Thorny

Tage Thompson when the playoffs are mathematically out of reach

Possibly. For the record, I understand the somewhat hidden true subtext of your post was an implication that we, like New Jersey aren’t far off, but I can’t agree they are very analogous situations. Not least because, well, they made the playoffs last year. Step backs for a young team are common, it’s why I theorized last summer that I was worried our 91 points was the “ahead of schedule” thing and lo and behold: looks like it was Actually making it last year puts them a great deal ahead until we actually finally do it. Speaking for myself, making it even once would go a LONG way. So much so that I’m saying next year it’s a strict necessity re: justifying an active following of the team

Funnily enough, of the teams not currently in a playoff spot in the East, New Jersey is given the best odds of making it

I don’t think I’d be worrying if the opponent was whoever’s first overall: we are at the point where we are just playing out the stretch, the results don’t matter

Up from 0.5 yesterday lol

These things could happen, though unlikely. The bigger ever-more-looming issue is that there’s an end line: the shrinking runway is our biggest enemy. We can’t just do what you outlined, we have to consider the result we need in the next set of games, as well. Because that 4-for-4 immediately loses its lustre once it becomes 4-for-5. Such is the nature of being 8 points back. So, we can get that 4-for-4, but if it’s exactly that, and not a 6-for-6, we’ll be 6 (the Power of Owen compels you) points back, with a mere 6 games to play. The walls are closing too fast and Artu isn’t here anymore to bail us out.

Breath of fresh air, indeed. 1-0.

Blue Jays are back

How many times have we even gotten 3? Once? Twice?

Keeping Granato into next year ensures Adams a shot with a new coach for ‘25-‘26 If it’s a 2 year shot that’s 7 years of runway total for Adams right there. Easy. Brawndo has theorized a similar timeline

I thought Crookshank was a cat

Bernier syndrome but with vibes. An Adams mouthpiece Pretty good player, some laughable player comps in wake of that big trade, but nonetheless capable if properly slotted. But not captain material imo i lost my willingness to say they had the ability to buck the odds and make the playoffs when he gave that excuse filled interview. It was dead then

So we are at 73 points after 73 games? Sometimes those “where you are at thanksgiving” stats provide a pretty good statistical sample

It’s generational

Even Mike said it: It’s crazy that Donny’s extension hasn’t even *started* yet

Sabres will need to win out to match their point total from last season

Ya, it’s an interesting offseason my inclination is to expect little until proven otherwise given precedent but honestly who knows

Because other teams with their competent management are, shock, able to identify the players who can amount to more in situations where the sum total of the roster isn’t ass how many times do we need to see it? We roster good players. But rostering good players isn’t enough. You have to build a WHOLE team

The collective delusion regarding our roster is truly something else Its composition is reflected in the standings. No more no less

Yes, guy who never posts but just gives out reactions: it’s on Adams by a significantly higher amount. He’s also the guy that picks the coaches

I think we could. But you also need a competent GM. Pigeonholing it all onto Granato is cheap and lazy

I’ve been known to lose the forest from the trees in getting caught up in the specifics of the wording, certain turns of phrase are admittedly triggers for me. Like I said I even agree we should give them another shot. It’s just definitively not “unreasonable” to have expected more. Dollars to donuts playoffs were the rightful expectation but even if that wasn’t one’s personal expectation, to say it was “unreasonable” to expect that is just a bridge too far. I wouldn’t even say it’s unreasonable to NOT expect playoffs this year, if that’s one’s own personal timeline.