27-35-13-7 (74 pts)
13th in West
24th overall

Jamie Allison, D (FA-CBJ); Mathieu Darche, LW (FA-CBJ); Mike Farrell, RW (T-Wsh); Jim McKenzie, LW (FA-NJ); Curtis Murphy, D (T-Min); Ray Schultz, D (FA-NYI); Ben Simon, C (FA-Atl); Sergei Soin, C (T-Col)

Erik Anderson, C (FA-Europe); Jason Beckett, D (FA-Min); Andy Delmore, D (T-Buf); Stu Grimson, LW (Retired); Cale Hulse, D (FA-Phx); Jere Karalahti, D (FA-Europe); Denny Lambert, LW (Ret) ; Bryan Lundbohm, RW (FA-Europe); Cameron Mann, RW (FA-Europe); Konstantin Panov, (FA-Europe); Denis Pederson, C (FA-Europe); Oleg Petrov, RW (FA-Europe); Domenic Pittis, C (FA-Buf); Alexander Riazantsev, D (T-Wsh); Reid Simpson, LW (FA-Pit); Karlis Skrastins, D (T-Col); Tomas Slovak, D (T-Col); Peter Smrek, D (T-Ott); Clarke Wilm, C (FA-Det); Vitali Yachmenev, RW (FA-Europe)

Considering the Predators finished 24th overall in the NHL, it's hard to believe there's a solid goaltender in between the pipes. But in Tomas Vokoun, Nashville appears to have a durable No. 1 guy.

After five seasons in the league, Vokoun finally got his opportunity as a starter last year and he seemed to thrive in his new role. In 69 games, the Czech Republic native sported a 25-31-11 record, 2.20 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.

Vokoun has great quickness and reflexes, which help him recover from save to save. He didn't seem to tire down the stretch last season despite starting 57 of Nashville's final 58 games.

Vokoun will likely see just as much time this season since his backup — likely 24-year-old Jan Lasak — does not have much big league experience (he has just six NHL games in two seasons with the Preds).

The Nashville Predators were so sure they would make their first-ever playoff appearance last season that they promised season-ticket reimbursement if they didn't. Now that those refunds have been handed out, it's time to refocus on another season.

The Predators have not made the playoffs in their five-year existence, and it doesn't look like they will be any closer this season.

Vokoun won't be getting much help from his blueline. Andy Delmore, who led the league in power-play goals by a defenceman, was traded, leaving just three members from last year's core — Kimmo Timonen, Jason York and Mark Eaton. Timonen is coming off an excellent campaign where he scored six goals and 34 assists in 72 games. Last season he played upwards of 22 minutes per game and will see just as many or more this year.

Youngsters Tomas Kloucek, 23, and Dan Hamhuis, 20, will more than likely be put into full-time NHL action this season.

The Preds were playoff contenders for a good chunk of last season, but injuries and lack of scoring depth became too much down the stretch, especially after leading scorer David Legwand went down with a season-ending broken collarbone.

Legwand wasn't the only one to go down with an injury. Veterans Andreas Johansson and Scott Walker also missed large chunks of the season with various ailments. Having those three players in the lineup at the same time would be a start.

Martin Erat, Denis Arkhipov, and Scott Hartnell are the team's up-and-coming forwards. Hartnell, at just 21, is entering his fourth season and is a steady two-way forward.

Canadian juniors Scottie Upshall and Jordin Tootoo will get a long look at camp. Upshall had a short stint with the club last year before being sent back to the junior ranks. Both Upshall and Tootoo have the tenacity on the ice that coach Barry Trotz likes in his players.

The 23-year-old Legwand suddenly has the weight of repeating his performance from last season (17 goals, 31 assists in 64 games) while staying healthy. The Predators' second overall pick in the 1998 NHL draft has improved in each of his four seasons. And entering his fifth year in league, he'll have to kick it up another notch as Predators fans are tired of waiting for a trip to the playoffs.