Allan Walsh, Sekera's agent:

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mechaphil

2 million max?

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Well this should be interesting to see if Darcy can sign him and for how much. I don't like Arbitration ruling because they seem to help the player more than anything. See MacArthur

Hmmm. I think Buffalo's offer probably wasn't any higher than 1.5 mil, and I wonder what Sekera thinks he should get, or expects given the cap situation.

He hasn't taken charge and developed into the player he could/can be yet. If he wants 2 mil or more he'll have to find another team...buh bye.

From what Walsh has said, sounds like it's a length issue and not a dollar issue.

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mechaphil

I wish people would do a little homework and stop citing MacArthur as an example.

Atlanta didn't even show up for the arbitration hearing because by then they had no intention of keeping him. The arbitrator gave MacArthur exactly what he asked for, and Atlanta walk away from it the second the decision came in.

Had Atlanta put on a defense the situation would have been different.

At age 25 now, when does he get UFA status...one year or two? I suppose Buffalo may be keeping the contract length short enough that he's still an RFA at the end, and that Sekera wants a 3-4 year deal. Filing for arbitration will likely jack up the salary, so he's probably punching a ticket out of town even if he just wants more years right now.

Did Atlanta literally not send anyone to the arb hearing? I know that's the phrase used, but it would make my day to know that they actually sent not a single rep to that hearing.

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mechaphil

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2010 ... on-system/

"When it came time to meet with an arbitrator, the Thrashers simply asked for the award to be presented immediately, based on the player’s demands, so they could then walk away from the contract.

That’s how a third-line forward who had 35 points landed a $2.4-million (all currency U.S.) award, one the hockey world has been puzzling over ever since.

“We said, you know what, maybe it wouldn’t be a bad thing if he gets this silly award,” Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley said. “We kind of encouraged it.”

Sorta. They sent someone to simply say 'award him what he's asking for'.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2010 ... on-system/

IMO, if you go to arbitration, you're kind of a cunt.

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Arbitration is one of the few rights that a restricted free agent has. People shouldn't hate on them if they use it.

It's the only right a RFA has outside of signing an offer sheet.

UFA status is 27 or 7 years in the NHL, whichever comes first.

Like Crosby, started at age 18 in the NHL, he would become UFA at age 25 since it came first.

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Se should hate the arbitrators as they seem to base their arbitration awards based upon the player reaching some maxed out level of potential. Its not really even an arbitration proceeding as much as it is a money grab.

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If your having goal problems, I feel bad for ya son....we got 99 problems but Vanek ain't one!

Wrong, wrong, and wrong OTH. What if a team is criminally-lowballing a player? What if a player is making absurd salary demands? It's each party's right to try and argue in their favor. Whether the player or team comes out on top is a direct result of which side argued their case better. It's not merely a money grab.

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mechaphil

What is the longest deal an arbitrator has awarded in the NHL? Usually you see two year deals, max.

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

Per the CBA, the maximum term is only two years.

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mechaphil

[quote="Sabresfansince1980"]http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2010/08/06/clarke-macarthurs-arbitration-decision-still-raising-questions-about-arbitration-system/

That’s how a third-line forward who had 35 points landed a $2.4-million (all currency U.S.) award, one the hockey world has been puzzling over ever since.

quote]

The Arbritrator seemed like he knew what he was doing... TO ended up paying $2.4 Mill for 21 goals and 62 points...

On the sibject of Sekera wouldn't he be our 7th defenseman? I see Grags, Myers, Weber, Ehroff, Regher and Leopold playing the majority of the game. Sekera has flashes of brilliance here and there but he is not consistant. I hope we can trade him for whatever...

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"If you want to know what I've been doing lately, I've been driving around from Tim Horton's to Tim Horton's, rolling up the rim. Haven't won anything yet. Thanks." - Lindy Ruff

As much as I like Gragnani (And I have before he was even called up, probably a little bit after we drafted him) I don't think he's had much experience to say if he's inconsistent or consistent.

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Sophomore Bitches! Class of 2014!
R.I.P. Molly B. 5/28/96-5/23/11

I think regardless of Gragnani or Sekera's potential or consistency, Morrisonn showed to be less effective than both. If there is an odd man out (depending on whether Buffalo keeps 7 or 8 d-men) Morrisonn should be the guy. Of course, if Sekera ends up with a contract that doesn't fit after arbitration, he just made himself the odd man out due to necessity. I don't really like Sekera that much, but I'd rather he stay on as the 7th (maybe 6th) man as opposed to Morrisonn. But maybe Morrisonn just needed a season to adapt to Buffalo's style...idk.