After a brief stint with the New Jersey Devils, Slovakian forward Tomas Tatar has found a new home with the Colorado Avalanche. The 30-year-old winger recently signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Avalanche, bringing his skillset and experience to the team for the upcoming season.
Tatar’s journey in the NHL began in 2010 when he was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round. He spent his first six seasons with the Red Wings, steadily improving and establishing himself as a reliable scorer. Tatar’s best season in Detroit came in 2014-2015 when he tallied 29 goals and 27 assists, showcasing his offensive prowess.
In 2018, Tatar was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, where he played a crucial role in their run to the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season. However, after just one season in Vegas, Tatar was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in a deal that sent Max Pacioretty to the Golden Knights.
During his time in Montreal, Tatar continued to impress, consistently putting up solid numbers and contributing to the team’s success. In the 2019-2020 season, he recorded a career-high 61 points (22 goals and 39 assists) in 68 games before the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the regular season.
Last season, Tatar joined the New Jersey Devils on a two-year contract worth $9 million. However, his time with the Devils was marred by injuries and inconsistent play, limiting his impact on the team. As a result, Tatar became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
The Colorado Avalanche saw an opportunity to add depth to their forward group and signed Tatar to a one-year deal. The Avalanche are known for their high-powered offense led by superstars Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog. Tatar’s addition will provide the team with even more offensive firepower and versatility.
Tatar’s skillset is well-suited for the Avalanche’s fast-paced style of play. He possesses excellent puck-handling abilities, a quick release, and a knack for finding open spaces on the ice. His ability to contribute on both the power play and penalty kill will make him a valuable asset to the team.
While Tatar’s contract with the Avalanche is only for one year, it presents an opportunity for him to prove himself and potentially earn a longer-term deal in the future. The pressure will be on for Tatar to perform at his best and make a significant impact on the team’s success.
For the Avalanche, signing Tatar to a relatively low-risk contract provides them with additional depth and scoring options. With their sights set on contending for the Stanley Cup, the addition of Tatar strengthens their chances of achieving that goal.
As the upcoming NHL season approaches, fans and analysts will be eagerly watching to see how Tomas Tatar fits in with the Colorado Avalanche. If he can regain his form from previous seasons and stay healthy, Tatar has the potential to become a key contributor to the team’s success.
