Friedman: Adam Erne, Jakub Vrana file for salary arbitration

Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman:

Adam Erne and Jakub Vrana file for salary arbitration. https://t.co/PP5eoR3MQ3— George Malik (@georgemalik) August 1, 2021

17 players filed for arbitration today: Aston-Reese (PIT), Colton (TB), Copp (WIN), Dickinson (VAN), Dunn (SEA), Erne (DET), Fabbro (NASH), Gilbert (COL), Hill (SJ), McNiven (MON), Mete (OTT), Pelech (NYI), Pionk (WIN), Sanford (STL), Saros (NASH), Vrana (DET) & Zadorov (CAL).— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 1, 2021

There was one team-elected arb: Brandon Carlo, but he and the Bruins reached a six-year extension.— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 1, 2021

In theory, the Red Wings can now buy out Frans Nielsen…And yes, the Red Wings usually reach contract agreements with players prior to salary arbitration hearings.

Under Ken Holland, the Red Wings tended to avoid salary arbitration with players, but KH took it personally if the player made it to the hearing.

Yzerman doesn’t care, he wants the contract done.— George Malik (@georgemalik) August 1, 2021

Erne could become a UFA next summer if his case indeed ends up being settled in arbitration. Vrana still two years away from UFA eligibility. https://t.co/GPVmHo5Fsf— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) August 1, 2021

NHLPA announces 17 players have elected Salary Arbitration: https://t.co/aR7otBGAod— NHLPA (@NHLPA) August 1, 2021

With Erne and Vrana filing for arbitration, the second buyout window will now be triggered so Nielsen could still be bought out, though unlikely. #LGRW #RedWings— The Grind Line Podcast™ (@GrindLinePod) August 1, 2021

Update: Here’s the NHLPA’s press release:

17 PLAYERS ELECT SALARY ARBITRATION

TORONTO (Aug. 1, 2021) – The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced that 17 players have elected Salary Arbitration:

Zach Aston-Reese (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Ross Colton (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Andrew Copp (Winnipeg Jets)

Jason Dickinson (Vancouver Canucks)

Vince Dunn (Seattle Kraken)

Adam Erne (Detroit Red Wings)

Dante Fabbro (Nashville Predators)

Dennis Gilbert (Colorado Avalanche)

Adin Hill (San Jose Sharks)

Michael McNiven (Montreal Canadiens)

Victor Mete (Ottawa Senators)

Adam Pelech (New York Islanders)

Neal Pionk (Winnipeg Jets)

Zach Sanford (St. Louis Blues)

Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators)

Jakub Vrana (Detroit Red Wings)

Nikita Zadorov (Calgary Flames)

The deadline for Club-Elected Salary Arbitration notification is Aug. 2 at 5 p.m. ET. Salary Arbitration hearings will be held from Aug. 11 to Aug. 26.

Red Wings can still negotiate a deal with Erne and Vrana, who filed for arbitration prior to today’s deadline. If they can’t reach an agreement independent of arbitration, the team will be able to elect for one- or two-year term for the arb award.— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) August 1, 2021

#RedWings Adam Erne and Jakub Vrana among 17 players who filed for salary arbitration by today’s deadline. Hearings will be from Aug. 11-26. Can continue to negotiate a deal until arbitrator reaches decision. Precludes them from receiving an offer sheet, which is rare anyway.— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) August 1, 2021

Correction here (I think?): Per @CapFriendly, players in their final year of RFA “are only entitled to a 1 year term,” so I take that to mean one-year is the only possible arb outcome for Erne.— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) August 1, 2021

Update #2: Here’s more from MLive’s Ansar Khan…

Vrana, 25, is coming off a two-year contract valued at $3.35 million a season. He collected 19 goals and 36 points in 50 games, including eight goals and 11 points in 11 games with Detroit following a trade from Washington.

Erne, 26, is coming off a one-year contract at slightly less than $1 million. He experienced a breakout season with a career-high 11 goals and equaled his career-best total of 20 points in 45 games.

The Red Wings historically have avoided this process by reaching an agreement with the player prior to the hearing more often than not. Last year, however, Tyler Bertuzzi went to arbitration and was awarded a one-year contract for $3.5 million, nearly halfway between what the player and team asked.

Chase Pearson did not file for arbitration. The team’s two other restricted free agents, Filip Hronek and Givani Smith, were not eligible for arbitration based on service years.