Matthew Fairburn
@matthewfairburn.bsky.social
Writing about the Buffalo Sabres and NHL for The Athletic. Occasionally writing about the Buffalo Bills as well.
Pinned
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
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...
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...
Zach Benson gets his first goal of the season, and the Sabres are now down 5-3 with 7:09 to go.
December 4, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Zach Benson gets his first goal of the season, and the Sabres are now down 5-3 with 7:09 to go.
Rasmus Dahlin gets a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct for a hit on Trevor Zegras.
December 4, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Rasmus Dahlin gets a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct for a hit on Trevor Zegras.
Owen Tippett scores, and the Flyers are back up three. Sabres down 5-2.
December 4, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Owen Tippett scores, and the Flyers are back up three. Sabres down 5-2.
Bowen Byram scores, and the Sabres are now down 4-2. Still eight minutes left in the second period. Lots of time to climb back into this one.
December 4, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Bowen Byram scores, and the Sabres are now down 4-2. Still eight minutes left in the second period. Lots of time to climb back into this one.
Noah Cates scores, and the Flyers now have a 4-1 lead on the Sabres early in the second period.
December 4, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Noah Cates scores, and the Flyers now have a 4-1 lead on the Sabres early in the second period.
After an early power play goal from Jason Zucker, the game has turned quickly. The Flyers get three goals in 59 seconds and the Sabres are now down 3-1.
December 4, 2025 at 1:00 AM
After an early power play goal from Jason Zucker, the game has turned quickly. The Flyers get three goals in 59 seconds and the Sabres are now down 3-1.
Lindy Ruff also noted that Tyson Kozak got banged up a bit in the Minnesota game. He could play through it but the Sabres are healthy enough to give him some time to heal.
December 2, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Lindy Ruff also noted that Tyson Kozak got banged up a bit in the Minnesota game. He could play through it but the Sabres are healthy enough to give him some time to heal.
Lindy Ruff said the Sabres will need to add another defenseman to the roster but they may not do it until they head to Winnipeg. Michael Kesselring won’t join the team on the trip. He’ll continue rehab skates in Buffalo.
December 2, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Lindy Ruff said the Sabres will need to add another defenseman to the roster but they may not do it until they head to Winnipeg. Michael Kesselring won’t join the team on the trip. He’ll continue rehab skates in Buffalo.
Sabres back at practice today before hitting the road. Jordan Greenway isn’t out there. Colten Ellis has a net to himself.
December 2, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Sabres back at practice today before hitting the road. Jordan Greenway isn’t out there. Colten Ellis has a net to himself.
Reposted by Matthew Fairburn
We have a new Baker Fairburn Hockey Show for you on this wintry Buffalo morning. Norris takes the wheel as the Sabres hit the road. @matthewfairburn.bsky.social
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5D9c...
YT: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xWQ...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5D9c...
YT: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xWQ...
Norris takes the wheel
Podcast Episode · Baker Fairburn Hockey Show · 12/02/2025 · 1h 4m
podcasts.apple.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:24 PM
We have a new Baker Fairburn Hockey Show for you on this wintry Buffalo morning. Norris takes the wheel as the Sabres hit the road. @matthewfairburn.bsky.social
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5D9c...
YT: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xWQ...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5D9c...
YT: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xWQ...
"I don’t see any reason why he can’t get to that cliff again and be a 30- or even 40-goal scorer.”
Josh Norris said he didn't want to be a distraction in his return to the Sabres'. He ended up stealing the show with two goals in a 5-1 blowout win.
Josh Norris said he didn't want to be a distraction in his return to the Sabres'. He ended up stealing the show with two goals in a 5-1 blowout win.
Sabres’ Josh Norris returns, plays key role in 5-1 win over Jets
Monday's game was the fifth Norris has played with the Sabres, and he showed what he can by providing two goals and an assist
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:15 AM
"I don’t see any reason why he can’t get to that cliff again and be a 30- or even 40-goal scorer.”
Josh Norris said he didn't want to be a distraction in his return to the Sabres'. He ended up stealing the show with two goals in a 5-1 blowout win.
Josh Norris said he didn't want to be a distraction in his return to the Sabres'. He ended up stealing the show with two goals in a 5-1 blowout win.
Peyton Krebs hits Cole Perfetti and Logan Stanley took exception. Stanley, who is 6-7 and 231 pounds, pummeled Krebs. And Beck Malenstyn was among the Sabres to jump in and join the fracas.
December 2, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Peyton Krebs hits Cole Perfetti and Logan Stanley took exception. Stanley, who is 6-7 and 231 pounds, pummeled Krebs. And Beck Malenstyn was among the Sabres to jump in and join the fracas.
Josh Norris scores his second goal of the game to put the Sabres up 5-1.
December 2, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Josh Norris scores his second goal of the game to put the Sabres up 5-1.
The Sabres will take a 4-1 lead into the third period.
December 2, 2025 at 2:10 AM
The Sabres will take a 4-1 lead into the third period.
Alex Tuch scores from just below the goal line, and the Sabres have a 4-1 lead.
December 2, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Alex Tuch scores from just below the goal line, and the Sabres have a 4-1 lead.
Kyle Connor deflects a Josh Morrissey point shot, and the Jets cut into the Sabres lead. Buffalo still up 3-1.
December 2, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Kyle Connor deflects a Josh Morrissey point shot, and the Jets cut into the Sabres lead. Buffalo still up 3-1.
Josh Norris scores in his return to the lineup. Got the puck at the side of the net and snuck a backhand by Eric Comrie. Sabres have a 3-0 lead.
December 2, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Josh Norris scores in his return to the lineup. Got the puck at the side of the net and snuck a backhand by Eric Comrie. Sabres have a 3-0 lead.
And the Sabres score again just 15 seconds later. Jack Quinn set up Bowen Byram on the rush, and Byram finished the play with a goal. Old friend Eric Comrie has allowed two goals in the first three minutes of this game.
December 2, 2025 at 12:52 AM
And the Sabres score again just 15 seconds later. Jack Quinn set up Bowen Byram on the rush, and Byram finished the play with a goal. Old friend Eric Comrie has allowed two goals in the first three minutes of this game.
The Sabres get a power play goal just 2:46 into the game. Josh Norris got a puck on net, Josh Doan deflected and Jason Zucker buried the rebound.
December 2, 2025 at 12:50 AM
The Sabres get a power play goal just 2:46 into the game. Josh Norris got a puck on net, Josh Doan deflected and Jason Zucker buried the rebound.
Sabres and Jets getting warm in Buffalo. How the Sabres are lining up.
Benson-Norris-Thompson
Doan-Ostlund-Tuch
Zucker-McLeod-Quinn
Greenway-Krebs-Malenstyn
Samuelsson-Dahlin
Byram-Timmins
Bryson-Power
Luukkonen in net, Lyon backing up
Benson-Norris-Thompson
Doan-Ostlund-Tuch
Zucker-McLeod-Quinn
Greenway-Krebs-Malenstyn
Samuelsson-Dahlin
Byram-Timmins
Bryson-Power
Luukkonen in net, Lyon backing up
December 2, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Sabres and Jets getting warm in Buffalo. How the Sabres are lining up.
Benson-Norris-Thompson
Doan-Ostlund-Tuch
Zucker-McLeod-Quinn
Greenway-Krebs-Malenstyn
Samuelsson-Dahlin
Byram-Timmins
Bryson-Power
Luukkonen in net, Lyon backing up
Benson-Norris-Thompson
Doan-Ostlund-Tuch
Zucker-McLeod-Quinn
Greenway-Krebs-Malenstyn
Samuelsson-Dahlin
Byram-Timmins
Bryson-Power
Luukkonen in net, Lyon backing up
The Sabres sent Zach Metsa down to the AHL, according to the AHL transaction wire. That opens up the roster spot for Josh Norris to be activated off injured reserve.
December 1, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The Sabres sent Zach Metsa down to the AHL, according to the AHL transaction wire. That opens up the roster spot for Josh Norris to be activated off injured reserve.
Sabres center Josh Norris on his return to the lineup: "I was a little anxious. Woke up a little early this morning. Couldn't really sleep. Just excited to get back in the lineup. I really just made sure I was good before I made the decision to come back."
December 1, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Sabres center Josh Norris on his return to the lineup: "I was a little anxious. Woke up a little early this morning. Couldn't really sleep. Just excited to get back in the lineup. I really just made sure I was good before I made the decision to come back."
Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring is back to skating on his own.
December 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring is back to skating on his own.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is in the starter’s net for the Sabres this morning.
December 1, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is in the starter’s net for the Sabres this morning.
Josh Norris is centering Tage Thompson and Zach Benson at the Sabres’ morning skate.
December 1, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Josh Norris is centering Tage Thompson and Zach Benson at the Sabres’ morning skate.