The Metropolitan Division is wide open coming into the 2025-2026 season. There’s talent scattered across the board, but every team has its flaws, whether it be aging cores, shaky goaltending, coaching turnover, or identity crises. It might not be the strongest division in the league, but it’s absolutely the most chaotic. And chaos is fun!

1. Carolina Hurricanes

Death, taxes, and the Carolina Hurricanes competing for a Metro division title. There’s no reason to believe they won’t be the same relentless team they’ve been for years now. On top of you in all three zones, flinging shots on net from all angles and outworking you along the boards.

Rod Brind’Amour still has the room and still has the buy-in. I wonder about how their style of play in the regular season affects the gas they have left in the tank for the playoffs, but this isn’t a playoff preview. The depth they added to complement Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov from a goal-scoring perspective is much needed and I think their top 6 forwards can be amongst the best in the league if they stay healthy.

The D-core is still solid with Jaccob Slavin as the shutdown man. I can already see the organization turning K’Andre Miller into an absolute monster with a mean streak that was largely absent in New York…

Narrative to watch:

Goaltending clarity. For years, the Hurricanes have operated with a goalie-by-committee approach. This year, Pyotr Kochetkov might finally get the net for real, but his consistency has historically been all of the place. Freddy Andersen is still in the mix, and Brind’Amour will have to decide whether to roll with one of them or keep juggling. At this point, it feels like this team could use a workhorse in the crease instead of the drama that can come with a platoon.

X Factor:

Nikolaj Ehlers. Carolina’s power play was anemic last season, ranking 25th in the league and converting at a measly 18.7% clip. It was way too static, too predictable, and too content to cycle the puck around the perimeter. Ehlers brings pace, unpredictability, and a willingness to shoot the puck. If Brind’Amour gives him substantial PP1 minutes and lets him be himself, Ehlers could put up a crazy goal total and reignite a power-play that’s been searching for answers since Martin Nečas was traded to Colorado.

2. New Jersey Devils

Last year felt like way more like an anomaly than an indictment on who the Devils actually are. Injuries decimated the season and without Jack Hughes they lacked serious offensive firepower. Once Jacob Markstrom went down in January, the team fell into a malaise, and he was never quite the same when he returned.

When healthy, this forward group is an embarrassment of riches from a pure talent perspective. Evgenii Dadonov and Connor Brown were fantastic offfseason additions and should slot in nicely on the top line and third line, respectively. They have this scary potential to run up the score and overwhelm their opponents if they jump on them early.

But until they prove they can win ugly, grind-it-out games and wear down an opponent physically, it’s hard to see them winning the division. They’re closer to a Tik-Tok brand of hockey than old-school, which may not be the recipe for success in the playoffs but can absolutely flourish from October to March.

Narrative to watch:

Sheldon Keefe’s ability to get through to the Devils’ core. Keefe is a fiery, vocal, and emotionally invested in the success of the team. He’s not afraid to challenge guys personally and demand more, even when it’s uncomfortable. He definitely ruffled some feathers last season and I’m sure it was jarring for certain players after years of Lindy Ruff’s laissez-faire philosophy. The Devils have top-end talent, but I’m interested to see if Keefe can turn highlight-reel hockey into something more layered.

X Factor:

Luke Hughes. He’s supposed to be the future of the Devils’ blue line. But as of right now, he’s still without a contract, and speculation is growing with every day that passes. Hughes has the tools to be a top-pair defenseman, but the longer this drags out, the harder it becomes to feel good about his role and place on this team long-term. Is he ready to anchor a pairing? Run a power-play? Take a leadership role? If Hughes signs and settles in, he could be the perfect connector between their high octane forward group and their mobile, competent D-core.

3. New York Rangers

Giving J.T. Miller a “C” is a phenomenal call. He’s built to embody the reset this year and it’ll make a for a fun, throwback brand of in-your-face Rangers hockey.

Last year stung but I find it hard not to love the spot they’re in. Reminds me a ton of the feeling going into 2023-2024 training camp, after being eliminated by the Devils in Game 7 of the first round. Almost every guy up and down the roster has something to prove individually and as a group.

Vladislav Gavrikov signing was sneakily one of the best moves made in the offseason league wide. Having someone capable and competent to log top line minutes and free up Adam Fox to be Adam Fox can’t be understated.

I’ll be curious if they can put together some consistency at 5v5 early in the year. Reliance on the power-play and goaltending are widely known, but Mike Sullivan may have a plan to fix it.

Narrative to watch:

Mika Zibanejad at RW playing with J.T. Miller at center. One of the few bright spots of last season was Zibanejad finding a spark alongside Miller. He looked a million times more engaged, emotionally invested in playmaking and focused on playing elite hockey. At this point in his career, would love for Zibanejad to spend more time tapping into his offensive creativity and less time shadowing the opponent’s best center in the Rangers’ zone.

X Factor:

Brennan Othmann. It’s funny, for as long as he’s seemingly been around, he’s still only 22 years old. If he were to take even a modest step forward this year, his development is perfectly on time. I just think he has exactly the intangibles this team needs and plays with a unique edge to his game. This may be his 5th rookie camp, I know it’s easy to pile on to his lackluster preseason play, and yes, he’s starting the season in Hartford but there’s something to this guy.

4. Washington Capitals

The Ovi goal chase is over. There’s no denying there was a special vibe around the Capitals last year, with Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 career NHL goals. I still can’t believe he quite literally broke his leg around Thanksgiving and somehow came back quicker than expected to continue the chase.

This year though, it feels like Washington is in for a “Super Bowl hangover”. I think a lot of their secondary scoring was on the backs of guys having career years and they’re probably due to regress. It’s still a talented and experienced roster, and their D-core is above average if they can stay healthy.

The Caps are too proud to fully rebuild while Ovechkin is still playing. In a lot of ways, I really respect that. So aside from a few young studs like Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael, the roster is aging and I’m just not sure where the production is going to come from this year.

Narrative to watch:

Where does the inspiration to play winning hockey come from? I felt like it was natural and easy for head coach Spencer Carbery to lean into the emotion and pent-up energy of Ovechkin’s goal chase. I’m curious if he can still command the room early in the season and have the Caps playing fast, high-tempo hockey.

X Factor:

Logan Thompson. He was pretty fantastic last season (31 wins, .910 SV%, 2.49 GAA), but now he’s on a long-term deal and expectations are totally different. If the Caps are going to finish Top 3 in the Metro, Thompson probably has to repeat those numbers and then some. It feels like Charlie Lindgren is better fit as a backup and pinch in when needed.

5. New York Islanders

The culture is definitely going to shift post Lou Lamoriello. There will be some growing pains along the way, but the overall direction is positive. For starters, the guys are already growing beards without the fear of getting called to the principal’s office. I always thought the grooming rule was a bit much and it’s a small thing, but doing away with it signals an era that’s looser and more in line with today’s NHL.

The blue line is in flux and confuses me. With Noah Dobson gone, the Islanders lose their most dynamic puck-mover, and it’s on Tony DeAngelo (???) to quarterback the top power play. Romanov, Pulock, Pelech, and Mayfield are all reliable in their own zone, but none of them necessarily tilt the ice. Of course, there’s Matthew Schaefer too, but remains to be seen what his contribution will look like across 82 games.

Mathieu Darche is a brilliant and thoughtful operator as GM and there’s going to be a new normal rooted in winning hockey. I just don’t think this is the year they can outlast teams closer to contention. It definitely doesn’t mean they won’t look competitive for long stretches throughout the season, especially with Mat Barzal back in the mix.

Trust me, I’d love to say this franchise is still hopeless, but I think the days of being a snoozefest are all but over.

Narrative to watch:

Everything Matthew Schaefer does. I’m fascinated by this guy and the way he carries himself like a 17-year veteran instead of a 17-year-old kid. His story is inspiring and apparently he’s a truly gifted skater. I’m along for the ride on Schaefer and will be putting my Islanders disdain aside to secretly root for him.

X Factor:

Jonathan Drouin. He’s not going to blow you away, but he might be a spark. Slotted next to Mat Barzal on the top line and likely the power play, Drouin’s playmaking and ability to think the game alongside top players is invaluable. If he clicks early, the Islanders might surprise people with a more dynamic top six than expected. It’s so easy to forget how unbelievable of a player Barzal is when healthy.

6. Philadelphia Flyers

Gone are the days of chasing big-name free agents or trying to cut corners in order to rebuild. The Flyers have committed to the development of their young talent and brought in some intriguing pieces like Trevor Zegras and Christian Dvorak to complement them. This team is going to be chaotic, physical, and unapologetically hard to play against.

John Tortorella had this an uncanny ability of making every shift feel like a job interview. It was beneficial for the forward group, with plenty of younger guys all looking to take a step forward or risk being cast aside for someone who will play Torts’ way. Outside of Travis Sanheim and Jamie Drysdale, their D-core is questionable and probably not ideal to be auditioning for Torts’ Talent Show while trying to keep pucks out of the net. Rick Tocchet will likely look to take a more collaborative approach in finding success on the back end.

Travis Konecny remains the heartbeat of the team with his relentless, emotional, and no-excuses mentality. They’re going to win ugly, if they win at all. But they absolutely have the ability to sneak up on teams, especially if they can rally behind Tocchet after being captive to Torts.

Narrative to watch:

Trevor Zegras’ evolution playing in a passionate sports market. No shade to Anaheim, but Philadelphia is an entirely different beast. It’s time for Zegras to progress in this career and now it’ll have to be under the scrutiny of increasingly impatient Philly fanatics. I’m sure the Flyers don’t want to take away the magician-esque skill he has with the puck on his stuck, but there needs to be a middle ground in terms of a commitment to playing a Flyers brand of hockey. I’m curious to see what gives.

X Factor:

Matvei Michkov. The most electrifying unknown variable in the Metro. Michkov’s ceiling is a franchise-altering talent — elite vision, deceptive shot, and an ability to make something out of nothing. But he’s still just 20 years old and this is Philly, not Sochi. There’s a learning curve underway and nothing is a given. If he can mature and grow into the player he’s destined to be, the Flyers will have no business occupying one of the bottom three spots in the division.

7. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Jackets aren’t going to out-talent anyone, so they’ll have to put their hard hats on and get to work. I get the sense their young nucleus of Kirill Marchenko, Dmitri Voronkov, Adam Fantilli, Mathieu Olivier (& more) are down for the cause and will be playing in a lot of tight games.

Their D-core is more than serviceable, led by Zach Werenski, who reminded the hockey world during the Four Nations tournament that he can be the best defenseman in the league on any given night. Denton Mateychuk is another intriguing name on the back end to look out for, the Jackets’ 12th overall pick in 2022 and a player who could leapfrog his way into a top 4 role sooner than expected.

Unfortunately, the NHL is not a developmental league and so you can expect the Jackets to likely get lost in the shuffle. Like the Islanders, I think they’ll look competitive for stretches throughout the season but not enough talent to maintain consistency over the long haul.

Narrative to watch:

The veterans holding the line. Columbus has plenty of elder statesmen up and down the lineup and will be relied on heavily as the team is trying to grow up fast. The vets will need to set the tone, keep the room steady, and make sure the hard lessons don’t turn into bad habits. It must be a delicate balance, especially for a team that lacks an abundance of talent. Outside of Boone Jenner, it’s unclear who steps up to lead the troops and manage the dips in performance.

X Factor:

Adam Fantilli. With parts of two seasons under his belt in the show after going #3 overall in the 2023 draft, it’s go time. He’s got all the tools — size, speed, compete level — and now it’s about turning flashes into consistency. Still just 20 years old, but he’ll need to take on more responsibility this season. That means tougher matchups, heavier minutes, and leadership by example. If he can elevate his game and bring others with him, Columbus will start looking less like a rebuild and more like a team trending upwards.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

For most teams in this league, you can see what they’re trying to do. You can see the direction, the pieces coming together or what could be possible. With the Penguins, its puzzle pieces scattered all over the kitchen table. It feels like they’re held hostage to their long-time veterans in terms of giving up the reigns completely and changing the identity of the team. Much like the Capitals, it’s almost classy of the organization to allow it to happen.

Although Kyle Dubas clearly wants to rebuild, evident by grabbing Dan Muse from the Rangers to be head coach. Muse is known to play a pivotal role in player development but has zero NHL head coaching experience. With so many veterans in the top six forward group and littered throughout the D core, I’m not sure how this orchestra is going to perform.

Goaltending is also a major concern. Tristan Jarry was so shaky last year he found himself in the AHL and Arturs Silovs is as unproven as the next guy, even though he won a Calder Cup with Vancouvers’ affiliate. This team could really use a brick wall to mask the inconsistencies of the skaters in front of him but the Pens aren’t so fortunate.

Narrative to watch:

Sidney Crosby on the move. Losing hockey games = speculation. Sid knows this to be true and has even voiced it himself to reporters. It’s interesting how Crosby leaving Pittsburgh is not so much of a forbidden subject to bring up anymore and only going to get louder and louder closer to the trade deadline. I don’t think it’s lost on anyone, Sid included, how much Brad Marchand elevated his legacy in hockey history by taking a leap of faith and winning a Cup with another team. For a Pittsburgh centric example, Marc André Fleury fits the bill.

X Factor:

Your guess is as good as mine. I’ll say Kevin Hayes because he’s the man. I read that he got dinged up during training camp, but he should be alright. Great glue guy if things get weird. And things are definitely going to get weird.