Nobody in the NHL likes salary arbitration. Teams are always forced to reduce their salary offers, risking upsetting players with such amounts. The entire “test” here is based on pure statistics and comparisons with other players, and hockey players can often hear comparisons that they themselves do not want to hear. Finally, the teams themselves do not want to rely on the arbitrator’s opinion, so the parties almost always manage to reach an agreement before the hearing.
Remember that only restricted free agents who have already spent enough seasons in the league are eligible to apply for arbitration. After the 2013 lockout, the arbitration calendar included a couple hundred cases, but in the end, independent judges considered only about one in ten. However, last year, three cases reached the final point at once, so Ilya Samsonov, then playing for Toronto, Boston goalie Jeremy Swayman and Chicago forward Philip Kurashev received contracts.
Usually, two dozen or even more players constantly come to arbitration; however, this year has become rather modest in this regard. At the moment, 14 hockey players are planning to “sue”, while some of them may have time to reach an amicable agreement with the clubs. Let’s consider the key figures of current arbitration.
North. Martin Necas (“Carolina”)
Statistics for the 2023/2024 season: 77 games, 53 (24+29) points, “-9”
Cech was overcrowded in Carolina behind Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis, who occupied right-flank positions on the first two lines. At the home World Cup, Necas played amid rumors of a possible trade, which the forward himself requested, and played magnificently, making the playoffs as perhaps the best forward on the “people’s team.” Nearly every team in the league tested the waters on the Czech national team, five or six reached the point of substantial interest, but apparently Carolina’s new management values its assets highly.
On the one hand, the Hurricanes have the money for a new contract. On the other hand, this offseason’s acquisitions have greatly shifted the team’s balance towards typical Brindammore hockey, and the right wing spot on the third line can be filled by newcomer Jack Roslovic. So, maybe there won’t even be arbitration here and a new team will draft a new contract.
h. Janis Moser (Tampa Bay)
Statistics for the 2023/2024 season: 80 games, 26 (5+21) points, “-5”
The Swiss defenseman will replace Mikhail Sergachev in the Lightning lineup, but this replacement will be based on position, not functionality. Moser in Arizona was used primarily as a defensive defender, who often appeared in the minority and on faceoffs in his own zone. In Tampa, the Swiss will most likely be used on the second pair of defenses: in Arizona he began to consistently receive 20 minutes per game. Most likely, the Swiss’s new contract will cost almost all of Tampa’s $4 million in reserve, or tax breaks will allow this amount to be slightly reduced.
Janis Moser
Photo: Andrea Branca/Getty Images
h. Ryan Lindgren (Rangers)
Statistics for the 2023/2024 season: 76 games, 17 (3+14) points, “+22”
For five straight seasons, Lindgren has been Adam Fox’s primary partner. While the Rangers’ defensive leader has been powering offenses and earning trophy nominations, his teammate at home has never scored 20 points in a season. Ryan remains the team’s primary defender in the minority, and here management needs to resolve several important questions. What value does Lindgren himself have as a hockey player, apart from his superstar teammate? How do you balance Ryan’s extension with that of another quarterback, the younger Braden Schneider? Finally, how do you simultaneously take into account Igor Shesterkin’s new contract in a year’s time?
v. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Buffalo)
Statistics for the 2023/2024 season: 54 games, 27 wins, 91% OB, KN 2.57
The Finnish goalkeeper is one of the main sensations of the 2024 calendar year. In the 2022/2023 season, Luukkonen played the most matches among the Blades’ goalkeepers, but this happened rather against the background of the failures of the young goalkeeper’s competitors. Last season, the Finn absolutely surpassed his peers: as of January 1, among goalkeepers only Andrei Vasilevsky played more matches, and Luukkonen himself saved almost 92% of shots. The team now has enough free funds ($ 14.5 million), even taking into account that the contracts with two more OCAs need to be renewed. However, the question is: was this season a one-time problem or did the Finn deserve to get a full contract as the first goalkeeper?
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Photo: Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP Photo/TASS
north. Joe Veleño (Detroit)
Statistics for the 2023/2024 season: 80 games, 28 (12+16) points, “-16”
Veleno is remembered primarily for his behavior on the international stage: scandals in matches with the Russian youth team or hitting Nino Niederreiter with his skate at the 2023 World Cup, which led to the Canadian’s disqualification. In Detroit, Veleno has firmly established himself in the position of fourth center, periodically moving up to the flank of the attacking lines this season. Veleno’s contract for the “wings” is no longer a second priority: the team is preparing to conclude long-term agreements with two young leaders – Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Accordingly, Veleno’s contract should not tie his hands too much in these negotiations – it should be an easily negotiable deal in case of the major changes expected by Detroit.
north. Kirill Marchenko (Columbus)
Statistics for the 2023/2024 season: 78 games, 42 (23+19) points, “-5”
Columbus has been a mess for the past two seasons. Three coaches in two years, constant changes of units in the last championship, injuries that could wipe out half the squad in certain periods. Although the team’s main stars did not play for much money, there were only a few islands of stability in the “uniforms” – one of them was Kirill Marchenko. Our forward did not start the penultimate season as a starter, but managed to score 20 goals; in the 2023/2024 regular season he broke this mark again, becoming Columbus’ best scorer with 23 goals.
Kirill Marchenko (left)
Photo: Paul Vernon/AP Photo/TASS
But Columbus now has completely new leadership, and it is now unclear how general manager Don Waddell views his new team. The “uniforms” have a huge number of “bricks” with which they cannot build a new house, and the fate of Marchenko’s new contract also depends on the strategic vision of the new manager.
Other players who requested arbitration: h. Ty Amberson (San Jose), b. Jack Drury (Carolina), b. Oliver Wahlström (Islanders), b. Connor Dewar (Toronto), b. Beck Malensteen (Buffalo).
