Free-Agent Tomas Tatar Joins Western Conference Team

One of the best free agents left on the market has signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million as Tomas Tatar had to wait until the middle of September to land a contract with the Colorado Avalanche.

Details are still being finalized, but the expectation is that free-agent forward Tomas Tatar will sign a one-year deal with the #avs.

Could be a sneaky good September signing.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 12, 2023

Tomas Tatar and Miles Wood pic.twitter.com/HPVxhWL9xQ
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) September 12, 2023

Tatar essentially broke his own news as he appeared at the Avalanche's team facility on Tuesday, joining their informal skate, skating alongside former New Jersey Devils teammate Miles Wood.

Tatar wasn't re-signed by the Devils and has been listening to a number of offers throughout the summer months but wasn't comfortable putting pen to paper. There was a lot of talk about the Pittsburgh Penguins being very interested, but that disintegrated recently.

Last season with New Jersey, the 32-year-old winger registered 20 goals and 48 points in 80 games to go along with only one goal in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Could be one of the reasons the Devils moved on.

The Avalanche aren't expected to have captain Gabriel Landeskog in the lineup until the first round of the playoffs at the earliest, so it makes sense for the club to find a value sign, a veteran, who can help fill the offensive void left by the team's captain.