The arbitration process in the NHL is not ideal.

A team will spend years trying to build a player up, help develop him into a well-rounded NHLer. In promo materials they will accentuate the positives of that player. In media guides, every positive thing is listed with nary a negative tidbit to be found. Sure he will be coached up and told what needs to be done better, but it’s always with the goal of improving the player and the team as a whole.

The arbitration process though pits that same team against the player. Teams in an effort to try and save money and space on the salary cap will in make arguments as to why the player they’ve spent years developing just isn’t worth the money he and his agent are looking for. Years of support and good will between player and team management can and have been undone in the matter of one day, sometimes beyond repair.

It is why you see pretty much every team try and reach contract settlements before both sides have to go through the ordeal. It’s also why players who have gone through it typically don’t remain with those clubs much more that they have to.

Murat Ates has a great inside look into the arbitration process that Andrew Copp had with the Jets this past summer and the wide range of emotions – good, bad and ugly – that it led to.

What really happened at Andrew Copp’s arbitration hearing — and what comes next for him in Winnipeg – The Athletic

Philadelphia Flyers – Re-signed RW Travis Konecny to a six-year, $33 million contract.

Vancouver Canucks – Re-signed RW Brock Boeser to a three-year, $17.625 million contract.

Winnipeg Jets – 0 (Skinner: 18 saves, Wells: 7 saves)
Edmonton Oilers – 2 (Neal, Nugent-Hopkins)

A couple of Sportsnet items as there is a video feature on how some of the noteable absences at Jets camp (Byfuglien, Laine & Connor) have created some spots for younger players to take advantage of. Also a nice write-up by Ryan Dixon on how the Jets are ready to prove a lot of critics who say their ‘window’ has already closed, wrong.

Notebook: Jets motivated by chance to prove critics wrong – Sportsnet

Eric Comrie had a pretty solid night in Edmonton on Monday night, stopping 31 of 33 shots faced – and you can argue the two goals he did allow he had virtually no defensive help on. It was a good first step on his way to earning a chance at a spot in the NHL or at the very least a chance to move up the Jets depth chart.

Comrie patient in wait for NHL chance – Winnipeg Free Press

The Nation Network has also launched a new podcast featuring Dustin Nielson along with former NHLers Joaquin Gage and Matt Kassian that you can not only download on your favorite devices, but that you can watch live on Facebook every Monday.

Yes, Sidney Crosby headlines this group, but seeing Blake Wheeler’s name is a testament to just ow good he’s been the last few seasons.

Budweiser Canada is running a promotion where they are looking to hire a “Chief Hockey Officer” in what may be the sweetest gig I’ve ever come across.

And maybe the best news we’ll see all pre-season, the NHLPA has decided not to reopen the CBA which means we have labour peace (if we dare call it that) for the next three seasons!