Lightning owner Oren Koules said he has had one conversation with Brian Rolston about money. Koules said Rolston, whom the Lightning are trying to sign by midnight before he becomes an unrestricted free agent, is more concerned about quality of life issues.

"He's excited about it," Koules said Rolston's opportunity to play with Tampa Bay. "It's lifestyle things. He's 35, he knows this might be his last contract. He wants to figure out where he wants his family to lives. You know what? I don't blame him."

There is something to what Koules says as the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Rolston, who had three straight 30-goal seasons for the Wild, wants to play in a "hockey city" with great youth hockey for the benefit of his son, Ryder, 6, an apparent budding star. 

Koules said he is certain the Lightning will be in the mix even if Rolston does not sign and enters free agency at midnight.

"They're literally meeting right now," he said of the team and the player.