@boosbuzzsabres
Forward, Tage Thompson
DOB: October 30, 1997 (age, 21)
Draft: 2016 1st round (26th-overall,) STL
How acquired: July 1, 2018 trade with STL
Last contract signed: March 7, 2017 ELC, 3yr./$3.4125M ($832,500 base salary)
Final year of contract: 2019-20
2018-19 Stats: 65 games | 7 goals | 5 assists | 12 points | -22 | 12:08 ATOI
Career Stats: 106 games | 10 goals | 11 assists | 21 points | -34 | 12:03 ATOI
What we wrote preseason: When you see a young guy like Thompson pull off a play like he did against Leafs a week ago, the wow-factor of a 6'5" 205 lb. forward who can create separation like that and finish with a wicked shot whets your appetite to see him skating in a Sabres uniform this year. As it stands right now, Thompson is behind at least two right wingers on the club--Sam Reinhart and Kyle Okposo--and because of Jason Pominville's status both contractually and as a vet on the team, Thompson might only see fourth-line duty with the Sabres at this juncture.
Although it doesn't mean he's worse than a player like Pominville, it would seem as if Housley will have too many question marks with Thompson heading into the season as he wants to get off to a fast start. Thompson still has waiver-exempt status and could use more seasoning in the AHL to develop consistency to his game. He's got top-six talent but right now for Buffalo there's really no need to rush him.
What we wrote mid-season: He's tall (6'6"), has an impressive wing-span, can handle the puck extremely well and when he has open space and enough time, he has a rocket of a shot. We've seen short spurts of incredibly skilled play from Thompson this season but have also seen him disappear for very long stretches which has him moving up and down the lineup. One would like to see him use his large frame more and though he skates very well, especially when he gets active, he's still seems to be behind the play a bit. The 21 yr. old Thompson has all the tools to be a scorer but he's been dropped to the fourth line lately, and ironically it may be the best thing for him. The two players anchoring that line are full-go compete and prior to the break Thompson looked as if he was feeding off/playing like that and if he can ever internalize the compete those two have, the Sabres could have themselves a heck of a scoring forward.
Impressions on his play this year: The mid-season mention of Thompson feeding off of Zemgus Girgensons and Johan Larsson on the fourth line was meant to be taken seriously as a big aspect missing in his game was compete. Thompson picked up on that when he played fourth-line duties but he was out of place in that role. In fact, the case could easily be made that he was a tad out of place in the NHL.
The Sabres decided to keep him in Buffalo to work on his game at the NHL-level and from what was said, he really embraced the development program they earmarked for him. That was just before he scored five goals in seven games and it made management look brilliant. However, as is often the case with young players, the consistency wasn't there and Thompson disappeared. Instead of sending him to Rochester when things went cool for him and sour for the team, Buffalo kept him up and his development stagnated at best. When he was finally sent to the Amerks, he was a force popping six goals in eight games. Things dried up in the AHL playoffs but against his peers, the 21 yr. old Thompson looked dominant.
Thompson's shot is remarkable but he struggled to find time and space at the NHL level to uncork it. Although he has a condor's wing-span and some very impressive stickwork for any player, much less a big man, on too man occasions Thompson tried to do too much himself instead of using his teammates and oft times the puck ended up headed the other way. Those negatives are often seen in rookies but are things that can be worked on.
The Sabres are looking at him to fill out his frame to the tune of 15-20 lbs. and if he can do that while maintaining his excellent skating abilities, his size and talent would make up the foundation of a budding powerforward. But there's a lot of work to be done as his talent is raw and his decision-making is still that of a rookie. Thompson could be a big piece for this club moving forward if he reaches his potential however the if and when portions of that equation are still to be determined.
Questions moving forward: How much bulk can he add this summer? What's his ideal playing weight? Where will he start next season, Buffalo or Rochester? Can he find chemistry with a Sabres center next season? Where will his compete-level be? Will bulking up help that? How much will Bufalo's new head coach affect his game? Can he double his goal production? Can he lower a Sabres second-worst minus-22 rating?
Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.
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