Salary arbitration is a contract negotiation method that uses a third party arbitrator to determine a fair contract term and length for an expiring RFA player. Arbitration can be requested if a player meets the following conditions (CBA Reference 12.1 (b)):
The player qualifies as a Restricted Free Agent (RFA)
The player has not signed an offer sheet
The player has met the required professional years of experience, as shown in the list below
Eligibility for salary arbitration is dependent on first contract signing age, and professional experience (CBA Reference 12.1 (a)):
18-20: 4 years professional experience.
21: 3 years professional experience.
22-23: 2 years professional experience.
24 and older: 1 year professional experience.
Signing age is the age the player is on September 15 of the year they signed their first contract, unless they turn 20 from September 16-December 31, in which case they are considered 20.
A player is considered to have completed a year of professional experience if:
The player is aged 18 or 19 and has played 10 or more NHL games in the respective season
The player is aged 20 or older and has played 10 games in a professional league, while under an NHL SPC
Due to the 2019-20 season being shortened by COVID, a pro-rating for the professional games requirement was applied as follows:
If the player is aged 18 or 19, and is considered a Covid Roster Freeze Player, the 10 games requirement was pro-rated to 9 games (pro-rating of 70/82)
If the player is aged 20 or older, the 10 games requirement was pro-rated to 9 games (pro-rating of 70/82)
Due to the 2020-21 season being shortened, the professional games requirement was pro-rated to 7 games (56/82)
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