Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Ryan Dzingel file for arbitration

The deadline to file for arbitration was Wednesday at 5 p.m., and both eligible Ottawa Senators players took it right down to the wire. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Ryan Dzingel both filed for arbitration. A date will be set later in the summer, setting a deadline for contract negotiations for each. In the vast majority of cases, team and player come to an agreement before having to meet with an arbiter. However, it was only two years ago that both Mike Hoffman and Alex Chiasson were awarded arbitration contracts.

Pageau finished the season with 33 points in 82 games, playing primarily as the third-line centre. He had a breakout playoff performance, leading the team in goals, thanks in part to a ridiculous four-goal outing in Game 2 against the Rangers.

Dzingel played 81 games, his first full NHL season, putting up 31 points. He was a healthy scratch a few times in the playoffs, playing 15 of the Sens’ 19 games. He struggled with goal scoring down the stretch, but did score the game-tying goal with only a few minutes left in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Pageau made $1.1M last season on a two-year, $900k contract. Dzingel was on a one-year, $750k contract. Look for Pageau to get a significant raise, and Dzingel to receive a modest one.