The NHLPA announced that 14 restricted free agents elected salary arbitration on Friday, ahead of the 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT deadline to file.
There is a second deadline for clubs to elect arbitration on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT.
Most notable among the group of 14 are Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas, Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Connor Dewar.
Necas, 25, entered the off-season as a notable trade candidate after scoring 24 goals and recording 53 points in 77 games for Carolina.
Luukkonen, 25, played in 54 games for Buffalo, posting a 27-22-4 record with a .910 save percentage and a 2.57 goals-against average.
Dewar was the only player from a Canadian team to file. The 25-year-old played in 17 games with Toronto after being acquired from the Minnesota Wild in March. In total, he scored 11 goals and 19 points in 74 games between the two teams.
Here is the full list of players who elected arbitration:
Jake Christiansen (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Connor Dewar (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Jack Drury (Carolina Hurricanes)
Ty Emberson (San Jose Sharks)
Jet Greaves (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Ryan Lindgren (New York Rangers)
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Buffalo Sabres)
Beck Malenstyn (Buffalo Sabres)
Kirill Marchenko (Columbus Blue Jackets)
J.J. Moser (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Martin Necas (Carolina Hurricanes)
Spencer Stastney (Nashville Predators)
Joe Veleno (Detroit Red Wings)
Oliver Wahlstrom (New York Islanders)
Arbitration hearings are scheduled to be held from July 20 to Aug. 4. Teams and players can settle on a contract before the hearing.
In the summer of 2023, three of the 22 players to file for arbitration avoided going to a hearing.
Fourteen NHL players, including Martin Necas of the Carolina Hurricanes and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Buffalo Sabres, have chosen to file for salary arbitration this offseason. Salary arbitration is a process that allows players who are restricted free agents to negotiate their contracts with their teams if they are unable to come to an agreement on their own.
Necas, a 22-year-old forward from the Czech Republic, is coming off a breakout season with the Hurricanes where he recorded 41 points in 53 games. He is looking to capitalize on his strong performance and secure a more lucrative deal with Carolina.
Luukkonen, a 22-year-old goaltender from Finland, made his NHL debut with the Sabres last season and showed promise with a .906 save percentage in six games. He is hoping to solidify his spot on the team and earn a contract that reflects his potential as a future starting goalie.
The salary arbitration process involves both the player and the team submitting their proposed salary figures to a neutral arbitrator, who then decides on a fair contract based on factors such as the player’s performance, age, and comparable players in the league. The arbitrator’s decision is binding, meaning both parties must adhere to the terms of the contract.
For players like Necas and Luukkonen, salary arbitration can be a valuable tool to ensure they are fairly compensated for their contributions to their teams. It also provides an opportunity for them to negotiate a contract that aligns with their long-term goals and aspirations in the NHL.
As the arbitration process unfolds, fans will be eagerly awaiting the outcomes for these young and talented players. Will they secure the contracts they desire, or will they need to continue negotiations with their respective teams? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – salary arbitration is a crucial step in the career progression of NHL players looking to maximize their earning potential and secure their futures in the league.