With the schedule for arbitration hearings not being made public this year, it’s generally unknown when hearings are going to be held. However, as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link), the Predators and defenseman Spencer Stastney have exchanged figures, meaning his hearing is slated for Monday.
Stastney’s request was a one-year deal worth $950K. With the blueliner initiating the filing, it’s Nashville that gets to determine if it’s a one-year or a two-year award should it actually go through the process. They opted for the latter, filing a two-way offer for both seasons, worth $775K and $125K in the minors for 2024-25 and $775K and $175K for 2025-26.
The 24-year-old is coming off his entry-level deal, one which saw him carry a $925K cap hit between his base salary and signing bonuses. Nashville’s offer actually comes in below the qualifying offer they tendered late last month but those offers have since lapsed meaning that they can go as low as they want with an offer.
Last season, Stastney split the year between Nashville and AHL Milwaukee. In the minors, he suited up in 44 games, notching five goals and 15 assists, improving on his rookie point total by seven. He got into 20 regular season games with the Preds, picking up two goals and two helpers while logging just under 16 minutes a night. Stastney also played in three games in their opening-round playoff loss to Vancouver.
The two sides now have just under 48 hours to come to an agreement. If they can’t come to one and the hearing starts, it will go the distance and have a contract awarded by the arbitrator. If a contract is awarded, Stastney will once again be an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent next summer.
Seems odd the Preds made such a low offer considering that it looks like they expect Stastney to be on the opening night roster.
@Gbear — Seems like NSH is sending a bit of a mix message here, doesn’t it?
@Mac – Not really confidence inspiring. They’ll especially need him if they do indeed move Fabbro.