Tomas Tatar said recently this could his final season with the Detroit Red Wings if the sides can't reach a long-team contract agreement before arbitration.

But that doesn't mean Tatar wants to leave the Red Wings.

On the contrary, he told Slovakia's sport.sk that he wants to stay in Detroit if a deal can be worked out before they go to arbitration.

"Kenny Holland got me and my agent and excellent relationship," Tatar said in a roughly translated story. "Detroit gave me a chance to start in the NHL. I hope I can (wear a Red Wings) jersey continued and enhanced. Detroit is a great organization full of great people.

"Despite all the positives it is still a business and a similar decisions affected. The time will show. Everything is still quiet. It is still time to agree."

Tatar has rejected a five-year offer of $5 million per season, wanting six or seven years at closer to $6 million a season, a source told MLive.

If the sides don't come to an agreement, an arbitrator will determine Tatar's 2017-18 salary in a hearing July 20 and the five-year veteran would become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Tatar, 26, led the Red Wings with 25 goals while playing all 82 games last season, when he made $2.75 million.

In a recent story by Slovakia's cas.sk, Tatar said this would "probably my last season in Detroit" if he goes to arbitration.

Tatar also told sport.sk that his surgically repaired shoulder has "no restriction," that he feels "great" and can already practice at full speed.