The five best moves by Metro Division teams

Metro teams pulled off quite a few sizeable moves this off-season. Let's take a look at the best.

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While some teams still have a move or two up their sleeves, the majority of the off-season fireworks have already taken place.

With that in mind, I wanted to step back and – in no particular order – look at the five best moves pulled off by Metro Division teams.

Carolina acquiring Max Pacioretty

Pacioretty recently suffered a long-term injury that is going to keep him out of the lineup until February. Even so, it’s hard to look at the trade as anything but a win for the Carolina Hurricanes.

They traded nothing but *checks notes* future considerations for Pacioretty, after all.

For years the Hurricanes have been on the brink of something special. It feels like a lack of finishing, and killer instinct, come playoff team is always the thing that has held them back.

The chances are generally there. They just can’t put them away, as evidenced by scoring 2.21 goals/60 on 2.51 xGoals/60 over the last three playoff runs.

Pacioretty is the perfect guy to help out with that. While he is past his peak, and is starting to run into injury problems more frequently, he remains a highly productive goal scorer.

The 33-year-old winger has amassed 43 goals over 87 regular season games the last two seasons. Not many players have filled the net with anywhere close to that level of efficiency.

Carolina is good enough to get by in his absence. When the playoffs roll around, he could well be the difference maker they desperately need.

Columbus signing Johnny Gaudreau