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New Jersey Devils sign Tomáš Tatar to a 2-year deal

Photo of Igor Burdetskiy Igor Burdetskiy Follow on X August 5, 2021
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As reported earlier, the Devils were the front-runners on signing Tatar and have done so.

His case has been a strange one to follow over the years.

Go back to 2018 and his stock was on the rise. He was coming off four straight years of 19 goals or more and was the big addition by Vegas at the trade deadline. The hope was that Tatar would give their offense a boost as they went on a long playoff run.

They had the long run but Tatar did so little that he was a healthy scratch for more than half of it. Months later, his stock much lower, he was included as salary ballast in a trade to Montreal with Vegas paying down a small portion of his contract.

With the Canadiens, Tatar rebounded, putting up 25 and 22 goals in his first two seasons with the team and his stock was on the rise again. Again, however, that changed fairly quickly.

His numbers dipped last season to just 10 goals and 20 assists in 50 games, still decent but he spent a good chunk of the year on their top line while posting strong possession numbers. By the end of it, he was back in the press box periodically and in the playoffs, he suited up in just five of 22 games.

Hopefully with the Devils, Tatar can find his game once again.

Igor Burdetskiy

Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine
I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!
Igor Burdetskiy
Photo of Igor Burdetskiy Igor Burdetskiy Follow on X August 5, 2021
0 1 minute read
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