Final line is 41-31-10 for 92 points, sixth in the Atlantic and tenth in the East. 241 for, 258 against. That's the highest point total since 2015-16. Progress on the scoreboard, same result in the standings. I keep landing in the middle: genuinely encouraged by the climb, genuinely tired of the result. Curious where the rest of you sit now that the dust has settled.
Goal differential tells the story: minus-17 on the year while finishing 92 points. That's a team that outperformed its underlying number a bit and still couldn't get over the line. The encouraging part is the top end of the scoring; the worry is you can't keep banking close results without better even-strength control. Progress, but fragile progress.
Best point total in a decade, a deadline where we were buyers, and a kid blue line getting real. This is the plan working, just slower than anyone wants. Stevie said himself he can't sign everyone, which means real decisions are coming. I trust the direction.
92 points and a participation ribbon. we've been 'close' for like four years now. at some point 'progress' that never touches the playoffs is just a nicer word for stuck.
I'll give them the climb. I won't give them the standings. 6th in the division is 6th in the division. The day we treat 92-and-out as a good year is the day this town lost the plot.
The minus-17 is mostly a stretch-run thing. They defended fine for big chunks, then the coverage frayed when the legs went late and the schedule got heavy. Fix the late-game gap control and this is a wild-card team. That's a coaching and depth question, not a talent one.
Good thread, everyone. Fair summary seems to be: real talent up top, real progress on points, real concern about the late fade and the margins. Nobody's wrong here, which is sort of the whole frustration with this year.
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