Thorny

Ya I often feel with these models that there will necessarily always be a million nitpicks/errors along the way, but the formula in general produces reasonably accurate results in the macro over a large sample size. It’s a proven model - but not proven to *always* be right. Doesn’t make the model defective, just littered with defects in the name of the lion’s share of the data coming out fairly accurate. As for the Sabres, we were always always going to be making the playoffs off a prediction like this: we’ll need to establish a reasonable track record before predicted for reasonable results. As it should be

These are part and parcel and both get talked about all the time. How many times do I need to meme “we’re on the so-and-so timeline, now”? That’s poking fun at the fact Adams had no intention of winning in the near term but rather focused on arbitrarily tying his vision for success to the youngest player the universe will allow in the name of job security Everyone knows Adams’ plan. You don’t have to agree with my assessment for the reasons Adams structured it the way he did, but it’s inarguably talked about. Betting on the Comrie-Esque magic beans as a method is also something I talk about often. His plan is well documented. Everyone has also seen the results

Power back on the right. Assumed that would happen given Byram’s well-documented inability to effectively play his off hand. Good for us: Power can

Another in-depth analysis here: Sabres line at 88.5 points. Seems pretty fair

Who tf knows tbh. Could go either way.

Well yes, by definition that’s the only way to do it. The alternative would be to quote something from the future

Jury still out but I like the odds on Östlund to help Thompson and Cozens satisfy the bold

Really excited about him, probably more than any prospect we have. Nothing more exciting that an elite playmaker imo and he’s a magician out there often

Ya, maybe I’m too biased because I said from day one it was a bad strategy ie confirmation bias, but I’ll probably stick with it considering there’s been no compelling argument made to the contrary since

Probably Vladdy Guerrero’s best mlb season to date and he’s still only 25. PAY THE MAN

It’s funny that we thought because he hadn’t managed to play in the nhl very much in a decade that meant he was an un-mined potential avenue for success

I doubt they even get that low. The Bruins have notched more than 100 points (and in some years considerably more) for 7 straight seasons. Their come down seems to be low to mid 90s. All the more reason to aim for 100 - we might need it either way

Realistically drawing the line at “that they personally picked” is arbitrary - though I understand you were responding specifically to that stipulation I don’t think KA values “his” picks more: Cozens is HIS guy, to him, because he locked him up LT. Tage is HIS guy because he kept him while dealing Mittelstadt, etc etc. I highly doubt Dahlin loses anything in perception because he wasn’t personally selected by the GM He probably views each guy he retains or adds as a piece of his puzzle. He just have Samuelsson a letter, etc

Anecdotally there was almost as much angst when we dealt Bloom as when we dealt Savoie. Maybe more? Haha I could be wrong but I feel like more people than maybe they’d like to admit were still fully backing the “hoard prospects” train at the time we dealt Josh. Who knows. But ya, the Savoie trade was very refreshing and positive to me cause it did represent that big name prospect finally getting dealt

I’m just ready for the real games to start. Can’t glean anything from these and I’ve seen too many sporting matches over a long lifetime already to be entertained by exhibition games at this point. Coming down on the “I think they are slightly more likely to make, than miss, the playoffs” side of the equation for (seemingly) once definitely helps rev the engines. On that note, im going to try and focus a little more one-track-mindedly on the actual games this year, and try to spend a little less time annoying people around here. As anyone can see it sometimes gets me too stressed and snappy and unreasonable, I think a bit of a “return to the roots” season is in order. Sometimes all the noise can feel overwhelming, if that makes any sense. It should be a fun one. Lindy, you have the Conn.

The letters were in the fine print of those contracts - - - They’ll probably switch the As based on home/away, that adds a bit more authority/rigidity to it imo

even the coaches are buying in to the Samuelsson is 40 narrative

He comes across as looking like a 40 year old man On the positive side, the fact they gave into that frivolousness with the As means they must have been pretty darn certain on the C To avoid it, there

I respect, and am thankful for the fact they didn’t use a nickname in the actual captain announcement on Twitter

So, does that mean just Savoie?

And it’s better it’s not Tuch because we don’t need any additional reason to feel inclined to give him a long term deal that isn’t related to actual production

Will just repeat what I said at the start of the other captaincy thread: “Dahlin / Dahlin Easy choice Best player, longest contract, plays almost every game. Reliable. Still young. Young guys look up to him. Drafted by the team. Draft and dev strategy needs a draft and dev captain”

Hockey’ll be played. We shall see how it goes

It’s not who you play but when you play them. Catching them early while we’ve been rostering basically our full nhl team most preseason may help.

So just outside. Checks out imo