KEY ADDITIONS				KEY LOSSES
Name Grant Fuhr Marc Savard Fredrik Oduya Benoit Gratton	Pos. G F F F	From Blues Rangers Sharks Capitals		Name Ken Wregget Andrew Cassels Jan Hlavac Andreas Karlsson	Pos. G F F F	To Red Wings Flames Rangers Thrashers

Outlook
The Calgary Flames are a work in progress. Gone are the veterans who led the club early in the decade. They have been supplanted by youth -- and lots of it.

		The Flames have a lot of issues, but mostly scoring. They really struggle to produce points. They don't have anyone who has ever scored 30 goals in the NHL except Phil Housley back in 1984. That lack of scoring hurts their ability to win games. They don't have the names at center ice. They are trying to put together a team that can compete. Playoffs are realistic for the Flames because they barely lost out last year at the end.

The good news is that the Flames will challenge for a playoff spot this season, after blowing a tire down the stretch a year ago and missing the postseason dance.

Coach Brian Sutter is doing it with smoke, mirrors and a small group of talented forwards -- every forward on the Flames is under 30 years of age. Sutter juggled lines often during training camp and came up with what he feels is the winning solution in center Marc Savard, converted winger Cory Stillman and -- if and when he signs a new contract -- Jarome Iginla.

Calgary is beginning to build depth up front with center Jeff Shantz and wingers Valeri Bure and Rene Corbet. Daniel Tkaczuk, the team's first pick (sixth overall) in 1997, more than likely will get his first taste of NHL action this season, and last year's first-round pick, Rico Fata, will see increased ice time.

Ironically, though, the player who will lead the Flames to the playoffs is the one who was the biggest thorn in their sides for years. Veteran goaltender Grant Fuhr was picked up without much fanfare from St. Louis for a draft pick. Fuhr, who will turn 37 on Sept. 28, will play in at least 50 games for the Flames. Waiting in the wings are Fred Brathwaite, Tyler Moss and Jean-Sebastien Giguere, but Brathwaite will start the year as the backup.

Besides Fuhr, the rest of the veteran leadership comes at defense. Phil Housley is the all-time leading scorer in the NHL among American-born defensemen. Aside from Housley, the Flames will not generate much in the way of offense from the blueline. The sleeper of this group could be 22-year-old Toni Lydman.

The Flames will score more goals after finishing No. 14 in team offense last season. But the real need is to improve upon the No. 22 standing on team defense. If the Flames don't get better in that department, forget about what was just mentioned about possible playoff berths.

'98-99 NORTHWEST STANDINGS
TEAM	W	L	T	Pts.
Colorado	44	28	10	98
Edmonton	33	37	12	78
Calgary	30	40	12	72
Vancouver	23	47	12	58

The bottom line
Better or not: Better
By how much: Five more wins
Most improved: Marc Savard
Most valuable: Grant Fuhr
Biggest disappointment: Jeff Shantz

Charles Avellino is a lead NHL researcher for ESPN.