Don't Mess With The Metro

Hey pals, time for our first installment of this series, where we, the crew behind this website, vote upon the power rankings of the Metro division. Keep in mind we all think the metro will be very deep this year so just becuase we have your team ranked 7th does not mean we think they will be the 2016-17 Avalanche. However, we are overeager and can’t wait UNTIL THE ACTUAL SEASON STARTS TO START THESE RANKINGS. So, with that being said, here are the premature power rankings as of 7/6/2017 at 12:32 AM EST. Don’t like what you see? Congratulations, you have an opinion. That’s what the internet is made of. So congrats on that life accomplishment. They read from first to last with the parentheses reading as (First place votes/Total voting points)

Taking the first spot on our list is the Pittsburgh Penguins(7/62). Being back to back cup champions has its perks, lemme tell ya. For example, you can claim the number one spot on power rankings on a blog that won’t have any true upside or downside with how the team performs. Ryan Reaves was acquired and people are still iffy on that but only time will tell how that deal plays out. However, with Sully behind the bench and a majority of the key players still on the team (moment of silence for Bonino and Kunitz), it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this team make another shot at Lord Stanley’s Cup this upcoming season.

Second on this list is the “rebuild on the fly” New York Rangers(1/54). While key pieces such as Stepan, Raanta, and Lindberg have departed, the Rangers have had a very very busy offseason and the initial impressions have fans hopeful. The Rangers signed big-fish free agent Kevin Shattenkirk, along with Pavelec and Desharnais to very well-received reviews. The Rangers also drafted two forwards with elite potential in Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil. Only time will tell how the Rangers do, but things are looking right for the Blueshirts.

Coming up next, we have the Columbus Blue Jackets(0/37). The Jackets are coming off of a very surprising 2016-2017 season. Columbus made a big move with Chicago on Draft Day by trading Brandon Saad for Artemi Panarin, with other pieces attached. This is a big move for Columbus, who acquired a player who is two years removed from winning the Calder with the Chicago Blackhawks. With a majority of the team remaining the same, the Blue Jackets have serious potential to make it to the postseason, especially if Bobrovsky maintains his Vezina-nominated play.

Not far behind in fourth, we have the Washington Capitals(0/36). Key players have been re-signed, such as Oshie, Burakovsky, and Grubauer; however, Nate Schmidt is off to Vegas and fan-favorite trash can AKA Brooks Orpik is still on the team. However, if the Caps can keep up their winning ways, it appears there can be another trip to the playoffs for Washington.

In fifth, we have the Carolina Hurricanes(0/28). With a late playoff push last year that fell short but a rising group of prospects in the organization, this may be the Hurricanes’ year to make a shot for a playoff spot, potentially even just a wildcard spot. In addition to the vast prospect pool, the Canes also acquired Mr. Game 7 himself, Justin Williams. This will be Williams’s second stint with the Canes, he returns to the team that gave him his first cup in 2006.

Sixth place is being held down by the Flyers of Philadelphia(0/23). The Flyers were lucky enough to draft Nolan Patrick second overall in the draft, and return a young core that got a year more mature but several offseason moves have the fans wary of the what the season has to hold. However, crazier things have happened, so keep an eye out for Philly to possibly make a charge for a wildcard spot.

The Islanders(0/21) occupy the seventh spot on this list. While Tavares is still on the team, he doesn’t have much to work with other than a rising talent in Josh Ho-Sang and newly acquired Jordan Eberle. The defense has been weakened with the trading of Travis Hamonic to the Calgary Flames, and the draft picks acquired for Hamonic won’t come into effect for at least a few years. The goaltending for New York doesn’t have true potential but ruling out a run at a playoff spot for the isles is way too premature, this team could surprise.

In last place, we have the New Jersey Devils(0/19). While the additions of Nico Hischier, Marcus Johansson, and Brian Boyle will help them, the Devils still aren’t projected (by the crew here at DMWTM) to make any large leaps and bounds this year. However, as I said before, crazier things have happened. Also, it’s way too early to know how the teams will end the season in the standings, but as of right now, the Devils pretty much are seen as the sucky team.

That’s all for the season rankings that don’t have any real affect on the world of hockey and doesn’t really matter but this was written for predictions and not anything else and if you don’t like it, go read Buzzfeed.

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