I hate to be that guy, but that sounds like someone who doesn’t want to stay long term.
He put a pause on contract talks because he wants to focus on the upcoming season. Sure.
He won’t negotiate during because he will want to focus on the season then as well.
My guess would be no deal until next year, and it will be a short one, or he pulls a Tkachuk and refuses to sign, then we are forced to traded him