Nashville Predators preview: Sixth in Central

2013-14 results: 38-32-12, sixth in Central

Story line: Laviolette hopes to help Predators find the net regularly

Arrivals: Coach Peter Laviolette, LW James Neal (trade with Pittsburgh Penguins), Cs Mike Ribeiro, Olli Jokinen and Derek Roy, D Anton Volchenkov (free agents)

Departures: Coach Barry Trotz; RW Patric Hornqvist and C Nick Spaling (traded to Penguins), RW Patrick Eaves (signed with Dallas Stars), D Michael Del Zotto (signed with Philadelphia Flyers)

Goaltending: Fully healthy, Pekka Rinne (10-10-3, 2.77, .902) is expected to reclaim his place among the NHL's top netminders. Carter Hutton (20-11-4, 2.62, .910) is a solid backup. The Predators think they can make the playoffs if Rinne plays like a Vezina Trophy candidate.

Analysis: The coaching switch was more about a desire for change than an indictment of Trotz's coaching. The Predators grew stale, and Laviolette was hired to put a charge into the offense. He has a history of being able to improve teams quickly. GM David Poile has brought in Neal and three new centers (Jokinen, Roy and Ribeiro) to help provide a spark. Fingers are crossed that a player such as Colin Wilson might emerge under his system. Despite all of the talk about offense, the Predators will rely most on defensemen Shea Weber, Roman Josi and Seth Jones. Weber and Josi will play more than 25 minutes a game, and Jones probably will be there.

Breakthrough candidate: Crafty C-W Craig Smith, 24, seems ready to prove he can be a consistent scorer. After a subpar 2012-13, Smith scored 24 goals last season. The Predators hope he can score 25 to 30 goals and 60-plus points this season.

Youngster to watch: Skilled C Calle Jarnkrok had an impressive start with nine points in his first 12 games. But it's not a given he will start the season with Nashville. He needs to work on his strength.

What the team really needs: A star forward who can carry the load in big regular-season games and the playoffs. Could Neal fill that role?

Key question: How much difference can a coach make with an offense? Fans could expect too much from Laviolette. You can't turn oil into gas without refining.

Forecast: The Predators can be much improved this season and miss the playoffs by more points than they did last season.

Top returning leaders

Goals: Craig Smith, 24

Assists: Shea Weber, 33

Points: Weber, 56

Plus-minus: Smith, +16

Penalty minutes: Rich Clune, 166

Shots: Smith, 215