KEY ADDITIONS				KEY LOSSES
Name Damian Rhodes Ray Ferraro Andrew Brunette Jason Botterill Patrik Stefan Gord Murphy	Pos. G F F F F D	From Senators Kings Predators Stars N/A Panthers		Name Jamie Pushor Trevor Kidd Peter Ferraro	Pos. D G F	To Stars Panthers Bruins

Outlook
Hockey is back in Atlanta, and one thing is for sure: The Thrashers won't set any scoring records in their inaugural NHL campaign.

		They won't have a problem putting people in Philips Arena because I think the Thrashers will be a huge success in Atlanta. But on the ice, will Ray Ferraro and Nelson Emerson provide enough offense to compete in the division? And can goalie Damien Rhodes keep the Thrashers in enough games to give them a chance to win? It helps to be in the Southeast, but Atlanta isn't as good as Washington, Florida or Carolina. They won't look as bad in the Southeast because it's a relative world. As a goal, the Thrashers should be shooting for Nashville's 63 points from last year. GM Don Waddell spent a lot of time studying David Poile's Predators to use as a model. It would be a good season for the Thrashers if they could finish with 63 points, and they have as much talent as Nashville had. So much depends on coach Curt Fraser's ability to get the players believing they can win.

Of the players obtained during the offseason by the expansion club, Nelson Emerson and Ray Ferraro garnered the most goals last season, at a grand total of 13 apiece.

So much for scoring titles.

However, Atlanta managed to obtain a couple of solid netminders in Damian Rhodes and Norm Maracle. Rhodes, who had a 2.44 GAA and .905 save percentage before giving way to Ron Tugnutt in Ottawa last season, will see the bulk of the action, playing at least 50 games.

Defensively, the group doesn't look too shabby for an expansion club. Veterans Gord Murphy, Chris Tamer and Darryl Shannon anchor the blue line. Shannon and Murphy will be the only two of the whole corps to really help in transition and in the offensive zone.

It's a good thing head coach Curt Fraser used to be a defenseman in his playing days because the Thrashers are going to have to play a tight-checking style and hope to eke out some wins.

Ferraro, Emerson and Andrew Brunette likely will make up the team's top line. But don't expect 1999 first overall pick Patrik Stefan to see too much ice time. The 18-year-old center will stick with the club this season but will be brought along slowly.

Atlanta's first entry into the NHL in 1972-73, the Atlanta Flames, made it to the playoffs after just one season. It's doubtful that history will repeat itself. But with the weakness of the Southeast Division, nothing is certain ... except that there's no way the postseason is a possibility this season.

'98-99 SOUTHEAST STANDINGS
TEAM	W	L	T	Pts.
Carolina	34	30	18	86
Florida	30	34	18	78
Washington	31	45	6	68
Tampa Bay	19	54	9	47

The bottom line
Better or not: Same
Most improved: Nelson Emerson
Most valuable: Damian Rhodes
Biggest disappointment: Forwards as a group

Charles Avellino is a lead NHL researcher for ESPN.