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| Thursday, June 28 Updated: July 26, 4:28 PM ET Predators on the verge of playoff hunt By Sherry Skalko ESPN.com |
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The Nashville Predators proved they are a team to contend with in 2000-01. In just their third season, the Predators set franchise marks with 34 wins, 18 road wins and a .500 road record. They also ranked seventh in the league in fewest goals allowed, posted a 12-7-3-0 record against the Eastern Conference and flirted with the playoffs until a 4-9-1-1 stretch in February and March ended the affair.
The Predators' 2001-02 season may depend more on the offseason moves made by other teams rather than their own. Like their expansion brethren -- Atlanta, Columbus and Minnesota -- the Predators aren't in the position for a major upgrade. They don't have many assets they can afford to part with and aren't about to allocate most of their payroll to a single player. Offense is the Predators' biggest need for improvement. Their 28th-place finish in goals scored was only better than the Minnesota Wild and New York Islanders, which is hardly worth bragging about. Cliff Ronning led the team in points for the third consecutive season and Scott Walker had a career year, posting a team-leading 25 goals. However, Walker opted not to file for arbitration. The lack of offense last season -- and the lack of any offensive additions over the offseason -- could serve as bargaining tools for Walker, as a holdout of any length would be difficult for the team to endure. On the bright side, there are plenty of young and talented forwards who are ready to assume larger rolls. Center David Legwand, who turns 21 in August, increased his point production from 28 points to 41 last season. Team was pleased with the development of Scott Hartnell, the youngest player in the NHL last season who didn't produce great numbers (two goals, 14 assists in 75 games), but played beyond his years. Center Greg Classen, who turns 24 in August, could make a serious run at a full-time position during training camp. After having traded defenseman Drake Berehowsky to Vancouver in March, the Predators signed veteran forward Stu Grimson, which added muscle (235 penalty minutes last season) up front. If any team's defense is built from the goal out, it's the Predators. Goaltenders Mike Dunham and Tomas Vokoun each had the best seasons of their career and helped the Predators to the second-best combined save percentage (.915) behind only Buffalo (.916). Dunham, who posted career bests in wins (21), goals-against average (2.28), save percentage (.923) and shutouts (4) and missed 15 games due to an injury, is headed for arbitration, ensuring his attendance at training camp. Vokoun also posted career bests in goals-against average (2.44), save percentage (.910) and shutouts (2). Relying on Dunham and Vokoun to shoulder the defensive burden next season is risky. Of the top 15 teams in goals-against average last season, the Predators gave up the second-most shots (2,347), trailing only Phoenix (2,429). Kimmo Timonen and Cale Hulse, who is headed for arbitration, likely will combine to form the top tandem on defense. Mark Eaton, who was called up from the minors at mid-season and remained with the team for the rest of the season, led the Predators with a plus-7 rating and likely earned a permanent home for next season. Bill Houlder, Karlis Skrastins and Richard Lintner completed the top six last year, but don't be surprised if Pavel Skrbek, who general manager David Poile has called the best defensive prospect in the organization, is worked into the mix next season. With Phoenix's youth movement, Vancouver's goaltending questions and no one who finished below them making any moves, the Predators may be well served with just minor tinkering. They do, however, need an offensive threat on offense or the playoffs could once again be nothing more than a mid-season flirtation. Sherry Skalko is the NHL Editor for ESPN.com. |
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