Blackhawks’ Antti Niemi heads list of 31 players filing for salary arbitration

Niemi among 31 filing for salary arbitration

TORONTO — Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Antti Niemi heads the list of 31 players headed to salary arbitration, the NHL Players’ Association said Monday night.

Niemi — who helped Chicago to its first Stanley Cup since 1961 — will be looking for a raise from the $827,000 he made in 2009-10.

The Oilers, Canucks, Thrashers and Capitals top the list of teams heading to arbitration with three players each.

Washington forwards Eric Fehr and Tomas Fleischmann also filed, as did defenseman Jeff Schultz. Atlanta forwards Ben Eager, Andrew Ladd and Clarke MacArthur also elected to go to arbitration.

Center Gilbert Brule, goaltender Jeff Drouin-DesLauriers and defenseman Jean-Francois Jacques filed from the Oilers, as did Vancouver forwards Tanner Glass, Jannik Hansen and Mason Raymond.

Other notable players filing were Ottawa defenseman Chris Campoli and forward Peter Regin, Calgary defenseman Ian White, Philadelphia forward Daniel Carcillo and Boston forward Blake Wheeler.

Twenty players filed for arbitration last summer.

Hearings will be held in Toronto from July 20 to Aug. 4, with the specific dates to be announced Tuesday.