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Old-man history mode: The WWIV dial-up BBS software was popular around Buffalo in the late-80s and early-90s. For those who never used one, someone would run a (usually) DOS program on a PC with a modem and you could dial into it from your computer. DMs and Message boards, not unlike here. One person at a time, with time-limits. Later, these were networked (by dialing each other periodically and exchanging new messages) so you all didn't have to show up serially on one system. One of the largest networks of these was IceNet, which was founded by a guy named Jim Nunn in Buffalo. For awhile, I was a SysOp on Chain Reaction BBS, which I think was an IceNet node. Thanks for the prompt to unlock some old memories. I don't specifically remember talking Bills back then, but I can't believe there weren't some boards focused on sports. That too, just not as many people outside universities had access to it at the time. FreeNet run out of UB I think had usenet, but it's been a long time, lol. I love these old "Internet" articles: https://www.buffalo.edu/ubreporter/archive/vol26/vol26n2/1a.txt (Thanks for indulging my ramblings, lol.

If the Sabres could now get Ullmark quality netminding for a season, the Sabres would most likely be a playoff team this year. We are now in a precarious situation with our goalie situation because of the lack of foresight by this myopic organization. Just think where this franchise would be if we retained Eichel, Reinhart and Ullmark compared to where we have been and are now? What’s obvious to all is that an unstable franchise is not an appealing place to play for or attract other players.

He might turn 40 and still be in Mom’s basement the way things are going.

Release the Bryson list...

Another loss against Belfast last night. Shots fairly even, Belfast more clinical. Good news for the Clan - Langan continues his excellent start with another multipoint game. Goal and assist for him. Poolman also grabs a goal. But alas they were all the chances that squeezed past Whistle (Belfast GT). 2-4 the score as Belfast complete the weekend sweep of the Clan. Clan return to league fixtures next weekend with a road trip - visiting Guildford Flames and Sheffield Steelers.

FTR Botterill wanted to give him a long term deal, Terry is the one who balked at doing so. That's a major reason Botts got another chance in Seattle: People in hockey know he was sandbagged by the imbecile of an owner and don't hold it against him.

Maybe it is nothing more than “he wants to be here”? 😂

I'm not paying Rosen a bag of nickels.

Thanks for the additional insight using future cap numbers. Here’s my question. If he walks away from Buffalo’s offer of $9m * 8 years (big assumption) what is his value in the open market where there is a restriction to six years max term? Is it $9m *6 ? Is it $10m * 6? Is it $11m *6? Ultimately he has to find a path to $72m right? Sure you can argue money isn’t everything in the equation. Just know that an offer like that is coming from a team with cap space and it’s not the Stanley Cup Champion's. If he manages a new deal of $60m at 6 years, he needs to sign a new deal after that one expires for ~$12m in a new contract at age 36. This year Jamie Benn signed a one year deal for $1m (plus incentives). Is Benn at age 36 a comp? If yes, what does that contract look like in 6 years? What is Ben’s value on the open market, if it’s just about the money? I get it that Alex and his camp have confidence in his abilities and are trying to maximize his value, but some of the CBA changes are countering the benefits that the Salary Cap expansion brings.

The Amerks should dominate. I’d rather see several of these — good or bad — at the NHL level than many of the players we are keeping at that level. Tired of so many of them.

Reino yes. Ullmark, meh. Still better than UPL though.

Reinhart. Ullmark. Give them both LT deals instead of 1 year deals and the whole trajectory of this team changes significantly.

Totally different situation from Tuch. Reinhardt got a short extension from Botterill. By the time Adams took over, nothing was keeping Sam here. Since Zach Bogosian, you'd have to go back to Golisano getting cheap on Drury and Briere. My point is there really isn't a history of the Sabres lowballing players and letting them get away. So acting like that is the likely outcome with Tuch is like you're rooting for that to happen. All negotiations start apart. That's why you negotiate. You have a half dozen other players in the league right now slow walking their deals because they want to cash in on the expected higher future caps.

With Allen's interception, the Bills did not break the record for most consecutive games without a turnover. They do extend their own record for consecutive games without losing the turnover battle.

KC is getting healthy and rapidly returning to form. They were downright scary today.

I stand (somewhat) corrected. From this post forward, Cleveland was 47-26, the most wins in the entire league in that span. That said, the offense scored the 3rd fewest runs in the league. The pitching staff is pretty good, though. I have 0 expectations in the playoffs, so every game is a gift from here on out.

I can't help feeling like they beat the Jets and got away with three other games so far.

I don’t see how it kills the in a couple years. That cap is going up by a lot over the next few years. Trading him in five years isn’t going to be that hard.

Bryson officially has pictures on someone

Ugly win but years past that is a loss. they need the defensive reinforcements back. Pats game is one I’m interested to see how they play. Allen was in his old bad habit of hero ball throwing deep to covered receivers. But he came back to MVP Josh and got the job done

Reinhardt would have stayed if given an extension when his contract situation allowed for it.

They weren’t healthy but they weren’t doing any good out there. Got a season to figure it out. offense can do things, it’s not amazing and high octane, it’s balanced and it should be good enough. But that defense woo boy

I go back and forth on the value of signing him long term. Over most of last season, despite how well he was playing, I was not hoping for a long term deal. But then, most of the Summer, I was all for giving him one, with the thought you are going to overpay in later years to get the next 1-3 years. I'm not back on the not really wanting to give him a long term deal. You have him THIS year. By the time NEXT year starts and you might not have him, I just have the feeling his age is going to be catching up to him. So here is how I am looking at it now: If Tuch is looking for close to $10m per year, even with an increasing cap, what kind of player are you going to have 2-3 years from now, and how much better will that likley 'declining' player be compred to one of the young guys who will be getting older? Do you want to be paying Tuch high end top 6 money on a team that is tight to the cap, when he is 32, 33, 34 years old? Or would you rather be paying Rosen, Helenius, Benson, Kulich, Quinn, and/or Doan less money....and in 2-3 years from not might 2 or 3 of those guys be better than an aging Tuch? Or, if you let Tuch walk after this year becaue he is looking for $10m per year, what kind of other player can you sign or trade for using that same $$ and can they be just as good for the next 2-4 years after this year?

Methinks they really like this boy

The problem is, I don't see them anywhere close to giving him the Jeff Skinner goodbye. The time to do it was this offseason and instead they seem to be doubling down on telling us how awesome he is.