As we approach the beginning of the 2022-2023 regular season, we look at where the teams in the Metropolitan Division. This is to go in reverse order from worst to best.
8. Philadelphia Flyers
What a mess. Simply. They have the right coach for the team that was here years ago, and the team now is being prepared for 5-7 years into the future. The Flyers have added Tony DeAngelo on their defense and Nicolas Deslauriers on their offense, adding grit and aggression to both ends of their roster. Cam Atkinson is their best Pure goal scorer, otherwise they don’t have much else.
Joel Farabee—Sean Couturier—Cam Atkinson James van Reimsdyk—Kevin Hayes—Travis Konecny Scott Laughton—Bobby Brink—Owen Tippett Nic Deslauriers—Patrick Brown—Zach MacEwen
Ivan Provorov—Anthony DeAngelo Travis Sanhiem—Rasmus Ristalonen Cam York—Justin Braun
Carter Hart Felix Sandstrom
Injured— Ryan Ellis
7. New Jersey Devils
The league balance has impacted the New Jersey Devils, as they have added Ondrej Palat, Brendan Smith, John Marino, and Vitek Vanacek to add veteran experience to help their youth out. Simon Nemec and Luke Hughes will be a dynamic duo in the coming years, but their defense is their biggest issue. Goaltending has gotten a longer stronger, and will be proven this year with VV.
Ondrej Palat—Jack Hughes—Jesper Bratt Andreas Johnsson—Nico Hischer—Tomas Tatar Miles Wood—Erik Haula—Dawson Mercer Jesper Boqvist—Michael McLeod—Yegor Sharangovich
Ryan Graves—Dougie Hamilton Jonas Sigenthaler—Joh Marino Brendan Graves—Damon Severson
Vitek Vancek Mackenzie Blackwood
6. Columbus Blue Jackets
The bell of the ball and prize of the summer made the shocking surprise decision to sign the with the Columbus Blue Jackets— Johnny Gaudreau. With him signing here, this put the team on the map for contention. Gaudreau. Laine. There’s goal scoring contention in Columbus. However, this team is not ready yet with the strength of the veteran teams in the surrounding cities.
Johnny Gaudreau—Cole Sillinger—Patrik Laine Jakub Voracek—Jack Roslovic—Gustav Nyquist Yegor Chinakov—Boone Jenner—Kirill Marchenko Eric Robinson—Sean Kuraly—Emil Bemstrom
Zach Werenski—Erik Gubdranson Vladislav Gavrikov—Andrew Peeke Jake Bean—Adam Boqvist
Elvis Merzlikins Jonas Korpisalo
5. New York Rangers
This team got weaker fast after losing Ryan Strome, Frank Vatrano, Andrew Copp, Tyler Motte, and Alex Georgiev at the snap of their fingers. After massively overachieving last season, there will be a regression back to mediocrity.
Artemi Panarin—Mika Zibanejad—Kappo Kakko Chris Kreider—Vincent Throchek—Sammy Blias Alexis Lafereniere—Filip Chytil—Vitaly Kravtsov Barclay Goodrow—Ryan Carpenter—Ryan Reaves
Ryan Lindgren—Adam Fox K’Andre Miller—Jacob Trouba Zac Jones—Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin Jaroslav Halak
And making the playoffs as the first Wild Card:
4. New York Islanders
The sad story of 2022 will rise into contention with an offensive system going into 2023. Alexander Romanov is a steal out of Montreal. Lane Lambert’s system will work being the player coach he has been behind Tortz. They will be the first wild card
Andres Lee—Matt Barzal—Kyle Palmieri Anthony Beauviller—Brock Nelson—Josh Bailey Zach Parise—Jean-Gabriel Pageau—Oliver Whalstrom Matt Martin—Casey Cizkas—Cal Clutterbuck
Adam Pelech—Ryan Pulock Alex Romanov—Noah Dobson Dennis Cholowski—Scott Mayfield
Ilya Sorokin Semyon Varlamov
And the top of the Division is:
3. Washington Capitals
Even without the services of Nicklas Backstrom and Carl Hagelin, the Capitals still have a number one center in Evgney Kuznetsov, while gambling on younger centers including Dylan Strome, Henrik Borgstrom, Connor McMichael, and Hendrix Lapierre to fulfill the losses offensively. The Capitals have revamped their goaltending to accelerate their window to now, and have that in Darcy Kuemper fresh off his Cup win with Colorado.
Alex Ovechkin—Evgney Kuznetsov—Connor Brown Anthony Mantha—Dylan Strome—TJ Oshie Connor Sheary—Lars Eller—Marcus Johansson Henrik Borgstrom—Nic Dowd—Garnet Hathaway
Martin Fehervary—John Carlson Dimitry Orlov—Nick Jensen Erik Gustafsson—Trevor van Reimsdyk
Darcy Kuemper Charlie Lindgren
Injured— Nick Backstrom, Carl Hagelin, Tom Wilson
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins are all in with the veteran rush for a hope to get Crosby, Malkin, and Letang their 4th cup. The Penguins have added Jeff Petry to bolster their right side, and Ty Smith to their left. The Penguins’ biggest worry is their age, though it is difficult to go against Sidney Crosby. Tristian Jarry continues to be average, and it appears to be enough for the roster constructed by Hextall and company.
Jake Guentzel—Sidney Crosby—Bryan Rust Jason Zucker—Evgeni Malkin—Richard Rakell Brock McGinn—Jeff Carter—Kasperi Kapanen Ryan Phoeling—Danton Heinen—Teddy Bleuger
Brian Dummolin—Kris Letang Ty Smith—Jeff Petry Marcus Petterson—Chad Ruhwedel
Tristian Jarry Casey DeSmith
1. Carolina Hurricanes
After stealing players off the open market, the Hurricanes have solidified a top scoring winger, a middle six center; and a top 4 defenseman for Pennies on the dollar. They have the right coach system and players. This is your 2023 Stanley Cup winner.
Teuvo Terrivainen-Sebastian Aho—Andrei Svechinkov Jesperi Kotkniemi—Martin Necas—Seth Jarvis Ryan Dzingel—Paul Stastny—Ondrej Kase Jordan Martinook—Jordan Staal—Jesper Fast
Jacob Slavin—Brent Burns Brady Skeji—Brett Pesce Ethan Bear—Dylan Coghlan
Frederik Andersen Antti Raanta
Injured— Jake Gardiner, Max Paccioretty
In summary, this is where the Metropolitan ranks:
1. Carolina Hurricanes 2. Pittsburgh Penguins 3. Washington Capitals 4. New York Islanders (WC) 5. New York Rangers 6. Columbus Blue Jackets 7. New Jersey Devils 8. Philadelphia Flyers
What are your thoughts of the Metropolitan Division? More to come…