The Metropolitan Division definitely has its strengths and weaknesses, just like any other division in the league. However, there can only be one division champion. So, here are my predictions for how the teams in this division stack up against each other for the upcoming season:
Probable Division Champions: New York Rangers
After an underwhelming start to last season, the Rangers finished the second half of the season strongly. When the season ended, they had 96 points, good enough for second place in the division. From there, they went on to defeat rivals Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in rounds one and two of the playoffs respectively, before facing off against the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Finals. After defeating Montreal in six games, they took one last step towards their toughest task yet: the Los Angeles Kings. In what turned out to be a thrilling Stanley Cup Final, the Rangers fell to the Kings in five games, but they proved that they weren’t just a fluke. In those five games, they took the Kings to overtime three times, with two of those being double overtime games. Now, with a new season ahead of them, they must forget the past and look towards the future. First, they must find a way to replace the depth that they have lost. With Brian Boyle, Anton Stralman, Brad Richards and Benoit Pouliot all leaving via free agency or amnesty buyout, it will be hard to replace them. After bringing in Dan Boyle, Tanner Glass and Lee Stempniak, all established NHL players, it does help a bit, but not to the extent that the Rangers need to recapture their depth scoring, especially down the middle.
This is where the young guns come in.
Now, usually the Rangers aren’t known for relying on young talent, but they may have to this year. With the injury to Derek Stepan, Kevin Hayes and JT Miller will probably both get a chance to play center early in the season. That leaves even more spots to be filled by youngsters like Ryan Haggerty and Anthony Duclair. Haggerty will probably be sent down to the Hartford Wolfpack, but management feels that Duclair can help them now. At only 19 years of age, Duclair will truly have to be at his best if he is to stay. With three goals and two assists during the preseason, he is certainly making a case for himself.
Most Likely to Contend for Top Spot: Pittsburgh Penguins
After another disappointing playoff exit last year, the Penguins fired head coach Dan Bylsma and general manager Ray Shero this past offseason. With two of the best players in the world in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins should expect better than what they are getting. With the offseason departures of Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik, the Penguins are left scrambling a bit on the back-end. Sure, Kris Letang can step back up and take Niskanen’s role if he can stay healthy, but who can take Orpik’s spot? He was a quality shutdown defenseman who played against other teams’ top players. Yes, the Penguins did sign Christian Ehrhoff to a one year deal, but he can’t replace Orpik. So, the Penguins really don’t have a top shutdown defenseman that they can rely on to stop players like Alex Ovechkin and John Tavares. Also, with James Neal being traded to Nashville for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spalling, look for Hornqvist to be used on the top line along side Sidney Crosby. Sure, Hornqvist is not nearly the goal scorer that Neal is, but Sid the Kid can make anyone look good if he wanted to.
Their biggest problem is their last line of defense: Marc Andre Fleury. Every year the analysts say that he will look to bounce back from last year’s playoff meltdown, but it doesn’t seem to happen. He had a three games to one lead on the Rangers last year and he basically just threw it back at them. With that being said, and Fleury being in the last year of his contract, they should look to trade him. If he starts to slip in the beginning of the season, don’t think that new coach Mike Johnston or new GM Jim Rutherford will hesitate to sit him or send him packing.
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Team that Finishes Last: Carolina Hurricanes
There is no real debate that needs to go on here.
After finishing second to last in the division last year, and with the New York Islanders getting better, Carolina will fall into the cellar this year. In order for Carolina to even be considered for a playoff spot, both Eric Staal and Cam Ward will have to have the best seasons of their careers. However, if Ward loses the starting job to last season’s starter Anton Khudobin, don’t expect any fireworks from this team. Staal, however, can have a bounce back season. He is an extremely talented center who can make plays with his great vision and passing skills. However, without Jeff Skinner on his left side, he really doesn’t have a high talented winger (other than Alexander Semin) to play with. Also, other than Adrej Sekera on defense, they don’t have a top two defenseman. With the problems in-goal and, in fact, everywhere on the ice, fans of the Hurricanes shouldn’t expect anything huge from their team.
Predicted Division Rankings
1. New York Rangers
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Columbus Blue Jackets
4. Philadelphia Flyers
5. Washington Capitals
6. New York Islanders
7. New Jersey Devils
8. Carolina Hurricanes
So, there you have it. Where do you think your team will finish? Leave your comments below!