2025-26 NHL Preview: Metropolitan Division (+ Awards/Postseason Predictions)

I'm finishing with the Metropolitan Division, namely because I'm a Hurricanes fan and want to talk about every other team before talking about mine, since I'm very excited about what this season could hold for them. The Metro had a rough season in 2024-25. They failed to secure a Wild Card spot and were the only division without multiple teams reaching 100 points, though the Hurricanes finished with 99. The division appears to be back on the upward path after a decent offseason for most parties involved. 

• The Rangers win the division (New York finished 5th in the division and missed the playoffs by 6 points)
• Washington finishes 7th in the division (the Capitals won the division by 12 points)
• Columbus finishes last (they finished 4th, missing the playoffs by 2 points)
• The Flyers finish 5th in the division (they finished last)

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

While it has felt like the end of an era for the last three seasons, it really feels that way now. After a third straight season outside of the playoffs, the stars of yesteryear are on their final legs. The team already announced that Evgeni Malkin won't be a Penguin beyond this year, bringing his run with the team to an end as the 3rd-highest scorer in franchise history. Rumors surrounding Sidney Crosby's future have been swirling for years, but they're at their loudest now, despite attempts to keep them at bay. They're an old team that is trying to do everything it can to return to its former glory for one last run. It simply isn't happening. While I don't think Crosby will be traded before the end of the season, I don't see them coming close to the playoffs.

7. New York Islanders

Despite a 6th place finish in the division last season, the New York Islanders received a massive boost when they jumped to the 1st pick in the draft at last June's lottery. With this pick, they selected Matthew Schaefer, who is being positioned to take over for Noah Dobson after his departure hours earlier to the Montreal Canadiens. On paper, this isn't a terrible team up front. They have several good pieces to their forward group, though they're teetering on the older side. Scoring was an issue at times, finishing 27th in goals scored last season. Their goalie tandem also tends to be reliable, anchored by Ilya Sorokin. Where this team feels light is on defense. Losing Dobson is a bigger loss short term than Schaefer is likely to fill as a rookie, though it should get better with time. I think the team's in front of them are a little more dangerous in all areas, but the Islanders will return to prominence soon.

6. Philadelphia Flyers

If there's a team that I think can overachieve in the Metro this season, it's the Philadelphia Flyers. After finishing at the bottom of the pile last season, they made a huge addition this offseason by trading for Trevor Zegras, who only serves to make them more dangerous offensively. With Matvei Michkov getting another year older and plenty of leaders on the team, the Flyers can cause serious issues. The concern will be in the crease. Samuel Ersson took a massive step back during his second season as the Flyers' starter. They brought in Dan Vladar to help stabilize the net, but he doesn't move the needle much in making me think they're a better unit in the crease. Their defense, as a whole, leaves a lot to be desired, and I don't think this is a team that can really outscore its defensive woes. I don't think they're knocking on the door yet, but the Flyers might be walking up the driveway.

5. Columbus Blue Jackets

Turning one of the most unexpected tragedies into one of the best stories of the 2024-25 season, the Columbus Blue Jackets showed themselves to be legitimate threats to make the postseason a year ago. While they fell short by the end of the campaign, they earned a lot of respect from others around the league. They only missed the second Wild Card by two points. Anchored by Norris runner-up Zach Werenski and a breakout season from Kirill Marchenko, the Blue Jackets were one of the 10 best offenses in the league. We know they can score. However, their defense is what held them back. I see that being their biggest issue again this season. Elvis Merzlikins can be great in spurts, but he hasn't been at that level in almost five years. Ivan Fedotov is a considerable downgrade from Daniil Tarasov, who they traded to Florida, and Jet Greaves, while excellent in a limited sample size last season, it yet to prove himself. Unlike the Flyers, the Blue Jackets are capable of outscoring their defensive inefficiencies. If they didn't have to, they would be terrifying.

4. New York Rangers*

If the Predators were the most disappointing team in the league a season ago, the New York Rangers were a close second. Going from the President's Trophy in 2023-24 to out of the playoffs in 2024-25 signaled a disatrous fall from grace. All of the players who'd sported career seasons two years ago came crashingt back down to Earth. JT Miller, who they re-acquired last January, finished 7th on their team in scoring despite only playing 32 games. Igor Shesterkin couldn't do it all, facing the most shots of any goalie in the league. With last year behind them, it's time for them to move forward. They traded Chris Kreider to the Ducks, and shipped K'Andre Miller to Carolina to make way for Vladislav Gavrikov, this season's top defensive UFA. JT Miller is the new captain, signaling that new head coach Mike Sullivan is looking for his team to play with more of an edge. The Rangers have plenty of skill on their roster. They could easily find themselves in the Top 3 this season, but you have to wonder how much of a toll last season took on the players.

3. New Jersey Devils*

If not for injuries to Jack Hughes late in the regular season and Luke Hughes early in the playoffs, the Devils might've given the Carolina Hurricanes a better fight in the playoffs in April. Instead, they were out of it pretty quickly. Still, there was so much to the good for the Devils last season. They have a young core in place that feels like it's just scratching the surface, led by the Hughes brothers and Jesper Bratt. They took a big swing in adding Jacob Markstrom last offseason and, despite him getting up there in age, he provided far more stability in the net than they've had in a bit. Markstrom and Jake Allen were an underrated tandem. They're beginning the season with a few injuries concerns on defense, with Brett Pesce uncertain for their opener against Carolina, and Jonathan Kovacevic likely out until January. They should be in a fine spot to lock in a playoff spot, though I wouldn't hedge all of my bets on them just yet.

2. Washington Capitals*

Most of last season saw the Washington Capitals in the spotlight as Alex Ovechkin chased down Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record. It only slightly overshadowed that fact that Washington had the best record in the Eastern Conference by the end of the campaign. Once the hysteria surrounding the record subssided with Ovechkin's conquering of it, the Capitals faced a disappointing early exit at the hands of Carolina. The Capitals saw great performances put forth by their captain and Dylan Strome, as well as breakout from Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael. Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren proved to be a formiddable duo, with the former finishing 4th in Vezina voting. They were second in the league in scoring and Top 10 in defense. With numbers like these, they didn't need to do much this offseason. Even with little in or out, the Capitals remain one of the more sound rosters in the league. Assuming the ages of some of their stars don't catch up with them, they should be in for another good season.

1. Carolina Hurricanes*

During an offseason when most teams stuck to what they knew and extended their pending UFAs with long-term deals, the Carolina Hurricanes still found a way to be one of the most improved teams on paper. Offensively, the snagged the biggest free agent in Nikolaj Ehlers after almost everyone else extended. Defensively, they replaced Dmitry Orlov and Brent Burns with K'Andre Miller and rookie Alexander Nikishin. Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake each inked eight-year extensions that begin next season. Seth Jarvis has put together back-to-back 30-goal seasons. Jaccob Slavin established himself as, arguably, the best defensive defenseman in the league. Not to mention Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov, who each had subpar regular seasons but turned it on in the playoffs. The Hurricanes are one of, if not, the deepest teams in the league among its front 18 players. The goaltending, which wasn't great last season, is the biggest question. If Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov turn it around, this could be a President's Trophy team. Of course, with great expectations come expected results.

Playoff Predictions

Eastern Conference

A1. Tampa Bay vs. WC1. New York: Tampa Bay in 7

A2. Toronto vs. A3. Florida: Florida in 6

M1. Carolina vs. WC2. Montreal: Carolina in 5

M2. Washington vs. M3. New Jersey: Washington in 6

A1. Tampa Bay vs. A3. Florida: Tampa Bay in 6

M1. Carolina vs. M2. Washington: Carolina in 6

A1. Tampa Bay vs. M1. Carolina: Carolina in 7

Western Conference

C1. Dallas vs. WC1. Colorado: Dallas in 5

C2. Winnipeg vs. C3. Utah: Winnipeg in 6

P1. Vegas vs. WC2. Los Angeles: Vegas in 5

P2. Edmonton vs. P3. Vancouver: Edmonton in 6

C1. Dallas vs. C2. Winnipeg: Dallas in 6

P1. Vegas vs. P2. Edmonton: Vegas in 7

C1. Dallas vs. P1. Vegas: Dallas in 6

Stanley Cup Final

M1. Carolina vs. C1. Dallas: Carolina in 7

Award Predictions

Jack Adams: Andre Tourigny (Utah)

Rocket: David Pastrnak (Boston)

Selke: Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles)

Calder: Ivan Demidov (Montreal)

Norris: Zach Werenski (Columbus)

Vezina: Jake Oettinger (Dallas)

Hart: Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay)