Canucks: RFA Jason Dickinson files for salary arbitration

The Vancouver Canucks are officially on the clock when it comes to signing one of their restricted free agents.

On Sunday afternoon, the league announced that 17 players filed for arbitration, with newest Canuck Jason Dickinson being a part of that group.

Dickinson, who was acquired from the Dallas Stars moments before the roster freeze on July 17th, is coming off a two-year, $3 million deal. The 26-year-old is seeking a raise from his previous $1.5 million AAV after notching 16 goals and 20 assists over the past two seasons.

Arbitration is very common for RFAS in this league.

It allows the players and their agents to better negotiate fair market value for their contributions to the team, while also setting a deadline for management to come to a contract agreement before the arbitration hearings take place. Each player will be given a scheduled hearing shortly after filing for arbitration, but teams can still negotiate and finalize contracts leading up to the date.

If the hearing does end up taking place, a neutral arbitrator will set an appropriate salary and term, based on both the player’s and team’s statements. The team will then have 48 hours to make a decision based on the verdict.

If they accept, then the player will sign a new contract with the given salary and financial structure. If they do not accept, then the player can enter unrestricted free agency to sign with another club.

Last offseason, 26 players filed for salary arbitration.

Only one player, Tyler Bertuzzi of the Detroit Red Wings, ended up having to attend his arbitration hearing. The remaining 25 were able to finalize a new deal prior to their scheduled date, including former Canuck Jake Virtanen, whose final season of his two-year, $5.1 million deal was bought out just a few weeks ago.

Dickinson is expected to slot into the 3C position next season, providing more centre depth behind Elias Petterson and Bo Horvat. He has penalty killing experience from his time in Dallas, and should be a noticeable upgrade from Jay Beagle, who was part of the blockbuster draft day deal with the Arizona Coyotes.

Dickinson should also be able to take on more even-strength defensive responsibilities and match-ups that normally fell on Horvat’s shoulders, and can play in a top-six role if needed, either at centre or at wing.

Of course, Dickinson isn’t the only RFA that needs a new contract this season.

General Manager Jim Benning and his team will need to put pen to paper on new deals for Pettersson, as well as for blueliner Quinn Hughes. There has been lots of speculation on what these two franchise players could command for their next contracts, with shorter, bridge deals and long-term, maximum deals both on the table.

NHL agent J.P. Barry, co-head of the Hockey Division of the CAA that represents Hughes and Pettersson, joined Don Taylor and Rick Dhaliwal on “The Donnie and Dhali Show” on Friday, indicating that “both players want to commit to Vancouver”. However, he also mentioned that there needs to be flexibility from both parties when it comes to term and AAV.

According to CapFriendly, the Canucks have just north of $14 million available in cap space for the upcoming season to sign Dickinson, Pettersson and Hughes. The team will also need to finalize a new deal with RFA blueliner Olli Juolevi, who made his regular season NHL debut earlier this year.

This number does not include Micheal Ferland‘s contract. The 29-year-old has two years remaining on his three-year, $10.5 million deal but, according to Thomas Drance of The Athletic, is expected to be on LTIR for next season. This would save the Canucks an additional $3.5 million against the cap.

Salary arbitration hearings will take place between August 11th and 26th. Dickinson’s hearing date has not been announced.

What do you think, Canucks fans? Will Benning be able to finalize a deal in the coming days? And what AAV should Dickinson command? Let us know in the comments!