Clock is ticking for Pens, Tyler Kennedy as "discussions" are on-going

The clock is ticking on Tyler Kennedy and the Pittsburgh Penguins to reach a new deal. The Penguins have made it known to Kennedy's camp that they are opposed to going to arbitration and the two sides are entering a crucial period of talks.

The team has also indicated that they might actively seek a trade for Kennedy by draft weekend if a deal is not reached or if there's a sense that a deal can't be worked out.

Pressure is mounting on both sides to find some common ground and the team has already begun to "mildly" gauge the trade market for Kennedy and could have an interested party in the Florida Panthers. However, the Penguins focus as of today is still on finalizing a deal in the next 10-14 days.

As of this past weekend, the two sides were extremely far apart on a new deal. But, a somewhat positive development is that finally after nearly three weeks of "exploratory" and "preliminary" talks, talks have finally progressed into actual contract negotiations, sources say.

"We are in discussions, " Steve Bartlett, the agent for Tyler Kennedy confirmed to Inside Pittsburgh Sports this afternoon when asked if talks were still on-going.