Senators' Hoffman awarded 1-year, $2M contract by arbitrator

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The National Hockey League's arbitrator has awarded Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman a one-year deal worth $2 million, the team announced Monday.

Much like the Alex Chiasson decision, the valuation of the deal falls heavily in the team's favor. Hoffman was seeking $3.4 million in advance of the arbitration hearing, while the club was offering $1.75 million.

The 25-year-old winger scored 27 goals and added 21 assists in 79 games for the Senators in 2014-15, his first full season at the NHL level. His new salary makes him the sixth-highest paid forward on the team, sandwiched between Colin Greening ($2.65 million) and Chris Neil ($1.9 million).

A repeat performance - or even close to it - this season will certainly make things interesting once again next summer, as Hoffman will become a restricted free agent upon the expiry of this new deal.