So the NHL has released the official dates for the it's annual "Arbitrationacular" (sorry it's no "Free Agent Frenzy." Which I challenge anyone to prove I didn't coin the name of....just saying)

Anyway, last year we had some fun with this...so I figured why not again... the dates are as follows..

July 20:
Lauri Korpikoski (Phoenix)
Teddy Purcell (Tampa Bay)
Viktor Stalberg (Chicago)

July 21:
Andrew Cogliano (Edmonton)
Brad Richardson (Los Angeles)
Brandon Dubinsky (New York Rangers)

July 22:
Ryan Wilson (Colorado)

July 25:
Andrej Sekera (Buffalo)
Brian Boyle (New York Rangers)

July 26:
Kevin Porter (Colorado)

July 28:
Josh Gorges (Montreal)
Ryan Callahan (New York Rangers)

July 29:
Jannik Hansen (Vancouver)

Aug. 2:
Shea Weber (Nashville)

Aug. 3:
Chris Campoli (Chicago)
Blake Wheeler (Winnipeg)
Zach Parise (New Jersey)

Aug. 4:
Mark Fraser (New Jersey)
Dan Sexton (Anaheim)
Blake Comeau (New York Islanders)

Obviously some big names on this list...and in general at least half of these players will come to terms prior to arbitration..

Before I explain the game, here is my rant on this process. Why now? Now granted, this season, with the cap space many of these teams have, its not as significant, but as part of the much needed re-vamping of the "NHL Free Agent Process" I still contend the arbitration guys get the most screwed....and arbitration is supposed to be a good thing. The problem is not for the Webers, Parises, Callahan, or Dubinsky's so much...but rather guys like Josh Gorges.

The team or player files before the UFA money is handed out, and yet the rulings come down way after most of the money has been spent. There are those who argue this helps the players because Arbitrators can go off the latest comparables, and yes that's true IF you are Shea Weber or Zach Parise..not if the arbitrator is going to price you clear out of a job (which is why so many players, like Blake Wheeler have filed before but, seeing the writing on the wall, settle before going before the arbitrator.

In the case of the Rangers for example, they are hampered terribly by the timing of these two guys going to arbitration. The Rangers have try and fill up their holes without knowing exactly how much these guys are going to command. And they further hurt themselves by driving up the market price on these guys when they helped establish the market for Brad Richards...

Anyway... all this aside...Let's play...

So here are the rules.

After the player's name, put your projected ruling/salary they are going to be award in either arbitration or via a contract. their per/year cap hit. Also, put a * next to the price if you believe they will forego arbitration and indeed settle.

ex:
Shea Weber: $6.5M* would mean you believe Shea settles for $6.5M Cap hit.
Shea Weber: $6.5M would mean you believe Shea is awarded a $6.5M Cap hit.


Scoring..

For every player you predict will settle and does settle...you will get a point.
For every player's salary who you are within $200K of you will get another point.

Prize

The winner will receive a Hockeybuzz Prize Package including a Hockeybuzz T-shirt, Season Ticket to the site, will be asked to guest host a podcast with me...and more....(but mostly the winner shall be allowed to call himself "The Supreme Arbitrator" in any and all social situations.)

Here is your template..please include with your guesses

---------------------------------------------------
The 2011 Arbitrationacular Game:

Lauri Korpikoski (Phoenix):$
Teddy Purcell (Tampa Bay):$
Viktor Stalberg (Chicago):$
Andrew Cogliano (Edmonton):$
Brad Richardson (Los Angeles):$
Brandon Dubinsky (New York Rangers):$
Ryan Wilson (Colorado):$
Andrej Sekera (Buffalo):$
Brian Boyle (New York Rangers):$
Kevin Porter (Colorado):$
Josh Gorges (Montreal):$
Ryan Callahan (New York Rangers) :$
Jannik Hansen (Vancouver):$
Shea Weber (Nashville):$
Chris Campoli (Chicago):$
Blake Wheeler (Winnipeg):$
Zach Parise (New Jersey):$
Mark Fraser (New Jersey):$
Dan Sexton (Anaheim):$
Blake Comeau (New York Islanders):$
--------------------------------------------------------------------
GOOD LUCK!


Rumor> EMERY to Detroit. (e2):
Despite the signing of Joey MacDonald today by the Wings (a goalie by the way that I really think is underrated) I still have heard there have been discussions surrounding Ray Emery and Detroit.

I have also heard Osgood to the Ducks or NY Islanders rumors...

more to come..

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