2026-27 Metropolitan Division Predictor

The Metropolitan Division may be the most fascinating division in the NHL heading into 2026-27, but one thing appears fairly clear: the road to the Metro title still runs through Raleigh according to this preseason predictor from Fanduel Hockey. With training camps set to drop the puck this week, let’s have our final look Fanduel’s division-by-division rankings:

1. Carolina Hurricanes

Until somebody knocks them off, the Hurricanes deserve the benefit of the doubt. Carolina won the Stanley Cup last season and returns virtually the same core, led by Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov and an outstanding defensive structure.

The biggest question is goaltending after Frederik Andersen’s departure (Edmonton), but this is still arguably the deepest and most complete team in the division. Prediction: Metro champions.

2. Washington Capitals

Washington is getting older, but that doesn’t mean they’re going away. Alex Ovechkin remains the headline, while the Capitals have added veteran talent (Jordan Kyrou & Alex Tuch) and continue to surround their superstar with a competitive roster.

FanDuel’s projection has Washington comfortably in second, and we agree. The question is whether the Capitals can turn another strong regular season into a deep playoff run. Prediction: 100 points, second place.

3. New Jersey Devils

This is our favorite team to potentially outperform expectations.

The Devils have elite offensive talent in Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt, and their offseason changes give them considerably more depth. Health may ultimately determine their ceiling. If Hughes stays healthy and the Devils get reliable goaltending (which is a big question mark after dealing Jacob Markstrom to Florida), they could challenge Washington for second.

Prediction: 98 points, third place.

4. Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia is one of the most intriguing teams in the division. The Flyers are coming off a playoff appearance and have plenty of young talent that could continue to develop.

The new 84-game schedule will test everybody’s depth, and Philadelphia’s schedule is particularly demanding in stretches. Still, Fanduel expects the Flyers to be right in the playoff picture throughout the season.

Prediction: 94 points, fourth place.

5. Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus is another team capable of making FanDuel look foolish.

The Blue Jackets have emerging star defenseman Zach Werenski who dropped the hammer this offseason, basically saying “Become competitive, or I’m out”. Kirill Marchenko and a growing young core give Columbus plenty of offensive upside, and the new deal for young veteran forward Cole Sillinger proves the Regina product believes in the direction of the team.

Their problem has always been consistency. Maybe that will change this year. Prediction: 92 points, fifth place.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins

Never count out Sidney Crosby.

The Penguins proved last season that their veteran core still has plenty left, and Crosby remains one of the best players in the sport. But Father Time is undefeated, and Pittsburgh’s margin for error is becoming increasingly narrow.

Prediction: 90 points, sixth place.

7. New York Rangers

This is the boldest prediction.

The Rangers have too much talent to be dismissed, but they need significant improvement after a disappointing 2025-26 season (again). Adam Fox remains a cornerstone, while the Rangers are banking on offensive improvement from their revamped group.

They’ll improve — but not enough to make the playoffs.

Prediction: 89 points, seventh place.

8. New York Islanders

The Islanders may be the most dangerous eighth-place team in hockey.

Matthew Schaefer’s spectacular rookie season gives the franchise a genuine building block, while Mathew Barzal and the veteran core provide experience. But firing head coach Patrick Roy with four games to go and replacing him with Peter Deboer clearly backfired.

The Metro is brutally competitive, and we don’t see enough depth to push them into the top three.

Prediction: 87 points, eighth place.

The bottom line? Carolina remains the class of the Metropolitan Division, but everything underneath them could be chaos. The Devils are my sleeper to make a major jump, while Philadelphia, Columbus and Pittsburgh could be separated by only a handful of points. And if the Rangers or Islanders get hot, the entire playoff picture could change in a hurry.

That makes the Metro one of the divisions I’ll be watching most closely when the puck drops.