Metropolitan Division:
1.) Pittsburgh Penguins – 48-24-10 (106 points)
After losing a 3-1 series lead to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Penguins have a new coach in Mike Johnston. It will be interesting to see how the veterans will react to the first year NHL coach. If the Penguins can remain healthy, they will have no problem putting up wins.
They still have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, with them they will be successful. Will this be the year Marc-Andre Fleury regains his form? Also, Kasperi Kapanen has the possibility of making the Penguins roster as a rookie. Lots to look forward to with the Penguins this year, but the Metropolitan may not be theirs to take.
2.) New York Rangers – 47-24-11 (105 points)
The Rangers are going to look to rebound after a tough loss to the Kings in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Rangers lost a couple of key contributors to their playoff success last year, but have made a couple decent moves to compensate for their losses. Henrik Lundqvist will be “King” Henrik once again, and be the cornerstone in net for the Rangers.
Dan Boyle adds some offense to the Rangers stable defense. The Rangers will be right up with Pittsburgh for the Metropolitan, but is this the year for New York to claim the division?
3.) Columbus Blue Jackets – 43-28-11 (97 points)
After months of tensions, the Blue Jackets finally get Ryan Johansen re-signed. Having Johansen gives the Blue Jackets their potentially most threatening offensive weapon back. Columbus also added Scott Hartnell to the mix to bring some grit and size to the Blue Jackets offense.
Columbus is one of the up-and-coming teams in the NHL, and could be a surprise team to watch come the playoffs. If Bobrovsky and the Blue Jackets defense can hold their ground, watch out.
4.) Philadelphia Flyers – 43-29-10 (96 points)
Now-a-days, you never know what to expect from the Flyers. Philadelphia has now lost Kimmo Timonen for what is believed to be for all of 2014-15 with a blood clot in his leg. If Philadelphia can get their talent firing on all cylinders come the playoffs, they could be a threat to contend for a deep playoff run.
If Steve Mason can remain a reliable option in net for the Flyers, it only just improves the team’s chances for success. I expect a breakout year from Claude Giroux, and be up in the running for top scorer in the league.
5.) New Jersey Devils – 40-28-14 (94 points)
The era of Martin Brodeur is over, and this team is not Cory Schneider’s to tend the net for. With a full-time starting position finally occupied, Schneider can finally focus on his game and not have to worry about a battle in net.
The Devils are experienced and have a multiple amount of players who may be playing their last season in the NHL, including Jaromir Jagr. Mike Cammalleri adds a scoring touch that the Devils lacked last season. The Devils will have an improved season from last year, and will go down to the wire to clinch a playoff birth.
6.) Washington Capitals – 36-35-11 (83 points)
The Capitals have upgraded at defense and could be a contender for the season. New Capitals head coach Barry Trotz will have his hands full with Alex Ovechkin and company, and he has to try and utilize their offense ability compared to his more defensive style in Nashville.
Will Ovechkin be able to get back to being the top goal scorer and one of the most dynamic players in the NHL? Also, can Braden Holtby carry the load for the Capitals? Will be a fun year to watch the Capitals and what they do this season.
7.) New York Islanders – 35-35-12 (82 points)
The Islanders just boosted their defense with the additions of Boychuk and Leddy on Saturday, so the Islanders became contenders over the weekend. I made these predictions in September, and I intend to sticking to them. But no doubt, the Islanders have a starting goaltender in Jaroslav Halak, and their offense is better with a fully-healthy John Tavares.
The defense could be better, but Leddy, Biychuk, and Reinhart (Griffin) will certainly boost the support. The Islanders will contend, but they have a tough hill to climb in the Metropolitan.
8.) Carolina Hurricanes – 33-36-13 (79 points)
The Hurricanes are a mess right now, and I do not believe there is anyone that would disagree. Are they worse than the Sabres? No. They have players that can score, but their goaltending is up in the air, and their defensive depth is not good. If injuries take a hold on this team, the Hurricanes are in trouble.
Jordan Staal is already out a significant amount of time with a broken leg, and the last thing the Hurricanes can afford is another player to get injured. They will have a top five pick by the end of the season.