Ceci’s Arbitration Hearing Scheduled for Today

Sens fans have been holding their own arbitration hearing on Cody Ceci for years now.

Today, an actual arbitrator will have his turn.

As the calendar turns to August and a new season starts to come into focus, the Ottawa Senators still have two important restricted free agents still without contracts. Both Cody Ceci and Mark Stone have elected for salary arbitration, putting a little pressure on the Senators organization as they try to get both guys locked up for at least next season and possibly beyond.

The 24 year old Cody Ceci is up first.

We have been talking about this for months now but from the organization’s perspective, arbitration really does seem like the best route with Ceci. While the Senators obviously hold him in higher regard than most of the fan base, they also seem to recognize that they have a pretty strong case to make to an arbitrator.

And if there’s one thing the Senators have done consistently well over the last few years, it’s use every bit of their leverage in RFA negotiations.

Ceci’s point totals last year were extremely underwhelming (19 in 82 games) and his underlying metrics are even worse. While Ceci’s camp can make a case based on ice time and role, it’s difficult to imagine a ruling over $5 million.

The debate over Cody Ceci’s value and future with the organization has always been a major discussion point among Sens fans.  He’s a strong skater with a hard shot and decent offensive abilities but he has been completely miscast in his role. He is not a defenceman that should be playing 20 minutes a night and there is nothing about his game that suggests he should be used in a shutdown role against other team’s top players.  He has value but just not in the situations he is currently being used.

Earlier this week we got a glimpse at where things stand heading into the hearing.

The Senators have tabled a number ($3.35 mil) which is exactly equal to his salary from last season. Ceci’s side has countered with a figure of $6 million. And while these numbers are in no way an indication of what team or player think they are actually worth, the difference between the two sides is certainly noteworthy.

Unlike baseball, the arbitrator does not have to pick one of the two numbers. He or she can basically pick anywhere between the two figures put forward.  And they doesn’t have to split the difference either.  It’s the arbitrator’s job to hear the case put forward by both sides and then within 48, pick an appropriate number.

Of course that’s if they actually make it to the arbitrator’s table. Last minute agreements are common in this process and it’s certainly a possibility here.

Oh and here are the numbers on Mark Stone

Happy Arbitration Day!