Predicting the 2019-2020 Metropolitan Standings

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 26: The Metropolitan Division All-Stars pose after winning the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 26: The Metropolitan Division All-Stars pose after winning the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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3. New Jersey Devils

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 20: Taylor Hall #9 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the New York Rangers at the Prudential Center on September 20, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Rangers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 20: Taylor Hall #9 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the New York Rangers at the Prudential Center on September 20, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Rangers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The Devils went from a bottom of the barrel team to a legitimate bubble contender with their commendable offseason. Drafting Jack Hughes, who has already been lighting up the preseason,  and adding PK Subban, Wayne Simmonds, and Nikita Gusev has propelled the Devils back into a potential contender. Not only that, but with the return of star winger and Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall from a knee injury that caused him to miss the majority of last season, it is as if he is a new pickup for them as well.

With Cory Schnieder bound to have a bounce-back year and Makenzie Blackwood proving to be capable to at the very least be able to split the workload with Schneider as the backup, the Devils look solid on the backend. New Jersey has a long pedigree of winning and are my pick to upset most of the Metro teams this year.

Notable Additions: Jack Hughes, Wayne Simmonds, PK Subban, Nikita Gusev

Notable Losses: Kurtis Gabriel, Kenny Agostino