The deadline for NHL players to file for salary arbitration arrived Wednesday at 5:00 PM and three Bruins had filed: Jeremy Swayman, Trent Frederic and Ian Mitchell. Because the players filed, the Bruins have the choice of going for a one-year or two-year deal if it goes in front of the arbitrator. The filings also open up a second buyout window for the team but the buyout can only be of a player making $4+ million. If the award is greater than $4,538,958 on a one-year deal, the Bruins have the right to walk away, making the player a UFA. If the award is 2-years and greater than $4,538,958, the Bruins can walk away from the second year making the player a UFA.
The Bruins had a 24-hour window following the player deadline in which to file for arbitration on the remaining players eligible: Marc McLaughlin, and Reilly Walsh. The Bruins decided against that option.
Players that filed are no longer eligible to sign an offer sheet.
Arbitration is not what it once use to be in the NHL. Players usually file when there is a gap between the team and his representative. Teams usually file when they are trying to secure a player for less than their qualifying offer. The New Jersey Devils did that with Timo Meier (and were successful, avoiding arbitration) and the Ottawa Senators are in the process of trying to do the same with Alex DeBrincat.
What has come out of the arbitration process is that it sets a hard deadline to get a deal done before the hearing. Last summer, 24 players had filed and all cases were settled beforehand.
In the event any of these cases go before the arbitrator (July 20 to August 4), the evidence allowed is as follows:
- The player’s overall performance including statistics in all previous seasons.
- Injuries, illness and the number of games played.
- The player’s length of service with the team and in the NHL.
- The player’s overall contribution to the team’s success or failures.
- The player’s special qualities of leadership and public appeal.
- The performance and salary of any player believed to be comparable to the player in the dispute.
Evidence that is not admissible includes:
- The salary and performance of a comparable player who signed a contract as a UFA.
- Testimonials, videos and media reports.
- The financial state of the team.
- The salary cap and the state of the team’s payroll.
On occasion, these hearing can get uncomfortable, especially for the player. No one wants to hear why their employer thinks they are not worth what they are asking for.
In the Walsh case, this is pretty cut and dry. He has one NHL game under his belt and coming off his ELC. I think this just comes down to a one-way versus two-way deal.
Not so simple when it comes to Swayman and Frederic. I believe Swayman could be looking at anywhere between $4 Million and $4.5 million in arbitration and Frederic could be asking for as much as $3 million. The Bruins are probably responding with $3 million and $2 million respectively.
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Dom - Hockey 