With the arbitration hearings scheduled for July 20 to August 1, Dallas Stars left-wing Jason Robertson and Philadelphia Flyers center Trevor Zegras made it to the list.

Both Robertson and Zegras fall into the list of players who have made themselves ineligible to sign any offer sheet from another club to elect arbitration. Interestingly, it follows a trend of more players going to RFAs. Compared to last year's 11 and 2024’s 14 RFAs, the number this year has gone up to 15.

To clarify, an arbitration hearing is a process to settle a contract dispute between a player and the team. Both Robertson and Zegras are on the hearing portal because the negotiations with their respective teams were going nowhere.

Robertson closed his season with 45 goals and 96 points across 82 regular-season games. The 26-year-old didn’t sign any extension with the Stars after his 4-year, $7.75M AAV contract. Reportedly, he also rejected an 8-year, $15M AAV sign-and-trade with the Seattle Kraken, according to TSN.

After a career-high 26 goals and 67 points season, Zegras is also looking for a longer, richer deal with the Flyers than the 3-year, $5.75 AAV contract he was on.

Per Daily Faceoff's NHL insider, Anthony Di Marco, a long-term (preferably 8-year) contract ranging from $7.5-8.5M would be ideal for him.

But despite the nearing date, will they actually follow up on the hearing?

How Arbitration Hearings Mostly Conclude

Last year, among 11 RFAs who filed for salary arbitration, none showed up for the actual hearing. The same happened with the 14 players who signed up in 2024. Historically, players and teams settle disputes before actually reaching a hearing.

Mainly because 3rd-party involvement fortifies the team’s rights to call a number and determines the player’s worth. More often, the hearing strains the relationship between the team and the players, as both parties have to argue their sides.

Per PuckPedia, the awarded salary is a 1- or 2-year contract. Either the team match the number, or they walk away from the case entirely, letting the player be an unrestricted free agent immediately and free to sign with any team.

Given their stellar seasons, both Robertson and Zegras will most likely receive raises, especially Robertson. If anything, Dallas wouldn’t want to part ways with this 26-year-old. High chances that deals will come through before the hearing.

But what will they be like? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy