The deal is on the right track. We remain very hopeful it will go through this weekend.

We have not offered four million euros, nor have we offered a four-year contract, as some people are saying. The offer is considerably lower than that. I can't say how much or how long at this moment in time.

We're both in the same boat right now. Whoever wins this weekend series will probably end up second [at Nationals], and the other will probably end up third. We both have a lot of stake. It's going to make for a great weekend of hockey.

This weekend will tell us if we peaked at the right time or not.

In our tournament over the weekend, we were right there. We just weren't able to get the finish. Once they do that, they're going to shine out there.

No one that's associated with this program right now is content with the weekend. Yes, you're going to find the positives. And you're going to give Rutledge credit, but we want to win games - and ties are not wins.