*answers may or may not be definitive
Carolina Hurricanes
Last year: 7th Metropolitan, no playoffs
Additions: Scott Darling (CHI-Trade), Josh Jooris (ARI-FA), Marcus Kruger (VGK-Trade), Trevor van Riemsdyk (VGK-Trade), Justin Williams (WSH-FA)
Departures: Eddie Lack (CGY-FA), Jay McClement (PIT-PTO), Andrej Nestrasil (KHL-FA)
The Good: The Hurricanes defense corps was one of the sneaky strong ones in the league heading into the off-season and they made sure to lock up key pieces by signing Pesce and Slavin to big extensions. They also were one of the few teams to really take advantage of the Golden Knights' desire to trade, acquiring Marcus Kruger and Trevor van Riemsdyk. They addressed their goaltending situation by trading for Scott Darling and surprised many by bringing back Justin Williams. Adding all this to a group that already included Jordan Staal, Justin Faulk, and Teuvo Teravainen, this team may just turn a few heads this season.
The Bad: This is still a team that finished near the Metro division cellar last season. They made some upgrades but also maintain the same core. The defense is widely viewed as one that will be one of the best in the league before too long, but if that's not this year, the 'Canes might not be able to keep up with the division's big boys. Jordan Staal has yet to top 20 goals since coming over from Pittsburgh and which Jeff Skinner is the real Jeff Skinner is still yet to be determined. If one Carolina can't get elite production from some of their top players, they may wind up down in the basement once again this year.
Prediction: 3rd Metropolitan
Columbus Blue Jackets
Last year: 3rd Metropolitan, lost in round 1
Additions: Artemi Panarin (CHI-Trade)
Departures: Sam Gagner (VAN-FA), Scott Hartnell (NSH-Bought-out), William Karlsson (VGK-Expansion), Kyle Quincey (MIN-FA), Brandon Saad (CHI-Trade)
The Good: Columbus shocked the hockey world by coming third in a powerful Metro last year. Head coach John Tortorella won the Jack Adams Award, Sergei Bobrovsky the Vezina, all was good. The Jackets bowed out in 5 games to the eventual champs but all things considered, 2016-17 was a rousing success for the Jackets. Break-out years by Cam Atkinson and Zach Werenski have rejuvenated the team. When you include Seth Jones on the blueline and the two-time Vezina winner in Bobrovsky, this team has some significant star power. Did I mention they now have Artemi Panarin?
The Bad: Do you see that dark cloud over the horizon? That's the storm of regression. Last year's Blue Jackets squad was 3rd in the league with a PDO of 1.020, they're due for a bit of a drop. Beyond Jones and Werenski, the defense looks weak. Even with Sergei Bobrovsky in the crease the forwards will need to be just as good, if not better than last season if they wish to remain relevant. Seeing as practically every Metro team made huge strides in the off-season, the Jackets may not be able to keep up with the rest of the division.
Prediction: 7th Metropolitan
New Jersey Devils
Last year: 8th Metropolitan, no playoffs
Additions: Brian Boyle (TOR-FA), Marcus Johansson (WSH-FA), Drew Stafford (BOS-FA), Brian Strait (WPG-FA)
Departures: Mike Cammalleri (LAK-Bought-out), Patrik Elias (Retired), Jon Merrill (VGK-Expansion), Devante Smith-Pelly (WSH-Bought-out)
The Good: The Devils were hoping to take a step forward last year but that was probably never much more than a pipe dream as even the addition of Taylor Hall wasn't going to be enough to keep pace in the Metro. The team has improved since then. Drafting Nico Hischier first overall and poaching Marucs Johansson from the Caps. If players like Zacha and Severson continue to improve and Adam Henrique and Travis Zajac provide the offense their capable of a bounce back season from Cory Schneider could help mask some of their defensive struggles and have them into the mix late into March.
The Bad: One pattern that has emerged in the Metro is teams that don't have many obvious flaws but who just aren't good enough. New Jersey is one of these teams. Yes, they have some depth and the Top 6 is better than some may think, but the reality is that even though they have some skill it takes a lot more than some skill to win in the NHL. The Devils made some savvy pickups over the summer, and are no doubt on the right track, but to suggest this team is ready to make some noise already is yet another pipe dream.
Prediction: 8th Metropolitan
New York Islanders
Last year: 5th Metropolitan, no playoffs
Additions: Jordan Eberle (EDM-Trade)
Departures: Jean-Francois Berube (VGK-Expansion), Mikhail Grabovski (VGK-Trade), Travis Hamonic (CGY-Trade), Ryan Strome (EDM-Trade)
The Good: After looking lifeless for most of the season, the Islanders finally showed signs of life under Doug Weight and nearly made the playoffs. They lost Travis Hamonic to Calgary in the off-season but the defense remains solid with Leddy, Hickey, and de Haan. John Tavares, while his impending free agency will remain an elephant in the room, he will continue to dominate the game from centre as few can. Jordan Eberle gives him a linemate with serious skill that he's been lacking ever since Matt Moulson left in free agency. With Andrew Ladd settling into his second season on Long Island, this group looks like they could crash the party in the Metro and return to the post-season after a one year hiatus.
The Bad: Another team that didn't really get worse but failed to make significant improvements. The Islanders, however, were much better than their record indicates, but they also weren't as good as their late season push may make them appear. Johnny Boychuk was acquired from Boston years ago with high hopes but those were largely unfair and, shockingly, never met. While the Top 6 should provide some offense, the Bottom 6 is aging and largely unskilled. Not to mention the less than stellar Halak-Greiss tandem in the net.
Prediction: 5th Metropolitan, 2nd Wildcard
New York Rangers
Last year: 4th Metropolitan (1st WC), lost in round 2
Additions: Anthony DeAngelo (ARI-Trade), David Desharnais (EDM-FA), Ondrej Pavelec (WPG-FA), Kevin Shattenkirk (WSH-FA)
Departures: Adam Clendning (ARI-Bought-out), Dan Girardi (TBL-Bought-out), Tanner Glass (FA), Oscar Lingberg (VGK-Expansion), Kevin Klein (Swiss-FA), Antti Raanta (Trade-ARI), Derek Stepan (ARI-Trade)
The Good: Last season, the Rangers blueline was more of a punchline across the league. They got better, though, when they acquired Brendan Smith from the Wings at the deadline, not only did they retain him, but they, as expected, landed Kevin Shattenkirk in free agency. They unloaded a few centres in Derek Stepan and Oscar Lindberg, via trade and the expansion draft respectively, in hopes that Zibanejad and some other younger forwards can step up. They still have Lundqvist in goal, which will always give them a shot. Beyond Stepan, the core remains intact with a few upgrades.
The Bad: Remember the dark cloud of regression over the Blue Jackets and Senators? Well the Rangers are directly in its path. They weren't quite as PDO driven as Columbus but were well above the Sens. They did make some improvements, but the Stepan trade looks like a bad one right now. If Mika Zibanejad can't become a number one centre, that could be disastrous. Their defense, even with Shattenkirk and Smith, is sub-par and if they can't be better than last year they may miss the playoffs altogether and finally break Henrik Lundqvist.
Prediction: 4th Metropolitan, 1st Wildcard
Philadelphia Flyers
Last year: 6th Metropolitan, no playoffs
Additions: Brian Elliott (CGY-FA), Jori Lehtera (STL-Trade)
Departures: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (VGK-Expansion), Nick Cousins (ARI-Trade), Michael Del Zotto (VAN-FA), Boyd Gordon (FA), Steve Mason (WPG-FA), Brayden Schenn (STL-Trade), Nick Schultz (FA), Chris VandeVelde (FA)
The Good: Philadelphia has taken the slow and steady approach under Ron Hextall and it got a huge boost by winning the second overall pick and scooping up Nolan Patrick. Jordan Weal and Travis Konecny have joined Giroux and Simmonds along with Sean Couturier as solid forwards for team that's still looking to find its footing in a crowded Metro. Shane Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov are both great young defenders. This team seems to have all the talent they'll need, its only a matter of time.
The Bad: Time. Ain't it a funny thing? Philly has done everything right but it seems that their timing couldn't have been worse. A group of young talent on cheap deals with some older players nearing the end of their primes is when teams are supposes to be at their peak. Instead, the Flyers are just hoping to squeak into the playoffs thanks to a strong Metro division. It also doesn't help that, beyond their Top 2, the defense is sketchy, with Brandon Manning and Radko Gudas being the only two who seem to have spots locked down beyond the two big guys. Goaltending probably got a bit better with the signing of Brian Elliott but it still won't be enough to make up for their minor shortcomings that will be exploited into gargantuan holes in this division.
Prediction: 6th Metropolitan
Pittsburgh Penguins
Last year: 2nd Metropolitan, won Stanley Cup
Additions: Matt Hunwick (TOR-FA), Antti Niemi (DAL-FA), Jay McClement (CAR-PTO), Ryan Reaves (STL-Trade)
Departures: Nick Bonino (NSH-FA), Matt Cullen (MIN-FA), Trevor Daley (DET-FA), Marc-Andre Fleury (VGK-Expansion), Ron Hainsey (TOR-FA), Chris Kunitz (TBL-FA), Mark Streit (MTL-FA)
The Good: The Penguins have won back-to-back Stanley Cups with largely the same core. A large portion of the supporting crew is now gone but the nucleus remains. Sidney Crosby is still one of the best players on the planet, Evgeni Malkin is not far behind. With Phil Kessel, Kris Letang, and Matt Murray, this team would be good even with average depth. Factor in Hagelin, Rust, Maatta, Schultz, Guentzel, etc. and its obvious why this team has a chance to be the first team to three-peat since the New York Islanders dynasty in the 80s.
The Bad: How deep are they really? Matt Hunwick isn't really an ideal defender on a top team, Guentzel will have to prove he wasn't just a flash in the pan, and while they've always had great goaltending depth, they now have to hope Antti Niemi can be a capable backup with Fleury gone. The core is aging and haven't really been known for their durability. This season could very well be the beginning of the end for a mini-dynasty that has had success for a decade in a parity driven league.
Prediction: 1st Metropolitan
Washington Capitals
Last year: 1st Metropolitan, lost in round 2
Additions: Alex Chiasson (CGY-PTO), Tyler Graovac (MIN-Trade), Devante Smith-Pelly (NJD-FA)
Departures: Karl Alzner (MTL-FA), Nate Schmidt (VGK-Expansion), Kevin Shattenkirk (NYR-FA), Justin Williams (CAR-FA), Daniel Winnik (FA)
The Good: Much like the Penguins, this team has maintained the same group that has had success the past two seasons. While it may be true that they lost in round 2 in back-to-back years, both times were to the eventual champions, although that's not really much consolation for Caps fans. Alex Ovechkin should be able to bounce back as he always does. They managed to keep TJ Oshie, meanwhile Evgeny Kuznetsov and Andre Burakovsky continue to look like absolute studs. John Carlson is a solid blueliner and it doesn't look like we've even seen Dmitry Orlov's full potential yet. Match this with Braden Holtby's solid play in net year after year, this team has every reason to expect more of the same, in the regular season at least.
The Bad: Is the defense bad? I think the defense might be bad. As much as Karl Alzner is trashed on he was a solid defender that will be missed. Nate Schmidt looked like a real up and coming star until they were forced to turn him over to the Golden Knights. Kevin Shattenkirk may not have been very good in red but he leaves a hole nonetheless. Washington fans might be seeing a lot more of Brooks Orpik than they had hoped for this year.
Prediction: 2nd Metropolitan
Predicted Standings:
- Pittsburgh
- Washington
- Carolina
- NY Rangers
- NY Islanders
- Philadelphia
- Columbus
- New Jersey
In a division with as much star power as this one, the top players will have lots of influence. While it remains true that an injured or slumping star would have a negative impact on any team, it would seem that in the Metro, it would be more drastically pronounced.
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