KEY ADDITIONS				KEY LOSSES
Name Craig Millar Phil Crowe Steve Washburn Randy Robitaille Corey Hirsch	Pos. F F F F G	From Oilers Thrashers Canucks Thrashers Canucks		Name Eric Fichaud Andrew Brunette Denny Lambert	Pos. G F F	To Hurricanes Thrashers Thrashers

Outlook
In its inaugural season, Nashville didn't make the playoffs but still managed to garner more points than three established NHL clubs. The Predators caught a few teams napping last season, but, unfortunately for them, that won't be the case in 1999-2000.

		The Predators will no longer surprise teams and steal games, like they did last year. They are not a big, strong team but rather a quick, aggressive style of team that wore down a little as the year went on. Offensively, they scored just 2.32 goals per game. While center Cliff Ronning is a terrific set-up guy, few could finish for him, except 25-goal scorer Sergei Krivokrasov. Because of that, the power play really let the Predators down, scoring only 12.3 percent of the time. They also need to get bigger and nastier on the blue line to give their excellent young goaltenders, Tomas Vokoun and Mike Dunham, some help on the second and third chances. The Predators are very unlikely to make the playoffs if teams like Chicago, San Jose and Anahiem continue to improve. But remember that this team has as big a heart as a group as I've seen in some time. They won 28 games playing their style, and I hope it doesn't change because they are fun to watch.

The only way Nashville can improve in the standings is if it improves offensively. Only three other teams scored fewer goals a year ago.

Nineteen-year-old David Legwand is the foundation for the future, and the 1998 second pick overall will play an integral role this season. In fact, it's not out of the realm of possibility that the center sees some time on the first line with veterans Cliff Ronning and Scott Walker or Sergei Krivokrasov.

Krivokrasov led the offense last season with a career-high 25 goals. If Darren Turcotte stays healthy, he'll provide a much-needed injection of offense, and if you're looking for a surprise among the forwards, look no further than center Randy Robitaille.

Nashville made strides last season because of its goaltending. It'll be interesting to see how starter Mike Dunham responds after his holdout. Tomas Vokoun will begin the season as the starter if Dunham isn't ready in time. Corey Hirsch and Chris Mason may be out of the loop now that Dunham has signed.

After Bob Boughner and Drake Berehowsky, the defense lacks experience. Only Chicago and Carolina generated fewer goals from the blueline than Nashville's 22 tallies last season.

For Nashville to compete, Coach Barry Trotz is going to need a lot of career years from his forwards, and the team needs to tighten up defensively -- the Predators were one of only three teams last season to allow more than three goals per game.

'98-99 CENTRAL STANDINGS
TEAM	W	L	T	Pts.
Detroit	43	32	7	93
St. Louis	37	32	13	87
Chicago	29	41	12	70
Nashville	28	47	7	63

The bottom line
Better or not: Not
By how much: 3 fewer wins
Most improved: Sebastien Bordeleau
Most valuable: Sergei Krivokrasov
Biggest disappointment: Greg Johnson

Charles Avellino is a lead NHL researcher for ESPN.