The @MapleLeafs yesterday filed for Club-elected salary arbitration on Jonathan Bernier. Although contract talks continue between both sides
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) June 18, 2015
Should add that the Leafs were the only team before yesterday’s club arbitration deadline to file on a player
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) June 18, 2015
Bernier, 26, just wrapped a two-year, $5.8 million deal with an average annual cap hit of $2.9M. In case you’re wondering about the differences between team- and player-elected arbitration -- aside from the obvious -- a few things to pass along:
• A player can only be subjected to team-elected arbitration once in his career. A player can elect arbitration himself as many times as possible, so long as a qualifying offer has been made.
• Players can still receive offer sheets after being subjected to team-elected arbitration (deadline is July 5).
• Team-elected arbitration must be filed within 48 hours of the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final.
For historical context, three players were subjected to team-elected arbitration last summer:
• Michael Frolik, Winnipeg. The two sides agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal before the hearing.
• Ryan O’Reilly, Colorado. The two sides agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal before the hearing.
• Vladimir Sobotka, St. Louis. Arbitrator awarded Sobotka a one-year, $2.725 million deal. Sobotka then proceeded to sign in the KHL.
Bernier went 21-28-7 for the Leafs last year, posting a .912 save percentage and 2.87 GAA. His counterpart in goal, James Reimer, is heading into the last of a two-year deal worth $2.3 million annually.