NHL News: 20 Players File For Arbitration … Sides Working to Get Deals Done
  • NHLPA: 20 Players filed for salary arbitration yesterday.

    Brandon McMillan (Ari), Matt Bartkowski (Bos), Joe Colborne (Cal), Cameron Gaunce and Antoine Roussel (Dal), Jimmy Hayes (Fla) Dwight King (LA), Justin Fontain (Min), Lars Eller and P.K. Subban, Mattias Ekholm (Nas), Kevin Poulin (NYI), Derick Brassard, Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello (NYR), Derek Grant (Ott), Nick Spaling (Pit), Jason Demers (SJ), Cody Franson and James Reimer (Tor)

  • Ken Campbell of The Hockey News: The Pros of Subban filing for arbitration:

    – First, it is certain Subban will not be embroiled in a contract dispute with the Canadiens and will be in training camp the day it opens in September.
    – Second, it protects the Canadiens from having another team submit an offer sheet on Subban.
    – And finally, if it goes all the way to arbitration, it ensures that Subban will be neither overpaid nor underpaid.

    The Canadiens have the option of either one- or two- years. Hard to see them not selecting a two-year deal.

  • Allan Walsh: Rangers Derick Brassard has filed for salary arbitration but they will work on getting a long-term deal done.
  • Michael Russo: Wild winger Justin Fontaine filed for salary arbitration but they will work on getting a deal done before the arbitration hearing.
  • Jim Diamond: Predators GM David Poile on Mattias Ekholm filing for arbitration: “We talked about it during negotiations. Hopefully that gives us some urgency to move forward & get it done.” Diamond doesn’t think he’ll get a big raise from last year. He doesn’t have a lot of leverage and only had a decent year last year.