Tage is unlikely to ever be good defensively
Dude doesn’t skate well enough
We aren’t gonna get a lot else from him besides putting the puck in the net…. which is fine….
as long as he keeps up the scoring
- jdfitz77

Neither ROR nor Reinhart are exceptional skaters. It may be premature to write off Thompson as unable to improve his defensive game. There are very few players in the league who have the stick reach of Thompson, and we know how much of a deadly advantage that can be defensively with guys like Chara

Neither ROR nor Reinhart are exceptional skaters. It may be premature to write off Thompson as unable to improve his defensive game. There are very few players in the league who have the stick reach of Thompson, and we know how much of a deadly advantage that can be defensively with guys like Chara
- Hank Balling

Who's the last player to sign long term with the Sabres? Jack Eichel?

Who's the last player to sign long term with the Sabres? Jack Eichel?
- chilliard77

Skinner I think

Who's the last player to sign long term with the Sabres? Jack Eichel?
- chilliard77

It's gotta be Skinner.

Skinner I think
- Hank Balling

You're right. Good to see a guy commit to being here. I like it

A lot of Goathead talk today surfacing on Twitter again.

Nice to see the FO starting to commit to something.

This is going to look like a bargain 2 years in. Need to start signing the foundation and they're doing just that.

Neither ROR nor Reinhart are exceptional skaters. It may be premature to write off Thompson as unable to improve his defensive game. There are very few players in the league who have the stick reach of Thompson, and we know how much of a deadly advantage that can be defensively with guys like Chara
- Hank Balling

Thompson is an exceptional skater compared to ROR and 23. Other than his shot (which is ridiculous), the first thing that stood out to me when he came here is how well he moves for a big man.

It's a great gamble by the team.

I think the tallness deal is fantastic, Why is everyone worried about Tage and Defense? I could give a shat less, I want him shooting bombs at a min 5 times a game. he has an Ovie-type one timer if not better. it might be one of the hardest shots I have ever seen in recent years.

Lets just say he plays 72 games x 5 shots a game and scores at 12% that's a 43 goal season. Skinner is going to get his 25-30 & Tuch can easily do the same, if you are getting almost 100 goals out of your top line, that line will end up on the plus side.

For all the folks bashing management for not committing to any RFAs

For all the folks bashing management for not committing to any RFAs
- TheSabresTaco

Who's a RFA

Who's a RFA
- Buff36

Tage was two seasons away from being a UFA

https://www.diebytheblade...ockey-rochester-americans

Tage was two seasons away from being a UFA
- TheSabresTaco

So they stayed away from a Rhino situation, it's growth from Adams and Co.

Thompson is an exceptional skater compared to ROR and 23. Other than his shot (which is ridiculous), the first thing that stood out to me when he came here is how well he moves for a big man.

It's a great gamble by the team.
- Slump Buster

It's also worth mentioning that most teams employ a zone defensive system rather than man-on-man system, meaning this giant pterodactyl with a hockey stick just has to eat up his part of the ice effectively by poke checking

So they stayed away from a Rhino situation, it's growth from Adams and Co.
- Buff36

I still question whether that situation was created by Jason, Kevyn or both.

Regardless, pay your talent while they want to be here.

I think the tallness deal is fantastic, Why is everyone worried about Tage and Defense? I could give a shat less, I want him shooting bombs at a min 5 times a game. he has an Ovie-type one timer if not better. it might be one of the hardest shots I have ever seen in recent years.

Lets just say he plays 72 games x 5 shots a game and scores at 12% that's a 43 goal season. Skinner is going to get his 25-30 & Tuch can easily do the same, if you are getting almost 100 goals out of your top line, that line will end up on the plus side.
- hehateme

IM not worried about defense and more worried about him reproducing and building on this season.

Its a lot of coin for a guy with one year of production.

It's also worth mentioning that most teams employ a zone defensive system rather than man-on-man system, meaning this giant pterodactyl with a hockey stick just has to eat up his part of the ice effectively by poke checking
- Hank Balling

Not Phil

IM not worried about defense and more worried about him reproducing and building on this season.

Its a lot of coin for a guy with one year of production.
- ImThatGuy

His micros push the theory that this isn't a one off. Perhaps the sh% comes down 2-3 pts but apparently he's still growing his game. Having an elite shot without being a volume shooter, he may indeed be able to sit around 12-13% career.

Not Phil
- TheSabresTaco

The ol' Housley washing machine. Good times

I still question whether that situation was created by Jason, Kevyn or both.

Regardless, pay your talent while they want to be here.
- TheSabresTaco

Agree

Tage did have 2 shorties last year

IM not worried about defense and more worried about him reproducing and building on this season.

Its a lot of coin for a guy with one year of production.
- ImThatGuy

Is it really a lot? I think its fair. Yeah he only had a break out season last year, but all the Tools are there. Just his shot alone will score him 10-20 on one timers. I will admit before last year I was not sold but Tallness made me a believer. And kudos to Meatballs for sticking with him at center.

I will say right now Tage goes 40+48 88 pts, More then Eichel ever scored in a Sabres uni and I predict he out scores him next year too.

IM not worried about defense and more worried about him reproducing and building on this season.

Its a lot of coin for a guy with one year of production.
- ImThatGuy

Nick Suzuki got almost 8 mil after a 41 point season. If Tage can be a 40-60 point guy then I believe it's good value. 7mil is the new 4mil