With Franson signing a one-year deal today the question remains if some of the other major arbitration cases will be settled. Two big names come up on Wednesday in Ryan O'Reilly and James Reimer....wonder what an arbitrator can look at?

from (about.com)

NHL salary arbitration is a tool available to settle some contract disputes. The player and team each propose a salary for the coming season, and argue their cases at a hearing. The arbitrator, a neutral third party, then sets the player's salary.

Most players must have four years of NHL experience before they are eligible for salary arbitration (the term is reduced for those who signed their first NHL contract after the age of 20). The process is used by restricted free agents, because it is one of the few bargaining options available to them.

Teams can also ask for salary arbitration. But a player can be taken to arbitration only once in his career, and can never receive less than 85 per-cent of his previous year's salary. There are no such restrictions on the number of times a player can ask for arbitration, or the size of the salary awarded.

A decision must be made within 48 hours of the hearing. When the decision is announced, the team has the right to decline, or "walk away" from the award. If the team exercises this right, the player can declare himself an unrestricted free agent.

The evidence that can be used in arbitration cases:
The player's "overall performance" including statistics in all previous seasons.
Injuries, illnesses and the number of games played.
The player's length of service with the team and in the NHL.
The player's "overall contribution" to the team's success or failure.
The player's "special qualities of leadership or public appeal."
The performance and salary of any player alleged to be "comparable" to the player in the dispute.
Evidence that is not admissible:
The salary and performance of a "comparable" player who signed a contract as an unrestricted free agent.
Testimonials, video and media reports.
The financial state of the team.
The salary cap and the state of the team's payroll.

So now I officially ordain you as an NHL Arbitrator....

Ryan O’Reilly:

Ryan O'Reilly is asking for $6.75 million in arbitration, the Avalanche offering $5.25 million...those two numbers appear like numbers not too far from compromise, IF those sides really want to come to a compromise...however O'Reilly wants a long-term deal..8 years. The Avalanche want at least 5.



On Chris Kreider...

The Rangers are in trouble. Three very important core players (Kreider, Zuccarello, and Brassard) are heading to arbitration and they have only a little more than 12M to spend. Not impossible for sure, but very tricky if these players hit arbitration. First up is Kreider. Kreider is probably one of the best players that very few people outside of the Metro division know about. Kreider can flat out fly and is a game changer. He and Zuc represent the scoring of this team over the next decade..Brassard reportedly wants 5.5 per year, Zuc wants almost 5 per, and Kreider at arbitration will be the steal around 2-3M... If Brassard goes to arbitration most feel he will be traded or the Rangers will walk away.




We will discuss these arbitration cases and the rumors I wrote about over the weekend on today's podcast.