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Columbus Blue Jackets and the Metro Division in 18-19, Part I

By Lansing Murphy

COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 23: Zach Werenski #8 of the Columbus Blue Jackets shakes hands with T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals after the end of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Washington defeated Columbus 6-3 to win the series 4-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Werenski;T.J. Oshie
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 23: Zach Werenski #8 of the Columbus Blue Jackets shakes hands with T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals after the end of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Washington defeated Columbus 6-3 to win the series 4-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Werenski;T.J. Oshie /
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The Metropolitan Division is home to the last three Stanley Cup Champions. How do the Columbus Blue Jackets stack up heading into the 2018-2019 season?

On paper the Metropolitan Division may not be as top heavy as the Atlantic or as deep as the Central, but there is no arguing with the results. To be the best you have to beat the best, and no one has been able to stop the Metro from taking home the last three Stanley Cups.

Without running the risk of sounding like an SEC football fan who derives satisfaction from his rivals consistently winning, we will end the Metro boasting by saying it isn’t the best division in the NHL, but it has been for the last three years. Some big offseason changes and father time though may have something to say about that this year.

Last year the Jackets were predicted by a plurality of voters in NHL.com’s 2017-2018 preview to win the division. After falling short and finishing in the first Wild Card spot, where do we expect the Jackets to finish in the Metro?

Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets /

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Competition

The Stanley Cup Champions made a few minor offseason moves, but nothing to shake the core of the team. Except for the loss of their coach that led them to their first Stanley Cup in history. The Capitals will likely still finish in the top two positions as they still have the best goal scorer in the league and Braden Hotlby.

The Penguins stayed the corse and will once again rely on Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to carry the team that is now weighted down by Jack Johnson.

The biggest offseason news for the Metro was the departure of the divisions third best center, John Tavares. That is a huge blow to the New York Islanders as they start a new era under coach Barry Trotz and general manager Lou Lamoriello.

New Jersey and Philadelphia, both surprise playoff teams last year, should continue to take a step forward with their young teams. Questions in goal plague both teams though.

The New York Rangers continue their rebuild and Carolina is….. well they are doing something, but I don’t know think anyone knows exactly what’s going on down in Raleigh.

The Columbus Blue Jackets also have a plethora of questions surrounding the team as training camp is set to open. How do they stack up against each team in the division and where will they be projected to finish?

Next. Dark Horse Trade Partners for Panarin. dark

Over the next week we will do a deep dive on every Metropolitan Division rival of the Columbus Blue Jackets. This could be the year the Metro is turned on its head.

Stay tuned for Part II Wednesday, where we will look at the 2018 Stanley Cup Champions, the Washington Capitals.

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