One down, four to go: Arbitration season is upon the Flames

Photo Credit: Sergei Belski - USA TODAY SportsAssuming there are no further signings or trades – a big assumption, but completely unpredictable at this stage – then the Flames still have a few items of housekeeping to wrap up, some of which will have to be done in short order.

Specifically, six restricted free agents need to be signed. Even more specifically, four of them are eligible for arbitration, starting as early as July 23. All four will be under contract by the end of the month.

Neither Noah Hanifin nor Hunter Shinkaruk are arbitration eligible, so the Flames may take their time getting them inked to new deals. Shinkaruk will likely come in relatively cheap: while this will only be…