Total of 14 restricted free agents elect for salary arbitration

The NHL free agency period began on July 1st, and although there has been a lot of activity, many players are still looking for new contracts.

Among these players is a significant group of restricted free agents who have limited negotiating power, as their rights are controlled by their current teams. However, these players can opt for salary arbitration to work out a new contract. This summer, 14 players have chosen this option.

Here is the list of players who have elected for salary arbitration and their current teams:

Jake Christiansen (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Connor Dewar (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Jack Drury (Carolina Hurricanes)
Ty Emberson (San Jose Sharks)
Jet Greaves (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Ryan Lindgren (New York Rangers)
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Buffalo Sabres)
Beck Malenstyn (Buffalo Sabres)
Kirill Marchenko (Columbus Blue Jackets)
J.J. Moser (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Martin Necas (Carolina Hurricanes)
Spencer Stastney (Nashville Predators)
Joe Veleno (Detroit Red Wings)
Oliver Wahlstrom (New York Islanders)

In most cases, teams and players will try to reach an agreement before going to arbitration. This is often in their best interest, as arbitration can create tension between the player and the team.

Choosing salary arbitration also benefits the teams, as it makes the players ineligible for offer sheets from other teams. While offer sheets are rare in the NHL, this removes that concern entirely.

The arbitration hearings for these players are scheduled to take place between July 20th and August 4th, unless an agreement is reached beforehand.

Source: hockeyfeed
14 NHL free agents elect for salary arbitration with team.