The Buffalo Sabres select defenseman Radim Mrtka with the ninth pick of the NHL Draft. A big 6'6" right shot defenseman is a perfectly defendable pick by Kevyn Adams and the Sabres front office, but was it a need for the team? Sneaky Joe argues that the Sabres actually were lacking on the blueline in their organizational pipeline, and Mrtka instantly becomes their best prospect defenseman.

What are Mrtka's best attributes? What's his background? And how long until Mrtka will likely be in the NHL? Plus, should we be worried Bo Byram hasn't been traded yet?

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Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Eddie Garcia (Locked On Kings, David Morassutti (Locked On Leafs) and Armando Velez (Locked On Panthers) are here to talk about the upcoming NHL draft, any potential free agency surprises, and about Alexander Mogilny finally making it into the Hall of Fame!

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The Buffalo Sabres have dealt JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth after months of trade speculation in exchange for defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan. A package that has most Sabres fans feeling underwhelmed, if not angry, getting back two players that were just role players last season in Utah. The motivation for why Peterka wanted out is also in question now, as he was willing to sign a long-term extension in a smaller market, on a team that also misses the playoffs constantly. Did Peterka have a problem with Lindy Ruff? Were the Sabres not willing to pay him?

Also, a breakdown of Kesselring and Doan's games, how much more they could grow, and how this deal impacts the Bowen Byram trade market.

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There are more rumors involving the Buffalo Sabres and the JJ Peterka trade market, so it's time to figure out what we'd actually trade him for. Sneaky Joe gives five trades he'd be willing to move Peterka for, if he were Kevyn Adams, involving the likes of Elias Pettersson, Jeremy Swayman, Rasmus Andersson, Marco Rossi, and several others.

Plus, why a Swayman trade from Boston makes sense as the only big thing the Sabres haven't tried during the playoff drought.

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Owen Power needs a partner, and there a bunch of defenseman in free agency that fit for what the Buffalo Sabres need, maybe no one better than Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. Sneaky Joe talks Gavrikov and also breaks down the likes of Ivan Provorov, Brent Burns, Brian Dumoulin, Dmitry Orlov, and others for how they'd fit on the Sabres second pair.

Could Jarmo Kekalainen use his connection to Gavrikov from Columbus to help facilitate a contract?

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Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Seth Toupal (Locked On Wild), David Morassutti (Locked On Leafs) and Zach Martin (Locked On Hurricanes) are here to talk about why the playoffs are lasting so long, how to fix that, whether the NHL will finally close the LTIR loophole some teams have been using, and what to make of the early Olympics roster announcements!

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There have been rumors about the Buffalo Sabres and Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers going back years and years, but no deal has ever materialized. Now that Ehlers is about to become a free agent, will the Sabres finally land Ehlers? Sneaky Joe makes the case for why the Sabres should make an aggressive offer for a player that is super consistent, a great even-strength goal scorer, and a great skater.

Plus, why Ehlers fills a need in the Sabres lineup, and is a potential JJ Peterka replacement if he is traded. What reporters are saying about what Ehlers will get contract-wise indicates a monster offer will be needed. And should we be thinking about Connor McDavid leaving Edmonton in a year?

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JJ Peterka is the latest Buffalo Sabre that reportedly wants out of Buffalo. With four years of rights, but no contract at the moment, should the Sabres be willing to trade Peterka or should they only look to get him to sign a short-term contract? Sneaky Joe believes the Sabres need to have a strong backbone in this situation and this is the first test of Jarmo Kekalainen's influence on Kevyn Adams.

What about if Peterka signs an offer-sheet with another team? Joe looks at what their options would be. Plus, a look at free agency at the goaltender position and if the Sabres will look to add to UPL and Devon Levi.

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