Just how much are Panthers' Kulikov and Versteeg worth?
In arbitration, both the player and team propose a salary for the coming season. Each side states their respective cases to an arbitrator - a neutral third party - who decides the player's salary for the upcoming season. Both sides can negotiate a deal with each other up to the date of the hearing, in hopes of avoiding the process; existing rules state that a player cannot receive less than 85% of his previous salary. Within 48 hours of the ruling a decision must be made by the team to either sign the player or walk away, making him an unrestricted free agent.
So how much are both players - one heading to arbitration while the other deals through his agent - worth? Take a look after the jump...
Let's begin with Dmitry Kulikov:
| Season | Team | Age | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | TOI | PPTOI | SHTOI | OGVT | DGVT | SGVT | GVT |
| 2009-10 | FLA | 19 | 68 | 3 | 13 | 16 | -5 | 17:56 | 2:46 | 0:21 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 1.9 |
| 2010-11 | FLA | 20 | 72 | 6 | 20 | 26 | -5 | 19:57 | 2:36 | 0:51 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 5.8 |
| 2011-12 | FLA | 21 | 58 | 4 | 24 | 28 | -5 | 21:51 | 2:50 | 1:02 | 3.8 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 7.1 |
Kulikov - avoiding arbitration after the final season of a three-year entry-level contract - missed 24 games in 2011-12, but still put up the best numbers of his short career. Using the 3-1-1 rule (three goals equals one point in the standings, which equals one million dollars) Kulikov was worth $2.37 million last season. Over the his career, Kulikov has been worth $4.93 million (if you combine all three seasons GVT and divide by three); due to Kulikov's age and short time spent in the league, it's hard to find a real value, so to play it safe, I'll say Kulikov is worth $3 million. Using the 3-1-1 rule, Kulikov will only need to have a GVT of 7.5 to worth his cap hit, an increase of 0.4.
Hockey Reference defenseman comparisons:
- Jamie McBain, Carolina Hurricanes (2 years, $3.6 Mil)
- Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning (5 years, $20.0 Mil)
- Ryan Wilson, Colorado Avalanche (3 years, $6.75 Mil)
| Season | Team | Age | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | TOI | PPTOI | SHTOI | OGVT | DGVT | SGVT | GVT |
| 2007-08 | CHI | 21 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -1 | 15:52 | 2:25 | 0:04 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.5 |
| 2008-09 | CHI | 22 | 78 | 22 | 31 | 53 | 15 | 17:02 | 2:25 | 2:01 | 7.6 | 3.3 | 0.2 | 11.1 |
| 2009-10 | CHI | 23 | 79 | 20 | 24 | 44 | 8 | 15:43 | 1:55 | 0:58 | 6.2 | 3.6 | 0.3 | 10.1 |
| 2010-11 | PHI, TOR | 24 | 80 | 21 | 25 | 46 | -9 | 17:43 | 2:52 | 0:42 | 4.8 | 1.2 | -0.5 | 5.5 |
| 2011-12 | FLA | 25 | 71 | 23 | 31 | 54 | 4 | 19:54 | 3:22 | 0:38 | 7.1 | 3.5 | -1.4 | 9.2 |
Unlike Kulikov, Versteeg has more playing time in the NHL, making it easier find out how much he's realistically worth. Versteeg scored a career high 54 points in his first season with the Panthers while garnering a salary of $3.07 million, which is right on his cap hit of $3.08 million. Since forwards usually peak around their mid-twenties, and overall worth being $12.13 million over his career, a cap hit of $3.8 million would be a safe bet. He'll only need a GVT of 9.9 to justify it (a 0.5 increase). Versteeg's hearing is scheduled for July 23.
Hockey Reference forward comparisons:
- T.J. Oshie, St. Louis Blues (Currently a RFA)
- David Perron, St. Louis Blues (4 years, $15.25 Mil)
- Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg Jets (2 years, $5.1 Mil)
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