:

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
G Dan Ellis carried the Predators into the playoffs with his play in the final games of the season and also performed admirably in the playoffs. He led the NHL in save percentage with a .924 average -- not bad for a player who had been in only one NHL game before this season.

MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER
F Radek Bonk had his moments, but he did not live up to what coach Barry Trotz expected. Bonk had some hard-luck moments but lacked offensive consistency.

FREE AGENT FOCUS
Restricted free agents are the focus with D Shea Weber, D Ryan Suter and W Martin Erat all expected to sign long term pacts.

G Dan Ellis has to be signed even if it might mean three goaltenders on the roster next season. The Predators could sign Ellis and trade him. They need to get something for him instead of just letting him leave via free agency.

F Martin Gelinas was signed last season as a veteran presence. He did his job and more but was sidelined with an ACL injury late in the season. Poile likes him, but will there be enough money to bring him back again?

F Jan Hlavac was an unknown quantity when he was obtained at the trade deadline, but he made strong contributions in the stretch run to the playoffs. Again, will there be other priorities.

F Darcy Hordichuk, the team's enforcer, could re-sign, but the Predators aren't going to be overly competitive in terms of salary.

The need is to add a front-line forward, and the cost of such an addition could have a domino effect on the rest of the Predators' unrestricted free agents.

PLAYER NOTES

--C Jason Arnott has indicated he is making progress in his recovery from the concussion that sidelined him for the last couple of games of the playoffs.

--G Chris Mason, whose season did not live up to expectations, maintained a positive mental approach and is expected to rebound next season.

--D Kevin Klein's future will be an interesting one. He spent most of the season as a healthy scratch, and the string of defensive players is continuing to grow.

--C Rich Peverley is also knocking louder and louder on the Predators' door and could find a permanent roster spot next season after a strong late season performance.

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