Eleven NHL Players Including Vilardi and Kakko File for Arbitration

In a significant development for the National Hockey League (NHL), eleven players have officially filed for salary arbitration, including notable names such as Gabriel Vilardi of the Winnipeg Jets and Kaapo Kakko of the Seattle Kraken. The filings were reported by the NHL Players’ Association on July 7, 2025, ahead of the impending arbitration hearings scheduled to take place from July 20 to August 4, 2025.

Gabriel Vilardi, a 25-year-old forward, had a standout season last year, achieving career highs with 27 goals, 34 assists, and a total of 61 points across 71 games. This marked his sixth season in the NHL, and his performance has made him a key player for the Jets. Kaapo Kakko, another young star, represents the Seattle Kraken and is also among the prominent players to seek arbitration.

The full list of players filing for arbitration includes Lukas Dostal, a goaltender for the Anaheim Ducks, and defenseman Dylan Samberg, also from the Winnipeg Jets. Additionally, the Buffalo Sabres have elected salary arbitration for their defenseman Bowen Byram, highlighting the ongoing negotiations and financial considerations teams face in the current NHL climate.

The ability for players to enter salary arbitration stems from their status as restricted free agents (RFAs). During these hearings, an independent arbitrator will evaluate the player’s performance and determine a fair salary for the upcoming season. Players can still negotiate contracts with their respective teams at any point before their arbitration hearings occur.

In the previous offseason, 14 RFAs initiated similar arbitration processes, reflecting a trend where teams and players are exploring fair compensation based on performance metrics. Notably, only Nashville Predators defenseman Spencer Stastney secured a contract via arbitration last year, which underscores the challenging negotiations that often accompany these hearings.

The complete list of players who filed for salary arbitration includes: - **Anaheim Ducks**: Lukas Dostal (G), Drew Helleson (D) - **Buffalo Sabres**: Bowen Byram (D, team-elected), Conor Timmins (D) - **Chicago Blackhawks**: Arvid Soderblom (G) - **Montreal Canadiens**: Jayden Struble (D) - **New York Islanders**: Maxim Tsyplakov (F) - **Seattle Kraken**: Kaapo Kakko (F) - **Toronto Maple Leafs**: Nicholas Robertson (F) - **Winnipeg Jets**: Morgan Barron (F), Dylan Samberg (D), Gabriel Vilardi (F)

The upcoming arbitration hearings will not only impact the players involved but could also set precedents for contract negotiations across the league. Given the financial landscape of the NHL, teams are increasingly cautious about salary commitments, and the outcomes of these hearings may influence overall salary structures and strategies moving forward.

As the NHL continues to evolve, the intersection of player performance, contract negotiations, and arbitration remains a critical aspect of the league's operational dynamics. Stakeholders will be closely monitoring the outcomes of these hearings as the new season approaches, with implications that may extend beyond individual contracts to the broader financial health of franchises across the NHL.