Twenty-three restricted free agents file for salary arbitration

Twenty-three NHL restricted free agents filed for salary arbitration on Sunday ahead of Monday’s deadline for teams to start arbitration proceedings

Twenty-three NHL restricted free agents filed for salary arbitration on Sunday ahead of Monday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline for teams to start arbitration proceedings, the National Hockey League Players Association announced.

Salary arbitration hearings will be held in Toronto from July 20-Aug. 4. Players can only choose club-elected arbitration once over their career, according to the league's current collective bargaining agreement.

Among those who filed for salary arbitration include Arizona Coyotes left winger Mikkel Boedker, New York Rangers center Derek Stepan, Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Michael Del Zotto.

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Boedker had 14 goals and 14 assists in 45 games last season before missing time with a ruptured spleen and Stepan tallied 16 goals and 39 assists.

Holtby’s agent told the Washington Post that he expects the two sides to reach agreement on a multiyear contract extension.

Washington has already offered Holtby a deal that could pay him more than $5 million per season, according to the newspaper.

Holtby, 25, had a 41-20-10 record last season with a 2.22 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and nine shutouts, finishing fourth in the Vezina Trophy voting.

“In Braden’s case, I think it’s going to get done,” agent David Kaye said. “They’ve always been pretty fair with all their players. They both get along, Braden’s a great guy, he’d love to stay too. Washington’s a good team to deal with. Honestly I can’t see any major issues.”

- Scooby Axson