NHL Salary Arbitration Developments
On Saturday, a significant development occurred in the NHL, as eleven restricted free agents initiated the process of salary arbitration, with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson and Winnipeg Jets players Gabriel Vilardi and Dylan Samberg leading the list. The hearings for these cases are anticipated to be scheduled between July 20 and August 4.
Player Highlights
Typically, teams prefer to settle salary disputes before reaching the arbitration stage, as filing for arbitration ensures that the player cannot be tendered an offer sheet by other teams. Robertson recently accomplished a personal best during the 2024-25 NHL season, netting 15 goals along with seven assists. In a remarkable season, Vilardi achieved career highs in goals (27), assists (34), and total points (61) over 71 games. Samberg also had a breakthrough year, scoring six goals and recording 20 points while boasting an impressive plus-34 rating at even strength over an average of 21 minutes on ice.
Another notable player who filed for arbitration is Morgan Barron from the Jets. Other prominent names on this list include goalie Lukáš Dostál of the Anaheim Ducks and winger Kaapo Kakko, who recently played for the Seattle Kraken after a stint with the New York Rangers. Dostál’s record stands at 23 wins and 23 losses, with a goals-against average of 3.10 and a .903 save percentage. Kakko contributed a combined total of 14 goals and 30 assists in his 79 games this past season.
Strategic Choices Among Players
Interestingly, several notable restricted free agents, such as Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres, Cam York of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Jack McBain from the Utah franchise, chose not to file for arbitration, highlighting varying strategies among players regarding their contracts. Other players participating in the arbitration process include Arvid Soderblom (Chicago), Drew Helleson (Anaheim), Jayden Struble (Montreal), Conor Timmins (Buffalo), and Maxim Tsyplakov (New York Islanders).
Upcoming Deadlines
As the deadline for a second club-elected notification regarding salary arbitration approaches this Sunday at 5 p.m. ET, teams and players alike will be negotiating and preparing for possible hearings or settlements in the coming weeks.
