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Vokoun returns as Predators open season vs. Blackhawks

Oct 5, 2006 - 2:01 PM Chicago (26-43-13) at Nashville (49-25-8) 8:00 pm EDT

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) - Tomas Vokoun is back in front of the net for the Nashville Predators when they open the 2006-07 season against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.

Vokoun, who signed a four-year $22.8 million contract in early September, was forced to miss the end of last season and the playoffs due to a blood clot. The 30-year-old Czech won 36 games during the last campaign while posting four shutouts and a .919 save percentage - both career highs.

Without Vokoun in the mix, the Predators fell, 4-1, to the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference quarterfinals after winning the series opener and recording their best regular season in franchise history.

Signed during the offseason, Jason Arnott will join offensively talented wings Paul Kariya and Steve Sullivan, improving an already proficient scoring attack. Arnott scored 32 goals during the last campaign, falling just one shy of his career high set as a rookie in 1993-94.

The Blackhawks welcome forward Martin Havlat, but will have to make up for the loss of wing Kyle Calder, who led the team in scoring with 59 points last season before being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Chicago has dropped its last five visits here against Nashville. Center Tuomo Ruutu will not be available to help possibly change that since the 23-year-old Finn suffered a sprained left knee in the preseason. He is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks.