I can tell you this, when I made this thread way back yonder, I didn't think that I'd actually be checking it every day come (almost) the middle of March. yowza
To double down, even I thought this team looked in really good shape after the deadline. Coming off of an electric back to back win against Ottawa and San Jose, via shutout no less (not impressive vs OTT, but SJ is very impressive to shutout) even I thought the locks were likely to get in. I didn't think they were locks, but I thought they could get to that point, especially by now. That quickly faded after the first Pittsburgh game, because they looked lost and afraid (as always) against them, and only completely faded away after the debacle against Edmonton.
I got too excited because the CBJ went out and got the top fish on the market (in my eyes) in Duchene. I didn't love the Dzingle trade, but I thought he would help. I didn't love getting Kinkaid, but it wasn't a big deal. I didn't like the McQuaid deal, but the options were thin and we did need help, so I was OK with it. I went away from what the eye test told me, and got excited by the pickups. On paper, I stand by what I said, I think this roster is pretty stacked and SHOULD have been a playoff lock down the stretch. However, it is anything but stacked, anything but a playoff lock (oh the contrary, they're going to miss if they don't get that streak I got maligned for saying they needed weeks ago), and although they are no longer playing dreadful hockey like we saw against Edmonton, Jersey, and the first and second Pittsburgh game, they're still unable to do what it takes to win more often than not against the good teams (which is mostly who we play down the stretch, unluckily).
It's also unlucky that the East is stacked this year with both of the top 2 teams in the league, and the far and away better conference. Carolina is the team we USED to be, the band of misfits that played a team game and proved everyone wrong, and made a wild run to the playoffs (they will have the same end result, first round exit). But they are better than us and deserve their spot. Hats off to them. They'll be a team to be reckoned with for years to come (would have been even better this year if they kept Skinner).
It sucks. I admire the balls by Jarmo to go for it (even if I disagreed). But it just didn't work the way it was pictured. I don't think he should be fired, but I also don't think he should sign Duchene and risk our top 5-10 pick next year to try and salvage a sinking ship. If he signs Duchene, and we miss the playoffs next year, he should be fired. Tortorella meanwhile, should get the boot after this year. Someone has to pay for the failure.