ALBERT COUNTY — It’s official. Contract negotiations between the Albert County Renegade and defensemen Adam Fox, Calen Addison, and Filip Johansson have broken down, sending all three players to arbitration at the end-of-season General Managers’ meeting.
Despite strong efforts from GM John Nason, salary cap restrictions have tied the team’s hands. With just $5.4 million in projected cap space and three roster spots to fill, Nason acknowledged the uphill battle ahead.
“I have three spots to fill and my forecast with an available $5.4M cap space,” Nason told reporters Friday morning. “We have some work to do during the off-season. We will be looking for a trade partner or two — to prepare for next season. It's not what you want, but it's part of the business.”
The three defensemen are critical pieces of the Renegade’s blue line, and all expressed mixed emotions over the stalled negotiations.
Adam Fox, the team’s star blueliner and Season 11 Adrien Plavsic Trophy winner, kept his remarks professional but firm:
“I love playing in Albert County. I’ve grown here as a player and as a person. I trust the arbitration process and hope it leads to a fair result. I’m just focused on helping the team win right now.”
Calen Addison, shared similar sentiments but hinted at some frustration:
“You work hard to prove your worth. I get that it's a business, but you also want to feel like you’re a priority. I’ll let my play do the talking the rest of the way.”
Meanwhile, Filip Johansson, the stay-at-home Swede who emerged as a reliable shutdown option, took a pragmatic view:
“Of course I wish things had gone differently. But I believe in myself and my value. Whatever happens next, I’ll be ready.”
While the arbitration hearings won't take place until after the season concludes, this situation adds another layer of pressure on the Renegade front office as they gear up for what could be a transformational off-season. Finding the right deals — or deciding which defensemen to move — will be crucial for a team that still believes it can contend.
The Renegade’s playoff chase continues, but with three key contracts unresolved, so too does the battle off the ice.
4/27/2025 - 354 words
