Grading the Metro & the Penguins Chances After UFA Frenzy (PHN+)

The Metropolitan Division is notoriously tough. The easy travel schedule, the heritage teams with well-run organizations (and the Islanders), and Sidney Crosby have made the Metro Division a packed house. Last season, five Metro teams made the Eastern Conference playoffs and until St. Louis hoisted Lord Stanley’s gift last month, the Metro Division including the Pittsburgh Penguins won the last three Stanley Cups.

And the division is getting better. Artemi Panarin stayed in the division, Anders Lee stayed with the New York Islanders, but Sebastian Aho might be the first RFA to bolt since Dustin Penner in 2007.

So where do the Penguins fit and what are their playoff chances now that the first wave of the free agent frenzy is over? This does come with an asterisk as the Penguins likely aren’t done, according to GM Jim Rutherford.