Report: Jonathan Bernier seeking $5.1M in arbitration; Maple Leafs offering $2.89M
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Jonathan Bernier and the Toronto Maple Leafs have a bit of a bridge to cross on their way to working out a new deal.
With an arbitration hearing set for Friday, the two sides are $2.21 million apart in contract negotiations. Bernier is seeking $5.1 million, while the club is offering $2.89 million, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Bernier's request would put him in a similar salary range as Roberto Luongo and Jimmy Howard, according to General Fanager, and would mark a significant raise over the $2.9-million cap hit carried on his previous two-year deal.
The 26-year-old appeared in 58 games for the Maple Leafs in 2014-15, posting a record of 21-28-7 with a .912 save percentage and two shutouts.
Bernier hit a career high in wins (29) in 2013-14, and boasts a save percentage of .916 through 175 total NHL appearances.
The arbitration process was initiated by the team, meaning Toronto will not have the ability to walk away from a decision rendered by the arbitrator.