He is not a FA. He has 1 year left on his contract. He is eligible for a 'max' contract extension which reportedly the Pels won't do. So that is the rub. Is he a disgruntled player on the last year of his contract that will get the Pels nothing or trade him now for some capitol? Actually his 'low' salary is a trade enticement.
I don't think anyone said he was a free agent this year, but yeah decisions need to be made soon. You shouldn't just let him expire and see if he'd resign. You either extend him now or trade him now.