Goalies

The tandem of Tomas Vokoun and Chris Mason will continue to backstop the Predators for the upcoming 2006-07 season. Vokoun, the only remaining Predator from the 1998 expansion draft, signed a four-year extension worth $22.8 million dollars to keep him in Nashville through the 2010-11 season. After last season's playoffs, Mason decided not to test free agency and received a healthy raise (two years at $1.25 million per) to remain the number two goalkeeper for the Predators.

Karl Goehring will be the starting goalie in Milwaukee for the Admirals this year as Pekka Rinne had shoulder surgery this month. Other goalies attending training camp are invitees Scott Reid and Jesse Deckert.

Defensemen

David Poile made additions to the defense this summer by subtraction (Danny Markov, Mark Eaton, and Brendan Witt were not re-signed). Kimmo Timonen, Marek Zidlicky, and Dan Hamhuis (if he signs a contract) are the only definite locks for a roster spot. Ryan Suter and Shea Weber seem to be on the inside track of securing a roster spot provided they have a great training camp. Kevin Klein and Greg Zanon are sure to see ice-time at some point this year with the Predators, but will most likely be injury call-ups from the farm system in Milwaukee.

Mikko Lehtonen (Nashville's ninth round draft pick in 2001, #271 overall), and this summer's free agent signings Ville Koistinen, Alex Henry, and Nolan Yonkman will be fighting for the sixth and seventh defenseman roster spots. Other defensemen attending training camp are Ryan Parent (2005 draft, first round), Cody Franson (2005 draft, third round), Sheldon Brookbank (free agent signee), and T.J. Reynolds (invitee).

Left Wingers

Paul Kariya set franchise scoring records for the Predators last season (31 goals and 54 assists) and played in all 82 games. Although his contract expires at the end of the season, Kariya has hinted that he would like to remain with the organization. Kariya will play on the top line for even strength and on the power- play. He converted five of his seven shootout goal attempts last season.

Entering his third campaign with the Predators, Steve Sullivan has become the heart and soul of the team and possesses great leadership ability. Sullivan will play on the second line for even strength, the top line for the power-play, and also take shifts on the penalty kill. Sullivan is a leading candidate to become the next captain of the Predators. While suffering a sports hernia late last season, he still ended up with 31 goals (tied with Kariya for team lead).

Gritty power forward Scott Hartnell has the ability to score timely goals (he led the team in game winning goals last year with eight and had 25 overall to go along with 23 assists). Often criticized by the coaching staff for lacking intensity and effort, Hartnell will most likely be traded before the March trade deadline as he will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He was relegated to third and fourth line duty last season and has been used on special teams for secondary shifts.

Scottie Upshall will earn a roster spot this year barring a weak showing at training camp. Upshall is a sparkplug on the ice and seems to have a nose for the net. He can become an impact player provided his knees are healthy. Darcy Hordichuk is a hardworking, energy line player and serves as the team's primary enforcer if fisticuffs are necessary.

Other left wingers attending training camp are Ramzi Abid (free agent signee), Niko Snellman (2006 draft, fourth round), John Vigilante (free agent signee), Daniel Widing (2000 draft, second round), and Kelsey Wilson (invitee).

Centers

Jason Arnott gives the Predators something they have never had before - a big, beefy number-one center with soft hands who can score. Arnott will play on the top line for even strength and possibly the power-play as well. In 2005-06, he had a career high 76 points for Dallas and collected 32 goals, the most since his rookie season in which he had 33. Arnott also achieved a career high of 44 assists. In the off-season, he signed a five year contract for $22.5 million with the Nashville Predators. "Jason Arnott provides the perfect fit for the Nashville Predators and we are thrilled to add a player of his caliber to our lineup," Predators GM David Poile said. "He has size, skill and experience and gives us the number-one center that we have been looking for."

David Legwand has completed rehabilitation on his rebuilt knee (ACL surgery, July 2006) and signed a new two-year contract. While he may never be regarded as a marquee player, Legwand has developed into a great two-way defensive forward with the potential to score 50-60 points per season. Legwand's greatest assets are his speed and playmaking ability (great puck passing through traffic).

When healthy, Josef Vasicek is another big body for the Predators down the middle. Acquired in a trade this summer from Carolina for Scott Walker, Vasicek will be competing for the number-two center role with Legwand. Vasicek has been plagued by knee injuries over the past two years.

Scott Nichol, Jerred Smithson, and Vernon Fiddler are all candidates for the energy line, center role. Each has subtle differences and one may be used over the other two depending on the opponent. Barring injury, it would be hard to imagine all three being on the roster by the end of the season.

Free agent invitee Kim Staal will be given every opportunity to make the team. "I think, at this stage of his life, he wanted to see if he could play professional hockey over here," Predators GM David Poile said. "He's a good transition hockey player and has good hockey sense. He's just a good all-round player." Unlike many other European players, the 28-year-old Staal is willing to sign a two-way contract and play in Milwaukee if necessary.

Other centers attending training camp are Shane Endicott (free agent signee), Bracken Kearns (invitee), Cal O'Reilly (2005 draft, fifth round), and Rich Peverley (invitee).

Right Wingers

Free agent signee J-P Dumont was an off-the-radar addition that no one saw coming. Dumont will be given an opportunity to solidify the top line with Kariya and Arnott during training camp. Having scored 20 or more goals in four of the past five seasons, Dumont has a gifted scoring ability. “I’m thinking and hoping that, without making a prediction, if he has a healthy season, he’s going to hit his career highs here in Nashville," Poile said after signing Dumont. “I really think he has good hands and good vision. People we can play him with are going to complement his game also."

Rookie scoring sensation Alexander Radulov (2004 draft, first round) should receive a long look during this training camp. Barry Trotz has already admitted it will be hard to send this offensive dynamo to the minors, but the plentiful depth at right wing may make this a reality. Either way, Radulov should see ice time this year with the Predators at some point. Radulov is the first Predator prospect to have a real shot at winning the Calder Trophy (NHL Rookie of the Year).

Offensive-threat Martin Erat might end up playing on any of the three scoring lines for the Predators this season if he is not traded. Erat has a great, low wrist shot and is extremely hard to knock off of the puck. Erat's biggest weakness is his inability to be an effective passer or set-up man. Instead, Erat will choose to skate circles around the offensive zone and dump the puck on net. In his fifth season as a Predator, Erat should easily score 20 goals if he gets the same amount of ice-time as last season.

Jordin Tootoo should secure at least an energy line role provided he works hard at training camp. The coaching staff is impressed with Tootoo's development and is counting on this 2001 fourth round draft pick to only get better. Tootoo excels at drawing penalties by ever so slightly embellishing an opponent's hook, clutch or trip. If Tootoo's lightning-hard shot gains accuracy, he could light the lamp many times in the upcoming season.

Other right wingers attending training camp are Kaleb Betts (2002 draft, eighth round), Paul Brown (2003 draft, third round), Patrick Leahy (free agent signee), Brandon Segal (2002 draft, fourth round), and Viktor Sjodin (2006 draft, seventh round).

Fundamental Line Change

For the 2006-07 season, The Nashville Predators enter with a new approach to their lineup. In year's past, Coach Barry Trotz would roll two scoring lines, one checking line, and an energy line (blue collar, defense-first methodology). This season, due to the overwhelming offensive depth at forward, Trotz plans on rolling three scoring lines and an energy line.

"In my mind, they're the best forwards we've ever had," Poile said. "In our top nine forwards, all those guys are capable of scoring at least 20 goals, which is fantastic. This year I think we can roll out three lines that can really crank it up offensively."

Bigger, Younger, Faster

Nashville enters this season with a youthful team average age of 26.2 (third youngest in the NHL). The average roster age has decreased by 2.1 years since April (28.3 years old). The average team weight is up from 195.5 to 197.8 pounds as well.

With veteran centers Greg Johnson, Yanic Perreault, and Mike Sillinger now gone, the Predators hope to maintain a good face-off winning percentage in the upcoming season. The Predators led the league with a 53.8% team face-off winning percentage last year.

Injuries

Goaltender Pekka Rinne (shoulder surgery) should be ready to play in Milwaukee for the second half of the season.

Potential Unsigned Holdouts

The Predators hit the ice on Friday, September 15th. Unless a miracle occurs, defenseman Dan Hamhuis will be missing. Hamhuis is the only remaining unsigned Predator, and the two sides are not close at all to negotiating a deal. The only good news out of this mess is that the Predators have plenty of defensemen to replace Hamhuis if necessary.

"Unfortunately, (Hamhuis missing the start of camp) is certainly a possibility," Poile said. "It's disappointing because as a manager, you like to deliver everyone signed. But we pride ourselves in doing our homework and our comparables, and we believe we're fair in what we're doing."