Looking back at our pre-season predictions

Only one person got the Cup winner correct.

Every year ahead of the season, we put on our thinking caps, review the stats, the moves, the rosters, and fling some darts to make our predictions on the upcoming season. Some in the past have gone well, others went off the board, and some voters were just giant homers (hi).

Most of the predictions are Leafs focused, so we could have made this review months ago for pointing and laughing purposes, but there were picks that relate to last night’s game so we waited. Now, let’s take a look at how overconfident we were.

Only Arvind was close on all three spaces, nailing two of them dead on and being just off on the Conference finish. Brigs went full homer by naming the Maple Leafs number one in the East, ahead of the Lightning, and just one spot behind the Presidents’ Trophy.

Once again, Arvind was the most realistic person voting, and the only one to put the Leafs under 50 wins. He was off by one win and three goals for; but overestimated the defence. Katya came close to getting the goals for dead on, and Brigs guessed the Leafs would let in four more goals than they did. He went over, though, and will not take home the showcase.

This is always a more fun one to predict. Leivo was an easy one to pick as he wasn’t a Babcock favourite. Katya was the only one to pick Carrick, and Species had Pickard leaving, just not on waivers. Kevin had that first on it’s way out and I’m reminded Andrew Nielsen was a thing.

We were all way off, and I’m surprised no one picked ‘blow a first round series lead to the Bruins’ as a worst case scenario, because I think I’d have rather missed the playoffs than lose to the Bruins.

Fulemin nailed the worst outcome though, it’s just taking longer than expected.

I didn’t get what I wanted, Katya got lots of fun, Arvind was close to nailing all three predictions again. Kevin, Fulemin, Brigs, and Hardev were all disappointed, Species got himself a restraining order, nafio was correct, and Annie got what she wanted on both fronts.

First of all, Kevin and Arvind are dead to me.

Second of all, Katya was the only one to pick the Blues going to final, then she picked them to win it all over a team that wears black and gold. 2/3rds of the final correct isn’t too shabby.

Third of all, we’re a bunch of damn homers and proud of it.

Losers

I knew in my heart deep down it would be the Senators taking home the Gil Stein Award for worst team in the league, but I wanted it to be HOCKEYTOWN™ because they deserve it for that nickname they gave themselves.

We made predictions about the NHL awards as well, but we’ll review those next week after the ceremony.

For now, I leave you with this parting gift.