Ex-Detroit Red Wings fan favorite suspended and fined after gruesome hit
Former Red Wings fan favorite Tomas Tatar, who signed a two-year deal in the Swiss National League with EV Zug, is now suspended after delivering an illegal hit to Hannes Bjorninen of the SCL Tigers.
The 2025-26 season has begun for leagues outside of the NHL.
Those who have failed to sign deals in the league have had to
hustle for workin Europe, and Tomas Tatar was one of them.
The former Red Wings forward signed a
two-year deal in the Swiss National League with EV Zug in May 2025.
His start in the SNL hasn't gone too well, as he's been
suspended from the league due to a hit to Bjorninen's head, which was characterized as a:
reckless and unnecessary action, albeit not overly forceful,»
Bjorninen would lie prone, in a defenseless position, after the hit.
The gruesome action resulted in Tatar being isolated from the EV ZUG, who took on HC Fribourg-Gotten.
Tomas Tatar's rough start in the Swiss-A league mirrors final NHL season
Tomas Tatar would play his last season of NHL hockey with the New Jersey Devils, a team that he suited up for from 2021 to 2023.
It was apparent that there weren't any teams interested in Tatar's services, as the 927-game veteran will have to play his way back into the NHL if he hopes to keep his dreams alive.
He may have to consider a bottom-six role if a general manager comes calling again.
The forward began his career in the NHL with the Red Wings during the 2010 season, and he'd become a journeyman along the way after being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights.
He'd suit up for the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Seattle Kraken, and Colorado Avalanche.
Tatar played 927 games in the league and scored 227-269-496 and has since taken his talents to play in the Swiss National League with EV Zug.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL |
SEPTEMBRE 16 | 475 ANSWERS Ex-Detroit Red Wings fan favorite suspended and fined after gruesome hit Do you miss forward Tomas Tatar in a Detroit Red Wings uniform? |
| Yes | 217 | 45.7 % |
| No | 258 | 54.3 % |
| List of polls |