'The first case of the year will feature co-captain Daniel Briere, who averaged more than a point per game last year while making $1.9 million. Similar players have been getting substantially bigger contracts this summer, and the center has a successful record at the hearings. He earned a $950,000 raise in 2004. Left wing Ales Kotalik, with a hearing set for Tuesday, is the next Sabres player scheduled. He will be followed by defenseman Henrik Tallinder next Wednesday, and the first full week concludes with defenseman Toni Lydman on July 27 and forward Jason Pominville on July 28.'