2022-2023 NHL Season Preview: Metropolitan Division

As already mentioned, there are three teams that I don’t see as threats to win this division or even challenge for a playoff spot.

In eighth place, I’m looking at the Flyers, just like last season. John Tortorella is behind the bench this year, and while he will bring NHL experience and a commanding personality to Philadelphia, I think that his coaching style is outdated and relatively ineffective.

Overall, Philly just doesn’t have the skill necessary to be a strong team, and being forced to go without forward Sean Couturier at the start of the season will not help the cause.

In seventh place, I’m anticipating the Islanders to continue their descent. I know it wasn’t long ago that the Isles were making back-to-back appearances in the Eastern Conference Final, but having fired head coach Barry Trotz, this will be a much different team.

Yes, New York hired from within, so in theory, Trotz’s system will still be alive and well. However, Lane Lambert has never been an NHL head coach, much less won the Jack Adams Award or the Stanley Cup.

Of course, the Islanders don’t have much offensive weaponry, and they made no efforts to change that this offseason. As a result, this team will meet a fate similar to the one they met a year ago.

Finishing in sixth but not anywhere close to a playoff spot are the New Jersey Devils. Ondrej Palat signed in free agency after two Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and goaltender Vitek Vanecek will now man the crease for New Jersey.

If any of these three teams have the potential to challenge for a playoff spot, it’s the Devils. If their young stars can get going, there’s a chance that this group could surprise people, but I don’t see them making large enough strides.