|
So much for all the talk the Calgary Flames and Ian White were definitely headed to arbitration.
The NHLPA -- you'd hope the players' association wouldn't make an erroneous report about one of its own members -- is reporting the defenceman signed a one-year, US$2,999,995 contract just moments before going to a hearing Friday morning in Toronto (not sure why $5 away from $3 million.)
The signing is a bit of a surprise for a couple of reasons. Both sides were a long way apart a couple of days before, but it appears they met somewhere in the middle to avoid going through a process which can be acrimonious.
Also, the salary cap comes in at a good number for the Flames, who still will be looking to slash salary.
White, 26, is coming off a season in which he was paid US$950,000 and collected 13 goals and 25 assists in 83 games split between the Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs.
He was acquired from the Leafs Jan. 31, along with forwards Niklas Hagman, Matt Stajan and Jamal Mayers for defenceman Dion Phaneuf, forward Fredrik Sjostrom and defence prospect Keith Aulie.
