First-round picks: No. 12
2000-01 record: 34-36-9-3, 80 points (19th overall)
What they need
Coming off a 34-win, 80-point season that saw them flirt with playoff contention, the Predators need to improve on offense if there are going to be playoff
games in central Tennessee in the near-future. Only Minnesota and the Islanders scored fewer goals in 2000-01 than Nashville's 186.
In the system
Last year's first-round pick, right wing Scott Hartnell (sixth overall), played in 75 games for the Preds last season, but
recorded just two goals. Center Denis Arkhipov (60th overall in '98) split his first North American season between
Milwaukee of the IHL (9-8-17) and Nashville (6-7-13), playing 40 games in each city.
Other notables in Milwaukee include defenseman Pavel Skrbek (28th overall by Pittsburgh in '96), who registered 24 points and was minus-7 in 54 games, and goalie Jan Lasak (65th overall in '99), who compiled a 23-17-2 record, a 2.61 GAA and a 913 save percentage in 43 appearances.
Another netminding prospect for Nashville is Brian Finley (6th overall in '99). In 27 OHL games with Barrie (16) and Brampton (11) in 2000-01, Finley went 12-11-1 with a 3.02 GAA and an .898 save percentage. Another junior with potential is left wing Martin Erat (191st overall in '99). In just 48 regular-season games
at Red Deer (WHL), Erat had 82 points (23 goals, 59 assists). He then added another 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 22 playoff games while helping the Rebels to the 2001 Memorial Cup championship.
Recent draft history
After selecting players out of the Ontario Hockey League in their first two entry drafts, Nashville dipped into the Western Hockey League talent pool for Scott Hartnell last year. In three entry drafts, the Preds have chosen forwards twice (Hartnell, David Legwand) and a goaltender once (Brian Finley).
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