The Winnipeg Jets are in a difficult spot heading into the upcoming NHL season. After losing their star Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency, uncertainty has grown with the confirmation that three players have filed for salary arbitration.
Morgan Barron, Dylan Samberg, and Gabriel Vilardi are the names mentioned in the list provided by the NHLPA. Vilardi’s case is the most talked about following his strong 2024-2025 season, in which he recorded 27 goals and 34 assists.
The Jets are trying to remain contenders for the Stanley Cup after finishing with the best regular-season record in the league. However, their aspirations came to an end in the second round of the playoffs against the Dallas Stars.
What is arbitration in NHL?
In the NHL, arbitration is a formal process used to resolve salary disputes between a team and a restricted free agent. Either the player (as Vilardi did) or the team can file for it.
The player usually files for arbitration if they believe they deserve a higher salary than what the team is offering. Both sides submit their proposed salary figures, and a neutral arbitrator reviews arguments, stats, and comparisons to similar players before deciding on a fair contract.
What happens when a player goes to arbitration in NHL?
As it has been mentioned, when a player goes to arbitration in the NHL, a hearing is scheduled. Each party presents arguments and the arbitrator reviews all the evidence and makes a binding decision within 48 hours, setting the player’s salary.
The team must then decide whether to accept the arbitrator’s ruling. In most cases, they do, but, if the awarded salary is above a certain threshold, the team can choose to walk away which makes the player an unrestricted free agent. That’s the risk for the Winnipeg Jets with these three players in the upcoming days.