NHL TEAM PREVIEWS : IN PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH.

Byline: ROGER PHILLIPS

WESTERN CONFERENCE

PACIFIC DIVISION

DALLAS STARS

Last year: 49-22-11, lost in conference finals.

Key addition: F Brett Hull (free agent).

Outlook: The Stars have been a strong defensive team in search of a big goal scorer. At least on paper, Hull's addition appears to fill their major void and improve the Stars' chances of shining in the postseason.

KINGS

Last year: 38-33-11, lost in first round.

Key additions: D Steve Duchesne (free agent), D Doug Bodger (trade).

Key subtraction: D Aki Berg (contract dispute).

Outlook: Like Dallas, the Kings have an excellent defense. The addition of Duchesne should have a positive impact on the power play. The team's biggest deficiency is the lack of a game-breaking goal scorer.

PHOENIX COYOTES

Last year: 35-35-12, lost in first round

Key additions: F Greg Adams (free agent), D Jyrki Lumme (free agent).

Key subtractions: D Murray Baron (free agent), C Craig Janney (trade), F Mike Gartner (retired).

Outlook: Keith Tkachuk showed his leadership skills by holding out despite being under contract. And the Coyotes' defensive shortcomings leave them a notch below the Stars and Kings. Look for a swift playoff exit.

MIGHTY DUCKS

Last year: 26-43-13, missed playoffs

Key additions: D Frederik Olausson (free agent), D Kevin Haller (trade), F Stu Grimson (trade), D Pascal Trepanier.

Key subtractions: F Scott Young (free agent), G Mikhail Shtalenkov (expansion draft).

Outlook: The Mighty Ducks have a mediocre defense and lack offensive depth. They also have two of the best players on the planet in Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne. That should be enough to lift them out of the cellar and, if everything goes well, into the playoffs.

SAN JOSE SHARKS

Last year: 34-38-10, lost in first round.

Key additions: D Bob Rouse (free agent), D Gary Suter (free agent).

Key subtractions: F John MacLean (free agency), G Kelly Hrudey (retired).

Outlook: Two key offensive players, Owen Nolan and Jeff Friesen, remain unsigned, the sort of turmoil that can shake even an excellent team. And the Sharks are not an excellent team.

CENTRAL DIVISION

DETROIT RED WINGS

Last year: 44-23-15, won Stanley Cup.

Key addition: D Uwe Krupp (free agent).

Key subtractions: D Bob Rouse (free agent), D Dmitri Mironov (free agent), D Slava Fetisov (retired).

Outlook: When discussing the two-time defending champions, everyone focuses on stars such as Sergei Fedorov and Steve Yzerman. The key to this team, however, is its depth. Only if coach Scotty Bowman is unable to return from health problems are the Wings likely to fall shy of a strong run at another Stanley Cup.

ST. LOUIS BLUES

Last year: 45-29-8, lost in second round.

Key addition: F Scott Young (free agent).

Key subtractions: D Steve Duchesne (free agent), F Brett Hull (free agent), C Darren Turcotte (trade).

Outlook: The Blues' offense took two major hits in free agency, which means they will have to rely more heavily than last season on defense and the goaltending of Grant Fuhr.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Last year: 30-39-13, missed playoffs.

Key additions: C Doug Gilmour (free agent), C Ed Olczyk (free agent), D Paul Coffey (trade), G Mark Fitzpatrick (trade).

Key subtractions: D Gary Suter (free agency), G Chris Terreri (trade).

Outlook: The Blackhawks added a couple of big-name veterans over the summer after missing the playoffs for the first time in three decades. They should be better because of the boost to their woeful offense, but don't expect miracles.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Last year: First-year expansion team.

Key players: G Mike Dunham, F Sergei Krivokrasov.

Outlook: The Predators are an expansion team, which tells you most of what you need to know.

NORTHWEST DIVISION

COLORADO AVALANCHE

Last year: 39-26-17, lost in first round.

Key additions: D Wade Belak (1994 draft), C Chris Drury (1994 draft).

Key subtractions: D Uwe Krupp (expansion draft), F Jari Kurri (retired).

Outlook: The Avalanche has skill galore up front with stars Peter Forsberg, Joe Sakic and Valeri Kamensky. The questions are on defense and on the power play, which lacks unsigned quarterback Sandis Ozolinsh.

EDMONTON OILERS

Last year: 35-37-10, lost in second round.

Key additions: G Mikhail Shtalenkov (trade), F Pat Falloon (free agent), D Marty McSorley (free agent).

Key subtractions: G Curtis Joseph (free agent), F Scott Fraser (free agent).

Outlook: The Oilers will miss Joseph, and at least for the time being, they will miss star forward Doug Weight, who is unsigned. But after the Avalanche, they are the best of a weak division.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Last year: 25-43-14, missed playoffs.

Key addition: D Murray Baron (free agent).

Key subtractions: G Arturs Irbe (free agent), D Jyrki Lumme (free agent).

Outlook: With Pavel Bure, the Canucks were pitiful last season. Now they are without their disgruntled superstar, who has vowed never to play for the Canucks again. Vancouver may not miss the distraction of Bure. They will, however, miss his goals. What a waste of Mark Messier's twilight years.

CALGARY FLAMES

Last year: 26-41-15, missed playoffs.

Key additions: D Phil Housley (free agent), G Ken Wregget (trade).

Key subtraction: F Ronnie Stern (free agent.

Outlook: The Flames may be the NHL's youngest team, but inexperience usually is accompanied by struggles. These Flames will be no different. Adding to the confusion, the Flames' top veteran, winger Theo Fleury, is likely to be traded because he'll be a free agent after the season.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ATLANTIC DIVISION

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Last year: 42-29-11, lost in first round.

Key additions: G John Vanbiesbrouck (free agent), C Marc Bureau (free agent), LW Valeri Zelepukin.

Key subtractions: G Sean Burke (free agent), D Paul Coffey (trade).

Outlook: General manager Bobby Clarke has challenged Eric Lindros to consistently play like the franchise player he is supposed to be. If he does, and if Vanbiesbrouck plays up to the standards he set earlier in his career, the Flyers will be at the head of their conference.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Last year: 48-23-11, lost in first round.

Key addition: G Chris Terreri (trade), C Brendan Morrison (1993 draft).

Key subtractions: C Doug Gilmour (free agent), F Steve Thomas (free agent).

Outlook: The Devils have been overly dependent on G Martin Brodeur the last couple of years and may be even more so this year now that Gilmour is gone. How the Devils respond to new coach Robbie Ftorek, who has replaced Jacques Lemaire, will have much to say about their success this season.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Last year: 40-24-18, lost in first round.

Key additions: F German Titov (trade), D Bobby Dollas (trade).

Key subtractions: C Ron Francis (free agent), D Fredrik Olausson (free agent), C Ed Olczyk (free agent), G Ken Wregget (trade).

Outlook: The financially troubled Penguins now must adjust to life without Francis, just a year after adjusting to life without Mario Lemieux. At least they still have Jaromir Jagr. But economic instability usually has a way of translating into on-ice difficulties.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Last year: 25-39-18, missed playoffs.

Key additions: F John MacLean (free agent), D Zarley Zalapski (free agent), F Scott Fraser (free agent).

Key subtractions: C Pat LaFontaine (retired), D Bruce Driver (retired).

Outlook: As usual, the Rangers threw money around in the offseason to try to compensate for their deficiencies. Who ever would have expected a team with Wayne Gretzky to score only 197 goals in a season? Gretzky once scored 92 by himself. The fact that 18-year-old Manny Malhotra made the roster either means he's a prodigy, or it means the Rangers are desperate.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Last year: 30-41-11, missed playoffs.

Key addition: F Dimitri Nabokov (trade).

Key subtraction: G Eric Fichaud (trade).

Outlook: The big drama in their season already has happened: a court has ordered them to play at the Nassau Coliseum, which they say is unsafe. Opposing goalies will be very safe, however, because star forward Ziggy Palffy is unsigned.

NORTHEAST DIVISION

BOSTON BRUINS

Last year: 39-30-13, lost in first round.

Key addition: D Dennis Vaske (free agent).

Key subtractions: D Jon Rohloff (free agent).

Outlook: Bruins coach Pat Burns worked a miracle last year, quickly lifting the worst team in the NHL into the playoffs. Rookie Sergei Samsonov starred last season, and the Bruins need 1997 top draft choice Joe Thornton to follow suit this time around.

BUFFALO SABRES

Last year: 36-29-17, lost in conference finals.

Key addition: G Dwayne Roloson (free agent).

Key subtractions: F Randy Burridge, G Steve Shields.

Outlook: As goalie Dominik Hasek goes, so go the Sabres. And Hasek usually goes well. Without him, the offensively weak Sabres are mediocre. Even with him, they are no threat to win the Stanley Cup, but nonetheless are a team no one wants to face in the playoffs.

OTTAWA SENATORS

Last year: 34-33-15, lost in second round.

Key addition: C David Oliver.

Key subtractions: F Randy Cunneyworth (free agent), F Pat Falloon (free agent).

Outlook: Once the joke of the NHL, the Senators won a playoff series for the first time in their history, led by goalie Damian Rhodes. The Senators' weakness is offense, and it won't help that star forward Daniel Alfredsson will miss the first two months because of a knee injury.

MONTREAL CANADIENS

Last year: 37-32-13, lost in second round.

Key addition: G Jose Theodore (1994 draft).

Key subtractions: C Marc Bureau (free agent), D Zarley Zalapski (free agent), G Andy Moog (retired).

Outlook: Led by Mark Recchi, the Canadiens have offensive firepower, though not nearly enough to make anyone forget Maurice Richard and Guy Lafleur. The questions are on defense and in goal.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Last year: 30-43-9, missed playoffs.

Key additions: G Curtis Joseph (free agent), F Steve Thomas (free agent).

Key subtractions: F Wendel Clark (free agent).

Outlook: The Maple Leafs move into the Eastern Conference, rekindling their rivalry with the Canadiens. But the move won't do anything to lift them out of the doldrums they've endured for most of the last 30 years. They also will move out of Maple Leaf Gardens in February. Is nothing sacred?

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Last year: 40-30-12, lost in Stanley Cup finals.

Key additions: G Rick Tabaracci (trade), D Dmitri Mironov (free agent).

Key subtractions: D Phil Housley (waived), G Bill Ranford (trade).

Outlook: The Capitals are coming off the first Stanley Cup finals appearance in their history, a sweep at the hands of the Red Wings. Can they get there again? Probably not, but no one thought they could last year, either - except for their coach, Mighty Ducks discard Ron Wilson. With such stars as goalie Olaf Kolzig and forward Peter Bondra, the Caps should not be overlooked.

CAROLINA HURRICANES

Last year: 33-41-8, missed playoffs.

Key addition: C Ron Francis (free agent).

Key subtraction: D Kevin Haller (trade).

Outlook: The Hurricanes are hoping the addition of Francis can lift them from ineptitude and draw some fans to their games. Last season, the empty seats in North Carolina had the Hurricanes pining for their former home in Hartford. The Hurricanes/Whalers have a shot at their first playoff berth since 1991.

FLORIDA PANTHERS

Last year: 24-43-15, missed playoffs.

Key addition: G Sean Burke (free agent).

Key subtraction: G John Vanbiesbrouck (free agent).

Outlook: In an instant, the Panthers went from being a 1996 Stanley Cup finalist to one of the worst teams. They should improve a bit under new coach Terry Murray, but it's doubtful they'll improve enough to make their fans want to throw rats on the ice at their new arena.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Last year: 17-55-10, missed playoffs.

Key additions: F Wendel Clark (free agent), C Craig Janney (trade), G Bill Ranford (trade), F Benoit Hogue (free agent), C Vincent Lecavalier (1998 draft).

Key subtractions: G Mark Fitzpatrick (trade), F Louie DeBrusk.

Outlook: The horrid Lightning was the worst team in the league last season, and it has reacted by adding numerous players who appear to be either too old or too young to be able to effect an immediate turnaround.

FORECAST

Western Conference playoff teams: Dallas, Kings, Detroit, St. Louis, Colorado, Edmonton, Phoenix, Mighty Ducks.

Stanley Cup finalist: Detroit.

Eastern Conference playoff teams: Philadelphia, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Boston, Buffalo, Ottawa, Washington, Carolina.

Stanley Cup finalist: Philadelphia.

Stanley Cup champion: Once again, the Red Wings' depth and talent will prevail once the real action begins in April.

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos, Box

PHOTO (1) Detroit Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman hoists the Stanley Cup after his team won its second straight championship. Will it be three this season?

Susan Walsh/Associated Press

(2) The Carolina Hurricanes hope former Pittsburgh center Ron Francis can lift the team's performance and fan base.

(3--Ran in Final Edition only) The Ducks' Steve Ruchin tries to put one past Kings goalie Stephane Fiset in a recent exhibition game. The Ducks are looking to rebound from last year's disappointing last-place finish in the Pacific Division, while the Kings are looking to build on their playoff appearance.

Michael Caulfield/Associated Press

BOX: (Ran in Final Edition only) FORECAST (see text)