2019-20 NHL predictions: Standings, awards, and playoffs
By Mary Clarke
The Metropolitan Division
- Washington Capitals
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Philadelphia Flyers
- New Jersey Devils
- New York Rangers
- New York Islanders
- Columbus Blue Jackets
The Metropolitan Division underwent some major changes in the offseason. Both the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft landed in the Metro — in the New York metropolitan area no less — and a handful of big name talents swapped teams, bringing a bit of a power shift to the division.
The biggest team that’ll take a hit will be the Blue Jackets, who have lost offensive powerhouses Artemi Panarin and Matt Duchene and former starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. The Islanders are also likely to see a drop off after a surprising surge in the 2018-19 season.
The Devils and Rangers both had major offseason acquisitions, as New Jersey traded for stalwart blue liner P.K. Subban and signed former Flyer Wayne Simmonds while New York added defenseman Jacob Trouba and the aforementioned forward Panarin. However, the Devils’ did not address their lackluster goaltending and the Rangers too are facing a bit of goaltending turbulence as Henrik Lundqvist gets another year older.
The Flyers had a lot of turnover over in the last season, but with a full season of Carter Hart in net and the addition of Kevin Hayes to their top six, the team looks to be improved. One can’t count out a Penguins team with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the roster, despite their loss of Phil Kessel and a so-so looking defensive core.
Washington taking the top spot of the division shouldn’t be a surprise considering their talent, but look for the Hurricanes to make a push as a legitimate contender this season with their veteran forward core and up-and-coming defensive front.