We Check On THN Team Site Outposts In Metro Division
2022-23 was a downer for the star-studded Metro Division. Four teams didn't make the playoffs, only two advanced past the first round, and the Carolina Hurricanes were skunked 4-0 by Florida in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Carolina Hurricanes: Six Slots For Eight Defensemen
Ryan Henkel speculates that with eight signed d-men, a trade could be necessary.
Jacob Slavin"Who're the untouchables? That would be (Jacob) Slavin and (Brent) Burns. Add in (Dmitry) Orlov and (Tony) DeAngelo too since they were just acquired. And then probably (Jalen) Chatfield too since he's on a cheap deal.
"That leaves one of (Brady) Skjei or (Brett) Pesce as the most obvious trading chips. Both are on the final years of their deals; will each be due expensive extensions."
Columbus Blue Jackets: Long Odds
Jason Newland talks wagering on NHL futures at BetMGM.
"The Blue Jackets currently sit at +12500 to win the Stanley Cup and +6600 to win the East. The Maple Leafs are currently the highest team in the East to win the Cup. If you want to pick the CBJ to win the Metro, you're looking at +8000 odds. The Hurricanes are +200."
New Jersey Devils: Going Green
Kristy Flannery reports GM Tom Fitzgerald has hired a former teammate.
It wasn't easy being (Travis) Green, fired as Vancouver Canucks' coach in December, 2021."Travis Green will join coach Lindy Ruff's staff as an associate coach. New Jersey's general manager and Green were teammates in 1992-93 with the Islanders, 2002-03 with Toronto, and 2005-06 with Boston.
"Previously, Green was the Vancouver Canucks' head coach from 2017-18 to December 5, 2021. During that time, he coached Quinn Hughes, older brother of Devils' Jack and Luke Hughes."
NY Islanders: Fans Uncivil To Lee
Stefen Rosner explains why Isles' fans don't think their captain is earning his $7 million per season contract.
Anders Lee, unready to surrender."Lee struggled mightily in the playoffs. He was slow, struggled in front of goal, and had just one goal and no assists in the six-game series against Carolina.
"Was Lee the player the Islanders should have overpaid to keep? They lost former captain John Tavares in free agency the off-season prior, and the Islanders weren't going to let another captain walk away for nothing."
NY Rangers: Don't Overlook These Opponents
Matthew Mugno helpfully lists seven "under the radar" players in the division.
- Bo Horvat (NYI): Horvat’s 10 goals in 2020 playoffs exactly what Islanders need to secure playoff spot.
- Dawson Mercer (NJ): Shoot-first winger tucked 27 goals for New Jersey.
- Max Pacioretty (WSH): 34-year-old might have gas left in the tank in support of Washington's core.
- Reilly Smith (PIT): 53 assists in 7 post-season campaigns. May slot on flank of Malkin and Rust.
- Patrik Laine (CBJ): Long stride, 6’5 frame; if he can play more than 50 games, may eclipse 30-40 goals.
- Owen Tippett (PHI): Rebuilding Flyers will provide winger ample ice time to continue upward trajectory.
- Michael Bunting (CAR): Hard-nosed and passionate play style. A perfect fit as a checking-line forward.
Philadelphia Flyers: Dave Hakstol's Former Employer
Ryan Quigley notes the Kraken coach's Philly roots.
"No, really, coach, Seattle's the place you oughta' be. Load up the truck and move to C-P-A."Hakstol, the first (and only) head coach in Kraken history, led the NHL's newest club to the playoffs for the first time in its existence last season. As a result, Hakstol was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's best coach.
"Hakstol spent four seasons coaching the Flyers. Hired in 2015, he led the Flyers to a pair of postseason appearances and posted a 134-101-42 record before being fired midway through the 2018-19 season."
Pittsburgh Penguins: Does Dubas Get Two Parking Spaces?
Kyle Dubas, seeing whether he's entitled to a second paycheck.Nick Horwat reports president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas will work closely - EXTREMELY closely - with newly-named general manager... Kyle Dubas.
"The Penguins announced promotions for multiple front office officials. Dubas stated that he is taking over as general manager for the sake of continuity and will revisit the search for a separate general manager at a later date."
Washington Capitals: Alex "OvechKen"
Ovechkin showing Ken-Do attitude.Sammi Silber gives us a smile, jumping on the Barbie bandwagon.
"A hockey Instagram account used AI to put some big-name NHLers into the Barbie Universe, including Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin.
"Hockey Empire made AI-generated images showing what Ovechkin, along with Evgeni Malkin, Nikita Kucherov and more Russian NHL stars would look like as 'Ken' dolls."