NHL lawyer Bill Daly said Wednesday the league is angry with the NHL Players' Association for supporting a player the NHL claims is ignoring the collective bargaining agreement.

"We said from the start of this process that we were going to seek damages," Daly said.

He said the league arrived at the figure by taking into account Yashin's $3.6 million salary and factoring in his expected asking price of close to $10 million next season.

"We came to this figure by looking at what damage is caused to Ottawa by not having him in the lineup," Daly said.

The players' association filed for arbitration on behalf of Yashin after the Senators suspended him for the season on Nov. 9.

The league and the NHL Players Association are at odds over Yashin's obligation to the Senators. The union maintains Yashin should have the right to become a restricted free agent even if he doesn't play this season. An NHL source said told the Ottawa Sun it's a clear attempt by the league to kill the collective bargaining agreement.

The Senators contend Yashin, who is suspended for the remainder of the season, owes them another year on his contract.

A hearing before an arbitrator is not expected until May.

Yashin is currently working out with a club team in Switzerland.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.