius

[04:00] Defensive outlook: Dahlin, Power, Byram, and new faces

[04:45] Can the goaltending support this blue line?

[05:15] Final verdict: More grit—but not more wins?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Buffalo’s defense-heavy offseason suggests a pivot toward physicality—but the loss of J.J. Peterka removes a key offensive weapon.

The defense core has potential, with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Bowen Byram leading the way, but it’s still unproven as a cohesive unit.

Goaltending needs to be elite if this team wants to overcome its offensive step back—can Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen deliver?

While the Sabres appear deeper on the blue line, it’s unclear if they’ve made enough improvement to leapfrog teams like Montreal, Detroit, Columbus, or Ottawa in the East.

With Lindy Ruff back behind the bench, expectations are higher—but so is the pressure.

RESOURCE LINKS:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBj1LV0-DMfBhcRPSJZLjA

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

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

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

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nhlwraparound

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555451139787

#NHL #Hockey #Podcast #BuffaloSabres #JJPeterka #JoshDoan #MichaelKesselring #ConorTimmins #IsaacBelliveau #ConnorClifton #JustinDanforth #ZacJones #JackQuinn #RyanJohnson #TysonKozak #RyanMcLeod #BowenByram #DevonLevi #LindyRuff #RasmusDahlin #OwenPower #Ukko-PekkaLuukkonen

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About the Podcast

NHL Wraparound Podcast
Neil Smith & Vic Morren
Breadth and depth.
Contemporary and historical.
Straight-forward and experienced.
The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League.

Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past.

With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top.

Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed.


Bio’s
Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years.

Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings.

Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager.

A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL.
After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003.

His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experience.