Multi-time 20-goal scorer linked to Metropolitan Division team, per trusted insider

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Mike Armenti
August 9, 2023 (9:48)

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We're nearing the midway point between the start of free agency and the beginning of NHL training camps and six-time 20+ goal scorer Tomas Tatar is still available, surprisingly.

I'm sure there has been some interest from a number of teams, given Tatar's history as a productive player. However, with teams spending much of their available cap space through the first month of free agency, options may be more limited than they were at the beginning of July.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, there is one Metropolitan Division team who may very well target Tatar, and they just happened to have freed up $3M in cap space in the Erik Karlsson deal; the Pittsburgh Penguins. Per Friedman during an appearance on Sportsnet Central, he believes the Penguins will make an offer to Tatar.

Tatar, 32, had a solid regular season with the New Jersey Devils, but disappeared in the Stanley Cup Playoffs where he had only one goal in 12 games. In 82 regular season games, the Ilava, Slovakia native had 48 points (20 goals, 28 assists), 30 penalty minutes and was a plus-41.

Any time a team can add a multi-time 20-goal scorer into the fold, it's certainly never a bad thing. The only problem here is if Tatar and his camp are set on another sizeable pay day. Tatar carried a $4.5M cap hit over the last two seasons. If he's looking for something similar, the Pens may have to look at some more inexpensive options to fill their roster needs.

That's not all folks! Late night update: Per Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet Central tonight- he «thinks Pittsburgh targets a forward like Tomas Tatar»

Stay tuned.� Pens Report (@pensreport) August 7, 2023