METRO DIVISION POWER RANKINGS
Washington Capitals
Washington tops the list in the Metro when it comes to predicting the outcome of the 2031 season. With a dynamic top 6 group with names like Kakko, Laine, and Couturier they will have no problem putting the puck in the net. Pair that with a top 4 D that are a big, skilled, and mobile and a Vezina caliber goalie in Igor Shesterkin, this team will find different ways to win all season. Also getting his first shot on the big stage is rookie sensation Fabian Zetterlund, the 19 year old made the team out of camp so we will see what kind of opportunity he will get with such a deep roster.
Columbus Blue Jackets
We have the Columbus Blue Jackets sitting in the #2 spot in the Metro because it too has a very solid top 6 forward group and top 4 D which should cause trouble for their opponents. Matthew Tkachuk is such a pain to play against which will lead to the opposing team taking stupid penalties each night they take to the ice. With Slavin and Dahlin moving the puck out of the d zone quickly and efficiently there will be no time for teams to dump and chase against this team, when they get a break the last line of defense is non other than Kevin “The Ripper” Poulin. Known for burying teams forwards from getting on the scoresheet he will look for a Vezina worthy year.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers take our #3 spot this year with a balanced roster of players all in the prime of their careers which should lead to playoffs. One xfactor for this team that we are intrigued by is the play of rookie sensation Brandon Montour which will definitely be a contender for the Calder and only 19 year old! He is not the only one who looks to have secured a spot with the big club. The passionate Italian Francesco Pinelli put his driving career on hold to take a shot at his first love, time will tell if it was the right move.
Carolina Hurricanes
Can’t sleep on this team in the #4 spot, they could sneak up on you real fast if you forget about their dynamic trio of scorers in Boeser, Valardi, and Virtanen. This team will go as far as Korpisalo will take them, which based on a lucrative endorsement deal with CCM, means the team is counting on 30 plus wins from the big Finn this season. We also will watch to see how they use rookies Alexei Protas and Alexander Barbanov who just made the cut and will look to get a few games to start the seasons.
NY Islanders
This franchise has seen a lot of change in the past month, we are excited to see how they work in the upcoming season. A team full of UFAs on expiring contracts, they are blessed with the services of two superstars in Quinton Howden and Richard Bachman. Both stars are tied to highly lucrative endorsements which would give the team a huge opportunity in the years to come to develop the new foundation to come as they are about to enter a rebuild era. With all the experience and depth they should be able to endure any injuries and hopefully squeak into the playoffs against tough divisional opponents. We will also keep an eye out for potential Calder candidate in Cross Hanas who will get the opportunity to play alongside Howden all year on the top line and PP.
New Jersey Devils
This Devils team will be so much fun to watch this season with one of the youngest trio of centers in Cozens, Turcotte, and McMichael, with the addition of 2030 1st round pick Will Smith flagged by some solid wingers in Mitch Marner and Pasta. Fans will be eagerly watching Smith who was a lottery pick and will immediately be thrown to the wolves as an 18 year old. This is the kind of roster that can surprise any team it faces and has enough young legs to out hustle other teams. Big Z with be a force yet again and intimidate any forwards that tries to muck it up in front of the net.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins are a team with a lot of great young pieces in the Hughes brothers, Tomas Harley, Brennen Othmann and more, they could really be ranked anywhere from #4-7 as they too have a balanced roster, solid goaltending and a recipe for playoffs. Somebody has to take the #7 spot but don’t sleep on this team because they are going to come out hot after reading this article and Jack Hughes is probably one of the most dynamic young stars in this league and should continue to steer this team to wins this season. Let’s not forget that Adam “The Big Fundemental” Larsson anchors this D group and is never out of position or misses a beat on the ice, the Pens should bring some much needed heat to the Metro and it will be fun to watch how it unfolds.
New York Rangers
The final spot goes to the Rangers, a team building towards the future with two bright stars leading the charge. The magical hands of Seth Jarvis, paired with the hard noise finish of Cole Sillinger make this dynamic duo fun to watch each night. Another team that you can’t sleep on and could be ranked higher in the rankings, it is just hard to predict how this group will come together, but they have enough pieces to be a tough out each and every night. Teams with a solid goalie tandem will definitely have an edge on the competition, will will see how it all plays out as I might have no idea what i am talking about and sports is one of the most difficult things to predict.
7/24/2024 - 973 words
