Tomas Tatar
| Birthday: 1990-12-01 | Position: LW |
| Eligible for draft: 2009 | Shoots: Left |
| Drafted: 2009 | Height: 5-11 |
| Acquired: 2nd round (60th overall), 2009 | Weight: 186 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- C
History
2007-08: Tomas Tatar saw time with HK Dukla Trencin's U18 and U20 squads, finishing the season with a combined 50 goals and 39 assists in 46 games in the Slovakian league.
2008-09: In his first season in the senior Slovak hockey system, he played for HKM Zvolen in the elite Extraliga league, posting seven goals and 15 points in 48 games. He finished the season with a +6 rating before heading off to the World Juniors, where he would score seven goals and 11 points in seven games for a Slovaks who upset Team USA. He led the team in points and tied for the fourth best total in the tournament overall.
2009-10: In his first North American season, Tatar appeared in 58 AHL games with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He scored 16 goals and 16 assists for 32 points as a rookie. Tatar represented Slovakia on the U20 team at the World Junior Championships, where he scored 3 goals, 2 assists in 6 games. He also skated with Slovakia at the World Championships, scoring 2 goals in 6 games.
2010-11: Tatar continued to improve at the AHL level, playing in 70 games for Grand Rapids, scoring 24 goals and 33 assists for 57 points. He also received a call-up to Detroit, where he scored 1 goal over his 9 game stint with the team.
2011-12: Tatar was the leading scorer for the Red Wings' AHL affiliate Grand Rapids in his third pro season in the Detroit organization and skated for Slovakia at the 2012 IIHF World Championship. Skating in all 76 games for the Griffins, he scored 24 goals with 34 assists and was plus-four with 45 penalty minutes. The Griffins failed to make the AHL playoffs; finishing fourth in the North Division. Tatar skated in all ten games for silver-medal winning Slovakia at the World Championships; finishing plus-one with 2 goals and 3 assists. Slovakia finished second to Russia after defeating the Czech Republic in the semifinals. Tatar was called up by Detroit twice during the regular season and was with the Red Wings during the playoffs but appear in any NHL games.
2012-13: Tatar skated in 18 games with the Red Wings in his fourth pro season and was the leading scorer for Detroit AHL affiliate Grand Rapids in the playoffs. He scored 4 goals with 3 assists and was +2 with 4 penalty minutes; averaging 11:22 minutes of ice time. In 61 regular season games for Grand Rapids he scored 23 goals with 26 assists and was +8 with 50 penalty minutes. The Griffins finished first in the Midwest Division and captured the Calder Cup championship. Tatar scored 16 goals, including 7 power play goals, and had 5 assists in 24 playoff games; finishing -1 with 23 penalty minutes. During the NHL lockout he played eight games with Piestany in his native Slovakia and 5 goals with 5 assists.
Talent Analysis
Possesses a great deal of offensive talent. Has shown himself capable of putting the puck in the net, as well as setting up plays. His hockey sense and offensive instincts are off the charts. Has strong puck handling ability, and very solid speed. Tatar is overall a very hard-working player.
Future
The future is indeed bright for Tatar, who has done just about all you can at the AHL level. The 2012-13 AHL playoff MVP should find a permanent spot on Detroit's NHL roster in 2013-14.
