The NHL's now into its third week of the season, and the Anaheim Ducks and ace defenseman Hampus Lindholm are apparently clashing over an inappreciable portion of the team's salary cap.

On Wednesday afternoon, Darren Dreger mentioned on TSN 1050 that he believes there's a mere $250,000 discrepancy between Lindholm's ask and what Anaheim's willing to pay the defender annually on a long-term contract extension.

With a seemingly trivial portion of the payroll at stake, Dreger's colleague, Bob McKenzie, reported on NBCSN that to this point, the Ducks are no closer to reaching an agreement with Lindholm.

Answering four consecutive losses to begin their season with five points in their last three games, the Ducks are certainly in striking distance and have perhaps bought some time. But it remains absolutely imperative to boost their defensive corps with the 22-year-old workhorse puck-mover sooner than later.

Dreger also mentioned he doesn't believe the Ducks are willing to trade Lindholm.

It's been previously reported that Ducks general manager Bob Murray is committed to signing Lindholm to a contract cheaper than the six-year, $32.4-million deal that Rasmus Ristolainen signed with the Buffalo Sabres prior to the season.

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