While the NHL free agency frenzy is now over, it is time for all thirty-one clubs to make attempts to keep some of their best players on the roster. The New York Rangers have four players that are due to have their cases heard in arbitration that are scheduled for later this month as well as early August, in attempts to earn the salary they believe they deserve.
The first Ranger up for arbitration will be forward Jimmy Vesey. The 25-year-old had a good season for the Blueshirts last season, compiling twenty-eight points in seventy nine games played. He had seventeen goals as well as eleven assists, including his first career NHL hat trick on March 12th against the Carolina Hurricanes. Vesey’s arbitration hearing is scheduled for July 30th.
Brady Skjei is the next Ranger on the list. He was one of the Blueshirts’ best defenseman last season, especially with his good plays and strong back checks. The Minnesota native had twenty-five points (four goals, twenty-one assists) and played in all eighty-two games for New York in 2017-18. His date is scheduled for July 31st.
Next is forward Kevin Hayes. The 26-year-old Boston College alum had one of his best seasons in his young career for the Rangers. He played in seventy-six of eighty-two games in 2017-18, collecting forty-four points (twenty-five goals, which is also a career high for him, and nineteen assists). Hayes’ arbitration date is August 2nd.
Ryan Spooner is the last Ranger scheduled for arbitration. The 26-year-old was acquired by New York in the mega deal that sent Rick Nash to Boston, and he made a strong name for himself in just a short couple of months. Spooner had sixteen points in twenty games for the Rangers last season, with four goals and twelve assists, respectively. He is scheduled for an August 4th hearing with the arbitrators.
In arbitration cases, the player is typically signed to a one or two-year deal, depending on performance play and other factors. All four of these Rangers made strong names for themselves this past season and it will be quite interesting to see who receives their well-deserves pay, and who might actually leave New York.
