Matt Beleskey and the Anaheim Ducks both seem to want to see their current NHL union continue.
The sticking point though, as it always tends to be, is money.
Beleskey wants a lot of it - or as much of it as he can get - and the Ducks, operating in an NHL world dictated by the salary cap and limited resources, simply may not be able to give him what he seeks.
Sure, they want to reward a homegrown player that has developed nicely within the organization, but they simply can't break the bank for a guy who only this season - in a contract year - has suddenly increased his production dramatically.
ESPN's Craig Custance reports that, while talks between the two sides continue on a new deal, the Ducks may look to move Beleskey ahead of the 3 p.m. NHL trade deadline and recoup whatever assets they can.
Eric Stephens of the OC Register reveals that there's "not much traction" between the two sides on a new deal and that a no-movement clause could be the sticking point.
Beleskey told the Register last week that he hears the trade chatter and he knows it could lead to his landing elsewhere.
"You're always sweating out the trade deadline days," Beleskey said. "Being unrestricted right now, I'm sure it's got a little more to it. It's totally out of my hands at this point so I try not to worry about it."
Beleskey, a six-year NHL veteran who has only topped 10 goals once in his career prior this season - he potted 11 in the 2009-10 season - has exploded for 21 goals in only 56 games so far this year.
It's been great for the Ducks to get that kind of production out of a 26-year-old only making $1.4 million, but as a pending unrestricted free agent the exponential goals increase is questionable and will lead to a big payday with the Ducks or another NHL franchise.
It's up to Anaheim GM Bob Murray to determine if this year is a fortunate fluke driven by Beleskey's pending unrestricted status or a sign of a player taking a big step forward in his NHL development.
