New York Islanders Metropolitan Division Stronger After Free Agency

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 21: Mascot Iceburgh of the Pittsburgh Penguins talks with host Joe Manganiello during the 2017 NHL Awards and Expansion Draft at T-Mobile Arena on June 21, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Penguins

Oh, those two time defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. How “fun” it is to play in the same division as them. The Penguins will look a little different though in 2017-2018.

First, they lost Marc-Andre Fleury in the expansion draft to Las Vegas. I use the term “lost” very loosely, they have a pretty solid netminder named Matt Murray who is 23 and has two Stanley Cups under his belt.

They also lost some other veteran names that we’ve grown to be familiar with like Nick Bonino, Chris Kunitz, Trevor Daley and Ron Hainsey. Matt Cullen is also still a free agent and they aren’t sure if he is returning or retiring. Although will it matter?

Pittsburgh Penguins Off-Season Moves:

The Penguins are still the Stanley Cup favorites for 2017-2018 and for good reason. They still have the best player in the world, they still have Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel and so on. The Penguins will be just fine.

I think the losing of veteran leaders is a little overrated in this situation when you have the firepower that the Penguins do. They’re still a juggernaut on offense and should be everyone’s pick to win the Metro. It’s not like they went out and improved on their roster but they are still good enough to overcome the losses in free agency because that’s exactly what a two-time defending champion would do.