Unlike baseball in MLB, free agents in the National Hockey League sign fairly quickly after the free agent market opens.
At least the big names available on the market do not remain without a contract for weeks.
It is very rare for this to happen.
Nevertheless, sometimes, some players remain oddly without a contract much longer than expected.
They still don’t have a contract, while the next season is fast approaching.
This season, it’s the case of former Montreal Canadiens forward Tomas Tatar.
pov it’s september and you remember that tomas tatar still doesn’t have a contract pic.twitter.com/4iqI9l6uqo
— kyleigh (@njdkyleigh) September 1, 2023
Indeed, very surprisingly, the 32-year-old Slovak winger is still looking for a team for the next season.
Tatar himself explained, however, that there was a lot of interest in him on August 11th.
Is he really thinking about the various offers he has received since the start?
I find it hard to believe that.
Generally, NHL players like to have job security so they know where they will be living for the next year, so they don’t waste too much time deciding between different offers/teams.
In short, if you had told me when the free agent market opened on July 1, that Tomas Tatar would still not have signed a contract on September 3, I would not have believed you.
Well, here we are on September 3, and Tatar is still a free agent, without a contract or even a pro tryout.
It’s really very weird, because in all honesty, Tatar is a solid hockey player to have in his team.
He’s not the player who’s going to stand out the most, but on a third line, even a second, Tatar is a great option.
When we look at the advanced stats, we notice that Tatar excels in practically every aspect of his game.
The team that will get their hands on him will really have any windfall.
Still waiting for the Tomas Tatar deal to happen. I mean someone’s gunna get an absolute bargain on this man. pic.twitter.com/IE7JcL1aEm
— Puckmarks (@puckmarks) September 1, 2023
Because yes, at this point, no one expects Tatar to sign a contract for more than a year, if he signs a contract of course.
It’s getting closer and closer to the possibility of Tatar only getting a pro tryout, like Mike Hoffman did with the St. Louis Blues three years ago.
The team that signs Tatar will have an advanced stat gem on hand, as Tatar recorded the second-best expected goal differential of the advanced stat era for the New Jersey Devils.
TOMAS TATAR IS STILL A FREE AGENT
— James Finch ????⚾️ (@J_Finchy1) August 29, 2023
And even if we forget the advanced stats, Tatar is a solid point producer.
Indeed, in addition to a slowdown in 2021-2022 with only 15 goals and 30 points in 76 games, Tatar has been producing at an excellent pace for several seasons, especially when he was with CH.
Where do you want to see Tomas Tatar sign? #NHLFreeAgency pic.twitter.com/ZPAOl58Qw2
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 25, 2023
So what is the problem with Tatar?
Well, as we all noted in Montreal, it was the Slovak’s performance in the playoffs that left a lot to be desired.
Indeed, with the Canadian, Tatar was one of the club’s best attackers in the season, and therefore, one of those on whom CH relied the most in terms of offensive production.
Yet, made in the playoffs, Tatar became a ghost more often than not.
In 15 playoff games with CH, Tatar has scored two goals and one assist.
It’s clearly not enough for a guy who was considered one of the club’s best strikers.
And last season, even if Tatar played more of a support and depth striker role, only one small goal and no assists in 12 playoff games, it is clearly not enough.
So, we now understand that the performances in the playoffs surely scare the NHL teams, which therefore decide not to take the chance with the Slovak winger.
Competitive teams don’t want a player who disappears in the playoffs, on the contrary.
In short, Tatar risks signing a contract or rather a professional trial with a team not necessarily aspiring to the playoffs.
Note that another former Habs Slovak is also still without a contract.
I’m talking about 38-year-old goalkeeper Jaroslav Halak here.
The Slovak had however said on August 12 that he expected to sign a contract within the next two weeks.
If he doesn’t get an offer, Halak might be able to retire.
To be continued.
A lot of
– Summary of the week at the CH.
This week’s top #GoHabsGo stories:
– Trading prospects.
– Juraj Slafkovsky needs more ice time.
– The Montreal Canadiens’ most common trade partners.
– Three questions facing the Habs.And much more⬇️
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) September 3, 2023
– He will be one to watch this season with the Leafs.
Matthew Knies in his first-ever playoff run:
7 Games
— 1 Goal
— 3 Assists (all primary)
— 4 Points (all at 5v5)
— 7 Shots
— 15 Shot Attempts
— +1 Takeaway Differential
— 15 Hits
— 59.51 5v5 xGF%
— Lead Rookies in 5v5 P/60Unreal production from a 6’3, 210lbs, 20-year-old. pic.twitter.com/9WyN7qIWA5
— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) September 3, 2023
– She is good.
“I just don’t know what to think. I play in Colorado, they tell me they like me, and I get traded. I play in Calgary, and at the end of the season the GM tells me he likes me, and I get traded. I just hope my fiancee doesn’t tell me she likes me.”
Chris Drury, after a 2003 trade
— Jen (@NHLhistorygirl) September 3, 2023
– To read.
NFL | The state of forces (1st part)
– The Sports Press (@LaPresse_Sports) September 3, 2023
– Ouch.
Blue Jays blow five-point lead, Rockies win 8-7
– The Sports Press (@LaPresse_Sports) September 3, 2023
2023-09-03 13:04:24
#contract #professional #trial
