NHL offseason grades: Metropolitan Division

Divisions:
Pacific | Central
Atlantic | Metropolitan

There were only a few big-name signings from Metro Division teams this offseason, but clubs and players still made franchise-altering decisions.

Here's how each Metropolitan squad fared this offseason:

Some contract figures are reported. Most players on two-way deals have been omitted. Total contract value does not include bonuses.

Carolina Hurricanes

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

It was a busy offseason in Raleigh to say the least. Hamilton and de Haan were added to one of the league's best blue lines. Losing Skinner's scoring punch up front will hurt, but he's on the last year of his contract and was unlikely to re-sign.

Overall, the Hurricanes are headed in the right direction, but their failure to appropriately address goaltending and center woes will likely keep them out of the playoffs again.

Grade: B

Columbus Blue Jackets

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

The Blue Jackets didn't address the two big elephants in the room: Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky, who are both unrestricted free agents after this season. Bobrovsky and the club are far apart in negotiations, and Panarin has halted extension talks until next offseason. The Jackets can't afford to lose their two most valuable players for nothing.

Unless general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has some tricks up his sleeve, failing to sign or trade at least one of those players this offseason is a colossal misstep, especially since the Blue Jackets aren't realistic Stanley Cup contenders in 2018-19.

On the bright side, signing Riley Nash was a very savvy move.

Grade: D+

New Jersey Devils

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

The Devils' quiet offseason made it easy to forget they exist. They didn't add anyone who will be a lineup regular.

Instead, they'll rely on internal depth to replace veterans who departed. GM Ray Shero is likely saving his cap space for next summer, but that could result in the Devils falling short of returning to the playoffs this season.

Grade: C-

New York Islanders

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

N/A

Re-signed

It was a dark offseason for the Islanders. They lost Tavares, their franchise player, and signed a bunch of misfit veterans up front in an attempt to replace him. The Isles may have been better off turning the page with a youth movement, allowing Josh Ho-Sang, Kieffer Bellows, and Michael Dal Colle to make the team.

The team's biggest offseason acquisitions came in the front office (Lou Lamoriello) and behind the bench (Barry Trotz). But that won't be enough to heal the wounds from Tavares leaving.

Grade: D

New York Rangers

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

The Rangers didn't do much to improve, which is fine because the club is clearly rebuilding. They also didn't really have much of a choice with just a little over $1 million in cap space.

For the first time in a while, the Rangers won't head into the season expecting to make the playoffs, but their youth movement is starting.

Grade: C-

Philadelphia Flyers

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

The Flyers made one huge splash this offseason, bringing back a familiar face in James van Riemsdyk. He'll immediately help the team's offense - specifically in front of the net on the power play - but his long-term deal might not age well because of his one-dimensional skill set and lack of foot speed.

Philly's offense might be one of the league's best, but - stop us if you've heard this before - shaky goaltending could prohibit a deep playoff run.

Grade: B-

Pittsburgh Penguins

Key arrivals

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

N/A

Re-signed

Pittsburgh's biggest move of the offseason was handing out an egregious five-year contract to 31-year-old Jack Johnson, who's coming off arguably the worst season of his career.

However, the Pens managed to keep most of the core contributors to their 2016 and 2017 championship-winning teams, giving them another shot at competing for a title.

Grade: C

Washington Capitals

Key arrivals

N/A

Key departures

Rookies who could crack the lineup

Re-signed

Against all odds, Caps GM Brian MacLellan brought back nearly his team's entire 2018 Stanley Cup champion roster, minus fourth-line center Jay Beagle. It took some shrewd maneuvering, dumping Brooks Orpik's $5.5-million cap hit into Colorado's lap and dangling backup goalie Philipp Grubauer as the incentive. The Avs then bought out Orpik, who returned to the Capitals on a contract worth $4.5 million less.

Carlson's massive extension deservedly drew headlines. But retaining Kempny, his defense partner, on a reasonable contract flew under the radar.

Many balked at Wilson's big extension, but if he can become a consistent 20-goal scorer while remaining an imposing physical presence, his deal will turn out just fine.

Grade: A-