Tatar Due a Big Payday; Files for Arbitration

Tomas Tatar has filed for salary arbitration in regards to his contract negotiations heading into next season.

Tatar, 26, is reportedly looking for a deal in the $5 million per year range over a long period of time. Even with Johan Franzen's cap hit granting LTIR (Long Term Injured Reserve) relief, that still puts the Red Wings in a bind financially. They only have about $6 million in cap space, including the ~$4 million granted by Franzen, left to spend this offseason.

The Red Wings still need to come to terms with restricted free agents Andreas Athanasiou, Martin Frk and Robbie Russo in that window too, though the latter two may not make the NHL team out of training camp.

Tatar scored 25 goals last season to lead the Red Wings. Since he came into the league in 2013, Tatar is among the top 50 players in goals scored with 98.

If Ken Holland can not get a deal done before the arbitration date (which has yet to be determined), an arbitrator will decide a one year salary for Tatar in which after that season he will be an unrestricted free agent. It's worth noting Ken Holland has never let a player salary dispute get to an arbitrator since 2009.