Buffalo Sabres: Tage Thompson is one to consider for fantasy hockey 2022

Feb 15, 2022; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Tage Thompson (72) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Islanders during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2022; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Tage Thompson (72) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Islanders during the second period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

We already covered three Buffalo Sabres to keep an eye on for fantasy hockey in 2022. But Tage Thompson is another one to consider. 

The Buffalo Sabres might make some noise in fantasy hockey this season, even if they have just one player ranked top 100, that player being Rasmus Dahlin. But that doesn’t mean you or other fantasy hockey owners need to be writing off the Sabres. Given their scoring prowess toward the end of the 2021-22 season, the Sleeping Sabres may reward you this year.

One player that I did not cover in the previous article was Tage Thompson, as I favored Jeff Skinner as my honorable mention because fantasy owners are more likely to consider drafting Thompson over the potentially forgotten Skinner. However, I did feel it would be appropriate to write an article pertaining to the Sabres points leader from a season ago.

How will Tage Thompson serve the Buffalo Sabres, and by extension, your fantasy hockey team this season? Expect some decent output, to say the least.

In 2021-22, Thompson scored 68 points, 38 goals, and 30 assists. He logged a +/- of (-17), and scored 16 power play, and 2 shorthanded points. He also tacked on 25 blocks. Thompson’s production did not go unnoticed, as he represented the Sabres as the Last Man In for the All-Star voting.

Thompson was snubbed, but his production picked up, as 38 of his 68 points came following the All-Star Break, Want more fun? 24 of his goals also came following the break, so it shows you just how much improvement Thompson showed between February 13th and April 29th.

And if he can score 24 goals every 2.5 months, he can easily threaten 45 this season. I know many fans are saying 40, but again, once you look at his consistency over the second half of 2021-22, you can’t help but get bold here.

Related Story. Sabres to keep an eye on for fantasy hockey 2022. light

With Thompson ranked at 115 per NHL.com’s Fantasy Hockey Top 250 Player Rankings, you don’t need to reach for Thompson if you are considering drafting him. Instead, sit back, and let the pick come to you. Let the other fantasy owners overlook Thompson, then snag him in the late rounds.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)