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Colorado Avalanche make sneaky signing with Tatar

By Graham Tiedtke

May 1, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Tomas Tatar (90) celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Tomas Tatar (90) celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Out of left field, the Colorado Avalanche have signed left winger Tomas Tatar. Per reports, Tatar was expected to go to the eastern conference but the Avalanche said “nope” and secured the 33-year-old on a one-year deal worth just $1.5 million against the cap.

That is some brilliant contract negotiating by general manager Chris MacFarland, who traded for Ryan Johansen earlier this offseason.

Tatar spent the first seven years of his career with the Detroit Red Wings. While there, he played in  407 games, scoring 106 goals and 134 assists. He moved on to the Vegas Golden Knights for one season, scoring four goals and two assists. After that one season, he went to the Montreal Canadiens for three seasons, playing in 198 games and recording 57 goals and 92 assists.

With the New Jersey Devils last season, Tatar played in all 82 regular season games and had 20 goals and 28 assists. He had a plus-minus of plus-41, by far the best of his career, which began in 2010, one year after he became a second-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings back in 2009.

With the signing of Tatar, the Colorado Avalanche continues to revamp their roster following the departures of some key contributors such as Evan Rodrigues, J.T. Compher, Lars Eller, Matt Nieto, and the retirement of Darren Helm.

Here is a potential lineup projection from Peter Baugh of The Athletic, who has Tatar as the left wing on the third line, with Ross Colton and Miles Wood.

The Colorado Avalanche are continuing to make some roster moves as they try and improve on an underwhelming 2022-23 season, which saw them get knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the Seattle Kraken. They’re doing everything they can to make sure that doesn’t happen again. With Gabriel Landeskog out for the season, things have gotten tougher but the Avalanche are not backing down.

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