Penguins, Oleksiak Have July 28 Arbitration Date

The Pittsburgh Penguins and defenseman Jamie Oleksiak have a date in Toronto July 28. That’s when Oleksiak has a scheduled arbitration hearing. The NHL Players Association on Thursday announced the arbitration hearing schedule.

Oleksiak is the team’s only restricted free agent who was extended a qualifying offer and has yet to strike a deal.

It is rare for players to reach arbitration hearings, so chances are good that the team will reach agreement on a contract with Oleksiak before his scheduled arbitration hearing.

Oleksiak, 25, has been one of the Penguins’ recent successful reclamation projects, thanks in great part to the one-on-one work of assistant Sergei Gonchar. He was acquired in December last season after struggling to live up to his first-round draft pick potential with Dallas. He had four goals, 14 points in 47 games with his new club. At 6 feet 7, 255 pounds, he also brings more size than any other Penguins player.

Oleksiak made $964,000 last season. He will be due a raise, perhaps double or more what he made last season.

The Penguins this offseason signed restricted free agents Bryan Rust (four years, $14 million) and Riley Sheahan (one year, $2.1 million) and let Tom Kuhnhackl walk. Kuhnhackl signed with the New York Islanders.