Metro Division Rankings
Next up in our division rankings is the Metro. It's the home of the reigning Stanley Cup champions, and a couple of teams made big moves this offseason to chase the top spot.
1. Carolina Hurricanes
The reigning Stanley Cup champions return a nearly identical roster from a year ago. The only losses are goaltender Frederik Andersen and Alexander Nikishin, who is in a contract dispute. This team is poised for another deep playoff run. Seth Jarvis starts the season on the IR, which leaves a hole on the first line for the first couple of months. My biggest question mark for this team is whether complacency becomes a factor. They will struggle to replicate the pure anger they had as a team that couldn't get it done in the playoffs. Goaltending is the least of their issues: Bussi won 31 of his 39 starts, and Kochetkov just signed a two year extension. Bussi posted a 10.4 GSAx, and the team in front of him hasn't changed. Carolina dominates the play, hardly gets outshot, and has a very positive HDCF%. The regular season will be a success, no doubt about that, but the playoffs may be a different story.
2. Washington Capitals
One of the biggest offseasons we've seen in a while. Washington was very busy this summer, moving big pieces in and contributing pieces out. Was all of this to entice the greatest goal scorer of all time to return? Probably. Washington has a top two forward group in the National, a sound defensive unit, and the man who should have won the Vezina last year, Logan Thompson. They could compete in the NBA with the sheer size of their roster. A few things to note for this team: how long it takes the new guys to gel and get used to Carbery's coaching, and injuries. Staying as healthy as they can gives them the best chance to compete, and last year they struggled. Lastly, they need to cut down on the scoring chances they give up. Their GF% last year was 54.91, sixth best, but their CF% was below 50. If they give up fewer chances, they will win games.
3. Philadelphia Flyers
Two words: Nail Gun. If you can't tell who I'm referring to yet, it's Porter Martone. The kid comes out of college last year and shows up in the playoffs with his nuts on the table. Exactly the type of player Philly fans want. This team is good all-around, a young and exciting group that makes shit happen. Their HDCF% was 52.89, and they had a positive xGF% as well. Dan Vladar is solid and ranks among the best in shootouts, which can steal them points on those nights. Philly is one star away, and it's not Zegras. The rest of the squad is simply too young, so give them a couple more years and it could be a different story. The defense is solid as well, with Jamie Drysdale and Cam York. One thing I want to see: Tocchet either lets Michkov do his thing or lets him go.
4. New Jersey Devils
The golden boy of USA Hockey, Jack Hughes, has reached his prime. This is where the drop-off occurs in the Metro. Places 3 through 8 in this division are an absolute bloodbath, which makes them near impossible to rank. What I like about New Jersey is their forward core: young, deep, and ready to hit the next level. This team was the unluckiest in the NHL last year with a PDO of .971. The defense is solid and had a HDCF% just under 50. The elephant in the room is goaltending. Jake Allen is the starting goalie with young, unproven Nico Daws as his partner. Quinn Hughes can't even solve this one. Besides that, this team can compete and possibly enjoy a first-round exit.
5. Pittsburgh Penguins
Sid the Kid, or in 2026, Sid the Middle-Aged Man. Coming off a surprise late push into the playoffs, Sidney Crosby is leading the way with another point-per-game season. Age is a factor, but with Sid leading that locker room, the likes of Malkin, Letang, and Karlsson will follow suit. This team knows how to get to the net. With a 52.16 HDCF% last year, they clearly control the chances better than most think, and they are a greasy team. Does the loss of a breakout Mantha hurt? Sure, because he was one of their most productive forwards, and that scoring has to come from somewhere. A team of misfits who fit in is the best way to describe most of this roster. I have them as a wild card bubble team, fighting for one of the last spots and just as dangerous as the next guy.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets
As I make this post, news is breaking of Kirill Marchenko out and Matthew Knies in, with some other players going the other way to make the cap fit. Zach Werenski is as elite as it comes for a defenseman. Up front, Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, and Matthew Knies can be lethal. In net, Jet Greaves is supposed to be sensational, but only time will tell. Rick Bowness gets his first full season behind the bench with the mantra of coming in to change the culture. Columbus had an above average CF% and SF% as well. Werenski can't will this team to the playoffs, but he will sure try. I think they can be a wild card team.
7. New York Rangers
Another team in this division that made a big time splash in the offseason. Adding Pavel Dorofeyev brings scoring to a team in dire need of it. Out with Vincent Trocheck and in with Sean Durzi is another new face that could help solidify the back end. The fact of the matter is the Rangers have one of the best goaltenders in the world, and that's not where their problems are. The problem is they cannot score goals. The data doesn't lie: they posted a 48.85 CF%, a 49.51 GF%, and a 49.66 HDCF% last year. Shesterkin can steal them a lot of games, but he can't put the puck in the net for them. A young Gabe Perrault on the first line needs a couple years under his belt before he becomes an elite player on that line. I have them on the outside of the playoff picture, one good scoring run away from being a bubble team.
8. New York Islanders
Last but certainly not least on this list are the New York Islanders. How well will Peter DeBoer's aggressive, strict style fit with this team? Not as well as you think. Under Patrick Roy last year, the Islanders had a 47.70 GF%, 49 CF%, and 45.59 HDCF%. For a team that made minimal roster moves, there's no reason to expect a jump. Matthew Schaefer is one highlight, coming off a Calder year. Sorokin is another, posting a 52.29 GSAx with a full NMC and a contract through 2031. Still, this team's lack of offense and chances created puts them on the outside looking in, and I have them missing the playoffs. Barzal could soon want out, and Sorokin may ride it out on the island.
Big Picture
Hurricanes
Capitals
Flyers
Devils
Penguins
Blue Jackets
Rangers
Islanders
The top two spots in this division are clear cut. After that, places 3 through 8 are a coin flip. Teams get streaky, and if one gets hot at the right time, it could sneak into the playoffs.
All stats are 5v5 from NaturalStatTrick and Evolving Hockey, 2025-26, and GSAx is fenwick based, so it runs higher than on other sites.