Unable to reach a contract agreement on their own, the Detroit Red Wings and Tomas Tatar argued their case Thursday morning before an arbitrator in Toronto.
Tatar asked for $5.3 million and the club countered with an offer of $4.1 million. The arbitrator can decide on any figure in between. It will be a one-year deal. Tatar will be eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer.
The arbitrator must decide within 48 hours of the hearing.
The sides can begin talks on a long-term contract after Jan. 1. If they're unable to reach a deal, chances are the Red Wings will deal Tatar by the trade deadline rather than lose him for nothing as a free agent next July.