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Matthew Fairburn

@matthewfairburn.bsky.social

8.9K followers 320 following 1.1K posts

Writing about the Buffalo Sabres and NHL for The Athletic. Occasionally writing about the Buffalo Bills as well.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · Jun 2

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...

Terry Pegula’s ownership, Kevyn Adams’ rise and the ‘hamster wheel’ of Sabres’ record playoff drought

Buffalo's 14-season playoff drought is tied with the New York Jets for the longest postseason famine in major North American sports.

www.nytimes.com

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 15m

Happy game day, Sabres fans. Some final thoughts before the puck drops. On the analytics community’s love for Buffalo, the goalie conundrum, Bryson vs. Johnson and Alex Tuch’s market:

Buffalo Sabres final thoughts: Alex Tuch’s market, analytics love and goalie conundrum

To say the Sabres' goalie situation is unsettled would be an understatement as Alex Lyon looks likely to be the opening-night starter.

www.nytimes.com

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 17h

Sabres are planning some subtle changes to the broadcast that they hope will give it a fresh feel. An inside look at what they have planned from having Meghan Chayka on the broadcast, in-game interviews and yes, shots on goal on the score bug:

Inside Sabres’ broadcast changes: Meghan Chayka, mic’d-up moments and more

The Sabres are aiming to modernize the content and presentation of their game broadcasts.

www.nytimes.com

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 19h

Lindy Ruff said the Sabres should have Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson available for the season opener against the Rangers on Thursday.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 1d

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said he's cautiously optimistic about Owen Power's chances to be ready for Thursday. They'll see how he responded to practice today but the early signs are positive.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 1d

Alexandar Georgiev will go on waivers later today, Lindy Ruff said. The Sabres felt strongly about adding Colten Ellis.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 1d

Owen Power is back on the ice at Sabres practice in a no-contact jersey. Mattias Samuelsson is back in a regular jersey. Alexandar Georgiev is not on the ice.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

The Sabres’ initial 23-man roster is set. Breaking down the depth chart with thoughts on the Colten Ellis addition, the injury situation and more:

Buffalo Sabres depth chart analysis: Colten Ellis claimed off waivers amid injury, goalie issues

The Sabres are already dealing with a bit of adversity ahead of their regular-season opener on Thursday night.

www.nytimes.com

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

The Sabres released their initial roster. Jordan Greenway, Owen Power, Michael Kesselring and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen all start the season on injured reserve.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Sabres are introducing a value menu for season-ticket members this season. This is what’s included there

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Lindy Ruff said Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Michael Kesselring and Jordan Greenway are all likely out for the start of the season, but other injured Sabres (Zach Benson, Owen Power, Mattias Samuelsson) have a shot to play Thursday against the Rangers.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

How the Sabres' lines look at practice today

Benson - Norris - Thompson
Zucker - Kulich - Tuch
Quinn - McLeod - Doan
Malenstyn - Krebs - Danforth

Dahlin - Timmins
Byram - Samuelsson
Bryson - Geertsen
Johnson - Kozak

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Back at the rink in time for the Sabres’ first regular season game week of the season. Mattias Samuelsson back out there in a non-contact jersey.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 11d

Apologies for the lack of Sabres updates here and at The Athletic the last couple of days. I had an unexpected appendectomy late this week. I’m home recovering and hoping to be back in action soon.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 14d

Sabres stock watch: Konsta Helenius and 5 other players who have helped themselves the most in the first week of training camp/preseason:

Sabres stock watch: Konsta Helenius and 5 others who have helped their case in camp

Two preseason wins against the Columbus Blue Jackets have given Ruff a chance to evaluate players and prospects.

www.nytimes.com

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 15d

Sabres take a 2-1 lead after a dominant shift from the Zucker - McLeod - Helenius line. Helenius just missed a goal at the net-front, but Zucker cleaned it up.

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 15d

Tage Thompson gets the Sabres on the board. Zach Benson found him with a nice feed from behind the net. Buffalo and Columbus tied at 1.

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 15d

The Sabres have allowed their first goal of the preseason. Columbus scores on a power play. Shot from the point got deflected in front. Buffalo down 1-0 in what has been a low-event exhibition.

Reposted by Matthew Fairburn

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 16d

The Sabres won their preseason opener 4-0. What did we learn? Some thoughts on Georgiev’s steady night, Mrtka’s debut, a standout performance from the heavyweights and more:

What we learned from Sabres’ preseason opener: Georgiev steady, Mrtka’s debut and more

The Sabres shut out the Blue Jackets to start the preseason, but impressive games from several new names and prospects drew eyes.

www.nytimes.com

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 15d

The Sabres' top power play is Rasmus Dahlin up top, Tage Thompson and Josh Norris on either flank, Ryan McLeod in the bumper and Jason Zucker at the net front. McLeod is in Alex Tuch's usual spot. Tuch's not playing tonight.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 15d

How the Sabres are lining up this morning.

Benson - Norris - Thompson
Zucker - McLeod - Helenius
Neuchev - Leschyshyn - Rosen
Geertsen - Kozak - Kopff

Samuelsson - Dahlin
Bryson - Timmins
R. Johnson - Jones

Alex Lyon in starter's net. Levi backing up.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 15d

Sabres roster for their second preseason game tonight against Columbus. Helenius, Kozak and Geertsen draw back in for a second straight night.

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 16d

The Sabres won their preseason opener 4-0. What did we learn? Some thoughts on Georgiev’s steady night, Mrtka’s debut, a standout performance from the heavyweights and more:

What we learned from Sabres’ preseason opener: Georgiev steady, Mrtka’s debut and more

The Sabres shut out the Blue Jackets to start the preseason, but impressive games from several new names and prospects drew eyes.

www.nytimes.com

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 16d

Konsta Helenius scored late, and the Sabres win 4-0 in their preseason opener. Alexandar Georgiev and Devon Levi combined for a shutout. Helenius, Jack Quinn, Beck Malenstyn and Bowen Byram had the goals.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 16d

Jack Quinn scores an empty netter, and the Sabres now have a 3-0 lead on the Blue Jackets late in the third period.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 16d

The Sabres are now up 2-0. Justin Danforth caused a turnover on the forecheck and then Beck Malenstyn cashed in on a rebound from a point shot.

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