Using the VUKOTA projection system of Hockey Prospectus, Insider takes the temperature of key players on every NHL team, continuing with Nashville. For a detailed explanation of Prospectus' proprietary GVT value metric, read more here.
Summer Skate -- Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators had a great season, finishing second in the tough Central division with 99 points and advancing out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Unfortunately they just don't have the funds to keep their key players, let alone attract the ones required to follow up on last year's success.
This offseason the Predators bled players like Steve Sullivan, Marcel Goc, Joel Ward, Cody Franson, Matthew Lombardi, J.P. Dumont and Shane O'Brien.
Nashville's fate is in the hands of star goalie Pekka Rinne and top defensive pairing Shea Weber and Ryan Suter.