I have doubts too but I just have to laugh.

Thompson’s two NHL coaches he’s played under have both been fired for being awful.

Thompson’s been very very good in the AHL.

For some reason to a few, a good coach won’t help him, but could TOTALLY turn Ristolainen (who has 400+ NHL games under his belt) around.

I think TT ends up a career 3rd liner personally. Defensively sound or not
- OneKaneOneCup

Ristolainen has shown that he has the ability to play well in the NHL. He has games where he kills some of the leagues greatest players, usually Russians.

TT has shown that he can be very good in the AHL. Like Geordie Robertson.

Geordie sells retirement benefit packages from the offices on the 8th floor of my building. He's a nice guy.

Ristolainen has shown that he has the ability to play well in the NHL. He has games where he kills some of the leagues greatest players, usually Russians.

TT has shown that he can be very good in the AHL. Like Geordie Robertson.

Geordie sells retirement benefit packages from the offices on the 8th floor of my building. He's a nice guy.
- Der Kaiser

Ristolainen has never had a good NHL season.

He has had a season where it looked like he was going to be good. Similar to the 20-25 games Thompson had where it looked promising.

Both suck as of now. One has 400 games of suck. There other has 100

Ristolainen has never had a good NHL season.

He has had a season where it looked like he was going to be good. Similar to the 20-25 games Thompson had where it looked promising.

Both suck as of now. One has 400 games of suck. There other has 100
- OneKaneOneCup

Thompson has had a few good plays. Never played a complete game.

His best bet is to bone up on ERISA.

Ristolainen has shown that he has the ability to play well in the NHL. He has games where he kills some of the leagues greatest players, usually Russians.

TT has shown that he can be very good in the AHL. Like Geordie Robertson.

Geordie sells retirement benefit packages from the offices on the 8th floor of my building. He's a nice guy.
- Der Kaiser

For like 2 games at a time though. He's got the tools if defense still played the way they did 10 years ago.

For like 2 games at a time though. He's got the tools if defense still played the way they did 10 years ago.
- Sabresfan-365

So you would probably advocate for him to retire, and that will be a valuable connection for Tage to have in his ERISA package sales career.

So you would probably advocate for him to retire, and that will be a valuable connection for Tage to have in his ERISA package sales career.
- Der Kaiser

Tage sucked something fierce for the last 30 games and the first 15 this season.

He went to Rochester and scored almost every game.

I just think it’s how many people ( not just you, or not specifically you) blame coaching for so many things yet don’t take into consideration that Thompson’s only two NHL coaches have been fired like Gettysburg cannons.

So you would probably advocate for him to retire, and that will be a valuable connection for Tage to have in his ERISA package sales career.
- Der Kaiser

I don't know what that is. He's mediocre making good money, I would recommend he keep milking this stuck in the 80's old boys club that is the NHL until they figure him out.

Tage sucked something fierce for the last 30 games and the first 15 this season.

He went to Rochester and scored almost every game.

I just think it’s how many people ( not just you, or not specifically you) blame coaching for so many things yet don’t take into consideration that Thompson’s only two NHL coaches have been fired like Gettysburg cannons.
- OneKaneOneCup

I get what you're saying, but Tage was exceptionally bad. Not saying he can't turn it around, but clearly he forgot to pick something up on his way from the AHL to the NHL because he looks like two different players.

Even last year he had a decent run with STL's AHL team and bambi on ice when he was with the blues.

Tage sucked something fierce for the last 30 games and the first 15 this season.

He went to Rochester and scored almost every game.

I just think it’s how many people ( not just you, or not specifically you) blame coaching for so many things yet don’t take into consideration that Thompson’s only two NHL coaches have been fired like Gettysburg cannons.
- OneKaneOneCup

I was excited about Tage for those few games that he came in and showed the flashes. Then I realized - much later than the league, cuz they really know the game and I just watch it on TV - that Tage's flashes all came when he was in wide open space, and all that was necessary to defend against him was to play defense on him. He has low hockey IQ, he's not adept handling the puck, he can't play defense, he's not particularly fast, and his one NHL quality skill - SHOOTING - doesn't work if the defense takes away time and space.

My point - it isn't coaching that he needs. At least not NHL coaching. He needs more development. More basic skills, and he needs to learn to get his shot off accurately when defended.

I think he’s Kotalik.

Huge shot and great hands for a shootout but can he develop the other parts of his game or not.

If he can we have something, if not it’s going to be a big nothing burger
- OneKaneOneCup

Yeah, he has to have his "thing" that's he's good at. And the toe-drag wrister doesn't count. That reach from his wingspan would be a hell of a thing to waste. Someone needs to get through to him and teach him positioning in the D zone

I was excited about Tage for those few games that he came in and showed the flashes. Then I realized - much later than the league, cuz they really know the game and I just watch it on TV - that Tage's flashes all came when he was in wide open space, and all that was necessary to defend against him was to play defense on him. He has low hockey IQ, he's not adept handling the puck, he can't play defense, he's not particularly fast, and his one NHL quality skill - the toe drag wrist shot - doesn't work if the defense takes away time and space.

My point - it isn't coaching that he needs. At least not NHL coaching. He needs more development. More basic skills, and he needs to learn to get his shot off accurately when defended.
- Der Kaiser

FTFY

I get what you're saying, but Tage was exceptionally bad. Not saying he can't turn it around, but clearly he forgot to pick something up on his way from the AHL to the NHL because he looks like two different players.

Even last year he had a decent run with STL's AHL team and bambi on ice when he was with the blues.
- Sabresfan-365

If we’re going to pretend he didn’t have very good games at times this year than it’s total revisionist history.

As a whole it was horrible.

But again he’s young and was stuck with Sobotka who’s one of the leagues worst players for both years.

Thompson had a run of 15-20 games (I did the numbers at the time) where he was top 60 in individual shot attempts and SC’s

I don't know what that is. He's mediocre making good money, I would recommend he keep milking this stuck in the 80's old boys club that is the NHL until they figure him out.
- Sabresfan-365

https://en.wikipedia.org/...come_Security_Act_of_1974

If we’re going to pretend he didn’t have very good games at times this year than it’s total revisionist history.

As a whole it was horrible.

But again he’s young and was stuck with Sobotka who’s one of the leagues worst players for both years.

Thompson had a run of 15-20 games (I did the numbers at the time) where he was top 60 in individual shot attempts and SC’s
- OneKaneOneCup

Im not pretending, I don't know because I didn't track it. I only have the numbers as a whole, and they mostly point to requiring some more time in the AHL.

They did him no favours last year, agreed. But if the situation is similar this coming year, he's probably better off in the minors until they can dedicate a spot in the lineup where he can actually succeed.

If we’re going to pretend he didn’t have very good games at times this year than it’s total revisionist history.

As a whole it was horrible.

But again he’s young and was stuck with Sobotka who’s one of the leagues worst players for both years.

Thompson had a run of 15-20 games (I did the numbers at the time) where he was top 60 in individual shot attempts and SC’s
- OneKaneOneCup

HIGHLIGHT NO. 1: All in the AHL

HIGHLIGHT NO. 2: Sobotka better than him on WAR (see earlier post)

HIGHLIGHT NO. 3: Also Top 5 in "shot misses"

I get what you're saying, but Tage was exceptionally bad. Not saying he can't turn it around, but clearly he forgot to pick something up on his way from the AHL to the NHL because he looks like two different players.

Even last year he had a decent run with STL's AHL team and bambi on ice when he was with the blues.
- Sabresfan-365

My favorite TT moment was when he caught a high stick, or got mugged or something, and then he unleashed a howitzer clapper for a PP goal. He has to learn to channel that all the time

Im not pretending, I don't know because I didn't track it. I only have the numbers as a whole, and they mostly point to requiring some more time in the AHL.

They did him no favours last year, agreed. But if the situation is similar this coming year, he's probably better off in the minors until they can dedicate a spot in the lineup where he can actually succeed.
- Sabresfan-365

That’s the issue. I don’t see a spot where he fits yet.

I just think pretending like people weren’t very excited for him during a stretch of the season is pretty disingenuous.

I can’t think of one game Sobotka had that stood out.

I can think of 5 where Thompson was one of our best players.

There’s room for guys with his skills

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employee_Retirement_Income_Security_Act_of_1974
- Der Kaiser

The distress termination caught my eye

My favorite TT moment was when he caught a high stick, or got mugged or something, and then he unleashed a howitzer clapper for a PP goal. He has to learn to channel that all the time
- jcragcrumple

How about the Detroit game where he tied it with a great PP shot and then burns the goalie in the shootout?

Or the NJ game where he absolutely dominated and was moved to Eichel’s line the next game and it all fell apart

That’s the issue. I don’t see a spot where he fits yet.

I just think pretending like people weren’t very excited for him during a stretch of the season is pretty disingenuous.

I can’t think of one game Sobotka had that stood out.

I can think of 5 where Thompson was one of our best players.

There’s room for guys with his skills
- OneKaneOneCup

Ideally, you'd run three (or even four) scoring lines and he'd slot in the same bottom 6 role with better players.

Unfortunately poor depth has almost everyone on this team playing above their capabilities.

I was excited about Tage for those few games that he came in and showed the flashes. Then I realized - much later than the league, cuz they really know the game and I just watch it on TV - that Tage's flashes all came when he was in wide open space, and all that was necessary to defend against him was to play defense on him. He has low hockey IQ, he's not adept handling the puck, he can't play defense, he's not particularly fast, and his one NHL quality skill - SHOOTING - doesn't work if the defense takes away time and space.

My point - it isn't coaching that he needs. At least not NHL coaching. He needs more development. More basic skills, and he needs to learn to get his shot off accurately when defended.
- Der Kaiser

You say that...

HIGHLIGHT NO. 1: All in the NHL

HIGHLIGHT NO. 2: Sobotka better than him on WAR (see earlier post)

HIGHLIGHT NO. 3: Also Top 5 in "shot misses"
- Der Kaiser

#2- WAR has a huge weight on F/O and penalty differential

#3 - If you’re shooting on the goalie, wide or not it means the other team isn’t shooting on your goalie

You need anyone softened-up while I'm here? Might slow them down and make it easier for you when you come up.
- IonSabres

i got it, enjoy your time

#2- WAR has a huge weight on F/O and penalty differential

#3 - If you’re shooting on the goalie, wide or not it means the other team isn’t shooting on your goalie
- OneKaneOneCup

I mentioned to Kaiser earlier that WAR is garbage.

#2- WAR has a huge weight on F/O and penalty differential

#3 - If you’re shooting on the goalie, wide or not it means the other team isn’t shooting on your goalie
- OneKaneOneCup

I thought that was GAR?