Restricted free agents eligible for salary arbitration had to file by Wednesday's deadline, and 30 players opted to do so, the NHLPA announced:

Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk and Rangers winger Jesper Fast also filed, but both later signed extensions Wednesday.

NHL clubs can file for team-elected arbitration prior to Thursday's deadline.

Teams and players can continue to negotiate contract extensions in hopes of reaching a deal prior to arbitration. Hearings will be held in Toronto between July 20 and Aug. 4.

Last season, 25 players were involved in the arbitration process, but 24 of the cases were settled without going to a hearing.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie's case was the outlier, but the two sides reached an agreement prior to the announcement of the arbitrator's verdict. Barrie signed a four-year, $22-million deal.