Offseason Programming: Metropolitan Division

While I am no fortune teller, I’ve comprised an offseason blueprint for all 32 teams. Note that this is not an “ideal offseason for x team” - this is one ‘simulation,’ per se, of what could happen. Let’s take a look at the Metropolitan Division.

Note that this was completed on my end on May 22.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals will be hard-pressed to repeat their breakout 2025 season in 2026. They should have a quiet offseason after already extending Chychrun, Dowd, and Lindgren before they hit the open market. If Sonny Milano is still a no-go, they could go several other routes to fill depth, but Palmieri and Frederic make sense for this group.

Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina came within three wins of an Eastern Conference championship despite some significant year-over-year roster overhaul. They have a surplus of cap space heading into the offseason, which paves the way for Eric Tulsky to stay busy. Duchene makes perfect sense, and Donato and Bjugstad would be good adds too. Rasmus Andersson is a brilliant fit to fill the hole left by aged Brent Burns, and the Canes have assets to acquire him, even if it costs more than my proposed offer. Kotkaniemi needs to go before his buyout is too expensive.

New Jersey Devils

The Devils successfully remade their identity after a disappointing 2024 campaign, arguably too well - at many times, their once electric offense was a huge letdown. I could see them moving on from Ondrej Palat and looking to upgrade the forward corps. Isaac Howard for Seamus Casey is a very logical swap considering the financial investment New Jersey already has in their right side on defense. The Devils could have a very quiet offseason if they wish and hope for better health next year. On the flip side, Dougie Hamilton might get moved.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus’ biggest need will be the hardest to address in the offseason, goaltending. Otherwise, they have plenty of cap space to acquire a “Johnny Gaudreau replacement” - Nikolaj Ehlers, for example. This would be an opportune time to extend Voronkov long term and make a splash - with so much cap space, they don’t need to expend assets to dump Merzlikins or Gudbranson, and can overpay for Ehlers if necessary.

New York Rangers

The Rangers enter the offseason without much cap space, and all indications point towards a Chris Kreider trade. They are also decently likely to move on from Zac Jones, although I’d like to see them give him one more chance. If they do trade their longest tenured player, they need to invest in a solution at LHD, such as Gavrikov.

New York Islanders

The Islanders lucked into first overall, and while Schaefer may not be a lineup regular from day one, he will certainly make an impact at some point during the season. In the meantime, New York should invest in breakout performer Simon Holmstrom and sturdy Alex Romanov, while a move for Marco Rossi seems to fit aptly. They will probably have to pay more than just Pageau and Nelson back to his home state, but they do have two first round picks in 2026. A nice youth infusion to complement other pieces of a still underwhelming lineup.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Kyle Dubas has no reason to do anything differently from last year, to fill the lineup with temporary pieces in the midst of a quick retool with Crosby as the centerpiece. Colton is an intriguing add if he can rebound from injury, and Hague and Skinner add youth to important positions. This plan assumes they hold onto Rust, Rakell, Jarry, etc. - somewhat likely trade candidates, but also guys worth having to play with Crosby and boost trade value. Overall, a productive offseason.

Philadelphia Flyers

This Flyers team stinks… exactly what they want. Why not acquire an asset to take on Kampf, give Kotkaniemi a chance while simultaneously making the forward corps worse, and let the worst goaltending tandem in the NHL have another chance to sell games? This team is a prime candidate for first overall, with some valuable pieces to trade away if Daniel Briere wants to tear it down even more. Not much to look forward to here.

Check out the Atlantic Division rendition and stay tuned for the Western Conference coming soon!