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Photo by Fred Chartrand/CP, Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images, Jean Levac/Postmedia

This is the third time since this season that Dorion, MacTavish and Brisson have gotten together. Last month, Dorion and MacTavish flew to Los Angeles to sit down with Brisson at CAA Hockey’s headquarters and, at that point, the Senators discussed an eight-year deal worth $64 million.

While Stone has been tight-lipped about his discussions with the Senators, the optimism he’ll stay in Ottawa has slipped. He isn’t commenting publicly so it’s hard to say what’s going to happen but there’s been no shortage of speculation that the talks aren’t progressing quickly.

The reality is Dorion and MacTavish are getting to the point where they’re going to have to move this process along and put a deadline on the players to to accept what’s on the table or give the organization time to move on so Ottawa can evaluate offers before the deadline.

If Stone and Duchene hit the market, they’ll attract a lot of interest and it’ll come with a high asking price from the Senators. The indications are Dorion has fielded calls on both players, but hasn’t had any serious talks because the organization’s priority is to keep both.

Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

Of course, that could change if they determine they don’t want to be part of the long-term solution.

The belief is the Senators would like two weeks to make a proper evaluation of the trade market which means Stone and Duchene likely have until early next week to decide if they’re going to sign on the dotted line. If they don’t want to decide then that will be the green light to make a trade as well.