Red Wings' Tomas Tatar emerging as very bankable asset

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Tomas Tatar is learning from Henrik Zetterberg, learning from Pavel Datsyuk. Those lessons are turning Tatar into a high-end asset for the Detroit Red Wings.

Tatar scored his team-leading 16th goal Saturday at Rogers Arena in the 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

"He's got a great shot," Jimmy Howard said. "I see it every single day in practice. He's got a quick release. It's fast and it's hard. It was signature Tats - just get it off."

Tatar is tied for third on the team in overall scoring, with 26 points after 39 games. He's steady both in the top-six forward mix and as a power play contributor. Since a cold start in October, Tatar hasn't gone more than two games without a point, earning a positive if reserved assessment from coach Mike Babcock.

"What I see is that a he's a guy who loves hockey and loves to score," Babcock said. "He's on a journey to become an elite player in the NHL. As long as he keeps working on his details and he's committed to doing it all the time, he's going to get there. That's the biggest challenge for all young players - what allowed you to be good last year isn't good enough for this year and the years to come. You've got to keep getting better."

That's where it's good to be around guys like Datsyuk and Zetterberg, who have been stars for more than a decade.

"I'm happy the way how it's going right now," Tatar said, "but for sure you can always get better. You can shoot the puck more, defend better. I have great examples here in the locker room that I like to follow."

Tatar had 19 goals last season, and is well on his way to topping 20 this season. To essentially be a two-time 20-goal scorer at age 24 makes Tatar intriguing as a trade asset. The Wings are eager to add a top-four defenseman who shoots right, and to get someone of quality - like Buffalo's Tyler Myers - it would take a young hotshot. Maybe the Wings can sway the Sabres with Tatar and defenseman Jakub Kindl (who doesn't seem to have a future in Detroit), along with a second-round draft pick. It helps tremendously that another prospect is banging on the door, as Teemu Pulkkinen is having a standout season with Grand Rapids. He's already delivered an AHL-leading 19th goal of the season, and he shoots right, with NHL-caliber delivery.

Tatar has helped make the Wings a viable playoff team again this season, and his value could end up strengthening them as a Stanley Cup contender.

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.