The New York Rangers and Marc Staal are rumored to be closing in on a six-year contract extension.
Staal, one of the best all-around defensemen in the NHL, reportedly did not want negotiations to linger through the season and potentially into the offseason, according to Yahoo! Sports.
It was rumored in October that talks between the two sides were heading in a contentious direction and Staal admitted at the time that the protracted discussions were affecting him.
"You can say all you want that it's not on your mind and it's not a distraction, but it's something that has to weigh on you," the alternate captain said on March 8. "For me, the contract situation is definitely something I would like to take care of over the summer."
It had to be vexing for Staal to watch teammates like Dan Girardi and Ryan Callahan go through similar situations in the recent past - Girardi resigned, while Callahan left as part of the St. Louis deal.
Now, Larry Brooks of the NY Post is reporting that Staal and the Rangers' front office had "a productive meeting" on Wednesday that could lead to a pact being signed.
"It is believed the sides are discussing a six-year deal between $5.6 and $5.9 million per season for the 28-year-old defenseman, who is in his eighth season as a Ranger after having been selected 14th overall in the 2005 Entry Draft," writes Brooks.
Bob McKenzie of TSN is suggesting that the final AAV on Staal's deal will be about $5.7 million - a fantastic deal for the Rangers, considering Staal's physical play and overall talent level, and despite the limitations to his game.
The contract will have a full no-trade clause for the first three years which, afterwards, will revert to a partial no-trade clause, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. The deal also has a full no-move clause which prevents the team from putting him on waivers.