Welcome to September! Better yet, welcome to the start of the hockey (pre)season! In just a couple weeks Training Camps will open across The NHL as all 32 teams begin their quest to try and capture Lord Stanley’s Cup. Each week, Blittner’s Blue Line will look at one of the four divisions around The League and answer one pressing question about each team in that division.
So, without further ado, let’s begin with The Metropolitan Division…
CAROLINA HURRICANES
After an offseason in which they lost Brett Pesce, Teuvo Teravainen, Jake Guentzel, Brady Skjei and Stefan Noesen (among others) do the ‘Canes still have what it takes to be one of the division’s top teams?
There’s no question Carolina’s roster took a big hit, but it’s not like they didn’t do a decent job of replacing those they lost. Sean Walker is a solid addition to the blue line and should help offset the loss of Pesce and Skjei. Shayne Ghostisbehere doesn’t move the needle much but in Rod Brind’Amour’s system, he should be okay. None of their additions will adequately replace Guentzel, but Carolina has always thrived more on its depth than its star power.
Do the ‘Canes still need a true finisher? Yes, they absolutely do. That being said, you can still expect them to be a playoff team.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
How can new GM Don Waddell and Head Coach Dean Evason bring the team together following the tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau?
There’s no easy or surefire way to help people deal with grief, but if anyone can find such a solution, it’s GM Don Waddell. Columbus’ new boss has made a career out of bringing people together and getting the best versions of them. The emotional loss of Gaudreau will hang over the team for years to come. It will be up to the leadership duo of Waddell and Evason to make sure the players have all the support they need to deal with their grief and still stay focused on playing each game.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Will a new goaltender and revamped defense be enough to catapult the Devils back into the playoffs?
New Jersey’s Achilles heel last season was its porous defense and inconsistent goaltending. GM Tom Fitzgerald said he was going to go “big-gaming hunting” in the offseason and he came away as one of the summer’s biggest winners. Jacob Markström is a massive upgrade in the net. The additions of Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon will likely be critical to any success the Devils may have.
But the biggest difference will be having a hopefully healthy Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton. If those two are healthy and productive, then Pesce, Dillon, and Markström should take an already solid team and turn it into a real playoff threat.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Did GM Lou Lamoriello do enough to get them over the hump or is this team on its last legs?
Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck are likely gone for good while Anthony Duclair was the “big” addition of the offseason. Duclair certainly brings a different look to this team as his speed should allow Mathew Barzal to have a linemate who can keep up with him. But was addition by subtraction really the best Lamoriello could do for the rest of the roster? If this team gets out of the gate slowly it could be curtains for them. A hot start will be crucial. Overall, they’re likely looking at another dog fight just to grab a wild card spot.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Will Igor Shesterkin’s contract situation be a distraction?
There’s no question that Shesterkin is one of the top netminders in The League. At his best, he’s capable of carrying an ordinary team all the way to a deep playoff run. The proof is in the pudding. But what happens if Shesterkin and his camp refuse to lower their contract demands? Will the Rangers give in? Do they hold onto him for one last playoff run and then bid him adieu in the offseason? Or, do they (gasp) trade him at the deadline if the situation isn’t resolved by then?
For a veteran team like the Blueshirts their leadership group should be able to keep the team’s focus on playing, but if Shesterkin isn’t 100% all in it could spell disaster for a team who came two wins away from going to The Stanley Cup Final a few months ago.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Can the real Flyers please stand up?
Philadelphia was one of the surprise teams early last season. They exceeded expectations and were holding onto a playoff spot until the final month of the season. Then the wheels finally came off and they finished the season on the outside looking in.
Will that experience be enough to propel this year’s group back into the playoffs or are they still a few pieces short? Head Coach John Tortorella is entering his third season behind the Flyers’ bench and he might not have much time left if they don’t take the next step in their development.
In a tightly contested Metropolitan Division (and a strong Eastern Conference in general), somebody is going to get their heart broken and the Flyers could very well be that team.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Do Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang have one last run in them?
Pittsburgh is one of the oldest teams in The League. Last season showed that Malkin doesn’t have much left. Letang is no longer one of the top defensemen in The NHL, although he is still a very capable second-pair D-man. Crosby had another superb season, but Father Time is undefeated. Will Sid The Kid be able to stave off his advances for another year?
GM Kyle Dubas has made some interesting moves around the edges of his team, but in the end they will only go as far as their Big Three takes them.
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Does Alex Ovechkin have a 42-goal season in him or will he need more time?
42, that’s how many goals stand between The Great Eight and knocking the Great One off his perch. Wayne Gretzky’s career goal record of 894 is firmly in Alex Ovechkin’s sights. With 853 goals already in his pocket Ovechkin is on the cusp of doing the unthinkable. However, this past season was a struggle for Washington’s Captain and the playoffs further exposed how far his game has fallen. 42 may simply be too tall a task for Ovechkin to achieve in one season, especially once he gets within 10; that’s when the pressure and attention is really going to mount. One season is likely too much to ask. A safer bet would be Ovechkin getting to the record sometime during the 2025-26 campaign.
