Couldn't agree more. It was really the 2019-22 seasons that were an unending slog to get through, knowing there was absolutely no reason to be invested in any of it. No chance of making the playoffs, no chance of a top pick, no young players to look forward to. Now at least there's a light at the end of the tunnel even if we have no way of knowing just how far off it is.
No, I haven't. I get the mindset where there's hope down the line, but that's not making watching the team this year any easier. It's not like any of these players with the exception of a couple are going to be part of the team's future. I see the sadistic enjoyment of losing, but watching a game, seeing 82 people in the stands as the team loses by 6 goals isn't my idea of enjoyment. It's like saying, " I'm enjoying eating this lettuce because it'll be good for my health in the long run."
No offense but maybe that means you should check out for a few years until the team is good again. It won't make you any less of a fan.
Nah. I'm still standing by this team. I don't have a "Serious Stanley cup contenders or bust" mentality. I just want them to be competitive.
Couldn’t have said this better. I love Will Smith on team teal.
That has been me. I am not going to stay up for 9:30 PM local puck drops for a team that is rebuilding. I watch the 10 minute condensed game, check the box score, and read the game threads basically everyday so I can have an informed take on the team, but I am not going to lose literal sleep for this squad right now like I did when things were good on the ice.
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You’re incorrect in that assessment. Doug had a win at all cost mentality (even though as we’re seeing in comparison to what Vegas does he actually did not). He wanted to sacrifice younger pieces and picks for immediate gratification. I, on the other hand want to see a competitive team, which, at this point there’s no excuse for that not to happen unless Grier purposely wants to tank again. There’s absolutely no reason to purposely tank beyond this year. The team doesn’t have a lot of talent on the club right now and the youth will experience some growing pains, so the team will still struggle, but I doubt they’re losing back to back ten goal games like this year. I doubt they’re blowing a 4 goal lead against the second worst team In hockey. Again, for that to happen Grier has to actively go out there and do everything in his power not to improve this team.
Like I said, I’m not asking for major moves, but if he’s purposely stunting the development of nhl-ready prospects because he wants to add to the prospect pool for 2028 then it’s a slap in the face of anyone still financially supporting this team.
He doesn't need to be anything specifically in his rookie year. He just needs to get the experience. My ideal scenario is landing Celebrini and going out and signing Stamkos to put on his wing. There's a lot to do on the blue line that if they don't get super aggressive there is going to hold back a lot of the younger forwards to a degree but it's not going to all happen in one offseason.
Some, sure. I don't know if those three will be those guys and I think it's better for them to get some pro experience sooner rather than later. Guys that are blowing away their competition at lower levels need to be challenged.
I think you’re struggling to separate competing on the ice and competing in the standings. I doubt this team is anything but a bottom feeder next year but with this haul and then next year’s two picks I’d rather enjoy the season by 10-15% and pick 6-8th than lose another entire season of watching so we can all spend our time discussing the merits of the worst case from dropping in the lotto to 3.
If Celebrini is too good for NCAA then so is Smith.
