Report: Tatar contract demands could cripple Wings

Despite missing the playoffs for the first time in 25 seasons, the Detroit Red Wings still find themselves in NHL salary cap compliance trouble. While the team is used to spending and winning, the remnants of past Red Wing teams are holding the current team back, especially in the case of forward Tomas Tatar.

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports that the Wings could be in salary cap trouble as they negotiate a new contract with Tatar. He’s been a productive goal scorer the past three years and, with his three-year, $8.25 million contract expiring on July 1st, he expects to be paid like a productive goal scorer should. He’s reportedly seeking nearly double his previous $2.75 million annually in a new deal, which could cripple the Wings and put them over the salary cap, with young forward Andreas Athanasiou still to be signed.

From St. James:

Negotiations with forward Tomas Tatar may not be as easy. Tatar is likely to file for arbitration unless a deal gets done by Wednesday. Tatar is looking for term and in the $5 million range. 

Ouch. With just over $2 million in cap space, this would force the team well over the cap for the offseason. While GM Ken Holland doesn’t have to get the team back under until the start of the regular season, it does require a bit of strategic planning and a willing trade partner.

So, where do the Wings and Tatar go from here? The player has salary arbitration rights, so if he wants to speed up the process he can go that route. Look for both sides to negotiate in good faith, however. Give where both the Wings and Tatar are in the respectively development, it makes sense for both sides to commit long-term.