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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, NC – MAY 03: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk (27) steals a puck from New York Islanders left wing Michael Dal Colle (28) during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders on March 3, 2019 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MAY 03: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk (27) steals a puck from New York Islanders left wing Michael Dal Colle (28) during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders on March 3, 2019 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

New York Islanders

Key Additions

Semyon Varlamov

Tom Kuhnhackl

Key Departures

Robin Lehner

Valteri Filppula

The New York Islanders had an incredible season last year. It was unexpected, it was fairly dominant, and it was consistent. The team was an overtime loss from winning the Division and was a tough game for any opponent because of their well-coached defensive play and top tier goaltending.

The success that this team had is what makes predicting their impact this season so difficult. Barry Trotz did a remarkable job taking a below average team and making them incredible disciplined. The great coaching makes the likelihood of repeated success a high probability, but the absence of Robin Lehner should bring some concern, as he had a phenomenal year that propelled the team to the heights they achieved.

Losing Valteri Filpula is noticeable, but not a huge concern for a team that got production from many different players. Four players had over 50 points and, with the re-signing of Captain Anders Lee, all four of those players are returning.

This team has a lot of veteran depth. Led by the youthful and incredibly talented Mathew Barzal, this forward group should be able to bring it back another year and go for it all in another season in Trotz’s system. The defense also sports veteran players in their prime who play sound hockey. They aren’t flashy names, but the young and talented Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, and Scott Mayfield balance out a group with veteran names like Nick Leddy, and Johnny Boychuk.

X-Factor’s

The Trotz Effect

This team is reliant upon their coach. What they lack in talent they make up for in scheme, but this means that if Trotz can’t continue his coaching masterclass, this team could suffer.

The Goalie Tandem

If the goaltending duo for the Islanders can replicate what Lehner did with Thomas Greiss in 2018, then this team will have a shot at the Division title again.

One Year Wonder?

There is always the worry that what this team did last year borders on being a fluke. It wasn’t long ago that many pundits believed this team was on the track of rebuilding, that could still be true if they can’t replicate the discipline and focus that their style of play requires and is so difficult to do consistently.

Best Case

Second in Divison

Worst Case

Top 10 pick

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