The Tampa Bay Lightning and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) will face off in arbitration in connection with the club's waiver of defenseman Jake Dotchin. The Lightning recently placed Dotchin on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract. Reports indicate that, from the club's perspective, Dotchin materially breached his contract by arriving at training camp thirty pounds overweight. Rather than suspend Dotchin and give him a chance to get in playing shape, the Lightning waived him to terminate his contract as a result of the purported breach. The NHLPA has stepped in on Dotchin's behalf, and the case will be heard by an independent arbitrator (as required under the applicable collective bargaining agreement). Presumably, the arbitrator will determine if the club was within its rights to terminate Dotchin's contract because of his weight issue. The situation is an interesting crossroads of sports, contract law, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution issues.
https://www.tsn.ca/mckenzie-dotchin-showed-up-30-lbs-overweight-1.1175694
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