One thought on each Metro Division team

The Hurricanes are a real problem, the Blue Jackets are much improved, and the Devils are...you'll have to find out!

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We have officially entered the dog days of the summer. Free agency and the draft have long since passed yet we are still over a month away from training camp.

With the league essentially at a standstill, it seemed like the perfect time to zoom out a little bit.

Today – on InfernalAccess’ 3rd birthday! – I’m going to be zooming out and taking stock of the Metro Division, offering a thought on the state of each team.

Let’s get right to it.

Carolina Hurricanes: They are a problem

The New Jersey Devils had a truly spectacular year. They posted a remarkable 52-22-8 record, ranked 2nd in expected goal share, and made some noise in the playoffs. Yet they still played second fiddle to the Hurricanes in both the regular season and post-season.

The Hurricanes were one of two teams to pile up more regular season points than the Devils, they were the only side better at controlling 5v5 play, and they dismantled the Devils in their second round series. And they’re not going anywhere.

It can certainly be argued that the current version of the Hurricanes are better than last year’s version.

Max Pacioretty played five games last year. Taking his top-6 spot – which was essentially vacant from start to finish – is Michael Bunting, a pesky but talented winger who should seamlessly fit into the Hurricanes’ brand of hockey.

Star winger Andrei Svechnikov will (in theory) be available down the stretch and in the playoffs, giving the team a lot more scoring up front.

The defense is also stacked, with Shayne Gostisbehere the lone departure of note while Dmitry Orlov and Tony DeAngelo have entered the mix.

Orlov can play heavy defensive minutes and hold his own while DeAngelo replaces a lot of the offense lost with Ghost.

This team is stacked and ready to go toe-to-toe with the Devils – and the league’s other contenders – once again.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Much improved

I don’t yet think the playoffs are in the conversation – not with that goaltending tandem – but the Blue Jackets should be better in 2023-24. Much better.

Zach Werenski is healthy again, which will make a big difference. Newcomers Damon Severson and Ivan Provorov make the defense a lot better, as should the promotion of top prospect David Jiricek.

Even if you believe that group is overrated, and/or overpaid, it is certainly miles better than what the Jackets iced for the majority of last season.

Adam Fantilli should be able to step in and make an immediate impact at center, the team’s thinnest position and long a source of weakness.

And, say what you want about Mike Babcock, but he has enjoyed a lot of success in this league – even making a talentless Maple Leafs team competitive while still tearing the roster apart – and will be able to give the team a jolt.

Again, the Blue Jackets still have holes and more work to do to be truly competitive. But this season should be a step in the right direction.

New Jersey Devils: The window is wide open