Ahhhh... And now the veterans chime in with thier predictions. Very nice boys and girls, please keep it coming!!!
One thing I have learned in the many years I have spent following this team, never ever set your expectation too high as you invariably will just set yourself up for epic disappointment. It seems every year there is a sense of optimism before the start of the season, it is met by crushing reality that you in fact suck. However, some of our best seasons came right after a terrible season, so if you want to cling to hope...there it is.
I think that the team has a lot of quality on the books, i thought that last year as well. But as long as that talent is being managed by Hans Backe I just don't see them winning anything in 2012. The man has done nothing since Richie Williams (IMO the real brains behind 2010) was fired except underachieve and lose his locker room.
I see this team as having trademark inconsistency and a season where we should walk into the playoffs being left late. 3rd to 4th place in the East I think is a reasonable expectation based on personnel and management.
As for the playoffs, tradition tells me its out in the quarterfinals again.
To me the key is can Backe actually manage a team, his players personalities, and their minutes enough and motivate enough to get them to win at a pace our talent on paper suggests. Given I am selling Backe, my expectation is obvious.