I don’t know why. But lately I’ve had a hankerin’ for steak tartare. And I’ve found myself reading about the Tatars, a Turkic ethnic confederation absorbed into the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan.
Actually, I lied on both counts. I was just trying to come up with a clever lead-in for the subject of my latest article.
According to hockey insider Elliotte Friedman, Kyle Dubas isn’t done tinkering with the Penguins’ lineup just yet and is seeking to add some additional scoring punch. An inclination I wholeheartedly endorse. Friedman specifically mentioned free-agent forward Tomáš Tatar as the type of player Dubas would like to nab.
It’s the second time in the last few days I’ve heard Tatar’s name mentioned as a potential target. As the old saying goes, where there’s smoke you’ll usually find fire, too.
For those not familiar with Tatar, he’s a 32-year-old left handed shooting forward of Slovakian descent. Stands 5’10” and weighs a modest 173 pounds. Can skate and play either wing.
Although Tatar’s never emerged as a full-blown star, he’s been a steady scorer and point producer over his 10 full seasons and change in the NHL. He’s reached the 20-goal plateau seven times, including a high of 29 back in 2014-15, and he notched a career-best 61 points for the Canadiens in ’19-20. He scored 20 goals (with 28 assists) for the Devils last season while skating predominantly on a line with Nico Hischier.
Tatar’s box cars weren’t blow-you-away good considering his role, but his underlying numbers were. He ranked tops among the league’s forwards with a 5v5 expected goals percentage of 62.79. Throughout his career he’s been known for his play-driving ability, as well as his attention to detail.
Sounds like a guy who would fit well with…say…Sidney Crosby, huh?
Of course, it isn’t as simple as shoving a contract under his nose and saying, “Sign here kid.” Tatar earned $4.5 million in each of his last two seasons in New Jersey, and $5.3 million on his previous contract.
It’s really hard to imagine him agreeing to anything less than $4 million. Which, of course, the Pens don’t have. Which means $$$ would have to go out the door or be shunted aside in order to sign Tatar.
We currently have three players under contract who I’d deem to be in his price range, defenseman Marcus Pettersson ($4.025 AAV) and forwards Bryan Rust ($5.125 AAV) and Jeff Carter ($3.125 AAV).
Of the three, Pettersson isn’t going anywhere. In fact, I think he’d make a great partner for newly acquired countryman Erik Karlsson. But Rust and Carter?
Hmmm.
Rust has a no movement clause, which means he’d have to agree to any deal. No guarantees for a player who’s a black-and-gold lifer and likely has the skating penguin logo tattooed over his heart. However, the drop-off in his play last season was noticeable, and players of Bryan’s ilk generally don’t age well. Plus, Rusty’s under contract for five more seasons (another subtle Ron Hextall blunder).
This is pure speculation, but might Dubas look to offload Rust to Chicago with some salary retention in order to fit Tatar in?
Again, Rust would have to agree to such a deal.
As for Carter? I’ll be the first to admit I don’t understand the 35+ contract rules. And as good as Dubas is at his job, I can’t imagine he could coax big Jeff into retirement. Of course the other option is LTIR. Our GM could conceivably sign Tatar and then place Carter on LTIR for cap relief, although you start traversing some pretty murky waters…
I digress.
Caleb Di’Natale mentioned former Duck and current free-agent left wing Maxime Comtois as a lower-cost albeit lower-ceiling option. What I like about Comtois? He’s got size (6’2” 210) and plays a power game, elements we lack. Coming off a nine-goal season (his high is 16 in 55 games in ’20-21) he can probably be had on the cheap.
The drawback? He’s got heavy feet, a red-flag for a head coach who likes ‘em fast and zippy.
Yet another name I’ve heard bandied about? Pius Suter, a clever little center who’s averaged 16 goals per 82-game slate for the Blackhawks and Red Wings since entering the league back in ’20-21. Suter raked in $3.2 million last season, so he’d definitely have to drop his price.
A last thought.
At what point do we begin to look internally? Valtteri Puustinen has had two really solid seasons for a really bad Baby Pens team. When does “Puusti” get an extended look?
Ditto Alex Nylander, who I thought showed really well in a nine-game cameo last spring (just wish he’d scored more). And “Big Z,” Radim Zohorna, whose skill set, smarts and frame just may translate to the NHL if he ever gets a legit shot.
Guess we’ll have to wait and see what Dubas does next. But I agree with Friedman. I don’t think he’s done.
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View Comments
Hey Guys....It has been a long time since we had 8 different commenters replying on the PP blog to one single post. Welcome to all the new comers. Thank you.
As I said previously this new guy taking over the entire hockey operation about 2 months ago has made the Pens news worthy again. Just witness the excellent comments to this post. Eight different authors. !!
While I do not agree with every trade that Kyle Dubas made, over all I am very pleased with the change in direction he has made to our team and Hope has returned once again to the Berg.
Up here in the land of Crosby where I live the local hockey enthusiasts are well pleased about what is happening to our favorite team.and the changes are not done.They will continue right up to the trade deadline in February.
Lets Go Pens.
Jim
Could really use a guy that can and will beat up Tom Wilson.
Hello David.
I think a lot of people feel that way, including most of our PenguinPoop writers and faithful commenters. Unfortunately, Pens coach Mike Sullivan most decidedly isn't among that group.
Actually, guys who can and will stand up to (and beat up) Tom Wilson makes for a pretty short list. In addition to being a darn good hockey player, he's one tough hombre. Ironically, two of our former players...Ryan Reaves and Erik Gudbranson...own decisions over Wilson. Unfortunately, they didn't last very long in the 'Burgh. (See previous comment about Sullivan.)
Rick
Hey Rick (et al),
1) If you are still tinkering with your line up after everything else you have done, or as fans hoping for more changes, then whether or not you are willing to admit it to yourself, at least sub-consciously you know this team is not a Cup contender – even with your man Karlsson.
2) Tatar is 32, Rust is 30, you again age the team by bringing him in here. The prime years for a Forward range from 22 – 32 with 24-25 being the sweet spot, bringing Tatar in here is doubling down on doubling, through what is now approaching an infinite regression of failed policies in the vain hopes of finally getting it right.
3) Comtois? Interesting player. Under a real NHL level Coach, it he could help this team. Under Sullivan, he either would not get any TOI or just like every other bottom 6 Forward, go to waste on a team run by a Coach from opposite world, denying Forwards a chance to play their position; instead asking them to cover for D-men who they want pinching in the O-Zone and chasing the puck around the D-Zone like 6 year olds.
4) Suter? No. Too small, although only 27 out of the sweet spot of his prime and since he is not an elite player, that slide on the back end of his prime may be fairly steep as well.
5) Stay in house, go with Puustinen. He is in his sweet spot at 24. He has done the job at level he has ever played. Put him in next to Malkin while Guentzel is hurt; he will light it up. He was able to get a point playing 4th line in very limit TOI a couple of years back. He is perhaps the best option for a top 6 in the system (maybe that is a condemnation of the system?) Nylander although still in the sweet spot is older and hasn’t really done much with far more opportunity. Poulin in not a top 6. He may be an option in the bottom 6 when the fossils done there start dropping. And Mike, I agree, Puustinen is a smurf and on this team, that cannot be a long term answer, but playing in a top 6 the young Finn will build his stock up (trade value) to get someone bigger and better for when the team and fans come down from their Sullivan trip. I the meantime, while here, he will provide someone who knows how to find the net.
Now that's how you write a good hockey article! 👍 Everything was spot on.
Thank you, and welcome to PenguinPoop!
Rick
Rick
Again I loved the article - I did see the rumor the Pen's / Dubas could possibly be looking
at Tatar "Not a fan". Another small forward that the Pen's can do without and I think if
you look at his overall numbers he struggles come playoff time. I just think his size
is an issue when the physicallity picks up. Last year he played in 12 playoff games and
ended up with (1)goal. Rick, IMO he's another regular season player and I firmly believe
we need more playoff type guys. Keep the articles coming!!
Hey Mike.
I hear ya about the size issue. Unfortunately, the die appears to be cast in terms of the type of team we're going to have. Nearly all of our forward additions have been of the small 'n' speedy variety, the better to recreate the type of team Mike Sullivan craves.
Unless Dubas has a trick up his sleeve, aside from Noel Acciari it looks like we're going to be largely bereft of any discernable physicality. Which, as you so aptly noted, doesn't play well come the postseason.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now mentioned the Pens may be in the market for a right-handed shooting defenseman and mentioned Cal Foote. Twenty-four years old, former 14th overall pick of the Lightning, inexpensive ($850 K last season), excellent size (6'5" 224), possesses a bit of a mean streak like his father Adam. Which means we probably won't have any interest ... :(
Still, Dubas is no dummy and obviously understands that a team needs a certain degree of grind and sand. I'm hopeful he'll address that need somewhere along the line.
Rick
I'm cool with either Tomáš Tatar, Maxime Comtois, or Pius Suter joining the team.
It's wishful thinking, but I'm hoping Big Jeff Carter returns to immediate post-trade form when the Penguins first acquired him. In his first 14 regular season games with the Pens, following the in-season trade with the Kings, Carter had 9 goals. And also put up 5 goals in 6 games that following playoff series against the Islanders.
Great Article Rick!
I think (Or I hope) that Carter gets moved and we Squeeze Tatar in at a one or two year deal at this same price as Carter. 3+ Mill (Maybe wishful thinking on that price tag). I'd really like to have Tatar + Rust for depth reasons.
And also options for roster flexibility.
Tatar is a perfect fit for this current roster, he can be really creative and flashy, and he might have a 70-80 point season on this roster depending on if he plays top 6. We could watch some actual magic between Crosby, Tatar & Karlsson.
Tatar has always been an impressive player in terms of his stick handling and I've felt like he never had the right players to take full advantage.
As for internally, I don't think Valtteri Puustinen is quite ready, and I'm 50/50 on Nylander. I'd prefer to play Poulin over both of those guys, to be honest.