National Hockey

NASHVILLE PREDATORS LAST SEASON: 41-29-12, 94 points. Fourth in Central Division. Lost to Pittsburgh Penguins in Stanley Cup Final. COACH: Peter Laviolette (fourth season, 16th NHL season). ADDED: C Nick Bonino, F Scott Hartnell, D Alexei Emelin.

Star Nashville Predators defenceman P.K. Subban says he will not join athletes who kneel or otherwise protest during the U.S. national anthem.

Vladimir Tarasenko told the St. Louis Blues he wants to lead them to another level. After a sixth consecutive playoff appearance without a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, what is the next level for the Blues? "Winning a Cup?" coach Mike Yeo said.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS LAST SEASON: 50-21-11, 111 points. Second in Metropolitan Division. Beat Nashville in six games to win Stanley Cup. COACH: Mike Sullivan (third season, fifth NHL season). ADDED: RW Ryan Reaves, G Antti Niemi.

PITTSBURGH — The chance to make history doesn't come up in the Pittsburgh Penguins dressing room. It doesn't have to.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS LAST SEASON: 55-19-8, 118 points. Won Metropolitan Division. Lost to Pittsburgh Penguins in second round. COACH: Barry Trotz (fifth season, 16th NHL season).

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes figure they look like a playoff team on paper. They're eager to find out if that translates to the ice.

CAROLINA HURRICANES LAST SEASON: 36-31-15, 87 points. Seventh place in Metropolitan Division. COACH: Bill Peters (fourth season, fourth NHL season). ADDED: G Scott Darling, RW Justin Williams, D Trevor van Riemsdyk, C Marcus Kruger.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The resurgence of the Columbus Blue Jackets last season was every bit as surprising as the previous year's collapse.

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS LAST SEASON: 50-24-8, third in Metropolitan Division. Eliminated by Pittsburgh in first round of playoffs. COACH: John Tortorella, third year, 84-57-16. ADDED: LW Artemi Panarin.