Three chaotic Metropolitan Division storylines for 2026-27 season

New Jersey Devils lead a muddled pack of six in NHL's Metropolitan Division

The Devils are almost even money (-132) to make the playoffs out of the NHL's Metropolitan Division. Meanwhile, the other five teams are all plus money, meaning their actual odds of making the playoffs are worse than 50 percent on betting markets.

Philadelphia won a playoff series. Yet, the Flyers are +118. The Penguins made the playoffs, but they're hanging with the Islanders as the only two teams in the division with +200 or greater odds. Bettors don't think either Pennsylvania team can recreate last season's magic. Ultimately, they're betting against the continued late-career brilliance of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Coincidentally, not one of these teams is actively rebuilding. There's nuance, certainly, in how they're all approaching roster-building strategy. Ultimately, none of them are in strategic retreat. 

The New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets both made it aggressively clear that neither team has an appetite to be outside the playoffs in 2026-27. 

The New Jersey Devils, plausibly the leaders of the pack for the third guaranteed playoff spot, probably don't need to push all their chips in this season under the direction of new GM Sunny Mehta. Still, no team with centers Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier is rebuilding.

Meanwhile, the Flyers took a league-changing swing this offseason that didn't pan out. That doesn't mean they have any intention of taking a step back. Elsewhere, Pittsburgh and the Islanders have the shortest leashes. Their front offices could look to the future if either team starts slowly, but neither team is built to tank.

Goalies could dominate the NHL's Metropolitan Division narrative

For better or for worse, every team has a fascinating goalie situation in the NHL's Metropolitan Division. Washington's Logan Thompson, the Islanders' Ilya Sorokin and the Rangers' Igor Shesterkin all graded out among the top goalies in hockey last season by goals saved above expected. All three missed the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Carolina, Pittsburgh and New Jersey will all take a committee approach. New Jersey is expected to move to a three-goalie tandem . The Canes will likely give Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov major work to open the season.

Columbus and Philadelphia are hoping for steps forward in net. Jet Greaves signed a three-year extension in Columbus this offseason. Dan Vladar signed a five-year extension. Neither team can afford a step back from their goaltending in 2026-27.

The Islanders and Devils will be the first to open preseason action in the division on Sunday, Sept. 20.