I don't think it's the middle of negotiations that would make it odd, but it's the fact that it's 4 days before free agency starts that makes me feel comfortable about it.
Usually the player will stay in the states to be part of the media release or want to meet in-person with the GM and vice versa to make sure there's a fit. Not a done deal by any means, but between a lot of the positive media reports and him heading back to Russia makes me feel that a deal is close enough to being completed.
I was thinking Girard to the Cnaes too, but looking at that I don't think he's their first choice. They have Slavin and Skjei there on the left side and while Girard can play the right side, he's always looked better on the left. Their right side is Pesce and a bunch of nothing. If Florida moves Weegar I can see them being interested in Girard though.