The NHL will return to its usual divisional alignment next season, which means the Penguins will be back in the Metropolitan Division.
This offseason has seen a number of significant trades, signings, and departures in free agency among the moves made around the division.
Who are the new faces on the seven other teams around the Metro? Which players have teams moved on from? How much better or worse did some of these teams get? Let's break it down.
HURRICANES
Additions: Forwards Derek Stepan, Josh Leivo, Stefan Noesen, defensemen Ethan Bear, Ian Cole, Tony DeAngelo, Brendan Smith, Jalen Chatfield, Eric Gelinas, goaltenders Frederik Andersen, Antti Raanta, Alex Lyon
Subtractions: Forwards Brock McGinn,Warren Foegele, Morgan Geekie, Cedric Paquette, Sheldon Rempal, defensemen Dougie Hamilton, Jake Bean, Jani Hakanpaa, goaltenders Petr Mrazek, James Reimer, Alex Nedeljkovic
Cap space: $12,326,417
Bottom line: The two biggest moves here were not re-signing Hamilton, and trading Calder finalist Nedeljkovic, and the Hurricanes have taken a step back with the moves they've made to replace them. I like the additions of Bear and Cole on defense, but it's an overall been an underwhelming offseason for Carolina. They definitely have enough flexibility cap-wise to make more moves before or during the season, however.
BLUE JACKETS
Additions: Forwards Jakub Voracek, Sean Kuraly, Zac Rinaldo, defensemen Adam Boqvist, Jake Bean
Subtractions: Forwards Cam Atkinson, Ryan MacInnis, Zac Dalpe, Kole Sherwood, Stefan Matteau, defensemen Seth Jones, Michael Del Zotto
Cap space: $10,446,638
Bottom line: After finishing tied for last place in the Central Division last season, the Blue Jackets are accelerating the rebuild process with the moves made this offseason, notably the trades of Atkinson and Jones. The Blue Jackets will have a new head coach as well, with assistant Brad Larsen replacing John Tortorella after Tortorella stepped down. Columbus' 2020 first-round pick Yegor Chinakhov will make the move from Russia to North America next season and could crack the NHL roster, which will at least be an interesting story for the season.
DEVILS
Additions: Forwards Tomas Tatar, Chase De Leo, defensemen Dougie Hamilton, Ryan Graves, Christian Jaros, goaltender Jonathan Bernier
Subtractions: Forwards Nathan Bastian, Nick Merkley, Mikhail Maltsev, Brett Seney, defensemen Will Butcher, Ryan Murray, Matt Tennyson, Connor Carrick, goaltender Aaron Dell
Cap space: $12,167,765
Bottom line: The Devils could be a playoff contender with the moves they've made, especially on defense with Hamilton and Graves. Hamilton is a big boost to the power play as well, and Graves bolsters the penalty kill. The defensive additions could also see P.K. Subban, who has struggled during his time in New Jersey, take on a simplified role after averaging over 22 minutes per game last season. Tatar can produce offensively, putting up 30 points in 50 games last season and 61 points in 68 games in 2018-19. Now he gets to play with one of either Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes. New Jersey's rebuild appears to be over.
ISLANDERS
Additions: Forward Richard Panik
Subtractions: Forwards Jordan Eberle, Andrew Ladd, Michael Dal Colle, Dmytro Timashov, defenseman Nick Leddy
Cap space: $11,920,812
Bottom line: Not a whole lot of movement here, but not much change was needed given that the Islanders were one game away from the Stanley Cup Final last season. The most significant change is Eberle being lost to Seattle in the expansion draft. Panik doesn't offset the loss of Eberle, but Anders Lee does. Lee's season ended in March due to injury, and the Islanders still went deep into the playoffs without him. Lee will be right back on the Islanders' top line when the season starts.
RANGERS
Additions: Forwards Barclay Goodrow, Ryan Reaves, Sammy Blais, Dryden Hunt, Greg McKegg, defensemen Patrik Nemeth, Jarred Tinordi
Subtractions: Forwards Pavel Buchnevich, Colin Blackwell, Brett Howden, Phillip Di Giuseppe, defensemen Brendan Smith, Tony DeAngelo
Cap space: $8,821,031
Bottom line: The Rangers got tougher, thats for sure. Goodrow was the Lightning's leader in hits last season. Reaves is the enforcer the Rangers were missing in their meetings with the Capitals last season. Nemeth and Tinordi both add size and toughness to the blue line. And with DeAngelo getting bought out, the Rangers' physical altercations will presumably only take place on the ice with opponents now, not off the ice between teammates. I don't know if the moves will necessarily make the Rangers better, but their season-opener in Washington will at least be can't-miss television.
FLYERS
Additions: Forwards Cam Atkinson, Nate Thompson, Gerald Mayhew, defensemen Ryan Ellis, Rasmus Ristolainen, Keith Yandle, Nick Seeler, goaltender Martin Jones
Subtractions: Forwards Jakub Voracek, Nolan Patrick, Carsen Twarynski, defensemen Philippe Myers, Shayne Gostisbehere, Robert Hagg, goaltenders Brian Elliott, Alex Lyon
Cap space: $281,477
Bottom line: Carter Hart struggled in net for the Flyers last season, but the defensemen in front of him shared much of the blame. The Flyers addressed several needs this summer, bolstering that defense. They brought Jones, who did struggle as the Sharks' starter in recent seasons to share the net with Hart, but could benefit from that kind of 1B, backup-type reduced role. And they added some offense in Atkinson, a guy who scored 41 goals only three seasons ago.
CAPITALS
Additions: Defensemen Matt Irwin, Dylan McIlrath
Subtractions: Forward Michael Raffl, defenseman Brenden Dillon, goaltender Craig Anderson
Cap space: $668,740
Bottom line: Not many changes in Washington. They big-brained the expansion draft by losing goaltender Vitek Vanacek, trading an underperforming defenseman in Dillon to Winnipeg for draft picks, then sending one of those draft picks to Seattle to get Vanacek back. The Capitals' most-pressing need this offseason was re-signing Alex Ovechkin, and they did that. They didn't do anything to improve, but they didn't get worse either.