Shuffling the Power Deck in the Metro
The 2025-26 NHL season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive slogs in recent memory for the Metropolitan Division. With some teams retooling, others pushing into their prime, and a few still clinging to past glories, the standings could look very different this time next year. Here’s a no-nonsense look at where each team likely stands as the season looms.
Projected Division Standings
| Rank | Team | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York Rangers | Deep roster, elite goaltending, surging youth |
| 2 | Carolina Hurricanes | Strong two-way game, cup-or-bust mentality |
| 3 | New Jersey Devils | Fast, skilled, but need goaltending to hold |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Aging core, but still dangerous with Crosby & Karlsson |
| 5 | Washington Capitals | On the decline, Ovechkin chasing history remains central |
| 6 | Philadelphia Flyers | Young, rebuilding, but still a year or two away |
| 7 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Directionless but stacked with draft picks |
| 8 | New York Islanders | Aging, slow, and goaltending can’t cover it all |
The Rising Force: New York Rangers
As of September 6, 2025, this team is locked and loaded. Igor Shesterkin remains one of the best goalies in the league. Adam Fox anchors the blue line. And the forward core—featuring Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and a mature Alexis Lafrenière—is lethal. If the kids continue stepping up, there’s no ceiling here. They’re not just trying to win the division—they want the Cup.
Relentless Pursuit: Carolina Hurricanes
Rod Brind’Amour’s crew never lets off the gas. Defensively sharp, deep down the middle, and with enough firepower to strike when needed, they’re always in the hunt. Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho give them game-breaking upside. But they’ve got to prove it in the playoffs. Again.
Wild Card Energy: New Jersey Devils
Speed defines this team. Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt can torch any defensive scheme. Dougie Hamilton leads the charge from the blue line. But if they don’t figure out the goaltending hole—and soon—this could turn into another high-scoring disappointment. The roster is young and flashy but lacks defensive maturity.
Still Punching: Pittsburgh Penguins
Crosby, Malkin, Letang—these legends aren’t going quietly. Add Erik Karlsson and a healthy Bryan Rust, and you’ve got a team that can still snap into contender mode on any given night. But Father Time is undefeated, and they can’t survive on legacy performances alone. Depth will be tested over an 82-game grind.
The Ovi Era Winding Down
Alex Ovechkin’s goal chase (894 is still the benchmark) remains Washington’s biggest draw. But the team is no longer built for a deep run. They’ve tried to straddle the line between staying competitive and rebuilding, and it’s costing them. The Caps will still steal games, but a playoff berth feels unlikely unless major changes happen.
Rebuild Mode: Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers are in transition. Cutter Gauthier is gone, but Matvei Michkov is expected to debut this season. There’s real potential in this roster, but it’s raw and inexperienced. John Tortorella has them playing hard, but effort alone won’t win the Metro. Expect flashes, not consistency.
Searching for an Identity: Columbus Blue Jackets
The Jackets are a mystery box. Zach Werenski and Kent Johnson can play, but the lineup is full of “maybe” players. The coaching carousel hasn’t helped either. If Adam Fantilli breaks out and the younger core matures quickly, maybe they make noise. Otherwise, it’s back to the lottery.
Slipping Backwards: New York Islanders
They’ve clung to their defensive identity for years, but it’s getting harder to justify the lack of scoring. Ilya Sorokin is elite—full stop—but he can’t be expected to steal every game. The Isles need offensive reinforcements in a bad way, and no one’s sure where they’re coming from.
