I'm pretty sure that I recently read that the CBJ have never gone to arbitration with a player. If true, then it's probable that they won't with KM. I'd guess a Chinakov type of deal (2 years/$2 million and change) is the most likely outcome. I'd think Waddell would be leery of signing any of the younger players longer term while the team has cost control and prior to seeing how they perform regularly and with a competent coaching staff.
I understand why parties want to avoid arbitration but if it happens it's not that big a deal. It should be understood that the club is going to try to make any player look like a disposable 4th line plug and the player's representatives are going to make him look like a McDavid-in-waiting. It's just a business exercise-it's not personal.
On a completely unrelated item, Does anyone else's brain read "Kill" Marchenko when they read his name quickly?