Kaapo Kakko of the Seattle Kraken was one of 11 players who filed for salary arbitration July 5, according to the NHL Players' Association.
The 24-year-old forward had 44 points (14 goals, 30 assists) in 79 games last season for the Kraken and New York Rangers, including 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 49 games after being acquired by Seattle in a trade Dec. 18 for defenseman Will Borgen and third- and sixth-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Other notable players who filed include forward Gabriel Vilardi and defenseman Dylan Samberg, both of the Winnipeg Jets.
Vilardi, a 25-year-old forward, signed a six-year, $45 million contract ($7.5 million average annual value) July 18 to avoid a hearing. He had NHL career highs in goals (27), assists (34) and points (61) in 71 games last season, his sixth in the League.
Forward Morgan Barron signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract ($1.85 million AAV) with Winnipeg on July 14 to avoid a hearing.
The Anaheim Ducks signed goalie Lukas Dostal to a five-year contract July 17 and defenseman Drew Helleson to a two-year contract July 18 (financial terms not disclosed for either) to avoid hearings.
The Buffalo Sabres elected salary arbitration for defenseman Bowen Byram before the 5 p.m. ET deadline July 6, as did the Utah Mammoth for forward Jack McBain. Byram signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract ($6.25 million AAV) on July 14, and McBain signed a five-year, $21.25 million contract ($4.25 million AAV) with Utah on July 7.
Salary arbitration hearings are scheduled to be held from July 20-Aug. 4. A player can sign a contract with his current team any time before his hearing.
Last offseason, 14 restricted free agents filed for salary arbitration. Nashville Predators defenseman Spencer Stastney was the only player awarded a contract by an independent arbitrator following his hearing.
Here is the list of players who filed for salary arbitration (hearing dates were not announced):
Anaheim Ducks
Lukas Dostal, G (signed July 17)
Drew Helleson, D (signed July 18)
Buffalo Sabres
Bowen Byram, D (team-elected; signed July 14)
Chicago Blackhawks
Montreal Canadiens
New York Islanders
Seattle Kraken
Kaapo Kakko, F
Toronto Maple Leafs
Utah Mammoth
Jack McBain, F (team-elected; signed July 7)
Winnipeg Jets
Morgan Barron, F (signed July 14)
Dylan Samberg, D
Gabriel Vilardi, F (signed July 18)
