Metro Rundown: After Strong Offseason, Where do Jackets Stand?
Training camp is well under way for the Blue Jackets, with many fans hopeful that the team can make a playoff push this season. While the club did improve, there are still holes in the lineup and questions that will need to be answered. More importantly, it should be noted that nearly every other team in the division made offseason moves to improve as well. Today we’ll give a quick rundown of each Metro Division foe’s offseason moves, and what we might be able to expect from them this year.
Carolina Hurricanes
2021-22 Record: 54-20-8 (116pts)
Goal differential: 278-202 (+76)
Key Additions: C Paul Stastny, LW Max Pacioretty, D Brent Burns, RW Ondrej Kase
Key Subtractions: C Vincent Trocheck, D Tony DeAngelo, LW Nino Niederreiter
The Canes won the division by six points last season, finishing with the third best record in the NHL on the backs of a stingy team defense that gave up the fewest goals in the league. They’ll return mostly the same team from last year, but with some familiar veteran faces added to an already talented group.
They lost second line center Vincent Trocheck, but have a variety of options to replace that role; including returnees Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Martin Necas, or Jordan Staal – or perhaps an up and coming rookie like Jack Drury. Adding Paul Stastny ensures that they will still have strong depth in the bottom six, as well as some secondary scoring. Max Pacioretty is one of the game’s most consistent goal scorers, and he’ll join a team who desperately needed a goal scorer last year. While he will miss the first several months of the season due to an achilles injury, his addition to the lineup for the playoff run will make this team a serious Cup contender.
On the back end, they lose one of the game’s most disliked stars in Tony DeAngelo; but replace him with one of the game’s most beloved in Brent Burns. This seems like an easy win for this team; Burns brings a lot of the same offensive elements to the game, but also adds size, leadership, and an infectious veteran presence to the lineup. The Canes quietly had one of the best defense corps in the league in 2021-22, and may even be better this year.
In goal, the reigning Jennings Trophy winning tandem of Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta returns. When healthy, this is a very capable duo, each capable of stealing games. This team should again be hard to score on, but with some added offensive punch. They are easily the preseason favorite to win the division this year.
New York Rangers
2021-22 Record: 52-24-6 (110 points)
Goal differential: 254-207 (+47)
Key Additions: C Vincent Trocheck, G Jaroslav Halak
Key Subtractions: C Ryan Strome, C Andrew Copp, F Frank Vatrano, D Nils Lundkvist, G Alexandar Georgiev
The Rangers made a Cinderella run to the conference finals last season, before finally bowing out to the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning. While they definitely lost more talent than they added this summer (including both middle-six centers), they’re a team who is now leaning harder on a handful of talented, former high draft picks – most of whom gained invaluable experience in the playoffs last season.
Up front, the Rangers will hope that former Cane Vincent Trocheck will be able to replace Ryan Strome on the team’s second line. He brings a similar type of skillset, but also adds an extra touch of grit and two-way play to this group. The most painful loss for the Rangers up front might be that of Andrew Copp, who was terrific for the club after being acquired at the trade deadline. They need young Filip Chytil to grasp the third line center role and run with it, if they’re going to have success this season.
On defense, it’s hard not to like this group; they’re big, physical, and they skate well. They’re somewhat thin on experience (Jacob Trouba, 28, is their oldest player); but they have an elite player in Adam Fox, and like the forwards, these guys gained tons of experience in a long playoff run. I think they’ll be more than enough to keep this team in contention, as long as they can lean on their otherworldly goaltending again.
Speaking of goaltending; reigning Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin returns and will look to provide the team with elite level goaltending on a nightly basis. Adding veteran Jaroslav Halak should help the team continue to be stingy in the goals against department, which allows their talented forwards to play up tempo hockey. The Rangers are almost certainly a playoff team again, though I don’t necessarily see them contending for a division title.
Pittsburgh Penguins
2021-22 Record: 46-25-11 (103pts)
Goal differential: 272-229 (+43)
Key Additions: D Jan Ruutta, D Jeff Petry, D Ty Smith, F Ryan Poehling
Key Subtractions: F Evan Rodrigues, D Mike Matheson, D John Marino, F Zach Ashton-Reese
The most important moves the Penguins made this offseason were done within the organization – locking up defenseman Kris Letang and center Evgeni Malkin, who were both due to hit unrestricted free agency this summer. But the club also did a nice job of quietly improving their defense corps, which should make them a harder team to play against as they eye one more run with this talented, aging core.
Up front they lose their fifth leading scorer in Rodrigues, which might sting most clubs … but they’ll be replacing him with a (hopefully) healthy Evgeni Malkin, who missed half the season due to injury. They may be long in the tooth, but their depth down the middle is still elite, rolling out Malkin, Sidney Crosby, and Jeff C***** as their centers. Jake Guentzel has emerged as one of the game’s most dangerous scoring wingers, and he’s surrounded by some other nice pieces as well.
Defensively, I like their adjustments because these changes make them a more responsible team. Ruutta has Stanley Cup pedigree and quietly, is a very good two-way defender. Petry had an poor season last year, but should bounce back with this group as a physical guy who can shut it down, but chip in some offense as well. Ty Smith has failed to find footing in the league, but was a high first draft pick who has had success at every other level. So, of course, he’ll be fantastic and probably lead them in scoring this year.
The Penguins will return both of their goaltenders from last year, Tristan Jarry and Casey deSmith, who aren’t elite, but gave them a chance to win every night. While this team will have to age out at some point, I don’t think it’s their time yet. They seem like they’ll be better this year, possibly good enough to contend one more time.
Washington Capitals
2021-22 Record: 44-26-12 (100pts)
Goal differential: 275-245 (+30)
Key Additions: G Darcy Kuemper, F Connor Brown, F Marcus Johansson, F Dylan Strome, G Charlie Lindgren
Key Subtractions: G Vitek Vanecek, G Ilya Samsonov
The Capitals choose to run it back with basically the same team as last year – with the exception being an entirely new tandem in goal. As the team gets older, it’s clear that management and ownership are looking to give this group one more shot at the Cup. But, the outsider’s perspective here tells me that their window may be closed.
Up front, the team adds a couple of nice depth pieces in Brown and Johansson. Neither guy will move the radar much, but they add some physicality and some secondary scoring here. Dylan Strome is a nice bargain buy and will look to break out on his own, after spending last season on Patrick Kane’s line. If he can continue to produce at a high level, this team might have found its lineup replacement for future HOF center Nicklas Backstrom, whose future in the sport may be in jeopardy due to injury. On a productivity scale, however, it’s hard to see Strome getting anywhere near the levels Backstrom has sustained over his career.
Defensively, the Caps make no major changes, and will roll out a core group with an average age over 30 years old. Led by John Carlsson, they can produce from the backend and have plenty of experience, but from my viewpoint; look to be one or two injuries away from really struggling. In my opinion, they really need to freshen up this group and bring in some youth while there are still good pieces here to teach them.
In goal, they add Stanley Cup pedigree in Darcy Kuemper, who will be backed up by one of Charlie Lindgren or Zachary Fucale. This will be the first time the Caps will have a consistent #1 goaltender since Braden Holtby left … but Kuemper is 32 years old and had a variety of injuries that left him on the IR last season. Running with Lindgren or Fucale in case of injury, is a risky situation. For my betting money, if I were to pick a Metropolitan Division team that will take major steps back at some point in the near future, I’m betting on the Caps. Whether or not it will be this year, we’ll have to wait and see.
New York Islanders
2021-22 Record: 37-35-10 (84 pts)
Goal differential: 231-237 (-6)
Key Additions: D Alexander Romanov, G Cory Schneider
Key Subtractions: D Zdeno Chara, D Andy Greene
Rumored to be all in on every big free agent name this summer, the Islanders fell flat on their faces and were unable to add a difference maker on the open market. In the end, they add a quality young defender in Romanov … and do really nothing else to improve a team that struggled throughout last season.
Up front, they return a pretty good group of forwards led by star center Mathew Barzal. They have a consistent, productive group, and can roll four lines out that play two-way hockey. It’s a nice group, but outside of Barzal they lack real offensive pop – he’s surrounded by guys whose offensive ceilings are likely in the 50-60 point range. Sounds a lot like the 2018-19 Blue Jackets to me. I think they’ll be enough to make this team playoff worthy if they stay healthy; but if they don’t add some scoring, I don’t think they’re a Cup contender.
Defensively, I think Romanov is a really nice addition to this team. He’s one of the game’s best up and coming young defenders, and he joins an already strong quality top-four including Noah Dobson, Ryan Pulock, and Adam Pelech. The returning Isles all defend well thanks to former coach Barry Trotz, and several of their blue liners add some offensive pop. Quietly, I think the Isles have a very good defense corps that should make them hard to score on yet again.
In goal, Ilya Sorokin is one of the league’s best kept secrets, and behind this team he could be a dark horse candidate for the Vezina Trophy this season. He’ll be backed up again by Semyon Varlamov, a veteran who gives the Isles a chance to win whenever he’s called upon. This is a pretty good team all-around, although they fired Trotz I do think they’ll be in the mix for a playoff spot. They won’t have a horrific schedule to start the year, anyway.
New Jersey Devils
2021-22 Record: 27-46-9 (63 pts)
Goal differential: 248-307 (-59)
Key Additions: G Vitek Vanecek, F Erik Haula, D Brendan Smith, LW Ondrej Palat, D John Marino
Key Subtractions: F Pavel Zacha, D P.K. Subban, D Ty Smith, F Jimmy Vesey
Perhaps no Eastern Conference team was more stung by Johnny Gaudreau signing in Columbus, than the Devils. They were the rumored front runner basically as soon as he announced his free agency intent, and it’s easy to see why (imagine a Bratt-Hughes-Gaudreau top line…). But in the end, while the Devils miss out on the top free agent available, they get a nice consolation prize and Stanley Cup pedigree in Ondrej Palat.
Offensively, the Devils are actually in pretty good shape. They have two of the top young centers in the game in Hughes and Nico Hischier. Jesper Bratt is one of the league’s best kept secrets on the wing, and Palat brings some experience to a very talented, but mostly young forward group. They traded a former high draft pick in Zacha, but return a quality depth player in Haula. I think they did a nice job gaining some experience up front and will be harder to play against this season.
Defensively, they have a lot to work with as well. Dougie Hamilton is one of the game’s premier offensive defensemen; he’s joined by Damon Severson, Jonas Siegenthaler, Brendan Smith, Ryan Graves, and newcomer John Marino, for what should be a serviceable top-six. Keep an eye on second overall pick Simon Nemec, who could make this team out of camp as well. They’re thin on left-handed defenders, but their right shots are fantastic, and they have plenty to choose from.
In goal, the Devils add former Cap Vitek Vanecek, and run it back with oft-injured starter Mackenzie Blackwood. Once thought to be one of the premier young goalies in the league, Blackwood has fallen a long way from grace; finishing last season with a meager 89.2% save percentage. They add Vanecek in hopes of stabilizing the position – which definitely held them back last season. If the goaltending does hold up, this is team is far better on paper than their 2021-22 record would indicate.
Philadelphia Flyers
2021-22 Record: 25-46-11 (61 pts)
Goal differential: 211-298 (-87)
Key Additions: D Tony DeAngelo, F Nicolas Deslauriers, D Kevin Connauton
Key Subtractions: F Oskar Lindblom, D Keith Yandle, C Derrick Brassard, G Martin Jones
The biggest change made to the Flyers this summer was not in regards to their on ice roster. They bring in John Tortorella to change the culture in Philly, and while this team is assembled to be one of the worst in the league, it’s hard to imagine them being an easy opponent. In fact, if anyone can lead this team to any kind of success this season, it’s Torts. We know that clear and well.
Up front, this is a completely different Flyers team than we’ve seen in years. Gone are mainstays Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, and Sean Couturier (injury). Leading the way are former Jacket Cam Atkinson; Kevin Hayes, Travis Konecny, Joel Farrabee, Owen Tippett, Scott Laughton, and James van Riemsdyk. Sure, there’s some scoring upside there … but there’s no real play driver on this team, and they are lacking star firepower for the first time in as long as I can remember. Maybe since before Eric Lindros joined the team.
Defensively, they lose Ryan Ellis (who may be forced to retire), which stings because he’s a good one. Still, they have a quality group led by Ivan Provorov and including Rasmus Ristolainen, Travis Sanheim, Justin Braun, Tony DeAngelo, and promising up and comer Cam York. This is a serviceable defense corps that’s still fairly young; and improving here should help improve the team overall. If anyone can drag the most out of these guys, it’s John Tortorella. There will be accountability here, and this is a talented group of players.
In goal, the Flyers will again lean their hopes and dreams on Carter Hart. Once considered the top goaltending prospect in the world, Hart is absurdly talented but has had an up and down career, due in part to the inconsistent team in front of him. If the defense improves, I feel like this is a goalie that’s more than capable of carrying a team and stealing some games. Which they’ll desperately need – backing him up is a relative unknown in Felix Sandstrom. Even with Torts and stronger defensive play, this team is my favorite to finish at the bottom of the division.
In the end, while the Jackets improve, the playoffs might still be just a dream…
This season, it feels like the Canes are the class of the Metro, and I have them on their own tier as one of a handful of elite teams (Colorado and Tampa Bay being on this level). They have quiet superstars who can score and play in all three zones (Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov); and the game’s best defender in Jaccob Slavin. Dominant goaltending and a coach that will not allow passengers makes this team incredibly hard to play against. If they stay healthy, I think they’ll easily win this division and maybe the President’s Trophy as the best regular season team in the NHL.
Their closest contender may be the Rangers; with some very good, young, former high draft picks, they’re led by Artemi Panarin and have elite goaltending. They could be even better this year than they were last year, and this team went to the Eastern Conference Finals. They lost quite a bit this summer, but they’re still on the next tier for me, and could finish anywhere from second to … third, in the division.
Some amateur gambling advice here: never bet against a Sidney Crosby-led team. You don’t have to bet for them, but if you don’t, maybe just don’t bet at all. The Penguins are on this second tier as well. Even though they’re getting older and will slow down at some point, they haven’t yet, and with a lineup featuring at least three future HOF players, it’s hard to see this team finishing below third in this division until they prove otherwise. I think we’re in for another Pittsburgh-NY Rangers first round series next spring; the only real question I have here is, which team will win home ice?
The third tier of teams in the Metro, in no particular order: Washington, NY Islanders, New Jersey, and your Columbus Blue Jackets. Read: Predicting the Opening Night Roster
These four teams will all be battling for a wild card slot this season, and it should be a dog fight from the start. All four of these teams can lay claim to improvements this summer; but when you have teams that are this close, I think it typically comes down to goaltending. In that instance, the Islanders have a marked, clear advantage – Sorokin is really good. And that makes them the likely fourth Metro team in the playoffs, in my opinion. But if he doesn’t meet expectations, or the Devils, Capitals, or even Blue Jackets can get that kind of puck stopping, it’s anyone’s game. These three teams all have something the Isles don’t; and that’s higher scoring offenses. Even slightly above average goaltending for these teams, means they could outscore their problems and thus out-race the Isles to the finish line.
I have Philadelphia on its own tier here, easily the worst in the division. They’ll be tougher to play against under Torts, but that team isn’t assembled to win at the moment, and they have a big transition to go through. We’ve seen it before (see years 2014-2016).
Don’t forget about the teams in the Atlantic division also. Clearly, Florida, Tampa Bay, Toronto, and Boston are the class of that group until proven otherwise. Ottawa, Detroit and Buffalo all look to be much improved as well, which may cause concern for these Metro teams vying to squeak in. Remember, there are only two wild card spots, and you have to worry about the teams over here also.
While the Blue Jackets should almost surely see improvement over last season, seeing them contend for a playoff spot this year is tough, but not impossible. They’ll probably have to be better than at least four of the five teams that I have on a similar tier (BOS, WAS, NJ, NYI, OTT) for that to happen. Most importantly, they need improvement across the board defensively, and will need to find an answer to their top line center question.
It’s an exciting time in Columbus, but we would be wise to keep our expectations for the 2022-23 season reasonable. Read: Five Bold Predictions for the 2022-23 Season