At the end of last season, Detroit
Red Wings’ Coach Babcock called upon Tomas Tatar to maximize on his scoring
chances and play better without the puck. Judging by his numbers at the
half-way mark, Tatar heeded his coach’s advice and is on track to have a
breakout season playing in only his third NHL campaign. “He's capable of being
good every night,” Babcock said of Tatar in an interview with The
Detroit News. "We expect a lot from Tats and he's capable of
delivering."
Tatar has had the most success this season played with Riley Sheahan and Gustav Nyquist which has proven to be a deadly line for the Red Wings. This trio has combined for 58 to date and Babcock has been able to rely on them game-in and game- out. Tatar and Sheahan have come to complement each other’s style of play after playing together the last few years with Detroit and the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The Slovakian native, Detroit’s 2nd pick in the 2009 draft (60th overall), has 25 goals and 23 assists at the half-way point. He has already surpassed his totals for the whole season last year already (19 goals, 20 assists) and if stays on track in terms of production, the left winger could achieve a 70-point season.
