Arbitrator Awards Ducks’ Valk $430,000 for Last Season

Mighty Duck left wing Garry Valk got a sizable retroactive raise Wednesday, but the $430,000 arbitration award has made the Ducks question whether they want to resign him.

Arbitrator Richard Bloch, who heard arguments Monday, picked a figure between the team’s $385,000 proposal and Valk’s $525,000 proposal. Valk was paid during the shortened season based on a $300,000 option-year salary while he awaited the hearing, which was delayed by the NHL lockout.

“I’m disappointed, and they probably are too,” said Valk’s agent, Jeff Solomon.

The catch is that the decision reached Wednesday affects last season’s salary, and the Ducks already know Valk had a disappointing year, scoring only three goals in 36 games the year scoring a career-best 45 points in 1993-94.

Because Valk’s contract expired at the end of last season, the team must offer him an additional 10% raise by Monday if it wants to retain his rights. General Manager Jack Ferreira is not sure he will.

“Now it’s a question of whether we make a qualifying offer,” Ferreira said. “We have to look at it as though he played out his option at $430,000. Now, after scoring three goals, do we make an offer that gives him a 10% raise? We’ve got to think about how that’s going to impact the rest of our salary structure, with other players who played out their option like Joe Sacco and Todd Krygier.”

The Ducks are awaiting another arbitration hearing involving right wing Todd Ewen that also will be retroactive. Ewen’s hearing has been postponed, and no date has been set.