The New York Rangers are still feeling the sting of their recent Eastern Conference Final loss, with center Vincent Trocheck expressing a heightened desire to return to the playoffs. The Carolina Hurricanes, who faced a similar fate, are also eager to improve after losing key players.

As the Metropolitan Division prepares for a competitive season, teams like the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers are looking to bounce back, while the aging Pittsburgh Penguins face pressure to perform. The predicted order of finish suggests a challenging year ahead.