The Daily: Tatar Earning Honor as Top Slovakian Player; Red Wings Raymond Meets Lions Raymond

For the first time in his career, former Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Tatar is the Slovakian hockey player of the year. Also for the first time in his NHL career, Tatar is without a job.

Producing 20-28-48 numbers last season for the New Jersey Devils, Tatar, 32, was recently recognized as the top player in his homeland for the 2022-23 season. Nonetheless, he remains a UFA. Not since he was a 2009 draft pick of the Red Wings has Tatar been without an NHL employer.

On the rumor mill, he’s been linked of late with both the Pittsburgh Penguins and one of his former teams, the Montreal Canadiens. But while there’s smoke, no team is firing up a new contract for Tatar to sign.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• A forward for the past two seasons in Detroit, Pius Suter is joining the Vancouver Canucks
• Red Wings forward Daniel Sprong is facing assault accusations from a former IndyCar driver
• Looking at when Detroit fans should be expecting Steve Yzerman draft picks to be arriving in the NHL
• There will be interest from NHL teams when Red Wings draft pick Robert Mastrosimone becomes a UFA on Aug. 15

Red Wings Offseason

Detroit forward Lucas Raymond was recently an attendee during a Detroit Lions training camp session. At the time, he was introduced to his namesake, Lions return man Kalif Raymond.

Everybody Loves Raymond(s) pic.twitter.com/pXLfTbSkxf

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 5, 2023

Interestingly, Kalif Raymond just agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with the Lions. Lucas Raymond is heading into the final year of his contract with the Red Wings.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Defenseman Brandon Carlo is a believer that Brad Marchand has what it takes to be the next captain of the Boston Bruins.

Buffalo: Former NHLer Zach Redmond is the new player development coach for the Buffalo Sabres.

Florida: Are the Florida Panthers done in free agency?

Montreal: Projecting the lineup and salary cap for the Montreal Canadiens with and without defenseman Jeff Petry.

Islanders: Looking back at the one-hit wonders of the New York Islanders.

Philadelphia: Here’s the long-term plan of how the Philadelphia Flyers once again become NHL contenders.

Carolina: Reports are indicating that the Carolina Hurricanes are signing free agent defenseman Caleb Jones.

Pittsburgh: Which move made by Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas was the most intriguing? That’s easy to answer.

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Colorado: Can Ryan Johansen replace the offensive numbers for the Colorado Avalanche that left when J.T. Compher signed with the Red Wings?

Chicago: For the first time, fans will get to see Connor Bedard in full Chicago Blackhawks gear when he appears in a Sherwood Hockey ad that is being revealed on Friday.

Nashville: Is there’s a better bargain in terms of NHL contracts than the deal between Juuse Saros and the Nashville Predators?

Vegas: These players should be the top NHL awards contenders in 2023-24 from the Vegas Golden Knights.

San Jose: A projection of how the San Jose Sharks might be lining up on the ice for opening night in 2023-24.