2014 NHL Offseason Recap: Metropolitan Division
Nov 20, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin (8) an Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) follow the puck in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The Metropolitan Division features two of the top players in the NHL: Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.
Both superstars continued their dominance last season as Crosby won the Hart Trophy and Ovechkin netted 51 goals for his fourth Maurice Richard Trophy.
But while both Crosby and Ovechkin continue their trend upwards, their respective teams have taken a U-turn.
Pittsburgh continued its’ postseason struggles as it has failed to reach the Eastern Conference Final for the fourth time in five seasons. In Washington, the Capitals fell to fifth in the division and missed out on postseason play for the first time since the 2006-2007 season.
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As a result of their failures, both clubs hired new head coaches (Mike Johnston in Pittsburgh and Barry Trotz in Washington) and have shaken up their respective lineups this offseason.
The Stanley Cup Final runner-up New York Rangers lost some pieces due to salary cap limitations, but should clinch another playoff berth.,
The Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets swapped pieces but otherwise had a quiet offseason.
While the Flyers and Blue Jackets were relatively silent this summer, the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders were free-spenders and brought in plenty to talent to boost their offenses.
Here’s a breakdown of each team’s offseason in the Metropolitan Division.
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