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Columbus Blue Jackets Minding the Metro: 18-19 Division Predictions

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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Columbus Blue Jackets
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 26: Adam McQuaid #54 of the New York Rangers is held by Tom Kuhnhackl #14 of the New York Islanders during the third period at Madison Square Garden on September 26, 2018 in New York City. The Islanders defeated the Rangers 4-3 in overtime.(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Where will the Columbus Blue Jackets finish in the Metropolitan Division in 2019?

Everyone talks about how tough the Central Division is or how top heavy the Atlantic Division is this season. But let’s not forget that the Lord Stanley’s Cup has resided in the Metropolitan Division for the last three seasons. The Columbus Blue Jackets’ division is still a gauntlet and for my money, the toughest division in the NHL.

This year, the top is even more top heavy but the bottom is bottoming out. The top five teams in the division will all be fighting for what probably will be only four playoff spots. Let’s take a look at how the Metro will shake out starting at the bottom.

8. New York Islanders

The toughest offseason in the league award has to go to the Ottawa Senators. But the New York Islanders gave them a run for their money.

The Islanders first missed out on bringing back their franchise center John Tavares as he decided to take his talents to Toronto. After that they decided to sign Leo Komarov, Valtteri Filppula, and Luca Sbisa. Not exactly how a franchise looking to win should be spending their money.

Finally, they blew a chance to bring back the Fisherman jersey and brought back this dud of a jersey. Three big swings and misses to go along with a whole new front office and coach getting acclimated to their team.

The Islanders are still terrible in net, bad on the backend and have Josh-Ho Sang and Kieffer Bellows in the minors. Scoring will be tough outside of Matthew Barzal and Josh Bailey. The Columbus Blue Jackets should be able to get at least five out of eight points away from the Islanders this year.

7. New York Rangers

It’s going to be a long year for New York metro area hockey fans. The Rangers should be ballooned by Henrik Lundqvist but outside of the King, the roster is pretty bare bones. The Blueshirts are in an announced, and so far, well executed rebuild sans Lundqvist stealing them games here and there.

By the trade deadline it shouldn’t shock anyone that Mats Zuccarello and Marc Staal shipped away from the Big Apple. The Rangers will be giving plenty of playing time to the plethora of prospects the team has acquired over the last two years.

Keep an eye on Filip Chytil, Brett Howden, and Lias Andersson. These three young forwards are the future of this Rangers organization and could be pestering the Jackets for years to come. Chytil and Howden look like they will make the NHL squad out of camp and Andersson will start the year in the AHL.

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