NHL Hockey: Breakdown/Analysis of the Metropolitan Division

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NHL Hockey: Apr 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) and left wing Rick Nash (61) celebrate a goal by Stephan against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Puck Prose’s NHL Hockey Preview: Breaking down the Metropolitan Division with Andy Graziano of SportsNet New York

Welcome to the first of four articles in Puck Prose’s 2016-17 NHL hockey divisional preview! In this article, I break down the Metropolitan Division along with Andy Graziano of SportsNet New York. Andy is a columnist for Islanders Point Blank, part of the SNNY network. Now, let’s continue to the teams!

Carolina Hurricanes

Andy’s Thoughts: Carolina, perhaps quietly to some, finished 35-31-16 last year. They turn some of those overtime losses into wins, they’re a lot closer to the playoff picture. Cam Ward will have to live up to his 2 year/$6.6 million contract extension and will be the key to their fortunes this season. They also added Lee Stempniak and Bryan Bickell for veteran leadership and acquired dynamic Teuvo Teravainen on the cheap from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Aly’s Thoughts: This year, I believe the Hurricanes will take a step back from their 18th overall finish in 2015-16. Though their young defense, led by Justin Faulk, Jacob Slavin, Noah Hanifin and Brett Pesce, thrived last year, I believe some of the young defenders on the Hurricanes (pointedly Pesce and Slavin) will hit a speed bump in production. Other than Faulk, the Canes lack experience on the blue line.

Up front, however, is a different story. Jeff Skinner is looking to solidify himself as a 30-goal-scorer, Teuvo Teravainen is poised for a breakout season and Jordan Staal is starting to look like his old self. On the other end of the spectrum, we are still waiting for a breakout campaign from former fifth overall pick Elias Lindholm, and Eddie Lack backing up Cam Ward isn’t a playoff worthy goaltending duo.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Andy’s Thoughts: The only addition for the last place Blue Jackets is veteran forward Sam Gagner, not a great sign for a team that finished a disappointing 34-40-6. The biggest issue, however, was between the pipes, where the Jackets finished 29th in goals against. Brandon Saad, Cam Atkinson and Boone Jenner are solid, young forwards but if Sergei Bobrovsky posts another 2.75, .908 season, it won’t matter.

Aly’s Thoughts: The biggest bright spot on the Jackets is the defense core. Young guns Seth Jones, Ryan Murray, and Zach Werenski will all continue to develop this season. They will take some of the pressure off Bobrovsky to steal games in Ohio. Columbus also has a potential superstar on their hands in Pierre-Luc Dubois. Expect improvement but not a playoff berth this upcoming season.

New Jersey Devils

Andy’s Thoughts: Devils finished two games over .500 last year at 38-36-6. Could you imagine if they weren’t last in the league in goals scored? Cory Schneider is brilliant between the pipes and 30-goal man Kyle Palmieri returns with a contract extension in tow. Losing Adam Larsson will hurt but not as much as having Taylor Hall will help in what was the trade steal of the summer, if not the past five years.

Aly’s Thoughts: Unless GM Ray Shero is able to add a piece on defense, I don’t see the Devils contending in 2016-17. Adding Taylor Hall was a massive step forward for the offense, but losing Adam Larsson in that deal and trading Eric Gelinas to Colorado for a pick has shored up the depth in the back. Prospect Steve Santini will become a full-time defender in New Jersey this campaign, but can he be relied on to log top four minutes?

New York Islanders

Andy’s Thoughts: A summer of change in Brooklyn as three long-tenured Isles make their exit. Kyle Okposo is headed to Buffalo, Frans Nielsen to Detroit and Matt Martin to Toronto. Coming in are Andrew Ladd, P.A Parenteau, and Jason Chimera. They still have a goaltending glut to figure out, though. If Brock Nelson, Anders Lee and Strome step up and New York gets consistently good goaltending, as they did last year, this will be a solid hockey team again that should make the playoffs.

Aly’s Thoughts: Yes, the Isles lost two key players this offseason in Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen, and will be counting on improvement from youngsters Strome and Lee. But if those two step up their game, combined with the debut of top prospect Matthew Barzal and the addition of Andrew Ladd, expect Tavares & company to be right back in the playoffs.

New York Rangers

Andy’s Thoughts: Hard team to figure out, these new look Rangers. How good is Brandon Pirri, exactly? What will they get out of Jimmy Vesey, making a huge jump from the NCAA to the pro ranks? Does Michael Grabner have even 20 goals left in him? Can Nathan Gerbe stay healthy and how well does Mika Zibanejad replace the consistency of Derek Brassard? With Henrik Lundqvist in goal, they’re always in games but defensively, losing Keith Yandle and not adding anyone of significance on the blueline, they will be a mess.

Aly’s Thoughts: I’m loving the youth movement in New York. Pavel Buchnevich and Michael Grabner add speed to a Rangers roster that is growing in depth. Blueshirt fans no longer have to worry about their core in five years now that Mike Zibanijad and Jimmy Vesey have now been added to the roster. Concerns surround Dan Girardi and his albatross contract in the Big Apple, but top prospect Brady Skjei can take on a bigger role and GM Jeff Gorton can handle Girardi’s $5.5M cap hit for now. With elite goaltender Henrik Lundqvist likely having at least one more good year in him, expect the Rangers to contend once again this season.

Philadelphia Flyers

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Andy’s Thoughts: The Flyers were bailed out last year by Michal Neuvirth and Shayne Gostisbehere. With captain Claude Giroux having a down offensive year and Jakub Voracek falling off the pace with only 11 goals in 73 games, they still made the playoffs thanks to those two and the continued hard work of Wayne Simmonds.

They made their loudest noise this summer shocking the hockey world by giving Radko Gudas an extension for 4 years worth $13.5 million dollars. Yes, that Radko Gudas. This is still a dangerously talented hockey team that could make some noise given the right circumstances.

Aly’s Thoughts: The Flyers, Rangers, and Islanders will be battling for that third spot in the Metro division and there’s no reason to doubt this team. A rapidly improving blue line, headlined by rising star Shayne Ghostisbehere, is given another boost with the addition of rookie Ivan Provorov. Jakub Voracek should have a bounce-back year, and rookie Travis Konecny is a Calder dark horse. Goaltending is no longer a problem, as crease keepers Steve Mason and Michael Neuvirth had a great 2015-16 and are both entering a contract year.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Andy’s Thoughts: The Stanley Cup champions didn’t have to do much after turning on the afterburners post-Christmas and never looking back. The only question for this team moving forward is Marc-Andre Fleury or Matt Murray, a Stanley Cup champion in his rookie season? Crosby, Kessel, Malkin, Letang, Hornqvist. It’s a deep team that with good health, could repeat.

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Aly’s Thoughts: Sidney Crosby is looking pretty darn scary this season, and as long he’s on the Pens they are contenders. Let’s not forget that Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel are elite players as well. And we haven’t even got to Kris Letang. If the 29-year-old manages to stay healthy this season, a Norris Trophy may be in line.

If sophomores Conor Sheary, Scott Wilson, and Matt Murray improve in their second campaign, and defender Derrick Pouliot lives up to expectations in his rookie year, this Penguins team will be virtually unstoppable.

Washington Capitals

Andy’s Thoughts: Safe to say the Capitals are the NHL’s version of the old Buffalo Bills? Dynamic regular season followed by playoff failure. Wash, dry, repeat. 2nd in goals scored, 2nd in goals against, 5th on the power play, 2nd on the penalty kill. Alex Ovechkin back to his 50 goal ways, continued consistency of Niklas Backstrom, and the emergence of Evgeny Kuznetsov. Additions of T.J Oshie and Justin Williams. This year, they add Lars Eller. Will it ever be enough?

Next: Fantasy Hockey Primer: Projections, 30-Team Analysis

Aly’s Thoughts: Could this be the year the Caps win it all? It very well could be. The one thing Washington lacked last year was a net-front presence, and they felt they addressed that issue this summer by acquiring Lars Eller. The Capitals have great players at every position, all they need is a little bit of luck to be hoisting the Cup in June.

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