NHL Salary Arbitration, an Update with André Lepage

Our Labour Law Partner André Lepage spoke with Claude Bernatchez during the Première heure program broadcast on ICI Radio-Canada Première. He took the opportunity to explain the important steps in the salary arbitration process specifically for National Hockey League teams.

Despite a delayed season, 13 NHL teams will have recourse to salary arbitration this season. BCF is proud to work closely with more than half of these teams and to assist its clients in the management of 14 of the 26 applications filed by the players.

Who are the opposing side's clients? Usually a group of players between 22 and 27 years old who have not been able to reach an agreement with their team and who have the right to ask a referee to determine their salary. The period of analysis and debate is limited to the player's contract year.

André Lepage specifies that it is possible to have recourse to testimonials to support the argument. The lawyer must highlight the points on which the player needs to improve or work. It is also possible to consider the player's statistics while basing oneself on jurisprudential principles and finally prove by comparables the best salary to be granted to the player.

Generally, when the referee makes his or her decision, the salary is often somewhere between the player's request and the team's position.

To listen to the full interview, click here.