Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited we got a goalie. I think Markatos can be a good interim for us. Trade details nice by fitz. All of that. But…is this not a bit of the same type of over-hype we got in 2022-23? I think we have a good chance of making the playoffs again (we better), but I still feel like our core is a couple years away from any sort of consistent deep run. I get the excitement, I just want realistic excitement too. Anyone else?
by MatteHatter
19 Comments
overhype? it’s a question
This gives the the franchise 2 years to sort out the goalie issue. They bought time with a really good goalie.
Set your expectations to whatever you want, but playoffs are the bare minimum. Missing that will get Tom fired.
2nd round or ECF are my personal expectations. There are a lot of variables with Keefe coming in and moves yet to be made in FA.
Still too soft collectively to be considered and kind of deep playoff roster. Need a hard hitting defenseman and bottom 6 forward, while having enough cap for a top 6 forward.
I’d like to see what Clarke, Foot, and Hatakka can do if given a shot.
The bottom six needs to improve obviously and we need another dman but with an actual NHL coach and goalie, playoffs is the bear minimum
no Nemec mentions is blasphemy
guys on that list need to be more physical. Or just flip Bratt for Brady Tkachuk and that’d work
The top end of our roster, if healthy, is among the best in the league. But the “if healthy” is a big thing, and we need some improved depth on both F and D.
And man I hope these new goalies can play to their potential.
Playoffs are a reasonable expectation.
Even despite all the injuries and missing dougie for so much of a season we could have squeezed in a wildcard slot with decent goaltending.
Marky and Allen should combine for stability back there.
Now are we gonna go on a run? That’s tbd but playoffs I expect.
We still have to figure out how to play heavy teams. But we’re legit now.
They forgot to add Nemec
Playoffs and a competitive first round series are realistic expectations, barring major injuries. Since we missed the playoffs this year, I don’t think it’s fair to say we “have to” win a round or more next year to be happy. The next stage for us should be to become a consistent playoff team, then a contender. Winning a round again would be nice, but if we lose in 7 to a strong team for example, I’m not going to see that as a failure.
We should definitely make the playoffs next year as long as we don’t have another year of rotten injuries and shitty goaltending. Besides we just started with our moves, still gotta see what other trades and signings we do.
You mean 23-24? The team was underhyped going into 22-23 (before many joined this sub), projected to miss playoffs again, and finished strong. Followed by some weird prediction that they would just win the cup after losing vets and icing rookies, and droves of new wagon fans expecting the world to be delivered to them.
I don’t really give a shit. I’d like to see good hockey. Fuck the noise, always temper hockey expectations, GL HF.
We still need at least one if not two (now that we moved Bahl) stay home defensemen who can kill penalties and add some toughness to our soft D corps. We failed to protect the front of the net last year and got manhandled by teams with bigger forwards. No amount of defensive scheming or a simpler system is going to change this. We also need some identity in the bottom 6 for times when our top lines are being shut down. We need a bottom six that can hit and forcheck and contribute some scoring when the game calls for it. We might be good in the regular season with small speedy forwards but when the playoffs come you gotta have some size and snarl or you’re gonna get your ass handed to you.
$6m allocated to a true 1 and 1B goalie is a major steal in this league. If they gave up Bahl, I think it’s fair to assume they are intending to add a real serious piece on the blue line.
Not sure if they want to throw all that money to Zadarov or Tanev at the most expensive they could be. But they have the money to add a true 3/4 d-man and another sniper.
I think they make another leap this year. Just need to stay healthy.
Seeing this is exciting and we do have a great young core, but I did get nervous when it popped up because they did not do well with those heavy “expectations” on them in ‘23-24. The injuries were ridiculous though and just by the law of averages that should hopefully not happen again at least to that extent (please no). Goaltending should automatically be improved. Also at some point this team does need to learn how to play with those big expectations on them. They will never be that underdog team from ‘22-23 again. I do think while there will be pressure to bounce back, they will also be hungry and have chips on their shoulders after the debacle that was this past season.
I learned after the beginning of the last season don’t get hyped or try to predict shit. I like this core and hope they do well but anything beyond that is too much
We’re kinda sorta the new oilers in a way. The Devils are gonna keep getting hyped as long as Jack Hughes is a superstar.
Looks good so far but there’s a few more holes to fill, so I cant really judge until the end of the summer. Playoffs is the bare minimum though. Anything short of playoffs is a failure at this point in the team’s development. Realistically Id like to see us get to at least round two, but let’s all be honest, once you get past the first round and get that taste of playoff hockey, anything short of the cup is heartbreaking lol.
Still need a top 6 winger, 3C, and a top 4 LD if Siegs doesn’t have a bounce back year.