Most NHL salary disputes that are ticketed for arbitration get settled before the hearing actually takes place.
That isn't the case, however, for Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese.
He is a restricted free agent and, with no contract agreement having been worked out, had a hearing at 9 a.m. in Toronto.
Jim Rutherford is heading the Penguins' contingent at the hearing.
The proposed salary figures and contract lengths the sides submitted to the arbitrator are not known, but the gap presumably is significant if the sides were unable to bridge it.
The arbitrator is compelled to submit a ruling within 48 hours of the hearing.