We should make the playoffs pretty easily, unless injuries hit REALLY bad. But I think we lose in the first round yet again.
The team seems very similar to the teams that lost in the first round the past 3 years. Tonnes of skill, but very soft, get outworked constantly, hemmed into our own end too often, and suffer regular defensive breakdowns. We’re the polar opposite of “built for the playoffs.” I really hope I’m wrong, but I doubt it.
The easiest thing to change is the coach, and sometimes that can have a major impact. Worth starting the search quietly, and pouncing on a new coach by ~mid season. If the team makes it past the 1st round, great! If not, fire Dubas at the start of the offseason, and bring in a GM who will actually try to improve our toughness, hustle and defensive play.