Todd Matthews

Todd Matthews

Joined: Jan 31, 2024

Todd Matthews ran Sabre Noise and Raising Zona under the pen name Sion Fawkes between 2022 and 2024 before he switched his full focus to the NHL. A lifelong hockey fan, Todd now covers the entire NHL at FanSided as the Lead Editor and he is always happy to write about the league’s current happenings and its history. When he’s not writing about hockey, Todd is often found working out either in the gym or running on trails. He is a fan of symphonic and power metal, and an avid listener of audiobooks, particularly in the fantasy genre, and he can be reached at todd.matthews@fansided.com.

Mar 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Sam Lafferty (81) skates with the puck against the Utah Hockey Club during the first period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Sabres find out the hard way why Sam Lafferty was never the answer

Mar 30, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Zemgus Girgensons (28) knocks the puck out of the air during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

2 players the Sabres wish they had back

Apr 10, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Beck Malenstyn (29) wrists a shot on goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

Sabres may already regret Beck Malenstyn trade after flat first season

Jan 21, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) handles the puck against the Vancouver Canucks in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Mattias Samuelsson has one problem Sabres fans can’t ignore anymore

Apr 8, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton (75) clears the puck during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Connor Clifton gave Sabres exactly what they were missing for years

Mar 27, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich (20) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Jiri Kulich quietly proved his worth for Sabres in rookie year

Mar 27, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Peyton Krebs (19) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Peyton Krebs proved the Sabres were right to keep him all along

Mar 29, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (9) skates with the puck past Washington Capitals left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois (80) during the second half at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Zach Benson’s lackluster 2024-25 season spells trouble for the Sabres

Mar 15, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) looks to make a save as Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) looks for the rebound during the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Sabres would regret trading Bowen Byram after his surprise emergence

Mar 25, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power (25) carries the puck as Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven (43) defends during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Sabres need more from Owen Power (and it can't wait any longer)

Apr 17, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Ryan McLeod (71) skates up ice with the puck during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Ryan McLeod’s breakout year with the Sabres silenced his critics

Feb 8, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (17) skates with the puck against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The surprising comeback of Jason Zucker in a Sabres sweater

Mar 29, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) in action against the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Sabres don’t survive their defensive breakdowns without Alex Tuch (and it shows)

Feb 4, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) skates up ice with the puck during the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Sabres quietly built a star in JJ Peterka while no one was looking

Apr 1, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) follows the puck in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Rasmus Dahlin’s brutal workload proves he’s the Sabres' backbone

Apr 8, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) reacts after scoring a goal during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Tage Thompson’s epic season proves he’s still the Sabres' heartbeat