The Metro, along with the Atlantic, is going through a transition.  Many teams are either in a full rebuild or are making their way up.  You have teams like the Capitals and Flyers that have finally taken a rebuild and become relevant.  The Islanders have been great since Blue Balls took over (RIP Dan Lifshatz) and there doesn't seem to be any slowing down.  There isn't much competition for any team that decides they want to make the playoffs.  The only thing to watch in this division is what seed GM Anthony will end up.  He is a wild card for me and should be 3rd of 4th seed.  Besides that, I expect Blue Balls and Larry Hasselhoff to meet in the division finals...but do I think either could win the cup?

1. New York Islanders (6-0-2, 14pts)

This team is stacked and has been for years, but has only been able to make the finals last season.  As much talent as this team has had, they have been underacheiving since GM Blue Balls took over.  There is glaring hole on this team, which I will not mention, that will definately prevent them from having a chance to win the cup.  Aside from that, his defense is almost as bad as Sumit's Sharks.  He has so much offensive talent and needs to sacrifice some of that for some defense (call me Joe).  The Isles goals against is 6th (not bad), but if you look closer, it's against teams that don't score.  In the end, he should still make it to the Conference finals and play the Bruins, but let's see if he makes any moves...don't hold your breathe.

2. Washington Capitals (7-3-0, 14pts)

GM Larry's team is the only other team in this division that I see having a chance to make the Conference finals from this division.  The Caps had some awesome rerates all at the same time, making this team one of the best.  The only issue is that he has to go through the Isles.  Both teams have similar issues in stopping the puck, as the Caps are 12th in doing that.  He has two bad losses to the Red Wings and Lightning and only a quality win against the Avs.  His other loss was to the Flames, so not bad there.  At this point, they are not a cup winning team.  As I stated during FA, he made a huge mistake in getting that 3rd goalie instead of another dman or forward.  Either way he's going to make it to the playoffs no problem.  Can GM Larry improve his defense?  Gimme a call Larry.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets (6-3-0, 12pts)

Columbus is a good team, much more well balanced than I first realized.  Top 6 forwards are great and top 4 defensemen are solid.  Not sure if GM Jessie went after a goalie in FA, but that's a huge gaping Mia Khalifa vagina sized hole.  This is the main reason why he has a goals against of 2.67 (15th).  This is a little alarming when you take into account that he has only played 3 (Isles, Stars, Avs) quality teams and a washed up Canes team.  I heard Jessie is already shopping Giroux, so he may have already conceded.  If that is the case, there will be less competition in the East.  His team is def on the cusp of really competing against the top teams, but without a goalie, he has no shot.  Even if he tries to tank, he won't be able to move down much as his team is too good.  Sorry Jessie, you are in purgatory.  Do like the rest of us and sacrifice some of your future for a goalie.

4. Carolina Hurricanes (4-4-1, 9pts)

I will say, this is probably the worst this team has been in all the years I have been in the league.  That says a lot.  He has done well every year to make the playoffs, but can never make it to the Cup Finals.  His team is full of middle 6 players to along with Toffoli and Kreider, and the only real defenseman he has is Sergachev.  He ranks a putrid 14th (2.89) in goals for and 23rd (3.22) in goals against.  This is not going to get it done.  He doesn't have the assets to get enough to make a difference.  He will make the playoffs by default, as there is a race to the bottom in the East. Sorry, old man you are in a worse position than ever.  I would rather you be in contention, as you are more fun that way.  Do something, will ya?!

5. New Jersey Devils (4-4-1, 9pts)

This is where the tanking train starts.  Ken is definately in a rebuild and did a great job in getting Stutzle as his centerpiece, to go along with Bjorkstrand.  He has a few pieces that he can sell off to get more picks, but nothing high end.  I am sure he has a few kids that all you guys drool over, but he has nothing in the pipeline for anything in the next couple years.

6. Philadelphia Flyers (4-5-0, 8pts)

Anthony has been shitty for so long, he has no idea how to roster a good team.  He has no quality wins and has a couple bad losses to the Yotes and Kraken.  The other 3 losses are to top contenders (Bruins, Oilers, Flames), so you can't blame him there.  He ranks 27th (2.22) in goals for and a respectable 9th (2.44) in goals against.  His top 6 forwards are good, so i am not sure why he is unable to put the puck in the net.  His defense and goaltending are doing their job, so GM Tony is going to have to figure something out and/or get more help via trade.  I am pretty sure he will finish ahead of a tanking Devils teams and MEDIOCRE Canes team.  If Columbus does start to tank he should take their spot.  Who knows...maybe knowing the sim and massaging the shit out of it is a skill in it's own.  Gimme your 1/100000th ownership of the brewery and I'll show you how it's done.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins (3-6-0, 6pts)

Is your best player Max Domi or Cam Fowler!?  Wow.  You obviously have Mike Smith that you will be dealing to someone, but you literally have nothing.  With that said, how are you not 0-9?  You need a lesson on tanking too, apparently.  He has Byfield and Laferriere, oh wait, that's not Lafreniere.  So, he has Byfield and other kids I don't know.  I hope you have a lot of up and coming guys because your team is horrible.  Let's video chat again, bud!

8. New York Rangers (2-8-1, 5pts)

You have 10x the roster that Pittsburgh has and you are donig worse than him.  You are a wizard with tanking, my friend.  Your roster is definately one that can be decent in a couple years.  Come join the party more often!  The chat is nice, calm, and unoffensive.