One NY Rangers rival freefalls in Metro Division Power Ranking

Two months ago, I concocted some way-too-early power rankings, and as is often the case, viewpoints change at the drop of a hat. While you can be rest assured that, barring a major disappointing first week or so the NY Rangers will stick around the top of the Metro Division, I moved a few teams around since that previous power ranking. 

Hint: There was a surprise freefall, and one team that I wasn’t thrilled with early on I’ve since warmed up to, and Rangers fans may not like who that team is. Or the squad I put behind the No. 2 team. Anyway, let’s stop talking and start ranking, beginning with a trio of teams that should be either rebuilding or thinking about rebuilding. 

8 - Columbus Blue Jackets

For the Blue Jackets, it needs to be about identifying potential young stars and building the team around them. The new regime must be given a chance, and the fans need to see development this season and next without worrying about the overall points total. 

7 - Philadelphia Flyers

I may get some pushback for this one, considering the run we saw the Flyers embark on last season, but they have zero answers at goaltender. If this team proves to be one of the higher-scoring units, I’ll give them a chance, but that seems to be far from the case. 

6 - Pittsburgh Penguins

I get why they wanted to keep Sidney Crosby around, but the Penguins are putting themselves in danger of tarnishing the legacies of their Big Three. If I were Kyle Dubas, I would’ve pushed for a full rebuild instead of factoring this group in as a mid-tier squad in a best-case scenario. 

5 - Carolina Hurricanes

In July, I went rather easy on them, but here in October, I can’t get past the fact that the Hurricanes lost so much of their core talent. Not that they won’t be right there in playoff contention this season, but on paper, a few teams in the Metro look better to kick off the 2024-25 campaign. 

4 - Washington Capitals

The Capitals are one team you can argue that may not have as much talent as the Hurricanes when you look at both lineups. But extra motivation with Alex Ovechkin in constant pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s record, plus adding the right pieces to make this team better, should make 2024-25 an easier year than what they had last season.  

3 - New Jersey Devils

New coach, better team, more motivation. These are a few phrases I like to describe the New Jersey Devils with, and this is one team that could make fans forget last season even happened. That’s not limited to the Metro but the entire NHL. 

2 - New York Islanders

This team skyrocketed in my rankings after I was initially low on them, but complementary scoring and the same hard-hitting team should be what’s in store for fans again this season. Get Ilya Sorokin back into the net at full strength, and let his flashback to his Vezina contending days, and the Isles will have a strong contender. 

1 - New York Rangers

Hey, the 2023-24 Presidents’ Trophy winners are going nowhere in these rankings unless, as mentioned earlier, they blindside us with a dry spell. But even then, the NY Rangers are talented enough to bounce back and return to their winning ways.