NHL Arbitration Filings Drop as Cap Climbs

Eleven NHL restricted free agents, including Gabriel Vilardi, Dylan Samberg, and Morgan Barron of the Winnipeg Jets, Nick Robertson of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kaapo Kakko of the Seattle Kraken, and Lukas Dostal of the Anaheim Ducks, have filed for salary arbitration ahead of hearings scheduled from July 20 to August 4. The smaller number of filings this year reflects a continued decline as the league's salary cap increases. Arbitration filings prevent offer sheets from other teams but allow players and teams to negotiate until a hearing. Notable RFAs such as Buffalo’s Bowen Byram did not file, leaving room for offer sheets or trades. NHL teams have until July 7 to elect arbitration. Most cases typically settle before the hearings, ensuring contract resolutions for remaining unsigned players.