Penguins defenseman Robert Bortuzzo is among 21 NHL players who have elected to file for salary arbitration, the NHLPA announced today.
Bortuzzo on a two-way contract, received a qualifying offer of $577,500 in June. The Penguins are open to signing Bortuzzo to a two year extension that would net him a one-way contract but he’s still far from a lock to be around next season if the Penguins were to elect to keep Matt Niskanen. The Penguins are not actively shopping Niskanen at this point. Bortuzzo could become a trade candidate himself.
Bortuzzo appeared in 15 games last season, collecting 2 goals and 4 points, posting a plus-3 rating.
According to the NHLPA, the deadline for Club-Elected Salary Arbitration notification is July 11, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Hearings will be held in Toronto from July 22 to August 6, 2013.