Decisions loom for some general managers who wanted to wait as long as possible to pick a path before the NHL Trade Deadline.
Buyers or sellers?
Among that group has been Stars GM Jim Nill. Dallas (23-27-10) is six points behind the Calgary Flames, who hold the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. The Stars also trail the Winnipeg Jets, Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks.
However, Dallas can't make up any ground until Friday because it is on its mandated five-day break. The Stars will then have three games before the deadline; home games against the Arizona Coyotes on Friday, Boston Bruins on Sunday and Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, the day before the deadline.
Nill said Tuesday that there's a simple explanation for the low level of trade activity so far this year.
"Too many teams still in playoff races," he said.
Entering Tuesday, 10 of the 14 teams not in a playoff spot are within six points of being so.
That uncertain future for teams has reduced the number of declared sellers to this point. But should Nill join the sellers' camp, he's got a couple of valuable players who will draw interest.