by Sean Murphy
Wednesday, Sep 27, 2023The NHL preseason is underway and the puck drops for real on the 2023-24 season in two weeks. As we march toward Opening Night on October 10th, I'll run through quick previews of all 32 teams. Here's a look at the Metropolitan Division.
Odds to win division courtesy Draft Kings.
Carolina Hurricanes (+180)
It appeared the Hurricanes were well on their way to a Stanley Cup Final appearance during a deep playoff run last Spring but the Cinderella Panthers had other ideas. Hopes are once again sky-high in Raleigh as Carolina loads up for another run at Lord Stanley's Cup. The Canes cleared out a number of aging players in the offseason including Max Pacioretty, Shayne Gostisbehere, Paul Stastny and Derek Stepan, replacing them with upgrades virtually across the board with the likes of Michael Bunting, Dmitry Orlov and former teammate Tony DeAngelo. Shoring up the blue line was paramount as Carolina's netminding duo of Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta isn't getting any younger. A return to health for Andrei Svechnikov is critical and all indications are that he'll be ready to go at the start of the season.
New Jersey Devils (+240)
The Devils rebuild is beginning to pay dividends as they enter the 23-24 season as serious contenders for the Metropolitan Division title after falling just short last Spring. While they didn't make a big splash in free agency, they didn't necessarily have to as the pieces are already in place to take another step forward this season. GM Tom Fitzgerald has done a tremendous job building a roster dotted with young, emerging superstars surrounded by veteran talent. One are of concern could be between the pipes where Akira Schmid enjoyed a breakout postseason. The jury is still out as to whether he can do it over the course of an 82-game season. Veteran Vitek Vanecek remains on board as well but you have to wonder where his confidence level is at after a brutal playoff showing.
New York Rangers (+330)
As is seemingly the case every single year, the Rangers talent is good enough to match up with any team in the league, let alone their own division. A new era will begin this season with Peter Laviolette taking over behind the bench. While Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane are two big name rentals that moved on in the offseason, neither made much of a splash in the Big Apple down the stretch last season. The Blueshirts only tinkered with their roster this Summer and the result is a consistent core that should shine for Laviolette right out of the gates. Of course, New York also has arguably the best goalie in the world in Igor Shesterkin who you have to figure is in line for a bounce-back season after recording only average numbers in 22-23 (.916 save percentage and 2.48 goals against average).
Pittsburgh Penguins (+700)
The Penguins won the Erik Karlsson sweepstakes, bringing on another veteran that can still produce, as he proved during a massive renaissance campaign in 22-23. This could be Pittsburgh's last kick at the can for a while, so to speak, with Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang - the core three - all nearing the end of their respective careers. Few teams underwent more of an overhaul during the offseason than the Pens, largely due to GM Kyle Dubas coming over from Toronto and putting his stamp on the roster immediately. The issue is, most of the players Dubas brought in, aside from Karlsson, aren't likely to move the needle very much. The Metropolitan Division as a whole remains crowded at the top and you have to wonder whether Pittsburgh has enough gas in the tank to contend over the course of 82 games.
New York Islanders (+1500)
Despite a lukewarm showing in 22-23, the Islanders did little (virtually nothing, in fact) to bolster their roster heading into the 23-24 campaign. Needless to say, GM Lou Lamiorello is banking on New York's veteran core to lead it back to the promised land. It's not as if the Isles are void of talent. They boast top-end scorers including Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat and do have some young players ready to contribute as well. That's not to mention the fact that they're set in goal with Ilya Sorokin in the conversation with Igor Shesterkin for world's best. It's unlikely Lamiorello will stand pat should the Isles be in contention come March and he does have plenty of draft capital at his disposal to make a splash at the trade deadline if necessary.
Washington Capitals (+3000)
How the mighty have fallen. It doesn't seem like that long ago that the Capitals were drinking out of the Stanley Cup and now here they are staring up from the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. The list of offseason acquisitions in the nation's capital is short and less than impactful. Ovie's chase for the NHL goal-scoring record will be the most interesting story in Washington this season. Anything can happen of course and franchise fortunes do have a tendency to change on short notice. With that being said, the cupboard isn't particularly well-stocked and a fire sale may not be far off should things go south early in the season.
Philadelphia Flyers (+13000)
Remember when the Flyers came roaring out of the gates last season? It was all downhill from there as Philadelphia was predictably one of the league's worst teams. It's tough to envision a path back to respectability this season with a number of veterans sent packing and not much coming back in return. GM Daniel Briere will be given plenty of time to get things sorted in the City of Brotherly Love, even if it doesn't sit particularly well with the Broad Street faithful. Expect another year of subtle tanking in an effort to gain additional draft capital after selecting future game-changer Matvei Michkov with the seventh overall selection in this past June's Entry Draft.
Columbus Blue Jackets (+18000)
It's been a tumultuous stretch for the Blue Jackets as a franchise. First there was the questionable hiring of polarizing head coach Mike Babcock, followed by his subsequent resignation months later. The team will turn over the reins to former Assistant Coach Pascal Vincent and that can only be seen as a positive, surely from the players' perspective. First round draft pick Adam Fantilli has already made a splash at training camp with some predicting that he'll push Connor Bedard in the Calder Trophy race this season. I would suggest pumping the brakes on that notion but do think Fantilli can make an impact right away. With little talent heading out the door and a much-needed blue line boost in the form of Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson, Columbus is in good position to perhaps climb the Metropolitan Division ranks before the turn of the New Year.
Odds to win division courtesy Draft Kings.
Carolina Hurricanes (+180)
It appeared the Hurricanes were well on their way to a Stanley Cup Final appearance during a deep playoff run last Spring but the Cinderella Panthers had other ideas. Hopes are once again sky-high in Raleigh as Carolina loads up for another run at Lord Stanley's Cup. The Canes cleared out a number of aging players in the offseason including Max Pacioretty, Shayne Gostisbehere, Paul Stastny and Derek Stepan, replacing them with upgrades virtually across the board with the likes of Michael Bunting, Dmitry Orlov and former teammate Tony DeAngelo. Shoring up the blue line was paramount as Carolina's netminding duo of Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta isn't getting any younger. A return to health for Andrei Svechnikov is critical and all indications are that he'll be ready to go at the start of the season.
New Jersey Devils (+240)
The Devils rebuild is beginning to pay dividends as they enter the 23-24 season as serious contenders for the Metropolitan Division title after falling just short last Spring. While they didn't make a big splash in free agency, they didn't necessarily have to as the pieces are already in place to take another step forward this season. GM Tom Fitzgerald has done a tremendous job building a roster dotted with young, emerging superstars surrounded by veteran talent. One are of concern could be between the pipes where Akira Schmid enjoyed a breakout postseason. The jury is still out as to whether he can do it over the course of an 82-game season. Veteran Vitek Vanecek remains on board as well but you have to wonder where his confidence level is at after a brutal playoff showing.
New York Rangers (+330)
As is seemingly the case every single year, the Rangers talent is good enough to match up with any team in the league, let alone their own division. A new era will begin this season with Peter Laviolette taking over behind the bench. While Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane are two big name rentals that moved on in the offseason, neither made much of a splash in the Big Apple down the stretch last season. The Blueshirts only tinkered with their roster this Summer and the result is a consistent core that should shine for Laviolette right out of the gates. Of course, New York also has arguably the best goalie in the world in Igor Shesterkin who you have to figure is in line for a bounce-back season after recording only average numbers in 22-23 (.916 save percentage and 2.48 goals against average).
Pittsburgh Penguins (+700)
The Penguins won the Erik Karlsson sweepstakes, bringing on another veteran that can still produce, as he proved during a massive renaissance campaign in 22-23. This could be Pittsburgh's last kick at the can for a while, so to speak, with Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang - the core three - all nearing the end of their respective careers. Few teams underwent more of an overhaul during the offseason than the Pens, largely due to GM Kyle Dubas coming over from Toronto and putting his stamp on the roster immediately. The issue is, most of the players Dubas brought in, aside from Karlsson, aren't likely to move the needle very much. The Metropolitan Division as a whole remains crowded at the top and you have to wonder whether Pittsburgh has enough gas in the tank to contend over the course of 82 games.
New York Islanders (+1500)
Despite a lukewarm showing in 22-23, the Islanders did little (virtually nothing, in fact) to bolster their roster heading into the 23-24 campaign. Needless to say, GM Lou Lamiorello is banking on New York's veteran core to lead it back to the promised land. It's not as if the Isles are void of talent. They boast top-end scorers including Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat and do have some young players ready to contribute as well. That's not to mention the fact that they're set in goal with Ilya Sorokin in the conversation with Igor Shesterkin for world's best. It's unlikely Lamiorello will stand pat should the Isles be in contention come March and he does have plenty of draft capital at his disposal to make a splash at the trade deadline if necessary.
Washington Capitals (+3000)
How the mighty have fallen. It doesn't seem like that long ago that the Capitals were drinking out of the Stanley Cup and now here they are staring up from the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. The list of offseason acquisitions in the nation's capital is short and less than impactful. Ovie's chase for the NHL goal-scoring record will be the most interesting story in Washington this season. Anything can happen of course and franchise fortunes do have a tendency to change on short notice. With that being said, the cupboard isn't particularly well-stocked and a fire sale may not be far off should things go south early in the season.
Philadelphia Flyers (+13000)
Remember when the Flyers came roaring out of the gates last season? It was all downhill from there as Philadelphia was predictably one of the league's worst teams. It's tough to envision a path back to respectability this season with a number of veterans sent packing and not much coming back in return. GM Daniel Briere will be given plenty of time to get things sorted in the City of Brotherly Love, even if it doesn't sit particularly well with the Broad Street faithful. Expect another year of subtle tanking in an effort to gain additional draft capital after selecting future game-changer Matvei Michkov with the seventh overall selection in this past June's Entry Draft.
Columbus Blue Jackets (+18000)
It's been a tumultuous stretch for the Blue Jackets as a franchise. First there was the questionable hiring of polarizing head coach Mike Babcock, followed by his subsequent resignation months later. The team will turn over the reins to former Assistant Coach Pascal Vincent and that can only be seen as a positive, surely from the players' perspective. First round draft pick Adam Fantilli has already made a splash at training camp with some predicting that he'll push Connor Bedard in the Calder Trophy race this season. I would suggest pumping the brakes on that notion but do think Fantilli can make an impact right away. With little talent heading out the door and a much-needed blue line boost in the form of Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson, Columbus is in good position to perhaps climb the Metropolitan Division ranks before the turn of the New Year.
