Ryan Suter Trade Rumors Heating Up After All-Star Weekend Comments

If you thought those Ryan Suter trade rumors were bad before, just wait for the rest of the season. The Nashville Predators stud defenseman, who will be a free agent this upcoming summer, has plenty of suitors around the league.

General manager David Poile has to make the decision whether to trade him for a King's random at the deadline or risk losing him for nothing in July. The hope for Preds fans would be that Suter would sign an extension before the trade deadline, thus eliminating all the rumors and speculation. Apparently, however, that's not going to happen.

Via CSN Philadelphia, here's Suter speaking on All-Star Media Day in Ottawa, when asked if he plans on signing that extension before February 27.

"I feel it would be more of a distraction than anything," Suter said of signing in February. "We've never had a timeline or deadline. We're just focusing on winning. Everything else will take care of itself.

"I don't see it being a benefit by hurrying up and trying to get something done. I'm a Nashville Predator until July. I will focus on making my team better."

Predators blog On the Forecheck doesn't think Suter signing a contract would be a distraction. Instead, they feel that Suter's lack of an extension is the real distraction -- the elephant in the room, so to speak. And of course, timing is everything. Here's Suter making this proclamation in front of the entire North American hockey media establishment assembled in Ottawa for the hockey game, instead of in front of a handful of reporters one day at Predators practice.

In other words: Your move, Mr. Poile.