Where the Penguins Stand in the Metropolitan Division to Start the Season

It is time for the 2019-20 NHL season, and many teams in the Metro have made big splashes this offseason. As the season begins, where do the Pittsburgh Penguins stand?

In 2019, five Metropolitan division teams qualified for the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Capitals and Penguins lost in round one, while the Blue Jackets and Islanders were eliminated in round two. The Carolina Hurricanes were the last Metro team standing before they lost in the conference finals.

A few months later and we have seen vital trade acquisitions, top draft picks, and high-profile free agents land in each of the eight Metro locker rooms. So, who is for real this season, who will disappoint, and, most importantly, where do the Penguins stand?

First of all, the Penguins had a better offseason than people are giving them credit for. It was time to move on from Olli Maatta, and, if the rumors are true, it was the right move to trade Phil Kessel.

Brandon Tanev‘s contract is much larger than it probably could have been, but he, Alex Galchenyuk, and Dominik Kahun could all flourish in crucial roles, playing alongside the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

I was a firm believer that upgrading role players and keeping the core intact was what needed to be done, and, for the most part, that is what happened. Speed and skill win hockey games, and the Penguins have more of it now than they did last season.

Of course, other teams in the division were even busier than the Penguins. The Devils added Jack Hughes in the draft and PK Subban and Nikita Gusev via trades. The Rangers selected Kappo Kakko second overall, traded for Jacob Trouba, and signed top free agent Artemi Panarin.

Speaking of Panarin, the Blue Jackets lost him, Sergei Bobrovsky, Ryan Dzingel and Matt Duchene. Columbus added Gustav Nyquist, but it was a tough summer for CBJ.

The Washington Capitals lost some key members of its 2018 championship team, while the Carolina Hurricanes saw captain Justin Williams step away. Otherwise, these teams mostly plugged in new acquisitions where some departing players used to be.

The same can be said for the New York Islanders, who seem to have broken even this offseason. The Philadelphia Flyers also fall into this category, with the exception of Kevin Hayes, who should provide a nice boost.

Overall, I see the Metro as a very competitive division the whole way through. No team will dominate, and no group will be dominated.

The key for the Penguins will be the new guys settling in and reaching their potential. If Tanev, Galchenyuk, and Kahun are all able to do that, we will see an improved Penguins team on the ice.

With all of this being said, here are my Metro standings predictions:

1. Washington Capitals
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Carolina Hurricanes
4. New Jersey Devils
5. New York Islanders
6. Philadelphia Flyers
7. New York Rangers
8. Columbus Blue Jackets

While I think the Penguins will be okay in this crowded division, it is imperative that they finish in the top four, as the Atlantic seems poised to have four playoff teams this year.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have the potential to make some noise this season and surprise some people. They begin that quest against the Buffalo Sabres.

Will the Penguins compete for the division, make the playoffs, or come up short this season? Feel free to leave your comments below!