By Eddie S. of Blueshirt Pride
With the arbitration hearing schedule set in stone, players and organizations will undoubtedly begin working harder to come to reach an agreement. These arbitrations can get ugly, and can alienate players from the rest of the team, so I’ve decided to make a quick list of do’s and dont’s that will help avoid any awkward situations.
Chris Campoli – Chicago Blackhawks
DO: point out that you’re healthy and played in a career-high 84 games this year including playoffs.
DON’T: bring up your medical disability that prevents you from determining which color jersey your team is wearing on any given night.
Blake Wheeler – Winnipeg Jets (This was written before Wheeler signed a two-year contract with the Jets yesterday)
DO: mention the fact that you’re excited to finally be playing for a financially stable organization with loyal fans.
DON’T: Sign a long-term contract.
Zach Parise – New Jersey Devils
DO: mention the fact that you’re excited to finally be playing for a financially stable organization with loyal fans.
DON’T: grudgingly mutter to yourself “even if there’s only a hundred of them who show up for the home games.”
Brad Richardson – Los Angeles Kings
DO: remind the team that you’re a key role-playing center that the organization has been extremely intent on signing during the offseason.
DON’T: let them see that some jerk added an “ON” to your last name.
Blake Comeau – New York Fishsticks
DO: mention that you’re not just in these negotiations for the money and that when it all comes down to it, you just want to help the team win games.
DON’T: answer when they ask you if you realize that you’re playing for the Islanders. It’s a trap.
Ryan Callahan + Brandon Dubinsky – New York Rangers
DO: remind the Rangers what a vital role you play in basically every aspect of the game. Powerplay, penalty kill, part of the youth core, lead the team in points last year, hustle night in and night out, whooped Ovechkin in the only fight of his career, registered a four goal game this past season… etc etc etc
DON’T: ever leave us.
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