Quote:
Originally Posted by bigrangy
How many of the 26 players haven’t signed yet? It seems like a lot have. Might only see a handful actually go to arb.
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That's how it is every year.
Last year, 33 cases were settled before the hearing, 2 were settled after the hearing but before the arbitrator ruled (which is no longer allowed), and 6 went to the arbitrator's ruling.
6 cases actually going to the arbitrator's decision was the highest number in at least a decade. In 2016, none of the cases actually made it to the arbitrator's ruling, and only one went to the hearing.
No one actually wants to go to the hearing. They tend to create bad blood and it isn't uncommon for the player to be traded before the arbitrated contract is over.
In recent years, the Flames have only had two cases reach the hearing: Bouma signed a 3-year deal after his hearing but before the ruling -- and it was bought out after 2 seasons; Kulak was awarded a one-year deal by the arbitrator and he was traded to Montreal before he played a single regular season game on the new contract.