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Metro Division Outlook: Where do the Carolina Hurricanes Stand?

By Joshua Ryan

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 22: General view of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 22, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-2. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 22: General view of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 22, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-2. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 22: General view of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 22, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-2. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 22: General view of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 22, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won 5-2. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

The 2019 offseason saw every NHL team attempt to close the gap of competition and push their team that much closer toward eventual immortality. What does that mean for the teams in arguably the toughest division in the sport?

The 2018-2019 season saw exciting hockey that produced meaningful games being played almost all year long. Every week produced a different look in the standings, and it seems that nearly every team had a shot to make the playoffs. This is evident in how wide open the actual playoffs where, with wildcard teams making their presence known.

The Metropolitan Division was a big part of that. The Metro saw five teams make it to the big dance, tied with the Central for most in the league. These five teams all seemed like they had a chance to win it all; two of those teams played in the second round, and one of those wildcard teams made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Final (one more victory lap won’t hurt anyone).

So, what more can you be said about the strength of a division than that? Yet, for a division seemingly so close in talent, every decision holds that much more weight. Every offseason acquisition seems to be vital to compete with the depth that these eight teams have to offer.

But what about the 2019-2020 season? Have the Hurricanes done enough to remain in contention? Have veteran teams like Pittsburgh, and Washington done enough to continue their recent dominance? have the Rangers, and the Flyers propelled their group to the playoff picture after being unable to combat greater talent?

These are the question we’ll address here. Which teams did the most, and which did the most in vain? Today we look at what every move this offseason means for these teams next year; and we diagnose just how exciting this division will be to witness in the coming season.

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