We probably won't have a choice. [Jokinen] wanted to get it done just to get it out of the way, but now that he knows things are [going] very, very slow, he's going to accept it and just focus on making the playoffs and making sure this season means something for the Panthers.

You can bet on that.

They hold all the cards. We'll talk this week just to say hello. If there are no changes, there won't be any need to talk.

This is going to be a slow process based on what's been happening to date.

I don't think Mike knows what he wants to do down there yet.

His value is clear. People know what he can do for the team.

The reality is that the better he does, the higher his price is. So you're constantly late. At some point, you have to make a leap of faith.

The process got under way today. How long it will take, who knows? I don't think it will be dragged out too long. There are no guarantees what will happen. It's not a completely predictable process, but both sides know approximately where the other is.

It's all in the hands of the Panthers. Whatever they decide is what it's going to be.