Crazy we are in last place in the division but 6 points out of first with 2 games in hand

[Doohickie]

2 hours ago, Demoted said:

Kevin Adams should have surrounded the team with better players to offset those injuries. He had plenty of time. 

He did.  He propped up the bottom six with improved players.  He's got youth pushing up from Rochester, not because they don't have anyone else, but because they deserve their NHL shot, and they're making the most of it.

Edited 3 hours ago by Doohickie

[PromoTheRobot]

3 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

In many cases it is true:

-McDavid missed a bunch of games last year. In addition to those guys (at one point Edmonton had Draisaitl, Hopkins, Kane, Hyman, Ekholm and others out at the same time last year https://thehockeywriters.com/oilers-have-mishandled-their-injuries-2024-25/)

-Eichel missed a bunch of games his first 2 years with Vegas (and we know about the Mark Stone time missed due to injury)

-Last year Ottawa finally made the playoffs despite multi game injuries to both of their goalies, Nick Cousens, Perron, Pinto, and Tkachuk.

-New Jersey made it back to the playoffs last year with Jack Hughes, Hischier, Luke Hughes, and both goaltenders missing multiple games due to injury.

-Ovi was on a 50 goal pace and missed almost 20 games last year

-Heiskanen missed about 1/3 of the season last year. Lundkvist and Dumba also missed time on their blueline, with Hintz, Marchment, Bourque and Seguin missing multiple games up front.

-Over the last few years, Matthews in Toronto has missed some games (and played through injuries) across several seasons.

All made the playoffs, some finishing very high in the standings.

I'm sure there are other examples. I know at points the Leafs had Matthews out or playing hurt with other guys out at the same time.

Thank you for a list of random guys who missed games. But how many teams lost 4, 5 , 6 players top end players at the same time? Give me an example of a team like that that made the playoffs.

[PerreaultForever]

12 hours ago, Doohickie said:

The corollary is that it's still relatively early in the season and even an modest win streak can bump up the win % significantly.

It can, but that win streak has to happen. In this compressed schedule, relative to other teams, they are actually healthier now than some so there is a chance to move up but they have to show up every single night to have a chance at making that happen. 

Cautious optimism is the best i can do. 

[Doohickie]

3 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

It can, but that win streak has to happen. In this compressed schedule, relative to other teams, they are actually healthier now than some so there is a chance to move up but they have to show up every single night to have a chance at making that happen. 

Cautious optimism is the best i can do. 

You're steadier than I am.  I'm planning the parade with every win, ready to abandon the team with every loss.

[PerreaultForever]

Just now, Doohickie said:

You're steadier than I am.  I'm planning the parade with every win, ready to abandon the team with every loss.

I got really bandwagonesque when we had that win streak with Eichel-Skinner-Reinhart tearing it up. That was the last time. Last few years I've settled into a prove it and show me kind of view. Just don't trust this team to show up every night. It's been calming since so far it's been constant. 

[Doohickie]

Just now, PerreaultForever said:

I got really bandwagonesque when we had that win streak with Eichel-Skinner-Reinhart tearing it up. That was the last time. Last few years I've settled into a prove it and show me kind of view. Just don't trust this team to show up every night. It's been calming since so far it's been constant. 

Granted they screwed the pooch against CGY, but in general this team is bringing it more often than not.  I think the current roster is playoff-worthy, but they're in a hole.  On the other hand, more help should come when Kulich and Norris return.  And the bottom six is more effective than it's been in years.  To be honest, I'm okay with the D situation.  Bryson's been playing pretty well.  

[mjd1001]

24 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Thank you for a list of random guys who missed games. But how many teams lost 4, 5 , 6 players top end players at the same time? Give me an example of a team like that that made the playoffs.

The Edmonton example is linked in there with an article. It took me about 30 seconds to find that article.  For the rest, do your own work, the info is out there I'm not digging up anything else to justify my point (the info is out there)

The collection of those guys are certainly better than the number of games the Sabres lost with 'top guys'.

Edited 3 hours ago by mjd1001

[PerreaultForever]

56 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

Granted they screwed the pooch against CGY, but in general this team is bringing it more often than not.  I think the current roster is playoff-worthy, but they're in a hole.  On the other hand, more help should come when Kulich and Norris return.  And the bottom six is more effective than it's been in years.  To be honest, I'm okay with the D situation.  Bryson's been playing pretty well.  

I don't disagree with most of that. There were a few early games that had me thinking, hmmm, are they getting it this year? But I didn't want to get too excited and then they started losing in OT etc. and things started to look the same. I still don't see enough fight on the boards and winning puck battles to take them seriously but it does look more like an actual hockey team. 

It would be nice if they could win some face offs too. 

[PromoTheRobot]

😂