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Senators, Bonk will go before arbitrator on Monday

Radek Bonk turned down a two-year, $5.75 million contract from the Senators last month. Dave Sandford/NHLI/Getty Images

By Bruce Garrioch, SLAM! Sports

Before Radek Bonk faces an arbitrator Monday, the Senators will make one last effort to sign him.

While the Senators aren't confident they'll be able to get a deal done before arbitrator Ralph Berger hears the Ottawa center's case in Toronto, the club is willing to go to bat with agent Jiri Crha again.

Peter Chiarelli, the Senators' director of legal affairs, who will present the club's case, will likely meet face-to-face with Bonk and Crha tonight to see if a resolution can be reached.

After making $1.75 million last season, the 27-year-old Bonk turned down a two-year, $5.75-million contract from the Senators last month.

Twelve of the 40 players who filed for arbitration have settled. Former Senators winger Andre Roy was scheduled to go first Thursday and signed a one-year, $700,000 deal minutes before.

In Bonk's case, he'll be seeking $3.5 million per season from the Senators, who would prefer a two-year settlement.

Bonk, who had 70 points last season with 25 goals and 45 assists, has taken criticism for his lack of consistency.

"Arbitration is a tough process because you've got to be careful about how hard you attack a player that you may have to count on at some point. That doesn't make it easy at all," said an NHL executive.

"You look at a guy like Radek Bonk and his numbers say he should get what he's looking for, but you've got to wonder if Ottawa can afford to play this kind of game with this guy. There's a chance he could be dealt."

Sources say Muckler has told teams that have called about Bonk -- which may include Phoenix, St. Louis and New Jersey -- that the club is going to wait until the arbitration process is completed to make a decision.

"It's fine to trade Radek Bonk, but you'd better find a guy who is able to replace him," said the executive. "You don't just give guys like that away without getting something in return.

"That's the problem the Senators are facing right now."

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