Arbitration woes
The bar has been set, with Vanek taking up over 7 million dollars per season on the Sabres Salary cap. Now we can observe statistically how must other high scoring RFA’s might fair in arbitration. Salary arbitration is a pure statistical analysis comparing players stats to other signed restricted free agents. As arguments, both the team and the player can only compare extensions or signings on RFA eligible players during that offseason. So Vanek is now a few players best friend.
Thomas Vanek 82 games, 43 goals, 41 assists, + 47,
7.1 million dollar cap hit
Derek Roy 75 games 21 goals, 42 assists, +37
More Buffalo woes as this guy can argue about 4.5 mil (compared to Vanek)
Buffalo can argue he has similar numbers to Higgins, who signed for 1.7 mil.
Arbitraor should give this guy something in the middle, roughly 2.5 mil.
Pierre-Marc Bouchard 82 games, 20 goals, 37 assists, +13
Statistically worth about half of Vaneks money, but the team can argue he’s worth no more than Higgins, and are right. I say 2 mil.
Lee Stempniak 82 games, 27 goals, 25 assists, -2.
Easy comparison, a bit more than half Vaneks production. Also a bit more than Half Vaneks money. He benefited more than anybody from the Vanek signing. 4 mil.
Micheal Ryder 82 games, 30 goals, 28 assist, -25
2 straight 30 goal seasons, he’ll get Stempniak and a bit more. 4.5 mil.
Its clear that the Vanek signing has drove up the price of goal scorers in arbitration. HOWEVER, the wild card is Parise. The Devils are breathing a sigh of relief that he did not file for arbitration. If he is signed for a reasonable amount before arbitration, these prices could go right back down again.