We're nearing the end of August and in less than months’ time, NHL pre-season hockey will be played.
Unlike in previous offseasons, a several high-profile RFAs have yet to be signed to new contracts, headlined by Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, Mitch Marner, Brock Boeser, Brayden Point, Charlie McAvoy, Mikko Rantanen and Matthew Tkachuk.
On Monday, the agent for Tkachuk, Don Meehan, spoke with reporters at the Serge Savard Golf Tournament and essentially said that the ball is in Calgary's court when it comes to inking the super pest.
"We took an approach whereby we would be really proactive and progressive with Calgary. We started early and we set a position we didn't really have to wait. We formulated a position we thought would be fair and we gave that to Calgary probably [in] the early part of June.
"We're involved in negotiations right now, but as far as I'm concerned it's not a waiting game -- we've made a decision in terms of what we think is fair and relevant for the player, and we're working with Calgary now.
Tkachuk is coming off a career-best 77-point season (34 goals, 43 assists) that put him fourth in team scoring behind Elias Lindholm, Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau.
Now a franchise cornerstone for the organization, Tkachuk is an assistant captain of the club and has climbed the ladder as one of the league's more controversial players for his unique combination of skill and agitation.
According to Cap Friendly, the Flames have over $7.7m in cap space and still have to sign forward Andrew Mangiapane as well.
