The New Jersey Devils know they have to make changes on the bottom six. Too many players failed to contribute like they hoped, and it's a sign that the team needs new blood in that bottom six. Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald focused his efforts on fixing the team's defense and goaltending last offseason, and he hoped the offense would work with a few smaller additions.
One of those additions was former Devils forward Tomas Tatar. Tatar was good in his first season in New Jersey and broke 20 goals in his second year, but he overplayed his hand that offseason and ended up being replaced by Tyler Toffoli. The Devils let Tatar walk, and he was forced to take a prove-it deal with the Colorado Avalanche.
After a rough year away, Tatar returned to New Jersey late in the offseason last year, markin the final move from Fitzgerald to solidify the forward core. It put a lot of unnecessary pressure on Tatar, who was expected to be a contributor in the middle six. His offense did not match his 2022-23 peak, and he played a majority of the season on the fourth line.
After a disappointing season on the scoreboard, Tatar is walking again. This time, he's leaving the NHL, possibly for good. After 14 years in the NHL, Tatar has agreed to a two-year deal with EVZ of the Swiss league. The team plays in the city of Zug and famously beat the New York Rangers in an exhibition in 2011.
After winning back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022, but they've failed in the playoffs the past three seasons. EVZ fell in the quarterfinals last season, which might have prompted this signing. The team put out a press release showing their excitement for the signing.
"With his enormous experience from almost 1,000 NHL games and his game intelligence, he is an important reinforcement on our center line."General Manager Reto Kläy, EVZ
The Devils losing Tatar is not a surprise. However, it is a surprise how EVZ wants to use Tatar. He took a total of 19 faceoffs last year, and he hasn't taken more than 50 in a season since before 2018. Yet, at 34 years old, EVZ is moving Tatar to center.
It's an interesting move that EVZ made clear in their press release was central to their plans for Tatar. The Devils need a center on their bottom six, but most fans wouldn't be happy if the team made Tatar that signing. We wish him well and appreciate the happy memories, but Tatar's time in New Jersey had come to an end.