The Athletic Hockey Show – NHL Metropolitan Division Preview

Date: September 30, 2025
Hosts/Panel: Max Bultman, Peter Baugh, Shayna Goldman, Scott Wheeler, Vince Mercogliano, Aaron Portzline, Kevin Kerr, Josh Yoey

Episode Overview

This episode provides a comprehensive preview of the NHL's Metropolitan Division for the 2025-26 season. The panel discusses each team’s key storylines, off-season moves, roster changes, and outlooks—with insights from local beat writers. The conversation covers expected breakouts, pivotal questions, player health, coaching changes, and narrative touchstones for each club.

Key Discussion Points & Team-by-Team Insights

General Outlook of the Metropolitan Division

[01:49] Max Bultman & Peter Baugh

• The Metro is brimming with potential but dogged by big question marks for every top team.
  • Washington’s surprising 2024-25 success: Can it be repeated?
  • Carolina’s perennial challenge: Can they finally get “over the hump”?
  • New Jersey’s young flashes: Is it their year to put it all together?
  • Rangers’ revival: Is the ‘win now’ window closing?
  • Islanders’ rebuild or retool?
• Others (PHI, PIT, CBJ): Ascending teams with intriguing youth but uncertain ceilings.

Washington Capitals

[03:38] Guests: Shayna Goldman, Peter Baugh, Max Bultman

Main Storylines

• Can last year’s division-winning performance be repeated, or was it “a magic carpet ride” (03:52)?
• The transition from elite Ovechkin era to the next generation—“Metamorphosis.”

Key Points

• The team has a strong core, a respected coach (Spencer Carbery), young players emerging, and veteran carryovers.
  • “I outright think he’s a good coach and is the right coach for this team.” —Shayna (04:10)
• Ovechkin’s goals chase and contract status: “...see how he feels across an entire season. Last year I think the biggest issue was he wasn’t at the level he should have been by the time the playoffs came around.” —Shayna (05:35)
• Alexei Protas and Pierre-Luc Dubois: Are their breakout years repeatable? Protas compared to “the new generation Mark Stone…except...a better skater.” (09:30)
• Rasmus Sandin’s emergence on defense is pivotal.

Rapid Fire

• Prediction: Lower than last year but still a wild card/playoff team.
  • “Devils, Canes, and Rangers 1-2-3... Caps fighting for a wild card with Ottawa, Montreal.” —Shayna (11:45)
• Most important player: Rasmus Sandin (12:12)
• Album/book title: Metamorphosis by Hilary Duff (13:36)

New York Islanders

[15:24] Guests: Scott Wheeler, Peter Baugh, Max Bultman

Main Storylines

• Management overhaul: Lou Lamoriello out, Matthew Darche in, Noah Dobson traded, landed the #1 draft pick Matthew Schaefer.
• Rebuild vs. contention—what is the team’s actual direction?

Key Points

• Matthew Schaefer—a rare 18-year-old defenseman with “elite skating,” but Islanders should “be patient.”
• Defense is thin without Dobson; heavy minutes required from older stalwarts (Pelech, Pulock), risky bets on Tony DeAngelo, Alexander Romanov.
• Forward group has “good veterans but feels like a team that needs to rebuild more.”
  • “Maybe the best outcome is it comes off the tracks a little bit this year.” —Scott (22:53)

Rapid Fire

• Prediction: Slightly worse or similar finish, likely to sell at deadline, miss playoffs.
• Most important player: Ilya Sorokin
• Album/book title: Stuck in the Middle With You or Go Your Own Way (26:53)

New York Rangers

[27:41] Guests: Vince Mercogliano, Peter Baugh, Max Bultman

Main Storylines

• Window for the “win now” core may be closing.
• New coach Mike Sullivan: Can he repeat the first-year bump phenomenon? (30:21)
• Next summer’s free agency could be pivotal (McDavid/Kaprizov/Eichel possibilities).

Key Points

• Doubts about this core as a legit Cup contender—aging stars, defensive woes.
  • “I have many reasons to be skeptical. I would lean toward a no.” —Vince (28:23)
• Strong goaltending from Igor Shesterkin remains their X-factor.
  • “If anybody is going to give them a chance, it’s Igor.” —Vince (31:50)
• Sullivan promising a “no BS” north-south, turnover-cutting style.
• Key questions: Can they transition out of this era gracefully? Will their defense hold up?

Rapid Fire

• Prediction: Playoff team, finish 3rd-5th in division, lower Stanley Cup expectations.
• Most important player: Shesterkin
• Album/book title: It’s Miller Time / “Can They Salvage This?” (39:49)

Columbus Blue Jackets

[43:17] Guest: Aaron Portzline

Main Storylines

• Youthful offensive explosion last season (Fantilli, Marchenko, Voronkov). Is it all sustainable?
• Goaltending the biggest question mark.

Key Points

• Adam Fantilli: “There’s nothing about [his] 31-goal season that felt like a fluke.”
• If the power play is even league-average, production rises across the board.
• Significant improvement could hinge on the development/emergence of Chinikov, and recently inconsistent goaltending.
  • “If Jet Greaves can outplay Elvis Merzlikins, that’s probably good for Columbus.” (50:58)

Rapid Fire

• Prediction: Slightly higher finish, playoff spot possible.
  • “Metro is tough to call. CBJ could finish anywhere from 3rd to 6th.” —Aaron (53:20)
• Most important player: Damon Severson (55:06)
• Album/book title: They Can Score – Can They Defend? (57:41)

New Jersey Devils

[58:43] Analyst: Peter Baugh

Main Storylines

• Explosive when healthy, but have never put together a full, injury-free, deep run.
• The blue line is now stacked with youth and depth.

Key Points

• Health is the biggest X-factor: “If Jack Hughes stays healthy, they’re elite.”
• Defense group among the NHL’s best (Luke Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, Pesci & more), possibly trade ammo.
  • “You can never have enough young defensemen.” (61:38)
• Forward depth questions, need other young players (Mercer, Gritsyuk) to pop.
• Goaltending: Markstrom has been solid when healthy, but aging.

Rapid Fire

• Prediction: Higher finish, playoffs assured, 2nd in division.
• Most important player: Jack Hughes
• Album/book title: An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away (68:14)

Philadelphia Flyers

[70:56] Guest: Kevin Kerr

Main Storylines

• Year 2 of Matvei Michkov: Will he break out as a true star?
• New coach: Rick Tocchet
• Rebuild phase appears to be ending; team wants stepwise progress, not a “burn it down” operation.

Key Points

• Michkov’s icetime and power-play usage will be early indicators.
• Trevor Zegras: Flyers hoping to unlock his top-six center potential (after a buy-low trade from Anaheim).
• Goaltending (Ersion/Vladar) and special teams improvement are key.
• Defense already solid, but goaltending must catch up.

Rapid Fire

• Prediction: Slightly better, but still not a playoff team.
  • “Better than last year, but still not quite a playoff team.” —Kevin (78:32)
• Most important player: Michkov, with a nod to goaltending
• Album/book title: TikTok – "Time is ticking on the methodical rebuild, now stepwise progress is required." (80:48)

Carolina Hurricanes

[81:15] Guest: Shayna Goldman (with Peter Baugh)

Main Storylines

• “Most interesting off-season in the league”—added Nikolaj Ehlers & Keandre Miller.
• Can the Canes finally crest the Conference Finals hill?

Key Points

• Roster is “extremely well built,” with an open window and proven system.
• Goaltending (Pyotr Kochetkov, Freddie Andersen): Still the biggest question mark.
  • “There’s too much volatility there for me... but with their team D, it may not matter.” —Shayna (83:26)
• Keandre Miller could blossom as a top-four D in Carolina’s system after stagnation with the Rangers.
  • “I love the move for the Hurricanes... this is a team that has a knack for maximizing players within their system.” —Shayna (85:05)
• Expectation: "Conference final or bust"

Rapid Fire

• Prediction: Division champions, #1 seed, playoffs a lock.
• Most important player: Jacob Slavin, with Sebastian Aho almost as vital
• Album/book title: Wretched Trajectory by Origami Angel—better team but likely same playoff heartbreak (88:10)

Pittsburgh Penguins

[88:52] Guest: Josh Yoey

Main Storylines

• First true “rebuild” since the Sid/Malkin era began, awkward mix of youth and aging stars.
• Major questions surrounding Crosby’s future and the trade likelihood of Rust, Carlson, Raquel.

Key Points

• Crosby will still be Crosby, but diminishing odds of postseason play.
  • “He looks like Crosby, like he always does. He’ll be great. But this team, you can’t win with this team right now.” —Josh (90:46)
• Significant young players incoming (Vili Koivunen, Harrison Brunicke).
• New coach Dan Muse: impressing veterans and prospects alike with hands-on approach.
• Goaltending (Jarry) could hasten or slow the tank.

Rapid Fire

• Prediction: Worse than last year, bottom-10 or even bottom-5, not a playoff team.
• Most important player: Crosby, but Jarry’s play could determine lottery odds.
• Album/book title: Echoes of Greatness —“Some nights still special, but it’s not 2017 anymore.” (100:13)

Division Winner Predictions

[101:04] Max Bultman & Peter Baugh

• Unanimous pick: Carolina Hurricanes
  • “They’re a regular season machine...this is the Hurricanes’ division to lose.” —Peter (101:04)
• Both like New Jersey’s chances to push, with a minor debate about the Rangers’ ceiling.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“If anybody is going to give [the Rangers] a chance, it’s Igor...His playoff performance—whether you’re looking at just the standard numbers or the deeper analytics—probably the best performing goalie in the NHL over that span.”
— Vince Mercogliano (31:50)

“This team is better than they were last year, without a doubt. ...Now you got, like, the top options out there to replace them [Carolina]. I am high on them, but we all know how that goes.”
— Shayna Goldman (81:36)

“He (Spencer Carbery) squeezed everything out of that Capitals team two years ago...and I think last year he found ways to maximize his lineup even more.”
— Shayna Goldman (10:12)

“I have no doubt there are some of those [veterans] Kyle Dubas would prefer to discard of to expedite things, but… as long as Sid is on this team, you have to wonder...”
— Josh Yoey (89:23)

“He's my favorite player to watch on Washington outside of like the Ovechkin goal race…Is he the new generation Mark Stone? …Except he’s going to be a better skater.”
—Max Bultman & Shayna Goldman on Alexei Protas (09:18)

"[Keandre Miller]—never was going to happen in NY, but here I could 100% see it somewhere in the top four and I'm curious to see where he ultimately ends up playing."
— Shayna Goldman (85:05)

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away...this team, I think, is entirely health dependent."
— Peter Baugh on the Devils (68:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:49 – Metro Division Overview
• 03:38 – Washington Capitals
• 15:24 – New York Islanders
• 27:41 – New York Rangers
• 43:17 – Columbus Blue Jackets
• 58:43 – New Jersey Devils
• 70:56 – Philadelphia Flyers
• 81:15 – Carolina Hurricanes
• 88:52 – Pittsburgh Penguins
• 101:04 – Divisional winner picks & wrap-up

Tone and Style

The conversation is lively, candid, and analytical—mixing sharp statistical insight with beat-writer perspective, accessible metaphors, and entertaining predictions. There’s a balance of optimism for young, ascending teams and realism for those entering or completing rebuilds.

Summary Takeaways

• Carolina Hurricanes are the consensus favorite, after aggressive and calculated offseason upgrades.
• New Jersey Devils are seen as the greatest challenger—if they can stay healthy, led by Jack Hughes.
• The Rangers’ window is cracking shut—any run must happen now, powered largely by goaltending.
• Capitals will be in the mix but may regress; the next generation is emerging.
• Others (Columbus, Philly) promise intrigue, development, and scrappy growth, while Pittsburgh and the Islanders navigate awkward transitions.
• Goaltending, health, and youthful breakouts loomed as deciding factors throughout the division.

For more on each team and more NHL preseason coverage, check out the full Athletic Hockey Show archives.