Travis Zajac Files For Salary Arbitration
July 6th, 2009 | by Carlos Figueiredo |by Carlos Figueiredo
Don’t forget to follow all the free agent signings here.
And let me know who you want to see in a Devils sweater next season, by checking out the remaining free agents.
This was originally posted by Tom Gulitti on his Fire & Ice Blog:
– “Devils center Travis Zajac was among the 20 NHL players to file for arbitration before today’s 5 p.m. deadline.
Zajac, a restricted free agent, earned $984,000 in 2008-09, but would likely win a significant raise after establishing career highs with 20 goals, 42 assists and 62 points this past season.
By filing for arbirtation, Zajac, 24, can no longer accept an offer sheet from another team. The Devils and Zajac can continue to negotiate up until the arbitrator issues his/her ruling (a contract for one or two years as elected by the Devils) with 48 hours after the hearing, which will be held in Toronto on a date between July 20 and Aug. 4 to be determined.
The Devils have the right to walk away from the arbirator’s decision within 48 hours after the ruling is handed down, but Zajac would then become an unrestricted free agent.
Here’s the full list of players that filed for arbitration.
Anaheim: James Wisniewski; Atlanta: Colby Armstrong; Boston: Matt Hunwick; Buffalo: Clarke MacArthur; Carolina: Tuomo Ruutu; Chicago; Aaron Johnson; Columbus: Marc Methot; Detroit: Jiri Hudler; Edmonton: Denis Grebeshkov; Minnesota: Kyle Brodziak; Montreal: Tomas Plekanec; Devils: Travis Zajac; Islanders: Nate Thompson; Rangers: Ryan Callahan; Nikolai Zherdev; Phoenix: Nigel Dawes, Daniel Winnik; Tampa Bay: Matt Smaby; Vancouver: Kyle Wellwood; Washington; Milan Jurcina.” –
I fully expect Zajac to be with the Devils next season. His big increase in salary is probably one of many reasons the Devils haven’t signed anyone yet. I’m sure Lou is thinking not only about this season, but next season, where there has been talk that the NHL salary cap could be reduced by as much as $5-6 million.
Tags: Free Agents, New Jersey Devils, NHL, Travis Zajac
By DEVILDRIVER on Jul 6, 2009
I doubt Lou is low balling. He’s thinking if the cap going down next year and having to re-sign other guys. While every player simply looks for somparable stats at higher salaries.
I can’t wait until this time next year because many players are slowly becoming over paid. Many GMs are as unresponsible as before the lock out.
No one could even trade for Heatley for his contract besides the extra signing bonus he got.