Paul Gaustad is trying to stay on an even keel during negotiations for a new CBA between the NHL and its players. "I haven't tried to get too hopeful or too down," Gaustad said. "It's a negotiation. You can't get too positive before anything is signed. If it's not signed, it's not done. We thought something positive may have come out of it, and still something can. It's not a closed door. We still have a negotiation to do. You take it a day at a time. You come here and prepare as best you can. It has been a long offseason, but hopefully it will be over soon." Gaustad signed a four-year deal with the Predators in the off-season for $13 million. Look for 25-30 points and 75-100 penalty minutes from the tough winger if the NHL gets a full season in.