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Matthew Fairburn

@matthewfairburn.bsky.social

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 · 11h

The Sabres parted with VP of ticket sales and service Frank Batres-Landaeta this week after an evaluation of their operations:

Sabres part with VP of ticket sales and service after evaluation of operations

The Sabres have struggled with attendance in recent seasons largely due to the team’s record playoff drought.

www.nytimes.com

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 17h

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Justin Danforth will be out more than a month with a lower body injury. Michael Kesselring had a rehab skate this morning. Mattias Samuelsson should be good to play tomorrow.

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 18h

Sabres lines at practice

Benson-Kulich-Thompson
Doan-McLeod-Tuch
Zucker-Krebs-Quinn
Dunne-Kozak-Malenstyn with Greenway (no-contact jersey) rotating in.

Byram-Dahlin
Power-Timmins
Samuelsson-Bryson
Geertsen-Metsa

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 18h

No sign of Justin Danforth at Sabres practice. He didn't finish the game on Wednesday.

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 18h

Mattias Samuelsson is practicing for the Sabres. He's in a regular jersey, which is a positive sign.

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Reposted by Matthew Fairburn

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 1d

Spoke to Alex Tuch yesterday about the Sabres’ slow start, his contract talks and how he’s trying to make sure those contract talks don’t distract him from getting Buffalo going in the right direction

Alex Tuch won’t let contract talks distract from trying to turn Sabres around on the ice

The risk of leaving Tuch unsigned into the season is that each rough stretch for the Sabres raises questions.

www.nytimes.com

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 1d

Alex Tuch won’t let contract talks distract from trying to turn Sabres around on the ice

The risk of leaving Tuch unsigned into the season is that each rough stretch for the Sabres raises questions.

www.nytimes.com

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 1d

Wrote this on Zach Metsa and his journey to pro hockey when he joined the organization in 2023.

Can Sabres prospect Zach Metsa take his underdog story all the way to the NHL?

With the Sabres’ lack of defensive depth in their prospect pool, Metsa could have an opportunity to carve out a professional career.

www.nytimes.com

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 1d

The Sabres recalled Zach Metsa from Rochester and sent Ryan Johnson to the AHL.

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 1d

New Baker Fairburn Hockey Show. Sabres got off the mat with an 8-4 win. @SabresProspects and I broke down the highs and lows of Buffalo's first win of the season. Subscribe on YouTube or wherever you get your pods.

YT: www.youtube.com/watc...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/u...

BFHS 10/16/25: Sabres get off the mat...for now

Kris Baker and The Athletic's Matthew Fairburn discuss everything Buffalo Sabres. Follow Matthew at The Athletic. His game story from the Sabres' 8-4 victory over Ottawa: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6721753/2025/10/16/sabres-senators-josh-doan-zach-benson-win/

www.youtube.com

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 1d

The Sabres got their first win of the season. What we saw in the Buffalo's 8-4 win over Ottawa: The energy in the building and on the ice, Josh Doan and Zach Benson spark some offense and more:

What we saw in Sabres’ first win of the season: Josh Doan, Zach Benson spark offense

Benson returned in style, and Doan shined again as the Sabres beat the Senators 8-4 and earned their first win.

www.nytimes.com

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Jiri Kulich gets the empty netter to put the Sabres up 8-4. Looks like Buffalo will get on the board with a win and avoid its first 0-4-0 start in franchise history.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Jack Quinn gets his second goal of the night to put the Sabres up 7-4. That's four goals between these two teams in the first 3:17 of the third period. High-event hockey in Buffalo.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Ryan McLeod gets his second goal of the night on a feed from Alex Tuch. The Sabres are back up two with a 6-4 lead.

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Oh boy. Lars Eller is left all alone in front. Nick Cousins found him. Senators have two goals in the first 2:15 of the third period, and the Sabres' lead has now shrunk to 5-4. Lindy Ruff calls a timeout.

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Sabres forward Justin Danforth won't return to the game with a lower body injury.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Senators get a goal 40 seconds into the third period. Shot from the wall beat Alex Lyon, who either didn't see it or wasn't expecting it. Sabres up 5-3.

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Standing ovation from the home crowd as the Sabres head to intermission with a 5-2 lead. These fans have been waited for something to cheer for. They're finally getting it tonight.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Josh Doan is a damn good hockey player. He has two assists tonight and is winning puck battles all over the ice. He's arguably been the Sabres' most consistent forward game-to-game this season.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Jason Zucker has his second goal of the game. Josh Doan set him up. Sabres are up 5-2.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Zach Benson got his second assist of the night on that Jason Zucker goal. Benson's been terrific in his first game of the season. Changes the dynamic of Buffalo's forward group.

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Jason Zucker picks a corner on a great setup from Rasmus Dahlin. Sabres now have a 4-2 lead in the second period.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

Alex Tuch scores off a rebound in front of the net. The Sabres showing some jump in this period and now have a 3-2 lead. The arena isn't full but there's a ton of energy here for this one.

Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

The Sabres get a shorthanded goal. Zach Benson set up Ryan McLeod and it's a 2-2 hockey game.

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Matthew Fairburn @matthewfairburn.bsky.social · 2d

The Sabres lost the challenge, so the Senators goal stands. Ottawa is up 2-1 and now Buffalo goes back on the penalty kill because of the failed challenge.

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