"The Predators skate out of the All-Star break with one burning question:

Are they buyers, sellers or status quo-ers?

This is a tough one. Four weeks remain before the NHL trade deadline, and Predators management is on the clock.

Based on where they sit in the standings, you can make a case that the Predators have a roster that could get them not only into the playoffs but also with a good seed, too. They might have the third-best record in the Central Division but only three teams in all of the NHL have won more games.

So why mortgage the future?"