As the Detroit Red Wings work on re-signing restricted free agent Tomas Tatar, long-term deals keep popping up on the landscape.

A one-year contract may make more sense, even as it increases the chance of Tatar’s tenure with the Wings ending.

Tatar is going to command in the range of $5 million annually; it’s the length of the contract that is the crux of negotiations. The Wings have offered as much as five years.

If the Wings and Tatar’s agent, Ritch Winter, can’t work out a deal, they will go before an arbitrator July 20. Arbitration would result in a one-year contract, because Tatar is a year removed from unrestricted free agency.

Briefs have to be filed by July 18. Each side has good arguments to make.

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For Tatar’s brief: The 26-year-old is coming off a season when he produced 25 goals among 46 points in 82 games, working out to a .56 points-per-game average. Tatar has put in three straight 20-goal seasons. Only 30 players in the NHL have scored more goals in the past three seasons than Tatar’s 75 goals.

For the Wings’ brief: Tatar scored just nine goals in the first 41 games and 14 goals though 60 games. Eleven goals came during his last 21 games after being put on a line with Henrik Zetterberg. By then, the Wings were out of the playoffs. Tatar has just seven points in 17 career playoff games.

The sides can continue to talk as they await arbitration. Tatar’s side just got more ammunition this week when the Tampa Bay Lightning resigned Tyler Johnson for seven years at an annual average value of $5 million. Johnson is 26 and had 19 goals and 45 points in 66 games this past season, a .68 points-per-game average. Over the past three seasons, Johnson has an averaged .73 points per game, while Tatar has averaged .60.

Johnson, however, is a center, a more valuable commodity than a wing. He also is a faster skater than Tatar.

The Washington Capitals recently re-signed 30-year-old T.J. Oshie for eight years at an annual average value of $5.75 million. Oshie scored 33 goals last season and had 56 points in 68 games, a .82 points-per-game average. Over the past three seasons, Oshie has averaged .74 points per game.

The Dallas Stars recently signed 31-year-old Alexander Radulov for five years with an annual average value of $6.25 million. Radulov had 18 goals and 54 points in 76 games last season with Montreal, averaging .71 points per game.

Tatar has been a productive player, but the Wings are operating under the constraints of several longer-term deals. Next summer will see rising stars Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha reach restricted free agency, along with Tyler Bertuzzi.

The Wings may be better off with a one-year deal when it comes to Tatar. If he shows better consistency (four or five goals per month), then re-open talks on a long-term deal. If Tatar rejects such talk, then flip him for picks and/or prospects at the trade deadline.

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.