The Instigator Podcast
A Buffalo Sabres podcast hosted by Chris and Tyler of the Buffalo blog Two in the Box. The Instigator focuses on Sabres hockey, the NHL and other Buffalo-related topics.
Insights from recent episode analysis
On the show
- Dave Horesh1 ep
- Chris Holmes1 ep
Audience Interest
Podcast Focus
Publishing Consistency
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Most discussed topics
Brands & references
Total monthly reach
Based on the show's feed history.
Built from
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
22K to 274K🎙 Biweekly cadence·312 episodes·Last published yesterday - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
32K to 392K🇺🇸100% - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
13K to 157K
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
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Total Plays
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Total Reviews
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/27/26 | Are the Sabres in Win Now Mode? | The Sabres missed out on Connor Hellebuyck but may be in on another American Olympian in Dylan Larkin. We break down the Hellebuyck trade and offer some final thoughts on the saga from Buffalo's perspective. We also run through the reports that the Sabres have interest in Larkin and debate whether a top center is more valuable to the Sabres than a number one goalie. All of this is done through the lens of determining if the Sabres are truly in win now mode, or if Jarmo Kekalainen has more of an eye to the future for his club. We close the episode with some thoughts on the leaked Sabres Hometown Remix jersey, which has both of us excited for the official launch. | 54m 06s | ||||||
| 10/21/26 | Hellebuyck Continues to Own the Headlines | Connor Hellebuyck's saga may be drawing to a close as a potential deadline approaches this week. We discuss the ongoing rumor mill that surrounds Hellebuyck and the persistent connections between the goaltender and the Sabres. We kick off the show with a discussion on the state of the Atlantic Division and how Buffalo's woeful special teams will make their climb in the East a more difficult task. | 1h 01m 13s | ||||||
| 10/14/26 | Sabres Hunting for Consistency | It's been an up-and-down run for the Sabres after seven games. While they haven't ripped off a run of wins, they've posted wins against some of the league's best, though their consistency has been a sticking point. Forward contributions have been especially hot and cold and we run down which players in the forward groups have been dragging down Buffalo's results. We also highlight the Olen Zellweger's encouraging play and the general strength of Buffalo's blueline. | 53m 36s | ||||||
| 10/9/26 | Another Early Season Power Outage | Yet again, the Sabres power play is a sticking point. For the third-straight season the Sabres power play has started the season on an extended drought, putting the team in a precarious position of over reliance on their even strength play. This episode discusses the lackluster power play, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's struggles and the several bright spots of the first four games of the season. | 58m 22s | ||||||
| 9/30/26 | Sabres Open 26-27 With High Hopes and a Young Roster | The Sabres start their defense of the Atlantic Division title on Thursday with their sights set on making it back-to-back years with a playoff appearance. They enter the season with a handful of troubling injuries and a host of young players who will be relyed upon for key contributions throuhgout the year. This abbreviated episode runs down some of the notable storylines ahead of the season opener. | 30m 17s | ||||||
| 9/23/26 | An Early Bite From the Injury Bug | Two of four preseason games are complete and the Sabres are already dealing with some injury troubles. With Jason Zucker already out, Olen Zellweger and Mattias Samuelsson both left Tuesday's preseason game early, leaving the Sabres with some notable absences from their NHL lineup. This episode also explores some of the latest in the NHL's expansion race, discussing whether or not the Texas bid will come together and what the logical next step will be for the league. | 43m 09s | ||||||
| 9/16/26 | Is Hellebuyck Still On the Radar Ahead of Camp? | The Sabres open training camp this week with the door open for their exciting young core. We run down Noah Ostlund's new contract and how it fits into the other contracts the Sabres signed this offseason. As we look ahead to training camp, we also discuss the latest in the Connor Hellebuyck saga as Darren Dreger reported the goaltender isn't expected to report to training camp. The new development drastically shifts the leverage held by the Kevin Cheveldayoff as Hellebuyck angles for a better situation. | 59m 24s | ||||||
| 8/4/26 | hockeyexpo+3 | Chris Holmes | — | Buffalo Riverworks | Queen City Hockey ExpoChris Holmes+3 | — | 35m 33s | ||
| 7/29/26 | mailbaglistener questions+3 | — | — | — | Connor McDavidhockey+3 | — | 31m 30s | ||
| 7/8/26 | NHL DraftSabres roster changes+4 | — | Sabres | — | SabresNHL Draft+8 | — | 57m 18s | ||
| 7/1/26 | NHL DraftFree Agency+3 | — | BuffaloSabres | — | Buffalo SabresOlen Zellweger+4 | — | 59m 42s | ||
| 6/24/26 | NHL DraftBowen Byram trade+3 | — | ChicagoSabres | Buffalo | Bowen ByramChicago+5 | — | 1h 05m 37s | ||
| 6/16/26 | NHL offseasonSabres acquisitions+4 | — | SabresStanley Cup Final+1 | — | SabresNHL+6 | — | 1h 02m 31s | ||
| 6/9/26 | free agencyNHL roster decisions+3 | — | Sabres | — | Sabresfree agents+5 | — | 1h 04m 04s | ||
| 6/3/26 | Sabresmailbag+3 | — | Sabres | Buffalo | SabresAlex Tuch+5 | — | 42m 08s | ||
| 5/22/26 | Buffalo Sabresplayoff analysis+3 | — | Buffalo | — | Buffalo Sabresplayoff roster+3 | — | 1h 00m 33s | ||
| 5/20/26 | NHL playoffsBuffalo Sabres+3 | — | BuffaloMontreal | — | SabresGame Seven+6 | — | 59m 14s | ||
| 5/14/26 | NHL playoffsSabres vs Canadiens+4 | — | SabresHabs | BuffaloEastern Conference | SabresHabs+6 | — | 1h 06m 32s | ||
| 5/6/26 | NHL playoffsSabres+3 | — | SabresCanadiens+1 | Buffalo | SabresCanadiens+5 | — | 1h 03m 13s | ||
| 4/28/26 | NHL playoffsSabres+4 | — | SabresBruins | — | SabresBruins+5 | — | 1h 03m 34s | ||
| 4/27/26 | hockeyBuffalo sports+3 | Dave Horesh | Oxford PennantBuffalo+1 | — | Oxford PennantBuffalo+4 | — | 32m 33s | ||
| 4/23/26 | power playSabres+4 | — | SabresBruins | — | SabresBruins+4 | — | 1h 18m 52s | ||
| 4/15/26 | NHL playoffsBuffalo Sabres+4 | — | SabresBruins | BuffaloAtlantic Division | SabresBruins+5 | — | 1h 14m 10s | ||
| 4/8/26 | Sabresplayoffs+4 | — | SabresTampa | — | Sabresplayoffs+5 | — | 1h 07m 51s | ||
| 4/1/26 | playoffshockey+3 | — | Sabres | — | Sabresplayoff berth+3 | — | 59m 36s | ||
| 3/25/26 | NHL playoffsBuffalo Sabres+3 | — | BuffaloSabres | — | SabresEastern Conference+3 | — | 1h 09m 36s | ||
| 3/19/26 | mailbagBuffalo Sabres+3 | — | Buffalo | — | Lindy RuffJack Adams+4 | — | 35m 57s | ||
| 3/11/26 | NHLBuffalo Sabres+3 | — | SabresTampa | Atlantic Division | Buffalo SabresTampa Bay Lightning+3 | — | 57m 06s | ||
| 3/6/26 | NHLtrade deadline+3 | — | Buffalo Sabres | — | Sam CarrickTanner Pearson+5 | — | 29m 23s | ||
| 3/5/26 | NHLtrade deadline+4 | — | Sabres | — | SabresColton Parayko+4 | — | 1h 20m 14s | ||
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Chart history for The Instigator Podcast
Peaked at #88 in Canada, currently #88 in Canada.
| Market | Genre | Peak | Current | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | — | #88 | #88 | — |
| United States | — | #150 | #150 | — |
Chart Positions
2 placements across 2 markets.
Chart Positions
2 placements across 2 markets.