Tomas Tatar Carries the Flag - and a Legacy - for Slovakia at the 2026 Olympics
Slovakia made a statement in Beijing back in 2022, capturing Olympic bronze in a tournament that didn’t feature NHL players. Now, as the 2026 Games get underway in Milano, they’re back with a deeper, stronger roster-and this time, the NHL talent is front and center.
Seven current NHLers are suiting up for Slovakia: Dalibor Dvorsky (St. Louis Blues), Martin Pospisil (Calgary Flames), Pavol Regenda (San Jose Sharks), Erik Cernak (Tampa Bay Lightning), Martin Fehervary (Washington Capitals), Simon Nemec (New Jersey Devils), and Juraj Slafkovsky (Montreal Canadiens).
It’s a group that brings speed, skill, and a legitimate shot at another podium finish. But when it came time to lead the nation into the opening ceremony, Slovakia turned to a veteran presence who’s been there, done that-and done it well.
Tomas Tatar, a 14-year NHL veteran, carried the Slovak flag into the stadium. And while he’s no longer skating under the bright lights of North America’s biggest arenas, his impact on Slovak hockey-and his journey through the NHL-makes this honor feel like a perfect fit.
Tatar’s NHL story began in 2009 when the Detroit Red Wings selected him in the second round of the draft. He spent parts of seven seasons in Detroit, carving out a reputation as a reliable winger with a knack for timely goals. But his time in the Motor City came to an end at the 2018 trade deadline, when he was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights.
That move didn’t quite pan out the way either side hoped. Tatar struggled to find his rhythm in Vegas, and by the time the Golden Knights made their run to the Stanley Cup Final, he was mostly watching from the press box. He logged just eight playoff games and was a healthy scratch through the Western Conference Final and beyond.
With three years still left on his deal, Vegas looked to move on-and Tatar became part of one of the more consequential trades in recent Canadiens history. When Vegas zeroed in on Montreal captain Max Pacioretty, the deal that brought him to Nevada sent Tatar, top prospect Nick Suzuki, and a 2019 second-round pick to the Habs.
At the time, Tatar was viewed as a bit of a salary dump. But he quickly flipped that narrative in Montreal.
Skating alongside Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher, Tatar found his stride. That trio became one of the most effective lines in the league, blending two-way responsibility with offensive punch. Tatar put up 58 points in his first full season with the Canadiens, followed by 61 the next year, and then 30 in just 50 games during the pandemic-shortened campaign.
One of his most memorable moments in a Habs sweater came in November 2018, when he buried the game-winner against his former team, Detroit. The goal was big-but the moment went viral thanks to a fan’s exuberant shout of “Tatar!” that quickly became a meme among Canadiens faithful.
But like many veteran scorers, the playoffs proved a tougher stage. During Montreal’s run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021, Tatar found himself on the outside looking in, dressing for just five postseason games. When his contract expired that summer, the Canadiens let him walk.
Tatar’s final NHL seasons saw him suit up for the New Jersey Devils (twice), the Colorado Avalanche, and the Seattle Kraken. After the 2024-25 campaign, he stepped away from the NHL with 496 points in 927 games-a steady, productive career that spanned nearly a decade and a half.
Now 35, Tatar is skating in Switzerland with Zug EV, where he’s still making an impact-30 points in 36 games so far this season. And while this is likely his final Olympic appearance, it’s fitting that Slovakia chose to recognize his contributions on and off the ice by naming him their flag bearer.
He may not be the headliner on this year’s Slovak roster, but make no mistake-Tatar’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Slovak hockey. And as he led his country into the Olympic spotlight once again, it was a moment that honored not just a player, but a career built on consistency, resilience, and pride.