Why I'm not an expert

[Randall Flagg]

So, Sabrespace, have any of you had catastrophically wrong predictions or opinions this year? Let's hear them!

I predicted the Rangers (and maybe Ducks) to be bottom 5 teams. 

 

I didn't think Jake McCabe would ever be considered a top 6 NHL defenseman. 

 

I thought Risto would be better in his own zone. 

I was also pretty convinced of a bottom 5 season for the Leafs, and in particular, their goal-scoring abilitiy.

 

I was wrong about David Pastrnak. He's way better than I thought.

 

I was wrong about Sam Reinhart playing center this season and taking a step forward because of it. 

I was wrong about how well Kulikov would fit in here.

 

And I was wrong in believing that this team would make the playoffs. Not even ###### close.

Who else has eaten crow? 

Edited April 6, 2017 by Randall Flagg

[WildCard]

- Playoffs

 

- Leafs

 

- Laine

 

- Preds / Shea Weber

 

- Kane, kinda.

 

- Senators

 

- Drouin

 

- CBJ

Edited April 6, 2017 by WildCard

[Randall Flagg]

Good call - I was off on the early returns of the trade too. I still think it winds up favoring Nashville, but Weber of the playoffs last year has not been seen yet.

[drnkirishone]

Myers will win multiple Norris trophies in his career. Pretty sure I typed that once

[MattPie]

I'd be more excited by the Sabres at the end of the season than I was in the beginning.

[IKnowPhysics]

I was sure we'd finish with more points than last year (this is still technically possible, however).

 

I definitely didn't think we'd allow the most shots of any team by a country mile.

 

I didn't think we'd have the #1 powerplay.  Also didn't think we'd have a bottom-5 penalty kill.  We had a top ten PK last year, and our defense and goaltending was only supposed to get better.

 

I didn't think that Evander Kane would be top ten in PIM.

 

I knew RIsto was going to play great, but I didn't think he'd be herculean, which he has been.  He's top five in the league in TOI/GP; I did not expect that.

[qwksndmonster]

I haven't been wrong atall this year.

[ubkev]

I remember making a big deal about that article just before the start of the season. Remember, the one that said we'd suck this year? Yeah, well, the article was right and I was wrong. We suck.

 

BUT everything else I was right about.

[josie]

I'm wrong constantly on specifics but usually correct with generalizations. I just call it learning at this point. 

 

I was wrong about the Ducks- thought they'd be real low. 

 

I was dead on with the Blue Jackets, actually. d4rk laughed at me a few times about it. 

 

I thought Tampa would be in better shape. 

 

I was right that the Red Wings' playoff streak would end this year :( 

 

But if you get down to a player by player basis, I suck. 

[Claude Balls]

I remember making a big deal about that article just before the start of the season. Remember, the one that said we'd suck this year? Yeah, well, the article was right and I was wrong. We suck.

BUT everything else I was right about.

Me too. I said the dude who wrote the article was smoking crack saying the Sabres would be worse this year.

 

And I was way off thinking the Leafs would be horrible. Also didn't think Matthews would have nearly as many goals as Jack did in his rookie season. Big swing and a miss on that one.

[North Buffalo]

I admit nothing seriously off about Kane surprised by Calgary.

[gomper]

Kulikov

 

Sam

 

Sabres mental toughness

 

Calgary

 

Leafs

 

On the plus side, right about:

 

Lehner

 

McCabe

 

Folino

 

Oilers

 

McDavid MVP

[Thorner]

Sam has taken a step forward this year. Just not nearly as much as he would/should have, had he played centre.

 

I was dead wrong about Bylsma. I was actually very much in support of his hire two offseasons ago. So, so wrong.

 

Did not think the Oilers would take this big of a jump in the standings.

 

Definitely wrong about Kulikov.

 

Thought we would be a bubble team.

 

Thought Kane was a pretty decent player coming in to this season. Was wrong. He's good.

[pi2000]

- I was wrong about Moulson, thought he would resurrect his career and regain his scoring touch.   He's dead weight. 

 

- I was wrong about Gorges being the worst d-man on this team.   

 

- I was wrong about Kulikov, expected a lot more from him.

 

- I had no idea Bogosian would nosedive so badly.    That play he made last night on MTL's goal was absolutely brutal.    Is it possible to lose awareness as you gain experience?

 

- I was wrong about Ennis, really thought he was going to be a difference maker.

 

- I was NOT wrong about Matthews.   And I still think he falls from glory once his ELC expires.

 

- I was wrong about Vesey... or was I?  Regardless, he's still a .

 

That said, I did say before the season started that the success of this team would ride on guys like Ennis, Moulson, and Girgensons.    They failed... and the team failed.

[3putt]

I was wrong in thinking that the posters beleiving we werea playoff team would come around to the idea that we are still in the infancy of the rebuild  and that the future is bright talent wise.  I was wrong that they would stop comparing us to the Laffs who have been at the bottom alot longer than we have been.  

[Sabel79]

I was wrong in thinking that the posters beleiving we werea playoff team would come around to the idea that we are still in the infancy of the rebuild  and that the future is bright talent wise.  I was wrong that they would stop comparing us to the Laffs who have been at the bottom alot longer than we have been.

 

In fairness, it's not just this board.

[Doohicksie]

I can't remember any of the the predictions I may have made earlier in the year.*  I just want my team to win.

 

*I bet you can look around and find several instances where I contradict myself.  I know I've stated that I think Bylsma will be canned at the end of the season, and that I've also said he'll be here through at least November and if the Sabres are doing well by then he will stay longer.  A lot of it depends on my mood and whether the Sabres won their last game.

[3putt]

In fairness, it's not just this board.

No doubt , but I like the posters here. The major media predicted the step back, with a step forward next year ala cbj.

[Wyldnwoody44]

I thought classy handbag was going to be good after working out with Gary Roberts.

 

I expected Lehner to be worse

 

I thought we were going Dman in the draft no matter what

 

I thought Bylsma would change his style (boy was I off)

 

I also expected everyone at the meet up to be normal..... Thank God we're not!

Edited April 7, 2017 by Wyldnwoody44

[Huckleberry]

I was wrong about us making the playoffs 

 

I thought Samson would have his own line as center

 

I thought Ennis would bounce back

 

I didn't think our D would stink so much mainly bogo kulikov

 

I thought Bylsma would be a good coach for this team for years.

[jsb]

I was wrong about the Tank, missing out on Ekblad and McDavid has hurt our bounce back

I was wrong about Bylsma, I don't think the Dmen are as bad as they've looked they just aren't playing the role they're best suited for

Bogosian isn't worth his money, ROR isn't worth his

I was wrong that we'd be a playoff threat this year

I was wrong in thinking Boston would sink

I was wrong in thinking the Ducks would trade 1 or 2 of their Dmen

 

I was right about Kane

I was right that Reinhart wasn't worth the tank year and that he's too slow and too defensively irresponsible to be a Centerman

I was right about Okposo, get well soon dude

 

I was also wrong to make a stupid avatar bet thinking the worst thing that could happen was I'd get D4rk's girlfriend to make me an awesome one instead of the one I'm stuck with for another week. But on second thought that does kind of look like me a long time ago.

Edited April 7, 2017 by jsb