General manager Martin Mayhew said this morning he wants to have a deal done with the first pick in the weeks leading up to April's draft and expects to negotiate with “at least” three different players.

“I think it's important that we get a contract done prior to selecting the player,” Mayhew told beat writers this morning. “Those deals are complex and especially with the end of the last-capped-year rules, with those rules in effect it's going to be a complicated contract so I think we have to get out in front of that at least for a couple weeks and start narrowing it down and start talking to people.

“I envision us talking to at least three different players – at least that – and trying to see where those guys are and trying to get something done prior to the draft. It's pretty important that we have a contract done prior to the draft.”

Mayhew said it wouldn't be a deal-breaker, but “it's of critical importance that we have a contract done prior to the draft.”

“That's very, very important to us,” he said.