NHL salary arbitration hearings got underway Friday. The first player on the docket was Winnipeg Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba and according to Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press their meeting was “a marathon affair” that lasted nearly six hours.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this week that Trouba’s management and the Jets were $3 million apart when the sides filed for arbitration — the team was at $4 million and the player was at $7 million — so it will be fascinating to see what Trouba’s new cap hit will be.
A decision is expected to be released by Sunday afternoon but the two sides can sign a new contract any time before the arbitrator’s ruling.
The Jets just avoided arbitration with Adam Lowry after signing the forward to a three-year, $8.75-million contract on Thursday.
Jets forwards Brandon Tanev and Marko Dano have arbitration hearings scheduled for July 25 and July 30, respectively, while restricted free agents Josh Morrissey and Tucker Poolman are also in need of new deals.
Trouba is coming off a two-year, $6-million bridge deal he signed in November 2016. The 24-year-old had three goals and 21 assists in 55 appearances this past season.
