Which Of The RFAs Slotted For Arbitration Will Earn The Most?
Arbitration can be a useful tool for players in a number of ways. It accelerates the contract negotiation process and puts it on a definitive timetable. It puts the player in a position where they can (theoretically) promote their own cause and posture for a greater paycheck. And in some cases, the threat of a mere one-to-two year ruling scares the team in question into handing out more term than they may otherwise have been comfortable.
With Tomas Tatar earning $5.3 MM AAV, Viktor Arvidsson earning $4.25 MM, and Colton Parayko raking in $5.5 MM all in the last few days, many players are earning longer deals with impressive cap hits before reaching their scheduled date. Only 14 names remain slotted for arbitration, but there are still a few names out there who are seeking a raise. Those players are Austin Watson, Brian Dumoulin, Mika Zibanejad, Ryan Spooner, Robin Lehner, Matt Nieto, Connor Hellebuyck, Reid Boucher, Calvin de Haan, Nate Schmidt, Nino Niederreiter, Mikael Granlund, Conor Sheary, and Nathan Beaulieu.
Keep in mind that most of the remaining names will likely come to an agreement prior to their dates, which could affect the prices. That said, who do you think ends up seeing the highest AAV on their next contract? Take our poll below!
Which Of The RFAs Slotted For Arbitration Will Earn The Most Money On Their Next Contract, AAV?
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Mikael Granlund 35% (148)
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Mika Zibanejad 29% (124)
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Nino Niederreiter 18% (77)
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Brian Dumoulin 8% (35)
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Conor Sheary 7% (28)
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Other 4% (15)
Total votes: 427
(Mobile users, click here to vote.)
Arbitration Notes: Dumoulin, Watson, Arvidsson
Penguins GM Jim Rutherford has already stated that he expected to go to arbitration with restricted free agent defenseman Brian Dumoulin. Based on their arbitration filings, it’s reasonable to understand why. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman (Twitter link), Pittsburgh has submitted a one-year proposal at $1.95MM while Dumoulin’s camp came in at $4.35MM.
Dumoulin has seen his role increase steadily over the past two seasons and has become a reliable stay-at-home player for the Penguins. In 2016-17, he played in 70 games, scoring once and added 14 assists while logging a career best 20:33 per game.
While the fact that he has become a reliable top four defender will help his case, what will work against Dumoulin in the arbitration hearing is his lack of offensive production and a fairly small track record overall as he only has two full NHL seasons under his belt. The traditional offensive statistics that often play a role in the hearings aren’t particularly strong and judging by the $2.4MM gap in the filings, it’s clear that the Penguins are banking on the lack of production being a factor.
If the two sides aren’t able to reach a deal, the arbitration hearing will take place on Monday.
Other arbitration notes:
- Dumoulin wasn’t the only player whose submissions were due today as the Predators and winger Austin Watson also made their filings. The gap here is considerably less with Watson asking for $1.4MM with Nashville coming in at half of that amount, also per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman (Twitter link). Watson set career bests across the board in 2016-17 with 77 games played along with five goals and 12 assists. He also had a strong postseason run with four goals and five helpers in 22 playoff contests, something that his camp will likely be arguing as a sign that he is capable of being more of a point producer next season.
- Today is the scheduled hearing between the Predators and winger Viktor Arvidsson. It appears that not enough traction has been made towards bridging the sizable gap between the two filings as of yet. Arvidsson, who tied for the team lead in scoring, filed for a one year, $4.5MM deal while Nashville asked for a two year deal with an AAV of $2.75MM.