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In the second installment of Should I Stay or Should I Go?, restricted free agents who are eligible for arbitration are examined. To help analyze the situation, it is important to understand just what rules govern arbitration.

Salary arbitration is the only bargaining tool available for some restricted free agents. The player and team each propose a salary for the coming season and argue their cases at a hearing. A third party decides between the two sides' proposals.

Most players must have four years of NHL experience before they are eligible for salary arbitration (the term is reduced for those who signed their first NHL contract after the age of 20). Requests must be made by July 5th, and cases are heard in late July or early August; negotiations often continue after a filing for arbitration in hopes of reaching a compromise.

Teams can also ask for salary arbitration, but only once per player in his career. The offer must also be at least 85 percent of his previous year's salary.

There are no restrictions on players' arbitration requests for number or salary offered, as teams have the option of simply letting a player go into free agency either before or after the arbitration ruling.

Evidence that can be used in arbitration cases:

• The player's "overall performance" including statistics in all previous seasons.
• Injuries, illnesses and the number of games played.
• The player's length of service with the team and in the NHL.
• The player's "overall contribution" to the team's success or failure.
• The player's "special qualities of leadership or public appeal."
• The performance and salary of any player alleged to be "comparable" to the player in the dispute.

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