NHL trade rumors: Oilers, Penguins interested in Tomas Tatar
According to the latest NHL trade rumors, Montreal Canadiens forward Tomas Tatar is drawing some interest on the trade market. The Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins are among the teams interested in him.
As the NHL trade deadline draws near, the trade market is really starting to heat up. The Montreal Canadiens are one of the more interesting teams, as they could be in a position to be huge sellers. They’ve been entertaining offers for forward Tomas Tatar. And according to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers are among the teams who have expressed interest.
Tatar has a cap hit of $4.8 million through the end of the 2020-21 season. In 54 games this season, he has 20 goals and 49 points. He has at least 20 goals in each of his last six seasons. Tatar also has at least 40 points in all but one of those seasons (2017-18).
Here’s what Elliotte Friedman had to say in his latest 31 Thoughts column.
"I think the Oilers have, at the very least, looked into Tomas Tatar. (Pittsburgh would be another team with interest.)"
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Friedman notes the Canadiens aren’t planning on trading Tatar. They would have to be impressed with an offer in order to trade him. That offer would most likely have to include a 2020 first-round pick, as Tatar is having a very good season. He’s quietly been a pretty productive player throughout his career, excluding his time with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Because he’s more than a rental, a first-round pick seems reasonable for him. Other teams have probably expressed interest, but so far, the Oilers and Penguins are the only ones who have definitely done so.
My Take
Tatar would make a lot of sense for the Penguins. General Manager Jim Rutherford tends to trade for players with term. Since taking over, here’s a list of some of the players he has traded for.
- Phil Kessel
- Tanner Pearson
- Erik Gudbranson
- Jamie Oleksiak
- Carl Hagelin
- Nick Bonino
- Derick Brassard
- Jared McCann
- Nick Bjugstad
- Alex Galchenyuk
All of those players had at least one full season left on their contract when the Penguins acquired them. Since Tatar is under contract for next season, he’d fit Rutherford’s M.O. He’d also be a really nice fit for the Penguins, as he’s a versatile player who can fill a number of roles.
Next. Top 5 Players The Canadiens Should Trade. dark
While Tatar would make sense for the Oilers, I think they’re going to have trouble trading for him. Unless the Oilers are willing to part with their 2020 first-round pick or defenseman Darnell Nurse, they don’t have any trade assets that would catch the Canadiens’ attention. A package built around the first-round pick or Nurse, plus the rights to Jesse Puljujarvi, would probably at least get the Canadiens to start talking.