Does a Devils & Tatar Reunion Make Sense?

Tomáš Tatar's goal off a Šimon Nemec pass at the Worlds had New Jersey Devils fans clamoring for a reunion, but does he fit into their offseason plans?

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Tomáš Tatar played a big part in the New Jersey Devils totaling a franchise record 52 wins during the 2022-23 season. He wasn't the team's best player. Far from it, but he provided depth and played anywhere in the top nine. 

The Devils miss that type of player and need to find someone this offseason who can play a similar complementary role. That begs the question, should they consider a reunion with Tatar? Scoring a goal off an insane pass from Šimon Nemec at the World Championships yesterday had fans clamoring for it, but the answer isn't a simple yes. 

Tatar Had a Tough 2023-24

Tatar's first season with the Devils didn't go well, but he was one of the team's top players in 2022-23. He finished with 20 goals and 48 points in 82 games and had outstanding metrics at five-on-five, posting an expected goals share (xG%) of 62.1 percent. 

The Devils had a 623-406 advantage in scoring chances and a 269-162 edge in high-danger chances with Tatar on the ice. Goal differential isn't the best indication of a player's performance, but the Devils outscored teams 61-28 with him on the ice at five-on-five. 

Tatar also played a significant role in helping Nico Hischier have the best season of his career. The Devils caved teams in with Hischier and Tatar on the ice together, posting a 64.2 xG% and outscoring teams 40-16. Pretty much any way you slice it, Tatar posted some outrageous numbers in 2022-23. 

Unfortunately, Tatar's all-too-familiar playoff struggles were likely a factor in the Devils parting ways with him last offseason. As was the Tyler Toffoli trade, so Tatar signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche just before training camp began. 

Tatar's stint with the Avalanche did not go well. He posted just a goal and nine points in 27 games before they traded him to the Seattle Kraken for a mid-round pick. His underlying numbers at the time of the deal were not great, as he had an xG% of 45.2 percent.

The trade to the Kraken offered a fresh start for Tatar. He did play well when he first arrived in Seattle, totaling nine points in his first 15 games. But he tailed off as the season progressed, posting just six points in his final 28 games. 

Tatar's underlying numbers with the Kraken were better, as he finished with a 51.26 xG% with the team, but the production was never there. Overall, Tatar's season was a disappointment, as he only totaled 24 points in 70 games. 

It wasn't all bad luck, too. Unlike the 2021-22 season with the Devils, when he posted solid microstats that suggested a rebound was possible, that wasn't the case this past season between the Avalanche and Kraken.