Ramblings: Training Camp Questions for the Metro Division ...

In my last Ramblings, we discussed training camp battles from the Atlantic Division. Even though camps don't open for a couple weeks yet, it's important to keep an eye on certain camp battles and we'll be continuing our way around the league today with the Metro Division.

One thing I have noticed about team training camps over the last half-decade or so is that teams don't really waste time on them anymore. If, for example, teams have 50 players report to a training camp, probably 20 of them are irrelevant to us. It won't be long for those players to be separated into their second-tier camp while the main roster, plus some top prospects, are separated into the main camp. Subsequently, that also means it doesn't take long to get to pertinent line combinations, be they at even strength or on the power play.

With that preamble out of the way, let's get to one training camp question for each team out of the Metro.

New York Rangers: Who is Playing Next to Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider?

Ever since Pavel Buchnevich left the organization, there has been a constant churn on what used to be the team's top line. Kaapo Kakko is still around, the addition of Reilly Smith brings another option, and Jimmy Vesey has taken that spot at times. All are options for the top line, and when there are so many options for the same position, it tells us there is no heir apparent for that position.

If Kakko had developed into the player the team was hoping he'd be, it'd be his spot with zero questions asked. But he hasn't become that player just yet, turning into a good defensive winger who doesn't bring a lot offensively. He can help the top line in their own end, but can't really help in the offensive zone, and that's why Smith was brought in and that's why Vesey is an option who will probably spend a handful of games there. This is a good offensive spot but it's still wide open.

My guess (contrary to my opinion on the matter six weeks ago) is they give the newly acquired Smith a chance on the top line, and he brings a little bit of everything offensively, so maybe it goes well. Then again, we've said the same thing about a half-dozen different players on that line over the last three seasons so maybe the right-wing carousel continues.

New Jersey Devils: Which Wingers Skate with Jack Hughes?

Tyler Toffoli was traded last season, Alex Holtz was traded in the offseason, and that has cleared up the team's top-6 a little bit. There is Hughes and Nico Hischier down the middle, and Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt at the top of the winger pile. However, there is still Ondrej Palat, there is Dawson Mercer, the team brought back Tomas Tatar, and Paul Cotter was brought in over the summer. I assume Palat and Mercer get the top-6 roles, but we'll get clarity on that eventually.

The most important spots in the top-6 are next to next to Hughes, and it makes me wonder who is left winger will be. Hischier and Meier have been a much better duo over the last two seasons than Hughes and Meier, and the team will know that. Assuming it's Bratt on one side, who is on the other?  

It seems like this would be the perfect time to consistently use Mercer on the top line. Maybe they decide to use Bratt at right wing instead and use Palat on the left side. There are options here. However, Mercer is one of the few right-hand shots the team has up front so maybe they try to make life easier on everyone by having him there and moving Bratt to the second line.

Whatever the mix ends up being, I think the Meier/Hischier and Bratt/Hughes duos are fairly safe. The other two spots seem somewhat open, though I'd lean Mercer being moved up to the top-6 consistently. We should find out more when camps roll around. 

Carolina Hurricanes: Can Martin Necas Get a Prime Role?

Jake Guentzel was acquired late last season, but he's moved on. Michael Bunting is in Pittsburgh and Teuvo Teravainen is back in Chicago. Stefan Noesen has even returned to New Jersey. All four of those players saw at least 1:30 per game in power play ice time last season, and all of them are gone from the franchise. That leaves a lot of power play roles open for the taking, including a top role alongside Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Seth Jarvis.

When Nečas had a prime PP role in 2022-23, he had career-highs in goals (28), assists (43), shots (240), and power play points (26). He saw a decline in 2023-24 as his role was reduced. With so many wingers gone from the team, it seems he's in line to return to 18-plus minutes per game with top PP time. That puts 70 points back on the menu. Then again, nothing is given until we see it, and that's why training camp is important. It would be an extremely Carolina Thing To Do by having Nečas on the second PP unit and use Bradly Nadeau or Jack Roslovic instead.

New York Islanders: Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal

Up until the All-Star break, Barzal spent just 20% of his 5-on-5 ice time away from Horvat. After the All-Star break, Barzal spent about 35% of his time away from Horvat. New head coach Patrick Roy was looking to get both players going, as well as spread the offence around, and that meant separating his top two offensive stars a lot more than the previous coaching regime. My guess is Roy would like to leave the duo together and hope his depth forwards can elevate themselves, but he may not have a choice in the matter. Training camp probably sees these two on the top line together, but I'll be interested to see if it lasts all preseason.

Washington Capitals: How Is Washington Running the Power Play?

Pierre-Luc Dubois and Andrew Mangiapane were added to the roster. They have Alex Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, and Tom Wilson as incumbents. Connor McMichael took strides forward last season, too. Washington also added Jakob Chychrun in the offseason to John Carlson's blue line. Those are eight names, excluding prospects or injured players like T.J. Oshie, for the top PP unit. Well, seven names. We know Ovechkin is going to get a lot of run.

Is Washington a team that is going to run two even-ish PP units, leaving Ovechkin on for the full two minutes like they did last year? Does Chychrun cut into Carlson's PP role? Does Dubois cut into Strome's? Does Mangiapane get more run in Washington than he did in Calgary? There are a lot of questions for the Capitals power play and very few answers besides 'Ovechkin Shoot'.  

Columbus Blue Jackets: N/A

I had a section written up here but given the tragic death of Johnny Gaudreau, it doesn’t seem reasonable. Nothing but love for his friends, family, teammates, and fans.

Philadelphia Flyers: What is the Winger Mix?

Matvei Michkov has arrived and, on a team where few roles are guaranteed, this muddles things ever further. Travis Konecny signed a long-term deal, Owen Tippett is coming off a career year, Tyson Foerster seemed to earn John Tortorella's trust, Joel Farabee has been a reliable producer, Bobby Brink is still in the mix, and that doesn't include any true prospects. There are at least five, if not six, contenders for a top-6 winger role. Aside from Konecny, no one should assume they have a lock on a top-6 role right now, which is why it'll be interesting to see how things are run in camp.

I get that reading much into line combinations of a John Tortorella team can be a fool's errand, but we can only read into the information provided and hope for the best. My assumption is the top-6 mix includes Tippett, Konecny, Michkov, and Farabee with Foerster used more in a defensive role with the likes of Ryan Poehling. Then again, maybe Foerster has earned a top-6 role and Farabee will be used to bring some more offence to the third line. We will find out soon enough.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Does Rutger McGroarty Get a First Line Role?

Reilly Smith and Jake Guentzel are gone. Both Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell seem likely to play the right-wing spots next to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Michael Bunting skated much more with Malkin than with Crosby towards the end of the 2023-24 season. If that holds, it means there is a left-wing spot open next to Crosby. Is that going to be the spot for the newly acquired McGroarty? It would be a huge role to fill after Guentzel left, but it would also be a hugely beneficial spot to be in the fantasy game.

I have long been a fan of Drew O'Connor but maybe he's better suited playing a two-way role on the third line. As things stand, McGroarty looks to have an opportunity to earn a significant role on a Pittsburgh team clinging to hopes of returning to the playoffs. Training camps will tell us soon enough, but a consistent role next to Crosby puts a 50-point rookie season in play for the young winger. He will at least have the opportunity to earn that role.