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Originally Posted by Psytic
Is it true we cant trade him after the arbitration ? IE we cant hold onto him until the trade deadline?
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No, that's not true.
The only thing that would have prevented trading him would have been if he signed a one-year offer sheet (similar to what Carolina did last year with Kotkaniemi) and the Flames matched it. That would have been the worst case scenario because the Flames would have either needed to match and not been able to trade him for a year (which would have taken him to UFA) or let him go and take the compensation (not the worst option since compensation would have been at least 3 draft picks).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Manhattanboy
Can someone please summarize the timelines.
Is a new contract or a trade imminent?
Last I heard Chucky was in Europe with the fam.
Appreciated.
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The dates for the arbitration cases should be announced sometime today. The hearing could be scheduled any day from July 27 to August 11.
The Flames and Tkachuk are free to continue negotiating the terms on a new deal up until the start of the hearing.
Once the hearing starts, both sides are required to abide by the arbitrator's ruling on a one-year deal. Because the Flames elected for arbitration, they won't have walk-away rights, although they could buy out the contract if they really hated it -- but that won't happen at that price.
If Tkachuk is dead-set on leaving Calgary ASAP, he can just wait out the hearing and play out the one year contract. That would be worst-case for both sides and it would be in everyone's best interest to work out a trade with a team where he would be willing to sign long-term.
Either way, this should be resolved by August 11. If it does go to the arbitrator's ruling, the Flames will still be able to trade him at any point up to July 1 next year.
I'd guess the arbitrator's ruling is the least-likely outcome. More likely is a long-term contract signing prior to the hearing date -- either with the Flames or negotiated as part of a trade deal with another preferred team.