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A Preview of the NHL 2017-2018 Metropolitan Division

By Jimmy Rouse

One of the toughest divisions in last year’s NHL got even more difficult with this year’s off-season additions. The Metropolitan Division consists of eight teams, which features the current President’s Trophy winning Washington Capitals, the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 Stanley Cup winning Pittsburgh Penguins, the 2014-2015 President’s Trophy winning New York Rangers, the four-time Stanley Cup Champion New York Islanders, the 2006 Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the 2010 Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia Flyers, and the 2012 Conference Champion New Jersey Devils. What makes this division so difficult is the star power carrying each team with players such as Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Ryan Mcdonough, John Tavares, Jeff Skinner, Cory Schneider, Claude Giroux, and Sergei Bobrovsky. Four of the top ten teams in the National Hockey League were from the Metropolitan Division with the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, and Columbus Blue Jackets.

As if all of this wasn’t enough, this division just got even more competitive, and there is no debate that the Metropolitan Division is the toughest one in hockey. Although Washington lost key players, such as Justin Williams, Kevin Shattenkirk, Marcus Johansson, and Karl Alzner, having Braden Holtby and Alex Ovechkin on your team will always make you a competitor. The Pittsburgh Penguins also lost players, notably Nick Bonino; however, they will continue to dominate coming off back to back Stanley Cups with star Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and  goalie Matt Murray. The New York Islanders coming off a surge under interim Doug Weight will look to keep that play going, and with the addition of Jordan Eberle and up and coming prospects, such as Joshua Ho-Sang, they will look to return to the playoffs after missing it by just a point last year. The Carolina Hurricanes lacked a number one goalie as well as depth at the forward position, however with the acquisition of Scott Darling and forwards, such as Justin Williams, they will look to lock up a playoff spot for the first time since 2009. The Blue Jackets had their best year in franchise history, which featured a 16 game winning streak. With an identical team and Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky, they will look to return to the playoffs.

The New York Rangers defense is largely what cost them what could have been a run to the Cup finals. By signing a top defenseman in Kevin Shattenkirk, their defense is now much more balanced along with their power play, a spot where the Rangers struggled last season. The Devils also struggled last year during what was originally touted as an anticipated good year. They were coming off an 86 point season; however, they finished the next year with 70 points. With the first overall pick Nico Hischer, Holtby-Baker winner Will Butcher, veteran player Brian Boyle, and center Marcus Johansson, they will now be able to compete on a consistent basis. The Flyers barely missed the playoffs last year and came off of a franchise record ten game win streak. Their lack of depth as well as inconsistent goalie play is what cost them a playoff spot. However, with the signing of the second overall pick Nolan Patrick and the signing of goalie Brian Elliott, the Flyers now have the depth to score more goals, and the goalie to stop them.

With all the additions and talent coming into the Metropolitan Division, it is now the most competitive and toughest division in the National Hockey League.

Photo courtesy of NBC Sports

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