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Detroit Red Wings: The 2021 NHL Metro Division Preview

By Alex Faber

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MAY 21: Vincent Trocheck #16 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with Andrei Svechnikov #37 after scoring a goal in the second period against the Nashville Predators in Game Three of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 21, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MAY 21: Vincent Trocheck #16 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with Andrei Svechnikov #37 after scoring a goal in the second period against the Nashville Predators in Game Three of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 21, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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New York Islanders

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 07: Zdeno Chara #33 of the New York Islanders skates in warm-ups prior to the preseason game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on October 07, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 07: Zdeno Chara #33 of the New York Islanders skates in warm-ups prior to the preseason game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on October 07, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Record Last Season: 32-17-7

Playoff Result: Lost in the Conference Finals

Expectations This Season: the Stanley Cup

The New York Islanders have been one of the toughest outs in the playoffs of late. The team as made back-to-back conference finals, losing to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

New York’s offseason was the opposite of Carolina’s, as the team remained mostly unchanged. The biggest signing was Zach Parise, who will add some veteran depth to the forward group. Zdeno will do much do the same.

They traded Nick Leddy to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Richard Panik (likely a depth or fourth line forward for the team) and a second round pick.

Essentially, for a successful season, Barry Trotz and the Islanders need to keep doing what they’ve been doing. Make it to the playoffs and play suffocating, intense hockey to make a deep run. After making back-to-back conference finals, the Islanders need to capitalize on their momentum sooner than later.

The Islanders are a tough nut to crack defensively. Unless they really take some steps forward this season, the Red Wings offense is going to have a hard time penetrating such a well coached, defensively aggressive team. The under will probably be a safe bet when the two face off this season.

New York Rangers

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 26: Adam Fox #23 of the New York Rangers carries the puck against the New York Islanders during the first period in a preseason game at Madison Square Garden on September 26, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 26: Adam Fox #23 of the New York Rangers carries the puck against the New York Islanders during the first period in a preseason game at Madison Square Garden on September 26, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Record Last Season: 27-23-6

Playoff Result: N/A

Expectations This Season: Make the Playoffs

The New York Rangers made some majors changes in the off-season, including at coach – Gerard Gallant stepped in for the fired David Quinn.

GM Chris Drury made some acquisitions through trade to solidify the forward room. Ryan Reaves and Samuel Blains are going the bolster the bottom-six effectively, and trade for Tampa Bay’s Barclay Goodrow gives some versatility among the entire lineup.

However, the most important thing for the Rangers will be development of the younger players, namely Alexis Lafrenière. The former first overall pick didn’t quite live up to draft expectations in his rookie year, but he has plenty of time to improve.

Again, Detroit has a tough defense to face off against in the Rangers. Norris Trophy Winner Adam Fox leads a good defensive group. Offensively, there’s a good chance the group makes some major improvements with the facelift the forward room got.

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