The National Hockey League is closing in on the trade deadline, but teams are holding off making their moves, likely to accrue every little bit of cap space they can before March 8. GMs are looking at what they can do to make their teams stronger for the stretch drive, but others are poised to be sellers over the next week or so and accumulate as much draft capital and prospects as possible.
Here is a look at where things stand in the Metropolitan Division:
February’s Biggest Success Or Surprise
New York Rangers (9-1-0 – 1st Place in the Metro)
The Rangers were shot out of a cannon after the All-Star break, winning nine straight games until a 4-2 loss to Columbus on Sunday and hold a five-point lead over Carolina and are two points from the league’s best record. Big forward Matt Rempe has become an overnight sensation with his pugilistic exploits, but with the loss of veteran forward Blake Wheeler and center Filip Chytil for the rest of the season, GM Chris Drury will be looking for reinforcements before the deadline.
The Dennis Green “They Are Who We Thought They Were” Award
Carolina Hurricanes (7-3-1 in February – 2nd place in the Metro)
The Hurricanes had been underachieving and surprisingly battling defensive issues in the first half but have been able to get their house in order in the New Year and once again taken their place as a top contender in the East. Youngster Pyotr Kochetkov made the bulk of the starts in goal, but Carolina got help from waiver claim Spencer Martin. The Canes went 7-3-1 in February while struggling to generate offense, which might be a target of improvement before the March 8th trade deadline.
Biggest Disappointment
Columbus Blue Jackets (3-4-0 in February – 8th Place in the Metro)
The Blue Jackets have been a disaster from the hiring and quick dismissal of Mike Babcock to the disappointing results in spite of significant roster changes in the offseason. With the deadline approaching, Team President John Davidson chose to dismiss long-time GM Jarmo Kekalainen and take over on an interim basis, with the club headed for another top-five draft pick and a summer where the direction of the franchise will be called into question.
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February MVP
Igor Shesterkin (NYR) (6-0-0, 1.84 GAA, .951 save %)
The former Vezina Trophy winner was playing well below his usual spectacular form for most of the season, with a rejuvenated Jonathan Quick getting a larger share of the work, but Shesterkin found himself in February, going undefeated in six starts and posting a league-best .951 save percentage.