Today was the first of two deadlines for NHL players to file for salary arbitration.
If a player files for salary arbitration, it allows a third party to decide their salary for the upcoming season. This typically gives the player a bit more leverage in contract negotiations, but it can also be a tough and uncomfortable process to go through.
For Utah Mammoth forward Jack McBain, he elected not to file for salary arbitration. That usually signals that both sides are relatively close to a resolution in contract talks.
With McBain still a restricted free agent, the Mammoth do run the risk of him receiving an offer sheet from another team. That said, there’s still hope that both sides can get something done soon and avoid that scenario altogether, which would take a lot of pressure off the organization.
McBain, 25, is a player who could land a contract worth around $3 million per season. If another team were to offer him that, it would cost them a second-round pick based on the NHL’s offer sheet compensation rules.
Last season, he had 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points in 82 games. Over his four-year career, he’s appeared in 241 games and recorded 35 goals and 47 assists for 82 points.
Negotiations between McBain and the Mammoth will continue over the coming weeks, with both sides still expected to reach an agreement on a new deal in the near future.
