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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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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 31: Nino Niederreiter #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes moves the puck in front of Matt Cullen #7 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on March 31, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 31: Nino Niederreiter #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes moves the puck in front of Matt Cullen #7 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on March 31, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Penguins

Key Additions

Alex Galchenyuk

Pierre Olivia-Joseph

Brandon Tanev 

Key Departures

Phil Kessel

Olli Maata 

The Pittsburgh Penguins had an interesting offseason. They traded away their second leading scorer and lost one of their better defensemen but got younger and added a valuable prospect for the future. The biggest question that this team faces is how they perform amidst the facets of the game that they can’t control.

Phil Kessel leaving definitely hurts and replacing him with a young but inconsistent forward in Alex Galchenyuk makes many hesitant to believe that the Penguins are a better team than the one constructed this time last year. The thing about being a Penguin is that you are surrounded by talent, so Galchenyuk will have every opportunity to succeed.

Brandon Tanev is an interesting addition as well. He is a very talented defenseman who tallied 14 goals for the Vancouver Canucks last season. Olli Maatta never really produced that level offensively, which is good news for the Penguins. Whether these additions can help this team overcome some of the better teams in the Division is a big uncertainty still.

If there is one thing that the league has learned it is that you can never truly count out greatness; and it wouldn’t be wise to bet against two of the greatest players of all time. Teams in the Metro know that, if these players are healthy, they are difficult to beat. If they can maintain their health through an 82-game season, they are likely to find themselves in playoff contention

The talent of this team is only magnified by the talent they have in net. Matt Murray is a force for the Penguins; he is consistent, focused, and knows what it takes to win games. Casey DeSmith had a good year as a 30-game backup, which solidifies that position for this team. again, the success of this team all relies upon how healthy they can stay throughout the season.

X-Factor’s

Can They Stay Healthy

Evgeni Malkin played in 68 games, Kris Letang played in 65 games, and Patric Hornqvist played in 69 games. Jake Guentzel, and his 76 points, is the the only current player able to play the full 82 games in 2018 aside from Jack Johnson who only contributed 13 points. This makes winning in a tight division all the more difficult.

The Impact of Galchenyuk

If Galchenyuk has a 30-goal season, this team could win the division; if he has 15 goals, they could just miss a wildcard spot. Either scenario is conceivable, each with dire consequences.

How Far Can Experience Carry Them?

There are teams in the division that are, top to bottom, more talented. there are teams that are better coached. How valuable is the STanley Cup experience that this team possesses?

Best Case

Division Winners

Worst Case

Fourth Team in the Division

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