Maroon, 31, is an unrestricted free agent drawing interest from other teams. Fans want to see the Big Rig stay, because he is one of their own, the kid from Oakville who came home to help the Blues win.

He provided a key element to this team’s winning chemistry. He symbolized this team’s “heavy” playing style. He knocked the Dallas Stars out of the second playoff round with his double-overtime goal in Game 7.

His commitment to the community was illustrated, again, with his outreach to the family of slain North County Cooperative Police Officer Michael Langsdorf.

As we said, though, Armstrong has a puzzle to solve and it starts with Binnington.

NHL contract bargaining is based on comparable deals. That is the guiding principle in the arbitration process, too. And there is no obvious comparison to guide this case.

Goaltender Matt Murray signed a three-year, $11.25 million contract after helping the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup as a young pro. But he was nowhere near unrestricted free agency then, so he lacked leverage.