Former Detroit Red Wing Tomas Tatar has inked a two-year contract with EV Zug of the Swiss National League, seemingly signaling the end of a 14-year NHL career for the Czech scoring forward.
Nov 2, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Red Wings left wing Tomas Tatar (21) skates with the puck in the third period against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: (Marc DesRosiers, Imagn Images)
Tatar spent the first seven years of his NHL career with the Red Wings, accruing 115 goals and 107 assists for 222 points in 407 games. He was ultimately traded to the Vegas Golden Knights at the 2018 Trade Deadline for a first, second, and third round draft pick (that first would become Joe Veleno).
After Vegas, Tatar made stops in Montreal, Colorado, Seattle, and enjoyed two tenures in New Jersey, including what seems to have been his final NHL season—seven goals, 10 assists in 74 games this year for the Devils.
From a Red Wings perspective, Tatar was part of a generation of players that (through no fault of its own) couldn't manage to live up to the lofty standard Detroit had set for itself, amidst a steady exodus of Hall of Fame–caliber talent.
After 14 seasons, Tatar played 927 games, scoring 227 goals and providing 269 assists for 496 points. That he's just shy of a few milestones (1,000 games played and 500 points) suggests perhaps Tatar might harbor fantasies of a return to fight across those lines or perhaps Tatar is satisfied with the work he's done and keen to continue his career in Europe.
