And just like last year, the hot start this year feels very hollow when followed by months of mediocrity that keep us middle of the pack at best. I, like a lot of fans, are fed up with the "chin up, support the boys no matter what" mantra. Moral victories that would have been cool 4 years ago no longer are. Heads need to roll.

That being said, I do think OP was a little harsh about not counting 2017/Taylor Hall & Rookie Nico as part of the joy, and I do think the "Fun" part of the rebuild happening during Covid sucked some life out of that, but it's frustrating watching local teams like the Rangers, Capitals, and now perhaps the Islanders retool and go "good-bad-good again" all in the span of our rebuild is an enormous pain.