It's no secret two of the Golden Knights top offensive players, James Neal and David Perron, are pending unrestricted free agents which makes their future with the club unknown. Should one or both not return - Tatar provides scoring cover for the future as well as the here and now.
"He's a younger player, only 27. He's quick, competitive and he can score," said McPhee. "We didn't want to trade draft picks for someone that's not going to be here after the summer. He has three years left on his contract and we're happy about that. Where he plays in the lineup is up to the coaching staff. He can play left and right side and he can play up and down the lineup. We just added another good player to our team and again he's a mature player but he's still young."
Assistant GM Kelly McCrimmon says Tatar has a competitive side which makes him tough to play against and a boon to the team which employs him.
"Tomas is a very proven, very competitive NHL player. He's scored in excess of 20 goals his last three seasons and on pace to hit that limit again this year," said McCrimmon. "Goal scoring is at a premium so we think he's going to add to an already really good group of forwards. He's under contract for three more years after this one. We were only interested in making trades for players that were going to be here beyond this year. He's been in the playoffs twice with the Red Wings and he's a real competitive player. I think he really improves our forward group."
Tatar has played in 407 NHL games, all with Detroit, scoring 115 goals and 222 points. Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill called Tatar "one of my favorite guys I've coached."
"He's an awesome, awesome person, comes in with a smile on his face," Blashill told Detroit media on Monday. "I thought he was passionate, he wanted to win, always accountable. Certainly, a popular guy in the room. So, there's a loss there. Obviously, a loss as a player."
Tatar led the Grand Rapids Griffins to a Calder Cup trophy in 2012-13 winning the Jack Butterfield Trophy as the playoff MVP.
TUESDAY NOTES:
-The Golden Knights did not hold a full morning skate today after Monday's game at L.A.
-Tatar arrived to Las Vegas Monday night and skated at City National Arena with a few of the rehabbing Knights and recent scratches.
-The Golden Knights top line of Marchessault-Karlsson-Smith all enter Tuesday's game riding three game point streaks.
-The Beatles Love by Cirque du Soleil will perform during the first intermission of Tuesday's game
-Check back later today for more news and notes
