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Tomas Tatar News
The Golden Knights have acquired Tomas Tatar from the Red Wings for a 2018 1st Round Pick, a 2019 2nd Round Pick and a 2021 3rd Round Pick.

No one expected the Golden Knights to be buyers at their first trade deadline but here we are. Tatar has picked up 16 goals and 12 assists (28 points) in 62 games with the Red Wings this season and should be a great fit on Vegas’ third line with Cody Eakin and Alex Tuch.

Tomas Tatar
Tatar (head) will not play in the final two preseason games, but should be ready for regular season opener.

Tatar was injured on Wednesday but passed the concussion test and is not suffering from any headaches, which is a great sign for the 23-year-old. Expect him to be in the lineup on October 9th and push for 20-plus goals this season.

Tomas Tatar
Tatar left Monday's game after being kneed in the head by a linesman.

Tatar was cross-checked in the linesman direction. When the linesman jumped to try and avoid a potential collision his knee caught Tatar in the head. Tatar wobbled off of the ice, but head coach Mike Babcock said Tatar is fine. The Red Wings are already dealing with injuries to Pavel Datsyuk and Gustav Nyquist, so losing Tatar for a period of time would be a rough way to start the season.

Tomas Tatar
The Red Wings have agreed to terms on a three-year contract with restricted free agent Tomas Tatar.

Tatar, 23, recorded 19 goals and 20 assists (39 points) in 73 games with the Red Wings last season. The Red Wings did virtually nothing in free agency, which means that young players like Tatar will take on bigger roles in 2014-15. He played in the top-6 for a large portion of last season because the Wings were ravaged by injures. He will likely start the year on the third line with Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco, but with strong play could climb into the top-6 quickly. A 20-goal, 20 assist season should be Tatar's floor this year.

Tomas Tatar
Tatar (personal) will miss Thursday's game against the Rangers due to the passing of his father.

Tatar honoured his dad by scoring a goal and adding an assist the day after his passing. He has amassed 19 points (10G / 9A) in 38 games and is worth a look in deep leagues, especially if he sticks in the top-6 when the Red Wings start getting healthy.

Tomas Tatar
It appears Tomas Tatar will dress tonight vs. Washington.

Tatar appeared to be a healthy scratch tonight, but the Wings sent Luke Glendening to the AHL which opens up a spot in the lineup. Tatar will slide in on the second or third line, depending on where Mike Babcock wants to use him and Daniel Cleary. Tatar has two goals and an assist in 11 games.

Tomas Tatar
Tatar has been moved into the Red Wings top-6.

Tatar has been either a healthy scratch or a third liner to this point, but this morning Mike Babcock had him skating with Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen. Don't buy too much into this until he plays with them in a game, but after an embarassing 6-1 loss the other night, don't be surprised if Babcock keeps this shake-up intact tomorrow vs. New York.

Tomas Tatar
Mike Babcock said he'll decide later if Tomas Tatar will play tonight for Red Wings, but it sure sounded like he's in after morning skate.

Tatar could enter the lineup in either Mikael Samuelsson or Todd Bertuzzi's spot in the Red Wings lineup. Samuelsson played just two shifts in the third period yesterday, so he would seem like the most likely candidate.

Tomas Tatar
Tomas Tatar made the Wings’ final roster, but now the question is when will he get in the lineup. It appears Wings coach Mike Babcock will sit Tatar in the season opener, opting to go with a more veteran look as Joakim Andersson will center Todd Bertuzzi and Daniel Cleary.

“I’m out of the lineup right now, but I don’t know what will happen Wednesday, so just wait for a chance,” Tatar said. “I’m the youngest guy in the locker room, so I wait and when chance comes I’m going to grab it and hold it.” Tatar is a tremendous offensive talent and will get his shot soon. He has great speed, great hands and the ability to set up linemates and score.

Tomas Tatar