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Every August I like to focus on Metro Division content since a) the New Jersey Devils see more of these teams than anybody else and; b) the playoff format makes it very worthwhile to know the ins and outs of the division.
I’ve already highlighted the best and the worst moves made by Metro teams this summer, and recently took a broader look by way of a stock report.
Up next, I’ll be going team-by-team and highlighting some of the most intriguing players in the division.
Let’s get into Part 1.
Blake is an awesome, awesome player and still just scratching the surface of what he can be.
We have already seen a ton of growth in a short period of time. Blake produced 19 more points as a sophomore than a rookie and followed that up with better than a point per game in the playoffs.
He has driven play and excelled at both ends of the ice while carving out a bigger role for himself, and he only just turned 23 last week.
Rod Brind’Amour is not the kind of coach who will overtax a forward, no matter how good they are, but 60+ points should be in the cards given similar usage, and I could see him flirting with 70+ if injuries arise and he is forced into a more prominent role.
Adam Fantilli would be a good choice as well, given he’ll soon be paid like a high-tier star and there are red flags in his profile. I had to go with Zach Werenski, though.
It feels as if he has one foot out the door, and it won’t be good for the Columbus Blue Jackets if that becomes two.
Sure, they’ll get good pieces and futures in return, but it’ll be hard to improve the outlook of the team when moving on from one of the best and most dynamic defenders in the sport.
If the Blue Jackets struggle in the first half, and Werenski continues to voice concerns about extending, we could see a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman traded in-season for the second straight year.
Mantha led the league in 5v5 shooting percentage over the last three years and trailed only Tage Thompson in scoring efficiency.
He is a regression candidate in that his conversion rate has reached such extreme heights they’d be hard for anybody to replicate.
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