Predicting the Divisions

Today ill take a look at the Metropoliotan division

1. Columbus Blue Jackets- GM Steve Clarke

I have a feeling hes done this before......... Steve has managed to take an average hockey club , and turn it into an absolute power house. From the 1st line, down to the 4th line, this team is full of BIG, skilled bodies. Will Holtby be good enough though? Columbus will need to add atleast one more quality defender to help out an average goaltender. A quality hockey team with a quality GM.

2. New York Rangers- GM Pascal Emond

When you have a goup of guys in your top 6 like the Rangers do, and with Del Zotto anchoring your blue line, your gonna be a threat EVERY night. Jimmy Howard solidifies this team and makes them one of the league power houses. New York will need to add another NHL calibre defenseman as insurance though, incase one of their blue liners go down.

3.  New Jersey Devils- GM Charles Rousell

The Devils are one of the leagues older teams in , but they should be able to keep up on most nights. If GM Rousell could manage to add a quality 2nd line centre, 2 more defenseman, and another 4th line checker, this team would be pretty good. But easier said then done. New Jersey should be able to squeek into the playoffs, barring any major injuries, based on the quality of teams in the division.

4. Pitsburgh Penguins- GM Sylvain Boudreau

GM Boudreau took over a pretty stacked team, and has made some minor tweaks, including STEALING Danny Heatly from Anaheim in exchange for Kovalchuk. The penguins have a pretty solid all around team, but some players were negatively effected by the short season and rerates. This team could be a power house next year if the re rates go as they should.

5.  Washington Capitals - GM Marc Vaillancourt

Washington shocked the hockey world lasts season when they traded Malkin to the Oilers, but they managed to replace Malkin with Getzlaf, and stock up their prospect cupboard. Washington still sports a team with quality players, especiall Hart Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin. But without the suporting cast, Ovie and Getzlaf wont be able to get it done alone. With guys like Johanson, Lokionov and Murray developing, this should be a scary team in a couple years.

6. New York Islanders- GM Jean Cyr

New york is a team with to many holes to truly compete. With a solid prospect base, and a collection of decent veterans, GM Cyr could pull off a 2 year rebuild and turn this team into a power house if he makes some smart trades. We will see what he decides, but without their 1st round pick this season, it could be a long year on the Isaland.

7.  Phillidaphia Flyers- GM Mike Paquenet

New comer Paquenet has made some pretty solid moves so far in his early SIMHL career. Adding guys like Gagner and Johansen, and trading away veterans for quality young players has sped up this rebuild. Philly still needs a couple more years to develop and collect talent, but Paquenet definitley has the right mentallity.

8. Carolina Hurricanes- GM Jimmy Hickey

Another rebuilding team, with a GM who never seems to be around. Their is not much to say about Carolina, exept that you need to make some moves to get results.

Stay tuned for my playoff predictions