Arbitration can often be a contentious process, and the Jordan Schroeder negotiations became contentious Tuesday when the Wild placed the 25-year-old right wing on waivers.
Schroeder cleared waivers Wednesday. He'll remain a restricted free agent and property of the Wild, with arbitration scheduled for July 27 unless the parties reach a deal beforehand.
Teams could have claimed him for a $15,000 waiver fee.
It was the fourth time in less than a year that Schroeder has cleared waivers. Thus, a week before a potential hearing, the Wild likely feels this would strengthen its case that Schroeder is a minor-league depth player and does not deserve the one-way contract he's seeking.
A one-way contract means if Schroeder clears waivers in training camp or at any point in the season, he is assigned to Iowa but plays there under his NHL salary. A two-way contract, which the Wild believes he warrants, means he has a salary in the NHL and a lower salary in the minors.
Two-way contracts these days for players with Schroeder's experience typically does include an expensive guarantee, however.
For instance, Zac Dalpe just signed a one-year, $600,000 two-way contract with the Wild. He makes $275,000 in the minors, but if his salary with callups don't exceed $350,000, Dalpe gets 350K.
The Wild recently signed defenseman Victor Bartley to a two-way deal with a 450K guarantee, same with center Patrick Cannone (300K guarantee).
