2013 Hockey Arbitration Competition of Canada

Chris Stewart vs. St. Louis Blues Hockey Club Submission on behalf of Chris Stewart Midpoint Salary: $4.15 million

Written by Ahad Ahmed and Garett Harper (Western 1)

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

II. OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE PLAYER ...... 3

III. NUMBER OF GAMES PLAYED AND INJURY HISTORY ...... 5

IV. OVERALL CONTRIBUTION TO THE CLUB ...... 6

V. SPECIAL QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC APPEAL ...... 7

VI. COMPARABLE PLAYERS ...... 8

A. Blake Wheeler ...... 8

B. Kris Versteeg ...... 9

VII. CONCLUSION ...... 10

2 I. INTRODUCTION

This purpose of this brief is to analyze the past performance of 25 year old right-handed forward Chris Stewart (the “Player” or “Mr. Stewart”) of the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club (the

“Club” or the “Blues”). Mr. Stewart was originally drafted by the Colorado Avalanche Hockey

Club (the “Avalanche”) in the first round of the 2006 Entry Draft and signed his first Standard

Player Contract (“SPC”) on April 3, 2007.1 Since this first contract, Mr. Stewart has signed two additional SPCs and has amassed six years of professional experience.2 Under Article 12.1 of the

3 2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”), Mr. Stewart is eligible for salary arbitration.

The CBA allows for the following evidence to be tendered in the determination of a player’s salary arbitration award: the player’s performance in the season prior to the arbitration, overall performance throughout his career, contribution to the club’s success and his performance compared to comparable players. This brief will evaluate each of these criteria for

Mr. Stewart. In doing so, the aim is to demonstrate that Mr. Stewart is entitled to a salary above the $4.15 million midpoint salary figure. It is respectfully submitted that Mr. Stewart is entitled to a salary arbitration award of $4.75 million.

II. OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE PLAYER

A. Career Performance

Exhibit A: NHL Career Statistics for Chris Stewart4 Season GP G A P +/– PIM PPG SHG GWG S S%

2008-09 53 11 8 19 -18 54 1 1 1 98 11.2

2009-10 77 28 36 64 4 73 3 0 5 221 12.7

2010-11 62 28 25 53 -6 53 12 0 5 162 17.3

1 http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=426817 2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Stewart_(ice_hockey) 3 NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, 2013, s. 12.1(a)-(c) 4 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/stewach02.html

3 Season GP G A P +/– PIM PPG SHG GWG S S%

2011-12 79 15 15 30 1 109 2 0 1 166 9.0

2012-13* 48 18 18 36 0 40 6 0 3 97 18.6

Career 319 100 102 202 -19 329 24 1 15 744 13.4

Mr. Stewart’s performance over his career thus far has been consistent with that expected of a young offensive forward. After spending his first professional season in the American

Hockey League (“AHL”), Mr. Stewart was called up to the NHL on December 5, 2008.5 Since his initial call-up, Mr. Stewart has developed a strong offensive game. He has twice scored 28 goals in a season and set a career high in assists (36) and points (64) during the 2009-10 season, his second in the NHL. Mr. Stewart’s career point-per-game ratio is 0.63.

There are concerns regarding Mr. Stewart’s consistency. In the season following his trade to the Blues organization, Mr. Stewart’s numbers underwent a noticeable decline. However, much of this can be attributable to the hiring of Ken Hitchcock by the Blues on November 6,

20116 who relegated Mr. Stewart to lower-line duties, effectively decreasing his playing time.

The impact of this was clear, as he scored far less points and increased his penalties in minutes substantially. Nevertheless, it is submitted that his performance this past season, where he played a more prominent offensive role, is suggestive of his development into a more consistent player.

B. 2012-2013 Regular Season Performance

Exhibit B: 2012-13 Statistics for Chris Stewart Season GP G A P +/– PIM PPG SHG GWG S S%

2012-13* 48 18 18 36 0 40 6 0 3 97 18.6

5 http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/20834-Colorado-Avalanche-call-up-forward-Chris-Stewart-from-Lake- Erie.html 6 http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=599200

4 Mr. Stewart’s performance during the 2012-13 regular season is a reliable indicator of his development into a dependable offensive forward.7 After a disappointing 2011-12 regular season, Mr. Stewart bounced back with impressive offensive numbers in his platform season. His goals and assists totals were much higher than the previous season (in significantly less games played), as were his game winning goals and powerplay goals. His shooting percentage more than doubled (jumping from 9 percent to 18.6 percent), returning closer to his figures from the

2010-11 season. With 36 points in 48 games, Mr. Stewart’s point-per-game ratio was 0.75, a significant increase from the 2011-12 season, where the ratio was 0.38. Mr. Stewart’s point-per- game ratios from the 2010-11 and 2009-10 seasons ranged from 0.83 to 0.85, statistics that are indicative of his capabilities over time, making his most recent season a return to form.

III. NUMBER OF GAMES PLAYED AND INJURY HISTORY

With the exception of his first season in the NHL, as well as the 2010-11 campaign, Mr.

Stewart has consistently played in over 90 percent of regular season games. Over the course of five seasons, he has played in 312 out of a possible 376 games, for a rate of 83 percent.

During his first season in the NHL, the 2008-09 season, Mr. Stewart played in 53 games after spending the first two months of the season in the AHL.8 After his call-up, Mr. Stewart played the rest of the season except for three games in March 2009, when he had suffered a head injury.9 His average time on ice for that season was 12:20.10

In his first full season, the 2009-10 campaign, Mr. Stewart played in 77 games. After playing in the first four games of the season, Mr. Stewart was sent down to the AHL and

7 It may be argued that there are inherent difficulties in using the 2012-13 season as a benchmark for evaluating a player’s performance, given that the lockout limited the number of games played to 48 (from a normalized 82 game schedule). However, such concerns are of minimal given that the statistics for evaluating Mr. Stewart’s value are based on a significant sample of games, making the shortened season as valuable an indicator as a full one. For comparative purposes, however, numbers may at times be adjusted to an 82-game season. 8 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/stewach02.html 9 http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_11963597 10 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/stewach02.html

5 subsequently missed five games.11 Upon his return on October 23, 2009,12 he became a mainstay on the Avalanche roster and did not miss a game for the rest of the regular season.13 His average time on ice also increased substantially to 16:42.14

During the 2010-11 season, Mr. Stewart played in a total of 62 games. Over the course of the season, he missed time due to an injury. On November 27, 2010, Mr. Stewart broke his left hand in a fight,15 causing him to miss 21 regular season games.16 After his return on January 15,

2011,17 Mr. Stewart was a healthy scratch for one game on February 12, 2011.18 However, upon his trade to the Blues in February 2011, Mr. Stewart did not miss another regular season game.

His average time on ice between both teams was 17:29.19

In the 2011-12 season, Mr. Stewart missed all but three games due to a suspension for a hit on defenceman Niklas Kronwall of the Detroit Red Wings.20 After serving the suspension, he did not miss another game. Mr. Stewart’s average time on ice decreased to 15:26.21

In his platform season, Mr. Stewart did not miss any games and demonstrated poise in his resurgence as a valued contributor to a competitive Blues club. Mr. Stewart was able to do so in spite of a modest increase in playing time, as his average time on ice increased to 15:49.22

IV. OVERALL CONTRIBUTION TO THE CLUB

11 http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_13605615 12 http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_13622735 13 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/stewach02/gamelog/2010/ 14 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/stewach02.html 15 http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_16734447 16 http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=5722 17 Ibid. 18 http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_17375115 19 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/stewach02.html. Mr. Stewart’s average time on ice with the Blues was substantially higher (18:16 minutes per game) than during his time with the Avalanche (where he averaged 16:56 per game). 20 http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=601805 Mr. Stewart had not incurred any supplementary discipline prior to this incident. 21 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/stewach02.html. 22 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/stewach02.html.

6 The Blues finished the 2012-13 regular season with a record of 29-17-2 wins, 17 losses and 2 Overtime Losses, qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.23 The club’s record placed them in sixth place in league-wide standings and as the fourth seed in the Western Conference.24

Mr. Stewart’s contributions to the club’s success were significant. Among his teammates, he ranked first in goals (even-strength, powerplay and game-winners) and points while ranking fifteenth in average time on ice.25 Moreover, his point per game ratio was the highest on the

Blues roster for the 2012-13 season. In addition, the Blues’ total goal output for the season was

124,26 meaning that Mr. Stewart accounted for 14.5 percent of total goals scored. This number is impressive considering that the next leading goal scorer for the Blues, Patrik Berglund, accounted for 17 goals while averaging a full minute more than Mr. Stewart. Further confirmation to the above is the fact that during his platform season, Mr. Stewart began 54.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone while playing against relatively good competition, as measured by a Corsi relative quality of competition rating of 0.672.27

Mr. Stewart is therefore a highly valuable member of the offense in St. Louis. The statistics above indicate that Mr. Stewart is relied upon to play a pivotal role on a team that is not an offensive powerhouse. He certainly delivered on that role during his platform season.

V. SPECIAL QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC APPEAL

As his career has progressed, Mr. Stewart has attained extensive leadership capabilities and public appeal. During his breakout season with the Avalanche in 2009-10, Mr. Stewart was twice recognized for his play. He was awarded “Third Star” for the Month of October after

23 http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?season=20122013&type=LEA 24 Ibid. 25 http://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/STL/2013.html 26 Ibid. 27http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php?c=0+1+3+5+4+6+7+8+13+14+29+30+32+33+34+45+46+63+67& ds=1&f3=CHRISSTEWART&f1=2012_s

7 putting together the highest point streak of the month and scoring 16 points in 11 games.28 Later that season, he was named the “First Star” of the Week on March 8, 2010 after totaling nine points in five games.29 The trend has since continued into his platform season, where he was named “First Star” of the Week on March 18, 2013 after scoring five goals in three games.30

Such recognitions demonstrate not only Mr. Stewart’s exciting playing style, but an acknowledgment of his capabilities at the NHL level.

Mr. Stewart’s recent international experience has added to his public appeal, having been chosen to represent Canada at the 2011 World Hockey Championships. At the tournament, Mr.

Stewart registered four points (two goals, two assists) in seven games.31

VI. COMPARABLE PLAYERS

Given Mr. Stewart’s unique skillset, it is difficult to find comparable players in order to establish his value. Comparisons to other players must consider not only his level of experience but also the prominent role he plays on the Blues.

A. Blake Wheeler

Blake Wheeler is a right-winger for the Winnipeg Jets with six years of professional experience,32 making him a natural comparison for Mr. Stewart.

Exhibit C: Career Statistics for Blake Wheeler33 GP G A P +/– PIM PPG SHG GWG S S%

372 93 139 232 42 228 14 3 12 825 11.3

Mr. Wheeler has amassed 232 points over 372 games. His career point per game ratio is

0.62, which is nearly identical to Mr. Stewart. Mr. Wheeler also has a career high of 64 points,

28 http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=542278 29 http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=520584 30 http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=660770&navid=nhl:topheads 31 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/stewach02.html 32 http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=78686 33 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/w/wheelbl01.html

8 set during the 2011-12 season.34 Like Mr. Stewart, Mr. Wheeler is relied upon for his offensive skills and has put up similar statistics in the relevant categories of comparison.

Exhibit D: 2012-13 Statistics for Blake Wheeler35 Season GP G A P +/– PIM PPG SHG GWG S S%

2012-13* 48 19 22 41 -3 28 2 0 2 129 14.7

In his platform season, Mr. Wheeler set a career high in goals and point per game average at 0.85. This rate exceeds that of Mr. Stewart during his platform season, but is tied with his career high rate from the 2010-11 season. On July 26, 2013, Mr. Wheeler signed a six year contract worth $33.6 million36 for a cap hit of $5.6 million per season. Given his similarities with

Mr. Stewart, Mr. Wheeler is the most appropriate comparable player. However, given that Mr.

Wheeler has been on an upward trajectory throughout his career and does not share the same consistency concerns as Mr. Stewart, he is entitled to a higher salary. Mr. Stewart is not far off this award, however, and deserves a salary arbitration award of $4.75 million.

B. Kris Versteeg

Kris Versteeg is a right-winger for the Florida Panthers, with five years of professional experience. Mr. Versteeg plays a prominent offensive role on the Panthers, but like Mr. Stewart has had consistency concerns. As such, he makes a valid comparable player.

Exhibit E: Career Statistics for Kris Versteeg37 GP G A P +/– PIM PPG SHG GWG S S%

321 88 113 201 17 198 24 9 12 705 12.4

At the time he signed his contract, Mr. Versteeg had amassed five years of experience.

His point per game ratio over this time was 0.62, also nearly identical to Mr. Stewart’s rate. Mr.

34 http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=78686 35 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/w/wheelbl01.html 36 http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/jets-blake-wheeler-agree-to-6-year-33-6m-deal-1.1324499 37 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/v/verstkr01.html

9 Versteeg set a career high in points during his platform season, where he played a large role in the Panthers’ offense.

Exhibit F: 2011-12 Statistics for Kris Versteeg38 Season GP G A P +/– PIM PPG SHG GWG S S%

2011-12 71 23 31 54 4 49 8 1 5 181 12.7

In his platform season, Mr. Versteeg set a career high in points and put up a point per game ratio of 0.76, slightly above Mr. Stewart’s rate of 0.75. It should be noted that this was Mr.

Versteeg’s highest rate of his career, one that was substantially below Mr. Stewart’s career high rate of 0.85. On July 23, 2012, Mr. Versteeg signed a four-year deal worth $17.6 million,39 for a cap hit of $4.4 million per year. Given that Mr. Stewart has exceeded Mr. Versteeg in notable categories such as career goals, points and point per game ratio, he is entitled to a much higher salary than Mr. Versteeg’s $4.4 million.

VII. CONCLUSION

Over the course of his career, Mr. Stewart has developed a strong offensive game that has at times drawn criticism for his lack of consistency. This concern was most notable during the

2011-12 season, but after devoting himself to improvement during the 2012 offseason, Mr.

Stewart bounced back in his platform season and led the Blues in the major offensive categories.

As such, he is a vital part of the organization’s future success. Based on his past performance,

Mr. Stewart deserves a lower salary than Mr. Wheeler but above that of Mr. Versteeg. As such,

Mr. Stewart submits that he be awarded a salary of $4.75 million.

38 http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/v/verstkr01.html 39 http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-07-23/sports/fl-florida-panthers-0724-20120723_1_florida-panthers-sign- kris-versteeg-panthers-goalie-roberto-luongo

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