Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman was awarded a one-year, $2 million contract by an arbitrator in Toronto on Monday.
Hoffman submitted a request for a one-year, $3.4 million contract; the Senators offered a one-year, $1.75 million contract. The hearing was held Friday.
"It is a little bit [difficult], but you know yourself as a player you can evaluate yourself," Hoffman told the Ottawa Sun. "At the same time, I didn't take it too bad. We still have a good relationship with management and everything. I don't think any negativity came from arbitration."
Hoffman, 25, had 27 goals and 48 points and was plus-16 in 79 games last season. He had one goal and three points in six Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"I was kind of a little bit nervous and it's a little bit intimidating. It's kind of like a court system," Hoffman said of the arbitration process. "We talked about my half and then they talked about others.
"At the end of the day, I took this path and this is my job and those things come with your job. You need to accept it and be professional about it. It's over now. It's something I went through, learned from it and experienced it and now I'm really looking forward to next season."
Selected in the fifth round (No. 130) of the 2009 NHL Draft by Ottawa, Hoffman led the Senators in goals and was fifth in points during the 2014-15 season. He has 30 goals and 54 points in 108 NHL games.
"I was telling myself before going into arbitration that whatever the outcome was it's not going to change the way I approach this upcoming season," Hoffman said. "I know I've had one full year in the NHL and I still need to prove myself not only to myself but to everyone else -- fans, coaching staff and everyone -- that I am a legit player and not just a one-year guy."
NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2018. All Rights Reserved. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. © Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.