Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
So the players have prevented themselves from being offer sheeted?
Why would they do that?
|
They are well aware that offer sheets happen quite infrequently?
By electing arbitration these guys put some pressure on the Jets to negotiate and come to an agreement. It creates a deadline, and deadlines usually bring a result of some type. I think the fact that the Jets have so many RFA players likely plays a role here. In the case of the Flames the only guy is Backlund who could have went to arbitration that is a somewhat significant player so it's easy for Feaster to prioritize him, and than work with the rest. Whereas out of Bogosian, Wheeler, and Little, that one is a bit more murky as to who get's priority.
I would think Wheeler is a tough case and that's the first domino to fall, they have Ladd locked up long term for a pretty friendly cap number of 4.4 per year. So they may be trying to use that as a team cap, although Kane is paid more on a longer term deal, so I suppose he could be the ceiling, but if you survey the market for 26 year old players who produce like Wheeler, and play his ice time the market is probably closer to 5 million a year for a guy like him for this final year before he's RFA. The Jets may also have been refusing to do a one year deal too so by going arbitration Wheeler would have the chance as a 27 year old UFA to really cash in next year should the cap go back to the level it was at for the 2013 season.