Two Colorado Avalanche Players File for Salary Arbitration

The NHLPA released a list of NHL players who have elected for Salary Arbitration in advance of Monday’s deadline. The list of 23 includes two members of the Colorado Avalanche organization, left wing Andrew Aggozino and defenseman Mat Clark.

Aggozino, the leading scorer for the Lake Erie Monsters last year with 64 points, including 30 goals, is 24-years old and went undrafted after a productive career with the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs.

Clark, 24, was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Michael Sgarbossa at the trade deadline this past season. Clark was a second round selection of the Ducks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

That both players have taken to the arbitration process suggests negotiations between the team and player have not progressed very far and this at least puts a deadline on a resolution for the two Restricted Free Agents.

Arbitration in the NHL is a strict process that historically has resulted in heated meetings that leave bitter feelings on both sides and is mostly used as a tactic for speeding up the negotiations. Due to the contentious nature of the process, the vast majority of cases are settled before ever getting to the scheduled hearing.

Aggozino especially is likely looking  to cash in on his breakthrough season that saw him finish 4th in the AHL in goals scored.

Arbitration hearings will be held in Toronto between July 20 and August 4 of this year.

With Aggozino and Clark filing for arbitration, the Avalanche still have five unsigned RFAs this year: Joey Hishon, Mikhail Grigorenko, Freddie Hamilton, Stefan Elliott, and Calvin Pickard.