NHL 2023-24: What Metropolitan Division Teams Need

Metropolitan Division: Offseason Outlook

Carolina Hurricanes

• 2022-23 Record (Finish): 52-21-9, 113 Points (Lost in Conference Finals)
• 2024 Stanley Cup Odds: +1000

The Hurricanes narrowly won the division and returned to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2019. However, the team got swept by Florida and its consistent playoff shortcomings might lead to some shake-ups.

Carolina is armed with plenty of picks and over $21 million in cap space. The team just re-signed captain Jordan Staal to a team-friendly deal, but it could lose key players like forward Jesper Fast and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. The team could also be searching for a new pair of goaltenders.

Both Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta are unrestricted free agents. If Carolina does not bring them back, it could trade for Connor Hellebuyck in hopes he could get them over the hump. Alternatively, the team also needs more natural goal scorers. It could swing for the fences this offseason and acquire both.

New Jersey Devils

• 2022-23 Record (Finish): 52-22-8, 112 Points (Lost in Second Round)

New Jersey took a massive step up in 2022-23 with 112 points and a second-round playoff appearance. The team inked stars like Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton to long-term deals and has blue-chip prospects like Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec in the pipeline.

The first order of business is to re-sign Timo Meier. While his numbers did not jump off the page, Meier is a prolific scorer who will be a mainstay in New Jersey’s top six. But beyond him, the team could look to add more help on the blue line.

Timo Meier and the Devils are working on a long-term deal. 😈 https://t.co/O92iuzMWA1 pic.twitter.com/Vgi8qriqN8

— theScore (@theScore) June 17, 2023

The Devils could re-sign Ryan Graves and add another veteran via free agency or through trades. New Jersey may opt to go for a bottom-six defenseman with plenty of experience to pair with either Hughes or Nemec. Either way, this team is one of the hottest to bet online.

New York Rangers

• 2022-23 Record (Finish): 47-22-13, 107 Points (Lost in First Round)
• 2024 Stanley Cup Odds: +1200

Just across the Hudson, the New York Rangers are licking their wounds. The team also only has around $11 million in cap space to keep its team together. Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko are unrestricted and could likely walk. Neither were particularly spectacular for New York, though there is a chance Kane takes the “hometown discount.”

Other unrestricted free agents are the team’s first overall pick in 2020, Alexis Lafreniere, and defenseman K’Andre Miller. While the former has not put up the stats worthy of his status, he’s become an integral part of the team’s bottom-six. And the latter became a solid option for them.

Peter Laviolette takes over the reins as head coach and his style could be beneficial to the youth of the team. It’s a worthy NHL prediction to expect the Rangers to have an improved offense this 2023-24.

New York Islanders

• 2022-23 Record (Finish): 42-31-9, 93 Points (Lost in First Round)

The Islanders returned to the postseason under Lane Lambert. But the team fell short largely due to the same issues that’s consistently plagued the team: lack of scoring. The team finished 23rd in scoring largely due to the 30th-ranked power play.

New York needs a power-play specialist and preferably someone inexpensive due to the little wiggle room it has salary-wise. Dmitry Orlov could be the team’s main target. And John Klingberg is another option provided he agrees to something much less than the $7 million cap hit from last season.

The team is also without too many top-tier prospects and is missing a first-round pick this year. Lou Lamoriello will have to get creative to find ways to fix the team’s PP or the Islanders will continue to thread water as a playoff one-and-done.

Pittsburgh Penguins

• 2022-23 Record (Finish): 40-31-11, 91 Points (Missed the Playoffs)
• 2024 Stanley Cup Odds: +2800

The Pittsburgh Penguins made quite the news by signing Kyle Dubas to be the team’s new leading man as head of hockey operations. This ushers a new era in Pittsburgh and one that could be the start of a rebuild. But as long as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin suit up, Pittsburgh can “re-tool” in the short term and get back to contention.

An immediate decision is whether to re-sign or let goaltender Tristan Jarry go. He had an up-and-down 2022-23 largely due to injuries. Other unrestricted free agents include defenseman Brian Dumoulin and winger Jason Zucker. Both played integral roles for Pittsburgh.

There are others they could pursue. Carson Soucy and Ryan Graves could both fit the bill in Dumoulin’s place. As far as forwards, players like Ivan Barbashev and J.T. Compher could prove invaluable with their style of play. The Penguins will be interesting NHL picks moving forward.

Washington Capitals

• 2022-23 Record (Finish): 35-37-10, 80 Points (Missed the Playoffs)

Pittsburgh’s longtime rival, Washington, appears closer to a rebuild. The Capitals finished with theirlowest point percentage since 2006-07 and should decide if they want to “blow it up” this season or go for one last run. Forwards Tom Wilson and Anthony Mantha and defenseman Rasmu Sandin are in the last years of their contracts. Evgeny Kuznetsov also reportedly wants out.

Washington does not have a lot of cap room (projected $7.3 million) and moving players like T.J. Oshie ($5.75 million with a partial no-trade clause) could be tricky. With the ascent of New Jersey, Washington finds itself as the odd team out in the division.

Alexander Ovechkin is still scoring 40+ goals a season, but he could soon be the last player remaining of the old era. New coach Spencer Carbery could re-invigorate this team. But as the oldest NHL team last season, it might be time to start betting online against Washington.

Philadelphia Flyers

• 2022-23 Record (Finish): 31-38-13, 75 Points (Missed the Playoffs)
• 2024 Stanley cup odds: +15000

Philadelphia will be big sellers during the next few months. The rebuilding team is already dealing Kevin Hayes to St. Louis while leading scorer Travis Konecny will also be moved. Defensemen like Tony DeAngelo and Sean Walker, both on the last year of their deals, will frequently be in trade rumors.

In fact, few players on Philadelphia’s roster should be untouchable. But given their long-term deals, the likes of Sean Couturier and and Travis Sanheim will likely stay put. Goaltender Carter Hart is also on his last year and could be in for a big season as he looks to earn a fat contract.

Philadelphia has five first-round picks and 12 picks in the first three rounds for the next three drafts. Look for Daniel Briere and Co. to keep stockpiling picks and prospects moving forward.

Columbus Blue Jackets

• 2022-23 Record (Finish): 25-48-9, 59 Points (Missed the Playoffs)

Columbus may have been one of the worst teams last season, but the franchise is looking to contend. The sportsbook is bearish on this team’s odds but the Blue Jackets went and acquired Ivan Provorov and Dan Severson to anchor their defense.

The team could improve in every area from scoring outside the top line to more consistent goaltending. But the Blue Jackets don’t have a lot of space to sign key free agents and will have to rely on its prospects, many of whom are potential stars.

It may not be this season, but Columbus is a “growth stock.” This team could do some damage as soon as next season. It will just have to find a way to manage its cap while avoiding reckless short-term spending.