Metro: Who got better, Who got worse, Who stayed the same

[Sam Spade]

Watching the NHL Network coverage of the Metro and trying to figure out how the Metro shakes out this season so here goes:

Worse:

- You can't lose your 28 year old captain and get better. Trotz/Lambert/Korn will help but I can't see them making the playoffs with that D and goaltending. Even though deHann was injured most of the season, they will miss him going forward as well.

- Defense is great, the rest of the team just got older and the Panarin drama will not help.

- Committed to this "rebuild" they did nothing this off-season. I put them in the worse section, even though they were last in the Metro last season. Lundqvist is older, they don't have a backup yet, and they are running with a lot of kids, it will not end well.

Better:

- Getting deHann and Hamilton makes that defense pretty impressive. If they ever figure out how to score goals look out, trading Skinner certainly won't help that either, I'm still thinking they make the playoffs if they get even slightly better goaltending this season.

- Young defense has more experience, Provorov is gonna be so good, add JVR, only goaltending holds them back.

Stayed the same:

- Lost nothing beyond Sheary but got Grant and Hayes to replace the lost goals. Traded Hunwick, who sucks, signed Johnson, who sucks. Wildcard will be how rookie Sprong plays.

- Did nothing, will struggle to make the playoffs.

- DEFENDING STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS , everyone coming back except Beagle, should easily make the playoffs.

Click to read more...

 

[Johannes de Silentio]

Cool breakdown style at this time of year. Thanks.

I don't know if you've looked at the Atlantic enough to determine whether you project a 4/4 or 5/3 playoff split, but assuming 4/4, does that mean you see the Metro playoff teams as WAS/PIT/PHI/CAR?

 

[Ridley Simon]

It will probably be 5/3 again. The Atl is top heavy....with obv teams like Tampa, Toronto, and Boston. Florida could contend. Buffalo is the only other one that maybe could surprise. Montreal, Ottawa, and Detroit are all pretty bad teams.

Washington, Pittsburgh, Columbus should all make it easily as well. Philadelphia probably too, unless they regress or their G is awful. Same w Carolina. New Jersey could also repeat thanks to Hall and their youth improving. Only def outs in Metro are the 2 NY teams, IMO.

 

[Devil Dancer]

I think the Rangers are high on Georgiev, he should start the season behind Hank.

 

[895]

Do we thinks the Caps get better with age or worse?

Ovechkin, Orpik, Backstrom, Oshie and Niskanen are the only age regression candidates. Everyone else should be better or stay the same.

I think we might actually get better with age.

 

[maacoshark]

Do we thinks the Caps get better with age or worse?

Ovechkin, Orpik, Backstrom, Oshie and Niskanen are the only age regression candidates. Everyone else should be better or stay the same.

I think we might actually get better with age.

Age might not hurt us as much as people think. Shouldnt hurt Backstrom as much as the other guys. His game has always been his patience. He slows the game down. Though at times last year I noticed teams played him more aggressively not letting him set up in the offensive zone.

 

[Lindemann]

I think the Blue Jackets will be the 2nd best in the Metro this season.

They are going to be a great team if they just have reliable goaltending in the playoffs

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

I'll believe it when I see it with Carolina. Every year we hear how young and dynamic they are and every year they disappoint. They have a really impressive defense on paper but their goaltending situation is garbage and they lack both top-end talent and depth at the Center position. Staal and Rask as your 1 and 2C don't exactly scream "contender" to me.

 

[Devil Dancer]

I think the Blue Jackets will be the 2nd best in the Metro this season.

They are going to be a great team if they just have reliable goaltending in the playoffs

Man, I totally disagree. That team reminds me so much of the 90s Caps. Decent team, but nowhere near a power.

Unless PMD really breaks out their forwards are mediocre.

Panarin is great, but he's not enough to elevate the team.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

I'll believe it when I see it with Carolina. Every year we hear how young and dynamic they are and every year they disappoint. They have a really impressive defense on paper but their goaltending situation is garbage and they lack both top-end talent and depth at the Center position. Staal and Rask as your 1 and 2C don't exactly scream "contender" to me.

I agree, Carolina has been overrated for a while. So much for their young D core being the difference makers. If they miss the playoffs again this year, it will be 10 years straight of not making the playoffs.

 

[Melkor]

I think in the metro it's as always comes down to Caps and Pens. Pens with healthy Letang and Malkin and addition of Johnson (not a smart contract but a good player yet) are #1 favourites in the entire conference. Rangers ofc will suck but they already have a good young backup in Georgiev, the question is how many games will he play? In the Atlantic its up for grabs: Toronto, Boston, Tampa and Florida will all make the playoffs. Toronto with their ridiculous depth can allow themselves to play it out without a good addition on D, they are that strong offensively.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

Man, I totally disagree. That team reminds me so much of the 90s Caps. Decent team, but nowhere near a power.

Unless PMD really breaks out their forwards are mediocre.

Panarin is great, but he's not enough to elevate the team.

Agreed. I think Columbus is a prime candidate for regression. They too have questionable talent and depth at Center, Torts typically has a short shelf live with teams, and unless Bobrovsky plays at a Vezina level they're a pretty underwhelming team. A lot will depend on PLD's progression. If he comes a bonafide 1C then they could be pretty good.

 

[BondraEra]

Well, Bob has already won the Vezina twice and he's only 29. He's probably a good bet to continue being a stellar goaltender.

I feel like the Rangers are going about their rebuild, no quotations, the correct way. There's no one they could have signed that would have made them a great team. Might as play the kids and aim for that high draft pick.

 

[Silky mitts]

I thought Ian Cole and obviously Calvert looked great against the Caps now they’re Avs, I could see them on the playoff bubble. Forgot Carolina got de Haan, they could be the 3rd best team if their goaltending holds up.

 

[hockeykicker]

Well, Bob has already won the Vezina twice and he's only 29. He's probably a good bet to continue being a stellar goaltender.

I feel like the Rangers are going about their rebuild, no quotations, the correct way. There's no one they could have signed that would have made them a great team. Might as play the kids and aim for that high draft pick.

he in last year of deal, jackets may look to trade him if they dont start well

 

[Sam Spade]

I don't know if you've looked at the Atlantic enough to determine whether you project a 4/4 or 5/3 playoff split, but assuming 4/4, does that mean you see the Metro playoff teams as WAS/PIT/PHI/CAR?

I will reserves judgement on the Panthers until about a month in.

Right now I think it's Caps/Pens/Flyers in the Metro, with Devils, Canes, Jackets maybe Panthers fighting for the two Wild Card spots. Also never underestimate how a player who doesn't want to be there affects (Panarin) a team, look at the Avs once all the Duchene stuff was dealt with.

 

[usiel]

Don't think any in the metro really stand out. Obviously Caps sans Beagle the only negative but new coach and SC hangover bring them back to the pack before the season wise uncertainty wise.

 

[Ridley Simon]

I don’t see them starting slow....the Caps, that is.

I’m so glass half full right now....I see them rolling teams to start the season. Assuming Holtby is up to snuff. They figured something out that unleashed some things. I don’t see that getting tethered.....especially not w Reirden as the new HC. He’s got a lot on the line, and the team seems to love him. We will get best efforts. And schemes may be way better too. Dunno!!

Like I said — HALF FULL

 

[Portable Mink]

I think Florida make playoffs.

 

[Sam Spade]

I think Florida make playoffs.

I want to believe but Luongo can't stay healthy and Reimer is the guy they brought in. Ugh.

 

[CapsJunkie]

still sooo happy the caps won the cup. Glad I got to share the experience with all of you fellow cap fans

 

[Misery74]

I like the Flyers chances of making the playoffs this year. Their goaltending is bad, but they have enough to overcome that piece.

Their PP will be deadly.

Wash
Pitt
Philly
CBJ

Tampa
TML
Boston
Florida

 

[Midnight Judges]

Losing Grubauer could hurt some. It is worth mentioning.

 

[um]

Losing Grubauer could hurt some. It is worth mentioning.

It may hurt a lot but I like to think last season was a career worse for Holtby, there's no way he's that bad again... I hope.

 

[Raikkonen]

Age might not hurt us as much as people think. Shouldnt hurt Backstrom as much as the other guys. His game has always been his patience. He slows the game down. Though at times last year I noticed teams played him more aggressively not letting him set up in the offensive zone.

Maybe pressuring NB is the best possible counter to Caps setup so they are trying what they can.