Arizona Coyotes general manager Don Maloney is hard at work trying to get two forwards signed - with mixed results.
Maloney has been trying to work out contracts with forwards Mikkel Boedker and Viktor Tikhonov.
Talks with Boedker have been moving slowly, but there does seem to be some optimism, reports FOX Sports Arizona's Craig Morgan.
Both sides have swapped numbers and term, but have yet to come to an agreement.
However, it looks as though Tikhonov, drafted by the Coyotes in 2008, will test free agency after playing the last four seasons in the KHL.
"We will watch how teams shape up their rosters through June and entry-draft trades," Tikhonov's agent, Thomas Lynn, told Morgan via text. "The Coyotes are certainly on the list, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the degree of initial interest. Besides, Vik's strong year, the UFA market shaping up and a low (salary) cap seem to be helping him."
Both players are set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.
