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This year’s arbitration cases could bring problems for Rangers and Sabres

Chicago Blackhawks v New York Rangers

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 01: (L-R) Brandon Dubinsky #17 and Ryan Callahan #24 of the New York Rangers celebrate Dubinsky’s second goal of the game at 55 seconds of the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden on November 1, 2010 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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The last hurrah of free agent season is upon us and it’s not when the last man standing signs on the dotted line. Instead it’s when salary arbitration hearings are had and those players get their new contracts squared away. While many players will look to get a deal done before their hearings go off, sometimes the two sides can’t come to an agreement.

The uncomfortable part about arbitration comes when the team argues against the player over why he shouldn’t be worth what he wants. It’s an awkward arrangement and can sometimes lead to bad feelings between player and management. This year, there are more than a few interesting cases to be settled out and for a few teams, they’re likely hoping that their court date doesn’t come to fruition. The NHLPA released the list of arbitration dates and some of the bigger cases will have a few more weeks to wait to be settled. Arbitration kicks off on July 20 and runs through August 4.

July 20: Teddy Purcell (TB), Lauri Korpikoski (PHX), Viktor Stalberg (CHI)

July 21: Andrew Cogliano (EDM), Brad Richardson (LA), Brandon Dubinsky (NYR)

July 22: Ryan Wilson (COL)

July 25: Andrej Sekera (BUF), Brian Boyle (NYR)

July 26: Kevin Porter (COL)

July 28: Josh Gorges (MTL), Ryan Callahan (NYR)

July 29: Jannik Hansen (VAN)

August 2: Shea Weber (NSH)

August 3: Chris Campoli (CHI), Blake Wheeler (WPG), Zach Parise (NJ)

August 4: Mark Fraser (NJ), Dan Sexton (ANH), Blake Comeau (NYI)

The New York Rangers have the most intriguing summer ahead of them should all three of their cases go to a hearing. With Dubinsky, Callahan, and surprise 20-goal scorer Boyle all potentially going to battle with Glen Sather, the Rangers’ current $51 million payroll could see quite a boost.

Obviously all eyes are going to be on the likes of Shea Weber and Zach Parise. Parise has said he’d take a one-year offer to avoid going to arbitration and having to deal with Lou Lamoriello in an argument. You can’t blame the guy for wanting to avoid that. The thought of that alone makes us cringe.

The guys to really wonder about in their cases are defensemen given how crazy the market for defensemen has gotten. One in particular, Andrej Sekera, could wind up getting a decision that makes life very uncomfortable for the Buffalo Sabres. If you remember last year, the Sabres had an awkward time with forward Tim Kennedy in which Kennedy won his case for $1 million, but not a large enough victory for the Sabres to walk away from. Buffalo wound up getting rid of Kennedy on waivers days later after being unhappy with his contract. Such is life in arbitration and a good reason why both sides like to avoid having the courts settle things out.