I guess the question is how much everyone sees last year as a statistical outlier. If you think last season should have been an 80 point season, and this season they grab 85 but with less "luck" then did they improve?
Maybe when trying to figure out how successful of a season we have we might need to look at something other than points or playoff spots. It gets really hard to quantify that, though.
It does get hard to quantify, as points and overall standing define teams as a rule of thumb.
Another measure I like to use is a seasonal goal differential, as a rule of thumb, a negative goals for versus goals allowed reflects a non-playoff team more often than not. Islanders and Caps last year were exceptions, but if you have a large positive value, (say larger than 20 at the end of a season) then usually you are a good team and into the playoffs.
My measure of success this year will be based on the overall team play with a healthy introduction of youth. I expect that last years heroics and scoring fest equate more to Scotty's first year where he let the team play it their way, then the next year they did it his way. The players brought in this FA period certainly suggest to me that SY is taking that approach.
I do expect to see fewer goals scored this year (but certainly not 75 less), the team did jettison many of the main defensive black holes (the dreaded +/- stat negative players) and this should drastically decrease the goals against by improving team defense (that and hopefully out 8 goalies, they can keep a few healthy).
The kids coming aboard should have the defensive mindset from their GR days but will need some time to refine it for the NHL, but I will judge the team at the end of the year on the GF/GA differential.
If they can improve upon last years +2, say to +12, then they are going in the right direction, regardless of standings or how many goals they score, and open the door for a trickle in of youth each year going forward.
Sorry for the windy rant, but if the wings end 2024/25 with a plus 12 GF/GA delta, target a GF=240 and a GA=228 with 96 points sound as a measure of success? (I do suspect that this coming season, it may take 98 or 100 points to snag the last wildcard spot)
If the wings over achieve and can have RW>losses, then they are likely to in the playoffs (show they can protect a lead if they have one).
Oh, for a FA score, I give SY a B to B-