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Buffalo Sabres score a high grade on Tage Thompson extension

By Sion Fawkes

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Tage Thompson #72 of the Buffalo Sabres waits for a faceoff against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Tage Thompson #72 of the Buffalo Sabres waits for a faceoff against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Tage Thompson became a fixture for the Buffalo Sabres in 2021-22 after years of struggling. Now, he is locked in for the long haul. 

The Buffalo Sabres extended Tage Thompson to a whopping $50 million, seven-year extension in what is the first of what should be many extensions for this team’s young core. While I thought it was best to see if Thompson could repeat his success from last season before making a move, I do like this extension.

Why? Because it gives us visual proof that Kevyn Adams is once more sticking with his plan. He was making no big splashes in free agency that could potentially disrupt the building chemistry this team was building, and did build, in March and April 2022.

No, he wanted this to be the big splash, and it came in a 6’7, 220lb package that is Tage Thompson. This time last year, someone would have laughed out loud if you even implied the Sabres would sign Thompson to such an extension. 68 points and 38 goals later, Tage is the one laughing.

Buffalo Sabres General manager Kevyn Adams made a brilliant move in extending Tage Thompson to a $50 million, seven-year deal.

Thompson built himself into a franchise cornerstone in 2021-22. In training camp, no one thought much of the kid, who was busy riding the bust label. Fast-forward to August 2022, and Thompson could very well represent the Buffalo Sabres in the 2023 NHL All-Star Game if he builds on last season’s success.

And odds are he will, after having built quite the first line with Jeff Skinner, who also had a phenomenal bounce back season, and Alex Tuch, who came over in a trade from Vegas. After a half-season of building a rhythm in 2021-22, look for Thompson, Skinner, and Tuch (or Victor Olofsson) to continue to grow as the Sabres top line.

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As the Sabres improve, look for other cornerstones to receive their pay day. Since Adams locked in Thompson for seven seasons, the question bodes: Who’s next? We will wait and see.

Article Source: Sabres, Thompson agree to 7-year contract extension by Jourdon LaBarber

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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