Get to Know…Tomas Tatar | FEATURE

On Jan. 23 when the L.A. Kings visited New Jersey, Tomas Tatar was up against a very familiar face on the other side of the ice. His good friend, former teammate, and former linemate Philip Danault.
The two played three seasons together with the Montreal Canadiens, where they spent much of their time on a line together alongside Brendan Gallagher, a line that was a key contributor for the Montreal franchise every night. And when you are consistent linemates, even more so than teammates, you really get to know one another better than most: a player's tendencies, their habits, where they want you to dish that puck. There is a closeness that comes with it, and with that comes all the true tales and tidbits about a player we think we know, but we really don't.
That's why when Danault arrived in New Jersey to face the Devils with his L.A. Kings, it was time to touch base to really get the inside scoop on that man everyone affectionately calls "Tuna."

The conversation started with the pre-game warmup routine, of which Tatar is an active participant in the soccer-playing warmup. As with any competition, the group takes it very seriously, shaking their heads when they're the first to be out, to taking a victory lap when they're the last man standing. It's clear Tatar fancies himself one of the better pre-game soccer players, brimming with confidence. There are rumblings he's been known to introduce himself into games as "Mr. Champ."
But it appears Danault has a different view.
"I'm much better than him!" Danault said without hesitation. "He's very competitive, he's very good, but I'm going to confess here, I'm better than him."
In passing, when Danault's opinion was shared with Tatar, he flashed that big smile, and responded with an emphatic "Yeah, right! He wishes!"

And if you were to think that Tatar takes his pre-game soccer seriously, don't get him started on his beloved Bayern Munich, Germany's winningest club and a team Tatar has followed since he was a kid. If Bayern Munich doesn't win their match, you wouldn't need to check the score to know. Danault describes it best.
"Tuna was very loud actually, in the room," Danault said with a laugh. "He was always showing all his emotion about soccer, or anything really. When Tuna gets in the locker room, everyone knows! You can hear him. He's laughing, everyone knows. But it's a very good presence to have in the room. But you could tell though when his team loses... you know it!"

The smile, one can imagine, is as big and celebratory as the one on display when the 30-year-old scores a goal. No matter if it's the first of the season, the sixth, the 11th, it simply just doesn't matter, that big ball of energy celebration always shoots out of Tatar, there's an audible 'Woo!' you can hear over the buzz of the crowd. Find any picture of Tatar scoring, and he opens his arms big, upon one skate, skating towards the glass, looking at the fans. And that big smile on his face before turning to embrace his teammates.
"It's always too much," yet another quip from Danault to Tatar. "But it's okay, it really does show his personality off the ice and on the ice, so I do like his celebrations."

You have to appreciate the enthusiasm with which Tatar celebrates, but you also have to appreciate the solid chirping from his former line mate.
After playing for three seasons together, the day eventually came this past off-season when both Danault and Tatar moved on from their time in Montreal. In one another's Instagram posts saying goodbye to one another, their other linemate Gallager and the city of Montreal, one thing was abundantly clear - from the posts anyways. Tatar (and Gallagher) fancied themselves English tutors to the French Canadian Danault.

: "To Phil - you were the first NHL teammate I had to teach to speak English. That was fun."
When the subject was broached with Danault, he gave out a hearty laugh, clearly in disagreement with his former linemate's suggestion. There appears to be some misunderstanding with who exactly taught who how to speak whatever language.
"He really didn't though," Danault once again laughing his way through his response. "I'm pretty sure it was me who taught him French, rather than himteaching meEnglish."
In a moment of reflection, Danault continued.
"No, you know what, he didn't teach me any English at all. In fact, Tomas said that when he came to Montreal he wanted to learn French better than he knew, but after just two or three classes, it was over. It was just too hard for him!"
Where most would likely agree though is that Tatar is the type of player and more importantly person who is good for any NHL locker room.
"Tuna was actually very loud in the room," Danault joked. "He'll know all of his emotions, whether it's soccer or anything."
It's all in good fun to see former teammates and friends poke fun at each other, but there's a lot of mutual respect there too. Danault saying that Tatar is a great friend of his and someone anyone should want in their locker room.
"He's great with the boys, no matter how things are going with him (personally), he's just a really great teammate to have."
Sometimes you think you know someone, and you certainly might on the surface, but if you truly want to get to the meat, it's clear that a former teammate has no poking fun at their friend and serving up the goods.