Derek Stepan remains optimistic that he'll be signed in time for training camp. "I don't think either side expects [it] not to be [done by Sept. 11]," he said. "As of this point right now, both sides are working extremely hard to get a deal done. I don't think anybody wants it to stretch out any longer than it should, but it's a process." Stepan is currently attending the U.S. Olympic team's orientation camp in Arlington, Va.