After splitting the 2023-24 season with the Colorado Avalanche and Seattle Kraken, where his production dropped off quite a bit, Tomas Tatar is trying to be as prepared as possible for unrestricted free agency this summer.
There's no doubt that Tatar will get contract offers from NHL teams or at worst, a professional tryout contract (PTO) with an invite to training camp in the fall. But could we see the six-time 20+ goal scorer head to Europe? It appears that it's a legitimate possibility.
In an interview last week with European media outlet Denik Sport, Tatar said that he has reached out to the management of Czech Extraliga club HC Dynamo Pardubice, but will wait until the free agent market opens in the NHL before making any decisions on his future for the 2024-25 campaign.
Tatar, 33, has appeared in 853 games in the NHL with six different teams - Detroit, Vegas, Montreal, New Jersey, Colorado and Seattle, putting up 479 points (220 goals, 259 assists) and 296 penalty minutes. He's also skated in 52 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Ilava, Slovakia native might not be the player he once was anymore, but could still be an intriguing bottom-six option on a one or two-year contract with a low cap hit. It'll be interesting to see if Tomas Tatar comes off the board and signs on July 1st or if he'll have to wait until the dust settles to see what options remain for him once the big-name players ink their deals.
