Dubinsky To File For Arbitration (UPDATE: And Callahan, Boyle, Sauer)

Dubinsky to file for salary arb, agent Kurt Overhardt tells Post. “Not a negative commentary, part of the process…”

The deadline to file for arbitration was today, and this comes as no surprise to most that at least one Ranger filed for arbitration. As Dubi’s agent states, this is just a part of the process, and really shouldn’t be viewed as a negative. In fact, there are several positives that come out of this:

Since arbitration has been elected, Dubi is no longer eligible for offer sheets.

Dubi will have a contract in front of him before July ends.

They can work with the arbitrator’s ruling to hopefully negotiate a longer term deal.

The August buyout period is now open for the Rangers.

Following arbitration, Dubinsky can either accept a one or two year deal based on what the arbitrator has ruled, or he can negotiate for a longer term deal. The Rangers also have the option of cutting ties with Dubinsky, but that is extremely unlikely.

The party being taken to arbitration elects either a one or two year term.
Since all of the NYR players elected to file, the Club has the option of one or two year (with the exception as Dave noted, of those who will be Group 3 (UFA) next year).

Correct me if I’m wrong Dave,Does this means that neither one of the players can sign an offer sheet from onother team? If that’s the case then arbitration is good news for the Rangers except for the fact that it can screw up the salary cap structure.

Dave – a question. There are conflicting bits of info in the CBA about what ‘triggers’ the 2nd buyout period. In the SPC (13 (c) (ii)) it says “settlement of its last case”. But in Article 11 (18) it says “However, in the event that a Club has only one salary arbitration hearing pursuant to Section 12.3(a) in a given League Year, such Club shall not be entitled to exercise such a buyout outside the regular period for Ordinary Course Buy-Outs.” While 12.3(a) is club elected arbitration (which does not apply to the NYR this year), it doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense that merely the filing of Player elected arbitration – even if it never gets to the actual hearing – would set off the 2nd buyout period.
I’ve seen it interpreted both ways, written about both ways, and was wondering if you have any insight ?