After an arbitration hearing Thursday and before the arbitrator had issued a ruling, the Wings and Tatar struck a four-year deal at an average annual value of $5.3 million, according to MLive.com.
"It's real exciting that we found a way to get the deal done," Tatar said on a conference call Friday evening. "Obviously, it was a little stressful and I was not real happy that it went all the way there. We had a great relationship with Ken (Holland) and the arbitration was not even close to being as bad as people were picturing it to be. They were really nice. I think we were always trying to find a way to sign a deal without waiting for the arbitrator and I'm really happy that we did."
The Wings have very rarely gone to arbitration with their players but Tatar said he understands why the process exists.
"You know it's a business," Tatar said. "When you are out there with the best players in the world, almost every day they are trying to find a way where you are not playing your best. You have to just listen in one ear and out the other. It's a process, it's a business and I can understand when you are in an arbitration room like that. I try not to think about it too much."
Tatar, 26, led the Wings with 25 goals and was third on the team with 46 points.
Only captain Henrik Zetterberg with 68 points and Gustav Nyquist with 48 had more.
Tatar averaged 23.5 goals over the last four seasons but would like to be more consistent.
"Players are streaky," Tatar said. "I know it looks really bad on the paper, especially with me and like 61 games or whatever and I had like eight goals. Every player is scoring at a different time. We were playing poorly in December and we all did and nobody was scoring. If there is a player who is scoring consistently all season, he might have 50 goals, which is special in the NHL.
"We all want to be better. We have to help each other more in certain parts of the season. If somebody has a streak at a certain time, then they would be doing that. It would be nice to be consistent and every player wants to be, but it's not that easy. That's what being a hockey play is. It's hard."
Tatar underwent shoulder surgery after the regular season ended and said his recovery is going well.
"I just seen the doctor today while I was in Detroit," Tatar said. "The range of motion is good. I think there should not be any problem to be ready for the camp. When I am working out or shooting pucks, I don't feel any discomfort. I think we are ahead of schedule. I think I will be healthy and ready for the season."
Now that the contract is done and his shoulder is healing, Tatar has started thinking about the upcoming season.
"A few of the younger guys are coming," Tatar said. "I think they look pretty good. We have a new signing of Trevor Daley. We have some new acquisitions and it will help us. We need to be better. We all do. We were disappointed by the season but I think all of us can be better. The NHL is so tight right now. There's going to be lots of teams battling for playoff spots. It's not easy. We have to get ready for it."
Tatar is ready for the challenge that lies ahead, especially now that he knows he won't be leaving Detroit anytime soon.
"Obviously I really wanted to stay. Detroit, I love it here," Tatar said. "I have so many friends here who are awesome and a great relationship with the guys in the locker room. It would be really, really hard to have a one-year deal and kind of not knowing what's gonna come in the your future.
"I'm extremely happy we found a way to sign a deal."
