[News] Michael Ferland Files for player elected salary arbitration

[Insane_Flame]

How do you all see this unfolding? Do you think there will be a deal struck before arbitration?

[Lanny_McDonald]

They come to a deal prior to arbitration. I think Ferland's deal is being held up by Bennett's deal, which may also have influence on Backlund's deal, and vice versa. A lot of moving parts in the contracts up front. Treliving will be earning his paycheck the next few weeks.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Insane_Flame

How do you all see this unfolding? Do you think there will be a deal struck before arbitration?

It seems like 95% of these filings are settled before the arb case, I expect Ferland's will be no different. He probably wants a 2-3 year deal at a minimum would be my guess? We'll see how it plays out.

[DJones]

I think an arbitration would work well for the Flames. This is the opposite of Colborne.

I think Ferland is better than his stats suggest

[Imported_Aussie]

Ferland is just getting in the queue for a hearing. He won't make it that far. Treliving will sign him, this is just Ferland's way to use his bargaining power that he has with arbitration.

[devo22]

not worried. Two years ago, all of Bouma, Jooris and Byron filed. They signed all of them ahead of arbitration.

[CroFlames]

I can't help but think player doesn't trust GM when he files for arb. Does he think his boss will low ball him even before starting to negotiate a deal?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I can't help but think player doesn't trust GM when he files for arb. Does he think his boss will low ball him even before starting to negotiate a deal?

It is an insurance policy to ensure that a player gets what he is entitled to. I see it as maximizing his leverage, in which case why would he not file even if he trusts the organization? Ferland surely knows that Treliving will do what he can to get a great deal for the team.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I can't help but think player doesn't trust GM when he files for arb. Does he think his boss will low ball him even before starting to negotiate a deal?

I don't really think that's the case at all. If anything, its the agent protecting his/her client's interests.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I can't help but think player doesn't trust GM when he files for arb. Does he think his boss will low ball him even before starting to negotiate a deal?

Or is it an agent being able to put a deadline in place that puts pressure on the other party to get a deal done?

Every summer players select this option knowing the they'll usually have a new deal by early August or the opportunity to be free to sign with 30 other teams.

It's actually not a bad thing in my eyes. It more or less gives the Flames exclusive rights until the hearing. So it may indicate that other teams were not willing to make a Dustin Penner offer.

[Serapth]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I can't help but think player doesn't trust GM when he files for arb. Does he think his boss will low ball him even before starting to negotiate a deal?

With million dollar contracts, you'd be an idiot to trust a GM in any modern day league. Applying emotions to contract negotiations is always a foolish move.

[Ashasx]

I think the Flames will get a pretty good deal for Ferland regardless of how this ends, but I'd love to see us sign him long-term at a low number.

[Zoller]

Just a hunch but I think Ferland gets a higher AAV than Bennett.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Zoller

Just a hunch but I think Ferland gets a higher AAV than Bennett.

no.

Bennett more goals, more points, young, similar games played, centre vs. wing, 1st round pick vs 4th round pick.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Zoller

Just a hunch but I think Ferland gets a higher AAV than Bennett.

How do you figure? One is a winger, one is a center. Centers get paid more. Ferland has put up 48 points in 173 games played while Bennet has put up 63 points in 159 games. All indications point to Bennett getting paid more. Man Bennett is getting undervalued here by some fans.

[Imported_Aussie]

Originally Posted by Zoller

Just a hunch but I think Ferland gets a higher AAV than Bennett.

There is a chance that Ferland gets more years on a deal than Bennett, especially if Bennett is signed to a bridge contract, but there is no situation I can think of where Ferland gets more $$ than Bennett.

[UnitedFlames]

Originally Posted by devo22

not worried. Two years ago, all of Bouma, Jooris and Byron filed. They signed all of them ahead of arbitration.

Yup, and they're all now gone. They can talk all they want about how "its just part of the process", but I think this is a bad decision by Ferland.

[Zoller]

You're probably right that I under value Bennett right now. But I think his future is bright. I'm hoping he signs a cheap "show me" bridge deal. Hence why I think he'll get less AAV than Ferland.

Ferland scored more goals last year, will likely start the season on the first line (barring a signing or trade for a top RW), and brings other intangibles that Bennett doesn't have yet (mainly physicality but he also has a terrific shot). We're all hoping Bennett can be that tough feisty player that he showed flashes of in the 2015 playoffs but he still has lots of development left. I feel Ferland is closer to reaching his potential. He just needs to find some consistency.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by UnitedFlames

Yup, and they're all now gone. They can talk all they want about how "its just part of the process", but I think this is a bad decision by Ferland.

Because of arbitration? Look at that list. The only useful player on it is Byron, and the fact that he was plucked from waivers pretty clearly indicates the difference between what happened to all of them and what we can expect from Michael Ferland.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Man Bennett is getting undervalued here by some fans.

I think specifically with the Ferland vs Bennett, it's a case of Ferland being a bit overrated.

Recent results are that Bennett did struggle in the second half as his scoring fell off. Ferland on the other hand did have a good run when healthy in February and March.

Of couse one guy is a winger who played with the teams top two players just as they found their games. The other is a center who struggled with a carousel of lesser line mates.

They might end up with similar salaries but that's purely due to age which triggers things like arbitration. Bennett has far more value, it's just that his stock is at bargain level right now. Ferlands is close to peak.

Had another team offered Ferland 3.5 a year for 3 years...I would take the compensatory 2nd round pick. If someone offered Bennett 4 million for 3 years on an offer sheet, I'd most likely match rather than take a better package of picks.