Former Penguins Center Rips Metropolitan Division Ahead of 2025-26 Season

Former NHLer turned analyst Mike Rupp recently wondered if the Metropolitan Division might potentially be the NHL's weakest in the 2025-26 season, something that may not prove so far-fetched.

Last season, 111 points gave the NHL's second place overall to the Washington Capitals, which surprised the NHL.

There came a far more abrupt fall after that, with 10th place overall, which was taken by the Hurricanes with 99 points, then the Devils occupied 16th place with 91 points, and the Blue Jackets finished 20th with 89 points.

The Islanders (82 points) and Rangers (85 points) did not qualify for the playoffs, taking 23rd place and 22nd place in the league standings.

Carolina is still a steady regular-season team, but now, having acquired Nikolaj Ehlers and getting a full season out of Logan Stankoven, they can take a step forward.

The Devils did not sign big free agents but might add Canucks' Quinn Hughes down the road, and the healthy version of Jack Hughes might get them back into the playoffs.

The Rangers are in uncertainty, but still possess Igor Shesterkin and just signed Vladislav Gavrikov to help anchor the defense.

New GM Mathieu Darche acquired some quality pieces for the Islanders, never more than a step or two outside the playoff bubble. They might make the playoffs if they could achieve consistency under head coach Patrick Roy.

The Columbus Blue Jackets, just recovering from an emotional season last time around, could push for a postseason place, but Pittsburgh and Philadelphia might not come into consideration.

And if the weakest link is the Metro Division, as Mike Rupp says, it becomes even more reasonable for bubble teams such as the Penguins to compete for actual playoff relevance. It's better for Pittsburgh to be in a weaker division than a strong one.