Categories: PenguinPoop

Penguins Update: Slugfest Brewing in the Metro?

In the wake of the initial flurry of free-agent signings, to say nothing of some significant hockey trades, I thought I’d take a quick glance at the Metropolitan Division to see who improved, who regressed and who’s treading water.

With front runners Carolina and Rangers losing several key performers and heretofore bottom feeders Columbus and New Jersey on the rise, the Metro promises to be a veritable slugfest from start to finish in the coming season. Only woebegone Philadelphia would appear to be a lock to finish out of the money.

As for the rest of the bunch?

I’ve cobbled together a table listing significant additions and subtractions for the Metro rivals this off-season, along with a brief evaluation and prediction. Teams are listed in order of last season’s standings.

For the sake of simplicity, I’ve only shown players currently listed on NHL rosters by CapFriendly. For UFAs/RFAs, I’m listing players who played a minimum of 10 games in the NHL last season.

Cap numbers are courtesy of CapFriendly.

Here goes:

CAROLINA (Cap Hit: $78.4 million/Cap Space: $4.1 million)

In: Pacioretty (lw), Burns (d), Kase (rw), Coughlin (d), Pederson (c)

Out: Trocheck (c), DeAngelo (d), Cole (d), Domi (lw), B. Smith (d), Lorentz (c)

Unsigned UFAs: Stepan (c), Niederreiter (rw)

The Skinny: The Hurricanes experienced significant turnover this summer while losing several key performers. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Vegas basically handed them Max Pacioretty, and big-time acquisition Brent Burns should buttress a defense that lost some depth. It helps that Rod Brind’Amour’s a quality coach who gets the most out of a team.

Prediction: The ‘Canes won’t repeat as division champs, but they should have more than enough to nail down a playoff berth.

NEW YORK RANGERS (Cap Hit: $77.7 million/Cap Space: $4.8 million)

In: Trocheck (c), Halak (g), Carpenter (c)

Out: R. Strome (c), Copp (c), Vatrano (rw), Georgiev (g), Nemeth (d), Braun (d), McKegg (c), Rooney (c)

Unsigned UFAs/RFAs: Kakko (rw), Motte (c)

The Skinny: Perhaps the biggest losers of the Metro bunch. The Rangers bled off two valuable pieces acquired at the trade deadline, Andrew Copp and Penguin-killer Frank Vatrano, along with second-line center Ryan Strome. Vincent Trocheck was a marquee add, but at present the Rangers lack forward depth. Rumored to be unhappy with leading scorer Artemi Panarin following a subpar postseason.

Prediction: Igor Shesterkin, a stout defense and supreme top-line talent will keep Rangers in the playoff mix. Still, anticipate a drop-off from their second-place finish in 2021-22.

PITTSBURGH (Cap Hit: $79.8 million/Cap Space: $2.7 million)

In: Petry (d), Rutta (d), T. Smith (d), Poehling (c), Archibald (rw)

Out: Matheson (d), Marino (d)

Unsigned UFAs/RFAs: Rodrigues (c), Boyle (c), Heinen (lw), Kapanen (rw)

The Skinny: It’s been a huge off-season for our favorite hockey team. GM Ron Hextall did yeoman’s work to secure the services of pending UFAs Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin, Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. Belying his no-trade rep, he remade the defensive corps as well with the blockbuster additions of Jeff Petry and Jan Rutta. However, scoring depth is an issue. Perhaps age, too.

Prediction: Pens will be in the playoff hunt. Look for a third- or fourth-place finish.

WASHINGTON (Cap Hit: $88.8 million/Cap Space: -$6.3 million)

In: Kuemper (g), D. Strome (c), C. Brown (rw), Gustafsson (d), Lindgren (g)

Out: Samsonov (g), Vanecek (g), Schultz (d)

Unsigned UFAs: Larsson (lw), Kempny (d)

The Skinny: Although still a largely veteran bunch, the Capitals have been reinforcing their lineup with youth. Thanks to some typically astute offseason moves by GM Brian MacLellan, including inking Cup-winning goalie Darcy Kuemper to a five-year deal, the Caps are fairly solid from top to bottom. Much hinges on whether top center Nicklas Backstrom and power forward/hit man Tom Wilson are able to return and play to form. But thanks to their depth, the Caps could enjoy a bit of a bounce-back season.

Prediction: If the Caps can stay relatively healthy, they could challenge for the Metro title.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (Cap Hit: $71.3 million/Cap Space: $11.2 million)

In: Romanov (d)

Out: None

Unsigned UFAs/RFAs: Dobson (d), Bellows (lw), Romanov (d), Chara (d), Greene (d)

The Skinny: In their biggest move of the offseason, the Islanders axed sure-fire Hall-of-Fame coach Barry Trotz and replaced him with Lane Lambert. Led by horses Brock Nelson and Anders Lee, the Isles are still a solid, physical team from top to bottom, but lack a game-breaker to compliment Matt Barzal. Top defenseman Noah Dobson needs to be signed to a new deal. Rumored to be seeking St. Louis sniper Vladimir Tarasenko.

Prediction: The Islanders will compete for a playoff spot. Whether they make it?

COLUMBUS (Cap Hit: $80.2 million/Cap Space: $2.3 million)

In: Gaudreau (lw), Gudbranson (d)

Out: None

Unsigned UFAs/RFAs: Laine (rw), Bemstrom (c), Kukan (d)

The Skinny: The stunning addition of Johnny Gaudreau gives the Blue Jackets instant credibility. GM Jarmo Kekalainen has quietly constructed a deep, young team. No fewer than a dozen Blue Jackets notched double-figure goals last season; four topped the 20-goal mark. They’re well coached by Brad Larsen, too. If Kekalainen can wrap up Patrik Laine despite limited cap space? Expect the Jackets to be on the rise.

Prediction: My sleeper pick to take the biggest leap forward. The Jackets could end their two-year postseason drought.

NEW JERSEY (Cap Hit: $72.9 million/Cap Space: $9.6 million)

In: Palat (lw), Marino (d), B. Smith (d), Vanecek (g), Haula (c)

Out: Zacha (c), T. Smith (d)

Unsigned UFAs/RFAs: Bratt (lw), Boqvist (c), P.K. Subban (d)

The Skinny: In many ways, the Devils mirror the Blue Jackets. Eleven of their skaters scored double-figure goals last season, also with four 20-plus goal scorers. Jersey inexplicably lost out on the Gaudreau sweepstakes despite offering more money. Non-plussed, GM Tom Fitzgerald made several solid additions, including ex-Pen John Marino, Ondrej Palat and, perhaps most important, goalie Vitek Vanecek. On defense, top pick Simon Nemec could step in right away. If the Devils sputter? Ex-Panthers interim coach Andrew Brunette could take over.

Prediction: Not sure if the Devils are quite ready for prime time, but look for them to be competitive and make a strong push for a playoff spot.

PHILADELPHIA (Cap Hit: $82.6 million/Cap Space: -$0.1 million)

In: DeAngelo (d), Deslauriers (lw), Braun (d)

Out: M. Jones (g), Lindblom (lw)

Unsigned UFAs/RFAs: Tippett (rw), MacEwen (c), Yandle (d), Thompson (c)

The Skinny: The Flyers acquired feisty offensive defenseman Tony DeAngelo from Carolina and signed heavyweight slugger Nicolas Deslauriers, but couldn’t clear enough cap space to make a pitch for home-town boy Gaudreau. They’ll be counting heavily on the healthy returns of Sean Couturier, Kevin Hayes and Ryan Ellis, not to mention a passel of unproven kids. Compounding matters, Philly’s tight to the cap. New coach John Tortorella has his work cut out for him.

Prediction: Another last-place finish for the orange and black.

Rick Buker