“I’ve been in communication with his representative and he knows we want him back,” Khan said when asked about Rudolph’s pending free agency. “We’ve told them we want him to be a part of this process. But it’s sort of just how the process goes. I can’t tell when the deal will get done, hopefully with us. But it’s just a process and I understand but we’d like to have him back.”

Given his familiarity with the team and his ability to lead Pittsburgh down the stretch and into the playoffs off a three game win streak is a huge reason behind Khan and Pittsburgh’s want to retain him.

But it also gives Rudloph the biggest market demand of his career, meaning he’s probably not going to want to sign for the hometown discount that Pittsburgh hopes he will.

So with less than 10 days until the legal tampering period opens and players begin to agree to terms on deals, Pittsbrugh and Rudolph are closer to separating on good terms than getting back together.