The New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers are on track to reach their goals, while the stock for the season looks shaky for the rest of the Metro.
The 2024 NHL trade deadline has come and gone, and we’re continuing our look at each team in all four NHL divisions, ranking clubs by points percentage.
On Monday, we started by looking at the risers and fallers in the Atlantic Division; today, we’re moving on to the Metropolitan Division.
1. New York Rangers, 43-18-4, 90 PTS, .692 Point Percentage
Stock: High and stable
The Rangers made only some depth moves at the deadline, most notably landing center Alexander Wennberg from Seattle and adding forward Jack Roslovic from Columbus. Those moves aren’t likely to put the Blueshirts over the top, but the Rangers’ overall depth is excellent, and they will be a tough out in the 2024 NHL playoffs.
Their stock is still high, but it isn’t likely to be any higher until they demonstrate they’re an elite group in the post-season.
2. Carolina Hurricanes, 39-20-6, 84 PTS, .646 Point Percentage
Stock: High and rising
The Hurricanes have been one of the best teams since Christmas, and they hit a grand slam at the deadline, acquiring winger Jake Guentzel from Pittsburgh and veteran center Evgeny Kuznetsov from Washington.
They’re now one of the favorites to win a Stanley Cup, and they’re certainly a favorite to win home-ice advantage in the post-season.
Their stock is very high, and as Guentzel and Kuznetsov acclimate to the roster, they’re going to be even better.
3. Philadelphia Flyers, 34-24-8, 76 PTS, .576 Point Percentage
Stock: High and slightly better
The Flyers have shocked the hockey world with their solid play under coach John Tortorella this season. They made notable moves at the deadline, moving out defenseman Sean Walker and replacing him with veteran D-man Erik Johnson. Otherwise, Philadelphia is more or less the same team as they were before deadline day.
While many would be surprised to see the Flyers maintain their playoff form and not be leapfrogged by Metro teams like New Jersey and the New York Islanders, the Flyers have earned the benefit of the doubt and should be considered a post-season team until further notice.
4. New York Islanders, 29-21-14, 72 PTS, .563 Point Percentage
Stock: Average and trending down
The Islanders made no additions or subtractions at the deadline, as they are up tight against the salary cap. Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello chose not to sacrifice draft picks or prospects to give his team a boost.
The Isles have surged of late, going 7-3-0 in their last 10 games to put themselves in a tie for the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. But they haven’t kept up with the Joneses on the trade front, and if they have to deal with more injuries this season, they don’t have the depth to keep them near or in a playoff spot.
Coach Patrick Roy has done a good job behind the bench, but he can’t make his team more talented. In the end, that could do in the Islanders’ playoff aspirations.
5. Washington Capitals, 30-24-9, 69 PTS, .548 Point Percentage
Stock: Below average and trending down
The Capitals were a seller at the deadline, dealing Kuznetsov and winger Anthony Mantha and defenseman Joel Edmundson for draft picks. As a result, they’re significantly worse than they were when they were struggling to stay in the playoff picture. At this point, it would be shocking if they were a playoff team by season’s end.
They simply don’t have the depth at any position to be considered an above-average squad, and they won’t be an elite team for some time to come. The glory years in Washington are over, and now, it’s about rebuilding for them.
6. New Jersey Devils, 31-30-4, 66 PTS, .508 Point Percentage
Stock: Flawed but rising
The Devils were an active team at the deadline, completely remaking their goaltending by acquiring Kaapo Kahkonen and Jake Allen and dealing Vitek Vanecek to San Jose. They still struggle to be consistent, but their netminding should improve, and the rest of the lineup remains talented and deep.
We expect New Jersey to string together many wins in the final weeks of the regular season and lock up either a wild-card spot or the third position in the Metro.
Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has assembled a group that, on paper at least, should be a playoff contender. But New Jersey must be notably better to edge out other Metro teams for a post-season appearance.
7. Pittsburgh Penguins, 28-27-9, 65 PTS, .508 Point Percentage
Stock: Below average and sinking
The Penguins have been a huge disappointment this season, and they were a seller at the deadline, acquiring winger Michael Bunting and draft picks and prospects in the Jake Guenztel deal.
They’ve shown no signs that they’ll be drastically better for the rest of this season, and Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is faced with an off-season that will include demands from fans and media to remake Pittsbugh’s core.
In any case, barring a miracle, the Pens won’t make the playoffs for the second straight season. Considering the talent on their roster, that’s a huge shock, and it should be a sobering statement to Penguins fans. This team needs major moves in the summer, and the only question should be how deep the cuts go.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets, 22-33-10, 54 PTS, .415 Point Percentage
Stock: Down
The Blue Jackets have been a disaster this season, and their trade deadline moves did nothing to improve them in the short and long term. They need a roster overhaul to hope of contending for a playoff berth next season, and that’s going to take a new vision from a new Jackets GM and the confidence to tear down much of the roster and start anew.
They need a ton of change to get on the right path, which will take patience in the seasons ahead as they implement their newest blueprint for success.