Holtby is seeking an arbitration award of $8 million, while the Capitals are countering with an offer of $5.1 million according to Tim Wharnsby of CBC.
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Like Holtby, Johansson, 24, is a restricted free agent who elected for salary arbitration on July 5.
The two numbers, filed Tuesday morning in pre-arbitration briefs, are significantly different from the values that had been discussed in previous talks, though not unexpected. In advance of that hearing, the two sides have submitted their requests. Simply put, it doesn’t hurt to ask. By comparison, the Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist is the only National Hockey League netminder with a cap hit more than what Holtby wants, at $8.5 million.
Braden Holtby is seeking a big raise from the Washington Capitals. But with family you’d like to stay and get to know the community and get involved. But at the same time, I expect if it’s a one-year deal I want to earn it for the next year. As long as Holtby can maintain this level of play, I could live with that, but with only $11M until the Caps hit the ceiling, he better continue to be worth it.
Johansson’s agent, Marc Levine, told CSNwashington.com in an email last week that there was “nothing to comment on at this point other than we are preparing for the arbitration hearing on July 29”. In asking for $8 million, he increases his chances of the arbitrator giving him what he wanted in the first place.
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For what it’s worth, CSN Washington reports that Holtby’s agent, Lewis Gross, doesn’t believe a potential arbitration hearing between the Capitals and his client will be problematic.
