New Jersey Devils forward Petr Sykora received a two-year, $6.835 million award in arbitration on Thursday. Sykora earned $675,000 last season, and with his $3.3 million salary for 2001-02, it is the largest single-season salary increase in the history of NHL arbitration. The Devils reportedly bid for a salary somewhere around $2.5 million, while Sykora's representatives asked for more than $4 million. Sykora's agent, Rich Winter, said making history isn't as important as ensuring Sykora earns what he deserves. "Petr earned every nickel," Winter said. "This is certainly in the range -- the low end for his skill level -- and a reasonable result for this player." Sykora scored 35 goals and amassed 81 points in 72 games last season. Over the last three years, no player on the Devils has scored more postseason goals than Sykora's 22 tallies. "We realize it (Sykora's salary) reflects his age and experience, but this is one of best players in hockey," Winter said. Sykora is just 24, but is entering his seventh season with New Jersey and has 124 goals in 372 regular-season games.