NHL Rumors and RFA Arbitration Deadline: Latest News on Contract Updates/Speculation
NHL rumors continue to heat up now that free agency is behind us and salary arbitration waits just around the corner.
Tuesday at 5:00 PM ET was the deadline for pending Restricted Free Agents to file for arbitration. Teams have until the same time today (Wednesday July 6th) to file for club elected arbitration.
This means that a hearing between the RFA and his team would take place, with the judge deciding the contract based on arguments (i.e. stats and points) from both sides.
Salary Arbitration Need to Know Facts:
– Teams can only request arbitration once over a player’s career. That player will receive no less than 85 percent of the previous year salary.
– No restriction on how many times a player can file, but also no restriction on what the arbitrator might reward.
– This year’s arbitration hearings will take place between July 20th and August 4th in Toronto, Ontario.
– Teams do have a walk away option which immediately makes the player an unrestricted free agent.
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As TSN‘s Craig Button pointed out on Tuesday night, Ottawa blew an opportunity to use the system to their advantage. When the club elected to take Mike Hoffman to arbitration last summer, the team requested a one-year deal before proceedings (whoever files elects for one or two years).
Arbitrator’s will not award a large salary for one productive season, hence the $2 million dollar cap hit in 2015-16. Ottawa should have requested two-years because this time around, Hoffman will be rewarded after posting 29 goals (59 points).
Does every RFA want to go to arbitration, and what are some trade rumors on these free agents? I look at the latest on seven of the best RFA’s.
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Tyson Barrie
Age: 24
Position: D
2015-16 Cap Hit: $3.2M
2015-16 Points: (13 G, 36 A) 49 PTS in 78 Games
Latest NHL Rumors: Howard Berger of Sportsnet 590 reported Monday that the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, and Toronto Maple Leafs have all had discussions with Avalanche GM Joe Sakic about a trade for the defender.
Edmonton, Vancouver and #Leafs talking to Colorado about puck-moving defenseman Tyson Barrie. Would be a great pick-up.
— Howard Berger (@Berger_BYTES) July 4, 2016
There were even rumors floating around that the Leafs offered winger James van Riemsdyk and 2015 2nd rounder Travis Dermott for the 24-year-old.
In terms of actual contract talks with the Avalanche, it seems like not much has happened since the new year and Barrie will likely take this to a hearing.
Sources tell Bleacher Report Tyson Barrie likely heading to arbitration with Avalanche. Long-term deal looking like distant prospect
— Adrian Dater (@adater) July 1, 2016
There are two takes on this:
Edmonton Journal insider & broadcaster Bob Stauffer said that he expects Barrie to be traded before any arbitration starts. Stauffer spoke of a three-way trade between the Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, and Avalanche that would work best.
Other people, including me, think that COL GM Joe Sakic’s will stick by his claim he won’t trade Barrie and the defender will likely stay on a short deal in the Rocky Mountains.
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Johnny Gaudreau & Sean Monahan
Ages: 21 (Monahan) & 22 (Gaudreau)
Positions: C (Monahan) & LW (Gaudreau)
2015-16 Cap Hit: $925K (Both)
2015-16 Points: Monahan: 63 points in 83 games, Gaudreau: 78 points in 79 games
Latest NHL Rumors: The expectation seems to be that both players will not need arbitration and there will no problems getting them re-signed, as both obviously want to be in Calgary. The Flames have nearly $15M in cap space, which should be enough to have them comfortably signed. There will be a little but of a crunch next year, when Sam Bennett is an RFA.
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Mike Hoffman
Age: 26
Position: LW
2015-16 Cap Hit: $2M
2015-16 Points: (29 G, 30 A) 59 points in 78 games
Latest NHL Rumors: It was confirmed Tuesday morning that Ottawa Senators sniper Mike Hoffman is heading to arbitration for a second straight year.
#Sens leading goal scorer Mike Hoffman will be filing for arbitration by 5 pm today
— Don Brennan (@SunDoniB) July 5, 2016
It was likely that Hoffman was to be traded, as he had a very rocky relationship with coach Dave Cameron.
But now, Cameron is fired, Pierre Dorion has taken over as GM and it seems Hoffman has a significantly healthier relationship with the Sens, at least enough to be back in Ottawa in 2016-17.
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Nikita Kucherov
Age: 23
Position: RW
2015-16 Cap Hit: $700K
2015-16 Points: (30 G, 36 A) 66 points in 77 games
Latest NHL Rumors: Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman told media on Saturday that he’s expecting to get a deal done with Kucherov. “I’m confident at some point we’ll be able to reach an agreement” , Yzerman said.
Considering that fellow RFA Filip Forsberg got 6 years, $36M, we can expect something similar for Kucherov.
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Rasmus Ristolainen
Age: 21
Position: D
2015-16 Cap Hit: $925K
2015-16 Points: (9 G, 32 A) 41 points in 82 games
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Latest NHL Rumors: It is rumored that Ristolainen and his agent were awaiting a Seth Jones extension to set a benchmark for talks, and with Jones signed for 6 years in CLB at $5.4M per season, there is not expected to be a problem with talks between the Sabres and Ristolainen. The two sides are not expected to go to arbitration.
Has the 21-year-old received any trade interest? For sure. It is believed the Edmonton Oilers offered winger Taylor Hall, now in New Jersey, to the Sabres for the 8th overall pick in 2013. The deal was contemplated, but ultimately rejected, That’s how valuable the Finn is to Buffalo.
Next: Good Fits for Remaining Free Agents
Nathan MacKinnon
Age: 20
Position: C/RW
2015-16 Cap Hit: $925K
2015-16 Points: (21 G, 31 A) 52 points in 72 games
Latest NHL Rumors: There actually hasn’t been much on talks between MacKinnon and the Avalanche. Last week there were reports contract talks were going well, but we honestly don’t know if arbitration is a possibility or not.
Contract talks between the Avalanche and Nathan MacKinnon are well underway. Nothing close yet, talks ongoing.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 1, 2016
There has been no indication the Avalanche would ever consider trading their 1st overall pick in 2013, but they’ve no doubt had some calls on MacKinnon.