Power Ranking the Metropolitan Division After Crazy Offseason

The Metropolitan Division has slowly become one of the most dangerous groups in the NHL. During this offseason, some teams have made franchise-changing moves to make them both divisional and league-wide threats. For others, they've seen the departure of their top players or just haven't made much of a splash in the offseason. After a hectic few months, here are your power rankings for the Metro Division heading into the 2019-2020 season. Despite the rankings, just about any of these teams could make a run.

8. Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets v Boston Bruins - Game Five / Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

The 2019 offseason has been disastrous for the Columbus Blue Jackets. This comes mainly from the loss of Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky, the team's former top two players. The only significant addition they've made to their lineup is the signing of Gustav Nyquist. Now lacking a top scorer and a solid starting goaltender, the Blue Jackets are in trouble heading into 2019.

7. Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins v Philadelphia Flyers / Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Next season needs to be a redemptive one for the Flyers. After barely climbing their way out of last place last year and adding very little in the offseason, Philadelphia needs a major scoring boost from guys like Claude Giroux, Travis Konecny, Jake Voracek and Sean Couturier. Hiring Alain Vigneault could either seriously pay off, or prove to be an epic failure. Philadelphia has a solid foundation of talent, but will need to elevate their overall play if they want to compete in the division.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins

New York Islanders v Pittsburgh Penguins - Game Four / Justin Berl/Getty Images

After their disappointing first-round exit last season, the Penguins are looking to bounce back to their championship-winning ways. Despite losing Phil Kessel to the Arizona Coyotes, the Pens added scoring depth in both Alex Galchenyuk and recent signee Brandon Tanev. If they can get a little more help on the back end from Matt Murray, they should be in solid shape to battle for the top three of the Metro Division.

5. New York Islanders

Carolina Hurricanes v New York Islanders - Game Two / Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Coming off an incredible 2018-19 campaign that earned them the No. 2 spot in the Metro, the Islanders are looking to be a threat once again next year. They were able to maintain their captain Anders Lee as well as replace Robin Lehner with Semyon Varlamov. With a slew of young talent and a former Jack Adams-winning coach, the Islanders should find themselves in the top three of the division next year.

4. Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes v Boston Bruins - Game One / Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

The Hurricanes were, without a doubt, the most improved team last season. Earning their first postseason spot in nine years and battling their way to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Hurricanes were able to retain the majority of their lineup. They locked up superstar Sebastian Aho and re-signed goaltender Petr Mrazek during the offseason. If they can keep the same energy they had last year, Carolina could be competing for more than just a wild card spot.

3. New York Rangers

Ottawa Senators v New York Rangers / Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Rangers had the second-best offseason of any team in the Metropolitan Division. Adding Artemi Panarin, Kaapo Kakko and Jacob Trouba to their lineup will undoubtedly pay off in the long run. While they still have problems to solve with their current goaltending situation, they're set up to once again compete in their division. Coming off a wildly disappointing season, the Rangers now have the talent to re-emerge as a serious threat.

2. Washington Capitals

Carolina Hurricanes v Washington Capitals - Game Five / Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Caps have had a very interesting offseason. They lost Brett Connolly, Andre Burakovsky and Brooks Orpik while adding Richard Panik and Radko Gudas. Although they could add some more depth to their defensive core and third and fourth forward lines, Washington is still in great shape. With so much talent spread throughout their lineup, the Caps should place in the top three of the Metro, and possibly even win the division for an unbelievable fifth consecutive time.

1. New Jersey Devils

2019 NHL Draft - Portraits / Kevin Light/Getty Images

What an offseason it's been for the New Jersey Devils. They miraculously managed to add Jack Hughes, PK Subban and Wayne Simmonds all in the span of two weeks. If they can get solid play out of either Mackenzie Blackwood or Cory Schneider in net, they'll be a serious league-wide threat. Don't be surprised when the Devils wind up in the top three of the Metro and make their way back to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus.